Chapter 4
Bill produced the pensieve, and after placing it on a table, motioned to Dean. Ron suddenly stood up and lunged toward the other boy, but was stopped when a stunning spell from Charlie knocked him to the floor. At the same time, Arthur froze his wife when he noticed her slowly drawing her own wand. Dean blink a few times in shock, but then handed the phial of memories to Bill. After pouring the memories into the pensieve, Bill muttered an incantation while performing some complicated wand movements. Suddenly, the air above the pensieve came to life. It showed an enraged Ron pressing a terrified Ginny against a wall with his forearm across her throat.
“I will tell you this once,” Ron snarled. “You will dump Dean and do everything in your power to get Harry. And if you have not accomplished this by the end of the summer, I will personally make sure you are pregnant and removed from the family.”
“T…That’s all there is,” stammered Dean. “I punched Ron. And we kipped in an unused room until everyone came home. It’s also why, well one of the reasons why, Ginny and I have stayed with each other all the time.”
While Dean was speaking, Arthur had moved to crouch in front of Ginny. He took one of her hands and gently stroked her hair. “My little girl, why didn’t you say anything?”
Ginny turned a tear-streaked face to her father and whispered. “How was I supposed to tell you that?”
After kissing Ginny gently on the forehead, Arthur stood and removed his wand from his forearm holster. “I, Arthur Billius Weasley, remove Ronald Billius Weasley from my bloodline. He is no longer allowed houseroom, magic, or the name of Weasley. So I have spoken, so mote it be.” At Arthur’s words, a sharp, yellow light shot from his wand toward Ron, wrapped around him, and returned to Arthur. When the light disappeared, Arthur moved to stand in front of Molly. “I, Arthur Billius Weasley, break my bond with Molly Prewett. She is no longer my wife and is no longer entitled to houseroom, use of any of my property, or name. I break this bond, on my own, based on evidence of her dishonorable and illegal conduct toward a beloved family friend. So I have spoken, so mote it be.” This time the light shot from his wand was a dull red, but it also wrapped around Molly and returned to him.
When the last glow had faded, Hermione stood and moved toward Ginny. Taking Arthur’s place crouched in front of her, she whispered, “Ginny, can you ever forgive me? You should have felt safe coming to me.” With a sob, Ginny turned and embraced her friend.
Arthur turned to face Bill and Charlie. “I’m not sure that Ron has done anything that the Department for Magical Law Enforcement can charge him with, but with Ginny’s permission, I will enquire. Molly, on the other hand, should be facing a long list of charges. If you would take down the locks and wards on the door, I need to call the DMLE.”
“No need, Arthur.” Said a slow, deep voice from the corner.
“Kingsley! What…” spluttered Arthur.
Kingsley Shacklebolt raised his hand as he looked around the room. “Bill and Charlie came to me as this involves Harry Potter. They wanted an impartial witness when they confronted the family. Charges will be pressed against Molly Prewett. We will try to keep it as quiet as possible for your family and for Harry.”
“Bill? Charlie?” Percy began hesitantly, “Will you let Harry know that George and I are here for him?”
Charlie’s low voice rumbled across the room. “Perce, it’s not a question of us being here for him. It’s a question of loving him and acknowledging how much of his life was sacrificed over the last seventeen years.”