A/N: Well can you tell I have no real life yet, my third chapter in 24 hours. I have several of these written up I just have to have time to go through them.
So now we see what happens when Hermione feels threatened.
Chapter 12: Awaiting the Guests
They finished the splendid breakfast that Hermione had waiting for them and were about to go outside when a silver frog came leaping in. "Harry you won't believe it," said Neville's voice, "My parents have woken up and are lucid. They said that just got the strength to fight their demons. I'll try to come over but the healers won't release Mum and Dad for awhile so I might not see you until the new school semester starts."
Harry, Ginny, and Ron had told Hermione everything while Lillian devoured large portions only putting in a comment or two. Harry sent his stag back to Neville to tell him how great it was that his parents were okay and not to worry about coming over. He then turned to Lillian and thought //You sure you're up to using the ring? //
// Yeah I'll be fine and I think we will use your idea of passing the ring around. // She stood and stretched before turning to ask Ron, "When are the rest of the immediate Weasleys arriving?"
"Mum and Dad should be here any minute, the Percy and Penelope, Charlie and Rachelle, Fred and George and Bill and Fleur last, with their respective children of course. I think that they're all using Floo powder, except the ones that don't have children." Ron said counting them off.
They walked across the lawn, which was covered in various toys for children. She lit the she had set up a bon fire the night before do those using the Floo system wouldn't have to be in the house. Hermione summoned some chairs from inside. Sitting they spoke of their school days with Lillian telling them when she was there to help.
Lillian stood at the knock. She smiled and opened the gate, "Kevin welcome." She said hugging him"You've cut your hair since the last time you came over."
"I'll take that as a hint to come over more often Mama Potter." He said grinning down at her.
"Of course it is. Now come here. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione this is Kevin, the first of my orphans to leave home."
The boy rolled his eyes before leaning over slightly to whisper in her ear, "How are you since the accident?"
"I'm fine. Heather, Romulius, Leonard and the others are around back, why don't you go join them." She said smiling back.
The boy nodded and walked around the corner. Lillian pinned the gate open before sitting back down with the others. They had just started talking about Quidditch when Arthur and Molly Weasley arrived.
"Hi Mum, Dad" Ron said standing. He walked over to his parents the other three following leaving Lillian sitting.
'I don't know why I'm so nervous around them but I am'. She thought to herself sighing.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Harry's thoughts // Come on Mrs. Weasley will want to greet you too //
Lillian gave him a small smile before walking up behind Ron and Ginny who Mrs. Weasley was hugging. "Hello and welcome to Sanctuary." She said transferring her smile to the older woman.
Mrs. Weasley released her children and took Lillian's hands, "Thank you for saving them, for saving them all."
Lillian blushed, "I had to," she said looking at her.
"Mom you're embarrassing her," Fred said walking up through the gate. He and George walked over and gave their father a hug before turning back to their mother.
Mr. Weasley smiled at Lillian as his wife turned to the twins, "So when am I going to get grandchildren out of either of you anyway?" she said in mock anger.
"Well," George said leaning against the gatepost. "Personally if they're anything like us I don't think I want children. Fred?"
Fred put his hands in his pockets, "Maybe someday, but first I'd have to make sure that they would carry on our reputation and that the mother has a sense of humor." He said grinning down at his mother.
Mrs. Weasley threw her hands up and turned back to Lillian, "I still thank you."
Lillian looked at the red hair lady and gave her a hug whispering, "Well what else was I suppose to do? Harry had a knack of getting himself and others into trouble."
"I thank you for Fred too," Mrs. Weasley whispered shaking. After standing like that for a minute Molly stepped back to her husband and said, "Where do you want us anyway?"
"Actually Mum she, we want to ask you for a favor." Ron said.
"What can we do for you Miss. Potter?" Mr. Weasley asked walking up with his wife.
Harry answered, "We should wait for the others to get here first."
The newcomers shrugged, and sat in the chairs that Hermione just summoned out. The conversation soon turned to child raising and sending them off to school.
"James is adjusting well to Hogwarts, and found a girlfriend but won't tell us her name," Harry said, "and Albus goes next year. Oh the fun of children. At least it will be quieter around the house with just Lily."
"Try raising seven and sending them off," Mr. Weasley chortled. "But then you saw some of that when you came over during your Hogwarts years."
"Seeing this place makes seven seem so few," Mrs. Weasley said looking at Lillian. "How many do you have attending next year?"
Lillian thought for a moment before saying, "Fourteen in all. Heather and Romulius will be sixth years, Lissil, and Raymond will be second years. Henry and Lucilla will be starting after Christmas break, hopefully as fourth years. Then I have at least eight children that should be accepted in. It's thanks to you and Harry that I can afford their supplies, Ginny." She said with a smile.
There was a short silence before George broke it; "I know that you probably love them all very much, but what about adoption? I've seen your ads in the back of the Prophet but always in the least noticeable places."
"It comes back to money. When I have spare money, it's only enough to get the least expensive advertisement spot." She said, "But now I can afford better placement," she glanced at Fred for a moment.
Made aware or their arrival by a small pop she looked to see a young couple coming up the path. She got up and walked over to greet them. "Shannon, Markus come and meet my brother and his family."
"Hi ya Mamma Potter," the boy said grinning. He was a tall youth with dark brown hair. The young woman next to him smiled pleasantly, "So that was the secret that you always hid." She said swinging one of her two long blonde braids around to fiddle with. "Hello I'm Shannon MaccKreey and this oaf is Markus Lindion, "she said to the others.
Lillian hugged the newcomers laughing, "You two go on around back and have fun, Kevin is already here." The two nodded and raced around. She watched them run off, "I'm just waiting for the wedding announcement for those two." She said chuckling, the others joined in.
They had just settled down when Bill and Fleur arrived. Just as they were finishing the introductions Professors McGonagall and Flitwick arrived by Floo with Hagrid.
The half giant walked up to Harry and patted him on the shoulder, Harry winced slightly be grinned up at him. "So 'Arry when were ye goin' to tell me about yah sister?"
"I figured that you already knew," Harry said a little sheepishly.
"That's mostly my fault," Lillian said, "I made a promise not to let Harry know about myself, so I asked Professor Dumbledore not to tell Hagrid, and I just avoided you," she finished shrugging.
"I know, I'm just teasing 'Arry here," Hagrid said clapping her back.
She stumbled forwards into Fred and George, "You got to watch out when Hagrid pats you on the back," Fred said smiling at her.
"Thanks for that tidbit of info." she said with a slight blush.
"So where is your wife this year?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Off visiting some friends, we're going to have a private party tomorrow."
Shortly after the Professors arrived so did the last two of Lillian's old orphans arrived as well as Charlie and Percy with their wives. Once the children were set around to join the others Harry told them an abbreviated version of how Lillian came to have the Resurrection Ring.
After he finished everyone turned to Lillian. Nervously rocking from foot to foot she stated, "I want to use it to bring some spirits back," slowly glancing from face to face.
After a short pause the group around her erupted with questions.
"Who are you…?"
"How many…?"
"Why are…?
Hermione looked straight at Lillian and asked, "How can you do it? Even you're not that strong and how have you kept from going crazy?"
"I keep from going crazy by only summoning those spirits that wish to come. They don't belong here anymore but they don't suffer because they want to be here. The wizard in the old tale kept his old sweetheart against her will. I don't, I ask them to come willingly, but I'm going to need help from all of you this time."
The rest of the group watched this combat of wills apprehensively.
"I want to see the ring." Hermione demanded.
Lillian stared at her for a while before reaching under her heavy robes and pulling out the chain that held the ring. She handed it to Hermione carefully, "Don't put it on unless you have a person you want to contact someone. Otherwise you could be lost in the in-between." Lillian told her.
Hermione nodded looking at the ring solemnly. Glancing at the other woman she noticed her eyes for the first time, Her eyes, they change more than usual hazel eyes change. Handing the ring back she asked, "How can we help?" slightly confused.
"Well once the actual summoning is completed the energy drain is minor and Harry had the idea of passing the ring from person to person during the party. But I don't want too many people knowing about the ring. Just as I would like to keep the extension of my healing powers a secret for as long as possible. Glancing at Hagrid and who was looking at is over large fingers she added, "And we need someone to watch the ring bears to make sure that they don't expend too much energy. I thought that you could do that Hagrid."
Hagrid brightened and smile down at her. // Thanks, he was feeling useless //
She just nodded without looking at Harry.
Looking on with an affectionate gleam in her eye Professor McGonagall asked, "Who are you bringing?"
"I don't want to bring back too many but I figured Professors Dumbledore and Snape, Remus, Tonks, Sirius, and our parents," she finished nodded to Harry and herself.
At the mention of Snape's name there were some slight grumblings from the older Weasley children. Lillian bit her lip to keep from saying anything. She started when a hand came to rest on her shoulder, "Professor Snape was one of the bravest men I know of. I found that at the night of the Battle of Hogwarts. I found out more recently that he watched over me better than I could have ever imagined, he took care of my sister when she hurt herself because she was watching out for me," Harry said squeezing her shoulder. "He became her source of comfort just as Mrs. and Mr. Weasley became mine and I will not take any animosity shown towards him in my sister's or my presence," glaring at the grumblers.
// You didn't have to do that you know. I've lived with it till now it really is all right. //
// No it's not all right! He was a good man and he took care of you when you needed it // he released the vice like grip on her shoulder slightly. // Besides isn't it my turn to protect you? // he sent with a feeling of endearment.
Professor Flitwick looked at both of them then nodded to himself before asking, "When shall we do this?"
"I can go now and get them," seeing the nods of agreement she sat in a chair. Leaning back she closed her eyes slipping the ring onto her finger.
For the second time that day she was surrounded by a think fog, a glowing blue path lay before her. She stepped down onto it and trotted down it looking straight ahead. For in this place if you looked to the sides you could become lost.
After walking for what seemed like hours the fog thinned and the road ended in a circle of the blue glowing light.
Going to the center she called out, "Hello would Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks Lupin, Sirius Black, James Potter, and Lily Potter please come to meet me?"
"Of course we will darling," James said walking out of the fog holding his wife, followed by Remus, Tonks, Sirius, and few minutes later Dumbledore and Snape.
With the final two stepping in she began, "I'm not sure if you are aware of this but in the living world it is Christmas and I want the first Christmas of getting to know Harry be shared by all of you."
"Are you certain that this is a good reason to use the ring?" Dumbledore asked, "It is a bit self centered."
Lillian looked at the old headmaster before replying, "It is not just for me. This allows Harry's sons, James and Albus to learn about the men for whom they are named after, Teddy to know his parents, and Harry and me to get to know Mom and Dad as well as Sirius," confidently.
"She's got you there Albus," Snape said laughing, bumping into Sirius.
Sirius caught him before saying, "And I thought that Harry could back talk," chuckling.
Dumbledore smiled, "good choices all around Lillian, lead on."
Turning she glancing at Sirius and Severus laughing like old friends she thought, good they've overcome their differences. She stepped straight up to the platform that she began on.
Opening her eyes she saw that two new arrivals were there. The young man with blue hair tipped in pink stood with Fred talking, while an older woman stood with Harry discussing the boy. By her looks Lillian knew that this was Andromeda, Tonks' mom. "They're coming," she croaked. Fred came over with a glass of water. She smiled thankfully before taking it. After she finished it she said again, "They should be coming through anytime now."
As Lillian took another sip Harry noticed movement in the shadows of an old tree next to the wall. He turned to welcome the incoming guests. His heart clenched when the first person through was his mother, quickly followed by the rest. Dumbledore, Snape, Sirius, and Remus looked better then they ever had when he knew them in life. "Hello er…. everyone."
Lillian by this time had recovered some and walked over carefully with Fred and George dragging Theodore in tow.
Teddy's hair turned a bright eye splitting yellow color as he stopped before his parents. "Hi Mom and Dad."
Lillian wobbled slightly falling against Theodore. "Mr. Potter!" Professor Snape said loudly, "I believe that it is time for someone to relieve Lillian of that ring, don't you think," he finished smiling.
"Of.. of course Professor" Harry stammered.
"I got it," George and Fred said at together. They looked at each other stunned.
"No I think I should wear it first." Harry said going to his sister. They touched fingertips together and Harry slid the rind from her finger to his own figure. The ghostly figures instantly brightened so that you could only just barely see through them.
Lillian relieved from the burden straightened up and thanked Harry's godson before saying, "Shall we get this started. The children will play most of the day, but as soon as they go to bed tonight we can really get started."
The over large group nodded and started around back allowing Lillian and Harry to go first followed by the ghosts.
They entered a large tent with a huge bonfire going in it. Tables filled with food stood along one side. Tables to eat at and chairs were scattered around along the edges of a dance floor. The walls were ready to be pulled down when it became too cold, the wind was already picking up.
It was the older children who first noticed the newest guests. The younger children noticing them staring turned to look as well.
"Some special guests came to join us tonight, would James, Albus and Lily come here?"
Lillian stepped aside and allowed Harry to make the introductions. She knew that the ring wouldn't be kept a secret after this but she didn't really care. Perhaps she would use it to allow the children to see their parents a few times a year.
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A/N: Well this was a shorter chapter than the last. Thanks for reading, sorry about any mistakes. BTW my forum is up if any of you want to send stories to have advertised. Well I'll see you in a few days.
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