Chapter 7
Monday, June 30th, 2014
(Lovegood Residence, shortly after leaving Gringotts)
Sitting in the living room, where Xenophilius, his daughter Luna, his and his wife's friends and guardians, Melissa and George, and their children Elena along with her younger brother Michael Corner.
For the last couple of weeks, everyone had the same thought, what had happened that made Oskar change some of their plans. When the Corners came early that morning as planned to wait for Oskar to arrive later that day, aside from Michael wanting to bend Oskar over and spank him for going suddenly radio silent, they were in a way both excited to finally meet, and slightly nervous hoping nothing bad had happened.
When Pandora left that morning after McGonagall had called, they got excited as they all had the same thought, ‘This is it’. Then not after she was gone, Pandora came back to their confusion and gave them a small book from Oskar for them to read before they came back in the evening to talk before going back for Harry and then have their planned meeting with the ICW.
Well, that was the original plan anyway. Then, barely fifteen minutes ago, Antony and Pandora sent them a note that they're coming in a bit, and not long after, the ICW members would arrive to have the meeting earlier than planned. Which gives them about three and a half hours to go through everything if they could before they had to go back to Gringotts at six.
As they were talking, they heard the floo flare and turned their face towards it as they saw both Antony and a Smirking Oskar walk out of the floo with Oskar muttering ‘so fucking cool’.
As he looked around the room loving the Lovegoods Home, when Oskar's eyes landed on Luna, his eyes went soft and his smile grew to a grin. So, he put his side bag on the ground carefully next to his larger one that contained his clothes and he and Luna took a few fast steps toward each other and gave each other a tight hug.
As he hugged her tightly even more, Oskar told her, “Can't believe we're finally meeting.”
Laughing a little, Luna responded, “Me too. Now that you're finally here, you're not leaving our sight at all.”
Chuckling, he told her, “I won't.”
They kept their hug for a little bit longer before they finally broke apart. As they did, sensing what was about to happen, Oskar quickly moved his body to his side as Michael's punch missed. Oskar's smile turned into a smirk as he told Michael, “Hey Mikey, missed me?”
With a glare, Michael told him, “Did you really have to go all dark on us? We were worried sick about you.”
“Oh come on mate, I told Luna everything is okay and we'll be meeting sooner than we planned.” Oskar casually told him.
“Don't you think this vague information would have worried us sick?” Michael asked him in a pissed but slightly worried voice, as he tried to punch him a few more times.
Knowing where each punch was going to hit, Oskar moved accordingly to avoid each one as he said, “I'm sorry mate, but we both know it was just a precaution, just in case.”
Still glaring at him, Michael told him, “I know, that's why I'm going easy on you.” Then his glare was gone and replaced with a smile as he walked over to give him a hug, “Now, come here. Can't believe you're finally here, mate.”
“Me too, mate. Trust me, me more than you…” Oskar was saying when both boys were still hugging each other, they heard, “Uhm.”
Both boys broke the hug and turned towards the rest and said with a sheepish look, “Sorry.”
Looking at the boys with amusement, Oskar's sheepish look turned into a grin as he moved towards Xenophilius hugging him as well, saying, “Good to see you Xeno.”
Smiling, Xeno hugged back and welcomed Oskar to his home before being introduced to Elena, Michael's twenty-one year old sister, and their parents George and Melissa. In return Oskar happily greeted them and treated them as if they were part of his family.
Finishing with their greetings and going back to their seats, Elena from what she read from his notebook, she asked Oskar about what made her confused the most, “What's making me confused, is why did McGonagall, instead of waiting for Dumbledore, contact Pandora? Aside from being loyal to him, she always ran everything through him before doing anything major like what she did today?”
Turning to her, Oskar told her, “That's easy. Until yesterday, McGonagall and the rest learned about the student's death or being severely abused beyond recovery, when they leave home over the summer break and never come back. So, when she saw the address under my name, as never in her position came across someone living in abandoned homes, she took action not wanting another kid to either die or end up in a coma for the rest of their life.”
Elena made a face, then gave a nod as she said, “This makes sense. As much as we like, this is the first time we see her actually take action for a child instead of being over her head with paperwork.”
They all couldn't agree more as Oskar informed them, “Not for long. Alot will change soon, especially at the next board of governors meeting in two weeks. One of the changes is that she either drops one of her positions, or someone will be co-deputy with her until Dumbles is gone for good. With what I'm planning, Headmaster or not, Dumbles will no longer have a say in the school no matter what he tries to do.”
From what they read from the notebook that Pandora brought them this morning, they all agreed that Dumbles days are numbered. But Melissa still had to ask to be sure, “I know that your ability is still at 65-70%, but is there a way for you to like gain access to your full abilities instead of waiting for a few more years? Or is it too dangerous to do so? As much as I hate this, I wish we could do it faster and get rid of him sooner”
As he thought about it, Oskar had a theory, well more of a hunch, really. He didn't want to do it now if he was right, he wanted to wait a bit longer, at least a year with a lot of research before doing it, but he knew where she was coming from.
The floo flared and Pandora came in as Oskar answered her, “Yeah, I think there is. But…” he turned towards Antony and told him, “I need to check some of the Peverell vaults, and properties, and two of great-grandmother Katarzyna's vaults that Ragnok agreed to open for her even if he went against both the ministry and Wizengamot orders that prohibits squibs from opening them.”
Which made George confused as to why he needed to check the vaults. Aside from the wealth, and rare items, Oskar never mentioned them containing anything that could help his abilities, and asked, “Why do you need to check the vaults?”
In return, Luna told him from the brief moments that she saw, “One of the Gagos vaults might contain what he needs to do what Melissa had asked for. As to why, we all know that even with his visions, when it comes to certain things, Oskar prefers to double, and triple check everything, and do some research before doing what needs to be done.” Then she turned to Oskar and with a look that showed she was studying him, she asked him, “Why are the Peverell vaults and properties important? Aside from some of Cadmus' inventions, you never mentioned the vaults containing anything that would help.”
Looking at Antony, Oskar asked him, “When will they arrive?”
Having a feeling that he might not like where this might be going, Antony responded by saying, “About twenty minutes. Why?”
Sighing, Oskar gestured for them to take their seats as he told them in a firm voice, “This doesn't go out to them until I do some research and check everything, is that understood.”
Seeing the seriousness in his voice, they knew it was big, so they agreed to keep it quiet until he told them otherwise. Once he received their agreement, Oskar told them, “Before seeing the vision about McGonagall that started the events rolling, I kept having flashes of certain events that either came to pass or about to happen, and whenever I tried to use my visions to see what they actually mean and decipher them, both my abilities and magic kept blocking me as if they were telling me that it wasn't the time to know them yet.”
Everyone was either confused or worried as to why it was stopping him from learning why. As for Antony, he was among the group that was worried, asked, “What were the flashes that you saw?”
Rubbing his face, Oskar started sharing the flashes as he paced around the room, “Steve Rogers becoming Captain America, visiting Gagos vaults and both Peverell vaults and estates, talking to someone in a portrait in each of their vaults, there's a large and important trunk that can only opened by me at one of Katarzyna vaults that holds documents, something hidden in one of Peverell estates here in the country, meeting the royal family of Wakanda, and unlike before, instead of us helping the avengers with Thanos from behind the scenes to stop the snap, I'm the one who's going to have to face him, I think.”
Not liking where this is going, Michael had a feeling about where this might be leading to, and knowing that Oskar has his own theories and hunches about what they mean, so he asked Oskar, “I know you have your own theories as to what they mean, and I really hope I'm wrong, but care to share with the class as to what you have come up with?”
Taking a gulp, Oskar told them, especially Michael, “They're divided into two. The first, Rogers and the Gagos vaults, which your theory is spot on, by the way. The second, it has to do with the Peverell vaults and estates, and Thanos’ snap. As for the Wakandan royal family, visiting them would be because of both groups because I'm going to need the help of the King's children.”
Getting confirmation for the feeling he had, Michael muttered, ‘fuck’ as Antony looked between them and asked worriedly, “What are you both on about?”
So Michael explained to Antony, “Your aunt Katarzyna, has a vial of the super soldier serum in one of her vaults.”
Nodding at what he said, he told everyone present who were gaping at what Michael said, “You know, at the time, with her 15% of the company, she was the second major shareholder at Stark Industries after Stark himself, and she was a genius, especially in biology and chemistry. She read all the files related to it, and was present when Dr. Abraham Erskine injected Rogers with the serum. For some reason, after the world war ended and Rogers sank with the plane, she used a warded room to recreate the serum. I'm hoping the documents and the trunk in the vault would either confirm the theory or if we're wrong.”
“Yup, knowing you, we're adding super soldier to your portfolio. We need to start your magic and muggle training training as soon as you're done with your O.W.L'S exams. I need to assess how far you trained yourself before starting one on one, and one against a group session. Now, your theory for the second part?” Elena asked, regretting ever asking. She knew being his guardian was going to be a lot of work considering everything he would have to do, but none of them expected this magnitude.
As for Antony, he sank back on his chair at the look on Oskar's face, making him regret asking what he's about to ask, “Lay it on us?”
As he tried to find a way to break it on them gently, Luna being who she is, she casually said, “The Gaunt family ring that Tom Riddle turned it into a horcrux, isn’t the real one, is it?”
Everyone snapped their heads towards her since this is the first time they heard about this. So Xenophilius asked both Oskar and his daughter, confused, “What do you mean the resurrection stone isn't the real one?”
This time, it was Oskar's turn to rub his face as he said, “For now, all I know, Cadmus before hiding the real stone, he created a secondary stone with a maximum power of 0.00001% in comparison to the actual resurrection stone.”
At what was stated, if you threw a needle to the floor, you could actually hear it hit the ground as they stared at him. Well everyone for the exception of Luna. There was only one thing that crossed their minds, “Why the hell did he do that? How powerful is that bloody stone that he had to make a fake and hide the original one? And more importantly, where was it?”
Shaking his head, Oskar told them, “Shake it up, act normally, they'll be here in less than thirty seconds. We'll know more after we check the vaults.”
When none moved, Oskar clapped three times, snapping them out of it, “Relax and pretend I didn't just throw a bomb on you, they're…”
He didn't get the chance to finish as the floo flared and people started coming out of it one by one. As for Antony, the moment the first one came out, he quickly snapped out of it, stood up, and went as he greeted them one by one, and started to properly introduce them to everyone, but mainly Oskar.
He started with the Thai representative, Chiraphan Boonmee, then Sheng Tao Wu, the Chinese representative, Yoshi Tanaka the Japanese minister and ICW representative. Soo-Jin Park, South Korean representative.
From America, former head of DMLE of America, and its current representative Porpentina Esther "Tina" Goldstein, who Oskar would try his hardest not to jump her and demand why her husband Newt wasn't with her until he remembered that he's meeting the man really soon.
The Bulgarian representative, Yuri Markov accompanied with him the Bulgarian minister of magic Mr. Krum, whose family were previously used to help a Bulgarian family who used to be guardians before they died out. Aside from that, Oskar couldn't wait to meet Victor and go for a fly together when he's free from training.
The French, Julien Mercier, accompanied with him his Minister, Monsieur Delacour, and his half Veela wife Apolline Delacour, daughter of a full Veela, who's as well a member of the Veela Council, who sometimes help guardians when help is needed.
Finally, the Brazilian president, and representative Richard ‘Ricky’ Rodriguez, his wife Ava, headmistress of Castelobruxo and a guardian.
Finishing from the introductions, and stopping Oskar from bombarding some of them with questions, Antony addressed them, “Thank everyone for freeing your schedule and meeting us on short notice. I presume you all read what was sent to you.”
With everyone confirming, Tina was first to ask Oskar, “We did, and Lord Black, I would like you to go again with us into full details as we have a few questions that we need answers to before we find your father, clear his name, stop the dark lord from rising again, and finally start our work to put Dumbledore where he actually belongs.”
Oskar knew why she was pissed the most. Aside from the goat being the reason why she and Newt broke up the first time, when she found out from Newt about Dumbledore and Grindelwald's romance, their blood pact, she started to suspect a lot about the professor at the time. Not only did she always find it suspicious that he waited nearly till the very end to join them against Grindelwald, but also she never believed that the duel that occurred between them actually ever happened and the one they saw was entirely faked. Then a few years after defeating Grindelwald, they found that there were compulsions, spells, and blocks put on Newt as the means to control him by Dumbledore. In the past year, after Antony brought them into the fold about Oskar and a few certain things. Through Oskar's visions, and her own secret investigations, she and the rest were able to uncover some truth that would destroy Dumbledore, but unfortunately, they needed more time to make everything they had found official and legal before they were able to end him once and for all.
Conjuring extra chairs, Oskar told them as he gestured for the new seats, “Please have a seat and let's start from two weeks ago. That made us start our plans six weeks earlier than planned.”
—----------------
(Tonks Residence)
Arriving at their house after what felt like a lifetime, Andromeda walked to her and Edwards' office to find her husband reading some paperwork.
Seeing as he hadn't noticed her, as she walked towards him, she interrupted him by saying, “Still going through the paperwork, sweetheart?”
Turning towards her, Edwards, who was between shock and disbelief, told her, “With Gagos connections, I was able to submit all the paperworks to the required ministries and offices, and let me tell you, never knew that there's a lot of British magical citizens that work there, or certain government departments run by magical citizens who report directly to the officials who are in the know. They're muggleborns, their families, and squibs who decided to work there instead of our magical world.”
Surprised at what he said, Andromeda listened to him as he continued explaining that since in their magical community, the wages are a joke, and can't get proper and high positions because they're either muggleborns or for not having the right connections, they decided to go back to the muggle world and get a higher degree before working there. He couldn't agree more with them since it was the same reason as to why most of his work as a solicitor is in the muggle world while his wife is in the magical world.
He kept at it and explained a few things here and there until he went back to telling her about Oskar's papers, “With the papers being submitted this morning, including his partial emancipation in regards to his education and a few other things, and moving the trust fund that his mother left for him to the bank that his family owns. The only thing that hasn't been done is the transfer of the company which is going to be anytime this week, and the people that I met gave me this.”
Andromeda took the file he slid towards her and was surprised at what she read. They wanted to hire her husband as Oskar's personal lawyer and employee. What shocked her the most about the contract, is the yearly salary and benefits which were a lot. The salary alone is more than ten times what they both make a year combined.
Staring at it, Edward gave a small chuckle as he told her, “I know, had the same reaction as you did. They told me once they learned that you and Lord Black are cousins, they did a quick background check in both worlds and to them I'm perfect for the job. I'm torn whether to take it or not since this job would mostly keep me in the muggle world and more office hours.”
Sighing, knowing where their talk might go, she sat down and went through everything that they've done today and about going back to the bank regarding what went with Harry. Oskar wanted to meet with their daughter, both having the same abilities and meeting the next day and during the weekend. She told her husband that from what he told her, she started to suspect that they'll offer her the same job in the magical world.
When Edwards asked about what they're going to tell their daughter, Andromeda rubbed her eyes and told him, “We have to tell her, especially if Oskar really meant bringing us back to the family. But she'll need to understand that for now, no one can know about any of this until the next Wizengamot session this Monday, especially Moody and Dumbledore.”
—-------------------
(Thomas Residence, London)
After receiving a call from Bridget about needing to talk to them and the boys about something extremely important regarding the magical world, Adeline sent her little girls to stay with their next-door neighbors as she called for her husband Ernest, and her boy Dean to explain the call she had received and for them to arrive shortly.
Thirty minutes later, as she sat with a confused two men, with a soft pop, Bridget appeared with Seamus and her husband Finn who were equally confused.
After the initial greetings, with Seamus sitting next to Dean as his parents sat on the opposite of Dean's, Finn asked his wife, “Not that I'm not happy to see them, but what's so important for us to meet right now instead of next week?”
Dean's parents nodded in agreement, as for the boys they didn't care as they got to meet earlier than expected.
Taking a deep breath, Bridget started explaining to everyone present about the visit she received earlier that day by Pandora Lovegood, who is another member of Hogwarts board of governors, and McGonagall. Then she explained to them about the boy's background until he was found this morning before he was taken to Gringotts to have an inheritance and checked by the healers.
Feeling sorry about the boy, but just like the others, she was confused about why they were meeting or talking about this boy, so she asked sympathetically, “I really feel bad about what the boy went through, but why are we having a meeting about him?”
She had no idea how they were going to take it, so she decided on ripping the bandaid and said to them in one go, “Because when he was given the inheritance test, they found three things about the boy. First, William ‘Bill’ Weasley, and both our boys are each other's destined soulmates. Second, he is a Lord to nine of the most noble and most ancient families, heir to a Dukedom in Poland, already have a seat in the ICW and heir to another, and because of two of those families, he is currently emancipated. Third, he's the great-grandson of Antony Gagos' aunt, which means that the boy just inherited the Anderson-Gagos Holdings and became the richest person in the world. Fourth, he is the son of Sirius Black.”
The three parents were looking at her in shock, while both boys were looking at her with both wide eyes and stunned at what was revealed.
Glancing towards everyone, Bridget gave them some time to adjust to what was thrown to them when she noticed how close the boys were sitting to each other.
She gave her son a raised eyebrow, and in return, both boys gave her a sheepish look before Seamus explained, “It never crossed our minds that it could be soulmates. The last few months with what happened, we became closer and decided to go with it and see where it goes. We were planning to tell you guys next week when we all were going to spend the day together. From what you just told us, I think that's why we kept feeling that something was missing by the three of us.”
Snapping out of it, Adeline told the boys, “I'm really happy for you kids, and we support you no matter what. But we'll talk more about it and the new rules in a moment.” Then she looked at Bridget and said, “Seriously, we came to understand a lot of what you taught us about the magical world and understand them. We understand them being soulmates, and we can be okay with them being with a third from the wizarding world in time as we've met the Weasleys a few times and saw that they're a good family. But seriously, Sirius Black son? Mass murderer Sirius Black? Do you want our boys hurt? Or worse, murdered?”
Nodding in agreement, Ernest couldn't agree more about what was said, as he added, “I couldn't agree more, and even if we somehow agreed, what reassurance can we get from them that Dean would be safe? I don't think it's a good idea or safe to have our boy anywhere near the Black family.”
She knew that this what was going to happen, so she explained to her best of her capabilities the full meaning about how important it is for being in their boy's case, destined soulmates, how rare they are, and not only would they not be able to physically or intentionally hurt each other, but if they reject or not acknowledge each other it could lead into a severe repercussions.
Sharing a look, her husband Finn who agreed with the other parents, nervously asked, “What kind of severe repercussions?”
Seeing the worry on their faces, she explained, “Depression, their magic would either weaken or become unbalanced, insomnia, physical and emotional pain. The list goes on and on, but in some cases it could lead to death.”
Seeing each of them pale various colors as she listed, she told them one more important information, “The most important thing about destined soulmates, is that the ones that has two or in extreme cases three like our boys, they need to bond and consummate their bond within months, preferably six to seven months.”
Both boys actually slipped to the ground in their shock as Dean muttered,”Seriously”. Giving him a sorry look, Bridget gave them one last piece of information that is well known from their history, “The only recorded person to have had more than two soulmates in our history, was Merlin himself, and I'm basing the time frame from him. Let's be serious, I'm not risking our boy's lives by testing it if we can do it further than intended.”
Before any of them could start bombarding her with questions, she added, “Before Pandora left, she made a request. She asked me that when we meet the boy, Oskar, tomorrow that he will be revealing something important that might make some if not all of us angry. But she assured me that it's not very bad, and before we react or worse hex him on my part, to listen to him to the very end and ask questions before doing anything.”
Let's just say that the parents didn't take it really well, while both boys were sort of excited and appealed to the idea of them and Bill being together, but like their parents, they were more worried about this Oskar.
After both Adeline and Ernest sent notes about having the next day off for a family emergency, the next few hours were spent on what Bridget felt like being interrogated about soulmates and what she had learnt about the boy.
—-------------------
(Weasley Residence, The Burrow)
In the kitchen, as the Weasley siblings sat and talked after welcoming Charlie back home, Molly was busy preparing everything she needed for their dinner.
As she worked around, Molly couldn't stop being her usual self and questioned her eldest with her familiar tone, “I just don't understand why you're living this far from home. Couldn't you just work in the ministry instead of going to Romania to play with some creatures? Look at your brother Percy. He'll be applying once his N.E.W.T.S results come in.”
“Not this again,” Charlie thought as he told his mother, “Mum, will you please stop. You all know that I hate a desk job and always prefer animals and creatures. Plus, I love working with dragons.”
Fred casually leaned down on the table as he told their mother with a grin, “Honestly, Mum, who wouldn’t want to be a dragon tamer instead of a Ministry drone? I mean, have you seen Percy’s idea of excitement? ‘Oh, look at my quill!’”
Laughing at what was said, George added, “Right? While Charlie’s off battling fire-breathing beasts, Percy is going to be stuck in a room full of parchment, dreaming about being a glorified postman. Not exactly a thrilling life, is it?”
Percy, who had just walked in from the other room, adjusted his glasses and looked agitated as he annoyingly told them, “You lot do realize that working for the Ministry is incredibly important, right? Someone has to keep everything organized. Besides, not everyone can handle dragons.”
Munching on the biscuits that their mother made earlier that day, Ron chipped in, “I’d rather face a dragon any day than listen to you go on about how great the Ministry is going to be. It’s like you think it’s the best place in the world!”
Rolling her eyes, their sister Ginny added, “Yeah, Percy, you’re convinced that the more boring your job is going to be, the more important you are. I mean, have you heard yourself talk about your ‘career ambitions?’ It’s enough to make anyone fall asleep.”
Just then, Bill strolled into the kitchen with his semi-long scruffy hair that he hoped would convince his mother not to cut it. With his signature smile, he asked, “What are we discussing? Percy’s soon to be boring job?”
“Absolutely!” Fred said, clapping his hands as he went on, “We were just talking about how Percy thinks filling out forms is his height of excitement!”
Chuckling, Bill shook his head with a smile on his face as he told them, “You’d think he’d realize that life is too short for that. He should join Charlie in Romania. At least there are dragons!”
Really loving the support of his siblings, even if Percy disagrees, Charlie tells his mother, “See, Mum? They get it. I’d take a dragon over a desk job any day.”
Sighing as she worked around the kitchen, she couldn’t help but think about why her eldest would work with those creatures instead of just working a respectable job at the ministry. Even if he never changes his mind when she says this,she still has to try to change his mind by saying, “But I just worry about you, Charlie. Those dragons can be dangerous. You might still end up being gone.”
“I know, Mum,” Charlie said, even knowing that she always plays her trick to convince him to leave and come back, his voice softened as he said, “But I promise, I’m being careful. You raised me to be responsible, remember?”
Stopping his mother from trying any new tricks, Fred told them with his playful smirk, “And if anything goes wrong, we’ll send Percy to rescue you! He’ll just bring a clipboard and some paperwork to sort it all out.”
Grinning, George added, “Yeah! Don’t worry, Charlie! I’ll fill out Form 487B for dragon emergencies!”
Crossing his arms and glaring at the twins, Percy told his older brother, “If you ever need a rescue, I assure you that I would organize it quite efficiently. Thank you very much. Just because you find the ministry work boring doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable!”
“Valuable? It's more like you’re practicing for the ‘Most Boring Job’ awards.” Ron joked, making their siblings laugh.
Molly shook her head as she thought, “Why couldn't they understand that working at the ministry is a good and upstanding job?”
Then she turned towards both Bill and Charlie and told them, “You both are having your hair cut Sunday morning before Charlie leaves. I don't understand why you two keep refusing to cut your hair. You're making yourselves look hideous.”
Before they could argue with their mother every time she forced them to sit down and cut their hair against their protest, when their dad entered the kitchen through the door from the backyard saying, “Evening Weasley's.”
Everyone turned towards him as they greeted their father as he walked towards his wife, put his suitcase on the side table, and kissed her cheek. As he looked at his children, he told everyone, “Glad everyone is here. We need to have a family meeting.”
All the children shared a look at how their father turned serious at the last part. As far as they know, nothing happened as they all just returned from Hogwarts a few days earlier, with the exception of Charlie, who just came back from Romania. Plus, the twins hadn't caused anything to require a family meeting. Well, not yet anyway.
Giving her husband a confused look, as she didn't know that anything had happened, she asked her husband worriedly when she saw the look on his face, “Sweetheart, has anything happened?” And even if they're not on speaking terms with his mother or his father before he died, she had to ask, “Did something happen to your mother?”
Shaking his head, gesturing for her to have a seat beside him. Doing as he said, Arthur handed his wife the letter he received earlier from Ragnok, the goblin king, and started telling his now worried family about the letter that he received earlier, “And the weird part is that not only did they ask me to bring your mother and all of you kids, but he also insisted that Bill's presence is crucial.”
All of his six siblings turned their eyes on him as they couldn't believe that their brother who they consider as the second responsible brother when needed, had done something that would make him be summoned like that.
Looking at his siblings weirdly, Bill asked them, “Why in the bloody hell are you all looking at me like that? I didn't do anything, and I'm not stupid to insult any of them when we go with mum to the bank.”
Asking her son just to be sure, even though she believes him, knowing how the goblins are easily angered, “Are you one hundred percent certain you hadn't done or said anything towards any of them?”
Looking at his mother with a pointing look like she was stupid or something, Bill told her, “The last time I saw a goblin was last summer when we went to the bank to withdraw money so we could buy our school supplies. That was it.”
Sharing a look, they both had the same thought. They'll have to wait and see what happens tomorrow. They could've gone to Dumbledore, but with the article that was released today by Skeeter, they knew he wouldn't be able to help or accompany them to see why they were needed.
Trying to change the subject for now, Molly stood and went back to finish dinner preparations as she said, “Since we're leaving for the bank tomorrow morning, Charlie, Bill, I'm cutting your hair after dinner. You need to look your best tomorrow.”
With both boys groaning, really not wanting to cut his hair as he liked it as it is, Bill told her, “Come on mum, it's good as it is. I'll just fix it a little before we leave.”
Nodding at what his brother said, their mother glared at them. She was not having it, as she insisted that they're going to have a haircut, whether they liked it or not.
As the gathering returned back to its previous bantering, Fred couldn't help muttering in a low voice to his twin, “Can't believe Bill is in trouble.”
“And with the goblins.” George in return told his twin with a whisper that earned a nod from Percy who couldn't believe that Bill was in trouble, as he considered his younger brother the most and only responsible one among his six siblings.