Again do not own blah blah blah. Thank you JKR for this amazing toybox of characters to play with. The next chapter will be the big reveal!

August 5

Arthur Weasley was tired. No, he was exhausted, he thought as he leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face. When he found whoever had loosed the nose-biting teacups among the muggles, he was personally going to give them a piece of his mind. He nodded then laughed. On second thought, he would just lock them in the house with Molly for a few hours. As his laugh faded into chuckles, he turned back to the paperwork in front of him. He checked the time, happily noting that there was only an hour left in the day and no reports had come in. Yet, he thought as he knocked on wood, laughing at himself again as he did. Such a curious bunch, muggles were.

He looked up at the sound of a knock on his door before looking back at his report. Hoping that it wasn't nose-biting teacups or cursed watches or tickle-forever shoes (he shuddered at the thought of that make another debut) and shouted at whoever to enter. He didn't look up as he heard the door open. He held one finger up.

"One moment, please, almost….finished…THERE!" He said as he hurriedly scribbled the last sentence before signing it in a flourish of an Eagle feather. Smiling, he placed down his quill and turned to his visitor.

"Sorry about that….Oh young Lord Malfoy… how may I help you, son?" he asked the young man standing in front of his desk. Draco swallowed and tried to still his tapping fingers. He gestured to the seat beside him.

"May I have a seat, Mr. Weasley?" Arthur nodded.

"Please do. Now what has brought you to my office? Misuse of Muggle Artifacts doesn't seem like a place for a Malfoy." Arthur said before biting his tongue. Abusing a Malfoy in the Ministry was a sure fire way to be fired. Draco, though, seemed to not notice the slight sneer. Instead, he looked more like someone facing a wounded bear.

"Mr. Weasley, I have come apologize for House Malfoy's part in our feud and to extend a peace offering to end this petty feud between our families." Arthur frowned and leaned back in his chair once more. He tented his fingers as he observed the man across from him.

"Lord Malfoy, are you aware of the circumstances surrounding the beginnings of the feud between our houses?" Draco nodded.

"I am, sir, though I am not familiar with all the players. I would like, with your blessing, to give the Lordship of Weasley back to your family." He produced a document and laid it on the desk in front of Arthur. He picked it up, looking suspiciously at the blonde youth before him before turning his attention to the document. As he read, his suspicion turned to amazement and then to disbelief. He laid it back down and stared hard at Draco.

"This is a more than generous compensation for past wrongs. Would you care to explain your position further before I decide? I do not wish to be made a fool by a Malfoy." Draco nodded.

"I understand and I hope that you will accept my offer. The world is at war and I have a plan to end it. To do it, I need help. I know that the Malfoy name- for all its power and money- is dirt and I plan to rectify that. Malfoy was once a beacon of light and hope before it was corrupted. I am doing my best to dig out that corruption with the help of Mother. I offer the Lordship back with no strings. It is yours no matter what you decide about my request." Arthur looked back the scroll, tracing a hand over a large number imprinted on it. The scroll was legal and binding. The stamp of both the Ministry and Gringotts graced the top. He thought of Molly, his children, his house, all his failed dreams.

"Tell me everything. Leave nothing out." The tension fled as Draco grinned and leaned forward, producing another document and showing it to Arthur.

August 8

Grimmauld Place

Sirius grumbled to himself as he wandered the darkened hallways of his family home. He was sick and tired of being holed up in this stink hole. He hated this house. He hated his name. He hated Dumbledore's refusal to ask the Ministry to pardon him. But most of all, he hated being kept away from his godson. He was in the attic. He wasn't too ashamed to admit that he was hiding from the numerous Order members. He stared out at the gloomy gardens bathed in moonlight before noticing the dark shape flying towards him. He was torn between calling out an alarm and waiting to see. Before he could make a decision, an owl lit upon the sill and held up its leg.

Letting out a huff, Sirius opened the window and took the scroll, thanking him. The owl hooted a response before taking off. Sirius closed the window and read the letter by the light of the full moon. It was a summons to Gringotts in the morning for a special meeting. The letter informed him that the host was aware of his cricumstances and had made arrangements for him to safely attend without fear of being apprehended. It also requested that he bring Lupin along. He pulled out a heavy silver cross necklace with his family's motto written in cursive across the cross arms. He remembered his mother wearing it to parties when she was alive.

He grinned and headed to his room to make plans.

Privet Drive

Harry stormed into his room and slammed the door behind him. He could hear his uncle raging below but knew he wouldn't dare confront him. He fell back across the bed, covering his head with a pillow. Was it possible to smother oneself? He didn't think so but for a brief moment he wished it were so. Cursing aloud, he flung the pillow before storming to the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Hedwig. He was so sick of having to return here. Sure the threat of a murdering psychopath godfather had made life infinitely better but it didn't stop everything. He watched glumly as his aunt, uncle and cousin got into the car to head to dinner.

A small forgotten place deep inside cried at the thought of being left out again by his only blood family. He angrily swiped at the small tear that fell. He didn't need them. He had a family. He turned and started to toss things into his trunk without heed. A small peck at the window had him turning in excitement to see his friend. His smile turned to a frown as he saw an unknown owl. He opened the window and collected the scroll. It flew off as he read. He pulled out a golden snitch. He chewed his lip thoughtfully before heading to the shower. It was going to be an early day tomorrow.

The Burrow

It was way too early to be up on a summer's day in Ron's opinion. His mother had woken him and the rest of the Weasley so they could get ready for the day. He sat down for breakfast, half asleep, still in his pajamas. Ginny was falling asleep across from him, head propped up on her hand. Even Fred and George didn't make comments as they wandered in. Molly was going through the morning post, as food zoomed around the room.

"Ronald, darling, there's a letter here for you." She said as she passed it over. Ron raised an eyebrow. He had just gotten a letter from Hermione and Harry yesterday so he wasn't sure who would be writing to him. He opened the letter and read it, sleep receding from his mind. He pulled out a small black stone carving roughly the size of his fist. Intricately carved upon it were a knight, a bishop and a castle. He rubbed his thumb across the knight as he thought back to the letter. He turned to his mother.

"Mum, I need to go to Gringotts tomorrow for a meeting."

Egypt

Bill Weasley wiped an arm across his forehead and stared at the tomb before him. This last curse had been a bitch to remove. The Ancient Egyptians certainly knew there stuff and this curse particularly was nasty. It turned unsuspecting tourist inside out starting with their feet.

"Hey, Bill, got a letter for ya!" He waved at his coworker, signaling he would be right there before turning back. He wanted to be sure he had removed all traced of the curse.

He squinted at the burst of bright light as he exited the pyramid. A tall black man approached him with a canteen in one hand and a letter in the other. Bill took the canteen gratefully. He took large swallows to remove all the sand and grit from his throat. When he was finished, he took the letter and handed back the empty canteen.

"Thanks, Eli." The black man waved him off as he walked away. Bill was surprised to see that it was a letter from Gringotts. He tore it open, looking down when he heard something fall to the ground. He bent down and found a small locket with the picture of three children, two boys and a girl, on one side and engraved on the other were the words Small but brave. He felt that he had seen the children before but couldn't place it. He turned back to the letter and read it. Finishing, he looked between the letter and locket before turning to find his supervisor to ask for the next day off.

Spinner's End

Snape had just sat down in his favorite chair, with his favorite book, and a cup of hot tea when the owl pecked at the window. Frowning, he opened the window with a wave of his wand. He accepted the scroll, not bothering to watch the departing owl. He scowled at the picture of the happy couple before reading the letter. He rolled his eyes as he set the letter and picture aside and returned to his book.