I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Note: Surprise Sunday update. During the week of Thanksgiving, I will be out of town so I don't know if I will be able to update anything before the end of the week. So I am going to do some extra updates this week for y'all to enjoy. Thank you for reading and commenting. Your companionship is something I am very thankful for. Have a lovely day.
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Extended Family
Chapter 52 – A Welcome Inn
Takes place after chapter 30.
Ron yawned, blinking slowly and stretching his arms. He looked to the side of the bed and found it empty, much like most mornings. He always felt a touch of jealousy at that. However, it only lasted a moment before evaporating. He knew full well the demands of running a tavern/eatery/inn like the Leaky Cauldron. In fact, things have gotten much better lately with them able to hire more help to cover all the different hours. He shuddered to think how Tom ran the place with mostly just him for the longest time.
He sat up in the bed, rubbing his face. He used to enjoy lying in bed until the last moment, something that he did from as a small child well into his Hogwarts years. Now he found himself willingly getting up early. He was loath to lie in bed alone these days and when he and Hannah could laze about in bed, he took full advantage of it. Now, he would rather be up and spend time with Hannah in the Cauldron proper if he had the choice.
Living in the owner's suite had its benefits. The commute was only a few flights of stairs and it was a very comfortable suite. After the morning cleaning rituals, he changed into comfortable working clothes and wandered down the stairs, stifling a yawn. He walked onto the main floor and nodded amiably at a few of the customers that had stayed overnight, the other early morning risers.
"Morning!" Hannah smiled at him when he appeared. She leaned over the counter to give him a kiss and she set a plate on the surface.
"Morning!" he replied happily. "You joining me today?"
"I'll have my second cup of coffee with you," she said and leaned comfortably on the counter, watching him eat. "I was starving when I woke up so couldn't wait."
"No problem," he said after swallowing some eggs. "How's the morning work?"
"Good. We had enough stuff done last night; we don't have a lot to prep for lunch. Light breakfast crowd today so been able to plow through a lot. No new reservations for the rooms tonight so we're good there. Honestly, I can probably get caught up on paperwork for a bit."
"Hey, that's great. You can finally take it a little easier."
She smiled. "Not sure if I remember how," she laughed. "Oh here's a list of the little things that could do a bit of fixing up."
Ron looked over the list. "No problem. I'll get right on it after I finish breakfast. Probably can finish before lunch honestly."
"No need to rush on my account," Hannah smiled warmly.
"Who's rushing?" Ron smiled as he ate. "Don't want to cut our time short."
"You're a terrible flatterer," Hannah said and kissed him.
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"Oh you really did get it all done," Hannah praised when Ron showed up at the bar again at noon. "I thought the wall would take a while to do."
"I thought so too but I found a solution in my workbook. Instead of just replacing the wood, I put in some stone behind the wall and then stuck a new piece to it. That way it'll be more reinforced."
"Oh, good idea!"
"I thought so! Might need to go back later to smooth it out some more but I think it'll work great. Might do that for most of the repairs going forward." He looked at the bags she put on the counter top. "Did you pack my lunch up into little portions to make me work at it?"
She giggled. "I'm hoping you won't mind doing some deliveries about the Alley before you have lunch."
"I suppose I could," he sighed with mock suffering.
"I saved the best for your lunch and I'll get to have it with you when you get back," she said.
"Hey you should have led with that," he remarked and made the bags float around him. With a wave he walked out the back and through the arch into Diagon Alley proper. Since he and Hannah had started living in the Cauldron for the last few years, he had become close acquaintances with many of the owners of the stores of Diagon. A few ordered lunch from the Cauldron every so often and Ron enjoyed seeing the sights and chatting with people as he delivered the orders.
"I'm glad you and Hannah took over for Tom," the owner of the Apothecary smiled. "Don't tell him, but I like Hannah's cooking better. Little less greasy."
"Good thing too or else I'd be terrible with how much I eat," Ron laughed, patting his stomach.
The owner opened her bag with relish. "I really like the stew."
"Isn't it great? My best mate and her came up with it together and it's delicious." Ron waved companionably and continued his deliveries, saving one for last.
"About time!" Fred glared at Ron when he walked into the Wheezes. "You know we can see you walking back and forth in front of the store!"
"Yeah, what of it?" Ron asked.
"Why didn't you deliver ours first?"
"That would be favoritism."
George snorted. "We're family, we're supposed to be your favorites."
"Ah well I forgot about that." He grinned at their looks. "Everyone here gets discounts anyways, don't get your knickers in a twist."
"Hey, that's an idea," Fred said as he took the food from Ron. "Twisting knickers."
"That might be fun," George hummed. "Activate on command or a time-delay charm?"
"Why not both?"
"There's something odd about you two," Ron sighed.
"What else is new?" they asked in unison.
"We started doing a fish pie at the Cauldron."
"Oh that sounds nice," George said.
"We gave you both a bit here too."
"Cheers." Fred took a bite. "Mmm, that's tasty!"
Ron grinned. "I'll pass the compliment to Hannah. She's probably going to add it to the menu soon."
"I'll get it," Fred said, licking an errant drop of gravy from his finger.
"How's Hailey?" Ron asked George.
"Great!" George beamed with paternal pride. "Getting into all sorts of things of course, dead curious and clever she is."
"Yeah we have to baby proof everything here too," Fred smiled. "She almost got into the more…volatile things the other day. Would have covered the materials room with all sorts of things that shouldn't be mixed."
"Bring her and Angelina over for dinner at the Cauldron soon," Ron said.
"Yeah I'll do that. Angelina's been great but she can use some time away from home too. She appreciates the stuff you and Hannah send home with me. Luckily, she and Alicia and Katie visit each other a lot with the sprogs so they've been really good there too."
"How're the other two teamlings?" Fred asked.
"Really good! They were all at our place when I went home the other day and they are all incredibly cute. Already the best of friends like their mums." George smiled fondly. "Hadley is definitely like her mum, very opiniated."
"Not that you'd ever say that to Alicia to her face," Fred snorted.
"Only if I could run away when I say it," George snickered.
"Are they still obsessed with Harry?" Ron asked with a smile.
"Oh yeah. They love their godfather. Always following him around if he's near and they all want to be with him."
"You need to get your daughter to love her uncles more," Fred said, half kidding.
"I'll let you try and convince her," George said, completely serious.
"No thanks. The last time I suggested it, she bit me and it hurt. A lot."
Ron laughed. "Jealous of a baby?"
"Hey, she's our niece," Fred said wanly.
"And he's her Papa Harry," George smiled.
After a few more minutes of chatting, Ron left, walking back to the Cauldron. On the way back, he was stopped by the owner of the sweetshop, given some samples to share. On a hunch, he went to the grocers and was happy to find that their order for the next few days was collected so he took it back with him.
"Oh the order came in?" Hannah said when he came into the kitchen with the boxes.
"Yup, stopped by the grocers and they were there so I brought them back."
"Thanks love," Hannah said and she helped put things away.
"Fred really likes the fish pie."
"Oh good. I think I'll put it up on the menu soon then. Did we order chocolates?"
"No, those are samples from the store."
"Awww that was nice of them. I'll send them some sausage rolls later."
When the things were put away, they sat at a small table in the kitchen to share their lunch together. A server bustled in an out as one of the cooks puttered along, getting things ready for the evening shift. They chatted about the work to come and on other things.
"Do you want to go up for a nap?" he asked as he began to clear the plates.
"No I'm okay. I hit a roll on the paperwork and if I keep it up, I'll be ahead by a week or so."
"Hey awesome. I'll continue the prep then."
"You're the best, you know that?"
Ron puffed his chest out. "Sure do but I can stand to hear more."
She laughed and pushed him playfully. "Go on. If you do a good job of things, I'll praise you more later."
"Sounds like a deal to me," he said comfortably.
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The Cauldron bustled with customers and patrons. The main bar floor was comfortably full and people came hungry or in low spirits and left full and happier. The air was warm and chatter and laughter filled the air, not over loud, but loud enough to show good cheer and comfort.
Ron worked the bar, smiling and talking to the ones who sat in it. Most of the people that walked in from the Diagon side greeted him by name, a courtesy he returned. Hannah ran the kitchen and would help serve, chatting with people too. The servers walked about, not rushed but brisk.
"Mister Weasley? There's a couple of V.I.P.s at the corner booth," one waitress said to him.
"Yeah? I'll go see them then, thanks Leslie." He looked thoughtful as he left the bar. The Cauldron really did not have many that would be considered V.I.P.s but when he saw them, he smiled and thought that these two definitely fit the bill. "Hi Mum, hi Dad."
Molly smiled and hugged him. "Hello Ron, how are you?"
"Doing well, thanks," he said warmly, hugging his dad. "Busy as you can see."
"Certainly looks it," Arthur smiled. "You run the bar like a professional though."
Ron flushed and waved a hand. "Oh I wouldn't know about that but I think I'm pretty good at it. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Spur of the moment," Arthur said.
"Charlie is at the preserve and Bill is still at work so we thought we'd come see you for dinner," Molly said.
"Always great to see you. What're you feeling tonight? Oh, would you like to try something new that we're thinking of putting up?"
"Sounds good. And whatever you have handy, we're not fussy you know," Molly said.
He snorted. "As if we'd treat you like that. I'll go see what looks expensive." He laughed at the look his mother gave him. He walked to the kitchen and poked his head in. "Mum and Dad are here."
"Oh I'll whip them up something nice. Your mum likes chicken right?"
"Yeah and do we have any more samples of the fish pie?"
"We do, I'll put some for them."
"Thanks Hannah," Ron smiled and went back to the bar. After some drinks he took the completed dinner plates and brought them to his parents. "Roast chicken and veg for Mum, beef and veg for you Dad, and a fish pie to try."
Molly took a few bites of everything. "Hannah is quite the cook, it all tastes lovely."
"The fish pie is really good," Arthur said. "Gosh I might have to sneak in during lunch from work when I can for it."
"I'll let her know. Holler if you need me," Ron said and hurried back to the crowded bar.
Molly smiled fondly, watching him work. "He's really in his element, isn't he?"
"He sure is," Arthur agreed. He watched as Ron had a crowd of people laughing at a story as he poured drinks out. "I'm glad he found his place. Have you noticed how people greet him when they come in?"
"Sure do. Puts them at ease he does. Kind, like his father."
"As warm as his mother," Arthur smiled.
After some time, Ron walked back to the corner booth, noticing someone else there. "Harry!"
Harry turned and grinned at Ron. "Hey Ron! How's it going?"
"Good good. Tiring but good. What brings you out?"
"Picking up some dinner for Katie. She was in the mood of some Cauldron food. Also Dahlia wanted to see her Uncle Ron and Auntie Hannah."
Ron smiled at the small girl that was currently being held by Molly. "Hey Dilly Pickle," Ron said warmly.
"Hi!" Dahlia held her arms open and Ron obligingly picked her up.
"You're getting big!" Ron hefted her up. "Any bigger and we'll have to share you at lunch time."
"Why do you call her Dilly Pickle?" Molly asked.
"Well she's Dally which is like Dilly, which is like dill."
"And hence pickles." Molly shook her head. "Don't call her a pickle."
"She likes it," Ron huffed. "Right Dilly?"
Dahlia nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.
"She only lets Ron call her that too," Harry smiled.
"Let's go see Auntie Hannah and make your order. Fish and chips, chicken and things?" Ron left at Harry's nod, carrying the little girl. He eased into the kitchen. "We have a special order here."
"Hello!" Hannah ran over eagerly to hug the little girl. "Getting dinner for mummy? Such a good girl!" She held Dahlia as she waved her wand, assembling the order. Dahlia giggled at the flying things, watching with large eyes as they flew into containers and were wrapped up tightly. When they were finished, she walked back to the waiting Harry and Molly and Arthur with Ron. "Here we go, one full dinner. Trade for Dahlia?"
Harry chuckled. "Do you want to stay, Dahlia?"
Dahlia shook her head and opened her arms for Harry to take her.
"Had to try," Hannah laughed. "I was only kidding Dally." She smiled when Dahlia hugged her.
A commotion broke out at the bar, two people getting heated. Things flew about and stools scraped and people rushed to get out of the way, eager to escape the brewing fight. Ron walked over swiftly and flicked his wand, sending the two men to the ground.
"Alright, no fighting in here unless you want to fight with me and then let the Aurors take what's left of you. Come on, what's this about huh?" Ron's voice was solid and sure, brooking no arguments.
"That's my boy," Molly said proudly.
Arthur whistled admiringly. "He put that down fast and got them laughing? Incredible."
"Most fights barely start here now," Hannah said, eyes bright and warm. "Ron's so good at diffusing them."
"He's probably had a lot of experience with that," Harry grinned, laughing at Molly and Arthur's weary nods. "But seriously, he looks great doing that."
"Who looks great at what?" Ron asked as he returned.
"Just saying you look good here," Harry said. "Doing good work."
"Mostly Hannah but I help out," Ron grinned.
"You do more than that mate," Harry said warmly. "Good on you."
"Thanks but if you're trying to butter me up so I play more of your games on the wireless, it won't work. We're still a Chudley Cauldron."
"No we aren't," Hannah said. Ron's wounded look made the others laugh loudly.
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Late into the night, the ones sleeping at the Cauldron went to their beds and the night staff arrived to watch over things and to help with the cleaning. Ron walked through the kitchen one last time and took up a kettle and some cups to the suite.
Hannah smiled at him from the table where she finished some work. "Oh, that smells nice."
"Daphne gave me this the last time I saw her. It's a nice cuppa." He poured out steaming cups of tea and they drank it together, smacking their lips appreciatively.
"That is nice. Not too strong," Hannah said. She yawned and stretched, waiting for Ron to sit before she sat in his lap. "Today was a good day."
"Sure was," he agreed, moving a bit until they were both comfortable.
"I'm glad you're with me like this," Hannah said.
"Me too. It's really nice," he said softly.
"I wouldn't change anything."
"There's one thing I would."
"Oh?" A flash of concern ran through Hannah.
"Yeah. We really could be a Chudley Cauldron."
Hannah snorted, relieved. "It's a good thing you're a Chudley fan."
"Yeah?" Ron sounded hopeful.
She patted his cheek. "You're used to disappointment."
Ron groaned as she laughed hysterically. "You're not wrong," he said wryly. "You're cruel, but not wrong."
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Paradox25 - Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed. I am not taking requests at this time but will file that thought away and see if it is something I want to write.
Mattyb4678 - Thank you. I try not to copy and paste personalities with different characters so while she will be close too I'm sure, I don't think I will do it the same way. I want the characters to feel distinct. Plenty still to explore I think.
diffident-serpiente - Thank you. He let his confidence shine there. I adore slice of life manga and stories and that's the feeling I want to hit with Extended: relatable simple pleasure. It's something I am hoping to hit with my next project: small stakes but with a hefty sprinkling of what I dub 'anime absurdity'. We will see how it becomes. Hope you liked Goldeneye if you watched. I appreciate your kindness so very much. Hope you are doing well.
guest - Dally swearing? Never!
alix33 - I'm sure Hedwig would approve of the owl trivet.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Good to see you, been a while and was hoping you were well. Harry hit him publically where it hurts and he has no reservations of what it would be like in the future.