Chapter 16: Retribution
Arthur Weasley sat behind his desk at the Ministry. His complexion pale and ashen, his red hair no longer its fiery bright shade. In his hands, he had a summons from Lord Potter. Mr. Weasley's hands shook and wrinkled the parchment. Sweat collected on his brow. The letter gave him the worse kind of chills. Did he do something wrong? Did his children unknowingly do something against the interests of the Alliance? He doubted it. The summons was very specific. Come immediately. He talked to his boss and feigned feeling ill so that he could leave right away.
William Weasley took his older brother duties very seriously. When he was asked to meet with his boss, he was unconcerned. Ever since Charlie and him stopped helping his parents out and he was able to focus more on his main full-time job, he had been outperforming most other curse-breaker rookies. His shock upon finding a summons from Lord Charlus Potter for a House Trial was absolute. His boss gave him permission, wished him luck, and he took the portkey attached to the letter which delivered him in Gringotts as Charlie was just landing.
"Brother!" Charlie hugged Bill tightly.
"Please tell me you know what this is about," Bill replied as he squeezed his brother.
"I have no idea. But my boss… Well, she says this type of summons is usually reserved for alliances when something is wrong," Charlie frowned.
"Alliances? The Weasley family has never been in an alliance, have we?" Bill asked, his face going pale.
"If you don't know… I surely don't. Unless," Charlie stopped talking because a tiny blur ran towards his arms.
"Charlie!" Ginny exclaimed, hugging him and then jumping into a reticent Bill's arms. "I missed you so much!"
"Ginny, where is Molly?" Bill asked, putting the girl down. He was shocked at her exuberance displayed in front of goblins and in these circumstances.
"Come, she's waiting for you."
They followed Ginny to the outside of an office that had a sign that read "Account Manager Sharptooth, The Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter."
Bill and Charlie shared a worried look. Was this about Ronald? Their mother either didn't know what was going on or simply decided not to tell them. Arthur would have to answer their questions. William looked around and was surprised to see that Fred and George looked sad and worried. He squeezed them briefly as to let them know he was there for them. Charlie did the same to Percy, who was quite scared. After all, he had always been nervous around goblins. Their mother seemed to have her mind elsewhere. She didn't even smother them as she usually did. The only Weasley that was seemingly happy was Ginny. She was over the moon at meeting a Mr. Potter, even if this one wasn't the one she wanted.
Arthur walked into Gringotts with strong heart palpitations. He was scared. Being around goblins didn't put his mind at ease. Any one of those creatures could chop his head off. It was well-known that if you messed with The Alliance, you messed with the Goblin Nation. Mr. Weasley didn't like his odds. Surely this wasn't about that letter. No one knew about that.
"I am here to see Lord Potter," he bowed to the goblin at the entrance.
The warrior seemed torn between wanting to split the Weasley patriarch in half with his sword and the orders he had to bring him in unharmed. "Follow me."
Outside Sharpotooth's office, he found his family, all of them except for Ronald. They seemed equal parts confused and scared except for his oldest son, who looked ready to cast a myriad of curses on his father.
"What the bloody hell did you do, Arthur?!" Bill whisper shouted.
"Hello, William. I see you are doing better," Arthur looked at the young man and saw he seemed less tired and pale.
"Hello, my ass. Tell me. What did you do? What alliance are you a part of? Why the hell were we summoned too?!" Bill whispered all this close to his father's ear.
"Nothing. I think… We will find out soon enough," Mr. Weasley knocked.
Inside Sharptooth's office, not a sound was heard other than the tick-tock of the clock. Lord and Lady Potter, Lady Greengrass, Lady Longbottom, and Jonsy sat on a sofa. Sharptooth scribbled some notes. A knock made them all take a collective deep breath. Today was going to be challenging. Lord Potter nodded at Sharptooth.
"Enter," Sharptooth said slowly.
Arthur bowed at the goblin, the Lords and Ladies, and walked towards them. He seemed deadly afraid to be attacked by any or all of them at once. There was a single chair opposite to them with empty space behind it. His family followed his example and bowed to the goblin and the people present, taking a stand behind Arthut. His wife placed her hands on his shoulders in silent support, dreading whatever was to come. Lord Potter looked quite upset.
"Arthur Johnathan Weasley, patriarch of the Ancient House of Weasley, we have summoned you here to judge your treason to The Alliance and decide the punishment you shall suffer. Your actions put you in breach of the agreement you signed in blood in your entire family's name," Sharptooth said this patiently, allowing for the Weasley clan brains to process the accusation and its severity.
Bill felt faint. His face went so pale it was almost translucid. He closed his eyes as he tried to reign in his temper. What agreement? A blood-signed agreement in the name of the whole family?! And none of them were privy to it?! Their mother looked guilty. She knew. None of his siblings seemed to have a clue. What the actual fuck?! He looked at his father with so much rage that the man's skin began to get red with the heat of his son's stare as the curse breaker's magic seeped from him. The only reason Bill hadn't attacked him yet was that he was very aware of the formality required in this context and that Charlie had taken a tight hold of his hand.
"I don't understand. What did I do?" Arthur asked with a shaky voice.
Lady Greengrass stood and placed one hand on Jonsy's head and another on his shoulder. Arthur's eyes widened. He looked at Jonsy, and memories of that fateful night came back. He wasn't proud of using an Unforgivable on a house elf.
"When you signed the agreement, you acquiesced NEVER to harm me, my allies, or our interests. In return, I bought all your debt and allowed you to pay me minuscule amounts," Lord Potter frowned when Charlie gasped. "This would have helped you make the money back for your daughters education at Hogwarts. Since your wife spent her dowry in frivolous expenses-" Charlus stopped when said girl began struggling against one of her brothers who had his hand covering her mouth to keep her quiet. The young man looked at him apologetically.
Lord Potter cleared his throat and continued, "We took care of all medical expenses for Ronald's hospital stay. Additionally, we were willing to treat him as long as needed for free in the Inter-Species Hospital we will be opening within a couple of months."
Bill and Charlie shared a flabbergasted look. Percy held on to Ginny and covered her mouth to prevent her from interrupting. The twins paled. That alone was such a high amount of galleons that they had no idea how or even if it could be repaid.
"Which was most generous of you, Lord Potter," Arthur piped.
"Which was most generous of me, considering the extent of those expenses and debts, and the fact that your youngest son's impulsivity and stupidity could have gotten scion Potter, scion Longbottom, and scioness Dagworth-Granger severely injured… Even after this, I extended my generosity to save your family from bankruptcy, and you pay us with treason… How dare you, sir?"
"I-I… Lord Potter, I don't understand," he began, trying to save face. "How did I betray you?"
"Lady Greengrass of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass is an esteemed key element of our Alliance. You almost killed her Head House Elf Jonsy," Lord Potter placed his hand on top of Jonsy's balding head as well. The elf seemed to sparkle with joy at having this kind of support. "Jonsy has safely and loyally served her House for generations. He is part of her family, and you… You used an Unforgivable Curse on him, or do you deny it?"
Bill closed his eyes tightly and allowed pure shame to run down his entire body. Charlie looked down and covered his face with his hands. The other children looked at their oldest siblings as if hoping they would tell them what to do now.
Ianthe squeezed Jonsy's shoulder and took over, "Arthur Weasley, you Imperiused and ordered around an elf that was not yours to command. You made him travel to the Austrian Alps to deliver a letter to Albus Dumbledore. The trip alone could have killed him as it was against my wishes for that night. But the letter you forced him to deliver held information that allowed an attack on the New Year's Eve party of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter. This resulted in the manor being almost entirely destroyed. Most importantly, because of this attack, one of our most essential Alliance members, Lady Dagworth-Granger, was almost killed, as was the baby in her womb!"
"I didn't know-" Arthur was cut off by Bill taking a step forward.
"Bill Weasley, go back to your position," Sharptooth advised. Everyone was angry enough without adding etiquette faux pas.
"Lord Potter?" Bill bowed low.
"Scion Weasley, I presume?"
"Yes, Lord Potter. I apologize in the name of my House, sir. My siblings and I were never made aware of this agreement or its breach."
"Scion Weasley, I am sorry that your father chose not to share this with you as was his duty as a father and as a Head of House. This agreement directly affects all Weasleys present and future. I warned your father repeatedly not to sign this without consulting with you. However, it is his right as your Head of House to sign in representation of his family," Charlus explained.
"Sir, I understand you are within your rights to ask for satisfaction because you were wronged. I am really sorry for what happened to Lady Dagworth-Granger and to your home, of course… I just… If we didn't do anything wrong… why should we be punished?" Bill asked with dismay. His desperate blue eyes touched Lady Greengrass' mother heartstrings. She shared a look with Dorea, who stood and squeezed her husband's arm. "Scion Weasley, Lady Greengrass, and myself request a side meeting with you. Follow us."
The young man bowed and followed Lady Potter out of the room. He was willing to negotiate whatever he could to save his siblings, if not himself.
"Arthur Weasley, as Lady Greengrass and Jonsy were the injured parties, they shall decide your punishment. We will wait until the Ladies come back."
William followed the two elegant ladies to a separate room for the Account Manager of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Greengrass. They took a seat and looked at him expectantly.
"Lady Potter, Lady Greengrass, I have no clue about what happened or why it happened. My siblings and I had no idea about this Alliance. Charles and I have not talked to our parents for months. We had been supplying money to them from our incomes, even working two jobs to help out, but then we found out what our mother was spending the money on, so we stopped helping and talking to them altogether. We didn't even come home for the holidays," Bill explained all this with his head down. All the second-hand shame he had wouldn't let him look at the ladies.
"I see," Ianthe said with a frown. She shared a look with Dorea. "Well, the punishment I decided was for Lord Potter to demand all the debt your family owes him. Additionally, your family is to lose their ancestral magic-"
The sound that Bill made was between a pained howl and an exasperated growl. "Are we all to pay for the sins of our father?" he asked, looking at Lady Greengrass through the tears in his eyes.
Ianthe's motherly heart wanted to tell the young man that it was okay, that he would not be included, but a precedent needed to be set today. Jonsy deserved justice.
Bill took a step forward and fell to his knees, holding a hand of each of the ladies as if they were his lifeline, "Lady Greengrass, Lady Potter, I t-throw myself at your m-mercy. Please, leave my y-younger siblings out of t-this. You can have my magic and labor for life, and that of my parents… but please, for the love of Merlin and Morgana, let them have a chance at life. They did nothing wrong. Please, will three cores suffice your Ladyship?"
Lady Potter took a shaky breath. Before them was a good, responsible, fair young man. How he became such a good wizard despite his parents' proclivities and irresponsible ways was beyond her. Ianthe looked at the older woman for advice. They expected a combative attitude, not a beg for mercy.
"William, we understand your plight. What you are doing here today speaks wonders of the kind of man you are. Your brothers and sister are lucky to have you, and your parents have done you a great disservice," Lady Potter stated. "I would reach an agreement with you and your siblings, but this is Lady Greengrass' decision."
Ianthe sighed. She squeezed the man's hand so he would stand up. "What your father did was despicable. I had to physically prevent my most loyal elf from cutting his own jugular when he realized the damage he had done. He was severely ill. For a house elf, contradicting an order from their masters or mistresses or going against their best interests is deadly. I was able to forgive him on time, but I shouldn't have had to. He should have never been imperiused at all. That letter that he took under your father's command gave information to our biggest enemies who then attacked Potter Manor. Material possessions can and will be replaced. However, Lady Dagworth-Granger was kidnapped by those terrorists. That psycho Bellatrix Lestrange cut her baby out without any numbing to conduct a dark ritual to provide Voldemort with a new body."
Bill looked as if he had been ran over by a truck. The mere thought of anyone, but particularly a defenseless pregnant woman, at the mercy of Bellatrix Lestrange, was too much. "Lady Greengrass… I am appalled. I never thought I would see the day when I would be disgusted and ashamed to call myself a Weasley, for I love my family… But the day has come. Is Lady Dagworth Granger alive? Her baby?"
"Considering what could have happened… they survived and are working hard on feeling healthier," Dorea replied with a small smile.
Bill took a shaky deep breath. "Thank Merlin. I am sorry for all the pain and trauma my father's actions have caused your family and The Alliance. Is there any reparation I can do other than offer you my core and my labor to help pay back the debt?" Bill asked with tears flowing down freely.
Ianthe sighed and lifted William's head by his chin, "There is a way. Renounce your family name. You would become a No-Name, but you would retain your magic. William, the strength of character you have shown us today is remarkable for your age. Willingness to self-sacrifice is something that usually comes from age and experience. This renounce would have to happen before we write the punishment in the book of The Alliance."
Bill realized how extraordinarily beautiful this woman was up close. He could feel the power of her magic. He opened and closed his mouth several times, not knowing what to say. "And my siblings?"
"Those who are of age can renounce the family name. Those who are not yet of age can demand to be cast off by your parents," Lady Greengrass replied.
Bill looked like the weight of the whole world had been dropped on his shoulders. He had to tell this to his siblings.
"William, regardless of the decision you make, House of Potter holds no ill will towards you or the other Weasley children. We understand that this is a difficult, life-changing decision and that you merely got caught up in something beyond your control. However, you seem like you have a good head on your shoulders and a good heart in your chest. I am confident that you will make it even as a No-Name. You are brave, hard-working, responsible, and you love your family," Lady Potter smiled.
"What is it you do for a living, scion Weasley?" Ianthe asked.
"I am a c-curse breaker, madam," he replied, looking down with a blush.
"So you are also quite smart and tenacious. Good. We will give you a few minutes to deliberate with your siblings. I trust that Ronald would abide by you, and the decision you make will apply to him too. However, since he cannot voluntarily renounce his family name as he is not conscious, his parents would have to banish him from the family tree," Lady Greengrass explained. She took out an envelope. "Here is a copy of the agreement that your father signed for you to read. You will find that Lord Potter was more than generous."
William took the document with a shaky hand.
"William… If you are interested in curse breaking for medical applications, let me know," Dorea handed the man a card with her current contact information. "I may have a job for you."
The redhead nodded enthusiastically. "I cannot thank you both enough for this opportunity."
"We will leave you to it. Your siblings will be sent here immediately," Lady Greengrass squeezed the young man's arm. "Good luck."
"Thank you so much for allowing this, Lady Greengrass. I am forever in your debt," he bowed respectfully and sat down.
Percy had always been terrified of goblins. Their teeth were scary. Their weapons were scarier. Their unreadable faces made it so that you never knew if they were happy or about to rip your head off. When they were pushed into another room where there was only Bill, he sighed in relief. Their parents had not been happy to let them go, but Lady Greengrass told Arthur it was the only thing he could do to spare them.
William Weasley had always been a beacon of strength that his siblings looked up to since infancy. When they went in and found him looking completely defeated, that terrified them all more than anything else. He had clearly been crying and looked heartbroken. Bill had an envelope on his lap. None of the other teens knew what to do or what to say. Charlie knelt in front of Bill and grabbed his hands to bring him back to reality.
"Bill?"
William shook his head to clear it. He stood up slowly. "Children," he began, standing up. "We are at a crossroads. Arthur signed a blood contract agreeing to very generous terms that Lord Potter offered. Then, he broke his word by harming a Potter ally, Lady Greengrass and Jonsy the Head Elf, not to mention Lady-Dagworth Granger and her baby. His betrayal put many innocent people at risk and allowed for Potter Manor to be attacked and almost destroyed."
"We gathered that much," Charlie replied with a frown. "What is the punishment?"
"Punishment?" the twins asked in unison with Ginny.
"She couldn't even teach you this? Bloody hell!" Bill yelled in frustration. Charlie pulled him in for a hug to calm him down.
"When an agreement is signed in blood, and one of the parties involved breaches the terms, the injured party gets to choose a punishment befitting of the crime committed," Percy recited this with ease. "Oh, Merlin… What will happen to us?!"
"The punishment that Lady Greengrass chose is our cores," Bill held Charlie tighter since his brother's knees buckled from shock. "Our family magic."
"What?! That cow can't take our cores! Mom would never let her!" Ginny exclaimed petulantly, her face red in anger.
Bill turned around harshly. "Don't you ever speak ill of your betters again!"
"She is not my better!"
"Like hell, she isn't! Ianthe Greengrass is the Head of a Most Ancient and Noble House. Both her and her late husband's family trees go back centuries. They are rich and influential. She is an ally to the Potters and the Goblin Nation. Additionally, she is an extremely talented, powerful witch. You are nothing but a ridiculous, immature child who thinks that her beauty will help her get far in life," Bill growled. Charlie shook his head. They didn't do humiliation as a teaching technique with their siblings. Bill stepped closer to Ginny, who took a step back, cowering in fear. "I see that your undeveloped brain doesn't understand the precariousness of your situation, Ginevra. The woman you just called a cow can punish Arthur by taking all of our cores away permanently. That would mean, you ungrateful, disrespectful nightmare, that you would no longer be a witch!"
Ginny took a few steps back as her eyes filled with tears. No longer be a witch!? That was impossible! Her Harry wouldn't marry a muggle.
"Bill… Please tell us there is something we can do… There has to be! Anything!" Percy exclaimed, wringing his hands as was his habit when nervous.
"I threw myself at Lady Greengrass and Lady Potter's mercy," Bill said with a deep blush. It was humiliating to do that for someone else's wrongdoings.
Charlie and Percy gasped. For their brother to do that, it must truly be the only alternative.
Bill carried on, "I offered to let them take my core as well as mom and dad's cores and to forgive you-"
"Bill, no!" Twin A exclaimed.
"There has to be another way!" Twin B added.
"There is. We are now faced with two choices. You can take Arthur's and Molly's side and lose your magic since the punishment for treason would be on the entirety of House Weasley. Or, you can join me in renouncing the Weasley family name. We would be No-Names, but we would keep our magic."
Charlie took a deep, slow breath as his younger siblings began crying and sobbing. Their father had really done it this time. He placed both his hands on Bill's shoulders. "Brother, I am with you always, but this is too painful. Do we… Do we even get to say goodbye?"
"I wouldn't test their Ladyships' mercy. In any case, all I feel like doing right now is spitting at him."
"Wait, what!? Bill, you already decided to renounce us?" Percy said, feeling hurt.
"I am not renouncing you. I am renouncing the Weasley name," Bill squeezed Percy's shoulder. "I will always be your oldest brother, but I won't be a Weasley."
"Bill…" Charlie sighed at his brother's resolute expression. "Alright, but what will we do? I mean, you and I have jobs, but what about them?" Charlie whispered.
Percy was trying in vain to calm Ginny down. She was crying hysterically. Next to them, Fred and George were holding each other and crying quietly.
At last, Percy spoke, "But Bill… Charlie… We c-can r-renounce the family n-name… but they cannot. They are not adults yet."
"The three of you," Bill said, pointing at them, "And Ronald, of course, would have to be cast out by Arthur."
"He would never!" Ginny said with exasperation.
"He absolutely will. If the choice is between you being stripped of your magic and you being a No-Name, he will cast you all out, especially because this is his own doing," Bill spat back.
"Why do you hate us so fucking much?!" Ginny asked her oldest brother.'
Bill's countenance went red, and his face contorted in pure pain and anger, "Ginevra, I offered my core, my magic, my very essence so you could remain unpunished. If you equate that to hate, there is something very wrong with you," William whisper shouted.
"You are our father's heir! You were supposed to protect us! To keep us safe! But you just left!" she ran to him and began punching him where she could reach. "Both of you did!" Here she started hitting Charlie as well. Bill felt each of her words like drops of acid on his heart.
"NO!" As Bill yelled this, his magic pushed Ginny back into the twins arms harshly. "Taking care of you and keeping you safe was our parents job! NOT MINE! I sacrificed my time off, my vacations, my living conditions, my career advancement, my possibility to marry, all of that for you! You insolent, ungrateful harpy! Had Charlie and I not been supplementing dad's income for ages, you would have starved long ago! Don't you ever, and I mean EVER, tell me I failed my duty to my family. If it weren't for what I did with the Ladies of the alliance, we would all be squibs already!"
"Bill, calm down, please. Remember where we are," Charlie held Bill's arms back with difficulty as different artifacts shook in the office.
"Let go of me, Charles!" Bill stared hard at his brother, who let go with reticence.
"You know what, Ginevra? Fine. Stay with Arthur and Molly. Be a squib. See if I care! You better hope that losing your magic does not affect your appearance because that is all you will have… Since you find me to be an inadequate brother, I shouldn't even bother. You are no sister of mine anymore. I don't care what you do."
"Bill! Don't do this. We already lost mom and dad; we can't shun each other!" Charlie begged. "We need to stick together! You are right. She is a brat," Ginny gasped. Charlie went on, "She's all you said and more, but she's bloody ten years old!"
"That's old enough to know better, Charlie. As for the rest of you, Charlie, my home is your home. Percy, perhaps Aunt Tessy can be convinced to open her home to you after you graduate. Otherwise, write to me, and I will try to find you a job. Twins, fortunately, you live at Hogwarts, and this year's tuition is already paid. I suggest you make those jokes of yours a source of income so you can pay your tuition and get your own place once you finish your seventh year," Bill recommended. "Ginevra, you do you. I frankly don't care anymore. You could start by selling all the ridiculous gowns and the jewelry you have that mom bought you with your dowry."
"Lord Potter will not harm me. I am his heir's future wife!" Ginny's anger made objects rattle on the desk.
A dead silence followed this as Bill turned back to face his sister. Incredulity was all over his face.
"Ginevra Molly Weasley, you need professional help. Scion Potter is married! Not only was this years ago, but his marriage is the result of a soulbond. It's the first soul bond registered in centuries. Get it through your thick skull: Harry Potter will never be yours! You will never be Lady Potter! For fucks sake, I cannot believe I am even having this conversation!" Bill punched the desk, which cracked. He turned to his siblings, "She should be in the Mental Ward of St. Mungos! What the bloody hell is this obsession?"
The girl's heart broke, and she dissolved into desperate crying. "Why d-do you w-want to hurt me by s-saying that!? He is not m-m-married!"
Bill opened the envelope and showed her the last page. It had all the signatures from the alliance members. Harry and his wife's signatures were there as they were recognized as adults due to their bond. Bill pointed at their names. Ginny collapsed with sobs shaking her body.
"I hope we are done here," Bill put the document back in the envelope carefully.
"Why do you say we cannot go back home?" Twin B asked.
"Yeah, wouldn't we just lose our last name?" Twin A added.
Charlie looked at the twins and sighed. "When you are a No-Name, you cannot go back to your former family's home. You are cut off from the family tree and the family magics. Your parents will no longer be your parents, and you cannot contact them through letters, floo, or in person."
"This is why the decision is yours. This choice will change the rest of your lives forever," Bill said with a frown. "What will it be, then?"
"I will not allow you to punish my children!" Molly Weasley screeched at the Lord and Ladies.
"Molly Weasley, you have no power here," Sharptooth smirked maliciously.
"They are my children! I pushed them out of my body. I don't care how you punish my husband. They had no idea about the blood-signed agreement!" the redhead mother insisted.
"But you did, didn't you?" Lord Potter asked her with a lifted brow.
"N-No, sir," Molly looked extremely guilty, and any doubt that she was lying was erased when Arthur turned to face her, looking betrayed.
"Your husband seems to disagree," Lady Longbottom quipped.
"What the hell are you even doing here? This has nothing to do with you!" Molly spat.
"I owe you no explanation. I am here because Lord Potter asked me to be here. I am an appreciated adviser to The Alliance members, Mrs. Weasley," Augusta replied with a frown. She would not lose her manners.
After a few quiet minutes, Lady Potter and Lady Greengrass returned. Dorea nodded at her husband. They had discussed this possibility beforehand.
"Scion Weasley has shown House Greengrass and House Potter that he has more moral fortitude and care for his siblings' safety and future than the two of you combined," Ianthe said, crossing her arms as she paced.
"What!? You don't get to judge us!" Molly yelled.
"Oh, but I do. I was feeling a bit sad for the children. However, you I do not pity. A mother must keep her children safe even from their irresponsible father. You knew the agreement existed. You knew your oldest children were estranged from the family after you abused their finances for years… And yet, you didn't even care enough to share the contents of the agreement. They could have gotten into trouble without knowing why as they weren't even privy to what his father made a lifetime commitment to in the name of the entire Weasley clan," Lady Greengrass delivered this with complete disdain.
"Molly, regardless of your behavior and how you present yourself," Dorea stared her down, "I believe the most honest truth of your life is that you love your children. Am I right?"
"More than my own life," the matriarch replied, feeling insulted.
"Good. Cast them out," Lady Longbottom advised.
"Never!" Molly screeched.
"Molly, shut up," Mr. Weasley ordered.
The Weasley children came back inside. Lord Potter's grandfatherly heart hurt at seeing their heartbroken, tear-stricken faces.
"Bill, I-"
"Save it, Arthur. I hope you can live with the fact that you have forced us out of your life. I am ashamed to be your son," William interrupted.
"Bill!" his mother yelled. "Don't talk to your father like that!"
"Don't, Molly. This mess is on you too. Look at me, both of you. Don't you dare look away!" Bill growled. His parents looked at him as if he was a car accident in slow motion. "I want you to remember this with detail… Manager Sharptooth, I wish to renounce the Weasley family name and become a No-Name."
"Noooooo!" Molly rushed to hold her son, but Sharptooth surrounded him with a protective barrier. "Take it back, Bill! You don't mean that! Arthur, do something!"
"I have done enough…." Arthur whispered. He couldn't fight this, nor did he want to. Molly slapped him, and he let her.
Charlie walked towards Bill. Tears ran freely down his cheeks as the protective barrier accepted him.
"Nooooo! Charlie! Don't!"
Gray hair began to appear in both Molly and Arthur's hairlines. Lady Potter looked away as this family breakup was too painful. Lady Greengrass stared at the scene, holding Jonsy's hand.
"Manager Sharptooth, I too renounce my family name," Charlie said slowly. More gray hair sprouted, and the wrinkles on the Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's faces grew more pronounced.
Molly ran to Percy and held him to her. "Don't do this, baby. I love you, Percy, please!"
Lady Longbottom had to turn away when she saw the young man's face distort in agony as he pushed his mother's arms off of his body and walked to join his older brothers. "With absolute p-pain and s-sorrow, I renounce the Weasley family name, Manager Sharptooth."
Molly fell to her knees and held on to her youngest three by their waists. She was certain that they couldn't renounce their family. They weren't adults. Fred and George peeled her off of them, and she watched, horrified, as they stood in front of their father.
"We demand you c-cast us out before we lose our m-magic for what you did, dad," Fred said in between sobs.
"Cast us out. We will be p-pariahs as No-Names, but at least we will have our m-magic," George added with difficulty.
"What!? Lose your magic!? What lies did you tell my children!?" Molly raged.
"That is the punishment for treason under the agreement, Molly Weasley," Sharptooth said calmly.
"But I didn't do anything! I will divorce you immediately! Cast me out, Arthur! My children need me!"
"No, Mrs. Weasley, you cannot divorce your husband. In magical family law, divorce is a man's decision," Lady Longbottom intervened.
"Arthur!"
"Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life! You ensnared me with love potions," Arthur exclaimed. All his children, except for Ginny, looked at their mother like she grew a second head. "The only thing I don't regret is my children. I did this, Manager Sharptooth. My kids don't need to renounce us. I free them by casting them all out. It's the only kindness I can do for them now."
"Lord Potter, Lady Greengrass, is this acceptable?" Sharptooth enquired.
"Yes, the children being No-Names is the only fair way out of this," Lady Greengrass replied without turning away, lest she begin crying openly.
"Fair?!" Molly spat.
"Would you rather they be Weasleys but unable to use magic ever again?" Lord Potter asked with a scowl.
"No, we would not," Arthur replied. "As for you," he grabbed Molly and pulled her back to stand next to him. "Losing your magic with me would be a fitting punishment for the part you have played in the destruction of this family. I will not cast you out of the Weasley family, Molly. You are my wife. You even committed crimes to become Mrs. Weasley… This is the bed you made: lie in it. I will, however, submit my memories to the DMLE so you can pay for what you did to me."
Molly gasped and collapsed into a chair, her head lolling from side to side.
Sharptooth removed the protective barrier, "Mr. Weasley, you must say the words."
Arthur walked towards his children and said with visible anguish, "William Arthur Weasley, Charles Gideon Weasley, Percival Ignatius Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Ronald Bilius Weasley, and Ginevra Molly Weasley, with my authority as Head of the Ancient House of Weasley I cast you out of the family tree. As I have said it, so mote it be."
The siblings' hair changed rapidly from their fiery red to a muted brown. Their blue eyes went lighter in some and changed to darker colors in others. The freckles that dusted their faces disappeared. A golden ball of light came out of their chests and vanished into thin air. The Weasley family magic had distinct effects on their physical appearance. As the family orb vanished, they felt empty, as if their parents' love had left their bodies. The No-Names fell to their knees. They felt weak and extremely tired; this would improve, but their core had taken a beating today.
Ginny pulled her long hair up to her face so she could look at it and screamed as thick strands fell and changed color. Her once bright magnetic blue eyes were now dark brown, almost black. Her features turned unremarkably plain. Straight short lashes replaced the long, curly, voluminous lashes she had adored. The pouty lips that she was proud of were now thin and pale. She saw herself in the glass of the window and promptly fainted. Percy barely caught her before her head hit the ground.
Arthur cried silently, but he didn't face his children. He didn't feel like he deserved that.
"Lady Greengrass," he said with a small voice.
Ianthe turned to face him, doing her best to keep it together and not to look at the No-Name children. "Mr. Weasley," she acknowledged him. Jonsy was still holding her hand. He didn't feel this was right. Tears fell from his round eyes.
"I know I did not deserve for you to spare my children, but I thank you all the same," he said, looking down.
"I didn't do it for you, sir. I did it for William, who was willing to sacrifice his magic and labor to me forever, provided that his siblings went unpunished. Whatever you did wrong, you raised an exemplary young man that could have been the pride of your family. However, you chose to abuse your two oldest children financially to the point where he and Charles thought they had no choice but to cut ties with you completely. I did this for them."
"I will always be proud of my ch-" Arthur realized he couldn't say the word. Magic prevented him from speaking of children he no longer had. He turned to the former Weasleys, his face a pained grimace, "I will always love you, miss you, and regret what I have done. I hope you can forgive me one day… if only for your own sake."
He tried to approach, but magic pushed him back. Bill had wrapped his strong arms around Charlie, Fred, and George protectively. "Too little too late, Arthur. Manager Sharptooth, what can we do about our brother Ronald?"
"Excuse me, William. House Potter committed to caring for him for free. The debt your father has is his alone. We will keep our word, and we will inform you of visiting days and hours once he in our hospital," Lady Potter replied.
"Thank you, Lady Potter… I know this fixes nothing, but," he approached Jonsy and knelt before the distraught elf, holding his wrinkly hand, "Jonsy, I am terribly sorry for the pain you went through, and I hope you can recover completely. What my father did was despicable, and not you nor any other elf should be treated like that by people who must know better."
This man deeply moved Jonsy. "I forgive your father. You are a kind human. I am sorry you got caught in this."
"This was going to happen eventually. My father would have shot his foot at some point or another, Jonsy," Bill straightened up, took Lady Greengrass' hand, and kissed the back of it. "I will always be in your debt, madam. Thank you for sparing me and my si-" Magic wouldn't let him say siblings either. "And them," William finished with difficulty. "Please pass on my apologies to House of Dagworth-Granger."
Lord Potter nodded at this. "I will. Mr. Weasley can still be accused by them. However, Lord Dagworth Granger is too busy nursing them back to health to even think of that right now."
Bill nodded and turned to his sib-people.
"Bill, The Three Broomsticks? We have to discuss things," Charlie offered weakly. Their prospects as bachelors had been improving, but now they were back to having to support their siblings.
"No-Names… you need to open new vaults at Gringotts since you will be removed from the family vault, " Sharptooth said as they were getting ready to leave.
"Oh. Right. Well, I don't really have a lot on me right now," Bill blushed and looked down. "I'll come back in a few days."
"Sharptooth, open a mid-range vault for William No-Name," Lord Potter stated. Seeing the young man so defeated pulled at his heartstrings.
Bill turned towards him, his blush deepening, "Sir, I-I don't have that kind of money. A simple, basic vault will do."
"I will settle 7000 galleons on his account," Charlus indicated to Sharptooth.
The No-Names gasped, except for Ginny, who was still unconscious.
William paled. "Sir, I couldn't pay that back for several years. I don't even own a house. I appreciate the intention but-"
Lord Potter approached him and placed his hands on William's shoulders in a fatherly manner. "You were not supposed to pay for the consequences of your father's treason. You and your siblings are unfortunate casualties in a battle that is not your own. The 7000 galleons are not a loan, William; they are a gift. You were willing to forsake everything for your brothers and sister. I find that admirable and more than worthy of a second chance. I am confident you will use that money responsibly and that you will help them find their paths."
Bill felt faint. He had never had so much money at his disposal. This money would be so helpful to all of them. "I-I… I have no words, Lord Potter. Thank you."
"It is the least I could do. Now, please vacate the room. I don't want you or them to see what is going to happen next," Charlus whispered. "If I can be of assistance, William, just owl me."
Bill nodded. A person being stripped of their magic was an awful thing to behold. He took Ginny from Percy's arms. "Yes, sir. Come on, kids. We need to talk. Arthur, good luck," he nodded at the man, who looked as if magic had already been ripped away from him.
"Children, wait… I just… I am sorry. I want you to know that you were my magic."
Bill shook his head as a silent tear fell. "We will always love you, but we will never see you again."
The married couple that left the bank after the binding of their cores looked markedly different from those that went in. Their hair was almost entirely gray and, in Arthur's case, balding. Molly's skin looked translucent and had a green hue to it. Both looked like they had aged decades in a few minutes. Arthur now had a significant limp on his left leg. Numbers strengthened Weasley magic. It had a big link to fertility. Without having children to carry on the family name, they shriveled and aged.
Arthur had requested the Aurors to wait for them outside of the bank. He accused his wife formally and presented them with all his memories about their potion-assisted marriage. Luckily she had been placed in a wheelchair that Sharptooth offered them while she was still unconscious, and the last magic Arthur did was to strap her to said chair. The Aurors took them both in. Gringotts, as a mandated reporter, had to submit paperwork where Lady Greengrass accused Mr. Weasley of using an Unforgivable against her elf and in breach of contract.
Lord Potter walked with his head down towards the floo. It had hurt him to see the former Weasleys renounce their family name. The Greengrass family had a ruthless reputation to uphold. Ianthe chose the punishment but was kind enough to allow the children to go unpunished. What happened to Jonsy, and as a consequence to everyone in Potter Manor, but especially Emma, had to be punished. Lady Potter insisted that she had to be the one to tell the doctor. They doubted she would take it well. Emma was very protective of children in general, but at least Charlus had helped them out financially to start over.
Charlus poured himself a generous helping of firewhiskey and sat down across from Matthieu. The French man was quiet as he contemplated all that he had just heard. Charlus had been far too generous. He would not have given the children a penny, for he knew that for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley being aware that their children were broke and struggling to cover their most basic needs would hurt more than losing their magic. After all, pain for one's children, when there was nothing to be done, was the worst kind.
"Grandpa!" Harry ran into the study with a bunch of papers.
"Come here, you little tyke!" Charlus embraced his grandson tightly and didn't let go for a while.
Harry's magic reached out and calmed him. "What's wrong, grandpa? Did something bad happen in your meeting?"
Charlus sighed sadly. "No, son. But innocent people got caught up in the situation and lost their family name as a result…."
"Like Draco!?" Harry's eyes were very wide and sad at this.
"Yes," Charlus explained the child-friendly version that the adults had already come up with. He left out the money he had settled on the oldest No-Name account. Harry looked pensieve.
"Grandpa…"
"Yes?"
"Um… Can I get 5000 galleons from the main Potter vault, please?" Harry asked with a blush.
Matthieu's eyebrows disappeared into his hair. Why would a child need so much money?
"Why? Is something wrong, son?"
"No… Well… Yes… It's just…" Harry stammered.
Charlus kissed the boy's forehead, "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"Yes. Ok… I… I want to give that money to the No-Names. What their dad did wasn't their fault. But now they have no mom or dad like me… But unlike me, they don't have you… Or a home anymore. You can keep all my allowances until I pay you back," Harry was looking down as he said this.
Matthieu smiled as he felt a surge of affection for the teen. He was definitely a Potter.
Charlus felt immensely proud of his boy, "Harry, you don't need to pay the vault back. The Potter Family Vault and everything in it is as much yours as it is mine. However, you don't have to worry. I felt the same way you did. I gave Bill, the oldest of the now No-Names, one thousand galleons for each sibling."
"That's good. But grandpa… What about damages?"
Matthieu chuckled into his glass of brandy. Charlus narrowed his eyes at his friend.
"Damages?"
"Yes, Lady Longbottom taught us in the Family Etiquette lessons that when we cause long-standing damages to a person, we need to make it better in whatever way we can. She said that since we can afford to be generous, we should endeavor to do so. Those were her exact words," Harry smiled. He felt proud to remember that.
Matthieu coughed something that sounded a lot like "Ça fait mal, n'est-ce pas?" [That hurt, didn't it?]. He mouthed, "Va te faire foutre!" [Fuck off!] and Matthiew chuckled into his drink.
Charlus lifted a brow, "Well, as long as those were her exact words… What do you propose?"
"You gave him 7000. Right? Give him one of the vacant cottages that House Potter rents to businesses in Hogsmeade. That way, they can start a small business there and live on the second floor. Grandpa… They are all alone. All they have is each other. If I was alone in the world like I was before… I would like to have my brothers with me."
Charlus' heart lept with pride and joy at having such a marvelous grandchild. He decided to amuse Matthieu, "Give him? As in a gift?"
"Would you miss it?" Harry asked with a lifted brow.
"What?" Charlus asked in confusion.
"Does a cottage make you enough money in a year for you to even notice?" Harry made his best angel impression here, puppy eyes and all.
Charlus opened and closed his mouth several times. He had no idea how much each of the cottages was making him.
"It doesn't."
"Okay. Then give the No-Names a free lease for a couple of years and then start charging them incrementally once they are doing better," Harry smiled, proud of his solution.
"Incrementally, huh?" Charlus asked, barely suppressing a grin.
"Yep. Hermione is always teaching me fancy words," Harry chuckled.
"Of course, she is. Alright, but if I do that, no additional 5000, right?" Charlus asked.
"No, just 3000," Harry flashed a toothy smile.
"Huh?"
"Well, they need some money to set up a business," Harry explained.
Matthieu couldn't take this anymore and let out rich belly laughs. "Ce n'est pas possible! Tu es foutu! Il prendra le relais bientôt!" [It's not possible! You are screwed! He will take over soon!]
"Oui, monsieur. J'apprends du meilleur grand-père!" [Yes, sir. I am learning from the best grandfather!] Harry replied in badly pronounced French and laughed as he squeezed Charlus.
"You cheeky bugger! Fine. I will do as you suggest, son. I am very proud of you for wanting to help," Charlus got misty-eyed.
"I am just doing what you taught me," Harry smiled. "Oh! Before I forget. Draco, Nev, Luna, Mione, and I have been working on the tunnel design under the manor. We have asked Lady Greengrass, Aunt Minnie, mom, dad, Uncle Sev, my dogfather, Daniel, Tonks… We consulted a bazillion books from different libraries, and we think it's finally okay now."
"Let's see it," Charlus unrolled the large papers. He stared in awe. It was a veritable fortress with obstacles, hidden traps, doors, crawl spaces, weapon storages, practice dummies, etc.
"What do you think?"
"I think it's not okay," Charlus frowned. Harry's expression immediately went sad. "I think it's perfect."
Harry's eyes brightened again, "Great! Lady Greengrass wants to discuss blood wards with you when you have a chance," Harry felt so proud he could levitate right now.
"I shall talk to her soon."
At the Three Broomsticks, Bill requested a private room. The man in charge looked at them funny when he saw the unconscious girl they were holding. Charlie quickly explained they were related, and she had fainted. The last thing they needed was gossip about them assaulting a minor or something as despicable as that. They were shown to a small area in the back. Charlie ordered tea and sandwiches.
"Alright. There are several things we need to figure out," Bill started. His words were stopped by Percy, who was facing the corner of the room, bawling with desperation. William approached his brother and pulled him into his arms. "Percival, come here. It's going to be okay. Not today, not next month or next year, but eventually it will be okay." Percy always felt he was better than the rest of the Weasleys. He was proud and ambitious. However, he loved his family, especially his mother. The young man just kept crying.
"Percy, we are all in this together," Charlie added. "Don't-"
"You didn't see her face when I pushed her away! I broke her heart! I am the worst!" Percy wiped away his tears and snot angrily, stepping away from Bill's hug.
"She broke her own heart. She chose not to tell us about the agreement. We could have very well breached it unknowingly, and then we would actually be squibs!" Bill replied, trying to make Percy see sense.
"What are we to do with our lives now, huh?" Percy asked.
"We carry on. There's nothing else to be done. We will never see Arthur and Molly or speak with them again."
An elf popped in to leave the tea and sandwiches, stopping the conversation. When it vanished, Percy blew up.
"Easy for you to say! You have a life of your own! A good job that you love! We have nothing and will continue to have nothing because we are No-Names. I will never be able to work at the Ministry!"
The teacups rattled against their saucers. "Control yourself!" Bill demanded, pointing at the cups.
"I will not! Do not try to make it seem like we all lost equally today! We didn't lose the same. You have a place to live in. I will graduate Hogwarts in two years and be homeless. I will not move in with Au- Tessy. Where would I work? The farm?" Percy kicked one of the chairs, and its leg broke in half.
Charlie stood up and shoved him to the armchair, forcing him to sit down. "Do not disrespect Bill like that! He's the only reason we still have magic! You speak as if someone gifted us a flat or something. We own nothing! We rent! At a high cost, I might add. But this attitude of yours is the problem! Tessy is a good woman. You would be lucky to work for her."
"Your problem, Percy, is that you are too good for anything. When you graduate from Hogwarts, you will have no employable skills. Your OWLs and NEWTs will not get you a good job without further studies. Don't talk about working on a farm like it's beneath you. It is good honest work where no one will give a damn that you are a No-Name!" Bill replied after a gulp of tea.
"I want my 1000 galleons!" Percy demanded.
Bill took a deep breath. "You will get them when you graduate and get a job and not a second earlier."
"How can I know you will not spend them by then, huh?"
Charlie closed his eyes and willed the heavens to grant him patience, but before Bill or him exploded, Fred replied.
"You are such an ass!"
"The only reason we have that money is that Lord Potter likes Bill!" George added.
"Shut up! Who asked you!?" Percy roared, swatting at the twins' heads.
"Stop!" Ginny yelled. The teen had awakened at some point but remained quiet and still. Now she sat up. Her voice was shaky and tired. "The last thing we need is to hurt each other further. We are all alone in the world. We aren't even related anymore, according to magic. If Bill wanted, he could keep whatever money Lord Potter gave him, and no one could punish him because we are not even a family anymore! He has no duty to take care of us, Percy! And you! You are an adult now! Stop pretending anyone has to take care of you!"
Percy opened and closed his mouth several times but said nothing. She was right.
Bill looked at Ginny with confusion. He was glad she had changed her attitude, but it sounded too good to be true. "Ginevra, I appreciate the change in attitude, but why?"
"Something he said is true. We are not all in equal situations. I am homeless, in case you didn't realize," Ginny said, her eyes filling with tears.
Charlie and Bill shared a worried look.
"You are staying with me until you get your Hogwarts letter," Bill said after a few seconds of silent conversation among the brothers.
"Why? You said you don't care what happens to me. I am sure you don't want me living with you," Ginny cried into her hands.
Bill sighed and sat down next to her. "Ginny, I do care what happens to you. I was angry and lashed out because what you said to me was offensive and untrue. You can't live with Charlie because he works with dragons and lives in a tent. There's no running water in his camp. Winters are very cold, and you would have nothing to do."
"And what would I do in your place?"
"Look after yourself. Ginny, I know you are ten, but these are the cards we were dealt. I am out of the house for eight to twelve hours. You need to cook for yourself and not make a mess of the flat. It is quite small, but it is better than being homeless and-"
A knock stopped their conversation.
"William No-Name, an owl has come for you," the barkeeper slid an envelope under the door.
Bill picked it up with a frown. He opened and read it quickly. "Lord Potter wants to see me tonight."
Bill Weasley came into Maison Dugard's library floo holding Ginny's hand. His siblings had gone home. He was not comfortable with the prospect of bringing her close to Harry Potter. However, he had no choice.
"William, welcome. I would like to speak with you in private. The child is welcome to spend time in the living room with the kids while we talk."
"I don't think that's wise, sir," William made a privacy bubble. "My sister has an unhealthy obsession with The Boy Who Lived."
"I see. Well, Ginevra has no wand. The children here do have a wand and extensive self-defense training. Perhaps, if she meets him, she will realize that he is not what those leeches wrote about him. You know that Potter House had to sue fifteen different writers that were profiting of our heir while he was starved and beaten by horrible people. The nerve," Lord Potter said all this in a rush.
"I would be more comfortable if an adult is present, just in case, sir. I am sorry that people have been taking advantage of your family. The price of notoriety is steep," Bill replied, removing the bubble.
The door to the library opened, and Tonks rolled through. She had stepped on the carpet wrong and fell with a thud. "Bloody carpets!"
"Nymph, charming as usual," Charlus smiled indulgently at her as she blushed.
"Sorry, the kids want me to read them a story and do the characters, you know… But I see I am interrupting. Sorry, sir," she said to the man facing away from her.
"I never thought I'd see the day when you called me sir, Nymphadora," Bill turned with a smile.
"William?!" She walked briskly to hug him, then she punched his arm. "You know better than to call me that!"
Bill smiled genuinely. It was wonderful to see a friendly face. Tonks saw his different appearance, but he had the same handsome face and kind eyes. It was just his former fiery red hair and freckles that were missing.
"It's great to see you, Tonks," he squeezed her hand.
"Well, since you know each other… Clumsy, would you be so kind as to accompany Ginny No-Name to the living room? William and I need to talk and she would be dreadfully bored," Charlus emphasized her nickname. It was, after all, grandparents' responsibility to embarrass grandkids, and Tonks was considered one of them.
Tonks blushed. "It's great to see you too, Bill. Come with me Ginny," she looked at the girl who seemed like she would rather be anywhere else.
"Yes, Harry, but if they don't find it, it could become a potential risk for all of us, especially you," Hermione reasoned. Draco and Neville nodded. Luna was staring at a star map on her lap, oblivious to the conversation.
"True. I want to go back to Hogwarts so we can help aunt Minnie, but-" he stopped talking as Tonks came back with a book and a girl that looked oddly familiar but that he couldn't place.
"Everyone, this is Ginny No-Name, formerly Ginny Weasley. She will be with us for a while. Her brother William is talking to Lord Potter," Tonks pushed the girl a bit forward.
Ginny's head was tilted down. She felt so humiliated. To be introduced as a No-Name to Harry Potter was so mortifying.
Hermione stood up from the sofa and smiled at the girl, then dropped to a small curtsey. "Welcome to Maison Dugard, Ginny."
The boys had already stood and nodded.
"Thank you," Ginny replied. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Would you like some tea, Ginny? Are you hungry?" Harry asked with a smile. He felt really sad about the Weasley's situation.
The girl couldn't help but look up at him when he said her name. It sounded so lovely. "Just tea, thank you."
"Milk and sugar?" Hermione asked.
Ginny nodded without looking away from Harry who side-eyed Hermione with worry. Something in the way that girl was looking at him was alarming. Hermione nodded in acquiescence and looked at Tonks pointedly and then at the book.
"How about that story, now?" Nymph said.
"But you will do all the characters, right?" Draco asked with amusement.
"Yes, you annoying little boy. I will," the Auror replied with an eye roll.
Hermione made a point of sitting as close to Harry as possible, and Luna sat on his other side without unglueing her eyes from the scroll on her lap. Luna had no desire to talk to Ginny. The last time they saw each other, the then redhead had been extremely hurtful.
"Sir, this is too much. I cannot accept this," William stared at the contract in front of him.
"You have to, William. I assume that Ginny is with you because she is homeless now. You cannot live in a crowded studio apartment with a little girl, son. She needs her own space. When she becomes a young woman, which will be very soon, she will need her privacy," Charlus said.
"I know that, sir. But still… You already gave us seven thousand galleons."
"Yes, but there are seven of you. I assume that the older kids will want their share. This is a good solution. I don't expect anything in return. Seeing you thriving and successful is all I could ask for. The contract is very clear. You get two years of living there for free, and then you will pay rent in small increments. Two years is enough time for you to settle a business of your choice. The apartment above has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It has a small kitchen and living room. I have a goblin and a couple of elves working on it as we speak. They are fixing the paint and providing basic furniture. If you agree to this, you could move in immediately. You would be comfortable and safe. You would all have a home. The rest of the kids wouldn't have to fear homelessness when they graduate."
Bill's lower lip quivered. "Lord Potter, I understand all that. I just… I don't work here anymore. My training in curse breaking is in a branch of Gringotts abroad."
"I figured you would say that. I wrote to King Nagkrat on your behalf and he is willing to give you the same position with the same salary locally," Charlus smiled. He had fortunately anticipated this.
"What?! I asked about transfers before I came here… They told me the waitlist was at least three years," Bill was shocked.
"Well, yes. But, as allies to the Goblin Nation, we get certain… exceptions," Charlus smirked.
"When can I start working here?"
"Tomorrow. Your boss has been notified and your things are being sent over as we speak."
"You assumed I would say yes, then?" Bill blinked repeatedly. He didn't know how to feel about that.
"No, son. I hoped you would. But, hey, these gray hairs are earned. You are a reasonable man and this is a reasonable solution that benefits you and yours. I didn't really see many other options," Charlus smiled and clapped Bill on the upper back. "If you or any of you really need some advice regarding which kind of business you should open, owl me."
"Once again, sir. I cannot thank you enough," Bill tried to reign his tears in. "I've… No one has ever… I-"
Charlus understood and simply hugged the kid. He needed that parental reassurance. Taking over the care of a family is never easy, especially not at such a young age. "William, regardless of what happened with your parents, you can count on House of Potter. What you are doing is never easy. You should be proud of yourself for stepping up."
Charlus handed the young man the quill. Bill took in and signed the contract. "I can't thank you enough. We will always be in your debt, Lord Potter," he smiled through his tears of relief.
In St. Mungo's, Ronald Weasley took a turn for the worse. Family magic was one of the things that had kept him stable. However, when he became a No-Name, his vitals became agitated and worrying. All the healers tried their best to save his life, but they didn't succeed. In Azkaban, Molly Weasley, upon receiving the news, attempted to kill her husband with a toothbrush that had a sharpened end. He was taken out of the marriage's cell with several stab wounds all over his front and back. The Aurors took him to a muggle hospital where he was patched up, but he would never be the same after this. He stopped talking altogether and would spend his days staring into nothing and would barely eat every once in a while. The dementors kept him seeing his children renouncing their family over and over again. This would eventually rob him of his sanity, especially because those spectral children in his nightmares had no names and looked at him accusingly, reminding him of all his shortcomings. The Dagworth-Grangers decided not to proceed with any accusations. Losing all your children and having one of them die due to your actions was enough punishment. Such were the wages of sin.
A/N: Thank you for reading! This is the longest chapter in the story so far, I think. I wasn't going to post yet, but the plot bunnies were annoying me. I hope that this length will help you forgive me for not posting or replying for a while because I will be swamped for the following weeks. I hope you are safe and healthy wherever you are. -Lux-