Chapter 25
"Get a move on, Neville!" Ron ordered.
"Keep it down, I've almost got it. Just a few more left."
"What's holding the line?" Harry asked.
"Neville's bag of Every Flavour Beans spilled over." Ginny said.
"Let me through." Hermoine said with a sigh. Dean Thomas pressed himself deeper to the compartment door as Hermoine squeezed through him and Ron. Waving her wand, a sparkle of purple light blinded every one of them that cramped up in the tiny hallway of the Hogwarts Express. Neville's bag filled in a second, and the floor was bean free.
They were out of the Express and on the station within mintues. Harry, Ron, Hermoine and Ginny dragged their luggages through the crowd until they spotted a very familiar face waving her arms.
"Look, there's mum." said Ginny as she waved at her. They all waved as well. Harry searched around, but found no one else with her.
"She isn't here, Harry." Molly said once they reached her. Harry's face flushed pink as he smiled. Hermoine giggled beside him. "She didn't want anyone to see her and wonder."
"Oh, I guess it makes sense." Harry said after considering the thought.
"Besides, no one's going to be with the babies if we both go. And goodness she makes such a responsible mother. Won't let them out of her sight for a minute." Molly said with a laugh, "oh you'll all love them. They've opened their eyes and each of them have very different colors. Lily's got your eyes, Harry. Lily's eyes."
"Well, it won't end with me after all." Harry said sardonically. Hermoine hit his arm. Harry chuckled.
"I can't wait to meet them!" Ginny said excitedly as they exited the Station. Muggles passing by glanced at them curiously, especially that each of them carried a caged Owl. Hermoine agreed with Ginny, and the two continued chatting about it all the way home. Hermoine decided to stay with the Weasley's for a week while the babies were around.
"Alright, big boy. It's your turn."
Elle picked Torch up from his single crib as he gurgled. Lily and Helen in the other crib were fast asleep once Elle had finished cleaning them up and changing their diapers. Changing Torch was less of a hassle than any of the girls despite the fact that he was a lot bigger than his sisters. Elle rarely had a problem with him, actually. He was the calmest, cried and complained the least, but ate the most. Elle especially loved putting him to sleep because once he was rocked gently, he slept within minutes, whereas it took Lily and Helen almost half an hour each to get them to calm down.
Torch looked up at his young mother with wondering eyes as she cleaned him up. Elle was done in a minute, and the moment she sealed his diaper, Torch began to squirm. Picking him up, Elle bounced him around lightly. "Please don't tell me you're hungry already."
But it wasn't hunger that got him all fidgety. From below, a sudden flux of voices echoed all throughout the house. At this, Elle smiled knowing exactly who it was. "Guess who's home, Torch." she said. Torch kicked around harder. Elle laughed and walked out the room. She looked over the banister, and the voices grew louder. The dropping and dragging of luggages, footsteps and movement became clearer. Looking down, all Elle could see were the shadows of at least five people.
Harry looked around at the house he liked to call home with a sigh of relief. This was the one place he knew he would always feel safe and welcome. All the more was it home to him now knowing what waited him. He hurried to the staircase and looked up at its spiraling ascent. From the top floor, he saw the face, the smile that caught his attention the most, and his heart leapt.
"Welcome back." Elle said when Harry reached them. Harry kissed her and took Torch. "I'm glad to be back, you've no idea." he said and planted a kiss on Torch's tiny forehead. A scream of glee from behind startled both him and Elle. It was Ginny followed by Hermoine with grins that Elle swore touched their ears.
"Oh please let me hold him, Harry." begged Ginny. Harry laughed and handed Torch to her. Hermoine was quick to kiss his small face and talking to him in baby voices. Ron watched from behind with a look of both worry and anxiety on his face.
"It's just a baby, Ron." Ginny said, seeing him. Ron gulped.
"The girls are in the room." Elle said to Harry, and he left. "I'm so sorry, Ron. But the babies are occupying your room. Your mother said it was okay." Elle gave him a fearful smile.
"Oh-uh..it's quite, well, it's-"
"It is okay!" Molly suddenly yelled from below. All of them turned to look over the banister with surprised looks on their faces.
"Yeah, she says." Ron murmured awkwardly, then gave Elle a doubtful smile. "It's alright, really. I'm taking Percy's room anyway. Moving in there, I think, since he's not coming back."
"Don't you dare say that, Ronald Weasley!" yelled Molly once again. This time a little louder. "You're staying in there temporarily!"
"Blimey, mum! I was only joking!" Ron called back and rolled his eyes. Elle gave him a hard pat of apology on his shoulder and turned away to head for Ron's room.
She found Harry sitting on the window side armchair with both babies in his arms, each carefully cradled. He looked up at her with a thoughtful smile. "They've gotten bigger."
"What can you expect. All they do is eat and sleep." Elle said almost whispering.
"And a lot more beautiful too." added Harry. Elle shrugged with a simpering smile. She sat herself on a nearby chair, careful not to make any noise. The door opened and in walked Ginny, Hermoine and Ron who still looked ill at ease. Harry laughed at him. Hermoine had Torch this time. They stayed there for at least an hour, except for Ron.
It had nearly been a month when an unexpected visitor rapped on the front door. Ron's eyes widened with surprise when he opened the door to welcome Professor Dumbledore inside. Dumbledore could only smile at him behind his long beard and tiny spectacles.
"Professor!" Ron almost shouted. "You're here! In my front door... What are you doing here?"
"Ron, don't be rude. Come in, professor! I'll have mum make you some delicious tea." Ginny said jovially from behind Ron.
"Hello, Ginny. Pleasant morning to you too, Ron." Dumbledore said with a chuckle as he walked passed Ron toward the couch.
"Pleasant morning to you, professor." Ron said quietly and closed the door.
"What brings you, professor? This really is quite a surprise." Ginny said once she was back from the kitchen. Arthur Weasley walked in a minute later and gave Dumbledore a warm welcome with a hug. Ron watched bewilderedly.
"Well, honestly, I'm here for Harry and Elle. I've got news for them."
"Oh. Good or bad?" Arthur asked skeptically. Dumbledore smiled, "good."
Ron called them and they were down in seconds. Elle threw her arms around him while Harry shook his hand. Watching all of this made Ron a little queasy. "Since when did anyone hug Dumbledore?" he asked Ginny in a whisper. She shrugged.
"Haven't seen you in the longest time, professor." Elle said when they were all seated. Molly walked in with a tray of teacups floating in a line ahead of her and settle down on the coffee table. She poured tea on each cup with a wave of her wand and took a seat next to Arthur.
"I've been rather busy lately, not that it's anything new. I've just met the Order as well."
"What have they got so far?" asked Harry.
"There is no reason to worry, I believe. They've got a few Death Eaters on track. London, mostly. Anyway, I'm not just here to tell you that." Dumbledore chuckled. Elle watched with nervous trepidation. "It's about where you'll need to move next. Soon, rather."
"Move?" Molly asked sadly. Dumbledore nodded. "They must, Molly. It's not safe. For them and for your family."
"He's right." Harry said. Ginny and Ron exchanged looks if disagreement. Elle kept her eyes on Dumbledore, silent.
"You see, I'm afraid the longer you stay here, the greater the risk you'll be caught soon. It is safe, I have to agree, but then again, once you're tracked, I have every reason to believe they I'll come." At this, the room fell silent for a while. Silent with thought.
"What do you suggest, professor?" Elle asked. "Where do you think we should move?"
"I've already arranged that, as a matter of fact. You needn't have to bother searching."
Elle and Harry exchanged excited looks, but at the mention of the location, Elle's mouth dropped. But Ginny and Ron slapped high fives of thrill.
"Now, Elle, don't be upset." Molly said soothingly as her eyes followed Elle pacing around. Elle had her hands on her hips, head down and brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry, professor, but there is no way I'm moving to Hogwarts with my children." she said. "I am not exposing them to anyone, and now you expect me to move them under the same building as Lucius Malfoy's son? Not a chance!"
"You won't be exposing them, Elle. There are hidden rooms. You, Harry and the children will have your own common room. Once much like head boy and girl. And I'll have house elves looking after them while both of you have classes." Dumbledore said reassuringly.
"Oh, Hermoine wouldn't like that." Ron said. Ginny gave him a hard nudge.
It took Harry a week to persuade Elle about moving to Hogwarts. She eventually gave in, but never ceased to remind him that it was as equally dangerous as living in the Burrows or anywhere in London.
They were out of the Burrows in two weeks, giving them at least a month or so to get settled in Hogwarts.