Title: Core magic
Chapter – 12
Chapter title: the plan goes wrong
Author: Billybob
Category: AU, alternate universe …set in DH
Word count: 3,120
AN: I'm back – sort-of, found a Wi-Fi outlet to publish, but before I do a reminder
Rated: M, - just to be safeguarded from the prudish criticism of the overly sensitive. The rating is what it is for adult language and banter, some UK profanity / slang and implied sexual innuendo. I do not write blow-by-blow smut.
The opening scene in this story was heavily inspired by 'Those Four Last Days of the War' - as originally written by; oscarpaz00 - - Fanfictiondotnet id #:7192398. I recommend it for those who like uber-powerful Ron's. The major difference between his tale and mine is - one) the character of Ron himself, mine isn't all powerful and - - secondly and more important - - what happens after they meet in the forest of Dean.
(This is not actually an HP-HG ship, although it starts out that way)
Warning (one): Unbridled butchery of the King's English is a common facet of this writer's modis operendi and I have also been rightfully accused of: - gross punctuation and grammar errors, obscene ramblings on tangents that distract from the main plot and repeating already stated facts and plot points over and over.
Warning (two); I will pick and choose items from JKR last two books as it suits my fancy, and disregard other bits of cannon just as easily.
Author's disclaimer: This story is based in the world created by J. K. Rowling, she owns all legal rights to the characters, setting, etc. - I am merely borrowing the contents of the JKR world for my own amusement and that of my few readers. In other words…her characters…my plot…savvy?
Again Rated M / alternate universe
Chapter 12 - the Plan goes wrong
Words 3,059
"The timing of this couldn't be more horrible," Ron lamented. "Potter at Hogwarts and the threat to the diadem was to have been our bait; - - my take-over of Hogwarts is set for first light two days from now and was intended to draw in old Tom and his storm-troopers. Sooner or later Tommie has to figure-out that his Horcruxes are disappearing. If Bellatrix tells Tom about the sword or the cup missing from her vault, he'll put the pieces together.
If I had more Core magic left – I could make Hogwarts castle defenses unbreakable for a very long time – against all the DE, even Tom's power. I could easily force Tom to lay siege to the place and holding seven years' worth of Slytherin's hostage - would be icing on the cake. Every DE sympathizer in England would come to try to save the heirs of their bloodlines. Old Tom may not hold-back in his attack but his followers would. With several generations of the pureblood bigots housed under one roof, they'd be hesitant to blast the castle down.
"But a siege wouldn't work for me , so instead I must convince Tom that he is making progress against my defenses and he requires everyone for a total break through. By drawing them all in to recapture the school - and then at the right moment - - releasing the castle's magical core - - I could potentially kill every single DE in the United Kingdom in one blow. The blast according to Seamus's calculations - - by comparing it to a Muggle five megaton nuclear-blast should cause a non-radioactive crater two kilometer's across and twenty meters deep and reach all the way to the outskirts of Hogsmeade. Even if Voldemort somehow survives with one Horcrux, he'll be back to square one, mortal with only one soul-bit – unable to make more - and no living followers.
"But you'll die doing it.
"I'm broken beyond repair, Master - my core magic is nearly spent. I have just enough for this one last task and then I'd die anyway – like Avery - a very-very old squib. I have no regrets Master – I'm a hopeless romantic and I can't get over the loss of my dream: love, home, children and a faithful wife" Ron sighed looking down at his cupped hands. "Without my dream - - dyeing becomes a release for me.
"When do we break camp, Ronald? Abe said - having given up long-ago on the argument that Ron could have his dream with some other girl. For he knew from experience; that when a Weasley male fall in adult-mature love – it is irreversible - and for life.
"We? You're not to be part of this. And neither is any member of my resistance group - no one here beside Potter was supposed to come with me," Ron said finally accepting responsibility for his army of resistance while shaking his head no at his master suggestion. "Let's stick to the Plan - like you said.
"The teaching staff should be adequate enough to evacuate the students of Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. I've had Dirk's squad construct three huge fireplaces up the beach from here. Using core magic I can make a non-closing portal between each house common-room fire place and the ones up the beach.
"But the Ministry will shut down the floo network the moment they know that you and Potter are at the school;" Abe pointed out reasonably. The DE will also cast a anti-apparition hex
"My core portals work on a different magic are a far more advanced means of instant transportation than the current floo network - and we have already tested the system against those countermesures several times - so we know it works. I have enough supplies stockpiled up the beach - in case their parents can't fetch them right-away. The resistance sole job in this operation to get those Hogwarts; 'shorties' home.
Potterwatch can spread the news that they are all out - - safely evacuated - except for the Slytherin's. I want them to let it be known that I've taken the little bigots hostage – and we know from prisoners that they are discretely listening – although its officially forbidden. I've arranged for the bootleg radio station to broadcast from right here at Shell Cottage on the day of the attack. The entire operation should be over – one way or another - twenty-four hours after launch.
"Once I've gotten the students and staff out – I'll seal the Slytherin's in the Chamber of Secrets. Who knows, they might survive the blast down there - it's certainly deep enough. Then all that's left to do - is to find the diadem and destroy it. Potter should be able to help me with that, seeing that he's attuned to them - - although the git doesn't have a clue as to why. Later as my defenses begin to deliberately falter - I'll be in the castles core chamber and all that will remain is to draw the rats into the trap.
"And Potter"
"I was going to give him the option - under a flag of truce to duel Voldemort. If Tommie try's something underhanded, which I suspect he will – he was in Slytherin after all - I' should have enough core power left to get Potter's chesnuts out of the fire. He can then leave when the house-elves apperate out at the last minute. Wizard made wards – even mine - don't affect them, or slow them down; for that matter. I'm relatively sure that Dobby will agree to dual-apperate him out.
"And about the last Horcrux,?
"You can tell him if you want, or let Voldemort do it. Albus didn't teach Potter squat during the last six years, - if he lasts two minutes in an open fire-fight with Tommie - I'll be really-stunned. Harry doesn't have the killer instinct - it's just that simple - and without it he's toast. Either way that's one murder I simply refuse to be any part of. So with Potter dead or fled - that just leaves the snake - - if I fail to get it in the blast, you'll have to take it out.
"I'll find it, don't worry
"You Better! Anyway; with me and all the Death Eaters gone, - - along with every square inch of Hogwarts. Killing the snake will make Tom mortal and after that - - any lucky punk with a wand that comes across Voldemort can potentially take him out. That'll be your final job, master - - finish off a very-mortal Tom Riddle.
OoOoOoOo
Mr. Weasley - - Aberforth, do either of you know how to contact Miss Grangers Parents? Poppy said softly with resigned regret - as she approached them, after nearly three quarters of an hour – working on Hermione. But seeing Harry sitting with them - - she changed the direction of her inquires toward him. "Mr. Potter, as I understand it from an unpleasant incident that took place at the end of Last Term you and Miss Ganger's have been living together as common-law spouses since last June.
"Miss Granger - - who's that?" Harry asked only vaguely interested.
"Hermione Jean Granger, the witch that confessed her undying love for you in front of all of her Gryffindor peers, who also took extra pains to inform everyone that she would be living with you exclusively from that point onward.
"Oh you mean Hermione," Harry replied in a slightly lethargic monotone, "were not married. In fact I doubt anyone will ever marry her, she is brilliant on some things, but she also the world's biggest nag. She's always right and I'm always wrong - - about everything - - twenty-four hours a day - every day without end.
"Ron, I really don't know how you put-up with it for so long - - She either lectures or argues a bloke into madness - - and I didn't realize how often you ran interference with that arrogant Hag for me. She rambles on and on about the rights of magical creatures endlessly. She's so smug - - so cocky about knowing all the answers, there have been times I nearly smacked her a good-one, just to wipe that know-it all smirk off her face.
"YOU HIT HER!" Ron roared his temper flaring - fury in his eyes.
No - - no - - no, I didn't - - but lord knows I wanted too," Harry confessed holding up his hands in semi intoxicated like state of - surrender. "I really missed you mate, you never got on my last nerve like she does - - constantly.
"Then why in hell did you choose her over my sister?
"I didn't - - I haven't," Harry bemoaned as he dropped his face into his hands and began sob. "It was just sex, a never-ending urge to mindlessly shag that I couldn't resist - - one minute she was a semi-sibling, the annoying older sister I never had - and the next we were tearing-off each other's clothing.
Ron reacted with disgust and barely controlled anger - Aberforth on the other hand became intensely interested in what Harry had just said
"I thought for a-while it might be a lust/love potion or spell - - but according to Professor Flitwick, who I actually did ask. There are no Lust-spells per-say and Love-potions wear off in short-order whereas my all-controlling desire to bunk-up with Hermione non-stop …went on for month after month.
"I hate to interrupt," Poopy said sternly, but we've wandered off topic here. Besides; I have other patients to tend to. Miss Granger may be a horrible person to live with - - as you claim, Mr. Potter - - but you do still co-inhabit with her - do you not? Under our law, unless challenged by another male suitor you are considered her common-law husband. In her current unresponsive mental state, I need to know who will be responsible for her long-term physical care. Normally I would suggest that she be transferred to the fourth floor spell damage ward at St. Mungo's but with the Death Eaters in charge of things, that solution is impractical.
"You mean the same ward as Lockhart, number 49?" - Ron asked suddenly horrified
"Yes, Mr. Weasley I do. Miss Granger according to a 'Prior Incanto' spell cast on Bellatrix Lestrange's wand - has suffer overly prolonged exposure to the Cruciatus Curse, as well as other curses - resulting in severe internal organ damage, several broken ribs one arm and one leg deliberately broken - and other contusions due to numerous blunt trauma blows to her face and body. She was nearly beaten to a pulp when you brought her here, with horrible cuts and bruises everywhere. The physical injuries I have already mended, however her mental suffering is beyond my skill.
"Is it worse than the Frank and Alice Longbottom case?" Aberforth asked - as Harry had lost all interest in the discussion and wandered off a few feet from the discussion - - He didn't appear to be listening and was now staring again - with longing, at the ocean.
"You're aware of that case - are you? Well and Good - - that will simplify matters. Miss Granger has withdrawn into the back of her mind to avoid the pain connected with the lingering effects of the Cruciatus Curse still present in the frontal lobe. She has unconsciously used her magic to create barriers within her mind - - separating like a wall her consciousness in the back from the dark- magic pain in front. Because of this barrier she is cut-off from any and all outside stimuli. Since 1982 my healer colleagues at St. Mungo's have tried everything to break through the Longbottom's mental barriers, even expert use of Legilimens has proved unsuccessful.
"So what can be done? Ron asked struggling with his emotions - - even with his Occulmency firmly in place he was beginning to unravel.
"That's just it; Mr. Weasley, medically speaking - nothing can be done," Poopy Pomfrey said in a resigned voice. "Although she keeps mumbling your first name; Mr. Weasley - in a weak pleading whisper - - there is no consciousness behind those words. Mentally she is a total vegetable, there is strong brain activity, but there is no method known by any healer in the world to reach her and bring her back to our realm of reality.
If you have a miracle up your special white-magic sleeve, I'd use it sooner rather than later. The longer Miss Granger is trapped in her own mind - the less likely she'll emerge sane. Now what's wrong with Mr. Potter he appears emotionally listless and apathetic.
"Potters lethargic condition is connected with his common-law spouse current-condition," Aberforth said, "All as a result of a well-intended jinx, that he received last year. Luckily, I have experience with this kind of magic - and as it's not of physical origin, so your help with Potter will not be required. So don't let us delay your return to your other patients. A final decision on Miss Granger will be forthcoming but until then, Mr. Weasley here as base commander will assume full responsibility for the girl.
"Mr. Weasley – considering your recent history with the girl, are you sure you want to do this.
"Yes Poppy - she has always been my burden, and I was a fool thinking I could run away from it. Will you be my witness, for I hereby formally Challenge Potter's right to be Miss Granger's common-law spouse, As we all heard him reject the idea of being with her any longer, that makes me by default responsible for her - - agreed?
"I personally have to agree with Mr. Potter's assessment of living with the girl, and believe you can do a-lot better in a companion," the Matron said. "But I've also come to learn how stubborn you Weasley's are when your mind is made up. So yes Aberforth and I will bare-witness to your claim on the girl.
"Could you please get her ready to travel before you go back to your other patients?
"Where will you take her?
"Back to the surrounding's where she was happiest
"To her parents – then,? Alright - - Mr. Weasley; I'll leave Miss Granger's fate in your capable hands," and with that said the Hogwarts Matron rushed briefly back inside the huge tent.
"Aberforth waited until the Matron was out of sight before abruptly turning toward Ron. "Ronald – what wicked idea is in your clever little head?
"My new common-law wife is a vegetable, Master, and I know for a fact - that she wouldn't want to share Frank and Alice's fate – trapped inside her body – hopelessly insane. I'll take her and the soon to be equally comatose Potter - with me to the core room at Hogwarts. I'll have Tweaky call Dobby to Shell Cottage and declared - - Harry-Potter's caregiver as soon as possible. The house-elf can take care of Potter and Granger while I do my tasks - and then at the end - - I'll send Dobby on a errand to you here. That way the elf will not be caught in the blast.
I let it be known that Potter is at Hogwarts and that will bring Tom and his snake if nothing else does. Twenty-four hours later - the newly made Mr. and Mrs. Granger' Weasley – and one Harry Potter will go-out together at the same time our school and several thousand DE - - die.