Bonds
By: Tara
Summary: Post Hogwarts. HPDM. Obsession leads to Judgement. Ancient powers hold the wisdom of generations and a balance must be maintained. "Everything in the Name of the Family".
Author's Note: Nearly completed, will be posting each chapter every few days.
Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer applies. The concept for this story is mine.
Genres: Romance, Humor, Drama, Supernatural, Action/Adventure, Suspense, Who Knows...
Rating: Not too bad… I think a simple R will do…. ^.^
WARNINGS: Dangerous Muse, Slowly click away...,
Chapter four: Clan
Prince paced back and forth in the marbled hallway. This was a massive waste of time. He came to a stop and closed his eyes, mentally willing the aggravation out of his tense posture. It was another hour before the door opened and an older man waved him in.
In a flourish of robes and an air resonating pure rage which made the older man's heart constrict in sudden fear, Prince strode in and with the wave of his gloved hand, halted any words forming on the tongues of the pathetic fools before him, sending out a trickle of wandless magic to do his bidding.
"You incompetent fools," he spoke calmly. "Your arrogance and stupidity astounds me. To think, you thought it would help anyone to have me in that hallway for three hours while there are innocent people out there. Not to mention the fact that you basically plan to murder Harry Potter yourselves."
Prince would have spit at the fools and their shocked, denying expressions if he hadn't been raised with the decorum of a Malfoy.
"I will tell you this once again, and this will be the last time. I hope your feeble, puny minds can handle processing the information this time." Prince dropped the glamour and allowed those before him see him. "I, Lord Prince, once named Draconis Lucious Malfoy, am bonded through a dragon blessed ritual with one Harry James Potter. As Mr. Potter is currently suffering from a Silent Sorrow and since none of you seem to be in any hurry to find out which one or how to cure him, you are wasting my time. In fact, I find your entire presence in the world to be annoying and a waste.
"You think to dictate me to go door to door, finding a way to cure each person conflicted with the most recent outbreak, insisting that I cure your own relatives first, not even granting me any time to see to Harry. Which, by the way, you have been informed continuously that without my presence, his health proceeds to deteriorate. In case you haven't figured it out, this makes you murderers if he dies. A fate that will be brought to trial before the Dragon Counsel and not within wizarding courts where I am sure you all believe that you have sway to keep you from any punishment.
"Right now, I could charge you with impending upon a dragon bonded from protecting his mate. The Dragon Counsel does not take lightly to incompetent fools and they care less for stupid wizards with no true concept of magic. My bond with Harry Potter ensures that we are the most powerful wizards of the century and it is common knowledge that he holds no love for wizarding government.
"So," Prince finally paused. "If you waste my time again, I will actively seek to bring you all before the Dragon Counsel." He waved his left hand and scrolls appeared before each person. "This is the schedule I will keep to. You will have no say in this matter. My loyalties are to Harry Potter first and the Dragons second. After that are those I considered allies and loyal. Near the bottom of my list are the names of those in this room with me now. I have no care to be in your presence ever again." The glamour went back up. "And if I see any of you again, if any of you think to order me to do your bidding or think me your pawn, I will show you just why, exactly, you do not mess with someone born and raised within the Malfoy line."
Prince turned and left with the same graceful presence and magnificently billowing robes that he came in with. Eight people sat in that room without moving for a few minutes before one man turned to speak to the woman next to him, only to find that he had no voice.
~.~.~.o.~.~.~
Those of the red hair and freckled faces were gathered together to discuss the matter of the youngest of their family clan. For once, not a single one of them was indulging themselves even though a healthy presentation of food was set before them. Every one of them had a grim expression and no one seemed ready to speak first.
It was some time before the youngest one present, a young man with a single gold band upon his left hand- the only adornment of jewelry upon him- heaved a huge sigh of resignation and placed his head in his hands. His actions set off a wave of other sighs, all seemingly in agreement.
Two men with near identical features, whom normally always had a joke or prank at hand, wore the gravest looks of the bunch. This was not a lightly affair, by any means. Although their clan was looked down upon for their lack of wealth and social standing, they still held to their pure blood traditions and regulations, especially in matters of the family. In attendance at the moment was the majority of the male presence of the family, and thus if a decision was made, it would hold all the power as if the Head of the Weasley's himself had done so.
In fact, the eldest present was fingering his own ruby studded silver Heir of House ring, brows furrowed. His dashing blue eyes dark with turmoil. As he looked around him at his brothers, he knew what they were about to discuss would impact their family greatly. He could only imagine the pain their mother will go through.
Finding that he was unable to work his own voice, Charlie placed his hand on his brother, Bill, and silently pleaded with him to start the talks. Bill's eyes held much of the same turmoil, but experiences and a life being brothers with Charlie, allowed the two the same ability to understand and know the other as their younger twin brothers were able to.
Gathering what will he had, Bill managed to clear his throat and all heads turned his way.
"We all know why we have been gathered," Bill began. "After the full weight of actions taken by one of our own blood, and given the circumstances, a discussion must be held." Bill looked to Charlie, waiting for the eldest son to carrying on the impromptu meeting.
"I, Charles Tobias Weasley, Heir of the House of Weasley, do hereby invoke the rite of hearsay. All those present, state your names."
"William Arthur Weasley."
"George Franklin Weasley."
"Fredrick Greg Weasley."
"Ronald Bilius Weasley."
Charlie nodded to all of them. "The one in question is our youngest sibling, Ginevra Molly Weasley, only daughter of Molly née Prewett Weasley and Arthur Louis Weasley. As Heir of the house of Weasley, I hereby invoke the rite of clan trial and the rite of majority blood."
The room tensed as all the Weasley men present felt the weight of Charlie's words and the swirl of magic roping through all of them.
"All those here are confined by the rites of the Clan of Weasley and therefore must make a final say." Charlie could feel his clan ring throbbing upon his finger. "Discussion and debate may now commence."
Bill caught Charlie as the man slumped. The others present spared a brief moment to look upon their brother in concern before the magic began to push them into speaking.
"Although a severe punishment should be in equal to the crime committed," George paused and shook his head.
"Our hearts are pained by the weight of the affects," Fred continued.
"And yet this is not something that can be left unaccounted for any longer," Ron finished.
Bill shook his head. "Harry Potter was accepted into this family as a member of love and magical ties. Although not of our birth or blood, the crimes committed against him and his person cannot be ignored."
"She was always obsessed with Harry in school," Ron added. "And when he saved her the first year she was there, it just made things worse."
"The Ginny we saw yesterday is not the little sister we know," Fred stated.
"And yet, she is our sister," George spoke. "And her actions have placed a family member in a position of being considered in harm's way. She has impeded upon his recovery and has in fact made Harry's situation much worse."
"Not to mention staking claim as another's wife without consent and theft," Fred said with a grim tone. "By claiming all the gifts sent to Harry and granting herself power within his home, she has violated too many long held beliefs and laws held within the clan."
"But how do we find a punishment worthy of balancing the crime without," Ron trailed off, unable to speak of the unwanted ostracism.
"That is a good question little brother," Bill intoned. "The crux of which we all find ourselves unable to solve. The actions and results call for it, and yet, just the affect that would have on our mother would be devastating."
The group took a solemn moment to think about their mother.
"And yet," Charlie spoke up. "And yet, and yet, and yet. I know this is hard, but we need to think of what actions that the Clan of Weasley is going to take upon Ginny. Worst case scenario, she will be ostracized from the clan with no rites to claim and without blood aid. This is something that we are here to avoid. So stop thinking on it and start thinking of other things that we may be able to compile into a punishment worthy enough to balance her crimes, bring pride and honor back to our family, and save us from losing a little sister in the process."
Charlie's no nonsense voice seemed to pull his brother's out of their doomed thoughts and to the challenge at hand. The Heir of the Weasley Clan had no doubt that those before him could do it. They could save their family which was in threat of being torn apart.
Bill squeezed the hand he held, drawing Charlie's gaze to him. The second son nodded his support and Charlie felt strength flow through him.
"Alright, Weasleys," Bill took over. "Let's get to work."
~.~.~.o.~.~.~
Hermione didn't bother to hide the fact that she kept looking at the door to the casual dining room. The Weasley men had been in there for over two hours already. All Ron told her was, "those of the blood clan must meet and talk. This may take some time." Between her worry about them and the recently acquired information regarding Ginny, Hermione found herself at a loss.
"Do not fret. Though it will take much time, I have faith in those boys."
Hermione looked over to Dr Winters as she entered the formal dining room. The doctor was dressed quite causally. "That is not a lightly conversation. From what I have learned about clan rites, this will impact the entire family. I can only imagine what it will do to their mother."
Aggie nodded. "You're mother too. When a person is accepted into a Clan as family, it means completely. They are magically tied to the Clan and hold all Clan rights, as well as being held to all the Clan's laws."
Hermione nodded sadly. Sipping her tea, she continued to sit silently, watching the door, and waiting.
Agatha spared her a sad smile before leaving the room. No use worrying over circumstances. She had some research to get back to.
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