Hey everyone,
So about Bill. For those of you who properly read the end portion of chapter 36, you will remember Bill mentioning the other wizards and what they think of the Weasleys. That and how Bill and Charlie have been experiencing this is what I am going to cover in this chapter. And trust me, it's going to give a whole new reason as to why both boys went abroad when they started working; a pretty gruesome one.
Be prepared,

Venquine1990
PS. Sorry not sorry.


Chapter 38
A Troubled Aftermath – Part 02

15th of December 1995
The Burrow, Ottery St. Catchpole
Bill's POV

"Ignatius, I'm only going to give you one last chance. I know that this meeting has already gone on for much longer than I expected, but that is because certain history lessons needed to be taught in order for everything to be explained properly. And now, you're going to get one last history lesson. And I don't care if you want another one or not, Ignatius. You have been forcing your opinion and with that insulting everyone in this room ever since you stepped out of the Floo.
And the fact that you were under the crazy belief that a Curse breaker wouldn't be able to sense any kind of hiding magic just proves my point as it both makes you insult my profession and proves how little you think of my actual skills. And the worst of it all, regardless of how often you saw me practice my skill, how often you saw me training over the years, how often you saw that I am the kind of person who grows through practical means, you still seem to think I have no skill, experience or talent whatsoever, again proven by that Glamour."
"I never meant –." Percy tries, but I snarl: "No, but you are constantly doing something without thinking about all of the potential consequences. You just want everyone to constantly praise and adore and worship you and for the world to think that, just because you have some kind of title, you are suddenly the God of everything and anything. You're not, Ignatius. You're human and you make mistakes. You're just too bloody full of yourself to even consider acknowledging this fact."

"Oh, and you're so –.""No Percy, I'm not perfect. You and your behavior and the fact that I, as Eldest of my line, let you get this far is just the most prominent evidence of that. But unlike you and your little Glamour, I at least acknowledge my mistakes and try to make up for them. I just didn't do it before now because mother and father didn't want me to. They, until now, kept themselves in the delusional belief that you might come to your senses by yourself.
And I hate to acknowledge it, but this isn't the first time I let them do so. Though when it comes to the first time I did so, I did so of my own choice and because of my own mental and emotional strength." I mutter at the end, my heart aching with annoyance and disgust over the fact that I have to relive these facts, yet a small part of my mind whispering at me: "At least now you have a chance at true closure. The Minister and an Auror are here with you, take that chance." And upon this thought, I notice that the others are all looking at me.

I take a deep breath and say: "What I am about to tell you is something that, from time to time, I have been wanting to share, but then I remember what I went through and I wonder and fear what will happen to you, mentally and emotionally, if you were to learn of this. Father always debated with himself between the thought that it might help you grow and the fear that it might scar you for life. Mother was always firmly against it, being the protective being that she is.
However, as you grew, Percy, as you grew that ego of yours, as you started showing signs that you think yourself someone just untouchable by law or fault or mistake, I was starting to believe more and more that you needed to hear this. And then – you had that damned fight with father back in June. And to hear you moan and complain and outright whine about what you went through, it infuriated me, it just disgusted me.
Oh, woe is me, my father doesn't make the same amount of money as Lucius Malfoy. Oh woe is me, I am being vocally mocked because my father loves his job. Oh woe is me, my family will never appreciate how much they need my cold hard metal. Oh woe is me, my family's ancient legacy will always be a shadow upon the glory that is me. But let me ask you something, Percival. In the whole year and a few months that you have been at work, were you ever tripped, pushed, kicked, cursed, hexed or even threatened with bodily harm? No? I didn't think so."
"Well, neither –." But the furious, hateful, disgusted and frustrated glare that I send him instantly makes the young man squeak and reel back in fright as I hiss: "Why do you think I am telling you this? You know our family's legacy. You know the mistake our family made back in the 1600's. You know the consequences that came from that mistake. You know what that means for my and Charlie's role as eldest and second eldest."

"Wait, your family can't inherit if something happens to either you or Charles?" Fudge asks shocked and I sigh as I mutter: "Yes Fudge, and like so many other families, ours has a rival House. And ours is the Godbert, who think money is everything, that you are worth nothing if you don't make money and that families who don't think money as important as the Godberts do should be convinced of this, sometimes through any means necessary. And trust me, I mean any."
This makes Silkins, Gerard and Fudge look concerned and worried, but Percy actually scoffs and asks: "If you were threatened so often, why is the Godbert Heir not in Azkaban? Why didn't you ever report this? I'll tell you why, because Dumbledore –." But before he can retread on his old crap and garbage, I pull two notebooks from my pocket and slam them both on the table, glaring the little brat to just be quiet already or he'll regret it.
"This is why. Minister, take a look at these dates." Fudge instantly notices that I am calling him by his title instead of his last name and takes both books, opening them and reading through the same page a few times before he mutters: "These – are dates of the times you were attacked by Godbert's heir, I presume and these – are dates that the Godberts would either make a donation to someone, to a company or organization or even hold a fundraiser. And, they are constantly – either on the same day or only a few days apart."
He pages through both books another couple of times and mutters: "It – it goes on – for years. For –." And while his silent revelation shocks the man, I voice his thoughts as I say: "For seven years, from 1981, when I first started Hogwarts as a measly First year, to 1987, my graduation year.""Yes, but – your Seventh only has them most randomly and in far less frequency." Fudge mutters and I answer his silent question: "Because I was named Head Boy. And no, Percy, I don't mean that my title protected me, the chambers a Head Boy can reside in protected me."

Percy is looking astonished, as if he just can't imagine that a title isn't enough to protect someone and I wonder if I will really be able to get through to him or if it's already too late. Yet I decide to just wait with coming to any conclusions until I am done and continue my story. "Now, as you probably remember, Percy, I didn't spend a lot of time at Hogwarts during my final year. I was too busy trying to find a workplace where I would be safe from Godbert.
I told you this back then and I'll tell you this again now. It was never my desire to work so far away from home. I just had to.""But what about the Polish brand of Gringotts? It's considered the safest branch in the world.""If you recall, Percy, I did go to visit that branch in the hopes of going to work there. Do you remember when I did so?""Wasn't that in – April?" Fudge sees me nod and instantly takes action, paging through both books and reading the required pages.
His eyes widen and he mutters: "An attack on your very person on the 14th of April and – a fundraiser ball for the organization that supports people who – are you serious – went through emotional, mental or physical trauma? That's basically just the definition of that one Muggle saying adding insult to injury. I can't believe they went there.""They didn't just go there, Minister. That attack is also the reason I drink my potion every morning and why there is currently a Goblin Guard outside." This shocks Percy and he looks outside.
"Right, I had to donate a bit of blood and show him my invitation to prove that it was me and that I was allowed on the premise. He wouldn't let me through otherwise.""What? He dared to demand that of you, Minister? And you accepted? Why would you –?""Because I respect it when someone takes their job seriously, especially if that job is meant to protect another. And before you say anything Percy, there's taking it seriously and there's throwing a tantrum."

Percy frowns at this, but I just continue: "Yeah, when I finally decided to try and start working in Egypt, it took me maybe a week to realize that Godbert hadn't followed me. Apparently they weren't willing to spend the money to follow me all the way out of the continent. Instead, they went after Charlie, who also left.""But he stayed in Europe.""And he chose the one reserve that is most dangerous and that has the least amount of visitors on a yearly basis. It was the level of how dangerous his new profession was that kept Godbert at bay."
I sigh and mutter: "That's also the reason why he didn't come back to England when he heard that Voldemort had returned. He wanted, so desperately, to be here and help protect the family, but he knew that, unlike me and Gringotts, he wouldn't be able to arrange for someone to protect him from Godbert. And the only reason I got the arrangement is because the Goblin Nation is still feeling salty over that attack back in '87. And now I need you to realize something, Percy."
My brother looks at me, yet his eyes still flit back to the books in front of the Minister and the glint of disbelief that shines in them every time they do utterly disgusts and infuriates me. "Our parents suffered through a war that took them almost their entire family, including our uncles, our mother's brothers. Charlie and I suffered through someone trying to kill us, all because of our family motto. To then hear you say you suffered, and not just that, but also hear you insult all we had to go through to get you where you are today – that is just wrong.
I'm not saying that vocal bullying can't be considered a form of suffering. I'm saying that it's just not the same and that you were in the wrong to believe all those people, who are just no better than Godbert and his heir and who just mock anyone just because they think they can. And to make matters worse, you didn't just complain about them, you yourself started to do the damned same thing. You were a hypocrite, Percy, and I can go on and on about this issue, but I can read you just fine and know that you are already disbelieving everything I just told you."

This makes Fudge turn to the boy in shocked astonishment and I turn to Gerard as I ask: "Could you do a check? My shoulder." The man nods and moves over while I open the buttons of my robe and pull the left side off my form, doing the same to a few buttons of my shirt and pushing the fabric off of my left shoulder. Gerard gently lies his wand against my elbow and just like that I know he cast all kinds of spells without even waving his wand once or casting any vocal spells. This I know thanks to the way his eyes widen.
He turns to me and then grimaces before he pulls his own Gummi phone from his pocket. He presses a few buttons and after hearing it ring a few times, he says: "Even, open a portal. William is going to have to take a risk and afterwards he will need Poppy and Pepper. And I mean seconds after he does so. Upon my signal have Poppy summon him through.""Understood." The voice of Even comes from the phone, shocking the other three in the room. Gerard turns from it to me and says: "You have three minutes. Though do me a favor and take the potion first."
I nod at the man, grateful for all his help and while I pull the bottle out of my supply belt, he says: "And don't worry, I'll finish your mission for you." At which I send him another smile before I turn to Percy and say: "Listen to me, Ignatius, because this is the final chance for you to do so. I will prove to you that everything I just said is true and that Godbert really did almost get close to killing me, but first I need to tell you this. Take one good look at the Minister right now."

Percy hesitates, but then he does as said and I continue: "How long do you think you will have to work to get back in his good graces? And do you really think you can do so if you continue down the road you are walking right now, thinking you can trick others into believing lies, blaming others for your own bad behavior and thinking that titles give you immunity from breaking the law or hurting the emotions of those that, at some point, wanted to help you?
Are you really going to continue thinking that you can demand respect by insulting everyone who is below your rank, even though the majority of the Ministry is filled with either people in your rank as they are Department Heads, which by law is equal to the Minister's Assistant, look it up. Or even people who have risked their lives in war and strife to get to where they are now? Are you really going to believe that your title is more important than their hard work? That you are above them? Because right now, that's what we believe. That's what he believes."
"And the fact that I need to use your boss to get through to you just because you won't respect my title as your older brother –." I think to myself, the desire to voice this nullified by the knowledge that Percy won't care either way. Then the thought that the growth he could go through in Garden might bring back the brother I once loved fills my mind and I think to myself: "I – I need to give it a try." And with that I take a couple of deep gulps of my potion before I continue:
"Percival Ignatius, our family has suffered more than enough. Even after the war, our strife just didn't stop. We haven't gotten a chance to heal from anything we've been through since Voldemort first made his appearance. But then, and I don't want you interrupting me here, Percy, Harry got pregnant and his mate was discovered to be from a whole other world. And in all the time that Harry, Ron, Ginny and the twins have spent in the Garden so far, they have yet to say one bad word about you. They mentioned you, but only mentioned Prefect you or Head Boy you."

"What are you trying to say?" Percy asks me, a hint of disbelief, confusion and caution all mixed together in his tone and while part of me wonders when I turned into an enemy in his eyes, I sigh and release a breath and say: "What I'm saying is that, late last night the Minister received a note from father telling him that he's resigned and that several Ministerial Workers who have wanted to change their profession will be continuing his work.
What I'm saying is that mother has already ensured that all our vaults, bar your and mine, have been emptied and moved to the Garden, where there is also a version of Gringotts set in the sewer system, where they have stored everything we all earned over the years. What I'm saying is that this is the only room left in the Burrow – that actually has furniture left in it as everything else has already been moved to our new home in Garden. What I'm saying is that we now finally – finally, finally, finally – have a chance to both be successful – and a family."
Percy is gawking at me over this, just as suddenly a Corridor appears behind me and I hear Even from the Gummi phone: "Sorry this took so long, I decided to get Pepper and Poppy before opening the corridor." To this Gerard asks: "Did anyone hear anything?" And to my relief, Even answers: "No, I had muted the call from my side. We heard nothing." I sigh in relief at this and smile at Gerard before I turn to Percy as I say:
"Percy, I can tell you this with full conviction. If you stay here with the attitude that you have been showing these past few months, then it's not going to stay to just vocal insults for very long. You may have thought that father was a joke, a waste and all that stuff you heard from people like Umbridge, but there are more people inside the Ministry and all over England that trust and respect him than you seem to realize. You just don't realize it, because you only see importance in titles, not character, talent or experience.

But let me just say this. You, right now, have three options. One, stay here and keep this attitude. And as your older brother I can already tell you that won't get you anywhere. Two, stay here, but change and become the Percy that our parents still think you can be. Personally, thanks to what I've seen you change into ever since the World Cup, I don't share that belief. Or option three, come with me, fix your relation with our family and get a job that is just as respectful.
Now, let me explain to you what risks there are to each option, though I will go in reverse order. The risk to the third option is that, while mum might welcome you back with open arms, Ron and the others won't. You'll have to work hard, especially on your own character and your sense of humility, to get that done. Two, you'll actually, maybe, become somebody, though again I don't believe you can actually get that done, not without help. Three – is something similar – to this."

And with that do I tap my wand to my shoulder, undoing the Glamour charm that also functions as a way to contain the dark magic that, even after all these years, Madam Pomfrey has never been able to remove or undo. And instantly, the second that my spell undoes the Glamour, the same horrible sense of indescribable pain runs through my body, my shoulder feeling as if Fiendfyre is surging through it from within the back of my shoulder blade, alongside the Cruciatus Curse.
I wince, cringe, snarl and hiss, trying with everything I have to withstand the pain just long enough to recast the Glamour as, through my squinting eyes, which are leaking tears of pain, I can see Fudge, Percy and even Silkins gaping at me in horror and fright, their eyes glued to the actual state of my shoulder. Then suddenly I feel a familiar form of magic wash over me and sigh in relief before turning around and whispering: "Thanks Poppy."
The woman, who has obviously rushed through the corridor upon me starting to hiss in pain, nods though there is a look of regret on her face and she mutters: "Even after all these years, after all of my years of studying and training, after all of the summers that I spent hunting the world for a cure to this spell, I keep having to rely on this stupid Glamour-Containment charm. Even almost ten years later, there is still nothing more that I can do to help you. It eats me up on the inside, I admit." At which both Pepper and Gerard come to stand with her.

"What – what – what – what was that?" Percy asks, almost screaming in the end and Silkins whispers: "I've been an Auror since a year after the war and – and even I've never seen a curse like that.""Not surprising." Fudge mutters and we all turn to him as he sighs and says: "I recognized the magic the minute I saw it. That's Godbert's family magic. Only a Godbert knows the spell to undo that. It's in their Grimoire."
"That may be so, Minister, but – unless I'm mistaken – there is still an international law that states that Family magic can only be allowed – as long as it's not used to hurt a member of another family. That there are international laws, set by the Sacred Twelve and other Houses, that forbid family magic if it has a hurtful, negative or other form of dark nature. So unless I'm mistaken –." But then Fudge sighs and mutters:
"This was obviously done by a teenage Godbert in his years as a student, Silkins. And as much as I hate it, I doubt arresting him will make him spill on how to reverse it. Though that doesn't mean that I won't order you to do exactly that. We may not be able to help Heir William, but that doesn't mean that we should let Godbert continue to live in the misguided belief that he can get away with it. He and his family have been doing so for long enough – and I won't have it."

At this Silkins nods at the man and then turns to me as he asks: "You think you'll manage without me from now on? I'd like to get started on this arrest pronto." I nod at the man and say: "I still have my Goblin Guard. I appreciate the amazing way you handled Percy earlier, but I'm sure we can handle it from here. We're almost done anyway." The man nods and greets all the others before he walks over to Percy. He puts a firm hand on the young man's shoulder and firmly states:
"Do yourself, your brother and all you just saw him go through a favor, young man, don't mess this up." Yet I noticed Percy's face change the minute that hand landed on his shoulder and the look in his eyes made me glad I still have my wand in hand. And indeed Percy shouts: "I'll show you who's messing things up here, you failure of human life, SECTUM –!""PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" I shout and Percy gets shot out of his seat and through the window next to where Hedwig and Magnus are resting, the two flying up in distress.

I want to rush after him, but Gerard stops me the same way the Auror just tried to give Percy advice and after I turn to face him, he turns to Silkins and says: "You'll have two arrest warrants now, Silkins. I know that spell. It's called Sectumsempra and it's a dark version of the most painful and powerful cutting curse you can imagine. Percy Weasley just tried to behead you, he tried to kill you. He just earned himself a one-way return to the Ministry."
But the knowledge that Silkins was almost killed and the hearing of that name break my heart, making new tears spring to my eyes as I whisper: "He – he's not a – a Weasley. A-a-a-attempt of – of murder, by House Weasley, means an instant disownment." And with that, with my Heirship ring showing itself as I raise up both my hands to my chest, I slam my right open palm into the back of my left hand, which is fisted.
And upon my single thought: "Weasley no more." I feel the magic taking affect. I feel like a single hair on my head just fell out, as if a part of my heart has been turned blackened, as if I just lost one of my fingers or toes, as if I just lost the ability to use one of my limbs, as if a part of my brain just turned itself off. I feel new tears running down my eyes and turn outside as I loudly state: "I'm leaving." And a single small moleskin bag flies through the open window, Poppy catching it for me.
I take and release a deep breath, not really feeling up to wiping the tears from my face as I know they will just keep on falling and turn to Fudge as I whisper: "Cornelius Oswald Fudge – good luck." And to my amazement and slight sense of pride, the man puts his hands together the same way I just did when I disowned Percy before he bows down to me and says: "As Minister for Magic, I pray that your future be as bright as the love in your heart, Heir William Arthur Weasley." I give the man a single nod and then leave through the corridor with Pepper and Poppy.


That was HARD!
I'm not going to lie, I hate and despise writing chapters of conflict, chapters where characters that I really like have to go through hardships. I know it's stupid, but I prefer writing stories where the characters can avoid and stay away from all kinds of tension, hardship and stuff like that. I guess that's why I love my CR stories so much. Because the characters can read ahead, they'll know of the hardships of the future ahead of time. and yes, I know the same doesn't apply to Destiny's Saying, but I consider that a "getting closure" kind of tale.
Next chapter is going to be the aftermath of all this. Yeah, we're going to focus on England for a little while longer, though we're going to do so – while in the Garden. It's going to be thanks to the Corridors as well as Pepper, Poppy and Gerard. They are, more than likely, going to be my main characters for the next few chapters. Though I do think I will create a small chapter, like an interlude, about Harry and Lea.
Hope you like,

Venquine1990