Chapter 4: The Burrow

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Harry Potter. Shame. Wish I did though. Brilliant Stuff.

The Weasleys back garden was crowded. All six of the Weasley children, and Mr and Mrs Weasley were in the back garden, with Hermione and her Parents, Andromeda, Teddy, Harry and Hagrid.

"To Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny," called Mrs Weasley when everyone had drinks in their hands, "Fresh out of Hogwarts!"

"Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny!" the congregation cheered, raising their glasses to the four.

"So what's next for you four?" Bill asked, as they sat down outside, at the table, which was groaning at the weight of food on it.

"Well," Hermione said, "I'm still not sure. I have been thinking about what Scrimgeour said when he game to give us the things Dumbledore left us in his will."

"And what was that dear?" Mr Granger asked, looking at his daughter.

"A career in Magical Law," Hermione said, shrugging, "But I don't know whether I took the right subjects for it."

"I'll get you a leaflet on it, Hermione," Mr Weasley said, polishing his glasses, "I don't think there is actually a lot you can take for it. Hogwarts don't do Law courses. You might have to do some training. But I'll get you a leaflet anyway."

"Thanks Mr Weasley," Hermione said beaming.

"What about you, Ginny?" Mrs Weasley asked, surveying her only daughter, from over all the food.

"I dunno," Ginny said, shrugging, "the last Quidditch game I played, a scout left a card with Professor McGonagall."

"You never said!" Mrs Weasley said astonished.

"Which team?" Charlie asked, leaning forward, interested.

"The Holyhead Harpies," Ginny said blushing, as her brothers started at her in astonishment.

"The Holyhead Harpies!" George exclaimed, as everyone else looked impressed, "you got asked to try out for the HOLYHEAD HARPIES!!!"

"Ok, ok, George," Mr Weasley said, "Keep it down."

"Yeah, I think there were a couple of wizards in Australia that didn't hear you," Percy said.

"I mean," Ginny carried on, as if George hadn't just shouted it out, "I was thinking of trying out, but if I don't get in, I can always find something else to do. Quite liked the idea of Teaching." Here she shot a glance at Harry, who looked impressed.

"You could be a healer," Bill said, leaning back, with his hand on Fleur's back, "You took the right subjects."

"I don't know," Ginny said, shrugging, "I'll have a think."

"What about you boys?" Andromeda asked, looking at Harry and Ron.

"Well," Harry said, honestly, "I quite like the idea of being an Auror. It's the only thing I really thought of doing."

"It's a good job," Mr Weasley volunteered, "And I'm sure that department would love to have you Harry. I think they're after some new people. Been recruiting most of this year, but people are a bit unenthusiastic about it. They maintain that now, You-Know-Who's dead that there are very few Dark Wizards about."

"Doesn't mean that their aren't, of course," Bill said, seeing Harry's face, "But they may use you as a recruiting tool."

"I'll see if I can get you a meeting to see Simkins," Mr Weasley said, looking at Harry, "He's a good chap. Knows what he's doing."

"Thanks Mr Weasley," Harry said, giving his a fleeting smile, and dropping into deep thought.

"What about you Ron?" Percy asked, his youngest brother.

"I dunno," Ron said shrugging and spearing a potato on the end of his fork, "Quite liked the idea of being an Auror too."

"There's not harm in that," Andromeda said smiling, "Can never have enough protection." She bounced Teddy on her knee as she spoke.

"Don't know that I'm cut out for it though, after what happened last year," Ron said moodily, shooting covert glances at Harry and Hermione.

"Well," Mrs Weasley said happily, "We can always find you something else, if you don't want to be an Auror, Ron dear."

"Plenty of time for everythin'," Hagrid said smiling at them, "Yeh have no need to decide hastily. All in good time."

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Hagrid," Mr Weasley said smiling, "Now lets eat. Molly this looks delicious."

"You never mentioned the scout," Harry said, lightly to Ginny as they tucked into Mrs Weasley's feast.

"Sorry," Ginny said smiling, "I was so busy, studying, that it just slipped my mind."

"No matter," Harry said, through a mouth full of potato.

"You could always try out for a Quidditch team," Ginny said, thoughtfully, "I mean you were the youngest Quidditch player in a century."

Harry grinned, "Who would take me though?"

"Lots of teams," Ginny said smiling, "You're the Boy Who Lived."

"Don't," Harry said, "And anyway, the way I seem to attract trouble, I'll spend most of my time in St Mungos." He laughed.

"Being an Auror, you probably will anyway," Bill said, from across the table, grinning at Harry.

"It's not the safest of jobs," Charlie added, smiling.

"Well, neither is yours," George said, smirking at Charlie.

The rest of the meal was taken over with conversation about anything anybody could think of. Mr Weasley was talking animatedly to the Grangers about all sorts of muggle ideas, and machinery.

"Everybody," Bill said, when everyone had finished eating and Mrs Weasley had cleared up, "Fleur and I have something that we were trying to keep for tomorrow, but we've decided to tell you now as everyone's here."

Everyone turned to look at Bill and Fleur. Ginny noticed, that Fleur was positively glowing. She hadn't noticed this before because of the last day happiness.

"What is it dear?" Mrs Weasley asked her eldest son, looking confused.

"I found out a feew dayez ago," Fleur said, throatily, her French accent floating in her voice, "I am expecting a baaby!"

Everybody clapped.

"Congratulations," Harry said, shaking Bill's hand.

"Our first Grand Child, Arthur!" Mrs Weasley cried out, clapping her hands and then hugging a delighted Fleur. She then pulled Bill into a rib cracking hug.

"Oh dear," George said, laughing and rolling his eyes, "Mum's never going to let this one lie!"

"As long as I don't have to change nappies," Ron said, so only, George, and Harry could hear.

"I think we'll all be doing that," George said under his breathe.

"Mum's going to be un bearable," Ginny said, joining in the conversation, "Argh! Just imagine what she'll plan for the christening!"

"Oh dear," George said rolling his eyes again, "Well, when it comes to that, I'm staying at the shop!"

"Can I join you?" Ron asked.

"I've had enough experience changing nappies thanks," they heard Charlie saying, as they talked, "I'm not doing it again Bill!" They all laughed.

"Babies," Ron muttered as he undressed for bed.

"What's wrong with babies?" Harry asked, as he slipped into the bed, which had been his since his first visit to the Burrow, which was placed along side Ron's.

"It means commitment, and stuff doesn't it?" Ron said, sitting down on his bed, "I mean, sure it's ok, if you know you can handle it."

"Don't Hermione hear you saying that," Harry said, taking off his glasses.

"Why not?" Ron asked, staring up at the ceiling.

"Because she'd get all huffy," Harry said, "You saw her face when Fleur said that she was pregnant, didn't you?"

"Yeah, but," Ron said, "That was just a reaction right?"

"I dunno Ron," Harry shrugged, yawning, "Just don't count on Hermione sharing your view. For all you know, she might want kids."

"That's what I was afraid of," Ron said, sleepily, turning his back to Harry. Harry heard him click his Deluminator, and the lights went out.

"Night Ron," Harry yawned as he turned over and concentrated on sleep.

"G'night Harry," Ron's muffled voice said.

Life at the Burrow, suited Harry. Most of the time, he was with Ron, Hermione and Ginny. They'd sit in the living room, playing exploding snap, or out in the garden, playing two a side Quidditch, or de-gnoming the garden. Sometimes they would go an visit their friends, Luna being the closest, just the other side of Ottery St Catchpole, on the hill.

The first time that they had gone to see Luna, had been awkward, because Harry, Ron and Hermione had to apologise to Luna's father, Xenophilius Lovegood, for destroying his house, the first time that they visited. What had made it even worse was the Xenophilius, waved away the apology, saying; "You did what you had to do" and promptly offered them some fresh water plimpy soup, which Harry, Ron and Hermione were only to quick to decline.

On Sundays Mrs Weasley, always invited Andromeda and little Teddy over for Sunday lunch. Teddy was always happy to see Harry, and almost as soon as Andromeda set foot over the threshold, Teddy wanted to see his Godfather. Teddy had also taken to Ginny. Harry found that if, he couldn't get Teddy to settle, Ginny could.

On the 31st of August, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were sitting in the living room. Ron and Harry were playing chess, Hermione was reading and Ginny was playing with Teddy, while Andromeda had a cup of tea, with Mrs Weasley.

"You know what," Ron said, looking up from the chess board as one of his knights tackled one of Harry's bishops, "It feels really weird not to have packed or been sent letters from Hogwarts."

"yes, I was thinking that," Hermione said, appearing from behind her book, "Of course it is nice to have some freedom. But not going back, is kind of peculiar."

"Don't you start work tomorrow, Hermione?" Ginny asked, looking up from playing with Teddy.

"Hmm? Yes, I do," Hermione said, nodding, "Did you think that I was reading this for fun?"

"No," Ginny said, looking taken a back, "I was just asking."

"How thick is that book?" Harry asked, nodding towards Hermione's copy of 'Codes and Conventions of Magical Law Writing' by Percival Dinkshank.

"Nine hundred odd pages," Hermione said, irritably, as she disappeared behind the book again. In doing this, she didn't see Ron shaking his head in slight disbelief at her. Ginny had to stifle her laughter.

She settled down however, when Ron gave sent her a glare, reminiscent of Mrs Weasley. She turned back to Teddy, and took out her wand. She amused him, by making her wand produce different coloured sparks and smoke. Teddy tried to catch the sparks and smoke in his little hands, giggling as he did so.

Harry watched out of the corner of his eye, and his stomach gave a unpleasant lurch, as he remembered the dream he had, had when he and Hermione had escaped from Godrics Hollow, on their search for the Horocuxes. He could see it vividly in his minds eye; James Potter, sitting with Harry on his knee making his wand produce different coloured sparks, and then Lily came in. All this, Harry knew, had happened moments before Voldemort had walked into the Potter's house and had murdered his Parents.

Harry gave himself a little shake and pulled his attention back to the game of chess, which Ron was winning as usual.

"Aha!" Ron said half an hour later, "Check mate!"

Harry rolled his eyes as his King surrendered. His pieces began to repair themselves, as he watched, and Ron stored his away in a box.

Just as they were debating what to do next, Mr Weasley came in.

"Harry?" He asked.

Harry looked up.

"Yes Mr Weasley?" he said.

"Could I talk to you for a moment?" Mr Weasley asked, beckoning him into the hallway. Harry stood up and shrugged at the others as he followed Mr Weasley out of the door.

"I just wanted to say Harry," Mr Weasley said, "That Simkins would like to see you tomorrow afternoon, in his office, if you're still interested in becoming an Auror."

"Thanks Mr Weasley," Harry said, nodding.

"Would you like me to tell Simkins that you'll be there?" Mr Weasley asked.

"Yes please, Mr Weasley," Harry said, nodding, "Er, what time do I have to be there?"

"Oh, yes," Mar Weasley said, "Two O'clock, Simkins said."

"Thanks again, Mr Weasley," Harry said nodding, and turning back to the living room.

"What was that all about Harry?" Ginny asked, standing up when he closed the door behind him.

"Oh, Mr Weasley just wanted to tell me that Simkins wants to meet me tomorrow afternoon, to see if I still want to be an Auror," Harry said, sitting down, on the sofa, Ginny sitting next to him, with Teddy in her arms.

"Cool," Ron said, enthusiastically, "bet you he wants you to start as soon as possible."

"Yeah," Ginny said, nodding, "Are you going to become an Auror then, Harry?"

"I think so," Harry said, nodding, "I'll see what Simkins says first though, before I decide deffently. They may want me to become their poster boy again."

"I shouldn't think so, Harry," Hermione said, from behind her book, "Not now. Not now everything's safe."

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said, grinning at her, and Ginny. He took Teddy from Ginny and smiled at the little boy.

NB: I apologise for the way Fleur talks in this chapter. I didn't know where to put the emphasis on the words. My French is a bit rusty. But when I looked back in the books, I couldn't find any references. Sorry. Forgive me?

And you'll have to wait for later in the story to find out what the hat says to Harry!!! Sorry.