Harry Potter and The Shadowed Light

Beginning of the end

Previously

///

Minerva's hands clenched in her sleeves.

Disgust was too small a word.

This was betrayal on a scale she had no language for.

"I will not forgive him," Minerva said quietly, the words edged with steel. "Not for this. Not ever."

Arthur looked up at her, eyes red, searching.

Minerva met his gaze without flinching.

"You are not alone," she said. "And neither is Ron. Whatever path he walks now - it will be his. Free of anyone's chains."

Arthur nodded weakly.

Minerva turned away then, because if she didn't, she might scream.

///

Minerva McGonagall sat behind her desk and pondered - She long expected to inherit the title of headmistress from Albus, but she had never imagined doing it like this...

The office still held the faint traces of his presence - from the lingering scent of lemon, to the assortment of knickknacks she hadn't quite had the time to sort. Albus may be gone, but his ghost was still haunting the space.

The portraits watched with sharp eyes - Their judgement clear. Would she fail like him? Or would she rise like a phoenix from the ashes?

Minerva stood from behind her desk as the door opened.

Ron entered first.

He walked with a strange stillness, shoulders squared, expression closed off - less calm than emptied. Fred and George followed a step behind him, faces lacking their usual mischief.

Arthur Weasley stood as soon as he saw them.

"Ron," he said softly.

Ron stopped. "Hi, Dad."

They sat at Minerva's gesture.

The twins flanked Ron out of old habit - splitting their attention between him and their father - They could feel the gravity of the situation.

Arthur took a breath. "Professor McGonagall's told me what you've decided," he said gently. "About the Tournament. About... giving up your magic."

Ron nodded once, scarred face resolute

"But I want to hear it from you," Arthur continued. "Is this really what you want?"

"Yes," Ron said immediately.

No hesitation. No tremor.

Fred's mouth twitched - not with humour, but something closer to resignation.

Arthur leaned forward. "Ron - if you're doing this because you feel cornered, or because you think this is punishment-"

"It's not a punishment," Ron said flatly. "It's a choice."

George studied him closely. Ironic, he thought. He finally sounds sure of himself. Only took losing everything to get there.

"I'm done being pushed," Ron continued. "If walking away means I give up magic, then fine, at least i'll be able to walk away. If I stay, if I compete, that might not happen... and it's not like i have much magic left now anyway. So yes, this is my choice. I choose to live, even if its without magic."

Arthur's eyes shone. "You shouldn't have had to make that choice."

"No," Ron agreed. "But I did. I do."