Chapter 6

Lost mazes of grandiose changes

Arthur Weasley was a simple man. He wanted what was best for his family, and he wanted to enjoy what he did in life. Although he often complained about the job he did, he was the Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. His job was important, and he was proud of the work he did. He had two younger brothers and an uncle to various nieces and nephews.

Sadly, he wasn't very close to his younger siblings. There was an age gap between him and them of approximately 7 years, and they did not get to see one another as often as they would have liked. One of his brothers lived in Sweden and the other brother was in France.

His parents were Septimus and Cedrella Weasley. His mother was born a Black, even if she'd been disowned by her own family; those traits seemed to have lived on in his youngest brother as he was rather ambitious and cunning.

Arthur knew he wasn't the most ambitious of men out there. He enjoyed a simple life, one with his family, and his muggle trinkets. He hadn't had a wish to take the title of Lord Weasley when his father passed away, and it was made even clearer when the title hadn't chosen him. Surprisingly, it hadn't chosen his brothers either. It skipped entirely over their generation.

He'd not placed much stock into the information until the day that a letter arrived from his oldest son. Naturally, he was happy to receive a letter. Usually, they were addressed to their mother, who insisted on hearing from them bi-weekly. Yet this letter was out of character, as one had already been delivered to his lovely wife only a few short days ago. This letter was also, only delivered to him once he entered his shed, away from Molly's hawk-like gaze.

Settling onto one of the many benches, he unsealed the wax seal before unfolding the parchment. His oldest son's handwriting met his eyes, neat and legible, unlike some of his brothers. It came from years of working for the Goblins who liked everything tidy to a certain degree. Yet he was not expecting the formality that came with the letter.

Father,

I, William Arthur Weasley and my brother Charles Septimus Weasley request a meeting with you in the secure rooms of Gringotts…

Reading through the letter took little time. It was short and to the point, and yet at the bottom showed the reason for the letter. His son, his oldest son, had signed the letter as Heir Weasley. Dragging a hand through his hair, he drew a deep breath before resting back against the shed wall.

His son was accepted as the future Lord Weasley, he'd not expected this and yet he was not as surprised as he should have been. Of all his children, he could say with a certain level of confidence that his eldest son represented the Weasley family to the best. He was a strong, confident man with good morals, potent magic and a good head on his shoulders.

Rising from his seat, Arthur moved about the shed in search of a spare piece of parchment. Finding something that would work, he scribbled down his acceptance of the meeting and sent it off with the regal owl that had delivered the initial message.

The meeting was addressed to him alone, showing that his sons did not want their mother in attendance. He could not blame them. He loved his beautiful wife, cherished her strong personality, kind heart and gentle smile, but his wife could be – temperamental.

A few days later Arthur Weasley approached Gringotts Bank. He was dressed in some of his finest work robes. It was an odd sight to be certain however he walked with his shoulders back and head high. Arriving at the gleaming building, he stepped into its opulent walls only to be approached by a goblin guard.

"Follow me, sir," it grunted before turning on its heel and leading him out of the main hall.

They moved through a labyrinth of halls until they arrived at a single gold gilded door that looked to be over 8 ft tall. The Goblin motioned for him to enter before standing guard. Stepping forward, he moved to knock only for the door to open on its own, allowing him to enter.

The room wasn't overly large, yet it was comfortable. It contained some armchairs and a fireplace that warmed the stone room. His sons sat inside, each dressed rather unusually. His eldest was dressed in cream-coloured dress pants with a white dress shirt, yet over the dress shirt was an auburn buttoned vest decorated with golden embroidery. He wore tall brown leather boots done over his pants to finish he wore an auburn coloured over robe trimmed in a golden thread that depicted a mythical creature of sorts. His long hair was pulled back and held together with a brown leather strap, a few strands falling out to frame his handsome face.

Charlie sat beside him dressed in a similar attire however his pants were a warm dark grey colour and his vest was a lighter cream colour with bronze embroidery while his outer robe was butterscotch in colour.

While both his son's worked in dangerous jobs, his oldest son had recently been transferred to the English branch, yet his second oldest was still handling Dragons daily. Every time he saw his son's he had a habit of looking them over for any fresh injuries. It was usually easier seeing as Charlie wore sleeveless shirts or t-shirts most of the time.

"Father," Bill greeted, yet Arthur quickly raised his hand to stop him from continuing.

"I'm smart enough to understand what is happening today, son and let me assure you there is no need for formalities. You've never called me father, always dad so let's all be comfortable and talk normally yes?" He remarked before giving them both a warm smile that they both returned before rising to their feet and walking over to him to hug him.

"Good to see you, dad," Bill grunted before Charlie gave him a lazy grin.

Within little time the trio was sitting, each with a glass in their hands. Arthur took the lead on the conversation, considering both his sons looked uncertain as to how to begin.

"By the auburn colour of your robes, I'm assuming that you will be claiming the Lordship of the Weasley Family Bill and you Charlie are wearing the Prewett family colour. I'm assuming this means you've been accepted as the heir to the Prewett Family."

"I have," Charlie answered simply.

"With both of you dressed, as you are, I can only imagine that you have decided to take the mantles." He continued earning nervous smiles from both. "I could not be prouder."

"You couldn't?" Charlie questioned, surprised by his father.

"You are both fully grown wizards, you have excelled in the fields you loved. Bill from the moment you turned thirteen and learned about Gringotts curse breakers, you've been obsessed with them. You made it your goal to become a curse breaker, a truly accomplished one, and you have. You are respected, in your field and by your peers and the goblins. Charlie, since you were but a wee tyke, you loved dragons. I remember when you got your first dragon stuffy. Your uncle Fabian gave it to you and since that day you were hooked. You've excelled in your field, going into one of the most dangerous dragon reserves in the world, and excelling in your field. I could not be prouder of both of you. All I need to ask is, do you truly want to become engrossed in the world of politics?" Arthur questioned.

The Burrow hadn't changed; thought Charlie as he arrived with his older brother. Their father knew they were coming, but it was going to a be a surprise to their mother–hopefully, a well-received surprise.

Walking up, they peered into the kitchen to find it empty, dishes cleaning themselves in the sink and just the usual Burrow stuff. Slipping into the kitchen, they quickly settled at the table with a nice strong cup of tea and waited.

It wasn't long before the first person to enter the kitchen noticed them. It just happened to be Ginny.

"BILL! CHARLIE!" The fourteen-year-old young teen shouted, her voice ringing through the house before she tackled Bill who pulled her onto his lap and hugged her back. "Oh my god! What are you guys doing here?!"

"Ginevra Weasley, what is all this shouting–BILL! CHARLIE!" Their mother cried as soon as she entered the kitchen, dropping the bundle of clean laundry in her hands as she hurried over to pepper kisses onto his children's cheeks. "OH, it's so lovely to see you both! This is such a surprise!"

It didn't take long for the rest of the family to arrive, bar their oldest younger brother. Percy didn't live at the Burrow anymore. He didn't visit often, so engrossed he was in the Ministry.

It didn't take much to move the family to the sitting room. They wouldn't take their time. They knew they had to let the news on quickly before anybody noticed their new accessories.

Yet as Bill looked at all his siblings, his eyes quickly landed on Ron who was sitting beside George. His head was resting on his palm, and he was giving him a knowing look.

It surprised him, Ron never used to be the most observant of people and yet it seemed like he had noticed something nobody else had.

"Sadly, we came for a reason," Charlie declared, snapping Bill from his thoughts. "We have some important information to give the family."

"Have you found girlfriends?" Their mother hopefully asked, causing both boys to laugh and shake their heads.

"No, no girlfriends yet. No, this is family-related." Bill jumped in, causing their mother to frown.

"Whatever family-related business you might be concerned with can be handled by your father and myself."

"No, no, not any more mum." Bill sighed before taking a deep breath.

"For a while now, I've been considering what to do with my life. I love my job at Gringotts, wouldn't change it for the world however there is another path that I have chosen to merge with my time at Gringotts. When I was fourteen, I'd gone to Gringotts with a friend. He was being tested to see if he would be accepted as the heir to his family. Curious, I did so as well. The results were quick and quite surprising, Magic selected me as the future Lord Weasley."

"What!" Their mother shouted, yet their father was quick to place a hand on her shoulder.

"Molly - let Bill continue."

"But Arthur -" "No buts Molly, this is his right."

"In the last month I have been seriously considering the Lordship, and I have chosen to accept the position of Lord Weasley."

For the first time, silence fell in the living room as nobody spoke. It was odd. The sitting room of the Burrow was never quiet while they were inside of it. To think it was quiet with just one simple revelation was - amusing.

"He's not the only one with news." Charlie began breaking the silencing, knowing it would be best to just jump in with his news before the questions started. At least this way they could ask questions all at once.

"For a handful of years now, I've known that it chose me as the Heir to the Prewett Family. After discussing with Bill and thinking on the subject, I've chosen to take on the Lordship of the Prewett Family. Because I am now Lord Prewett, I cannot go by another name. I could go by Charles Prewett-Weasley, however, as I am not lord of the Weasley Family it would be - inadvisable. I want to clarify that just because they will now know me as Charles Prewett and not Charles Weasley that I am still your brother." Charlie declared while looking at his siblings.

They knew the information would hit their siblings hard. For years now they've not been political. The last political person the Weasley's had been was their grandfather, and he'd died during the first war.

"We are still family guys." He continued before looking to his mother, who had tears in her eyes.

"You'll both make good Lords." Came the surprising voice of his youngest baby brother. "You guys will be fine,"

"When did you grow up so much, baby bro?" Bill laughed, causing Ron to grin at them.

"Mate, my best friend is the Lady Potter. She survived the Dementors kiss. I've long since become immune to surprises." The boy remarked with a shrug of his broad shoulders.

"Why have you made the choice now," Their mother finally spoke, holding back on what exactly it was she really wanted to say.

"The war is kicking up, we are both at the age where we can make a difference. I can't leave the dragon reserve all that often, however, I can at least help politically." Charlie explained, choosing not to mention the letter he'd received from Tea. "It's not something I'd ever really thought I'd have to deal with however I think it's about time the Prewett Family returns to the fold.

"What does it mean for us?" Ginny finally asked, but instead of the brothers answering, their father stepped in.

"Bill will now be the Lord of the Most Noble House of Weasley, a second-tier family, Charlie is the new Lord of the Most Noble and Most Ancient Prewett Family, a first-tier family. They will have a lot of responsibilities to handle, from Family finances to housing, to protecting their families." He explained gently. "Although I am your father and have say over punishments, but any indiscretion to the family or behaviour that would badly impact the family would be delt with by Bill as Lord of the Family. Charlie does not hold those same powers. With your brothers taking the lordships onto their shoulders, we as a family must now represent them in the best of ways, at least to the best of our abilities."

"The Prewett Families also have alliances we have to keep strong." Charlie declared, causing their children's eyes to widen.

"Alliances? With whom?" Ron questioned, slightly worried about the prospect of having to be nice to some block he didn't even like.

"Well, it's not very common knowledge, but before they passed, uncle Fabian and Uncle Gideon allied with the Potter's. It's a relatively new alliance, but that means it's in crucial stages. Because of our alliance with the Potter Family, we are also in an alliance with the Longbottom Family. The Potters and Longbottoms go back way, way back. We don't have many alliances apart from them, however, as is clear the Weasley and Prewett Families will enter an alliance." Charlie explained while his brother nodded beside him.

"The Weasley's - well, the trouble lies because alliances are also not very common for us. We weren't the wealthiest of families, to begin with, and after Grandfather passed many of the alliances fell apart and shifted. We are allied currently only to the Prewetts. However, we have the possibility of another alliance which I will be working on in the next coming days."

"Does this mean you can make Marriage contracts for us?" Ginny asked, looking rather pale at the idea.

"Yes I could, however, I will not be doing so. I do not believe in marriage contracts, and it would be rather silly of me to force you guys into marriages when I'm not even married." Bill laughed, causing his sister to relax. "Just so you know, you are under me and not under Charlie unless you want to become Prewetts instead of Weasley's but that will only be supported when you are seventeen years of age and you've had a clear and long conversation with me."

"I'm good, sorry Charlie, but I enjoy being a Weasley." Ron chuckled making the Dragon Tamer grin.

"Sorry bro, us too." Fred and George declared together while Ginny shook her head in a silent remark that she'd rather stay a Weasley.

"I'm perfectly fine with that.,"

...

Theodore felt like pinching himself as he stared out over the grounds of Potter Manor. Only just the night before, he received word from his girlfriend aiding him and his father in getting out of that bloody muggle house. He'd been going crazy cooped up in a small house with little to nothing to do, and he knew his father was also going stir crazy. Now though, after another night of multiple apparition points and one portkey later, the duo found themselves in an apparition room where they'd been greeted by his girlfriend in all her silver-haired wonder.

She'd been a beautiful sight to his eyes dressed in floral pants and a white tank top, yet it was her sparkling eyes and smile that had his heart skipping a beat.

With how late they'd arrived, he'd been surprised to find that Tea had dinner available for them. It wasn't a big dinner, mostly because they were exhausted and ready for bed, but it was nice to have in their stomach before they'd been shown to rather grand rooms that were there for the evening.

Shaking his head, he pushed away from the window. His stomach was growling at him, quite insistent that it was hungry. He only hoped there would be breakfast waiting for him when he entered the dining hall - when he found it that was. Yet before he could even take two steps, there was a soft knock at his door.

Striding over, he hurried to open it. Before he could say anything, he felt a soft set of lips against his own and saw silver. Grinning into the kiss for a moment, he quickly kissed back, wrapping a powerful arm around a tiny waist and pulling his girlfriend's figure close to his.

Sadly, the need to breathe quickly pulled him away from soft lips, and he stared down at shinning emerald green eyes and a thrilled smile specifically for him.

"I didn't know if you were awake,"

"Been for a bit," he answered automatically. "Was worried about getting lost,"

Laughing softly, Tea pushed away from him yet allowed him to keep his arm around her waist. She was dressed for summer today, with a short flowing purple dress and a pair of flats. Her silver hair was pulled into a dutch braid with a few strands framing her face.

"Its one reason I came to see if I could escort you down to the dining hall. Your father already found his way there and is talking with the Carrow twins and their aunt. Last I saw, Hermione was also on her way there." She told him, making him frown.

"You didn't mention Granger staying here yesterday,"

"Oh, come now you can call her Hermione, and she is. It's a long story but not completely mine to tell." She answered while leading him away from his room and down the hall. "Potter Manor is quite large. Getting lost is going to be unavoidable. I tell you I was getting lost myself when I first arrived."

"You must give me a tour," he declared before giving her a wink. "A private tour."

The conversation seemed to flow between the two quite easily as they walked through the halls, and Theo could honestly say he was glad about that. He was a bit disappointed when they finally arrived at the dining hall to find everybody seated there, chatting and laughing.

Looking at two of his longest-standing friends, Theo could honestly say he'd never seen them happier. They'd always been happy, living with their aunt, but there was just something about them now that seemed different and looking at Hermione Granger, he couldn't help but also see a difference there.

"Theo! Tea had to go find you, I see," Flora teased.

"I am man enough to admit I would have gotten lost if she hadn't." He joked while sitting down beside Tea. "Nice to see you both Mrs Carrow nice to see you as well,"

"Nice to see you to Theo, I'm glad you and your father could get to Potter Manor safely, your father was just telling us about your trip and how it ended." Amori Carrow spoke, a warmth to her voice that showed her kind heart.

"It was an adventure and a half." His father grunted before taking a swing of his coffee. "I must express my greatest gratitude to you, Lady Potter, for accepting us into your home."

"Oh, you don't have to do that Lord Nott and you can call me Téa or Téaleon. I'm happy to help in any way I kind and offering sanctuary to those who need it is my way of helping. Plus, I have to admit I think the House-elves are exceptionally happy at the fact that there are so many people living at Potter Manor right now," she joked lightheartedly while squeezing his hand. "In the times we are in now, people need to know they can trust and depend on people. I am in a position where I can help those who need it. All I can say is welcome to Potter Manor. May it be your home for however long you need it to be. Feel free to explore and enjoy the amenities. We do have duelling rooms for those who want to enhance their duelling abilities, and the library is particularly huge."

"Your acceptance of us in your home is greatly appreciated and will not go un-returned." Lord Nott declared while giving a small bow of his head to the girl who was dating his son.

"So what are your plans today?" Mrs Carrow questioned lightly.

"We'll probably finish some homework today, Hermione promised to help us with our Transfiguration homework." Flora declared, earning a grin from Hermione. "Then probably spend some time at the pool."

"I'll be showing Theo around the Castle in an attempt of preventing him from getting lost." Tea teased while bumping her shoulder against his.

"I wanted to do a bit of research in the library today," Hermione explained, earning a grin from her friend who had her blushing.

"As long as you don't spend the rest of your summer in that room," Tea teased, making the twins laugh softly while Hermione blushed even more.

"Nothing wrong with enjoying the knowledge provided by a library. I must say you won't be alone, Miss Granger. I'll happily take this opportunity to browse through the Potter family library." Lord Nott declared."Perhaps, if you would be so agreeable, we could also have a small conversation about the muggle world. Our travels this summer have opened my eyes to a few items that I am highly curious about."

"I would be happy to explain anything you might want to know." Hermione agreed happily, earning a nod of appreciation from the older man.

Just then a soft pop sounded through the room causing Tea to turn to her right and find a Potter Family house-elf standing there with a letter in hand, two letters actually,"

"Letters be arrive for Mistress Tea," the elf declared, earning a smile.

"Thank you,"

Gathering the letters, she quickly identified the seals attached. Letters from the Prewett and Weasley family.

"Minor change of plans, I must reply to these before our tour," she hummed, earning a nod of understanding from Theo. "You can come with me though, would be faster, as long as you don't mind waiting."

"No issue there," Theo agreed before pushing his chair out and helping Tea out of hers. "We'll see you all at lunch,"

As Theo followed his girlfriend towards what he could only assume was her office. He couldn't help but relax. He and his father were safe, Death Eaters couldn't get to them at Potter Manor, and even if they could, he had a feeling things would turn out better for them, if they were attacked.

Looking at his girlfriend as she read the first letter, he couldn't help but notice the smile on her lips. By that smile it was clear that there was good news was in those letters but he was raised knowing better than to ask about any details.

"Things are going to get interesting," Tea finally remarked, making him grin.

"You mean they weren't already?" He teased, causing her to laugh.

Author note:

Wow, holy cow, it was so long writing this, and I am so sorry. I don't know I've not been inspired to write much these last few months, not with COVID-19 the way it is. We've entered another lockdown here in Ottawa, and I'm feeling very gloomy at times.

I have been trying, though! Being motivated is hard, but I've found motivation for a home gym, which is shocking to me considering I never thought I'd be one of those people who enjoyed having a home gym. Still, BOB is doing good for me!

Anyway! This chapter might be shorter than people would enjoy and probably not what they wanted to read, but I'm hoping to get some more action going soon. I have to formulate a plan for the remaining portion of this story.

Stay tuned, hoping to have more written soon, but you never know with my attitude as of late.

I hope you are all doing well and that your families are doing well. Sadly, I know the situation as is, and likely, some of my readers are not doing well or know people who are not doing well either. I give you all my deepest love and hope for safety, and just know that you are not alone. We might be secluded from one another, and we might not be able to do what we want right now, but you are never alone. People don't have to be with you physically to be with you or know what you're going through.

To those who need just a person to talk to feel free to send me a PM and I'll do my very best to respond promptly. I want people to understand that there is always somebody there that will listen.

Stay safe everybody!