Happy Saturday, my freaky darlings. There is quite a bit of the Weasleys in this chapter, but it was time for some of this to occur. I promise in the end everyone who deserves a happy ending will get one, and those that don't will not. Stay with me. (Yes, the baby gets a happy ending.) For those missing Voldemort, he will be back next chapter. How before this gets long and out of control, a bit of a heads up. I leave for vacation in two weeks. I am diligently trying to get ahead of myself and have those chapters in the bag and ready to go, but work has been really long and draining, so there might be a week-long delay between chapters. But for now, enjoy.

Chapter 45 Weasleys

The Daily Prophet announced the new initiative to welcome muggleborns into the wizarding world. 'For those disinclined to accept the offer of a mentor, and to cover all possible topics a Wizard Culture class will be mandatory for first through third with optional advanced studies in fourth through seventh. For purebloods, Muggle Studies will be replaced by Muggle Culture and will explain the basics of the muggle world. It will also be mandatory in the younger years. Half bloods will select the class which will be the most beneficial to them.' The article went on to name the new professors. 'The Daily Prophet wishes Prof Percival Weasley and Prof Edward Tonks the best of luck.' The Quibbler landed exclusive interviews with both men. The general feeling was muggles weren't a danger anymore and there might be some value in understanding how their world worked. And in no longer making those entering the wizarding world fumble around for years trying to fit in.

Arthur entered the lift at work wearily. This new attitude about muggles and muggleborns ensured job security, but he worried if it was a simple smokescreen. And if it wasn't then perhaps Lupin was right, it was time to admit defeat and start to work towards healing their worlds. Arthur sighed. He loved his wife, but she would never accept they had to surrender. Neither would Ron. The enemy was pure evil and needed to be wiped off the face of the earth. He remained so lost in thought he didn't notice someone joining him in the lift until they coughed.

To his immense surprise, his third son gave him a nervous smile, "Hello, Dad."

So overcome with joy at the greeting, Arthur embraced him tightly, "Percy."

Percy instantly returned the hug, "I am so sorry I let this rift get so bad."

"Me, too, son, me, too." Arthur released him. "How are you? Congratulations on the new position."

"Thank you. I'm well. It was a surprise offer, but I was highly recommended according to the headmaster. And I've been seeing someone since New Year's. It is getting serious."

"Oh? Anyone I might know?"

"Esme Flint. Hermione Lestrange introduced us."

The last name surprised Arthur for a moment, never thinking a society girl would be interested in one of his sons. "I hope you're happy, son. That's what matters."

"I am. Give Mum my love, please." Percy bid his father farewell as he exited the lift on his floor.

Once again Arthur's thoughts ran away with him. He ignored his fellow passenger until a mannerism drew his attention. He stared in disbelief before stopping the cage. "Hermione? Hermione Granger?"

For a second she contemplated hexing him and erasing seeing her from his memory. Yet, everyone else got a second chance, why not him? And she wasn't hiding anymore. "Hello, Arthur," she said calmly as if mentioning the weather.

"What? How?"

"Perhaps we should go to your office and talk." He nodded and she restarted the lift, exiting at the correct floor.

They entered his office. "Tea?" he offered allowing manners to see them through the awkwardness.

"Yes, please." Once the niceties were out of the way she began. "You are aware Dumbledore placed me under an obedience charm. He also bound my childhood memories. He made Harry's safety and learning everything he might need to know more important than anything, including my own life. He caused me to believe I was unattractive. That my only value lies in my knowledge and intelligence. He sacrificed my innocence and childhood to preserve what little he could of Harry's. When he was dying he added your wife, who added your youngest son. Dumbledore did all of this because he thought I was someone important and he wanted to control how I discovered this, and because he wasn't sure how it would support his greater good and, ultimately, himself." She paused to sip her tea and let that information sink in. "I am the power Harry possessed. Not love, not anything else, me. Mrs. Weasley ordered me to take care of the boys, stay with them no matter what, and keep Ron happy. Ron ordered me to date him for his own reasons. None of them were because he loved me. I broke those charms. I intended to get mine and walk away from you all. But the supposed evil enemy values me more than the good guys ever did. They want peace and are willing to compromise to get it. They will reshape this into a better world. Simply because he wants to be in power and that is how he can get it, now."

"How do you know you can trust them to keep their word?"

"Muggleborn Initiative, Werewolf Protection Law, the new Hogwarts classes. They earned my trust without demanding my obedience." She took another sip, "If you want to talk to someone about a truce, tell Percy. He knows how to get word to me."

"Where have you been all this time?"

"I hid out for a while, since I came out of hiding I have been with my new family. I am Hermione Lestrange."

"How? Why?" Arthur felt himself staring wide-eyed.

"Blood adoption. I needed a family, they needed an heir. Rodolphus and Rabastan have thrown themselves into their new roles. I think they forget about the adoption."

"Are you happy?"

She sighed, "I am content. My mistreatment by wizards is still somewhat fresh. And some people have a reckoning coming. But I have friends and family to help me put this behind me."

He nodded, knowing in the back of his mind members of his family would be among those on her reckoning list. "Last question is Harry safe?"

"As safe as any of us are. He is not being held against his will or being forced to do anything he doesn't want to. He is his own man, now."

"Fair enough."

"Have a good day, Arthur."

"You, too." She left him deep in thought.

At Gringotts, Ginny begged her oldest brother to be with her when she told their parents about the impending arrival of a grandchild. "I hope Harry has somewhere other than Grimmauld Place, that is no place for a baby. We'll get married at the Burrow, of course. A late summer wedding right before the baby comes." Ginny daydreamed missing the look Fleur and Bill exchanged. Bill tried to bring his sister back to reality.

"Gin, we haven't heard from Harry yet. Don't start planning a future that might not happen."

She frowned at her brother, "If he isn't willing to marry me then Daddy can make him. And if that fails, he'll still have to support us. I hope the Potters' have a country estate, oh, maybe a manor house. Mum and Dad could move in with me to help with the baby." She smiled dreamily. "Ron could stay at the Burrow. I bet Lavender would love to have her own house." Bill stared at his sister in horror. Somehow she had become a heartless gold digger. This was not going to end well. Fleur slipped from the room to update Harry.

Harry scowled at the departing owl. Marcus laughed, "Come on, Potter, it isn't the bird's fault."

Harry tossed the letter at Flint, "Doesn't mean I can't give the messenger a dirty look."

Marcus scanned the contents and whistled, "Damn, that's ballsy."

Hermione entered, frowning when she noticed the tense atmosphere between the two men. "Anything I should know here?" Harry handed her the missive from Fleur. She sighed, "I'll help you write a response to the inquiry Bill never sent you."

"Thank you, Hermione."

"If you fathered her spawn, I get to be godmother."

"I thought that was already a given. So, don't call your godchild spawn." He swatted at her playfully.

"Go get a quill and parchment," she ordered.

Marcus chuckled at their antics, "I will arrange supper, shall I?"

"That would be lovely, thank you." Hermione kissed him. She followed Harry into the study. "You write, I will dictate."

"Naturally." Harry picked up the quill, "I await your words."

"To Mr. William Weasley, greetings. I have received your letter informing, no scratch that, concerning the current physical condition of your sister, Ginerva Molly Weasley. I regret to inform you, that due to a large number of potions keyed to your sister, I have formally cut ties with her, and your brother, Ronald Bilius Weasley, over the potions in my system keyed to him. You may contact the ministry for the files if you wish. I wish you, and the rest of your family, well, but cannot respond to this as you might desire. Both Ginny and Ron have betrayed me in one of the worst ways. Perhaps, if they had been honest with their affections, things would be different. But they chose deception and manipulation over honesty and courtship, so we will never know. I do wish to be informed of the birth so that paternity may or may not be established. Sincerely, Harry James Potter." She paused, "What do you think?"

"It sounds way smarter than I would have on my own."

"But Arthur knows I know where you might be, so who cares?"

Harry frowned, "Think he'll keep that information to himself?"

She shrugged, "Again who cares? I'm done hiding or caring what they do or think. Let's go see what Marcus rustled up to eat."

"You know he just asked one of the elves to make dinner, right?"

"Of course he did. Have you seen the looks of fear he gives the appliances? That or he popped out for take away."

Marcus appeared holding several styrofoam containers, "Have you ever tried sushi, Potter?"

Arthur wondered if his wife and youngest children had noticed he had been quieter than usual over the last week. He felt like he was spending more time in his shed than before, but perhaps not. He had always wanted a peaceful life but had the bad luck to be a young man in a war. His wife gave him seven children, which was its own kind of chaos. Then Voldemort returned, and at first, it had been those chaotic days again. But since the death of Dumbledore and the taking of the ministry the same day as Bill's wedding things had ground to a halt. Only the odd skirmish keeping things going. For the thousandth time, he pondered Hermione's offer. A truce, what would it take for him to agree? Would Molly ever agree to any terms? The death of her brothers during the first war had changed her, had hardened her. He sighed, acknowledging that any price Molly named in vengeance for her brothers would be too great for Hermione to let them pay, for were not her crimes against another worse than slaying someone in battle? She had agreed with Albus about the obedience charms, only Arthur's fierce refusal kept her from using them on their children, namely the twins. But to agree to peace with her enemy he knew she would demand the lives of those thought to have killed her brothers. He scrubbed his hands with his face. Back to the dilemma that drove him to his shed for most of the evening the last few days. After all of his deliberation, he came back to the fact that he loved his family and couldn't bear to lose them. At least not through his actions. And yet, he hoped to find a way to have both.

"Arthur! Arthur, darling, dinner," Molly called to him from the kitchen door.

"Coming, Molly-Wobbles." He returned his toys to their proper place and left his refuge. He washed his hands at the kitchen sink and sat at the table.

Ginny kept glancing at the fireplace, anxious for something. Ron took his place as his mother began to place the dishes on the table. The flames flared green and Bill emerged. Ginny leapt to her feet, "Bill, look Bill came to dinner." she hugged him happily.

Molly bustled around the table, "Oh, Bill, sweetie, are you staying for dinner?"

"I am, Fleur went out with friends and I didn't feel like eating alone."

"You know you're always welcome for any meal," she smiled at her eldest son.

Bill slid into the seat next to his sister. "That's why I'm here." He patted her leg under the table. This conversation was not ending well for anyone, and he was the only one who knew it going in.
As the meal began to wind down Bill sent signals to his sister that it was time. Sighing deeply Ginny spoke up, "Mum, Daddy, I, uh, need to tell you something." Both parents looked at her. "Um, I'm pregnant. It's Harry's, of course. Bill sent him a letter through the bank to let him know."

Ron looked at her in shock, "When did you have sex with Harry?"

"Since his birthday," she said hotly, "not that it is any of your business."

"The hell it isn't. Harry and I have been together since we were in 5th year," Ron bellowed.

Before the two could begin to bicker, Bill interrupted, "Harry answered my letter, and the contents are something you all need to hear." He waited for the rest of them to quiet. "When Harry ended up leaving with Luna he required medical attention. Upon examination toxic levels of conflicting love potions and lust dust was found in his system. Those potions were keyed to Ron and Ginny. Under legal advisement, he has formally cut ties with both of you. He has no interest in Ginny's condition at this time. He does wish to be notified of delivery so paternity can be established."

Ginny burst into tears, "No, he loves me, he just needed a little boost to get over his reservations. I know he loves me." She turned on Ron, "This is all your fault. If you hadn't potioned him I wouldn't have had to."

Ron sneered, "He never gave you a second thought. You were an annoying little tag along."

"This all happened because you lost your temper and attacked Luna," Ginny screamed. "I hate you, you monster!"

"Ginerva, calm down this instant." Arthur snapped drawing the family's attention. "Laying blame changes nothing. This family has started down a dark path, one we need to change."

"Arthur, love potions aren't dark magic. They teach them in school," Molly chided softly.

"I know, Molly-Wobbles, but Ron and Ginny manipulated their friend. I never saw them flirting with Harry, or trying to attract his attention. And the obedience charms on Hermione. That was wrong. I should have spoken up then. She was a child. What we let Dumbledore do was child abuse. We sacrificed her innocence on the altar of war to make things easier for us and so Dumbledore stay in control."

"Hermione is a frigid bitch, I assure you she's still innocent," Ron snorted.

Arthur watched his wife nod her head. He sighed, "You realize you just passed judgment on the young woman Albus forced to spend all her time studying and keeping the boys safe and in school."

"Hermione loved studying and doing homework," protested Ron.

"How do we know? Dumbledore enslaved her will before you even knew her properly. Everything we know about her is a lie. One we helped perpetuate. But that is neither here nor there. Right now the facts in front of us are that Ginny is with child and Harry has formally denounced any relationship with her. We need to make plans." He looked sternly at them each in turn, "Not schemes, plans. Ginny, you are of course welcome to stay here. We will help you for as long as you want."

"Unless Harry just takes the baby," Ron said nastily.

Bill nodded, "That is an option we should consider."

"He can't if it isn't his," she shot back. When Bill's eyes narrowed she realized her mistake. He simply sat looking at her in silence. "Thorfinn Rowle could also be the father. He assured me he isn't interested in marriage or fatherhood. He cut me off on the grounds we verbally agreed not to get serious." She rolled his eyes.

"That changes nothing. You need to look into a job. And we need to make preparations for a baby. We should move you into Bill's old room. We can fix up Charlie's for the baby." Arthur looked at his wife, surprised she had been silent.

Molly's eyebrow began to tick. She had been quite clear with her daughter, no baby until after the wedding. "You little fool," she hissed, "do you have any idea what you have done? How badly you fouled this up?"

"Molly!" Arthur protested.

She ignored her husband turning on her youngest son, "And you, you would have had the perfect wife in Hermione, why would you need Harry, too? You fucked that all up. She would have done everything you asked, and you had to get greedy."

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" thundered Arthur. "All of you get out of my sight and think about how to change your behavior before it destroys this family." Wide-eyed Molly, Ron, and Ginny fled.

Arthur began clearing the table. Bill stood and helped his father clean the kitchen in silence. "Where did I go wrong with those two?"

"I don't know. I don't think the blame is with you, Dad. You said Mum knew Dumbledore controlled people, and she was okay with that. Maybe she gave them the wrong impression of how to get ahead." He clapped him on the shoulder, "If you need to you are welcome to stay with Fleur and me, for as long as you need."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, son."

"Good night, Dad."

"Good night, Bill."
After his eldest child flooed away, Arthur sat in front of the fireplace deep in thought until he fell asleep sitting in the chair.