Hogsmeade - October 18, 2003
The previous week had been one of the longest, and slowest weeks of the older Weasley boys lives. All they had wanted was for it to be the weekend so that they could see their dads.
But, eventually, the day arrived.
Fred and George had invited Hadrian to come with them, but he had refused. He said that if anyone understood even slightly what they were going through, it was him. Hadrian said that this was something he couldn't be there for. Fred and George needed to get to know their fathers, as their fathers, without him there.
After leaving the school, the boys made their way through town towards the most dreaded place in town, Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop.
There really wasn't any other place in town where they could get something to drink and have privacy. Since the Hogs Head had burned, the only other place was The Three Broomsticks, and that place was the last place that was private.
With it being a Hogsmeade weekend, it would be constantly packed with dozens of students. It would be almost impossible to move there with how many people there would be, and they would all be extremely loud. In the end, Arthur and the others had had no choice but to rent a private room in the upstairs section.
Arriving, Percy got the room number, and the three boys rushed up the stairs like little kids. Rushing into the room, they went directly to their fathers, grabbing them in bone crushing hugs that were enthusiastically returned. Getting their drinks, they sat down to talk.
But, the thing was, they really didn't have all that much to talk about. Hadrian had let them keep his mirror for the week, so they had all called each other multiple times a day. They had already discussed everything major going on. There was also the fact that all of the boys had been making sure that they spent as much time with their fathers as they could ever since the prison had been discovered almost a full year ago.
Mostly, it was just about being together. Spending time together like they had been denied for so long.
After spending an hour and a half just hanging out, they decided to go and walk around town a little. The reason they had waited as long as they had was because Arthur had made sure to let Ron know that they would be there in the hopes that he would come visit with them, but he hadn't.
While the Weasley boys were with their fathers, Hadrian made his way down through town with Draco and Neville. They made sure to weave their way through the buildings in town because Hermione and Ron were once again following Hadrian.
Once they had lost their stalkers, the boys made their way over to Honeydukes. They all started to grin when they saw their parents and siblings were all standing outside the shop, watching the mass of students inside.
"Looking for us?" Draco called out.
Everyone turned to them at once, and the kids all ran forward for hugs. Their families had decided that they would just stop by for a quick visit, and they weren't the only ones.
Looking around, they could see plenty of other families that had come to visit with their kids. The only real problem that everyone was having was that there just really wasn't enough room in the small town for so many people.
Hadrian, Draco, and Neville were sent in to collect anything that anyone wanted so that they wouldn't risk losing the younger children in the crowds.
After having to repeatedly push their way through the crowds, the boys were all exhausted. The good news for them was that the cabins by the Black Lake that Severus and Sirius got for teaching were within the area they were allowed to go.
Hadrian, Draco, and Neville all told their parents that they would meet them at the cabin a little while later, there were still a few things they wanted to try while on their first Hogsmeade visit. Including going to the Shrieking Shack, even though they knew the secret behind the place.
As they were walking towards the edge of town, they heard a soft chuckle and groan coming from one of the alleys. Looking down, the three boys could see Charlie had Oliver pressed up against the wall.
"Really guys?" Hadrian laughed.
Oliver tried to push Charlie back, but Charlie just wrapped his arms around him and slid behind him so that Charlies back was to the wall, and Olivers back was to his chest.
"Is there something we can do for you three, or are you just looking to learn my technique?" Charlie joked, Olivers face went red.
"Ha ha, Charlie." Hadrian chuckled. "We were just on our way to the Shack and heard some strange noises. We wanted to make sure there wasn't some wounded animal down here."
"Funny. Just wait little man. Soon enough you are going to be old enough to start dating, and then, beware. Because I will be taking every opportunity to embarrass you." Charlie gave Hadrian a vicious grin, his smile got bigger when he saw the slight fear in the boys eyes.
"Never mind." Hadrian said quickly. "Although, maybe you should be doing this somewhere other than an alley in a public place. I'm pretty sure that is called public indecency."
"We would, but this is the only time we have together, and there really isn't anywhere else we can go that isn't full of kids." Oliver sighed, his cheeks still flushed.
"But you're of age, aren't you?" Draco asked.
"Yeah, just sign yourself out of school whenever you want to get… indecent, with Charlie." Neville added, his cheeks also flushed pink.
"I can't." Oliver was clearly annoyed by that. "I've asked if there was any way I can leave for a weekend, but my requests keep getting denied.
"Oliver, you're an adult." Hadrian was confused, they couldn't deny Oliver the chance to leave.
"I know." Oliver didn't understand what Hadrian was on about.
"They really should make reading the school rules and charter mandatory." Hadrian rolled his eyes. "I read it last year because of the whole Lockhart thing.
As a legal adult, a student can sign themselves out at any time so long as they are passing all their classes. You can go home every night if you wanted to, and the teachers have no right to deny you."
"But…" Oliver was shocked, was that really true.
"You should file a complaint with the school governors. I know that pretty much every seventh year Puff has been going out almost every evening. They usually just go and hang out for a few hours in Hogsmeade, and come back before curfew, but if they can, why can't you?" Neville said shyly. "Their next meeting is going to be on Wednesday. It would have been two weeks ago, but one of the governors died unexpectedly, and my mom told me that they only managed to find a replacement a few days ago."
"I think I will. Thanks guys. Now, get lost. I have a hot guy to snog senseless." Oliver thought it was a good idea.
Just as the three boys were about to leave, Hadrian saw some of the other Claws and Puffs that looked like they were on their way to the Shack too. Seeing Nox, Hadrian got an idea.
"Hey, Nox." Hadrian called out, waving the other boy over.
The entire group of students followed Nox as he crossed the road to see his housemate. "What's up, Hadrian? Hi." Nox nodded to the two annoyed men that had once again been interrupted.
"Nox, can you talk to your parents for me?" Hadrian asked sweetly.
"Why? What can you want from them?" Nox knew better than to trust Hadrian when he was acting sweet and innocent, somehow the boy always had the best jokes available.
"I was hoping that we could convince them to open up a second restaurant here in Hogsmeade. We need a place where we can sit down and eat. There are just to many students to just have one place. The Three Broomsticks is far to packed to even get in the door."
Nox thought about it. "I think it would be great if they could, but I don't think they would be able to do it. Starting up a new restaurant can be really expensive. They don't have that kind of money saved up, and it would probably take them at least 5 years to save that kind of money given how much they are making now."
Hadrian sighed, but before he could say anything else, Charlie started talking from where he was with Oliver.
"Can I have my dad talk to your parents? My dad has been looking to invest some of his savings in a good business. I figure, he could easily cover the start up costs."
Nox turned to the red head that was obviously a Weasley. "That would be great. If he wants to get in touch with them, just have him talk to your younger brothers. Fred and George came to our current restaurant almost every week during the summer. I think they tried every single dish."
"They did." Hadrian smiled. "They challenged each other to try everything."
Everyone laughed at the twins behaviour, and then the group of younger kids all headed off towards the Shack. Finally leaving Charlie and Oliver alone.
When they reached the Shack, most of the kids started telling each other all kinds of scary stories about the old building. Hadrian, Draco, and Neville, just stood back and giggled softly. They all knew the truth of the place, but it was fun to see their classmates freak themselves out.
As they were playing around and joking, Pansy Parkinson arrived with her friends. Since the Malfoy's had separated themselves from the blood purists, Crabbe and Goyle didn't hang out with him anymore, instead they now basically served as servants to a demanding Pansy. Pansy, for her part, was convinced that she would be able to make Draco see things her way so that she could marry him and become Lady Malfoy. She was almost as bad as Ginny in her obsession.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here." Came Pansy's high pitched voice. "A bunch of babies telling each other scary stories." She and her friends laughed.
"Like you're so brave." Hannah snapped back at the girl.
"Oh, would you look at this. The little mud blood thinks she's so brave." Pansy gave Hannah a cruel sneer as all the others responded to the insult against Hannah's parentage.
Both of Hannah's parents were half bloods, but she wasn't about to let a bigot like Pansy Parkinson and her friends make her be ashamed of that. "Oh please Parkinson. We all know that you're the biggest coward here. I bet you couldn't even walk halfway down the path to the Shack."
"I could do it without even flinching." Pansy snapped back, but there was fear in her eyes.
"I have an idea." Hadrian stepped forward. "Hannah and I won't just walk halfway to the house, we will go all the way inside. If we can do that, you, and all your little friends here, can't say a single insult to any other student until after Yule break is over. You will have to be kind to everyone."
Before any of the others could respond, a voice drawled from a little ways away.
"That isn't worth it Potter-Black, and you know it. You and Abbot don't just have to go into the house, you have to stay in there for… 10 minutes.
If, and only if, you two can last the entire 10 minutes then Pansy, Millicent, Crabbe, Goyle, Montegue, Warrington and Pucey will be forbidden from any name calling, hitting, or any other behaviour associated with bullying until after this years Yule holidays. However, if you fail, then every last one of you will be required to go to the front of the great hall at dinner, every night, until after this years Yule holidays, and announce that Slytherin is the best house."
They had all turned when the voice had first started. Standing there was Marcus Flint with Daphne Greengrass, Tracy Davis, and Blaise Zabini. Daphne, Tracy, and Blaise had all seen Pansy and her friends following the others and had gone to get Flint. They hadn't wanted anything bad to happen. Now they worried they had made a mistake.
"Maybe that's going to far, Flint." Tracy said in a hesitant voice as she looked to the two students that were going to be sent into the Shack. "That is one of the most haunted places in Britain. They could get hurt."
"No risk, no reward." Marcus smiled, he could see the joy in Hadrian's eyes. He had gotten used to that spark during the summer. It meant that the boy had a plan and was ready to take someone down. "What do you say? Do we have a deal? I will personally certify the bet and ensure that it will be followed."
"We agree." Hadrian stepped forward and shook Marcus's hand. There was a small flash as the bet was sealed on his side.
The magic would just ensure that the bet was followed. If they broke the terms of the bet, then they would suffer a punishment chosen by magic. But, since it was only a bet between school children the punishment would only be things like bad hair, and changes in their skin colour, nothing above basic prank levels.
Marcus turned to Hannah and the others. Looking to Hadrian, Hannah hesitantly stepped forward and shook Flints hand. After that, every other member of their little group followed suit.
Marcus looked to Pansy and the other Slytherins. "Well… Unless you think the Puff and the baby bird are better than you?"
At that, Pansy and all the others stepped forward and agreed to the bet. Daphne, Tracy, and Blaise just watched, all worried that this was going to go badly. As any true Slytherins, they were going to watch, but they had no intent of getting involved if it had a chance of backfiring on them.
Hadrian smiled as he felt the bet settle into place. He held out his arm to Hannah, and when she took it, he started moving them towards the Shrieking Shack.
After Hadrian had practically pulled Hannah the last few feet to the Shack and opened the door, he turned back. Seeing that they were in, Marcus cast a timer spell that displayed 10 minutes in the air in large, florescent red, numbers. As soon as the door closed with the two inside, he started the spell.
Walking calmly away from the closed door, Hadrian flopped down on one of the broken old couches with a puff of dust.
"Someone really should clean in here."
"Hadrian!?" Hanna gasped in an urgent whisper. "Are you out of your mind."
"Relax Hannah, were fine."
"There are extremely violent poltergeists in this place, and you tell me to relax. We could be killed in here."
"Hannah, there aren't any poltergeists."
Hadrian got up. Walking into what was once a living room, Hadrian pulled the cracked mirror off the wall. In large letters were four names carved into the wall. 'Moony', 'Padfoot', 'Prongs' and 'Shadow'.
"What is that supposed to mean? What do you know that I don't?" Hannah huffed.
"Oh so much. This is Sirius Black, this is his husband, Remus Lupin, and this… This is my dad, James Potter." Hadrian said, pointing to each of the nicknames in turn, he made sure to avoid any mentions of his papa. The man had a reputation to maintain.
"What?" Hannah's voice finally rose above a whisper in her confusion.
"Let me tell you a story of three friends." Hadrian sat down on one of the chairs and motioned for Hannah to take the other. Once she was sitting, and Nem had curled up to be petted on his lap, he started his story.
"There was once a young boy named Remus Lupin. When Remus was only a child, he was attacked by a monster, Fenrir Greyback. Despite his curse, his parents loved him, and did everything they could to protect him.
But that meant the little boy was never able to go and make friends like a normal kid. He spent almost his entire childhood hidden away behind the curtains in his parents home. Until one day, everything changed.
A letter arrived. Inviting the young boy to the most prestigious, and only, magical school in the country.
No one had known what had happened to the boy, so he had never been removed from the acceptance list. His parents went to the school, and despite their sons condition, convinced the staff to accept the boy. It was agreed that no one could know of the boys affliction, so the boy would be smuggled out of the school every month.
This old manor here, was once the home of the headmaster of the school when the headmasters office was being renovated over 100 years ago. After the renovation was complete, the old place was just left to sit. But their had been a secret path from here to the school for the headmaster to use, so it was perfect.
A very dangerous tree, the whomping willow, was planted over the entrance, and every month, the boy would be brought through the tunnel and would be left here, all alone.
Remus Lupin was so excited that he was going to get to be a normal kid, but he was also terrified that someone would discover his secret. And one day, only a few months into his first year, two people did.
You see, Remus was sorted into Gryffindor, where he quickly made friends with two other young boys. The three were inseparable, except for during the night of the full moon. It didn't take long for the two clever boys to put the clues together.
But, rather than being afraid of him and telling everyone, the three boys became even better friends. The two always protecting and helping make up excuses for their friend. Rather than calling him a monster, they said he had a 'furry little problem'.
By this point in our tale, people had started to notice the happenings in this manor. You see, a rabid werewolf is driven to hunt and destroy, if they are left alone, they turn that rage on themselves.
All the howls and screams of pain that the towns folk used to hear, was the sounds of a young boy, just like you and me.
To protect their friend, and keep people away, rumours were started about particularly violent poltergeists. And to this day, even after the house has lain silent for over a decade, the rumours persist.
And, thus ends our tale of the origin of the Shrieking Shack."
Hannah looked at Hadrian for a moment before she broke down laughing. "Could you be any more dramatic?"
"Sure I could. I could have cast a dramatic music spell." Hadrian smiled.
"So your telling me that this is just an empty old house."
"Yup."
"Wow, people are really gullible."
"Yup."
"So. I have a question, oh wise one. Why did Flint make us make a magically binding bet?"
Hadrian smiled. "Simple, Marcus knows me well enough to know that I wouldn't have risked entering a bet that I didn't know I could win. I was raised by a Slytherin after all."
"But why would he want you to win the bet." Hannah was confused.
"Simple. Marcus doesn't like the others."
"But… They're in his house."
"Their also blood supremacists. Marcus doesn't like that."
"But… His father was a…"
Hadrian tilted his head. "Hannah. Susan, Neville, and I are all the children of aurors. Can you imagine any of us as aurors?"
Hanna thought for a second. "While given the fact that the last time we practiced basic jinxes in class Susan screamed and hid behind the teachers desk, I'm gonna have to say, no."
"Exactly, we are not our parents. Just like Marcus isn't his father.
Yes, his father was a death eater, but Marcus doesn't want anything to do with that life. In truth, and he will kill us if he ever finds out I told you this so it stays between us, Marcus wants to be an architect. He's planning on applying to a architectural design school in the spring."
"But, then why does he act the way he does? All mean and cold. And how is it that you know that?"
"Marcus is the Flint family heir. He has a role to play. You see, in the Flint family, when the heir graduates from Hogwarts, he receives his entire inheritance immediately. For Marcus, that means this year, when school ends in June, 4.7 million galleons will automatically be transferred into his personal account, and it can't be taken back. But that is only if he is deemed worthy.
If at any time his father starts to question his devotion to the dark, he can delay it and, using olde family laws, claim guardianship over him until he turns 21.
So, Marcus has to make his father think he's like him. He told me that as soon as he gets the money he's leaving the country. It's his escape plan. Marcus doesn't want anything to do with his father and those like him. So he does what is expected.
And the reason I know all this is because, Moony, my Uncle Remus, manages a shop on Morning Dew, called Mischief Managed, and Marcus worked their this summer. There was a slight incident with a spilled honesty potion, and he had a lot he felt the need to unload. But, I am begging you, you can't say anything. At least, not until he's gone. Marcus really is a good guy, he deserves a chance to escape the life he's stuck in."
"Don't worry, I won't say anything." And Hannah meant it, she felt so guilty for judging Flint without ever even trying to get to know him. "So, what now?"
"Well, we still have four minutes. What do you say we have a little fun with everyone?" Hadrian pulled out a package of Mischief products.
"What do you have in mind?" Hannah had found her rhythm with Hadrian.
"Well. Uncle Remy came to meet me here earlier with my sisters. The girls brought me presents from the store." Hadrian pulled out the package that had clearly been clumsily wrapped by his sisters. "We have Paling Powder, that will give us a ghostly white complexion for an hour. Bloodshot Drops, those are eyedrops that will give us bloodshot eyes. Hmmm… Oh, Fake Blood, that's kind of self explanatory, but then again so is everything else. Goody, fake clothing rips and bruises."
Hadrian had emptied everything out on the desk.
"What's this?" Hannah asked as she picked up a Skiving Snackbox.
"That's a Skiving Snackbox." Hadrian went and opened the box. "This is only the basic box. It has Nosebleed Nougat, eat the orange one and you get a really bad nosebleed until you eat the purple. Puking Pastilles, they make you puke until you eat the counter, again, orange makes you sick, purple makes you better. And, ahh, Fever Fudge, we could use that to give us a sweaty sheen so it lookes like we've been running. The dark chocolate makes you spike a high fever, and the white chocolate makes you better."
"Hadrian Potter-Black!" Hannah put her hands on her hips. "You got out of our ancient runes lecture on Thursday because you had a high fever. You ate one of these so you could skip class, didn't you?"
Hadrian gave her a sheepish smile. "Now Hannah. Sweet and wonderful Hannah, there is no need to tell anyone that."
Hannah just raised her eyebrows so Hadrian continued. "Hannah, I was raised by curse breakers. I had runic colouring books when I was little. I was helping my uncles with translating runic texts by the time I was 8. I know runes. I just took the class to learn the practical applications, but we don't start that until after the holidays. I just couldn't sit through another lecture on the difference between the home and protection runes, it's completely obvious if you just look at them, they are different."
Hannah tried to hold back her laugh, she really did, but she had had this exact same discussion with Susan while hiding behind their textbooks during the class, until Granger had told Prof. Babbling they were talking. In the end, she couldn't stop the laugh, and it came out.
"Fine, I guess I can accept that. But, If you fail our midterm I am so telling Prof. Prince just why it was."
"Fair enough." Hadrian smiled back at the girl. "Lets get to work."
After quickly making themselves look like they had been through an epic battle, Hadrian walked over to one of the walls and pulled out his wand. With a few quick flicks, he carved 'HPB' into the wall. Hannah hesitated a moment before she went and added her own 'HA'. With that done, Hadrian started running around the room.
"What are you doing now?" Hannah asked in confusion.
"Mini Screamers, and Crackers. They will randomly make small explosions and screams for five minutes after I set them off. No need to ruin the legend."
Hearing the bong of Marcus's timer spell, Hadrian checked his own timer, their time was up. Casting the starting spell, Hadrian grabbed Hannah's arm, and they ran from the shack, Hannah faking a limp.
By the time they reached the others, most of them were panicking. Only Draco, Neville and Marcus remained calm, as they knew what Hadrian had done.
"Well, looks like the little Puff and baby bird win." Marcus sighed, keeping his voice disinterested even though he wanted to laugh.
Pansy and the others felt the bet magic taking hold. They couldn't bully anyone until after Yule. This just wasn't fair.
Stepping forward, Pansy got ready to start arguing that it shouldn't count, when the first of the Screamers went off.
Everyone froze as a bone chilling scream came from inside the house. Punctuated perfectly by a series of bangs and crashes.
Hearing what they believed to be danger, Pansy and her friends all turned tail and ran.
Nem stuck her nose back out of her pocket that she had returned to when Hadrian had started planting the little devices. She had no intent of sitting on the ground while he ran around, the place had been filthy. Now, disturbed once again, she growled, first at the shack, and then at her human. She knew that it was his fault, and that he had absolutely no guilt over it.
"I'm headed out." Marcus chuckled softly. "Well done on teaching those idiots a lesson."
Tracy, Daphne, and Blaise, just watched the prefect as he went. In the Slytherin hierarchy, Flint was the king. They had never expected him to actually have a sense of humour.
Once Marcus and the bullies were gone, Hadrian and Hannah broke down laughing. All the others looked at them in confusion, they had thought their friends were gravely injured, and now they were hysterical.
"Well," Draco drawled as he circled the two laughing teens. "Let's see, we have Paling Powder, Bloodshot Drops, fake blood, bruises, and rips. But how did you get the sweat?"
"Fever Fudge." Hadrian answered as he pulled out the white fudge and handed one to Hannah who quickly ate it.
Once there temperatures returned to normal, Hadrian pulled out the aerosolized counter potion to the skin powders that made up their paleness and bruises, as well as the eye drops. Quickly spraying himself down, he handed the can over to Hannah who followed suit. After that, all they had to do was pull off the fake rips from their clothes, and they were back to normal.
"What?" Came the voices of many of the others that had remained.
"What? My uncle manages a joke shop that, in my opinion, outdoes Zonko's. My sisters brought me a few toys that we decided to play with." Hadrian told the confused students.
"But how did you survive that place without a mark?" Susan had been terrified the entire time, and Hannah was just laughing it off.
"Really, what self respecting poltergeists, other than Peeves, is up during the day. We just stood in the entry hall and waited as quietly as we could." Hannah wasn't going to be the one that ended the legend of the Shrieking Shack.
When their was another series of bangs and screams from inside the shack, Hadrian started to walk away. "I think we should get out of here. They don't sound happy that someone was in their place."
All the others agreed. Most truly believed that the noise was coming from enraged poltergeists.
Lake Cottage
After leaving the Shrieking Shack, Hadrian, Draco, and Neville all went to the cottage to meet their families. All three laughing the entire way.
Walking in, they smiled at everyone gathered in the relatively small cottage.
"What did you do?" Severus sighed when he saw the light in his son's eyes. It was the same light James had always gotten when he had successfully pulled off a prank.
"What? I haven't done anything." Hadrian tried in an innocent voice. Every single person in the house snorted in disbelief, even the kids. "Ok, ok. I see how much you all trust me."
Hadrian went on to explain what he had done.
"Thank you dear boy." Severus smiled at his son when the story finished.
"What did I do for you?" Hadrian asked in confusion.
"Those seven students lose more points from bullying then the rest of the house combine. With them barred from bullying until January, we might just win the house cup." Severus grinned wickedly at his son.
Draco chuckled happily with his parents while everyone else booed.
Hogsmeade
The Weasley-Prewett family spent their afternoon wandering around the tiny village. It was a fun, sweet, afternoon. A chance to just be a family for people that had been torn apart and separated by the jealousy and greed of others.
Now, they could be together again.
Bill had once again returned for the weekend, and Charlie had returned from his snogging session with Oliver.
They had run into Ron when he and Hermione were in search of Hadrian, but he didn't stay with them long.
Ron had demanded that Arthur take them to The Three Broomsticks for lunch. But, Arthur had told him that their plan was to go to The Magic Neep, the local greengrocer, to get some fresh wraps and go to eat their lunch near the lake.
The idea of eating greens when their was perfectly delicious junk food so close seemed like a stupid idea, and Ron had told them so. When Ron tried to convince his dad that he should instead take him to Honeyduke's and buy him candy, and Arthur had told him that Ron already had his spending money, the boy had had enough.
Telling Arthur that he was mean, Ron and Hermione took off, going to continue their search for Hadrian.
Fabian, Gideon, and the boys all tried to tell Arthur that it was just Ron being a teenager, but Arthur just brushed them off. Ever since the ritual had been removed, Arthur had been making peace with the behaviour of Ron and Ginny. In spite of how much he loved them, he couldn't expect them to behave like the older boys, because they weren't like them.
Ignoring the pain in his heart, Arthur lead their family to the lake to eat their lunch.
Hogwarts, Slytherin House
After dinner that night, the students of Slytherin house returned to their common room for a house meeting that had been called earlier.
"Slytherins of the great and noble house of Slytherin, I come to you with an issue." Marcus Flint announce in a grand voice. "Earlier today, a bet was made. A bet that I myself personally certified.
As we all know, a Slytherin's word is not only their honour, but the honour of all of us. When a Slytherin makes an agreement, we stick to it. We never break our word, we just know how to find the loopholes in an agreement.
This bet, was lost.
The exact wording of the wager was that the losers 'will be forbidden from any name calling, hitting, or any other behaviour associated with bullying until after this years Yule holidays'. Those who lost this wager were Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Graham Montegue, Cassius Warrington and Adrian Pucey.
If you look around this room, you will see that each of them bares the proof that they have already broken their word."
And, they did indeed. Pansy, Crabbe, and Montegue all had faces covered in acne. Millicent and Warrington's hair was standing on end and frizzy. And, Adrian Pucey was tinted blue.
"It hasn't even been 12 hours, and they have dishonoured themselves, and the rest of us in the process.
I am calling on every member of this house to ensure that they do not make the mistake of dishonouring us again. If they wish to show themselves as unworthy to be in this great house, then they are welcome too. But, they do not get to besmirch our good names as they do so."
"Any who dishonour themselves do not deserve to carry the symbol of my house." Came a gravely voice. Everyone in the house turned to see who it was, only to look into the eyes of the portrait of their houses founder himself. "When we make an agreement, we keep it."
Everyone stared. It was so rare for Salazar to come to his portrait in their common room. Whenever anyone asked why, he would always just say it was because they never listened to him.
"We shall ensure they do as they agreed, or they shall return to the bottom of the hierarchy." Marcus finished, thankful that he had gotten back up from the man himself.
"Agreed." Came the voices of the rest of the house as one.
"It wasn't that bad." Pansy stomped her foot. "We shouldn't have to stick to that stupid bet with those mudbloods." In a flash, Pansy's shoulder length pin straight dark hair frizzed up like a poodle and turned a flat pea green.
"You seven were bested by a Ravenclaw and a Hufflepuff. You have already dishonoured this house enough today, don't you think?" Marcus snapped back, forcing himself not to laugh at the girls new look. "From this point on, you will follow the terms of the bet to the letter, or you will return to the bottom of the houses hierarchy."
When Pansy went to argue more, she was hit in the back by over a dozen silencing spells.
"I thank you all for your time, and your assistance." Marcus looked around the room. "With that, I call this meeting to an end. You are all dismissed."
Hogwarts, School Board Meeting Room - October 22, 2003
Like Neville had suggested, Oliver Wood filed his complaint with the school board over his being denied the right to leave. He also added in a concern he was having over his history grade.
Ever since the beginning of this year, his grades had dropped drastically in that class. The only reason that he wasn't currently failing the class was because whenever he got an assignment back that didn't look like it had been marked properly, he would take it to the TA, Mr. Grant, who would then go over it. For some reason, whenever Prof. Tonks marked his work, his grade was a minimum of 10% lower than if Mr. Grant had marked it.
When it was his turn, Oliver walked into the room and took his seat in front of the governors.
"Our next complaint was filed by Oliver Wood, seventh year Gryffindor, against Prof. McGonagall, and Prof. Andromeda Tonks, claiming illegal imprisonment for Prof. McGonagall, and unfair and biased grading for Prof. Tonks. Pleas explain your issues Mr. Wood." James said as he looked at the young man he knew was dating Charlie.
"Thank you Lord Peverell." Oliver forced himself to relax, Charlie had always told him that Lord Peverell was a good guy. "I am 17. I am a legal adult. I am passing all my classes. As such, I have the right to sign myself out of the school whenever I feel like it.
But every single time I have tried, I have been denied. Prof. McGonagall has repeatedly made up one excuse or another to bar me from leaving the school grounds. She even revoked my right to have Hogsmeade weekends, although I will admit that I snuck out. For which I was punished with three months of nightly detention. And, I have even been told that I will not be able to go home for the Yule holidays.
I don't know what is going on, but I feel like I am being held prisoner in this castle. I have checked with all my year mates, and none of them have had any trouble getting out of the school. Even my own house mates can come and go as they please. It just seems to be me that is a prisoner, and I want it to stop.
As for my history grades. I have no idea what is going on with that. I know I'm not the best student in class, but up until this year I have easily been able to achieve EE's. This year I am barely at an A, and the only reason that my grade isn't lower is because the first time I failed one of my assignments, I took it to Mr. Grant so that he could go over it with me so I could improve on my next assignment. He went over it, and said that my grade was 18% lower than it should have been if it was marked using the marking scheme that you all made.
Ever since then, I have handed him my assignments as soon as I get them back, and he marks them using the scheme. Even in class Prof. Tonks only speaks to me when she is taking points. I have even lost points for breathing too loudly. If this keeps up, then I will lose my place on the quidditch team.
Again, I don't know what is going on, but I want it to stop. What ever I did to Prof. Tonks, I am sorry, but that doesn't give her the right to risk my grades."
James already knew how this was going to end, but he had to keep up appearances. "Let's start with you Prof. McGonagall. What is your defence to the accusation of illegal imprisonment."
"I have done no such thing. Mr. Wood is the captain of our quidditch team. That comes with responsibilities. He needs to remain at school to train with the team. I have just been making sure that he lives up to the expectations he accepted when he took the badge. Although, I am beginning to wonder whether or not I made a mistake in selecting him due to his complaints about having to run practices." Minerva huffed. She was furious that one of her own lions was questioning her.
"Do you have something to say to that Mr. Wood?" James had seen the spark of temper in the boys eyes.
"Yes." Oliver was incensed that Prof. McGonagall would even consider taking away his quidditch captaincy. "I don't buy it.
If Prof. McGonagall feels that there is someone who can captain the team better, then I have no choice but to accept it. But keeping me at the school has nothing to do with quidditch. Our current seeker, Lorie Flas, is a seventh year like me. She has been signing herself out and going home every weekend since the beginning of term.
Whenever we have practice, she just comes back for a few hours before leaving again. Also, every other member of the team goes to Hogsmeade, so there is no reason I wouldn't be able too. Even with Lorie leaving on weekends, and the team going to Hogsmeade, we are still practicing a minimum of 9 hours a week.
My going home on weekends wouldn't change that."
"Ok. Prof. Tonks, what is your response to the allegations of unfair and biased treatment?" James looked to Andromeda.
"It is complete hogwash." Andromeda harrumphed. "He is a NEWT level student. He should expect that his work will be held to a higher standard than previous years. Maybe he should spend less time on his dating life, and more time on his school work.
It is not my fault that he isn't achieving the grades he wants. As this very board has repeatedly told students, if he wants better grades, he needs to earn them.
Mr. Grant should have not undermined me in the way he has, and I feel might be unsuited to continue as my assistant. More than likely, Mr. Wood corrected his mistakes and gave him the assignment for remarking. To me, that is cheating, and both should be punished for it."
Andromeda kept shooting glares at the boy. Most of the governors were confused by her behaviour, the woman was acting crazy.
"Mr. Grant. You have been going over Mr. Wood's assignments and remarking them. What is your stance on all of this?" James looked to the TA.
"I honestly don't know what is going on between Prof. Tonks and Oliver." Randy Grand wasn't worried about saying anything that would upset the crazy woman. Randy had been using this position to help him get into a mastery program, and he had gotten his acceptance letter only the week earlier. As of July, he was no longer going to be a TA, he would be a masters student at one of the magical universities in Greece. Because of this he wasn't worried about losing his job.
"I have been going over Oliver's work since he came to me during the second week of classes. Every single assignment he has given me has been marked in a completely nonsensical way. Things that are marked as correct are wrong, and things that are marked as wrong, are right.
I will add on, when this was first brought to my attention I attempted to make sure that I was the one to mark anything submitted by Oliver, but Prof. Tonks specifically searched through the assignments and test until she found his, and took them.
As for the accusation that he corrected his assignments after they were handed back, and before they were given to me, I disagree. I always hand the assignments back at the end of class, meaning Oliver had his assignment for less than two minutes before he gave them back to me. Hardly enough time to make corrections. And, over the past month, I haven't even handed them back. When I see his, rather than handing them back, I place them on my desk since I know that he will be requesting a remark.
But, the biggest thing for me, is the tests. In the seventh year class, we have a test every other week. I never remark Oliver's tests. But, as a blind test, without telling either Oliver or Prof. Tonks, when Oliver has handed in his last three tests, I made an exact copy. The original was marked by Prof. Tonks, the copy was marked by me."
Randy pulled out three tests from his own bag next to him and handed them over. James almost smirked as he saw the slightly panicked look on Andromeda's face.
"Those are date and time stamped. I also added a certification check to show that they have not been edited. If you look, you will see clear evidence of Biased grading. But again, I have no idea what is driving the behaviour." Randy Grant sat back in his seat, finished with what he wanted to say.
"Thank you everyone, we are going to discuss everything, and will let you know our decision in a few minutes." James said just before a privacy shield went up between the governors and the others.
It took about ten minutes for the shield to drop.
"After a discussion and examining the evidence, we find in favour of Oliver Wood, on both counts." James announced. "As of now, Mr. Wood has the right to sign himself out at anytime he wishes. And, the detention he received for sneaking to Hogsmeade is rescinded as he had every right to go there and it was the staff of this school that were in the wrong." James gave Minerva a hard look, she just glared back.
"As for the unfair and biased grading, we are requiring that any and all marking of Mr. Wood's work is done by Mr. Grant. You will also be using the marks he gave on previous assignments. Prof. Tonks, we will be conducting random spot checks on the points you give and take, and the marks you give.
With that said, Mr. Wood. You and Mr. Grant are free to go, and we offer our apologies. Minerva, Andromeda, stay." James said.
Oliver thanked everyone, and quickly left the room. The way Lord Peverell's tone had become like ice when he said those last words made it so he didn't want to stick around.
Once Oliver and the TA had left the room, and the door had sealed behind them, Alice looked towards the two professors. "I do not know what has gotten into the two of you, but it will stop. That boy is a student at this school, and he will be treated like any other student.
Minerva, it is our decision that your probation will be extended another year. Once again, you have shown poor judgment in regards to a student at this school. Holding someone against their will is a crime. I will add, you have no legal right to deny any student the right to go home over any and all holidays. It can actually be classified as kidnapping.
Andromeda… I really don't know what to say. As you know, we added a financial penalty to unfair grading. Because of your own actions, you are being fined 200 galleons, which will be deducted from your next pay check."
"You have no right to do that." Andromeda was incensed. "That boy needs to learn his place. He has no right to hurt my baby like that."
Many of the governors made noises of confusion. Many asked what she was talking about, but Andromeda refused to answer.
"I believe that I can shed a little light on this issue. My niece…" Narcissa started, but she was swiftly cut off by Andromeda.
"She isn't your anything. You are nothing to her, or me."
Hurt momentarily flashed in Narcissa's eyes, but she pushed it back. "My apologies. My former sisters daughter had her hopes set on becoming the future Mrs. Charles Weasley. But, Charlie is dating Mr. Wood.
It seems my former sister has decided to take it out on the boy."
"Come now," James gave the woman a disapproving look. "I can understand the desire to protect your children, but this is taking it to far. Mr. Wood did nothing wrong, the one in the wrong is you. As a professor, you are required to leave any family drama outside of the school. If you can not, then you can not be a teacher. I do hope that we do not have to have a conversation like this again, with either of you."
After a few more students came in with little issues that were quickly dealt with, the meeting was called to a close.
Alice was tiding up the notes, trying to think of what was going on. Molly had been… off.
Alice knew about the disownment, but what concerned her was that Molly wasn't showing many signs of it. She really didn't think Molly was that good of an actress.
From everything Alice had ever heard about being disowned, there was always clear evidence of it. The person usually looked noticeably weaker, and for the first few weeks, would struggle with being up for any length of time, due to the lack of magical energy. It usually could take well over a month before someones body adjusted.
Although Molly hadn't seemed extremely energetic, she hadn't seemed to be struggling too much. She had even argued quite passionately in favour of allowing Minerva and Andromeda to take out their issues on Oliver.
Going through the magically created paperwork, Alice froze.
When James saw Alice visibly react to something she had seen, he went over.
Alice pointed out what had caught her eyes, and James joined her in shock. With an unspoken agreement, they both quickly left the school.
Headmaster's Office
When the meeting ended, Minerva, and Andromeda followed Albus up to his office. Molly had had to go home to rest.
"Would either of you like to explain to me what that was about?" Albus turned on the two women as soon as his office door was closed.
"It's that stupid boy." Andromeda almost screamed. "How dare he complain about my actions. He's the little bastard that's breaking my daughters heart."
Albus looked to Minerva for an answer.
"We felt that if we could keep Oliver and Charlie apart, it would allow Nymphadora the chance to get closer to Charlie."
"Ahhh." Albus understood. "I do understand, but now we have a new issue. With that boy filing complaints, we are stuck.
Neither of you can act out against him again. If you do so, he will file another complaint, and we risk the governors firing you."
"How am I supposed to tolerate that boy in my class. Day after day. Knowing that he is dating my daughters future husband."
"You have no choice Andromeda." Albus countered the contrary woman. There were times when her Black heritage was clearly shown in her attitude. "Just ignore him. He is no longer your problem. You both will leave Oliver and Charlie to Molly and I.
And Minerva, you will not remove Mr. Wood as quidditch captain."
"But Albus." Both women said at the same time.
"No." Albus snapped before either woman could get any further. "It is done. You will be fired if this happens again, and we need you both here.
Molly and I will deal with the boys Andromeda.
And Minerva, if you remove the boy from the position, you will make yourself the bad guy. You have already been found guilty by the board. Anything you do to the boy from now on will appear as if you are attacking him again. It risks turning your own students against you. Plus, Wood is the best chance Gryffindor has at winning the quidditch cup, and you and I both know it."
Minerva and Andromeda could only huff their agreement. They both knew, that despite how much they wished it was different, they could do nothing.
Albus sat back in his chair after the two angry women had left. He couldn't believe that they had tried to make, and carry out, a plan without him. Sure, it might have been a semi-good idea, but they had gotten caught. So, it clearly wasn't a well carried out plan.
He didn't have time to deal with the fallout from their plans, he had is own problems to deal with. Earlier in the month his old friend, Elphias Doge, had died. Albus had been expecting it, but it still annoyed him that it happened at an inopportune time.
Elphias had originally fallen ill over two decades earlier, and Albus had still needed him, so he had saved him. Over the years Albus had placed leaches on many of his former students, Albus just transferred that magic over to Elphias. The extra magic had helped to keep the man alive all this time.
He had run into issues during the last war. Most of the people that had his leeches had also been spelled and potioned to be completely loyal to him, which meant they were the ones fighting on the front line. Most of them had been killed. Those that survived were often injured and ended up in St. Mungo's, where they were checked and cleared of all spell damage, including his leeches.
It was easy enough for a witch or wizard to live to over 200, but only if their magic was strong enough. The stronger a persons core, the longer they lived. Magic helped to sustain a body and extend a persons youth. But only if the person had access to fresh magic. As a person aged, their magic aged with them. By the age of 100, most peoples cores started to produce magic slower, and that is what caused them to start aging faster.
Over the years, Albus had connected more and more of his old friends to the magic of his supporters to keep them alive, and after the war, there wasn't enough magic to support them all.
That was when he had discovered the prison that Voldemort had had. It seemed, that he and Voldemort had had a similar idea about taking others magic. Albus had just changed where the magic was sent. Giving his people power, while denying Voldemorts followers.
But now, the prison had been discovered, and those inside had been freed. The magic wasn't flowing any longer, and time was catching up with them.
He had become too complacent, believing that he would always have access to that magic. And now, it was gone.
Thanks to Sebastian and his little band of fools, and the unspeakables, the magical syphons had been removed. And now he and his people weren't getting the magic they deserved.
Elphias's body had gotten used to the amount of magic that it had been receiving, and without it, his heart failed. And, although he was the first, he wouldn't be the last. Albus had already seen many others that he had helped slowing down.
His oldest, and most loyal followers, were aging faster because they had been taking magic rather than producing it themselves, and now the magic was gone.
The Burrow
Arthur, Fabian, and Gideon were sitting down to tea with Muriel when Alice and James flooed into the Burrow.
"What has happened?" Gideon asked when he saw the looks on their faces.
Rather than saying anything, Alice just handed over the attendance record of that meeting.
"Please, forgive our interruption Dame Prewett." James bowed as he and Alice greeted the elderly woman properly.
James often had to deal with the stubborn woman in the Wizengamot. Even before Fabian and Gideon had been taken, they had named her as proxy, and she was still serving in that position to this day. The Prewett seat was in the light section, as was tradition, but she tended to vote more neutral.
"As charming as ever Lord Peverell." Muriel had always liked this man, he knew how to keep things interesting.
"I still don't see what has gotten you both so worked up." Gideon looked to Alice and James. Alice just huffed and pointed. "Well… Shit."
"GIDEON!" Muriel was shocked at the language.
Rather than answering, Gideon just handed her the page, and pointed at what had shocked him.
"Well… Shit." Everyone stared as the prim and proper woman swore.
"What is it?" Arthur asked in confusion and shock. What could be so surprising that it could make Muriel swear.
"It's Molly." Alice finally found her voice. "It didn't make sense during the meeting. She was weaker, but not the the expected amount due to a full disownment."
"So what happened?" Arthur didn't understand this.
"According to this sheet, Molly is magically recognized as 'Molly Diggle', but the only remaining Diggle is that fool, Dedalus." Muriel said.
"Molly got remarried already. How did she manage that?" Arthur was more than shocked.
"This isn't a marriage. I think Albus must have had them soul bond. It's the only way she isn't suffering from core depletion. She was accepted by the Diggle family magic. And, everyone knows just how loyal to Albus Dedalus Diggle is. The man would do anything for him, apparently even marry Molly." James told the stunned man.
Everyone just sat in silence for a few moments, working through their thoughts on the issue. Eventually, Arthur spoke.
"What am I supposed to do now. I know Dedalus, and, he isn't a bad man, but I don't want Ron and Ginny to have their lives turned upside down. I can't just let them go to where ever Molly is living at the moment, but I also know that I can't just bar the kids from seeing that woman. In spite of everything, she is their mother, and they love her."
"Then you don't, Arthur." Muriel reached out and put a comforting hand on the mans arm. "Given everything she has done, all you have to do is demand that you maintain primary custody. You can allow for the children to go there every now and then, but make sure to lay out ground rules. It would be just like that woman to attempt to turn the children against you.
You should also speak with Dedalus. Given what that woman does to people, he should be forewarned. Also discuss your expectations for rules the kids will need to have. It would be best to ensure that the rules are consistent from one house after another."
"Yes, yes." Arthur started thinking of everything he was going to need to do. "I could write out a list of rules that are must have's for the kids."
"Don't worry sweetheart. It will all be ok." Fabian came up and hugged Arthur from behind.
"You might want to sit down and lay out your expectations before the kids come home for Yule." Gideon added.
"Yes. I will do that." Arthur started wandering around the kitchen, grabbing a quill and some spare parchment that was laying around, starting to write out rules.
"Well, we will be off. We just thought you should know." Alice said as she and James headed back to the floo.
"Thank you for giving us some warning about what that woman has done now. Good day." Muriel said just before they were gone.
Hogwarts - October 31, 2003
Hadrian was just on his way down to the ritual room when an excited voice called out to him.
"Hadrian, Hadrian."
Turning, Hadrian saw Colin and Dennis Creevy were both rushing down the hall towards him.
Hadrian was pleased with how Colin had changed since the previous timeline. He could remember little things about the boy stalking him and taking his picture constantly. But he wasn't like that this time.
Most of Colin's hero worship had come as a result of him reading 'The Harry Potter Adventure' series that had been written about him, but with his dad stopping those books from being published, he hadn't become so obsessed with Hadrian this time.
He had actually started out thinking that Gilderoy Lockhart was a hero. Because of that, he had tried to tailor his life to Lockhart's, even going into his old house, Hufflepuff. It was a good thing, because when Lockhart proved himself incompetent and a fraud, the other Puff's helped him work through it.
At the recommendation of his house mates, Colin had joined the schools year book club, that had been formed the year before, as their primary photographer. Now, Colin was relatively well adjusted, with plenty of friends, and not a stalker.
Then there was little Dennis. The boy had actually surprised Hadrian. Rather than being a Gryffindor like last time, or joining his older brother in Hufflepuff, Dennis had been sorted to Slytherin, and was fitting in quite well. While he still had a few difficulties with bullies in the house due to his muggleborn heritage, he never let it get to him. According to Draco, the 11 year old had a real talent for politics, which made him well suited to the house.
"What's up?" Hadrian asked the two boys.
"We were thinking about maybe going to the Samhain ritual this year, but we weren't sure if it would be worth it for the two of us because we're muggleborn.
But I heard that you knew more about the rituals than most, so we decided to come and ask you if it would work for us." Colin said in his usual chirpy voice. Dennis just stood back and watched.
"Of course the ritual would be worth it for you. Colin, it is about visiting the realm of the dead, muggles die just like wizards.
Although, there are many who say that the souls of muggles tend to forget this world faster, and go to their rest, they are still there. But, why would you being muggleborn stop the ritual from working, you guys do know that you have magical ancestors, right?" Hadrian asked.
"No we don't." Dennis answered. "We are the first with magic in our family."
"No, you're not. There was a study conducted in China years ago. It showed that those that are commonly referred to as 'muggleborn', are actually the descendants of squibs. When two squib lines meet, there is a 50/50 chance of a magical child like both of you.
My Uncle Sebastian presented the study to the Wizengamot years ago. He hoped that they would implement a recommended inheritance test for students starting at Hogwarts so they could find new Lords to take up the dormant seats in the Wizengamot, but both those in the light, and dark parties actually worked together to suppress the information for some reason."
"Are you saying that we might have magical ancestors and no one thought we deserved to know?" Dennis asked in a cool voice.
"More than likely. Come on, lets go to the ritual chamber." Hadrian started guiding the boys towards the chamber.
After the ritual concluded, Hadrian slowly sat up. Like usual, he felt completely at peace.
Looking around, he smiled. He could already see a noticeable difference in the number of students in the chamber in comparison to when he had first started. Hadrian had spent a good amount of time over the past 2 years convincing others to try the rituals, and he knew his friends were doing the same.
On the way out of the room, both Colin and Dennis came rushing over to him.
"You were right. I can't believe it. We had magical ancestors. They were all their, they've been waiting for generations for us. I feel really good." Colin was even more hyper than normal.
"What do we do now?" Dennis asked.
"My recommendation is that you go to the bank during Yule holidays. Go to one of the goblin tellers and request full inheritance tests. Make sure you are polite, I can not stress that enough, you must be polite. Goblins are a proud race, and if you show them any disrespect, they will make things difficult for you. They will still help, but they will do so in the hardest way possible.
I have books on goblins culture and the proper manners to use while working with a goblin, I will have Draco and Neville give them to you both." Hadrian told them, making sure to emphasize being polite to goblins. "I should also warn you, if you are one of those that are descended from one of the dormant noble houses, if you take up the lordship, expect things to change here at school.
All those that have taken up their titles are required to do some basic work involving the Wizengamot even though we use proxies. I usually spend about an hour or two a week on that. Also, you will be required to have a separate room. Both by school rules and law, a titled student is required to have a sealed room that is separate from their housemates because some of the paperwork we have to do has private and classified information that we can not risk getting out."
"But I don't want to have a separate room, I like my room mates." Colin said in a sad voice.
"Then you have two choices. You are not required to take up any titles immediately, you can wait for years if you want too. Just be warned, if anyone else who is descended from the same line goes in, they can take the title.
Or, you can pass the title to another. You might not be overly fond of politics Colin, but it is clear Dennis is. If you are titled, you can pass the title to Dennis." Hadrian could see that both Colin and Dennis liked the sounds of that.
"Ok. Dennis, if we are titled, would you be ok if I passed the title to you? I really don't like politics." Colin looked to his brother with pleading eyes.
"Of course Colin." Dennis smiled to his brother and Hadrian. "Come on Colin, let's go and talk for a bit and let Hadrian get back to his friends."
The two boys walked away just as Fred, George, Neville, and Draco came up to Hadrian.
Madam Zsa Zsa's Tea Room, Celestial Alley - November 8, 2003
Sitting in one of the most exclusive tea shops in all of Britain, were the 20 or so members of the most elite book club. They were holding their monthly meeting. Their books sat in their bags, forgotten in favour of the latest gossip.
Today's latest and greatest gossip was none other than Molly Weasley, nee Prewett. Only this morning, Madam Betsy Tozar, had seen the woman leaving Dedalus Diggles manor. The Tozar estate was just across the road, and Betsy loved to watch the coming and goings of her neighbours. It had been the third time that week that she had seen the woman coming and going from the house.
It was such a scandal. A woman from a noble house, and the wife of a well thought of man, sneaking around with another man.
All the men and women couldn't wait to discuss the new drama, but they needed to do it quickly. The woman's great aunt, Muriel Prewett, was going to be arriving when the meeting officially began in a few minutes.
Although the Weasley family had lost their title and fortune generations ago, the family was still well thought of. There had been more than one or two match making family members that had been disappointed when they had heard Arthur Weasley was off the market.
As expected, just before the meeting was to start, Muriel Prewett herself walked into the room. Everyone went silent as soon as they noticed her.
Muriel went and took her seat before turning to the rest of the room. "Alright, what is going on?"
"Nothing Muriel, we were just discussing the latest news." One of the members said, trying not to upset the formidable woman.
Betsy Toazer had no such issue, she and Muriel had been friends since they were girls, and she wasn't about to let her get caught flat footed on this issue. "We were discussing the fact that I have seen your niece coming and going from the Diggle place."
"That girl is not my niece." Muriel snapped. "I have no intention of recognizing that… Woman, as a member of my family again. She has lost that right."
"So you know that she is cheating on Arthur?" Came the voice of Flora Corner.
"No, she is not cheating on Arthur, not any more at least." Muriel poured herself a cup of tea. This was perfect. She wanted to make sure that no one would lay any blame at the feet of Arthur or her nephews for what was happening, and she could do so right now, before the gossip spread any further.
"What do you mean?" Edwina MacMillan leaned in closer so she wouldn't miss a word.
"Well…" Muriel settled in for a good story. "There is just so much of his mother in that man. You all know what Cidrella was like."
"That woman wouldn't have said boo to a ghost." Came a voice from further back in the room.
"Exactly. Arthur has always gone out of his way to avoid any confrontation. He just tries to make peace. But even he has his limits apparently.
Arthur first learned of her… misbehaviour, a few years ago, but he tried to keep the peace. He didn't want to do anything that would upset the children. He put a bed in his home office, and stayed in there.
When he noticed the way she was treating the kids, and the things she was teaching them, he tried to lay down some ground rules, but since he works full time and she was home, she would just ignore the rules.
But this year, she finally went to far. Arthur kicked her out at the beginning of September, and she was married to Dedalus by the middle of October.
What happened was that she wanted to set up a marriage contract between the second oldest of the boys, Charles, and the daughter of one of her friends, a girl named Nymphadora Tonks, but Charlie refused. He has a boyfriend and has no desire to even date the girl. That woman threw a complete fit and threatened to disown him. That was just too much for even Arthur, he gave her a week to get her things and get out.
He made it perfectly clear that given the choice between her or his children, he would always choose them."
"As any good parent would." Was heard muttered by more than a few of those there.
"What was she doing to the kids?" Came the shocked voice of one of the women.
"It was just the way she treated them. The older five boys just couldn't do anything right in her mind, while the youngest two couldn't do anything wrong.
Both of the older boys, Bill and Charlie, are already considered rising stars in their individual fields, but all she does is berate and belittle them.
She even accused three of the boys, Percy and the twins, Fred and George, of dishonouring the family because they weren't sorted into Gryffindor like she wanted.
Then there is the youngest two. She treats them like they are still toddlers. Constantly making excuses and blaming others for their actions.
Thankfully, the older boys had friends that lived near by, so as soon as Arthur had left for work, they would leave the house and not return until he came home. But that just tells you how bad she was, those boys preferred to be as far away from her as possible since they were little.
They were old enough to know better than to listen to what that woman said. The real trouble is the younger two. Molly has them both convinced that their perfect and when anything doesn't go there way it is because of some big nefarious plot against them. And more often than not, those that they blame are Slytherins, or dark wizards. Arthur did what he could, but there was only so much he could do. He's worried he might have to make them go see mind healers over the summer to undo some of the damage that woman did to them."
"Those two certainly are a handful." Philip Eeylops voice rasped. "I was helping my son at our shop in Diagon earlier this summer when Molly and Arthur took the kids shopping for their school supplies. The two younger children barged into the store, both demanding that they get owls, along with that woman.
Poor Arthur was so embarrassed. He just kept telling them that they had known for years that if they wanted an owl then they needed to save up for it, since they hadn't saved any money, then they clearly weren't responsible enough to care for an owl properly, which I must agree with. It took almost an hour for him to get them out of the shop. They were both throwing some of the worst tantrums I have ever seen, and I have seen plenty. That girl just kept saying how much she hated him, he looked devastated, but I must give him credit, he didn't back down."
"That is common I have been told." Muriel hadn't known about that, but it really didn't surprise her. "Thankfully, Arthur has Fabian and Gideon there to help him."
"Fabian and Gideon sided with Arthur, over their own sister?" Constance Dorn was slightly surprised.
"Yes." Muriel nodded. "While they were in the hospital recovering from their ordeal, Arthur had an expansion built on the house so that they could stay their while they recovered. He always has been such a kind man.
Fabian and Gideon have been living with them since they were released from the hospital. They have gotten a first hand look at everything, and they both agree that it is that woman that is in the wrong, so they will be staying with him to help with the kids.
I think it's sweet. Fabian and Gideon have always had a crush on Arthur, they even dated while they were at Hogwarts. Arthur and that woman's relationship never made much sense to me, they just don't match. I think this might be a second chance for those three to get first love right."
Although no one was willing to say anything, they all suspected that Muriel was hinting to the use of love potions. It wasn't something that was polite to even suggest, but it had always been rumoured.
"That's so sweet. Fabian and Gideon would be wonderful to help Arthur get over this little drama." Lacy Wood sighed, she was always a romantic. "But, I must ask Muriel, you said while we were on our way here that you would be needing my help with a little match making, is it Arthur, Fabian and Gideon you were referring too?"
Muriel looked to her friend and smiled, this would be a perfect distraction to get everyone gossiping about something else. "No, I figure those three will figure things out on their own, they are old enough.
I'm actually surprised you don't already know. You know how I said that Charlie wouldn't marry the girl that woman had picked out because he was seeing someone else, while that someone else is your great grandson, Oliver."
Lucy squealed. "So that's who Olli has been seeing. He has just been so happy lately. I knew he was in the middl of some great love affair, but I never realized it was with Charlie. We are definitely going to have to make sure those two don't fall into any of the traps there are out there for young love."
With that, everyone started offering their opinions on how best to keep Oliver and Charlie together, as well as different matches that could be made of other peoples unattached family members.
Not a single book was taken out during the entire book club meeting that day.
The Burrow - November 15, 2003
Arthur was slow to get up on the morning that he had scheduled his meetings with both Dedalus and Molly. He knew that Molly would try to make him out to be the bad guy, so Arthur had sent them separate letters and scheduled different meeting times. Dedalus would be at the private meeting room he had arranged at the bank before lunch, while Molly would be there after.
"Are you sure you don't want us to go with you, love?" Fabian asked as he saw the look on Arthurs face as he came out into the kitchen.
"Yeah, dad. We would all be happy to come with you. I can put off my afternoon with Olli for a little while so you don't have to go alone." Charlie said as he dished up some breakfast for his dad. Both Charlie and Bill were once again home to visit.
"No." Arthur smiled at his family. It felt so good to be a part of a happy, loving family again. "This is something I need to do on my own. While I am grateful, you all have things of your own to do today.
Bill, you told me you needed to go over some things with your boss, so you will already be at the bank if I do need you. Charlie, you are headed back to Romania soon and won't be able to visit with Oliver as much. Take it from me, enjoy every moment you have with him while you can, you never know when you might lose him."
"I really don't think my crazy sister is going to use an ancient ritual to steal Oliver from me." Charlie joked. "Although, you might want to give that warning to the twins. Ginny is more than a little obsessed with Hadrian."
"Ha ha. Very funny Charlie." Arthur said in a bland voice. "And as for the two of you." Arthur turned to look at his husbands. "You have to go and check in with the Cross's about the restaurant."
Like Charlie had thought, Arthur had been excited to invest in building a restaurant in Hogsmeade. He had quickly gotten in touch with Nox's parents, Ian and Mina Cross. Like Arthur, they thought it would be a great idea.
Years before, Arthur had once over heard Fred and George discussing opening a store. Arthur had thought they were talking about doing so years in the future, and, being the good father he was, he had started setting aside a portion of each pay check to invest in their shop. But, with the twins earning the money for themselves, and taking a loan from the bank, they didn't need the money Arthur had saved. He had still offered it, but they told him to invest it in something else.
Because of that, Arthur had plenty of money to invest in the restaurant. But, he wasn't the only one that invested. Both Fabian and Gideon invested some of their money with his.
With all the money they now had available, the Cross's had already purchased a place in Hogsmeade, and were in the process of setting up. With the help of magic, the restaurant would be built, furnished, and ready to open by the time the children visited when they went on Hogsmeade trips after Yule.
The twins were supposed to be going to their current restaurant in Knockturn to check in with how things were going. Both Ian and Mina were planning on moving over to the Hogsmeade restaurant while they got it up and running, but they were still arranging employees to take over at the restaurant in Knockturn so they could make the move.
"We know." Fabian said.
"We just don't want to leave you alone with that woman." Gideon added, he really didn't trust his former sister anywhere near his husband.
"I'll be fine. We will be in the bank, and I have already requested that I be tested for any outside influence after the meeting. There's nothing that she can do to me." Arthur went and kissed both Fabian and Gideon on the cheek. He really did love it when they got protective.
"If you're sure." Both of them said at the same time. Hugging their husband between them.
Gringotts, Private Meeting Room
Arriving at the bank, Arthur was led directly to the same meeting room that he had been to when Bill was waiting to find out if he had gotten his apprenticeship.
Only a few minutes later, Dedalus Diggle was escorted into the room.
"Ahhh, hello Arthur, old chap."
"Hello Dedalus. Thank you for meeting me here today."
"Of course, of course. I must say, this is a little awkward." Dedalus rubbed at the back of his neck before taking off his purple top hat and spinning it in his hands.
"What's awkward Dedalus."
"Arthur. I married the woman you love after you were cursed to leave her."
"Really? Is that the story you were told. Rest assured Dedalus, I have never, and will never, love Molly. This is one of the reasons I requested to see you today, I felt that you deserved to know the truth. It might help you to protect yourself."
"What are you talking about Arthur? I don't understand?"
Arthur picked up the old potions test that he had had done so many years before and handed it over.
"I had myself checked and purged years ago. Over the years, I have had to have many checks, and a few other purges. Molly and I have been living in separate rooms in the house for years.
The reason I finally said enough and kicked her out was because she threatened Charlie. I will never stand by and allow someone like her to hurt my children.
I thought you should know what to expect. When Molly wants something, she will do anything to get it, no matter how many people she has to hurt."
Dedalus just stared at the sheet in front of him. He had been used, and he knew it. And, there was nothing he could do about it, he owed Albus too much to risk going against him.
"I must thank you for your warning." Dedalus needed to come up with a plan. "You said one of the reasons, what else is it you wished to discuss?"
"The children. My older five boys have made themselves perfectly clear, they want nothing to do with Molly. But, the younger two, Ron and Ginny, have always preferred their mother. Molly has always babied them, so whenever they want something, they go to her.
Despite everything she did to me, they still love her, and I can't keep them away from her. I will be keeping primary custody, but I expect they will still be at your house a fair amount. I wrote up this list of rules that are must haves.
I do understand that you will have your own rules for your house, but these are the major ones that I have. I don't want them to take advantage of you, and, they will try. Trust me, they do take after Molly a great deal, but I am working on stopping that."
"Again, I must thank you. I will make sure that these rules are used at my house."
Dedalus left the meeting in a near state of shock. Everything he had been told was a lie, and all he could do was live with it, but that didn't mean he was going to make it easy for those that would use him.