Motherly Affection
*****
The twins were hesitant to respond to the growing volume of Molly Weasley as she went toe to toe with the goblin tellers. The fact that the woman’s voice had carried to their healing hall was impressive but didn’t bode well for their continued wellbeing. However, they knew they’d have to see her at some point. They’d just hoped they would have been able to make some more progress helping Harry out or finding their uncles before she made her appearance. But Sirius seemed prepared to deal with it.
“Call for a meeting room,” he suggested quickly, putting the papers he’d been reviewing down so he could face the pair. “She’ll be pulled from the lobby before she can make any more fuss and the room will be completely silenced. She won’t be able to give away secrets and the request will throw her off.”
Fred grinned at the Marauder evilly before turning to Ragnok. “Would it be possible to borrow a meeting room for a few minutes? One quite a distance from the lobby and yet grand enough to intimidate?”
Sirius chuckled at that, but Ragnok was positively gleeful. Fred wasn’t sure he liked seeing goblins as emotional as he’d recently found them to be. It was beyond unnerving.
“I’ll see to it myself. Have Griphook show you the way in five minutes. That should give me enough time to thoroughly confound the woman and perhaps get ‘lost’ at least once on the way.”
That had the room laughing uproariously before Eir snapped at them for quiet, pointing gruffly at the sleeping Arianna and Remus. With the full moon only a few days away, the shifter was understandably uneasy and only able to sleep when wrapped up in a member of his pack. No one really wanted to deprive him of the dreams. Arianna had already been sleeping for days.
Five minutes later, Griphook led the pair, with Charlie trailing behind, to a door just a few halls away from their hidey-hole. When asked, he explained that the passages of Gringotts were malleable and allowed for those trusted employees to bend the distance between points. Which meant that, though the meeting room was in the far corner of the Gringotts system and quite a ways away from the lobby, Griphook was able to get them there almost instantly while Ragnok, traveling around the same distance from the lobby would take as long as he wanted to reach the same destination.
Fred and George exchanged an intrigued look, but a sharp shake of his head from Griphook prevented them from asking.
“Guess we’ll be experimenting soon,” George muttered. “Wonder if it’s possible to do similar with environs.”
“Gred, focus,” Fred said with exasperation.
His brother was far more likely to experiment than he was with Charms and Transfigurations, but he couldn’t argue. That had led to the Canary Creams after all. Even if the proper formula had been an accident while trying to test for noxious potions fumes so they could avoid a repeat of the Slytherin green and silver hair they’d sported for a while.
“Do I even want to know?” Charlie asked as they filed into the room.
It was small, by goblin standards, but about the size of a large office for wizards. There was a heavy oak table in the center of the room and a small cabinet of drinks off to the side. But what stood out as the intimidating portion of the request were the details in everything. The chairs were swirls of colors, obviously expensive woods with precise details carved into the grains. The walls were lined with goblin-made weaponry and Fred really wanted to poke the battle ax that was glowing softly, but experience had proven you don’t poke glowing things unless you were the one to make them glow. The room was perfect.
Fred was pleased to see they were the first ones there. It made him a bit more comfortable knowing they were in the goblins’ good graces as well, as Sirius had denied coming along. He felt family matters were just that, family matters, and had bluntly told them that they could handle it. If not, the goblins could. All they had to do was give Molly an acceptable excuse for being gone so long.
“Probably not,” they finally said in unison.
Fred snickered at his brother’s over the top shiver. Before he could tease the man, the door burst open to Molly and Ron.
“Honestly, how hard is it to find a meeting room?” she asked in exasperation with a glare at Ragnok. “You creatures live here.”
The twins tensed at the disrespect. Their mother very obviously had no idea who had led her to the room. Ron took notice of their sudden tension but kept silent. When Ragnok nodded at the twins sharply before making his exit, Fred relaxed slightly and greeted his family.
“Mum, Ronnikins,” he said cheekily, bowing to the pair.
“George Fabian Weasley, what is the meaning of all this nonsense? First Charlie’s telling me that you’re on an ingredients expedition, then I get word you’re in Gringotts, then I get here and they won’t tell me whether or not you’re here! I had to have Arthur confirm with the family magic before they’d even acknowledge it. Then they refused to get you! This is by far the worst nonsense you’ve pulled and far beyond those silly little pranks you pull. What is the meaning of this?”
Fred grit his teeth at the berating and that his own mother couldn’t be bothered to figure out how to tell them apart. He could hear his twin doing the same and Charlie was just staring in shock.
It was Ron that finally spoke.
“Mum, they’re adults, as Charlie has kept telling you. They don’t need to tell you where they’re going,” he argued softly.
Molly Weasley rounded on him quicker than a snitch. “I was not talking to you, Ronald! I want to hear from your brothers, so sit there silently and stay out of this. Prefect or not, you are only here because we need to get your books for fifth year and talk to that nasty Skeeter woman about the lies she’s printing about Harry.”
Fred started at that, wondering just how Molly was planning to combat the stories the Prophet was publishing, basically calling Harry cracked and attention seeking. After all, why else would he claim Voldemort was back when everyone knew the Boy Who Lived had killed him years ago? Sirius, Remus, Fred, and George were already plotting their own attack on the paper, within the laws though it was. And none of them considered involving a woman like Molly, who, while a sometimes loving mother, rarely involved herself in politics or the news. Rita Skeeter would probably laugh her ass off if Mrs. Weasley stormed her desk at the Prophet.
However, neither had they thought to include Ron.
Fred knew he and George were on the same page about remedying that, though.
As soon as they dealt with a certain Weasley Matron.
“Leave him alone,” George snapped, pushing between his brother and the woman he was starting to realize was not really a mother. No mother would be this vicious to her children, no matter the case.
“I’m the parent,” she snapped right back. “I will parent the four of you how I see fit, as I have been doing since you were born. I’ve put up with a lot over the years and I am about done with your attitude. I’ve no idea where you came up with it but it stops now, Fred. Now, where have you been? It was obviously not with your brother. And don’t think I’m ignoring that, Charles. I’ll be having words with you just as soon as I’m done with the twins,” she growled, her face red as she pointed at Charlie.
Charlie looked like a thundercloud.
Fred and George were thinking quickly over their bond, trying valiantly to come up with a story she’d believe that wouldn’t give away the truth or interfere with any sort of plans their group was working on. And would get her out of the building the fastest.
But it turned out they didn’t need it.
An unknown woman was suddenly sweeping into the room, dressed head to toe in elegant leathers that Fred seriously suspected to be dragon hide. There was a pair of fitted trousers, a vest and dress shirt, knee-high boots, and beautiful dress robes. But what struck the group of redheads most was the subtle signs of wealth. From the intricately etched pocket watch she was slipping back into her vest pocket to the jewel-encrusted hilt of the dagger strapped to her thigh, to the small pearl beads threaded through the braid of rich chocolate hair, she positively screamed rich.
Molly’s jaw hung opened as the woman swept to Charlie, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before swirling away and hugging the twins, who hugged back automatically even as they tried to place why she felt familiar when they’d never seen her before.
“Apologies for being late!” she said with a thick American accent. “Got a bit sidetracked talking with Ragnok about a possible shop in the Nation. Seems the goblins are quite taken with our idea and want one just for themselves.”
“Idea? What idea?” Molly snapped out of her funk to demand. “Who are you?!”
“Oh, where are my manners? Lady Aiaia at your service,” she said regally. Fred was stunned and his and his brother’s brain were screaming a chant of AriannaAriannaArianna.
“And what are you doing with my sons?” Molly asked.
It was obvious she didn’t care that Arianna was a Lady, let alone the name she dropped. Fred barely understood, but he at least recognized the age of the name. It had taken a lot of fast research to find anything about Circe’s last name, but once they’d found it, the group grasped how astonishing it was that the house now had a lady. To Fred’s astonishment, Ron had gone deathly pale and was staring at the woman in awe and fear, as if he understood the name. The awe he could understand if that was true, but Fred suspected the fear was for their mother, who was being incredibly rude to a very powerful woman, even if she didn’t know.
“I’ve recently come to England and was looking for business ventures I could help with. I stumbled upon these fine gentlemen while trying to track down a potioner I’d heard often went hunting for rare ingredients in the area. After hearing their ideas, I decided to invest! We’ve been working on details,” Arianna said breezily, cluing those in the know into her plan effectively.
“And you felt the need to kidnap them?” Molly asked angrily. “I should have been consulted!”
Arianna looked at her in confusion, turning to the pair and asking, with very well concealed humor, “I thought you were of age. Was I mistaken?”
“No,” the twins answered promptly. “We turned seventeen in April and have been planning the shop since we were little fourth years.”
“Then why, for Morgana’s sake, would I need to ask permission to do business with adults?” she demanded of the reddening woman.
Fred and George were trying valiantly to muffle their snickers, but Charlie didn’t even make an attempt, laughing loudly at her acting skills and very astute question.
The slap echoed in the room.
*****
Charlie stared at his mum in shock, hand cradling his sore cheek.
“Respect your elders, boy,” she snarled, sounding nothing like the woman he had spent his entire life loving with his whole heart.
Then he was curling into himself as the weight of the situation hit. His mother had hit him. Not only that, but she’d done it after tracking him and the twins down, disrespecting every goblin she interacted with, and to top it all off, she’d done it in front of a noble that she’d never met before. But he had to admit, all of that paled in the realization that his mother had struck him. Something she’d never done before, even when he’d helped the twins prank her. For laughing at a question.
It about broke his heart, realizing that there really was no mistake with the tests. Their suspicions were right about who’d been dosing them with a number of those potions. Even with all the evidence and lack of viable suspects, he’d held out hope. Molly Weasley had always seemed the perfect mother, caring and understanding. To have that turned on its head? Well, needless to say, he’d be taking some time to reevaluate every interaction he’d had with the woman.
He did not really expect his brothers’ reactions to her assault, though. The twins were between him and their mother in an instant, glaring at her with wands raised. Ron was trying to gently move Charlie’s hand so he could get a look at the blossoming bruise. Arianna was frozen, glaring death at the woman as items around the room rattled.
“Milady Aiaia?” a goblin called, sticking his head into the room when the weapons on the wall in the hall started rattling; he retreated quickly at the sight of the room. Charlie thought he could hear the male calling for Ragnok, but he couldn’t be sure.
His ears might have been ringing still. Molly had managed quite the smack.
“Charlie, mate?” Ron asked. “Come on, no way the guy who wrestles dragons for fun is that hurt by a slap.”
He must have allowed his hurt to slip through, because in the next instant, Ron was tumbling into Fred’s arms and Arianna was hugging Charlie tightly, ignoring Ron and Fred’s surprised sputtering.
Charlie allowed himself a moment to breathe her in, to take comfort in the scent he was beginning to love, before he pushed back enough to glare at his mother. The woman was currently ranting beautifully, but without sound. Charlie would have to thank whoever cast the Silencing charm on her.
“Now, madam,” Arianna said once Molly had wound down and took to glaring at them all. Her tone was ice and Charlie worried for a moment that she’d transform like she had last time. “I will assume you lost control of your senses for a moment there, thereby leading to you attacking your own flesh and blood, and will forget the entire situation.”
“I very much do not need your approval to discipline my own children,” his mum snapped, having finally managed to counter the silencer.
“From my understanding, they are not children and it matters very little that you are their mother. In the eyes of the law, you just assaulted someone. Charlie is an adult, has been for quite some time, and no one has the right to touch him without his permission, even if he wasn’t. If Charlie wanted, he could bring you before the Wizengamot.”
Molly scoffed, as if the whole idea was absurd. Charlie bit his lip at the disregard. While he’d never consider it before, he was uncertain now. How had he never seen any of this side of her?
“Alright, enough. You obviously won’t hear a word I’m saying, so let’s take our leave,” Arianna snarled, all pretense of patience gone in favor of storming to the door and throwing it opened.
Ragnok was on the other side, hand poised as if to knock.
“Ah, milady Aiaia,” he greeted. “What seems to be the trouble?” he asked politely, indicating the still rattling objects with a quirked eyebrow.
“Nothing of note for the Nation, Master Goblin,” she said, glaring back at the fuming woman. Charlie was reminded that Molly rarely liked to be ignored. He was surprised she’d not exploded yet. “Please reach out to those you are aware of with possible property to sell. I would like to buy a home that would suit the gentlemen here, should the need arise. I have a feeling their current residence will be bad for our business, with the kind of people that share space.”
Charlie was floored by the careful wording. It took him a few moments to realize she was dropping the idea that she would buy him and his brothers a house so they could move out of the Burrow to escape Molly. And giving a subtle reminder that she was doing business with them, thereby implying the money they’d be making would be safer. Add in that she was flawlessly covering the fact that she most likely had a number of properties that would suit already and Charlie was awed. It was brilliant and well worded and very much sounded like something a pureblood Slytherin would say, since it didn’t directly call Molly a manipulative bint that was a danger to her own children.
He could also tell that he was the first one to really understand the implications, aside from the goblins. Goblins that looked quietly smug. Then again, his entire family was Gryffindors and not known for such Slytherin subtlety.
“Why you-“ Molly started, only to be cut off by a goblin sword drawn on her when she took a menacing step forward. “Move aside, creature! This is between witches and is of no concern of yours.”
“It is our concern when you are threatening the lady of our oldest vault,” Ragnok commented dryly.
Even Charlie startled at that. ‘Oldest’ not ‘one of the oldest’. How in the hels?
“And why should I listen to you?” Molly shrieked. “You got us lost!”
“Because I am Chief Ragnok of the Goblin Nation and I am in charge of this bank,” Ragnok said smugly, grinning wider at Molly’s suddenly ashen face. “And I do not get lost in my own bank. I decided you needed a bit of time to cool off from the threats you were making to my tellers, concerning your own brood. You arrived exactly when you were meant to.”
Ron hid a snort in a sneeze and Charlie prayed to all the gods that his amusement meant he did not agree with their mother. He’d have to see if he could take prepared parchments to the Burrow so he could test his siblings as covertly as possible. He had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy at the house after this afternoon and he wanted any evidence he could gather as soon as possible, even if they wouldn’t act on it yet. At the very least, he could start the discussions with his siblings and bring them to the healing hall for an extended stay with them if Molly proved a greater danger to them than she had previously. He would not allow her to harm any of them any more than she already was.
“Now, I will kindly ask you to leave so we may continue our discussions of the joke shop Messers Weasley have planned,” Ragnok said, motioning for some of the guards to remove Molly.
“Joke shop?” Ron asked curiously. “You actually moving forward with it?”
“Yeah,” Fred agreed, still watching Molly warily and unwilling to lower his wand. “Lady Aiaia provided the startup costs after hearing our plans. We’re hoping to get it opened by the time we graduate, with the mail-order business in operation over the school year.”
“We were going to discuss the intricacies of the venture today,” Arianna said with obvious regret. “However, I’m afraid I’ve lost the drive. I think a shopping spree would be better plan for the rest of the day. Young Ronald, would you care to join us? I’m sure we can easily complete anything that drew you to the Alley today. Perhaps your mother would prefer a day to herself. She is obviously overly stressed.”
Charlie smiled at the gobsmacked expression on his baby brother’s face, then immediately regretted it as the action pulled on his bruised cheek. Arianna narrowed her eyes at him, and he winced when he noticed the rage burning in her eyes. He hoped Ron said yes so that he could avoid the explosion waiting in that expression. He wasn’t sure if she was pissed at his mother or at him for not defending himself.
“Sure,” Ron finally squeaked.
When Fred and George smiled toothily, Arianna rounded on them and shook her fingers at them. “No! No pranking or teasing,” she ordered.
It was not missed that she hadn’t smacked them while chastising them.
“Aww!!” the twins protested. “But we always prank Ronnikins! He’s one of our most prevalent test subject!”
“Which will be changing,” Arianna said with a glare. “You abuse his trust by putting things in his food without his knowledge. Food is sacrosanct!”
Charlie raised an eyebrow at the scarlet blushes suddenly clashing with the twins’ hair and the amused smirk Ron had.
“Milady Aiaia,” Ron said, snapping a sharp bow to her and for once showing that they did indeed hail from a pureblood family with all the traditions that entailed. “I do believe we’ll get along just fine. I would be honored to accompany you this day.”
“I’m glad to see at least some of your family knows how to show proper respect,” Arianna said, offering her hand so Ron could give the customary kiss to her ring.
Molly hissed in anger but before she could launch into a new diatribe, another pair of goblin guards entered the meeting room to escort her from the bank. The drawn swords prevented any protests and she stomped out with a huff.
As soon as she was truly gone and Ragnok had nodded in confirmation, Arianna slumped, the glamour flickering out with a snap. Only Charlie’s seeker reflects allowed him to catch her before she ended up on the floor and ruining her beautiful outfit.
“I told you not to get out bed yet,” Ragnok said dryly.
“Yeah, yeah,” she muttered. “It got her gone and it got the twins an honest excuse to be missing a while longer. I actually do intend to invest in the shop, but I wasn’t really willing to let her berate them. I’m just glad I was here to see that cursed slap.”
“Why?” Ron asked curiously, seeming unphased by the sudden change in appearance.
Charlie could see his mind whirling and he had to wonder if Arianna knew the boy was a master chess player, with apparently too much exposure to insanity if her sudden red hair didn’t startle him. He’d yet been able to make the leap to practical applications for his strategic mind, but Charlie had no doubt he’d manage soon. This might just be the push he would need.
“Because she’s a bloody menace and now we have a non-family witness to how she can act,” Fred snarled.
Ron startled at the anger before looking at them closely. “Start explaining, now,” he ordered, crossing his arms and glaring at them all.
“Ragnok?” Arianna asked.
“I have a test ready,” he agreed, placing one on the table they’d ignored. “He will just need to add the required drops of blood. We’ve altered the spell so that a goblin will no longer be required to activate it once the blood is added. We have also prepared the required number for Mr. Weasley to take with him for his remaining family members and any others you would like to include.”
Ron was starting to lose patience at this point, and, when Arianna removed the dagger from its sheath, his wand was in his hand quickly. Arianna tracked the movement silently before holding the knife out on her flat palm.
“I’m not going to attack you,” she said softly, allowing her overdone American accent to slip away in favor of the more familiar British sounds. “It’s up to you, but know that we offer this for your wellbeing. We can’t tell you anything until we can be sure you’re clear. Or at least aware and planning to be cleansed. If we had an oath ready, I’d make you take it, but at the moment, this is our best option. I will not have our plans put in jeopardy so you can be in the know. No matter that they’re your family.”