Solis

Chapter XXXV

Don't ask Ron how many battles he's been in, or he might avoid the question or joke about it. He's been in battles since Kronos, fought with Gaea, and is still battling now. He doesn't go a year without facing some monsters. Well, Ron didn't receive any advance notice that they'd be up against opponents with wolf-headed humans, barbarians, and mortal in a battle. Chiron had made it clear not to kill the mortals. Though, here's Ron, using punches and kicks on them instead within one of the building's floors.

He ordered the archers to quickly divide in pairs, take as many mortals as possible without killing them. This meant they had to resort to using their daggers and swords as they charged forward.

Four of the young demigods who were new and near Ron were mimicking his actions closely, making it difficult for him to focus due to the attention he was receiving. If he kicked one of the security guards, they would also find their own targets and do the same. Austin informed him that Chiron had told the newcomers that this was more like a "field trip" to the newbies than an actual battle.

Austin appeared, "Ron, gather the archers, we're moving to the next level!" He yelled.

"Gotcha!" Ron replied.

Ron signaled to the archers, and they all grabbed their bows, following Austin to the next floor.

When they opened the door, both of them let out a surprised yelp as Austin let loose a dissonant squeak-blatt on his sax as the bull lurched away, shaking its head in dismay, as Austin vaulted over the dining table and slid to Apollo and Kayla. 

"What's up?" Ron said. "Need help? I've got the archers ready."

“Austin, Ron" Kayla said with relief. “We need to lure this bull outside. Can you—?” She pointed at Apollo which Ron was trying not look at.

“We playing pass-the-Apollo?” Austin grinned. “Sure. C’mon, Dad. I got you.”

"Good luck, brother," Ron said, offering a salute that Austin copied as the redheaf quickly joined Kayla and the rest, trying to draw the Bull's attention away from the room.

"HEY, YOU UGLY RED-FACED BEAST!" Ron shouted, with the other demigods echoing his taunts.

"Ugly face!"

"Ugly butt!"

"Who's the ugliest? Your mom!" The comment further infuriated the bull, prompting the archers to take shots at it while the young demigods hurled things in its direction. The fact that the bull couldn't be killed only made it worse. However, as Ron glanced near the window, he caught sight of something flying.

"D'ya see that?" Ron asked, squinting his eyes at what was outside.

Kayla, who was in the process of nocking an arrow, looked at him and asked, "What?" She followed his gaze. "A pegasus?"

"No!" Ron replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Kayla stared at Ron, saying, "For a moment, I thought you were Dad." Then she noticed Ron's strange behavior and asked, "Wait, what are you doing?"

Ron ignored her, backing away, and yelled, "GUYS, GET DOWN!" The others didn't hesitate and quickly ducked. Suddenly, a massive bird-like creature crashed through the window and into the room, leaving everyone yelped at what had just entered.

"A Gryphon?" one of Ron's siblings exclaimed in astonishment.

"A hippogriff! Fiddlefig!" Ron exclaimed with excitement.

The hippogriff spread its wings and nodded in their direction before charging toward the bull, engaging in combat with the enraged creature. Everyone rushed to the side of the room, watching two creature fight.

"AWESOME!" exclaimed one of the young demigods.

"Kayla, I've got an idea to lure it," Ron said, and Kayla looked at him with a mix of anxiety and concern.

"Don't do anything stupid—"

"I promised! Fiddlefig, come!" The redhead acted swiftly, climbing onto Fiddlefig's back and taking control of the hippogriff. "Everyone, keep shooting!" Ron commanded, and they resumed shooting arrows and throwing objects at the charging bull. The bull roared and charged toward Fiddlefig, seemingly finding a worthy opponent. Ron held onto Fiddlefig's neck as they steadily moved backward, edging closer to the window. 

The redhead skillfully maneuvered Fiddlefig, spinning the hippogriff around and making a daring leap from the window along with the bull. Fiddlefig spread his wings and soared upward, while the demigods inside the level erupted in cheers. Ron and the hippogriff returned safely to the room.

"Cool! can I climb on him?" one of them eagerly asked.

"No, I want to climb on him too!"

"Let me climb too!" they all chimed in, eager to get a chance to interact with the creature.

Kayla and Ron exchanged a high-five, pleased with their victory.

When Austin returned and saw the bull was gone, he was surprised. He explained what had happened above, and it was clear the battle had ended. He left Fiddlefig with the younger demigods, not realizing the hippogriff had followed him here. But now, they had another problem—there were many wounded on each level, among them were the barbarians. They began checking each floor to help those who were hurt.

"EXAM!" Ron yelled loudly, causing Will to almost drop the books he was putting on the cabin shelf. Kayla, who was drinking water, spat it out onto Austin's face while he was tuning a guitar. The rest of his siblings looked at him in surprise.

"That's a loud shout, brother!" Gracie, his new sibling, gave him a thumbs-up.

Ron blushed furiously and clarified, "No! I meant an exam! I have an exam, and it's been two weeks! I need to go back! I haven't review anything!"

It had been two weeks since the battle at Nero's tower, and Ron had completely forgotten about Hogwarts after just two days. No one had mentioned it to him, and he could tell that Gracie and the others had also forgotten about theirs too because he had seen them earlier feeding the hippogriff in the arena with a few demigods. No one really knew what the creature was except for them, but they had collectively decided to call it a Gryphon. Oh Hades—he had forgotten about Hagrid's situation.

Ron stood up and grabbed an unused quiver from the floor, hastily loading it with arrows.

"Ron, just take a deep breath and calm down," Will advised.

"No, I can't! I have things to do, and my friends... I just left them without saying anything. Oh my gods, they're probably thinking I was..." Ron paused, refraining from finishing that thought.

Ron's siblings watched him with concern as he grumbled and loaded more arrows into the quiver. Just then, the door swung open, and they all turned to see who had entered.

"Uh," Connor began nervously, "your dad is here—"

So Ron sat alone in a corner of the cabin, overcome with sadness and loneliness, tears streaming down his face as he sobbed uncontrollably. The door opened, and his siblings entered, looking at him with sympathy.

"Oh, Ron," one of his sisters said, moving to hug him in a comforting embrace.

They had known because Ron had told Will to tell them about his identity, about the gods' disdain for him, and even his own father's disapproval. Ron hugged his sister back tightly as his siblings gathered around to offer their comfort. They had all sworn the River Styx to keep his secret and to share it only with those they truly trusted. Gracie, Yang, Jerry, and the rest of his siblings embraced him, and Ron's sobs echoed in the cabin as he remembered Shane, Noel, and his other siblings who died in the battles before.

"Ex...exam..." Ron sobbed, his voice trembling. "I... I need to...to go back tomorrow."

The next day, Ron had Fiddlefig take him back to Hogwarts. In the arena, Lou, her siblings, Ron's siblings, and their friends rushed towards him as he stroked the hippogriff's wings.

"Are you sure about leaving?" Macey asked.

"It's school, and exams are important," Ron replied. "Don't you guys have exams this week too?"

"Our exams are scheduled for the first week of next month, just so you know," Tamara informed him. "Anyway, good luck."

Ron let out a weary sigh. "I tried to study yesterday evening until two in the morning, but I couldn't focus. I only managed to cover charms. Anyways, have you read my letter I sent before?"

Tamara nodded with a smile. "Don't worry. Tyler's got your back; he's already informed his mom. I haven't received any letters from her yet, but I hope they'll manage to save the hippogriff."

"Thanks!" Ron said nervously.

"Hey, you've got this," Nyssa reassured him. "Having an exam about magic must be fun, right, Drew?" She kissed Drew on the cheek, causing him to blush and playfully smack her shoulder, while everyone around them cooed.

"We've got Will and Nico here too!" Austin chimed in, leading to laughter all around. Will blushed, and Nico rolled his eyes at the teasing.

"Hey, you'll do great," Nico reassured him.

"Thanks, Nics. I guess I have to head back now. I'll see you all in the summer," Ron replied.

Suddenly, a familiar voice reached their ears as Rachel approached them. The Oracle was panting when she reached the arena, holding two boxes.

"R-Ron..." She gasped for breath. "Annabeth and Percy delivered these to me for you."

Curiosity filled the air as Ron accepted the boxes and opened them.

"A phone?" Ron questioned.

"And a mini music player with headphones!?" exclaimed one of his siblings. "Awesome!"

"There's a note!" Rachel exclaimed.

Ron read the first note:

Belated Happy Birthday to my favorite Ron, hope you like it. I already put Thalia, Percy, and my number here, and do not contact us contact us if it's really, really necessary, okay? I love you. I.M and write me more letters. —Annabeth

Then he turned to the second note but this time it was color blue:

Hey, kid. I hope you're doing okay, I got you some music player, I've installed almost all different kinds of music on there, I hope you like it. I'm curious about this school of yours, sorry, Annabeth told me, but yeah, write me too? —Percy

Ron's face lit up with gratitude as he held the notes from his friends at New Rome. "Thanks, 'Chel!" He exclaimed to Rachel, who looked happy by the nickname. 

Ron secured the phone and music player in his sling bag, placing it in front of his quiver on his back. He was already contemplating what he would say to his friends and the excuses he'd need for his professors, especially Professor McGonagall and the headmaster. He was about to climb onto the hippogriff when suddenly, Rachel gripped him on his arm tightly. 

"Rachel?" Will called out, his voice tense.

Rachel stared at them with wide eyes. "She has spoken," she said, inhaling sharply. The ground in the arena shook slightly, causing the campers there to freeze. Green mist began to rise from the ground, enveloping them, as Rachel opened her mouth to speak.

Children of those has chosen,

Shall go seek the justice that has forgotten,

In the tapestry of fate, he'll find his chance.

So beware of the child of slumber's trance,

With the Olympians' decision, a choice that must be made,

A sacrifice for the heroes, in his hands, displayed.

Rachel collapsed, and Nyssa, along with two of Ron's siblings, caught her. Ron hadn't realized that the demigods had gathered around them.

🔆

The redhead returned to Hogwarts as Fiddlefig swooped down onto the lawn in one graceful motion. Ron leaped off the hippogriff's back and hurried inside the castle. He quickly checked the exam schedule for the day for third years, which was posted on a battered old board in the corridor.

He cursed in Greek, "Care of Magical Creature, what was it again..." He muttered.

Ron wasn't particularly surprised when they found him in one of the corners, crouching on the ground and holding his wand, prodding a Flobberworm in a large tub. However, the first person to spot him was Parvati, and she let out a shriek of surprise, pointing at him with a look of horror on her face, as if she had expected him to have been murdered by Sirius Black.

Hagrid, Harry, and Hermione made their way through the crowd, joining everyone who had gathered around Ron, bombarding him with questions about where he had been for the past two weeks. Some even speculated if he had been kidnapped by Black or if Black had threatened him, causing him to leave the castle (which Ron found almost laughable). 

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "Where were you for two weeks!? We thought—we thought Black had killed you!"

"Yer best step aside, I need t'let the headmaster know that Ron's safe and Black didn't nab 'im." Hagrid said as he made his way through the crowd. "Ron, 'ere in the world have ye been, Professor McGonagall's been in a right fuss, and the Headmaster had to send folks searchin' for ya, even sendin' a letter to yer aunt."

"Sorry, Hagrid! It was urgent! I'll talk to them later," Ron said quickly, wanting to reassure everyone that he was alright.

"You best be gettin' on with it, you've already missed out on a load o' exams."

After the Care of Magical Creatures exam, both Harry and Hermione rushed up to Ron, bombarding him with questions.

"So, where have you really been?" Harry questioned.

"New York," Ron replied.

"But how did you even get there!?" Hermione exclaimed.

"Fiddlefig," Ron answered.

"But they've sent almost all the hippogriffs away, and Buckbeak—"

"How was he?" Ron interrupted, eager to hear about Buckbeak.

Hermione squinted her eyes slightly and added, "Hagrid wanted to express his gratitude to you and your friend. Buckbeak is safe and currently outside Hagrid's hut. He'8ll be taken away after the term ends, but—"

"That's great! What's the next exam?" Ron asked.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry replied, giving him a look. "You're not going to tell us what happened, are you?" as the redhead only grinned at him.

Ron managed to pass his Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, but Professor Lupin wanted to have a discussion with him regarding his disappearance. During their conversation, Ron trief to explain himself, and he noticed a weary but relieved expression on their professor's face. Realizing his actions had caused concern, so he offered a sincere apology.

After their last exam, Divination, Ron couldn't help but blurt out a detailed description of what he had seen in the crystal ball. He had a genuine interest in the subject, which seemed to please Professor Trelawney. As they made their way back to the Great Hall for dinner, Ron was unexpectedly summoned to Professor McGonagall's office.

"Two weeks, Mr. Prewett, two weeks without a word, without a letter, without the headmaster's permission or mine! Do you honestly believe such action is tolerable? We were on the brink of worrying that Black had ensnared you, especially following his second attempt to get in the castle," she said without the slightest pause. "And we had to correspond with your aunt to ascertain if you'd indeed returned home there, but nothing. I've never witness to such behavior since my early days of teaching at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall declared, seething with both anger and disappointment.

Ron fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat and began, "I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall, I—"

"I have no need for your apology, Mr. Prewett. I will write Mrs. Weasley that you are well and have safely returned to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall stated. "The Headmaster has just sent notice that he'll be absent for a day, attending to a Ministry matter regarding the Hippogriff's success. Thus, I expect you to provide me with answers. Where on earth have you been, Mr. Prewett, for two weeks?"

Ron glanced around nervously and admitted, "New York." His response only seemed to make the conversation more complicated.

"New York—of all places—utterly unbelievable—this child—banned—"

After Professor McGonagall had calmed down, Ron approached her to inquire about the missed exams he needed to make up for. She reluctantly granted him a two-day window to take his exams but made it clear she was still upset with him.

When he returned to the common room, Ron skipped dinner and instead focused on reviewing his notes. Hermione had refused to tell him which exams they had already taken, and the Gryffindors were quite shocked to find him seated near the fire in the armchair. Fred and George decided to playfully tease the curious students who kept asking about Ron's absence. They joked that they had heroically saved Ron from the clutches of Black, all while Ginny stepped in and told them to leave him alone because he was deep in his studies and easily distracted. 

"Do you know where Harry is?" Ron asked when he walked into the dorm where Dean was the only present. Dinner had just ended, so most students were in the common room before going to bed.

"Huh?" Dean looked at him and said, "You mean Harry isn't in the common room? I saw him with Hermione earlier."

Ron furrowed his eyebrows, he hadn't seen either of them in the common room, he had been waiting for them earlier, and now, with the sun setting, he grew concerned, thinking that Harry and Hermione might have gone to see Hagrid. Ron sat on his bed, feeling restless for a moment before making up his mind.

"I'm going to look for them."

Dean leaned back on his bed, raising an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm going out," Ron repeated as he retrieved something from beneath his bed.

"Mate, you've only just come back to life after two weeks. Do you actually want to see Professor McGonagall lose her temper again? You're not that thick, are you?"

Ron retorted, "Are you calling me stupid?" which caused Dean to snort and wave his hand dismissively.

"Do what you want...don't care...m' sleeping." He said.

With an eye roll directed at his friend, the redhead pulled out his wand and conjured a mist, discreetly slipping out of the common room without drawing any attention. Ron moved cautiously through the corridor, aware of the tight security. As he turned a corner, he nearly yelped when he came face to face with Snape, who wore a sinister sneer. Ron quickly brought his hand to his mouth to stifle any sound.

Ron watched in bewilderment as Professor Snape rushed past him and headed towards the castle's grounds. He wonder if Snape had saw Harry outside, maybe in Hagrid's hut.

Ron sprinted after Professor Snape, trying to keep up, but Snape was heading in a different direction. "What..." Ron began to say as they reached the Whomping Willow. Snape quickly brandished his wand, trying to fend off the aggressive branches of the Whomping Willow, while Ron drew his bow. He watched in alarm as their potions professor disappeared into a large gap in the tree's roots. A branch came hurtling towards Ron, and he ducked and sprinted to avoid it.

"Whoa—easy there!" Ron exclaimed as he leaped to avoid the branch's kick. He had a rather unpleasant memory of the Whomping Willow from the previous year. With that in mind, he made his way to the large gap in the tree and squeezed his way inside.

Inside the tunnel, Ron proceeded cautiously with his small flashlight in hand, wary of potential traps along the way. As he walked deeper, he began to hear loud thuds coming from the end of the tunnel. He stopped for a moment, and he stepped toward the source of the noise, eventually reaching a door. Ron kicked it with his foot, causing it to burst open.

The sight that greeted Ron left him in shock. In the corner, Professor Snape lay unconscious with a bleeding head. Hermione whimpered nearby, her lip and arm bleeding. Harry, with his wand at the ready, had a bleeding leg. 

In the right corner, just in front of a dusty four-poster bed, stood Professor Lupin and a man Ron vaguely recognized, the same one who had tried to open his dorm curtain with a knife. They all appeared ready for some kind of battle or confrontation. Then, out of nowhere, another man he hadn't seen on the ground, began crawling toward him.

He was a very short man, his thin, colorless hair was unkempt and there was a large bald patch on top. He had the shrunken appearance of a plump man who has lost a lot of weight in a short time. His skin looked grubby, pointed nose and his very small, watery eyes. He looked around at them all, his breathing fast and shallow.

Ron was horrified, he let out a surprise scream (who wouldn't scream in the sight) as he stomped the man on the face with his sneakers, causing the man to yelp in pain. "What the heck is happening here!?" Ron exclaimed.

"R-Ron!" Hermione exclaimed with wide eyes.

Ron, still startled, stepped back as Professor Lupin tried to move closer to reassure him. "Ron, it's alright—we can explain—again."

"No! No more explanations! Tie him up, Remus," the other man, Black, shouted.

Ron stared at them, his eyes particularly fixed on Harry. "Oh my gods." 

"We will explain later—I promise," Lupin reassured Ron as he pulled out his wand and aimed it at the whimpering man on the ground who was clutching his nose. Thin cords shot from Lupin’s wand, and next moment, the man was wriggling on the floor, bound and gagged.

Ron rushed over to where Hermione and Harry were standing, quickly inspecting their injuries. "I'm going to need a thorough explanation about this and I don't mean tomorrow—I've got exams for two days after this," he said.

"Harry?" Ron questions, noticing Harry's staggered forward as he leaned his forehead against Ron's shoulder. "I need to check your wound." 

Professor Lupin walked towards them, "Harry, I can’t mend bones nearly as well as Madam Pomfrey, so I think it’s best if we just strap your leg up until we can get you to the hospital wing.”

"I have a bandage in my jacket's pocket!" Ron exclaimed. "I can patch it up."

Lupin offered a weak smile. "It's best to let Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing to handle it. We need to get out of here." 

Professor Lupin bent down and tapped Harry's leg, causing bandages to spin around it, tightly securing it to a splint. Ron's jaw dropped in astonishment. "There's a spell for that—what—!" he exclaimed. He couldn't believe he had spent years manually bandaging wounds when such action could be performed with a simple incantation. 

Professor Lupin used magic to levitate Snape's unconscious body a few inches above the ground. They retreated back into the tunnel, with Crookshanks leading the way, followed by Black and Professor Lupin, who had Pettigrew chained up. Hermione began explaining what had happened to him, while Harry engaged in a conversation with Black. 

Ron's reaction oscillated between a mixture of 'Are you serious!?' and a 'What the—(a word that Hermione disapproved of and that Will would surely scold him for using for an entire day)'.

Finally they were all got out from the tunnel. The grounds were very dark now; the only light came from the distant windows of the castle. Without a word, they set off. Pettigrew was still wheezing and occasionally whimpering. One wrong move, Peter,” said Lupin threateningly ahead. His wand was still pointed sideways at Pettigrew’s chest. 

Silently they tramped through the grounds, the castle lights growing slowly larger. Snape was still drifting weirdly ahead of Black, his chin bumping on his chest. And then—

A cloud shifted. There were suddenly dim shadows on the ground. Their party was bathed in moonlight.

Snape collided with Lupin and Pettigrew, who had stopped abruptly. Black froze. He flung out one arm to make Harry, Ron and Hermione stop. Harry could see Lupin’s silhouette. He had gone rigid. Then his limbs began to shake. 

“Oh, my—” Hermione gasped. “He didn’t take his potion tonight! He’s not safe!” 

“Run,” Black whispered. “Run. Now.”

But Ron, feeling uncertain and cautious, took out his dagger and slowly backed away.

“Leave it to me—RUN!” Sirius Black shouted. There was a terrible snarling noise. Lupin’s head was lengthening. So was his body. His shoulders were hunching. Hair was sprouting visibly on

his face and hands, which were curling into clawed paws. Crookshanks’s hair was on end again; he was backing away—

As the werewolf reared, snapping its long jaws, Sirius disappeared from Harry’s side. He had transformed. The enormous, bearlike dog bounded forward. 

As the werewolf wrenched itself free of the manacle binding it, the dog seized it about the neck and pulled it backward, away from Pettigrew. They were locked, jaw to jaw, claws ripping at each other—

Hermione screamed as Pettigrew lunged for Professor Lupin's wand on the ground, but Ron acted quickly, propelling himself toward the man. The two of them rolled into a corner, Pettigrew's wand aimed at Ron's chest. Suddenly, there was a burst of light and a deafening bang. 

Ron glared at Pettigrew. "You really think a stupid stick will kill me?" he said, delivering a punch to Pettigrew's face. The man transformed into a rat, but Ron chased him onto the grass. A loud yelp and the pained whine of a dog followed. Ron swiftly retrieved his pig ball and hurled it at the rat, resulting in a loud blast of pink light. 

Ron heard a loud squeal within the pink fog and squinted through it, spotting a piglet in the grass. The piglet attempted to escape but slipped, and Ron managed to catch it. "An Animagus or what? If you're a mere mortal, you'll turn into one," Ron quipped, feeling somewhat smug. "Thanks, Lou."

Suddenly, a hand was placed on his shoulder, and he spun around to find Professor Snape standing there, with a bleeding head. Snape panted and demanded, "What—do—you—think—you—are—doing—Mr. Prewett?"

Ron, still holding the squealing piglet, stammered, "P-P-Pig balls?" 

🔆

So, Ron found himself assisting Madam Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing, with Harry and Hermione resting in hospital beds. The piglet had fallen asleep on the floor. If you asked Ron what had happened, well—Professor Snape had grabbed his jacket and pulled him to where Black, Harry and Hermione lay unconscious on the ground while the Dementors were returning to their positions at the entrances. 

Ron really wanted to break free and kick Professor Snape, but when he saw his unconscious friends, he could not.

"No, you can't!" Ron protested when Snape gagged and bound Sirius Black. "He's innocent!" 

"Shut up, boy! Get the other two to the Hospital Wing!" Snape ordered sternly.

After assisting Madam Pomfrey with his two friends' injuries, Ron was tearing up. The events of the night had taken a toll on him emotionally. Cornelius Fudge entered the Hospital Wing with Professor Snape to check them.

"A word, Professor Snape?" The minister asked, and they went outside to talk.

Ron didn't mean to eavesdrop, but he couldn't help himself. He briefly considered interrupting but hesitated when Madam Pomfrey approached. He didn't want to upset her. She instructed him to fetch a block of chocolate from one of the drawers and check on Harry, so he followed her orders. The situation remained uncertain, and Ron had mixed feelings about what he overheard.

Ron returned to where his friends were sleeping and almost dropped the chocolate in his hand.

"You guys are awake!" Ron exclaimed. Madam Pomfrey heard him and quickly approached. Harry was sitting up, putting on his glasses, and reaching for his wand. 

“I need to see the headmaster,” he said. 

“Potter,” said Madam Pomfrey soothingly, “it’s all right. They’ve got Black. He’s locked away upstairs. The dementors will be performing the kiss any moment now—” 

“WHAT?”

Harry jumped up out of bed; Hermione had done the same. But his shout had been heard in the corridor outside; next second, Cornelius Fudge and Snape had entered the ward. 

“Harry, Harry, what’s this?” said Fudge, looking agitated. “You should be in bed— has he had any chocolate?” he asked Madam Pomfrey anxiously. 

“Minister, listen!” Harry said. “Sirius Black’s innocent! Peter Pettigrew faked his own death! We saw him tonight! You can’t let the dementors do that thing to Sirius, he’s—” 

But Fudge was shaking his head with a small smile on his face. 

“Harry, Harry, you’re very confused, you’ve been through a dreadful ordeal, lie back down, now, we’ve got everything under control…” 

“YOU HAVEN’T!” Harry yelled. “YOU’VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!” 

“Minister, listen, please,” Hermione said; she had hurried to Harry’s side and was gazing imploringly into Fudge’s face. “I saw him too. It was Ron’s rat, he’s an Animagus, Pettigrew, I mean, and—”

“You see, Minister?” said Snape. “Confunded, both of them… Black’s done a very good job on them…” 

“WE’RE NOT CONFUNDED!” Harry roared. 

“Minister! Professor!” said Madam Pomfrey angrily. “I must insist that you leave. Potter is my patient, and he should not be distressed!” 

“I’m not distressed, I’m trying to tell them what happened!” Harry said furiously. “If they’d just listen—” But Ron had already shoved a chocolate into his mouth nervously. Harry choked on it, making Ron to push him back onto the bed.

"Stupid, let's wait for Dumbledore," Ron hissed.

"What—" Harry whispered.

Speaking of Dumbledore, the headmaster had opened the door of the Hospital Wing and entered. He wanted to have a private conversation with the three of them, which required insisting that Madam Pomfrey and the others leave, much to her dismay. As the door closed behind them, Dumbledore turned to the trio, and both Harry and Hermione burst into speech at the same time.

Dumbledore raised his hand to halt the flood of explanations. "It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is very little time," he said in a quiet but stern tone. "There is not a shred of proof to support Black's story—"

"I have," Ron blurted out, unable to restrain himself despite Dumbledore's request not to interrupt. His impulsive mouth got the better of him again.

"I'm afraid—"

"No, it's—" Ron interrupted, scrambling to the floor to pick up the pig and show it to them. The piglet opened its eyes and squealed loudly, struggling to escape Ron's grasp. "I turned him into a pig—Pettigrew."

There was a collective gasp, and Hermione put her hand over Ron's mouth, visibly shaken. "Ron, that can't possibly be true, turning someone into—" 

"Pig," Ron clarified. "Let's just say I bought some weird stuff from Zonko's," he suggested.

"But how—"

Harry stepped forward, gazing at their headmaster with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Please, Professor. We need to help Sirius."

"I won't turn him back without Snape, Fudge, and the others to witness the proof," Ron insisted. "You have to believe us, Professor Dumbledore." 

Professor Dumbledore gazed at each of them, his eyes twinkling as he locked eyes with Ron. "I do believe all of you," he said. "I admire your resourcefulness. However... we may be too late, the Dementors have likely already arrived."

"There must be time!" Ron exclaimed. "We need to go." 

"Indeed," Their headmaster said, “What we need,” added Dumbledore slowly, and his light blue eyes moved from each of three of them, “is more time.”

"But—” Hermione began. And then her eyes became very round. “OH!” 

“Now, pay attention,” said Dumbledore, speaking very low, and very clearly. “Sirius is locked in Professor Flitwick’s office on the seventh floor. Thirteenth window from the right of the West Tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, both of you: you must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law—you know what is at stake...You—must—not—be—seen. ” 

Harry and Ron didn’t have a clue what was going on. Dumbledore had turned on his heel and looked back as he reached the door. 

“I am going to lock you in. It is—” he consulted his watch, “five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck.”

"What is he talking about?" Ron asked, clearly confused.

"What's going on?" Harry said equally bewildered.

But Hermione was fumbling with the neck of her robes, pulling from beneath them a very long, very fine gold chain. "We can't all fit together, I—"

"It's okay," Ron reassured them, looking hopeful. "Whatever it is, you two should go ahead."

"We can't leave you—" Harry began, his voice wavering. "I don't even know what's going on—"

"Harry," Ron said softly, "You can do it without me." 

"Quick!" Hermione said, as she thrown the chain around Harry's neck. 

"Ron—"

Ron flicked Harry's nose. "Good luck." and they dissolved in air. 

Then the door swung open, and Harry and Hermione rushed inside. Ron couldn't believe his eyes. "What—that fast?"

"We did it!" Hermione exclaimed as they hugged Ron together, leaving him stunned. Professor Dumbledore entered again along Fudge and a fuming Snape. 

The headmaster turned his attention to Ron. "Now, let's discuss...ah, the pig." 

Ron giggled and proudly showed him the pig again. "What do you say, Pettigrew? Ready to live in Azkaban now?" 

🔆

Ron was sipping on a glass of milk in the common room the next morning when Harry and Hermione unexpectedly dragged him outside to Hagrid's hut. It turned out that the three of them had been preparing to celebrate the success with Buckbeak (which is why Harry and Hermione had snuck outside the castle the day before, though things hadn't gone exactly as planned). Hagrid wanted to thank Ron for his part in the celebration by hosting it in his hut.

Hagrid filled Ron in on everything that had happened during the hearing. He had thought help wasn't coming on the way when suddenly the door to the department burst open. Five wizards from MACUSA's Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures entered the room, carrying a large suitcase with a professional demeanor. They were followed by a young woman named Angelina Hubertham, the head of Magical Law Enforcement. Her presence made Fudge nervous, and even Mr. Malfoy fell silent when he realized who she was. 

Ron and his friends were disappointed when Professor Lupin had to leave, apparently the words about him being a werewolf spreads.

"Professor Lupin, are you coming with us to Sirius's hearing too?" Ron questioned as he ran toward Lupin at the gates where his carriage awaited. Ron was hopeful that Lupin would accompany them to the hearing.

Lupin smiled at Ron. "Yes, I'll be at the hearing, and I need to be there for Sirius. Ron, I'm truly grateful for your assistance, really. Once Black is freed... well, we would like you to come visit us."

"But if Black is freed, does that mean Harry will have a new home?"

"We'll see," Lupin replied. "I was quite surprised by the...ah, what do you call it, pig balls? But I doubt Zonko's has a product like that." 

"They don't have. I lied," Ron grinned mischievously.

Lupin chuckled. "Just as I suspected. Take care of Harry for me, alright? Until we meet again at the Ministry." 

"I will." Ron said waving at Professor Lupin as he returned back to the castle, ready to begin his missed exam that afternoon. 

Ron had a great time with his friends during their last days at Hogwarts before the term came to a close. The redhead challenged anyone to beat him in chess, promising a pouch of gold as a reward, but unsurprisingly, no one had managed to beat him.

The fact that it was their last day at Hogwarts didn't dampen Ron's enthusiasm. The three of them spent their time together by the lake, where Ron excitedly taught them how to skip stones in record time. As the Hogwarts Express station arrived the next morning, Ron and Hermione did their best to lift Harry's spirits, knowing that they would soon be parting ways.

"Don't worry, we're going to get you out of the Dursleys', and we'll free Sirius Black. Professor Dumbledore said you need to be at the hearing too, right?" Ron reassured Harry.

"Yeah, but still..." Harry replied, gazing out the window at the fading view of Hogwarts. 

"Then, that's good! I needed to be at the hearing too. It was funny to watch Fudge and Snape try to change the pig back into Pettigrew. Actually, all I had to say was 'turn back,' and then boom," Ron explained with a laugh.

"That's impossible," Hermione said skeptically.

"Oh, nothing's impossible when it's for mischief. Like the map, right, Harry?"

"Err, y-yeah," Harry agreed.

"Harry, cheer up. You'll be fine." Hermione sighed. "Write me a letter about what happened in the court will you?"

Suddenly, they noticed something outside the window next to Harry. It was Hedwig holding a tiny basket, and Harry quickly lowered the window to let the owl inside. Hedwig dropped a letter into Harry's seat.

"It's from Sirius!" Harry exclaimed with happiness as he checked the letter, his face lighting up. Ron and Hermione exchanged excited glances.

The letter informed them that Buckbeak and Sirius were in hiding, though Sirius didn't disclose their location until further notice and after the hearing. Sirius also revealed that he was the one who had purchased the Firebolt for Harry. Ron looked at Harry with excitement. Then, Harry noticed another piece of parchment in the enveloped.

I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter’s godfather, hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmeade on weekends. 

“That’ll be good enough for Dumbledore!” said Harry happily. He looked back at Sirius’s letter. “Hang on, there’s a P.S. …” 

I thought your friend Ron might like to keep the kneazle, as it’s my fault he no longer has a rat.

"A-a what?" Ron stammered as they all looked at the tiny basket. Crookshanks leaped onto Harry's seat and inspected the basket as Harry opened it, and they all peered inside.

There, sleeping soundly, was the most adorable chubby little cat Ron had ever seen. Its fur was a mix of yellow and orange with flicks of fur resembling flames. It had a tail like a lion and long ears. Crookshanks leaped backward in surprise and hissed. The little kneazle opened its eyes, revealing stunning skyblue irises as it playfully batted at its own paw. Ron was nearly fainted by the sheer cuteness of the sight.

Ron scooped up the kneazle in his arms, and the little creature nestled contentedly against him. Nobody could stop Ron from letting out a shriek of delight at the adorable sight. 

"What are you going to name her?" Harry asked.

Ron hummed in thought. "Phoebe," he decided. "It means bright," a name that held special meaning to him, reminiscent of his dad.