The Contract

Chapter 63

Bill stood staring himself in the mirror in the bathroom, his mind reeling over everything he'd just been discussing. The public didn't even have a smidgen of the information the Ministry had released. Especially about Bartemius Crouch Senior and his son, Bartemius crouch Junior. It made him feel ashamed of his earlier thoughts, he couldn't just go in prejudice. Hell, everyone looked at his parents and aspired to be like them unaware of the reality.

Turning the tap on, Bill washed his face with the cool cold water, eyes closed as he enjoyed the sweet relief. The summer holidays had been the worst in his entire life, he was almost breaking under the strain of keeping his family whole and together.

Muriel had surprisingly been very level headed and full of good ideas. She'd made it a smooth process for them. Oh, she'd been furious, but once she calmed down, she began to go through their options.

Muriel was still in Egypt, staying near the clinic and had taken over Molly and Ginny's vigil. They'd been put in induced comas in a bid to save their lives until they could find out what was going on. Bill had given her power over Molly and Ginny to do as she pleased. In fact, if Ginny came out of her coma, she would be staying with Muriel full time.

He'd taken over the head of the family, his father was in no way able to take care of himself let alone the family. At Muriel's suggestion he'd also taken his position at the Ministry, he would receive twenty-six thousand galleons a year. Twenty-six thousand galleons for presiding over trials and overseeing legislation. It was more than he had ever made as a Curse breaker.

He'd informed the Ministry that his father wouldn't be returning to work, he was officially retired from his role. Charlie would be returning to Romania for his work, something he had strictly insisted on. There was no point to both of them giving up their dreams, one day he might get back to curse breaking full time, but until that day...he would make do with what he had.

Ron's ashes had been scattered in a simple heartfelt ceremony with just family. Fred, George and Percy would be returning to school in a week. All with new books, robes and wands that had been picked for them. It had hurt just seeing how excited his siblings were over new books and robes and wands. Something they should have had already with the money they'd sent home.

The money he'd gotten from selling the tent was tiding them over, they'd also paid for the funeral expenses with it and the loan his father had from Gringotts. Definitely had to pay, the interest would be more over time. They still had the clinic to pay, which was going to be the most expensive of the lot. Much less expensive than St. Mungo's would be though.

Something in his father had broken when they found out about the abuse Molly had heaped upon their father. So far, their Father had continued to defend Molly and her actions, like he'd deserved to be beaten like a feral dog. It disgusted him, seeing his Father defend what Molly had done. She was never getting near him again; the burrow had been locked down and wards erected - It was his speciality after all - so that nobody other than those he'd already allowed entrance could get in.

He needed therapy, help, someone to make him see what he'd been through wasn't his fault. Clearly what they were saying wasn't getting through. Hopefully a therapist would, but that would have to wait until they were in a better place financially. Luckily, a lot of their food was self-sustained, which would allow them to save up more. He couldn't risk breaking his father entirely by trying to press charges for him. Which he rightly could now, as Head of the Weasley family. Yet he couldn't do it...too many options had been taken from his father already. This had to be his choice, it should also help him move on.

Leaning on the sink, he sighed softly, he missed his team, a great deal. No, there was no point to dwelling on what couldn't be. He had a family to take care of, younger brothers desperately in need of direction. Percy had offered to get a job this summer! Which spoke volumes since Percy wanted to Graduate Hogwarts with his NEWTS. He'd vehemently opposed the idea, but made Percy realize that he loved him for suggesting it. He was so bloody starved for positive attention that it made him sick.