Chapter XII
tea time = family time
Bill Weasley felt a bit out of place as he settled into one of the rather opulently decorated sitting rooms of Chateau Black. If his mother had known he would be attending a 'Black' Family gathering she would have blown her gasket. For some reason – against the fact that her own mother had been a Black – she tried to push that part of her family out of her life completely even going so far as to push his father's mother away.
However, as the chosen heir to the Weasley Family because of his cousin taking the McKinnon Family title, he met with the part of the Weasley family that was more pushed away from his own siblings and parents. It had started in Hogwarts. He and Ethan were in the same year and although Marcus was sorted into Ravenclaw and him into Gryffindor they still remained close.
Until the age of eleven, they only met a handful of times. Since Hogwarts began, their bond had grown stronger, and they continued to correspond over letters. Because of this and the fact that his uncle Marcus had not had a second son, he was chosen as the future Lord Weasley.
His parents were currently unaware of this information, and he would rather keep it that way until the time he actually took the Lordship from his Uncle Marcus. Ethan was waiting until he had a stable career at Gringotts to claim the Lordship of the Mckinnon family although that would be coming quickly.
When his grandmother had fire called him all the way in Egypt; informing him that a family meeting of the Black family had been called he hadn't expected her insistence upon attending. Still, the woman fully surprised him, and he had to scramble to get appropriate clothing for the affair. Thankfully, Ethan was good and had clothing ready for him upon arrival.
Of course, just because he was future Lord Weasley and dressed to impress didn't mean he felt at ease in the presence of Cassiopeia Black and the newly revealed heiress of the Black Family. Cassiopeia Black still held a reputation even amongst the magical families of England. She was a striking witch, powerful in her own right, top of her female class at Hogwarts in Defence, Transfiguration, Charms, and Potions.
Diverting his attention to the young Heir Black, he scrutinized her.
She was thin, small compared to other girls her age although she possessed curves. Her hair was not the traditional black or dark brown colour of the Black family but a soft copper colour that was very nice. Her eyes were a mint shade and her skin slightly tanned. The clothing she wore were more on the modern side of things yet held elegance and richness to them that made a statement without being gaudy.
What this adolescent witch would bring to the Black Family he wasn't certain but the family resemblance to Sirius Black was quite noticeable once you put the colours out of your mind.
"Ethan, William," startled out of his thoughts, Bill swiftly turned his attention to Cassiopeia as she called at them. "How is your work going in Egypt, working for Gringotts can be hard yet fruitful at times?"
"Our work is going quite well although Ethan received good news," Bill answered while shooting his cousin a grin that had the man chuckling.
"I've received a new assignment. In a weeks' time, I will be heading to Puru. According to Malcibur, new ruins have been found near the port of Alcorn. Malcibur was able to form a team, and I was chosen to go as the goblins wanted Bill to remain in Egypt overseeing the remaining sites we were to explore." Ethan explained, earning a proud smile from his father and a worried look from his mother.
"That's wonderful to hear." Cassiopeia murmured before sipping at her tea. "You girls, you'll be beginning your first year at Hogwarts this coming year now won't you,"
"Yes Aunt Cassy, we're looking quite forward to it." one of the twins chirped.
"What house do you wish to go to?" Kinsley asked, speaking for almost the first time since their arrival.
"Everybody expects Weasley's to go to Gryffindor," one remarked a sparkle in their eye that reminded Kinsley of the older Weasley twins.
"We don't want to go to the House of the brave, however; we wouldn't mind Slytherin or Ravenclaw." The other twin continued.
"Although this is interesting," Cedrella remarked shooting her grandchildren soft smiles. "I'd like to know the full reason for why you called this meeting Cassiopeia."
"Never one for beating around the bush Cedrella, I missed that." Cassiopeia laughed softly before giving her niece a glance. "I was going to inform you of this after we had eaten our lunch however it is evident we will be doing it now." Cassiopeia murmured before placing her teacup down on the table.
"I have called you all here to disclose sensitive information. We are family and it is about time the Black Family begins to act as a Family. We must protect one another, be there for one another, and support one another. A splendid example of that is William and Ethan's relationship. Attending Hogwarts together, and although in different houses continued the strong bond between them. So much so they went into the same field and continued to work side by side." The elderly witch declared shooting both men a nod of approval. "Yet there are secrets that need to be kept between the family. Even if only for a short time and so, I must ask you all to swear the Black oath."
"Aunt Cassy, you can't believe the children –" Marcus began to protest yet his mother raised her hand stopping him.
"Cassiopeia wouldn't be asking if it wasn't imperative," Cedrella remarked before her eyes turned to the newly returned heir to the Black family. "This large secret involves you in some way,"
"It is in truth completely about me," she answered knowing the truth would be the best option in this case.
"I see, and it must be sensitive and pertaining to the years you were missing. If Cassiopeia has decided that this secret deserves the oath then we all will be taking the oath. If you chose not to you will be obliviated and sent off not to know of the secret until the time it is revealed to the rest of the magical world." Cedrella remarked sounding stern and set in her choice.
It was clear that Mr. Weasley did not take after his mother, thought Kinsley as she gazed at the stern looking woman before her. He would never have threatened is children in that matter.
"The oath can't clash with our contracts," Ethan remarked as Bill gave a nod.
"You don't have to worry about that. The Goblins will understand and are already aware of the situation." Kinsley remarked making both men frown before they looked to each other and gave nods.
"Very well, we'll take the vow."
"Wonderful, then we will begin." Cassiopeia declared a happy smile on her lips.
It took a good half hour for everybody to speak the vow. The wording had to be just right, as they didn't want death to incur but the punishment had to be severe enough for those breaking it to learn the consequences. Once complete, it was time to tell her extended family just what they had vowed to keep secret.
"I suppose we should just jump to the point," Cassiopeia remarked while giving her niece a side-glance. "Kinsley Black as you all know was kidnapped St Mungos. We still do not know who performed the kidnapping, but those who did kidnap her performed a tactic similar to what Death Eaters have done in the past. They changed her gender."
That had those around them freezing in surprise before looking to Kinsley who raised an eyebrow.
"I used to be a boy yes," she admitted taking over the reins of the conversation. "At times I still feel like one although it has been advised to me that for my safety I should not speak of this to others – outside of my family that is. Do not expect to see many dresses or skirts in the near future."
That had some laughter bubbling up from the men, and she couldn't help but shoot a nervous look at Bill.
"I've also been advised to – hide my past identity from the outside world, friends included. Although I do have dangers by being Kinsley Black, I also had dangers in my past identity as well. For you see I was – I was Harry Potter." She finally admitted earning complete and total silence from all those gathered.
A glance around the occupancy of the room revealed a range of emotions. Pity, shock and horror, anger, sadness, curiosity it was all mixed together and one look to Bill, and she noticed how he realized that they were connected in more ways than one.
"I've come to terms – somewhat – with the gender change. I have come to terms – mostly – about being forced to abandon my friends. I do not like it, I never dreamed I would do it – but for my safety, this was what has been planned. I'm sorry Bill; you're little brother will be hurt because of these actions and may actually never forgive me." She whispered earning a look of understanding from Bill.
He couldn't deny what the Heir to the Black family was saying. Ron would be angry towards his 'suppose' best friend when he learned that this entire thing had been kept from him. He would be angry when Harry didn't return to Hogwarts. Hell, his own mother was going to be furious. He'd read letters about how found she was of the boy and now-now Harry Potter was the future Lady Black and Molly Weasley was unfavourable towards the Black Family.
"I can – attempt to run some interference, try to teach Ron some of the more delicate traditions of a pureblood family and why they are used in cases if you would like." He offered, knowing that although he should spend more time with his younger siblings the age difference was still quite large, and he had to admit he probably shared very little in common with them.
"Thank you, Bill," the young heir murmured gratefulness evident in her voice.
"How did you learn you were, in fact, a girl?" Cedrella questioned a curious glint in her eyes as she gazed at the young witch before her. "You've adapted quite well to the situation."
"The situation has been more complicated but in retrospect I've not had time to truly flow into the changes more like I have to get used to it and act as though I've always been a girl so that others don't figure it out," Kinsley answered before drawing a sigh. "I learned I was a girl when my "uncle" tried to kill me. He shot me in the stomach and well I'm very glad that it was my mother who took the case and not some other person."
"It was fortunate, to tell the truth. Amelia saw the impact the case may have and kept it very quiet and private. Kinsley was brought to a muggle hospital where she was brought into surgery for her bullet wound. A Healer was also brought in to help with the situation one Amelia trusted. This healer made the connection between Kinsley Black and Harry Potter and so the situation became even more – critical."
"Indeed, it was believed that Death Eaters kidnapped Kinsley back when we all suspected Sirius to be on the light side. Yet now the situation is put into question. Sirius Black was sentenced to Azkaban for the murder of 13 muggles, being a Death Eater and being an assistant to the death of James and Lily Potter. Yet if the man was a Death Eater then would they have still kidnapped Kinsley?" Cedrella questioned before sitting back in her chair and taking a sip of her tea.
"Could a member of the light suspected Sirius of being a traitor and kidnapped his daughter as leverage?" Lycoris Black questioned eyes closed. "Could somebody in power be at fault for the kidnapping?"
"What are you implying Lycoris?" Callidora question sounding uncertain of the direction they were moving the conversation in.
"I'm simply saying, Kinsley was found to be in the hands of the Potter family. Could this have been planned? Perhaps not by the Potter family Merlin knew James Potter trusted Sirius Black with his life but it could have been orchestrated by somebody who had ulterior motives, perhaps – a prophecy."
As swiftly and suddenly as the idea was thrown into the room did the magical tension rise. Looking towards her aunt, Kinsley swiftly spotted the hidden look of displeasure that seemed to fill her.
"A prophecy? What sort of rubbish are you speaking of Lycoris?" Cassiopeia simpered unimpressed yet Lycoris gave a sigh.
"An old friend of mine informed me that there was a hall of prophecies in the Department of Mysteries. This hall of prophecies holds thousands of little orbs, orbs that cannot be picked up by another person bar the ones whose names are attached to it. He once told me that during a – inspection of the prophecies he spotted one that was rather interesting to him. A small glowing orb that – under it – is inscribed S.P.T TO A.P.W.B.D. Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter."
Silence fell all around as adults turned sober while Kinsley looked down at her lap.
Could it be true, could it have all be orchestrated by somebody – no she knew those initials. A.P.W.B.D. Albus Percival Wilfred Brian Dumbledore, those were his initials and if there really was a prophecy had it been planned by Dumbledore. Did he really take her from her birth parents placed her with the Potters and hoped the prophecy would hook?
"This is – strong speculation. I will not doubt your source on the matter of the prophecy Lycoris, however, we cannot go around suspected Dumbledore. We need more proof of the subject and until that time we cannot do anything." Cassiopeia declared before peering down at her niece. "It does not mean we cannot be on guard. Amelia has made her choice to send you to Hogwarts as Kinsley Black, not revealing your past to members of staff or the Headmaster. We must remain cautious yet not suspicious."
"This goes for the two of you as well, remember the vow you spoke," Marcus grunted while looking at his daughters who gave identical nods.
"Wonderful, now that that conversation has been had lunch is ready to be served and I believe many of us are hungry." Cassiopeia murmured before rising to her feet everybody else following suit. "Let us adjourn to the dining hall."
…
Bill Weasley gazed out the window of Château Black a frown on his face. Being invited to Lunch turned into far more than he would have ever believed.
"A lot to take in isn't it," came a soft voice that had him turning to find Kinsley Black standing not far from him. "You have a bit more stress on your shoulders as well. I'm sorry I'm compelling you keep such a large secret from your own family Bill."
"You don't need to apologise to me, Kinsley, your safety is important." He remarked before bestowing her an assuring smile that didn't exactly reach his eyes. "I've been keeping more than just this secret from my family so you don't need to worry about that."
"I see, being a Curse Breaker comes with its hazards after all." She remarked, earning a nod from Bill. "Speaking of secrets I do have a – idea concerning Ron I was hoping to put it past you."
"Speak away, what are you thinking?"
"No matter what my mother may think, I cannot simply abandon my friends as though they weren't part of my life for the past two years. We're close, closer than others believe." She remarked while walking to stand beside him.
By the way, she spoke however, Bill became concerned. Gazing down at the young witch beside him, he noticed her sombre look and felt something inside him twinge. Something happened, something his youngest brother did that involved not only himself but the rest of them as well.
"What did my baby brother do?" Bill questioned, frown in place and concern lacing his voice.
"How much are you aware of last year's events?" She asked making him frown.
"What events?"
Shutting her eyes, Kinsley turned her head down. When she approached Bill, she had assumed the oldest Weasley son had been made aware of his sister's horrible first year and traumatic experience with the possessed diary. Clearly, that had been untrue and now she was in the rather messy situation of revealing that history to Bill.
"I think we need to speak in a more private area Bill," she suggested making Bill frown.
"I'm not going to like what you have to tell me am I?" he probed making her wince.
"I don't believe you will," She mumbled before letting a deep breath out. "Thankfully Aunt Cassy knows I wanted to speak with you personally so please follow me I know a good place to speak that would be more private."
Walking through the halls, it wasn't long before they arrived in a small office. The office held a single desk and set of chairs facing a fireplace. Windows gazed out over the land around them and the furnishings were all done in soft blues with stars.
"I'm sorry I'm the one that's going to be revealing this to you," she spoke up after a long pause making Bill sigh.
"If something happened to my siblings I should have been made aware sooner than this. My parents may be unaware of my status as future Lord of the Weasley family but it still involves my siblings and I deserve to know. They should have informed me." Bill growled before sitting on one of the chairs and eyeing the witch before him. "What does this have to do with Ron anyway?"
"Ron took on the responsibility," she softly answered eyes growing sad as she thought about what her best friend did. "Last year, things started out – rocky but soon turned into far worse. Have you ever heard of the Chamber of Secrets?"
"A storyteller," he argued, yet she shook her head.
"Not exactly, the chamber does exist. I have had the unfortunate honour of being inside of it." She remarked before drawing a deep breath. "The chamber was opened during the course of last year, the attacker unknown students began falling from petrification."
"Petrification?" Bill demanded eyes narrowed as he gazed at the teen.
"Petrification, turns out the beast of Slytherin was indeed a true beast – a Basilisk." She quickly revealed not wanting to toss around the bush. "The only reason nobody died from looking it in the eye is that they didn't look directly into its eyes. They looked either from a reflection, a mirror or through something. The school swiftly faced other troubles in the form of Dumbledore being pulled as Headmaster, teachers being stretched far too thin to be healthy only to converge on a student being pulled into the chamber."
"Damn it, why weren't aurors called in? Something? How can you miss a giant bloody snake roaming the halls?!" he demanded angrily.
"I don't know why they weren't called in, to be honest, and the staff didn't seem to know what was causing the petrification. They were waiting for the students to be awoken, so they could tell them what they saw." She admitted before wincing as she noticed how red Bill was turning.
"Didn't know – didn't bloody well know! Only a small number of magical creatures petrify!" She bellowed angrily before rising to his feet and beginning to walk back and force before his chair. "Gorgons are the only known creature beside the Basilisk that petrify. Of course, a Basilisk breeding was banned in the medieval times and a Basilisk hasn't been seen in Europe in centuries."
"The knowledge that they petrify isn't very common either," she added making Bill growl in agreement.
"Still aurors should have been called either way. Gorgons are very dangerous considered a XXXXX creature by the Ministry. Putting students' lives in continuous danger like they did is ridiculous. A student could have died – a student was brought into the chamber, what happened were aurors finally called?" Bill demanded, attention turning back to Kinsley who was looking away from the older wizard. "Kinsley – you're not telling me something,"
"Ginny was the student pulled into the chamber Bill," she whispered feeling guilty.
"WHAT!"
The roar had Kinsley pulling back away from the man. She knew he would be angry to learn about this but no amount of bracing could stop her from wincing away. Peaking up at the man, she was surprised to find him leaning against the chair, shoulders rising and falling rapidly as he took deep breaths.
"Kinsley, do me a favour and just – tell me what the hell happened." He growled, not looking up from his hunched position.
"Hermione found out what the monster in the chamber was and was on her way to tell us when she was petrified with another student. They were using a mirror to look around the corner of the hallways. She had the page from the book in her hand and nobody noticed until we went to see her. We found the page in her hand crumbled up." She spoke quickly yet clearly, not wanting Bill's anger to grow more than it was.
"When we went to tell a teacher, students were called to their dormitories and staff to the staff room. We arrived only to learn that Ginny had been pulled into the chamber. Luckheart boosted that he'd known where the chamber entrance was all this time and could defeat the monster. The staff agreed and he left the room. We wanted to tell him what he was going up against – well bad story short, the man's a fraud and tried to obliviate Ron and I so that he could claim the glory. We landed in the chamber and after a small fight, the ceiling caved in separating Ron and I while also causing Luckheart to lose all his memories."
"Luckheart tried to obliviate both you and Ron – the guy was a fraud," Bill growled while looking up at her for a moment showing the boiling rage behind his blue eyes. "Keep going,"
"I told Ron I'd continue into the chamber and that he should clear a path for Ginny and I to return from. When I arrived in the chamber, I found Ginny on the ground motionless, nobody else around. When I ran to her side, she felt weak and was extremely pale." She recounted eyes glazing over slightly as she spoke about her latest traumatic experience in the magical world. "Turns out the person who opened the chamber was using Ginny, it was actually a book with some sort of dark magic attached to it that was possessing Ginny. The dark magic had taken a human form, and revealed that the journal once belonged to Tom Riddle."
"Wait!" Bill ordered, hand raising to halt her. "Dark magic taking human form?"
"Yeah almost like a ghost but more solid as he was able to grab my wand." She admitted unsure as to why Bill was asking about that.
"Grabbed your wand, he was solid enough to grab your wand." He continued before rounding the sofa and sitting on the edge, legs apart elbows on his knees eyes bearing into her own.
"Yes," she whispered.
"This – apparition was bound to a journal?" he continued, and she nodded unsure where this was going. "Right keep going I – keep going."
"Um – Tom revealed himself to be – well Voldemort," she continued sounding slightly hesitant.
She was even more so when the man's hands seemed to clench harder than before, turning his knuckles white. "He was the heir of Slytherin, wanting to purge Hogwarts of its "filth". He pulled Ginny into the chamber to drain her life force so that he could claim life once more. He had been draining her slowly as she continued to write in the journal, and he wrote back. He also wanted to kill me."
"Ginny wrote back to the diary that was – bloody hell." He groaned before waving his hand showing she was to continue.
"He summoned the Basilisk and I ended up fighting against it. Fawkes, a phoenix, arrived and blinded the monster saving me from death and petrification before dropping the sorting hat on my lap. I have no idea what compelled me but I shoved the old thing on my head and well – a sword fell out." She admitted earning a gurgling sound from Bill that had her raising an eyebrow yet not wanting to stop she continued. "I killed the Basilisk by shoving the sword through its upper mouth and into its brain. Sadly one of its fangs embedded itself into my arm."
Before she could continue, Bill's hands shot out grabbing her arms and pulling up her sleeves to look for the small nub of scar tissue left behind by Fawke's healing tears.
"Fawkes cried on my wound, countering the effects of the poison and sealing the wound. From there I stabbed Tom's diary with the fang destroying it and him in the process. Thankfully, Ginny woke after that. Long story into the reason I went to speak with you about Ron is – Ron took note that I had saved your sister and two days after the events declared a life debt between the Weasley Family and myself. He told me he would be taking responsibility for the dept and not his sister." She continued before wincing as Bill's grip tightened.
"What did he do?" he whispered face growing paler.
"Indeed, I tried to stop him, but he's so stubborn it's unbelievable." She grumbled before shaking her head. "He swore loyalty to me. Swore to remain by my side as a friend, as an ally or in any form I may need, for as long as he lived. Magic accepted his vow, especially when he sealed it with blood."
"Sealed it with blood," he repeated as though trying to get the information through his information-dulled mind. "You performed a blood sibling bound,"
"His idea, though it would strengthen the offering he was delivering." She weakly mumbled as Bill closed his eyes and dropped his head.
"I – This is beyond what I thought the subjects would entail when you asked to speak with me." He whispered before letting go of her arm and burying his fingers into his hair. "My sister was being possessed by Voldemort of all people. My siblings almost died because the staff of Hogwarts was too prideful to get Aurors involved with the entire affair. YOU – fought a bloody Basilisk, were poisoned and lived! You saved my sister's life, Kinsley, if my brother wouldn't have stupidly taken on the responsibility of the life dept on his own I would have done so. My family as a whole owes you a debt no matter what Ron did and I'll do everything in my power to respect that dept."
"You have nothing to do Bill; Ron did it already against my wishes. I did it because it was the right thing to do." She whispered before grabbing his hand and squeezing it. "I need to speak with Ron, and not just him. Hermione made a similar bound with both of us after Ron, and we are bound as blood siblings from now on. We need to communicate; they need to be aware of what is happening."
Here Bill's expression turned sober. Kinsley couldn't hide away from either Ron and their other friend. With the bond of blood sibling in place, all three would grow ill. Ron might even lose his magic if he doesn't stand by her side as he promised. No matter who Kinsley was or is now, the vow still applies.
"I have an idea,"
author note:
sorry for the delay everybody, its been a long while however I am still writing. It just takes time. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and we're stepping away from the political, etiquette side of things for now.
cheers!