A Rewritten Life
by Yih

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and am making no profit from this whatsoever. Also there are no spoilers about HBP on this. In the future I may incorporate them, but that won't be for a good while.

Chapter Seven
The Weasleys

There were problems, of course, with telling children they were going to meet somebody new and that they couldn't really talk about that somebody anywhere except at home. That was what Mrs. Weasley tried to explain to her two children, Ron and Ginny, but she wasn't quite sure they understood the importance of what she was trying to tell them. But she knew they were good kids and would likely do as they were told. After all, they weren't the Twins and good Merlin had those two ever given her a headache!

"Are you both ready?" Mrs. Weasley asked, holding up a special portkey that would transport her and her two children to Hogwarts.

"Yes mum," Ginny answered first and Ron mumbled the same after her. "We're ready."

"Well then," Mrs. Weasley said and placed the portkey on the table where it was easy for both of them to reach, "hold the sock tightly and make sure you don't let go until I say so, understand?"

-

Harry and Yenty were waiting in the Headmaster's Office for the Weasley children to arrive. Albus was also with them, but he was quite busy trying to get through another pile of paperwork. "Oh!" Harry exclaimed when suddenly three people, one large and two small, tumbled into the room. "They're here, Alby!" He turned around and ran over to Albus' desk.

Albus lifted his head from his paperwork and smiled gently at the boy. "I can see that." He stood up and walked over to where Mrs. Weasley and her two children were sorting themselves out. "Good day, Molly," he said and looked at her children, "and you two." He smiled at them and said, "Ron and Ginny, this is Harry. Say 'hello,' Harry." Albus turned and urged Harry to stop hiding behind Yenty and himself.

Harry took a cautious step forward, his eyes fixated on the floor, and he mumbled, "Hello."

"Hi!" said the girl as she held out her hand just under his face. "I'm Ginny!" Harry looked at the hand for a moment and then shook it. Ginny broke out into a huge grin and when Harry lifted his head up, she gestured to the boy standing next to her. "That's Ron, he's my brother."

Ron nodded and also held out his hand. Harry took it and shook it as well. They both muttered, "Nice to meet you" at almost the same time. That caused them both to grin and look down at the ground.

Albus looked over the children toward Mrs. Weasley and they shared a smile. The children, they knew, would get along fabulously.

-

"So," Remus said, sitting himself down next to Harry on the field, "did you like the Weasleys?"

"They were nice," Harry said, looking down at his hands, not really knowing what to say. "I liked them."

Remus smiled and pulled Harry into his lap, even though Harry was probably getting to old for that. But until Harry protested, Remus really didn't mind the extra weight. It was solid and comforting and it just felt good. Since he couldn't have a child of his own, Remus considered Harry his and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for him.

"There are other children, you know," Remus said. "You don't have to like the Weasleys, not if you don't want to."

"It's not that," Harry said. His eyes were wide and so green. "It's not that I don't like the Weasleys, but that I don't feel comfortable 'round them. They're just… really, uh, loud."

Remus laughed softly and hugged Harry close to him. Even though Harry had grown up surrounded by children in the hallway, he'd never really been with others being loud and having fun before. Remus had been around Harry for so long, he'd forgotten that other children weren't like Harry. They weren't so quiet and so thoughtful, they were loud, disruptive, and quite a handful. Remus wondered if Harry had ever been a real trouble, of course he got into mischief, what child didn't? But Harry had never really been bad.

"And enthusiastic," Harry continued. "They make me so very tired."

Remus ruffled Harry's messy hair. "As I said, there are other children."

"And I'll meet them?"

"If you'd like."

Harry rested his head on Remus' shoulder just like always and wrapped his arms around Remus' waist. "I don't really care."

-

It was a bright and beautiful afternoon outside when Minerva burst into the Headmaster's Office, looking less than pleased. "Albus!" she exclaimed and Albus looked up from his paperwork and raised an eyebrow.

"What is it, my dear?" he asked.

"You really must do something about Snape," said Minerva. "He's getting far too curious for his own good."

"That again." Albus pushed his glasses up his nose. "Harry has mentioned Snape's been noticing odd things."

"He has told me he thinks there may be another ghost unaccounted for at Hogwarts!"

"Ah yes," said Albus, "he has said confessed something similar to me."

"And?" asked Minerva. "Are you going to do nothing? You know Harry and Remus listen far better to you and me."

"What shall I do? Tell them they cannot leave their rooms? Lock them into a comfortable prison?" Albus shook his head. "You know that is no way to live." He paused. "I think we must tell Snape the truth."

"But Albus—"

"Yes, I realize he was a Death Eater," said Albus. "But who he was then is not necessarily who he is now."

"Albus…"

"My dear, don't believe in second chances?"

Minerva sighed and had no choice but to nod. She really did hate it when Albus got the final word. Why did he always seem to win?

-

"Accio book!" Harry exclaimed and his eyes popped open when a stack of books just flew toward him. Luckily, Remus had his wand out and he quickly erected a wall to block the books from nailing Harry.

Remus grinned and shook his head. "You must be more specific Harry. Book is too vague, even if it is in the singular form."

Harry grimaced and nodded. "Thanks."

"Why don't you try it again?" Remus gestured at the Transfiguration textbook. "With that?" The textbook was for third year and Remus had a feeling Harry would be on the OWLs before he even started Hogwarts. Smart, little bugger.

"Accio Transfiguration text!" And the textbook flew into Harry's ready hand. Harry grinned and jumped up and down excitedly. "Did you see that? I did it!"

"Yeah," Remus said, glad that even after all that Harry had learned, he could still take such a simple pleasure in learning a new spell correctly. "I saw."

-

Both Remus and Minerva were seated across from Albus in the Headmaster's Office. They were here to discuss the other options Harry had. While they all agreed that the Weasley children were joyful and boisterous, but perhaps they were too much of a good thing and another child might be better suited to Harry. Of course, Harry would see Ron and Ginny again. He had mentioned a week after he had seen them that he wouldn't mind if they came occasionally, just not too often.

"There is the Longbottom boy," Albus said. "His situation is… similar to Harry's."

"Is that necessarily a good thing?" Minerva asked. "Getting those two together?"

"I don't think it'd necessarily be bad," Remus said. "But I've talked to Harry and he says he really doesn't care about meeting other children. It doesn't matter to him."

"But it should!" Minerva exclaimed. "He should want to meet other people his age, it's natural."

"I believe one of the reasons," Remus began, "is that he's rather mature for his age. I think Ron and Ginny are simply too young for him. Maybe older children might be better. After all..." Remus looked at them. "How can you expect him to get along with other children when he's been around adults all his life?"

"That is true," Albus said. "And we should not push him. When he wants, he can see the Weasleys again and if not, then whenever he wants to meet other children, he will ask. He now knows he has the option."

-

Harry sat in his bed, waiting for Yenty to bring his milk. He yawned and closed his book. It was a book of muggle fiction, and Harry wasn't quite sure he liked it or not. But he did have to admit that the concept of people fighting for the good of their world was something beautiful to think about. Harry set The Fellowship of the Ring aside just when Yenty popped into the room. She grinned in the way only a house elf could and handed him his warmed up milk.

"Master Harry's milk," Yenty said. "Will Master be wanting Yenty to get him anything else?"

Harry shook his head and said, "No, I'm good. You go get some rest." Yenty smiled and Harry leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."

Yenty then popped out of sight and Harry settled back into his bed, sipping on his milk occasionally and looking out the window at the night's sky. It was a full moon so Remus wouldn't be here tonight to read him a story. Harry liked the muggle book better when Remus was reading it to him, though he really didn't need Remus to read to him anymore. He could do it himself, but that didn't necessarily mean he had to. Maybe Ron might laugh at him, but that was only because Ron wanted to grow up so fast. Harry didn't care. As long as he had Remus, everything would be all right.

-

The next day Remus felt like he was more dead than alive. Every time, it seemed, it got that much harder. He coughed and buried his head into his pillow. Albus must have gotten him from the Shrieking Shack last night and moved him to his bed. He'd have to thank him later today, whenever he saw him. Now he had to get up and go find Harry and have breakfast. It was their usual routine and Remus was loathed to change it.

"Morning," Harry said and Remus jerked his face up. "Breakfast?" Harry tilted the tray just a bit to show Remus the eggs and bacon and toast he'd brought. Well, it was likely that Yenty had brought it, but Remus knew it was Harry's thought.

"What time?" Remus asked. He coughed again and tried to clear his throat. "Late, isn't it?"

"Not that late," Harry said. "Anyways, it's Saturday, you're allowed to sleep in."

Remus grinned and patted the space next to him on the bed. "Sit down."

Harry set the tray to the other side of Remus and then wiggled under the covers and actually lied down next to him, snuggling close. "Do you mind?"

"Too late now."

"Not really."

Remus shook his head. "You know I don't."

"Just making sure."

"Eat your toast," Remus said. "And I'll eat my bacon."

-

Harry didn't see Ron or Ginny for a long time. He had practically forgotten about them when Albus had asked him one morning if he might like to see just Ron this time since Mrs. Weasley had told him that Ron had asked about the boy that we're not supposed to talk about.

Harry stopped eating his biscuit and put it down on the plate. He looked up at Albus and shrugged. "I guess. I don't mind."

"You don't have to, you know," Albus said. "It's only if you'd want to."

Harry bit his bottom lip. "He asked about me?"

"Yes, my boy."

Harry's eyes darted away from Albus' and he settled on one of the only parts of the wall that did not have a portrait on it. He stared at it for a while, thinking about what it was like to think about someone. He hadn't actually thought about Ron much at all, other than thinking the boy was a bit loud, but not as loud as his sister. Well, if Ron wanted to see him, then Harry supposed it wouldn't hurt. He had liked Ron, he just didn't like him as much as he liked Remus.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah," said Harry. "I'd like to see Ron again."

Albus smiled like Harry knew he would, and Harry smiled back before digging back into his biscuit. He had to remember to tell Yenty that these biscuits were particularly good.

-

Ron clutched his chess set close to him and also tightened his grip on his mum's hand. He watched Mum toss some floo powder into the fireplace and shout, "Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office!"

Then she stepped forward, pulling him with her and they disappeared into the glowing fire. Ron's stomach felt funny after floo travel, but it was something that Fred and George said he'd get used to. Ron wasn't so sure about that. Fred and George said a lot of things that weren't true and Ron knew not to believe every word they said. But he really did hope it got better because every time he got to the place he was suppose to be, he fell.

And as usual when they emerged from the floo, Ron stumbled and would have fallen to his knees, but Mum jerked him upright before he could. He smiled up gratefully at her, but she was too distracted. Ron looked away from her and saw Harry. Ron cringed, aware that he must look like a clumsy clod.

"Hello," Harry said softly. He walked over to Ron and he was smiling.

Ron smiled back. "Hullo."

"Would you—would you like to play outside?" Harry asked. He flushed a light red and looked down. "I've got a broomstick."

"Oh." Ron looked up at his mum. "Can I?"

Mum nodded and Ron broke out into a grin. His older brothers had broomsticks, but they wouldn't let him near them. Ron knew that Harry's broomstick wasn't really a real broomstick—it had to be one of the kid versions—but that didn't matter. All he wanted was to touch one and maybe, just maybe Harry might let him fly one.

Harry held out his hand. "Let's go?"

Ron hesitated for a second before he grabbed Harry's hand. Maybe Harry would be different from the other kids he'd met before, the ones who made fun of him for his red hair and his scruffy clothes. Maybe, just maybe.

-

Molly watched Ron and Harry walk off, hand in hand, and she smiled. Her youngest boy sometimes worried her quite a bit. Ron had been as boisterous as any of his brothers when he was young, but the last two years he'd withdrawn a little and she wasn't quite sure why. Ginny was easily the more dominating of the two, always dragging her brother around and it was nice to see Ron being able to interact with someone that was not as demanding. She hoped the two would be good friends. She had a feeling it'd be good for both of them.

"Molly?"

Molly turned around to Albus. "Yes, Headmaster?"

Albus extended two thick envelopes to her. "I thought I would save the owls a trip to the Burrow since you're here."

"Of course, of course," she said and took the envelopes. She looked at the names and smiled: Fred Weasley and George Weasley. "I'm sure the twins will be thrilled. They've been waiting for these letters for a longtime."

Albus' eyes twinkled. "Give them my best wishes."

"Oh, I will." Molly tucked the letters into her robes and turned to head back to the fireplace. She paused when she got there and turned her head around. "Floo me when I should pick Ron up." She heard Albus say he would before she threw the floo power in and shouted, "The Burrow!"

-

Harry scratched his head, looking back and forth from Ron's pieces to his own, not really sure if he should move his rook or his bishop. He was a bit in a bind and if Ron's expression was any indication, it didn't really matter what piece he moved, he was probably going to be checkmate. "Erm," he said and smiled sheepishly before just moving his bishop across the board.

Ron grinned and capture that piece with his knight and said, "Your turn."

Harry groaned. Harry had known the fundamentals of the games before Ron had asked him to play, but that hadn't helped much. Harry didn't think it was because he was bad at chess. Ron was just so good at it. Harry thought he liked his Ron a lot more than the Ron he'd seen the first time. Harry wondered if Ron liked reading books like he did and if Ron liked learning magic. Harry figured he could ask later after the game. Now what piece should he move? He might be losing, but he could at least make the game last as long as possible…

"Ron?" said Minerva as she came into the room. "Your mother's here and she said you had better hurry since dinner is about to start."

Ron looked up and frowned. "But we're not done."

"Well you could talk to your mother about that, but I'm afraid I won't do that for you."

Ron scowled for a moment before he started gathering up the chess pieces and putting them back into the wooden box. "I better go," he muttered. Harry put a few pieces up before Ron closed the box. "Uh…" Ron stared at Harry, holding his chess set. "Can I play with you again… f you don't mind."

Harry smiled and nodded. "Yeah."

Ron's eyes were wide and incredibly bright when he said, "Brilliant. See you soon then."

Harry watched Ron leave with Minerva and was still staring at the door thinking that she was right. It was nice to play around with boys his own age. Harry smiled and picked up a book from the shelf and hurried off to find Remus and tell him about his day and his new friend.

TBC

Author's Note: I was away in the UK for the spring semester and then I had a mess of stuff to do when I got back. Now I'm sort of stuck in the application process for post-grad and haven't started my internship yet, so I'm writing again since I can't seem to write originally  I decided might as well try to write some fanfiction. I might be coming up with a new AU non-magic series. We'll just have to see about that one. Thank you so much for supporting and it's because of you guys this is chapter exists!