A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews I really do love to read them as it makes writing this story seem worth it, and because I also find it hard to remember which kid belongs to who here is a list
Ron + Hermione Rose(12) + Hugo(10)
Ginny + Harry James(13), Albus(12), Lily(10)
Bill + Fluer Victoire (17), Isabelle + Joséphine (Twins 15), Adèle (11) Sylvie (9)
Percy + Penelope Clearwater Paris (13)
Year 2 Chapter 4
'TENTS!' Isabelle and Joséphine cried as a look of panic and utter disgust crossed their faces. The entire family had crowed into the kitchen of the Burrow as Grandpa Weasely explained how such a large group would be accommodated this summer.
'We've got two, one for all the boys and one for the girls' Mr Weasely continued infinitely proud of the idea 'But we haven't forgotten that some of you might not like the idea of camping so that's why you two (He nodded towards the twins) and Sylvie will be staying in Ginny's old room'
'And Hermione I thought that perhaps you've done enough camping to last you a life time' Mrs Weasely added 'So you and Ron will stay in Ron's old room'
'Bill and Fleur will have Bill's room' Mr Weasely continued 'While the rest of you, Harry, Hugo, James, Paris and Teddy will have to sleep in the boys' tent and Ginny, Rose, Lily, Adele and Victoire can be in the girls' tent'
'Eh, Mum, dad, - I really appreciate your efforts in organising all this' Bill said and even though his comments where directed to his mother James couldn't help but notice that Bill's eyes never once shifted from his daughter Victoire as she sat with Teddy. Victoire and Teddy were sat very close together almost sharing a seat as they chatted in low whispers, both laughing and smiling at each other completely unaware that they where being watched.
'I really don't think Vicky would like camping, Sylvie would enjoy it more' Bill finished
'That'z not true papa' Sylvie squeeked, her tiny voice tinted with a French accent 'Victoire would much prefer to camp then me' But the adults didn't seem to hear little Sylvie's plea, Mrs Weasley had also followed her son's gaze and as she too looked towards Victoire and Teddy she nodded.
'Yes, Yes Bill I'm sure your quite right, Victoire will be much better off in the house'
With this decided everyone headed off to their rooms or tents. As James and the others headed out into the garden they were greeted by the gentle hooting of owls. James smiled as he spotted a large Tawny Owl sitting on the peak of the boy's tent. It was Krum, James had been given the Owl by his parents the day he had received his Hogwarts letter almost three years ago and he had named it after the best Quidditch Seeker in the world, Bulgarian born Viktor Krum. Krum, the Owl, was James' best friend, but he would never have told anyone that and if his brother or Rose found out they would never let him live it down. So James merely smiled as his owl hooted, spread its wings and glided towards him, landing effortlessly on his shoulder.
'Hello you' James said as he smiled at Krum and he watched Albus calling his own owl, a small Barn Owl that had been given to Albus last year after getting his Hogwarts letter. Albus had called his Owl 'Hoot' and the name suited the bird because that was all that the Owl ever liked to do.
After collecting their birds James and Albus followed the others into their tent, the boy's tent was massive, there was one central room that was used for a sitting, cooking and eating area, then four smaller rooms led off from this main area. The two largest housed beds and the others were Bathrooms.
'Sweet' James said as he followed Albus and Hugo into one of the bedrooms, four large beds occupied the room. The covers looked a little too floral for James' liking but they looked soft and inviting. James set Krum down on the bed post, his trunk had already been brought in as had Albus and Hugo's bags, James had hoped that the other bed would be occupied by Teddy but one look at the large toad that sat happily croaking on the flora quilt told James that his cousin Paris was to share the room with them.
'It'll be just like school' Paris said cheerfully as he entered the room and patted his Toad's head, Paris was tall for his age and thin, he had inherited the Weasley's flame red hair which was cut short and made him look like a miniature version of his father.
'We'll have loads of fun!' Albus beamed as jumped onto his bed spooking Hoot and making him live up to his name as he flew around the room.
'And my dad said that Charlie and George would be coming too!' Hugo said excitedly 'and you all can tell me about Hogwarts and James you promised last year that you'd teach me how to ride a broom! I can't got to Hogwarts not knowing how to ride a broom'
'I would have thought you knew all there is to know about Hogwarts by now' James said as he laughed at Hugo's eagerness ever since Hugo had been little he had been obsessed with the idea of going to Hogwarts. Finally after seeing his sister and four older cousins leaving on the gleaming red train next year Hugo would be going to Hogwarts himself.
'No one can ever really know a place like Hogwarts' Hugo said sagely 'or so Rose says'
'She right' James admitted 'This will be my third year and even I don't know half of the passages that my dad did when he was there, and as for riding a broom, Hugo you can ride, I've seen you, your dad taught both you and Rose to ride'
'Yeah but not like you, your fantastic on a broom, Please can you teach me to ride like you' Hugo said and James couldn't help but grin. If James was honest with himself he thought that his summer might actually turn out to be pretty good, James really didn't mind Paris after all Paris was an ok sort of guy, even if he didn't know anything about Quidditch, and Albus was after all his brother, little brothers where supposed to be annoying, but Hugo, Hugo was just great!
'Ok' James conceded 'I'll teach you how to ride but only if your dad says it's ok' James added and before a look of disappointment could cross Hugo's face they were being called for.
'Your grandmother's got breakfast for you all in the kitchen' Granddad Weasely called as James followed the others out into the garden 'Most of your parents will be leaving now, they've still got jobs to go to even though it is the summer holidays, so say your goodbyes and then join us in the kitchen, we've got sausage, bacon, eggs and croissant and muesli for you all'
'It's only for a few hours, I'll be back for tea' James and Albus found their father saying as he stood with their mother and a very tearful Lily near the garden gate 'and you two stay out of trouble and try to be good' Harry added as he spotted his sons
'We will' James droned. Harry wasn't the only dad that was leaving; Bill was surrounded by his horde of daughters as they each kissed him in turn and wished him a good day and as James looked to his right he could see both Ron and Hermione telling Hugo and Rose to be good. Finally at quarter-to-nine, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Bill gave their families one final good bye before they walked through the gate and vanished.
Ginny and Fleur led them all back into the house James knew he would finally get to eat a suitable breakfast.
sss
The rest of the summer was spent in much the same way; the Dad's and Hermione would leave every morning for work and return at five. Sometimes they would come back with bags of fresh clothes, or books or games fetched from home but the majority of their needs were always catered for at the burrow.
Being surrounded by girls wasn't as bad as James had thought it would be Isabelle and Joséphine didn't gossip nearly as much as James thought they would and Victoire was sportier then he would have given her credit for.
'I don't just like make up and hairspray' Victoire had said, but James knew that she still liked it more then she liked Quidditch, after all that September Victoire was taking up an apprenticeship at 'Witch Weekly' and James knew for a fact that the only article the magazine had ever printed on Quiddtich was to show off the captain of the Holyhead harpies new drapes. But the family, especially Bill and Fleur, were very proud of Victoire's new job.
The summer evenings were always warm and bright and most of the time the family would eat outside. On several occasions they would have themed nights and Teddy's tales of his travels to America had inspired a cowboy night. Ron had lit a campfire and the family sat around it listening to Teddy sing muggle cowboy songs as he played his guitar as they ate beans, jacket potatoes and burgers.
Two weeks before they were to return to Hogwarts James, Paris, Rose and Albus each received their letters from Hogwarts while Adèle (Bill's second youngest) received a letter wrapped elegantly in light blue parchment and covered in golden gilded lettering.
'It's from Beauxbatons!' Adèle exclaimed as her sisters rushed to her side and watched as she carefully prised the envelope open, and as the last of the seal was pulled from the parchment the letter floated out of Adèle's hand and raised up over their heads as a fanfare and multicoloured fireworks burst from it and showered the room with gold and silver glitter.
'Welcome to Beauxbatons Academy of magic' a celestial voice sang as it echoed around the room.
'How come yours didn't do that?' James heard Hugo asking Rose as the rest of the family cooed round Adèle,
'I always love the first letter' Fluer said as she kissed Adèle 'It reminds me of when I got mine-' James tuned the rest of the conversation out he was more concerned with his own letter, the envelope somehow felt different to the previous years and as James turned the envelope upside down a small golden badge fell out onto the kitchen table.
'I DID IT!' James yelled as he jump from his chair, the entire family turned to look at him in shock as James picked the tiny badge up 'I made Quidditch captain!'
'Well done mate!' Harry cried as he congratulated his son and the rest of the family crowded round to look at the small golden badge.
'That's the third in the family' Grandma Weasley said 'First Charlie, then Harry now you'
'Well done son' Harry said beaming as he slapped James' back 'I think this definitely warrants you having a new broom'
"Fantastic!" James thought he could picture the faces of the other Gryffindor team members as he walked into their first training session, the golden badge of superiority on his chest and the firebolt mark 3.6 slung over his shoulder. He could even picture the faces of the Slytherin team as he trashed them for yet another year.
'Ooh, Paris do you have something to show us too?' James heard Grandma Weasley saying as finally his thoughts were brought back to reality.
'Oh it's nothing really' Paris said 'I've just been accepted into Hogwarts Toad choir that's all' with that Paris held up a small silver badge in the shape of a musical note to show everyone.
'Oh….that's….well that's lovely….We've never had a family member in the choir before' Mrs Weasely said as the rest of the family stared at Paris. James could see that Isabelle and Joséphine were struggling not to laugh; they obviously found the idea very amusing
'Nice one mate!' James said slapping Paris on the back. Having shared a dormitory with Paris for the past two years James knew how important the choir had been to Paris and even though James would never be caught dead singing he was pleased that finally after all of Paris hard work he had gained a place, but James couldn't help but grin as the silence continued.
'I don't think they know what the choir does, Paris' Rose said as she too grinned as she and James swapped a sly smile.
'Oh, well basically it's pretty much what you think a choir would do' Paris said modestly 'and instead of instruments they use toads'
'Yes but you don't have inter-house competitions like Quidditch do you' Rose said
'No, it's inter-school and this year I think the qualifying rounds are taking place in New Zealand'
'New Zealand!' the rest of the family repeated as one as James and Rose laughed
'You were never in the choir were you dad?' Rose said as she laughed at Ron's shocked expression. 'Last year the qualifiers took place in Africa and the finales in Toga. –Well done Paris!'
'Thanks Rose. I think I'd better go tell Jeremiah, he'll be so thrilled' and with that Paris headed out of the kitchen and back to the boys tent carrying his badge.
'New Zealand?' Granddad Weasely uttered
'Who's Jeremiah?' Isabelle asked
'Paris' Toad' James replied
'Do you think Jeremiah is up to it?' Mrs Weasely asked James as she looked towards the door that Paris had just disappeared through 'I mean some of those choir Toads can get pretty big and Paris seemed very happy at getting a place, I would hate to think Jeremiah wasn't up to the job'
'Gran' Jeremiah's up to the job and more, he's the biggest Toad in Hogwarts!' James said grinning
'Good, Good, I'm glad the boys happy then' Grandma Weasely said as the rest of the family nodded,
'Percy and Penelope won't be though' Ron said 'they wanted him to join the dulling club'
'We'll see about that' Grandma Weasely said as she got up and bustled out of the room
'Nice one Ron, you do she'll be sending them an howler now don't you' Hermione said as she shook her head.
'Good!' said Ron 'I'd be happy if any of our two were in the choir-'
'Really?' Hermione said, her tone showing that she didn't think this was entirely true
'Hermione they get to go to New Zealand!'
James watched as his Aunt rolled her hands and the rest of the family laughed.