Latrunculus--Part 3

Seamus Finnigan had gone to Hogwarts and had been a Gryffindor along aside Ron Weasley. So the Irishman had seen some of Ron’s famous temper firsthand. However, he was unprepared for the walking wall of fury that greeted him now.

“Weasley, did you find her?”

If it was possible, Ron appeared to become even angrier. “Call for a meeting to begin in ten minutes.”

“What about the men at Hermione’s house?”

“Call them back,” Ron replied in a dead voice. “She’s in St. Mungo’s.”

Understanding suddenly hit Seamus as Ron stalked into his office and slammed the door. He quickly set off to follow the squad leader’s orders. He also felt that some other people needed to know about this.

* * * * *

Ron went methodically through his mission bag. It was his right as squad leader to lead this operation and he was damn well going to take it. There was no way he was going to let Malfoy get away.

He was making sure that the potions in his medkit were fresh when the door of his office was thrown open. Annoyed, he glanced up to see Harry standing in the door. “Aren’t you supposed to be at St. Mungo’s?”

“Aren’t you?” Harry countered.

Ron shrugged. “Something came up at work.”

“Ron, don’t do this.”

“Do what? My job? A little late for that, mate.”

“Your job doesn’t sanction murder.” Harry fought to keep his voice calm. “Try to justify this all you want, Ron, but what you’re planning is still murder. Do you think Hermione’s going to approve?”

“Thanks to him, Hermione doesn’t have anything to say right now.”

“Malfoy’s not worth it, Ron.”

“She is,” Ron said quietly. He closed his mission bag with quick movements. He slung it over his shoulder and grabbed his cloak. “I have a meeting.”

Harry stepped between Ron and the door. “Please, Ron.”

“Harry.” The Auror paused, having some kind of internal debate. Suddenly, Ron’s face hardened again. Harry felt his flicker of hope die. “I have to go.”

With that, he brushed past his friend and left the office.

* * * * *

“You can come back in now,” the aide said.

Ginny followed her mother back into Hermione’s room. Her friend was now dressed in clean hospital robes. Another aide had finished adding a few drops of blood to a vial.

“Any changes?” Ginny asked, stopping the aides from leaving the room. Both shook their heads. “Any idea about which curse was used?”

“As soon as we know something, Mrs. Potter, we’ll let you know.”

Mrs. Weasley glanced across the room from Hermione’s bed. “Ginny, dear, let them do their work.”

Ginny obediently moved aside to let the aides pass. She joined her mother as they resumed their bedside vigil. She hoped that Harry had been successful.

* * * * *

Seamus met Ron just outside the conference room. He was about to ask his second-in-commander if everyone was present when he noted the presence of Kingsley Shacklebolt. A glance from his superior to Seamus confirmed Ron’s suspicions.

“Weasley,” Shackleblot greeted.

Ron gave a nod. “Shacklebolt.”

“Finnigan tells me that you’re regrouping your squad to focus on the manhunt for Draco Malfoy.”

“That is correct, sir. I can’t think of anything with higher priority.”

“Agreed. However, you will not be leading this mission, Weasley.”

“Sir, I’m the leader of this squad. I have the right to lead this mission.”

“Not this mission. This one is too personal, and I will not have a rogue Auror out there.” The older man turned to Seamus. “Finnigan, you’re leader for this one. Go prepare your men.”

Seamus had the decency to look surprised before complying with Shacklebolt’s order. If Ron was being fair, he knew that Seamus was capable of leading. However, Ron was far beyond being fair.

“Am I being fired or merely demoted?” Ron demanded, fighting to keep his volume reasonable.

“Neither. You’re on leave, Weasley, as of now. I don’t want to even hear of you coming near this office until you receive an owl from me.”

“Sir, I can contribute to this mission.”

Shacklebolt gave him an understanding smile. “I know you can, Ron, but you can be a liability, too. I can’t take that chance.”

Ron soon found himself staring at the closed door of the meeting room. He released a deep breath. Part of him wanted to go in there and force his way onto the mission, but another part of him realized that Shacklebolt had a point.

“What to do?” he murmured.

“Go to St. Mungo’s with me.”

Ron realized that he wasn’t surprised that Harry was still there. He gave the closed door one last look before turning to Harry. “Okay.”


Part III Seamus Finnigan had gone to Hogwarts and had been a Gryffindor along aside Ron Weasley. So the Irishman had seen some of Ron’s famous temper firsthand. However, he was unprepared for the walking wall of fury that greeted him now. “Weasley, did you find her?” If it was possible, Ron appeared to become even angrier. “Call for a meeting to begin in ten minutes.” “What about the men at Hermione’s house?” “Call them back,” Ron replied in a dead voice. “She’s in St. Mungo’s.” Understanding suddenly hit Seamus as Ron stalked into his office and slammed the door. He quickly set off to follow the squad leader’s orders. He also felt that some other people needed to know about this. * * * * * Ron went methodically through his mission bag. It was his right as squad leader to lead this operation and he was damn well going to take it. There was no way he was going to let Malfoy get away. He was making sure that the potions in his medkit were fresh when the door of his office was thrown open. Annoyed, he glanced up to see Harry standing in the door. “Aren’t you supposed to be at St. Mungo’s?” “Aren’t you?” Harry countered. Ron shrugged. “Something came up at work.” “Ron, don’t do this.” “Do what? My job? A little late for that, mate.” “Your job doesn’t sanction murder.” Harry fought to keep his voice calm. “Try to justify this all you want, Ron, but what you’re planning is still murder. Do you think Hermione’s going to approve?” “Thanks to him, Hermione doesn’t have anything to say right now.” “Malfoy’s not worth it, Ron.” “She is,” Ron said quietly. He closed his mission bag with quick movements. He slung it over his shoulder and grabbed his cloak. “I have a meeting.” Harry stepped between Ron and the door. “Please, Ron.” “Harry.” The Auror paused, having some kind of internal debate. Suddenly, Ron’s face hardened again. Harry felt his flicker of hope die. “I have to go.” With that, he brushed past his friend and left the office. * * * * * “You can come back in now,” the aide said. Ginny followed her mother back into Hermione’s room. Her friend was now dressed in clean hospital robes. Another aide had finished adding a few drops of blood to a vial. “Any changes?” Ginny asked, stopping the aides from leaving the room. Both shook their heads. “Any idea about which curse was used?” “As soon as we know something, Mrs. Potter, we’ll let you know.” Mrs. Weasley glanced across the room from Hermione’s bed. “Ginny, dear, let them do their work.” Ginny obediently moved aside to let the aides pass. She joined her mother as they resumed their bedside vigil. She hoped that Harry had been successful. * * * * * Seamus met Ron just outside the conference room. He was about to ask his second-in-commander if everyone was present when he noted the presence of Kingsley Shacklebolt. A glance from his superior to Seamus confirmed Ron’s suspicions. “Weasley,” Shackleblot greeted. Ron gave a nod. “Shacklebolt.” “Finnigan tells me that you’re regrouping your squad to focus on the manhunt for Draco Malfoy.” “That is correct, sir. I can’t think of anything with higher priority.” “Agreed. However, you will not be leading this mission, Weasley.” “Sir, I’m the leader of this squad. I have the right to lead this mission.” “Not this mission. This one is too personal, and I will not have a rogue Auror out there.” The older man turned to Seamus. “Finnigan, you’re leader for this one. Go prepare your men.” Seamus had the decency to look surprised before complying with Shacklebolt’s order. If Ron was being fair, he knew that Seamus was capable of leading. However, Ron was far beyond being fair. “Am I being fired or merely demoted?” Ron demanded, fighting to keep his volume reasonable. “Neither. You’re on leave, Weasley, as of now. I don’t want to even hear of you coming near this office until you receive an owl from me.” “Sir, I can contribute to this mission.” Shacklebolt gave him an understanding smile. “I know you can, Ron, but you can be a liability, too. I can’t take that chance.” Ron soon found himself staring at the closed door of the meeting room. He released a deep breath. Part of him wanted to go in there and force his way onto the mission, but another part of him realized that Shacklebolt had a point. “What to do?” he murmured. “Go to St. Mungo’s with me.” Ron realized that he wasn’t surprised that Harry was still there. He gave the closed door one last look before turning to Harry. “Okay.”


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