Chapter 4: The Burrow
Ron introduced her to his dad and helped her in to the small car parked outside of the hospital. She had expected them to floo or apparate but Molly explained that their home isn't equipped for that so they have to drive. Which Ron whispered to her that his dad loves to do. They drove for a couple hours, Hazel staring out of the window lost in her thoughts. She replayed the past couple days and the major ones that had landed her in London to begin with. She wondered what happened to her mother, to Tony; why her Dad suddenly wanted to see her and why he had chosen this family to stow her with until he could get to her.
"We're almost there." Ron whispered to her suddenly, startling her from her thoughts. He pointed out her window and smiled. The house he pointed to was quite big in its own strange way. It had a lot of rooms but they were jutting out of the house in random places and the chimney was billowing a dark purple smoke. It was surrounded by large green fields and had a prosperous garden in front. Hazel tried to calm her nerves as the car quickly approached the residence.
"It's nicer on the inside." Ron said as the car came to a stop and Arthur killed the engine.
"I think it looks comfy." Hazel said honestly. Arthur got out of the car and started pulling Hazel's bags from the trunk while Molly went into the house and Ron came around and opened Hazel's door. She climbed out slowly, looking around and breathing in the fresh air; just as Ron shut the door behind her a mass of people poured out from the house towards them. Hazel stared at them in surprise and confusion when each one gave her a hug and welcomed her to the house. The dark haired boy from the hospital was there with the girl and they hugged her as well as two very tall twin boys and a curly-haired girl.
"This is the Weasley family!" Arthur said proudly, "With an addition of Harry and Hermione, of course." Hazel nodded, still trying to absorb all of the faces. She felt a warm hand on the small of her back and glanced to see it was Ron's. They started walking towards the house and she could feel the heat from his light touch spreading across her back.
"The twins are Fred and George, my older brothers." Ron started to explain as they all headed towards the door, "Ginny is my younger sister who's with Harry, who is my best mate. Hermione is the one with the book, always, she's my friend too." Hazel nodded. They walked into the house and stood in the door way, his hand still on her back. They watched the clutter of people for a few seconds before Hazel smiled and looked up at Ron.
"Okay, so let me see if I have this." She looked at the people bustling through the rooms, "The dark haired guy on the couch is Harry with your little sister, Ginny?" Ron nodded, "And the girl with the book is Hermione? The twins, who seem to be having too much fun," Ron laughed, "Are Fred and George?"
"Exactly," Hazel smiled, proud of herself, "Come on, I'll show you your room." They made their way through the chaos to the stairs. Hazel was shocked at how quiet everything became once they were on the steps and Ron explained it's how the house worked, that noise from one room stayed in that room so it didn't bother other people. Hazel followed him up the steps, her hand going to the throbbing in her ribs.
"You have a room to yourself but if you need anything let any of us know." He pushed open a door and went in, setting her bags on the small bed. There wasn't much to the room but the pale orange walls made it feel warm and the small window with a view to the lush garden made her smile.
"Thank you."
The day passed Hazel in a blur as the bustle of people created a calming rhythm that allowed her to run on a half-conscious mind. At the dinner table everyone sat together and served themselves happily. The conversations flowed from the Ministry to school to future plans to Quidditch, where Hazel's attention jolted into alert.
"Quidditch?" She asked to the table.
"Yeah, we are going to see Ireland and Romania next week." Harry said excitedly.
"Just the guys." Ginny corrected.
"Oh, that's cool." Hazel remarked, somewhat jealous.
"Yeah, we have great seats too!" Fred chimed. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Are you a fan?" Arthur asked Hazel.
"Yeah," Hazel said, moving her peas around her plate with her fork, "I was."
"You either are or you aren't." George shot out. Hazel looked up at him and smiled.
"Then I am. I mean, I used to play."
"Were you good?" Fred asked boldly. Molly smacked her son on his chest and Ginny shot him a glare.
"Yeah, I was okay."
"You either are or you aren't." George repeated.
Hazel smiled, "Yes, I was good." With that the table erupted in conversation, allowing Hazel to slip into her thoughts. After what seemed like hours Hazel and the others were ordered by to head upstairs and straight to bed. They all filed up the twisting staircase to their various rooms. Hazel walked ceremoniously with the others, eager for sleep.
"Hey." Ron placed a warm hand on her back again, giving her chills.
"Hey." She replied.
"Let us know if you need anything. I'm just next door and Hermione is across the hall."
"Thank you." She put a hand on her scar, the heat starting to bother.
"You okay?" He asked. She nodded and walked into the room. She shut the door gently and sank into the soft mattress, asleep before her head hit the pillow.
