Chapter 34 – The New House – Laura POV
Molly's cooking never ever failed to amaze me. That woman always seems to be in the kitchen preparing food for the whole house. In saying that, her family have huge appetites. Once we all had woke up she made us a breakfast fit for a king, plates of scrambled and fried eggs, bacon and toast or porridge or cereal if we wanted it. My parents definitely weren't used to it. They also couldn't believe how manic the burrow was and noisy. It was always so full of life. I actually quite liked it.
The Weasley family may not be rich with a massive mansion but they always made an effort with their friends and make do with what they've got. After Fred and George's shop got up and running, the twins helped their parents out and gave them some money. Mum and I were sat chatting in our small living room in the tent, discussing the family.
"They really are one of a kind. You don't get many families like them anymore. Look at what they've done for us these last few days. You wouldn't get that in our world." Mum spoke taking a sip of her juice.
"I'd be quite happy with you marrying into the family. At least I know you'd be well looked after." I began blushing.
I'd only been dating George Weasley a few days and my Mum had us married already. I suppose I could do a lot, lot worse. Molly is just so accepting to anyone whether pure blood, muggle born, half blood or muggle. The only people she wouldn't let into her house are death eaters.
"They've made me realise that you don't have to have a flashy house or car or a lot of money to be happy." Mum said smiling.
"We've always been alright though. We've never been rich but we've got by and you always did your best with me and Sarah." I answered.
My parents had decent jobs, Mum was a classroom assistant in a school and Dad worked for a company in Ireland. We had money but we weren't rich. My parents always put money into a bank for me and Sarah so that we had money for when we turned 18 for going to university. I never ever took anything my parents did for me for granted, even when I attended Hogwarts.
"Mum what do you think of George?" I asked her.
"I think he's a lovely man. I see he makes you very happy." Mum answered.
"So he's got your seal of approval then?" I giggled.
"Of course he has dear." replied Mum.
I hadn't seen much of George since we had our breakfast. I think he was off doing some shop planning with Fred and they were possibly going to see if the shop was still standing. I on the other hand was going to visit my new house for the first time. I was actually quite excited. Luna was coming too as Hermione and Ginny were going somewhere with Harry and Ron.
Once the family were ready we walked to the end of the protective enchantments where Luna and I apparated with my parents and Sarah. We landed in small lane just off the main road. I looked ahead and noticed an old derelict house. However I knew that wasn't our house.
"Oh no I've got the address wrong." Dad said scratching his head then took out a piece of paper from his pocket.
"25 Highlands park." he said out loud.
"This is Highlands Road Dad." I said back to him.
We all took hands again and that horrible pulling feeling of being pulled from behind your belly button happened. We came to an abrupt stop at the entrance to a very fancy looking housing estate which was indeed Highland Park.
"This is us now." Dad said adjusting his glasses which were askew.
There must have been about 10 brown brick houses in the estate. A little road led off next Highland Drive. We finally found number 25 and I gasped as I looked up at what would be my new home. It was huge with a good sized drive and a garage. The 5 of us approached the blue front door which had a massive silver 25 on it. Dad entered the key and ushered us inside.
We first got lead into the living room which was obviously empty. The walls were covered in hideous purple and brown wallpaper.
"Laura dear can you try some magic and see if you can get rid of it. It hurts my eyes." Mum questioned looking around.
I took my wand from my bag.
"What would you like me to do?" I wondered.
"I'd like a coffee colour in here to match the carpet." Mum answered.
I waved my wand and the hideous wallpaper disappeared turning to a nice shade of coffee cream.
"Oh it's wonderful." Mum chirped. "You could do every room would save us buying paint."
"I can help too Mrs Jones." Luna offered taking out her own wand.
"I want to help." Sarah cried annoyed that she can't use magic.
"You can Sarah, they'll never know because Luna and I are here, they'll think it's one of us." I answered. Luna agreed with me.
"But I don't want to get caught." Sarah cried back.
"Sarah look I really don't think the ministry are going to care about someone using under-age magic at this moment in time. They've got bigger things to worry about." I answered.
It was times like this that I wished George was here. Then I had an idea, I'd send him a talking patronas.
"Expetro patroum." I shouted pointing my wand and letting all the happy thoughts fill me up inside.
My white mist collie dog appeared. Go to the burrow and tell George Weasley to come to 25 Highland Park but tell him it's nothing bad." I said to it.
I flicked my wand and the dog darted off.
"Laura honestly you never fail to amaze me with all this magic malarky." Mum spoke in shock.
A set of wooden doors opened to reveal the decent sized dining room. Again Mum hated the horrible red and brown wallpaper so with a flick of my wand I changed the colour to a deep red and got rid of the horrible carpet which was replaced by a sturdy wooden floor. As we stood discussing the kitchen design that Dad had on a booklet there was a knock on the front door. It was George.
"That was quick." Mum stated.
"You got my patronas then?" I asked smiling as my boyfriend entered the house.
"I did indeed. Had me worried when I first seen it though, thought something bad had happened. Fred nearly jumped a mile when this animal appeared in our room." George giggled.
"Sorry I had no other way of contacting you." I apologised.
"Well the reason I asked you to come is that we need your amazing wizard skills to help us decorate our house. Also you might be able to help us, can Sarah use magic if the rest of us around?" I asked him.
"Yeah I can't see why not. I mean Fred and I did it all the time before we turned 17 and Mum had no idea. We didn't get into trouble for it." George answered.
"I thought they put traces on under 17's?" Sarah wondered as she played with her wand in her hand.
"I think it's only if you live with muggle's. Harry had a trace on him but we never did." replied George. "I think Kingsley is trying to change those laws. Fudge really did like to change the laws to suit himself."
"I wasn't taking you away from shop planning was I?" I asked George moving closer to him.
"Nope we're not allowed to go to the shop until Fred has fully recovered. Mum's put him on house arrest. It's driving him insane." George answered.
"You should get him to come here for a while. We could do with all the help we can get if we want to move in soon." Mum suggested.
"I'll go and get him. Be back in about 10." said George then he apparated in a massive pop.
While we waited on George's return we got shown the rest of the house. We left changing the decorations until the twins arrived. There was a smaller family room across from the living room which Sarah and I claimed as our movie room. On up the stairs there was a huge bathroom which needed a lot of work and four good sized bedrooms. Dad had claimed one for his office. Sarah and I picked the two rooms beside each other and my parents got the room with the en-suite.
"I can't wait to get stuck into decorating my room to how I want it." I giggled excitedly.
"Laura dear, would you able to pop to our home in Ireland or somehow bring our furniture here?" Mum asked me.
"I could apparate but as for bringing our furniture I have no idea." I answered wondering how the heck I'd bring a sofa and what not over.
Luna hadn't said two words since we began our little tour of our house. I was hoping she'd have something smart to say but she didn't. I did like Luna but sometimes she disappeared into her own world and then say something totally irrelevant to the topic of conversation. I was never as glad as I was when George appeared with Fred in tow.
"George I've got another question for you. Honestly I'm beginning to sound like I'm a complete muggle here but how can we bring our belongings over from Ireland by magic?" I wondered sounding extremely stupid.
Fred had disappeared upstairs with Dad to have a look around while George had joined the rest of us in the living room.
"Well you could somehow shrink it all and put an undetectable extension charm on your bag and bring it that way. If you did that just make sure you make everything lighter too." George suggested.
"It would be like carrying everything fit for a dolls house then?" Sarah spoke. George and Luna both gave her a confused look.
"It's a muggle child's toy in the shape of a house with dolls and furniture?" I said.
"Oh right. I get you now." George answered.
"Right everyone. I think if we split up. We'll get the rooms done quicker. Luna you go with Sarah, George you with Laura and Fred can help John and I." Mum stated.