Authors note
So ahh, I got a little carried away on this one... 4,369 words. I'll say again, why can't my essays and reports be this easy…
Chapter Three - Breaking Free
Andi had been true to her word and the solicitor Harry ended up with had planned out a rather ruthless, and if Harry was honest heartless, plan of attack to deal with Molly and Ginny.
Harry hadn't seen the Weasley family or even his kids in over three months, and he was looking forward to putting this behind him so he could see his children again. Having not grown up in a healthy household, family had been one of Harry's primary goals coming out of Hogwarts and he loved his children more than life itself. It was actually one of the primary drivers for him becoming an Aurora and then a Hit Wizard, never again would a Dark Lord rise to threaten his little slice of heaven...
Unfortunately, now far from that little slice, Harry found himself sitting in a consultation room off of the main Wizengamot Hall that had been set aside for the settlement talks. Harry, being a private person, was doing his best to keep this as a need-to-know topic for as long as possible and was therefore aiming to keep this from going to a full Wizengamot court hearing.
Harry was broken from his thoughts as the door opened and the two people that created this muddled situation walked in.
"Harry dear, I don't think this is at all necessary. Come with me right now and we'll sort this out over a hearty meal." said Molly quite forcefully as she walked through the door. Obviously hoping the Compulsion Charms were still in effect. "We've missed you at The Burrow and little Lily is almost beside herself..."
Harry started seeing red, tensing in the chair how dare she try to use his daughter, but stopped when he felt a hand on his arm.
"Mrs. Weasley, I would ask you to refrain from speaking to my client in such a manner. I believe the assumption of familiarity is inappropriate given the topics we're to cover during today's meeting. If you would both please sit, and we can get started."
Harry had at first been surprised when Daphne Greengrass had walked through the door and introduced herself as the chosen solicitor from Ted's old firm. Daphne came highly referred and had given him assurances that client confidentiality was important to her personally and the firm. She was also quick to remind him that "...although I'm one of "Those Snakes" as Mr. Weasley used to put it. I was one of the few Slytherins by your side at The Battle of Hogwarts and my parents never supported Voldemort. So, I'd ask that you set aside any old house politics you may still hold, I'm here to help you get your life back."
"Greengrass" Ginny suddenly spat "So is this why you haven't been home Harry, shacking up with a snake?!" She accused.
"Mrs. Potter neé Weasley, I assure you, my relationship with Mr. Potter is purely professional. Besides the firm is made up of Ravenclaws and Slytherins. So, it was a tossup between an eagle or a snake, I just happen to be the best solicitor at this time." Daphne said as neutrally as possible, but Harry could hear a tinge of pride in her voice.
"Now as I said, please take a seat and we can get things started. Can I assume since you're alone that you've chosen not to retain legal counsel?" Asked Daphne.
"No, this is a family matter and we felt it wasn't required. Come now Harry dear, we should be sitting somewhere comfortable for this, like The Burrow, not a Wizengamot room where people could get the wrong idea" Molly tried a second time, she was still standing near the door, Ginny however had already taken a seat.
"Mrs. Weasley, I understand these rooms are quite uncomfortable. So why don't you sit down, and we can conclude our business quickly!" Said Daphne, with some force this time.
Molly was right however; this room was made uncomfortable on purpose and Daphne had suggested this specific room to ensure those talking heads that Molly was worried about got a chance to spread some rumours.
Finally caving, Molly walked over and sat next to Ginny.
"Thank you. Now we are here to discuss accusations that you dosed my client with potions and cast compulsion charms on him over a period of up to 20 years. This includes the use of Love Potion, Revulsion Potion and Loyalty Potion. The current belief my client holds is that this was done to ensure he fell in love with one Ginny Weasley, was kept away from one Hermione Granger and loyal to the Weasley family as a whole. The compulsion charms, based on the findings from the main magical hospital in Germany, were referred to as "doormat charms" meant to make Harry easier to control by each of you. Now that I've read out the acc.." but Daphne wasn't given a chance to finish her statement, as Mount Molly erupted.
Molly had been getting progressively redder and redder as Daphne had read out the accusations until finally it became too much, while Ginny looked defeated just continuing to stare at the table.
"HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE US OF SUCH THINGS AFTER EVERYTHING WE'VE DONE FOR YOU HARRY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GOOD BOY BUT NOW I SEE THAT..."
The tirade of insults and claims of disappointment continued, Harry made to retort a number of times, but each time Daphne gently placed her hand on his arm to ask him to restrain himself, unfortunately as Molly reached minute two of her rant Harry lost it.
Harry stood at his full height and adopted his 'Hit Wizard persona' as he'd dubbed it.
"SIT DOWN MOLLY" having never been called Molly by Harry before, Harry having always been respectful, Molly was caught off guard and suddenly shut her mouth and stared. "You dare claim "after everything we did for you"?! Had you not dosed me potion me to within an inch of my life I might still hold a high level of gratitude for what your family has done for me, but to find out that you had effectively stolen 20 years of my life… it's just unthinkable. Now, I want to get this sorted as soon as possible so why don't you sit down, shut up and simply address any questions and statement that Miss Greengrass makes. I for one will only be speaking again if required…" Harry sat down hard into his chair and just stared daggers at Molly to try and keep something similar from occurring again.
"Now, as I was saying." Continued Daphne "Now that we have the accusations out in the open. My client would like to discuss the terms of divorce and the path forward. He is especially concerned about continued stability for the children and would like to avoid this getting into the public eye if possible."
There was silence in the room and Molly and Ginny digested what had just been said, then Ginny broke down in front of everyone.
"I'm sorry Harry, I was just so desperate for your love and when I saw you seemingly developing feelings for Hermione, I couldn't take it. I reached out to mum, and she walked me through the whole plan. I had hoped the potions would just be temporary but when I tried to wean you off them our relationship fell apart. I can't take this anymore, there are just too many lies…" Ginny said between sobs as tears poured from her eyes to the table between them, Molly stared at her daughter horrified at the confession.
Ginny continued "When the fighting became too much, mum suggested the Compulsion Charms saying it would make you happier, but all it did was make you compliant. You never smiled like you used too when we were back at school and I couldn't take that either, so we ramped up the potions again and things went back to normal… but we couldn't take the charms off without you realising, so we just kept casting them…"
Harry was horrified, he had his theory but that was it, just a theory. To listen to his wife confess to everything was quickly destroying what remained of his sense of self, as well as any restraint on his emotions he had.
"Obviously we had to stop Hermione investigating, so Ron started dosing her…" Ginny went to confess to more when Molly jumped in.
"STOP GINNY! STOP TALKING RIGHT NOW!"
"No mum, I can't do this anymore. They need to know... we've been living a lie and I just can't keep going…" she broke down completely at this stage. Daphne reached behind her for a box of tissues and put them in front of Ginny.
"Since we all appear to be on the same page, let us talk about how we proceed." Said Daphne coldly.
"My client wishes to be able to ask you some questions under Veritaserum however won't do this without consent. Note that your participation in that action will have a direct impact on how hard my client decides to push the settlement negotiations. To be clear, we don't want this going to the Wizengamot, so we are discussing a settlement here. I would however like to stress that were this too go to the Wizengamot, I know for a fact they take Line Theft VERY seriously…"
"Line Theft, what do you mean Line Theft! We did no such thing" replied Molly as Ginny just continued to breakdown at the table.
"My client is the last Potter as well as the last Peverall and at the time we suspect the dosing began, he was also Heir Apparent to the House of Black, as confirmed via inheritance test at Gringotts. Your dosing of Harry with Love Potion constitutes three charges of Line Theft, one for each house." Daphne let that hang for a few moments.
"And I'd also add that even purely an accusation of line theft, especially against The-Boy-Who-Conquered, would be taken very seriously by the Wizengamot. I would imagine the house of the accused would be utterly destroyed to make an example…" Daphne finished up with possibly the evilest smile Harry had ever seen.
"I'll do it." Sobbed Ginny "I'll take the Veritaserum."
Molly jumped in quickly "We want a list of questions beforehand and a promise that this won't go to the Wizengamot."
Daphne lent over and whispered to Harry "The list is normal, annoying I would have like to question the harlot without it but it's fine. Regarding the second request, can I suggest making it subject to us being able to reach a settlement, if not you reserve the right to push for a hearing." Harry nods.
Daphne leans back and addresses the two women "My client is comfortable with these conditions however reserves the right to push for a Wizengamot hearing if a settlement agreement cannot be reached today."
Both women nod, understanding they aren't in a position to negotiate further.
"Here is the list, note there aren't many questions, so you won't be under for very long." Daphne states as she hands the parchment over.
Molly snatches the list and reads it quickly, whispering to Ginny who finally looks up and reads the list, responding to her mother's query and shaking her head.
"It's fine, are we both to be asked?" Asked Molly.
This time Harry speaks "No, just Ginny. It's her answers I care about, though I'm not sure she can destroy my world more than she already has." He ends with spite in his voice.
At this point, Harry and Daphne leave the room to request the potion, leaving Molly and Ginny by themselves. While Daphne is getting the potion Harry is approached by Neville.
"Hey Harry…" he says nervously.
"Hey Nev, how's the family?" Responds Harry, with less mirth than he'd hoped to include.
"Yeah well, Hannah is pregnant finally and it's twins!" Harry looks up and smiles but it doesn't quite reach his eyes, Neville continues "I'd ask you the same, but I was one of the Wizengamot members that had to review your request…"
A select number of senior Wizengamot members had to sign off on the use of the room, as well as pre-approval of the use of Veritaserum. They would also be the ones to recognise the settlement once it's agreed too. This was due to how serious the divorce of major houses is, requiring additional information to justify the separation.
"I don't know whether to hope you're right or wrong Harry if I'm honest. If you're wrong your life goes back to normal but if you're right… I just want you to be happy Harry, if there is anything Hannah and I can do let me know. House Longbottom stands with House Potter as always." Neville said the last bit with a bit of gusto to ensure his point was made.
"Thanks Nev, you've always had my back I know that." Standing straighter Harry states "House Potter recognises House Longbottom and thanks it for honouring the old alliance."
Neville throws his arms around Harry whispering "I've already made sure whatever you put through is approved, so don't stress about the wording or anything. The committee only has a small number of the old Dumbledore bloc on it, it's mostly us."
Harry just nodded and hugged Neville back. "Thanks Nev." He says with more emotion than he thought appropriate.
"Careful boys, I hear the Wizengamot takes PDA really seriously, especially between seat holders" Daphne says jokingly as she walks up with the Veritaserum. Neville and Harry just laugh in response.
"Come on Potter, let's get this over with." She says as she walks past.
As they re-enter the room, they noticed that neither woman had moved, Harry takes his seat, while Daphne walks to stand next to Ginny, sliding a piece of parchment in front of her.
"Mrs. Potter neé Weasley please sign this. It confirms that you're consenting to the answer questions under the influence of Veritaserum and that your responses will be used as part of the settlement." Daphne states coldly while handing Ginny a quill.
Ginny scans the document quickly, not even letting Molly see it and signs quickly, handing it back to Daphne.
Daphne then puts two vials on the table and begins explaining to Ginny that one is the potion and the other the antidote. Daphne will be asking the questions and that there is the possibility of follow up questions but those will be limited to the context of the primary questions she has already approved. Ginny just nods numbly.
"Please lean your head back and I will administer three drops." Daphne states.
Ginny does so and once swallowed, just stares forward with slightly cloudy eyes.
"Please confirm your name and date of birth."
"Ginevra Molly Potter, 11th August 1981."
"Thank you. First question. Did you administer or help administer love potions to Harry Potter or Hermione Weasley neé Granger?"
"Yes, I put it in Harry's drinks each month and he never noticed. I also had to help Ron with Hermione because he kept forgetting."
"Second question. When did you start giving Harry and Hermione love potions and where did you get them from?"
"Fifth year was when it started and I got them from mum, she sent food packages for both Harry and Hermione with the potions already included, however I can brew them myself now."
"Follow up question, does your mother supply Ron as well?"
"Yes, Ron would burn water if it was possible, so he has to get it from me or mum."
Molly is becoming red but holds her tongue knowing it will make things worse.
"Third question, have you cheated on your husband Harry Potter?"
There is silence in the room, Ginny seems to be going red and appears physically tense until she finally speaks.
"Yes" she squeaks out, as the tension leaves her body, obviously trying not to answer. Harry however suddenly looks distraught.
"Follow up question, are any of your children not fathered by Harry Potter?"
This was the question Harry dreaded the most, he loved his children but what if they weren't his, what would he do?
"Yes" Ginny says, Molly suddenly freaks out "Stop asking questions right now!"
"Mrs. Weasley, I will remind you that both of you agreed to this and Ginny signed off on this." Said Daphne forcefully.
"We didn't know the follow up questions, that is unfair!"
"SO YOU KNEW!" Harry suddenly yells with distress in his voice "YOU KNEW SHE WAS CHEATING AND THAT MY KIDS AREN'T MINE?!?"
Molly sat back down and actually had the humility to look ashamed, confirming for Harry that she knew.
"Merlin, what the fuck…" Harry brings his hands to his face.
Daphne continues "Follow up question. Which of the children were in fact fathered by Harry Potter?"
"Lily is definitely his, I had Albus and James tested without Harry knowing and confirmed they weren't his".
"Last question, are there any other spouses in your family that are currently being dosed?"
"Yes, but I don't know which ones."
"No more questions, I will administer the antidote now."
After the antidote was administered, Ginny slowly remembered what she had said and quickly began talking.
"I'm sorry Harry, I would go drinking with the girls and lose myself. We were trying for kids anyway, so I wasn't on the potion. I didn't mean for it to happen..."
"It happened enough times that two of the children aren't mine Ginny, don't try and weasel out of this. It wasn't enough you stole my love life away from me, but you couldn't even honour our vows while you did it… I am feeling sick…" Harry stood "I need some air." Harry leapt from his seat and stormed out of the room.
Harry headed towards the foyer and luckily, being a weekend, there were very few people around. He stared up at the roof and forced his mind empty with occlumency to try and slow his heart and steady his breathing.
He'd been raising someone else's sons for the last 13 years… what would he do, they were his, but they weren't. What would he say to them?!?
Calming himself again he walked back towards the consultation room. As he walked in, he heard Daphne speaking.
"...you disgust me, that man deserves the world, and you stole everything from him." She had been so caught up with her statement that she hadn't stopped when Harry walked in.
Taking a moment to collect herself and brushing down her robes to straighten them out, Daphne apologised "My apologies Mr. Potter, I lost myself there. Very unbecoming of a lawyer and a lady. Are you in any condition for us to commence negotiations or did you want to take a break?"
Harry responded, "It's ok Daphne and no, let's just get this done, I don't want to be in a room with these two again if I can help it."
Daphne then drew out a piece of parchment and a quill, then began.
"Just to ensure everyone is on the same page. My client doesn't believe there is any way to recover the marriage and he is therefore petitioning a small court of members to review the settlement and approve the divorce." Ginny just nodded sadly, accepting her fate, while Molly just stared at the back wall silently.
"There are a few key items that must be addressed first and then we can discuss ad hoc items separately. The first is general assets, my client is willing to pay out a total of 10,000 galleons and he will retain all other assets with the exclusion of your personal belongs such as clothes and other such items. Note the Potter Trust will continue to fund the children's attendance at Hogwarts including school supplies and the children will have trust vaults established for discretionary spending. The second is real estate, my client is willing to handover the family home purchased with you in Hogsmeade, being the only family home the children have known, my client felt it an important stability block for them and being the only property not held within the Potter family trust. Makes it easier to relinquish." The amount plus the property was very generous, effectively setting Ginny up for a relaxed, albeit less refined life than she'd become accustomed.
Daphne continued "The last key topic is custody. Given the revelation that the two eldest boys are not in fact my client's children, he is happy to cede complete custody of them too you as long as he retains visitation rights, obviously the dates and times of these visits are to be prearranged and approved by both parties. In relation to the youngest daughter, my client is requesting the reverse, with him retaining 100% custody but Mrs. Potter neé Weasley having visitation rights during prearranged and approved dates and times."
"What! You want to take my daughter away from me?" Said Ginny suddenly, quite shocked by the position Harry had taken.
"Ginny, she is my only family given these revelations and I must protect her. How can I trust you won't begin dosing her if she begins misbehaving or suddenly says she prefers me over you. You've shown you're not above compulsion charms…"
At this Ginny truly looked defeated, to realise the man she loves didn't trust her in any way shape or form, she simply gave in.
"Fine"
Daphne then continued "On the topic of custody, the Weasley family is not to approach either my client or one Lily Luna Potter without my client's prior consent."
At this Molly suddenly zoned in again "WHAT! What do you mean I can't see my granddaughter??"
"Mrs. Weasley, this is not what this says, simply that you must contact my client first beforehand. Considering this is common courtesy, the fact this is a requirement surprises me."
"Now onto some non-standard topics. My client has requested that you cease whatever activity you're currently taking to maintain control of Mrs. Hermione Weasley neé Granger. As we've just confirmed during our conversation, that she is in fact being dosed in a similar manner to my client, we hope you won't argue this point. Any potions, spells, artefacts, etc are to be stopped or removed effective immediately from the signing of this magical contract."
Both Molly and Ginny nodded.
"Now, is there anything you would like added to the contract or topics you'd like to discuss with my client prior to us departing?" Daphne asked after finishing draft wording on the final clause Harry had requested.
Ginny looked into Harry's eyes, seeing a combination of betrayal, sadness and hate. The last one taking her by surprise "Harry, I did this because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, I need you to know there was no maliciousness involved..."
She is cut off as Harry just laughs "You're kidding me right, nothing malicious, you took my free will away Ginny, for TWENTY YEARS!" he yells the last bit "I've lost twenty years' worth of memories and opportunities, even if Hermione and I hadn't worked out, there may have been someone else out there that would have made me happy without the need for potions and charms and… and… CHEATING! How can you say you love me when you fathered two sons from a man or men, I don't want to know, while apparently loving me." Harry suddenly out of breath from his aggressive rant.
"Think Ginny, I obviously didn't make you happy or you wouldn't have had to go to the lengths of charming me. That was normal me, if we couldn't get along without the potions why stay with me?!?"
"I did love you; I still do. The charms were the problem, you stopped being dominating in the bedroom and I needed that… the charms took it away from you so I had to find it elsew.." again Ginny was cut off.
"Stop Ginny, just stop. I don't want to hear the justification you've given yourself or the excuses you think I'll swallow. Just tell Daphne whether there is anything else you want added or changed on the contract. Once it's approved, I'll be in contact to co-ordinate with you on me taking full custody of Lily. With the boys in Hogwarts, we will need to work out how to tell them appropriately." Harry having run out of steam ended practically whispering.
"No, no changes and nothing to add." Said Ginny back to her defeated tone.
Daphne had been writing constantly while the back and forth was going on. "Well then, while you two were having your tiff, I've finalised the contract. If you'd both sign here, here and here" Daphne pointed to the three spots on the contract "and initials here and here. Finally, a drop of blood in the indicated circle for you both."
Ginny grabbed the contract and quickly did as instructed before running out of the room crying. Molly giving Harry a death stare as she said, "I hope you're happy Harry, you've broken her heart."
Harry looked at Molly in shock "Molly, for the love of Merlin and Morgana. Get it through your head, you and your family are the ones in the wrong." He grabbed the contract and did as Daphne had instructed.
"Wonderful!" Daphne said with a smile " I'll take this to be approved and Harry I'll be in contact regarding that other item in the next couple of days. I'd just ask that you not contact them until we've agreed to a path forward."
"Thank you Daphne. It will give time to rebuild some bridges anyway" Harry stood and went to follow Daphne out before turning back to Molly "Please Molly, don't do anything foolish. This is done now, let's just move past it." He then turned around and walked out the door.
Molly just sat there stewing, angry that all her best laid plans had come apart so far into the piece…
Harry on the other hand was wondering how he could reach his best friend and how long it would take to break through the mental fog from the potions and charms she's still suffering under…
Authors note.
Hey everyone, gosh I'm really enjoying writing this, it's my first long form creative writing piece and I didn't realise how relaxing this could be.
I'd also like to take an opportunity to point people towards the story that inspired me to write this, Payment Plan by Argo0. Compared to this it's pure smut but I love it. I've also had one kind fellow (rick?) Indicate that I lack creativity naming my creation Payment Plan V2. To be honest when I first started planning this story and thought I'd follow it beat for beat it was appropriate but as this has progressed and I recut my storyboard it shifted from being a rewrite to inspiration, therefore I've realised the troll (for the first time in history) is likely right. So expect a name change between chapters.
Anyway I hope you're all enjoying reading this as much as I am writing it.