Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
U.P.
The music playing was a light and airy waltz suited to the holiday season. Adrian pressed one hand against my lower back and the other on my shoulder. While we were moving in the appropriate box step and avoiding the other couples currently on the ballroom floor, keeping time with the music was proving difficult.
The closed-mouth sigh Adrian released was for my ears only. "This will go smoothly if you would just look at me", Adrian grumbled lowly; placing a certain amount of pressure on my hip to make me move in the direction he wanted.
Wearing the same dress from last year, maintaining a pleasant face was proving to be a challenge. But our instructions were clear. We needed to be a united front. Something other guests would see and think they wanted a part of this. So, the wide smile I stretched across my face only felt phony to Adrian who knew better. "I am looking at you, darling". The voice that came out of me was my best impression of Stimpson. Leaning into Adrian's front, I peered up at him and batted my eyes. "Why, I don't think I'll ever be able to look away".
Adrian scoffed in disgust when his back was turned to the rest of the dancers on the floor. "Holly", he complained in a harsh whisper.
As if that was ever enough to make me stop. "Oh, Adrian. I'm so lucky to have you in my life", I continued; laying it on as thick as I could without drawing attention to ourselves. Well… mostly. Over Adrian's shoulder, I could see Mrs. Pucey standing in the middle of a group of witches. She was conversing with them, but her eyes were on us. We briefly made eye contact before Adrian shuffled us around. At that moment, she shook her head at me. Probably as another reminder to be on our best behavior. "I mean, what girl wouldn't be blessed to be dating a boy who used her secrets to start a political movement". My voice lost all pretense of pretending to be Stimpson the longer I talked. By the time I was uttering the last few words, I was back to sounding like my angry self. My words felt like being sliced by a sharpened piece of steel. Or so I hoped.
The song ended. Following the other dancers, Adrian's hands fell from my waist and shoulder so we could turn and applaud the band. Though, we did so half-heartedly. "You looked parched, my dear", Adrian said before the next song began. Involuntarily, I shivered. "Punch?" Adrian asked in a low growly voice as he offered his arm.
"That sounds lovely, darling", I agreed a little too amicably as I accepted Adrian's arm. Years of practice allowed Adrian to keep his face schooled, but judging by the tic in his jaw muscle, my delivery was getting the response I wanted. If he wanted to resort to pet names, I'll use pet names.
The punch bowl wasn't being haunted by anyone. Which was probably why Adrian suggested it. We went through the motions. Just in case anyone was watching. Using the silver ladle, Adrian filled one crystal glass and handed it to me like the gentleman he insisted on keeping up the pretense of being. I sipped it slowly to give myself a few moments of privacy; waiting for Adrian to get his own glass.
As a song with a faster tempo started up and couples whirled around each other on the dance floor, Adrian turned his back to all of them and allowed himself to frown. "Holly, I had to". Adrian said, sounding tired.
Unfortunately for him, I used most of my stored-up empathy for Percy. "You had to", I repeated; letting my sardonic feeling season my tone. "You had to rope your parents and Flint into this by telling them everything you know. You had to make plans about who to invite into an inner circle and who was too risky. You had to start a movement that makes everything I know obsolete. And you just had to do all of this without telling me". At some point, I'd started talking with my hands; waving around the punch glass. Some of the liquid came dangerously close to sloshing out. Not that I particularly cared at the moment. Party fouls didn't count during domestics.
Adrian took a slow drawn-out sip and had the gall to roll his eyes. "What you knew became unreliable the moment you decided to get involved".
My eyes sharpened and my grip on the delicate cup tightened more than was advisable. "So, I should've left your brother to rot in prison. Is that what you mean?"
Adrian glanced to the left where Bill was trying his damnedest to keep Fred and George entertained and prevent any unplanned mayhem. He was unlikely to succeed given the length of this party. There was no way Fred and George made it to midnight without setting loose one fanged frisbee. "No, that's not what I meant", Adrian forced out after taking a deep breath; visibly making his shoulders rise and fall. An action that was much easier to see in his tailored dress robes rather than his school robes.
"Of course, not revealing Pettigrew would mean Harry would still be living with a family that mistreated him. You remember Harry, right?" Turning his head back to me, Adrian glared to express his irritation. "You know, your god-nephew from another life". Adrian flinched at my wording and I didn't care. "I believe you bonded over quidditch and a night in the hospital wing. Do you want him to live with people who would have fed him through a cat flap if Sirius hadn't been freed?"
Fed up with me, Adrian knocked back the rest of his punch before setting his glass on the table. His upbringing was the only thing that kept him from slamming it down. "Look", Adrian started as he stepped into my personal space. Forcing me to press my back into a wainscoted decorated wall. He gripped my elbows with both of his hands. "You and thing one and thing two got as far as you could. Freeing Sirius and restoring the Black family name is something Sirius and… myself will always be grateful for". Adrian's words started out earnest; causing the beginnings of regret to stir in my gut. However, it didn't last long. "But as soon as you intervened, things changed". Adrian's voice became stern and his eyes felt like a storm people should be wary of. "It's why you couldn't predict Lockhart. It's what led to me learning everything you were trying to keep hidden. Nothing is set in stone, and pretending that it is will get you killed".
Way to jump to the worst-case scenario, Adrian. Eyebrows slanted inwards and debating the pros and cons of stomping on his foot, I tried to get my eyes to brew a storm of their own. "We know things aren't written in stone. We adapted", I said with extra emphasis on the last word. "We're still adapting. Which is something everyone will be forced to do for a long long time now that you have Flint Sr. preaching a new tomorrow".
Adrian scoffed. "You weren't adapting, you were surviving. Adapting requires learning and all you three were doing was throwing half-baked plans together and hoping for the best. How would that ever work going against the dark lord when he resurrects? If he resurrects".
I forced my head away from the wall and closer to Adrian; our noses were almost touching. Thank Merlin one of us didn't wear glasses. "Dumbledore-"
Adrian pushed my shoulders back, creating space between our noses. "Dumbledore is gone. Your actions started the chain of events that caused his career change". It was a hard blow. Harder than the pet names we'd been bothering each other with earlier.
I broke first, redirecting my eyes to focus on the tips of Adrian's leather shoes. Dumbledore's dismissal was still difficult to accept. Even with Sirius and Lupin serving as Gryffindor's heads of house being a constant reminder of last school year's failings. And I… That was all my fault, despite my loved ones telling me otherwise.
Sighing in frustration, Adrian softened. "Things can be better this way, I promise. Going against the dark lord and his followers requires counterforces. Like the revival of the Order of the Phoenix, you told me about. Without Dumbledore, Lord Flint is necessary. And He'll be able to do it better than Dumbledore".
Feeling an oncoming headache, I used my free hand to rub my temple. "Yes, the very intimidating and awe-inspiring group aptly named UP".
"The United Party", Adrian dryly responded to my sarcasm, his grip on my elbows tightening to express what his face and words couldn't. "If successful, will have a greater resource pool than either the Dark Lord or Dumbledore. And the United Party will have the advantage of working proactively instead of reactively". My hair had been set into a bun for tonight's festivities, but that didn't stop Adrian from running a finger down the side of my face; pretending to brush hair out of the way. "Thanks to you".
My eyes found Adrian's again as I vaguely took note of the change in music. It was clearly an instrumental rendition of a Weird Sisters' song. Undoubtedly requested to keep the youth interested. "You mean thanks to you", I retorted; causing Adrian to duck his head in self-preservation. "Tell me, how does Regulus Black's reincarnate know so much about future You-Know-Who's intentions? I wasn't aware Regulus was so high up in You-Know-Who's ranks. Or that he was proficient in divination".
"It's safer this way", Adrian reiterated; almost pleadingly. This wasn't the first time we've had this conversation. Ever since that fateful day spent at the Flint's abode, we've been using every spare moment we could get alone together to reestablish stable, common ground. It made Christmas somewhat tense.
"Safer for who?" I asked. "Because it sure as hell isn't you".
Adrian opened his mouth to continue how this argument normally plays out. However; this time, we were interrupted. "Adrian, Holly", Flint Sr. greeted as he approached with a lowball glass of firewhiskey in his hand. Neat, by the looks of it. "Enjoying the party?" He asked.
Adrian released my elbows and took a step away; casting an appreciative glance in Flint Sr.'s direction. If Lord Flint was anyone else, I'd accuse him of failing to read our corner of the ballroom. But with him, I know better. Flint Sr. approached us for the sole reason that we were arguing. "Yes", Adrian answered, falling back into his much-rehearsed son of the upper-crust behavior. "Mother was feeling anxious with the guest list having to be re-worked. But I believe she was successful".
Flint Sr. hummed his agreement as he took a drink. Glancing around the room filled with purebloods and half-bloods of various social standings, he nodded his head once. "Your mother certainly has a knack for throwing a good party. I never doubted her", he complimented. And I had to agree with him. Reluctantly. Tonight's guests consisted of witches and wizards of conflicting political and social views. There were alumni from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff. And still, no brawls had broken out. Quite the accomplishment.
Finishing his visual sweep of the room, Lord Flint's eyes returned to Adrian. "Speaking of parents, I must confess, I didn't come over here to simply converse". Because of course, he didn't. I finished drinking the rest of my punch to hide my disdain. "Your father is looking for you", Lord Flint informed Adrian. With the hand that was holding his glass, Flint Sr. gestured to the other side of the room where Mr. Pucey stood enthusiastically talking with a witch and wizard couple. "The Diggory's seem interested in what our mutual endeavor might offer them. Of course, they'll require some top-notch warding for their home before they'll feel safe to join us. Perhaps you can assist your father in sealing the deal".
For a brief moment, Adrian's face became pinched. Like the very last thing, he wanted to do at that moment was aid the family business. But, ever the dutiful son, his face smoothed off all vexations. "Of course," he agreed. Adjusting slightly, Adrian held out his arm. "Holly?", he asked.
Right. I moved to take it. Because tonight, unlike last year's annual Pucey New Years' Eve party, it wasn't just Adrian who had a job. Like our families making nice with the Flint's, the Zabini's, the Bulstrode's, and the like, we too were tasked with painting a pretty picture. A picture containing Gryffindors and Slytherins involved in peaceful and thriving relationships without fear of social consequences. If I was feeling especially pretentious and poetic, I'd describe it as the happy ending Romeo and Juliet would have gotten if they hadn't been star-crossed. Or if their families, themselves included, hadn't been bloody idiots.
"I'll stay with Holly", Flint Sr. interjected before I could make contact. "You both look like you're due for a break", he explained at a lower volume. "We are all happy to be amongst each other, remember. And you two are a big part of that. It wouldn't do to have a spat in front of possible new recruits. It would make them question the solidarity we're trying to offer them".
Both Adrian and I hesitated; my hand hovering over Adrian's arm. Silently, we looked at each other as we tried to read the other. Would I be okay if Adrian left me with someone I wasn't fond of? Did Adrian need moral support as he helped his dad woo the Diggorys'? Because we were focused on figuring out those questions, for a few seconds, the hostility between us was forgotten.
Staring at each other longer than either of us intended, Adrian awkwardly cleared his throat. "Right", he said; lowering his arm. "Thank you, sir", Adrian said in response to Lord Flint. "Holly, I'll… find you". He promised almost like he couldn't determine if he should promise such a thing.
"Please do", I assured him before Adrian could walk away. Because while we were in the middle of a fight, separation was the farthest thing from our minds. Also, I really didn't want to be stuck with Flint Sr. longer than I had to be.
Standing behind the punch table, we watched in silence as Adrian carefully chose his steps as he approached his father and the Diggory's with poise. Me, because I didn't have anything I wanted to say… Well, not in public. But Flint Sr., I suspect the hesitation had something to do with building a presence or some nonsense like that.
Without offering or waiting for assent, Lord Flint plucked the glass from my hand and stepped closer to the table to refill it. "Holly", he started after doing so. The use of our first names was something Lord Flint had taken to in the days following our unplanned sleepover at his estate. Because we were allies now. Our families were entwined in such a way that made familiarity essential. Or so he claimed.
Flint Sr. didn't return the glass to me until I had stepped closer to the table; standing shoulder to shoulder with him. I held it in front of my chest without making any moves to drink it as Lord Flint asked, "Look around and tell me what you see".
"An accident waiting to happen", I grumbled without bothering to comply with the request. I knew what the ballroom of the Carrow Maison looked like. I didn't need to study it.
As was quickly becoming the norm, Lord Flint responded to my surliness with the upturn of his lips. "I've been making the rounds since the first guests arrived. And what I've witnessed tonight can proudly be known as the first steps to our bold new future". He sounded like a politician and I was half tempted to call him out about it. But I held my tongue. Maybe if I didn't say anything, Flint Sr. would become bored and go away.
Using his pointer finger, Lord Flint started gesturing to different clusters of people. The first consisted of Mum standing by the dessert table with Lady Zabini and a few other witches I didn't recognize. "Those lovely ladies are discussing what spell work is best for removing difficult stains". Following Lord's Flint, the group I looked at next showed Sirius tightly hugging a graying woman with stunning bone structure very closely as Harry and a younger-looking woman with purple hair looked on in mild embarrassment. "A family reunion long overdue", Lord Flint described. "The cousins Sirius Black and Andromeda Tonks reunited at last". He sounded a little proud of himself for a man who wasn't meeting an estranged family member. "And perhaps soon, it will be safe for Mrs. Tonks' husband to join in our gatherings. Won't that be a way to open minds and build bridges".
It was a beautiful sight to see two people so happy to see each other. And to witness Harry's family slowly grow to include a few more. Merlin knows the boy needs people in his corner. That was the only reason I managed to wrangle myself in. Even at Lord Flint's questionable sentiment. It's not like he had ever cared for open-mindedness before now. As a concept, open-mindedness tends to only be sought when it fits someone's agenda. Not that there are many who are ready to be honest about that fact.
The next people Lord Flint pointed to included Ginny, Flora, Hestia, Millicent Bulstrode, and shockingly, Neville. All five of them stood in a circle talking amongst themselves. Quite often, four of the five would burst into giggling. Causing poor Neville to look like he was wearing blush. "The Longbottom heir has surprised me", Lord Flint admitted. "Despite his clumsiness and lack of self-confidence, he managed to make friends, or at least friendly acquaintances, with four daughters of Slytherin. And!" Lord Flint made a point of adding. "He danced with all of them. Something, I'm afraid, Ron and Mr. Potter haven't felt comfortable doing".
I couldn't find anything to pick at in this example of tonight's company. The muscles in my face loosened as I watched Ginny giggle at something Flora whispered in her ear as Neville's whole face flamed. "Neville is the least hard-headed of the second-year Gryffindor boys", I reluctantly agreed; privately hoping that befriending so many girls at a party would boost the boy's self-esteem. Mostly out of respect for the wizard I imagined Neville would grow into.
Recognizing that he'd gotten me on board, Lord Flint's next example was more on point with what he was trying to spell out for me. "And tonight is all thanks to your young man". Adrian stood next to his father; shaking hands with Cedric and smiling charmingly at who had to be Mrs. Diggory as his dad talked shop. "Needless to say, I was shocked when the Puceys approached me during that whole mess with Lockhart about potential societal upheavals. I almost didn't believe them. How could a child know so much of things that happened before his time, reincarnated or otherwise? Though, I do suspect Adrian's previous memories are his only source of information" Feeling Lord Flint's searching eyes on my face, I slowly raised my punch glass to hide my mouth from view.
"Luckily, I chose to believe them because I soon learned of a few secrets my son was keeping that made such upheavals needed as long as they settle in our favor". Lord Flint's eyes swung to the opposite side of the room where Percy and Marcus stood talking with professor Flitwick about something indiscernible. There was a comfortable distance between us. Nothing about their posture or behavior alluded to the fact they were attracted to each other. But if you paid attention to their eyes long enough, it was noticeable. They never looked at each other at the same time. When Percy looked at Marcus, color ran to fill his cheeks. The looks Marcus sent in Percy's direction always contained a certain amount of longing. And judging by the humored looked on Flitwick's face; they weren't as good at fooling everyone as they thought.
But I didn't want to mess up and be wrong. Especially after only recently promising Percy that his secret was his to tell. So, I settled for asking, "What are you talking about?"
Of course, since I was talking with a lawyer, I didn't get a direct answer. "There are not many things in this world I cherish", Lord Flint admitted. Because that was completely on topic. "My marriage to my late wife was arranged, and unwelcomed to be honest. My father only allowed me to pursue law as a way to placate me into following through with his plans for my future. After all, gentlemen usually don't require a profession".
I tried not to roll my eyes. I really did.
Lord Flint continued as if I wasn't quietly judging him. "Marcus was the only good to come out of our union. And I swore, as many young parents do I suppose, that Marcus would grow up differently. I'd give him the considerations my father never afforded me". Oh, wow. How kind of him. "So, naturally, when Marcus started approaching an age suitable to begin courting, I asked if there was anyone who had caught his eye. He avoided the question; running out of the room as soon as he could. The only thing Marcus would willingly talk to me about was quidditch and the ongoings of school. But slowly, I started to take note of the classmates he mentioned. One was mentioned more frequently than the others. 'Weasley said this'. 'Weasley is too ambitious for Gryffindor'. 'Weasley could do a lot better'. Naturally, I assumed he was talking about you. The eldest Weasley girl. It was an erroneous assumption".
Lord Flint tore his eyes away from his son to give me a pointed look. This time, it was a look that I willingly returned. Seems like we were on the same page. At least, in this department. "That explains the stupid marriage contract", I commented dryly.
"My point", Flint Sr. introduced. Finally. "You can trust the United Party. You can trust the Flints. My son's happiness depends on Percy's happiness. Which is dependent on two things from what I've observed. The well-being and support of his family, and the freedom to live as he and Marcus wish. The only way to achieve both those things is for the United Party to succeed". Lord Flint swirled the remaining firewhiskey around in his glass before finishing it with one swallow. "So, perhaps it's time to accept the path you are on. Commit yourself to our cause. Because you, Holly Weasley, could be instrumental". Lord Flint set down his glass beside the punch bowl. With his point made, he clasped his hands behind his back and gave me a curt nod. "Enjoy the party", Lord Flint said before heading in the direction of Augusta Longbottom.
Everything Lord Flint said whirled around in my head as I watched the groups he pointed out earlier. Everyone did look happy. A little cautious too, but happy. Was this really the start of something? And what exactly did Flint Sr. think I could do to help UP? Adrian said it himself. The things I knew had changed too much. Future facts were now unreliable. Unpredictable. Useless…
Leaving a full glass of punch behind on the table I abandoned my corner of the room in search of familiar faces. Specific faces that I'd never forget. Bill was still with them as they stood close to the band and bobbed to the music in a way that shouldn't be possible for a waltz. Honestly, I was just surprised they hadn't found a way to lose their bowties yet.
"We've thrown better parties in the Gryffindor common room". I commented as soon as I was in earshot. Fred snorted as George moved to let me stand between him and Bill.
"Oh, I miss those", Bill said as he hung an arm over my shoulders. Looking upward and to the right, he started reminiscing. That, or Bill just needed a moment to pretend we weren't related to him. "We used to raid the kitchens right before. Our prefects were reasonable and didn't mind as long as we got enough for everyone".
"We know", Fred and George said in sync.
"You taught us, remember?" I contributed. "Or rather you taught Charlie, and Charlie taught us".
Letting out a small laugh, Bill elaborated. "There was this one place I liked to take girls during parties. We'd grab some butterbeer for ourselves and-"
As if suddenly remembering where he was, Bill cut himself off and looked at us nervously. "Well?" George prompted. "Go on?"
"Where did you take these girls?" Fred posed his own question.
"No", Bill shook his head. Suddenly adamant. The long strands of his hair tickled his face as he did so. "You three don't need any help in finding trouble. Mum would have my hide if any of your shenanigans get traced back to me".
The idea pleased all three of us as identical grins stretched our lips. Bill paled a little. The fear of Mum had the same effect on all of us to some degree. "Is it in the common room or somewhere else in the castle?" I asked. Because if it was in the common room, Adrian and I couldn't go there.
"No", Bill stood firm. "This isn't something my little sister needs to know".
I blinked a couple of times. Both as a way to keep my composure and cue Fred and George that hijinks were underfoot. "Well, that doesn't make sense. Little sisters are girls. So why can't I know about it if it was a place you took girls?"
Bill shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Sounds like a double standard to me", Fred said; taking my side.
"It does", George agreed; stilling as the song playing came to an end. The three of us stared up at our eldest brother. Really putting him in the hot seat. "Do you think Holly can't handle knowing about your dating tricks?" George asked.
"Or us for that matter", Fred added. "We know girls we'd like to take to places". This particular comment had Bill looking pained. "Come on, teach us", Fred prodded.
"I'm sure they'll work just as well on boys as they do on girls", I said, feeling kind of grateful for the distraction Bill's awkward internal conflict was creating.
"Yeah, share your knowledge", George continued. "I think we can make great use of what you can teach us".
"I think", Bill started with a clear warning edge to his voice. Too bad it was dulled by his difficulty to make eye contact. "That you triplets would only get caught and end up with months-worth of detention".
Sharing a look Fred, George, and I shrugged in sync. "Of course," we chorused. "Getting caught is part of the fun".
Halfway between laughing and an exasperated sigh, Bill pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. "You three get caught on purpose?" There were varying degrees in Bill's voice ranging from impressed to horrified.
"Only sometimes", Fred answered.
"When we're bored", George added.
"And sometimes we just miss Filch", I continued. Just because it felt nice to contribute. When was the last time us triplets had a go at someone like this? I've missed this. "Besides, detention isn't that bad now that Adrian is a prefect. At least, for me it isn't".
Bill shook his head a couple of different times with different lengths of pauses between them. Like he couldn't settle on a course of action or figure out what to say. Just like Flitwick used to do during our first year before he figured out how to make us toe the line. Finally, in a very slow voice, Bill said, "I think it's amazing Mum willingly allows you lot out of the house".