Saturday morning, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia sit down at the Gryffindor table. Ron yawns fairly loudly.

"Oh, hi Ron. I didn't know you were back. Enjoy your holiday?" asks Fred.

"Aw, mail." says Seamus.

Owls start flying in. Pig flops down to Ron carrying two letters. One is a normal, the other is a red Howler addressed to Ron.

"A howler? It must have been good." says George.

Ron reluctantly takes the Howler. The others at the table plugs their ears. Ron opens it. The howler yells in Mrs. Weasley's magnified voice,

=== LETTER ====
RONALD WEASLEY

YOU EXPOSED YOURSELF TO MORTAL PERIL LAST NIGHT! AGAIN! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE PLAYING AT? DO YOU WANT TO GET KILLED? THINK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY FOR ONCE! DO I HAVE TO COME TO KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE?

Mum
================

"That answers my question." says Fred.

"Ron, What did you do this time?" asks Ginny.

Ron picks up the second letter, reads it, and then says, "Nothing much. In other news, Mum says Edward is growing and healthy. She invites Harry to stay the summer."

George reads the Daily Prophet and says, "Nothing much? You call last night, nothing much?"

Fred reads it and says, "No wonder Mum was upset. You went into that?"

Ron says, "The clock must be oversensitive, that's all."

Harry says, "We did get a bit of a workout, but nothing spectacular."

Hermione, Ron, Gia, and Harry eat breakfast.

Seamus remarks, "Ernie seems talkative at the Hufflepuff table."

Ron says, "Guess something peaked his interest. Which girl you suppose it was?"

Dean says, "Ernie's been having trouble keeping one lately."

Colin says, "Not today. They're practically mauling him."

George passes the paper around. Eyebrows raise as people read it.

Hermione, Ron, Gia, and Harry finish and leave. They ignore the many conversations about the article.

* * * Studies * * *

Sunday afternoon, Hermione is sitting at the small table in the corner of the crowded common room. Ron approaches her.

"Oh, come to pester? Last minute advice?" she whips.

"No, you just seem stressed." says Ron.

Hermione rolls her eyes.

"How is Potions looking?" asks Ron.

"See, told you." says Hermione.

"I was going to sort through some pictures." says Ron.

"Pictures?" asks Hermione, very concerned.

"Yeah, your Mum gave me some nice reprints. Thinking of framing some for this room. The decor is a bit dull." says Ron.

Harry, on the sofa with Gia, yells, "Hey will you keep it down? I have some last minute Muggle studies to work on."

"Muggle studies?" asks Hermione.

"Do you need it spelled out? I thought you had some intelligence." asks Ron.

"Prat! Get." says Hermione.

"Okay, I'll ask Harry about the pictures." says Ron. He dodges Hermione's book swing.

"Pictures?" asks Harry.

"Like of that recital? That would be good." asks Gia.

Harry says, "Bring them here." Ron gives Harry a well placed look. Harry says, "On the other hand, I'm pretty busy."

Gia and Harry continue snogging.

Ron gets out a 'picture' and starts snickering at it. He says, "Hermione, you look nice. I'm glad that somebody in that group last month had a camera."

Hermione pursues. Ron runs up the stairs to the boys dormitory. He's stuffing the picture back into his bag.

* * * Finals * * *

Finals week is as usual for most classes. The teachers provide Anti-Cheating quills for essays. In Potions, Snape starts to give Hermione, Harry, and Ron zeros despite their good potions, that is until Dumbledore clears his throat.

At the end of DADA, Lupin takes aside Ron, Hermione, and Harry. He says, "I counted last Friday as extra credit, it makes up for any point deficiencies you may have."

Hermione is very upset by this and says, "But I studied very hard."

Lupin replies, "It showed Friday and it showed today."

Finally on Friday, Harry and Ron wait in the North Tower below the Divination classroom. This time, Trelawney is testing them in pairs.

Seamus is worried and asks, "Do you think she'll ask for real mind reading?" asks Seamus.

Harry and Ron exchange looks.

"Sure." says Harry.

Dean asks, "What? Did she say that?"

"No. Harry is just teasing. He doesn't really know." says Ron.

"Wonder how I'm to die this year?" asks Harry.

"She picks on you, doesn't she?" asks Dean.

"Harry tackled You-Know-Who last week." says Seamus.

"Really?" asks Neville.

"Harry, lemme guess her prediction. You-Know-Who tackles you." says Ron.

Harry chuckles and admits, "That was a bit silly, wasn't it?"

Ron says, "He was not expecting that."

"You impressed Ernie." says Seamus.

Pavarti and Lavender climb down.

"Mr. Longbottom." says Trelawney.

Harry asks, "How was it Pavarti?"

"It was an exam." replies Pavarti.

"Just read our minds if you want to know." replies Lavender.

Pavarti and Lavender snicker as they walk off.

A little bit later, Neville climbs down. He's in a nervous wreck, muttering gibberish as he heads off.

After everyone else, Trelawney calls, "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley."

Ron and Harry climb up into the Divination classroom and sit at the circular table. Harry and Ron are facing each other. Trelawney is between them.

Trelawney says, "The fate is that this final will cover mind reading and the Tarot cards."

Harry snaps, "The fates always tell you."

Harry and Ron exchange looks. Harry says, "Okay Ron, I'll be polite."

Trelawney glances between them for a moment before continuing. She says, "Mr. Potter, we always have the choice to heed what the fates tell us or to ignore it."

Ron says, "Harry wants to do the Tarot cards first."

Harry says, "Ron wants to add some challenge."

Ron sets up a mini divider to keep them from seeing the cards of the other. Ron says, "Now, as I recall we can either draw the card for the person, or they can."

Trelawney says, "You two seem eager despite what the fates say."

Harry says, "I'm sorry, we're getting ahead of ourselves. This is supposed to be final, so that means you lead."

Trelawney says, "Read each other's mind and predict with Tarot. Friends tend to be the easiest to read."

Ron draws ten cards, looks at Harry, and says, "Harry?"

Harry says, "Okay, you have Death, Nine of Pentacles, Six of Wands, Ten of Cups, Knight of Swords, Two of Cups, Hanged Man, Knight of Wands, King of Pentacles, and The Moon. So, that means, You will lose something valuable, but out of it you will mould it into something powerful."

Trelawney is ecstatic and says, "Mr. Potter, you are the first to really demonstrate mind reading."

Harry draws from a different deck. Ron regurgitates the cards and then says, "Harry, there is a romance in your future but only if you take the initiative to address certain issues."

Harry says, "Ron, read the cards!"

Ron says, "Alright, pending death of someone sitting in this room."

Trelawney studies the cards and shrieks. She says, "Mr. Weasley, I fear you may be correct. The both of you."

Harry asks, "So, is that it or is there more?"

Trelawney says, "No, your performance is more than adequate."

Harry and Ron pick up their backpacks and start for the trapdoor. Trelawney is gazing into her crystal ball when she goes into a trance. She says, "It will start tonight, the dark lord will advance." She returns to normal.

Harry and Ron ignore this and climb down the ladder.

Harry asks, "Ron, why'd you have to mention death yet again?"

Ron says, "You didn't like what I said first, besides you know Trelawney. If I mention death, it's acceptable."

Harry snaps, "I heard that first one from someone else."

The reach the seventh floor and they hear a familiar voice from behind shouting, "Ronald Weasley!"

* * * Molly's Visit * * *

Harry and Ron turn to see Mrs. Weasley approaching.

Ron says, "Yes Mum?"

Molly comes up holding Edward and says, "I came to keep you safe."

Ron says, "What? I haven't done anything dangerous in ages."

Harry says, "Hello."

Molly turns to Harry and says, "Hello dear, always a pleasure to see you. Now, Ronald Weasley, what you did last week is enough."

Ron says, "Mum, all I did was accompany Hermione as she attended some friends' funerals."

Molly says, "It made the front page of the Daily Prophet!"

Harry asks, "Mrs. Weasley, the fates tell me that wasn't your real reason to come."

Ron glares at Harry.

Molly says, "Well, thought Dumbledore and the rest would like to see Edward."

Ron takes Edward from Molly. Ron says, "Figured as much. Yes, what I did was a bit dangerous, but I'm alright now."

They reach the Fat Lady. Harry gives the password, "Sex." Both the Fat Lady and Molly blush at this. They enter.

Molly says, "Don't they check the passwords?"

Ron says, "Set by the prefect, you can tell his mindset."

Fred comes over and takes Edward from Ron. Ron and Harry quickly deposit their backpacks in their dormitories and return. Gia is now in the Gryffindor Common Room with Hermione.

Ron gives Hermione a kiss in front of Molly.

Molly says, "I know where this is headed."

Ron replies, "Yes, Grandmum."

Harry thought he saw a strand of Mrs. Weasley's hair turn silver. However he lets Gia distract him onto a sofa.

Ginny says, "Hi Mum! Yes, Ron is definitely making an impact."

Ron says, "Thanks sis."

George comes over and visits with her a bit. Later that evening, it's time for dinner so they head down to the Great Hall.

After everybody else leave, Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Gia are chatting. Ron is holding Ed and talking to him, "Hey Ed! Those diapers will only protect you for so long. Mum, don't worry. Ed has got older brothers to teach him. Any word from Percy?"

Molly answers, "Not a word. We sent owl post regarding Ed in April, but he has yet to respond. Dinner is long over so you should be heading to bed by now."

Ron says, "Mum, you want to encourage that?"

Molly says, "Proper rest is needed at your age, unless you're implying something else."

They get up and head toward the doors of the Great Hall. Ron is still holding Edward and giving him subtle threats . Molly hears this.

As they exit the Great Hall, Molly says, "Ronald, if Edward picks up on those things, I'm blaming you."

They start across the Entrance Hall. Harry and Gia are just behind Ron and Hermione. Molly is to their side, between them and the Front Doors.

Harry cringes with searing pain and grabs his scar. The Front Doors burst open. Voldemort and a number of Death Eaters are charging in with their wands raised. Harry acts Wandless with, "Expelliarmus! Stupefy!" Voldemort and the leading Death Eaters collapse, but a moment too late.

Everyone watches. Hermione, Harry, and Gia see it. Snape is coming up the stairs and he sees it. Filch is chasing Peeves up the stairs, and he sees. Dumbledore and McGonagall are running down the marble stairs. The witnesses will forever remember in utter detail. Ron sees and yells, "Mumm!"

A bead of green light, a Killing Curse, shoots out of the wand of Lucius Malfoy's wand. The Killing Curse strikes Molly Weasley on her side. Within the blink of an eye, Molly is stiff and falls backward to the floor with a thud. Ron leans over shouting, "Mum! Mum!"

Dumbledore says, "Ron, she's gone. We will send her body as soon as possible." He turns to McGonagall and says, "As feared, Hogwarts is no longer safe. This term is over. All students are to return to their dormitories and leave immediately. Minerva, escort them back to the Gryffindor Tower. "

Ron is really shaking. McGonagall says, "Come."

Gia, Hermione, Harry, and Ron follow McGonagall. They remain quiet until they reach the Gryffindor Common Room. Ginny is crouched over a table studying her Potions. Ron, with a very grim face, approaches Ginny. Several explosions come from the stairwell just before Fred and George emerge and approach Ron.

Fred says, "Cheer up Ron, where's Mum?"

Ron is shaking badly when he says, "Lucius Malfoy just murdered Mum."

George says, "This isn't funny."

Ron says, "It's not. I saw it."

Ginny grabs the nearest person, Colin, and cries into his shoulder.

* * * Evacuation * * *

McGonagall announces, "This term at Hogwarts has now ended. All students are being sent home immediately. Marks will e based upon work to date. Arrangements for OWL and NEWT tests will be made later. This fireplace will be connected to the Floo Network for this. Collect your trunks and bags. Anything left behind will be sent to you later. Mr. Potter and company will leave first, then the Weasleys, and then by years. Please pack quickly."

Ron hands Edward to Gia. Ron and Harry dash to their dormitory. They pack their trunks into their backpacks. Hedwig shows up.

Harry says, "Hedwig, you can either use the Floo Network with me or fly to the Burrow. Your choice."

Hedwig nips Harry affectionately and then flies out the window. Harry and Ron return to the Gryffindor Common Room.

Harry says, "Professor, we will be at the Burrow."

Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Gia step into the fireplace and say, "The Burrow." They emerge out of the kitchen fireplace at the Burrow. Fred, George, and Ginny emerge moments later.

Bill is surprised and says, "Why are you here? You are supposed to be at Hogwarts."

Arthur Weasley Apparates in and says, "I came as soon as I heard. Hopkirk was complaining about being unable to go home. The Floo Network was cleared for an emergency evacuation of Hogwarts. Unprecedented so it must be serious. What's wrong?"

Ron says, "You-Know-Who attacks and Lucius kills Mum."

Bill exclaims, "What? Fred what have you been teaching him?"

Harry says, "Bill and everyone, we witnessed it."

Arthur's grief is beyond words.

Ron explains the murder and that Dumbledore will be sending her body.

Arthur grabs Ron in a tight hug and says, "Ron, I wish I could tell you that it'll be alright, but you know better. Your family and your friends will help you."

Arthur says to Harry, "Harry, thank you for trying to save her. You didn't succeed, but you tried."

* * * Grief * * *

Harry suggests to us, "Let's go up to Ron's room."

We proceed up the stairs and enter my bedroom. Hermione widens my bed a bit. I close the door. I turn around and they're starting to strip. We clamber naked into my bed and they surround me.

I ask, "Whassup?"

Harry says, "Ron, she was your mum! If you need a punching bag, we can get Dudley."

Hermione lays on top of me and starts hugging me tightly. I let her continue. Harry crawls up and looks into my face. Gia, on top of Harry's back, looks as well.

Hermione says, "Ron, we want to help you cope."

Harry says, "We can't replace your Mum nor could we try. I hope we are helping you."

I say, "Just stay here, I'll figure the rest out later.."

I pull the covers over all of us.

The next morning, I awake to the familiar voice of Ginny asking, "Ron? Ron? It's past eight, so are you in here?"

The covers are a bit skewed with Hermione to my side, so she likely sees the hands and feet. I have to respond. I sit up and see her standing there with, er, Colin Creevy! She's in her bra and panties while Colin is in a T-shirt and boxers. It's probably harmless, but I can't let this slip, can I? I demand, "What have you been doing to my sister?!"

Colin says, "Not as much as you, that's for certain. I came over to help Ginny."

Colin probably did, but I don't want to believe it. I jump out of the bed and lunge after Colin. He runs down the stairs so I turn my attention to Ginny. I ask, "What did he touch? How far did he get? You wanted to talk to me, sister?"

Ginny is almost starting to cry so I hold her.

She says, "I miss Mum. Colin helps, but he's not the same as her."

I say, "So do I sis."

Harry sits up and says, "Ginny, you'll always miss her, all of us will."

Ginny blushes when she sees Harry's bare chest. She says, "Speaking of Harry, Ron what did you ever do with your UHP membership packet?"

I say, "We gave it to a deserving individual, someone who's been after Harry for years."

Hermione says, "Ginny, you saw the membership roster, you know."

Ginny looks at me and says, "Ronald Weasley, naked in front of another girl, giving You-Know-Who a membership in UHP! It cannot be revoked."

Harry says, "Good. Ginny, you don't understand do you? Ron does not belong in UHP."

I say, "Ginny, why don't you go and bug Bill, Fred, or George. They could use your company."

Ginny gets the hint and leaves. Hermione and Gia giggle, whisper, and emerge. They pull Harry and me down onto the bed. Both of them start looking closely at our genitals.

Hermione says, "Inspection you two."

I reply, "Inspection?"

Gia says, "Yes. You two need to take proper care down here, so we're checking."

The girls mutter a bit before Harry lets out a brief yelp.

Hermione says, "Good, you got the ingrown hair from his nut-sack."

Gia says, "Nice birthmark on his dick."

Hermione says, "No, just dirt. Ron, you should wash more carefully. In fact, you two both come."

The girls march us to the bathroom where they fill up the tub. They prod us into the tub and proceed to wash us.

Gia says, "We will not let you get away without baths."

They wash and then rinse us. Hermione hands a pair of towels to us.

Hermione says, "Boys! They need constant care. Now, out and get dressed."

Harry and me exit the bathroom and head back to my room. I thought it was clear, but it's not. Ginny sticks her head out and sees us naked. She blushes and gawks as Harry passes. We enter my room and I close the door.

I exclaim, "How humiliating! Inspections!"

Harry says, "Humiliating? You liked it and so did I, except Ginny seeing us. How often do you get the royal treatment like that? Probably not since my parents." He sees my face and then says, "Sorry."

I lay back down onto my bed. I say, "You're right, she's gone."

Harry sits down and leans over to look into my eyes. He says, "Ron, I have willingly shared many things with you. Last night was not something I wanted to, especially you."

We dress. The girls enter. I smell Hermione's hair and then says, "Inspections? Nice idea, but you don't need an excuse to look at my parts." I spread her towel to peer at her beauty.

Hermione's eyes flash and says, "Go downstairs! Both!"

* * * Burial * * *

Harry and Ron walk down the stairs. Harry says, "Ron, we'll get them."

Harry and Ron enter the kitchen to a decent breakfast already on the table. On the clock is Molly's hand now dangling with the face cracked, Percy's hand is still on traveling, and there is a new hand for Edward.

Ron scratches his head and asks, "Who cooked?"

Harry is given a tight hug accompanied by a squeak voice that says, "Harry Potter! Dumbledore says the Great Weasleys need help. Weasleys need Dobby. Dobby cooks breakfast."

Arthur says, "Dobby arrived last night with the coffin. All students escaped however most of the teachers along with Dumbledore are held hostage. You-Know-Who now has Hogwarts, never in living memory."

Bill says, "Ron, burial today and you know the tradition. A service will be held once Percy can attend."

Harry and Ron eat. After everyone eats, they gather into the living room. A plain pine coffin is sitting in there. The Weasley sons reach down and lift the coffin. McGonagall appears at the front door but takes a step backward. Arthur motions to her and she joins Harry, Hermione, Gia, Colin, and Ginny.

They exit the Burrow in a solemn procession. They Weasley boys each grab a shovel and continue carrying the coffin. They head to the cemetery. Snuffles and a number of residents of Catchpole join and follow. They reach the cemetery and the boys set down the coffin near the new headstone. The Weasley boys dig the grave, lower the coffin, and then fill it back in while letting Arthur toss in the first clod of dirt. They quietly head back to the Burrow and enter the living room.

Inside, McGonagall says to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "I need to see the three of you, privately."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and McGonagall enter Ron's room. Ron closes the door.

McGonagall says, "My condolences Mr. Weasley. We all wish we could have done more. As you may have heard, Voldemort has captured Hogwarts to become a school of Dark Arts. I'm the only teacher to escape and the others are now hostage. They're very likely going to be killed unless something is done. hours after they left. I'm required to attend an inquiry at the Ministry.

"Now, I am not asking anything of you, but you three are the most qualified to deal with this." She adds with a wink, "I will ignore underage Wizardry in connection to this."

They exit Ron's room and head downstairs.