Renaissance

A/N: Standard disclaimers apply. My wonderful betas Mamacita-san and refuz2luz are awesome and any remaining errors are mine. And wow I was blown away by the reviews, thank you!!
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7.

Harry stumbled through the Floo and dazedly brushed himself off. “Thanks for having Minerva connect the Floo for me, Remus,” he said tiredly. The werewolf attempted a smile but it faded when he took a good look at Harry’s appearance.

“It was nothing, Harry. I’d offer you tea, but from the look of you I think we both might need something stronger.” He led Harry to an overstuffed couch and poured two glasses of Firewhisky. He placed a glass in front of Harry and sat down. “Whatever it is, Harry, I’ll help in any way I can. You know that.”

Harry nodded woodenly. “I know, Remus. It’s just...I don’t think there’s any help for me with this one.”

Remus nodded solemnly. “Well, the beginning is always a good place to start,” he encouraged.

Harry turned his head and stared into the fire. “How are Anna and Draco?”

Surprise and anger flashed across Remus’ careworn face. “This isn’t about those boys, is it? Tonks stopped a while before heading over to guard Draco in the infirmary. She told me they were being sent to holding cells. They haven’t—”

Harry quickly shook his head. “No, Remus, they’re not going anywhere. It’s not about them. I just wanted to know how Anna was. I—I know you care about her.”

Remus breathed a sigh of relief. “Well…good. After what they’ve done they need to be severely punished. And Anna…she’s on the mend. Actually, I’d just come from the Infirmary when your firecall came through. I’d been sitting with Draco talking, but this has hit hir rather hard. Finally Poppy gave hir a sedative and put Draco to bed, so sie and Anna will rest through the night.” Remus smiled a little. “I take it your opinion on Draco is changing, then?”

The corner of Harry’s mouth quirked up a fraction. “You could say so. Sie—sie’s not who I thought sie was. I mean sie is—I’ve seen that, sie’s still the ruthless competitor hell-bent on getting what sie wants. But it’s not about winning petty games any more. It’s making sure the children at Heritage House orphanage have what they need, trying to get kids placed with loving families. It’s about doing the Foundation’s work for the benefit of the whole Wizarding world....

“In some ways I think sie’s a greater hero than I ever was, Remus. I defeated Voldemort, but Malfoy and people like hir are the ones taking up the fight to rebuild our world, trying to make us better, more secure against Muggle exposure, making sure we push ourselves and use our magic in new ways. They’re not stagnating, just riding on our past accomplishments and blindly following tradition. We’re adapting—evolving, I guess—taking our traditions and making them work for us in a new millennium. You have to admire that.”

A slightly amused smile grew on Remus lips. “That’s quite the epiphany you’ve had from this afternoon, Harry.”

The younger man shrugged. “Not really an epiphany, I just—I stopped trying to view everything suspiciously. I’ve been thinking about what I’ve seen and learned about hir without assuming sie had some nefarious plot brewing. And—” Harry blushed. “And there’s something else, too.”

Remus raised a brow in question.

“What do you know about Resonance, Remus?”

The werewolf grinned broadly. “Well!” He slapped his palm against his thigh. “It’s high time you worked that out. Or was it Draco?”

“It was Draco,” Harry admitted sheepishly. “Sie told me to ask you about it.”

Remus nodded. “Resonance is an aspect of magic, Harry,” he said, launching into his lecturer persona. “It is what has allowed for successful arranged marriages and the merging of familial lines.” He studied Harry carefully. “You do know why, even before Voldemort and the perversion of blood politics by the Death Eaters, the merging and recording of familial lines was important, don’t you, Harry?”

“Because of Ameinias?” Harry answered uncertainly.

“In part,” Remus nodded. “In some ways magic is nearly sentient. It seeks to recreate and maintain itself. As magical beings, our relationship to our magic is certainly symbiotic in that way. Throughout our history certain families developed an affinity for particular talents. The Smiths, for example, are very gifted with magical metallurgy, or the Flitwicks who’ve always been skilled in the use of charms. Betrothals were often arranged between families to consolidate those talents; however, the matches did not proceed—” he paused, obviously thinking of some historical examples that defied convention— “well, usually they didn’t proceed unless the couples in question had Resonance. Resonance is a sense between couples, drawn from their magic. Most simply I suppose you could say it is an indicator. A confirmation by magic itself that the two in question are compatible, both in terms of their magic and their souls.”

“So it’s a kind of bond, then?” Harry asked.

“No, not a bond,” Remus clarified. “though it could indicate one. Resonance is magic’s approval of a couple—and of course it varies between people. There are many who’ve married or entered relationships with people they’ve barely resonated with, but the most solid alliances, the best marriages are between people who resonate strongly.” He cocked his head. “Tell me, how is it with you and Draco?”

Harry blushed and Remus chuckled. “That strong, then?”

“It—I can hardly explain it, Remus. At different times it’s different things, like being struck by lightning, or sinking into a bath of perfectly warm water, or a really great hug when you need one; but it—it’s nice.”

The werewolf hummed and nodded. “That sounds about right.” At Harry’s confused look he continued. “Your own parents had Resonance like that. Of course it took them a few years to understand why they were so drawn to each other when they disliked each other so strongly.” He cast a pointed look Harry’s way.

“We’ve wasted a lot of time, haven’t we?” Harry asked sadly.

Remus shrugged. “You obviously weren’t ready, Harry, and neither of you understood what you were feeling. It was similar with your parents. Being Muggle-born, Lily didn’t know what Resonance was; and your father, well, he was always so sure it was fairytales and claptrap cooked up by delusional, syrupy romantics. Neither of them ever attended a Ring Dance, so it wasn’t as though someone older and more experienced could point them in the right direction.”

“A Ring Dance?”

Remus nodded. “They’re considered more Coming-of-Age Balls now. But there was a time when all marriageable youths in a community would gather to take part in an old magic. At the dance the youths would stand in two circles and dance with each other. Everyone danced with everyone else, with watchful parents and chaperones looking on. You’d say they were plotting and,” he chuckled, “many were, but mostly it was to observe who among the dancers had Resonance with another. Afterward, families would make overtures for betrothals or courtships. When I was young the Ring Dance was hosted every year by an old, powerful pure-blood family. The Potters hosted the ball when we were fifteen; of course we didn’t go. Sirius sneaked a few bottles of Firewhisky into the dorms and we ‘celebrated’ that way instead.”

“But you were only fifteen!” Harry understood exactly why his father had balked at the idea of being matched to someone at such a young age.

“Well, officially the balls are meant to celebrate the coming-of-age of all who have turned seventeen in that year, but generally youths of fifteen to nineteen were invited.” Remus took a sip of his whiskey and grinned. “Merlin, Harry, they weren’t expected to marry that night! Sometimes years of courtship would ensue from recognised Resonance at the Ring Dance!”

Harry shook his head. “It just seems so…I don’t know…what about falling in love with who you want to? And they don’t have Ring Dances or Coming-of-Age Balls any more so someone must’ve figured out that a fancy meat-market wasn’t the best way of going about finding a spouse.”

Remus tapped his fingers against his chin. “Resonance doesn’t subsume your free will, Harry. You are free to act on it or not. It is, as I said, an indication that you and another are suited to each other, not something that will bind you against your wills. And actually the tradition of the Ring Dance is returning. Renaissance Foundation has hosted one each spring the last couple of years. It was the first Voldemort war that ended the practice; people didn’t feel safe in gatherings like that, leaving their children so exposed. Now that he’s gone we’re reclaiming those parts of our culture that were sacrificed to protect us while he was gaining power.” Remus smiled at Harry’s scandalised look. “You can’t imagine the number of people who are really looking forward to the return of Coming-of-Age Balls, Harry. I’ve handed down a slew of detentions to dreamy-eyed witches who’ve been pouring over dress-robe catalogues instead of their textbooks and it’s months away yet. Besides, you might be surprised at the people you know who’ve had marriages arranged after their attendance at a Ring Dance. Don’t discount them, Harry. Magic is a very powerful force and Resonance is never wrong.”

Petulant, Harry crossed his arms over his chest. “Like who, then?”

Remus grinned knowingly. “Like Arthur and Molly Weasley, or Frank and Alice Longbottom, Edgar and Ethel Bones, Sturgis and Phoebe Podmore, to name a few you know about through the Order.”

“But only pure-bloods—er, Wizard-born, right? That’s why it’s—”

Remus interrupted, shaking his head. “Every youth must be invited, Harry, Wizard-born or Muggle-born. I’ve heard that Ted and Andromeda Tonks had Resonance so powerful everyone at their Ring Dance noticed it. That was one reason why the Blacks might’ve expected her to run off with him, even if they were angry about it. In general there’s a deep respect for matches made or begun at the Ring Dance, Harry. Even Sirius’ parents, Orion and Walburga, had Resonance with one another at a Ring Dance. And as—” Remus frowned— “unpleasant, bigoted, misguided, and shrewish as she was, she honestly loved Sirius’ father very deeply. And Orion felt the same way.”

Harry paled dramatically at the mention of the Blacks, and with a concerned look Remus waved his wand and the Firewhisky bottle refilled their glasses. “What is it, Harry? Surely you didn’t come all this way for a late-night history and cultural etiquette lesson.”

Harry looked pained, and suddenly the cheery warmth of Remus’ quarters were not nearly enough to pull the chill from his soul. “You knew, didn’t you Remus?” he asked, dispirited. “About Sirius?”

The werewolf’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What did I know, Harry? What are you trying to say?” he prodded gently.

“About Anna,” Harry nearly moaned.

For long moments Remus was silent. “So you’ve found out,” he sighed. “I had hoped—but with the investigation and the attack I should have known.” He shook his head. “So why have you come, Harry? Are you going to report it? You know if you do, DCWFS will take Anna away.”

Harry shook his head, confused. “Why would they do that? Haven’t Draco and Anna suffered enough? Why would they punish hir for wanting to raise hir child?”

Now it was Remus who was confused. “Because it’s blood magic, Harry. You know how the Ministry looks on that. The adoption Blood Rite isn’t illegal, but some might consider it Dark, though it’s not really. You know how the use of any blood magic is frowned on; and since it’s Draco you know they’ll find a way to make it a violation of hir probation.”

“Blood Rite adoption? What are you talking about, Remus? I just want to know how you could forgive Sirius for what he did to Draco. How could you call him your friend after that? How could I—how could I love and admire someone who was capable of that?” Harry was shouting by the end.

Remus frowned as the implications of Harry’s rambling settled, and he sat back in his chair. “I don’t know what you think you know, Harry, but I reckon it’s rather far from the truth.” He held up Harry’s glass. “Drink this and then I want you to listen very carefully, because acting without full knowledge of the situation could have disastrous results.”

Harry gulped down the amber fluid, welcoming the burn that seared his gullet. He calmed himself as best he could and nodded to Remus.

“Right, then. Eleven years ago a triarii manifested early in Slytherin and was brutally raped.” Remus silenced Harry with a look as the younger man opened his mouth. “I take it you know that. What you don’t know is that this young triarii was a friend of Draco Malfoy’s. Draco quietly arranged for this student to receive treatment and for the child to be adopted. And I understand that while the rapist was never charged because his victim was too frightened and ashamed to make a formal statement, he and Draco had a brief altercation during the war that resulted in a rather painful death.” Remus grimaced showing his teeth. “The child born of that rape is Anna, and she was adopted by a young couple desperate for a child. I cannot speak to you about what Anna endured when she manifested early, Harry, it’s not my story to tell and what I know was shared in confidence; but I will say that it’s a blessing Anna was returned to DCWFS custody and ended up at Heritage House.

“I’m sure when Draco first returned from America sie hadn’t given much thought to becoming a parent right away; sie was only twenty-two, after all, and focussed on taking over the leadership of Renaissance Foundation. But sie saw Anna at Heritage House and recognised some of her features. As triarii hirself, Draco was better equipped to understand her than many, and they were nearly inseparable right from the beginning. Draco then made a decision. Sie knew DCWFS would make it hard for hir to adopt a child, but if Anna was hir own blood progeny sie thought sie could maybe circumvent some of the lingering resentment held for the Malfoy name that was causing delays in getting custody. There is an adoption ritual, a Blood Rite that is fairly archaic. The rite produces a radical transformation in the child, destroying all signs and traces of the child’s originators, the initial biological parents, and replacing those traits with those of the adoptive parents.”

Harry closed his eyes and thought. “So Draco is Anna’s biological parent now through the Blood Rite. But shouldn’t her birth certificate have the names of her—uh—originators, then?”

Remus shook his head. “Birth certificates are magical documents, Harry. They automatically update themselves when magic has intervened. Before the rite it would have listed Anna’s originators; after the rite it would bear the names of her new biological parents.”

“But—Sirius—how did—”

Remus sat back heavily and sighed. “That would be Andromeda Tonks’ doing, Harry. Draco didn’t want the Black line to end with hir, and sie needed a second parent for Anna. Sie went to Andromeda and asked if she would help hir change Anna’s parentage. By law Tonks and I will never have children of our own,” he said sadly. “The Black lineage would have ended with Draco if Andromeda hadn’t cooperated.” Remus smirked. “What no one considered was that Andromeda hasn’t given up on the hope that Tonks and I will have children someday. She decided to use this opportunity to resurrect a line that, with Sirius’ death, had no hope of continuation.

“I don’t know when he made it for her, but Sirius had given Andromeda a blood amulet. They’re tokens of great trust and affection since the blood they contain can be used to work all sorts of magic on the giver. But Andromeda had Draco use that amulet for the adoption rite, neglecting to tell hir whose blood was preserved in it. And so Sirius became a father from beyond the Veil. There was no consent, Harry, but not in the way you thought. And honestly, Sirius wasn’t always the most ethical person; I think when it was all said and done he would have been pleased to help Anna and to have a child of his own. He’d always liked the idea of being a father but never thought he’d really have the chance. And now, wherever he is, he has a child who loves him devotedly, and some part of him lives on.”

Harry shook his head. “What Andromeda did was wrong, Remus. Draco wanted Anna to have two parents she could know, who could be involved in her life. She doesn’t have that now.”

“No, but that doesn’t mean she can’t love Sirius fully and take comfort from his memory. Just as you do with your parents. Anna’s heard all about her father from me and Andromeda and others who knew him well. It’s not easy, but she copes. And there are many people in her life who love her. Anna isn’t bereft of a family who loves her, Harry, and that’s what Draco wanted for her most of all.”

Harry scrubbed his hands through his hair. “More of magic doing the impossible,” he muttered. He looked up at Remus tiredly, blinking rapidly to keep sleep at bay. It didn’t help that he’d always been a lightweight when it came to alcohol, and he’d had more tonight than he was used to. “Doesn’t it ‘ver get to be too much, Remus?”

“Maybe.” The elder shrugged. “I learned a long time ago, Harry, to stop trying to force my understanding of magic along the lines of logic and accept that there’s more that magic can do than it can’t. But about Anna....”

“I won’ say anythin’, though I hate that Ron and Mione think Sirius capable of something so horro—horri—bad now. I hate tha’ I thought sumthin’ so awful ‘bout ‘im,” Harry promised, rubbing his eyes. “An’ I don’t understand why Draco didn’ jus’ wait ‘til after th’ adoption was approved.”

“The truth will come out at some point, Harry, and you can correct their perceptions then. It is a good lesson for all of you in not jumping to conclusions when you have insufficient facts. And since Sirius was often guilty of that himself, it’s fitting in a way that his memory be used to teach you about what not to do. Consider it a life lesson from your godfather.” Remus reached out and clasped Harry’s hand, a sign of the young Auror’s absolution. “As for the adoption.” Remus shrugged. “It might’ve been years before the adoption was approved, or it might have been never, Harry. Draco and Anna couldn’t wait; the Blood Rite adoption cannot be invoked after a child has turned ten. The magnitude of the transformation is too stressful on the body.”

Harry nodded tiredly. “Hmmm. ‘kay.”

Remus leaned over and ruffled Harry’s hair. “C’mon, pup. I think you’ve had enough shocking revelations for one night. Go on to bed. Tonks’ll switch off with Seamus in the morning so I’ll have her wake you when she comes in.”

Harry’s eyes were glazing over. “S’rry ‘bout tha—know weekends are fer yer time together....”

“True, but with the festival we’d both be pretty busy this weekend anyway,” Remus said, steering the young Auror into the guest room.

Harry had barely stripped off his robes before he fell into the bed. He was asleep just as soon as his head hit the pillow. With a fond smile and a brief shake of his head, Remus closed the door on what had been a very long and tumultuous day.


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Triarii-specific Terminology:
Vamar: Parent, usually shortened to vama, or vam
Veru: Triarii spouse


A/N: Aha! See what happens when you assume! Unethical, malicious, a braggart, and a reckless idiot, yes, but Sirius wasn’t evil. And now we know what that Resonance thing is all about! Hope you enjoyed!


Chapter 6 Review Responses
Again, thank you all for the reviews! They make me one happy camper!!

Rakel: Really? Sorry about that, hope Remus has soothed over those shocks! And Ron very much resents your remarks and would have you know that his parents were very happily married when he was born (those rumors about Bill were the fault of a bitter woman Arthur threw over for his beloved Molly). Sadly though, I can’t promise much besides more of Ron being Ron…after all he’s just trying to be a friend—loyal to the people he cares about and admires, Draco definitely isn’t counted amongst those (yet? ever?). Yay for the Poppy love though, and she’ll be making another couple of appearances down the road.

isadmalfoy: Thank you! And now you know what Resonance is. Now to see what Harry and Draco will do about it! Ron and Hermione are a bit narrow-minded, we’ll have to wait to see if they get better. They do feel bad for what they assume happened to Draco, but they’d rather not think about it. As for how they’ll react to the Resonance between Draco and Harry? Well you’ll have to keep reading to find out! *grin*

applesauce_N_soysauce: It’s always complicated, but at least there were no head-reeling inducing twists this go round. And they are getting closer, they will be closer still soon! *grin*

Omizu: More questions resolved in this one, and more twists to come. Thank you!

thrnbrooke: Couldn’t leave you broken-hearted. Hope this clears things up a bit. Anna’s story still hasn’t been told, but we’ll get to that.

PantiesAreOverrated: Thank you! More on the way!

Justmine25: Good questions, Ron isn’t really all that familiar because Dumbledore encouraged his parents to reject a lot of the “pure-blood nonsense” (i.e. knowledge) so they didn’t really raise their children with an understanding of lot of Wizarding customs or facts (remember how Ron fell for the twins’ colour-change charm in PS? A child with greater exposure to magical incantations, etc, probably wouldn’t have been taken in by that and waving his wand to turn the “stupid rat yellow”. And while Mr. Weasley knew what to expect with the veela at the World Cup, the children didn’t). Triarii, until he met some were as real to him as Crumple-Horned Snorkacks.

As for Hemione? Her reaction is a little more complicated. In principle, she’s disgusted and offended, but it's harder for her to apply those principles when confronted with a real life situation in which the victim is not a "sympathetic" person. She knows what's right and if it was anyone but Malfoy she'd be up in arms. But it is Malfoy and so she's content to offer unspoken pity and let her discomfort churn in her gut awhile (just until she manages to supress all those pesky thoughts) because eventually it'll all go away. Out of sight out of mind and she won't have to confront her own hypocrisy or disappointment in Sirius or empathy with Malfoy...she's gonna make like an ostrich on this and devote her considerable skills to making the reminder (i.e. Malfoy's presence) go away (because she reckons the faster they solve this the better it'll be for her and everyone). But don’t strangle her, I need her around for the rest of the fic! *grin* Thank you!!