HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER FIVE
THE EXCHANGE



Hermione patiently waited for Professor Snape to finish preparing the two vials of Polyjuice potion. The potion needed one month to prepare and luckily year seven students had to do it earlier in preparation for their NEWTs. Though some of the potions lack potency as Professor Snape insisted, still they were enough to get Ron out of Saint Mungos.

“Now remember, Fred needs to exchange with George before the effects wear off tomorrow. The potions don’t last longer than midday and by then Fred should be on the bed tied up with magic ropes.” Professor Snape said.

“Thank you Professor.” Hermione said. She took both vials and ventured to leave when her eyes fell upon the Pensieve. “Professor…”

“Ms. Granger, times wears on,”

“I know but…”

“Whatever it is, it can wait until after you’ve done the task. Now remember not to interchange the vials or the one that will be given to George will wear off too early.” Professor Snape said.

Hermione nodded head though she knew it was crucial that she tells him about the pensieve. Knowing how Ron would react should he see it, she decided to keep him as far away from it as possible, luckily their first stop was the Burrow. She went back to the Great Hall where she found Rio and the other two Knights donning Hogwarts’ uniforms. Possibly borrowed, the Knights especially Jigger, were wearing something awfully small for them and looked absolutely humorous. Jigger kept shaking his head and adjusting the sleeves while Chase kept working the collar to ease it up a bit. Hermione snorted as Jigger turned around upon seeing her as if modeling the shrunken attire on his body. How she wanted to cast a spell on him and turn him into something unpleasant.

“Mr. Weasley I’ve got them, we can go now.” Hermione said. “George, are you ready?”

“Am I ready?” George said. “You pitying me again?”

“Don’t be sore, no one pities you, you git!” Fred said jokingly. “Besides, come next month you’ll be having one of my eyes, and then you won’t be such a sorry slob!”

Hermione felt a stinging pain shot through her, but she was very proud of both of them seeing how they support each other, it’s so Weasley-like, she thought. Fred was more than willing to give one of his eyes to his brother and they had it scheduled next month. Then she saw Remus Lupin and decided to tell him about the pensieve.


***

(Jan. 28 – Midnight)

Arthur walked briskly towards the entrance to the isolation room inside Saint Mungos. Ron was kept inside the chamber provided for criminally insane wizards. Jerome was leading them and though he had been in good terms with Arthur before, the things he heard about Ron made him rather jumpy about this sudden visit.

“Nothing funny now, Arthur. You know the Ministry’s got their eyes on you. Don’t want to be losing my head on this one now mind ‘ya.” Jerome said.

“Don’t worry Jerome, we are not here to cause trouble. I just want to see my son.” Arthur said.

“No wands now. You all need to surrender them with Otis before you head in.” Jerome said. Then he stopped and turned to the rest of the group that followed them. “All of you.”

Hermione smiled at him while waving her wand in front of his face. Jerome narrowed his eyes and frowned at her making the others snort and giggle rather loudly.

“Afraid he’ll turn uglier?” Ginny whispered.

“As if that is even possible.” Hermione said.

“Oh but it is my dearest, you just need to change your concept of what is uglier.” Fred said. Hermione looked at him, then she and Ginny giggled again and walked faster, catching up with Arthur.

“That should be a task,” George said. “Seeing as she…Ow!” Fred poked him. “What the blimey’s wrong with you?”

“I can’t help it if I look better than you.” Fred whispered.

Arthur turned to them and motioned for them to hush up. A fair amount of snickering was heard before they stopped entirely when Arthur frowned at them. They took another turn then Jerome led them down one more flight of stairs before they all stopped in front of a large yellow door. A tall thin wizard was watching it, and he held out his wand at them all.

“Wands please.” He said.

Jerome motioned for Arthur to surrender his and Arthur turned to the rest and they all did the same thing. The tall wizard then tapped the wall behind him and several holes appeared and he placed the wands inside one hole each. He tapped it again and the wall returned to the way it was – blank, smooth, and disgustingly yellow.

“He has been screaming all day, today. I’m afraid he won’t do too nicely during the hearing on Friday, Arthur.”

“He’s not mad, Otis. Just angry that you people seem to think so.” Arthur said.

Otis noticed George who was holding onto his brother. “Is he alright?”

“He’s blind, Otis. Lucius Malfoy blinded my son before he died.” Arthur said.

Otis looked at Arthur strangely as if calculating his words. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“So am I.” Arthur said.

Otis breathed deeply before handing him a red key. “It’s the fifth door to the left.”

Arthur took the key and motioned for the others to follow him. The door in front of them lined with a bright orange light then opened and as they all went in, a tapping was heard the door closed behind them the orange lining slowly locking the only entrance to the chamber. Arthur walked slowly to the door that had a red keyhole and placed the key in, turned it and they all went inside. The room was rather large and it was painted pink, there was one bed right in the center of the room, a comfortable bed with soft cotton sheets. No tables or chairs or anything save for the bed could be seen and Ron was strapped to it with magical ropes. They had been inside watching him before he noticed them because he had been struggling madly to get the ropes off.

“Dad!” Ron cried hoarsely. “Get me out! Get me out!” His voice was cracking now, and Hermione shook her head in frustration.

“Hush! Be quiet!” Arthur said.

“Ron,” Hermione said. “You shouldn’t have exhausted yourself like this.”

“Time is running out!” Ron said.

“Yes, we know that, that’s why we’re here,” Hermione said.

“It took you three days to come up with a plan?” Ron said.

“The Ministry sent over hit wizards to watch us until Harry’s burial,” Hermione said, Arthur conjured spells to free Ron of his bed.

“You buried Harry’s body?” Ron said.

“There you’re free,” Arthur said. Ron stood immediately and rubbed his arms and legs. Then embraced his father thanking him for his freedom. “Now, undress,”

Ron began taking off his shirt. Ginny turned around and faced the door. Fred had to help George get his clothes off. Ron stopped half way and looked at them then looked at Hermione who took out the vials from her robe. “No, not again?”

“You have a better idea?” Hermione said.

“That thing tastes like shit!” Ron said while he continued undressing himself.

“Yes, well, we have to make them think you’ve been deported before you begin your task.” Hermione said.

“Deported?” Ron said.

“Yes, the council will have a hearing on Friday, and the odds are against you, Ron. They will send you over to New York permanently.” Hermione said.

“George,” Arthur went over and cut a piece of George’s hair. He also went over to Ron and did the same thing.

“So what about George, then?” Ron said.

“He’ll be replaced by Fred tomorrow, and by Ginny the next day.” Hermione said.

“Hold on!” Ron said. “I am not going to let anyone of my family be deported to New York at my expense, there’s got to be another way.”

“Well, Rio and two other Knights are waiting outside, and they have volunteered to take Ginny’s place on Thursday.” Hermione said.

“Rio? Rio’s back?” Ron said.

“Yes,” Hermione said.

Ron smiled and finished putting on George’s clothes that were too tight and too long for him, while George wallowed inside his trousers. Then Fred helped George on the bed, both he and Ron took the flasks and said, “Cheers!” And they both emptied it screwing their faces at the taste. Slowly the potion took effect and in no time the exchange was made. Arthur told George to lie on the bed but Ron stopped him, he embraced George and said, “Thank you! I will make it up to you, I promise.”

George patted his back. Then Arthur hugged him as well and conjured the spell that strapped George to the bed securely. Ginny went over and kissed George’s head.

Arthur knocked at the door and Otis opened it and seeing that Ron’s door was locked properly he let them all out. But he went in and halted them, “I need to check, hope you don’t mind Arthur.” So he went inside and looked inside Ron’s room and saw that Ron was still lying on his bed tied with magical ropes. Satisfied, Otis went out locked the door behind him and tapped the wall, and gave them their wands.

He took out George’s wand from the keep and Ron held out his hand. Otis stopped and looked at him, and said, “I thought you were blind?”

“That would be me,” Fred said, suddenly pretending to be blind. “Fred always makes the mistake of taking my wand.”

Otis looked at them closely, trying to examine the twins. Hermione held her breath and grabbed Fred’s hand, squeezing it. When Otis shook his head and handed the wand to Fred, Hermione exhaled slowly. “Twins.” He said, looking at Arthur with a wry smile. “Don’t know how you manage to do it Arthur.”

“Oh, I still make the mistake sometimes. Even Molly gets confused.” Arthur said.

“Well, how was he?” Otis said. “Ron, I mean?”

“He’s calmer now. We told him his mother would be by tomorrow to see him.” Arthur said.

“Well, hopefully that will stop the screaming. It was beginning to be unbearable really.” Otis said. “I was about to conjure a silencing spell on him,”

“He just needed a good visit. We might do it more often though,” Arthur said.

“Good! As long as it keeps him quiet, you can do it everyday, three times a day if necessary.” Otis said.

“Perhaps we shall.” Arthur said. Then he led the group out. On their way, everyone seemed to have held their breaths until they were outside, and even there no one seemed to want to talk. They all went into the Thunderbird quietly where the three knights kept watch and until they were in the air and the invisibility booster was activated, no one wanted to speak. It was Ginny that broke the silence.

“You almost got us into trouble!” Ginny said. Ron looked at her and rubbed his head.

“That was close!” Hermione gasped, sinking into Fred’s arms. “Good thing you were able to outsmart him.” Fred squeezed her tightly.

“I forgot, alright?” Ron said. “Hello, Rio!”

Rio smiled and ribbed both Chase and Jigger. “It’s him, they did it!”

“Did what?” Chase said.

“This is Ron.” Rio said, and he and Ron shook hands. “Nice to see you again man!”

“That’s one of them twins.” Jigger said.

“We’ll have to wait till we get back to the castle. This is magic! You have got to teach me how this is done.” Rio said smiling at Hermione.

“We’re not going back to the Castle,” Hermione said.

“What?” Ron said.

“We need to go straight to the Burrow,” Hermione said.

“No. Harry is not there, I want to go back to Hogwarts!” Ron said.

“You can’t. Hogwarts will be under surveillance starting tomorrow until after your hearing.” Hermione said. Ron became extremely agitated and hit the front seat with his fist.

“Hey!”

“Sorry Chase,” Ron said. “Blasted politics! That will be four days. A week without Harry! I might as well go mad.”

***

“They’re back!” Charlie said. A thin Molly immediately went out of the house and watched the skies. The Thunderbird slowly lowered and landed softly on the smoothed pavement that led towards the house. It slowed down and stopped a meter away from Charlie.

“Arthur?” Molly said running towards them. Arthur got out and hugged his wife, while Fred and Hermione came to her and gave her a kiss. Ginny ran to her and hugged her tightly.

Ron was the last to come out and he went to her, and when she smile back, he wrapped his arms around her and said, “I’m home mum, I’m home…”

“Ron?” Molly whispered softly, recognizing the voice. Her eyes filled with tears, and she hugged him tighter. “Ron!”

“Yes, mum, it’s me.”

“Where’s George? Is he alright?” Molly said.

“He’ll be alright, Molly.” Arthur said. “Tomorrow Fred will take his place.”

Molly looked at all of them and nodded her head. Then she drew them all in and they all sat together for a very late supper. Ron noticed how sad his mother was and knew that it was partly because of him. He was quiet all throughout supper and a few hours later the Polyjuice wore off, and he changed into himself. Rio and the other Knights all cheered when he changed and Jigger insisted that Hermione taught him how it is done.

Ron went upstairs and found his son sleeping on his bed quietly. He went to him and picked him up gently and nuzzled the baby’s head with his nose, smelling him and kissing him gently. “Daddy missed you the most! Were you a good boy?”

“He has been a very good boy, son.” Molly said.

“Yes,” Ron said as he placed the child back gently on the bed. “I should think so…Harry would be very proud of you.” He looked at Molly and unable to contain himself he went to the open window holding onto its sill, he began gasping for air as angry tears choked him. He covered his face with his hand and tried hard to hold back the sobs. “I miss him so much!”

Molly went to him and rubbed his back, “We all do, Ron.”

“I will get him back.” Ron said, nodding his head swallowing hard.

“Yes son, I know you will. Then you and he will destroy those wicked wizards and put an end to all this. Then live quietly.” Molly said. “You deserve a happy life together…”

The sky outside was beginning to lighten as dawn peeked through heralding a new day. But to Ron mornings brought only anxiety rather than hope because it drew him closer to his deadline. The task to be done was nearly impossible and the time given to him to complete it was too short so to see a new day dawn and do nothing but wait was a waste of time – time that he did not have the luxury to waste. But there was nothing he could do but to wait.


***
(Jan. 29 – 9am)

“Ron you really should get some more sleep.” Hermione said looking at him while he cleaned his sword. “And I really don’t like you fiddling with that with the baby nearby.”

Ron stopped and put away his sword and cleaning materials. He went over and kissed Archer’s head. Then he went downstairs and got for himself a glass of water. Rio and Chase were outside practicing with their swords. Molly, Ginny and George had already left for Saint Mungos with Arthur; another exchange was to be done today. He was not allowed to go outside the house until Rio was safely outside the country. He was about to head back upstairs when the hearth flashed a green light and out came Remus Lupin.

“Ron! You made it!”

“Professor Lupin!”

Another green flash from the hearth and Nymphadora Tonks was out as well. “Hello Ron!” She went over to him and gave him a tight hug. “We’ve got news!”

Ron became excited; news coming from any of the Order must be really good. “Tell me.”

“Well, Firenze has captured an old friend of yours.” Professor Lupin said.

“Who?”

“Peter Petigrew!” Tonks said excitedly.

Ron felt his temples throb with anger. “Where is he?”

“Now, don’t get angry yet, we have him contained. He’s at Hogwarts, Severus, and Moody are watching over him. He’s not going anywhere.” Professor Lupin said. “However there has been another capture which I think you should worry about.”

“What?” Ron said.

“The Ministry has captured Goyle and Dolohov in a raid done last night in Beulah.” Remus said.

“Brilliant!” Ron said. “How were they found?”

“Anonymous tip.” Tonks said. “Apparently they were on their way to the Cambrian Mountains to hide. The whole area is now swarming with Aurors and Hit wizards.”

“Fleeing from capture no doubt!” Ron said excitedly. “It won’t be hard to kill them then! I wonder who’s the tipper? He or she should be rewarded!”

“Yes, well, I suspect that either Kingsley or Hestia was the tipper. They have been in those parts and they could have spotted them.” Remus said. “They’ve not reported though, the Order will meet tomorrow.”

“Why would they turn them over to the Ministry though?” Ron said.

“Well, you were still in Saint Mungos. It would have been inappropriate for them to capture those two and bring them to Hogwarts. Remember the Ministry is watching over the whole castle for many days now. Peter is going to be surrendered to them too.” Remus said.

Ron shook his head, “No. You can’t turn him over, Professor Lupin.”

“We already have his pensieve.” Remus said. “And the Ministry know we were able to capture him, they have placed Hogwarts under surveillance.”

“BLASTED!” Ron cried. “Fucking Ministry! Always gets in the way.”

“Oh, and both Goyle and Dolohov say that they were under the Imperius curse while working for Voldemort, and it looks like they’ll both receive a lower sentence.” Tonks said.

Ron closed his eyes tightly and grunted, “We have to get them.”

“That won’t be hard, Azkaban no longer has its dreaded watchers we can go in and out without any problem, although we don’t know if they took part in the ritual.” Remus said. “We can extract their memories once we have them.”

“No!” Ron said shaking his head. “No, once we have them I will kill them.”

“Now Ron, you said that your task is to kill only those who took part in the ritual,” Remus said.

“Might as well kill the whole fucking lot while I’m at it!” Ron said casually. “We can all do better without them.”

“No.” Remus said. “We should question them, or use a pensieve to find all those who took part. Then you can kill them.”

“They are all the same! All of them are guilty of bloodshed one way or another! They all deserve to die!” Ron said.

“Ron, we have to follow a system, you cannot go around severing heads.” Remus said.

“He’s right Ron.” Tonks said.

“No he’s not! Professor Lupin, that is the reason why they got away in the first place. They lied about serving the Dark Lord,” Ron said. “I can’t let it happen again, not this time. They deserve death, and I will give it to them!”

“But if we kill without reason then we become them,” Remus said.

“Harry is enough reason, Professor Lupin…” Ron said gritting his teeth as he forced back the chunks that were choking him. “I will not let them do this to anyone again…I cannot…”

“I know I will never be able to feel the pain nor understand the horror that both you and Harry suffered because of this. I won’t even try. But I won’t sit idly by and watch you deteriorate into the kind of wizard that they have become because of your anger!” Remus said.

Ron sighed heavily in exasperation. “My anger is justified, why are you all so scared?”

“And what justifies it, Ron?” Professor Lupin said. “You are not above the law, and the Keeper asked only for ten. The ritual that was done to Harry required seventeen people. And we know that there are those who did not want to be there but were forced to.”

Ron looked at him and wondered why Remus was insisting this, “Forced to? What do mean, forced to?” Remus looked at him again and Ron could see that he was hiding something. “Professor Lupin…”

“Look, once we have a list and determine where they all are we select and then you can kill them.” Remus said.

“And they aren’t your biggest problem too, you know. There’s that Aveddon.” Tonks said.

Ron lowered his gaze “I will need to go to New York for that,”

Remus shook his head a bit. “Not if he comes here first. The Bureau has sent word that they have been having problems with the borders. More and more Werewolves and Vampires have escaped their watch, and have found themselves a new home all over Europe. Something tells me Aveddon is coming over.”

***
(Jan. 28 – midday)

Professor Snape was on his way to Draco’s room when he heard a strange noise that made him stop dead. It was a voice coming from the other room and it sounded awfully familiar. His brow furrowed, as the sound became clearer and clearer and then it was pretty obvious who it was. His heart raced madly making his steps falter in their haste and as he turned the knob he saw someone that he’d been waiting to see for a long time now. The door opened and there he was standing in the middle of the room talking to Fawkes who was perched on the table.

“Ahh, Severus, well met.”

“Professor Dumbledore!”

“Yes, I have returned…the tide is about to turn…you need me here.”