Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.





Chapter 31 Everything Changes, an Alternate Perspective

Ron Weasley yawned widely as he trudged down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. His body still hummed happily from the outburst of magical energy that had permeated the castle last night. Blinking lazily, he looked around the large, homey room to see if any of his year mates were up yet. Finally, his hazy brain registered the presence of his girlfriend at a desk in the corner.

Walking up behind the studious girl, Ron brought his hands up to the tensed shoulders and began to absently rub the abused muscles. “Whatcha doin’, Hermione?” he asked.

Surprised brown eyes turned to look at her obviously obtuse boyfriend. “Ronald, honestly. I am trying to figure out what that surge of magical energy was last night and what it means,” she explained in a huff.

Ron frowned for a moment before he broke out into a huge smile. “Wait, do you mean to tell me that I know something you don’t know?” he asked incredulously. “Hermione, what we felt last night was the magic being released by a couple who were bonding!”

Hermione’s eyebrows knitted as she attempted to identify the possible sources. “But, Ronald,” she began, “Only a couple who are of age and who are soul mates would be able to produce such a burst. But Harry and Professor Snape have already bonded, haven’t they?”

Smiling smugly now that he realized he knew something his brainy girlfriend didn’t, Ron began his ‘lecture’, “Every pureblood family is taught the significance and the rituals of soul mated bonds. Mum made all of us read a book that has been passed down through the family since forever. In fact, I think Ginny has it now…”

“I have what now,” a new voice broke into the conversation.

Turning quickly, Ron watched as his sister hopped up on top of the study table next to his girlfriend. “Um, that book on soul mates and bonds that mum’s made all of us read,” he quietly explained.

“Oh, you mean that book mum gave me this summer by Professor Drayke A. Emrys? The one that talks all about soul mates and the steps involved in their bonding?” the young redheaded girl asked. Blue eyes shining brightly, Ginny went on, “It’s so romantic, if you think about it. First they actually have to find each other, and can you imagine if they never met?” The emotional girl was gushing in her enthusiasm.

“Yeah, that’s the book,” her brother hastily interjected in the dim hope of stemming the feminine rush of hormones that was apparently ready to overwhelm him.

Stubbornly ignoring her brother, Ginny continued her narrative, “Then once they find each other, they must both acknowledge that they are meant for each other, which starts the bonding process. Depending on how strong the two are, the release of magic may or may not be felt from that moment. Then, when they finally consummate the bond, the pair unconsciously sends out a wave of magic that can be felt by all who are near.” The Sixth-year Gryffindor’s eyes opened wide as she finally realized the point behind the conversation she had interrupted. “Oh,” she gasped, “who?”

Hermione smiled as she realized what her normally obtuse boyfriend had been trying to tell her, with the unexpected help from his sister. “Harry and Severus finally got it together, did they? That’s wonderful! Oh, I can’t wait to talk to Harry!”

Groaning, the lone male in the conversation wondered if Harry would be willing to Obliviate him later. Unfortunately for him, Ron knew his girlfriend, and now no doubt, his sister, had every intention of grilling their friend for the details. Hmm, maybe he should Obliviate the girls instead…


Finally the youngest Weasley male was able to pull the girls out of their excited wonderings by reminding them that breakfast (as well as the objects of their curiosity) was waiting for them down in the Great Hall.


Ron’s arms were sore after having been fairly pulled by the two impatient girls all the way down from Gryffindor Tower to the Great Hall. The trio stopped in surprise at seeing the larger than normal crowd gathered at the entrance to the large room. Even more surprising was the fact that numerous adults scattered amongst the students. Hermione gasped as she caught sight of the Minister of Magic, who was surrounded by several Aurors. Obviously something more than just sex had happened last night, the witch thought curiously.

At length the crowd thinned and the three were able to move into the Great Hall. The noise level was nearly intolerable, as most of those assembled seemed to be determined to express their opinions on the unusual happenings. Ron jumped when he heard the magically amplified voice of the Deputy-Headmistress cut across all of the chatter. He and the other students quickly settled down at their tables while the visiting adults managed to find or transfigure seats for themselves around the edges of the room.

The teacher’s door to the Great Hall opened and Harry Potter, dressed in his finest robes, walked across the raised platform to stand next to Professor McGonagall. Ron only barely listened to the announcement his Head of House made as he observed his long-time friend. Noting that Harry seemed rather nervous as he began to speak, the young redhead was surprised to hear the Minister of Magic cry out in indignation.

The pompous man was red in the face as he jumped up and began flailing his arms about. “Just what is the meaning of this?” Cornelius Fudge roared. “Mr. Potter is a student. He cannot be the new Headmaster!”

Ron’s mouth gaped open as he belatedly realized just what Professor McGonagall had been saying. Knowing it was going to happen, and hearing it announced were two very different things, the redhead reflected as he watched the irate politician make a fool of himself. Then, in mid-yell, the Minister of Magic was suddenly silenced. Looking over to the Potions master, Ron watched as his friend’s mate nodded in apparent self-satisfaction.

The Transfigurations Professor sternly glared at all in the Great Hall before saying, “As anyone who has actually read ‘Hogwarts, A History’ would know…” Ron groaned. Not that blasted book his girlfriend was always quoting. A sharp poke from that very witch brought the young man’s attention back to Professor McGonagall’s speech. “…. reasons known only to Hogwarts, the school has chosen Mr. Potter as the next Headmaster and I expect everyone here to grant him the respect due to him and his position.” Her demeanor left no doubt in the mind of anyone present that she firmly expected all to accept the facts.

Ron paid more attention when he saw that Harry would now speak. The new Headmaster spoke in a clear, strong voice as he relayed a fantastic tale of the bravery and selflessness that had taken Professor Dumbledore from their midst. Ron had to admit to being impressed that Harry’s story so easily accounted for the recent happenings in the castle as well as the former Headmaster’s rather abrupt absence. Shaking his head in wonder, the tall redhead had to hand it to his friend. Only Harry would care so much about another person and go to such lengths to preserve the fiction of Dumbledore’s dedication to the school and the Wizarding World. Ron could practically feel the pride radiating from Hermione that their friend was being so magnanimous towards the old coot. Smiling, the couple watched the young Headmaster take his new seat at the center of the platform.

The Deputy Headmistress spoke again, assuring those gathered that Harry’s education would continue and that measures would be followed to ensure fairness. Once she had outlined the remainder of the new Headmaster’s schooling, the older witch dismissed the guests and the students.

As Ron, Hermione and Ginny made their way out the large doors, the redhead had to wonder what the surly Potions master thought of Harry’s explanation. There was no doubt in Ron’s mind that if given the chance, Snape would have had Dumbledore’s head on a platter and paraded around the castle.

Just as the Gryffindors reached the doors to the Great Hall, an obviously still agitated Cornelius Fudge rudely pushed past them. From the fact that the man’s mouth was moving but no sound was forthcoming, Ron guessed that his friend’s mate had neglected to remove the silencing spell on the Minister of Magic. Smiling, Ron decided that the day was definitely looking up.