RONALD WEASLEY!!!

[alt_molly]

I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AN OWL BRINGS THIS TO GIVE YOU A PIECE OF MY MIND SINCE WE HAVE THE JOURNALS BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR OWN SPECIAL HOWLER ANYWAY TOMORROW MORNING AT BREAKFAST SO THAT EVERYONE CAN PERSONALLY HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO YOU!!!

WE HAD NO IDEA WHERE YOU WERE UNTIL WE HEARD FROM THE HEADMISTRESS!!!!

WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR!!! YOUR FATHER AND I HAVE BEEN BESIDE OURSELVES WITH WORRY!!!

HOW COULD YOU DO SUCH A MONSTROUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE THING, WITH THE LORD PROTECTOR'S SON, NO LESS!!!

YOU SHOULD BE THANKING YOUR LUCKY STARS THAT YOUR EAR IS NOT WITHIN MY REACH, YOUNG MAN!! NOT TO MENTION THE REST OF YOUR DISREPUTABLE YOUNG HIDE!!!

Comments

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[alt_sirius]

Hope this still works....

Molly, a car, really? It's Arthur's? Did he use the flying charms I sent?

I mean... I'm glad the boys arrived all right. Merlin - did they really hit the Willow?

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[alt_molly]

ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS!!??

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[alt_sirius]

Ummmm... No?

No.

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[alt_arthur]

You'll stick to that story if you're wise. I'm in enough trouble already.

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[alt_bill]

Hope she doesn't make you sleep on the sofa for a month, Dad.

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[alt_arthur]

Don't you give her ideas.

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[alt_sirius]

Not serious trouble, Arthur?

Not that trouble with Molly isn't serious, but I mean ... you know. Ministry serious?

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[alt_arthur]

My son disappeared with the son of the Lord Protector for almost an entire day.

What do you bloody think, Sirius?

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[alt_arthur]

The bloody tree is the least of it.

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[alt_sirius]

Stay calm, Arthur. You've talked your way out of worse jams. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help ....

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[alt_arthur]

A Calming Potion for Molly is what I need most right now . . .

I'm not looking forward to going into work tomorrow.

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[alt_bill]

Dad, I know it's late, but why don't I come over tonight for a bit? It might help Mum if she can get her feelings out by railing at somebody who's not either Ron or you.

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[alt_arthur]

If you'd be willing, Bill, I'd be very grateful. You're right; I think it might help.

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[alt_molly]

YES, YOU CERTAINLY ARE!

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[alt_bill]

Really, Sirius, better not admit any involvement . . . even being across the ocean can't entirely protect you from Mum's wrath.

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[alt_sirius]

Yeah, thanks for the safety tip. Could've said before, couldn't you?

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[alt_bill]

Ah, well. Better late than never.

[alt_ron]

Um.

I'm really sorry Mum. It's just that we got shut out of the barrier and didn't know if anyone would be able to get back to us or if someone was trying to do something to Harry or what. So we just took off in the car. Like escaping! Only, um. Yeah. I'm sorry you were worried. And I know maybe we shouldn't have tried flying it when we didn't totally know how it worked. Like landing and stuff. Er. Tell Dad I'm really sorry it turned out such a mess and all. But it worked really great right up until--

Yeah. I'm sorry Mum. I promise I won't ever go off flying in a car again without asking.

But we got here fine. And we're both totally okay. And. You can stop yelling now, right? There's not really any need to send a Howler. Really. Okay?

[alt_molly]

HARRY MARVOLO HAD HIS OWN OWL WITH HIM!!! DID IT EVEN OCCUR TO YOU TO SEND A MESSAGE TO ANYONE!!??

NO, OF COURSE IT DIDN'T!! THAT WOULD BE ENTIRELY TOO OBVIOUS!!!

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[alt_arthur]

Molly, dear, I know you're still upset, but perhaps it would be best if we all keep our heads a bit down right now. More Howlers through the journals might attract some very unwelcome attention.

[alt_sally_anne]

Well they didn't know if the train station was safe. In fact they had every reason to think it wasn't safe since the barrier had closed and they didn't know why! If someone had been trying to hurt Harry, like someone was last year, it could have been very dangerous to stand around waiting for a reply by owl.

I think it was very clever of Ron to think of a way to get Harry away from the station.

It probably would have been good to send an owl once they were away though, because we were all very worried on the train!

[alt_molly]

You're very kind to say this, dear, to try to ease my mind a bit.
(I still hope Ronald very much regrets the red envelope he'll be receiving at breakfast this morning.)

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[alt_molly]

Oh, if only the powers that be agree with her!

[alt_ron]

Well, we weren't sure she hadn't got hurt when we bashed into the barrier and everything went flying and smashed everywhere. Her cage got dented, and she was really ruffled and not really nice to Harry after that. So we didn't think she could maybe make it, I guess. I don't know. We didn't really talk about it, but Harry didn't seem to think it was a good idea to let her out after he'd checked to see her wings weren't broken and she pecked him hard on the wrist and all.

I guess she is okay. Marvolo, er, Harry was going to take her to the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher today just to be sure, though.

[alt_arthur]

Ron, I must say I am extremely disappointed. Your mother was really most distressed.

[alt_percy]

She's not the only one.

Really, Ron, what appalling behaviour.

[alt_arthur]

Son, I think you'd better let your Mum and I handle this.

[alt_percy]

Well, it's very embarrassing for me, as a Gryffindor Prefect, to have a younger brother involved in such pranks.

[alt_bill]

Somehow, I think you'll manage to muddle on despite that fact.

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[alt_arthur]

You're not helping, either.

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[alt_bill]

Sorry, I couldn't stop myself. He really is becoming such a prat.

I'll be over in just a few minutes. Tell Mum to put the kettle on.

[alt_ron]

Heh.

Too right.

[alt_lana]

I should think so, Weasley.

It appears that you Gryffindors are incapable of governing yourselves appropriately.

[alt_percy]

The Headmistress apparently doesn't agree with you, since she made me a Prefect. Not to mention that my brother Bill was Head Boy.

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[alt_bill]

Bloody hell. Now he drags me into it.

[alt_lana]

 
It is nothing to brag about particularly when one is acknowledged the best of a bad batch.

I should think a Prefect would at least be able to keep his siblings in control, particularly when they have been Sorted into his own House and are, thus, directly to hand should discipline be required.

Honestly, Weasley, there are times when you seem to have potential. And then you fail like this... again.

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[alt_bill]

Well, what an unspeakably smug bitch..

This one's going to go far, Minerva.

[alt_percy]

Now I really must object. It is hardly fair or accurate to characterise my family as a "bad batch." We are all absolutely loyal to the Protectorate. My father and one of my brothers work diligently at the Ministry of Magic itself. Another brother has a very dangerous and distinguished career as a dragonhandler. And, may I point out, Ron is generally acknowledged as having saved Harry Marvolo's life last spring.

I spoke with Ron at some length after the Howler at breakfast. While I deplore his choices, there can be no doubt whatsoever about his intentions. The two boys were prevented, by some unknown force, from going through the barrier at Kings Cross Station. Ron did what he did in an attempt to assist Harry Marvolo's return to school, and he did honestly do what he thought was best and safest. We may quarrel with his choices--I certainly do--but he is young, and I expect his judgement will improve as he grows older.

[alt_lana]

I apologise, Weasley, but you've missed my point. It was not your family, but your House I was critiquing. I'm sure I hope that all the members of your wide-ranging clan are every bit as loyal as you claim. I can't speak to that.

As for your youngest brother: it's difficult sometimes to tell zeal from foolhardiness, isn't it? Are you certain he understands the difference? It's the Protector's son we are talking about, after all, not some mate of his.

[alt_percy]

My misunderstanding, I see. Still, I must also insist that there are many loyal, deserving Gryffindors also serving the regime--our own Headmistress, not the least! And although you seem to indicate you do not like others to speak of it, I do look forward to your own sister's distinguished contributions to Gryffindor's future glory. I will make it my personal responsibility to see that she settles in as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Zeal is a characteristic of Gryffindors, although yes, it can be a double-edged sword. As I mentioned, time and experience tempers this characteristic the best, and fostering this is certainly something the Gryffindor Prefects often discuss amongst themselves. Certainly, as I understand it, many of the Lord Protectors' most trusted public servants, including both Aurors and members of his personal security staff, hail from the House of Gryffindor. In such positions, Gryffindor bravery unquestionably serves the public good.

[alt_lana]

I take your point in theory; I wish that, in practice, the percentages of committed Gryffindors vs. blood traitors were quite as you paint them.

Still and all, my parents and I would be gratified if Honoria found a mentor who could help her find her way in Gryffindor without being swayed by its culture of rule-breaking, authority-flouting, and disregard of social distinctions. She's a good girl, if occasionally rash, and we hoped she'd outgrow this awkward phase once she came to school. Of course, we never imagined she wouldn't make Ravenclaw.

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[alt_molly]

Well, it's not surprising that he 'missed her point,' since she was insulting poor Ginny in her own journal--a brand new first year!--and sneering at Percy for not being able to control his siblings.

Bill, I hate that word that you used, but in this case I think you very well may be right.

(Forgive me, Minerva, for being, well, snippy about her. But I've had such a terrible headache all day after last night's upset. Thank you for coming over last night by the way, Bill. Your father was right, it really did help.)

[alt_ron]

Oh, go suck your Prefect badge.

[alt_percy]

You haven't seen my badge, have you? I can't find it anywhere.

[alt_ron]

No. Have you found it yet?

[alt_percy]

No, worse luck, and nobody's mentioned seeing it in the journals. I must have left it at home, I suppose, although I was almost sure I had packed it.

I sent a note to Mum about it by owl this morning. If she doesn't find it, I suppose I'll have to ask for a replacement.

[alt_ron]

I really am sorry, Dad. But, y'know, I wasn't really thinking about Mum when we did it. I was thinking about Harry. We were just thinking we needed to get out of there right then and no lie! You should have seen how hard the barrier bashed us back when we tried to get through. It totally seemed like it had been cursed.

[alt_arthur]

Well, we exceedingly glad you are both all right, my boy. But we could have done without the scare. Just . . think a little harder next time, won't you?

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[alt_poppy]

Molly,

Since it seems no one else has told you: your Howler arrived right as rain this morning, just as your younger son settled into his seat. And there can be no doubt he heard every word you wished to convey.


Whether any of it sticks with him is another matter, of course.