A few days after hearing the story of the young American witch, Molly and Arthur sent owls to all their kids (Hermione, Fleur, and Harry included) inviting them to dinner.

All of them except Charlie, sat at the Burrow's kitchen table which Molly had extended with her wand. All the food was prepared and the family set about filling their plates.

This was the first proper family dinner since the last Easter holiday and everyone was conversing with someone else.

Molly and Arthur sat at one end and looked at each other as they waited for a lull in conversation. It didn't look as if one was coming soon and Molly was anxious to talk to them all so she took her wand and pointed at her neck and spoke.

"May your father and I have your attention?" Her voice carried just loud enough that the conversations ended and all eyes fell on her and Arthur.

Molly lowered her wand and placed it back in her robes. Suddenly the ability to speak left Molly and Arthur took over.

"A few days ago your mother and I had Patrick Anderson from the Department of International Magical Affairs over and he asked us something that we feel should be answered by the whole family."

The kids (well kids to Molly and Arthur) all looked curious. Molly spoke next.

"He asked us if we would take in a girl from the US."

The kids looked at each other to gauge their reactions. No one spoke for a few moments, until Hermione.

"How old is this girl?"

Molly looked at Arthur. He answered, "Just turned ten. Had to ask Patrick myself that just yesterday."

Next spoke George. "Why would Patrick Anderson ask you to take in an American ten year old? Did they run out of parents in America?"

Some of the others chuckled quietly. Arthur shot his son a look that said he was not at all amused but continued to speak.

"They believe the child would be better off with us in her situation. And we agree."

Now Ron spoke. "Well what is her situation?"

Molly and Arthur looked at each other again as they silently asked themselves how to answer. Finally Molly mouthed "The truth?" and Arthur responded by nodding.

They turned back to the rest of the family, and Molly addressed them.

"American aurors and the wizards taking care of her now believe she is the child of loyal Death Eaters."

As the parents expected, some of the kids gasped quietly and some shifted in their seat and fidgeted. Fleur became very interested in her spoon. Harry looked at Mr. and Mrs. Weasely.

"They think she's in danger?" Now all eyes were on Harry.

Arthur answered. "They don't know. What they do know is that this child doesn't even have a wand yet and she has the ability to disappear herself."

Ron's eyes got big. "Whoa."

George interjected. "Think she can teach me?"

Hermione, "That's amazing."

Finally Bill spoke. "Have you made your decision?" He asked his parents.

This time Molly spoke, "We're not making any decision without hearing from you."

And for the first time, Ginny spoke. "If you took her in, would she go to Hogwarts?"

Arthur looked directly at his daughter. "I don't know. I don't think any American has ever gone to Hogwarts."

"They haven't. Not even in Colonial times." Hermione added, remembering reading the answer to that very question in Hogwarts, A History.

After this the whole family discussed what they thought while they finished eating. After second helpings had been added to plates, Molly decided it was time to take a vote. But before she did she addressed Percy specifically.

"We haven't heard from you, Percy."

Percy looked up from his second pork chop. He had been doing all he could short of using magic to avoid being forced into being part of the conversation.

He took longer to chew than was natural. He had an opinion on the matter and he knew it wouldn't be popular. "I think…that if you do take this girl in you should be careful. If she is the daughter of Death Eaters she could be dangerous."

The girls looked at Percy but secretly agreed with him, there was a chance that she could be dangerous.

George however didn't agree. "Oh I think mum and dad can fend off a ten year old without a wand."

Percy was ready to answer but he was prevented by Arthur who addressed everybody. "So what do you think?"

Arguments and theoretical questions and fact throwing lasted for a good twenty minutes. At last it was decided that Arthur and Molly would take in the child, and their kids all said they would take her too so their parents could have an empty house every now and then.

The next day when Arthur was at work, he went to Harry and Ron's office in the Auror department but found it untidy and empty. They were following a lead in Liverpool and would be gone all day.

Now Arthur decided to go and look for Patrick Anderson so he headed for his office.

On the way there he passed Hermione who was wearing her Magical Law Enforcement uniform.

It was very different than the ones they wore three years ago, and it reminded Arthur of a Quidditch uniform that wasn't as baggy and not as long and more official looking.

"Hermione! Do you know what lead Harry and Ron are following?"

Hermione just blinked and Arthur realized that he made an error. Hermione's boss was not far away down the hallway.

"Oh I'm sorry Officer Granger. I'm always forgetting the new rules."

Now Hermione spoke to Arthur as she did the previous night. "I don't know what the lead is just that they Apparated to Liverpool. "

"Yes that's all I know myself. Well see you later Hermione…I mean…" Arthur trailed off, Hermione's boss called her and she had smiled and waved Arthur off.

Before he could get to Patrick's office, he found Patrick in the Atrium. Arthur jogged to catch up with him.

"Hello, Arthur. Have you found me to tell me your decision?"

Arthur's expression was one of seriousness. "Yes. Molly and I would love to take in the child."

Patrick smiled, relieved. "That's good news for all involved. I'll start making arrangements with Kingsley immediately."

Arthur smiled now. "Just one thing; what is her name?"

Patrick realized he hadn't said. "I forgot to say didn't I? It's Alexandria Deliverance Xavier. I'm told her middle name comes from a witch who was convicted of witchcraft by Muggles during the Salem Witch Trials. She's famous for escaping I'm told. Not sure about her first and surname though."

"How do they know that?"

"Oh it was explained in the letter they found with her. Imagine, they wrote all that but never said when the baby's birthday is. Even now they're not completely sure how old she is. She could very well be nearing Hogwarts age." Patrick looked at his watch. "Oh I'm sorry Arthur. I'm late for a meeting."

Arthur watched Patrick running in a hurry, and thought about having a kid and not knowing their birthday. A big booming familiar voice brought him out of his thoughts.

"Arthur!"

Arthur turned around and saw twenty witches and wizards diverting from their route to avoid Hagrid's whale sized footfalls. Hagrid didn't seem as huge as normal with his back set against the Ministry's high ceiling. Nor did he seem to notice the traffic jam of walkers that he caused.

"Hagrid! What are you doing here?"

Hagrid smiled and leaned as far as he could in an effort to keep his answer to just himself and Arthur. "'M here with Professor McGonagall on Hogwarts business. But tha' isn' all."

Hagrid leaned farther. He had his hand on Arthur's shoulder to stop himself from falling and Arthur was worried Hagrid would break his shoulder bone. "Professor McGonagall is meetin' wi' some people to discuss me case."

Arthur didn't catch on and was worried Hagrid would be offended if he didn't know what he was talking about. Luckily Hagrid didn't seem to notice and/or care.

Hagrid stayed leaning where he was at eye level with Arthur. This time Hagrid spoke as quietly as he could without whispering. "Professor McGonagall is askin' the Ministry 'f I can do magic again. She think's I 'ave a chance with Kingsley as Minister o' Magic."

Arthur smiled at the realization. "That's great Hagrid. She's right. You have a great chance. "

Professor McGonagall joined them, she knew what they were talking about. "Kingsley informed us that all that stands in the way of Hagrid's request for the ban to be lifted is the Department of Magical Appeals Committee."

Arthur noticed the doubt in her expression but kept his hopes up for Hagrid. Neither Minerva nor Arthur had the heart to tell Hagrid that the Committee rarely overturned a previous decision, even now.

The Professor realized the time. "We're nearly late for our meeting with the text book approval wizard, Hagrid."

Hagrid stopped leaning and straightened up. Both said their goodbye's and walked off. Arthur couldn't wait to get home and tell Molly everything he had learned.