A/N: Thanks for all the kind reviews. To those of you with questions, some will be answered in this chapter and some in future chapters. Thanks again to my beta, LongEarMage.
Chapter 28. Back with Family
Before they knew it, the last day of the term had arrived. Books forgotten, everyone started packing for the trip home. As Harry and Ginny packed, they made plans for the New Years celebration they were planning. Dobby would be returning to the house with instructions while Harry and Ginny were at the Burrow for Christmas.
Hermione's parents had adapted quite well to life at Hogwarts. They had also been invited to the Burrow so that everyone could have Christmas together. Charlie showed up at Hogwarts to help carry anything that he could. Harry pulled him aside.
"Charlie, how is everyone going to fit? I mean, the Burrow is cozy."
Charlie laughed. "Dad's cleaned out the garage. Mum said that the Minister couldn't be caught with his Muggle toys and made him chuck the whole thing." He noticed Harry's look of sadness and moved in closer to whisper. "He built another garage on the other side of our lake that's charmed so Mum can't see it." They both laughed.
Everyone started making their way down to the end of term feast. When they were all present, Albus stood up. "Happy Christmas to all! We look forward to seeing you all back after the holidays ready to learn. Since our newest Aurors won't be returning, let's all toast to their success!"
Everyone toasted Harry and Neville. They waved and smiled to everyone. Albus sat down and the feast started. After Harry finished, he got up and walked over to where Albus was seated. He leaned over and whispered something to him, then indicated Minerva. Albus smiled and nodded his head. Harry made his way back to his seat and waited for the end of the feast. As Albus motioned for the tables to be cleared and thanked everyone, Ginny caught Harry's eye and he smiled at her.
Ginny noticed the exchange between Harry and Albus and was curious to know what was going on. As the feast ended, she caught Harry's attention and waited for him by the doors exiting the Great Hall. He slowly made his way toward her and grabbed her hand.
When they had reached their room, Ginny pounced. "What is going on?"
"Oh, you mean with Grandfather?"
"Yes. What did you speak to him about?"
"I invited him home for the holidays."
Ginny laughed. "Like you expect him to come with us."
"No," Harry replied. "He and Grandmother will come in two days."
Harry laughed as Ginny's jaw dropped. "Remember, Gin. They have never got to spend a Christmas with me."
Ginny smiled. "I know, Harry. But it's going to be so crowded at the Burrow."
"Charlie told me that 'arrangements' have been made."
"Why does this scare me?" laughed Ginny.
***
Shack was sitting with Albus, Tonks and Meryl Bek in his office. As he looked at the faces of these people, who thought back to when he had met each one of them. He was sad to disappoint them now. "Last night, Draco used the Staff again. And, for the second time, no one was there when we got there."
"The charm is activated when the process is complete," explained Meryl. "There was some shortsightedness on my part."
Albus looked up. "No one is faulting you, Meryl. How can we fix this?"
"Is there some way to modify the charm from a distance?" interjected Tonks.
"No," replied Meryl. "It has to be done by touch."
"What would be required?" asked Shack.
"Well," replied Meryl, "We could charm a ring so that when it touches the staff it modifies the charm. That way, if someone could get close enough to it, all they would have to do is grip it for a few seconds to transfer the modification." Everyone sat in thought for a moment.
"Did you know about Narcissa?" asked Albus, looking at Shack.
"No, that's why it surprised me," he replied. "I remember being called to Malfoy's house when she hung herself. I checked the body personally. She was dead."
"No she wasn't," exclaimed Moody from the doorway. "Someone who had taken Polyjuice was, though."
"What do you mean?" asked Meryl.
"I found out that she had her maid take Polyjuice and then killed her. That way, Narcissa could disappear. She stayed nearby to make sure that the body was found and removed within the one hour that the potion lasts. She didn't even tell her own son so she couldn't be found," added Moody.
"Ah, now it begins to make sense," said Albus.
"What does?" asked Tonks.
"Well, Draco thought his mother dead and blamed Harry. His hatred must have increased as Harry fought Voldemort and after his defeat was awarded the Order of Merlin. Then, recently, he discovers that his mother is alive through the Staff of Slytherin. He decides to finish what she started," Albus concluded.
"Well, now we have a charge to pin on him. But first we have to find a way to get close to him," added Shack.
"I'll do it." Everyone looked up at Tonks. "I can change my features to match someone else's."
"No, Nymphadora," said Albus. She cringed when he called her that; he was the only one that she let do it, however. "I think that Severus should be the one. How long will it take to prepare, Meryl?"
"Two weeks, Albus."
"Then let's call an Order meeting for just after the New Year."
***
Katie opened the door to find Sirius sitting in an armchair by the fire. He was staring deep into the fire with a photo album open in his lap. She quietly made her way behind him to see what he had been looking at. The photograph was a familiar one of James, Lily, Sirius and herself in a hospital room. Sirius was holding Baby Harry and smiling. She moved around the chair to face him. He looked up at her with tears in his eyes and her heart just melted. All the reservations she had about being hurt left her. How could she not still love this man? She knelt in front of him and wiped away his tears.
"Katie, sometimes I wonder what it may have been like…"
"Sirius, it's okay. None of what happened is your fault. You can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders." She looked deep into his eyes and saw the pain. She smiled a bit before continuing. "That was James' job."
Sirius chuckled. "And now it's Harry's."
Katie got a twinkle in her eye. "Well, let's remove some of that weight. I have an idea for an extra special present for the both of you!"
Sirius looked up at her with one eyebrow raised. "What do you mean?"
Katie stood up and put her hands on her hips. "What I mean, Mr. Black, is that you have to get moving. We have a few stops to make before we can go to Arthur and Molly's tomorrow; so get up and get moving!"
Sirius looked up at her. Merlin, how he loved this woman! "Yes ma'am."
***
Remus was sitting with Mary Kelligan, assistant Head of the Potions Review Department of the Ministry of Magic.
"So, is that all there is to it?" asked Remus.
"Yes, sir. You take it for seven days each month; the fourth dose should be the day of the full moon. The dosage is the highest that day. Now this potion also has the same effects as the Wolfsbane potion with which you are familiar."
"And after the third session I may be cured?"
"That's right, it should only take three months to reverse the effects of the bite and clear the poisons from your system. The muggles have something similar to this type of treatment; it's called chemotherapy, and is quite effective in many cases. Remember, though, this is not guaranteed. You will be our second trial."
"The results from the first experiment were encouraging."
"I agree. But I must remind you, Mr. Lupin, that you must record everything in a journal the week that you are taking the potions. We must have solid evidence of any potential side effects as well."
"I will follow your instructions, Ms. Kelligan. I am hoping that by ridding myself of this curse I will be able to marry the woman I love."
"I hope that happens for you, Mr. Lupin. I sincerely do."
***
"Oh, Frank, I am so excited! I can't believe that our son is engaged!"
"Well, Alice, he is the same age I was when I proposed to you."
"I know," she replied sadly, "but I've missed so much in his life."
"We both have, dear. Thankfully, Mum took care of him. He has turned out to be quite a wonderful young man."
Mrs. Longbottom walked in to the sitting room where Frank and Alice were having tea. "I can't take credit for all of it, you know."
"What do you mean, Mum?" asked Frank as he walked over and kissed her on the cheek.
"You two started him off well, I saw him along; all that's true," she replied. "But Harry taught him self-confidence and selflessness. Those lessons were what he needed."
Alice looked up from her tea. "Yes, we all owe Harry a great deal."
***
Molly looked around at her home. She had managed to keep it cozy in spite of all the remodeling that Arthur had arranged. Her kitchen was the same; she had demanded that. The long table with the mismatched chairs was gone from the expanded dining room. In their place was a beautiful wooden table and a set of matching chairs of deep red. The living room had been expanded just a bit to add room for a desk in one corner for Arthur so that he could tend to Ministry affairs from home if necessary. New furniture replaced worn, shabby things. The walls were freshly painted and new carpets were on the floor.
Upstairs, several bedrooms had been added to allow for extended family and guests to come and visit. The ghoul in the attic had been sent packing; Molly had re-done the attic into a sewing room.
She thought back to all the wonderful times she had been part of in this house. She knew it was the same house, but it felt different. She shook her head and went into the kitchen to start working on lunch.
She heard a pop and turned around. Standing there were two house elves. She recognized the one, but not the other. "Hello, Mrs. Wheezy. Master Harry sent me ahead with the luggage and asked Winky and I to help out here until we go back to our house." He turned to Winky. "Winky, this is Mrs. Wheezy. Master Harry says we help Mrs. Wheezy. So I will go put away Master's trunks and you start, I will be right back."
Molly watched as he disappeared. "So…Winky. Care to help?"
Winky nodded. "Master Harry says help. Winky is glad to do so."
***
Harry and Ginny apparated to the Burrow. At least, it looked like the Burrow. When they walked in, they weren't sure until they heard the clock as it signaled their arrival.
"Mum?"
"In the kitchen, dear!"
They walked into the kitchen and saw Molly sitting at the table. Dobby and Winky were busy cooking. "Ginny! Harry! Welcome home!"
"What happened to the Burrow?" asked Harry.
"Arthur decided to spend some of those Galleons your parents gave us. He said that if we were going to have Christmas here, he wanted to have the whole family here and we needed room," replied Molly.
"Bloody hell…what happened?" Ron had just walked in followed by Hermione.
Harry started laughing. "Hang on, Ron. Dobby, could we get some hot cocoa, please?" Dobby immediately started preparing it as Harry motioned for everyone to sit down. As Harry relayed the story to Ron (with occasional additions by Molly) everyone started laughing. It was then that Harry remembered what Charlie had told him. He was glad that the money his parents left was put to good use.
Hermione stretched and caught Molly's attention. "How are you feeling, Hermione?"
"Pretty good, why?"
"Have you seen a medi-witch lately?"
"No. I've been tired and I had some kind of stomach virus I had trouble getting rid of, but other than that I'm fine."
"Can you fetch me that white stone on the mantle in the living room, Hermione? It's egg-shaped." Hermione nodded and went to get it. Everyone else looked at Molly with odd expressions.
When Hermione came in she was smiling. "This is a very pretty stone. Is it always warm like this?"
Now Molly smiled. "Not always. Only if you're pregnant."
***
Neville's family had been delighted that he had become engaged. Luna's father, however, was greatly concerned. It had nothing to do with Neville personally. The fact that Neville was an Auror was a point against him. Jedediah Lovegood remembered the dark days of Voldemort all too well. His front of eccentricity helped him obtain a lot of information that he passed on to his contacts within the Ministry, namely James and Lily Potter.
After their deaths he backed off giving information. His wife had given him a daughter and he didn't want them to be in any danger. His front, The Quibbler, was doing quite well. With its eccentric style and attention-grabbing headlines, it grew to be the second largest source of printed news in the Wizarding World.
After his wife Ellen died experimenting with a new charm, he became even more protective of his daughter. New information regarding Voldemort began surfacing and Harry Potter, the daughter of James and Lily, had resurfaced after ten years of silence.
As much as he loved his daughter, his conscience knew that he had to become involved again. He sent a note to Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts, requesting a meeting regarding his daughter, who had become a student there. His real reason for the meeting was to offer his aid, which was gladly accepted.
In the summer before Luna's fourth year, it became apparent that Cornelius Fudge was up to something. Jedediah's contacts at the Ministry confirmed there was a plan to oust Dumbledore from Hogwarts. He met with Dumbledore in Hogsmeade and relayed the information.
Then he was given the chance to run Harry's story. After its third printing, he knew that people were starting to understand that there was some truth to it. It did bring out some detractors, but on the whole the story was applauded.
But now the problem was not that Luna had found that she had feelings for Neville. And he returned those feelings. On one level, Jedediah was happy for his daughter. She was a bit eccentric and she had found someone who could see past that into her heart. On a more base level, he was worried that getting involved could only get her hurt, either physically or emotionally. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He laughed as he heard his wife's voice: 'Come on Jed…she's growing up. Let her make her own decisions…' He sighed and smiled sadly as he went to go find his daughter.
***
"Pregnant?" Ron's eyes rolled in his head and he fell faint to the floor. Hermione rushed over to him.
"Don't worry, dear," laughed Molly. "It's not fatal." Everyone laughed.
Once Ron woke up, everyone congratulated him. Everyone except Ginny. The only one that noticed was Harry. He went off in search of his wife, finally finding her in her old room. She was looking out the window.
"Gin, are you alright?" Harry asked softly.
She turned to face him. "Harry, we were the ones that were supposed to get pregnant!" The tears were streaming down her face as Harry gently pulled her into him.
"Don't worry, love. We will be…soon." He stroked her hair gently as he kissed her forehead. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. "Besides," he said, "they did get married two minutes before us."
Ginny looked at him. He actually kept a straight face for almost ten seconds before he burst out laughing. She started laughing too and hugged him. "Do you know how much I love you?" she asked.
"More than Draco?" She punched his shoulder.
"Ouch! That hurt!"
"More than Draco…" She laughed again and took his hand as she headed down the stairs to congratulate her brother and his wife for making her an aunt.
***
Albus was packing his things to go have Christmas at the Burrow. It had been many years since he was away from Hogwarts for Christmas, and he and Minerva were looking forward to spending some real family time with Harry.
Minerva packed her bag and went over her list twice. In between Christmas and New Years, she had promised to help Harry prepare for the party, so she wouldn't be coming back to Hogwarts until right before the students did.
Albus gathered his things and shrunk them for easy carrying. Then he put them in his pockets. He sat down at his desk to look over a couple things when he heard a small cough behind him. "Yes, Dilys?"
"Albus, would you please tell Harry Happy Christmas for me? I wanted to tell him myself, but I didn't get the chance."
Albus smiled. His plan was working better than expected. "I will pass along your tidings. Happy Christmas to you, too! I must be going so that I can collect Minerva and we can go. After all, tomorrow is Christmas Eve!" He smiled and bowed to her, then left the office, chuckling to himself.
He met Minerva as he stepped out into the corridor. "Ready, my dear?"
She smiled at him. "I have been ready for years! We need to stop in Hogsmeade; I want to get Harry one more present."
"I think he has enough presents. I want to make it to Molly's in time for her delicious cooking." He grinned as Minerva rolled her eyes.
"Very well, why don't we just floo from your office?"
"Excellent idea! After you," he said.
***
By dinnertime, everyone had arrived at the Burrow. Sirius and Katie had arrived just minutes after Remus and Emma. Albus and Minerva got there shortly after Fred and George, who thought that they were in trouble.
Wen-Lee even stopped by to drop off some papers for Harry. He smiled and said hello to everyone before flooing home.
After dinner, everyone settled into groups. The younger group was talking about Quidditch and school, while the older crowd was talking about…well, Quidditch and school. Albus had run into Madam Hooch while in Diagon Alley and she was very proud of her team. Minerva and Molly were talking about Ginny and her upcoming NEWTS; Sirius, Katie, Remus and Emma were swapping Marauder stories. Albus was sitting in a chair, sipping on a butterbeer and listening to both groups while chuckling to himself.
As the evening grew on, the groups started dwindling as people began excusing themselves and heading for bed. Soon it was just Harry, Ginny, Minerva and Albus. They all sat quietly around the fire until it began to die down. Harry looked at Albus. 'He looks older than I remember…' The worry lines were deep-set and the features never relaxed. 'And I thought I carried a heavy burden…he makes me look like nothing.' Albus noticed him looking his way and smiled. 'There it is; that twinkle that makes everything seem to be all right.' Harry stifled a yawn, but it did not go by unnoticed.
Ginny and Harry said their goodnights and made their way up to bed. As Ginny gathered her things and made her way to the bathroom to change, Harry unpacked and put their luggage away. He smiled as Ginny re-entered the room. As she crawled into bed, Harry quickly undressed and joined her.
"Gin, I love you so much. We'll get pregnant, don't worry."
"Oh, I'm not worried, Harry," she said, smiling mischievously. She pulled him to her and kissed him deeply.
He smiled and said the word she wanted to hear.
"Nox."
***
Molly was making breakfast the next morning when Ginny came downstairs. She smiled at her and watched as Ginny absentmindedly smiled back. She knew her daughter well enough to know that something was on her mind. She watched Ginny looking around at the cupboards and then going into the living room. A few moments later she returned; her smile was gone, however.
"Ginny, dear, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Mum. I'm fine. Harry's fine. School's fine. Hermione's pregnant."
"I see. Feeling a bit left out?"
Ginny looked at her mother with tears in her eyes. "Oh, Mum. You know what the prophecy said. I don't want to miss out on some things at school, but I do want to make Harry a father!"
"I know you do. And Harry understands. Here." She pulled the stone Ginny had been seeking from her apron pocket and handed it to her daughter. It seemed lifeless. "Why don't you hold on to this? My mum gave it to me when your father and I married. You take it now and let me know when it grows warm."
Ginny looked up at her mother and smiled. "Thank you, Mum. I will!"
"Now why don't you come help me fix breakfast. We've a lot of hungry mouths to feed and a lot to get done today. We have to decorate and your father won't be home until afternoon."
"I'll be glad to help, Molly." Both Ginny and Molly looked up in shock to see Minerva standing in the doorway. "I'm not that bad a cook, you know." They all laughed and went about preparing the meal.
***
After breakfast, they all began decorating the house. Harry, Sirius, Remus and Albus apparated to the woods outside of Hogsmeade looking for a tree. As the four of them debated on several potential ones, Harry felt an odd tingling in his scar. It was over almost before he noticed it, so he didn't think to say anything to the others.
Ginny, Hermione, Katie and Emma went into Ottery St. Catchpole to buy some ribbon. The four females chatted as if they had known each other for years. Ginny looked at Katie. "Katie?"
"Yes, Ginny?"
"What was Lily like?" Emma, Katie and Hermione all stopped in their tracks.
Katie looked at Emma and smiled. "I think Emma can answer that question better than I. She was Lily's best friend."
Emma smiled at them. "What do you want to know Ginny?" she asked as they resumed their walk.
"I don't know, really," admitted Ginny. "Harry knows so little. What was she like? Did she really hate James before they fell in love? So many questions…"
"…so little time! Hmmm…how to describe Lily; Well, she was always punctual. She hated being late. I remember once when….hmmmm…maybe I better leave that one alone," she laughed.
Katie looked at Emma, giggling. "Are you referring to a certain incident that happened our seventh year?" Emma nodded, bursting out laughing.
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Now you have to tell us."
Emma stifled a laugh. "Okay…well. It started like this…"
Lily was running down the corridor to Transfiguration. She was afraid she would be late. As she ran, she adjusted her hold on the books she was carrying. She ran by James and smiled as she passed, looking over her shoulder at him. All of the sudden wham! She ran into the wall, dropping her books and falling over. James and Sirius rushed to help her, but she was struggling to get up by herself. As she bent over to retrieve her books, the hem of her robe got caught under her and….rip! The rear seam split, revealing her all-too-sheer knickers. Sirius was right behind her and that caught his attention…so….wham! He hit the wall, too. Lily was torn between being embarrassed and laughing at Sirius when Professor McGonagall came out to see what was going on…
By the time Emma got this far, the four were in hysterics. They barely were able to tell the clerk what they needed, and were still laughing when they got back to the Burrow.
***
By the time Molly served dinner that evening, the house was fully decorated. The tree held both Muggle and magical ornaments, the rest of the house was covered in greenery and red ribbon, and everyone was laughing and talking.
Molly looked around at the joyous faces, listening to a conversation here, watching a reaction there. She sighed. She was truly happiest when her family was home. Arthur noticed her sigh and put his hand on hers and give it a gentle squeeze as he smiled too.
Someone suggested that they sing carols and they all joined in. Harry and Ron listened in amazement to Ginny and Hermione, both of whom had wonderful singing voices. Sirius (of course) sang the loudest, while Remus and Albus were both fine tenors. The one that shocked everyone was Minerva. She smiled at them as she sang.
Harry looked around at his family and friends and thought to himself 'What a wonderful way to spend Christmas!'
