Chapter 2: The Heir of Gryffindor
Chloe was playing outside of her family's home with her cousins Meghan and Ronni on a rather warm August day. The three girls were the same age, Ronni's twin brother rounded out the fourth four year old in the family, and they were more like brother and sisters than cousins. Today they were chasing the Burrow's garden gnomes around the yard. Uncle Charlie had de- gnomed the yard for their grandmother and now it was their turn to help out. Charlie watched with a smile on his face as the gnomes ran as fast as their stubby little legs could carry them. He marveled at them and thought about how much the family had changed in just so little time.
The children had three other younger relatives; Eowyn was the oldest of them at five and a half years old, Regan Weasley was five years old going on twenty (he took after his father, and was the oldest boy), and the youngest child was Sera Weasley who was only half a year old. Ronni & Evan were the first born of the four-year-olds, followed by Meghan (Regan's & Sera's sister) and Chloe was the last of that year's children born. The Weasley's were proud of each and every one of the little ones. Bill and Fleur's daughter was the oldest of the children, yet Regan was the one always trying to keep them in order (much to his sister's dismay). Fred and George tried early on to corrupt the young lad but to no avail. They wondered if big head boy placed some kind of ward on the boy to protect him from their influence. Meghan however loved her uncles dearly (she loved all of her uncles, but Fred and George especially) and was always trying to observe everything they said and did. She had her parent's smarts, but her uncles love for mischief, a dangerous combination indeed. Sera was the baby so she simply cried, ate and slept. None of her siblings or cousins could fault this.
Eowyn was the beauty of the children; it was as if she was bestowed with permanent glamour charm. Despite this the girl was by no means conceited. She had her mother's charm but her father's calm demeanor. Her flowing strawberry blonde hair was already down to her lower back, her eyes were blue and her skin was pale. Despite her looks she was always outside playing and riding with her father on his broom (when ever they could). She loved flying and could not wait to have her own broom. Some would say it was unladylike, but every time Fleur and Bill watched her they just marveled at how much she enjoyed living her life as she saw fit, unladylike or naught.
Ronni and Evan were most definitely Weasley's; there was no mistaking that. The two red haired children looked as if someone took their mother and father and mashed the two together. Their fathers hair, their mothers eyes, etc, etc. They both possessed Ron's temperament (which some would say was bad), but balanced it out with their mothers book smarts (which some would say was good). Unfortunately for their family, this made them infinitely more troublesome than Fred and George ever were (as the two uncles swore after the twins purposely pulled a prank on the two in their own joke store, in front of a fleet of customers).
This left little Chloe; he was just about to reminisce some more when he felt a pair of arms encircle his waist. Charlie turned to see his wife of two weeks smiling at him. Eva was of gypsy decent, although it was only in recent years that she accepted her heritage. She was a board certified doctor and a very good one. Her family had recently come under siege due to a curse her descendants placed on a wizard. Eva was instrumental in defeating this wizard and decided shortly after to research where she came from. Her travels brought her to Romania and she eventually crossed paths with one Charlie Weasley. Charlie grabbed his bride's hand and swung her around till she was in front of him and the two sat on a bench and watched their nieces scamper about.
"Someday it will be our children running about chasing. lord only knows what?" Charlie stated as kissed his wife's head.
"Yes it will Charlie.. In four years you we can do this and it will be our child chasing gnomes with Sera." Eva said in passing.
Charlie watched the kids play not realizing the implications of what his gypsy bride had just said. Then, realization finally dawning on him Charlie all of the sudden dropped Eva from the bench.
"You mean.."
"Congratulations. dad." Eva said with a chuckle from the ground.
Charlie gently pulled his wife from the ground and gave her a huge hug. He placed his hand on her stomach and looked in awe. "I. I don't know what to say."
"I love you works for me?" Eva said with tears in her eyes.
"I love you Eva." Charlie said.
The girls had stopped chasing the gnomes and were ohhhhhing and ahhhhhhing at their aunt and uncle. Charlie called them over and told them the good news. The three girls hugged their now kneeling aunt and asked when the baby was coming.
"Not for another eight months. but the baby will be here before you know it." Eva informed them.
*~*~*
All present were extremely excited that Charlie and Eva were going to have a baby. For once it was Molly that muttered Fred & George's catch phrase, "It's about time." Everyone, especially the children, were shocked by this and laughter erupted from all after the words left her mouth. Molly hugged her new daughter in law and expressed her joy, and the knowledge that she had known. When Charlie asked how Eva and Molly answered together, "A mother knows these things."
Ginny was sitting with Chloe on her lap and laughing with the little girl at her brother's bafflement. In truth she, as well as Penelope had guessed that Eva was pregnant. Hermione would have guessed as well if she had seen her before the announcement was made, unfortunately she was attending to her twins at the time. Likewise, Katie and Angelina were also busy keeping their husbands from blowing the roof of the Burrow (again). Chloe loved the idea of having another cousin. She actually hoped that this one was a boy, since the girls out numbered them 2 to 1. That and Regan was so stuffy and un-childlike that Evan had no one to really play games with. Sure the girls kept him company but it wasn't the same. His uncles tried to make up for this but he did occasionally wish for a male friend closer to his own age.
"Who's hair do you think the baby will have?" Fred asked the two proud parents to be?
"I'm not holding my breath." Eva announced as she surveyed her nieces and nephews.
"The Weasley genes seem to be pretty dominant in that department."
"Save one." George added everyone in the room looked to Ginny and Chloe. Chloe didn't quite understand what was going on, she was talking to Meghan when suddenly everyone in the room that was over 6 years old was looking at her and her mum.
"I didn't do anyting." Chloe chimed in, tears forming at her eyes in fear.
Everyone laughed and Ginny kissed her daughters cheek. "No love, you didn't do anything wrong. We were just mentioning that all of your cousin's have red hair, and you don't."
"Why do I have black hair mummy?" Chloe asked.
"For the same reason you have green eyes honey. because your father has them." Ginny replied with a hug and kiss.
"Mummy. is my daddy ever coming home." Chloe asked. Everyone in the room regretted starting this particular conversation the moment Chloe spoke those words.
"Honey, daddy's away right now. He loves you, I'm sure of that." Ginny said with a smile. Inside however her heart was breaking.
There was no doubt in her mind that Harry James Potter would love his daughter with all of his heart. the only problem was that he wasn't even aware he had a daughter. Harry left the wizarding world immediately after the leaving feast four years ago. He had defeated the Dark Lord. but the price was heavy. He had promised in a daze to visit Ginny and Hermione in the hospital wing but never showed. It wasn't until later that day that Professor McGonagall visited them and informed them that after an altercation in the Great Hall that Harry left Hogwarts and the wizarding world cursing (verbally) all but his family (which both Ginny and Hermione were a part of) and herself.
Harry had sent a few letters over the years, mostly to try and rid himself of Hedwig (he had included that in his letters) but the owl, despite the Weasley's best intentions and hospitality always departed immediately after she was rested. Ginny supposed she did this because Harry needed someone. She wished that he would write her and tell her how he was doing, despite her initial anger and grief of his departure. Ginny, nor any of her family, said an unkind thing about Harry. They all were angry that he had left his wife to travel (for lack of a better term) but said nothing since the children were always around and they did not wish them to bear any ill feelings for him.
"Can I write him?" Chloe asked pulling out some crayons that her Aunt Hermione had purchased for her in muggle London to color with.
"We'll see love." Ginny said. It was then that a snowy white flew through an open window and landed in front of Chloe and Ginny Potter.
"Hewig."Chloe said. Hedwig knew the little girl couldn't speak right yet so she did not give an angry hoot as would normally be expected. Hedwig had dropped a rather regal looking letter in front of Ginny before landing. Molly gave her granddaughter some owl treats to feed to the snowy owl and took the little girl from her mother. Ginny opened the seal on the envelope and read the invitation carefully. She then handed it to her father.
To: Ginny Potter and The Weasley Family.
You are cordially invited to dinner at the home of H. James Potter on
Friday. I realize this might be sudden but I would greatly appreciate
it if you would make every effort to join me. The whole family is
invited and baby care is available. Please send your response with
Hedwig as soon as possible. If you are able to attend, please include
the exact number of adults and children that will be attending so that
I may plan accordingly.
Sincerely & with much love,
Harry
"All in favor of telling him to.." George started but looked at the children who were looking intently at all the adults.
"Oh bullocks." George said under his breath.
"I'm going." Ginny replied.
"Gin?" Bill said walking up to his sister and giving her a hug. She needed all the encouragement she could muster.
"I have to know. I have to know what happened. and why he left." Ginny said whispering the last part so none of the children could hear her.
"We'll all go. Won't we?" Arthur asked his family. The kids gave a resounding yeah. The adults all nodded their heads.
Ginny retrieved a quill, wrote down a short message for Harry, the number of family members attending including Sera's nanny, and gave the parchment to Hedwig who had just finished the owl treat that Chloe had fed her. The snowy owl hooted happily as Ginny ran her fingers over her feathers, happy to know that Harry was at least in better spirits than the last time she'd heard from him two years ago, and watched as the owl flew off into the night.
"Hold on." Percy said. "How are we going to get to Harry's new home?"
"I suspect once he knows we're coming that he'll make arrangements Percy." Charlie announced.
Ginny said nothing. She just walked out of the front door and looked towards the direction her husband's owl had flown in.
She didn't know how she felt about Harry anymore. That was part of the reason she was determined to see him. She needed to know what happened that day, why he left and what he expected from her after a four-year departure? One way or another she was going to get some answers. She needed closure if nothing else. he owed her that much. Deep down, as she looked at the moon, she hoped and prayed that it would not be the end. for her and Chloe's sake.
Notes:
Eva's Character is not original. I borrowed the name and the character from the TV Series Charmed. She was a Gypsy descendant. A doctor, and is now studying her family history (but in the US). I will be posting a picture of the actress that plays Eva on my group's photo section.
Chloe Grace was the name of Harry's daughter in Caitlin's story: Lessons for Life & Letters from home. I like the name so I'm using it (my homage to Caitlin).
Meghan Weasley likewise was the name of Percy & Penny's daughter in the above-mentioned stories.
As for why I chose the chapter title... I chose it because since (in theory) Harry is the heir of Gryffindor, so too will his daughter be. And this chapter was to introduce Chloe, her relatives, and bring more questions as to what is going on & why Harry isn't around.
--Aren't I just Evil--
Chloe was playing outside of her family's home with her cousins Meghan and Ronni on a rather warm August day. The three girls were the same age, Ronni's twin brother rounded out the fourth four year old in the family, and they were more like brother and sisters than cousins. Today they were chasing the Burrow's garden gnomes around the yard. Uncle Charlie had de- gnomed the yard for their grandmother and now it was their turn to help out. Charlie watched with a smile on his face as the gnomes ran as fast as their stubby little legs could carry them. He marveled at them and thought about how much the family had changed in just so little time.
The children had three other younger relatives; Eowyn was the oldest of them at five and a half years old, Regan Weasley was five years old going on twenty (he took after his father, and was the oldest boy), and the youngest child was Sera Weasley who was only half a year old. Ronni & Evan were the first born of the four-year-olds, followed by Meghan (Regan's & Sera's sister) and Chloe was the last of that year's children born. The Weasley's were proud of each and every one of the little ones. Bill and Fleur's daughter was the oldest of the children, yet Regan was the one always trying to keep them in order (much to his sister's dismay). Fred and George tried early on to corrupt the young lad but to no avail. They wondered if big head boy placed some kind of ward on the boy to protect him from their influence. Meghan however loved her uncles dearly (she loved all of her uncles, but Fred and George especially) and was always trying to observe everything they said and did. She had her parent's smarts, but her uncles love for mischief, a dangerous combination indeed. Sera was the baby so she simply cried, ate and slept. None of her siblings or cousins could fault this.
Eowyn was the beauty of the children; it was as if she was bestowed with permanent glamour charm. Despite this the girl was by no means conceited. She had her mother's charm but her father's calm demeanor. Her flowing strawberry blonde hair was already down to her lower back, her eyes were blue and her skin was pale. Despite her looks she was always outside playing and riding with her father on his broom (when ever they could). She loved flying and could not wait to have her own broom. Some would say it was unladylike, but every time Fleur and Bill watched her they just marveled at how much she enjoyed living her life as she saw fit, unladylike or naught.
Ronni and Evan were most definitely Weasley's; there was no mistaking that. The two red haired children looked as if someone took their mother and father and mashed the two together. Their fathers hair, their mothers eyes, etc, etc. They both possessed Ron's temperament (which some would say was bad), but balanced it out with their mothers book smarts (which some would say was good). Unfortunately for their family, this made them infinitely more troublesome than Fred and George ever were (as the two uncles swore after the twins purposely pulled a prank on the two in their own joke store, in front of a fleet of customers).
This left little Chloe; he was just about to reminisce some more when he felt a pair of arms encircle his waist. Charlie turned to see his wife of two weeks smiling at him. Eva was of gypsy decent, although it was only in recent years that she accepted her heritage. She was a board certified doctor and a very good one. Her family had recently come under siege due to a curse her descendants placed on a wizard. Eva was instrumental in defeating this wizard and decided shortly after to research where she came from. Her travels brought her to Romania and she eventually crossed paths with one Charlie Weasley. Charlie grabbed his bride's hand and swung her around till she was in front of him and the two sat on a bench and watched their nieces scamper about.
"Someday it will be our children running about chasing. lord only knows what?" Charlie stated as kissed his wife's head.
"Yes it will Charlie.. In four years you we can do this and it will be our child chasing gnomes with Sera." Eva said in passing.
Charlie watched the kids play not realizing the implications of what his gypsy bride had just said. Then, realization finally dawning on him Charlie all of the sudden dropped Eva from the bench.
"You mean.."
"Congratulations. dad." Eva said with a chuckle from the ground.
Charlie gently pulled his wife from the ground and gave her a huge hug. He placed his hand on her stomach and looked in awe. "I. I don't know what to say."
"I love you works for me?" Eva said with tears in her eyes.
"I love you Eva." Charlie said.
The girls had stopped chasing the gnomes and were ohhhhhing and ahhhhhhing at their aunt and uncle. Charlie called them over and told them the good news. The three girls hugged their now kneeling aunt and asked when the baby was coming.
"Not for another eight months. but the baby will be here before you know it." Eva informed them.
*~*~*
All present were extremely excited that Charlie and Eva were going to have a baby. For once it was Molly that muttered Fred & George's catch phrase, "It's about time." Everyone, especially the children, were shocked by this and laughter erupted from all after the words left her mouth. Molly hugged her new daughter in law and expressed her joy, and the knowledge that she had known. When Charlie asked how Eva and Molly answered together, "A mother knows these things."
Ginny was sitting with Chloe on her lap and laughing with the little girl at her brother's bafflement. In truth she, as well as Penelope had guessed that Eva was pregnant. Hermione would have guessed as well if she had seen her before the announcement was made, unfortunately she was attending to her twins at the time. Likewise, Katie and Angelina were also busy keeping their husbands from blowing the roof of the Burrow (again). Chloe loved the idea of having another cousin. She actually hoped that this one was a boy, since the girls out numbered them 2 to 1. That and Regan was so stuffy and un-childlike that Evan had no one to really play games with. Sure the girls kept him company but it wasn't the same. His uncles tried to make up for this but he did occasionally wish for a male friend closer to his own age.
"Who's hair do you think the baby will have?" Fred asked the two proud parents to be?
"I'm not holding my breath." Eva announced as she surveyed her nieces and nephews.
"The Weasley genes seem to be pretty dominant in that department."
"Save one." George added everyone in the room looked to Ginny and Chloe. Chloe didn't quite understand what was going on, she was talking to Meghan when suddenly everyone in the room that was over 6 years old was looking at her and her mum.
"I didn't do anyting." Chloe chimed in, tears forming at her eyes in fear.
Everyone laughed and Ginny kissed her daughters cheek. "No love, you didn't do anything wrong. We were just mentioning that all of your cousin's have red hair, and you don't."
"Why do I have black hair mummy?" Chloe asked.
"For the same reason you have green eyes honey. because your father has them." Ginny replied with a hug and kiss.
"Mummy. is my daddy ever coming home." Chloe asked. Everyone in the room regretted starting this particular conversation the moment Chloe spoke those words.
"Honey, daddy's away right now. He loves you, I'm sure of that." Ginny said with a smile. Inside however her heart was breaking.
There was no doubt in her mind that Harry James Potter would love his daughter with all of his heart. the only problem was that he wasn't even aware he had a daughter. Harry left the wizarding world immediately after the leaving feast four years ago. He had defeated the Dark Lord. but the price was heavy. He had promised in a daze to visit Ginny and Hermione in the hospital wing but never showed. It wasn't until later that day that Professor McGonagall visited them and informed them that after an altercation in the Great Hall that Harry left Hogwarts and the wizarding world cursing (verbally) all but his family (which both Ginny and Hermione were a part of) and herself.
Harry had sent a few letters over the years, mostly to try and rid himself of Hedwig (he had included that in his letters) but the owl, despite the Weasley's best intentions and hospitality always departed immediately after she was rested. Ginny supposed she did this because Harry needed someone. She wished that he would write her and tell her how he was doing, despite her initial anger and grief of his departure. Ginny, nor any of her family, said an unkind thing about Harry. They all were angry that he had left his wife to travel (for lack of a better term) but said nothing since the children were always around and they did not wish them to bear any ill feelings for him.
"Can I write him?" Chloe asked pulling out some crayons that her Aunt Hermione had purchased for her in muggle London to color with.
"We'll see love." Ginny said. It was then that a snowy white flew through an open window and landed in front of Chloe and Ginny Potter.
"Hewig."Chloe said. Hedwig knew the little girl couldn't speak right yet so she did not give an angry hoot as would normally be expected. Hedwig had dropped a rather regal looking letter in front of Ginny before landing. Molly gave her granddaughter some owl treats to feed to the snowy owl and took the little girl from her mother. Ginny opened the seal on the envelope and read the invitation carefully. She then handed it to her father.
To: Ginny Potter and The Weasley Family.
You are cordially invited to dinner at the home of H. James Potter on
Friday. I realize this might be sudden but I would greatly appreciate
it if you would make every effort to join me. The whole family is
invited and baby care is available. Please send your response with
Hedwig as soon as possible. If you are able to attend, please include
the exact number of adults and children that will be attending so that
I may plan accordingly.
Sincerely & with much love,
Harry
"All in favor of telling him to.." George started but looked at the children who were looking intently at all the adults.
"Oh bullocks." George said under his breath.
"I'm going." Ginny replied.
"Gin?" Bill said walking up to his sister and giving her a hug. She needed all the encouragement she could muster.
"I have to know. I have to know what happened. and why he left." Ginny said whispering the last part so none of the children could hear her.
"We'll all go. Won't we?" Arthur asked his family. The kids gave a resounding yeah. The adults all nodded their heads.
Ginny retrieved a quill, wrote down a short message for Harry, the number of family members attending including Sera's nanny, and gave the parchment to Hedwig who had just finished the owl treat that Chloe had fed her. The snowy owl hooted happily as Ginny ran her fingers over her feathers, happy to know that Harry was at least in better spirits than the last time she'd heard from him two years ago, and watched as the owl flew off into the night.
"Hold on." Percy said. "How are we going to get to Harry's new home?"
"I suspect once he knows we're coming that he'll make arrangements Percy." Charlie announced.
Ginny said nothing. She just walked out of the front door and looked towards the direction her husband's owl had flown in.
She didn't know how she felt about Harry anymore. That was part of the reason she was determined to see him. She needed to know what happened that day, why he left and what he expected from her after a four-year departure? One way or another she was going to get some answers. She needed closure if nothing else. he owed her that much. Deep down, as she looked at the moon, she hoped and prayed that it would not be the end. for her and Chloe's sake.
Notes:
Eva's Character is not original. I borrowed the name and the character from the TV Series Charmed. She was a Gypsy descendant. A doctor, and is now studying her family history (but in the US). I will be posting a picture of the actress that plays Eva on my group's photo section.
Chloe Grace was the name of Harry's daughter in Caitlin's story: Lessons for Life & Letters from home. I like the name so I'm using it (my homage to Caitlin).
Meghan Weasley likewise was the name of Percy & Penny's daughter in the above-mentioned stories.
As for why I chose the chapter title... I chose it because since (in theory) Harry is the heir of Gryffindor, so too will his daughter be. And this chapter was to introduce Chloe, her relatives, and bring more questions as to what is going on & why Harry isn't around.
--Aren't I just Evil--