Chapter Twenty-Two: The Correspondents

Arthur Weasley was still in his office on a Saturday afternoon. His youngest son would say that having to work on a Saturday should be made illegal. He chuckled to himself before he remembered that his youngest son had left the family home, perhaps forever. He had been thinking about writing to him but wasn't sure what to say. He knew Percy had written to Ron a couple of times and had received replies but he knew in his heart that a letter was not enough. He needed to see Ron more than anything.

His thoughts were interrupted by his co-worker, Perkins, who said, 'Arthur, this letter just arrived for you.'

'Thank you, Perkins,' he said, taking the envelope from him.

He looked at the words written on the envelope and recognised the handwriting at once – it was Ron's.

The envelope was addressed thus:

FAO Arthur Weasley c/o Ministry of Magic

Arthur opened the envelope and took out the parchment inside and read.

Dad,

I'm sorry I haven't written to you in a while but it has been a bit hectic. Studying for O.W.L.s is a pain, but when your girlfriend is Hermione Granger, it's a heck of a lot easier – sometimes.

Inside the envelope is the reason I'm writing to you, yes that is indeed Ginevra's wand. I have sent it to you because twice in the last three months she has attempted to curse Hermione and me with it, and twice I have had to disarm her.

I have also sent it to you so that when she writes to you telling you she needs a new wand, you need not bother to buy her one. On Sunday morning I will be giving her a broken duplicate of her wand which is why she'll be writing to you for another one.

Now, in my opinion, Ginevra is far too wand-happy. Ever since she got her own wand I have lost count the amount of times she has used it at home on one of us. Sometimes it is deserved, and others it has been over the most insignificant of things, however, despite the fact she broke the law, she wasn't punished by her mother, and I'm guessing you weren't informed. Furthermore, I believe Ginevra needs to learn that magic is a gift, and she needs to learn how to be responsible with that gift, and as petty as it might sound, I want her to feel how I did during my second year at school.

I did not have a wand that worked for me for two years, and during my second year, the wand I was expected to use, was broken – feel free to inform Bill of this when you see him again – however, nobody thought of trying to get me a replacement wand during my second year and I do not want Ginny to have a replacement, either.

Why should she get something else over me?

So I ask you not to allow her mother to buy her a new one, and not to return her wand to her until she has learned some responsibility. After all, she is still underage and has no business performing magic away from school, and you could get into serious trouble at the Ministry if Fudge found out that Ginevra has been breaking the law. Feel free to show this letter to her mother to make your point, as I am sure you will need to at some point.

Also, I am sure you will find out about the fight between Ginevra, the twins, Potter and Longbottom against Hermione and me.

The twins were rude to Hermione, who is a Hogwarts Prefect, and so I vanished their little box of joke products they were testing on first years in the common room. Yes, it was partially out of spite, but they insulted the girl I love and I was not going to allow them to get away with it.

After we had disarmed them, Fred threw the first punch at me, and Ginevra attempted to attack Hermione again, but this time with her fists, however, we were both able to defend ourselves from our five attackers. All five are going to be in detention for three months for attacking us, hopefully with Professor Snape.

I am sorry that this letter is not a happy one, Dad. Please give serious thought about what I have said about Ginevra and her indiscretions. Please do not give her wand back to her until she learns her lesson or either for the beginning of next year when she takes her O.W.L.s or when she turns seventeen.

Anyway, I hope you are doing okay and give my best to Percy and Snuffles.

Love Ron

Arthur took out Ginny's wand and saw it was intact before pocketing it and Ron's letter in his robes with a sigh.

He then he decided to go back to HQ as quite frankly, he had had enough for one day.

It was now Monday morning and Ron and Hermione were in the Great Hall eating breakfast together. As usual they ignored everyone else and made eyes at each other. They were whispering to each other and holding hands under the table as they ate. The whole thing was rather sweet.

Unfortunately they were disturbed by an owl crashing right in front of them. However, it was not the owl that bothered them; it was what the owl was carrying. It was a red envelope – a Howler. It was addressed to Ron with very familiar handwriting.

Ron, however, was livid. He took the red envelope from Errol and threw it into the lit fireplace behind him before pushing away his food, grabbing Hermione's hand and leaving the Great Hall with her.

0o0

Professor Minerva McGonagall hated the Order meetings. She knew they were necessary, but Merlin, she hated them, and tonight's meeting would be even worse. She would have to endure Molly Weasley's complaining to her about what had happened last Friday night in the Gryffindor common room, and the aftermath. Of course it saddened her that three friends such as Potter, Weasley and Granger had fallen out, but worse, it appeared that the Weasleys were imploding. She had been disgusted and heartbroken that four siblings could fall out the way they had, but for a mother to toss aside one of her own children like Molly Weasley had done made her sick to her stomach.

She remembered this morning and seeing the all too familiar sight of Errol, the old Weasley family owl crashing in front of Weasley and Granger as they ate their breakfast together while whispering, what she guessed, was words of love. She then saw that the owl had brought a red envelope, which she knew to be a Howler. She saw Ronald Weasley's face turn as red as the envelope in his hands before he had unceremoniously thrown it into the fire behind him, before leaving the hall with Miss Granger in tow and with an angry look on his face.

Now, with her classes for the day over, she had a rather depressing meeting with the Order to attend. She sighed to herself and made to stand to go to dinner when there was a knock upon her door.

'Enter,' she called.

The door opened and in walked Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger.

'Good evening, Professor,' said Hermione, before Ron copied her.

Minerva noticed that Ronald was a lot calmer now, and so she was pleased that Hermione had managed to do something to cool the redhead's temper.

'Good evening to you both, is something wrong?' Minerva replied, concerned.

'Oh, no, but we were wondering if there was an Order meeting tonight and if you are going to attend?' Hermione replied.

Minerva had not been expecting this, but said, 'There is, and I shall be leaving after dinner, why?'

Minerva watched as Hermione took out an envelope from her pocket before speaking again.

'Would you mind delivering this letter to Molly Weasley for us? We would send an owl but we're not sure whether our owl will get through the Fidelius Charm over Headquarters and we did not want it intercepted either.'

Minerva looked at the envelope and saw it was a plain one of parchment before taking it from Hermione.

'Do I want to know its contents?' asked Minerva.

'Probably not, but you'll find out after Molly Weasley opens the envelope,' replied Hermione.

'It isn't a prank, is it?' Minerva asked.

'No, it really isn't,' replied Ron.

Minerva had a really good hunch what the envelope likely contained but said nothing before putting it in her pocket.

'Thank you, Professor,' said Hermione, before Ron copied her again.

Minerva gave them both a smile before dismissing them. It had been a small smile, yet she was sad for the young man who had just left her presence. After all, he was a few months away from taking very important examinations, he had been forced to leave his family home due to his mother and five of his siblings, and now he was reluctantly helping to fight a war he wanted no part of since his former best friend dropped him, and unbeknownst to that former best friend, he was still helping him and those six family members who had cast him out and written him off as a liability. In her opinion, the young man should be able to enjoy his courtship with her favourite student in peace and quiet without all the pressures upon his young shoulders.

Minerva knew right away that Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were meant to be. She had known it from day one. They reminded her of another couple of students she had the pleasure of teaching so many years ago. Their similarities were absolutely staggering. The two boys were both purebloods, and the two girls were muggle-born. James Potter and Lily Evans and Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, thankfully the second pair had not taken seven years to get together, but boy, could both couples argue, bicker and squabble like cats and dogs? Minerva remembered hearing about the huge arguments between James and Lily, but she knew nothing they did could eclipse the argument between Ronald and Hermione after the Yule Ball.

With a sigh, she left for a quick dinner before she had to go to the Order meeting.

The meeting itself was rather a waste of her time, Minerva thought. Of course she had not forgotten what she was supposed to deliver but it would have to wait until after the meeting had come to its end.

Once it did and people began to file out of the kitchen at Grimmauld Place, she was approached by Molly.

'How are my children, Minerva, are they all right, I was beside myself with worry after Ginny's letter on Saturday,' said Molly.

Minerva noticed Molly's eyes shine as she spoke of her daughter and could not believe the obvious favouritism.

'Do you mean all of your children whom attend Hogwarts, or just the twins and your precious daughter?' Minerva asked in a disgusted tone of voice.

Molly Weasley's face went red with anger but before she could explode, Minerva said, 'I have something for you,' and thrust the envelope from Ronald and Hermione into Molly's hand.

Minerva watched as Molly opened the envelope and saw that her hunch as to its contents was right on the money. She saw Molly's face turn red with anger.

'You might as well open it, Molly,' said Sirius, who Minerva noticed had a smirk on his face.

Molly took out what was inside and opened it.

Minerva covered her ears before the at least ten times enhanced loud voice of Ronald Weasley reverberated around the room.

'MOLLY WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU SEND ME A HOWLER? WHO THE BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? DO YOU REMEMBER THE LETTER I LEFT BEHIND LAST SUMMER? WHAT PART OF DON'T TRY TO CONTACT ME DID YOU NOT UNDERSTAND? BESIDES, THE PERSON WHO INVENTED THE HOWLER MORE THAN LIKELY WOULD NEVER EXPECT PARENTS TO SEND THEM TO THEIR OFFSPRING! I AM NOT A CHILD ANYMORE, AND I AM NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU ANYMORE, EITHER! YOU FORFEITED YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS OVER ME WHEN YOU TOSSED ME ASIDE LIKE YESTERDAY'S GARBAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR HARRY POTTER! I DON'T ANSWER TO YOU ANYMORE, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? WILL THIS HOWLER PENETRATE THAT THICK, STUBBORN SKULL OF YOURS? DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT TO CONTACT ME AGAIN! FROM NOW ON, I SUGGEST YOU CONCENTRATE ON THE KIDS YOU ACTUALLY GIVE A SHIT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE ONES WHO GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED FROM HERMIONE, ME, AND THE THREE MONTHS OF DETENTION EACH FOR ATTACKING NOT ONE HOGWARTS PREFECT BUT TWO! YES, THAT'S RIGHT, NO GOOD RONALD THE IMMATURE LIABILITY WAS NAMED PREFECT! OF COURSE I WON'T BE EXPECTING A LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM YOU, BECAUSE YOU PROBABLY THINK I STOLE THE POSITION FROM HARRY POTTER! GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE!'

Minerva took her hands off of her ears and saw that Molly's face was red with anger and embarrassment.

'Do not say a word, Molly, as you got exactly what you deserved. I am in full agreement with what Ronald has said to you; Howlers are most definitely not meant to be sent by parents to their own children! Also, as is my right as Ronald's Head of House, I am prohibiting you from attempting to send him anymore Howlers and all other forms of communication! I am beyond disappointed in you,' said Minerva.

Molly stood there shocked, angry and humiliated as Minerva made to leave but remembered something else.

'Do you remember the Howler you sent to Ronald at the beginning of his second year?' asked Minerva, but before Molly could reply, she continued, 'that Howler was the first one I have heard since Walburga Black sent one to Sirius during his school days! She sent them to him what seemed like every other day!

'Now, I know Augusta Longbottom has sent one to her grandson, Neville, on at least one occasion, and believe me, I shall be having words with her about it, furthermore, I shall be speaking to Albus about banning Howlers from being sent to students, whether they are from their parents or outsiders! I suggest you think long and hard about all the mistakes you have made regarding not just Ronald but all of your children.'

Minerva then left without another word.

Back in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, Molly was not pleased at all.

'How that boy dares?' she said to herself but her husband heard her.

'We need to talk, Molly, now,' said Arthur, he then turned to others and said, 'could you give us the room, please?'

The others left the kitchen quickly leaving Arthur alone with his wife.