Beyond the Second Destiny
Arc One:
"Order of Merlin Arc"
Chapter 4
Chambers of the Wizengamot
5 July 1992
Harry sat in the House Potter box in the Wizengamot behind his Proxy, Remus Lupin. Halfway across the chamber, Harry could see Hermione walk into the box for House Malfoy and sit down behind the House Malfoy proxy, Narcissa Black.
Elsewhere in the chamber, Ron sat in a box for seat-holders who won their seats through an Order of Merlin FC or other special circumstances. Arthur sat down in front of him.
The Chief Warlock, Cyrus Greengrass, rose to his feet. "Aurors, secure the chamber. The meeting of the Wizengamot for this day, the 5th of July in the year One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Two is called to order," he said.
As soon as the doors were secured, Greengrass turned to the nearby scribe. "Court Scribe Weasley, is there any old business from our last meeting that we need to discuss before moving to new business?" Greengrass asked.
Percival Weasley (or Percy, for short) checked the parchment in front of him and declared, "No, Chief Warlock. All items of business from the 15th June meeting have been addressed."
"Thank you," Greengrass said. "And is there new business to address before moving on to the plan of the day?"
"Yes, Chief Warlock," Percy said. "A new Wizengamot seat-holder is to be sworn in."
Greengrass nodded then smiled. "Then, let the new seat-holder step forward to declare his oath," he said.
Ron stood, straightened his robes, then stepped forward—his wand raised. "I, Scion Ronald of the House of Weasley, do hereby claim the seat in the Wizengamot allowed to me by my Order of Merlin, First-Class," Ron said. "I solemnly swear to defer to the decisions of this body in all matters over which I shall sit in judgment and that I shall forever act in the best interests of Magical Britain. So I have sworn, so mote it be."
The tip of Ronald's wand glowed, indicating magic's acceptance of Ron's oath.
"Welcome to this body, Scion Weasley," Greengrass said. "As it is my understanding that you are not yet of your majority, do you wish to appoint a proxy to sit in your seat until such a day as you turn seventeen years of age?"
"I do, Chief Warlock," Ron said. "I wish to appoint my father and head of my house, Arthur, to sit on my seat until I reach my majority."
"Arthur Weasley, do you swear to speak in the best interests of Scion Ronald Weasley until his seventeenth birthday and full assumption of his seat on this body?" Greengrass said.
"I do," Arthur said. "So mote it be."
This time, it was the tip of Arthur's wand that glowed as magic accepted an oath.
"Chief Warlock, may I speak?" Remus said, raising his wand.
"The chamber recognizes Remus Lupin, Proxy for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter," Greengrass said.
"On behalf of my Lord, I hereby wish to welcome Scion Weasley and Proxy Weasley to this body and wish them both many happy years in the service of this chamber and Magical Britain," Remus said. Harry nodded his agreement.
"I second Proxy Lupin's declaration," Narcissa said. Hermione too nodded in agreement.
A couple of hours later, after the meeting had adjourned, Harry and Hermione had met up with Ron and Arthur at the door leading into Ron's new seat.
"Ron, Mr. Weasley, welcome to the Madhouse," Harry said.
"Thanks, mate," Ron said.
"Yes, thanks, Harry," Arthur said.
"Harry, would you, your wife and proxy care to join us for dinner at the Burrow tonight?" Arthur said.
"Of course, Arthur. We would be honoured," Hermione said. "When should we get there?"
"We should be starting dinner around 5:00," Arthur said.
"We will be there," Harry said. "Thanks."
Then, as Ron and Arthur walked towards a nearby apparation point, Remus looked at Harry. "The polite thing to do after the Weasleys' inviting us to their residence for dinner is to reciprocate and invite them to your residence later," Remus said.
"Thank you for the advice," Harry said.
Then, to Hermione, Harry asked, "Should we invite them next Saturday?"
"That would be delightful," Hermione said. "I'm sure Dobby and Abraxas would be more than happy to cook for more people than just us."
That night, Harry, Hermione and Remus came through the Floo at the Burrow, the residence of the House of Weasley. Arthur and Percy smiled when they saw Harry, Hermione and Remus appear from the fire.
"Welcome, Lord and Lady Potter and Proxy Lupin," Arthur said.
"Cut the formalities, Arthur," Harry said. "We're all family."
Harry and Hermione hugged Arthur and shook Percy's hand.
"Guys, I wanted to let you all know that I have started seeing someone new after I divorced Molly," Arthur said. "You'll meet her tonight."
"That's good news, Arthur," Remus said. "Your family needs a new mother figure in their lives."
"Thank you, Remus," Arthur said. "Shall we head to the dinner table?"
::TBC::
Yeah, I know I'm being a jerk by leaving things on a cliffhanger as to who Arthur winds up with. But that's what the final chapter of this Arc is for...