HP fic: Post-DH
Title: Post-DH
Scene Title: Inherent Blood Feud
Progress: WIP
His uncle stared at him as if he'd never seen him before in his life.
Then, without warning, he spun and pointed to Harry, loudly proclaiming, "This is because you encouraged it!"
Albus's father raised an eyebrow at that, seeming bewildered and a bit amused by Uncle Ron's reaction and still quite surprised by what his son had just asked. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, looking to Albus for a moment before meeting his brother-in-law's heated stare, "and really, it's not that bad. The Malfoys aren't that bad of people, really, Ron--"
"Don't defend them just because you want to believe that they've got a good side to them, Harry," said Uncle Ron harshly, making Harry sit back into his chair, a hand to his forehead, idly rubbing at his scar. The redheaded wizard then pointed to that same scar, exclaiming, "You can't forget the fact that they would have turned you in the minute you were in their grasp! If Hermione hadn't used that jinx--"
"They were trying to protect their family, Ron," said Harry shortly, lowering his hand quickly as if he'd been burned. Sitting up again, the bespectacled wizard brought forth his argument, "I know that your family and the Malfoys have something against each other since your father and Lucius's time, but just because Lucius was a prime example of how a Death Eater should be doesn't mean that Draco ever was or that he taught his son to be--"
"For your information," said Uncle Ron just as shortly, "there's no doubt in my mind that the Malfoys have passed that thought on. They're Slytherins--"
Albus almost missed what had cut off his uncle but managed to hear his father whisper quietly, "Not all Slytherins become like Voldemort was."
Albus noticed a small tremor run up his uncle's tall and lanky frame before the older wizard clenched his fists and looked away from Harry's beseeching gaze. "... just because Snape worked with Dumbledore and helped to bring down You-Know-Who doesn't make him a saint, Harry," he said lowly before glaring at his friend and tightly saying, "When it comes right down to it, Snape was just a greasy git who couldn't have cared less if you survived or not."
Harry didn't reply and just looked to his hands, taking a breath.
Uncle Ron continued to watch him for a moment before turning to Albus and pointing a finger at him, waving it in front of Albus's nose. "Those Malfoys can't be trusted. I don't care if this Scorpius has been helping you since First Year--it's obviously a result of the Wizard Debt his father owes your father--"
"Ron," interrupted Harry sharply.
Uncle Ron looked back to his brother-in-law with a heavy frown. "Well, it could very well be! And you know it. I know I'm not the only one who's thought about the Malfoys using that to their advantage and that they're drawing Albus into this--"
"Look," said Harry with forced patience, "just because the Weasleys and the Malfoys have some sort of feud, doesn't mean it has to involve Albus--"
"He's just as much a Weasley as any of us," said Uncle Ron firmly before adding when Harry's mouth opened to object, "Yeah, I know that's not all he is. But still, he's half Weasley--"
"And half Potter," stated Harry just as firmly. "And Scorpius is only half Malfoy. We don't know anything about his mother or what family she's from. Or do you? For all you know, Draco married a Muggle-born or just a pureblood who actually cares about that sort of thing."
Uncle Ron made to interrupt, but Albus's father quickly cut him off, "Yes, I know it's very unlikely, considering what we know about Draco, but still, think about it, Ron. This feud your family has with the Malfoys? Can't last much longer. Sooner or later, the name will die out and so will your family's and then where would you be? Feuds don't last for that singular reason. To ask Albus, who's name is Potter, to follow along with that sort of thing is just--"
"Just what?" demanded Uncle Ron heatedly.
"Just bloody well idiotic, if you ask me!"
Albus could only stare in shock and surprise as those words came from his father, as his uncle quickly produced his wand and aimed it at his best friend, as the two of them stared each other down--though one was sitting and the other standing. He hadn't meant for things to become like this. He had only wanted...
He was startled from his almost horrified stare when he heard two voice shouting,
"RONALD ARTHUR WEASLEY, YOU PUT THAT WAND AWAY RIGHT THIS MOMENT!"
All the males in the room turned to look to the hall where both Hermione Weasley and Ginny Potter stood, looking as if they'd just run a mile to get where they were. Not only that, but Rose and Hugo Weasley were both peering around from behind the two angry women while James and Lily Potter lingered in the hallway, trying to stand on the tips of their toes to see what was going on. Even with so many people now watching the spectacle, everything remained silent for a painfully long moment.
Then Uncle Ron lowered his wand and stuffed it back into his robes.
Harry looked down at his hands again, seeming to ignore everyone as he worked at calming himself down.
With the situation diffused, the two women marching into the room, each going to their respective husband before they began to speak.
"Honestly," said Aunt Hermione, voice hard with disapproval, "You still get so heated up over the littlest things--and don't you dare argue you with me, Ronald Weasley, or I swear to all that is good, I will see to it that your life will be miserable longer than you can stand it."
Uncle Ron snapped his jaw shut, clenching it tightly for a moment before demanding loudly, "Why is it that I'm the bad guy here? All I'm trying to do is protect my nephew--"
"Protect him from who?" asked Ginny hotly before continuing with a fair amount of sarcasm as she rested her hands on her husband's shoulders, "From a Third Year boy who may actually have some sense about him? Who might actually be someone altogether different from the rest of his family? Who Albus just might consider his friend? Oh, yes, Ron, brilliant way of protecting our children! Let's keep to the same old pattern of the black and white and see what comes of it--"
"How can you say that, Ginny, when you know damn well that--"
"I know damn well that Harry's right about one thing," said Ginny loudly, over her brother's voice, "This feud has gone on long enough. If those two boys are friends, let them be. For goodness's sake! They're just kids, Ron!"
Uncle Ron didn't reply and silently fumed, ears red with the anger that he was keeping locked in himself. Aunt Hermione, now watching her husband carefully, tried to soothe his ire but only had him jerking away from her touch as soon as she came near. "Ron, be reasonable about this," she pleaded, voice now softer and more worried.
There was another moment of silence before Uncle Ron finally announced, "I'm getting some air."
Without warning, he turned and left the room, forcing his daughter and son as well as his niece and nephew to scatter and jump out of his path as he stormed across the threshold and down the hall to the entrance. Everyone winced at the sound of the door slamming just before a loud CRACK followed, signaling that Ron Weasley had Disapparated.
Aunt Hermione sighed before turning to her two friends, an apologetic look on her face. "I'm really sorry about all of this," she said with a saddened tone to her voice. "You know how he gets--"
"Don't apologize for him, Hermione," said Ginny tartly, squeezing Harry's shoulders just before he reached up to take hold of one of her hands with his own. "My brother's hopelessly hot-headed about this sort of thing. Oh, it just make my blood boil the way he goes about all of this--"
Meekly, not knowing what else to say or do, Albus spoke up, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble..."
All of the adults looked to him with surprise, as if remembering he was still there--all except his father who shook his head. "It's not your fault, Al," he said calmly and patiently before meeting his son's green eyes with his own. "Your uncle... he's just worried about a lot of things. He really does just want what's in your best interest and just thinks that Scorpius Malfoy isn't."
Albus bit his lower lip for a moment before finally saying loudly, "Malfoy isn't a bad person. Just because he's in Slytherin doesn't mean anything, does it, Dad?"
Harry's expression softened more, a tired smile coming onto his face. "Of course not," he said gently, "I told you before, right? It doesn't matter about what House your in. It just has to do with your choices. A lot of dark wizards have come from Slytherin, true, but that was their choice. If Scorpius doesn't want to follow the path that so many others have taken, then that's his choice."
The young wizard felt the tension in his shoulders melt with those words. It was a relief that at least his father understood, that he was right about Scorpius Malfoy and their friendship--
"Still," said Harry, a frown coming onto his brow as he gently took his wife's hands from his shoulders and stood from his seat, "if you really want to have Scorpius Malfoy as your friend and want him to have permission to visit, I'll need to speak with both him and his father."
Albus started, feeling a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. "But you just said--"
"This doesn't have anything to do with any of that, Albus," said his father reassuringly, giving away how grave the situation was by the use of his full name. "But there are some things that have to be addressed before I can even consider to allow anyone into our home. Kreacher."
Almost without warning, an ancient house elf appeared out of no where and gave a deep bow. "Master Harry calls for Kreacher?"
Albus looked to the house elf, always fascinated with the way he would be so polite and kind to his father but if it were anyone else, he would mutter unsavory things under his breath so that he wasn't heard. He could remember a time when he was younger that Kreacher had accidentally said an insult louder than he had meant and had gotten a firm scolding from his father. The old house elf spent weeks upon end, moping in his little nest of trinkets and rags before Harry had allowed him to go about his regular services--something that, amazingly, had cheered the old thing up greatly.
James had often joked that Kreacher would some day join the ranks of house elf heads that used to hang in the hall but would always be scolded by their aunt, who would then go on about something called S.P.E.W. After getting a reaming about accidentally calling it "Spew," Albus's older brother had learned not to make such remarks and just wondered allowed how old the house elf was and how much longer it would live to serve their family.
Presently, Harry was bent over a desk in the room, scribbling something onto a piece of parchment before folding it as neatly as he could--Albus could see both his mother and his aunt wincing at his attempt, seeming to be wishing that he'd let them do it instead--before scrawling something on the back of the message. Once finished, Harry held up the letter and regarded Kreacher kindly, as though the house elf were a beloved pet. "Kreacher, I need you to deliver this message to Draco Malfoy. Tell him that it is to be answered within the hour. If he has any questions, he can bring them here. Do not give him the message until he agrees to these terms."
Kreacher bobbed his head in a nod, ears flapping in a way that made Rose and Lily giggle from the doorway. "Yes, Master Harry. Kreacher will see that it will be done."
Without any hesitation, Harry handed over the parchment, and without any delay, the house elf disappeared, taking the letter to the Malfoys.
Albus looked to his father, confused, but only gain a small smile in return.
"It'll be all right," said his father reassuringly before looking to Ginny and Hermione. "Gin, Hermione... you wouldn't mind taking the kids out or something, would you?"
Understanding his motives better than Albus could, both women nodded before one turned to the other and Ginny said lightly, "I need to go shopping anyway. After all, it's still the Easter Holidays, and having all of the kids home makes it hard to keep any food in the house!"
Aunt Hermione laughed a bit at that. "I know what you mean and I only have two of them."
Albus's mother grinned. "You should know about the Weasley family and their kids, Hermione," she said in a teasing manner. "It won't be long until your completely surrounded by the little buggers."
The other woman looked properly scandalized. "Heaven forbid that I have more than what I've already got," she said with some amount of horror, "No offense to your family or anything, Ginny dear, but I won't let Ron talk me into it."
Ginny laughed again before stepping forward and raising her hands to shoo the collected children in the hall off to where they needed to go. Aunt Hermione followed, striking up a conversation on what neeeded to be gotten on the trip as they went. Albus remained in the study with his father who now had his wand in his hand and was carefully inspecting it. Something of a nervous habit of his, if he ever had any.
Not sure as to what he should say, Albus tried to begin, "Dad--"
Harry shook his head, cutting off his words more effectively without a sound. "Just go on ahead with the others, Albus," he said in a light tone that was belied by the grip he held his wand in.
Scene Title: Inherent Blood Feud
Progress: WIP
His uncle stared at him as if he'd never seen him before in his life.
Then, without warning, he spun and pointed to Harry, loudly proclaiming, "This is because you encouraged it!"
Albus's father raised an eyebrow at that, seeming bewildered and a bit amused by Uncle Ron's reaction and still quite surprised by what his son had just asked. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, looking to Albus for a moment before meeting his brother-in-law's heated stare, "and really, it's not that bad. The Malfoys aren't that bad of people, really, Ron--"
"Don't defend them just because you want to believe that they've got a good side to them, Harry," said Uncle Ron harshly, making Harry sit back into his chair, a hand to his forehead, idly rubbing at his scar. The redheaded wizard then pointed to that same scar, exclaiming, "You can't forget the fact that they would have turned you in the minute you were in their grasp! If Hermione hadn't used that jinx--"
"They were trying to protect their family, Ron," said Harry shortly, lowering his hand quickly as if he'd been burned. Sitting up again, the bespectacled wizard brought forth his argument, "I know that your family and the Malfoys have something against each other since your father and Lucius's time, but just because Lucius was a prime example of how a Death Eater should be doesn't mean that Draco ever was or that he taught his son to be--"
"For your information," said Uncle Ron just as shortly, "there's no doubt in my mind that the Malfoys have passed that thought on. They're Slytherins--"
Albus almost missed what had cut off his uncle but managed to hear his father whisper quietly, "Not all Slytherins become like Voldemort was."
Albus noticed a small tremor run up his uncle's tall and lanky frame before the older wizard clenched his fists and looked away from Harry's beseeching gaze. "... just because Snape worked with Dumbledore and helped to bring down You-Know-Who doesn't make him a saint, Harry," he said lowly before glaring at his friend and tightly saying, "When it comes right down to it, Snape was just a greasy git who couldn't have cared less if you survived or not."
Harry didn't reply and just looked to his hands, taking a breath.
Uncle Ron continued to watch him for a moment before turning to Albus and pointing a finger at him, waving it in front of Albus's nose. "Those Malfoys can't be trusted. I don't care if this Scorpius has been helping you since First Year--it's obviously a result of the Wizard Debt his father owes your father--"
"Ron," interrupted Harry sharply.
Uncle Ron looked back to his brother-in-law with a heavy frown. "Well, it could very well be! And you know it. I know I'm not the only one who's thought about the Malfoys using that to their advantage and that they're drawing Albus into this--"
"Look," said Harry with forced patience, "just because the Weasleys and the Malfoys have some sort of feud, doesn't mean it has to involve Albus--"
"He's just as much a Weasley as any of us," said Uncle Ron firmly before adding when Harry's mouth opened to object, "Yeah, I know that's not all he is. But still, he's half Weasley--"
"And half Potter," stated Harry just as firmly. "And Scorpius is only half Malfoy. We don't know anything about his mother or what family she's from. Or do you? For all you know, Draco married a Muggle-born or just a pureblood who actually cares about that sort of thing."
Uncle Ron made to interrupt, but Albus's father quickly cut him off, "Yes, I know it's very unlikely, considering what we know about Draco, but still, think about it, Ron. This feud your family has with the Malfoys? Can't last much longer. Sooner or later, the name will die out and so will your family's and then where would you be? Feuds don't last for that singular reason. To ask Albus, who's name is Potter, to follow along with that sort of thing is just--"
"Just what?" demanded Uncle Ron heatedly.
"Just bloody well idiotic, if you ask me!"
Albus could only stare in shock and surprise as those words came from his father, as his uncle quickly produced his wand and aimed it at his best friend, as the two of them stared each other down--though one was sitting and the other standing. He hadn't meant for things to become like this. He had only wanted...
He was startled from his almost horrified stare when he heard two voice shouting,
"RONALD ARTHUR WEASLEY, YOU PUT THAT WAND AWAY RIGHT THIS MOMENT!"
All the males in the room turned to look to the hall where both Hermione Weasley and Ginny Potter stood, looking as if they'd just run a mile to get where they were. Not only that, but Rose and Hugo Weasley were both peering around from behind the two angry women while James and Lily Potter lingered in the hallway, trying to stand on the tips of their toes to see what was going on. Even with so many people now watching the spectacle, everything remained silent for a painfully long moment.
Then Uncle Ron lowered his wand and stuffed it back into his robes.
Harry looked down at his hands again, seeming to ignore everyone as he worked at calming himself down.
With the situation diffused, the two women marching into the room, each going to their respective husband before they began to speak.
"Honestly," said Aunt Hermione, voice hard with disapproval, "You still get so heated up over the littlest things--and don't you dare argue you with me, Ronald Weasley, or I swear to all that is good, I will see to it that your life will be miserable longer than you can stand it."
Uncle Ron snapped his jaw shut, clenching it tightly for a moment before demanding loudly, "Why is it that I'm the bad guy here? All I'm trying to do is protect my nephew--"
"Protect him from who?" asked Ginny hotly before continuing with a fair amount of sarcasm as she rested her hands on her husband's shoulders, "From a Third Year boy who may actually have some sense about him? Who might actually be someone altogether different from the rest of his family? Who Albus just might consider his friend? Oh, yes, Ron, brilliant way of protecting our children! Let's keep to the same old pattern of the black and white and see what comes of it--"
"How can you say that, Ginny, when you know damn well that--"
"I know damn well that Harry's right about one thing," said Ginny loudly, over her brother's voice, "This feud has gone on long enough. If those two boys are friends, let them be. For goodness's sake! They're just kids, Ron!"
Uncle Ron didn't reply and silently fumed, ears red with the anger that he was keeping locked in himself. Aunt Hermione, now watching her husband carefully, tried to soothe his ire but only had him jerking away from her touch as soon as she came near. "Ron, be reasonable about this," she pleaded, voice now softer and more worried.
There was another moment of silence before Uncle Ron finally announced, "I'm getting some air."
Without warning, he turned and left the room, forcing his daughter and son as well as his niece and nephew to scatter and jump out of his path as he stormed across the threshold and down the hall to the entrance. Everyone winced at the sound of the door slamming just before a loud CRACK followed, signaling that Ron Weasley had Disapparated.
Aunt Hermione sighed before turning to her two friends, an apologetic look on her face. "I'm really sorry about all of this," she said with a saddened tone to her voice. "You know how he gets--"
"Don't apologize for him, Hermione," said Ginny tartly, squeezing Harry's shoulders just before he reached up to take hold of one of her hands with his own. "My brother's hopelessly hot-headed about this sort of thing. Oh, it just make my blood boil the way he goes about all of this--"
Meekly, not knowing what else to say or do, Albus spoke up, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause trouble..."
All of the adults looked to him with surprise, as if remembering he was still there--all except his father who shook his head. "It's not your fault, Al," he said calmly and patiently before meeting his son's green eyes with his own. "Your uncle... he's just worried about a lot of things. He really does just want what's in your best interest and just thinks that Scorpius Malfoy isn't."
Albus bit his lower lip for a moment before finally saying loudly, "Malfoy isn't a bad person. Just because he's in Slytherin doesn't mean anything, does it, Dad?"
Harry's expression softened more, a tired smile coming onto his face. "Of course not," he said gently, "I told you before, right? It doesn't matter about what House your in. It just has to do with your choices. A lot of dark wizards have come from Slytherin, true, but that was their choice. If Scorpius doesn't want to follow the path that so many others have taken, then that's his choice."
The young wizard felt the tension in his shoulders melt with those words. It was a relief that at least his father understood, that he was right about Scorpius Malfoy and their friendship--
"Still," said Harry, a frown coming onto his brow as he gently took his wife's hands from his shoulders and stood from his seat, "if you really want to have Scorpius Malfoy as your friend and want him to have permission to visit, I'll need to speak with both him and his father."
Albus started, feeling a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. "But you just said--"
"This doesn't have anything to do with any of that, Albus," said his father reassuringly, giving away how grave the situation was by the use of his full name. "But there are some things that have to be addressed before I can even consider to allow anyone into our home. Kreacher."
Almost without warning, an ancient house elf appeared out of no where and gave a deep bow. "Master Harry calls for Kreacher?"
Albus looked to the house elf, always fascinated with the way he would be so polite and kind to his father but if it were anyone else, he would mutter unsavory things under his breath so that he wasn't heard. He could remember a time when he was younger that Kreacher had accidentally said an insult louder than he had meant and had gotten a firm scolding from his father. The old house elf spent weeks upon end, moping in his little nest of trinkets and rags before Harry had allowed him to go about his regular services--something that, amazingly, had cheered the old thing up greatly.
James had often joked that Kreacher would some day join the ranks of house elf heads that used to hang in the hall but would always be scolded by their aunt, who would then go on about something called S.P.E.W. After getting a reaming about accidentally calling it "Spew," Albus's older brother had learned not to make such remarks and just wondered allowed how old the house elf was and how much longer it would live to serve their family.
Presently, Harry was bent over a desk in the room, scribbling something onto a piece of parchment before folding it as neatly as he could--Albus could see both his mother and his aunt wincing at his attempt, seeming to be wishing that he'd let them do it instead--before scrawling something on the back of the message. Once finished, Harry held up the letter and regarded Kreacher kindly, as though the house elf were a beloved pet. "Kreacher, I need you to deliver this message to Draco Malfoy. Tell him that it is to be answered within the hour. If he has any questions, he can bring them here. Do not give him the message until he agrees to these terms."
Kreacher bobbed his head in a nod, ears flapping in a way that made Rose and Lily giggle from the doorway. "Yes, Master Harry. Kreacher will see that it will be done."
Without any hesitation, Harry handed over the parchment, and without any delay, the house elf disappeared, taking the letter to the Malfoys.
Albus looked to his father, confused, but only gain a small smile in return.
"It'll be all right," said his father reassuringly before looking to Ginny and Hermione. "Gin, Hermione... you wouldn't mind taking the kids out or something, would you?"
Understanding his motives better than Albus could, both women nodded before one turned to the other and Ginny said lightly, "I need to go shopping anyway. After all, it's still the Easter Holidays, and having all of the kids home makes it hard to keep any food in the house!"
Aunt Hermione laughed a bit at that. "I know what you mean and I only have two of them."
Albus's mother grinned. "You should know about the Weasley family and their kids, Hermione," she said in a teasing manner. "It won't be long until your completely surrounded by the little buggers."
The other woman looked properly scandalized. "Heaven forbid that I have more than what I've already got," she said with some amount of horror, "No offense to your family or anything, Ginny dear, but I won't let Ron talk me into it."
Ginny laughed again before stepping forward and raising her hands to shoo the collected children in the hall off to where they needed to go. Aunt Hermione followed, striking up a conversation on what neeeded to be gotten on the trip as they went. Albus remained in the study with his father who now had his wand in his hand and was carefully inspecting it. Something of a nervous habit of his, if he ever had any.
Not sure as to what he should say, Albus tried to begin, "Dad--"
Harry shook his head, cutting off his words more effectively without a sound. "Just go on ahead with the others, Albus," he said in a light tone that was belied by the grip he held his wand in.