The Good Son
Chapter Fourteen
Wish Upon A Star
"You brewed the poison that killed Molly Weasley?" asked Hermione incredulously as she contemplated her future son-in-law. The Manor was for the most part empty save for herself, Albus and Delphin – who had come to visit seeing as Rose was spending the day dress shopping with Cassiopeia and Katherine. The boys had screwed up their noses at the notion of accompanying them and furthermore, Hermione had been adamant about not breaking the tradition of the groom not laying eyes on the wedding dress till his bride walked down the aisle. Draco, sensing that the Manor was soon to become a hub of frenzied wedding planning – neither Albus nor Cass cared for a long engagement – had scheduled a business trip to Italy. Now though, Hermione was fixing the two adolescent males with a disapproving glare.
"Yes," admitted Albus, taking a seat on the dark leather armchair and raising an eyebrow at the brunette. Delphin seemed uncertain of what course of action to take and after a moment's hesitation, perched himself on the armrest of his friend's seat.
"What happened to wanting a bloodless victory?" she asked, shaken by the matter-of-fact tone of voice he was using.
"The incident had nothing to do with the Outcast movement," explained Albus with a shrug, "I brewed the poison at the Sophia William's request in exchange for eighteen thousand galleons. The business was barely staying afloat so I engaged in several such endeavours to keep the creditors at bay. I didn't know she was going to go after Molly, I assumed she would do the world a favour and get rid of Ron."
"The only reason we're not all in Azkaban right now is because of Albus' quick thinking," added Delphin, "Sophia was an idiot, the poison may have been untraceable but her connection to the Outcasts was not." Hermione's eyes were wide; she had had no idea that such things were what had been funding Malfoy Holdings whilst they waited for Draco to get back on his feet. Furthermore, she couldn't believe that Albus appeared so nonchalant about being the cause of the death of his cousin, however estranged they may have been.
"Do you really hate the Weasleys that much?" she asked as she sank into the plush loveseat that she usually occupied with Draco at her side.
"No," said Albus, "I don't hate them all. I hate my Uncle Ron and I loathe my father. I love my mother and sister, and even though James hurt me more than the rest of them put together I love him because he'll always be my big brother. I love Teddy, Victoire and Remy; even if I haven't seen them since James' wedding because they never turned on me. I am fond of my grandparents and Uncle George. The rest of them . . . I feel absolutely nothing for, I don't hate them nor do I love them, they abandoned me when I needed them the most. I know what you're thinking Aunt Hermione and you're right, I feel indifferent at best about Molly, I regard her as a casualty for the greater good."
Hermione blinked at his response, so methodical and well said, as if rehearsed. Then again, he must have contemplated such a question himself in the past. She had as well and had come to pretty much the same conclusion, the Weasleys were a part of a different chapter of her life but the only one she could truly bring herself to hate was Ron – and that was solely because he had hurt her children – and to a lesser extent Harry. It was a strange thought. Once upon a time it had been the three of them standing against Draco Malfoy and his Slytherins; now it was Draco and herself against them. The difference was striking, she had grown up and seen the world as it was; they remained teenagers, stubborn and frozen forever in their childish personality's schoolboy grudges.
"Albus," she said warningly, "If the Weasley's rally against the Outcast cause then we will all be in grave danger, there is no family alive that holds as much standing with the Ministry as they do." She frowned as Delphin and Albus exchanged an amused look.
"The Ministry is a lion without claws," chuckled Delphin, "They have less than forty aurors left."
"What?" gaped Hermione, just the month before Rose had left for Egypt the Aurors had numbered near a hundred.
"Harry and Ron are keeping it quiet to try and restore their numbers before Kingsley finds out," smirked Albus, "Our contact at the Auror office tells us that there was a mass resignation in protest against Ron. Our people are already infiltrating the other departments and spreading our ideology, by the time I return from my honeymoon the Ministry will be in our pockets."
(*)(*)(*)
"They're not here Aunt Tori," said Kat politely from the doorway as she conversed with an irate Astoria Greengrass, "They're probably at Del's or Hugo's." Hugo had recently purchased a studio apartment claiming he needed independence and that he could not achieve that if he lived with his parents. Draco and Hermione bought the lie and quite graciously offered to pay for his new accommodation, an offer that Hugo was pleased to accept. Albus and Scorpius however knew that he just wanted to have a place of his own where he could shag Francesca Montague without having to bring her home to the Manor and risk an awkward introduction with his mother.
"Those two," sighed Astoria, "One would think they don't want to get married the way they avoid our planning sessions. Honestly, is it so much for them to just let us help plan their special day. Well I should be going then, hopefully I'll find them at one of the boy's apartments."
"Would you like to stay for tea Aunt Toria?" asked Kat with a wicked grin on her face.
"I'd love to dearie but I'm meeting the other ladies for lunch at the Manor," she smiled at her niece, not seeming to notice the evil look on the girls face as she took her leave. As soon as Kat shut the door however, she was confronted by both Cass and Albus, both looking extremely irked.
"What are you playing at," hissed Cass, "Inviting her for tea."
"I'm only being polite," smirked Kat, a sweet look in her eyes, "Aunt Tori and I are very close."
"Kat," scowled Albus, "Did the concept that we are hiding from our mothers not cross your mind."
"It did," she grinned before walking to the living room and plopping down on the couch. The pair followed her, settling down on the loveseat with Cass basically on Albus' lap. The tomboyish girl rolled her eyes at them, since Al had proposed the couple had been sickeningly in love. The tabloids were in love with them though, much to their own chagrin. When they had been dress shopping, going to a bridal store with a Malfoy was a very entertaining experience as the boutique owners were prone to fawning over Cass in their need to please her . . . and by extension, her father's prodigious bank balance.
"You two know that you can't hide from them forever," she pointed out when they remained silent, seemingly content to glare at her. When Albus and Cassiopeia had formally announced their engagement to their families (In Al's case he just told his mother) they had created an unholy alliance –as they called it – between Ginny Weasley, Astoria Greengrass and Hermione Malfoy, all three of whom had flung themselves into the wedding planning. The couple had taken to hiding from the mothers in an attempt to retain their own sanity; Albus claimed that if he was asked one more question regarding the colour of their table napkins he would jump of the Hogwarts Astronomy Tower and Cass was absolutely sick of being questioned about her choices with regards to her wedding.
"The wedding is in a month," said Albus, "I think we can manage living on the run till then." Kat laughed before noticing that Cassiopeia had a very serious look on her face.
"Wait you aren't serious?" asked Kat incredulously.
"We are," said Cass, "We've already given the list of everything we want; it's all the minor details that they're harping on."
The floo burst into emerald flames as Xavier arrived, looking tired yet maintaining a wry smile as he walked into the room and dusted the soot of his robes.
"Ms. Weasleys been calling your office for you all afternoon Albus," he said with a cheery grin as he pecked Kat on the cheek and took a seat on the arm of her chair, "She sounds pissed. Something about the catering menu for the wedding."
"See," groaned Albus, "This is what we're talking about!"
(*)(*)(*)
"We need to gather the Order," said Harry as he sat across the desk from his former head of house, Minerva Mcgonagall. The years had been kind to the elderly woman and although her hair was now completely grey and wrinkles covered her face, she still maintained the elegance and sternness that she had held herself with during his own schooling days.
"Why?" asked Minerva, not deigning to look up from her papers, the new school year was fast approaching she often found it necessary to familiarize herself with the new students before they began school. She was bitterly disappointed in her former students who she maintained had behaved in a despicable manner over the years and it was with a heavy heart that she recalled the cheery smiles from their youth. The war had hardened them and few of them seemed to have adapted to the new world, most content to let the stereotypes and prejudice of the past rule their lives.
"The Outcasts are gaining power," said Harry as if it were the simplest thing in the world and as though she should know that by now, "How long before we have another war on our hands?"
"They so far seem to bear our world no ill," pointed out Minerva, "I quite agree with a number of their goals myself. And there is no evidence that they have been causing trouble as you and Mr. Weasley have been." Her voice had become sharper as she spoke, like many members of the wizarding community she had been appalled by Ron's actions and heartily believed he should be in Azkaban.
"Causing trouble?" spluttered Harry in indignation, "We have been protecting our world."
"No," she said firmly, "You have been poisoning it with hate. I know all my students Mr. Potter, including yours sons. Do not think me blind that I have not noticed the way you alienated him from the moment he set foot into this school."
"He is a Slytherin Minerva," said Harry, stung by her remarks, "You know what they're like."
"They are all outstanding citizens if that is what you are implying," she brooked no arguments in that case, "True, there have been cases of violence from a few of their members but the same can be said of any house."
"Albus is leading a group of neo-death eaters and you think they are upstanding members of society?" asked Harry, aghast.
"I know that boy since he was born Mr. Potter," said Minerva in a clipped voice, "I held him when he was no more than a day old. I watched him grow up and he has never displayed the slightest hint of malice or hate until his family turned on him. Like all tyrants, you create your own worst enemies; be thankful that your son wants to achieve change peacefully."
"I am not a tyrant," yelled Harry, finally causing her to look up from her papers, "Voldemort was a tyrant and I killed him."
"You are fast becoming as bad as he was," said the portrait of Severus Snape and both individuals turned to face the greasy haired man. He sneered at Harry, distaste evident on his face.
"Your father was an arrogant bastard and your godfather was his right-hand, I loathe you for being as insipid as they were," continued Snape in a drawling tone that dripped disgust, "But never have I thought I would see the day when Lily Evans would be ashamed to call you her son."
Harry rose; his face dark with rage as he stormed from the office, slamming the door behind him. Snape's comment had cut him to the bone.
"That was cruel Severus," chided Minerva reproachfully.
"It was a truth he needed to hear," said Albus Dumbledore, who at up till that point remained silent in his own portrait.
(*)(*)(*)
Cassiopeia forced a smile to her lips as she walked into the Drawing Room of Malfoy Manor, fighting the urge to cringe at the exuberant round of applause that greeted her. Several women were scattered about the large room, which had been elegantly decorated for the event – one she had begged Rose to do away with. But her pleas had fallen on deaf ears and now she was made to face the horror of her bridal shower, she was very nervous, knowing full well what horrors Kat and Rose could come up with when they put their minds to the task.
It didn't help her in the slightest that she had been feeling ill for the past few days, something she put down to pre-wedding jitters considering her special day was less than two weeks away. It startled her, she had never expected to feel nauseas during the prelude to her wedding but she knew that it was probably just her nerves; there was no way that marrying Albus would ever be a mistake.
Still, she could do without heaving the contents of her stomach into the toilet every morning.
Her maid-of-honour and half-sister Rose Granger grinned at her beside a pile of presents, most of which were wrapped in gaudy shades of pink, a colour choice that made her cringe. True, she wasn't as much of a punk as Kat was but that didn't mean she was as girly as Elena Flint either. Truth be told, she had a very practical person as Albus could testify to, having seen her in ball gowns as often as he had seen her wearing a pair of jeans and one of his t-shirts. Kat sat by her side, an evil grin on her face that sent shivers down the blonde girl's spine. She knew that look; it was the expression Kat wore whenever she had thought up something especially wicked.
Surveying the room quickly as she made her way to the dainty throne like chair that seemed to have been prepared for her –oh the horror – she took in the faces of those attending. She exchanged a quick smile with Francesca, who although hadn't been the best of friends with her during school, she was fond of solely because the girl had broken Hugo out of his depression concerning Claire. Elena and Isabella were present and helping themselves to the wine, which she thanked her mother for providing, she had a feeling she would need it to get through the rest of the day. Her mother was present as was Hermione; whilst her future mother and sister-in-law had both politely declined their invitations. Ginny was abroad conducting interviews with the French National Team for the Daily Prophet concerning her job as the winner of the World Cup. Alison had been hesitant to attend because of the estrangement between the brothers and though she and Cass would soon be family, she didn't want to face her because of the way she had tormented the younger girl in school. Nevertheless she had mellowed slightly after marrying James and was less antagonistic towards Slytherin House so had sent a present. Then of course there were a few of her friends from work, her cousins – all of whom were rather young, the eldest still in her fourth year at Hogwarts – and a few of her aunts. Charming . . . she thought to herself.
A few hours of mind-numbingly embarrassing bridal games and boring conversations later lunch was served. No sooner had Cassiopeia taken a whiff of the garlic crusted hake fillets that their house-elves had prepared was she running for the nearest bathroom to puke. Coughing roughly as she finished making her offerings to the porcelain gods, she felt somebody pull her thankfully still-clean hair out of her face. Turning slightly, she realised that her mother had followed her.
"Are you ok?" asked Astoria, concern evident in her voice.
"I'm fine," said Cass, grabbing a bottle of mouthwash from the medicine cabinet to freshen her breath. Her stomach heaved slightly but she had nothing left to throw up.
"I'm just nervous about the wedding," she admitted when her mother continued staring at her, midnight blue eyes rife with that calculating curiosity that made Astoria such a gifted member of the Wizengamot. She was the only Slytherin to sit upon the panel, an achievement in itself. Thankfully, Astoria didn't press the matter, soon escorting her daughter back to the party.
After dealing with numerous concerned guests Rose seemed to realise her discomfort and came to her aid announcing it was present time. The first box pressed into her hand was from Rose herself and judging by the smirk on her half-sisters face it wasn't a new outfit. Nervously undoing the wrapping she blushed furiously, it was a new outfit after all.
Just not one she would be comfortable wearing in public. Is that a whip? Cass blanched in horror.
"Rose," she spluttered, thrown by the candidness of the gift, "This . . . this is . . . lovely." She thought it a nice choice of wording, hoping she didn't give any offence. Whilst she and Albus had a very active sex life, such toys and outfits weren't really their style.
"I thought so," said the blonde girl with a smirk as Kat sniggered appreciatively in the background. Cass hurriedly closed the box and pushed it under her chair before any of the older women could get a chance to see what it was.
"This ones from me," grinned Kat as she handed over another box, this one wrapped in jet black paper covered in silver stars, "You and Al can thank me tonight."
Staring at the small mountain of presents still waiting to be opened, Cass only had one thought . . .
Where is that wine?
(*)(*)(*)
"A bachelor party?" repeated Albus incredulously as he took in his extremely excited group of friends who had been sitting in the living room, waiting for him to finish shower.
"As your best friends we are duty bound to throw you one," pointed out Scorpius dramatically, he had been a wreck in the months following Lily's departure till a random day six months later when he had received an owl. He had disappeared into his room with the letter and hadn't left it for three days. Finally, when Draco had threatened to blast his door down Scorpius had returned, the old vibrant boy who used to drag his friends to the school kitchens at least once a week. Nobody but Scor knew what was in that letter but Albus sometimes walked in on his friend staring down at a well-worn photograph – something the blonde stowed away whenever people came in. Albus had let it go, it didn't take a genius to know that the strange picture was probably a photograph of his nephew; the son of Lily and Scorpius.
"I was actually planning on staying in tonight," he shifted awkwardly.
"Doing what?" demanded Delphin, "What could be more fun than spending quality bachelor time with your best mates before you get tied down?"
"Uhm well you see Cass wanted to try on some of the outfits she got for her bridal shower," he ran a hand through his hair nervously, well aware that two of the young men sitting in front of him where his bride's brothers.
"No objections," said Hugo firmly, "Go and get dressed."
Defeated, Albus turned and walked back upstairs to his room, cursing his friends under his breath as he pushed open the door to find Cassiopeia in all her lacy finery. He growled, half in lust and half in disappointment.
"Put some clothes on," he snapped, his irritation at his best friends getting the better of him – really they were making him miss this; he was nearly in tears, "Your brothers are downstairs."
(*)(*)(*)
Twilight fell, colouring the sky is opalescent hues of indigo and rose, the sun a burning halo on the horizon, slowly sinking as the first stars made their appearance in the sky. The air was cool and tranquil, the rose garden lit with soft silvery lights that kept the growing darkness at bay, carrying the soft murmurs of wedding guests as they awaited the arrival of the bride.
Ginny dabbed at her eyes as she watched the scene, her youngest son standing nervously at the altar. Scorpius Malfoy stood at his side, his best man had a bright smile on his face and she couldn't help but think of how her grandchild may look. Thoughts of Lily were never far from her mind, but she reasoned that if the child is anything like the man standing before her, who had supported her son through everything, then he would grow into a fine young gentleman. On the same note, Lily was his mother and Potter/Weasley women did not tolerate nonsense of any sort from their children.
Yes, her grandchild would grow into a fine young man. She only wished that he and his mother could still be here. She had entertained hopes that Lily would return for her brother's wedding, hopes that were it seemed in futile.
Three groomsmen stood beside her son and Scorpius; Delphin Zabini, Xavier Avery and Hugo Malfoy. The years may have passed since the glamours had been lifted off of him but Ginny could never accustom herself to seeing him blonde and pale rather than red-haired and freckly as he had been for the first ten or so years of his life. Nevertheless, seeing what her brother and husband had turned into she couldn't fault Hermione for having found love elsewhere – it was something she was again considering. She was in her forties, still young by wizard standards and she was growing lonely now that she was all alone. True, Albus still visited her for tea once a week whilst James and Alison (she had since warmed to the younger witch) came to call on her regularly but it wasn't the same, especially since she had no idea as to Lily's whereabouts and had no significant other in her life.
Her sole companionship these days was Hermione, whom although she would never be able to be quite as close with as she had been prior to their divorces, was becoming a good friend. She had been surprised that her former best friend supported the Outcast movement and stunned speechless when she had caught a glimpse of the older woman's mark. Then again though, she herself agreed with a great many of the groups views and even if she refused to fully support the cause that did not mean she did not think her son had raised valid arguments as to the way the Ministry currently operated.
She also had struck up an unlikely friendship with Astoria Greengrass, who encouraged her to return to the dating scene and was actually quite pleasant company. Rita Skeeter had gone quite mad with excitement when she photographed the two of them together at the Leaky Cauldron after having met for lunch.
Finding out that Albus led the Outcast's had been an eye-opener, she had always assumed it to be Scorpius Malfoy with her son as a high-ranking member. She herself had been flabbergasted when Albus had given his first press statement concerning the group – other than identifying himself as their leader (To Harry's fury) he had also disavowed any knowledge of the Williams scandal (Which had let Ginny release the breath she hadn't been aware she had been holding) and outlined the goals of their movement. To the anger of the more bigoted members of society, her ex-husband and brother chief amongst them, a great many people had been swayed by Al's message and Outcast support was higher than it had ever been.
The flow of soft conversation seemed to dim as people turned their heads to the entrance of the rose gardens, Ginny pausing only to take in the soppy, awe-struck look of her son's face as he stared at his bride. She felt a pang go through her heart; Harry had looked at her the exact same way on their wedding day – where did they go wrong?
If Ginny had been awed upon catching sight of the venue, the elegant grove of silver and emerald leaves, tinged through with roses of black velvet and white silk, all glowing with an ethereal glow in the soft magical lighting and glimmering starlight, then she was positively breathless when her eyes fell on the bride.
She could only imagine how her son must be feeling . . . for Cassiopeia Malfoy was so beautiful it hurt to look upon her.
Her platinum hair cascaded in soft waves down to the small of her black, adorned with only a single tiara, white gold and set with emeralds – the Malfoy bridal jewels, worn by every Malfoy bride since the Renaissance Era in France, from which they had originated. A delicate necklace hung upon her throat, the chain shaped like a twisting string of tiny roses, each petal hand wrought, each emerald individually set by goblin hands. Her earrings and bracelet completed the set, each piece more expensive than the cost of the entire wedding.
The stars themselves seemed to have fallen and their light woven into her pure white dress, luxurious and flowing, tight at the bodice, tapered at the waist and falling in crescendos of silk at the skirts. It was sleeveless, bold in its simplicity yet so exquisite and regal a piece that it tore away every bride's illusion that they had had worn the perfect wedding dress.
Draco walked beside her, looking every bit the proud father he was meant to be and Ginny was sure that his eyes seemed to gleam wetly. Once again she looked at the injustice of it all, that Lily would never have her own father willingly walk her down the aisle to marry the man that she loved. To nobody's surprise, Harry had shunned the wedding. To everybody's shock, so had James.
Things were worse than ever between the brothers these days, James seemed unconvinced that Albus hadn't had a hand (or at the very least a finger) in Molly's murder – Ginny blamed Harry's very public insistence that the Outcasts were to blame to poison the boys already worn relationship. He also bought in wholesale to the propaganda that had been circling against the Outcasts and firmly believed that Al had become mixed up in the wrong crowd. Ginny herself had heard the propaganda and didn't place much stock in them, Albus may have changed but she highly doubted her son would engage in illegal muggle hunting. When Albus had stepped forward and announced himself as the Outcast Leader, Ginny knew it had broken James' heart even if he didn't believe that Al engaged in the deplorable activities he had been accused of, he still thought that Albus was leading people who did. Albus for his part had long ago deemed that he didn't need his family, so he hadn't let it show that it hurt that his brother thought so little of him. But Ginny would like to think that she knew her sons and she could see it in the depths of Albus' eyes that it hurt him more badly than anything that James had shunned his wedding.
Her full attention was diverted back to the altar as they couple began to exchange their vows.
"Cassiopeia, you are the only woman I have ever loved and will ever love. You've been my shoulder to lean on, my rock in a storm, the one person who was always there for me to keep the darkness at bay. I remember one time, back when I used to still wake up screaming from a nightmare because my family had abandoned me how you used to be there, not judging or complaining but just being there for me and soothing me back to sleep." Ginny felt tears come to her eyes, she had never known that. She noticed that George and Angelina, the only other Weasleys save for Victoire (who was now a Lupin) that had shown for the wedding, were looking ashamed of themselves – even though they had been the most accepting of their nephew. Her eyes fell on her grandson Remy, looking quite sharp in a muggle suit as he sat beside his parents Teddy and Victoire, his neon green hair attracting a lot of curious looks. He was only nine and didn't yet have much control over his metamorphmagus abilities because of his diluted bloodline.
"I remember when I first met you, I remember the first night I kissed you, the first night we had together, the day I proposed and you said yes. I remember all of these things so clearly because they're my brightest memories. I vow to love you till the end of time, to be your support in times of need, to cherish and protect you every day of my life. I vow that you Cassiopeia will be my last love . . . just as you were my first."
"Albus, you were my first everything and I can promise that you will also be my last of all those things. I love you for your heart, for your strength and determination. I love you for you, now and forever, because you have my heart and you've kept it safe all these years. I vow to cherish and be faithful, to nurture and protect, to care for from this day to my last day. But Albus, I will love another man as much as I love you," there was a shocked outcry from the crowd, Albus looked as if he had been clubbed over the head but she spoke on, taking his hand and laying it across her stomach.
"And that man will call you daddy."
(*)(*)(*)
Ginny helped herself to one of the champagne glasses as she milled about the reception, exchanging polite words with many of the guests, the fire of her joy never leaving her as she watched her son and his new wife, both sporting such brilliant smiles that their happiness seemed to tangibly fill the air around them.
She had never seen Albus look so happy, not since he had been eleven.
She frowned slightly as she watched him start as happiness filled the depths of his green eyes, the eyes of his father whom she had once fallen in love with, of his maternal grandmother who had died to protect her son. Turning to look at what he was staring at, her own smile widened into a Cheshire grin of pure bliss.
Near a tall apple tree, in the distance but still close enough to have witnessed the ceremony and to be easily distinguishable – even in the darkness of the night – stood James, a smile on his face. Seeing his brother catch his eye, he winked and raised two fingers to his brow, an obvious salute. Albus exchanged a quick word with Cassiopeia before breaking away from her and silently apparated to his side.
Ginny watched as her sons embraced, for the moment the barriers between them forgotten.
Harry would like to pretend that James' first words about having a brother had been something along the lines of, "I don't want a brother," or "Will you still have time for me?"
That was never the case, it had been Ginny who broke the news to James when she had been six months pregnant with Albus and James in his two-year-old innocence had told her she was getting fat.
His first words after coming to understand he was getting a baby brother had been:
"Will he be my friend?"