Chapter eight
Chapter eight
Harry and Kingsley explained Harry’s idea about Ginny Weasley to the Wizengamot. The meeting went for over two hours before the head of the Wizengamot approved the use of binding Ginny to a place and removing her magic but only if she admitted what she did and what she said. They also said it would be ten years, but if Ginny wished to go to trial for her crimes, then it would be Azkaban and no second chances would be offered. Harry and Kingsley knew it meant Harry had to explain to Ginny, but first he was going to speak with Arthur.
Harry was sitting in his office when he heard a knock, ‘Mr. Weasley,’ Harry got up and went to shake his hand but he stepped out of his office.
‘You said you wanted to speak to me about what the Wizengamot said.’
‘Yeah, okay, they approved the removal of her magic and to be bound to a place for ten years if she admits what she said and what she did to Charlie. But they did say if Ginny wanted a trial, if she was sentenced then it would be to Azkaban and no second chances.’
‘If she went to trial, she would be sentence. She was seen attacking Charlie and heard to say she was going to kill Charlie by a healer,’ Ron said.
‘Yes, so I have to make her understand that she will be found guilty, then the choice is hers. She either goes with my idea and no trial or a trial and Azkaban.’
‘Molly and I spoke about this last night Harry. Yes we know she’s hurt, but she is old enough to know what she did was wrong. It’s more though, family, she attacked family. Now if she attacked someone that tried to hurt the family I think we would all understand. But Charlie was the one Ginny always went to for advice or when she was upset. It wasn’t me or her mother she cried onto, it was Charlie. Molly and I know she’s hurt, but she does need to be punished so we came up with an idea.’
‘Go on Mr. Weasley,’ Harry sighed.
‘If she agrees to being bound to a place, it won’t be to the Burrow, but to Muriel’s place.’
‘I think I would rather Azkaban than live with Muriel,’ Ron grimaced.
‘That’s why I suggested it, Molly’s aunt is not a nice woman. Ginny needs to be punished, if she was at the Burrow, she would see her family whenever she wanted, friends who would stop in to see Ron or Hermione. Family gets together for birthdays, Christmas, special occasions. She would have all her belongings there and you know Molly wouldn’t be able to help herself, she would cook and clean for her. Even though she couldn’t leave, it’s not enough of a punishment for what she did. She did cause Charlie a lot of painful injuries but he could have died. If she was sent to Muriel’s, she would not see anyone unless we visited. She would need to cook for herself, the muggle way, clean up after herself, again the muggle way. If she went as far as saying anything to Muriel, we all know what will happen. Ginny might have a temper but compared to Muriel, Ginny’s an angel.’
‘That’s not a bad idea Harry. You saw my aunt, the tyrant. Imagine being stuck with her for ten years.’
‘Okay, yes that is a better solution, but Mr. Weasley, Muriel is old, what did she say, one hundred and ten years or something like that. I hate asking this, but will she still be around in ten years?’
‘She’s one hundred and eight, but maybe not, it’s not like Muriel will be looking after Ginny, it’s the place and the fact that Ginny will be living like a muggle. Muriel has already told Molly that her home will be left to her as she is her closest relative. Molly is the only one that drops in to see if she needs anything. So when she dies, it means Ginny can stay.’
‘Okay, that’s what I was worried about, if she died and the house went to someone else, they might use their magic to help Ginny. She does need punishing, so she can’t have people using their magic to help her in anyway. If you want to use Muriel’s place Mr. Weasley, she will need to be explained all this, that she can’t help.’
‘I can speak with her this afternoon but Muriel would not help her, she has never helped anyone but herself. Another reason I know Muriel would make Ginny pay for what she did, she always had a soft spot for Charlie. She said to me once that Charlie didn’t conform to the way everyone was supposed to be. I used to believe she meant he was a loner, dated a different woman every night, his long hair. But now, I believe she knew Charlie would end up with a man. Muriel might not be a nice woman and loves to gossip and listen to anyone that will bad mouth others, but she is very insightful. Out of all the family, Charlie was the only one that could ever calm her down when she started on someone. He hated talking to her, we all did, but he knew it worked for him.’
‘Charlie has this calming presence about him, I noticed that straight away. I’m talking about when I first met him, when I was fourteen. My eyes went straight to him, I used to think it was because he did look different from all the other Weasley boys. So even though I was surprised more by Bill’s looks, but it was Charlie’s presence, his aura, I just felt calm the moment I was near him.’
‘Yes, I have been told that myself about Charlie.’
‘You never told me you were surprised by Bill, so why?’ Ron asked.
‘I heard the stories, Bill was a prefect and head boy, smart, I pictured someone like Percy. Charlie was quidditch captain and seeker, so to me his looks wasn’t that surprising even though he was so different to all of you.’
‘So you thought Bill was another perfect Percy?’
‘Yeah, I did. Anyway, I’ll let the minister know what you said Mr. Weasley. Can you let me know what Muriel decides because I will have to go see Ginny tomorrow?’
‘I’ll send Pig, Errol can’t seem to stand up anymore.’
‘Poor old Errol, the only problem with Pig is he’s small, can’t carry a lot. I never asked Sirius why he chose such a small owl. Oh well, it’s the past and that answer will have to remain unanswered, like so many others. One more thing Mr. Weasley, do you think she’ll take my offer?’
‘At first she might not, she will believe you won’t allow it to happen. You saved her once before Harry, then saved me and Ron. She’s bound to believe you would come to her rescue again.’
‘No, I wouldn’t, she lost my trust when she hurt Charlie. But I still don’t want her to end up in Azkaban with those that are already in there. Let’s hope she listens to me.’
‘Yes, let’s hope. I better go so I can see what dear old Muriel has to say.’
‘I’ll see you at home later dad,’ Ron waited until his father left, ‘Muriel’s, I’m surprised mum went along with that.’
‘I’m not actually Ron. When she told Charlie and I about what the healer said, she was calm, more worried about Charlie than anything else. I think she knew Ginny would follow through on the threat. She lost one son already, she’s not going to take the chance of losing another. This way she still has her daughter, but not at home where Charlie will visit and where we want to get bonded. I think this is her way of protecting the rest of her family. One thing I noticed about your parents Ron, you mum might be the one to yell and control all of you, your dad is the calm one. But right now I think she’s worried about your dad, he had to stay strong before, everyone has their breaking point, maybe she believes this could be your dad’s.’
‘I think you’re right, but how did you get to read my parents so well.’
‘Apart from watching them for years, remember the boggart. Even though your mother saw every member of the family dead, including me, it was your father that was first. They have been together for a long time, went through the first war together and they had children, but they have always been there for each other. I can sense your mother’s sadness, especially now with Ginny and Charlie. But with the boggart, your mum thought of your dad, that’s when I realised, her greatest fear is losing her soul mate.’ Harry shrugged, but Ron understood, Harry noticed that straight away. Kids don’t really think of their parents like that, their married and parents, and that’s all they see. They don’t see that they have the ones they love most, their life mate and their soul mate.
When Harry, Ron, Jessie, Ernie, Arthur and Molly arrived at St Mungo’s, they saw Charlie leaning against the wall.
‘What are you doing here Charlie?’ Harry asked.
‘You’re supposed to be resting,’ Molly said.
‘I had to be here, I want to let her see me. She might be my sister but she did say she was going to kill me. I have to face her so she knows I’m not going to hide or give up Harry.’
‘Harry, you’re the boss, normally only aurors can talk to the suspect. The parents are allowed if the head auror approves which you did, but Charlie?’ Ron looked between his friend and his brother.
Harry stared at Charlie for a minute, ‘I’ll approve it because I think Charlie does need to do this. He’s the victim of her first attack and could have been her victim again, this time to the death if she did what she planned.’
‘Thanks love.’
Harry took Charlie’s hand, ‘I really don’t want you near her Charlie, but I can feel it, feel how much you want to do this. So let’s get it over with.’
Harry and Charlie kept their hands joined as they walked into the wards. Molly and Arthur went into the room first, Ron nodded then stepped in after his parents.
‘Why is Ron going in before you?’
‘Just making sure she never got hold of a wand. But he’s making it look like a brother visiting his sister with their parents. I said a couple of minutes then I was going in. You stay behind me Charlie.’
‘If she hasn’t got a wand where’s the danger.’
‘There isn’t, we could sense it remember. I don’t know, I just don’t want her hurting you, physically or emotionally.’
‘Dad told you didn’t he?’
‘That Ginny went to you for anything, yeah, he did. This has to be hard on you Charlie.’
‘It is, extremely hard but she brought it on herself. Everyone told her that nothing could be done about us once we became life mates, she wouldn’t listen.’
Harry sighed, ‘Do you wish that I never,’ Harry never got to finish as Charlie placed his finger over Harry’s lips.
‘No, we are meant to be Harry; my whole being tells me that. I never felt complete until we got together, I think that’s why I never settled down before. If any of us knew this could happen then you would not have dated her. If there was a test of some sort that reveals this, then again you wouldn’t have dated her if you knew you would become Morphixen. None of this is our fault.’
Harry nodded, ‘You’re family has always been there for me Charlie, I hate what this is doing to them.’
‘It was all her Harry, she decided to attack me.’
‘I know, let’s just get this over with,’ Harry kissed Charlie then turning to his other aurors, ‘Jessie, Ernie, just wait here until we’re done.’
‘Yes boss,’ they said together and stood against the wall. One on either side of the door as Harry and Charlie stepped into the room.
‘Get out,’ Ginny screamed as she glared at Charlie.
‘You’ve lost all your rights Miss Weasley, so you do not get to say who comes in here or not,’ Harry forced himself to sound cold but he also made sure he’s face was hard, ‘Now there are a few things we need to discuss, like how you are going to spend the next ten years of your life.’
Ginny turned over and faced the other way, ‘Ginny, you need to listen to Harry, not as Harry our friend, but the auror,’ Ron said, but his sister never moved or made a sound, ‘Just say it boss.’
‘You have been charged with the attack on Charlie Weasley, you have also being charged with threatening he’s life. Now you have to face the consequences of your actions. You can face trial over this which means you could end up in Azkaban for ten years. You’ll get three years for threatening Charlie’s life and since you already attacked him, that adds another seven years to your sentence. The other choice you have is you lose your magic for ten years and are bound to a place, meaning you cannot leave that place. You won’t be able to use magic for anything, including flying, but you have to admit your guilt. Now the head of the Wizengamot has told me that if you rather go in front of them and you are found guilty, then you get ten years in Azkaban, no second chances. If you take my offer of losing your magic and being bound to a place, then that is what you’re full punishment will be. I need to notify the Wizengamot of your decision, you have one hour to decide. If you do not talk and tell me which one you chose, then the Wizengamot will send you to Azkaban.’
Harry, Charlie, Ron, Molly and Arthur waiting but Ginny refused to speak or move, ‘Harry and I are getting married.’
‘I’ll kill you Charlie, I hate you, I hate you, get out,’ Ginny screamed.
Harry stepped in front of Charlie, ‘It seems you’ve made your decision. The Wizengamot will make sure you go to Azkaban. Charlie, let’s go.’
‘Wait,’ Arthur said then stepped over to his daughter, ‘Don’t you understand Ginny, Harry had this idea to keep you out of Azkaban but away from him and Charlie. Is this what you really want, to go to that place with all those death eaters? You need to let this go, to let Harry go, to let this hatred of Charlie go. This was not your brother’s fault, it’s part of our magical heritage and nothing will change the outcome. But in case you forgotten what Hermione explained about Morphixen’s, if Charlie dies, Harry dies. They are bound, they feel each other’s pain, they sense everything about the other, they are fully connected. The day you hurt Charlie, Harry ended up in just as much pain. So if Charlie dies, Harry dies, but if that happened I don’t think you’re mother and I would make it through another loss. So I’m saying this right now, you are being a very selfish bitch and I’m ashamed to be your father,’ Arthur grabbed Ginny’s arm, ‘Decide, right now.’
Ginny kept glaring at Charlie, then she smirked, ‘Fine, I admit I want to kill him and I attacked him, so I chose to be bound to a place and lose my magic.’
‘I will inform the Wizengamot,’ Harry tapped some parchment with his wand then handed it to Ron then he stepped right beside Ginny’s bed, pointed his wand at her and silently removed her magic. Molly, Arthur, Ron and Charlie watched as a bright silver light seemed to seep out of Ginny and into the orb that Harry held in his hand, ‘Sign this,’ Harry handed her a quill and a form, she quickly signed, Ron taking the form, ‘When you are escorted out of here the aurors will cast the binding charm,’ Harry stepped back to Charlie, nodding.
‘It won’t work Ginny,’ Charlie glared, ‘I know exactly what you were planning.’
‘It’s fine love, we knew she would try.’
‘What are you two on about?’ Ron asked.
‘She believes being bound to the Burrow that she will have her mother do everything for her and if Charlie visits then all she needs to get hold of is a knife to take care of him,’ Harry stepped closer, ‘Your decision is unbreakable, what you do not know is you will not be bound to the Burrow, but to your aunt Muriel’s place,’ Harry and the others all saw it, Ginny looked shocked.
‘No, I’ll go to Azkaban, not Muriel’s.’
‘Too late, let’s go Charlie, Ron, let’s get back to work.’
‘Yes boss,’ Ron looked at his sister before leaving the room, Charlie and Harry following.
‘I will kill you Charlie, I will,’ Ginny screamed again.
Harry slipped his arms around Charlie’s waist, ‘I’m sorry Charlie.’
‘Don’t be, it’s like she didn’t hear a thing dad said. If I died, I don’t think mum and dad would handle that, but she doesn’t care.’
‘She even surprised me. I’ll give you two a few minutes, I’ll be out in the waiting room.’
‘Thanks Ron, we won’t be long,’ Charlie said then looked into Harry’s eyes, ‘Right now mum and dad can see her, even if they hate going to Muriel’s.’
‘Yeah, but at least they will see her,’ Harry sighed, ‘Jessie, Ernie, you know what to do. Just give Mr. and Mrs. Weasley a few more minutes with her, no longer than half an hour.’
‘Yes, boss, and we’re sorry Charlie,’ Ernie said sadly.
‘Don’t be,’ Charlie kept his arm around Harry and they left the wards, found Ron in the waiting room. Harry kissed Charlie, ‘I’ll head straight home, I need to rest for a while.’
‘I’ll see you in a couple of hours,’ Harry kissed Charlie again then watched as he stepped into the fireplace.
‘Come on mate, let’s get back to work,’ Ron put his hand on Harry’s shoulder forcing him to walk away. He knew Harry was worried about how Charlie was feeling, now he had to keep Harry’s mind on work and off Charlie, at least for a few more hours.