Chapter Text
Cyrus was walking at a brisk pace to catch the Ministry’s elevator. She was wearing her typical wizarding battle robes in a silky dark blue color. She had her arm guards, vest, battle pants and dragonhide boots, topped off with her wizarding robe of the same color. The wizarding robe served almost like a cape across her collarbones and shoulders with an attached hoodie, which she had on to avoid the eyes of Ministry employees. She also always carried an extendable bag at her hip. She had a meeting with Kingsley Shaklebolt, the Minister of Magic, and she hated to be late. Punctuality, unfortunately, was something she learned from Aunt Petunia. She checked her silver Razr for the time. It was 9:40am. Her meeting was at 10am. She managed to squeeze into the doors as they were closing and a familiar voice called out to her.
“Oh sorry! Didn’t realize someone was trying to catch the elevator.” said a familiar kind voice.
Cyrus clicked the level she was headed to. She turned to the speaker and realized she came face to face with Arthur Weasley. Cyrus studied Arthur. He seemed to have lost weight, looked more fit than the last time she saw him. His posture reflected that. But what caught her attention were his eyes. They were haunted, he had bags underneath and his very presence reflected a sad countenance. And then it hit her and her stomach grew heavy at the thought. Molly Weasley was gone. Gone during the Battle of Hogwarts. Cyrus’ mouth tasted like lead, a flash back to the Battle and her ineptitude to prevent Molly Weasley’s death came to the forefront. She closed her eyes briefly to gather her thoughts and she realized Arthur was staring at her. Cyrus realized her hood was still covering her face. She proceeded to lower it and her green gaze locked with Arthur’s blue eyes. He seemed shocked, as if seeing a ghost. “Cyrus?” Arthur asked hesitantly. Cyrus tilted her head in slight confusion with a bit of mirth in her tone.
“If I recall correctly, Cyrus Potter was my name last time I checked.” Cyrus threw a hesitant smile towards Arthur. He seemed a bit dazed but returned Cyrus’s smile. “Are you alright? Seems like you saw a ghost or something.” Something in Arthur’s expression, made Cyrus realize that he really did think she was dead. “Wait, did you think I was dead or something? I’ve been out of the country for the past 7 years. I left immediately after the Battle of Hogwarts. I shouldn’t really be surprised. This would happen to me.” Cyrus released an exasperated sigh. Cyrus glanced at Arthur and she realized she hit that assumption on the head. Cyrus then started to laugh, a deep belly laugh. “Oh my god! I’m sorry. I am not laughing at you, but the situation. I cant believe it! I thought you all knew I was in Germany.” Cyrus then mumbled, “But then again, I didn’t really reach out to anyone.” Cyrus’ eyes were alight with amusement, disbelief and confusion. “I know it seems odd to laugh at my supposed death, but I never realized the extent of what people may think of my absence. But I can confirm, I am very much alive and kicking.” Cyrus still let out small chuckles and turned towards Arthur who was still staring at her, as if not believing her existence. Cyrus then softly but firmly addressed Arthur. “Mr. Weasley, no… Arthur, my name is Cyrus Potter. Harry’s and I godfather was an animagus, who we called Snuffles. Also, on the night of when there were three of me and four of Harry, I was paired with you.” During Cyrus’ identity check, Arthur finally snapped out his shock and seemed to radiate intense relief. Weird. Cyrus then realized her floor was approaching. “I’m sorry, Arthur, it looks like this is my stop, however it seems I need to catch up with current news here in the Ministry of Magic, if friends and family in the UK think I’m dead.” Cyrus then directed a warm smile towards him. “It seems I have some people to track for not telling me of my unknown demise. Take care of yourself and I’ll see you around.”
Cyrus then waved at Arthur and she noticed that he still looked a bit spooked. She then stepped off the elevator and continued to make her way to Kingsley’s office. She checked the time again, it was 9:46am. She didn’t realize how long the elevator ride was. She approached Percy Weasley, who is the current Undersecretary. His office was situated across Kingsley’s office. He keeps an open door policy, which Cyrus always found weird, but Percy has always been odd. He looked up and fixed his glasses, as he heard Cyrus approach. He noticed my presence and glare and asked “What bothers you now?” As he continued to work on his paperwork.
“Care to tell me why people think I am dead?! I just ran into your Father and he looked at me as if I rose from the BLOODY dead, Percy. I would at least think, you would mention my name in passing, but god damnit, I had no idea” Cyrus then threw herself into the seat in front of Percy’s desk and began to brood. But then Cyrus let out a sigh, “I.. I also forgot about your mum.” Cyrus noticed Percy stopped working and looked at her. She caught his gaze and said “I don’t know if I ever offered my condolences, Perce. I am sorry about your mum. As you know, I wasn’t present during the funerals. I just left with Hermione right after everything was over, and I realized that wasn’t the smartest thing to do. But it is what it is.” Percy let out a loud sigh.
“Honestly, Cyrus, stop your wallowing, its annoying.” Cyrus huffed at that, but she managed a small smile.
“Thanks Perce, you always know how to cheer me up with your bloody dry personality. My time at the Ministry would be boring without you.” Percy just gave her a blank stare and continued to work on his paperwork. A few minutes passed and Cyrus was lost in thought, but then Percy cleared his throat. Cyrus glanced at him waiting for him to speak up.
“I should warn you, even if I am not supposed to.” Percy glanced out the door and didn’t notice anyone. He then glanced at Cyrus, who straightened in her seat. “The Ministry has been monitoring birth rates since the war ended and the recovery is taking too long. The Wizengamot will be implementing a Marriage Law relatively soon and I thought I should warn you, before speaking to the Minister.” Percy then looked satisfied with his forewarning and proceeded to continue his work. Cyrus was shocked into silence. Her jaw dropped at some point during Percy’s warning. Bloody fucking great. Her first month back in the UK and already the Ministry is subjecting her to their idiotic ideas. Cyrus could feel her magic begin to stir as she grew more and more angry. And she knows. She bloody fucking knows, she won’t be excluded, due to being a Potter. She tried to calm her thoughts, occlude her mind, but damnit she was slipping and she didn’t want to lash out on Percy, even if his warning lacked any sympathy, the git.
“Percy, thanks.” Cyrus stood up and glanced at Percy’s clock on the wall, it was 9:55am. Her meeting was in five minutes, and my god, if Percy’s warning was correct, she could only imagine the conversation Kingsley wanted to have with her. She then stepped into the hallway and glanced at Kingley’s assistant, Cho Chang. Bloody hell. Cho was staring at her. Cyrus then realized, she wasn’t wearing her hood, which she always did when she visited Kingsley. And now she knew, news of her existence would travel through the Ministry like wild fire. She then turned and started pacing in front of Kingsley’s office, not caring who saw her.
A MARRIAGE LAW!!! The nerve of those bloody geezers. They have nothing else to do but subject those younger than them. The Marriage Law will probably not even affect them due to their fucking ages and power status. Fuck. “Do I have time to rescind my job title as the Head of the UK IA Branch?” Cyrus glanced at the hallway prepping for her escape and thinking of ways to get back at the Wizengamot that made Harry’s and her life a living hell during their youth. As she made up her mind to flee the Ministry and even the UK, Kingsley’s office door opened as if he knew of her plans. Cyrus stopped her pacing and observed Head Auror Gawain Robards exit Kingsley’s office door, followed by Kingsley himself. They exchanged pleasantries, which Cyrus tuned out and continued to stare, more likely glare at them. Cyrus was never a fan of Head Auror Robards. Cyrus met him in passing during a mission. She was undercover and he was a fucking prick. Thought himself better than Cyrus’ team, which her team could run circles around that guy. Robbards then started walking towards Cyrus, a look a brief shock crossed his face, but he schooled his features quickly. As he passed Cyrus, she didn’t acknowledge his presence and Cyrus began to approach Kingsley. Kingsley then began talking to Cho regarding his schedule and glanced at her direction.
“Cyrus! Good to see you. I see you are prompt as always. Come into my office. Can I offer you any tea or coffee?” He then glanced at Cho and told her “Cho, please don’t let anyone disturb me during this meeting.” Kingsley then followed behind Cyrus into his office. Cyrus heard him close his office door. Cyrus took the seat to her left and he sat at his desk. He noticed her silence.
“Is something the matter? You don’t want any tea?” He gestured towards his left. Cyrus glanced at that direction and noticed a fully stocked tea station. Cyrus shook her head no.
“Can we just start this meeting? I have pressing matters to attend to.” Maybe he wouldn’t mention the Marriage Law and Cyrus can still flee. Maybe fate was on her side this time. But then Cyrus noticed Kingsley’s serious face and Cyrus knew, he was going to mention it to her. So here, Cyrus sat resigned and listened to Kingsley rattle on about her involvement in the Marriage Law.
“The Ministry has been monitoring birth rates after the war. We are not recovering as fast as we would like. So the Wizengamot has passed a Marriage Law, effective tomorrow. The Ministry will match a witch and wizard in order to reproduce at least two children per couple in the next 3 to 5 years. The law will not target those already married, but the single wizarding folk. Given that you are not married or seeing anyone, you will be part of the law, Cyrus. I tried to exclude you given, you haven’t lived in the UK for the past few years, but the Wizengamot wouldn’t budge, considering the Potter name.” Cyrus made a face when Kingsley mentioned her last name. Cyrus was seething and at a loss of words. Thinking that all her hard work is currently backfiring on her due to being forced to marry a man, she had no romantic feelings for. Cyrus then realized Kingsley was still talking, so she tuned back in.
“I understand your professional position, which ranks just below the Minister of Magic, so I have pulled some strings to give you a choice to select your future husband, before the matches are mailed out tomorrow.” Kingsley, then stood and approached the filing cabinet to his right. He muttered his password and took out 5 folders. He then approached Cyrus and handed her the files. Cyrus was on autopilot and took them from him. He then sat back down at his desk and proceeded to explain what was in her hands.
“I am giving you the option to choose your future husband, Cyrus. I know it isn’t much, but this is the best I can do. My hands are tied.” Kingsley did sound apologetic, and Cyrus was morbidly curious who she was paired with. She opened the first file to see. Wait, she closed it and looked up at Kingsley, he was watching her intently. She then proceeded once again to look at the name in her hands.
“Gregory Goyle…… Are you fucking kidding me?!!! He is the last person I would ever marry. Wait, if he is the first person on this list, I am almost frightened to see who else is here.” Cyrus felt nauseous and she could almost feel her breakfast at the back of her throat. No way. No fucking way. She wasn’t marrying Goyle! Cyrus then proceeded to burn Goyle’s folder with a wandless incendio. She then opened her second folder and she starred at the name. It was Cormac McLaggen. Cyrus burned it immediately. The third folder contained Ernie Macmillan. Cyrus had no recollection of that boy. So she burned the folder. The fourth folder contained Marcus Flint. Bloody fuck. All these men are terrible. No way in hell is she marrying Marcus Fucking Flint. She burned it. She noticed Kingsley was still staring at her but his expression more grave, as if waiting for the final bomb to drop. She was just tempted to burn the last one and flee. This was ridiculous, she thought. She internally sighed and composed herself. She then proceeded to open the last folder and saw a name she never expected.
Arthur Weasley.