'So, Ron dear, what happened? Where is Harry?' asked Molly looking at Ron who was stuffing his face with his second plate. Everyone's conversation stopped and they turned their full attention to Ron, all except Ginny who showed an immense interest in her food.
Ron cleared his throat not knowing how to tell everyone that Harry was in fact in London but did not want or cared to come. Now Harry had not said those words, but why else would he not had come straight to visit them or at least let them know he was coming. So, he said what came to mind.
'Ron, tell us. I am hungry!' yelled George. Always being dramatic George was. Angelina hit him on the shoulder and said 'men' shaking her head. Hermione and fleur rolled their eyes.
Ron cleared his throat again and began, 'well… he ummmm,' he paused.
'Ron did you see him?' asked Hermione annoyed. She wasn't the only one but everyone except Ginny hung to his every word.
'Um yes I did,' he answered looking down at his plate.
'And?' asked Hermione eagerly. 'How is he? Why is he back? And for how long?'
'He is good, maybe great I wouldn't bloody well know. I didn't even know he was coming back. I saw him and he said he basically said he was moving to bloody London,' Ron said, and everyone's eyes turned to Ginny and quickly away when she looked up.
'RONALD LANGUAGE,' yelled Molly as conversations broke out all over the table like: 'So he is really back?', 'Why is he back?', 'Wow, why hasn't he written or visited us?', 'I wonder of all the places he has gone?', 'Do you think he would let me see his action figure at the shop?'
'Dad, do you know anything about this?' asked Bill loudly over all the conversation that had broken out. Everyone once more quieted down and waited for the answer, all except Ginny.
'Well…. Kingsley and Robards have decided it is time for Harry to come back. He has gone all over in the last two years. He has been offered a promotion. If he accepts the promotion, he will become Deputy Head of Auror,' said Arthur.
All around the table there were gasps and sounds of surprise. 'But dad isn't he young? He would be Robards second in command,' said Bill and the table quieted again.
'Yes, Harry would be the youngest deputy Auror. But Kingsley and Robards have no doubt in his abilities. He has lead missions abroad and he's gone on more missions than any Auror in the Ministry. Are you forgetting who rounded up all the Death Eaters? Bill all the other Ministry's speak highly of him. There is no one else I could think of to take over after Robards retires,' said Arthur.
'If the Daily Prophet is to be believed Harrikins is the BEST AUROR in Britain. How does that feel Ron? To not know your best friend is coming home. To be second to him, even at work,' said George teasingly. Ron knew he was playing around but it still bothered him, but there was no way he was going to show it. 'How about you Ginny? Your ex-boyfriend is back. Do you miss him? How do you feel about it?' he was about to continue but the look on Ginny's face shut him up. That and Angelina hit him in the arm and said, 'George be sensitive. Leave your brother and sister alone.
Dinner proceeded with little conversations and desert was served. Ginny, George, and Bill were talking about the latest Quidditch game. Percy was talking about cauldron sizes but no one was really listening. Fleur was telling Angelina and Aubrey about children sleeping schedules.
Ron got up suddenly and everyone stopped their conversation. Ron got on one knee and Hermione gasped with surprise. He grabbed her hands and asked her to stand up. She had tears coming out of her eyes. This was the moment she had waiting for; it was finally happening.
'Hermione, you are the smartest person I know. You are the kindest person I know. I love spending time with you. You make me want to pay attention. You make me want to learn more and more every day. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?'
'Yes! Yes! YESSS!' Hermione exclaimed. She jumped into Ron's hands and he carried her and spun her around. Molly was crying and rushed to the couple and grabbed them in a bone crushing hug. Everyone yelled their congratulations to the happy couple.
A knock on the door stopped the round of congratulations. Everyone looked around as no one knew who it could be, as no one else was expected. Ginny's boyfriend Laurenzo had practice and he was the only one missing. Ginny never invited him over, she always said he was busy or had a prior commitment.
...
I knocked on the door. I could go in, but I thought it rude to interrupt my old family. My family that I have not seen in two years. Plus taking a second before opening the door allowed me to gather my thoughts. I had no idea how I would feel or what everyone would say. This was not like one of my missions where I knew exactly what I was going to do step by step.
Ginny was bound to be here. What would I say to her? Ron looked really mad, what if he was still mad at me? It was true I had been a terrible friend.
Mrs. Weasley opened the door, and she flung her arms around me in a bone crushing hug. 'Harry! Oh Harry!' I looked over her shoulder to see a very crowded kitchen. My eyes immediately found Ginny and immediately looked elsewhere.
She was more beautiful than when I left. Her copper-colored hair was long loose and in waves to her lower back. She wore a skintight red crop top and skintight blue high waisted denim jeans with red high heels that made her body look extremely curvy. She looked amazing like she did not even miss me or care that I came back.
I quickly settled my eyes on Hermione who was in Ron's arms and saw she was in tears and smiling, so Ron must have proposed, and I did not mess it up. Today was Ron and Hermione's day. Hermione quickly ran to me and hugged me in a bone crushing hug, a second later I returned her hug. She was sobbing uncontrollably with her head around my neck and saying, 'Harry oh Harry!'
The room burst into conversations all around as everyone went back to their conversations. Hermione extended her hand and showed me a beautiful simple diamond ring and I told her it was beautiful.
'Harry come sit down and eat. You must be hungry with all the work you do,' said Mrs. Weasley.
'Mrs. Weasley I am only stopping by and I ate lunch this morning and I am sure Dora will make dinner for me,' I said looking at Mrs. Weasley who had grabbed a plate and was starting to serve me food.
'Who is Dora?' asked Hermione as there were a couple of confused looks thrown at Harry.
'My new house elf. I bought her and before you complain I set her free and I will be paying her wages, Hermione' Harry responded before Hermione could even reprimand him on the care of magical creatures.
'A house elf's cooking is no match for my cooking,' said Mrs. Weasley offended at her cooking being compared to that of an elf's. George and Ron snickered. 'You will eat before you go. You are thin,' she said in a tone that left nothing to argue.
Harry had always been tall and thin, but since he joined the Auror department he had gained muscles. He had outgrown that boyish look and instead had a more refined angled features. He looked strong, but skinny. He looked like an Auror.
Harry looked at the table and sat down in the only open seat next to Ron. Ron had not said a word to him since he arrived so to say the least there was tension and awkwardness.
'So, Harry, dad was just telling us you are going to be Deputy head of Auror,' said George from across the table. All around them everyone hushed to hear Harry's response.
'I have not accepted, so I might not be Deputy Head of Auror,' clarified Harry.
'But you got a house elf,' replied Hermione from Ron's other side. 'You have houses here and family here. Plus, I want you to be at our weeding,' said Hermione trying to convince Harry.
'I got a house elf so I can clean out my properties and I asked Gringotts to compile my vaults and give me a summary of everything I own. If anything were to happen to me, I would not want Teddy to not receive what is his,' replied Harry.
This caught everyone attention. Harry was going to leave everything to Teddy, his godson who was only less than four. 'Wait, what is going to happen to you? And your naming Teddy as your heir?' asked Ron speaking up for the first time.
'Yes, he is my godson Ron,' said Harry matter of fact.
'That makes sense. But when was the last time you saw him?' asked Angelina.
'I saw him a couple months ago. I had Andromeda bring him to Paris for one week and they came and before that they came 1 week to Siberia, and before to Rome. I see him often but not often enough,' replied Harry. Ginny had not met his eyes once instead she showed total disregard for him.
After that Ron started to loosen up and started telling Harry everything he had missed in London. The women were all talking about Hermione's weeding ring. Dinner finished and everyone was clearing plates when a big black majestic owl, that could only be a private Ministry owl, came flying through the open window by the kitchen. The owl landed right in front of Harry and dropped a roll of parchment on Harry, then exited right out the window.
'That is Kingsley's owl,' said Mr. Weasley as several people around the table curiosity peaked. 'What does it say?' he asked
'Here I will read it,' said Hermione grabbing the letter eagerly out of Harry's reach. 'Dear Harry,' she started as everyone hushed to hear what the letter said. 'I saw the Prophet and knew you had arrived. Hope your trip back to London was good. Hope you settled in. Tomorrow let's meet first thing in the morning as I am very eager to hear what you have decided…. Your friend, Kingsley, Minister of magic,' finished Hermione.
Mrs. Weasley was about to speak when two silver dog patronesses entered the kitchen. Harry and Ron immediately stood up knowing they were from Robards. Simultaneously the patronesses spoke, 'Dark magic activity has been reported in South London, you are to report to the Ministry for instructions immediately.' One of the dog patronesses disappeared, but the other stayed and said, 'Potter you will lead this mission, I am sending a map,' a map appeared behind the dog and everyone stared at it trying to make sense. To anyone around it was clear Harry was very dedicated, he wore an expression of pure concentration while he memorized the map. 'This was where the activity was last sited on or around the Jacobs property. Report to the Ministry immediately.'
Instantly Ron and Harry started moving with a purpose as the kitchen filled with excitement and caution. 'Dora,' called Harry while Hermione asked Ron if he really was going to leave right after they got engaged.
'Ron it's our engagement night, I thought even you would want to celebrate with us,' said Hermione.
'I don't have a choice. I have been called into work,' replied Ron.
'You can say no Ron!' yelled Hermione crossing her arms.
'Hermione is right can't you just stay?' asked Mrs. Weasley. 'We need to start planning,' added Mrs. Weasley.
'Molly he has to work, when your called in you have to go in,' replied Mr. Weasley. 'Besides you should be proud our son has chosen such an honorable job. He is out there saving wizards,' added Mr. Weasley.
'Hermione dear, he has to go to work, but you know he would rather be here with you,' intervened Ginny trying to prevent a row, finally speaking for the first time since Harry had arrived.
Dora appeared in the Burrow's kitchen. She was young and wore a white shirt and pants that would fit a toddler. She had big huge olive-green eyes and pointy ears. She bowed to Harry and asked,' Master, how may I help you?'
'I have to go into work for a mission. I would please like you to bring me my outfit. I have black pants, so I will need a red Auror short sleeve undershirt, black dress shirt and red and black over coat. I do not know when I will come back, so I do not require dinner,' told her Harry.
Ron was running up the stairs to change when Dora returned a minute later with the articles of clothing.
'Harry you can change in a room upstairs,' said Mrs. Weasley.
'Thank you, Dora,' answered Harry.
'Yes master,' answered Dora.
'No need but thank you Mrs. Weasley. I just need to change my shirt so I will go to the sitting room,' said Harry heading towards the sitting room while he is unrolling his shirt sleeves and unbuttoning his shirt revealing his muscles. He took off his shirt and in the sitting room finished changing.
'Why is Ron's uniform all black?' wondered Aubrey out loud.
'Because he's an Auror, but Harry is a top Auror. The redder you have on your over coat the higher rank you have. Harry is in command right now since he's leading this mission,' responded Mr. Weasley.
Harry waited on Ron in the kitchen as conversation around him flowed. Ron descended down the stairs looking serious and ready for a battle in all black.
'Boys now you be careful. Ron you watch Harry's back. And Harry I better see you next week for dinner,' said Mrs. Weasley hugging them each before they flowed to the Ministry.
'I am always watching Harry's back,' replied Ron and Harry knew things had gone back to normal between them.
'They put us to shame. Always on the move,' said Bill after they had left.
'Speak for yourself brother,' replied George. 'The shop is crazy.'
Angelina rolled her eyes and said, 'George, Harry is so young and has accomplished so much. Him and Ron are household names and anywhere you go all you hear is about Harry. He has set so many records.'
'He is the youngest seeker in over 100 years. He is the youngest Triwizard champion. He is the captain that led a team into winning by more than 300 points. He became the youngest Auror. He has captured the darkest wizards. He has been on more missions than anyone alive in the shortest amount of time,' said Hermione.
'And when he accepts his promotion, he will be on the way to becoming the youngest head of any department and who knows if he chooses maybe he will be the youngest minister of magic,' stated Mr. Weasley./span/p