Chapter 25: Arthur's return
'POOF'
Green smoke belched from the fireplace as Harry stepped into the kitchen at Grimmauld Place.
"Harry, dear," exclaimed Molly. "You're just in time."
"Oh, good, I'm not late, then." Harry smiled, as he made his way down the table to an open spot next to Sirius.
"How did your Occlumency lessons go, Harry?" Sirius looked at his Godson, eyebrow arched.
"Really well, actually. Professor Snape and I worked out a good method for me to use for detecting if Voldemort is 'snooping around' in my brain and I'm also practicing on only showing things I want him to see. But we're just starting and it'll be an ongoing learning curve."
"So he didn't assault your mind like we saw in the films?" Remus asked, as he passed a basket of rolls.
"No, it was very much a mutual give and take session. Knowing Voldemort can see what's in my head and I in his, because of being linked to him as one of his bloody Horcruxes, makes it easier to control, as it's not true Legilimency that he's using on me."
"Sounds complicated . . . better you than me," teased Dan, giving Harry a wink and a smile from across the table.
"Very amusing, Dan," Harry growled back, but then laughed, as did the others. Turning to Mrs. Weasley, Harry asked, "All ready for Mr. Weasley's arrival tomorrow?"
"Oh, yes; we brought all of his Christmas gifts here, as he refused to open them in St. Mungo's, said, 'it just didn't feel like Christmas' . . . so we're doing it all when he gets here."
"Should we start looking for a huge box in which to hide Dan, Emma, Rupert and Tom, as THE big surprise?" questioned Sirius, gleam in his eye.
"No, that won't be necessary; he knows all about what's been happening," replied Molly, cutting her chicken. Lifting her fork to her mouth she froze, having finally noticed the dead silence that had fallen on the whole group. "What?"
"I thought you weren't going to tell him!" Ginny gasped, then covered her mouth as she started to giggle, looking at Hermione and Emma, who both buried their faces in their napkins, shoulders shaking.
"Well . . . . he could see I was anxious about something and he wheedled it out of me!" Molly explained, shrugging her shoulders. "I did make him promise, Wizard's oath practically, that he would not attempt to get up and come here, thus sparing the staff the sight of his backside." She calmly continued to eat as the whole table exploded in laughter.
X X X
'POOF'
Arthur and Molly Weasley emerged from the Floo flames and looked around the kitchen. Kreacher came forward with a steaming cup of tea.
"Kreacher welcomes Mr. Weasley to the Noble House of Black," handing over the cup and saucer.
"Thank you, Kreacher. I have been craving a decent cup of tea this whole week! You're too kind," replied Arthur, bowing slightly. "Have my family been behaving themselves as your houseguests?"
"Master Sirius is having houseguests, Sir, not Kreacher. Kreacher is only here to serve."
Arthur, having taken a sip of tea, rolled his eyes. "Well, you are worth your weight in Galleons, Kreacher; this is excellent tea!"
"Kreacher thanks you," the old Elf was blushing at all of the praise and looked to Molly. "Does Mrs. Weasley wish for a cup of tea?"
"No, thank you, Kreacher. Maybe a bit later, though. Where is everyone?"
"They is all in the front parlor waiting for you to join them, Mrs. Kreacher is hearing them laughing," he replied, even as his ears swiveled around.
"Well, let's join them then, shall we, dear? After you," said Arthur, as he downed his tea, put the cup on the saucer and handed it to Kreacher. "Excellent!"
"This is going to be quite the party, dear," said Molly as she led the way up the stairs.
X X X
Entering the front parlor, Arthur was engulfed by his four children, then Hermione and Harry gave him big hugs. Remus and Sirius shook his hand and patted him on the back.
"Welcome, Arthur!" Sirius beamed.
"Glad to see you all!" Arthur replied. "Okay, where are they?"
The group surrounding him stepped back, parted and turned to where Dan, Emma, Rupert and Tom were standing at the end of the room.
"Merlin's Knickers!" Arthur gasped. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear that was Ron . . .and Harry . . . and Hermione . . . with short hair! and Draco. I'm Gob-smacked!" Then he rushed forward to shake all of their hands. He immediately started asking questions, about all sorts of things, as fast as the words could tumble out of his mouth. Rupert held up his hands, figuring Arthur would pay more attention to his own 'son' than the others at the moment.
"Slow down, Arthur, and we are going to be calling you Arthur, so you'll know it's us speaking to you. We've got lots of time and we'll answer as many of your questions as we can. But, first, let me introduce you to Dan Radcliffe, who plays Harry . . . "
"Dan! Splendid to meet you!" Arthur shook Dan's hand again, beaming.
"Glad to meet you too, Arthur," Dan responded, grinning at Ron's dad.
"This is Emma Watson, Hermione's 'twin'," Rupert put his arm around Emma and pulled her forward.
Arthur stood and gazed at Emma until she cocked her head and raised her eyebrow at his silence.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Emma," sputtered Arthur. "But I've often wondered what Hermione would look like with shorter hair and here you are! And I really can't decide which I like better, well, actually, I like both!" And he gave her a hug.
"That's quite alright, Arthur, I'm letting it grow out again. It was just a 'post Potter' look."
"This is Tom Felton, who is Draco in the films," Rupert continued, as Tom stepped forward and stuck out his hand to the Weasley patriarch.
Arthur hesitated for just a millisecond, before grasping Tom's hand and shaking it warmly. "Very pleased to meet you, too, Tom," he said with a smile.
"Excellent meeting you, Arthur." Leaning in close, Tom whispered into Arthur's ear. "I want a word with you, before we leave, about that workshop of yours, too." Then he winked at the astonished Wizard. Arthur beamed.
"Arthur, here's the deal. We're going to run you through the last few movies and catch you up to speed on our plans, so that when everyone gets here this afternoon for our final planning meeting, you'll know what's been going on and what we're actually blabbering on about, okay?"
"There's no time for . . . oh, never mind." Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "Forgot about the 'freezer'." She smiled at the questioning look on Mr. Weasley's face. Reaching out, she patted him on the arm. "You'll see in a minute."
"Oh, alright then, what do I have to do?" he asked, turning to Dan.
"Find yourself a comfortable chair and relax while we get this lot," Dan jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the rest of the room's occupants. "Sorted out. Everybody, but Tom, Emma, Rupert, please step out into the hallway for a minute, please."
Everyone filed out and turned to watch as Dan shut the door. Fred put his ear to the keyhole and held up his hand for silence.
"Dan's explaining the 'Freeze Time' Time Turner. . . Dad's asking a question." Eyes rolled with that statement, but Fred continued, even as he shook his own head at his father's inquisitiveness. "Tom telling him a short version of the whole thing . . . wait . . . there it goes . . . nothing . . . .oh, there it goes again! Ooo, someone's coming!"
Fred stood up and stared at the door, which opened, showing Emma beaming at them.
"We're back. Come on in."
"That's how long we were gone, on Christmas?" Remus asked. "That's blood amazing!"
"Which is why nobody was missed, especially Draco and Narcissa," Tom said, as he put away the Time Turner in its box.
Arthur was sitting there, a glazed look on his face, until he spotted Fred. He jumped up to embrace him.
"It's okay Dad, I'm not gonna 'buy the farm' this time around!"
Arthur was too shaken to speak, but Molly gently pried him off of Fred and led him to a sofa to sit with her, arms around each other.
"I think we may have given Arthur some sensory overload, but when he absorbs it all, I dare say there'll be lots of questions and participation in our planning session later today," Rupert told everyone. "It was actually a good thing you told him what you did, Molly, as he was very well prepared for what he was to see. But as you all know; hearing and seeing are two different things."
"Actually," Arthur spoke up, "I was more overwhelmed by your abilities to show magic than I thought I would be. No offense, but you Muggles are bloody marvelous! I'm a little . . . a lot jealous! Why can't we wizards have movies?"
"You have paintings that move and talk . . . magical creatures . . . spells . . . potions . . . who should be jealous of whom?" Emma laughed. "We're just used to what we know and I personally think it should stay that way. Muggles do NOT need to know Harry's story was factual and that all of this really exists!"
"Which is precisely what Draco has planned out . . . our not remembering," added Dan. "That could put everyone, us included, in danger in the future . . . and that's why nobody knows about these particular Time Turners. Draco will make sure that they are securely hidden in the depths of the Department of Mysteries when we return. He may even destroy them to safeguard against them falling into the wrong hands; as he's the one who made them, I guess that's his call. . . . Anyway . . " Dan rubbed his hands together. "Anything anyone needs to talk about or would you all just like to relax until dinner?"
"Can I borrow Mr. Weasley for a few minutes?" Tom asked, crooking his finger at Arthur, indicating he should follow Tom out of the room. Puzzled, Arthur rose and went out into the hallway.
"Come on Fred, Tom's up to something," George whispered to his twin.
"Right, we can't miss that, can we George," replied Fred, as the two of them slipped out the door.
"So, if we can 'pop' over to a bookshop I know about, we could get what you'd need," Tom was saying as the twins sauntered up.
"Going out?" Fred asked.
"Are we, Dad?" George added.
"Yes, we are, lads," beamed Arthur.
"And I suppose you two want to tag along," sighed Tom.
"Of course!"
"We insist!"
Tom looked at Arthur who shrugged. "They'll just follow us, Tom."
"I know, well, let's get cracking, the quicker we go . . . " Tom led the way to the front door.
"The quicker we get back," finished Arthur.
"And the less trouble we'll be in," Fred added.
"We won't be, we're doing guard duty!" George insisted.
"That's your story, boys, so stick to it," laughed Tom, as he closed the front door behind the four of them.
X X X
Fred and George came in the front door, looked around and then signaled for Tom and Arthur to enter.
"I hear voices in the front parlor," Fred whispered.
"Maybe they haven't missed us at all," George offered, shrugging his shoulders.
"Hold onto that dream, boys, your mother will know we've been out. Let's just hope she'll not get too worked up about it." Arthur put his arms over his son's shoulders, as they walked down the hallway.
"We had a good reason for being AWOL and we have nothing to hide," added Tom, bringing up the rear. "We weren't stopped, detained, questioned or even noticed, for that matter. That's why we went to that particular book store; it's so big, with so many customers, that nobody remembers who they may or may not have seen. . . . relax, it's all good."
"AND JUST WHERE HAVE YOU LOT BEEN!" Molly stood there, hands on hips, blocking the end of the entry hall.
"We've been to a bookstore, Molly," Tom pushed past the frozen Weasley men, and put his hand on Molly's shoulder. "I thought Arthur could use a little help with his Muggle acquisitions and how they work, so we picked up a couple of instruction manuals." Seeing Molly's surprised look and watching her take a deep breath, Tom rushed on, before she exploded. "Oh! I got a wonderful, classic cookbook for you and Winky to go through together!"
He dug into a bag he had in his other hand. "It's been the subject of a movie, too, which I think you and Arthur should go and see when it comes out, in 2009, as you'll, especially, being such a wonder cook, get the whole plot and really relate to the characters . . . one being almost as famous as you'll become, thanks to the movies about Harry."
Arthur, George and Fred watched as Molly's face turned from stern indignation, to questioning frown, to peaked interest to blushing shyness. Tom took out the copy of Julia Child's 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' and handed it to the Weasley matriarch.
"Goodness, it's heavy," was all she could think to say. Molly had been ready to ream out the lot of them, for leaving without telling anyone, but her attention was now focused on this Muggle tome to kitchen greatness. "Thank you, Tom," she said, as she gave him a kiss on the cheek, turned and walked away, paging through the thick volume.
Arthur, Fred and George gave a collective sigh of relief.
"Saved our arses, you did, mate," George sagged against the wall.
"Brilliant diversion, that cookbook," Fred leaned on the opposite wall.
"Do you have to leave, Tom?" Arthur asked plaintively, causing them all to snicker.
"I'll talk with you three later!" Molly's voice drifted back to them from the depths of the house.
"Yes, dear!" "Right, Mum!" "Okay, fine."
Tom just shook his head as he handed the bag, with the other books they'd purchased, to Arthur.
"Stick your nose in the 'Small Appliances Repair for Dummies', and nod a lot when it's your turn, Arthur . . . she knows you're hopeless once you're concentrating on your Muggle stuff."
"Ah, good plan, Tom," Arthur replied, as he headed away, looking for a place to relax and read a bit before lunch.
"What about us?" George asked, trying to look pitiful.
"What do we do?" Fred implored.
"Tell her the truth, you were lookouts and body guards, dragged into it by me. Hopefully, we'll have left by then, so . . ." Tom shrugged. "You'll be too busy from now on for her to worry about one side trip."
"Wait until they see what we came back with the other day!" Fred smiled.
"That'll whip this little shopping trip right out of Mum's mind," agreed George, nodding.
"Exactly! Let's go see what's going on, shall we," asked Tom, as he led the way to the parlor.
X X X
"Lucius, Draco and I are going to go and do some last minute shopping. Is there anything you need from Diagon Alley, dear?" Narcissa was looking at a small piece of paper, her shopping list, when her husband entered the small parlor overlooking the rose garden.
"Not that I can think of, Narcissa. What does Draco need? You all were just there earlier this week, weren't you?"
"That was to get him measured for a few things at Madam Malkin's, which we will be picking up today. So, it's just a few minor school supplies . . . better to have them to take back with him than to have to owl post them when he runs out, dear. Saves some money and he gets exactly what he wants; he's always fussing that I pick out and send the wrong type of quill, that sort of thing."
"Well, he's a Malfoy and knows what he wants; the best, of course." Lucius sniffed.
"Like father, like son, dear," agreed Narcissa, as she planted a kiss on Lucius' cheek. "Oh my, hold still," she giggled, as she wiped off the lipstick smudge from his face. "Can't have you walking around smeared in lipstick, that wouldn't do at all."
"Yes, reputation to uphold and all that!" Lucius nodded, as he checked himself in a nearby mirror, then turned and winked at Narcissa. "Have a nice afternoon, dear. Don't drain the coffers, please."
"Lucius! As if . . !" Narcissa shook her head.
"I'm going out and won't be home until very late . . . a meeting, you understand," he added, suddenly sober and looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"We'll just get dinner while we're out, then . . . " Narcissa nodded at him. "Be careful, dearest."
"Always."