Chapter Text
Molly continued ranting and making a scene in the great hall. Ron and Ginny looked like they were approving of their mother’s antics while Fred and George just wanted to be buried alive. They couldn’t believe their mother was acting this way. They stood up from the Slytherin table and then walked to her. They tried to coax her to calm down, but she wasn’t having it. “Fred, George, how dare you two side with that death eater scum over your own family!”
The twins argued, “Mum, they aren’t death eaters!”
She screeched, “Don’t be foolish.” She grabbed each twin by an ear harshly and yanked. “I didn’t raise you to be so selfish or naïve. It’s clear that the Potter brat has tricked you to believing his little sob story. Even his own relatives hated him and called him names. He’s just a freak.”
The twins groaned, “Ow, Mum, that really hurts. Let go.”
She ignored them and continued chastising and hurting them. Their faces were turning red. Severus Snape, of all people, was the first to stand up from the staff table and demand, “Molly, unhand the children. You are out of line.”
She scoffed at him, “Don’t presume to tell me how I can and can’t handle my own traitorous sons.”
Charlie came running into the Great Hall. He saw his mother manhandling his younger brothers and saw red. The great hall gasped as they saw him. He was now 6’4” with large, lean muscles. He had on his most threatening alpha veela face, and he was glaring daggers at his mother as he calmly and sternly said, “Release Fred and George. Your quarrel is with me, not them. Let them go.”
She scoffed again and yelled, “And here’s the biggest traitor of all! A Malfoy, Charlie? You are soulmates with a Bloody Malfoy, and I had to find out from the papers?! Your father and I won’t stand for this. We refuse to allow you to see that boy, and we demand to remove Luna from their guardianship. She should be with good people like us.”
Charlie, if possible, got even angrier, “I will not deny either of my soulmates no matter what you and Dad think. You are wrong about them. They are good people. Luna will stay with them. I have the ultimate say as her alpha. Talking about good people….look at yourself right now. You aren’t acting like a good person.”
She glared back at him, “I’ve had it with your disrespect. I hereby disown you from the Weasley name. I’ll not have you soil our family name.”
Charlie didn’t respond, but the twins did, “Mum! You can’t do that! Charlie isn’t mucking anything up. You are!”
She slapped George hard enough across the face to make him fall. “If that’s how you feel, then I disown both of you as well. Good luck being minors in the ministry system and paying your Hogwarts education, you ungrateful heathens.”
Severus had heard enough. When she slapped George, he drew his wand. He cast a body bind on her and made his way down to her. He acted purely on impulse as he sneered, “You are truly a wretched woman. You don’t have any idea of what you just gave up. Fred and George will not be going into to foster care. I will take them in. They will become my apprentices and wards, and I will pay for their schooling. You will never call them family again. If I hear about you so much as looking at MY boys, I will show you that I can be just as dark as you think I am.”
Then Severus helped George up, and he led them from the great hall to his personal chambers. The great hall was silent as they left, but they heard cheering as they stepped into the corridors. The twins seemed to be in shock, and that was all he cared about right now. He cast a patronus to Poppy asking her to meet him in his chambers.
As soon as they left the great hall, Molly’s body bind started to wear off. Harrison caught her attention when he jumped up and started running after Severus and the twins. Before he reached the doors, her body bind was completely gone, and she screeched, “You! This is all your fault, you ungrateful little freak!”
That stopped Harrison dead in his tracks, and he stared at her with a stricken expression. This was a woman that he had nearly thought of like a mother for three years after all. Ron and Ginny were now standing at the Gryffindor table. Ginny looked smug still, but Ron was conflicted. His mother had just disowned three of his brothers. Why would she do that? Ron stared at the small boy who had been his best friend for three years. They had been inseparable, like brothers.
He thought about Fred, George, Bill, and now Charlie. Why would they risk giving up their family for him? A year ago, Ron would have done anything for Harry, but now he was a Malfoy. Didn’t that change things?
Now Charlie was apparently mated to Draco. Does that change things? Why is everything so dramatic and confusing?
Ron was brought out of his musings by the look of anguish and fear on Harry’s (Harrison’s) face. He felt guilt deep within his soul. His conscience was telling him to do the right thing. Harrison was innocent in all of this. He was just an unloved, abused orphan who allowed himself to adopted by a caring family. Damn! How had this gotten so out of control? How could Ron be so angry with his supposed best friend for just wanting to be happy?
Molly continued to berate and belittle Harrison. She stalked towards him, and he tripped as he stepped backwards. He fell and didn’t even try to defend himself. He just sat up and pulled his knees into his chest. Tears were streaming down his face, and he was looking up at Mrs. Weasley with a pleading expression. Ron didn’t know how his mother didn’t crumble to the expression right there.
The great hall was so loud. The majority of the students were yelling at her to stop, while a small percentage was egging her on. Ron was a little surprised when a bunch of students suddenly stood between his mother and Harrison. Draco, Blaise, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Flint, Cedric, Fleur, Krum, Oliver Wood, and the rest of the Gryffindor quidditch team all stood with their wands drawn and menacing faces aimed at his mother. He was a little surprised when Hermione ran over to join the students. She threw a questioning look towards him, and he acted on instinct.
He pulled his wand and ran over to the crowd. Draco leveled his wand at Ron now thinking that Ron was going to help his mother. Ron would remember his total look of shock when Ron bypassed his mother and stood with them. He pointed his wand at her and shouted, “Mum! I think you have made your point, but it’s time to go now. You’ve disowned Charlie, Fred, and George already. Now, you’ve got Harry terrified. Look at him, Mum! A year ago you would’ve sold The Burrow for him, what happened? He’s Harrison Malfoy now, but he’s still Harry! He’s still the best friend I’ve ever had, and he’s still my brother, if he’ll still have me that is. We were wrong about him! He just wanted a family to love him. Why do we have to hate him because of that?”
Dumbledore’s eyes were twinkling as he casually made his way over to the scene near the doors of the Great Hall. Lucius, Narcissa, Remus, and Padfoot were anxiously following him. He had asked them to let this play out, and it seems that it played out exactly how he had wanted it to. He knew that Ron would see the error of his ways if provided sufficient motivation. He knew that Ron Weasley was not a bad person. He just had a vicious temper.
Molly stalked towards the crowd and raised her hand to hit Ron, but Lucius said in a scary silky tone, “If you hurt that boy, I will not be responsible for my actions towards you.”
Ron was shocked again. Lord Malfoy was defending HIM against his own mother. What was the world coming to?
Again Molly declared, “You can’t tell me how to discipline my own sons. I’m taking the traitorous little bastard home with me to teach him a lesson.”
Dumbledore’s twinkle disappeared as he spoke loud and clear, “Actually, Molly, you aren’t taking young Ronald anywhere because I will not allow you to. Hogwarts bylaws decree that all student absences must be approved by the Headmaster unless matter of emergency or otherwise approved circumstances. As this is neither, Ronald will be staying here. You, however, have now outworn your welcome and are hereby asked to leave the premises.”
Molly yelled at him, “You can’t do that, Albus! He’s my son.”
He calmly stated, “That doesn’t seem to mean much to you anymore. You’ve just disowned three of your sons, and you used to consider Harry Potter a son. Now look at how you treat him.”
Molly instantly calmed, and an evil gleam took over her features, “You’re right. I did just disown three of my sons. What’s one more?”
She turned to Ron, and he was as white as a ghost. He pleaded, “Mum! Please, don’t do this. Just think about what you’re doing. You’ll see that what you’re doing is wrong! Please. Mum!”
She ignored him, “Stop your whining, and don’t call me that. I’m no longer your mother. I hereby disown you as well. Let’s see if anyone would want to save you too. No one will want your temper. You won’t be saved like the twins. You’ll be cast out into the streets and forgotten about.”
Ron was barely standing. He was now crying silently. His knees were just about to give in when someone caught him. He looked and saw that Draco Malfoy was holding him up. He gave Ron a supportive smile and then kept glaring at Molly.
Harrison had heard enough. He would let her talk bad about him, but no one talked about his friends that way, not even their own mother. He knew that Ron hadn’t been a very good friend lately, but it was clear that he had now seen the error of his ways.
Harrison stood up on shaky yet determined legs. He wiped the tears from his face, and he made his way through his defenders and stood in front of Mrs. Weasley. He no longer felt any affection for her, and he made it known as he spoke evenly, “You are wrong, Mrs. Weasley. He won’t be cast out or forgotten about. He’s my brother, no matter what, and I will take care of him.”
She laughed, “You!? Hahahahaha! You are just a silly little submissive! You will never have any say. Your alpha isn’t even here to defend you. How could you possibly take care of someone else?”
Harrison wasn’t looking at her though. He was sending pleading eyes towards his Godfathers. Remus looked down at Padfoot, and they had a private, silent conversation. They both looked up at Harrison and smiled as they minutely nodded.
Remus and Padfoot stepped between Molly and the children, and Remus spoke, “Molly, your behavior today is quite frankly embarrassing. You’ve disowned four of your children. How could you do this? Due to my condition, I am unable to have children of my own, so I will gladly take Ron in, if he will have me.”
He looked to Ron with a questioning glance while Molly screeched again, “You! You can’t have him! You’re a werewolf!” The majority of the Great Hall gasped, but she continued, “The Ministry will never allow you to adopt him!”
Ron spoke quietly to Remus, “Remus? Really? You’d adopt me?”
Padfoot jumped up and licked him in the face while Remus responded, “Yea, kid. I love you like a son anyway. I’d love to make it official. Padfoot apparently approves too.”
The Great Hall doors flung open one more time to reveal Charlie and Arthur Weasley. Arthur sported an angry expression, but Remus wanted to speak first. He squared his jaw and calmly stated with flashing amber eyes, “Yes, Molly. I am a werewolf, and it would do well for you to remember that there is only one day before the full moon. This is your final warning. Werewolves are extremely protective of those they consider their own. Harrison, Draco, the twins, and Ron are mine, and you will not so much as look at them from now on. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have a son of my own.”
Arthur stared in confusion, “Remus what are you talking about? I thought Severus was taking guardianship of the twins?” He prayed to Merlin that his wife did not disown Ron too. He wouldn’t be able to handle losing four of his sons in one day.
Remus turned to Arthur, “I think you should ask your wife, Arthur.”
Arthur faced her, “Molly? What have you done!?”
Molly looked at her husband with no remorse, “I’ve done us a favor and disowned our traitorous children. Charlie, Fred, George, and Ron are no longer Weasley’s.”
Arthur was furious, “You idiot woman! What in Merlin’s name gave you the authority to take my sons away from me!? How could you?”
Ginny didn’t like the way her father was speaking to her mother, so she defended her, “Daddy! Mummy was doing the right thing. They all betrayed the family for Harry and his death eater family.”
Arthur rounded on his daughter, “Young lady, do not take that tone with me. You don’t know what you are talking about. The Malfoy’s are now family. Charlie has mated with Draco.”
Ginny sourly responded, “They are not my family. Charlie is no longer my brother, remember?”
Arthur calmly said, “I will fix the misdoings your mother caused, and all of the boys will be reinstated into the Weasley family. I will not lose my sons because of your mother’s temper tantrum.”
Albus spoke sincerely now, “Ah, but Arthur, I am behooved to remind you of Wizarding family law. Once a family has disowned a child, said child cannot be reinstated into the same family. This law was passed to protect the children from going back into a family and being abused by their persecutors. I’m afraid that you cannot ever have your sons back.”
Arthur panicked, “But Albus, surely an exception can be made! They’re my sons! I can’t lose them!”
He ran to Ron and embraced him tightly with tears streaming down his face. Molly yelled at them, “How dare you choose those traitors over me! You will choose right now: them or me!”
Arthur turned towards her with a sad face, “Molly, do not make me choose because you will not like the answer. I don’t know who you are right now, but you are not the woman I married. That woman would never disown her own children.”
“How dare you! Fine then. I disown myself from your family. Consider this marriage over!”
Arthur stared heartbroken at his now ex-wife. What had happened today? He had woken up a happy man with a loving wife and seven children. Now he was single had lost half of his children.
Ginny ran and stood between her parents. She was her mother’s daughter through and through. She stared at her father with anger and decreed, “If Mummy is no longer a Weasley, then I don’t want to be one either!”
Arthur fell to his knees, “Gin! Please! Don’t do this. I can’t lose you too!”
Charlie ran to his father and held him as his now ex-mother turned to face Remus.
Molly yelled at him, “I refuse to allow you to be happy with him. I will make sure that the Ministry declines your adoption. They won’t allow a werewolf to adopt a child alone. Who would be there while you were wolfed out during the full moon?”
Without thinking, Padfoot changed into his human form. The Great Hall went crazy! Students were yelling and screaming in fear. The notorious criminal Sirius Black was in their school. He faced Molly with the full force of the Black family name behind him, “I will be there, Molly. Did you forget about me? I’m close to being pardoned by the ministry, so there will be no reason that we can’t adopt him. Remus and I will finally be married, and we will have a son. He will become heir to the Black name and fortune, and he will do better than you ever will.” He wrapped a supportive arm around Ron as he said that.
Albus rolled his eyes at Sirius and his grand gesture. The man was always one for a big show. “Sirius, what have you done?” He addressed the entire hall now, “It’s ok. Yes, this is Sirius Black, but you have no reason to fear. He is an innocent man. He was framed and imprisoned unfairly..”
As he was speaking, Aurors showed up. Albus shook his head. The Great Hall was starting to quiet. He spoke to Kinglsey, “Why don’t we take all of this back to the Ministry and get it all cleared up?”
Kingsley nodded, and his Aurors helped guide everyone involved (Sirius, Remus, Arthur, Molly, Ron, Harrison, Draco, Lucius, Narcissa, Luna, Albus, Charlie, and Ginny) to the Ministry. He sent Severus a patronus to ask him and the twins to join them at the Ministry, and then he asked Minerva and his remaining heads of house to keep watch over the school and students. At least today was Sunday, and there were no classes to worry about.
They all arrived at the Ministry, and they were led to a courtroom. Kingsley had already gotten the appropriate offices involved, and they as well as Bill and Percy were waiting for the group in the chosen courtroom. Once everyone was settled, Albus spoke, “I think we should first discuss Sirius Black.”
The Minister agreed, and he announced, “We have already come to a decision regarding Lord Black.”
Sirius gasped at his title, and the Minister continued, “Memories and interviews under veritaserum are enough evidence to prove his innocence. Lord Black is hereby pardoned for his supposed crimes, and the Ministry officially apologizes for not providing a trial before his imprisonment. The Ministry would like to offer 1,000 Galleons for every year that Lord Black was imprisoned.”
The guards detaining Sirius relinquished their hold on him and walked away. Remus ran to his mate and picked him, spinning him around in circles in joy!
Albus breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s one matter solved. For the next matter, I think we should use the penseive projector so that all present may witness the events of this morning.”
The Minister signaled for someone to bring forward the specified equipment while Albus withdrew the memory from himself. He placed it into the receptacle, and it started playing for everyone. They all watched as the owls brought the morning papers, and the students read the articles on the front page. They watched as the Malfoy’s walked in and were subjected to everyone’s opinions and muttering. Soon Molly made her appearance. Everyone was silent through the entire viewing of the memory.
Arthur watched angrily and unbelieving as his wife denounce four of his children. He was surprised when Severus spoke on behalf of his twins. Sure he already knew that the man had vowed to watch over them, but seeing it was another thing entirely. He watched her corner Harrison, and he was ashamed. He could see the fear on the child’s face. He was proud of Ron when he stood up for his friend. He was surprised again when Lucius Malfoy had threatened Molly when she tried to hit Ron. He held onto his son as he watched his wife disown him as well. Soon he arrived on scene, and it all progressed to them leaving the Great Hall with the aurors.
When the memory was finished, no one said anything or made a sound for a full minute. It was a lot to take in. The Minister stood before everyone and asked, “What other requests do you have?”
Arthur stepped forward, “I ask to keep my sons. My wife..um..ex-wife had no right to disown them without my permission. I want them reinstated as Weasley’s.”
The Minister turned to the representatives of the Wizarding Children Services to answer this request. The woman spoke clearly, “I’m sorry Mr. Weasley, but what’s done cannot be undone, no matter the circumstances. The boys are no longer Weasley’s by name. That doesn’t mean you can’t be in their lives.”
Arthur fell to his knees again, whispering over and over to himself, “No, no, no. This can’t be happening.”
Narcissa wiped tears from her face as she watched the man despair. She didn’t think she could be so strong if presented with the same situation. She would be a blubbering mess on the floor.
Next, Remus stepped forward, “If Arthur cannot keep his sons, then I would like to apply for the adoption of Ronald Billius Weasley.”
The same woman spoke, “I’m sorry, Mr. Lupin. As a werewolf, the ministry cannot grant you the adoption of the child alone.”
Sirius stepped forward, “You misunderstand. He will be adopted by Remus and myself.”
The woman smiled, “I see. That changes things. You two will have to be married properly first, but there shouldn’t be a problem with the adoption after that. Will it be a blood adoption so that the child has access to the Black vaults?”
Sirius looked at Ron who looked at his father. Arthur nodded, and Sirius answered, “Yes. It will be a blood adoption.”
The woman smiled again, “I understand that Mr. Lupin is the alpha in the relationship, but according to Wizarding Family Law, he must be the one to take your name if you are to adopt a child.”
Sirius thought that was stupid, but Remus agreed immediately, “That’s fine. I have no attachment to my name. I just want to be with Sirius and now Ron.”
Arthur stepped forward again, “I’d like the annulment of my marriage to be official.”
The Minister waved his wand and spoke, “It is now official. The appropriate paperwork has been filed.” He turned to Molly, “You are no longer Molly Weasley, you will return to your maiden name. You and your daughter are now dismissed.”
Molly and Ginny were led from the courtroom by aurors.
Severus retained guardianship of the twins, and he filed paperwork to officially make them his apprentices for the next 4 years. They would become potion masters when he was through with them.
Sirius stepped forward again, “Can Remus and I be married right now? I don’t wish to wait any longer. Nearly everyone important is here anyway.”
The minister rolled his eyes, but complied, “Very well. Please select your seconds and step forward.”
Sirius asked Harrison to stand next to him and Remus asked Ron. The four of them made their way to the front of the courtroom, and the Minister began talking, “We are gathered here today for many things. Now we will witness the union of Sirius Orion Black to Remus John Lupin. If there are any who disapprove of this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The room was quiet for 30 seconds before the minister started talking again, “Very well. Please state your vows to each other.”
Remus spoke first. He took Sirius by the hand and said, “I, Remus John Lupin, take you, Sirius Orion Black, to be my soulmate and husband. I vow to stick by your side and respect you until death separates us. I vow to put yours and Ron’s needs before my own and to always protect you two. I and Moony will always see you as pack and defend you with honor.”
Sirius squeezed his hand and answered, “I, Sirius Orion Black, take you, Remus John Lupin, to be my soulmate, husband, and alpha. I vow to stick by your side, respect you, and obey you until death separates us. I vow to put yours and Ron’s needs before my own and to always think of you two first. I will happily accept a place in Moony’s pack.”
The Minister spoke again, “I hereby announce you Remus and Sirius Black. You may kiss to solidify the union.”
The audience cheered as they shared a long, heated kiss. Harrison and Ron blushed as they were so close to the action. When they finally broke apart, breathless, Remus extended his arm to Ron to draw him into a hug with him and Sirius. Ron blushed again, but allowed himself to be placed between then two men and hugged.
Remus asked, “Can we do the blood adoption now? If we wait, it will have to be three days from now after the full moon, and I’m not comfortable waiting that long. Someone else could try for guardianship of Ron.”
The Wizarding Family Services representative smiled and nodded her head, “Yes. We can do the ritual now, but we need some time to set everything up.”
Severus scoffed and stepped forward, “I will handle everything. I am a potion’s master, and I can guarantee that my potions are better than whatever drivel you have on hand. Give me a few minutes to get what I need.”
While everyone was waiting on Severus, the minister asked, “It that everything? Are you all happy? Can I go now?”
There was silence for about ten seconds, and then Charlie stepped forward, “What happens to me? I’m not a minor. I’m 20. I don’t need a guardian, but I don’t have a name either. What will become of me?”
Bill wrapped a supportive arm around his brother and waited for the answer. Draco stared at his father begging him to do something. Lucius was just about to deny his son when Narcissa squeezed his hand. She too looked up to Lucius hopefully, and she whispered in his ear, “Luc, do the right thing. He may be 20, but he’s still just a boy. Make him a ward of the Malfoy family. He is mated to Draco and Luna whether you like it or not. You can either continue to alienate yourself from your family, or you can do the right thing and take custody of the boy. Luc, please. Keep this family together. I’ve always wanted a big family. Give me another son.”
Lucius debated with himself. He looked at his wife and at Draco. He saw how much they wanted this. Could he want this, though? The boy was a Weasley! No, he wasn’t a Weasley anymore. He was a Nobody. He had stuck up for Harrison despite the risk to his own name. He couldn’t be a bad person if he was so selfless with someone he had just met. He looked at the desperate young man who was still waiting for an answer regarding his fate. He really looked at him and took in his appearance. He was tall, strong, and proud, but he was still innocent. Lucius sighed. He would do the right thing. He would take in the ex-Weasley boy. He nodded to Draco and Narcissa, and he was rewarded with the brightest smiles.
Narcissa ran forward to the young man, and embraced him while speaking, “We will take custody of Charlie Nobody. He will become Charlie Malfoy. He will become my son.”
Draco ran forward and joined in the hug. Charlie looked up at Narcissa and then past her to Lucius with a wary expression. Lucius walked forward without an expression on his face. He stood in front of the young man who was the same height as him, and he extended his hand out to him with a wary smile.
Charlie shook his hand, and Lucius spoke to the Minister, “Let it be known that Charlie Nobody is now Charlie Malfoy. He will be granted every benefit as any other Malfoy, and he and Draco will share the heirship duties. They will decide between themselves who will become Lord Malfoy when I am done.”
The Minister was shocked, but he nodded, “It is done, and the appropriate paperwork has been filed.”
Severus returned with the required supplies and stared everyone’s shocked faces with a confused one of his own, “What? What did I miss?”
Charlie cheekily answered, “Nothing, UNCLE Sev. Mother and Father just made me a Malfoy.”
Severus groaned playfully, “Good Merlin, I’m doomed. Now I have to deal with the twins and you!”
Ron scoffed, “Aww. Come on, Professor Snape, what am I, chopped liver? I’m about to become a Black, remember? We’ll be around for a long time.”
Severus groaned again, but he continued setting up for the ritual. Soon he was done, and he asked the participants to take their place. Albus stood in as the speaker. The ritual went just as Harrison’s had gone many months prior. They all took vows to honor, respect, obey, protect, etc. Blood was shared into the vial, and the vial was drank. A blinding light encompassed Ron and he yelled as his body was changed.
When the light faded, Ron was on his knees. Sirius and Remus ran to help their new son up. He stood shakily and everyone took in his new appearance. He looked like a miniature Sirius Black. He had long curly hair like Sirius and bright blue eyes, but his hair color matched Remus. He had clearly gotten his height from Remus as well. He was very handsome.
Arthur stepped forward and embraced him, “I am sad to miss you, but I am happy that you will have such wonderful parents.”
He shook hands with Sirius and Remus, and he spoke, “Thank you for caring for Ron. I know you will be good parents for him. Please take care of him.”
They promised to do right by him, and they offered Arthur the chance to give him his new name. Arthur thought for a second before announcing, “Regulus John Black”
Sirius was overwhelmed with emotion, and hugged Arthur. He asked Arthur to be Ron’s, nor Regulus’s, Godfather. Of course he agreed. Narcissa agreed to be his Godmother.
This reminded all of the adults that the remaining disowned Weasley son’s still needed godparents. Arthur and Narcissa were named Godparents to the twins, Severus and Sirius/Remus were name Godparents to Charlie.
Albus twinkled as his extended family grew exponentially today. They didn’t know it yet, but they had all gained a grandfather today. He couldn’t wait to tell Minerva!
This Minister huffed, “As warm and cuddly as all of this is, I think my services are no longer needed here. Congratulations to all of you and your new bonds and so forth. Please exit the Ministry and go on with you new lives.”
Harrison stared at his family. He was very happy. He ran up to Ron-Regulus and hugged him. Regulus eagerly hugged him back and apologized, “Harry-Harrison, I’m so sorry for being such a git. Please forgive me. I know that I can’t take it back or fix it, but I don’t want to lose my best friend again.”
Harrison hugged him again. He had tears running down his face as he answered, “Of course, I forgive you Ron…er, Regulus. That will take some getting used to. You’re my best mate. We’re family now! We’re cousins! If there is one thing I have learned, it’s that real families stick together.”