A/N: Hello everyone! Welcome to Chapter 7! We finally get to meet the lovely Weasley family! I hope you all enjoy my little twist! Chapter 8 will be out in May, and I hope you enjoy that one too!
Chapter 7
Harry emerged from the floo into a cozy living room, with two couches and a coffee table in between. Waiting for them was Arthur Weasley, who smiled and greeted them, "Hello! Welcome! Molly is just finishing up and the boys are out in the garden getting the tables ready, how about we go join them?"
The redhead led them out to the back door, where Harry could see two young men were furiously dueling with the two large tables in the air. When they left the house, Harry could see two younger boys cheering them on, and one just watching quietly behind them.
"Go on Bill, show Charlie what for!" One of the two shouted. Harry could tell at this point that they were twins, clearly identical except for their sweaters, which were different colors and had an F and G respectively.
"No Charlie, show the nerd why Quidditch players reign supreme!" The other twin called out, and pulled the youngest of the three into his side.
"Boys!" called out Arthur, "put the tables down and come greet our guests." The two oldest boys lowered their wands and placed the tables back on the ground, the oldest then waved his wand again and the tables repaired themselves. They walked over and Arthur began introductions. "This here," he gestured to the oldest of the boys, "is Bill, my eldest and heir, he's a curse breaker for Gringotts." The oldest son smiled and shook their hands, he was tall, like all of the Weasleys were. He had long red hair tied into a ponytail, and had a dragon fang earring on one of his ears. "Nice to meet you, Tonks, looking gorgeous as ever."
He winked at her, and Tonks glared playfully at him, "Keep it in your pants Weasley, I wasn't interested in Hogwarts, and I'm still not now, red heads have never done it for me, and the one time I tried, he left me for dragons." The men laughed and the next of the sons, introduced as Charlie, pulled Tonks into a hug.
"Good to see you Dora, I'm glad that you aren't resentful, I love my job and I still think of you as my best friend." Harry had a good look at him when he pulled away. He was the second shortest of the boys, with only the youngest being shorter, but he was built heavier, with broad shoulders. He kept his hair short, and his arms were covered in burns and scars. When he shook Harry's hands, they were strong and calloused, like he spent his life working with his hands.
Tonks scoffed at him, "How can I be mad when you broke up with me for the one thing you loved more than anything else? I would be a bad friend if I didn't support you, besides, I know it was for the best." He smiled and laughed with her, and he continued down the line.
When he shook hands with Thomas, he looked at him, "So, you're Charlie? You work with Dragons?"
Charlie nodded, "Yup, I work in Romania at the reserve, it has been the best decision I have ever made, even though Mum doesn't think so." He smiled ruefully as there were a few chuckles around the group.
Arthur continued the introductions, "These two are Fred and George, my fourth and fifth sons, and current seventh years at Hogwarts." The two grinned and bowed dramatically. It reminded Harry scarily of a pair of ginger Sirius'.
"Pleased to-" "Meet you!" they chorused, and Arthur then pulled the youngest forward.
"And this is Ronald, our youngest son, and currently going into his fifth year." The boy just nodded at them after shaking their hands and remained quiet. The twins grabbed him,
"C'mon Ronniekins, say hello." The boy looked up and muttered a 'hello' quietly. The lad then headed back to the house. Harry felt sympathy for the boy, he seemed to have low self-esteem. He ended his musing when Arthur mentioned that his other son, Percy, was currently away for work, and couldn't attend. Harry noticed that the other boys' moods darkened at the mention of him, so Harry knew there was more to it.
They were interrupted when a woman stuck her head out the door, "Fred, George: come help Ginny and Ron set the table!" The two saluted and apparated inside. The two sons and their father finished setting up the table, and the twins popped back with various utensils and dishware. They set the table and then apparated back. The youngest son Ron, and who Harry assumed was Ginny, came walking out carrying serving dishes, the twins came right after, but theirs were floating around them, their mother following, scolding them on using magic so 'carelessly'. Harry finally got a look at the youngest Weasley, who stuck out as the only girl. She had long ginger hair, tied back into a ponytail. She was dressed in a conservative dress, but it looked like she filled it well, with a flattering figure. She looked athletic and lean, clearly, she played a sport of some kind. He then changed his observations to the older woman behind them. Harry got a major 'Mother Goose' vibe just from looking at her, she was in a dress like her daughter, and it looked homespun. She was voluptuous and carried herself proudly. Harry could tell that while this family wasn't wealthy, they were proud and loved each other greatly. After a short introduction to Ginny and Molly, who had pulled Thomas, Tonks and Harry into bone-crushing hugs, they all sat down and began eating. Soon the sounds of clattering utensils and the chatter of multiple conversations flooded the yard of the Burrow.
Harry, who was sitting by and Bill and Thomas, nudged the oldest Weasley son, "Hey Bill, what's Hogwarts like?"
The oldest son smiled and said, "Ask Ron, Ginny, or the twins, they're currently attending." Harry was sitting closest to Ginny so he got her attention and asked the same question. She blushed, and started talking.
"Well, there are the four houses, Ravenclaw which is for the smart kids, Hufflepuff, which gets a reputation for being full of simpletons, but I've found they're very nice and loyal to each other. Then there is Gryffindor, Weasleys have always been sorted there, and that still remains true. Gryffindor is the house of the brave, courageous, and just. Finally, there is Slytherin," her face grew darker, "they're supposedly the house of the cunning and ambitious, but these days it's blood-supremacists and wannabe Death Eaters." Harry felt there was a bias against Slytherins coming from the girl, so he kept her opinion in stride. "What house would you be in?" He looked at her when she blurted out the question, and she blushed at him.
Harry pondered the question, "Well, I think I would be in either Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. I myself was in the Thunderbird House in Ilvermorny, and that house is said to be for Adventurers and discovering new things, which is a combination of the courage of Gryffindor, and the knowledge seeking of Ravenclaw. I also take my studies very seriously, so there is a point towards Ravenclaw."
She nodded, "That makes sense, I guess. So anyway, onto Hogwarts itself. It is a very old castle in the Scottish Highlands. There is a large expanse of grounds that are surrounded by the Forbidden Forest and the Black Lake…" she rambled on, Harry listening to the tale of the place his parents and Sirius met. Sirius had never gone into detail about the school, he had always cared more about the people that were in it, and the pranks he and the Marauders would make. Ginny had talked well into dessert, and eventually, Harry had to stop her because dinner had ended. The Weasleys all helped out with cleaning up, and Arthur led the Blacks into the den for a post-meal drink. The three older men and Tonks had firewhiskey, which Thomas had never had before. Harry found his coughing and spewing flame hilarious while he sipped on a bottle of a delicious drink called Butterbeer. The rest of the Weasleys joined soon after. There was a lot of joke telling, laughter, and talks about various subjects. Harry found all of them great people, especially Bill, Arthur, and the twins. Molly, as she insisted on being called, was a little much for Harry, too overbearing and codling. A pleasant woman, nonetheless. He was still curious about the one Weasley he didn't interact with much: the son Ron. He voiced his concern to Bill who'd sighed and sat down with Harry.
"Ron… changed during his first year. He used to be loud and obnoxious before then, focusing only on chess, quidditch and food. That changed on Halloween. Apparently, a troll broke into the school, and killed a first year Gryffindor named Hermione Granger. Now, Ron had insulted her earlier that day, and she'd locked herself in a bathroom, and had been crying. The troll somehow found the one person not accounted for in the room, and the poor girl never stood a chance, and was killed. Ron blamed himself for her death, and never recovered. He became quiet and withdrawn." He smiled sadly, "We've tried to help him, but we can't afford the right kind of treatment he would need, and he's been ostracized by his classmates and House, minus family. He just needs a friend I think more than ever." Harry stood up and looked over at the boy sitting in a corner. "Well then I'll start, maybe he'll open up to me."
Bill brightened, "I think that'd be good for him, thank you Harrison." The two shook hands and Harry wandered over to Ron. He saw an old chess set sitting on the small table between the chair he was occupying and an empty one.
"Hey, Ron right?" the boy looked up and nodded, looking down again. "Well, I'm Harrison, but you can call me Harry. Do you play chess?" Harry saw a small glimmer in the boy's eyes, and Harry sat down when he nodded. "Well, I'm a decent player, want to play a few games?"
Ron smiled and nodded, "Sure, I'll be white." The two boys began playing. Harry was fairly good at chess, but he was impressed with Ron's skills, who handedly beat him game, after game, after game. The entire time, Harry would ask questions, prodding slowly, getting to know the youngest Weasley more. Harry learned that he loved Quidditch, and supported the Chudley Cannons, even if they were the worst team in the British League. Ron also enjoyed charms in school, saying they've helped him the most, and that he was decent at it and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry told Ron about his passion for DADA, dueling, and Ancient Runes, and his desire to become a professional dueler after school was completed.
They were joined by Ginny shortly, and she played Harry a few times. Eventually, it became time for the Blacks to leave for the evening, and Harry promised Ron he'd write and see him later. That got him a smile from the boy, and Harry left through the floo. He emerged into the den, and Sirius came behind him. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and spoke up.
"I saw you with the son, Arthur said this was the most animated he'd been for over a year. The last time was at the Quidditch World Cup Finals."
Harry smiled bashfully, "He just seemed like he needed a friend. Apparently, his entire year doesn't spend time with him after the troll incident, where the Granger girl died." Harry frowned and continued, "sounds like the Gryffindors aren't as just as I heard, if they're that petty."
Sirius nodded, "We'd never have been like that to any Gryffindor when we were at school." He then shrugged, "hopefully you'll change that when you go to Hogwarts."
Harry raised an eyebrow, "Bold of you to assume I'll be a Gryffindor Padfoot."
The dog animagus playfully grasped his chest, "Egad! My own Godson not a Gryffindor? I've failed as a father!" Tonks and Thomas, who'd just come through, laughed while Harry glared at him.
"Yes, har har, look, it's late and I have my placement exams at Hogwarts tomorrow."
Sirius clapped his hands, "Of course! I forgot, I received a letter from Minnie, you're to be ready to head to Hogwarts five minutes before nine in the morning. She will be coming to retrieve you at that time."
Harry nodded, "Great, now let me sleep." He bid them goodnight and got ready for bed. He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He knew that the exams would be fine, but he was still nervous. Eventually, Harry fell asleep, and all thoughts of tomorrow fell with him.
A/N: Don't hate me too much, Hermione was never part of my plans and this let me try something different with Ron, that I have yet to see anywhere. Normally when Hermione is killed at that point, he doesn't seem bothered by it, or even things she deserves it, because the author wants to set Ron as an antagonist. This is not my plan, and I hope you all enjoy this lovely journey we will take with the youngest male Red-Head. The rest of the Weasleys won't change much from canon, but I might make some tweaks here and there. We'll see. Also sorry for the shorter chapter than normal, I felt it was a good stopping point.
See you in May!
Rei