The Night Before

A week and a half had passed since the owl left for Romania. The days seemed to be passing like the final minutes on the clock at the end of a school day. Ron and Hermione had taken to going on long walks. Today they walked to the farthest end of the wetland adjoining the Weasley property. They found themselves sitting on a log looking out over the bog's central pond. A pair of ducks paddled about, looking for snails, crabs, whatever they could find to eat. Meanwhile, a large wading bird stood deathly still in the water across from them, waiting for an unwary fish to swim by and provide it a meal while Ron and Hermione chatted about anything and nothing in an effort to pass the day. Finally, Ron leaned over and kissed Hermione.

Hermione responded by leaning forward and turning Ron's fairly timid kiss into a romantic embrace. They kissed and hugged for several minutes, neither trying to steal the next base. Aside from the fact that it was the wrong time to escalate their relationship, Ron was still a bit inept despite his affair with Lavender. Hermione, for her part, was not quite ready for the next step.

Harry and Ginny were engaged in similar behavior. They had walked out into a wooded area away from The Burrow. After several minutes of passionate snogging, Ginny, always the most action-oriented, live in the moment member of the quartet, pulled Harry's hand into the first base position. Even though her breast was heavily guarded by a bra, turtleneck and a Molly-made jumper, it was a significant leap forward for both of them. Harry caressed her for several moments before stopping. Both of them were flushed and breathing hard.

"We had better head back," said Harry cautiously.

"Yes," agreed Ginny. "I suppose we should."

The four of them found themselves back inside just as Molly was finishing up preparation for a late lunch. They all said down and dined, their talk centered around who might be the new Minister of Magic, who might become headmaster at Hogwarts, and all of the work that would be needed to repair both institutions. Molly said she favored Kingsley Shacklebolt as the new minister. Arthur also thought that was a good idea. Harry asked who might take over talking to the muggle prime minister if Kingsley was moved up. The kids all though Professor McGonagall would make a great headmistress. Molly and Bill felt it unlikely she would get the job. They thought Phineas Flitwick was the favorite to take over the post.

Just as they were finishing up, Arthur arrived home early from work. He was excited. "Hello Weasleys", he said in his normal, boisterous manner. "I have some news."

"Well, what is it, dear?" asked Molly. Everyone's eyes were turned to him.

"Charlie's owl arrived at the Ministry shortly ago. He said he and the school will help us any way they can. They seemed quite aware of who Hermione is, along with Harry. They are more than willing to help out the heroes from the Battle of Hogwarts."

Ron looked at his father with a feeling of slight in his expression but was wise enough to stay quiet, which is saying something for Ron.

"He also heard from Mahoutokoro. Historically, we have not always been on the best of terms with Mahoutokoro, but that seems to be on the mend in recent years. We are fortunate that they are also aware of Voldemort and the war. They said they would be honored to welcome the hero who vanquished Voldemort and would offer all assistance in their power to aid him and his associates in their quest. I think that bodes well, but I would be very mindful to choose my words and actions carefully while there."

"So, what is our plan? When do we leave?" asked Ron, knowing Hermione wanted to ask but was too polite to just jump into the conversation.

"I am assuming the three of you will be going," said Arthur, looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"Absolutely" stated Harry. "We are a team."

"I'm going, too!" declared Ginny in a demanding voice.

"Ginny, darling…" started Molly.

"…Dad!" interrupted Ginny with a flash of fire in her eyes. "I'm…"

"…Ginny! Molly!" said Arthur. "I think Ginny is old enough to go. After the battle, I think she has proven herself more than capable of handling most situations."

Ginny stood up as Molly said, "Arthur, I don't know."

Ginny moved behind her father and started to hug him. "I think she is, dear. What do the three of you think?

Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other. You could see agreement in their expressions. "We want her to go," declared Harry.

"Yes, she should go," agreed Ron as Hermione smiled her approval.

"I think that settles it," said Arthur. "You need to get your things ready."

Ron and Harry looked at Hermione. "Are we ready, Mione?" asked Ron.

"Of course, I have had everything ready for days." They all looked at each other and laughed. They would have been shocked if she was not ready.

"Then we just need to get Ginny packed," said Arthur.

"Well," said Hermione with a sheepish expression. "I have actually had her stuff ready as well."

Everyone looked at her. "Oh, shut up, the lot of you," Hermione huffed. The whole room erupted in the best laugh the house had experience in a very long time.

The decision was made to leave for Romania in the morning using the portkey Arthur kept for trips to see Charlie. It was a long trip taking many hours of flight, so he had made it out of an old couch. That way they could sit in fair comfort over the long hours. It was certainly a step up from the mangy, old boot used to take them to the Quidditch World Championship several years earlier.

However, tonight was going to be different. It was suddenly cast into the role of being party time. They needed to celebrate and kickoff this quest with a proper send off. Molly, Ginny and Fleur headed to the kitchen to begin preparing treats. Hermione, never known to be much into cooking, joined them, stating it was time she learned a bit about preparing food. The other ladies were pleased.

Before long, fresh baked cookies and treats were appearing on the tables. It was almost like Christmas Eve in its feeling. Fleur was teaching everyone songs in French. George dug into his stash of Weasley offerings. Arthur opened up a bottle of Mead he had been saving for a special occasion. Everyone was feeling festive, music was playing, their minds suddenly empty of the troubles of the past months. It was like a magic tonic had been shared by all.

Ginny managed to convince Harry to get up and dance to the Irish music being played on the Weasley's enchanted gramophone. Ron, in a rare moment of initiation, got Hermione up to join them. The two pairs danced as close as possible, not exactly the way you might expect dancers to dance to Celtic music while observing proper parent's house etiquette. All was well until George decided to liven things up a bit by casting a Tarantallegra at Ron. It accidentally hit both Ron and Hermione, causing all havoc to break loose. The two of them started jumping, twitching and kicking about knocking over everything within the reach of their legs. Bill and George were laughing uncontrollably. Fleur was looking disgusted while Arthur stood by watching. Molly started screaming a George, almost saying Fred, as well, which was customary for when something such as this happened.

After of moment of chaos, Ginny, always first in a crisis, pulled out her wand and used the Finite Incantatem charm to break George's spell. The two of them stopped their frenzy. Everyone looked at them for a moment, then burst out laughing, even Ron and Hermione.

"Thanks, Ginny," said an appreciative Hermione.

"Yeah, thanks," echoed Ron. "You're a right foul git," he then said, turning to George and trying to look mad. George just smirked at him, as did Bill.

The music continued and the dancing resumed while Molly tried to lecture George about acting a little more mature without laughing at what had just happened. Nothing was going to break the mood. It was too long overdue. Its continuation was nothing short of a moral imperative.

Eventually, as with all good things, Arthur needed to remind them they were leaving in the morning and the hour was getting late. "I think it's time to turn in," he said, removing his favorite pillow from his lap and rising from his favorite chair. "Best we all do, don't you think?"

Fleur stopped the music and people began shuffling around. The four voyagers followed Arthur up the stairs, heading into the appropriate rooms. Molly said she was going to tidy up a bit before coming up. The rest, having no immediate need to retire, sat down for some quiet chatting.