Author's Notes: This fic was a challenge by Seren Quirke (Eliane Fraser) from the Accio Firebolt Challenge Station.
Burdens
You'd think that seven kids were enough, wouldn't you? Seven broomsticks to buy (or rather six; Percy was never much of a Quidditch player), seven mouths to feed, and seven wardrobes to purchase. But there is always room for one more. Always.
Each year one or more of them leaves to lead their lives. I always see them, just as they promise, in a year. The summer holidays are the gathering times for us. All sit down and tell us about their experiences.
And every September they leave me for another year. And it's hard to let go. I give each of them a gift (besides the Weasley sweaters). Not a present-gift, but a heart-gift. Ginny has boldness and the power to stand up for others and what's right. Ron has common sense (something happened to that one though) and loyalty. Fred and George were presented with their clever minds and the ability to light up others' days.
You may think it gets easier (the letting go part) with each year, but it doesn't. Everyday I wake up with the knowledge that my children could be pulled down at any given moment for any random reason. But my faith in them keeps me going.
And then there's Harry. He's never had a family, a real family to care for and count on. When Ron came home from Hogwarts the first summer, the first thing he asked me was, 'Mum, can we have Harry over this summer?' and of course, I said yes. And since then, he's been part of us, and we part of him; we are his surrogate family.
No one knows the measure of his power except Dumbledore. He has the strength beyond all others, the kind of strength that is capable of changing the world. Harry has reached an understanding with Ron and Hermione: if one shall fall, the world will come crashing down with them.
All have struggled over the past few years. We struggle to watch others struggle over deaths and hardships. Only a boy with a purpose in life like that of Harry can handle all the losses and gains that are bound to him for a lifetime. He is burdened with the knowledge of the outcome of the world. It is far from a win-win situation.
He is incapable of hitting the bottom until the final battle, perhaps judgment day. If he falls, all shall fall with him. If he rises above the rest, his triumph will ring over the lands. And I have the confidence that judgment day shall not come for many years.
Fin.