Chapter 11 – Moving On
They reached the house and stepped inside to find the entire family, including Hermione, gathered at the dining table talking. Harry set the cradle down in a corner and marveled at how James remained sleeping. He turned to Ginny, and she gave him a small smile and a nod as they took seats at the table. Arthur turned and inquired of Harry how his business at the Ministry had gone.
"It went well Arthur. I have everything cleared up with the legal paperwork for my inheritances that came to me when I came of age. I also found out that I'm more of a celebrity than I realized. It wasn't exactly a good idea for me to show up at the Ministry unannounced and think I could just get my business done and get out."
"You did what?" Arthur rubbed the bridge of his nose and continued. "Alright, what happened?"
"Kingsley found out fairly quickly that I was in the building and sent a lovely young lady to collect me. She acted as my escort and helped me get everything done. By the way Percy, Audrey says hello. She hopes all is well with your family and she misses you. I was told to relay that message."
Percy blushed and George raised an eyebrow at him. "Audrey? Who is Audrey? Maybe Percy's after hours work hasn't been all career oriented, hmm?"
Everyone laughed, happy to see George surfacing from his despair enough to tease his brother.
"So Arthur, how did things go at the Burrow?" Harry asked.
"Well, we have all the protections and wardings back in place. We did a fair bit of cleanup as well. There's still a bit to do. The main problem is there is some structural hex damage that needs special repairs before we can go back and I'll have to hire help for that. But, we had a good day, got a lot done."
"Glad to hear Arthur. There is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about. I guess it would be fine here with the family."
Arthur gave Harry a curious look as Harry put an arm around Ginny.
"Arthur, I'd like to ask your permission to marry Ginny. I proposed this afternoon and she has accepted."
The room erupted in cheers and Ginny held out her hand for her mother to see the ring. Arthur beamed at Harry.
"Of course I grant my permission Harry. I was hoping you wouldn't wait too long. And you already got a ring even."
"Actually, the ring was something I picked up when I visited Gringotts. It was my mother's ring. Dumbledore left it in their vault."
The room went silent briefly when Muriel stepped in. "What is all this commotion in here? An old woman can't even enjoy an afternoon nap."
Arthur was the first to reply. "Sorry Muriel, we were just celebrating. Harry and Ginny are engaged."
"Oh, is that all, well about time."
Muriel left the room and everyone looked back at the young couple. Realizing that there would be no better time, Harry decided to broach the next subject he needed to discuss.
"There's something else I needed to talk about with you Arthur, Molly. When I was settling my inheritance at the Ministry, I discovered that I actually have quite a bit more than I had ever dreamed. It's all a bit hard to accept, as I haven't done anything to earn the money, it just came to me by way of my family. Well, those family members are no longer with me, but I have a new family now. You and Molly welcomed me in years ago, even before Ginny and I were together. I'm thrilled that we will be formalizing the bond, but I want you to know that I already feel that you are my family."
Harry paused and Molly spoke up. "Of course Harry. We've felt the same way for years."
Harry reached over and squeezed Molly's hand that was resting on the table. "Good, then I hope you can accept what I am about to say in the spirit of family. I realize that you have struggled for years, always providing for your family, but often sacrificing what you want. I also know that the Burrow is going to need some repairs. So, while I was at Gringotts, I initiated a transfer of funds from the Potter vault to your vault. I don't want to make a big deal out of this, as I don't see it as a big deal. I still have more than I could imagine what to do with."
Molly seemed a bit stunned, so Arthur spoke up. "We appreciate the thought Harry, but you know we never want charity. How much did you transfer anyway?"
"Family is not charity Arthur, and the amount I transferred is 500,000 galleons."
Ginny screamed in Harry's ear, Molly looked like she was going to faint, everyone else at the table gasped and Arthur looked suddenly pale.
"Merlin's beard Harry, that is more than generous. I don't know that we can accept that and we don't want to gut your inheritance."
"Arthur, the transfer is done. Like I said, I want you to accept it in the spirit of family. You don't need to worry about me either. I still have a bit over 4.6 million galleons, three pieces of real estate and a whole list of heirlooms spread between the vaults that I haven't even cataloged yet."
Arthur sat back in his seat, suddenly bereft of words. Molly finally came around and spoke. "Well Harry, since you seem set on this. I guess we should thank you. It will make fixing the Burrow much easier. Arthur, I guess we can go ahead and hire some specialists to get the work done soon. After all, we need to get the place in shape for a wedding."
Arthur nodded and Harry sat back, pulling Ginny to him and smiling at his family around the table.
The next few days were busy ones at Muriel's. Arthur and Molly immediately hired four specialists to start the repairs at the Burrow. The team they hired worked mostly autonomously with occasional consults from the family. This left the family time to finally relax and work through their grief as they planned Fred's memorial. The funeral was being held at Hogwarts, exactly one week after the battle. Headmistress McGonagall and Minister Shacklebolt had announced on the day after the battle that a special memorial graveyard was to be setup on the far end of Black Lake, on the opposite side from where Dumbledore's tomb sat. Everyone who died in the battle was welcome to be buried there, unless their families deferred. A total of fifty five were due to be buried and all of the families agreed. At first the thought had been difficult for Molly, wanting to bring her son home to the resting place that held many generations of the family. George was the one who stepped in and pressured his parents to let Fred remain where he belonged on the grounds of the school he died defending. Most of the details were being arranged by the Ministry, with the family approving the final tombstone inscription. Preparations for the mass funeral were given priority even over the rebuilding of the castle.
Since the battle everyone had been in a heightened state of activity, wanting to get everything cleared up and done immediately. The Weasleys spent their time at Muriel's passing the days together, talking about Fred and the others that had been lost. The mass funeral was expected to take a large part of the day, so the family was scheduling a more personal memorial celebration on the day following. George was still a shadow of his former self, but preparations for the memorial party were the one thing he spent the most effort on in the days following the battle.
Six days after the battle, the specialists at the Burrow declared it was suitable for habitation. They would have another week of work, but that could be worked around the family. Muriel had been gracious, but she was getting crankier by the day having her house overrun by more guests than she had hosted in decades. So the family was happy to thank her abundantly and then move back into the Burrow. Harry had been working with an Auror from the Ministry to clear Grimmauld Place, but it wasn't ready yet, so he also moved into the Burrow. Surprisingly, Molly let him stay with Ginny and James. After all that had happened she seemed to have loosened her stance on cohabitation. George and Percy shared Percy's old room. Ron had his room at the top of the Burrow and Hermione was given the twins old room, which had been carefully cleaned out and converted to guest quarters. Settling back into the Burrow made Harry feel like he had truly come home.
The day after they moved back, everyone woke early and prepared to make their way to the Hogwarts funeral. Donning dress robes and house ties, everyone moved around the busy house quietly as they readied themselves. The Weasleys had been assigned an apparition point on the north side of Hogsmeade at an arrival time of 9:17, when everyone appeared together at the appointed hour. The schedule had been designed to allow for the thousands of guests who were expected to arrive in a staggered sequence and avoid accidents and crowding. They then made the long walk up to the gates of Hogwarts. The gates had been repaired and daylight lanterns filled with glowing brindlebugs marked the path to the newly appointed graveyard. Everyone walked quietly, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Harry carried baby James in one arm and held Ginny's hand. They had discussed not bringing him, but with the number of people attending there was no one who could watch him. The Weasley family arrived and took designated seats in the family section. Harry looked up from his seat and caught his breath. The day was beautiful, with white clouds reflecting on the dark, quiet surface of the lake. Arrayed on the shore were fifty five white stone caskets sitting next to fifty five perfectly excised holes that waited to receive them. Seeing them all lined up in mass was a heart shattering sight. As much as everyone thought they had prepared for the day, nothing really could prepare them.
More guests soon poured into the seats that were arranged staggered in tiers on the hill above the new graveyard. Shortly after they sat, Harry saw Andromeda Tonks arrive with his godson, Teddy Lupin. He handed James to Ginny and went to greet them. Andromeda was uncommonly kind and gave Harry a long hug. He took her by the arm and led her to a seat at the end of the row of Weasleys. She looked at Ginny, then looked at James and then finally at Harry. Ginny smiled at raised her hand to show Andromeda her ring. The older woman smiled and shook her head as Ginny offered her James and the two women exchanged babies. Soon all the seats except the front row were full. Then the last to arrive were the resident professors, led by Headmistress McGonagall. By her side was Kingsley, as well as several other ministry officials who took their seats in the front. At the appointed time of 10:30, Headmistress McGonagall stood as magical bells rang over the grounds and the ceremony began.
The headmistress kept her opening speech brief, her voice cracking several times as she struggled to continue. She had always been a source of strength in Harry's mind, but this day she was showing her age and looking more frail than he had ever seen. Once she had finished the opening, Kingsley stood and gave a few words from the Ministry. The ceremony continued on after that as each casket was interred in the ground after words were spoken by a designated family member or friend. When Fred's name was read, George stood slowly and made his way down the hill to say his final goodbyes to his twin. Once all students were interred, the last few caskets were interred, including Remus and Tonks. Andromeda handed James to Harry and made her way to perform the honors for her daughter and son-in-law. Harry looked at little Teddy asleep in Ginny's arms and promised himself that one day he would tell his godson every detail of this day. The ceremony ended at 12:45 and everyone dismissed. Light refreshments were available and the crowd began to separate into clusters as groups spoke quietly among themselves.
As the ceremony ended, Ginny handed Teddy back to Andromeda and she and Harry promised to visit soon. Then Harry handed James to Ginny and took her arm as they made their way to where the Hogwarts staff was gathered. Professor McGonagall smiled as she saw them approach and her smile caused several more heads to turn. Harry reached the professor and gave her a brief hug.
"Hello Professor McGonagall. Your words were very moving. How are you doing?"
"Thank you Harry. I'm as well as can be. So much work to be done. I see you brought your son to show off. I must say, when I delivered that news at the staff meeting it caused a good bit of a stir. I know a few of my colleagues have been wanting to meet James."
Harry smiled as he looked at his former professors, as well as Madam Pomfrey. "Good afternoon everyone. As you might have heard, after the battle I received a bit of a surprise when I found out that Ginny had given me a son. This is James Sirius."
Ginny turned the baby so everyone could see and Professor Sprout tried to dart forward to see the baby, but Professor Flitwick was in front of her, bouncing on his toes, reaching for the baby. Ginny chuckled and handed her son down to the charms professor.
"There is one other piece of news that you haven't heard yet Professor McGonagall. Several days ago Ginny accepted my proposal. We are going to be married this next summer."
A bit of applause greeted Harry's announcement and Professor McGonagall dabbed her eyes and congratulated her former students. Meanwhile, Professor Flitwick had been coerced into releasing his hold on James and Professor Sprout was taking her turn. Harry and Ginny stayed and talked with the professors for about fifteen minutes before taking James from Madam Pomfrey and rejoining the rest of the Weasleys.
A half hour later, the entire family said their goodbyes and made their way back to the Burrow.
The following day was Fred's memorial service at the Burrow. George absolutely forbade anyone from wearing dark colors and threatened anyone who was not having fun with a cheering charm. His own eyes were dark shadows, but he was doing his best to provide a party that would make Fred proud. The entire house came together starting the afternoon of the funeral and began to prepare a truckload of food, including all of Fred's favorite sweets. The memorial party started the following day at 2:30pm, as most of the guests arrived in time for Quidditch at three. A total of 22 students that were not family arrived, as well as a few adults. More people would arrive later for dinner. There were enough students to field four teams, so two full games were played with an interval between for refreshing with cases of butterbeer. Dinner was to be served at six, so when the games wrapped there was still a bit more than an hour left to go.
With time to spare, George looked at the array of hot and sweaty Quidditch players laying under the trees. In a moment of inspiration, he downed the last of his butterbeer, then reached down and grabbed Ron by one arm and Angelina by one arm and headed for the creek, shouting for everyone to come along. Laughing at George, all the Quidditch players and most of the spectators made their way to the creek on the far side of the Weasley property. Kicking off shoes, everyone dove into the refreshing waters and soon a melee of splashing and dunking ensued, with George in the middle of it all. Once everyone cooled down they made their way back to the sunny shore to lay out and dry off. Harry and Ginny were walking up the embankment when a chorus of whistles caused them to turn and laugh. The last two people left standing in waist deep water were Ron and Hermione. They were wrapped around each other snogging furiously until the commotion on the shore finally brought them to reality. Harry just shook his head. In the week since the battle, Ron and Hermione had finally come to terms with their feelings for each other and the display was something he was no longer unfamiliar with.
Harry settled on a patch of grass by the creek and Ginny curled up against him as their family and friends did the same. Soon everyone began talking and swapping stories about Fred and his antics. The scene on the edge of the creek with a couple dozen lazing, talking teenagers resembled a mid-day slumber party. Shortly before six the sound of Mrs. Weasley's bell echoed across the fields and everyone gathered themselves, casting drying charms as needed and made their way back to the Burrow.
Dinner was a sumptuous affair held on the old picnic tables in the Weasley garden. Aunt Muriel, a number of other older relatives and some family friends had also arrived and the mood was festive, as ordered by George. Wine and butterbeer flowed freely and they spent a couple of hours working through the various courses of the meal. Afterward, George directed everyone to the east side to the Burrow, where he had arranged a field of picnic blankets. Once everyone was settled, George set off the largest ever display of Weasley's Wild-fire Whizbangs. The show lasted three times longer than the exit extravaganza the twins had let off during Umbridge's year at Hogwarts. The finale of the show ended with a blazing portrait of Fred set in the night sky. After the show, the older family members and a few friends began to leave. George, his brothers, their partners and a dozen friends remained, sitting on blankets and reminiscing. Once his mother was out of sight, George produced four bottles of firewhisky and began to pass them around. Only Ginny abstained, due to the fact she was nursing, and soon the close group of friends became comfortably pissed as a final tribute to Fred. As the bottles emptied, Angelina gradually made her way to George's side and soon they were snogging. The rest of the party dissolved into couples and talk ceased as everyone became involved with their partners. Just as the first articles of clothing began to be tossed aside, Arthur's voice brought them back to reality.
"Alright everyone. Sorry to break up the party, but Molly sent me to check on you. If you don't head back soon she will be coming this way."
A few groans greeted the announcement and everyone began to gather themselves. George reached for his shirt and found that his arm wouldn't fit. Then he realized it was actually Ginny's shirt and groaned. Arthur laughed, shook his head and left the group to collect themselves. A few minutes later, everyone arrived back at the Burrow with each person back in their rightful clothing. Everyone was a bit pissed and Molly scowled as they walked toward her.
"Well, I see the party continued after we left. Firewhisky I presume? Alright, looks like you lot are staying here tonight. I won't risk any of you trying to apparate in your current state. We'll set up ticks in each room. Separate rooms only, no mixing!"
Before long everyone was settled in the Burrow. Harry was in a room with George, Percy, Seamus and Neville. He was missing Ginny, but her room had been designated as the girls dorm for the night. As he was about to drift off to sleep, George spoke.
"Was a good day for him, wasn't it? He would've loved it all."
Harry and the others all agreed moments before the long day and the firewhisky finally claimed them.