Chapter 7
Neville
They did cut it a bit close in getting back to the Burrow. Ron and Hermione were already setting the table and Molly was taking a cottage pie out of the oven.
"Just in time. I was afraid you would forget to come home." Molly said with a chuckle.
"Never, Mum. We had an errand to run and got sidetracked." Ginny grabbed a set of forks and started placing them around the table. She wondered how long it would take for anyone to notice the ring.
"Well, dinner's on the table, Ron, can you get Daddy? He and George are out in the shed."
Ron raced out and as he was about to knock on the shed door, he heard voices. Being a Weasley, he was more than willing to silently lean close and rest his ear to the wood.
"I told you George. It's tradition. It must stay a surprise 'til the last." He heard his father say.
"Don't you think they've had enough surprises already? Just getting the sign is surprise enough." George laughed.
"I know, I know. But Your Mum thinks this is the only way." It sounded like Arthur was wandering into the farthest corner of the building.
"No Dad, this can't be planned for them. Not this way." George insisted.
"You know I agree with you, son, but we're talking about your Mum here." Arthur gave a sad laugh, "I'll try and talk with her tonight."
Ron could hear the voices come closer, so he stood back and said loudly, "Dad, George, Mum says dinner's on."
When the family were sitting, and Molly decided everything was on the table, her eye caught the sparkle of the ring. With a surprised squeal, she grabbed Ginny's hand. "What in the …?" She peered closely at the ring.
"Like Ginny said, Mrs. Weasley, we got sidetracked. It was my mother's." Harry said proudly.
Molly reluctantly gave Ginny back her hand and sat at her place. Arthur made a show of looking at the ring with a gruff look on his face. "I've heard you have some news today?"
Harry fought hard not to smile. "Sir?"
A little grin slipped onto Arthurs face before he forced it away again, "Do you care to elaborate?"
Harry, not sure what he should do, looked at Molly for direction. She nodded and pointed to her arm. He rolled up his sleeve, as did Ginny. "Mr. Weasley, I know we're still young but…" he was cut off.
"Yes, Harry. You are most assuredly quite young. Ginny, you're still underage. There's no denying the Sign though. I have been informed Sunday next is when we formalize this. Correct?" He asked his wife.
Molly confirmed this with a nod.
"Not much more to say about this except, until the betrothal, there will not be any sharing of rooms. Do, you understand?"
"But Dad, what about Ron?"
"Ron is not underage. You will be considered an adult at your Betrothal. Until that time, you know what I expect?"
"Yes Sir." Harry answered firmly.
"So long as it is understood. Now, Molly dear, this looks very delicious. Shall we get started?"
The rest of the evening was spent talking about the betrothal. Arthur was pleased at the plans and ideas. Not many young couples have their own home when they start out. Molly got busy, writing out cards to Minerva and Hagrid, and also, interestingly, to Neville.
0o0o0o0o
After Harry and Ginny left for Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione had gone back to The Burrow to have a talk with Molly. She brought out her Wizarding Genealogy book and looked up different people's names.
"Yes Ron, you were right. Seamus is your second cousin twice removed. It could possibly work, but still too close for comfort. The Ministry sometimes does thorough checks, especially with young couples. Now, you also mentioned Neville Longbottom? Let's see. No…Hm…" She flipped pages and rechecked the index several times. "No. Not even close. He's only a third cousin twice removed. Not related enough to count."
"Do you want to?" Ron asked Hermione.
"Yeah. We both know he's a great guy. Let's go ask him." She then knelt to toss in a handful of floo powder. She looked back at Molly, "What is the address of his house?"
"Longbottom House." Molly grinned.
With a nod, Hermione tossed the powder and said clearly, "Longbottom House."
The flames grew large and green and when they settled, she faced a small house-elf. He glared at her and asked, "This is the Longbottom House. How may Jettie help you?"
"Hello. My name is Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley and I wish to see Neville Longbottom, if we may." She smiled big.
"If Miss Granger will please wait, Jettie will see if Master Neville is at home." He walked out of sight.
Several minutes later, Neville knelt down in front of the fireplace. "So, Jettie wasn't wrong after all. What can I do for you?"
"Can we come through? We have something to talk to you about." Ron said over Hermione's shoulder.
"Sure. Come in." Neville stepped back and let them through. "What's up?"
Hermione gave him a hug while the guys shook his hand. "Neville. Something has come up and we have a huge favor to ask."
"Sure, yeah, What?" He motioned them to follow as he walked out of the large kitchen and down a long corridor. He stopped at a set of double doors. "Come on inside, I need to keep an eye on Gran." He grinned and opened a large double door. "Gran, we've company."
An old woman turned in her chair in front of a desk, "Well I'll be. You're Neville's friends from school. Welcome." She struggled to get up and Neville ran to help her. "Thank you, Neville." Once on her feet, she seemed rather less nimble than in times past. "My grandson has told me many tales of your days at Hogwarts." She held out her hand.
"I hope it wasn't all bad." Ron gently shook her hand.
"No, no. He rather looked up to you." The old lady gestured to the sofas that were in the center of the room. "Please, sit. Don't mind me. It's hard to stand. Rheumatism in my hips, you know."
Hermione and Ron nodded in sympathy.
"So, what brings you all the way out here?"
"Mrs. Longbottom, We came to ask if Neville could help us out with something." Hermione said, not quite sure how to broach the subject. "Neville? Ron and I are being betrothed this Sunday. We want to ask if you would, could, stand as my sponsor." Nervously, Hermione lifted her sleeve to show her Sign, Ron echoed her action.
The elderly woman looked over at the marks on their arms with interest. "I haven't seen the Sign in a long time. Well, not since the Potters showed me. Neville, did I ever tell you that your Mum was Lily's sponsor? Let me think. Neville, would you hand me that yellow book, third from the right on the bottom shelf? I wish to rest my mind."
He handed it to her, and she laid it on the tea table in front of her. She flipped it open and turned pages until she stopped and smiled. "Ah, Weasley? And your mother was a Prewett? You dear, are Muggleborn? Yes." She turned a few more pages. "I believe there is no relationship closer than four generations." She slammed the book shut. "Well, Neville? What do you have to say?"
"I wouldn't know what to say." He blushed a little. "What is a sponsor?"
"Tsk, tsk. Another thing I failed to teach you. To sponsor is the equivalent of a godfather. Thus, Hermione is asking you to be her godfather, so she and Mr. Weasley may be betrothed."
"But Hermione! You're half a year older than me." He laughed nervously.
"Don't worry about that. It's all ritual anyways. She just needs you to stand there and make sure she's not being forced into it." Augusta shook her head.
"Okay. But being forced into what?" Neville looked more impatient than uncertain. "Gran, I've never heard of betrothal, or sponsor or any of that."
The old lady nodded and looked at the floor. "Oh dear, oh dear, my boy. I'm sorry." She touched his sleeve. "Hand me a pillow and I will try to explain." Neville tucked a small pillow behind her back.
"What she showed me was the Sign. It is a soul bond, a mark to show they must be together. You know what the Vows are, I hope." She looked apprehensive.
"Yes, Gran. That I know" He smiled as he handed her another pillow to prop her head against the back of the sofa.
"A betrothal is a temporary marriage before making the full commitment. Each person must have a parent or sponsor, to make sure there is no conflict or coercion. Age doesn't matter. Only, the act of being a sponsor makes you kin." She settled more comfortable. "She is asking if you could take the position to be a protector while she announces her intention."
"Oh, a protector, yeah, I can do that." He laughed, "Do I need the Sword?" He asked just to see what Ron would say.
"Of Gryffindor? You still have it?" Ron asked excitedly.
"Ron! No, Neville. It's just metaphorical. There's no sword fights." Hermione laughed hard. "Unless you and Harry want to have a duel for fun."
"My dear, would that be Harry Potter?" Augusta interrupted.
Hermione calmed down to answer politely. "Yes ma'am. He and Ginny, Ron's sister, are being betrothed at the same time, for the same reason."
"Two of the same family, at the same time? Remarkable. Once in a generation is rare, but twice? Much is to be expected of the Weasley clan."
Ron had enough confidence to keep his head up but wanted to hide inside. "We do the best we can, Ma'am."
"Be sure that you do." She gave a smile then closed her eyes.
Neville motioned them to follow him out the room. When he closed the door, he shook his head. "Sorry about that. The battle took more out of Gran than she admits. She got hit by some sort of curse. The healers have been several times but, well, it's been tough. She is trying to help me learn everything before it's too late, but she forgets. Like, I never knew about any of this."
"Neither did I until this happened." Ron commiserated.
"Yeah, that'd be one way to learn. Sure, Hermione. I'd be happy to…how did you put it? Stand as your sponsor."
"You will? Thank you so very much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!" She gave him a brief hug.
I do have a few questions, First, when? then where, then what am I supposed to do?"
"The 14th. I'll make sure my Mum sends details."
"I'll be there. Listen it's been great seeing you, but I need to be with…" He pointed to the closed door. "Can you find your way back to the floo?"
"Oh, right. Of course. We'll see you then." Hermione waved, and they made their way back to the kitchen.
