Hours after the fifth anniversary remembrance ceremony, they all returned to the Burrow and collapsed onto chairs and couches in the sitting room, many of them feeling almost as exhausted as they felt that first morning after the battle. Back then, they had no idea how emotions could exhaust them as much as adrenaline. Five years and five ceremonies later, they returned home, emotionally drained. They found spots to rest and close their eyes, some still holding back tears. Molly and Arthur retreated into the house, up to their bedroom. The children-all adults now-pretended not to notice.

Ginny glanced around the room. She looked at Bill and his family, sadness in their eyes but still enchanted by baby Dominique; Charlie seated in a chair with his head in his hands; Ron and Hermione with their hands entwined; Harry, who always looked guilty after the ceremony; Percy who had been the last to speak with Fred, sat with the family for a moment and then retreated up to his room; George and Angelina, who sat together on the couch and only recently stopped insisting they were "still just friends." It was a full house, but on the anniversary of the battle, they felt Fred's loss the most. Save for some sniffles and sighs, the room was nearly quiet.

Finally, she looked at Teddy and Victoire, who were camped in the corner with a few of George Ron's latest creations. Teddy kept looking up at the Weasleys. Ginny smiled watching him concentrate on keeping his face sad, but his eyes told another story. He was ready to laugh and play with Harry again, and every few moments he popped up from where he was sitting to see if he could laugh and play again. He'd attended enough of these ceremonies by now to know he was supposed to be sad afterwards, but he was so young, still. The enormity of his parents' sacrifice was still beyond him. Someday he'd understand, but not today. No, today, he and Victoire were small, happy children. Someday would come eventually, but not today.

Ginny launched off the couch and plopped down next to the children. She wanted to be around life after a half day of mourning. They beamed at her. "Auntie Ginny!" Victoire wrapped her arms around Ginny's neck and settled into her lap. Ginny gave her first and favorite niece a kiss on the forehead.

"Well hello there, birthday girl! I haven't talked to you all day. What are you and Teddy playing?"

"Nothing. Daddy took my frisbee." She pouted and crossed her arms, and Ginny noted that when she pouted, she bore and especially strong resemblance to Fleur.

"Her frisbee nearly took off my ear this morning," Bill spoke from across the room. "If it had got me, I'd have lost an ear and looked like George. People would start thinking our ears start falling off before we turn thirty."

Charlie raised his head for the first time, chuckling. "You don't want to know how many times I've nearly had my ears singed off by pissed off Horntails. Can you imagine that? They could call us the One-Eared Weasleys."

It was the much-needed break of laughter the room needed. Bill looked to Ron. "What about you, Ron? Fancy joining us? I'm sure George could arrange a little "accident" in the shop."

Ron called from the couch, "Sod off. I'll keep both ears, thanks. I've barely just grown back my fingernails and my eyebrow. I'm keeping my ears, you gits."

"Don't tempt me, Ron." George wiggled his eyebrows at Ron and mimed cutting off his ear with his wand, which earned him a throw pillow to the face from Rom.

Ginny smiled. "You know, I came close with a bludger from McManus in our last match versus Lancashire. I'd better keep my wits about me more often or I'll start looking like you lot, one ear and all."

George smiled and Ginny saw him slyly reach for his wand. She was too quick for him-again-and cast her infamous bat-bogey hex. It had been years since she needed it, but it felt good to cast it again. For just a moment, nothing had changed and the past five years were nearly forgotten. There was riotous laughter from her siblings and their spouses, and George swore up and down, trying to control his language in the presence of the children. Victoire and Teddy exploded in laughter and started jumping up and down. After the bat-bogeys stopped and George had reclaimed his composure, Molly entered the sitting room. Her eyes were red, but her voice was steady.

"Okay. Who's ready for lunch?"

Not a moment later, Percy emerged from his bedroom. It was Bill who spoke to him first. "C'mon on, Perce. Slice off your ear and join the rest of us. We've gotten quite used to it on George, it doesn't look half bad."

Percy's face displayed a mixture of confusion and disgust. "What? No."

He looked then at his mother, shoulders back. "I, er, I'll be right back. I've got to pop out and pick something up. Back in a bit." He was marching quickly toward the door when Molly stopped him.

"Percy, it's nearly time for lunch! Whatever it is can wait."

"I'll be back in a bit. You'll barely notice I'm missing, Mum."

On May 2nd, Molly liked to have her children close. Percy knew this, and returned to his mother and gave her a long hug. He spoke next, quietly.

"I've just got to to out for a few moments, Mum. I've got to pick something up. I'll be back in a few moments in plenty of time for lunch. I promise."

Molly pursed her lips and nodded in understanding. She didn't like it, but she was never in the mood to bicker on the anniversary. Percy left the house and seconds later they heard him Apparate away. She turned toward the room, her eyes landing on the children.

"All right then! Who is going to help me fix up lunch now?" The children leapt to their feet and raced toward her, begging her to pick them to help (as though she'd really choose between them.) She picked up Victoire and held her on her hip, whisking them both out of the kitchen. "Well then! Aren't I a lucky one? Two of my favorite children to help me in the kitchen! Miss Victoire, would you like to help me sample the frosting for your cake?

As George and Angelina stood to escape into the kitchen, George looked at Bill.

"It doesn't look half bad? Half? That's it?" He shook his head. "Clearly, I've taught you nothing."