HPNSA - BOOK TWO

CHAPTER NINE
BLUDGEONED
TIMELINE: JANUARY 31, 1997

(Jan. 31 – Midnight)

Ron could not sleep that night not after finding out about the stones. He was excited and angry at the same time and it made his entire night irritating. He was pacing around his room trying not to make any sound for his son slept quietly on his bed and would move and jerk at every sound louder than his own breathing. He couldn’t accept that Harry spent one stone to be with Draco – choosing to be with Malfoy should have been the last on his list. Ron knew he did something terrible to Harry, he just couldn’t figure out what it was or how grave it was. But the fact that he went mad for it lead Ron to believe it wasn’t a slight error, in fact he was beginning to suspect Draco took part in the ritual. ‘I will kill him…’ was a thought that kept popping inside his head whenever he was reminded of it. That was unforgivable, Ron thought, and the fact that Harry had forgiven him assured him that Draco did no such thing. Harry will never forgive anyone – not even Malfoy – for doing that, at least not the Harry that he knew.

Ron decided to sit by the window and wait for the morning to come. Time moves slowly when you wait for it, Ron thought, and this time it felt like it was almost standing still. Molly had berated Hermione for telling him about the stones knowing he’ll grow impatient, and now he realized how wise that would have been. Hermione shouldn’t have told him – not yet – not until he was about to leave for Hogwarts, because now waiting became unbearable; he was on the brink of devising a plan to go to Hogwarts and risk being caught. ‘Trust in the Order’, he kept reminding himself. Trust in the Order…

Soon a red dawn was upon the horizon and the whole house was up and about. Today Jigger had to exchange with Ginny in Saint Mungo’s and tomorrow will be the final exchange – between Jigger and Rio, and Rio will attend the hearing as him. That was the plan, it was a sound plan, and it has not failed since they started it.

Jigger was downstairs wearing a blue pin-stripe robe and was about to exchange with George who had to stay behind. He drank Polyjuice Potion and did not hold his nose this time for yesterday he had learned to enjoy it. After taking a swig of it he started coughing and pounding on his chest as though the mixture was burning his chest; It made everyone laugh thinking he was pulling another one of his tricks sputtering Polyjuice all over the kitchen floor.

“What’s wrong? I thought you said it tasted better?” Rio said hitting him on the back. Jigger though kept coughing. “You alright, man?”

“This one tasted funny!” Jigger said with difficulty.

“They all taste funny!” Ron said, chuckling a bit. “I hate that potion! Don’t see how you could ever learn to like it.”

“No yesterday’s draft was far better than this one. I think she spiked it!” Jigger said, pointing at Hermione who turned around looking at him angrily. “You fixed the drink didn’t you?”

“We are not going to a party, Jigger,” Hermione said. “We are taking a big risk doing this everyday, so ‘spiking it’ is something I will never do. They all taste bad. Besides if I really wanted to hurt you, the potion is NOT how I will do it.”

Jigger was now nauseated and didn’t hide it. “Yeah, well, something’s wrong with it then,” He said as he slowly turned into George. “Maybe we shouldn’t go.” He still coughed a bit. “I don’t feel too well.”

Ron got annoyed, “Jigger, look I am sorry that the potion tasted bad but you have to make this exchange.”

“I know, Ron, sorry dude. Look, I don’t feel too well, so I’ll just…wait by the car.” And Jigger went outside.

“Maybe George should fill in for him for a while?” Fred said. “He really doesn’t look good.”

But Rio shook his head, “Nah! He’s gonna be fine. Let’s go? Has Chase returned yet? He’s driving us today right?”

“He hasn’t come back from town yet?” Ron said.

“He said he’d be here before we leave, maybe he got wasted last night.” Jigger said.

“No, there he is!” Hermione said pointing at the young African-American Knight coming in through the pathway. “Funny, I didn’t know he was taller than your father?”

Arthur was outside talking with Remus who was on his way to Grimauld Place, Dumbledore and the rest of the Order were. After the exchange, Arthur was going there as well. Hermione and Fred went out together and though he assured them that he was fine, deep inside Ron felt a bit worried that something was going to happen with the exchange but shrugged it off and headed upstairs to check on Archer.



At exactly 6:00 am Arthur was walking along the corridors that led to the chamber where Ginny was. Soon Otis opened the door, and they went in and made the exchange – Ginny was about to drink the polyjuice potion with Jigger. They both coughed terribly after gulping down the thick potion with Jigger nearly throwing up. Hermione was now convinced that the potion was really bad and worried that it won’t last all day.

“Mr. Weasley,” Hermione said.

“Yes, Hermione?” Arthur was helping Ginny dress up as George.

“Maybe we should come back at noon to give Jigger another Potion,” Hermione said.

Arthur then looked at her and then turns towards Jigger who was wincing while on the bed, and looked really sick. “Yes, alright, I will come back from the meeting at noon, and bring him some potion.”

Hermione then went to Jigger. “You alright?”

“I’m going to be fine,” Jigger said weakly. “Make sure you bring me the good stuff later.”

Hermione smiled at him and then headed out of the door.

“Tomorrow’s the big day, isn’t it?” Otis said.

“Yes,” Arthur said. “Big day…” He took his wand, and made sure everyone got theirs before leading them up to the first level and out into the open streets. They were about to go inside the Thunderbird when they saw hit wizards coming towards them.

“Rodger,” Arthur said recognizing the tall wizard coming straight for him. “What are you doing here…?” But Rodger already conjured magic and Arthur was now bound with magical ropes. “What the bloody hell is the meaning of this? Rodger?”

“Mr. Weasley!” Hermione cried.

“Father!” Fred cried. Ginny was twisting beside him was slowly turning back into herself. Fred took off his robe and covered her while Chase nervously took his hands off the stirring wheel when two wizards pointed their wands at him.

“You are under arrest, Arthur,” Rodger said remorsefully.

“For what? What the hell is going on?” Arthur said angrily.

Mafalda Hopkirk apparated beside Rodger and looked at Arthur and said, “How can you do this, Arthur?”

“What are you talking about Mafalda?” Arthur said.

“You’ve stepped too far this time, Arthur. I’m afraid I can’t let this pass,”

“What the bloody…?”

“Who is that boy you’ve left there?”

“What are you…? That’s Ron!” Arthur said.

“That most certainly is NOT Ronald Weasley. I don’t know who that person is, but the fact that he is where your son should be,” Mafalda said.

“What in Merlin’s beard are you talking about Mafalda?” Arthur said when more hit wizards came out of the dilapidated department store holding Jigger wearing Ron’s hospital gown. He was looking absolutely sick and he kept vomiting. Arthur turned around to Hermione and Fred who were trying to help Ginny inside the car, “RUN! RUN BACK AND WARN RON!”

“SEIZE THEM!”

Several wizards now approached them Hermione took out her wand and cried, “STUPEFACIO!” Then Fred grabbed her arm and ran. They ran deep into muggle London thinking these Ministry wizards would not dare use magic in front of muggles but when they relentlessly followed, and fired stunning spells at them Fred and Hermione realized they needed to fight back. Hermione had issues using her wand in public though but soon she and Fred were using spells in broad daylight in the midst of gapping muggles.

“Hermione!” Fred cried as a wizard came out about to conjure another spell. “IMPEDIMENTA!”

“We have to get to the Burrow!” Hermione cried. “They are getting desperate!”

A line of hit wizards now blocked their path Fred stopped and placed Hermione behind him, pointed his wand at them and cried, “EXTUNDO!” Shop doors and windows shattered as wizards blasted through them and many muggles got hurt. “Come on!” Fred said grabbing Hermione.

“What about the muggles?”

“We can’t stay here Hermione!”


***

Ron had just finished breakfast when Rio came running inside and told Molly that there were wizards coming towards the Burrow.

Molly looked out the window and realized these were Ministry wizards heading for them. “Quick, Ron you and Rio run upstairs. They are probably just looking for Arthur.” Molly said.

Ron went upstairs with Rio and hid inside his room; before locking the door, Ron decided to let an extendable ear down to the banister so he can listen on in the conversations. Then he locked the door.

The wizards were there not because of Arthur, but because they were looking for him – something went wrong with the exchange and Jigger was discovered. His heart pounding hard he closed his eyes tightly and Rio realized that the wizards were not there on a friendly visit. He motioned for Ron to dress up in his Bureau uniform and get his weapons. Ron did just that while Rio watched the door. They heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Ron looked at Archer who was now wide-awake; he could hear Molly protesting outside saying that the child was sleeping inside. Ron took out his cloak and covered Archer with it – he kissed him on the forehead knowing he would have to leave him eventually. Rio gave him a draught and after they finished it they decided they had to leave the Burrow.

They were about to jump out of the window when Ron heard Molly scream. He opened the door and two Hit wizards jumped him. The draught made Ron stronger than usual and though they nearly overwhelmed him he was able to fend them off and push them against the wall. Both wizards lost consciousness and Ron ran back to the room to jump out of the five-storey window. But George came out of his room groping for the railings when he heard Molly scream.

“Mum?” He was about a few feet away from his door when a streak of light hit him and he fell down the stairs.

“GEORGE!” Ron cried. He ran toward him and hit the wizard that conjured the spell. More wizards came pouring into the house and soon Ron was underneath a pile of Wizards who conjured one spell after another. Soon he and Rio were tied with so many magical ropes they couldn’t move a single limb.

George slowly stood still shaken by the impact of the fall and heard Ron's muffled screams. He groped for his wand and found it several inches away from where he was, then judging by the sound of the muffled cries he pointed his wand and cried, “Expedium!” the spell hit Ron and the ropes untied themselves.

Ron was free and was able to clear off some of the wizards that were on top of him and was going to help Rio so they can make their escape when he heard a wizard come running in conjuring the Killing Curse – aimed at George!

“AVEDA…”

Ron reached out for his sword and before the spell was completely conjured the wizard’s head rolled on the floor. The other wizards looked at Ron with horror in their eyes. For a moment the fighting stopped but after a while, as though suddenly turned on by a controller the wizards charged anew and this time they were more desperate to kill him – conjuring spell, after spell, which Ron fended off with his charged sword.

“Ron?” George cried still a bit dizzy from falling down the stairs he wobbled a bit then found the night table and leaned on it. “Mum?” Molly was on the floor three feet away from him.

“EXPELLIARMUS!” Cried a wizard; the spell sent George flying across the room destroying the beautiful birch cabinets as he hit them. He was now bleeding and unconscious on the floor.

“George!” Ron was now completely bewildered – Hit Wizards aren’t supposed to be this hostile. It occurred to him that something – or someone - must have been controlling them because they were bent on killing him rather than arrest him. As he fought them one after another, he realized that he was going to end up killing them in the process if they do not stop and retreat – something he didn’t really want to do. He decided to run back to his room and make for the window. “Rio!” He signaled Rio to follow upstairs and when they got there he locked the door; he saw Archer and decided to take him along since both Molly and George were unconscious. He wrapped him up and carried him securely then he and Rio jumped out of the window just in time – the wizards blasted their way through the door seconds after Rio jumped out.

***

The whole Ministry was in an uproar - Tonks just reported in and didn’t pay any attention to the commotion until she saw Arthur Weasley come through his hands bound and several hit wizards were around him and Mafalda Hopkirk apparated and headed straight for the Minister’s office. Then she saw Ginny and Chase walking closely behind with Jigger between them – he could hardly walk and even Ginny looked sick but was better off than Jigger – and surrounding them were more hit wizards.

“No!” Tonks whispered. “What are they in for?” She asked a fellow Auror who just came in; he shook his head and told her Arthur was caught helping his son escape. “Arthur would never do that,” Tonks said though she knew exactly what Arthur has done having helped him do it twice now.

“He got caught, Nymphadora! He exchanged a member of the Bureau in with his youngest son and he started going sick and throwing up all over Saint Mungo’s then turned into himself! Polyjuice! Apparently he’s been doing it for a while now, exchanging his other children in with the one who has been turned into a Knight. Where he got all that Polyjuice is beyond me.”

Tonks swallowed hard and closed her eyes tightly – Arthur and the others were in a pickle that only Dumbledore can fix but Ron was still in the Burrow and if they go after him and catch him, he won’t stand a chance in the Wizengamot. She decided to save him and left for the Burrow.

When she got there she found the house has been turned upside down. Molly and George were carried away in stretchers and into an awaiting flying ambulance no doubt bound for Saint Mungo’s. “Too late!” She cried as she ran towards the door; There were three Aurors there and they were just as flummoxed as she. “What happened here?”

“We don’t know exactly,” Said Ewell. “We got here as soon as we got the Owl post from the Ministry – we were in the area and were advised that a mad sorcerer was in Arthur’s place – escaped the Asylum it seems.”

“He attacked them,” Palmer said pointing at about twenty wizards groaning in and around the Burrow, “And killed Murdow.” He said and Tonks peered in to see a headless wizard on the floor just beside the large couch. She figured Ron must have snapped when he saw them coming thinking they were going to put him away again and she knew that Hermione told him about the stones last night.

“Where’s the child?” Tonks said.

“Child? What child?” Palmer said.

Tonks ran upstairs to Ron’s room and found it empty. Then she ran from room to room and when every hole came out empty she decided to leave for Grimauld place. “I have to go,”

“Where you off to?” Palmer cried. “Oi!”

Tonks rode on her broom and sped upwards.


***

“Quick in here!” Hermione said. They were in a theater and Fred tried lighting his wand so they could see. “What are you doing?”

”Nox!” Fred whispered. “It’s too damn dark.”

“It’s a movie house, of course it’s dark…” Hermione whispered.

“Why are we here?”

“We need to disguise ourselves,” Hermione said. They headed for the restrooms and Hermione went inside the men’s room first. A rather large man was there and when he saw her, he tried to zip his pants so fast the zipper caught on his skin and was about to scream. “Petrificus Totalus!” and the man fell on the floor. Hermione then pulled out a bit of his hair and took off his clothes. “To the other side,” Soon they both had a set of muggle hair; Hermione took out the last flask of Polyjuice potion and took a cup from the garbage bin, rinsed it a bit and divided the potion into two and gave the cup to Fred.

Fred grimaced and hesitantly placed the man’s hair inside and they both took a swig. Soon they were both outside walking in the open streets looking like a large Caucasian man in his mid-fifties and a young African woman in her mid-twenties.

“Now we head back to the Burrow.” Hermione said as they both passed a group of hit wizards.


***
Inside number 12 Grimauld Place, a debate was ensuing about how to deal with the growing problem of breaches within the Muggle communities around the world. More and more incidents of attacks from dark wizards, demons, werewolves and even vampires from rogue clans have been reported and the Bureau, Dumbledore learned recently, was on the edge of collapse because there was an insurgence that erupted inside. Dumbledore had invited Aidan MacGrugger to come over on account of Ron, but Jazz, another Head Knight from the sixth order under Stephanor Mackenzie came instead.

“Aidan will not be able to come here,” Jazz said. “The elders of his clan have been avoiding open war with the Malkavians. If he as much as steps out of any transport that lands here, the Malkavians will start attacking the Ventrueans and we will have a full Vampiric clan war in our hands.”

“Those clans have always been at war,” Dumbledore said “Aidan should have come, Ron needs him, of all the people in the Bureau, he should know how it feels like to be in Ron’s position.”

“Aidan fears Veddharta, Dumbledore.” Jazz said. “I couldn’t convince him to come over, not even after he heard of your return.”

“Albus we cannot wait for him to come to his senses! Let Ron go there for training!” Elphias said.

“The Death Eaters are here!” Remus said. “That’s what Dolohov’s pensieve revealed. After the Tower collapsed most of them retreated towards the central part of Scotland, and the last time they were all together they were near the Cambrian Mountains. Ron needs to eliminate ten of them before he faces Aveddon. Seriously I don’t see how he can even do that.”

“We also need to address the problem of Muggle attacks by Magical beasts in several continents.” Severus said, placing two Owl posts on the table. “Last week, we have three reported incidents of a basilisk attack in Northern China and another in Tajikistan and Southern India. And unicorn killings in protected forests have been reported as well. Also Dementors are all over Central London,”

“The dragons have been secured haven’t they?” Elphias said.

“Yes, they have,” Severus answered.

“Good, the dragons can be used to attack the basilisks.” Elphias said.

Suddenly Tonks came running inside, “REMUS! REMUS!”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“They’ve caught Arthur! They are holding him at the Ministry, Professor Dumbledore!”

“What about Ron? Was he captured as well?” Severus said.

“No Ron is not with them,” Tonks said. “He’s not in the Burrow either, and something happened there…” She took a deep breath. “I think he killed a wizard.”

“Great Merlin!” Remus cried.

“I think the other Knight, Rio is with him, when I got there George and Molly were being taken Saint Mungo’s.” Tonks said her face a picture of utter dismay.

“Rio?” Jazz said calmly. Tonks looked at the Head Knight and nodded. “He’s here?

“Yes, weren’t you aware of it?” Severus said.

“No, I was told that he was patrolling Boston.” Jazz said.

“What about the child?” Dumbledore said.

“No he’s not there either, I searched the whole house he’s not there. I think Ron took him along.” Tonks said.

“Albus,” Remus looked at Dumbledore with fear in his eyes.

“We have to make sure Ron makes it back to Hogwarts before Sunday,” Albus said. “Severus, I need you to go back to the castle, that’s the next place they would search, Ron is on the run and with a baby along, he can’t go far…” Dumbledore seemed to be calculating something then he looked at Remus again, “I think Ron would try getting to Diagon Alley – make sure he gets to Olivander’s shop, I think the floo channel there is still open. Whatever happens he has to get to Hogwarts before Harry’s time runs out.”

“I can go to the Ministry and tell Arthur of what had happened,” Emmeline said. “He would want to get some news, and perhaps look at getting the children released.”

“I’ll go with you,” Tonks said.

“I think the dam has cracked and soon it will burst. I have seen this kind of havoc before though not in this scale. Only one could breach the division between the worlds, and she is getting desperate. Aveddon is coming to these shores, Ron will need all the help he can get. I will pass by the Ministry before going to the Bureau try to convince Aidan MacGrugger to train him – whether his clan permits him or not.” Dumbledore said then left.


Jazz approached Remus who was getting ready to leave for London. “Since when has Rio been here?” Jazz said.

“Since the 28th.” Remus said. “He came here with two other Knights, Jigger and Chase.”

“Chase? Chase Eldridge?” Jazz said. “Young, African-American, quiet kid, Chase?”

“Yes, he fits that description.” Remus said. “Why?”

“Chase was reported dead last night; they found his body near Spain.”

***

Hermione and Fred made it as far as Salisbury on public transport – luckily Hermione always carried with her enough quid to get them this far. Then it was a long walk towards Ottery Street a sharp left turn towards the cliffs and then the Burrow loomed before them. All the lights were out and Fred urged Hermione to take caution.

“Something’s wrong,” Fred said. They carefully walked towards the house and as soon as they got about a meter from the main pathway, Hermione pulled Fred close for she heard a shuffling sound behind the tall hedges and soon wizards surrounded them. Hermione sighed heavily as she slowly raised her hands to her head; she and Fred knelt on the ground and as the wizards tied them up a crack was heard and soon Mafalda Hopkirk appeared before them, a very disappointed look in her face. “Right, take them to the Ministry.”



“Fred!” Ginny cried. “Hermione! You’ve been caught! That means Ron is…”

“If he’s not here, then he’s on the run.” Hermione said weakly.

“Were you able to get back to the house?” Ginny said.

“Yes, but we did not make it inside, the whole house empty.” Fred said.

Hermione saw Jigger on the floor looking pale and worn. He was holding his stomach in pain and grimaced every now and then. “Jigger…?”

“He has been throwing up since we got here. I think that Polyjuice potion he took was bad.” Ginny said. “I threw up as well, but I’m better now…better than him.”

Hermione shook her head and felt a bit guilty. “We tempted luck too far it seems. He needs to be taken to Saint Mungo’s, couldn’t they see that he needs help?” She took off her jumper and placed it under Jiggers head then tore a portion of her shirt and wiped the large beads of sweat on Jigger’s brow. He kept groaning now.

“Where’s Chase?” Fred said.

“When we got here he was taken straight to the Minister’s office. I think they are going to question him.” Ginny said.

“And Dad?”

“He’s been taken to the lower dungeons.” Ginny said.

“I hope Archer is okay,” Hermione said, wiping Jigger’s brow.

“I wonder where mum is, and George,” Ginny said sniveling. Fred went to her and wrapped her closely. “What is happening, Fred? Why is this happening to us?”