A/N - sorry it's been so long! I tried to research everyone's lists. I apologize if I missed something. For Blaise, I went with Tryslora's entry on InsaneJournal, as I couldn't find much about him. The next chapter will likely be moved along significantly on the timeline. As far as why things may be written or capitalized differently from character to character, I thought it was in keeping with the fact that a bunch of people wouldn't write their lists exactly the same.
The donors had been given half an hour to create preliminary lists. Randolf's wand vibrated an alarm when time was up.
"Who would like to go first?" The group was surprisingly shy until Lucius waved a hand.
"Lucius Malfoy, Slytherin. I am known for duelling, Potions... Lesser-known magics. I have been called cunning, craven and ruthless, but I prefer to consider myself ambitious, flexible and driven. Whatever negative traits I may have, or poor choices I made in the past, I am devoted to my family."
Arthur leveled a penetrating gaze at Lucius, "Is 'lesser-known magics' another way of saying 'Dark Arts?'"
The elder blond raised a brow, keeping his expression inscrutable. Arthur shook his head in resignation. Narcissa stood up in an attempt to end further interaction between the wizards.
"Narcissa Black Malfoy, Slytherin. I am capable of Occlumency, dueling, apparition, and old magic. I am also extremely protective of my loved ones." She reclaimed her chair, sending a warm look toward her son, who read his list from his seat.
"Draco Malfoy, Slytherin. I excelled in Potions, and had an, erm, talent for fixing magical objects," he faltered, remembering that damned Vanishing Cabinet. Hermione took his hand, silently encouraging him to continue. "I'm an Occlumens, and I had a gift for Quidditch."
"Says you," Harry snorted lightly. "And as a Slytherin, don't you have to include 'conniving git' on your list?" The gibe served to bring Draco back to himself as he mock-glared at the brunette.
"All right then, Saviour of the Wizarding World, let's hear what you've got. And don't think some of us have forgotten you can be a sneaky bastard yourself," Draco leaned back in his seat.
Harry grinned as he stood. "Fine. Harry Potter, Gryffindor: Defense against the Dark Arts, Dueling, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Apparition, Herbology, Quidditch Seeker, former Parselmouth and ex-Master of the Deathly Hallows. I'm good with Magical Creatures, and I can cast the Patronus charm."
"And victim of a hero complex. Don't forget that, Potter. Merlin knows the rest of us can't. In fact, for anyone who says 'Gryffindor,' Healer Randolf, you can add 'has a death wish.'"
Harry flicked the v's lightly at Draco and blushingly regained his seat. "You know, Malfoy, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin."
"Hearing that just now may make me the closest to liking you that I've ever been." Draco drawled, fluttering his eyelashes as Harry kicked him in the shin.
Neville tapped his chin thoughtfully, "As far as the Patronus charm is concerned, pretty much anyone from Dumbledore's Army can do that."
Randolf's brow furrowed. "Who here is capable of casting a Patronus?" Harry, Hermione, George, Neville, Luna, Headmistress McGonagall and Arthur raised their hands. The Healer scrawled something hastily in his notes before looking up again. "Next?"
Mrs. Weasley stood up. "Molly Weasley, Gryffindor. Abilities in spells, healing, non-verbal magic, potions and charms. I have some knowledge of 'lesser-known magics,' and a willingness to use it when the occasion requires. My strongest trait is loyalty." The Weasley matriarch's eyes flashed dangerously at the last, and the room kept silent as more than one person remembered her duel with Bellatrix Lestrange. Molly turned to her husband and gave him a nudge.
"Arthur Weasley. Gryffindor, I'm good with charms, dueling, apparition, non-verbal magic, transfiguration and Muggle technology. This helps me to be open-minded." He glanced at his son, bidding him to contribute.
The younger redhead swept his hair from his eyes. "George Weasley, Gryffindor. Talents include charms, spells, potions, Quidditch, and my strength is being able to think outside the box. Or outside the Skiving Snackbox, I suppose." He wriggled his eyebrows, eliciting chuckles from his fellow donors. He glanced warmly at the delicate blonde sitting next to him.
"Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw. I am able to see unique creatures, occasionally I invent things. Besides being open-minded, I am very forgiving."
The Malfoys winced slightly at this, as Lucius mouthed "sorry," to the young woman. She smiled in a disconcertingly sweet fashion before turning her attention to Hogwarts' Headmistress.
"Minerva McGonagall, Gryffindor. I have considerable dueling experience. In wartime, I utilized one of the Unforgivables. I am skilled in Charms, non-verbal magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. I can understand Ancient Runes. Until injuries prevented further play, I was quite the Quidditch player." That tidbit of information visibly caught Harry, Draco and George by surprise, and made Minerva smile to herself. "As a child, I was capable of underage magic with intent. Among my personality traits are loyalty, a love of efficiency, and an understanding that sometimes the ends justify the means. When first sorted, I was given the choice between Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. And, of course, I am an Animagus."
"..."
"What was that, Mr. Malfoy?" McGonagall's Scottish burr took on a frosty tone that made Draco feel 12 years old again.
"Sorry, Headmistress. I was just saying to Hermione that it's too bad you didn't turn into a fish, or something else that lacked claws."
She nodded her acknowledgement of the logic of his statement, secretly relieved the younger Malfoy wasn't snarking, and feeling vaguely ashamed that she'd expected it. But after time around his father, and seven years with Draco, old habits died hard.
A throat cleared next to her as another of her former charges stood.
"Neville Longbottom, Gryffindor, talented in Defense Against the Dark Arts, dueling, and Herbology. I would say one of my traits is compassion."
"And another would be courage," cultured female tones surprised the Gryffindor.
"Um, pardon me, Mrs. Malfoy?"
"Narcissa, Neville. I said you had courage. That bloody snake was terrifying." Nods of agreement came from all around the circle. Neville returned to his seat with pride shining in his eyes.
"Blaise Zabini, Slytherin. I've done well with Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration. I can discern more quickly than most if something is wrong with a potion by its color, translucence, etc. And I have some training in Legilimens."
"Pansy Zabini, Slytherin. I was good with Magical Creatures. My talents lie more with the arts, fashion and organization. I have a habit of being in the right place at the right time to make things happen." She looked shrewdly at Granger-Malfoy.
"We shouldn't forget Hermione; she's contributing to this baby, too. Brightest witch of her age, remember?"
"Gods, I hate that title," the mother-to-be sighed tiredly. "Hermione Granger: Gryffindor, talented in Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Nonverbal magic, and Dueling."
"You are also the owner of a supremely devious mind, highly compassionate, and perhaps the most tenacious creature I've met," Lucius tipped an imaginary hat to his daughter-in-law. She smirked. Randolf cleared his throat to focus everyone.
"So to sum up, we have a group that is highly intelligent, skilled in the arts of war, devious, and brave. Most, if not all of you are capable of both Light and Dark behavior. We have at least two Occlumens, which means Mireille may show skill in hiding information from her parents. More than one of you seems to straddle the line between one house's traits and another's. Headmistress McGonagall's ability to perform concentrated underage magic may become an issue of special concern. So may the abundance of Potions talent."
"In light of all of this, what do you recommend, Randolf?"
"That we keep the Stasis charm on the baby at all times while I look for something stronger to keep her in human form while in utero. Perhaps a potion would be more effective."
"And once she's born?"
"With proper socialization, I believe you'll have an amazingly powerful child."
"And without it?"
"You may be looking at the Next Dark Lord. I'd advise not spoiling her, and ensuring she has the utmost respect for you from a very young age. Because of the kind of magic we're dealing with in this situation, I must insist on swearing all of you to complete secrecy."
This was met with several disgruntled looks. "Really, Randolf, is that necessary?"
The Healer blew out his cheeks in exasperation. "Can you imagine what it would be like if this became common knowledge? Aside from the fact that I'm sure Draco and Hermione want their privacy, I will not have my clinic petitioned to develop designer babies. Just imagine some of the possible combinations."
Gulps could be heard around the room as the donors willingly took the oath.