Most characters belong to J.K. Rowling. Hopefully she doesn't mind if I play around with them. Severus is the good guy here. Mentions of child abuse so be prepared.

I want to thank all those who read and enjoy. Thanks to all those who have put me on story alert. It means you like my story enough to want to read more. I have enjoyed the comments from those who have reviewed and I'm trying to post in a timely manner.

Chapter 26 Dinner at the Weasleys 8/16

Saturday morning dawned bright and clear. Harry woke to the smell of pancakes and chocolate. He rang his buzzer and soon Severus was there to help him out of bed. Once they got to the kitchen Mary set the plates on the table. She made pancakes, eggs and sausage for herself and Severus but for Harry she made his favorite, chocolate chip pancakes topped with fruit and whipped cream. Harry felt a lot better this morning and the conversation dealt with the upcoming vacation and dinner at the Weasleys. When they were done eating and cleaning up after breakfast Severus went to his room to deal with the mail that Tibby had brought over that morning, Harry went outside with Mary. Harry was unable to help with the gardening like he did at the manor but he enjoyed visiting with Mary as she worked in the garden. After a few hours they went inside and started lunch.

Severus walked into the kitchen to find Harry and Mary singing Beatles songs and laughing. Severus stood in the doorway enjoying seeing his son having a good time. After an energetic rendition of ' The Yellow Submarine', Severus applauded and Harry squeaked at getting caught. Severus made his way over and knelt by Harry's chair. "Are you having fun Harry?" Harry's face got red and he nodded shyly. "It makes my heart happy to see you laugh, my son." Severus sat in the chair next to Harry and Mary soon had him involved in the meal preparation and the songfest.

Harry looked at Severus as he sang a duet of 'Yesterday' with Mary in his deep baritone voice. "Papa you have a great voice. How come you don't sing more often?" Harry questioned.

"You really want to ruin my reputation as the 'bat of the dungeon' don't you." Severus said as he chuckled. The three of them continued their sing-a-long as they prepared lunch. Once the preparations were done Harry and Severus went to get cleaned up while Mary finished putting lunch on the table so they could eat. After lunch Harry went to his room to lay down and rest while Severus cleaned up the kitchen.

"Severus" Mary said "Are you and Harry going to be alright at your school?"

Severus looked at Mary puzzled "We will be fine, Mary. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know Sev. I've grown fond of the boy in such a short time and you've always been my favorite cousin." Mary said softly. "I worry about him, especially after last night. I know he is getting better slowly but he is going to need help emotionally and mentally..." her voice faded away.

"I know Mary. I have been concerned about that as well." Severus told her "I am hoping the mind healer that Stephan recommended will be able to help Harry. But no matter we have a good support system in place there."

The conversation between Severus and Mary turned to more pleasant topics as they went outside to work in the garden getting rid of the overgrown brush and trimming the hedges. After a few hours Severus heard the buzzer from Harry's room go off. Getting Harry up Severus decided to let Harry walk to see how far he could get before his legs gave out. Harry was all for it and walked for 12 steps before his legs got shaky then he took another 3 steps before he needed to sit. "Very good Harry that was the best so far." Severus said to Harry who had a smile from ear to ear. "Now young man I believe that Mary has a snack prepared then we need to get ready to go to the Weasley's home for dinner. I told Arthur we would be there about 4 o'clock as they have something they wish to discuss with us." Harry settled in his chair and led the way to the setting room where Mary had set up their snack. After an enjoyable hour Severus and Harry went to get ready to go to dinner and Mary cleaned up the kitchen. She was staying home and getting things ready to go on vacation. When they were ready Severus lifted Harry up on his hip, shrunk his chair and placed it in Harry's bag. Walking to the fireplace Severus threw a handful of powder into the fire and called out "the Burrow" before stepping through with Harry.

Stepping out of the fireplace into the Weasley's living room where they were surrounded by a hoard of red-heads. Arthur and Molly stood in the doorway smiling. Molly walked toward the fireplace "Now children let's give them a chance to get inside. Severus welcome to our home. Hello Harry, how are you feeling?"

Harry got a big smile "Hi Aunt Molly, Hi Uncle Arthur, thanks for inviting us to dinner." turning to Severus "Papa, can I get down now?" Harry asked. Severus enlarged Harry's chair and placed him in it. Arthur noticed there were things in the way of Harry moving freely so he moved them and soon Harry was following Ron, Ginny and the twins outside while the adults sat at the table and talked waiting for Bill and Charlie to arrive. After awhile Bill apparated in and was greeted by his brothers and sister just as Charlie floo'd in.

The 4 Weasleys and Severus talked for about a half hour then Molly got up to start preparing their meal. Bill and Charlie joined the children outside while Arthur and Severus went to Arthur's study to go over some paperwork. Suddenly Molly called "Severus, Arthur please come here quietly. You have to see this." Molly stood looking out of the window. Bill had Harry on the broom in front of him. They were flying low and slow but the look of unadulterated joy on Harry's face was something to behold. Severus walked outside and watched Harry's flight. Bill noticed that Bill had a harness on Harry that was attached to the broom. He also had an arm around Harry as Harry had both of his hands tight on the broom. Charlie rode next to Bill's broom as an added safety precaution. Harry caught sight of Severus, Arthur and Molly standing there.

"Papa, look at me. I'm flying. Bill is helping me fly" Harry yelled.

Charlie flew over and landed next to Severus "Bill put cushioning spells on the broom as well as a spell to stick Harry to him. He also transfigured the harness. He said they use them in Egypt when teaching youngsters how to fly." Severus nodded thinking to himself that he would have to have a talk with Bill about getting one for Harry. Charlie looked up at Harry smiling and then back at Severus. "Harry was sitting in his chair watching the others fly and the look on his face was just so sad."

Severus looked at Charlie "Flying was the one thing that he was afraid he would not be able to do. He told me it didn't matter if he could walk or not if I could figure out a way for him to fly" Molly went back in to finish dinner. Charlie rejoined Bill in the sky and Arthur and Severus stood on the ground and watched.

Molly called for everyone to come in and wash up for dinner. Severus stood by Harry's chair as Bill landed with Harry. As Severus picked Harry up off the broom Harry buried his face in Severus' chest. "Papa, Bill let me fly" Harry said all choked up.

Severus whispered in his ear. "I know, baby boy. I know. I was watching you." Severus rubbed his back Harry stopped crying and Severus asked "Are you all right now?" Harry nodded as Severus placed him in his chair and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe Harry's tear stained face.

Bill walked over and knelt by Harry's chair. "Are you alright Harry? I didn't hurt you did I?" Bill asked concerned about Harry's tears.

Harry looked at Bill "I didn't think I would ever be able to fly again. Thank you." Harry said giving Bill a big hug. Bill smiled then informed them they had better get in the house before the food was all gone. "Yea, Ron can eat a lot. So can the twins." They all laughed and walked into the house.

Once Molly got everyone settled Arthur stood to make a toast "To our youngest, our only girl on her special day." Everyone raised their glasses and 'to Ginny' could be heard from them all. Ginny's face turned red as she thanked everyone. Arthur continued "I would also like to propose a toast to Harry. The older three already know why the rest of you will find out after we eat. For now let's enjoy this fantastic meal that Molly has prepared." Arthur sat down and everyone started eating. Ron and the twins kept asking Harry what it was all about but Harry just smirked and looked at Severus who winked. Harry knew this meant that the Weasley's would be accepting at least one of the inheritances.

The conversation and food flowed easily until everyone was full. The older boys helped Molly clear the table and when she returned to the table she carried a three layer cake, thick with frosting. Bill had the plates and silverware and Charlie had the presents. Everyone wished Ginny a Happy Birthday and dug into the cake after Molly cut it and passed it around. When they were done with the cake Ginny opened her present from her parents first. It was a beautiful cloak and set of dress robes. Ginny was flabbergasted. She could not believe it. "Mum, Dad we can't afford these. How?... Why?..." Ginny said.

Molly patted Ginny's arm "You'll understand shortly dear." she said smiling "now open the rest of your gifts."

Bill and Charlie put in together and got her a silver chain with her birthstone on it. Percy bought her a wooden keepsake box with her initial engraved on it. The twins and Ron got her Chocolates from Honeydukes and Severus bought her a book on different potion for personal use. It contained shampoos, and skin creams for example. The last gift she ordered was the brush and mirror set from Harry. "Oh my goodness, these are beautiful Harry." Ginny said as she got up and gave him a hug. Ginny thanked everyone for her gifts then sat back down as Arthur stood up.

"Several weeks ago we were invited to Severus' and Harry's home for lunch." everyone nodded "While you younger ones were outside we met with Harry, Severus, and Lucius Malfoy." The younger ones started talking. Finally Arthur got their attention again "When Harry went to the goblins they found out some interesting things. Harry would you like to tell them?" Harry nodded.

"Remember I told you I was heir to the houses of Potter and Gryffindor." The kids nodded. "Well the other estates I inherited from my father were the houses of Bathford, Ashfield and Frederickson." Harry said.

"So that means you're the Lord of 5 houses" Percy said. Harry nodded.

"Well actually I have found out that my Mum was not a muggle. My grandparents were squibs." Everyone started commenting at once. Finally Harry got everyone's attention and continued. "I ended up with the estates of Palliser in Canada and Beardman in the United States." Severus reached over and squeezed Harry's arm "Oh yea I'm also the heir to the House of Prince unless Papa has a child then they can be the heir." Severus snickered.

"Bloody Hell, mate you're heir to 8 houses." Ron burst out.

"Ronald Billius Weasley, you watch your language or I'll be washing your mouth out with soap." Molly chastised her youngest son.

The kids all looked at Harry "Well it should have been ten but the other 2 estates had other possible heirs. I'm trying to get them to accept the estates."

"Why are you doing that for Harry? You should just keep them." Ginny said.

"Well as Mr. Malfoy said I have more money then all of the British Isles. So I thought it would be nice to share with others. Right Aunt Molly, Uncle Arthur" Harry said smiling at the 2 older Weasleys. The kids looked at their parents puzzled. Harry looked at Molly and Arthur and asked "Well did you decide?" They nodded "Are you going to do it?" they nodded and Harry beamed from ear to ear.

"Yes Harry, Molly, the boys and I got the advise of others and talked it over. We have decided to accept." Arthur said. He then looked at Severus "By the way, please thank Lord Malfoy for us. We took his advice and discovered a few things when the boys did their inheritance tests." Arthur looked at the younger children. "Bill Charlie and Percy had their tests done first thing Monday. It turns out that Bill is now Lord Weasley. My uncle was Lord Weasley but I had not had contact since he and my father fought and my uncle disowned him. It seems my uncle had no offspring so he named my eldest son as the head of the House of Weasley."

Bill spoke up "Yes I am now Lord Weasley but I have no idea what it entails. I have the goblin in charge of the house gathering information for me. I do know there is a manor house and a Wizengamot seat." Bill told them all. Severus and Harry both congratulated him.

"Very cool..." Fred said

"Our brother..." George said

"is a Lord ..." Fred

"Do we bow..." George

"or curtsey..." Fred

"Lord Weasley." George

Harry looked back and forth between the two still not knowing how they did that. "So is that all you found out" Harry asked.

Charlie looked at Harry and smiled "Well not exactly." Charlie said. "It turns out that Mom's brothers Fabian and Gideon were the last of the line for house Prewett. Mom is the last living Prewett however in her family females can not become the head of a house so according to the goblins the house would go to one of us boys. As Bill has already accepted House Weasley that would put me next in line to inherit. However ..." Charlie stopped, smirked and looked at the twins "Percy and I discussed it with the goblins. The house of Prewett was held as a dual Lordship by the Prewett twins so we felt who better to take over the Lordship than the Weasley twins." Fred and George were speechless. Molly and Arthur smiled.

George finally came to his senses. "But you 2 are older, the lordship should go to one of you."

Percy looked at the twins "But that is where Hadrian comes in" Harry growled at Percy and informed him it was Harry to the Weasley family unless it had to do with his Lord stuff.

Arthur took over explaining "As Harry said the estates that he accepted had no other heirs. However the other 2 had other possible heirs. There was the estate of Lord Edward Dodge. It seems he was my great-great uncle. Harry's claim was closer than mine however Harry is declining so that I can inherit this estate. It is a noble house and has 1 voting Wizengamot seat. Albus was voting the seat but that will be stopping now. There is a manor house near Ipswich, a working Vineyard in Tuscanny and a vacation place in southern Austrailia. There are shares in Firebolt, Florish and Botts, and the Daily Profit." The kids were excited "We have decided that for now I will take the Lordship and Charlie will be named as my heir."

"That means we have 4 Lords in the family now. What about Percy and me?" Ron said.

Molly looked at Ron "There was another estate that Harry declined as I was next in line for. It was the house of Cornwell. It is a minor house and has a minor house vote in the Ministry. It has been dormant all this time. The estate has a manor house with 20 acres just outside of London. There is not a lot of cash but it has shares in 2 potions companys, a potion supply company and 2 muggle manufacturing companies. The only problem is there is a life debt attached to it. After talking it over we have decided to accept the life debt and I will accept the estate. Percy will be named my heir and as this line does allow a female to be the head of House Ginny will be named secondary heir." Molly looked at Ron. "Bill has asked that you be named his heir for the house of Weasley. If he marries and someday has a male heir we will work something else out." Ron thanked Bill and his smile finally returned.

"Hey Harry, looks like we'll have to learn all that Lord stuff now. Can we learn with you?" Ron asked. The twins asked him if they could join him.

"Sure thing guys we can learn all this Lord stuff together." Harry said then looked at Severus who had started to laugh.

When everyone looked at him he said "What? I was just thinking how amusing it will be when young Mister Malfoy discovers that the Weasley's now hold Lordship of 4 houses." Everyone started laughing as well. The kids went into the living room and Severus went into Arthur's study with him and Molly so Severus could sign the papers as Harry's representative.

When the paperwork was done and the plans were made for their vacation Severus and Harry headed back to Spinners End. By the time they got home it was time for bed but Harry was so excited that he had to tell Mary about flying with Bill and the Weasley family accepting the estates. Mary finally told him they could talk about it the next day but he needed to go to bed as the next day would be busy and he had to see Stephan before they could go on vacation.