When Hope Has Failed
Disclaimer: I do not own anything that comes from the wonderful world of Harry Potter, created by the amazing J.K. Rowling
Chapter Four: The Family He Left
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved." –Victor Hugo
Days after Harry's return, the Burrow was full of excitement. Mrs. Weasley insisted on having a huge dinner in honor of Harry's unexpected return and insisted that he stay with them at the Burrow. Within five days of his stay, Harry got caught up with the family and its newest members.
To begin, there were Bill and Fleur's two children; Victoire, who at three years old heard many stories of the great Harry Potter, and Dominique, who was a month away from turning two years old. Fleur was also pregnant with their third child, which to Bill's relief, was to be a boy and due sometime in December.
Percy married Audrey, who he met at the battle of Hogwarts as he helped her carry the body of her younger sister into the Great Hall. He explained to Harry that he felt it was the connection of losing a younger sibling that brought them together, sad as it may seem, it also made them stronger. They had a one year old daughter, little Molly, and pregnant with their second child and daughter, due in January.
Finally, there was George, who married Angelina, and were expecting their first child in September.
The only Weasleys who weren't married nor had children were Charlie, Ron, and Ginny. But in Ron's case, he and Hermione had a wedding coming up, which explained the disarray the Burrow was in.
All of the now married Weasley children had their own homes but would occasionally spend a night at the Burrow; like on the eve of Harry's return to the Burrow. It happened to be Percy's birthday the night before so the family had gathered for the birthday party. The only ones who had spent the night at the Burrow were; George, along with Angelina, Ron and Hermione, and Ginny, who still lived at the burrow because she didn't see the point in finding a flat or house when she was hardly ever home to begin with because of her quidditch schedule.
After meeting the rest of the Weasleys, Harry had been itching to visit Andromeda Tonks and Teddy Lupin but Mrs. Weasley had said she wanted to surprise them. Teddy was only a year old when Harry left, and he would now be five years old. Harry hated himself for missing out on Teddy's first five years but he promised himself, Remus and Tonks that he won't miss anymore years.
The night before the big dinner was to take place, Mr. Weasley pulled Harry out of the living room, where everyone else was chatting, except for Ron, Ginny, Bill and Fleur and their kids.
"So, Harry," Mr. Weasley began, looking Harry up and down. God, he's grow. He's no longer the same little boy I've grown to love as my own son,Mr. Weasley thought.
"Look, Mr. Weasley, if you want an explanation as to why I left four years ago, I'm afraid I'm not ready to share that information with you, or anyone, just yet. Please– " Harry began, thinking he knew the reason to Mr. Weasley's urge to speak with him.
"Arthur," Mr. Weasley said with a genuine smile.
"What?" Harry said, a bit taken aback.
"Arthur," repeated Mr. Weasley, "I believe we've known each other long enough for you to start calling me Arthur. Let's get rid of this whole mister nonsense. It makes me feel old and I have grandchildren for that." Mr. Weasley said as he sat down at the kitchen table, smiling up at Harry and inviting him to sit next to him.
"Okay...um...Arthur," Harry said, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Mrs. Weasley had also asked Harry to call her by her first name earlier that day, and it still felt a bit weird to do so. "Well, like I was saying– "
"Harry," Mr. Weasley interrupted, "That's not what I want to talk about."
Harry looked at him curiously, wondering if it was a trick. He did father Fred and George, they had to get their gift from someone and I doubt it was from Mrs. Weasley.Harry thought to himself.
"I understand that when you're ready, you'll come and talk to us about your reason for leaving. I'm not here to push, or pester you, into telling me anything. No tricks, I promise." Mr. Weasley said, looking Harry in the eyes, trying to let him know he was being honest.
"Thanks, Mr. Weas...I mean, Arthur." Harry said, as he looked down at his hands.
"Harry, I just want to let you know that we are all happy that you're home, where you're loved and cared for. Ron and Ginny, they're just angry. When you left, Ron felt like he lost his best friend for good. Ginny...well, Ginny was left with a broken heart and you can't really blame her for being a tad bit angry. Plus, you two didn't really leave on good terms, I mean, with that conversation you two had the day you left." Mr. Weasley said as he walked to the sink and got two glasses of water that Harry was sure wasn't there when he walked into the kitchen.
"They'll come around. May take awhile, but they'll come around. They've missed you just as much as everyone." He finished, handing Harry one of the glasses of water and sitting on the edge of the table, a lot closer to Harry.
"Thanks," Harry said, for both the glass of water and Mr. Weasley's words. "I just wish they'd stop being angry with me and give me a chance to let me back into their lives. But I understand that that's not possible. Not now anyways. Like you said, they'll come around and hopefully it'll be real soon."
"Just give it time, Harry." Mr. Weasley said as he stood up to put his empty glass in the sink. "So, how about that family of ours, growing by the minute, don't you think?" Mr. Weasley said as he walked over to Harry, patted him on the shoulder and walked into the living room which was filled with laughter.
Harry just sat there, looking out the window, staring at the night sky and it's many twinkling stars, realizing what Mr. Weasley meant by "that family of ours." And for the second time since he met the Weasleys, he felt like he had a family. The Weasleys were his family. Even if Ron and Ginny were angry at him at the moment, he knew it was just something a family had to surpass, together.
My family,Harry thought to himself as he put his glass in the sink next to Mr. Weasley's and continuing to look out at the window but this time staring at the many toys and broomsticks that lay in the yard, How could I have ever left them. They're my family.
As he looked around the kitchen, littered with more toys and many pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's grandchildren, he smiled and walked back into the living room to join in on the laughter.
