Chapter 14: A Husband's Fury

That night after the feast, where they heard all about the Tri-Wizard Tournament and were introduced to the Fake Moody, the group of friends were bidding each other goodnight when Severus walked up to Harry and the gang, "Miss Lovegood." He said sternly.

Luna who was standing in front of Hermione turned to face him, "Yes Professor Snape?" she asked.

"Miss Parkinson has told me you attacked her on the train," He looked down at her sternly, "Care to explain?"

"Its true Professor but I-" she started to try to explain but Pansy cut her off.

"See Professor I told you!" Pansy whined.

"Silence," Snape ordered.

"Professor Snape," Hermione spoke up, "Luna was defending me."

Snape looked her way, "Explain." He ordered.

"Well sir." Draco spoke up, "I was in the compartment with Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna when Parkinson showed up and began screeching at us. Hermione made a joke in reference to Harry's godfather and Pansy snapped at her and called her the 'M' word. Luna responded with a knockback jinx."

Snape grimaced and rounded on Pansy, "You disgrace Slytherin House before school has even begun?" he snarled. Almost the entirety of the Slytherins were standing behind her, "I see I have been far too lenient with you lot the last few years but that ends tonight! Twenty-five points from Slytherin Miss Parkinson and detention with me for a week." All the Slytherins gasped, "Let this be a lesson to the rest of you as well!" he said to the other Slytherins, "If I hear one word of you disrespecting other student based on their blood status you will face repercussions! Now to bed all of you!"

The Slytherins all filed out and headed for the dungeons many of them whispering about Snape's new attitude. Snape then turned back to Luna, "Miss Lovegood, I understand you were defending you friend but I can not abide you attacking another student. Twenty points from Ravenclaw. You will also serve a weeks worth of detention, however I'll let Professor Flitwick decide on how you will spend it. Is that agreeable to you Filius?" He asked Professor Flitwick who had walked up and was standing beside Luna.

"Yes I'll take care of it Severus," the small wizard said.

"Excellent. Good night then." Snape then turned and walked down out of the Great Hall ignoring the bewildered look Albus Dumbledore was giving him.

"Alright to bed all of you!" Minerva said to her Gryffindors who had stayed to watch the spectacle.

"I'm sorry you got in trouble because of me Luna." Hermione said to her.

"It okay Hermione." The blonde smiled, "I'd happily do it again."

Minerva walked by as she said this, "A wonderful display of friendship and bravery. Forty points to Ravenclaw Miss Lovegood." The head of Gryffindor House said, "But do try to think a bit before you act next time."

"Yes ma'am." Luna said.

~ ~ ~

The next day Harry sat in the Great hall at the end of the Gryffindor table with Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Draco. Neville had also joined them although he was nervous about the presence of Draco, but Luna was keeping him distracted with fanciful tales of mythical plants. The Heads of their Houses came by and gave them their schedules, shortly after that Ron turned up. He frowned disdainfully at Draco but said nothing looking to Harry.

"Got your schedule mate?" Ron asked.

"Yea though it's a little different from last years." Harry said.

"Different how?" Ron asked. Harry held up his schedule and Ron snatched it out of his hand reading it over, "Harry there must be some mistake this has you in Ancient Runes instead of Divinations. We need to get McGonagall to change this fast."

"That's not a mistake Ron I changed it on purpose." Harry said taking his schedule back from the gawking Ron.

"Why would you change from Divinations to Ancient Runes?" the red head asked, "Divinations is an easy O."

"Because I was getting tired of Trelawney predicting my death every other class." Harry griped, "And Ancient Runes sounded like a much less wasteful use of my time."

"What has gotten into you Harry?" Ron growled, "First you blow me off on the train ride home, then your getting all cozy with Hermione at the World Cup, then you buddying up to Malfoy, and now this?"

"First off, Ronald," Harry said in an irritated tone, "I believe we've already discussed the fact that Draco is now a Black and practically my cousin. Secondly, whatever Hermione and I do together is really none of your business, but were not 'cozying up'. She fell from the Portkey I helped her up and we just happen to accidently get a little too close to one another. And Finally, its come to my attention that I have been woefully underestimating myself when it comes to my education. I am the son of a former Head Girl and Boy who happened to be in the top of their year, not to mention I am the Heir to an Ancient and Most Noble House and I must conduct myself accordingly that means getting the best marks possible and choosing classes that will actually benefit me in the future. So henceforth I will be putting a lot more effort into my studies rather than goofing off. Now if you don't mind the five of us were discussing our summer homework. I assume since your have time to berate me you must have finished yours. Feel free to join us, or don't either way you're interrupting a useful conversation."

Ron stared at Harry his mouth hanging open. He could not believe Harry just spoke to him like that, "Fine be a ridiculous know-it-all like Hermione see if I hang out with you ever again."

"That is the most sensible thing you've said this morning." Harry chimed, "Why don't you go hang out with Seamus? I'm sure he'd love to entertain you with his tongue again."

Ron face twisted into that of disgust and the others around Harry chuckled quietly. He then turned and stormed off out of the Great Hall. "Wow Potter that was utterly vicious of you." Draco said, "Are you sure you're not supposed to be in Slytherin?"

"Well the Sorting Hat did recommend me for Slytherin at first but I made it place me in Gryffindor." Harry said.

"Wow you even bossed the Sorting Hat around." Neville said, "I had to beg it to put me in Gryffindor like my parents, even though I'm talentless."

Harry smiled to Neville, "Nev you are a true Gryffindor through and through you are brave when it counts the most, and your not as talentless as you think."

"He's right Neville." Luna said, "Truthfully I think its your wand that is holding you back. Its your father's right…I don't think it's a good match for you."

Neville pulled out the wand, "But Gran said if it was good enough for my dad it should be good enough for me."

"Neville." Hermione jumped in, "The first thing Mr. Ollivander told me was the wand chooses the witch…or in your case the wizard. Your father's wand chose your father, but you are not your father. Perhaps you should talk to Professor McGonagall see if she can write to your Gran to convince her you need your own wand."

Neville nodded, "I'll try." He said quietly.

~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, at the Burrow, Arthur Weasley was stomping up the drive Ginny's letter in hand. The look on his face was utter fury. He burst into the house, "MOLLY!" he shouted as he walked into the kitchen to find her scurrying to hide a potion she was brewing.

"Arthur dear what are you doing home." She said as she stood in front of the cauldron as if he wouldn't notice the steam rising up behind her.

"Stand aside!" he barked and gently yet forcefully moved her out of the way. He stared down at the potion and new immediately it was Amortentia. He flipped the cauldron upside down in a rage, "WHAT ON EARTH IS GOINIG THROUGH THAT HEAD OF YOURS?! TRYING TO DOSE HARRY POTTER WITH LOVE POTIONS SO HELL FALL IN LOVE WITH GINNY?! AND DOING THE SAME TO HERMIONE SO SHE'LL LOVE RON!? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!"

Molly trembled a bit at her husbands rage, all the years they were married he had never shouted like this, "Arthur I was just trying to do what's best for our children. Ginny loves Harry I want her to be happy."

"HAVE YOU EVEN ASKED OUR DAUGHTER HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT HARRY?!" he said as he slapped Ginny's letter onto the table.

Mrs. Weasley gently picked it up and began reading with shaky hands:

Daddy,

Daddy you won't believe what I just found out. Mum and Ron have been trying to dose Harry and Hermione with love potions! They are trying to get Harry to fall in love with me and Hermione to fall in love with Ron! I found out this summer the snacks mum sent Harry for his birthday were laced with Amortentia. Harry's godfather noticed immediately and decided to play a prank by sending the sweets to Draco Malfoy, now Black. Then during the World Cup before the match Draco asked me on a date. But just now on the train Draco apologized and said his mother took him to St. Mungos to have him looked at because he was acting strange and they learned he was dosed with a powerful love potion. Daddy, Harry nor Hermione have any interest in me or Ron. Harry has told me he only sees me as a little sister and I'm perfectly fine with that. I love being his and Hermione's friend. You have to stop mom from doing this anymore. Harry says his godfather will report it next time any potioned snacks arrive for Harry. That will be considered attempted Line Theft. Mum will get five years in Azkaban for that! Please you have to stop her before she ruins our family name!

Your Daughter,

Ginevra Weasley

Molly Weasley teared up a bit as she read the letter, "Arthur I'm sorry I just wanted the children to be happy, And Dumbledore said…"

"What does Dumbledore have to do with this?!" Arthur asked firmly.

"Well…he…he had me brew loyalty potions…he's been giving them to Harry since his first year. To make Harry loyal to him and to Ron." Molly stammered, "He told me it was for the best that Harry be friends with Ron, and that Harry would be better off with our Ginny rather than with Hermione."

"That not for Dumbledore to decide!" Arthur shouted, "Harry should chose who he loves not be forced to love our Ginny just because Dumbledore thinks its for the best! Do you really want our daughter to be in a sham of love affair rather than a true love?"

"No of course not!" Molly cried. The Weasley matriarch began sobbing, "I thought I was doing what was best for them…Arthur I'm so sorry." She reach out to take his hand but Arthur recoiled from her , this made her cry harder.

"I will be going to see Lord Black today and I'll be begging for his forgiveness, and when the children come home for the holidays we will be having a family meeting…all of us. You will tell them what you've done and why and then if the children forgive you I will do my best to do so as well, but know this, I am seriously considering filing for a divorce and if I do know I will file for full custody of our children I will not have you and Albus playing games with our kids lives do you understand me?!" Arthur bellowed.

Molly nodded vigorously, "I do…I do…"

At that moment an owl swooped in carrying a letter from Dumbledore. Arthur took the letter and tried to open it but it would let him. He then thrust it at his wife, "Read it out loud."

Molly took the letter and open it slowly before she read it word for word:

Molly,

I'm sorry to bother you so early in the year but it looks as if a rift is forming between Harry and Ronald. They got into a very public spat this morning over Harry changing his electives. It seem the loyalty potions are wearing off. I need a new batch as soon as possible. Also I'd like you to make some resentment potions one keyed to Hermione Granger and one to Draco Malfoy. They are getting too friendly with Harry I may be best that Ronald is his only friend. Make them strong. Remember, it is in the children's best interest that we do this.

Thank you for your support,

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Head Master of Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry

Order of Merlin: First Class

Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot

Supreme Mugwump

Arthur Weasley slammed his hand on the table, "How dare he play with children's lives!" he shouted then turned with his wand pointing at the cauldron on the floor blasting it to ash, "Don't you even think about responding to this letter." He said as he snatched it out of her hands. "I will respond and I'm also turning this over to Amelia Bones as evidence of his actions! You will give her a testimony and beg for leniency in exchange for your cooperation. Until then you are not to leave this house am I understood?!"

Molly once again nodded vigorously, "Yes Dear I swear."

Arthur walked closer to her his face still full of rage, "Make an Unbreakable Vow."

Molly's eyes widened in shock but she did so. She swore in her oath she would not brew any more potions, nor would she attempt to contact Dumbledore, and she would remain in the house until told otherwise. When she finished Arthur calmed a bit then turned and stormed out of the house leaving his wife sobbing on the floor.

Up Next: Dumbledore's plans start to unravel. Harry and his friends learn of a surprising courtship between two of their new aquaintances.