DISCLAIMER: The framework of the world and many of the characters belong to JKR. No $$$ being made.
A/N: A reviewer asked: what was up with Molly when she and Ron went and saw Hermione to try and patch things up? She went as moral support for her son who told her it was just a row and Hermione was being mental and all. When Molly discovered the truth during the confrontation, she held her tongue. This was between Ron and Hermione. But, when she got Ron alone…
Some have wondered whether Ginny is going to crash the wedding. I already wrote than scene. Nope. That's just so WRONG.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
FRIDAY - JULY 7, 2006 - 12 GRIMMAULD PLACE, LONDON, U.K.
The phone rang at about seven in the morning. Thankfully, Harry had become an early riser over the years and was eating breakfast with Teddy at the time. Harry had a wireless phone system installed and usually had one of his walk around phones within arms length, along with his cell phone.
"Hello? Potter residence," he began.
"Is this really?" and excited female voice replied. Harry could tell from the accent she was Australian. "Oh My God? Is it really?"
"Who may I ask is calling?"
"Oh, I am sorry. How silly of me. I am Amanda Cochran. My cousin Mick gave me this number and said I should ring you up and, Oh My God! It this really Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?"
"Regretfully, it is," Harry sighed. Fan girl. "I really don't like being The Harry Potter, mind you."
"Sorry, it's just that…"
"I get it all the time. But I'd rather be just Harry, if you don't mind."
"Of - of course. Anyway, Mick told me to give you a ring. Something about my friend Janie. Is she in some sort of trouble?" there was real concern in her voice Harry noted.
"Why would you think that?"
"Well," she huffed, "my cousin is pretty high up in Magical Law Enforcement here and you are the number two there. Naturally I assumed this is work related."
"It's not."
"Then why?"
"I was going to call you," Harry said, "you see, I am one of the people who is helping to arrange something for Janie and - well - we Arrangers want all of Janie's friends to be here for it and…"
"She's getting married!?"
"She is."
"Oh My God, that's wonderful! Who's the lucky fella?"
"There are security issues involved…"
"Ah, that explains Law Enforcement's involvement."
Who am I to argue with that? Harry thought. Will make this easier.
"Ah, yes. Well, Janie's role in the last war … um … let's just say there are certain elements who might wish to cause her harm. And the groom is also an individual of interest, particularly with the local press and such. The couple wants to keep this out of the public eye and all so we are being rather cloak and dagger about it."
"Oh. She never really talked about that War."
"Few do. It was not a pleasant time to be alive."
"So, why are you wanting to speak with me?"
"To invite you to her Big Day, of course."
"Um … where and when?" There was doubt and disappointment in her voice.
"July 29th," Harry replied. "It will be held at a Manor here in Britain. I'm sure she would love for you to attend."
"I'd love to but…"
"But?"
"Well, I have to check with my Husband and make arrangements for our kids and all. Even then, I am not sure if we can afford it. I'd really love to be there but…"
Harry chuckled. "I can assure you Mrs. Cochrane, the only complication is your schedule."
"What do you mean?"
"If you decide to attend, the invitation extends to your entire family. I will give you the phone number and e-mail address of our travel agent so you can work out a schedule. All travel expenses will be paid. If you'd like to make a holiday of it, we are also offering one to two week tour packages following the event for the British Isles, and now France as well. Seems some of our overseas guests have expressed and interest in making a right Holiday of it, so we are happy to accommodate. Our agent will send you the information on the post-event tour packages. To be honest, I am a little envious. They seem lovely."
"Oh my! I mean, that was about when we were planning to go on Holiday. Can you give me a minute? My husband just walked in."
"Take your time."
"What's going on Dad?" Teddy asked.
"Last of Hermione's friends," Harry replied covering the mouthpiece of the phone.
"Oh. They say they're coming?"
"They're talking about it."
"You think she'll like this?"
"I think so, Teddy. She's had a say in every detail except when it will happen. I think she'll love it, although…"
"Although?"
"Our Special Friends have expressed an interest in coming."
"That could be a problem."
"They'll be low key, but she will be shocked when she meets them."
"Why? They're very nice people."
"Yes, but she's never met them and … well."
"Yeah. I've seen it."
"Hello?" a male voice said on the phone.
"Hello. Potter residence," Harry replied.
"Mandy's been saying that you're inviting us to a wedding in England, and a holiday package as such. What's this all about?"
"We want all of Janie's friends here is all. Makes her day that much more special, don't you think?" And Harry repeated what he told Amanda.
"Jason Cochrane," the man finally introduced himself. "And what do you mean by all expenses? What's the schedule? And no worries, mate, Mandy's on the line as well."
"Right then," Harry said. "You will be contacted by our travel agent regarding possible Holiday packages after the event. Here's the deal. Our Aussie friends will travel from there to Heathrow by portal at 8:00 in the evening your time on the 26th. That puts you into Heathrow at around 10:00 in the morning our time. You will be offered time adjustment potions to adjust to the time difference and then travel by bus from Heathrow, through a scenic tour of London and on to the Manor outside of Oxford. The rest of the day is your own. Our overseas guests will be staying at the Manor, and there will be a choice of day trips on Thursday and Friday.
"There will be a late brunch the next morning when you will meet Janie, her family and the prospective groom, as well as the guests from the States who will arrive the night before. Friday will be the rehearsal and dinner to follow. The big day is a huge event anyway. It will be a picnic with more food than you could possibly imagine. The wedding itself will be around noon with a receiving line to follow. The guests will then dine on an array of food choices cooked by some of our other guests and the groom himself. There will be games and such for adults and children alike. Around 7:30, the reception proper will begin with dancing and such and last until around midnight.
"The next day, the Bride and Groom will attend a celebratory Mass at St. George's Catholic Church just down the road from the Manor which all guests are invited to attend, if you want. It will be followed by a brunch at the Manor before the happy couple heads off for their honeymoon. As for you, if you choose a tour package, you will set out not long after the brunch.
"Before you leave home, you will receive a bank card to cover those expenses we can't pay up front such as travel to your airport, film, daily needs stuff, souvenirs and such. It will have a limit and will activate the day you a scheduled to leave and expire one week after your return home. You are encouraged, but not required to use it all."
"And what is the limit?" Jason asked.
"Five Thousand Pounds."
"Bloody hell! That's a bloody fortune! And all guests get that?"
"Just the ones who cross the water to get here."
"Still!"
"The groom is both very wealthy and very generous and wants his Bride to have her perfect day. Call it an incentive to travel abroad and make her day the one dreams are made of."
"And gifts?" Amanda asked.
"Janie is registered at Piccadilly's," Harry replied. "Although for her, the occasional rare book works as well."
"They just opened one here a couple of months ago," Amanda noted.
"And we can bring our kids?" Jason asked.
"There will be hundreds here. So yes, it is practically expected," Harry replied.
"Jason please?" Amanda's voice pleaded. It was not really necessary.
"Send us the info," Jason said to Harry. "If it's right, we'll be there."
There was a squeal of joy that Harry figured had to have come from Hermione's old friend. Harry then told Jason the contact information and got the information from him as well. Hermione's guest list was now as complete as he or her Mum could make it. It was a good beginning to his day.
FRIDAY - JULY 7, 2006 - 42 WHEATON WAY, CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI, U.S.A.
Hermione returned home from work barely in time for dinner. The past week or more, ever since it was announced that her company would be opening a European Headquarters in London, had been hectic. She was taking the initial lead in getting ready for that move. She had already picked many of the employees who would be moving across the pond to open the office and many of them were her friends. Still, she would be hiring additional staff after the office was open. It was hard and tiring work but fortunately, there was only another week left before she would "shut down" and spend her final week preparing for her personal move to London.
She spent the dinner and the couple of hours afterwards with the children hearing about their day and indulging them in their new favorite activity: learning all they could about their new home and Harry. As usual, it was a struggle getting them to bed, but they eventually relented and after they had all drifted off to sleep, Hermione finally had time to talk with her mother.
"Realtor's going to be here tomorrow," Rose commented.
"Realtor?" Hermione asked. She had totally forgotten about the need to sell the house.
"Honestly," Rose laughed. "I know you've been busy with work, but surely you don't expect this house to sell itself? Even with magic it's not like we can take it with us."
"Sorry Mum," Hermione replied sheepishly. "Slipped my mind, really."
"That's why two heads are usually better than one," Rose laughed. "Anyway, I met with her a couple of days ago. We're lucky. We're in a good neighborhood with a good school district. She said it should sell quickly even in this market, although we'll probably be in Britain when it closes so I was thinking of using the Martin's as proxies. We trust them and they can stand in for us at closing."
Hermione nodded.
"Today was my last day," Rose said.
"It was?"
Rose nodded. "I decided that one of us needs to handle these things. Can't put it off until you're off work, you know. In addition to the house, we'll need to sell our cars as well."
"We could take them," Hermione offered. She liked her Mini.
"The steering wheels are on the wrong side for Britain."
"Sorry. Forgot. Work's been on my mind, you know."
"Two heads, remember?"
Hermione nodded.
"Let me worry about the house and stuff," Rose said. "You worry about your work. When you finally leave, hopefully all we'll have left to do is contact the movers and pack our stuff."
"Thanks Mum. And the wedding stuff?"
"Oddly enough, it's mostly done with. You and your proposed Bridesmaids need to get fitted. Harry and the others (aside from your son) already have been. Got an e-mail from his earlier. The proposed guest list is finalized and most have said they'll come if given enough notice…"
"How much?"
"Depends on when," Rose lied. "A month should do."
"And the arrangements?"
"Harry's Wedding Planner says a week is more than enough. Magic is a wonderful thing at times."
Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Basically, all that's really left is he must propose to you, you accept and the two of you set a date. After that, it's pretty much automatic. So much less stressful than it was for your father and me."
Hermione pondered that for a moment. "Mum?" she asked changing the topic. She was willing to accept that for now the yet to be scheduled wedding was on track.
"Yes Dear?"
"Um … well … have you given any thought as to what you're going to do after we move?"
"You mean like work?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well as a matter of fact I have. I know one thing. I have started three Dental Practices. True, I joined an ongoing one here, but I still had to find my own patients. Three times in a lifetime is enough."
"You don't want to be a Dentist?"
"It's not that. Starting a practice is hard work and I'm not getting any younger, Janie. I've been practicing for over twenty-five years and will turn fifty-two in a couple of months or so. Bit long in the tooth, as it were. Still, I would not say no to a part-time position if one came up."
"And what about the rest of your time?" Hermione asked.
"Funny you should bring that up."
'How so?"
"Well, as you know Harry and I have been e-mailing each other and this topic did come up. He's offered me a job with his Foundation and I am seriously considering it."
"Really? Doing what?"
"Orientation Counselor to begin with," Rose replied.
"Is that like the folks from Magical Child Services who 'counseled' us about raising a magical child and such?"
Rose nodded. "I have a unique perspective, I think. After all, I got the old British treatment with you, Sweetie. 'Hello. Magic is real. Your daughter's a witch and now she'll be going away to boarding school for magic for most of the next seven years. Have a nice day.' Your Dad and I so much preferred the Australian and American approach. They let you know early and rather than take you away, we could learn about and participate in that world."
Hermione nodded. With her, they learned she was magical less than two months before she headed off to Hogwarts. While it had been exhilarating for her at the time, she could now understand how confusing and heart wrenching it must have been for her parents. There was no way she would have been happy with that had she been a non-magical mother. Becoming a mother had changed her perspective on a lot of things and had convinced her that what had happened to her family and the way Magical Britain at the time approached her and her parents was just plain wrong.
"And it's not like I lack experience," Rose laughed. "You were eleven when we found out and we had spent years by then wondering what it was that made you so unique. You turned out alright in the end. And of course there's now Daphne and your two little ones. I think I could do well helping the first time families adjust to this world we now live in."
"I think you'll be great at it, Mum."
"Pays not great, but the hours are better than my previous career."
Hermione laughed. "You and I both know money is a non-issue."
"There is that," Rose admitted. "Honestly, I am so proud of all of you. You are equally comfortable in both worlds and so smart. It's been a joy, really."
"Thanks Mum."
"It's actually kind of exciting," Rose went on. "Of course, I will be accompanied by a real witch or wizard on initial visits. Proving magic is real is not something I can do. But Harry believes it is best to have a non-magical there on the first visit to help the family learn that magic is not 'abnormal' really. And I so want to help people like your father and me come to grips with their young ones gifts.
"And it's not just initial visits. The foundation supports many programs to help new parents in raising the magical child. Harry told me that many young magical couples attend those programs as well. Can't have too much help learning to raise a child, can you?"
"I could never have coped as well without your help Mum."
"And you have two wonderful children to show for it."
"Thanks."
"Harry called it building a community," Rose went on. "Britain is not yet on par with America or Australia. Those countries magicals were either native and integrated into their societies for thousands of years or immigrants who left Europe because of both the non-magical and Pureblood oppression. Hence, their system is ingrained into their culture. But Harry believes that through this program and by integrating non-magicals early, we build a community that can withstand the remaining prejudices in the society. The work may take a generation to achieve it's aims, but I think it's exciting to be a part of a revolution, don't you?"
Hermione rolled her eyes in jest. "You forget, I was a proponent of House Elf rights even before the War."
"I most certainly have not forgotten!" Rose replied in mock horror.
"Just taking the mickie," Hermione laughed.
"Hermione Jane! How dare you tease your own Mum!" Rose laughed back.
SATURDAY - JULY 8, 2006 - WEASLEY HOUSE, OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE, DEVON, U.K.
Ron and Lavender walked the final hundred meters to his parents' home. Ron carried his three year old daughter Roselyn, affectionately known as Rosie and Lavender their one year old son Artie. Their two oldest, five year old Molly and seven year old Gabbie walked at their side. They had gone to Chicago as planned, but a message from Harry changed their summer plans. Rather than head off to Disney World immediately following, they delayed and would head to Orlando in August. Harry had told them of his plans, with the proviso they keep it secret, even from Hermione. While they would have been back from Holiday when Harry's picnic was set, they both were enjoing the tasks Harry had asked of them for now.
So they decided it was high time to visit Ron's folks. They did every summer as often as they could. Molly loved all her grandchildren and Ron got a bit of a kick about how she let them get away with anything. Must be making up for all the rages she had with her own children when they were the same ages. Molly, of course, said that being parents was different than being Grandparents. As the Gran, it was her job to spoil the little ones rotten and leave it to the parents to deal with the aftermath. Ron found it amusing, mainly because Lavender's parents were the same way and so different than they had been with her she said.
The three older ones soon scampered off to play out back with some other Weasley grandchildren who were also visiting. Although Ron still had issues with "Pompous Percy," their kids got along. He and his wife, still carrying little Artie, entered the kitchen to the smells of whatever his Mum was cooking. She always seemed to be cooking something and now that she was in an "empty nest" one would think that might have changed. But Ron knew with grandkids visiting throughout the summer, Molly was her old self, fussing about their weight and making sure they were stuffed to the gills. Not that Ron minded. His wife bent over backwards to watch his weight, which meant that while he ate, it was not like before he was married where he was allowed to shovel down helping after helping. That only happened now at his parents' place, which was one of many reasons he returned whenever his busy schedule allowed.
"Ronald?" his mother cried as he and Lavender entered the home. "Lavender! Oh my. I didn't know you were coming! I hope I have enough for you, Ron - and of course you Lavender. You're eating for two, you know and I don't like you weight."
"The Healer says its fine," Lavender said rolling her eyes. It was always the same with her Mother-In-Law. No one's weight was right. They were always too thin.
"Yes, yes," Molly said dismissively - as usual. "So where are Gabbie, Molly and Rosie?"
"Out back, Mum" Ron said.
"Too good to see their Gran?"
"Too interested in playing," Ron laughed. "They'll be in when they're hungry. They know there'll be plenty to eat."
"I swear none of you lot feed your kids proper," Molly chuckled.
Even Ron rolled his eyes at that one.
"So, Ron," Molly drawled, "you were in New York. Any truth to this story that Harry as a new girlfriend?"
"New York's even larger than London, Mum," Ron stalled.
"I suppose it is," she sighed. "Any news at all?"
"As a matter of fact yes," Ron replied.
"Oh?" Molly's curiosity was piqued.
"Lav saw her Healer this week and we now know what we are having," Ron replied brightly.
"Oh?" It was clear that while Molly was interested in this news, it was not the news she was interested in. "Boy or girl?"
"Erm - well we didn't ask."
"You said you knew!"
"Yeah, well…"
"Well what?"
"Twins," Ron said! "We're having twins! We didn't ask what kind as long as they were healthy, we don't want to know until we see them."
"Merlin's Beard! Really?"
Ron nodded.
"You think you can handle twins?"
"Did you, Mum?"
"Erm - well - ah … Had I known Fred and George before, I'd say no."
"Having known Fred and George, we think we'll manage," Ron laughed. "Goodness knows it'll make life interesting."
"And just what do you think, Lavender," Molly said sweetly, although her sincerity was lacking.
"Given those two, we think we can manage," she said. "Doubt these two can be worse," she added rubbing her now beginning to show belly. "Those two are a hard act to follow."
"Indeed," Molly replied. The truth was Molly admired Lavender. She just was stubborn in admitting it to anyone other than her husband. However, try as she might her attempts at being distant failed as it was clear Lavender had grown into one of her favorite Daughters- In-Law over the years. Anyone who could turn her Ronny around was special, Molly had long thought.
"So neither of you know anything about this Janie person our Harry's supposedly smitten about?" Molly asked.
"We never said that," Lavender replied softly. "We did meet her - and him. Ronny merely said New York's a big city and I agree and more important, we are not here to talk about Harry's love life."
"I understand," Molly replied, although it was clear she was being patronizing. "Still, he is like family and I wouldn't want him to be seeing…"
"Another Ginny," Ron growled cutting her off.
"What? She's your sister!" Despite what had recently come to pass between Molly and her daughter, deep down she wanted all of her children to be a part of her life and to get along. It had always pained her when they did not and it still hurt even now that they were all grown up and with lives and families of their own.
"That slut makes me at my worst look celibate, Mum, and you know it!" Ron shot back. "If half the stories are true, she'd make more money on her back - or face - than on the Quidditch Pitch! At least I grew up eventually! She's been a tart since before she and Harry married and you know it! I don't know why you stick up for that 'bats both ways' slag!"
"She's your sister!" Molly protested.
"She's a whore without the income!"
"And this Janie?"
"Is a right decent woman, Mum. She's not into Harry for his fame or money. She needs nor wants neither. She is independently successful. Not nearly as wealthy, but she's not after Harry for money. And she is willing to have children. Something your daughter deems beneath her! You will not bad mouth Harry or his Janie in front of me. Janie will do what Ginny never did! She loves Harry and not the fucking Boy-Who-Lived! She will make him happy at her cost as opposed to assume he owes her anything! She could care less about his money or property or any of that!"
"Ronald, I just want what is best for Harry," Molly protested.
"And that was Ginny once, wasn't it?" Ron shot back. "She's shagged most every unattached male and many females of such disposition in Britain! From what I heard, she may have been sleeping around before Harry left for America! She certainly was after and has not stopped! AND SHE REFUSED TO GIVE HIM THE ONE THING HE HAS ALWAYS WANTED: A FAMILY!!"
"Ron," Molly began.
"NO! You will ask no more questions about her! None!"
"Lavender?"
"I'm with Ron on this one," Lavender replied. "Janie is off limits."
"And what shall I tell your sister, Ron?"
"She's a slag," Ron said. "Although I thinks she prefers blokes, you should see the on-line videos! Bloody disgusting! She doesn't seem to care about the plumbing, if you catch my meaning! Tell her to start charging for her services 'cause she can't play Quidditch all her life! Tell her to grow the fuck up!"
"RONALD WEASLEY!"
"Don't give me that, Mum! You know as well as I do that's true."
Molly was on the verge of tears. Ron was right about his little sister and she knew it but could not do anything about it.
"Janie's off limits," Ron added.
Molly could only nod. When the hell did he grow up, she wondered. "You were the last one on her side when Harry left her," she added softly.
"Cause I was stupid," Ron shot back. "She stood by me when I cheated on Hermione, and Lavender for that matter. She stood by me when I got fired from the Aurors for screwing around. She stood by me when I broke every heart that mattered and lost every friend that mattered. And she makes me look good! You know what happened after Harry won his case against her? After I was the only person in her corner?"
Molly shook her head.
"Weeks later she called my wife a loser. MY WIFE! The one person who never gave up on me! The one person who stood with me even when anyone else would have left! The person who's brilliance is WHY I became successful! The person who, despite being my main financial advisor and the mother of my children and now a best selling author of children's stories, stood by ME when no one else would and made me the man I am today!"
"Thanks Love," Lavender said.
"It's true," Ron replied. He then looked at his mother. "Keep that slag of a sister of mine away from me and Harry. She bought her cake, now she can eat eat - the fucking little whore!"
"Ron," Molly began meekly.
"The 'Janie' we met in New York is a truly special person," Ron shot back. "She will be everything Harry wants. Everything. Everything my so called sister was not! She's off limits! I will not say anything more about her! Lav?"
"Ronny's right," Lavender replied. "She's not the topic for idle gossip."
Molly could only nod in reply. She had long ago lost the only daughter in the Weasley line due to her own misguided sense of who her children should marry. Ron had his perfect wife now, admittedly not the one Molly would have chosen. But she had to admit to herself, only Lavender could have found his potential and made it grow. Her first choice would not have. Ginny, on the other hand, was every bit as messed up as Ron had said. She was the most self centered person Molly had ever known and Molly seriously had wondered for years where she had gone wrong with her only daughter.
"I understand," she said. It was a surrender and not something Molly Weasley was very familiar with in life.
"So you did see Harry at this thing, right?" Molly asked.
"It was awkward at first," Ron said not answering directly. "I mean I really messed things up with him back then. But yeah, we did. It was actually a really pleasant time." Ron and Lavender then told Molly about their week in New York with Harry and Janie's family. Molly learned that Janie had two children of her own and a little sister. What she did not learn was who Janie really was and who the father of the twins was. Still, Molly was pleased that Harry seemed to be doing well and might well be on the road to a decent relationship and marriage and even more pleased that it seemed that Harry and Ron were mending their fences, although she agreed with Ron that they would never be as they once were.
"But you are talking to Harry these days, right?" Molly asked.
Ron nodded.
"Good. I see Harry often enough but … well it wouldn't feel right…"
"Mum, what are you on about?" Ron asked.
"Ginny came by recently."
"Oh?"
"I hadn't seen or heard from her since her marriage ended. I was hoping…" Molly said with pain in her voice, "I was hoping she - she wanted to come back to her family. "Percy did! He eventually did."
"His still a bit of a prat," Ron mumbled.
"But he came back, right?"
Ron nodded.
"I had so hoped Ginny was coming back…"
"I take it she was not?"
Molly shook her head. "She only came to see me because she wanted my help with something."
"What?" Ron and Lavender asked.
"Getting Harry back."
"NO!"
Molly nodded.
"And what did you do?" Ron asked.
"We had words, is what. I wouldn't set her up with Harry under any circumstances that I can see. She then left when she knew she was not going to get me to do what she wanted."
"Spoiled brat."
"I wonder to this day what I did wrong with her," Molly sighed. "Even after what happened between you and Hermione and all that, you never abandoned your family, Ron."
Ron nodded. The night after he brought his Mum to try and help him patch things up with Hermione he had been the victim of what was now known in family lore as the Rant of the Century. Molly had yelled at him for over four hours strait and only stopped when she lost her voice. Still, he never walked out on her or any of his family not named Ginny. And that would come years later.
"So …" Ron began.
"You or Lavender should let Harry know the tramp is up to something and whatever it is, it's not nice."
Ron nodded. "We'll do that, Mum."
WEDNESDAY - JULY 12, 2006 - THE BURROW, OTTERY ST. CATCHPOLE, DEVON, U.K.
Ginny had had a wonderful night last night at a party with some Muggle Rugby players. She really did not know how many, nor did she care. They had kept her quite entertained, particularly between her legs, which is where she preferred it. Nights like last night made her feel invincible for some reason, which was why she chose this day off to talk to her mother about getting her Harry back. She had it all planned. Get Harry, dose him with potions and she could have his fame and fortune and continue to party all the time. It was perfect, but she needed her mother to make it work so she was off home to enlist her mother's help. After all, who could refuse her? She was Ginny Weasley after all! And her mother had been but an exam away from becoming a potions Mistress when she became pregnant with her first child and had to stop for fear of possible complication. Yet another reason not to get pregnant, Ginny thought.
Ginny Weasley was the youngest of seven children and the only girl. That made her special. She knew if she ever had a child, her special place would end, which was why she denied Harry that. She could not understand why he thought that was such a big deal. It didn't matter. She had dosed him before. It would work again. But she needed her Mum.
True, Mum had not helped her the last time. That was Cho's doing. Cho wanted Harry to pay for being such a git and getting him together with Ginny seemed like a real payback. And for Cho, all Ginny had to do was shag her a few times now and then. For Ginny, even though she was not into girls, it seemed like a small price to pay to become Mrs. Rich and Famous. It was just a shag after all. And by her Fifth Year, Ginny was quietly known as She-Shags-a Lot, meaning partners as well.
"Hello?" she asked as she stepped out of the fireplace.
There was no answer in the house.
"HELLO?"
The silence was deafening. She was shocked. Throughout most of her life, her mother was always at home. Odd that. Then again, she had not been back home in over three years. Not since her marriage ended.
"HELLO!"
It figures, Ginny thought. My last day off for the next several weeks because of this year's World Cup and they choose this day to be somewhere else! I won't be back until mid-August and there's no time to waste on whatever they're doing! I need them NOW!
She flopped onto the couch with a childish pout on her face and waited. And she waited and waited for another three hours before anyone arrived.
"Who are you?" a strange looking older man said entering Ginny's family home.
"Who are you?" she shot back. "What are you doing in my family's house?"
"Madge, call the cops," the man said over his shoulder. He then turned to Ginny. "Your house? My wife and I have lived here for over two years!"
"Wha?"
"You heard me, you nut case! We bought this place over two years ago. Now who the hell are you?"
"I - er - I grew up here."
"You did, did you? Well, you're not child of ours! How'd you get in?"
"Floo."
"Really?"
"Special family code," Ginny said. It was true. There was one that had been installed back during the war.
"Really? Still, I want you out of here or I'll do you for trespass!"
Ginny looked around and realized that something was indeed wrong. She now recognized nothing. It was the Burrow, that much was obvious. But the furniture was all wrong. What was going on?
"Where - where are the previous owners?" she asked.
"Don't bloody care!" the man said. "We rent this place and we never met them."
"But … but … but…"
"Been on the lamb or something, have you lassie?"
"What?"
"Cops after you? Two and a half years an more and you don't know where your family is? Sounds like you're a criminal on the run to me. Madge, where are the bloody cops?" the man cried.
"On the way," a woman's voice called.
She had no idea what was going on, but a night in a holding cell was certainly not on her agenda. Ginny dashed out back and apparated away. There were other avenues open to her. They would just take longer and most likely would have to wait until after the World Cup. September seemed like a good idea. That would give her time to find a sympathetic Weasley - there had to be one out there - and get her plan together to get Harry, and more importantly his fortune back. Goodness knows she needed it. Despite being the highest paid player in League history, she was nearly broke.
SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2006 - 12 GRIMMAULD PLACE, LONDON, U.K.
The phone rang and Teddy soon picked it up. "Hello? Potter residence?"
"Hello," a strange man's voice replied. "My name is Ron. Is your father there?"
"Sure. Just a bit." Teddy then yelled out: "DAD, SOME MAN NAMED RON IS ON THE PHONE!"
A few moments later, Harry picked up the phone. "Ron?" he asked.
"Sorry to bother you, Harry," Ron said. "But I'm calling to give you a heads up. Ginny's out there."
"As I am acutely aware," Harry said.
"No, Harry," Ron countered, "I mean I think she's lost it! Gone 'round the twist."
"What are you talking about?"
"About ten days ago, she showed up at my parents' house in London to talk to Mum. Apparently Ginny wanted Mum's held in getting the two of you back together."
"You're right. She's mental. And what'd Molly do?"
"Blew up and kicked her out."
"Good for her," Harry chuckled.
"There's more, Harry."
"Oh?"
"Last Wednesday a woman matching her description was at the Burrow. Nearly got herself arrested."
"What was she doing there?"
"No idea, really. My guess is she never heard that George and I rented the place out not long after Mum and Dad moved to the new place. I guess she assumed one of us lived there. I know she heard me talking about it but…"
"You and Lav decided to buy in London," Harry finished. "And of course that happened after she dropped out of your lives."
"Yep. Just wanted to give you a head's up. No telling what the conniving bint is really up to."
"Thanks Ron." The conversation then turned to other subjects for several minutes until finally Harry and Ron hung up.
Harry was in his study at the time of the call. He walked over to the bookshelf and removed a thick ledger. Upon it was the title "WARD BOOK." He had purchased this book soon after the War and ended and he had decided to move into his Godfather's old home. It was an added security precaution that augmented the Fidelius Charm that hid the house from all but those people he deemed trustworthy. Once the charm was cast and he named himself Secret Keeper, ordinarily only those people he explicitly told about the House would know where it was and would be able to find it. The book added an additional level of security. In addition to being told by him, their names also had to be written in the book. The advantage this had was he could remove people without having to recast the spell each time.
There were quite literally hundreds of names in the book and only a handful were crossed out, including two of the first three names: Ginerva (Weasley) Potter and Ronald Weasley. The third name in the book had never been touched: Hermione Granger. Some of the Weasleys were crossed out as one moved through the ledger, but only Ron and Ginny had not been reinstated. Harry reached the end of the list and took out a pen adding some named to the Ledger: Rose Granger, Daphne Granger, Harry Granger, Luna Granger and finally Ronald Weasley. He then closed the book and returned it to its place on the shelf before leaving the study.