Witch and the hothead 4

London

Since the news broke about Harry and Kingsleys plans Ginny Potter fled to the burrow to stay with her parents. Little baby James only 4 months old slept in the bassinet beside her bed unaware to the scandal involving his father.
Watching him sleep while her tears were streaming down her face.
The shame and the guilt eating at her. When Harry got the promotion as head Auror everything changed. The loving, slightly awkward boy she fell in love with and married began to fade away.
The arguments about stupid stuff began. Why did she appear in the prophet without him? Was she cheating on him? Did she have to be so loud? Why did she want to work?
And the most disturbing of all, the way he began talking about Hermione.
She was a danger to the wizarding society, a free thinker, and that was dangerous. With her heritage she should know her worth and know her place.
It made Ginny sick. Hermione was like a big sister to her.
Having only brothers for siblings and a mother known for her hysteric persona made Hermione an easy person to love and depend on. She was always there to listen and give advice. Not once did she make Ginny feel stupid or feel like she was less of a witch.
When he forbade her to talk to Hermione, she knew something must be really wrong with her husband. She observed his behaviour more and more and almost became obsessed with finding something that could explain his erratic behaviour.
The months flew by, Harrys mood went from bad to worse. Mumbling to himself, staying up at night taking floo calls from Kingsley at odd hours. Showing almost no emotion when Ginny told him that she was pregnant was crushing.
She wanted her Harry back.

When James was born she begged her mother to contact Hermione and have her come to Sankt Mungos. The witch stepping through the doors was not the strong beautiful friend she knew. Hermione looked tired, bags under her eyes. Her wild hair dull hanging limp down her back. Her clothes to big hanging from her small frame.
The worst of it all was the look of betrayal, hurt and sadness in her eyes when she met her eyes. She hadn't even known Ginny was pregnant.
Her fake smile and congratulations made Ginny want to cry and beg for forgiveness. She wanted to tell her everything, about the change in Harrys behaviour and warn Hermione about some of the stuff she overheard Kingsley and Harry talking about. But she was too scared, scared for herself and her baby.
If Harry could change his mind about his best friend, he could do the same about Ginny.

But here she was, sitting in her bed in her old room with her firstborn, missing her friend more than ever. Hermione would know what to do, tell her what was wrong and tell her that everything was going to be alright.
Ron was furious. Or he acted like he was but Ginny knew that deep down he was hurt.
When Hermione and Ron split up a few months after the war they remained friends. When Ron moved to Ireland to play quidditch they lost contact, Harry would floo call him every other day but stopped after he changed.
And her mother, her insensitive mother asked how she could let him become this kind of man. It was her duty as his wife to keep him in line.
First of all, tell that to a person whose whole life had been manipulated and kept in line by Albus Dumbledore, and second of all, it was not Ginnys job making sure her husband kept his head on his shoulders instead of in Kingsleys ass.
She needed help, she knew that. But who would she turn to? She had no one except her family.
Wiping away her tears, taking a few calming breaths.
What would Hermione do?
Smiling sadly, she would research, write lists and then act.
Leaning over to kiss James's head before turning off the lights. Staring up at the ceiling in the dark room, she would start tomorrow.

The next morning, she asked her mother if she could watch James for a couple of hours, leaving before Molly could question her.
Landing in Hogsmead with a crack of apparition she began walking towards Hogwarts. If there were one place she could get answers it was here.
Arriving at the gates she sent of a her patronus to the headmistress. A few moments later the gate creaked and opened and she walked quickly towards the entrance.
She began climbing the stairs but had to stop at the third floor to catch her breath. How did she walk up and down these stairs for seven years without breaking a sweat? Now her lungs felt like an elephant were sitting on her chest.
Finally reaching the gargoyles guarding the headmistress office, tapping her wand on one of their heads and the door opened. Great, more stairs.
Reaching the door to the Headmistress office she was panting when she knocked on the door. She heard a muffled " Enter " and opened the door.
"Missus Potter, what a surprise" McGonagall said and got up from her chair behind the desk.
Smiling awkwardly and a little embarrassed " I know my visit was nothing you expected but I need your help"
Motioning for her to sit down in the chair in front of the desk she begin to tell her everything that's been going on over the last year.
When she is finished she is crying and McGonagall is looking disappointed.
" We Gryffindors are known for our loyalty but it seems that it was not something that was given to Miss Granger" She scolds Ginny and looks at her seriously " I understand why you felt it was unwise and not safe to act but you should have asked for help much sooner"
Feeing like a child again under McGonagalls scrutiny she nods her head sniffing " Yes I know, I wish I were brave like Hermione, all of this could have been avoided but I'm here now. Will you please help me?" she begged.
McGonagall noticing the young womans distress she smiles reassuringly and nods her head.
"An old friend and professor of yours is supposed to arrive at 12 to have tea with me, let us wait for him. While we wait I want you to write down every thing that you can think of that changed with Mr Potter, and I mean every detail no matter how small"
Agreeing immediately Ginny began writing down everything and when she put down the quill the list is long. So much changed and she waited over a year to do anything? Maybe her mother was right, she is a bad wife.
"Don't fret Missus Potter, the blame is not on you" as if the read Ginnys mind.
The floo flashes green and Severus Snape steps out of the fireplace in to the office.
Startled to see Ginny there he pauses and glance at Minerva then back at Ginny again.
"Missus Potter, Minerva" he nods his head "This is a surprise I could have been without"
Feeling even more like a child in his presence Ginny look down at her hands resting in her lap.
"Oh, stop it Severus, missus Potter have come here to ask for help and try to make an effort in making things right, please take a seat we have much to discuss"
The headmistress snaps her finger and tea and sandwiches appear on the desk "Please help yourselves" She takes a seat behind her desk again and pour herself a cup of the and then fill Severus in on what Ginny have told her.
Severus usual serious face turn even more serious as McGonagall hands him the list that Ginny wrote on the changes in Harrys behaviour.
Taking a sip of his tea he looks over at Ginny "I always thought you were the one Weasley with something inside that head of yours but it seems I was wrong. But, better late than ever I guess." He mutters and put down his cup before clearing his throat.
"From what you told me and all the details in the changes over the year It is clear something was done to Mr Potter. My best guess is the Obedience Potion"
Sitting forward in her chair Ginny looks at Professor Snape with big eyes, worry written all over her face
"I've never heard of such a potion Professor. I understand what it does given the name but why have I never heard of it?"
"It's because it has been forbidden to brew for almost a decade. It is basically an Imperius in potion form. You have to obey the person that dose you with it and you're not really aware of the changes in your behaviour"
This is bad, really bad. But at the same time Ginny is relieved, her Harry is still there. He hasn't gone crazy and betrayed his best friend on his own account. The potion made him.
"I'm guessing it is Kingsley who fed him the potion?"
Professor Snape grunts in agreement and let out a humourless laugh "Considering the fact that Mr Potter went from hating pickles to loving them I'm confident that is the case since I know that Kingsley love the repulsive snack. Have you been in contact with your husband in the last couple of days?"
Feeling worry grow in her stomach at his question
"No professor, I've been staying at my parents house since the news broke"
glancing worriedly at McGonagall and then back at Professor Snape "What happens when you stop taking the potion?"

"The withdrawal is not pretty Missus Potter, you did the right thing leaving with your child. Depending on how much he has consumed over the year and the potency it is not uncommon for a person to become violent"
Ginny felt the tears come and couldn't stop them, breaking down in front of Professor Snape was not something she ever wished for to happen. The worry, embarrassment and also the relief got to much. And with her hormones from being a new mum it all spilled over.
"Nothing to worry about Missus Potter, I know you have been worried. Mr Potter will be alright" McGonagall walked over to comfort the young woman placing a comforting hand on Ginnys shoulder.
" If you give me the address to your home Missus Potter I am willing to go over there to give Mr Potter a cleansing potion to help with the withdrawal. You need to go home and rest. I will contact the Ministry of these news and make sure that Kingsley is held accountable" He stood up and righted his robes muttering under his breath "Even if I don't think Potter deserves my help"
Ginny quickly wrote down their address and watched Professor Snape walk towards the fireplace and in a flash of green he was gone.
Quickly wiping her tears and standing up she turn to face McGonagall and grab her hands "Thank you so much for agreeing to help me"
Patting Ginnys hands "Think nothing of it Missus Potter, it took great courage to come here to ask for help and even more so in accepting Severus help. Go home to your son and when you see Mr Potter the next time tell him to pop over" Smiling her eyes twinkling reminding Ginny of Professor Dumbledore.
"Please, use the floo. I don't want you to hurt yourself on your way home"

Thanking The headmistress again before walking over to the fireplace calling out for the Burrow and disappearing in the green flames. Stepping out of the fireplace at the Burrow she felt lighter and hopeful. She would get her family back. Calling out for her mom finding her in the kitchen, James sleeping in the portable bassinet on the counter and the smell of food made her smile.
Everything was going to be okey.

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