Chapter XI: The Weasley Family Reunion
Ginny spent the whole of the next morning in the bathroom. She tried her hair in a million styles before she decided to leave it plain and down. After that, she simply was horrified by how much her face resembled a knome's. The reason for her frantic actions was the near future arrival of her brothers. She hadn't seen all of them together for so long that she was sure her mother would take pictures. And, of course, Ginny had to look her best for the pictures.
"Ginny, you've been fooling in there all morning!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. "Would you come out and help me with these rolls?"
"Rolls?" Ginny repeated.
"Yes, you're going to help me with Christmas supper!"
"What!" Ginny exclaimed, busting through the door.
Mrs. Weasley stood in front of her, wearing an apron and a perturbed expression.
"You heard me," Mrs. Weasley said.
"I can't help you," Ginny argued. "I just got ready for-"
"You look just the same as when you went in there," Mrs. Weasley commented.
"Thanks, that's flattering," Ginny said sarcasticaaly.
"I need crushed blueberries now," Mrs. Weasley informed.
"What's Ron going to do?" Ginny asked.
"Harry and Ron are cleaning the backyard," Mrs. Weasley told her.
Ginny dismally walked into the kitchen.
"You use to like helping me," Mrs. Weasley voiced.
"That was when I had nothing better to do," Ginny shot back as she took the bowl of blueberries.
"And fooling with your hair is more productive then making Christmas dinner with your mother?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Productive?" Ginny began. "We are sitting here and making food that's just going to be digested and...disposed. I don't find that productive. On the other hand, I was beautifying myself. This will result in the captivation of a guy, which will lead to marriage. I will produce a future generation someday. I think that is much more productive then feeding a bunch of unavailable guys whom I am related to."
Ginny spun around and started to crush the blueberries with a large wooden spoon. mRs. Weasley was silent a long while before she started rolling out dough. Ginny glance out the window. Harry and Ron were using tornado charms to clear the snow from off the back yard. Harry directed his tornado toward Ron. Ron was suddenly caught in the drift a moment. In retaliation, Ron spurted his snow all over Harry. Ginny giggled as Harry pulled himself from the heap. The way Harry's ebony hair gently ruffled in the wind made Ginny stop her spoon movements. She leaned against the window and just stared at Harry. His elated smile was terribly contageous. Ginny was infected with the giggles.
"What on Earth are you doing, Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"Nothing," Ginny blurted, continuing her crushing motion with the spoon.
Mrs. Weasley turned back to her kneeding. Ginny's eyes wandered slowly to the window. Harry and Ron now seemed to be arguing. Ron looked at the kitchen window. Ginny ducked. She slowly stood back up. Ron ran off toward the shed. He took the Thunder Hawk from beside it. Ginny gasped. Harry leaned agaist the garden gate and twiddled his wand. As Ron mounted the broom, it started flying before he could kick off. Ron and the broom flew out of Ginny's veiw. "I think those berries are crushed enough," Mrs. Weasley said.
Ginny spun around and handed the blueberries to Mrs. Weasley.
"Charm that pie, will you?" Mrs Weasley ordered. "I don't have enough room in the oven. Do it carefully. No dodling."
Ginny pulled her wand out of her pocket. She pointed it at the pie and said, "Enfernium." A torch-like fire came blasting from the end of her wand. Ginny ran the fire along the pie. In seconds it was a golden brown. As Ginny set the pie on the windowsill to cool, she saw Ron swoop by on the broom. Harry was standing in the middle of the yard and starring up in awe.
"Mum!"
Ginny and Mrs. Weasley put down what they were doing and went into the livingroom. George and Laurel had arrived by floo powder. Mrs. Weasley hugged George.
"Mum, this is my Bunny," George introduced. "Laurel Randell."
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Weasley," Laurel greeted.
Mrs. Weasley, barely taller then Laurel, took her hand.
Suddenly, Fred, looking very much like George in every way, apparated out of nowhere.
"Fred!" George exclaimed.
The twins hugged each other.
"Where are the rugrats, Fred?" George asked.
"Jennifer has spellfluenza," Fred explained. "Carmen decided to stay home to take care of her."
"Sick on Christmas," George began. "That can't be much fun for the little tykes."
"You should have brought them all," Mrs. Weasley told Fred. "I could take care of the little ones."
"It's alright, Mum," Fred assured her. "I won't be able to stay the night is all. Besides if you were taking care of Jennifer and Arthur, who would make dinner."
"Speaking of dinner," George said, licking his lips.
"It's not ready," Mrs. Weasley snapped. "And don't you two go tasting."
"Us?" Fred asked looking shocked.
"Why, we wouldn't dare," George asssured her.
"Sure you wouldn't," Ginny said under her breath.
"Can I help with dinner at all?" Laurel offered.
"I can't ask you to do that," Mrs. Weasley explained.
"Please, I don't believe twin prattle will be very much interesting," Laurel said.
"Alright, then," Mrs. Weasley agreed.
Laurel followed Mrs. Weasley and Ginny in to the kitchen.
"How's George's joke shop going?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she handed Laurel a mixing bowl.
"It's going alright," Laurel told her. "It's not as popular as, say, Zonko's, but he gets along. He always talks about how many people use to come when Fred had put in with him. Thier like one brain, I think. They come up with wonderful things together, but alone, George hasn't any more ides for good jokes."
"Fred is happy at the ministry," Mrs. Weasley said. "He's one of the best Auror out there."
"I've talked to George," Laurel informed. "He's not interested in a job at the ministry."
Mixing and pouring was the only noise for a while.
"Blimey!" Laurel shouted.
Ginny jumped.
"What is it?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Is that Harry Potter?" Laurel exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny looked out the window. Harry was using the tornado charm, gaain, to clean the snow. Ginny supposed that he got bored watching Ron play on the Thunder Hawk, so he went back to work.
"Yes, it is," Mrs. Weasley told her. "Didn't George tell you he was a friend of the family?"
"Why, yes, he did," Laurel explained. "He does tend to joke a bit. I didn't think he was being truthful. I thought he was just trying to impress me."
"No, we've known Harry for almost six years," Mrs. Weasley informed.
"Do you think that I could talk to him?" Laurel asked.
"I don't see why not," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Don't, like, try to please him or ask for his autograph or anything," Ginny advised. "He really doesn't like reconition very much."
Laurel walked out the back door and went to talk to Harry.
"When's Bill, Charlie and Percy going to get here?" Ginny asked Mrs. Weasley.
"I haven't the foggiest," Mrs. Weasley admitted. "Actually, Charlie has been caught up with his work. If he decides to come, he won't be able to make it until late."
Ginny looked out the window at Laurel and Harry. They were talking a bit when a tall and austere redhead walked up to them. He was followed by a witch with light brown hair and a small child in her arms. It was Percy, Penelope and Percy Jr. Percy shook hands with Harry.
"Mum, Percy's here," Ginny infomred.
"Where is he?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"In the back yard with Harry," Ginny explained.
"Well, lets go welcome them," Mrs Weasley insited, putting down her mixing bowla dn hurrying out the back door.
Ginny wiped he hands and followed.
"Percy, Percy!" Mrs. Weasley called, running out to them.
"Hello, Mother," Percy greeted.
"Oh, little Percy is so big," Mrs. Weasley commented.
"Grammy, Grammy, where foo?" little Percy asked.
"Why, dinner will be done soon," Mrs. Weasley assured him.
Harry looked at Ginny. Ginny was suddenly aware of the flour all over her front and the disheveled mess of hair pinned on top of her head.
"Is Bill and Fred here?" the older Percy asked. "Percival has much been looking forward to seeing his cousins."
"Fred came alone," Mrs. Weasley told him. "Jennifer has the flu. And Bill has not arrived yet."
"Pity," Percy said. "I'm afraid Percival will get quite bored without any other kids here."
"I could play with him," Harry offered.
"Why, Harry, you are sixteen," Percy gasped.
"Just because you grow old doesn't mean you have to grow up," Harry said, smiling at Percy Jr.
"Very well," Percy agreed as Penelope set Percy Jr. on the ground. "No snow ball fights."
"Ahhh!" Harry and little Percy whinned.
Ginny giggled.
"C'mon, Percy," Harry urged Percy Jr. "Let's capture some gnomes."
"Yeah," Percy Jr. squealed.
Harry took little Percy's hand and they ran over to the garden.
The rest of the company went inside the house. Percy, Fred, and George reminised about old times. George and Fre reminded Percy of the time they bewitched his head boy badge to say "Big Head Boy." Percy didn't find it any more amuzing now then he did then.
Penelope helped Ginny, Laurel, and Mrs. Weasley with making dinner. Once dinner was done, Mrs. Weasley called to harry, Ron, and Percy Jr. to come in. Ginny spied Ron landing the Thunder Hawk out the window.
"Grammy!" A small voice called from the livingroom.
"Penelope and Laurel, will you please set everything out on the table?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "Ginny, come with me."
Ginny followed Mrs. Weasley into the living room. A five-year-old brunette girl stood there, holding a small baby and the hand of a two-year-old redhead.
"We're here, Grammy!" The brunette said.
"Oh, Whitney," Mrs. Weasley began, "where's your mum and dad?"
"They said give you this note," the brunette told her.
Mrs Weasley took the note and read it alloud, "Dear Mum, I'm sorry I had to miss your wonderful Christmas dinner, but Mary and I really need to spend some time alone together. With my work and the kids, things have been so hectic. We're drifting apart. I thought this would be a good chance for us to get some quality time and for you to see your granddaughters. You don't really have to do much with Whitney, she pretty self-sustaining. Christine tends to get into mischief so watch her. Little Melanie should be a bit of a hassle. I hope you can handle it after all these years of taking care of teenagers. Thank you so much for watching them. We'll see you next Chritmas. Your Son, Bill."
"What's mischief?" Whitney asked.
Mrs. Weasley took Melanie from Whitney's arms.
"It means trouble," Ginny whispered, kneeling down to look Whitney in the eye.
"I don't get into trouble," Whitney told her.
"I do!" shouted Christine, giggling.
"I'm sure you do," Ginny said.
"Let's take them into the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley ordered Ginny.
Ginny took Whitney's hand and led them into the kitchen.
The kitchen tabel had been extended and quite a lot of chairs were squished around it. The rest of the family were already sitting. Mr. Weasley's place was still empty.
"Christine, you can sit next to Harry," Mrs. Weasley allowed, pointing to which seat she was refering to.
Christine bounced over to Harry and climbed onto the chair.
"You're quite pretty," Harry complimented.
Chritine giggled.
"You remind me of your Aunt Ginny," Harry told her.
Ginny stared at him, unsure how to take what he had just said.
Mrs. Weasley conjured up a baby seat with her wand and put Melanie in it. Whitney follow Ginny to a couple of chairs and they sat down.
"Dad at the Ministry, still?" Percy asked.
"I'm afraid so," Mrs. Weasley confirmed.
"What, on Christmas Eve?" George demmanded. "That ain't right!"
"Some of us don't have the right to take off any days we want," Percy sneered at George.
George glared back.
"Pass the peas, please," Fred asked.
Ginny passed him the peas.
"Do you want some potatoes?" Ginny questioned Whitney.
"Yup!" She said.
Ginny scooped some potatoes out of a large bowl and put them on Whitney's plate.
"Wots dat?" Christine asked.
"What's what?" Harry retorted.
"De ting on yar hed," Chritine said.
She stood up in her chair and touched Harry's forehead.
"That' my scar," Harry told her.
"Why?"
"Why is it my scar?" Harry began. "It's mine because it's on me."
"Why?"
"I had a curse put on me when I was really little," Harry explained.
"Why?"
"The man who gave it to me didn't like my parents."
"Why?"
"He was bad and they were good."
"Why?"
"Er..," Harry sputtered. "I'm running out of answers."
"Why?"
"The thing is nobody can know everything," Harry told her. "Somethings are just unexplainable. And we have to live with that. Other things we have to persue until we find the answer. The question is how do we tell the difference?"
Christine stared at him a moment and then said, "Why?"
Ginny giggled.
"This is excelent duck, Mrs. Weasley," Laurel complimented.
"Thank you," Mrs. Weasley replied.
"May I make a toast?" Percy asked, standing up. "To the lovely Weasley ladies, including Mary and Jennifer, who could not be with us, and Laurel, who I am sure will become a Weasley soon enough."
George blushed.
"They are beautiful, wonderful cooks, and us guys are quite lucky to have them," Percy annouced. "Cheers."
"Here here," said Fred.
Everyone clanked thier glasses together. Penelope kissed Percy once he had sat down. Laurel lay her head on George's shoulder. He looked awfully nervious and shot Percy a spiteful look. Everyone seemed so happy. Ginny glanced at Harry. He was watching Christine eat and petting her red hair. Seeing his hand aganst the red was almost like feeling him touch Ginny's hair. She trembled as she felt this tingling feeling just behind her ears.
"Mum, may I be excused?" Ginny queried. "I need a bit of fresh air."
"Go ahead," Mrs. Weasley allowed.
Ginny set her napkin on her plate and went into the back yard. The stars shone faintly, but the moon was a glorious yellow. Ginny sat on her bench and took in the exhillerating night air. She saw a small brown gnome clear some snow away from a small hole in the gate surrounding the garden.
"Ohh, those gnomes," Ginny grumbled.
She shivered. Even with most of the lawn cleared of snow, the air still had the chill of winter. Ginny rubbed her hands over her arms.
"Here," Someone said as a fliece jacket was laid on her shoulders.
Not much to her surprise, Harry came around the bench and sat beside her.
"This isn't the best place to think," Harry told her. "You're likely to freeze."
"Thid has always been my place to reflect," Ginny explained. "Through rain or snow or dark of night. I sound like a postal worker, don't I?"
Harry just smiled.
"I always felt like here is where I could get away from it all," Ginny told him.
"And I keep invading your sactuary," Harry said, frowning. "Maybe I should leave you alone."
Harry just barely stood when Ginny reached out and took his hand.
"Please wait," Ginny blurted. "I don't want to be alone."
Harry looked at her a moment and then sat back down.
"How come I never knew about Whitney?" Harry asked. "I mean, she must be nearly five-years-old. Bill had no children two years ago."
"She's adopted," Ginny informed. "Mary and Bill tried to have kids for half a year and thought they couldn't"
"Half a year isn't vey long," Harry voiced.
"I suppose not," Ginny agreed. "Just call Bill and Mary impatient."
"So they adopted Whitney," harry assumed.
"Yes," Ginny began, "and soon after that, Mary got pregnant with Christine."
"And then Melanie," Harry added.
The moonlight gave Harry's hair a sort of luminescent glimmer. It also reflected on his glasses, making it difficult to see his amazing green eyes.
"So," Harry began, "is Whitney a witch or Muggle?"
"She's a witch, naturally," Ginny said. "Can you imagine if she was a muggle?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Is there something wrong with having a muggle?"
"Not, I didn't mean it like that," Ginny rold him. "I just meant that she'd be taken as a squib. She'd be a social outcast and...well, everything that that implies. She couldn't get a job or a husband. She'd end up like Mr. Filch unless she decided to go to the muggle world and live a life she couldn't understand. Going to the muggle world after being raised as a witch would be nearly impossible. She wouldn't know anything. People would think she was crazy."
"I see what you mean," Harry told her.
"Ginny, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley called. "Fred is leaving."
They got up from the bench and walked into the house. Everyone crounded into the living room to say goodbye.
"Goodbye all," Fred said.
"Give Jennifer and Carmen our love," Mrs. Weasley told him.
"I'll do that," Fred promised.
"Don't get too serious working with those Aurors," George warned.
Fred just smiled.
Ginny ran up and hugged Fred.
"I'll see you later, little sister," Fred said. "Make some mischief at Hogwarts for me."
"I'll try my best," Ginny laughed, walking backward away from him.
Wind came from no where. It pushed Fred's robes every which was a he began to glow. With a crack and a pop he was gone.
"Alright now," Mrs. Weasley began. "We need to consider sleeping arrangements."
"Penelope and I can stay in my old room," Percy explained. "But I would prefer that Percival stay in another room."
"Of course, Percy," Mrs. Weasley said. "Ron, Harry, would you-"
"We'd be glad to take the little tyke," Harry blurted.
"Melanie can sleep with me," Ginny offered.
"Alright then," Mrs. Weasley noted. "Now Laurel will sleep in George and Fred's old room. George can sleep on the couch."
"And I will take Whitney and Christine as well," Laurel added.
"Everyone have a room?" Mrs Wealey asked.
"I Don't," George complained. "Why am I the only one that had to sleep on the couch?"
"Would you rather Laurel suffer the couch?" Mrs Weasley questioned.
George just grumbled under his breath.
"Alright," Mrs. Weasley went on, "any other complaints?"
All was silent. Ginny looked over at Harry, who had picked up Little Percy. Little Percy took Harry's glasses and put them on himself.
"You blind, Mifder Harry," Little Percy commented, peering through the glasses.
"Percival Weasley Junior!" the older Percy snapped. "Appologize, right now!"
"It's alright, Percy," Harry assured him.
"Now, everyone," Mrs. Weasley began, "off to bed."
Laurel took Christine and Whitney's hands. Mrs. Weasley handed the baby over to Ginny. Melanie, supposedly happy where she was before, started bawling.
"Oh, Melanie, don't cry," Ginny cooed. "It's alright. We'll have fun, won't we? You come up stairs with you anutie Ginny."
Ginny rubbed Melanie's back and she calmed down. As everyone started upstairs, except for George, Ginny caught Harry looking back at her.
Ginny spent the whole of the next morning in the bathroom. She tried her hair in a million styles before she decided to leave it plain and down. After that, she simply was horrified by how much her face resembled a knome's. The reason for her frantic actions was the near future arrival of her brothers. She hadn't seen all of them together for so long that she was sure her mother would take pictures. And, of course, Ginny had to look her best for the pictures.
"Ginny, you've been fooling in there all morning!" Mrs. Weasley shouted. "Would you come out and help me with these rolls?"
"Rolls?" Ginny repeated.
"Yes, you're going to help me with Christmas supper!"
"What!" Ginny exclaimed, busting through the door.
Mrs. Weasley stood in front of her, wearing an apron and a perturbed expression.
"You heard me," Mrs. Weasley said.
"I can't help you," Ginny argued. "I just got ready for-"
"You look just the same as when you went in there," Mrs. Weasley commented.
"Thanks, that's flattering," Ginny said sarcasticaaly.
"I need crushed blueberries now," Mrs. Weasley informed.
"What's Ron going to do?" Ginny asked.
"Harry and Ron are cleaning the backyard," Mrs. Weasley told her.
Ginny dismally walked into the kitchen.
"You use to like helping me," Mrs. Weasley voiced.
"That was when I had nothing better to do," Ginny shot back as she took the bowl of blueberries.
"And fooling with your hair is more productive then making Christmas dinner with your mother?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Productive?" Ginny began. "We are sitting here and making food that's just going to be digested and...disposed. I don't find that productive. On the other hand, I was beautifying myself. This will result in the captivation of a guy, which will lead to marriage. I will produce a future generation someday. I think that is much more productive then feeding a bunch of unavailable guys whom I am related to."
Ginny spun around and started to crush the blueberries with a large wooden spoon. mRs. Weasley was silent a long while before she started rolling out dough. Ginny glance out the window. Harry and Ron were using tornado charms to clear the snow from off the back yard. Harry directed his tornado toward Ron. Ron was suddenly caught in the drift a moment. In retaliation, Ron spurted his snow all over Harry. Ginny giggled as Harry pulled himself from the heap. The way Harry's ebony hair gently ruffled in the wind made Ginny stop her spoon movements. She leaned against the window and just stared at Harry. His elated smile was terribly contageous. Ginny was infected with the giggles.
"What on Earth are you doing, Ginny?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.
"Nothing," Ginny blurted, continuing her crushing motion with the spoon.
Mrs. Weasley turned back to her kneeding. Ginny's eyes wandered slowly to the window. Harry and Ron now seemed to be arguing. Ron looked at the kitchen window. Ginny ducked. She slowly stood back up. Ron ran off toward the shed. He took the Thunder Hawk from beside it. Ginny gasped. Harry leaned agaist the garden gate and twiddled his wand. As Ron mounted the broom, it started flying before he could kick off. Ron and the broom flew out of Ginny's veiw. "I think those berries are crushed enough," Mrs. Weasley said.
Ginny spun around and handed the blueberries to Mrs. Weasley.
"Charm that pie, will you?" Mrs Weasley ordered. "I don't have enough room in the oven. Do it carefully. No dodling."
Ginny pulled her wand out of her pocket. She pointed it at the pie and said, "Enfernium." A torch-like fire came blasting from the end of her wand. Ginny ran the fire along the pie. In seconds it was a golden brown. As Ginny set the pie on the windowsill to cool, she saw Ron swoop by on the broom. Harry was standing in the middle of the yard and starring up in awe.
"Mum!"
Ginny and Mrs. Weasley put down what they were doing and went into the livingroom. George and Laurel had arrived by floo powder. Mrs. Weasley hugged George.
"Mum, this is my Bunny," George introduced. "Laurel Randell."
"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Weasley," Laurel greeted.
Mrs. Weasley, barely taller then Laurel, took her hand.
Suddenly, Fred, looking very much like George in every way, apparated out of nowhere.
"Fred!" George exclaimed.
The twins hugged each other.
"Where are the rugrats, Fred?" George asked.
"Jennifer has spellfluenza," Fred explained. "Carmen decided to stay home to take care of her."
"Sick on Christmas," George began. "That can't be much fun for the little tykes."
"You should have brought them all," Mrs. Weasley told Fred. "I could take care of the little ones."
"It's alright, Mum," Fred assured her. "I won't be able to stay the night is all. Besides if you were taking care of Jennifer and Arthur, who would make dinner."
"Speaking of dinner," George said, licking his lips.
"It's not ready," Mrs. Weasley snapped. "And don't you two go tasting."
"Us?" Fred asked looking shocked.
"Why, we wouldn't dare," George asssured her.
"Sure you wouldn't," Ginny said under her breath.
"Can I help with dinner at all?" Laurel offered.
"I can't ask you to do that," Mrs. Weasley explained.
"Please, I don't believe twin prattle will be very much interesting," Laurel said.
"Alright, then," Mrs. Weasley agreed.
Laurel followed Mrs. Weasley and Ginny in to the kitchen.
"How's George's joke shop going?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she handed Laurel a mixing bowl.
"It's going alright," Laurel told her. "It's not as popular as, say, Zonko's, but he gets along. He always talks about how many people use to come when Fred had put in with him. Thier like one brain, I think. They come up with wonderful things together, but alone, George hasn't any more ides for good jokes."
"Fred is happy at the ministry," Mrs. Weasley said. "He's one of the best Auror out there."
"I've talked to George," Laurel informed. "He's not interested in a job at the ministry."
Mixing and pouring was the only noise for a while.
"Blimey!" Laurel shouted.
Ginny jumped.
"What is it?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Is that Harry Potter?" Laurel exclaimed.
Mrs. Weasley and Ginny looked out the window. Harry was using the tornado charm, gaain, to clean the snow. Ginny supposed that he got bored watching Ron play on the Thunder Hawk, so he went back to work.
"Yes, it is," Mrs. Weasley told her. "Didn't George tell you he was a friend of the family?"
"Why, yes, he did," Laurel explained. "He does tend to joke a bit. I didn't think he was being truthful. I thought he was just trying to impress me."
"No, we've known Harry for almost six years," Mrs. Weasley informed.
"Do you think that I could talk to him?" Laurel asked.
"I don't see why not," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Don't, like, try to please him or ask for his autograph or anything," Ginny advised. "He really doesn't like reconition very much."
Laurel walked out the back door and went to talk to Harry.
"When's Bill, Charlie and Percy going to get here?" Ginny asked Mrs. Weasley.
"I haven't the foggiest," Mrs. Weasley admitted. "Actually, Charlie has been caught up with his work. If he decides to come, he won't be able to make it until late."
Ginny looked out the window at Laurel and Harry. They were talking a bit when a tall and austere redhead walked up to them. He was followed by a witch with light brown hair and a small child in her arms. It was Percy, Penelope and Percy Jr. Percy shook hands with Harry.
"Mum, Percy's here," Ginny infomred.
"Where is he?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"In the back yard with Harry," Ginny explained.
"Well, lets go welcome them," Mrs Weasley insited, putting down her mixing bowla dn hurrying out the back door.
Ginny wiped he hands and followed.
"Percy, Percy!" Mrs. Weasley called, running out to them.
"Hello, Mother," Percy greeted.
"Oh, little Percy is so big," Mrs. Weasley commented.
"Grammy, Grammy, where foo?" little Percy asked.
"Why, dinner will be done soon," Mrs. Weasley assured him.
Harry looked at Ginny. Ginny was suddenly aware of the flour all over her front and the disheveled mess of hair pinned on top of her head.
"Is Bill and Fred here?" the older Percy asked. "Percival has much been looking forward to seeing his cousins."
"Fred came alone," Mrs. Weasley told him. "Jennifer has the flu. And Bill has not arrived yet."
"Pity," Percy said. "I'm afraid Percival will get quite bored without any other kids here."
"I could play with him," Harry offered.
"Why, Harry, you are sixteen," Percy gasped.
"Just because you grow old doesn't mean you have to grow up," Harry said, smiling at Percy Jr.
"Very well," Percy agreed as Penelope set Percy Jr. on the ground. "No snow ball fights."
"Ahhh!" Harry and little Percy whinned.
Ginny giggled.
"C'mon, Percy," Harry urged Percy Jr. "Let's capture some gnomes."
"Yeah," Percy Jr. squealed.
Harry took little Percy's hand and they ran over to the garden.
The rest of the company went inside the house. Percy, Fred, and George reminised about old times. George and Fre reminded Percy of the time they bewitched his head boy badge to say "Big Head Boy." Percy didn't find it any more amuzing now then he did then.
Penelope helped Ginny, Laurel, and Mrs. Weasley with making dinner. Once dinner was done, Mrs. Weasley called to harry, Ron, and Percy Jr. to come in. Ginny spied Ron landing the Thunder Hawk out the window.
"Grammy!" A small voice called from the livingroom.
"Penelope and Laurel, will you please set everything out on the table?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "Ginny, come with me."
Ginny followed Mrs. Weasley into the living room. A five-year-old brunette girl stood there, holding a small baby and the hand of a two-year-old redhead.
"We're here, Grammy!" The brunette said.
"Oh, Whitney," Mrs. Weasley began, "where's your mum and dad?"
"They said give you this note," the brunette told her.
Mrs Weasley took the note and read it alloud, "Dear Mum, I'm sorry I had to miss your wonderful Christmas dinner, but Mary and I really need to spend some time alone together. With my work and the kids, things have been so hectic. We're drifting apart. I thought this would be a good chance for us to get some quality time and for you to see your granddaughters. You don't really have to do much with Whitney, she pretty self-sustaining. Christine tends to get into mischief so watch her. Little Melanie should be a bit of a hassle. I hope you can handle it after all these years of taking care of teenagers. Thank you so much for watching them. We'll see you next Chritmas. Your Son, Bill."
"What's mischief?" Whitney asked.
Mrs. Weasley took Melanie from Whitney's arms.
"It means trouble," Ginny whispered, kneeling down to look Whitney in the eye.
"I don't get into trouble," Whitney told her.
"I do!" shouted Christine, giggling.
"I'm sure you do," Ginny said.
"Let's take them into the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley ordered Ginny.
Ginny took Whitney's hand and led them into the kitchen.
The kitchen tabel had been extended and quite a lot of chairs were squished around it. The rest of the family were already sitting. Mr. Weasley's place was still empty.
"Christine, you can sit next to Harry," Mrs. Weasley allowed, pointing to which seat she was refering to.
Christine bounced over to Harry and climbed onto the chair.
"You're quite pretty," Harry complimented.
Chritine giggled.
"You remind me of your Aunt Ginny," Harry told her.
Ginny stared at him, unsure how to take what he had just said.
Mrs. Weasley conjured up a baby seat with her wand and put Melanie in it. Whitney follow Ginny to a couple of chairs and they sat down.
"Dad at the Ministry, still?" Percy asked.
"I'm afraid so," Mrs. Weasley confirmed.
"What, on Christmas Eve?" George demmanded. "That ain't right!"
"Some of us don't have the right to take off any days we want," Percy sneered at George.
George glared back.
"Pass the peas, please," Fred asked.
Ginny passed him the peas.
"Do you want some potatoes?" Ginny questioned Whitney.
"Yup!" She said.
Ginny scooped some potatoes out of a large bowl and put them on Whitney's plate.
"Wots dat?" Christine asked.
"What's what?" Harry retorted.
"De ting on yar hed," Chritine said.
She stood up in her chair and touched Harry's forehead.
"That' my scar," Harry told her.
"Why?"
"Why is it my scar?" Harry began. "It's mine because it's on me."
"Why?"
"I had a curse put on me when I was really little," Harry explained.
"Why?"
"The man who gave it to me didn't like my parents."
"Why?"
"He was bad and they were good."
"Why?"
"Er..," Harry sputtered. "I'm running out of answers."
"Why?"
"The thing is nobody can know everything," Harry told her. "Somethings are just unexplainable. And we have to live with that. Other things we have to persue until we find the answer. The question is how do we tell the difference?"
Christine stared at him a moment and then said, "Why?"
Ginny giggled.
"This is excelent duck, Mrs. Weasley," Laurel complimented.
"Thank you," Mrs. Weasley replied.
"May I make a toast?" Percy asked, standing up. "To the lovely Weasley ladies, including Mary and Jennifer, who could not be with us, and Laurel, who I am sure will become a Weasley soon enough."
George blushed.
"They are beautiful, wonderful cooks, and us guys are quite lucky to have them," Percy annouced. "Cheers."
"Here here," said Fred.
Everyone clanked thier glasses together. Penelope kissed Percy once he had sat down. Laurel lay her head on George's shoulder. He looked awfully nervious and shot Percy a spiteful look. Everyone seemed so happy. Ginny glanced at Harry. He was watching Christine eat and petting her red hair. Seeing his hand aganst the red was almost like feeling him touch Ginny's hair. She trembled as she felt this tingling feeling just behind her ears.
"Mum, may I be excused?" Ginny queried. "I need a bit of fresh air."
"Go ahead," Mrs. Weasley allowed.
Ginny set her napkin on her plate and went into the back yard. The stars shone faintly, but the moon was a glorious yellow. Ginny sat on her bench and took in the exhillerating night air. She saw a small brown gnome clear some snow away from a small hole in the gate surrounding the garden.
"Ohh, those gnomes," Ginny grumbled.
She shivered. Even with most of the lawn cleared of snow, the air still had the chill of winter. Ginny rubbed her hands over her arms.
"Here," Someone said as a fliece jacket was laid on her shoulders.
Not much to her surprise, Harry came around the bench and sat beside her.
"This isn't the best place to think," Harry told her. "You're likely to freeze."
"Thid has always been my place to reflect," Ginny explained. "Through rain or snow or dark of night. I sound like a postal worker, don't I?"
Harry just smiled.
"I always felt like here is where I could get away from it all," Ginny told him.
"And I keep invading your sactuary," Harry said, frowning. "Maybe I should leave you alone."
Harry just barely stood when Ginny reached out and took his hand.
"Please wait," Ginny blurted. "I don't want to be alone."
Harry looked at her a moment and then sat back down.
"How come I never knew about Whitney?" Harry asked. "I mean, she must be nearly five-years-old. Bill had no children two years ago."
"She's adopted," Ginny informed. "Mary and Bill tried to have kids for half a year and thought they couldn't"
"Half a year isn't vey long," Harry voiced.
"I suppose not," Ginny agreed. "Just call Bill and Mary impatient."
"So they adopted Whitney," harry assumed.
"Yes," Ginny began, "and soon after that, Mary got pregnant with Christine."
"And then Melanie," Harry added.
The moonlight gave Harry's hair a sort of luminescent glimmer. It also reflected on his glasses, making it difficult to see his amazing green eyes.
"So," Harry began, "is Whitney a witch or Muggle?"
"She's a witch, naturally," Ginny said. "Can you imagine if she was a muggle?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked. "Is there something wrong with having a muggle?"
"Not, I didn't mean it like that," Ginny rold him. "I just meant that she'd be taken as a squib. She'd be a social outcast and...well, everything that that implies. She couldn't get a job or a husband. She'd end up like Mr. Filch unless she decided to go to the muggle world and live a life she couldn't understand. Going to the muggle world after being raised as a witch would be nearly impossible. She wouldn't know anything. People would think she was crazy."
"I see what you mean," Harry told her.
"Ginny, Harry!" Mrs. Weasley called. "Fred is leaving."
They got up from the bench and walked into the house. Everyone crounded into the living room to say goodbye.
"Goodbye all," Fred said.
"Give Jennifer and Carmen our love," Mrs. Weasley told him.
"I'll do that," Fred promised.
"Don't get too serious working with those Aurors," George warned.
Fred just smiled.
Ginny ran up and hugged Fred.
"I'll see you later, little sister," Fred said. "Make some mischief at Hogwarts for me."
"I'll try my best," Ginny laughed, walking backward away from him.
Wind came from no where. It pushed Fred's robes every which was a he began to glow. With a crack and a pop he was gone.
"Alright now," Mrs. Weasley began. "We need to consider sleeping arrangements."
"Penelope and I can stay in my old room," Percy explained. "But I would prefer that Percival stay in another room."
"Of course, Percy," Mrs. Weasley said. "Ron, Harry, would you-"
"We'd be glad to take the little tyke," Harry blurted.
"Melanie can sleep with me," Ginny offered.
"Alright then," Mrs. Weasley noted. "Now Laurel will sleep in George and Fred's old room. George can sleep on the couch."
"And I will take Whitney and Christine as well," Laurel added.
"Everyone have a room?" Mrs Wealey asked.
"I Don't," George complained. "Why am I the only one that had to sleep on the couch?"
"Would you rather Laurel suffer the couch?" Mrs Weasley questioned.
George just grumbled under his breath.
"Alright," Mrs. Weasley went on, "any other complaints?"
All was silent. Ginny looked over at Harry, who had picked up Little Percy. Little Percy took Harry's glasses and put them on himself.
"You blind, Mifder Harry," Little Percy commented, peering through the glasses.
"Percival Weasley Junior!" the older Percy snapped. "Appologize, right now!"
"It's alright, Percy," Harry assured him.
"Now, everyone," Mrs. Weasley began, "off to bed."
Laurel took Christine and Whitney's hands. Mrs. Weasley handed the baby over to Ginny. Melanie, supposedly happy where she was before, started bawling.
"Oh, Melanie, don't cry," Ginny cooed. "It's alright. We'll have fun, won't we? You come up stairs with you anutie Ginny."
Ginny rubbed Melanie's back and she calmed down. As everyone started upstairs, except for George, Ginny caught Harry looking back at her.