A/N: Just a mini-update. I know it's not much, but hopefully it's enjoyable. PLEASE review...

The next morning, all seven Weasley children went down to breakfast together. Usually they came down as they woke, but for some reason they were all together today. Before they entered the kitchen, Percy coaxed them all into a group hug. Really it was something that he needed, but that didn't mean they wouldn't all benefit. "I missed you guys," Percy muttered. "Good. You should ache with missing and guilt and disbelief about how completely and utterly stupid you were for leaving," Ron replied. "You forgot arrogant, pig-headed, asinine, and ashamed." Ginny wasn't letting Percy off the hook so easily. "I can't believe Dad decided not to spank you for leaving," Fred said incredulously. "Yes, it would have been nice to know you were given a physical reminder of what a colossal ass-hat you were," George agreed. "I can promise you, Georgie, the emotional one will suffice. Not to mention the verbal ones I'm bound to hear from you lot for years to come," Percy answered. "At least one decade," Charlie grinned. "Perhaps two," Bill teased. Percy groaned and chuckled. They all nuzzled close one more time. "I'm sorry, guys. There was never a moment that I didn't love all of you." "We know and you should have remembered that," Ginny answered. "I do now."

Molly was glad to see all seven of her children enter the kitchen together. They were laughing and nudging each other. Fred seemed just a touch held back with Bill, but George didn't seem to have any problem. Breakfast went on as normal. The Weasleys talked about anything new since the last time they'd been together. It pleased Molly to have a meal as a family, but she knew the upcoming discussion would be a difficult one. Once the food was eaten and the mess was magic-ed away, they returned to the table to have coffee and discuss. Mr. Weasley, of course, was the first to speak. "Let's start where your mum and I left," he suggested. "I made Percy show his bottom and discovered that I had left a blister when I belt-spanked him yesterday. Bill allowed that to slide in exchange for my promise that he would be the only one object-spanking aside from you," Charlie began. "After Charlie made that promise I figured it would be wise to speak up about having object-spanked Ron last week. I admitted to strapping him," George spoke up. "He did it because he and Fred witnessed me slapping Heromine," Ron put in. "I checked Ron's marks and sent the four youngest upstairs. Percy, Charlie and I discussed and then I called for George. Fred wasn't happy with me," Bill finished.

"Fred, am I to understand that you aimed to bait Bill into spanking you?" asked Mr. Weasley. "I'm not certain what I aimed to do, Father. I was determined to give Bill a piece of my mind and to hell if I got spanked in the process," Fred replied. "You disagree with my rule of having to receive it before being able to give it?" questioned Mr. Weasley. "I just feel that George did what he had to. And I would have done it if he hadn't. It's not so much that I disagree with the rule; more that I feel this should have been an exception." "Let me say this loud and clear: Bill and Charlie are the only ones authorized to object-spank with anything more severe than a belt. And at this moment Charlie has been sanctioned on that. All this being said, Georgie, you made a judgment call. I understand why you did so and had you been strapped previously it would have been let go. However, I have to uphold Bill's decision on this one. The receive-give rule stands, loves. George, do you understand why?" "Yes and had I known what it was to be strapped I would have waited for Bill or Charlie. The rule is a good one, Father, even if I had to learn that the hard way." Mr. Weasley hugged George and kissed his forehead.

The children wisely began to scatter. Mrs. Weasley went out to tend her garden and soon it was only Bill and Mr. Weasley remaining at the table. "They are almost as hard to give as they are to receive, love." Bill ran his hand through his hair. "Part of me wants to bring them to you every time. I'm not certain I want the responsibility, but there are always those moments where I can't help it; I have to teach them." Mr. Weasley smiled. "I hear you, baby. There isn't an easy answer. It's often hard to teach, but know that you make a difference with them, Bill. They know to look to you for guidance," Mr. Weasley reassured. "What if I'm not up to giving it, Father?" "You can bring them to me any time you need to, Bill. Don't be afraid to let them know when you don't have the answer. It's important that they know everyone has limits." Bill chuckled. "You're asking me to surrender my God status?" he joked. Mr. Weasley chuckled. "They will always put you on a pedestal, Bill. You're the oldest and they learn from you." "Damn, sometimes I worry about them so much, Dad." "Bill, love, don't let it get to you. You've earned the right to live your life anywhere you choose. It's good that you care for them when you're together, but your mother and I have had plenty of time to learn how to raise kids, babe. We'll always be there for them. And you," Arthur promised.

That afternoon, Mrs. Weasley needed some things from Diagon Alley. She asked Mr. Weasley to accompany her. "Try to spend some good, quality time with each other while we are gone, loves." The 7 children nodded to their mother before watching their parents disappear into the fire. "Percy, love, you'd best get comfortable. Time to take what you're due," Charlie grinned. "Have at it, Ginny, but don't abuse the language." The next half an hour was filled with Percy hearing exactly what each of his siblings thought of his absence. Ginny was both the first and the last to speak. "You selfish, spoiled, rotten, ungrateful, moronic pig! The only thing worse than you walking out that door is the fact that I love you anyways," she lamented. And then she was in his arms, tears soaking his collar. Ginny did not sob or squeal, but she did cling tightly to Percy. "Shhh… Gin-Gin, don't cry. I'm sorry, pretty girl. I'm here and I'll never leave again, I promise." "Bloody hell, I have 6 older brothers and you tried to make it 5!" Bill reached out and put his hand on Ginny's back. "One," he said. "Two," Charlie added his hand. "Three," Percy rubbed her back. "Four," Fred stroked her hair. "Five," George kissed her temple. "Six," Ron finished as he squeezed her hand. "We love you, Ginny," Percy said. "I love you, too, you big bunch of good-for-nothings."

Ron was sorting through the last of the clothes in his trunk when Bill knocked on his little brother's door. "You want to tell me what happened with Heromine?" "It's like I said. We were arguing and it just got out of control," Ron shrugged. "And when you made up with her?" "I just apologized a lot and tried to offer any explanation I could. I did get down on my knees and beg her to forgive me. She accepted my apology and told me it was almost worth it just to see George spank me like a child," Ron smiled. "Did you tell her he strapped you?" Bill demanded. "I told her that he did spank me and that what she saw was just the beginning of it. I didn't want to explain the different degrees and how strapping is the most severe. I don't know that it would have made a difference to her," Ron replied. "Ronnie, sweetheart, what could have possessed you to raise your hand to a woman that way?" "Extreme anger and a momentary lapse of control that George's strapping has permanently squashed," Ron answered softly. "It's unlike anything else in the world, yes?" Bill asked. "I know that I earned it, but it was awful. I never want to go through it again," Ron replied. "None of us do, babe." "I can't imagine doing that to Ginny." "I don't see why you'd have to. Odds are that between myself, Dad, Charlie, and now George, the task will not fall to you should the need ever arise." "You have no idea how comforting that actually is, Bill." Ron hugged his oldest brother.