The Witching Hour
folder
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
13
Views:
18,542
Reviews:
53
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Het - Male/Female › Snape/Hermione
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
13
Views:
18,542
Reviews:
53
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
What You Deserve
Chapter 12- What You Deserve
After the incident Ron had with Lucius, he noticed that things were entirely way too quiet, even for his liking. When Malfoy was in his home, the man was livid and would not have put it past him to kill him for his failure, but it was apparent that the man had bigger fish to fry at the moment and could not be bothered by taking out a peon like him. Since the time had passed and he had not heard anything more from Lucius, he wondered if he had managed to take out Snape, but figured that it would have been in the Daily Prophet if he had succeeded. He felt sure that the death of a well known war hero would make the front page news.
As Ron was sitting on his bed, he heard the tell-tale rapping of a claw on his window, and when he looked up, he noticed that it was the family owl, Errol, tapping at his third storey window, getting soaked by the downpour of a London afternoon. Ron crawled the length of his bed and opened one of the panes to let the bedraggled owl in out of the storm. The elderly owl stood sopping on the window sill and dropped the surprisingly dry envelope and then followed it onto the floor. He bent to retrieve the letter and opened it. As he scanned its contents, he discovered that his mum and dad were inviting him, as well as the rest of the brood, for a family dinner that would take place this evening. Feeling damned, he wondered how he would get to The Burrow. There were only two options available: the Muggle underground, or he could fly; both methods had their drawbacks. The former would take all day, but it would certainly be warmer, however, the latter offered speed and a chance to clear out his head before taking on his family. This would be the first time that he had been to see them since losing his magic, which put him in a predicament—what would he say to them if he was asked to use his magic to retrieve anything? He was not looking forward to having that conversation. Making up his mind, he opted for the underground, noting that it would give him everything he would need, though he really could do without feeling like a canned tuna as the train sped down the tracks.
Ron arrived at the walk up to his former home a little on the late side, but figured that since the others were undoubtedly present, no one would notice how he had gotten there. At this point, the more questions that he could get out of answering, the better it would be for him. Walking up the path, he saw his parents, siblings, as well as their spouses, standing outside. It looked as though they were waiting for him. Trying to calm the knotted feeling in his stomach and pushing down the overwhelming sense of foreboding, he plastered on a fake smile and waved at them. It was odd how none of them seemed to return his sentiment, even if it was forced.
Molly moved forward to greet her youngest son with a hug. She may not have been pleased with his past actions or his behaviour towards Severus and Hermione, but she could forgive him for it, after all, life was too short to not forgive and try to move on. As she enveloped him into a tight embrace, she noticed that his body was rigid, and how he seemed not to return the feeling of welcome. This was not like him at all; he always seemed to melt into her embrace like he did as a small child. Using her motherly instincts, she tried to ask him what was wrong, but he merely shrugged her inquiry off and made his way inside the house. Things did not add up with him, but she knew that if she were to press him, he would end up leaving.
“So, how have you been little brother?” George said as he sidled up next to Ron.
“Oh, well I suppose as well as I can be.”
“That sounds like a load of bunk, if you ask me, bro. From what Dad says, you have not been into work in a while. What’s going on with that?”
“Don’t worry about it; it’s not your business,” snapped Ron.
“Whoa, relax! I was just curious. I was only going to say that if things weren’t working out for you within the Ministry, you could work in the shop. Things have been picking up lately and I am about to open up a branch in Diagon Alley, so I am badly in need of the help. I would personally like to keep working at the one in Hogsmeade and let you take over in Diagon Alley.”
“That’s a nice offer and I thank you for it; I believe that it would be nice working with you again.”
“Yes it will. You can tell me little brother, are you having problems at work, or did you simply get sacked?”
“Er... neither. I am just ready for a change, that’s all.” Ron knew that it was a lie, but now that he had told so many, one more wouldn’t do any harm. Besides, it’s not as though it was a major lie that would affect anyone. It was relatively harmless and would keep him out of further trouble. As he continued contemplating, he felt a warm hand come to rest upon his shoulder.
“Ron, are you certain that you are okay?”
“Yes, mum, I am fine. Why do you ask?”
“You just seem different and are quieter than your normal rambunctious self; it’s odd. Just know that if you want to talk, I am here for you, dear.”
“Thanks mum, I appreciate it. Is there something you needed just now?”
“Yeah, would you take and clean off the table for me whilst I cook dinner? Also, your dad wants you to take a look at the wards around the house with him.”
“I... I can’t.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Er... I have to go.”
“Ronald, wait! Where are you going?”
“Home, mum. I can’t do this. I just can’t. Don’t make me stay, please. I’ve got to go!”
“No, Ron, you need to explain yourself! I only asked you to help and you race off like I asked you to cast an Unforgivable. What on earth is going on with you?”
“Nothing is wrong! I am just tired.” Ron tried to explain, but the more he tried, he could tell that no one was buying into what he was saying.
“Look, just stop lying and tell us what is wrong with you. I don’t want you to say that there is nothing wrong when there obviously is. You have been distant, you have not been into work, and now you are refusing to even help your own family, which is not like you at all.”
Ron was wearing a pained expression as his mum went on and on with her worrying. It was becoming apparent that he would have to stop lying and just admit to what he had done and be damned with the consequences.
“Enough! Just stop, okay? I have my reasons for not being around lately. So what if I don’t want to help? It’s not like I live here anymore. But putting all of that aside, I cannot help because I am no longer able to do magic of any kind.”
There was a collective gasp that circled the room, and all present were curious as to why their family member was essentially a Squib.
“What did you do to lose your magic? It is next to impossible to do that, unless you were dabbling in the dark arts! Please tell me you were not experimenting with dark magic after all we have been through in the last decade with Voldemort. You are or were an Auror, you should have known better than that!”
As much as Ron did not want to admit to his family what he had done, he knew that they would never drop it if he refused to explain the circumstances behind the disappearance of his magic and how he would have to live the remainder of his days like a Squib. Sitting down at the magically expanded scrubbed oak table, he motioned for them to follow him into the chairs. This was going to be a long story so they may as well get comfortable. Noting the curious looks on all of their faces as well as his former best friend, he began his tale of deceit, revenge, attempted murder, and his involvement with the devil himself—Lucius Malfoy. As he explained how he had gone from being a war hero to a fiend in the span of several years, he watched the expressions on everyone’s faces flash between horrified and sadness. If he had been a different man, perhaps less embittered, he might feel a little worse than what he did about his actions, but alas, he was not, and he had nothing more to offer. At the end of his tale, everyone was looking at him as if he had suddenly turned into a slug, or something so vile that it made them want to be sick.
“You did what!” screeched Molly Weasley. Her youngest son had officially turned her stomach by his actions. She could not believe that her sweet little Ronnie would do something so despicably nauseating. Sure, his and Hermione’s divorce and his subsequent actions surprised and angered her, but attempted murder was quite another thing altogether, especially his reasons behind his actions... it just didn’t make sense. As much as she tried to process the information being given her, she still could not wrap her mind around it. Why on earth would Ron want to kill the Minister? He was a decent man that did a lot of good for everyone. Not only was Kingsley a dynamic leader, but he was a great friend as well. As for Severus, he was not the most friendly of men, and he certainly was prickly at times, but he was loyal and he made Hermione very happy. The fact that Ron associated with Lucius after the war, had not only surprised her, but it sickened her as well. It was common knowledge that Malfoy senior had not reformed and was still as evil as he was before the Dark Lord fell.
“Why in the hell would you try to do that? Kingsley has saved your arse on more than one occasion, as did Severus, and this is how you repay both of their kindness? You try to murder Kingsley because he would not help you when Sev was standing up to the haranguing that you were giving Hermione, and then you try to take him out because your ex-wife, the one that you pretty much threw to the wolves, is in love with him? you are just another megalomaniac in the making. I think you fucking got off easy by losing your magic; you should have been thrown in Azkaban! If it had been anyone else, that is where they would have been.” Harry was so angry at Ron that the temperature in the room dropped by 10 degrees and the candles were flickering against an invisible wind. He needed to get a hold of himself before he did something very stupid.
“Ron, I am going to make you pay for your crimes. I am going to haul your arse off to Azkaban where you can wait for a trial. If they give you more than a few years in prison, you will deserve it!”
As Ron went out the door silently with Harry, every one of his family members was staring at him. Some were looking at him with disdain, whilst others were trying to conceal disgusted tears, but not one of them tried to stop Harry from escorting him away. If he had known in the beginning that his lies would end up putting him in prison, he would have never done it. He would have just moved on and ignored it, but he knew what was said about hindsight: it was always 20/20.
Two weeks later at the end of the trial, Ron’s sentence was handed down. It was official: he was going away for a decade, though he was thankful that he did not receive more than that. Just before two of his former co-workers led him out of the old courtroom, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot told him: “ You ought to be ashamed of the crimes that you have committed against our beloved Minister and the war hero, Severus Snape. This sentence and the removal of your magic is no less than you deserve. You are a disgrace to the name Wizard. Now get out of my sight!”
A/N: I wanted to give a major thanks to all that are kindly reading and reviewing this story; your kind words are much appreciated! Also, up next: The Epilogue.
After the incident Ron had with Lucius, he noticed that things were entirely way too quiet, even for his liking. When Malfoy was in his home, the man was livid and would not have put it past him to kill him for his failure, but it was apparent that the man had bigger fish to fry at the moment and could not be bothered by taking out a peon like him. Since the time had passed and he had not heard anything more from Lucius, he wondered if he had managed to take out Snape, but figured that it would have been in the Daily Prophet if he had succeeded. He felt sure that the death of a well known war hero would make the front page news.
As Ron was sitting on his bed, he heard the tell-tale rapping of a claw on his window, and when he looked up, he noticed that it was the family owl, Errol, tapping at his third storey window, getting soaked by the downpour of a London afternoon. Ron crawled the length of his bed and opened one of the panes to let the bedraggled owl in out of the storm. The elderly owl stood sopping on the window sill and dropped the surprisingly dry envelope and then followed it onto the floor. He bent to retrieve the letter and opened it. As he scanned its contents, he discovered that his mum and dad were inviting him, as well as the rest of the brood, for a family dinner that would take place this evening. Feeling damned, he wondered how he would get to The Burrow. There were only two options available: the Muggle underground, or he could fly; both methods had their drawbacks. The former would take all day, but it would certainly be warmer, however, the latter offered speed and a chance to clear out his head before taking on his family. This would be the first time that he had been to see them since losing his magic, which put him in a predicament—what would he say to them if he was asked to use his magic to retrieve anything? He was not looking forward to having that conversation. Making up his mind, he opted for the underground, noting that it would give him everything he would need, though he really could do without feeling like a canned tuna as the train sped down the tracks.
Ron arrived at the walk up to his former home a little on the late side, but figured that since the others were undoubtedly present, no one would notice how he had gotten there. At this point, the more questions that he could get out of answering, the better it would be for him. Walking up the path, he saw his parents, siblings, as well as their spouses, standing outside. It looked as though they were waiting for him. Trying to calm the knotted feeling in his stomach and pushing down the overwhelming sense of foreboding, he plastered on a fake smile and waved at them. It was odd how none of them seemed to return his sentiment, even if it was forced.
Molly moved forward to greet her youngest son with a hug. She may not have been pleased with his past actions or his behaviour towards Severus and Hermione, but she could forgive him for it, after all, life was too short to not forgive and try to move on. As she enveloped him into a tight embrace, she noticed that his body was rigid, and how he seemed not to return the feeling of welcome. This was not like him at all; he always seemed to melt into her embrace like he did as a small child. Using her motherly instincts, she tried to ask him what was wrong, but he merely shrugged her inquiry off and made his way inside the house. Things did not add up with him, but she knew that if she were to press him, he would end up leaving.
“So, how have you been little brother?” George said as he sidled up next to Ron.
“Oh, well I suppose as well as I can be.”
“That sounds like a load of bunk, if you ask me, bro. From what Dad says, you have not been into work in a while. What’s going on with that?”
“Don’t worry about it; it’s not your business,” snapped Ron.
“Whoa, relax! I was just curious. I was only going to say that if things weren’t working out for you within the Ministry, you could work in the shop. Things have been picking up lately and I am about to open up a branch in Diagon Alley, so I am badly in need of the help. I would personally like to keep working at the one in Hogsmeade and let you take over in Diagon Alley.”
“That’s a nice offer and I thank you for it; I believe that it would be nice working with you again.”
“Yes it will. You can tell me little brother, are you having problems at work, or did you simply get sacked?”
“Er... neither. I am just ready for a change, that’s all.” Ron knew that it was a lie, but now that he had told so many, one more wouldn’t do any harm. Besides, it’s not as though it was a major lie that would affect anyone. It was relatively harmless and would keep him out of further trouble. As he continued contemplating, he felt a warm hand come to rest upon his shoulder.
“Ron, are you certain that you are okay?”
“Yes, mum, I am fine. Why do you ask?”
“You just seem different and are quieter than your normal rambunctious self; it’s odd. Just know that if you want to talk, I am here for you, dear.”
“Thanks mum, I appreciate it. Is there something you needed just now?”
“Yeah, would you take and clean off the table for me whilst I cook dinner? Also, your dad wants you to take a look at the wards around the house with him.”
“I... I can’t.”
“Why can’t you?”
“Er... I have to go.”
“Ronald, wait! Where are you going?”
“Home, mum. I can’t do this. I just can’t. Don’t make me stay, please. I’ve got to go!”
“No, Ron, you need to explain yourself! I only asked you to help and you race off like I asked you to cast an Unforgivable. What on earth is going on with you?”
“Nothing is wrong! I am just tired.” Ron tried to explain, but the more he tried, he could tell that no one was buying into what he was saying.
“Look, just stop lying and tell us what is wrong with you. I don’t want you to say that there is nothing wrong when there obviously is. You have been distant, you have not been into work, and now you are refusing to even help your own family, which is not like you at all.”
Ron was wearing a pained expression as his mum went on and on with her worrying. It was becoming apparent that he would have to stop lying and just admit to what he had done and be damned with the consequences.
“Enough! Just stop, okay? I have my reasons for not being around lately. So what if I don’t want to help? It’s not like I live here anymore. But putting all of that aside, I cannot help because I am no longer able to do magic of any kind.”
There was a collective gasp that circled the room, and all present were curious as to why their family member was essentially a Squib.
“What did you do to lose your magic? It is next to impossible to do that, unless you were dabbling in the dark arts! Please tell me you were not experimenting with dark magic after all we have been through in the last decade with Voldemort. You are or were an Auror, you should have known better than that!”
As much as Ron did not want to admit to his family what he had done, he knew that they would never drop it if he refused to explain the circumstances behind the disappearance of his magic and how he would have to live the remainder of his days like a Squib. Sitting down at the magically expanded scrubbed oak table, he motioned for them to follow him into the chairs. This was going to be a long story so they may as well get comfortable. Noting the curious looks on all of their faces as well as his former best friend, he began his tale of deceit, revenge, attempted murder, and his involvement with the devil himself—Lucius Malfoy. As he explained how he had gone from being a war hero to a fiend in the span of several years, he watched the expressions on everyone’s faces flash between horrified and sadness. If he had been a different man, perhaps less embittered, he might feel a little worse than what he did about his actions, but alas, he was not, and he had nothing more to offer. At the end of his tale, everyone was looking at him as if he had suddenly turned into a slug, or something so vile that it made them want to be sick.
“You did what!” screeched Molly Weasley. Her youngest son had officially turned her stomach by his actions. She could not believe that her sweet little Ronnie would do something so despicably nauseating. Sure, his and Hermione’s divorce and his subsequent actions surprised and angered her, but attempted murder was quite another thing altogether, especially his reasons behind his actions... it just didn’t make sense. As much as she tried to process the information being given her, she still could not wrap her mind around it. Why on earth would Ron want to kill the Minister? He was a decent man that did a lot of good for everyone. Not only was Kingsley a dynamic leader, but he was a great friend as well. As for Severus, he was not the most friendly of men, and he certainly was prickly at times, but he was loyal and he made Hermione very happy. The fact that Ron associated with Lucius after the war, had not only surprised her, but it sickened her as well. It was common knowledge that Malfoy senior had not reformed and was still as evil as he was before the Dark Lord fell.
“Why in the hell would you try to do that? Kingsley has saved your arse on more than one occasion, as did Severus, and this is how you repay both of their kindness? You try to murder Kingsley because he would not help you when Sev was standing up to the haranguing that you were giving Hermione, and then you try to take him out because your ex-wife, the one that you pretty much threw to the wolves, is in love with him? you are just another megalomaniac in the making. I think you fucking got off easy by losing your magic; you should have been thrown in Azkaban! If it had been anyone else, that is where they would have been.” Harry was so angry at Ron that the temperature in the room dropped by 10 degrees and the candles were flickering against an invisible wind. He needed to get a hold of himself before he did something very stupid.
“Ron, I am going to make you pay for your crimes. I am going to haul your arse off to Azkaban where you can wait for a trial. If they give you more than a few years in prison, you will deserve it!”
As Ron went out the door silently with Harry, every one of his family members was staring at him. Some were looking at him with disdain, whilst others were trying to conceal disgusted tears, but not one of them tried to stop Harry from escorting him away. If he had known in the beginning that his lies would end up putting him in prison, he would have never done it. He would have just moved on and ignored it, but he knew what was said about hindsight: it was always 20/20.
Two weeks later at the end of the trial, Ron’s sentence was handed down. It was official: he was going away for a decade, though he was thankful that he did not receive more than that. Just before two of his former co-workers led him out of the old courtroom, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot told him: “ You ought to be ashamed of the crimes that you have committed against our beloved Minister and the war hero, Severus Snape. This sentence and the removal of your magic is no less than you deserve. You are a disgrace to the name Wizard. Now get out of my sight!”
A/N: I wanted to give a major thanks to all that are kindly reading and reviewing this story; your kind words are much appreciated! Also, up next: The Epilogue.