Chapter 46
It had been 2 months since the attack in diagon alley. Charlus and Arcturus showed no signs of improvement. James and Dorea Potter, Sirius and Melania Black, Cyrus and Cadmus Greengrass, Frank and Augusta Longbottom and Edgar and Amelia Bones were in a meeting room in Potters Castle after the attack in Diagon alley James, Sirius had taken up the role of acting head of the clan and they all were assembled here to discuss their plan for the upcoming war. They had to discuss the revival of Ancients which Arcturus and Charlus had been planning before the attack, now they had to speed up the process.
The Ancients were 10 founding families of Wizengamot who were a formidable foe in ancient time and eventually broken apart nearly 150 years before because of Weasley family being declared Blood traitors and were kicked out of Ancients with all their wealth and titles being confiscated from them since then there was not single meeting of Ancients which had taken place. Now they had to arrange the meeting of Ancients and Ancients had to return to show the world who they were.
The ancients were:
Potter
Black
Greengrass
Longbottom
Bones
Weasley
Prewett
Olivander
Rosier
Nott
In these families Weasleys were kicked out by voting which was held before 120 years among the ancients but they could be reinstated in The Ancients by voting again.
"We have to arrange a meeting with ancients as soon as possible" James stated
"Yes, we should also work on reinstating Weasleys back in our group" Frank told
"Yes, as we can see 5 members of ancients present here agree over it we can reinstate them in no time and i am sure Nott will be against this but this is for the best" Edgar Bones Jr told
"We can send out the letters for Nott, Rosier and Olivander for a meeting tomorrow" Sirius suggested at which everyone nodded. Sirius Black had Changed he had become the Serious Lord leaving all the foolishness after the attack, he had taken up his responsibilities and he was a Black afterall.
~Next day~
James, Sirius, Cyrus,Edgar and Frank with their children headed towards Gringotts as it was time to put their plans into action. The older generation had wisely left this matter to be handled by their successors.
"Are you guys ready," Cyrus asked as they arrived at the chamber specifically designed for inheritance rituals for the ancient and nobles.
"As we'll ever be," James returned easily.
"The ancients are arriving," The goblins told.
James and Sirius both replaced their mischievous smirk to stoned expressions on their face slowly after the persons entered the room.
James glanced at them over recognizing each of them from Dorea's lessons. Theodre Nott Sr, a marked death eater. Henry Rosier and Garrick Olivander. Eight of the ten families were present there. Prewett seat stood empty and the Weasleys were disbanded nearly a century ago labeling them as Bloodtraitors.
"We welcome the ancients." Cyrus stated.
Everyone else bowed in welcome to them as they took their places within the ceremonial circle, and even gave their condolences on the death of Harry and on the state of Arcturus and Charlus and enquired about their condition.
"It has been many years since we have stood as one," Cyrus stated. "Though we are lacking many members."
"War has taken many from us all," Edgar Bones acknowledged.
"The Weasleys" Spat Theodre Nott realized where the topic was heading to
"If we blame the name for the actions of one of its members, we lose potential allies." James told everyone, they were shocked. A Slytherin statement from Gryffindor's golden boy of his time did shock a lot of them.
James had no issues skipping more basic niceties. He had much to do and not long to do it. "We hold an empty seat," he stated.
"The Prewett's have no heir except a squib," Theodre stated. "Do not waste our time."
James spoke up, glaring at the death eater for interrupting. The Prewett family was dead in name alone. Now he realized why his Mother had pushed family lines into his head so strongly.
"Fabien and Gideon Prewett were killed, their father, the previous lord died mere days later from death eater attacks, however, they had a sister." Frank told
"Who married a Weasley," Theodre said, the disgust clear in his voice. "Of all families. She married into a family that had been cast out of the ancients."
"Yes, 120 years ago, before any of us were born the Weasleys were cast out of the ancients," Sirius stated.
"The ancients have a long memory. They are an insult to purebloods. The ancients do not welcome their kind. Mudblood loving fools. Disgrades to pureblood society."
"I am married to a Muggle born, thank you very much," James said coolly, silencing them. They knew saying much more could be taken as blood feud territory.
"They were cast out due to conduct unbecoming of ancient and nobles. the brother of the Lord of that time went on a killing spree truthfully disgraced the ancient and nobles of that time," Edgar stated.
"It was called to a vote and their rings and wealth were sealed by the will of the ancients. However, 120 years have passed. The very families that voted them out of the ancients have the option to vote them back in. The ban was 100 years long." Cyrus told
"Absolutely not," Theodre sneered.
"And yet it is not your say alone Lord Nott, we are 8 members strong," James said
"This vote shall question if we become 10 strong once again." Sirius told
"Listen here, boy." Theodre stated as Sirius was 10 years younger than him and he had heard what type of a fool Potter and Black heirs were in Hogwarts from his brother.
Black glared, "That is Lord Black, Lord Nott. Just because I am younger by years doesn't make me a lesser lord. I am ancient and noble, in this chamber, I shall be treated with the respect my family has earned."
Many of them had to school their expressions especially those who had met him who did not expect the childish Gryffindor to have it in him. James could barely keep from cheering.
"100 year minimum for disgracing the ancients, attacking the families," Edgar Bones stated.
"And it has been 120," Olivander agreed, clearly interested in the idea of bringing them back.. "As the eldest here, I remember the lord of that time though he was disgraced by his brother's actions when I was born. We have long memories but each family has erred in history. It was pressure from numerous sources that helped out the family from the circle. I am interested in hearing what is to be said."
"A vote as is required, their family has been restricted from the magics of their family, the rights of ancients," James said. "Should the Weasley clan be reinstated, it will allow both titles to be renewed. The ancients will once again be at full power."
"And why should we be at full power," Henry Rosier asked after being silent for most of the meeting. "Beyond the obvious." He knew the other man was planning something. There had to be some point that he was missing.
"War has come, the ancients shall bow or be lost," Frank Longbottom stated.
"Either we accept the coming changes or they shall be forced upon us. We can sit back, watch while our heirs and members of our families fight and die for the causes or we can step in and do something about the coming battles. The Weasley clan is a clan of fighters. They are strong. Arthur Weasley is a good man. A strong loyal man. He will do the families proud if given a chance. His family is very strong. Our families are dying. My brother, both parents, and two nephews all were killed in the last war. My family was nearly wiped off the map. The ancient nobles are nearly wiped out. Look at the families." Edgar Bones told
"Do continue," James requested.
"The Potters, six members is all that is left. The Longbottoms four members, the Blacks four members, the Prewetts have an heir by the third child who can take the family magic, Rosier lost four members, Olivanders are down to two, Greengrass are down to six, heiresses neither of whom should have inherited, no offense meant Lord Greengrass."
"None take," he agreed since nothing he was saying was false. "I lost both my brothers in the war and a number of nieces and nephews. I was left with only my wife, children and parents as the last of my family from one that had been large just decades ago. What you are saying rings true."
"Most of our families were wiped out, fighting for both sides, do we want another war to wipe out the remains," Frank said.
"There is no proof that there is a war coming," Thoedre returned. His lord would not be pleased with this happening.
"Please, everyone knows it, they are just unwilling to admit it from fear," Sirius said.
"They do not have the means to be ancient and noble," Theodre said, trying to derail the idea.
"They are no longer poor as they were in previous years, they have brought the family up in wealth and respect," Henry Rosier offered."The three eldest children have well-paying jobs. The two eldest went around their family name, getting work despite the reputation. There are also multiple vaults that were sealed off to the family by order of the ancients and confiscated. I believe the Potter family would not allow them to be disbanded entirely. It is enough to give them a potential beginning."
"We are not only talking about money," Sirius said. "There is power in the name, power in the magic that is sealed off. Power in our history that has been ignored."
"What do you get out of this," Theodre demanded since this was not going his way. "Why vote for the renewal of the families of a Weasley and a Prewett what are your aims?"
"Through our inaction, we have allowed our names to be forgotten. We no longer scream of power as we once had. Thomas in school, have they heard of the ancients." James asked Thomas
"No," Thomas said without hesitation he was still in awe of how much power his family commanded in the wizarding world."We read it briefly in a book but it was never mentioned at any point in time during my first four years of school."
"What have you learnt of each of the families present here in school?" Sirius asked Rigel
"Absolutely nothing," Rigel answered lightly, "Besides that Garrick Olivander is a wandmaker and one of the best, I did not know him as a lord. I would have not even heard most of the family names except in passing of school mates."
James was clearly not finished. He could see the surprise on many of the Lord's faces at the information they were being given. Just as he had planned for it to happen. "If you heard of powerful families, who did you think of?"
"Notts and Malfoys who have the minister in their pocket, Potters who were previous Royalty and Dumbledore. Fudge. No one else of real significance."
"Our family names are completely meaningless in today's society. We have voted yes but we allow others to push the sides and remain in the background. This is how you get half-bloods like Tom Riddle thinking they have the power to make a stand and destroy good families. Enslave members of the ancients with the mark on their arms." Sirius said gritting his teeth
"Who is tom riddle," Theodre Nott demanded. He had clearly not heard of the name before.
James raised his wand and drew Tom Marvolo Riddle in the air and as the teenage version of the man had done in the memory of his late son had shown , he shifted the letters around to I am Lord Voldemort. "A muggle raised half-blood," James stated. "Who claimed a title of meaningless words. Lord Voldemort. Lord of what," James said, ignoring every flinch at the man's name being said. "He claims a title he has not earned, that his family does not hold."
They gaped, "You're not serious," Edgar demanded at the new information which he had received.
"Very," James returned knowing just how despicable an action that would seem to them. "A half-blood raised in a muggle orphanage, son of a muggle by the same name, Tom Riddle. He claimed Slytherin descendance but it was through a bastard line."
"How do you know this?"
"He told me and my late brother himself, when we were in the Chamber of secrets" Thomas offered. Everyone shuddered as they remembered reading the whole incident four years ago in daily prophets.
"And if we return the ancients to 10 members, what do you intend to do," Olivander asked looking at James and Sirius who stood next to each other.
"Show the world that the ancients still have power and control," Sirius replied without hesitation. "that we are still there and we will not be silent."
"And why should we trust the Black family," Theodre asked. "Afterall half your family were death eaters in the last war?"
"I am one vote, and you are the one to talk about Death eaters Nott" Sirius sneered at him .
"And yet then the majority would go to Dumbledores side," Nott stated clearly directing it towards James, Sirius and Frank after all they were staunch supporters of Dumbledore in the last war.
James hated the assumption that Dumbledore had power over him."Who claimed we are on his side," James said, shocking the Three members. "We do what is best for our family name, not his greater good. I am no one's puppet. I am a Potter, we do not rest until the last battle is won."
"Well said," Henry Rosier stated, overall impressed with the boy who was decades younger than him. He saw no issues in agreeing with them. "I vote for the Weasleys to once again be welcome back amongst us. If we allow death eaters places of power, the Weasley family's crimes are far lower than those of families like the Dolohov, Yaxley's and yet we let them think they have control of our society. House Rosier welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients. Their punishment has run its course."
It was clear that the time for making statements was finished and the vote would occur. "House Potter welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients."
"House Black welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients."
"House Longbottom welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients."
"House Greengrass welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients.
"House Nott refuses the entry of House Weasley back amongst the ancients." That was no surprise to them all.
"House Bones welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients."
They had the votes needed but they continued. "House Olivander welcomes House Weasley back amongst the ancients."
"Its 7 to 1 so House Weasley shall return to its rank in Ancients" James said
"I shall request that a goblin summons them now," Sirius said pleased, this was working far better then he had expected.
"Bill is a Gringotts employee," Frank pointed out. "They may take time to summon Charlie to England. He works in Romania amongst dragons. He is more likely to hold Prewett magic of the two."
"House of fire," Henry Rosier stated in full agreement. "The house of fire going to a dragon tamer, it is likely."
Sirius left, returning moments later. "Bill was here," Sirius said. "We are in luck. They are all in the country. He will return within the hour."
"It will give us time to summon our heirs," Olivander stated. "they should be here for such an important declaration."
"Yes but what was spoken here remains here," Sirius reminded.
The 2 heirs arrived and were briefly informed of what was to occur. The goblins indicated that the Weasleys had arrived. It was clear that today things would change. Far faster than anyone thought possible.
Review please. Something big is coming up in future, so stay tuned.