A freshly showered Ron and Severus appeared on Luna and Neville's front walk. Kipper and Joy appeared a moment later carrying baskets laden with food.
"Please ring the doorbell Ethan." Severus said. "Wait a moment Ron. Your hair is still wet." Severus cast a drying charm.
Luna answered the door. "Welcome everyone." They entered and Neville asked, "What is all this?" when he saw the baskets of food.
"We asked Kipper to make something to bring for dinner, but we left it to her discretion," Ron replied.
Ron helped Elena remove her cloak, and hung it on the peg next to his.
"She discreetly made roast potatoes for Madame Luna, lasagne for Master Neville, chocolate cake for Madame Hermione, grilled salmon for Master Draco, miso soup for Master George, lemon gelato for Madame Verity, peanut butter and strawberry preserve sandwiches for the children. There is also a vegetable tart because we do not eat enough of them. That is a direct quote."
"I love lasagne, thank you," Neville chuckled. "Verity brought an apple pie. Luna made broccoli, salad and meat."
"Meat?" Ron asked, trying not to laugh.
"She couldn't decide. She made a half a game hen, a lamb chop and a small steak for each of us."
"Are your menus always like that?" asked Ron as they walked toward the parlour. "Luna wants choices at meals. I enjoy it. It's a bit like Hogwarts."
Ron and Neville joined the others. Luna asked everyone what they wanted to drink. Verity offered to assist her. She was still wearing the cashmere sweater. The right shoulder slipped as she stood, and exposed more of her shoulder blade when she turned.
"One moment Verity," Severus said in the low voice every student feared. "What is that on your back?" Severus glared at George.
"It is George's trademark. I let him put it there," Verity replied.
"When?" Severus growled.
"I overwrote the Roland brand at 2:47 this morning according to the betrothal contract," George replied smoothly.
"You know something of Verity's injuries. You could have harmed her further," Severus said sternly.
"He didn't Severus," Verity replied. She sounded upset. "I spent almost a year researching ways to remove those ownership brands from everyone. They don't come off. You know that."
"What are your intentions George?" Severus asked stonily.
Ron was trying not to laugh. He had flooed his parents to thank them for their support of his bonding. His father told him about his encounter with the witch from the Contracts Department.
"I grovelled and we made a promise bond. That was at 6:22."
"Congratulations," Severus said, as he removed a wrapped gift box and an envelope from his robes. He handed Verity the box, and George the envelope.
"Don't mind him. He's just practising for when Elena marries an unrepentant prankster whose enduring legacy is a portable swamp," Ron said.
Verity opened the box. It contained a pair of antique sapphire earrings surrounded by swirls of gold. "I've heard every bride should wear something blue," Severus said blandly. Verity giggled, and looked toward a blushing Ron. Severus enveloped Verity in a hug, and kissed her temple.
Severus said, "I will need to examine your back before we leave tonight. You may be able to decrease your dosage of one or two of the potions since this mark was undertaken voluntarily."
Joy appeared, "Dinner is ready. The children have started."
Joy and Kipper were serving the after dinner tea and coffee. Luna, Hermione and Verity had taken Chelsea upstairs to bed.
"Kipper," Ron said, "Please take Ethan and Elena back to Hogwarts. Elena should go to bed when she gets there. Ethan can stay up in his room until 21:00."
When Luna, Hermione, and Verity returned, Ron said, "We can get started now."
Hermione asked, "Since we are all here tonight, does this mean we are cancelling lunch tomorrow?"
George answered, "No, we are preparing for tomorrow. I think we should go over Ron's plan for the group tonight. We invited August to lunch. Neville and I thought everyone should hear what he told us today. Does anyone think we need added security?"
"I'm sure he realizes I will kill him if he even considers having a deceitful thought," Severus said. "However, I must insist that each of you wear a shielded robe or cloak."
"I don't have a shield cloak," Verity said.
"Yes you do." George answered, "You still wear the cloak Fred and I gave you. The shop work robes are shielded as well. I put a new cloak in the wardrobe, along with boots. Wear the new one. I tweaked the charms a little. The cloaks handle foreign spells better now."
As Verity was about to protest, Severus' hand brushed her knee, "Say thank you."
"I had no idea. Thank you George," Verity said.
Ron said, "When I reserved the room, I added several wards including two anti-eavesdropping charms."
Neville asked, "Do we want to plan a seating arrangement?"
"Did you get a round table?" Draco questioned.
"Yes, Severus already suggested it," Ron answered.
"Leave the seat to the left of Ron open," Severus said. "August will take that as a sign of our honest intent if he is seated next to the leader."
Draco added, "Is there anyone who will arrive on their own?"
Verity spoke up, "I will. I'll be in Hogsmeade for my morning dance classes. George is working in Diagon Alley tomorrow."
Hermione interjected, "Walk with me and Draco. I'll be at the bookshop."
By the end of the meeting, George and Verity were at odds.
Verity sighed, "We are taking enough precautions, George."
"You are starting to sound like Mum," Ron jested.
"I am not. I'm trying to be sure we're not taking too many risks." George countered. "I can't lose anyone else," he said under his breath.
Luna said softly, "Everyone in this room survived the war. We know the risks."
Severus looked toward Verity. In her mind she heard, "The Weasley's are exceptionally loyal to those they love. Ron is quite possessive as well. Allow yourself that pleasure. It can be difficult for those of us not used to being loved. I am always here for you."
Hermione finished brushing her teeth, and splashed water on her cheeks. She quickly dried her face with a soft towel, and slipped on a new short black negligée. She hoped Draco would like it. He had seemed to enjoy dinner, but was too quiet during the meeting.
Draco was already in bed with the lights off. He was laying on his left side facing the door. He did that when he was upset.
Hermione went to the side of the bed, and knelt on the deep pile carpet. She smoothed Draco's still pale blond hair with her left hand.
"Draco?" she asked softly.
He opened his eyes, and smiled slightly. He reached out and touched her cheek.
"Was I like George?"
"What do you mean?"
"I recall you telling me many times that I was possessive, controlling, and tried to make all your decisions for you when we first dated."
"You are all those things. Plus loving, intelligent, hard working, and the most attractive man I know," Hermione added.
"I love you so much Hermione. I don't know what I would do if I lost you. I understand George. When you gave me a chance I could barely believe it. I'd done so many things wrong."
"I hope you believe it now. We're married."
"It never ends does it? The darkness."
"I never expected to be this happy Draco. I love you."
Draco moved to the middle of the bed and flipped the covers open. Hermione stood and climbed in bed. Draco pulled her down for a deep kiss which led to some of the most passionate sex they'd had during their marriage.
Draco fell asleep in his wife's arms. She heard him mumble in his sleep. "Don't kneel Hermione. Never. Never kneel, promise me please."
Severus awoke early the next morning. He decided to work on his new book.
"Kipper," he called. "Please bring the trunks from the storeroom."
Ron came out of the bedchamber. "Do you have a plan for the morning?"
"I wanted to continue with my writing, but I need to unpack a few things from my trunks first."
"I'll help," Ron said.
"What is this?" Ron asked about an hour later.
"Wormtail left a few things in a wardrobe," Severus said. "I never bothered to examine them."
About twenty minutes later Ron asked, "Would you recognize Voldemort's handwriting?"
"Why do you ask?"
"This is part of a powerful dark wizard's personal diary. Some spells and research results are included."
Severus took the sheaves. About forty pages were present. He read several of the notations.
"This almost cost me my children," Severus said, too calmly for Ron's peace of mind. "What else is in that box?"