Ronan looked around the room, and asked, “You really think that I am in cahoots with a wizard, who has been in Azkaban ever since I was born? Me? A guy who didnt know about magic and this world until a witch came to my orphanage.” He said, and then once again asked, “Tell me… Who was the genius that cooked this theory up?”
He then looked at Tonks, “It was her right? Only her pea brain could do so,” Once again she tried to pounce at him, but before she could come close to him, he restricted her movements with telekinesis and made he kneel in front of him.
Immediately all the aurors had their wands pointed at him, “Dont for a moment think that I won't put a hole in you boy. I would do so,” Moody said.
Ronan chuckles, “Sure.” He then let go of the Tonks. “Gentlemen, please stop wasting my time. Either tell me something that will make me stick around, or I am going to have dinner downstairs. I am hungry as hell,”
It was then the Head of Aurors moved and stood close to him, and grabbed him by the collar, “Tell me a good reason why I shouldn't put you behind bars? Why I should just arrest you right here, right now?”
“Let go of my collar old man,” he said, “It is very expensive. Not the kind that you would ever be able to get your hands on,” Rufus still stared at him.
“That is enough Rufus,” Dumbledore said, only then did Rufus let go of his collar.
With a sly smile on his face, Ronan then said, “Now as far as your question is concerned, you cannot arrest me. Because I still have my wand,” he said, “Auror Code, Section 1.5. Before apprehending a suspect or apprehending a suspect for questioning, it is vital to take the wand of the person in question. I am willing to believe that with all the Aurors around, surely no one forgot about the basic Auror Code,”
“You wanna talk about Auror Code,” Rufus said, “I can have you for Section 17.6”
“Not applicable in this case,” he said, “She attacked me. For no reason. And as I am not the suspect, I am a civilian. If you arrest me, and this goes to court, I can have your badge turned in within one session,”
“We can have under Section 23.4,” Moody said, “You are not complying with us on an ongoing investigation,”
“I never said that I wouldn't comply. I just said that I would not give out any vital information about my business. If you really want that information, you would have to file an injunture to the court.” he said. “Or you can arrest me, and write a chargesheet. But I will simply go to Court, ask for a Veritaserum hearing, and debunk your charges. And based on your attitude really do hope that you arrest. I will have a sweet time making a fool out of every single one of you.”
They all glared at him, but he was not done yet,d, “Nothing will give me more pleasure than to tarnish the reputation of arrogant fools who think that they have the right to interrogate, a student,”
“Language Mr. Johanson,” Professor McGonagall asked.
“Sorry, Professor. I get very cranky when I am hungry.” He then turned towards Rufus. “Now, I am going downstairs. And you will not stop me,” with that he exited the room, leaving a stunned group of people.
***
Arthur didnt know what they were doing in the first place. When Scrimegour and Shacklbolt came to his office that day, they looked troubled. They filled him in, about how Tonks got attacked. And how her memory had been tampered with. And Ronan Johanson was one of the suspects.
As a man who knows Ronan pretty well, he didnt think that the boy could do such a thing. From what he had heard from his children, there was a chance that Ronan might be able to pull something like this off. But there was no way that he would hurt anyone. He just refused to believe it.
Scrimegour wanted to interrogate the boy, and he was against the idea. He told them so as well. But Scrimgegrou was not asking for permission. He wanted him to go with him to this interrogation, to give moral support to the boy. Which agreed to, no problem. What he did know expect at least was what transpired in the room. Ronan not only walked into the room with a smile but exited with a smile as well. And no one expected that.
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“He is hiding something,” Shacklebolt declared.
“Yes. That is indeed true,” Dumbledore said, “But the question is, what is he hiding?”
Arthur then couldnt help but ask, “Professor… Do you really think, that Ronan had something to do with the attack on Tonks?”
Everyone stared at Dumbledore, making the old man sighed, “The truth is, I dont know Arthur… He had managed to improve his Occulumency to such a level, that even I cannot tell whether he is telling the truth or lying.”
It was then Rufus said, “You are a fool to think that he is not lying Dumbledore.. The boy knew everything there was to know about the Auror Code. If you are not thinking about committing a crime, one does not read that fat thing.”
“He read the Auror Code when at the start of the school year,” Shacklebolt said, “I saw him reading the thing. He said that he was thinking about becoming an Auror in the future.”
Rufus who looked pissed then addressed everyone in the room, “Also… Not for a moment think that I dont know what is happening here,” he barked, “I didnt authorize any surveillance on the boy…”
Shacklebolt then came forward and said, “As I said sir… I did. We knew that the boy was not in any sort of danger. But still… I was worried that…”
Rufus cut him off, “Dont take me for a fool Kingsley… I dont know what were you thinking. Or who ordered you to put surveillance on the boy,” Rufus now staring directly at Dumbledore. “I simply dont care about this enough. I just want to know, why a junior auror was hospitalized in Saint Mungo’s hospital with a gap in her memory. These sorts of incidents could tarnish the reputation of the whole department.”
“Anger is not good for your health my good friend.” Dumbledore said, “Might I be interested in Sherbet Lemons and herbal tea from Nepal?”
“Herbal tea cannot soothe my anger Dumbledore. It never could, and it never will…” And then Rufus exited the office with a huff….
After everything was done and said, Arthur along with Shacklebolt and Tonks started walking to Hogmeade to get some mead from Rosmerta’s Bar. And while walking, Arthur couldnt help but ask, “Kingsley. Tonks… Do you really think that…” he didnt say the rest, as the other two understood what he was trying to say.
Tonks for the first time said it outright, “I really believe that he was the one that altered my memory. He is powerful enough to do so,”
“But he is just a child. How can he…” Arthur was saying, when Kingsley cut him off, “Dont treat him a child Arthur. Ronan is smarter and more powerful than anyone of his age. The confidence in his eyes, the grace from which he performs magic and speaks… That doesn't come with arrogance. Rather it comes with the belief, that he could take on anything that comes before him,”
Arthur didnt knows who to believe, “I dont know what to think.. He seems like a good boy to me.”
“His act could fool anyone,” Tonks said.
“Also, I dont get it.. Why would Dumbledore order you to keep an eye on him,” Arthur asked. Kingsley didnt have the answer to that question as well, further shrouding the dynamics of Dumbledore and Ronan into mystery…
***
The feast had already started by the time Ronan appeared in the great hall. He joined his friends on the table.
“What did Rufus Scrmigeour want with you?” Blaise asked, “Isn't he like.. The head of Aurors or something,”
Ronan nodded, “Yeah. He was here for the new project that I was working on.”
“And that is?” Pancy asked.
“A secret,” he said coyly. “Also.. Daphne… You know French right?”
She nodded, “Yes. My family roots could be traced back to France. So almost every heir of my house is taught French while growing up. Why do you ask?”
“Do you know how to write French as well?” She nodded, “Wonderful. Do you reckon that you can teach me French? I want to learn how to read and talk,”
“Sure… Based on your learning speed, you will be able to master the language in a year or so… But why do you want to learn the language?”
“Well let's just say.. You are not the only one whose ancestors came from France.” He said…
From the next onwards, the classes resumed as usual. The last thing anyone felt like doing was spending two hours on the grounds on a raw January morning, but Hagrid had provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they spent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs.
It was during this time, Hermione told him that Lupin had agreed to teach Harry Patronus charm. And it was quite a good thing as well.
What surprised him was the fact that no one from Longbottom and his group or the newspaper seemed to know that Tonks was attacked. And he was a suspect in the case.
He figured that his theory was right. They didnt have any evidence on him. Which made him realize that now that he had a way to avoid being traced, it was time to learn Apparition. This is why he sent a letter to Juliana, asking her whether she was willing to teach him the art, in the summer holidays. And she agreed without hesitation.
It was only by the end of January he was able to find some time on his hands. Which he finally started planning the next course of action, to find and secure Sirius Black.