"This is Charlie, Percy, Fred + George… sorry George + Fred… oh will you two STOP it, and Ronald and this, this is Ginny! Our Bill, he's currently attending his first year at Hogwarts, we are SO proud." Remus coughed back a laugh as Violet and Sirius' mouths hung agape, their eyes scanning over the six red haired children in front of them. Harry, who was sat on Remus' lap, kept prodding him and shouting, rather loudly, 'REMMY!' His green eyes, so like Lily's, staring at him with glee.
"Molly, there's so…" Violet started, her usual perfect sway hit by the fact that there was so many children. Arthur and Molly chuckled.
"So many, I know dear, I love them all the same and wouldn't have it any other way." Violet just nodded, quite quickly. Sirius, who was used to a large family considering his own had many branches, just whimpered, much to Harry's delight and he screamed "DOGGIE!" His little chubby hands flew around the place as he climbed down from Remus and ran over to hug Sirius' legs. Sirius plastered a goofy grin onto his elegant face and turned round to Molly.
"You don't mind do you Molls? It's just, he likes Padfoot!" Molly just beamed and excused herself from the room. And on that note, Sirius transformed.
Violet shook her head, laughing at Padfoot who bounded around the living room of the Weasley's being chased by Fred + George, Charlie and Harry who was trying to keep up.
Percy had decided to leave out the childish antics and sit next to Remus and discuss what books he was finding interesting.
Ginny, who was only a couple of months old sat in her father's lap, the small tufts of ginger hair being played with by the proud man.
"Spider?" Violet looked down to see the chocolate covered face of Ronald Weasley. Violet looked around for help, only to see Fred... or George grinning at her.
"Don't worry, he seems to like Spiders, but we'll soon get him out of it," he cried earning a small snort from Violet. She looked back to the blue eyed small boy and smiled a smile that could only be described as motherly. She was about to pick him up when Harry came stumbling over, tears streaming down his little red face.
"Hey there baby, what's up?" Violet asked, scooping her nephew up on her arms. He sniffed and buried his face in her long hair. She hushed him and stroked his back whilst looking round for anyone to tell her something. Luckily Charlie came forth and said it all.
"He called Sirius Dada."
Sirius looked out at the serene landscape around the Burrow. It was hard to see why a war could be happening in a world so calm and picturesque. He rubbed his forehead and sat down on the old bench outside the house, listening to the lively talk inside. Why he had shouted, he didn't know, maybe because he couldn't take the privilege of Harry calling someone Dada away from James. He just couldn't.
"Room for two more?" He looked up to see Violet and Harry. The little boys face was red and damp and Sirius suddenly hated himself. He shouldn't have put his priorities before Harry's; it was his problems not the little boys. He shifted on the garden bench and frowned.
"Come here Hazza P" Sirius cooed, spreading his arms to the small child. Harry almost immediately ran into the open arms of his godfather. Violet bit her lip and smiled, sitting down next to them. "Merlin, Harry, I'm sorry kiddo, I didn't mean to shout!" Harry frowned, pouting his lower lip out, very much like Violet did.
"Sirius isn't your daddy sugar." Violet said, playing with the little buttons on Harry's tiny coat.
"Mama?" Harry pointed to Violet who squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. This made the little boy start to sniff.
"Mama and Dada are with the angels now Baby." Sirius nodded in agreement to this. His rough hands clasped together, sometimes coming out to tug his robe closer around him. Neither of them had changed since the burial. The little boy, who was only a year old couldn't possibly understand them, could he?
"Violet dear, Sirius! The food's ready!" Violet let out a sharp breath and made her way up to the Burrow, trailed by Sirius who was carrying Harry. Suddenly, the latter let out a squeal of delight at what met his eyes.
Food. Loads and loads of food were piled up on the long wooden table. Violet's nearly exploded at the thought of eating it all of the heavenly looking homemade food in front of her.
Sirius seemed to be facing the same issue as his long tongue had lolled out of his mouth and was hanging there.
"Padfoot, close your mouth, you'll catch flies!" Laughter sprung across the table at Remus' remark. Violet shook her head and placed Harry in the high chair next to Ron who had already stuffed as much as he could into his mouth. Sirius sat down on Harry's other side meaning Violet had to sit on Remus' left, opposite Sirius and next to the head of the table, Arthur.
"Well dig in!" Chatter zoomed around the crowded room as all of its inhabitants tucked into a marvellous shepherd's pie. Violet was taking out of her conversation with Remus and Fred by Arthur.
"How's work doing for you Violet?" he asked occasionally glancing up at Fred and George to see what they were up to.
"Oh work! Completely forgotten about it… um, it's going well, I'm still new to the job but I've got to do a report on whether to take action against the Chinese government for exporting…" She seemed to be rambling on but Arthur was enjoying it and nine year old Charlie's eyes lit up when Violet mentioned how the Chinese had been illegally exporting Chinese Fireball dragon eggs to a dangerous wizard.
Sirius, on the other side of the table pulled faces at her and played with her feet. They locked eyes and both raised their eyebrows. Sirius mouthed 'game on' to which Violet grinned menacingly at.
After a rather vicious game of footsies, Violet turned back to Arthur who was giving her a knowing look.
"Have you ever met a Muggle before Violet?" Violet smirked. She knew full well of Arthur Weasley's slight obsession with the Muggle world.
"Um, yes I have actually. I had to stand on behalf on one in the Wizengamot when she came into contact with a dark wizard from Spain… you know it's hard working for The Department of International Magical Co-operation let alone the International Magical Office of Law!" Arthur's eyes shone like that of a child's at Christmas.
"Fascinating, now, do pray tell, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?" A chorus of 'DAD' and 'ARTHUR' shot across the table.
"Oh Arthur, stop harassing the poor girl! She's been through enough!" Molly smiled tentatively at the younger witch and then put her hands on her hips. "Look at the time! It's already seven pm on the first day of November! Off to bed you lot, Fred, George, Percy! You too Ronald! And Charlie, go read." While Mr and Mrs Weasley were sorting out their rowdy children, Remus took time to look at Violet and Sirius, he blinked.
"It's only been a day and I miss them…" The other two nodded, Violet proceeding to place her head on Remus' shoulder. Sirius who was holding a sleepy Harry was staring at an empty goblet in front of him. The three adults stayed like that until a very dazed looking Molly Weasley came flurrying back into the room, her ginger hair a mess from what was most likely trying to get the twins to bed.
"Violet!" She called as she made her way to the dishes. "You don't mind helping, do you?" Violet shook her head and ushered the two men and the sleeping babe into the living room where Arthur was sitting. Violet then went back to Molly and grabbed the nearest tea towel. As she was drying, Molly started up a conversation.
"How are you coping dear, I know it's only been… how are you going to manage looking after the boy?" Violet shrugged rather childishly, finishing off drying an old goblet supporting Gryffindor colours.
"Molly, to be honest, I have no idea. Remus wants to help but I feel bad because of his condition and it's unfair on him. I can't let Sirius out of the house in fear he might do something stupid so that's that but he can't stay cooped up for too long! Oh Molly, it's just too tiring thinking about it all!" Molly smiled and put down the dish she was washing.
"When was your last holiday Violet Potter?" She asked her motherly tone still evident.
"Er… I've never taken one, I've only been in the job for two years, and I've never had the time for one…"
"Then that's it, you either take a holiday leave or maternity leave!" Violet's perfectly sculptured eyebrow shot up.
"Molly… I can't just take off six months off work!"
"You bloody well can! You're raising the boy who lived! For all that is good, you've been through hell, you deserve it!" Molly, in all her flurried state hadn't noticed the small figure that had crept into the room.
"Bloody Hell?" Molly swivelled round to see the wide eyed Ron. Violet coughed and snickered as the boy was led off by the fuming mother.
"Be right back dear!" Violet walked into the front room and saw Sirius and Remus looking ready to leave.
"Molly, I think it's time we leave!" Molly suddenly popped back, her smile as great as ever.
"Of course dear! Come back anytime, and we'd love to babysit for the angel." Molly cooed as she admired Harry in his sleeping form. Mr Weasley came over and shook both Remus and Sirius' hands; he then swung his arm over his wife's shoulder.
"Tara kids! Stay safe, and make sure you come to the next Order meeting." Violet then took both of her friends hands and whilst carrying Harry, dispparated.
The Potter Manor was oh so quiet when they arrived. It looked untouched, it's elegancy still there and it's downstairs lights on.
"I told the house elves to turn the lights on when we arrive." Sirius stated. Violet nodded and handed the sleeping baby to Remus. She then turned round to the street in front of the house, it was deserted.
"You boys go on and put Harry to bed. I'm just going to put up some enchantments. I'll go see Harry when I'm done."
Once they had gone, she whipped her wand out from the side of her robes and chanted the spells.
"Protego Totalum… Salvio Hexia… Repello Inimigotum… Protego Maxima…"
"Hey…" Remus looked up to see Violet, looking completely drenched and rather annoyed.
"Hey… did it start…?"
"YES, REMUS, IT STARTED RAINING WHILST I WAS OUT THERE!" He chuckled as Violet stripped off her outer robe and slumped down into the armchair near Remus. She looked worn out and her usual happy face was sad and depressed.
"What enchantments did you put up?" He asked, closing his book and placing it on the armrest.
"Oh just the usual, I couldn't bare to use the Fidelius Charm because of… and I just…" Remus nodded, he knew that the only people Violet could truly trust were currently in this house. There was of course Dumbledore but, Remus knew it was safer for the three of them to stick together.
"Did you hear about the Longbotttom's?" Violet shook her head, her hazel eyes suddenly becoming alert. "Alice and Frank were attacked last night, they're in St. Mungo's… their boy, Neville, and I think he's with his grandmother." Violet sighed and tilted her head. Neville was her godson, she had to see him.
"I'll see him tomorrow on my way back from work; I need to ask for leave, do you mind looking after him?" Remus smiled slightly.
"Anything, I'm sure Sirius and I can entertain the little fella!" Violet grinned and stood up. She then bent over to kiss Remus on the cheek.
"Night Moony," she called as she made her way out of the room and up the grand staircase. The portraits of her ancestors snoring lightly as she went past them, a few, like her grandfather mumbling about turning out the light.
Once she was on the landing, she moved down the regal hallway to the second room on the left, Harry's.
Inside, a small light was on and in the crib was the sleeping Harry Potter, his little chest moving up and down as he breathed. Violet then bent down to the cribs level, her eyes scanning over his little body.
"Harry, you were loved, so loved. Harry, Mama loves you. Dada loves you. Harry, be safe, be strong." Somehow, she felt as though someone else had said these words to the sleeping baby.
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