"Thank you." Harry said proudly.
Sirius ruffled his hair and smiled at him affectionately. "We're both very pleased." He sobered a little and motioned at Arthur. "The reason for the visit is there's a bit of business between our various Houses that we should discuss. May we make use of your dining table?"
"Of course," Arthur's gaze sharpened on Sirius's.
Molly waved her hands in a shooing motion. "All of you children go and play outside!"
Sirius placed a hand on Harry's arm to prevent his leaving and cleared his throat. "Harry will be staying, Molly, as both Head of the House of Potter and Heir to the House of Black, he has to be present."
The want to protest was written across Molly's face as prominently as her freckles but she nodded sharply conceding in the face of Sirius invoking the House positions.
"And as this involves a service Ron has performed for both our Houses, you may wish for him to stay." Sirius continued undaunted. "But that is of course at your discretion…" his gaze moved from Molly, "Arthur."
Molly's head snapped around to her husband's with frantic speed. "Arthur, dear…"
"Ron can stay," Arthur said firmly, "and Bill…"
His eldest son paused in his bid for the exit.
"You should stay as my Heir." Arthur gestured toward the table with a succinct head move.
It was odd and awkward, Harry thought, as Arthur ushered Sirius, Remus and Harry into seats on one side of the table, grabbing Ron before he could sit next to Harry. The three Weasley males sat opposite and Molly plonked herself down next to Arthur. From the looks exchanged between Arthur and Molly, Harry surmised Molly wasn't supposed to attend but was insisting on being part of the proceedings.
Arthur gave in with a sigh. "I have to admit to being surprised," he said to Sirius, "it's been a long time since the Weasleys were openly acknowledged as an Ancient and Noble House."
Sirius shrugged easily. "There's more to House honour than the trappings, Arthur." He gestured at the thinning red-head across the table. "You may regain your seat in time if not your title but that's for discussion another day."
Arthur's eyebrows rose up his forehead. "And today's discussion?"
"Well, the first bit of business is Harry's." Sirius nudged him gently.
Harry cleared his throat nervously. "Mister Weasley, you and your family have been very kind to me since I came back to the wizarding world and Ron was my first friend of my own age so…" he took a deep breath, "as, um, Head of the House of Potter, I would be honoured if you'd consider an alliance between the House of Weasley and the House of Potter."
Ron, who had blushed bright red at Harry's pronouncement of their friendship, beamed at him. Evidently he knew enough about the traditions to know that an alliance was something of immense importance, and to have a House of the status of the Potters request an alliance was a significant honour especially in light of the House of Weasley's relatively low status. Bill also looked pleased if mildly surprised.
Molly looked astounded and she darted a look at her equally stunned husband.
"That's…" Arthur started again and cleared his throat, "that's a lovely thought, Harry, but…"
Harry's heart sank.
Sirius cut in. "We thought the terms should be an alliance of friendship between the Houses, Arthur."
Because the Weasleys weren't in a political or financial position to agree an alliance of mutual aid and support having lost their Wizengamot seat years before. Harry believed there wasn't really a difference in the intent of the alliance just the wording.
Arthur's face brightened. "Friendship?" He looked from Harry to Sirius and back again. "Lord Potter, I would be honoured to accept such an alliance. How could I not?"
Ron and Harry grinned at each other. Harry felt Sirius not-so-subtly nudge him again.
"Thank you, Mister Weasley."
"I think it's probably time to start calling me Arthur, Harry." He said with a smile. He frowned suddenly. "I'm afraid I don't think I have our ritual bowl on hand. It's probably somewhere in the family vault."
"We can complete the alliance ritual another time," Sirius said agreeably, "your word is certainly enough until we can perform it."
Molly smiled at Harry. "That's a lovely thing you've just done for our family, Harry. Thank you."
Harry blushed.
"Our second piece of business," Sirius said rescuing him, "involves the House of Black. I hope in time that we will also agree an alliance of friendship but clearly we need to get to know each other a lot better before then."
Arthur nodded. "Agreed."
"For now the bit of business we have involves a debt of honour between us." Sirius said. "I did get, uh, rather enthusiastic when I went after the rat at Hogwarts, and Ron here did end up getting accidentally injured…"
Harry watched warily as Molly's expression took on a note of anger. He wondered whether Ron had told her about getting his leg injured or about the night Sirius had ambushed him.
"According to my solicitor, you were easily within your rights to have me charged with assault." Sirius concluded, keeping his remarks addressed to Arthur. "If you had I would still be on the run…"
Remus coughed.
"Or back in Azkaban," allowed Sirius, "and Harry would still be at the Dursleys."
Harry was pleased to see that mollified Ron's mother a little.
"In gratitude for your act of kindness and to honour the debt between us, I would like to assume financial responsibility for Ron's education up to and including a Mastery if he wishes to pursue one. His tuition fees, his school supplies and a small allowance to be agreed with yourselves would be included." Sirius said.
"Woah." Ron muttered, his eyes wide.
Remus plucked a parchment from the pocket in his robes and handed it to Arthur. "All the details are stated here, Arthur."
"Well, we couldn't possibly…" Molly began.
"Molly." Arthur's firm use of her name had Molly subsiding. He handed the parchment to Bill. "It's a generous offer but you understand that it isn't necessary, I hope? My decision was made in the same spirit of friendship that is at the heart of the new alliance between the Houses of Potter and Weasley."
Sirius smiled. "Granted, but I'm afraid my House honour demands I repay you, Arthur. I won't take no for an answer."
Ron was almost beside him, squirming on the chair beside Bill. He looked anxiously from his father to Sirius and back. Harry could guess at his friend's feelings: Ron was hopeful that the time of always ending up with second-hand clothes and books and everything was at an end. Harry could relate.
Arthur sighed. He gestured at his eldest son. "What's your view here, Bill?"
.
.
.
🎉The novel is available in PDF with more than 400 chapters, visit us in our Ko-Fi store🎉
🎉ko-fi.com/gokublack444🎉