Harry Potter and the Brethren of Ares

Disclaimer: See Prologue.

Chapter 2: The (Unsinkable) Molly Weasley

"All three of Mrs. Weasley's sons were taller than she was, but they cowered as her rage broke over them."

-Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 3: The Burrow

Hermione heard a long hiss and a curse from the Burrow's loo. She was going to ignore it, but a loud exclamation of "Bollocks!" drove her to fully push open the already ajar door.

She froze at the site of a very shirtless Ron While still extremely lanky, a year of working to catch quaffles had done the redhead some good.

She was pulled from her thoughts by Ron's notice of her arrival. He was obviously too annoyed to be flustered at the situation.

"Oiy, Hermione, would you give me a hand?" The frustration was plain in his voice. "I can't reach one of the burns."

Hermione nodded, not trusting her voice. She watched as Ron turned his shoulder to her, revealing a burn that was a much angrier red than the rest of the scars. Expertly, she poured a small amount of potion from the bottle Ron handed her onto a washcloth. She gently pressed it to the welt, wincing when Ron yelped in surprise.

"Sorry."

Ron laughed; the same false laugh he'd been using since she'd arrived.

"It's not bad, Hermione, I just want to be my best for Harry."

She flinched at the sarcasm in his voice. Ron thanked her and fled the room, tugging his shirt on as he went.

Madame Pomfrey had said that the experience would affect them, and that the combination of the memories the brains had put into Ron and the healing potions might bother him especially. It seemed that the elderly matron had been right. Some of Ron's old jealousy had emerged. Hermione only hoped that it didn't rear it's ugly head.

She heard Ginny shout up the stairs. Mrs. Weasley had gone to get Harry.

She had to get ready.

The birds surrounding Number 4 Privet Drive took off in a hurry, cawing and chirping in fear, as strident yelling infiltrated the usually peaceful and very normal area, thank you very much.

"YOU HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE PEOPLE!"

Harry ran back inside, still hot and dirty from his garden work. He put a hand on his wand and ran into the kitchen, only relaxing when he saw who was yelling. Molly Weasley was shaking in her rage as she faced off with the Dursleys. Harry supposed that the Advance Guard hadn't been lying at King's Cross. They'd sent Harry the best protector he could ask for- a very angry Molly Weasley.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU WON'T LET HIM LEAVE THIS MISERABLE HOUSE!"

Harry's eyes widened. The Dursleys wanted him to stay?

Vernon Dursley was not a kind man, but he cared about his family, and so was standing in front of them in a rather odd attempt to shield his wife and child. This worked well with bony Petunia, but his rather whale-like son was twice the width of his father.

"Now listen here, you, you, WOMAN!" Vernon's face was now an unattractive shade of magenta. He pointed at Harry. "That boy may be a lazy good for nothing, but with the right words and punishment, he is a damn good gardener. We'll keep him here until he is of age in our normal world, and then he can fend for himself!"

Harry was just staring at his 'family' in shock. He had just been (somewhat) complimented by his uncle, and they wanted him to stay- his aunt and cousin were nodding too.

He felt an odd sensation at the pit of his stomach at the thought- his family wanted him to stay. Sure, they actually hated him, were using him to get the chores done, and were trying to deepen his depression, but they wanted him.

Snap out of it, Potter, they're not your real family, Harry told himself firmly. His real family was dead.

It was then that Mrs. Weasley took notice of Harry. "Oh, hello, Harry dear!" She bustled over and hugged him fiercely, tears in her eyes.

Harry choked and felt himself begin to turn blue.

"Oh, Harry dear, you poor, poor boy..."

"Mrs. Weasley! I can't-"

"-how has your summer been, poor thing, now, you get to go home to the Burrow, not Grimmauld Place this time, Professor Dumbledore set up all the wards-"

"Mrs. Weasley, I can't brea-"

"-Ron and Hermione can fill you in on everything when you get back, I'm sure you're most anxious to find out what's been happen-"

"MRS. WEASLEY, I CAN'T BREATHE!"

"Oh, jiminy crickets! I'm so sorry, Harry, dear!"

Harry gasped, rubbing his arms. "It's ok, Mrs. Weasley."

She smiled, and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Now, go and get changed and gather your belongings, don't want to be late for dinner...."

Harry nodded, and walked out in to the hallway. As he was ascending the stairs, the screaming broke out again.

Rushing around his room, he managed to grab everything and get changed in record timing, while still listening.

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT POOR CHILD HAS BEEN THROUGH!"

Harry nearly dropped Hedwig's cage. Hedwig gave an annoyed hoot. Mrs. Weasley had just called him a child....

No, don't worry about it, he told himself firmly. She does that with all her children; it must be a mum thing....

A mum thing...

Harry shook his head, hard. It wouldn't do well to dwell on things today, now that he was finally getting away from Privet Drive. He shook his head again, and trotted down the stairs, Hedwig's cage swinging freely, to the snowy owl's annoyance.

Mrs. Weasley was hustling towards him, eyes slightly narrowed, but smiling nonetheless. "Come alone, Harry dear. I wore them down." She pulled a book out of her swinging handbag. "Here, dear, this is a Portkey to the Burrow. I'll be apparating."

Nodding wordlessly, Harry leaned forward and grabbed the book, closing his eyes and trying to empty his mind of everything as the familiar traveling sensations took over. He hated Portkeys with a passion, but a Portkey to the Burrow was much better than a broom flight to Sirius's house. His feet hit the ground but he fell over anyway. Harry took a shuddering breath before standing up in the familiar Weasley front yard. Realizing that Mrs. Weasley had probably Apparated right into the kitchen, he grabbed his suitcase and Hedwig's cage. With some difficulty, he managed to move forward, dragging the heavy trunk behind him.

"Harry!"

Harry smiled as a familiar red head hurried out of the front door, ponytail swinging back and forth almost happily. He somewhat awkwardly returned Ginny's enthusiastic hug. "Hello, Ginny," he said softly.

"Hi." She pulled away from him. "C'mon, let's get inside, you look hungry!" She grabbed on of the handles of his trunk. Grateful for the help, Harry grabbed the other handle and Hedwig's cage. Hedwig hooted in greeting at Ginny; who cooed back at her.

Harry watched Ginny, who was bounced on every step. It wouldn't do to act miserable when the Weasleys had worked so hard to get him there.

Ginny kept glancing at him nervously on their trek towards the house. Knowing what she was thinking, Harry shot her a reassuring grin.

Unwilling to keep Harry excluded as had happened the summer before, his friends had bombarded him with owls. Dumbledore in particular, was anxious to make sure that Harry was ok- he'd sent Harry letters all summer, keeping Harry up-to-date on everything- not that there was much to tell. Voldemort had been relatively quiet over the summer, except for minor incidents and the Azkaban raid- but even still, Harry's respect for the Headmaster had returned, however begrudgingly.

They reached the kitchen, and dropped Harry's trunk. Harry opened Hedwig's cage, allowing the snowy bird to swoop out the window to go hunting. "Where is everyone?"

Ginny began walking towards the door to the garden. "We're eating outside." She kept on giving him nervous glances as they picked their way over the cluttered floor. Harry frowned. He hated it when people kept looking at him.

Ginny pushed open the door and slipped through. He heard her giggle as the door slammed in his face. Rolling his eyes, a ghost of a smile around his mouth, Harry pushed the door open and stepped into the garden. His jaw dropped.

"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HARRY!"

Harry was quite sure that if he had still been carrying his trunk, he would have dropped it on his foot. All the Weasleys- including Percy?- were gathered in the garden along with Hermione, the Advance guard, Angelina, Katie, Alicia, Lee, the Patil twins, Lavender, Seamus, Dean, Neville, and Luna.

A few incoherent syllables came from Harry.

Fred and George walked over, took his right and left arms, respectively, and guided him to a seat at the table, among the red and gold decorations. George was the first to speak.

"You see, young Harry, this is what you would call a-" Fred and George made sarcastic quote marks with their fingers "'birthday party'." Fred took over. "It is a 'celebration' (quote marks) of the day- July 31st- that you graced this earth with your presence."

Harry's face broke into its first true smile in months. "Thanks- you didn't have to-"

"Oiy, Harry?"

"Yes, Ron?"

"Shut up and enjoy it."

Harry's grin widened. "Yes, Ron." No one noticed that his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

Mrs. Weasley, who appeared to be quite near tears, bustled over to the table. "OK, everyone- tuck in."

Harry was more than happy to oblige as he began to work his way through the mountain of food Mrs. Weasley had piled on his plate. He kept an ear out for conversation, but it seemed that he wasn't the only hungry one. After a little while, however, the conversation inevitably started. He kept eating, finding it easier then fending off questions about his wellbeing.

Percy nervously approached Harry at one point during dinner. Confused, he nodded politely at Percy, who began to speak. Percy cleared his throat. "Hello, Harry. I'd just like to apologize for a moment. My power went to my head there for a second- you understand that, of course."

Full well knowing that was as sincere as Percy got, Harry smiled at him. "It's alright, Perce. No harm done."

Percy surprised him by a real grin. "Good. Did you hear- Penny is pregnant!"

Harry gaped at him. "Whoa!"

Percy nodded vigorously. "Yes, she's about a month along now! She was quite miserable when she heard about Wizarding pregnancies, though."

Harry frowned thoughtfully. "What about them?"

"Well, with magical children, they last for about a year."

Percy bounced back to his seat, leaving a dumbstruck Harry behind. That had to be one of the weirdest things he'd ever heard.

Shaking his head, he tucked back in until a rather unpleasant interruption occurred.

"Well, if you want to talk to a relationship expert," said Ron loudly, "you'll want to speak to our birthday boy."

Harry choked on a piece of chicken as the dinner table grew somewhat quieter. He coughed until Remus whacked him on the back. "Thanks, Remus. Ron, what are you on about?"

Hermione was giving Ron her trademark Glare of Painful Death, but Ron didn't notice or chose not to. "Well, Ginny and Dean here were having a bit of a scuffle, and I was just referring them to you expertise." Dean and Ginny looked far from fighting- he had an arm casually slung around her shoulders, and they were exchanging amused glances.

Remus leaned forward. "Expertise? Do tell!"

Harry's jaw dropped. "Remus! You're supposed to me on my side!"

Remus gave him a wounded look. "Yes, but as the representative of your parents at this table, it is my duty to have a hand in embarrassing you to no end."

"Wonderful."

"Yes, yes. Ron, what were you saying?"

"Cho."

There was an immediate babble of laughter from the Hogwarts students and immediate alumni. Parvati bounced in her seat. "Ooo, I heard about that! You made her cry in the middle of Hogsmeade!"

Remus gasped. "Why, Harry, you do take after your father!" Adrienne giggled.

Harry, however, was frowning. "I have no idea why she started crying! We were sitting in this coffee shop, and she just starting sobbing. And Remus, stop acting so pissed when Adrienne is around!" Remus froze.

"Well, that's not what Cho said."

Harry's frown deepened at Padma's quick comment. "What did she say?"

Padma grinned at him. Harry's stomach flip-flopped. "She said that you were a huge insensitive prat that was clueless about women."

Harry nodded. "Well, I'll agree with her on the clueless about women part."

Padma laughed, but thankfully, it was a lot less ditzy than Parvati's trademark chortle. "Just a point- Ron, you have no room to say anything. Did you forget that your quote unquote 'date' to the Yule Ball is sitting across from you? You were an utter prat. At least Harry was a reasonably good almost-boyfriend for Cho."

Harry felt his pride swell a bit.

Mrs. Weasley seemed to feel that it was time for her to step in. "Presents!"

Harry raised an eyebrow. With the Weasley twins present, he was almost positive that half of the gifts had disappeared...

...but Harry found his jaw dropping again as the pile of presents was lowered onto the now devoid-of-dishes table. Tonks, whose hair was currently gold, reached over and closed his mouth, grinning. "Here, love, open ours first. It's from all of the guard except for Lupin, who seemed to think he was special and deserved to give you a separate one." She pushed the red and gold wrapped box towards Harry, who opened it eagerly. It was a Sneakascope. Harry grinned at the guard, feeling no urge to point out that he already had one Ron gave him as Moody said, "Boy, you can never be too cautious." "Thanks, Tonks, Kingsley, everyone. Constant vigilance, Moody." The old auror nodded at him, pleased. His magical eye appeared to be keeping a constant vigil of Fred and George's every move.

Remus pushed a package with simple purple paper on it towards him. "I think you could consider this a gift from your parent, as well." Harry noticed that Remus had pointedly said 'parent'. Sirius. He nodded at Remus, who clapped him on the shoulder for a moment. "Alright, open it, already."

A small smile appeared on Harry's face as he read the title, 'Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies!' "Thanks, Moony! You're right, my parent would have loved this."

"MOONY?!?!" Harry's grin appeared again as Fred and George stared at Remus, shocked. "You're- you're the Moony?"

Remus nodded, visibly amused.

Fred and George raced around the table to Lupin and fell on their knees, bowing dramatically. "We are not worthy, we are not worthy..."

"Settle down, settle down," said Mr. Weasley, fighting a smile. Gred and Forge, still quite in awe, sat down again, rapturously looking at Remus in pure shock and reverence.

Among his other presents, Harry got a large variety of candy from the Weasleys, an assortment of Wheezes from Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, and Lee ("Wait 'til you see the store!"), a book on the N.E.W.T.'s from Hermione ("It's never too early to start studying, Harry!"), a book on plants from Neville ("I figured you'd like some of the things in that."), a book on Quidditch from the Patils and Lavender ("Just don't tell the Ravenclaw team I gave you tips!" "Padma!"), and a subscription to "Scarily Obsessed with Quidditch Monthly" from Luna ("It's not as good as The Quibbler, but it's still good.")

Harry smiled at everyone. "Thank you."

Later, when he was hugging the people around him goodbye, Remus asked if he had a fun birthday. Harry didn't say anything, but only hugged his friend on impulse. His world was far from perfect, but his friends were helping make it better.