20Author's Notes: Here it is at last. After five months of planning and four months the completion of the original story, the sequel to Ties of Blood and Loyalty is here. Yay! This first bit takes place in 1977, and subsequent chapters will be flashbacks, beginning shortly after the events of Ties of Blood and Loyalty and will go on beyond 1977. Watch for the years at the start of each chapter. And without further adieu, I present The Ties That Don't Break.
Disclaimer: Any characters, places, or objects recognizable from JK Rowling's Harry Potter series belong to her and not me.
The Ties That Don't Break
"The thing about ties of blood and loyalty is that no mater hard a person pulls, they just don't break."
- Gideon Prewett, Ties of Blood and Loyalty
Prologue - 1977
Alice Dumbledore twirled around her living room, gathering up the scraps of ribbon and wrapping paper that had gone astray while she was wrapping Molly and Arthur's gift. Typically, she wrapped gifts using magical methods, but it wasn't everyday that her two best friends bought a houshae; she d wrapped in the muggle fashion in celebration of that fact. It had proved itself to be quite a messy task, but Alice was satisfied with the results. Arthur would greatly appreciate her efforts, at least. She glanced at the clock.
"Duke," she called.
"Coming," Duke emerged from the other room with a tiny bundle in his arms, "In all the years that you've known me, have I ever been late to any event?"
Alice grinned, "You do have quite the track record there, Mr. Biopelo. Huh, Percy. Daddy's quite the stickler for time, isn't he?"
The baby in Duke's arms cooed.
"He's growing up so quickly, Duke. Can you believe he's nearly a year?"
Duke chuckled, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Alice. This little one's got quite the life ahead of him."
"Quite the life indeed. My darling Perceval."
And with that, they set out for Molly and Arthur's new place of residence.
"Well, they're obviously not going to apparate when they've got Percy with them," Benjy said in reference to Duke and Alice.
"Right. Merlin, though, never thought I'd see the day that Duke was late to anything," Gideon quipped.
Albus chuckled.
"Uncle Duke is never late," six-year-old Bill said, "I bet he'd rather get eaten by a blast ended skrewt. He'd never be late to come see our new house."
"They're not late yet," Jacob joined the conversation, "They're just the last ones here. Well, save for Fabian."
"Jus' give em some time," Hagrid added, "They've got that baby to take care of."
"Where'd Charlie go?" Bill asked in reference to his younger brother.
"He's showing your aunt Katherine his bedroom, I think," Gideon told his nephew.
Bill ran off to find the two.
In the kitchen, Molly, Minerva, and Greta were talking while Molly cooked.
"You're sure you don't want any help, Molly?" Minerva asked her older daughter's best friend.
"I'm fine," Molly replied cheerfully, "but thanks, Minerva."
"This house is adorable, Molly. I love the way you've decorated," Greta said with a smile as she glanced around the kitchen. Her gaze lingered on the curtains.
Molly laughed, "Arthur chose a lot of it."
As Molly said his name, Arthur entered the kitchen.
"Do we have enough food?" he asked his wife.
"We do."
"And you feel okay?" Arthur asked, concerned.
Molly placed a hand over her stomach; she was three months pregnant. She smiled, "I feel great."
"I was just telling Molly," Greta said, turning to look at Arthur, "That I love the pattern of the curtains"
"They are rather fetching," Minerva added.
Arthur beamed, "I got them at a muggle shopping mall. Alice was with me."
"Yes, as if I would let you go to a muggle mall alone to pick out things for the new house alone; you would've been back with neon pink carpets," Molly looked at the green and white checkered curtains that covered the windows, "You did an excellent job, dear."
"Alice helped," Arthur said modestly.
"Aunt Alice!" Charlie yelled from the other room.
"Well, it looks as if we can thank Alice for her guidance in picking out wonderful draperies in person," Minerva smiled, "And I get to see my grandson."
They exited the kitchen.
"We were wondering if you'd get here on time," Jacob said as he hugged his sister.
"Ha!" Alice replied, "With my husband?"
Duke grinned, "I can't believe you all doubted me."
"Don't worry," Benjy told Duke, "Bill said you'd rather be eaten by a blast ended skrewt than be anything other than punctual."
"Molly and Arthur are raising that boy right," Duke said, still smiling.
"Glad you think so," Arthur said as he entered the room.
Duke nodded, "Many congratulations, Arthur. This place is spectacular."
"It really is," Alice added as she handed Arthur the housewarming gift.
"Merlin, can you believe Percy's nearly a year now?" Bartholomew asked Katherine and Hagrid, as they stood in another part of the room.
"I remember when Alice found out she was pregnant," Katherine replied, glancing at her mother, who was holding the baby, "Doesn't seem like it was that long ago."
"He sure is growin'. Better stop soon or he'll end up as big as me," Hagrid laughed at his own joke."
On the other side of the room, Charlie pulled on his mother's robes, "Mummy, I'm hungry. Is dinner soon?"
"As soon as your uncle Fabian gets here."
"Fabian, the antithesis of my husband when it comes to arrival time," Alice smiled.
Molly nodded. Alice spoke the truth, but more often than not Fabian made up for his lack of punctuality with his charming personality. He could be ten minutes late but easily make up for it by making everyone smile five minutes after his arrival. Both of her brothers were quite similar in that sense.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door.
"Must be Fabian," Benjy said.
"Good," Arthur replied, "Let's eat."
"How are things at St. Mungo's?" Jacob asked Katherine as they sat down with plates of food. It was a pleasant summer evening, and everyone was eating outside. Molly had concocted a enormous feast.
"Nothing out of the ordinary's happened recently," Katherine replied, "I still love it there, though. It's just a really good feeling to know that what I'm doing now is what I want to do with the rest of my life. You know?"
Jacob nodded, "I feel the same way when I write."
"Oh, how's your book coming along?"
"Slowly but surely. I'm meeting again with the publisher next week," Jacob replied.
"I can't wait to read it," Alice said.
"Read what?" Albus asked.
"Jacob's book."
"Neither can I," everyone else in earshot responded.
"Tag!" Charlie yelled, "Bill's it!"
"I thought you were hungry," Molly said to her son.
"I am," Charlie replied, "But Bill's it, Mummy. We have to play."
"As soon as you finish your dinner," Arthur instructed his son.
" 'Kay," Charlie sat back down.
"Molly, this ham is the best I've tasted in awhile," Bartholomew complemented shyly.
"Thanks, Bartholomew," Molly smiled, "What've you been doing recently?"
"Oh, nothing significant," he replied.
"You must be up to something," Molly pressed.
"No. Not like everyone else, anyway. Can you believe Jacob's book is getting published?
It sure is great."
"It sure is," Gideon coincided. He then lowered his voice and looked at Jacob, "Have I mentioned that I am extremely proud of you?"
Jacob smiled, "Only about ten times today."
"Good," Gideon mirrored Jacob's smile, "I'll have to tell you even more often."
Albus smiled at his wife, "This is a wonderful evening."
"Molly is quite the cook. And they deserve such a nice house as the one they bought. I can hardly believe they're old enough to be buying their own house," Minerva sighed, suddenly remembering the school days of her children and their friends.
"Time does speed by," Albus agreed.
Minerva changed the subject, "It's nice to get away from all the worry, isn't it?"
"It is, dear," Albus agreed, a little surprised: Minerva rarely brought up the subject of the war. He could tell that is greatly worried her. It worried him, too. It had already taken many lives, and they both knew would likely take numerous more before it was over.
Albus squeezed Minerva's hand. She smiled. In such times, it was good to know that love was still alive.
Unbeknownst to the group of family members and friends, the cheerful housewarming party would soon go awry. A group of ten or eleven people crept unnoticed towards the house. One had a sinister smile on her face.
"I've wanted to do this for so long," she hissed.
"Yes," another replied, "For the Dark Lord, Musidora. For the Dark Lord."
"Yeah, Dolohov. Won't be long now."
"Malfoy, Rosier, you ready?"
The two nodded. Dolohov raised his wand into the air; the dark mark appeared.
And then they got ready to attack.
Duke gasped and grabbed his wand.
"What?" Molly asked, frightened, "Duke, what is it?"
"The dark mark. We are not safe," Albus responded quickly, "Molly, take the children and go inside."
"Bill, Charlie!" Molly called nervously as she gathered Percy into her arms. The four of them went inside to safety.
"Where is it coming from?" Greta wondered.
"Over there," Duke observed, holding his wand. As an auror, he was prepared for these types of situations. Hagrid took hold of his pink umbrella and looked particularly menacing.
The attacks began.
"Crucio!" Dolohov shouted.
"Duro!" The group being attacked contained very talented wizards who were not planning on being defeated easily.
"Expulso!" Minerva shouted.
Alice darted behind one of the death eaters, unnoticed, "Crucio!"
Albus, following his daughter's example, took down two death eaters moments later.
Malfoy darted towards Katherine, who pointed her wand at him in defense.
He laughed.
"Don't bother. We both know I'll beat you, easily."
"You're full of yourself," Katherine said confidently, "And your teasing can't hurt me anymore. Crucio!"
Malfoy grimaced in pain as the spell hit him.
"Confringo!" Duke exclaimed, taking on Musidora and three other death eaters, "Confringo!"
Dolohov said something inaudible. His eye was on Duke, who was not facing him at that moment. He made several slashing motions with his wand, emitting purple flames. Seconds later, Duke collapsed.
"Duke!" Alice rushed to her fallen husband's side.
"Go," Duke grimaced in pain, "I'll be fine. Go, they need you."
Katherine looked at Duke. He was down, and he was one of the best duelers in the group. After all, he was an auror. Katherine thought quickly. She was a healer; she could fix this. She remembered seeing purple flames come from Dolohov's wand, which probably meant he had used a curse to cause internal injuries. Quickly, she began to mumble the counter curse.
Rosier crept up next to her, his wand poised.
"Avada Kedavra!" he said.
"No!" Bartholomew shouted. He jumped in front of Katherine, thus saving her life when the killing curse hit him rather than her.
"Bartholomew?" Katherine whispered. He was gone; he had saved her life. Before she could mourn, she and her friends had to survive this. She darted off, wand out, ready to do what was necessary.
Meanwhile, Dolohov was dueling with Greta and Benjy.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Crucio!"
"Stupefy!"
Dolohov had Benjy pinned down, ready to take his life.
"No!" Greta shouted, "Duro!"
Dolohov dodged out of the way, missing the spell's path by inches.
"Crucio!" Fabian yelled, his wand pointing in Dolohov's direction.
"Expelliarmus!" Dolohov yelled.
"Nobody tries to kill one of my best friends and gets away with it!" Gideon yelled at Dolohov, ""Expulso!"
Dolohov laughed heartlessly at the Prewett brothers, "You really think you can defeat me? Avada Kedavra!"
The curse hit Gideon and Fabian, taking both of their lives. They had died like heroes saving Benjy's life; Dolohov could not rob them of that.
"Crucio!" Jacob pointed his wand in the direction of Dolohov and Rosier.
"Duro!" Rosier fired back.
"Stupefy!" Alice shouted, her want pointed at Musidora, "Crucio!"
"Expelliarmus!" Musidora shot back, trying to disarm Alice. However, Alice dodged the spell and kept her wand.
"Crucio! Musidora shouted, "Crucio! Crucio!"
This time, all of the spells hit Alice directly. She fell to the ground. Musidora stood over her, a glint in her eye.
Alice looked at the remains of Gideon and Fabian. "Why are you doing this?" she asked softly as she fell unconscious.
"I never did like you," Musidora said to her unconscious enemy. She raised her wand.
"Avada Ked -"
Musidora was unable to finish the curse. At that moment, Albus stunned her. She fell to the ground, lifeless.
Bodies scattered what was once the Weasleys' peaceful front yard. The once brand new house was in shambles. The only death eaters who remained were Dolohov, Rosier, and Malfoy. The others had either died or abandoned the fight. Albus stood in the center of the yard, bodies surrounding him. He looked at the three followers of Voldemort.
"You know not what you have done," Albus told them gravely. Then, he used full body bind curses on all of them. They would go to Azkaban.
Albus and Minerva stepped out of their older daughter's room at St. Mungo's. Two days had passed since the battle had claimed the lives of Gideon, Fabian, and Bartholomew. Duke had passed away shortly after his arrival to St. Mungo's, due to extensive internal injuries caused by Dolohov's curse. Alice was currently in critical condition.
Albus and Minerva entered the waiting room, where Jacob, Katherine, Molly, Hagrid, and Arthur sat. Greta was watching Bill, Charlie, and Percy.
"Molly, Arthur. She wants to see you," Albus said.
Arthur and Molly opened the door to Alice's hospital room. Alice smiled weakly.
"Hi," she said. Her two best friends returned her greeting, looking concerned and sad.
"I have a favor to ask," Alice said a moment later, "It's a rather large one."
"Anything," Molly replied earnestly, tears in her eyes.
"Things don't look too good for me," Alice replied. She paused for a second, "I'm dying."
"Alice, don't say that. Just hold on; you can make it. You're so strong."
"I'll try, Molls. But if I don't...if I die, Arthur, Molly. Will you adopt Percy?"
"Of course," Molly agreed. Arthur nodded.
"Thank you. You two have always been the greatest friends a witch could ask for."
"And so have you," Arthur replied, "But Alice? I love Percy like a son, but what about your parents? Shouldn't they be the ones to raise him?"
Alice sighed, "My parents are wonderful. I have absolutely no doubt that if they were to be the ones to raise Percy, they would do an excellent job. But in this world, it isn't safe to be a Dumbledore anymore. So many people…Voldemort's followers…have already targeted them. Mum and Dad agree that it isn't safe for my…for Percy to know who he truly is."
Molly nodded through her tears.
"One day…when the time is right, he can know. My dad will know when the time is right. But until then memory charm the three boys so that they don't remember any of this, and raise Percy as your own."
Jacob walked through the graveyard. He was the one remaining after the funerals. He remembered his friends who were no longer with him. Bartholomew, whom he had once hated. That hate had eventually ebbed as Bartholomew became a friend of the family. Fabian. Charming, friendly Fabian. Duke, who had really grown on Jacob over the years. He wouldn't want anyone else for a brother-in-law.
Jacob stopped at Gideon's grave. Jacob could hardly process the fact that Gideon was gone. Gideon has been his best friend, lover - truly his other half. Now Gideon was dead, and Jacob longed for him. He missed Gid's smile, his laugh, his carefree spirit. He could never experience those things again. Jacob last walked over to another grave, in between Gideon's and Duke's. He read the headstone.
Alice Dumbledore
Treasured family member and friend
1950-1977
Jacob couldn't imagine a world without Alice. She had always been in his world, ever since they were babies. He had so many memories of Alice, and it saddened him so much to think that they would never make new ones together.
Jacob remembered something Gideon had once told him. And Jacob, the thing about ties of blood and loyalty is that no mater hard a person pulls, they just don't break. He had never disagreed with that statement, but now he questioned it. His nephew could not know his true identity, that he was half Dumbledore and half Biopelo. His sister, lover, and friends were dead. How could he remain connected to them if they were no longer part of his life?
...don't hate me. Alice and the others who died will be back in the flashback-y chapters. They'll play major parts in this story. Anyway, many of you must have a million and one questions, such as why the Dumbledore family and Bartholomew Bagshot are on such good terms when he cursed their daughter, and how Alice and Duke ended up married with a child when Alice was dead set on the fact that they couldn't be together at the end of TOBAL. They'll all be answered before the story is over, I promise =). Now comes the part where I become slightly annoying and beg you to review. Your feedback truly means a lot. So yes, click that button.