Weasley-Prewett Marriage Contract
Cedrella Weasley neé Black seethed from where she sat in the Hogwarts infirmary. She was joined by her husband, her extremely red faced son, a smug yet simpering Molly Prewett, her overly sanctimonious parents, medi-witch Poppy Pomfrey, Minerva McGonagall, and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. They had arrived half an hour earlier to be informed that Molly was pregnant, and Arthur was the father.
Before they had even walked through the hospital wing doors she had already had a headache from the shrieking of Mabel Prewett. The woman’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard, and she was in fine form that day. And from everything she’d seen her daughter was following in her loud, over demanding, footsteps.
In truth, Cedrella knew that if she had had a daughter and she got pregnant while still in school and not married she would be furious too, but she would also know that it took two to conceive a child. And that was something Mabel was ignoring. Cedrella was going to snap if that woman said she had raised her son as a degenerate again, especially given the look on Molly’s face. Cedrella may be a Weasley now, but she had been born a Black, she knew how to read people, and Molly was in no way showing any nerves or apprehension about her current condition.
“Oh good, you're all here.” A voice announced from the door, but there wasn’t a hint of enjoyment in his voice.
Everyone turned and was surprised to see Lord Arcturus Black being shown into the hospital wing by Filch. Filch left without saying a word once his task was done. Since three members of staff were already distracted with two students he knew there was going to be plenty of rule breakers to punish and he greatly enjoyed that, nothing brought him joy like forcing those prissy magicals to scrub floors as he looked down his nose at them, like they did to him. And it was going to be more enjoyable since McGonagall was distracted, as she often was, so her students in particular would be running wild.
“What is the meaning of your barging in Arcturus?” Albus demanded as he stood up. He truly hated this man, he was always getting in his way. When his future self had come back he had mentioned many things that needed to happen, and Arcturus just kept getting in his way and stopping them, although he did have some help from the other horrible dark families.
If he didn’t know any better he might suspect that some dark wizard had come back in time to give them an advantage they didn’t deserve. But he had made sure any of the books that mentioned any time travel ritual were banned from Britain as soon as he had gained any kind of power.
“Nothing you need to worry yourself about Albus.” Arcturus said keeping the sneer off his face but not out of his voice. He hated how the man never showed any respect by using peoples rightful titles so he would give him that same curtesy. “I am here in regards to a family issue.”
“You have no family here.” Mabel snapped.
“Excuse me?” Cedrella responded in the same tone. “He most certainly has family here. Only a fool wouldn’t be aware that I am a daughter of House Black. So please Lord Black, tell us what it is that brings you here?” She made sure to use his title to remind the ignorant fools just who her cousin was and just how much power he had.
“Happy to cousin.” Arcturus smiled, knowing exactly what Cedrella was doing. “I am here as I have received word that one of my family members children is going to be a father. I came up here to ensure nothing more untoward is going to happen.”
“The only thing untoward was that boy taking advantage of my daughter.” Mabel snarled. “And the only thing that will be happening next is the two of them getting married.”
“Arthur, please hold this for me.” Arcturus handed over what looked to be a large clear crystal. He wasn’t surprised when the crystal turned pink and a silver line connected Arthur to a suddenly confused Molly.
“What did you do to my daughter?” Aaron Prewett demanded. He had always allowed his wife to manage the household and family, but he would never sit back and allow anything to happen to her. He was already having to suddenly adjust all his hopes and dreams for her now that she was 17 and pregnant.
“Oh, it isn’t about what I have done to your daughter, but what your daughter did to my cousins son.” Arcturus took the crystal back from Arthur. “This crystal is a Black family heirloom. Every member must hold it prior to their wedding, as I’m sure Cedrella could attest to. The crystal is enchanted to recognize any mind altering potions as well as who it was focused on. It would seem your precious little daughter has gotten a little to free with lust potions.
And if you think I’m going to allow my cousins eldest son to be forced into marrying your potion happy little harlot you’ve got another thing coming. And that’s before you even take into account the child. Given you have raised your first born spawn to think it is acceptable to drug others to get what she wants who in Merlin’s name knows what she would do to it if it disagreed with her, as all children do with their parents. I will not stand for her, or you, to retain custody without protections in place.” Arcturus said with a glare to Molly and her parents, but then he caught his cousins eye and glanced at the office the medi-witch used. “All I would need to do is file a report that I fear for the childs safety. Even a cursory investigation would prove my point. At that point only the Weasley family or one of your younger twins would be granted custody so long as they have shown to be decent and productive members of society after they graduate.”
“Mum…” Arthur said in a quietly desperate voice, hopeful his mum would be able to stop her cousin from doing anything to risk his future with Molly and their child.
Cedrella saw both Molly and Mabel going the exact same shade of red, it put her in mind of a tea kettle building up steam and getting ready to whistle, and she did not have the patience to deal with either of them pitching their toddler like fits. “Arcturus. Office. NOW!”
Arcturus was pleased that his cousin was sensible and understood his message with the look. “Happily.”
Following her into the room he spelled the room to cover the windows as well as ensure no one could listen in, the portrait in the office could hear what they said or even see their lips, he knew all to well about the usefulness of portraits to take that risk. But there was one thing he did leave open to observation, he knew from his own observations when he entered the ward that their shadows would be perfectly visible to those outside in the ward.
“What are you doing?” Cedrella demanded once she had seen Arcturus finish casting his spells.
“Helping out my darling cousin of course.” Arcturus smiled even as he violently gestured with his arms.
Cedrella glanced at the sheer window shades and understood he wanted it to appear they were arguing, and she was perfectly willing to play along, so long as it helped her situation. She copied her cousins exaggerated gestures by repeatedly drilling her finger into his chest. “Do not play games with me Arcturus, I am not in the mood today. What is going on? How did you even know about what was happening?”
“As for how I knew to be here today, I got word from a relative.” Arcturus’s voice was level even as he threw his arms up and turned to walk away. “Our great great uncle Phineas just so happens to have a portrait and he is more than willing to warn me if there’s anything happening that could endanger our family. He saw Albus making the floo calls and got in touch with me. Albus pretty much always makes the mistake of thinking everyone is loyal to him, but the portraits in Hogwarts are keyed to Hogwarts, and despite what Albus Dumbledore believes, he is not Hogwarts.
As for what is going on… It is like I said, I am here to help you out. Someone may have mentioned to Melania that they had overheard Molly Prewett over the winter holidays discussing what her future held. Molly and Arthur were heard discussing that they both wanted children immediately.”
“Could it have been potion induced?” Cedrella worried.
“No. The crystal I had Arthur hold turned pink with a silver link. That means that he was given a lust potion at some point, but it was at least over a year ago. If he had been given anything like that within the last 6 months it would have been green, and if it was still in his system the line would have been flashing. Potions may have been involved at some point, but Arthur really does just love her.
But the main reason I am here is the conversation Melania’s informant heard after Arthur left. Apparently Molly was talking about how she was going to get an amazing marriage contract and once you were gone she would be Lady Weasley, with all the power. When questioned about how she knew she was going to get some great contract Molly apparently said that if she got pregnant out of wedlock she knew her parents would ensure she got anything and everything she wanted since Arthur would be blamed for ‘ruining’ her.
I came to ensure you were able to protect Arthur and the child. I play the overbearing villain, it sets you up to be seen as the more moderate and reasonable one regardless of what clauses you demand be in the contract. All you have to do is threaten to allow me to step in and they should agree. Although I will just point out that technically Molly hasn’t done anything illegal so there are limits.”
Cedrella didn’t even need to act furious as she started pacing, running through everything as quickly as she could. She knew Arcturus was right, technically Molly hadn’t done anything wrong. And even if they did file to retain custody of the child there was no way it would be a guaranteed success given Molly was still young and they had no evidence she would be an unfit mother. Plus Cedrella did know how much Arthur really did love Molly, despite how much it annoyed her, and Arthur would never leave Molly, especially if she had his child.
“Alright.” Cedrella said as she turned back to her cousin as she ran her hand through her hair in sheer exhaustion. “I have a plan. When we leave here you will go home. I will say I got you to back off, but only since I assured you I would handle it, and use that to force them into a decent contract.
When we leave here I want you to give them one of your stern yet angry and demeaning looks before leaving without bothering to acknowledge them any more, it will show you as being angry yet dismissive so long as you think I’m forcing you to back off.”
The two shared a smirk before turning their looks to suppressed anger as they headed to the door. Blacks may be raised to disguise their emotions, but they all knew the value of displaying them at the right time.
Arcturus did exactly as Cedrella told him too. As soon as the door closed behind him she turned to the others. She could tell just by looking at her son that they had all seen exactly what they had wanted them to see.
“Alright, I have convinced Lord Black to allow me to handle this situation, for now.” Cedrella retook her seat before turning to look at her son. “Tell me, Arthur, do you love Molly?”
“Yes. I swear mum, I do.” Arthur assured his mum nervously, he would have reached out to Molly but her parents weren’t letting him near her at the moment.
“And Molly, do you love Arthur?” Cedrella had to keep herself from glaring at the little shrew.
“Yes.” Molly said defensively. This was not going the way she had dreamed… or planned. She couldn’t believe that old man, how dare he come in here and interfere with her life.
“Alright then, there is going to be a wedding or bonding over the spring holidays.” Cedrella said decisively. “But there will be a contract in place first. We will be ensuring protections on all sides.” She looked to Molly’s father, as the head of the family he had the final say in any contracts regarding his daughter. “I will arrange for a meeting in our barristers office as swiftly as possible so we can ensure the legality, and enforceability, of the contract. But if we can not come to an agreement I will warn you now, I will be asking for the full support of my cousin to ensure the best protection for my son and grandchild.”
“I’m sure we can handle it here and now my dear girl.” Albus said as he ran his hands down his beard. He knew Molly was always going to be one of his most loyal supporters and he wanted her to be in control of such a light family. “We can take this up to my office right now. Who are we to stand in the way of true love?”
“We will be doing this legally.” Cedrella snapped before her husband could agree, she knew Septimus trusted the old man far too much. “And as it is… You are the Headmaster of a school, you have no place in the love lives of your students… Unless you are attempting to teach them modesty, which you clearly aren’t. This will be going through appropriate channels.”
“I can agree to that.” Aaron Prewett said before his wife could start arguing again. “Owl me when you have an appointment scheduled. Mabel and I will be there with our barrister. We must handle this situation as quickly and quietly as we can.”
“Aaron, how can you agree with this utter nonsense?” Mabel snapped at her husband. “That boy is completely irresponsible. Our little girl deserves the best.”
“Oh will you let go of that nonsense.” Cedrella snapped back at the annoying woman. “I do hope you are aware of the little fact that it takes two people to create a child. Your daughter was just as involved as Arthur. Every nasty little thing you’ve said about my son is just as applicable to your daughter, and now she gets to know just how you feel about her behaviour.
Not to mention, all the students at Hogwarts get birth control every week. The only way she could be pregnant is if they both signed the paperwork to have the birth control removed from their food.” Cedrella raised an eyebrow at her son.
“Molly and I wanted to get married and start a family as soon as we left school. We didn’t realize how quickly it would leave our systems.” Arthur said in a small voice to his mum, he knew she was less than pleased with him.
“The potion is given every week because it becomes ineffective after a fortnight, it ensures you are always covered.” Cedrella told him, noticing Arthur looked startled but as expected Molly didn’t bat an eye. “But I believe that is why you aren’t taking your NEWTs in potions. If you are Molly, you are really going to need to get to studying since the exams are only a few months away and you apparently can’t figure out the basics quite yet.”
After that less than subtle jab Cedrella kissed her son goodby and ushered her husband out. Albus had of course tried to interfere but she made it perfectly clear he was not to interfere in anything to do with Arthur, and if any contracts were signed by her son at his, or any of the others urging, she would be going to her cousin and having him do everything in his power to destroy every single one of them for endangering her child and grandchild, and that included using her cousin Cassiopeia’s little black book, making it clear to Arthur that if he signed anything without her present she would be ‘most displeased’, and that was something he never wanted to risk. And none of the others, not even the great Albus Dumbledore, were willing to risk the full wrath of the entire Black family.
A contract was signed an in place the very next day. Cedrella knew that Albus was far to interested in her sons marriage for her to leave things too long. She knew that as much as Arthur wouldn’t want to upset her again so soon he would cave to the combined pressure of Molly and Albus within the week.
The Weasley’s didn’t have a set barrister since keeping one on retainer came at a cost that was a waste of money in her husbands eyes, but Arcturus arranged for her to be able to use one of the Blacks. The best part of that being the Black barristers were some of the most ruthless while the barrister Aaron and Mabel Prewett brought with them wasn’t a match in any way.
The contract treated most things in the couple as equal, but Arthur was listed as head of house and had final say. Any expense over 50 galleons would require both Molly and Arthurs approval since Cedrella knew Molly Prewett had expensive tastes despite never having had a lot of money and no intention of working.
If they ever split up neither would have to pay the other spousal support, Cedrella had added this to ensure Molly didn’t just try and take Arthurs money if she ever left him. And since the house they would be given as a wedding present from Cedrella and Septimus was a Weasley property Arthur would keep the house and Molly would have to move out.
Should they split up they would also be splitting custody of any and all children 50/50. And since it was an equal split neither would have to pay the other child support. While they were together neither parent would be able to stop the children from visiting their grandparents as well, Cedrella knew Molly didn’t like her and knew the woman would try and interfere with her getting to spend time with her grandchildren just out of spite so she had specifically had that clause added. Mabel had initially argued until Cedrella pointed out just how nasty the shrew had been to Arthur and he could ban her from seeing his child as a result, then she was all for it, or at least, after she was forced to accept that she couldn’t just get it applied to herself only.
In all the contract was fairly decent, and just to make things that much better for Cedrella, when they took it to the school to have Arthur and Molly sign it she had seen just how furious Molly was.
A muggle style wedding took place over the spring break just as planned. It wasn’t as grand as Molly or her mother wanted, but her father had put his foot down. He didn’t want to draw any more attention to the situation that necessary for the sake of the family reputation.
It was a simple ceremony that was held in the Prewett garden with only family as guests. Cedrella had to admit it was rather nice, although she would have preferred a different bride, a different circumstance, and much fewer tacky little nicknacks everywhere.
And then, just under 8 months after the marriage took place little William Arthur Weasley was born at the end of November. Both sides of the family said that William had been early, but most didn’t buy it, but it at least gave them some cover.