Chapter: 10 The Separation of the Weasleys.
Sirius and the boys flooed to Minerva's office. As soon as Minerva saw Sirius, she hugged him tightly while Sirius returned the hug gladly. The boys then told Minerva about the trial and about how Dumbledore could not do much about it.
"We have to go to Gringotts tomorrow, Aunt Minnie. You should also come. Jamie told me that there was a letter for both of us to read on Harry's eleventh birthday in case anything happened to him before that. He told me he would tell you about it, but he did not get the time to do so." Sirius told a little sadly.
Minerva nodded just as her fireplace turned green. When all of them turned to look at the fireplace, they saw Augusta's face in it.
"I flooed to tell you that I will be taking Neville out of the school tomorrow to Gringotts and since you are the deputy headmistress, it would be good to tell you. You can inform the old coot. I think you will be getting a floo call from the Jordans and Arthur soon." She told. Minerva just nodded her head resigned to the fact that she would be the one to inform the headmaster. Dumbledore could not do anything as the guardians have the right to take their child from school on weekends, provided they inform the Head of the House and either the deputy head or the headmaster.
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Arthur Weasley was a Ministry worker, who worked in the Department of Misuse of Muggle Artifacts. He was an eccentric man, who loved his children a lot. He was not sure as to how he felt about his wife. In the beginning, when he had married her, he was in very much in love with her that he even walked out on his parents. He did not remember much about that day. After the birth of his Heir, Bill, he started questioning a few things as to why he had walked out on his parents. He respected his parents very much and he was very sure that he would never do such a horrible thing. He started suspecting that something was amiss the moment he held his little boy in his arms and he felt a clarity that he had not had for the past year. He also realized that he did not love his wife anymore. He immediately went to meet his parents and then told them about his suspicions.
He was thankful that there were certain Magicks that prevented him from telling Molly, who now used some sort of controlling potions in his food and even Love Potions, about his Heritage. The Magic that governed that secret only allowed the person to tell his bonded wife about their heritage and that was only after the bonding. Arthur had never bonded with his wife. They had eloped and married in a Muggle church. His parents had told him that he would not get his inheritance and only his children would receive it.
He was glad that his parents had decided that only his children who were truly Weasleys by both blood and Magic would receive the inheritance. He knew that sometimes, the child might receive the mother's maiden family's magic and though they might have the father's family Magicks, it would not be enough for him or her to inherit anything from the father's family except for the blood and the name. In those cases where the child is an only child, then one of the descendents of the child would receive the family Magicks, who would then inherit the rest of the vaults at Gringotts. Until then though, the Vaults would be unopened at Gringotts.
Once he had informed Molly about his parents' decision, she had thrown a fit and then told him that they needed to have more children. Though he was aware of the controlling potions in his blood stream, there was nothing he could do to neutralize it as those potions were exclusively the Prewitt family Magicks that could only be neutralized by the ones who had the family Magicks. The only good thing was that, once you were aware of the potion in your blood stream, it worked only when he was near his wife. In order to teach his children about a few things, he would take his children for walks and tell them stories about his parents. He also taught them about honor and how to always be honest.
He was not able to tell his children about his heritage when they were all present, and that made him suspicious that at least one of his children had the Prewitt Family Magicks. He was sure that his daughter had the Prewitt family as there had not been a female Weasley to inherit the Weasley family Magicks. He was also sure that one of the boys did not have the Weasley family Magicks and it was not Bill or Charlie as he had told the two of them about their heritage on their seventeenth birthday. Only after he received the letter from Ron and the Twins, he was able to confirm that Percy did not have the Weasley family Magicks. Ron had written about how he had an instant connection to Harry Potter and how his friends, the twins and he called themselves Glytherins. He knew he had to tell the boys about their heritage soon.
At present he was in his office at the Ministry of Magic, going over the events that had taken place that day. Sirius Black was tried and found to be innocent. He also learned that Scabbers was Peter Pettigrew who was hiding in his animagus form. He was thankful that the murderer was a coward and did not do anything to his children. The fireplace turned green indicating that someone was floo calling as no one got out of the fireplace. When he looked at the fireplace, he was surprised to see Augusta Longbottom's face.
"Lady Longbottom, what can I do for you today?" he asked his voice showing the surprise he felt.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Augusta, Arthur?" Augusta asked with a smile. "Anyway, I think it is time for us to disclose the secrets of our heritage to the children, Arthur. I have already spoken to Xeno, and he has agreed to come to Gringotts with Luna. Minerva and Sirius will be there with Harry. I have spoken to the Jordans as some new information has come to light, that only they would be able to clarify, and they have also agreed to bring Lee to Gringotts tomorrow to explain it. Will you bring your children, even the ones not in the country. We plan on doing the Heritage test for all of them." She said.
"I will talk to Bill and Charlie and ask them to floo over immediately. I will not be bringing Ginny as no female Weasley would ever inherit the family Magicks. I am doubtful about Percy, but I am sure that it will be certain once the heritage tests are done. If he has not inherited the Weasley family Magicks, we can send him back to Hogwarts before we explain it to the others." Arthur said.
Augusta agreed and left Arthur to his musings and then fire call Minerva, who had just gotten a call from the Jordans also, to inform her about taking the boys to Gringotts. He was wondering what to tell his wife, when she asked about it, if she came to know about him taking the boys out of school for the day. He was sure that the headmaster would inform her about it. He had seen the headmaster over the past summer a lot and hoped it was nothing bad.
He then fire-called Bill and Charlie and told them to floo over to Gringotts the next day and to tell the excuse that it was a family emergency, at work. He was sure the Goblins would agree as they would know what it was about.
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Dumbledore was sitting in his office after dinner, yet again trying to think of ways to get the custody of Harry, so that he would be able to mould him as he liked, when a knock was heard. He was startled out of his thoughts as he did not realize somebody had given the password to enter his office. He had a monitoring charm on the gargoyle and that was how he usually knew who was coming to his office. He cursed himself for not paying attention as he called out a "Come in". He was surprised to see it was Minerva McGonagall who came in.
"Ah, Minerva! What a surprise. Please do come in. What can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked.
"Headmaster. Well I have got a floo call from Augusta, Arthur and Michael Jordan earlier that they want to take their respected children out tomorrow. As Harry's guardian, Sirius and I have decided to take him out tomorrow as well, so that Harry can get to know us before we have to spend the holidays together." She told, managing to surprise Dumbledore further.
"Do you think it is wise to take Harry out of school, Minerva? It might not be safe." He said.
"Harry is going to stay with Sirius and I, Albus. Are you telling that I will not be able to protect the boy who is like my grandson? Are you insinuating that, Sirius, who is Harry's Godfather, is unable to protect the boy? I do not require your permission to take him out, by the way. I was only informing you that I would also be absent tomorrow so that you will not search for me. By the capacity of the Deputy Headmistress, I have the rights to give the guardians permission to take their children out for the day on a weekend. Only if they are missing their classes, your permission is required. By the way, Don't you dare try to take Harry away from me, or try to manipulate him here after. If you do, you would not like the consequences. Even if you are going to fire me from my job, I can easily get the wizengamot to issue a restraining order against you. You would do well to remember that you are no longer the chief of the wizengamot." Minerva told threateningly.
"Alright. Why are the other children being taken out?" he asked in a resigned voice, though he was seething on the inside.
"I do not make it a habit of asking the parents for their reasons. If that is all, I would like to leave and go inform my students about their outing tomorrow." She told crisply and left.
Dumbledore was seething at the way Minerva was speaking to him. He did not know why all of a sudden all these children were being taken out for the day. He also realized that except for Percy, all the other boys had come to the trial earlier that day. He was sure it had something to do with it. He was sure Ronald would tell him what was happening, but he was not sure about the other boys.
He floo called Molly Weasley and asked her if she knew why her husband was taking the boys out for the day, but she did not have any idea. She promised to look into it, and ask her husband about it and then tell him.
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The next day all the six boys were ready and were waiting for Percy to come down to the common room so that they could go to Minerva's office together. As soon as Percy came, the boys set off to Minerva's office and went inside when they heard a "come in" as they knocked. Augusta, Arthur and Michael were already there and they instructed the boys to floo to the Leaky Cauldron.
When they reached the Leaky Cauldron, they saw that Sirius, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley and Rose Jordan were sitting at a table waiting for them. As soon as Sirius saw Harry, he jumped up and pulled him into a hug, while the two elder Weasley boys greeted their siblings warmly and they were introduced to Harry and Neville. As soon as the others arrived, they sat down to eat. They were interrupted in between when Molly and Ginerva Weasley flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and made their way to the group.
"Why have you taken the boys out of school without informing me Arthur? Why are Bill and Charlie here rather than at work? What has gotten into you? You did not answer me yesterday when I asked you why you were taking the children out. You had the nerve to ignore me. ANSWER ME NOW." Molly Weasley screamed and would have attracted the attention of the other customers, had Sirius not put a silencing charm around them so that they were not over-heard.
"Shut up and sit down, you idiot woman. I have had enough of you and your controlling potions. You were never bonded to me by magic. Just a simple muggle wedding in the muggle church. You think, I did not have any idea about the potions you have been feeding me? I knew about it the moment I took Bill in my arms the day he was born. The Weasley Heir. Though the Weasley family Magick could not free me from the effects of the potion, it recognized that I had to be somewhat in control to pass on my family's legacy to the Heir. So the effect of the potion was reduced and as soon as I was aware of something being amiss, I went to my parents and told them. I was the one who told them to write it in their will that I will not be getting the inheritance, instead it will be going to my sons. I did not want your greedy hands on my family money. I was glad to work hard to buy some things for my children." Arthur told which made Molly go into a shock. After a few minutes, she had processed what he had told.
"What do you mean sons? What about our daughter?" she asked.
"Only those with the Weasley family Magicks can inherit anything in the vaults. A girl born in the Weasley family will never inherit the Weasley family Magicks. Hence, Ginerva will not have any inheritance. Though, if you want to confirm it, you may tag along with us, so that she can have the heritage test done to confirm my words." Arthur told calmly.
"Daddy, I don't want anything from your money. I will be richer than all of you when I become Lady Potter." Ginny told.
"Who told you that you were going to become the Lady Potter?" Sirius asked coolly.
"Don't you talk to my daughter, you murderer. You have no right to talk to her. You also have no right to have the guardianship of Harry. You are the one who murdered his parents. You better apologize…" Molly trailed off as she noticed that all of them were glaring at her while Harry had his wand pointed at her his eyes glaring daggers.
"You are the one who has to apologize. You have no right to talk to my godfather like that. He is no murderer. Are you telling you know what is good for me better than my own parents? Not only that, but, my godfather's question to your daughter is a valid one. Who the hell told you, you would become Lady Potter? I will not marry you even if you are the last woman on earth. Are you not a little young to be thinking those type of thoughts?" Harry snarled at the mother and daughter. The Weasleys other than Percy looked as if they agreed with Harry, though Arthur, Bill and Charlie did not know the full details of the plans Molly had with Dumbledore.
"Professor Dumbledore arranged a marriage contract for you with me which will be signed by him and my mother this summer, and it is an unbreakable contract." Ginny told despite her mother's efforts to shut her up.
"Dumbledore has no authority over me now. So your little dream will be just that. A dream." Harry told her a little harshly. Though he had never spoken like that to anyone, he could not help being harsh with them. They just rubbed him the wrong way.
After that, all of them went to Gringotts to find the Lovegoods waiting for them. They were greeted by an old goblin that looked familiar to Harry.
"Hello Griphook. How are you today?" Harry asked.
The goblin and all the others with him, other than his friends, Sirius, Minerva and Augusta stopped short astonished that Harry could remember the Goblin's name. Even those who knew Harry had photographic memory were slightly surprised, because most of the goblins looked alike and it was difficult to identify one after only one visit.
"I am well, Heir Potter-Black. Thank you for asking. You are a very unusual Wizard. Well, hope your business goes well. This is Lord Ragnock's office. He is waiting for you all." Griphook said and left.
The group entered the lavish looking office which was decorated in mild brown colours with many of the painting of various goblin wars. When they were all seated, the goblin who looked older than Griphook and was more regal, gave each of the youngsters a green colour potion and told them to drink it. All of them made disgusted face as they drank the foul tasting potion. After 5 minutes, each of them were made to put a few drops on the parchment before them which Ragnock took from all of them so that Molly and the Weasleys who did not inherit anything did not see anything that should not be seen.
After a few minutes of waiting, Ragnock announced that among the Weasleys, Percy and Ginny did not inherit any of the Weasley Family Magicks and that, it was so low that, it was doubtful if even their descendants would inherit it. Molly, Ginny and Percy were informed to leave Gringotts as they had no more business there.
"I have a right to know what my children are inheriting. You had no right to keep it a secret from me. Now you are also excluding two of your other children. I will be staying and I demand a portion of it for Percy and Ginny." She said.
"You have no right to be here. I only stayed with you so long for the sake of my children. But since they know the truth about you now, it is time I did what I have to now. 'I, Arthur Weasley, Head of the Noble and Honourable house of Weasley, hereby state that the marriage between Molly Prewitt and myself is null and void. So mote it be.'" Arthur said.
"Father, how can you side with the arrogant brat Potter? Did you not see how he spoke to mother and Ginny?" Percy asked, shocked that his father, who was a mild mannered man nullified his marriage. For what? A little bit of controlling potions? He found it absurd that his mother would do that.
"The Weasley Family will always support the Potters, Percy. Even if you do not have enough of the family Magicks, if you are loyal to your family, you can support. But if you had not noticed, it was due to your mother calling his godfather a murderer, made Harry speak to your mother like that. I have no hope for Ginny after the way she spoke at the Leaky Cauldron. It is obvious that, she has been brainwashed by your mother. But you will always be welcomed by us." Arthur said.
"I am sorry father. It is clear that you will not be with mother. But my loyalty is to mother only. Anyway, it is clear that I don't have the Weasley family Magicks. I will embrace my mother's family, the Prewitt's Magicks and also their name. You do not have to worry about me anymore. Come mother. Let us leave." Percy told turning to his mother.
Arthur watched sadly as his third son left the family altogether. Before they were out of hearing distance, Arthur called out, "You are no longer welcomed at the Burrow Molly. All three of your things will be delivered to the Leaky Cauldron by tonight. You may collect it from Tom."
As the three former Weasleys left Gringotts, the rest of the group was escorted to a meeting hall where they could talk freely without the chance of being overheard or disturbed.