Chapter fifteen

Harry and Kingsley explained Harry's idea about Ginny Weasley to the Wizengamot. The meeting went for over two hours before the head of the Wizengamot approved the use of binding Ginny to a place and removing her magic but only if she admitted what she did and what she said. They also said it would be ten years, but if Ginny wished to go to trial for her crimes then it would be Azkaban, and no second chances would be offered. Harry and Kingsley knew it meant Harry had to explain to Ginny, but first he was going to speak with Arthur.

Harry was sitting in his office when he heard a knock, 'Mr. Weasley,' Harry got up and went to shake his hand but he stepped out of his office.

'You said you wanted to speak to me about what the Wizengamot said.'

'Yeah, okay, they approved the removal of her magic and to be bound to a place for ten years if she admits what she said and what she did to Charlie. But they did say if Ginny wanted a trial, if she was sentenced then it would be to Azkaban and no second chances.'

'If she went to trial she would be sentence, she was seen attacking Charlie and heard to say she was going to kill Charlie by a healer,' Ron said.

'Yes, so I have to make her understand that she will be found guilty, then the choice is hers. She either goes with my idea and no trial or a trial and Azkaban.'

'Molly and I spoke about this last night Harry. Yes we know she's hurt, but she is old enough to know what she did was wrong. It's more though, family, she attacked family. Now if she attacked someone that tried to hurt the family I think we would all understand. But Charlie was the one Ginny always went to for advice or when she was upset. It wasn't me or her mother she cried onto, it was Charlie. Molly and I know she's hurt, but she does need to be punished so we came up with an idea.'

'Go on Mr. Weasley,' Harry sighed.

'If she agrees to being bound to a place, it won't be to the Burrow, but to Muriel's place.'

'I think I would rather Azkaban than live with Muriel,' Ron grimaced.

'That's why I suggested it, Molly's aunt is not a nice woman. Ginny needs to be punished, if she was at the Burrow, she would see her family whenever she wanted, friends who would stop in to see Ron or Hermione. Family gets together for birthdays, Christmas, special occasions. She would have all her belongings there and you know Molly wouldn't be able to help herself, she would cook and clean for her. Even though she couldn't leave, it's not enough of a punishment for what she did. At Muriel's, she would not see anyone unless we visited, she would need to cook for herself, the muggle way, clean up after herself again the muggle way. If she went as far as saying anything to Muriel, we all know what will happen. Ginny might have a temper but compared to Muriel, Ginny's an angel.'

'That's not a bad idea Harry, you saw my aunt, the tyrant. Imagine being stuck with her for ten years.'

'Okay, yes that is a better solution, but Mr. Weasley, Muriel is old, what did she say, one hundred and ten years or something like that. I hate asking this, but will she still be around in ten years?'

'She's one hundred and eight, but maybe not, it's not like Muriel will be looking after Ginny, it's the place and the fact that Ginny will be living like a muggle. Muriel has already told Molly that her home will be left to her as she is her closest relative and the only one that drops in to see if she needs anything. So when she dies, it means Ginny can stay.'

'Okay, that's what I was worried about, if she died and the house went to someone else, they might use their magic to help Ginny. She does need punishing, so she can't have people using their magic to help her in anyway. If you want Muriel Mr. Weasley, she will need to be explained all this, that she can't help.'

'I can speak with her this afternoon but Muriel would not help her, she has never helped anyone but herself. Another reason I know Muriel would make Ginny pay for what she did, she always had a soft spot for Charlie. She said to me once that Charlie didn't conform to the way everyone was supposed to be. I used to believe she meant he was a loner, dated a different woman every night, his long hair. But now I believe she knew Charlie would end up with a man. Muriel might not be a nice woman and loves to gossip and listen to anyone that will bad mouth others, but she is very insightful. Out of all the family, Charlie was the only one that could ever calm her down when she started on someone. He hated talking to her, we all did, but he knew it worked for him.'

'Charlie has this calming presence about him, I noticed that straight away. I'm talking about when I first met him, when I was fourteen. My eyes went straight to him, I used to think it was because he did look different from all the other Weasley boys. So even though I was surprised more by Bill's looks, but it was Charlie's presence, his aura, I just felt calm the moment I was near him.'

'Yes, I have been told that myself about Charlie.'

'You never told me you were surprised by Bill, so why?' Ron asked.

'I heard the stories, Bill was a prefect and head boy, smart, I pictured someone like Percy. Charlie was quidditch captain and seeker, so to me his looks wasn't that surprising even though he was so different to all of you.'

'So you thought Bill was another perfect Percy?'

'Yeah, I did, anyway, I'll let the minister know what you said Mr. Weasley. Can you let me know what Muriel decides because I will have to go see Ginny tomorrow?'

'I'll send Pig, Errol can't seem to stand up anymore.'

'Poor old Errol, the only problem with Pig is he's small, can't carry a lot. I never asked Sirius why he chose such a small owl. Oh well, it's the past and that answer will have to remain unanswered, like so many others. One more thing Mr. Weasley, do you think she'll take my offer?'

'At first she might not, she will believe you won't allow it to happen. You saved her once before Harry, then saved me and Ron. She's bound to believe you would come to her rescue again.'

'No, I wouldn't, she lost my trust when she hurt Charlie. But I still don't want her to end up in Azkaban with those that are already in there. Let's hope she listens to me.'

'Yes, let's hope, I better go so I can see what dear old Muriel has to say.'

'I'll see you at home later dad,' Ron waited until his father left, 'Muriel's, I'm surprised mum went along with that.'

'I'm not actually Ron. When she told Charlie and I about what the healer said, she was calm, more worried about Charlie than anything else. I think she knew Ginny would follow through on the threat. She lost one son already, she's not going to take the chance of losing another. This way she still has her daughter, but not at home where Charlie will visit and where we want to get bonded. I think this is her way of protecting the rest of her family. One thing I noticed about your parents Ron, you mum might be the one to yell and control all of you, your dad is the calm one. But right now I think she's worried about your dad, he had to stay strong before, everyone has their breaking point, maybe she believes this could be your dad's.'

'I think you're right, but how did you get to read my parents so well.'

'Apart from watching them for years, remember the boggart. Even though your mother saw every member of the family dead, including me, it was your father that was first. They have been together for a long time, went through the first war together and they had children, but they have always been there for each other. I can sense your mother's sadness, especially now with Ginny and Charlie, but with the boggart your mum thought of your dad, that's when I realised, her greatest fear is losing her soul mate.' Harry shrugged, but Ron understood, Harry noticed that straight away. Kids don't really think of their parents like that, their married and parents, and that's all they see. They don't see that they have the ones they love most, their life mate and their soul mate.