2006
January
Ginny finished her last quidditch article before winter break, Ron would be upset with her prediction that the cannons would end up in last place again this season. It sure was nice to be sitting on a beach writing her article!
George and Angie had insisted that every one join them on their new tropical island for Christmas. The children and most of the adults would get to stay for two whole months. Unfortunately Harry and Ron would have to return to the MOM on January 3rd. Ginny would be back and forth, reporting on quidditch matches.
Kingsley had insisted Percy and Arthur take the two months off and had set up special apparition points for Ginny, Harry and Ron so they could spend at least the weekends on the island.
Two weeks before Christmas Molly, Andromeda and Arthur insisted that "the young people" spend a week at a nearby resort, while they spoil…….um……watched the children.
The week was heavenly. Each of them had their own secluded hut on the beach. They spent the warm windswept days doing what married couples who are in love do. Each night they all met at the main lodge and feasted on fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables.
Charlie showed up each night with a different beautiful lady on his arm. Apparently he was the most popular bachelor on the beach.
Five very contented couples and one very tired bachelor returned to the family at the end of that week and insisted that Andy, Molly and Arthur spend a week at the resort too.
………………….
Harry was enjoying a moonlight fly over George's new island. He had not been this relaxed in years. The aches and pains from his latest run in with a nasty spell had been washed away by the warm waters and soft breezes.
He was thinking about George's plans for the island.
George wanted to grow plants needed for potions and products for WWW on the island and decided that a family vacation was a good time to scout the island and decide the best use of the land.
He also wanted Hermione's help. He had decided that he wanted a safe place for werewolves. Remus had been a good friend to him and Fred, encouraging them to work against Voldemort and insisting to the Order that they were old enough to join.
George thought that if he hired werewolves to run the island that they could make a safe place for them to transform each month. Werewolves had a hard time finding work. Here they could earn a good living and have a chance at a decent life.
He had interviewed witches and wizards that shared his enlightened view of werewolves and wanted to hire a few to work alongside the werewolves and as protection for them during the full moon. George knew it would be easy for someone of evil intent to sneak on the island during a full moon and harm his workers.
……
Ron, Harry, Ginny and Charlie had to leave the next morning. Hermione had insisted that Ginny leave James with her on the island. "After all I'm his godmother! I'll take care of him and he will do so much better here where it is warm instead of back home in the wet and cold. Besides you'll both be busy. Let's give Kreacher a break!"
So James was staying. Ginny had a sneaking suspicion that Hermione knew that Harry, Ginny and Ron would work twice as hard to get back to the island with the baby there.
Ron was James' godfather and had taken the role seriously. He was besotted by the baby. He would beg at least once a week for the right to watch James at his and Hermione's flat. He would sit with James on his lap and explain quidditch as they watched it on the Wizarding Cable-less Television channels. Yup Lee Jordan had finally succeeded in launching his idea. Thanks in part to money invested by every Weasley family, Harry and Ginny too. Of course quidditch network was Ron's favorite. Lee was a wonderful sports announcer.
Molly had said she did not want a set in her home but they would find her watching the soap operas when she was at one of their houses.
……..
Harry had managed to talk his boss in to Mondays off. Ron had to train on Mondays so Harry stayed on the island an extra day each weekend. Ginny popped back after every quidditch match she covered. The time change was really messing her up! She was nauseated and not hungry most of the time. But to be able to spend time in the islands beautiful setting was worth the bother.
But all good things must come to an end. They had one last bonfire on the beach. The children were all asleep in two hammocks.
………
Being a reporter certainly had its perks. Hermione's folks loved the music of Mozart and the Profit had two press passes for the celebrations being held in Salzburg on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth.
Many of the Profit's readers enjoyed classical music but their entertainment reporter was home on maternity leave and it left them with the passes and no one to report on the celebrations. Hermione's dad was a bit of a hit around the paper as they had done a few articles on his and George's inventions.
Dr. Granger volunteered to write about the festival for the paper in exchange for the passes. It tickled Ginny to see what had been a bastion of muggle bashing just a few years earlier eagerly accepts articles from him.
February
2/6/06 - Arthur's birthday party, girls announce they are pregnant.
Sunday at the Burrow, surrounded by family and friends, what could be better? Harry settled back in the couch and shifted so he could continue to play wizard's chess and not drop James who was sleeping on his chest. Ron was beating him soundly. To be fair Harry's mind was only half on the game.
Today was special, they were celebrating Arthur's birthday, and tomorrow he would be 56. There had been a steady stream of visitors all afternoon. Most had brought Arthur some muggle contraption as a present and he was over the moon. Molly and Kreacher had kept a buffet of deserts on the kitchen table. For two individuals who hated each other just around a decade ago, they had grown to love and respect each other. Molly saw the undying love and devotion Kreacher had to Harry, Ginny and James, Kreacher saw a Mum who had the same devotion in her heart for all those she loved. On a deep level they understood each other.
Luna had breezed in with a carburetor from an American car as a present for Arthur. Neville and Hannah had stopped by. They had brought Arthur an electric can opener. Kingsley had joined them briefly, his wife was expecting any day now so he did not want to be far from her side for long. He knew Molly wanted no part of anything electric so he had arraigned for solar panels to be installed on the roof of the garage. There Arthur could tinker with his electric toys to his heart's content.
Harry loved and admired his father-in-law. Arthur was well respected and even loved by his friends and colleges. Harry thought that Arthur was the kind of man that every male should strive to be. He often caught himself thinking "what would Arthur do?" when dealing with his colleges at work. He knew that Hermione and Percy visited Arthur's office as much as he did for advice and to talk things out.
…….
It was later that evening. The family was sitting around the big table in the kitchen. The littlest ones had been put to sleep, snuggled like puppies on Arthur and Molly's bed. Teddy and Victoire were trying bravely to keep their eyes open.
Percy stood up with his glass of pumpkin juice. "Dad I want to say just a little bit."
George faked a moan. "Oh no somebody stop him if Percy gets started Dad will never open up his gifts from us!"
Percy, very un Percy like, turned to his younger brother and stuck his tongue out! Ron laughed so hard pumpkin juice flew out of his nose. George, who had Victoire, his god daughter, on his lap gave a mock salute to his older brother and said pompously; "Carry on dear sir!"
"Dad this is for you, but" Percy turned to include everyone in the room, "it is for all of you too. I know we don't talk about the dark times when I wasn't here for the family." Molly made a dismissive motion. Percy held up his hand to her. "No mum this is something I've needed to say for a long time, please let me. Dad I said some harsh things to you before I left. I was wrong. You are the man every one of us should strive to be. I see now, that I have Audrey and Molly why you put us, your family first. I also understand the principles that you have always lived your life for. I admire them and the fact you never strayed from them. I want that strength of conviction. I messed up in the first part of my life; thought success was measured in gold and position. You have taught me and now I know that success is this," He motioned to the family sitting around the table. "People who love you and are loved by you. Let us raise our glasses to Arthur Weasley the most successful man I know!"
"Hear! Hear!"
"Well said!"
"Arthur, since we are all being serious, I'd like to add my thanks. If it were not for you, Teddy would not have a Grandfather to love. After that horrible year when we lost so many, you and Molly, even in your time of grief, reached out to us and made us a part of your family. To Arthur who I am proud to call my friend!"
Arthur stood, tears streaming down his cheeks, "My dear family I am a rich man. To love and be loved by such as you is wealth beyond measure. Thank you!"
Molly stood, wiping her eyes on her apron, "enough of this seriousness! Let's let him open his gifts! Teddy why don't you give Grandpa Arthur his gifts?"
Teddy jumped down and ran to the pile of gifts waiting by the fire.
"Grandpa this one is from Grandma Andy and me" Teddy had sat one day on the beach with Arthur, when they had all been on the island. While they enjoyed the breezes Teddy had sketched Arthur in his shorts and big floppy sun hat. Teddy had a wonderful talent, even at his young age and Andy had framed the sketch. "Grandpa turn it over there's a note!" in Teddy's childish scrawl was written "For my Grandpa Arthur who I love very much!"
Arthur hugged teddy and stood up. "This deserves a place of honor!" He strode over to the mantle and placed it in pride of place.
Victoire whispered in Teddy's ear and pointed to a clumsily wrapped package covered in spell-o-tape and bows. "Grandpa this is from Victoire and Dominique." Arthur opened the package to find a frame covered in sea shells and a picture of all his grandchildren on the beach.
"Well I know where this is going!" he said as he hugged Victoire. "Won't everybody be jealous when they visit my office and see what fine grandchildren I have!"
George and Angie gave him a weathered sign made of driftwood that had "Dad's Den" carved in it. Freddy had helped paint the wood in bright primary colors. "It's for the door of the garage!" Said Angie.
And they gave him more stock in WWW.
Audrey had make a mold of Arthur holding little Molly's hand and had it cast in resin for his desk.
Bill and Fleur had gotten him a big barrel bar-b-que like the ones he had admire on the island.
Ginny and Harry had collected an album of James and his grandpa and put "Arthur's brag book" on the front. Ginny said: Look dad it has room for pictures of all the other grandkids too!"
Ron and Hermione had gotten him a deluxe bar-b- que cooking equipment set that included an apron that said "Kiss the Cook". Arthur put the apron on immediately and ran to Molly for a kiss.
Bill stood and quieted the laughter. Dad Fleur and I have one more gift for you." Fleur stood smiling beside him.
"Papa you weel need to add zum more pages to zat album we are having a bebe!"
Molly and Arthur rushed to hug them both. Bill was a little annoyed that all his siblings except Charlie were laughing.
Percy stood up and said; "Well it may not be original but Mum, Dad, we're having a baby too!"
George fell out of his chair laughing. Angie stepped over her husband to announce "So are we!"
Ron and Hermione looked at each other and said as one "So are we!"
Ginny and Harry stood and Harry said: "I know what all you were doing on the island! That's OK we're having another one too!"
Molly had to be given a strong cup of tea. Arthur was beaming. Andy soon figured out that all the ladies were due on or near the same date.
"Wait till the Prophet hears about this! George they'll be hailing your little island as a fertility clinic!"
……………………………
Sometimes being an auror wasn't so bad. Ron and Harry took their turn around the complex where the British team was staying. England and winter Olympics were not names often said in the same sentence. There was a much smaller group, much easier for all the security, but the MOM still sent teams to add to the magical law enforcement sent by the other countries. This large a gathering of muggles was just too much of a temptation for those radicals left in the world. But these games had been quiet, magically speaking.
They had tomorrow off and were planning on seeing the closing ceremonies and then catching their port key home.
Later that night Harry laughed as they were trying to cram the last of the souvenirs they had bought for the children in to a duffle. Even with shrinking everything it was a tight fit. Hermione loved to ski so Ron had gotten her some new ski paraphernalia and the tip of a magically reduced ski was refusing to squash in to his bag.
Tired from their rounds they were lost in a fit of giggles after Ron muttered "Should have brought Hermione's bag!"
March
Ginny smiled! For once she and Harry were working the same event! The 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne had been a blast. The Profit had found that their younger readers were almost as interested in muggle sports as much as quidditch. Lee's cableless had seen to that.
So she was there, with Lee, covering England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Harry had been placed in charge of the security for those magical person's attending the games and Percy was there as a liaison.
Modern, chic and elegantly understated, The Westin Melbourne's dramatic staircase and light filled lobby overlooking the vibrant City Square sets the tone for one of Australia's leading hotels. What the muggle world did not know was it did a brisk business with the magical world.
Australia is home to some of the world's most ancient magic. Part of the articles Ginny had sent back were about the magical life in Australia.
Tonight Percy and Audrey were meeting Harry and Ginny for dinner; she wondered how Hermione and Ron were doing with James. She knew that her mum was having the time of her life with little Molly to spoil. So far both she and Audrey had felt wonderful, fingers crossed that would stay the same.
August
Charley had gotten a chance to have a week at home. Arthur had officially retired from the MOM the Friday before and the family was all gathered on the beach at Shell cottage to celebrate. Molly and Arthur had given the Burrow to Hermione and Ron. George had hired his mum to help out at WWW in Hogsmede and they were moving in to the flat above the shop.
Arthur was already looking forward to the quidditch matches he'd get to see at Hogwarts. Molly was looking forward to having a smaller place to take care of.
Fleur, Audrey, Angie, Hermione and Ginny were uncomfortably pregnant. All of them were within a week of their due dates.
Bill, Percy, George, Ron and Harry were waiting on them hand and foot all day. Bill had conjured a line of comfy lounge chairs. Percy had placed a cooling charm over each of the chairs. George had provided a canopy to keep the sun off them. Ron had thoughtfully located port-a-potties a few steps behind the chairs. Harry had established an odor barrier between the johns and the chairs.
The men took turns entertaining the children and waiting on their wives. Cool drinks and clothes were handed out generously. Anything they wanted or needed was quickly provided. Yes the Weasley men and Harry were earning brownie points this day!
At dinner time they moved to the lawn of the cottage. Bill and Arthur grilled superb steaks. Molly and Andy put out mountains of side dishes. Desert was fresh churned ice cream.
After dark they all settled in for a fireworks display. George, with help from Ron, was developing a new line of fireworks and wanted to try the prototypes out.
Most of the little ones were already fast asleep in Dominique and Victoire's bedrooms. Bill had made sure to place a silencing charm around the beds to keep the fireworks from scaring them.
Only Teddy, Victoire and James were awake and snuggled in Harry, George and Ron's arms, respectively.
The show was a rousing success. The new colors and shapes were all Ron and George had hoped they would be. George even ended with a burst that looked like Arthur, before morphing in to a sign that said "Happy retirement dad!" then a loud boom echoed and the sign disappeared in a shower of colors.
They were all clapping and telling George how good it was when Ginny stood up reached toward Harry and squeaked. She then looked at the ground and said "oh no my water's broke."
Hermione stood to help Ginny clean up the puddle when her eyes got big and she doubled over with a strange squeak. Ron got to her side just as her water broke. Almost at once Fleur, Audrey and Angie grabbed their backs and moaned.
Percy took one look at the situation and fainted dead away. Harry, Ron, George, Bill and Arthur each picked up a pregnant woman and ran to the apparition point.
Andi looked at Molly and said "Go I'll handle things here!"
Molly tossed Percy over her shoulder and ran to the apparition point after Charlie said he would stay and help Andromeda with the children.
…………..
The maternity ward at St. Mungo's was in an uproar. Ginny and Audrey were admitted in active labor. Ginny was almost completely dilated.
Ginny was the first to deliver a healthy baby boy with messy black hair and startling green eyes.
Audrey was the next to deliver, just before dawn, a tiny little girl who looked remarkably like her father.
Percy had recovered from his initial shock to do a wonderful job helping his wife through labor.
………….
Just after lunch Angie delivered their daughter. George was beside himself with happiness. He just sat holding his daughter, marveling at her skin the color of warm caramel and the curly fuzz on her head that was touched with just a hint of red.
Fleur had been up, walking and visiting her sisters-in-law until about a half an hour before she gave birth to their son. Bill was besotted. Louis was nothing like his two sisters. They had entered the world wailing. Louis preferred to lie peacefully in his parent's arms and look about.
………………….
Poor Hermione was having a difficult time. Her labor was hard and slow. Arthur had gotten her mum and dad, for a while having her mum and Ron with her helped. Then she got tired.
She knew everyone else had delivered. When it was time to push she was so tired that the med witches thought they might have to take the baby.
Ron, who was operating on caffeine and sleep deprivation, was the one who unwittingly gave her the inspiration she needed. "Oi Hermione just push it out! Everyone else has had theirs! It can't be that hard! If you don't hurry it'll be tomorrow!"
With a roar and a mighty effort Hermione brought their not so little girl into the world. Ron made the mistake of bending down to kiss her just after the birth. Hermione demonstrated her mastery of nonverbal spells when she sent him fly across the room to crash in to the wall.
August 2 2006
Prominent Wizarding Family welcomes five new members on the same day.
It was an event unprecedented in the history of St. Mungo's. "Not since the baby boom the year after Voldemort was defeated have we been this busy." Said med witch Cho Chang. "Never, that we know of, have 5 cousins been born on the same day here."
Mrs. Ginny Potter, ne Weasley, reporter for this paper and her Husband Harry, assistant head of the auror department, MOM, welcomed their second child, a boy at 12 past midnight August 1st.
Also welcoming their second child was Mrs. Audrey Weasley and her husband Percy, head of the department of sports regulation, MOM. They had a girl at 4: 15 am.
Mrs. Angelina Weasley and Mr. George Weasley, owner of the wildly successful WWW, welcomed their second child, a girl at 1:20 in the afternoon.
Mrs. Fleur Weasley, maker of the popular "Vela" line of skin care products, and Mr. William Weasley, renowned curse breaker, who works for Gringotts, welcomed their third child, a son at 2:01 pm.
Mrs. Hermione Weasley, head of the department of magical law, MOM, and Mr. Ronald Weasley, auror, MOM, welcomed their first child, a girl at 11:59 pm.
"We squeaked that one in!" Mr. R. Weasley was quoted as saying. "I told Hermione to get on with it as all the other's had been born!" Mr. Weasley spoke to us before being admitted to have his broken left shoulder repaired. It is not known how he received the injury.
In a related note; The MOM announced the retirement of Mr. Arthur Weasley. Minister Shaklebolt said of Mr. Weasley; "Arthur has been a trusted coworker of mine for many years. His devotion to cleaning up the ministry and his courage during the war against Voldemort is widely known. He will be missed, but he has earned the right to retire and enjoy spoiling his grandchildren.
The Weasley family is rumored to be one of the richest families in the wizarding world, with the success of WWW. How much they are worth is open to debate as when this reporter tried to inquire at Gringotts I was told to "Mind your own business." By the spokes-goblin.
August
Harry smiled as he watched his family. There were babies aplenty to pass around, toddlers underfoot all the while Teddy and Victoire moved from lap to lap.
He loved his birthday celebrations, Molly always made sure to make a spectacular cake. Kreacher and she seemed determined to make up for the years the Dursleys had ignored his day.
September
Harry and Ginny had spent a couple of pleasant august weekends helping Molly and Arthur prepare the Hogsmede shop for the school year. Now Harry and Ron were heading toward Hogsmede, flying above the Hogwarts Express.
They good naturedly took to brooms and allowed the older aurors the warmth and comfort of the train.
It had been a mild day and it was turning in to a clear night, beautiful enough to distract less dedicated individuals.
October
Ginny was back to work and Harry was up to his elbows in sudsy water. Teddy was staying the night and he was trying to get him, James and Albus bathed and in bed. Albus and Teddy had been relatively easy but James, as always, was a handful.
About an hour later than he had hoped he fell into bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow, Ginny, returning much later removed his glasses and pulled the cover up over him.