Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Parental Influences
It was late in the evening when Lord Flint let himself in via floo. "Lockhart is now pleading innocent by reason of insanity", he said when he caught sight of all of us sitting around the kitchen table at the Burrow. Despite not being invited, Mr. and Mrs. Pucey had also decided to visit with us after today's… events.
"Can he do that?" Mum asked from where she was sitting with her knitting. The Pucey had brought dinner with them; claiming that it would be awful if Mum had to cook after a day like today. So, for once, Mum had some free time to kill. I'm not sure if she's enjoying it.
Flint Senior decided to occupy the chair across from Mum; nodding in greeting to everyone else as he did so. "Usually no, but after the performance he put on in court and that startling admittance from your daughter", here Flint Senior paused to send me a displeased expression. Which I returned with an eye roll. "The judge was inclined to believe that might be some truth to the claim".
And Flint Senior wasn't exaggerating. After my unplanned comment about how Lockhart had gained his fame, many things happened. The judge struggled to bring the court to order; reminding everyone that what I had just said was not something Lockhart was currently accused of and was therefore not something to be considered in this court case. Despite that, what I said couldn't be taken back or forgotten. When Lockhart's lawyer was given permission to resume the questioning, he was clearly flummoxed and announced he was done soon after.
Neither Mum, Dad, or I saw what happened after that because I got dismissed. The court didn't want 'the poor child' (cue eye roll) to see and hear things that would traumatize her further. So, we went home. Where I had come up with some way to explain exactly how I knew what I knew. When the Puceys came over with dinner; a full rotisserie chicken with stuffing and asparagus, they also filled us in with what happened after we left. Snape was called to the stands. And despite the distracted attention of everyone, he was able to give his scathing opinion regarding Lockhart's character. Mrs. Pucey also shared that Snape had been asked about my character. If he felt I was an honest student or a student who frequently sought out attention. Be it through positive or negative means. Apparently, Snape had said that I had the unfortunate habited of getting involved in childish pranks and antics. I had a knack for finding myself in troubling situations and was nauseatingly dependent on my brothers. But he had never caught me in a lie and I was one of his quieter students. And as one of the few Gryffindors to befriend a Slytherin, I was an almost decent judge of character. So, thanks, Professor Snape… I guess.
After Snape, it was Lockhart's turn. And according to the Puceys, that's when things really took a turn. I may have been the catalyst, but Lockhart was the reaction. We were told that he refused to answer most questions and instead ranted about how he was You-know-Who resurrected with the purpose of returning all purebloods to a righteous path and destroy all who would oppose him. The bastard was lying by telling the truth with just a few added details.
"So, young lady", Lord Flint started as he turned his attention to me; his voice in a low scolding tone. "Care to tell me what you've learned from this experience?" What was he now? My father?
Working around the mouthful of food I had in my mouth, I said, "That I should take a vow of silence and never open my mouth again".
Lord Flint's nose wrinkled in disgust. "I'd settle if you merely kept your mouth close while eating. Is that ice cream?"
From his spot next to me, Mr. Pucey nodded serenely. Along with dinner, he had brought the ice cream he had mentioned getting earlier. He had brought enough for everyone and then some. Including sprinkles. "Mint Chocolate chip". Mr. Pucey said as an answer. "Would you care for a scoop, Marius?"
Mr. Pucey was ignored as Flint Senior shook his head. It would seem that everyone in Adrian's dad's circle accepted his eccentric quirks and personality flares. As if Mr. Pucey hadn't said anything to him, Flint Senior continued; directing his words at me. "What about the importance of not keeping secrets from your legal counsel?"
I shrugged, but this time didn't speak until my mouth was free of minty goodness. "I didn't hire you and I wasn't the one on trial".
Done with me, Flint Senior waved a dismissive hand in my direction before turning to Mum and Dad. Meanwhile, Mr. Pucey was shaking more sprinkles into my bowl. Hard to believe that half of Adrian's DNA, as stern and rigid as he is, came from this man. "Marcellus, I think that's enough", Mrs. Pucey hissed in a whisper to her husband from where she was sitting on my other side. I'm not sure how I ended up sitting between the Puceys. But at this point in the day, I don't really care to question things anymore.
"With the stunt Lockhart pulled today, any attention directed at your daughter should be minimal and easily managed". Lord Flint informed Mum and Dad. "I'm not anticipating the press being a concern for much longer".
Dad shifted in his chair as he found his words. "What if Lockhart is deemed insane? Will he go free?" And there was a chilling thought.
"No", Lord Flint was quick to assure. "No. The evidence stacked against him is too great. I think that became apparent today during your daughter's testimony. So, he claimed insanity. All Lockhart's doing is exchanging a cell at Azkaban for a bed at St. Mungo's".
"So…", I spoke slowly; making sure my mouth was empty before talking. "Does this mean it's over?" Lord Flint snorted and I quickly back-peddled. "I mean for me. It's over for me".
Mum and Dad stole a couple of glances but left it up to Lord Flint to answer; completely out of their element. "Actively speaking, your participation is over. I doubt you'll be called back to give more detail about your slip of the tongue in today's court hearing. But that doesn't mean that you won't be on the receiving end of a lot of attention. You'll have to keep up appearances".
I didn't hear Flint Senior beyond the 'your part is over' bit. Turning towards Mum and Dad, I asked again. "So, I can go back to school?"
But again, Flint Senior answered for them. "That actually leads into our next point of business". I scowled at the man for stopping my parents from answering me again. Meanwhile, the Puceys continued sitting in the background; listening. "I never heard your final decision on the matter of holding Hogwarts accountable for their incompetence".
Dad opened his mouth, but I bet him to it. "No".
"Holly", Mum tried to step in before I went too far.
But I had been gearing for a fight since this morning and kept going. "We're not suing the school. What good would that do?"
"Bring wealth to your family", Lord Flint imputed.
I kept going like I hadn't heard him. "Six of us still have to finish school. Ginny has six more years to go. Do you want us to have to sit in class with teachers who knew that we sued them because our parents thought they weren't good at their jobs?"
"There's a difference between suing an institution and suing individuals", Flint Senior chimed in, but this time, my parents were listening to what I was saying.
"And if we did sue, the only thing anyone is going to focus on is how the poor Weasley family took advantage of something awful to get money. There's already going to be enough whispering when I finally get to go back to school. Please don't make it worse for us by giving them something else to gossip about".
Despite having raised my voice to several different adults, neither Dad nor Mum looked like they were waning in patience. Instead, they choose to tell Lord Flint their answer. As if I hadn't said anything at all. "We've decided not to hold the school accountable", Mum said warily.
I felt a weight lifted off my chest and I was able to return to my serving of ice cream with relative ease. "Shame", Lord Flint commented as he crossed his arms. "I was looking forward to dismantling the Hogwarts Educational system".
A moment passed where Dad, Mum, and I were all passing looks. Trying to discern why Flint Senior hadn't excused himself from our home now that his business was complete and wondering how we could ask him to leave without being impolite.
Mrs. Pucey, who's always able to read a room, primly interjected before any of us could come up with a plan of action. "There is one last matter we wanted to discuss. We wanted to wait until we all had time to recover, but since Marius is here perhaps it's prudent to discuss it now". And didn't that sound intriguing. With her fingers held together and an open palm, Mrs. Pucey gestured to Lord Flint.
Nodding in acceptance of the pass-off, Lord Flint pulled a roll of parchment seemingly out of nowhere. He handed it to Dad and began talking before Dad could even unroll it. "My purpose here is to act as a mediator between both parties. The Puceys approached me prior to the start of all this business with Lockhart to start drafting a contract of betrothal between the house of Pucey and the house of Weasley".
Judging by the uncomfortable expressions on Mum's and Dad's faces, a betrothal contract was exactly what Dad was currently holding.
"Under normal circumstances, we wouldn't have proposed this until the children were both in their last year of school as is tradition. But given all the dust stirred up by current events, Marcellus and I thought agreeing on a plan for the future might offer some protection in the present". Mrs. Pucey's words were placating at best. I doubted their sincerity. Especially because what Flint Senior said conflicted with what Mrs. Pucey said. If they were planning on waiting until seventh year, why write a contract years in advance?
Flint Senior continued without allowing Mum or Dad to react; without giving them time to process. I suspected it was on purpose. "At its bones, it's a standard betrothal contract". From his spot next to me, Mr. Pucey shifted. He was so quiet, I almost forgot he was there. "By signing, both parties are agreeing that the children will remain in a monogamous relationship with each other throughout their courtship and marriage. And after they are legally wed, the house of Pucey pledges one thousand galleons to the house of Weasley".
Mum visibly bristled at that. Because, no matter how eloquently Lord Flint put it, he was suggesting that Mum and Dad sell me to the Puceys. I looked at everyone in the room one at a time; from Flint Senior to Mum to Dad to Mrs. Pucey to Mr. Pucey. Not one of them was looking at me. Right, because my opinion on this matter was clearly the least important.
Misreading Mum's anger… or maybe acting like he had misread, Lord Flint said, "I know. The bride price is low. But we are in the early stages of negotiations. I advise you to request more".
"Marius", Mrs. Pucey spoke in annoyance. It was the first time I've ever heard her express that emotion at anyone other than her husband.
"There are also stipulations in place", Flint Senior continued as if he hadn't offered his input. "That would render the contract null if either of the involved parties acts in violence or malice against the other. And being modern thinkers-"
I snorted in the background. Nothing about this screamed forward-thinking.
"Added that either of the children can break the contract at any time without penalty prior to their marriage". Flint Senior continued as if I hadn't made a sound.
With shifty eyes to see if anyone saw a flaw in that line of logic, I threw my hands up. "Then want's the point of the contract if Adrian and I can break it off at any moment?"
Dad jumped and looked in my direction as if he had forgotten I was in the room. Meanwhile, Mum was gripping her hands together so tightly that her skin was turning colorless. I'm surprised she hasn't exploded yet.
"Think of it as an investment". Mr. Pucey tried.
My eyebrows slanted inwards. "An investment in what? My virginity?" I asked incredulously.
Immediately, all three males sitting at the table engaged in various expressions of discomfort. Mr. Pucey was gaping like a fish. Dad had turned so red in the face that his complexion matched my hair. While Lord Flint let out a breathless laugh; refusing to look at me.
Mum was very unamused as she glared down the table at me, while Mrs. Pucey was handling my outburst better than anyone else. "Agreeing to this now would offer you a level of protection. It would limit what people could say to you or who could approach you because of your signed loyalty to us. Likewise, it would give Adrian…" Mrs. Pucey paused as she thought over her words. "Give him a reason to turn down certain company". Okay… that was… mysterious.
Mum's voice tremored as her emotions tried to break free from the restraint she had on them. "We believe that Holly and Adrian should be allowed to make their own decisions about relationship". Dad nodded to show his support.
"Oh, we agree". Mr. Pucey said; now suddenly involved in tonight's conversation beyond ice cream. "This will ensure nothing stands in the children's way. Though we mentioned our plans to Adrian. He told us you wouldn't be fond of the idea". Mr. Pucey said all of this with a detached air. As if it was merely an academic interest to him and it wasn't his son's personal life he was discussing.
But I could tell it rubbed Mum and Dad the wrong way. "Can I see that?" I asked; pointing at the contract Dad was still holding.
Wordlessly, he handed it to me; all his attention on the Puceys. "Think of it more as a statement than anything else". Mrs. Pucey said in an attempt to soothe the feathers Mr. Pucey had ruffled. "The children would be free to do as they like with little interference from outside influences".
I studied the parchment as Mum and Dad started to go back and forth with the Puceys; arguing what was right and wrong; claiming what was relevant and irrelevant. It was good quality parchment. Thicker than the type we used in school for note-taking.
"They're just children", Mum stated indignantly. "They shouldn't be thinking about marriage at their age".
With my mind made up, I stood up; effectively cutting the parental bickering short. Honestly, I think I had my mind made up as soon as Lord Flint mentioned a betrothal contract.
Aware that everyone was watching me, I took my time walking over to the kitchen hearth. Ready for this impossible day to be over, I tossed the contract into the fire without a hesitant thought. Rolling my left shoulder to work out a kink in my muscle, I turned around. The sight of four gaping adults and a singular snickering awaited me. I'll let you guess who was doing what. Still feeling unbothered by this… nonsense, I continued. This time, heading for the stairs. At the base of said stairs, I turned around. "Good night, everyone", I said so calmly that I even surprised myself.
The countryside blurred by as the Hogwarts express ran at full steam. I sat in a compartment staring out the window with my chin resting in my hand. It seemed silly to me that they sent the train to King's Cross to pick up one student. Especially since Mum and I had flooed home when she had pulled me from school. But like many things that had taken place, no one asked my opinion.
What's more, I wasn't riding alone. Across from me sat Lord Flint. He had one leg on top of his other with the Daily Prophet balanced on both; working on the crossword. Why were we sharing a compartment when we had an entire train to ourselves? I have no idea. And Flint Senior wasn't forthcoming when I had asked. Instead, he had asked a question of his own. "What do you call a famous journalist? Seven letters. First letter S, last letter R".
So, I was left to speculate. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled to be in his presence. Especially after he tried to convince my parents to sell me to the Puceys. I swear purebloods are crazy.
Since my trunk had never made it back from Hogwarts, I was traveling lightly in terms of clothes and other personal items. But Mum had sent me off with tins of baked goods. "For your birthday", she had said. "Make sure you, Fred, and George share with all your friends". She had also entrusted me with three wrapped packages; small enough to be carried in my bookbag, and with the instructions not to open them until the first. Which, obviously means that it's our birthday presents.
At around noon, Lord Flint folded up his paper and cleared his throat. An action that's easily ignored; but since it was coming from him, I found myself feeling irrationally annoyed. "Out of curiosity", Flint Senior started, sounding very much like his son. "Why did you so adamantly refuse the betrothal contract?"
My eyes flickered away from the window to Flint Senior as I tried to decide if his question was genuine or if he was trying to lull me into a conversation. He is a lawyer, after all.
"Because I don't want Adrian's and my relationship to be seen as a business deal or to be treated like a monetary asset". If my voice sounded bitter, Lord Flint didn't comment.
His upper lip curled back in what I'm sure he thought was a social expression. "There will be others, you know". Flint Senior warned.
"Others what?" I asked, already wanting this conversation to be over.
"Offers. For you and the Pucey heir". I rolled my eyes at his answer. This wasn't the first I was hearing of this. But it was bothersome coming from him. "Maybe it was wise to refuse the Puceys".
"I didn't refu-" I was cut off.
"You might get better offers. One from families of greater means. Enough to ensure your parents live comfortably in their old age".
Scoffing, I returned to staring out the window. "Right, because the people you're talking about want their sons to many a blood traitor". Not that I would ever want anyone but Adrian. My relationship wasn't planned but now that I was in one, I wasn't interested in letting go and pursuing another.
There was a pregnant pause, and I could feel Lord Flint's eyes on me. "You don't realize what you and your sister have accomplished".
"What does Ginny have to do with any of this?" My question went unanswered.
"Our circles were happy to exclude the Weasley family based on how they were living their lives".
"You mean with honesty and integrity". I was ignored again.
"But then one generation grew and made friends with the right people". I was half-tempted to ask who the 'right people' were. But decided not to encourage this conversation further. "And now allegiances are changing. You have successfully endeared the Puceys to you, and your sister the Carrows. Your Sister's sorting into Slytherin and your family's acceptance of her has done wonders for your family's reputation. And now your parents are beginning to turn away from Dumbledore's moral philosophy due to these changes".
Pulling my attention away from the window again, I glared at Lord Flint. "Dumbledore isn't wrong".
"He isn't right either". Flint Senior countered. "That's the thing about philosophy. There's no correct answer". Flint Senor shifted in his seat as he uncrossed his legs. "If you managed to learn anything from this experience, it should be the importance of where you align your interests".
And begrudgingly, I saw his point. It was Adrian's affection for me that saved me from Lockhart. It was the Puceys' love for their son that bought me their support. And it was their friendship with Flint that afforded me legal counsel.
"So, you should ask yourself; who is going to help you get where you want to be". Flint drove his point home.
I thought that was the end of it, so I turned back to the window and didn't react when I heard rustling paper. Figuring that Flint Senior was just returning to his newspaper. But he called for my attention again. "For example, you might consider my own family".
I faced him just in time to be handed a substantial roll of parchment. With my forehead crinkling in annoyance, I unrolled the top of it to see an elegant script spell 'Contract of Betrothal to the House of Flint'. I started choking on air as Flint Senior kept talking.
"Now, of course, The Flint name has more pull than the Puceys. And I would be willing to pay your parents handsomely if you agreed to marry Marcus. I've also stipulated in the contract that you would be afforded a monthly allowance of fifty galleons on top of any living expenses you accumulate.
Fifty Galleons! My mind raged as I gripped the contract tight enough to wrinkle the edges of the parchment. And that's without reading past the title.
"And a bonus of a hundred galleons for every child you bare for the Flint family". Lord Flint continued; as if he couldn't read the room.
"This is because my mum managed to have eight kids, isn't it?" I interjected to stop Flint from continuing; recalling that very uncomfortable conversation I had with Adrian last year.
Lord Flint was unmoved. "It was quite the accomplishment", he agreed before continuing. Unfortunately. "As my only child and heir, Marcus will inherit my title. Which means you would be a lady. We'll have to educate you on elocution and proper social customs. But I think you'll enjoy being a lady of leisure. Though if you are determined to pursue a career, I could arrange an apprenticeship with my firm. You'll need some polishing. You'll need to learn how to lie and we need to work on that awful habit of yours to blurt out whatever you're feeling. But I believe you have potential. Marcus doesn't share my passion for law and I do worry about the future of my practice".
As Flint Senior continued to prattle on, I stood up. With the roll of parchment in one hand, I made quick work of opening the compartment window. The roar of rushing air briefly drowned out Flint Senior as I chucked his contract out the window without a second thought. Exhaling loudly and deeply, I shut the window; not realizing that the compartment had fallen silent. Until I was facing Flint Senior. He's smiling at me. The same smile he gave me when he found my antics more entertaining than anything else. This git. "I have no interest in anyone but Adrian. And if it doesn't work out between us for whatever reason, I have no problem living with my brothers and take up the role of crazy spinster aunt who owns too many pygmy puffs". After the words flew out of my mouth, I dropped down into my seat with a huff. Flint Senior was still smiling.
I was still fuming when we stepped off the platform at Hogsmeade. But the sight that was waiting for me was enough to soothe my irritation…. Most of it.
Adrian stood shoulder to shoulder with Flitwick. Or rather side by side since it's hard to stand shoulder to shoulder with Flitwick. Adrian's dressed in his school uniform with his Slytherin cloak fastened over his shoulders and his grey scarf around his neck. A sight for sore eyes if there ever was one.
Our eyes found each other and we were both stepping away from our respective adult companions. It took about five steps from each of us before I was close enough to throw my arms around him. Adrian had no complaints as he wrapped his arms around my middle and squeezed me tight. We didn't separate until we heard the voices of Flitwick and Lord Flint greeting each other.
I shivered in the chilling night air as Adrian pinned me with his grey eyes. A second later he sighed an unsurprising sigh and reached up to unwrapped his grey scarf from his neck. "You're pathetic", he said as he wrapped it around my neck.
The smells of mint and pine filled my nose and I didn't care what he called me. Because at that moment, I was with a person who truly saw me. "I missed you too", I retorted.
Adrian made a sound at the back of his throat to signal that he heard me as Flitwick called us over. "Pucey, Weasley, let's go. The carriage is waiting".
Adrian took my arm and we followed behind the two adults. Letting there be enough space between us and them so we could talk without being overheard. "I want it back, by the way. My scarf", Adrian clarified.
"Then you shouldn't have given it to me in the first place", I countered but was already making plans to return it as soon as we stepped foot in the castle. "Where's Fred and George?" I asked. Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled to see Adrian. But… it felt off that my fellow triplets weren't here. This was the longest we've ever been a part and all I wanted was to find them and stay close. It was difficult to imagine that they wanted something different.
"I think they're serving detention tonight. Though I can't say what for", Adrian answered as the carriage came into view and we saw Flitwick and Flint Senior climb in. As always, two thestrals were pulling it. Then Adrian answered the unspoken part of my question. "It was requested that I'd be here with Professor Flitwick to greet you".
"Why?" I asked quietly as we drew closer to the carriage. Though I was already forming a guess.
Adrian didn't have an answer. But instead of admitting it, he chose to ask his own question. "Why did Lord Flint accompany you?"
I shrugged, because other than the strange exchange we had on the train, I saw no reason for Flint senior to be here. Just out of hearing the distance of the carriage, I stopped; forcing Adrian to do the same. We turned and faced each other. "Did you know your parents offered my parents one thousand galleons if I agreed to marry you?"
The look on Adrian's face said it all. First, he frowned before his face morphed into a pained expression. "I told them not to", he assured me.
Knowing what I was about to say that would make this worse for him, I gave Adrian a half-smile. "I liked their offer better than Lord Flint's. He promised me a hundred galleons for every kid I have with his son". I kept my tone flat and my face blank to express how unimpressed I was with everything that had happened since Lord Flint came into my life.
Adrian copied my expression and a moment passed of just the two of us staring deadpanned at each other; both preparing for what was probably going to be an awkward carriage ride up to the castle. "Next time we're in Hogsmeade", Adrian said after a few seconds. "I'll make it up to you".