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Harry’s jaw clenched tightly and tears trickled down Hermione’s cheeks as they sat holding each other next to Ron Weasley’s bed in the Hospital Wing. Ron was breathing shallowly and was conscious, but he was too groggy to do much more than notice the presence of his ex-best-friends.

Ron had a black eye and a gash on one cheek where McLaggen had hit Ron before kicking him. Madam Pomfrey had bound his ribs and given him a pain potion and a calming draught to ease him for a bit before administering the Skele-Gro, which had rather painful effects.

He was trying to say something but was having trouble. The Potters could just barely make out Ron whispering, “Thank you.”

Harry took Ron’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Anytime Ron,” Harry responded quietly as Madam Pomfrey returned to clean the wound on Ron's cheek and heal it.

Minerva McGonagall marched into the Hospital Wing in a rage, followed by a grim-faced Dumbledore. The other shoe had dropped, and she now had the confirmation she needed to proceed against two students in her house whose bullying had been exposed.

Professor McGonagall briefly glanced at the Potters with gratitude before turning to glare at McLaggen and Towler who were both sitting sullenly on beds on the other side of the ward. They had recovered already from Harry’s stunning spells. McClaggen had some bruising on his swollen cheek, but otherwise appeared none the worse for wear.

The Headmaster stared coldly into each boy’s eyes before speaking--first Towler's, then McLaggen's. The words which Harry had uttered to McLaggen echoed in Dumbledore’s own mind.

"...but that doesn't mean I’m going to let a cretin like you hex or beat the piss out of him--or anyone else for that matter. Remember that, and tell all your sodding mates that those days are over here at Hogwarts as long as I’m around.”

The Headmaster had been quite impressed with the measures Professor Snape had devised to deal with the younger Malfoy and his accomplices. Taking Harry’s words and Severus’s actions together decided the Headmaster on the direction to take this proceeding. Dumbledore addressed both of the Gryffindors without any fanfare.

“If Mr Weasley’s parents file charges, you may both be facing sanctions by the DMLE. Pending that occurrence you are both on Probation here at Hogwarts. Now, some small measure of magical jousting resulting from mutual enmity is tolerated here and met with points loss and detention, as the effects of minor jinxes and hexes are easily reversible. However, unprovoked magical attacks and physical assaults of any sort are not acceptable at Hogwarts.”

“For the remainder of this year, both of you shall have your wands confiscated, and your broom flying privileges are suspended. All visits to Hogsmeade are suspended. In those classes which require wand practice, you will be issued a school-wand at the beginning of class by the professor, and the wands will be turned in at the conclusion of class.

“You will also both remain confined to your Houses outside of Class Hours. Your House Master, Professor McGonagall, may subject you to points losses and work details as well. I shall leave that decision in her capable hands. Should there be any more such incidents, you will be expelled.”

“What about Potter?” Cormac growled, “He attacked me...”

“Mr Potter showed remarkable restraint given Mr Weasley’s condition. His actions are deemed defensive. Mr Towler is quite lucky that he was unconscious, or he would have no doubt received some measure of justifiable physical retaliation from Mr Potter for breaking one of Mr Weasley’s ribs.

You would do well to heed Mr Potter’s warning Mr McLaggen. Please be sure to spread the word.” The Headmaster paused before making one final statement.

“Oh... I will also be informing your parents of your probationary status. That is all.”

If the two older Gryffindors were stunned at the sentences meted out to them by the Headmaster, the two younger Unaffiliateds who couldn’t help but overhear were no less so. These sorts of punishments were nearly unheard of at Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall made note of that herself. She was pleased at the change in the Headmaster’s tactics, but she couldn’t help being concerned about the ramifications.

“Albus... don’t get me wrong,” Minerva began quietly, once out of earshot of the hospital wing, “What you did was fair and just, and no doubt far more effective than merely docking points and issuing detentions. But this change in school policy will very likely eventually be taken up by the School’s Board of Governors...”

“Would you rather that I reinstate corporal punishment Minerva?” Albus asked rhetorically. He knew what her answer would be. “That would most certainly be accepted by the Board...”

“Heavens no,” Minerva gasped. Albus nodded in satisfaction.

“Then this is the only means we have of teaching children what sort of behaviour is acceptable in a civilised society Minerva. I have young Mr Potter to thank for teaching me that serious consequences must be expected by those who would commit violence for its own sake--that sometimes defence against provocative actions requires offensive actions and retaliatory measures in the moment.”

“And I have Severus to thank for devising stringent options here at Hogwarts which do not require a violently authoritarian response after the fact which would only serve to reinforce the notion that such behaviour is permissible in society at large.”

~o0o~

Seamus arrived with Fred, George, and Ginny, shortly after McGonagall had departed with the Headmaster.

“Thank you Harry...” Ginny flung herself on Harry and sobbed.

Tears streamed down Ginny’s freckled cheeks as Harry returned her hug. Hermione sympathetically put her own arms around the youngest Weasley, clutched her tightly, and kissed her flaming red hair. Feeling comforted in the embrace of both Potters, Ginny began to calm down.

“S...s...sorry,” Ginny whimpered as she released them both, “He just looks--so broken... thanks for saving him Harry.”

“Yeah, thanks Harry...” George began sadly.

“...He may be a bit of an idiot..” continued Fred.

“...but he is our brother...”

“...and he’s not Percy.”

Seamus tried to speak, but tears sprang to his eyes and his voice caught.

“It’s alright Seamus... You don’t have to say anything,” Harry responded, seeing the thankful expression on his face, “You’re welcome, all of you.” Harry swallowed,

“Ron didn’t deserve what those arseholes did to him. I know Ron and I aren’t... well... No matter what--even though we’re not really mates anymore--I’ll always care about what happens to him.”

“Anyway, Ron needs a good friend like you Seamus. Stay close and look after each other alright!?” Harry concluded softly. Seamus nodded gratefully.

~o0o~

“Very well done Potter,” Moody growled at the beginning of Sunday's training session. “Dumbledore had Pomfrey take a copy of that berk’s memory and I’ve had a look to see how you handled yourself.”

“Your response was an appropriate and measured use of force. Not too much--more than that could have left you open to reprimand for excessiveness. And not too little--less could have given the impression of weakness. Your enemy might think you don’t have the guts to do the job properly if you don’t match him blow for blow.”

“I like that you used a palm strike instead of a closed fist. You’re just as likely to crack one of your own knuckles as you are the enemy’s face if you go bone against bone. Always keep that in mind when you’re engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Hard strikes to soft areas, and soft strikes to hard...”

“And that other kid--the one who broke Weasley’s rib--he’s lucky you took him out with a stunner from a distance. You would have been justified to break one of his bones if you’d met him in close quarters. As it is, you stopped him from doing any more damage before you reached the scene, and you used a strong enough stunner to prevent him from coming back atcha while you were dealin’ with the other lad.”

Mad Eye used the incident as a launching pad for another grueling session of hand-to-hand fighting techniques. Warm up exercises were minimal; just enough to loosen up. He had Fleur and Harry practice joint locks and throws on each other, and practice strikes on realistic simulacra utilizing not just fists and feet, but also knees and elbows.

Dora followed Moody's lead and drilled Daphne and the cat-witches on the same techniques. Two and a half hours later, everyone was collapsed on the floor, drenched in sweat and groaning in agony. Moody grimaced and nodded in satisfaction while Dora doled out vials of pain-relief potion.

“Nicely done--the lot o’ you,” Mad Eye said approvingly. “We’ll be focusing a bit for a few weeks on hand-to-hand to toughen you all up. After that we’ll be alternating between physical combat and spellwork, and then gradually focusing more on spells again as we get closer to the Third Task. We’ve got roughly four months. And you can practice spells and combat techniques in your own time.”

“In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears peeled. There’s some that won’t take kindly to the changes happening here at Hogwarts, and things could get worse before they get better. Don’t be afraid to step up if you see anymore bullyin’ around here.”

“If you don’t think you can handle somethin,’ don’t be afraid to ask a Professor for help. They’ve all been ordered by Dumbledore to take things seriously. Watch your backs! Constant Vigilance!” Mad Eye concluded with a roar.

~o0o~

The Dark Lord was most pleased indeed. He was so pleased, that once Voldemort and Wormtail had taken the manor they now resided in from a muggle bank executive and his wife, he had allowed Wormtail to keep their daughter alive as a plaything. Wormtail was no doubt enjoying his respite while the Dark Lord pondered their next moves.

Wormtail had done well yesterday evening. Fenrir Greyback had pledged the support of his own Fullblood Clan and promised that he could muster the support of at least two more Fullblood Lycan Clans.

The allegiance of the Turned Lycans could not be counted on, except for those werewolves who had been bitten and turned specifically to be used as slaves by the Fullbloods. Most of the Turned kept to themselves, terrified and alone, fearing both the Ministry and the Fullbloods.

The Dark Lord had considered seeking out some Vampires, but decided against it. The majority of Vampires remained aloof and were entirely too self-serving to serve Voldemort. They believed highly in their own superiority over wizards.

There had been a brief skirmish earlier in the afternoon, when Crabbe had been spotted enlisting some lesser wizards--petty thieves and street criminals--in a Newcastle Pub. But Crabbe had comported himself well and the Aurors had been stunned and obliviated before he returned to the Dark Lord with a dozen new soldiers in tow. The infantry would be tasked with guard duty and causing mayhem in other locations as distractions to keep the Ministry on its toes.

In the meantime, Wormtail would help the Dark Lord draw up a plan for the assault on Azkaban while Crabbe and Goyle would travel abroad to recruit some Giants, and MacNair enslaved some Mountain Trolls.

If Voldemort could not win enough Dementors over to his own cause, then the Creatures under the Dark Lord’s command would prove far more efficacious than wizards. Trolls and Giants were impervious to the effects of Dementors, as were those who were Lycans by birthright--the Fullbloods.

By the first day of summer, Azkaban would belong to Voldemort and the Dark Lord could raise his Army of the Dead.