"Yes, you are." stated Mr. Weasley with conviction. William stood there in his own mysticism, trying to comprehend how this is possible. "We should head out. If we take too long, Molly'll think I ran off with another woman." Mr. Weasley joked. as they walked forward past a group of gossiping girls in robes.
At the clothier, they halted in front of the entrance, where the sign read. 'FINE ROBES' in all capital letters.
"Fine… Robes? Won't I look silly?" questioned William, as this was far from what he expected by clothing.
"Not where you are going. What may be silly to the muggles, aren't necessarily silly to our world." explained Mr. Weasley. "Now, off then, we have fifty galleons to spend, and no time to kill."
After about forty minutes within the store, William and his guardian had come out with various boxes of all sizes and colors.
"I think we can safely assume you have enough clothes to get by, right, William?" nudged Mr. Weasley. "Better be off then. Hold on tightly. " he added. William added the box in his hands to his guardian's pile and clenched onto his arm. William then braced for the sensation again.
CRACK!
They we're both again safely at the Burrow, yet young William didn't let go of the old man's arm. Mr. Weasley looked down to William with a grin.
"William…" He said softly, but the child didn't budge.
"William!" He yelled, not in an angry tone. William opened one eye. "We're home." sighed Mr.. Weasley, William looked around panicked, and let go of Arthur Weasley's arm in which he graciously took it back. "Better go unpack."
William took the boxes and scrambled off up the stairs Arthur turned to sit in his chair in the living room. Molly walked in with a cup of tea.
"Here you go, sweetie." she walked over to kiss him on the cheek. Arthur took a sip of his tea.
"Did you get a hold of the children?" He asked staring at his paper, decided whether or not to start reading it. Molly lit up brightly.
"Of Course." Molly sat down in the chair next to her husband's. "Ginny is coming. She said she'll stay here for the weekend, Something about World Cup semi-finals in Scotland. Also Ron and his family, of course." Arthur looked intrigued.
"Oh, Really? I thought Scotland was going to play against Germany this year." Mr. Weasley looked as if everything was falling into place for him. "This might be an opportunity for William to experience Quiddich." Molly Frowned and gave her famous glare.
"This might not be a good time, you know Scotland and England's rivalry… group of hooligans, they are." But Arthur looked assured. "Nothing will happen, Mollywobbles. I'll make sure we get good seats." Molly sighed. She melted whenever he called her that.
"Oh alright! Go to your ruddy game, but if poor William gets one scratch I'll starve ya." Arthur got up and gave her a big kiss.
"You won't regret this!" But by the way Molly looked, she was obviously doubtful. Arthur, in his old age was obviously trying to run, but all he got was sort of a jog up the stairs. "William!" he yelled excitingly.
Smiling, he opened the door to William's room, who was stretching in some dark red robes he had just gotten.
"How would you like to go to a Quiddich match, William?" he questioned loudly and excitedly. William looked puzzled.
"What's Quiddich? Is it some sort of sport?" Mr. Weasley was astonished he got that far.
"Exactly. Way to use your head! It's a sport played by Wizards" William looked around as if deciding something, but to his realization Mr. Weasley was excided, therefore it can't be bad or boring, considering nothing in the Wizarding world seemed boring or dull.
"Is it like football?" William said, adjusting the waist on his robes trying to get them strait.
"Kind of…" said Mr. Weasley, trailing off vaguely.
"Yes, I think I'd like that, thank you." he said calmly. Mr. Weasley smiled brightly.
"The game is next week. Wednesday. 'Till then this weekend Ginny is coming with her kids. Her husband is traveling with his team." William gave a slight nod "Also Ron and his family are coming." William nodded again trying to win the fight with his pants. Mr. Weasley then walked back downstairs.
For the next few days William took an interest in reading books on the Magic side of history.
All the different wars fought at the hands of wizards… how
Saturday night…
William was sitting in a corner chair in the living room, reading a book. 'History of England, Wizard's edition' Mrs. Weasley was in the kitchen preparing dinner, and Mr.. Weasley was sitting in his chair reading the Daily Prophet. A loud knock was heard at the door. Mr. Weasley just looked up from his paper to the kitchen. After a second there was a squeal of cheer, and Mr. Weasley knew right away who it was.
"Looks like Ron's here with his children." Mr. Weasley whispered to William who also looked to the kitchen in anticipation. The first figure to come through the portal wasn't a grown man. It was a girl who was thin, yet had a round face. She was about William's age with long chestnut hair to her lower back, and her deep blue eyes where magnified slightly by her small-framed glasses. Not knowing what he was doing, he had stared at her for a while, and she turned slightly pink in the cheeks.
She dashed quickly over to Arthur and gave him a big hug forcing him to drop the paper he was reading.
"How you been, Grandpa!" Mr. Weasley patter her on the back.
"Fine. How have you and your brothers been getting along?" He asked. She broke the hug.
"Fine…" She said like she was exaggerating. Mr. Weasley chuckled
"Good to hear it." Mr. Weasley smiled. She looked curiously at William. "This is William McCloud. We're taking care of him this summer. He'll also be attending Hogwarts this year, like you." William smiled at the Girl. She blushed again. "William, this is Maggie Weasley. Ron's daughter and my granddaughter." He then looked to the kitchen. "Well go ask your mum and dad to come in here." Maggie smiled and scurried off. William glanced down at his book but decided not to continue, shutting it and placing it on the table.
A man came from the kitchen followed by a woman. The man, was obviously Mr. Weasley's son, the resemblance was uncanny He had thinning bright red hair, freckles on his face which he realized that Mr. Weasley had as well, his first thought being they were liver spots. The man was slightly overweight and looked as if he was in his late twenties. The woman, on the other hand, was unnaturally aged. The indication that she wasn't as old as the way she looked was the dark bags under her eyes, and a wrinkle on her forehead where, as it seems, the vein has popped out one too many times. She has tried to hide some aspects, obviously, for, Her hair was dyed a shade darker then her daughter's hair. One thing to also point out is that she looked 7 months into a pregnancy.
"Where's the rest of the bunch?" he looked around the two toward the kitchen. The woman sighed.
"Off in the back playing with the gnomes, I would imagine. Hugh is helping mum with dinner." she rested her hands on her stomach.
"How's the baby?" Mr. Weasley questioned with particular interest. Ron coughed.
"Dreadful. I really hope it comes out before the term starts, I don't want my classes to be halted." She scowled at Ron. "Honestly Ron, it just couldn't wait, could it." Ron coughed in embarrassment as he noticed the new kid.
"Honestly, I don't think the students will be in tears over no Potions classes." Ron added almost under his breath and the woman slapped him on the back of the head. "This must be Wilhelm."
"William!" She then glanced at William. "My name is Hermione, but you will come to know me as Professor Weasley." She slowly walked up to William and extended her hand. The boy reached out slowly and shook it.
"And I'm Ron. I'm also er.. Professor Weasley. Most people just call me Professor Ron." William nodded quickly. "I teach Defense against the Dark Arts." Hermione looked back to Ron.
"Can you help me to the Kitchen? I need to get a good place where I can look after the kids in the back yard."
Ron carefully led Hermione to the kitchen to sit down on a chair at the table.
"Ron, why do you have to be such a nit in front of guests?" Hermione scowled.
"Well, I'm sure they won't be too sad for potions to be canned for a while." Ron commented, matter-of-factly
"Things aren't as bad in potions since Snape left, Ron." she stated in a forced calm.
"Not from what I've heard-" Ron tried to say
"What HAVE you heard, Ron?" Hermione interrupted.
"Am I going to have to separate you two?" Mrs. Weasley said trying to end the row. Honestly after what? Ten years of marriage, you still are bickering like you did in school,"
Ron and Hermione both looked at each other, then turned around to answer at the same time.
"Yes we are."
Back inside the living room .
Maggie looked curiously back to William, giving the signal to come there. William glanced over to Mr. Weasley who gave a 'Well go on, then' look. He then took off to the kitchen.
"William, is it?" He nodded. She smiled brightly. "Want to go catch Gnomes?" He looked to the ground.
"I don't right know how." said William, not sure if this was going to be dangerous or not. She grabbed his hand, dragging him into the back yard, ultimately tripping on his robes and falling flat on his face in the grass. After a few seconds of him laying there and whispering in the background, William then started to laugh hysterically, and was joined by the other kids. He slowly rose, as two of Maggie's brothers helped him up one was eight and the other seven or six both with red hair and brown eyes. "You alright?" the older one asked. Before he could answer 'I'm fine' the younger answered "Ya, he's just right. he was laughing." Maggie giggled.
"Well I see you got one already" she asked, looking to the gnome tied up in a rope muffling what sounded like curses.
"Blimey, he was fast, but we got him cornered by the shed!" The older brother said, excitedly. Maggie looked back over to the kitchen.
"Both of you, this is William, he's staying here at Grandma and Grandpa's for the summertime." She then pointed to her brothers who were standing next to each other, "These two, are Jacob and Derrick. Odd bunch, but I love 'em just the same." She looked to the Kitchen again. "Hugh, the nine year old, is the oldest boy, and he takes after mum the most. always in the books."
A loud engine roar is heard off in the distance. A bright light twinkles in the east, looking like a star, but that star soon split to two lights.
"Wow, that must be the English Quiddich team's bus! That means Aunt Ginny and Uncle Harry are here!" Derrick squealed, running off towards the kitchen. "The bus can-" William tried to question in astonishment, it all not coming out. The red and white bus was surely flying. He couldn't believe his eyes. Maggie pointed to the bus.
"It's an enchantment" but he was still left speechless. The bus, in mid-air, stopped in front of the house. As quickly as it came, it descended, hitting the ground with a thud. The luggage section of the bus opened, and three large chests, by themselves, flew out and stacked on the ground neatly. A first figure stepped down from the bus. It was a young woman, with familiar freckles and blue eyes. Followed by her, was a small son about their age, wearing a gold and red 'Go England' Shirt under a black cloak. He had short black hair with green eyes. Followed by him was a thin man in Blue robes, who wore round glasses around his green eyes. Now William had noticed, the boy who just walked out was the spitting image of this man.
"Uncle Harry! Aunt Ginny!" Maggie quickly scuttled over to the three as the bus drove away, northeast. She was warmly greeted by a large hug by Ginny. Harry walked up behind Maggie and placed his hand on her shoulder
"Hello Margaret." He said before walking off into the house. All three trunks following behind him. Soon after, Maggie broke the hug with he aunt. Ginny then smiled.
"How you been?" Maggie looked to William, who was still looking at the bus that was flying off.
"I'm fine… please meet William. He's staying with Grandma and Grandpa." Ginny smirked.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Ginny Potter. I'm the Weasley's daughter." She walked of leaving them with their son.
"Hello Kenny." she said, as trying to avoid him. Kenneth frowned.
"You will address me as Kenneth, little girl." he said insultingly.
"Little? I'm pretty sure I'm a month older then you. I turned eleven a month ago, and your birthday is still a week away, Kenny." She said smugly. William lifted a finger to say something but decided against it. She turned to William who did not have a single clue what was going on. "Sadly this loon is going with us to Hogwarts, this year." she said to William, with contempt.
"Oh… this must be the freeloading tramp." he said condescendingly. A new flare of rage came to William's mind. He felt like ripping this guy's throat out, but knew that meant coming out of favor with the Weasley's, which he didn't want. Maggie looked and saw William's anger.
"You take that back!" she said raising her fist.
"And what? Is wittle Maggie Weasley going to make me?" William just stood there hoping to God he had the strength to not bloody this child's face. But it Looks like Maggie beat him to the punch. In all his years on the streets He had never seen someone get kneed that hard in the stomach, and he's seen gang wars in London.
"Yeah, maybe I am!" laughed Maggie as she watched Kenneth trying to recover, only falling on his rear, coughing.
"You stupid girl!" He lunged at her with his fists closed. William going on instinct jumped in front of Maggie, taking a blow to the head. Ron saw what had happened, throwing down his fork, and ran outside.
"Enough! Petrificus totalus!" Ron had shot a small light from his wand, and next thing William knew, he was laying on the ground, holding his head, next to him, there was Kenneth laying on the ground, with his arms to his sides and legs together. Ron Walked over to the three.
"You alright, William?" William stood up, his head throbbing in pain.
"A little bit… isn't the first time I've taken a hit." He looked groggily at Maggie who had tears in her eyes.
"You didn't have to go throwing yourself in danger because of me!" she cried. Ron sighed and put his hand to his forehead.
"Well, what's your story?" Ron asked him.
"I was just standing here, and he lunged at her with his fists out, I did what I could."
"Correcto Libertalis!" He muttered pointing his wand to Kenneth. He got up and looked evilly to the other two children.
"She attacked me first! With her knee!" He scowled. Ron sighed again.
"Just keep your hands off each other! Kenneth, Why don't you go play chess with Hugh, he's grannied dad twice already." Kenneth gave the two a glare of hate before running off inside.
A few hours later… William and Maggie were talking about their future at Hogwarts… well Maggie was talking, and William was listening.
"I'm sure I'll make it into Gryffindor. My mother heads the house. Maybe you will make Gryffindor, I heard you didn't completely lose it when Crabbe and Goyle came to take you here. Scary pair from what I've heard. Former what-were- they-called" She said spacing off in thought.
"I don't care which house I make it into." Kenneth interrupted, barging in from the living room, Before William could respond. "As long as I am honored as I should be." Kenneth said like he expected them to care.
"Honored for what? Being a Horse's arse?" Maggie said slyly, pushing her glasses up her nose. "Again, I'm positive you'll end up in Gryffindor with me, and possibly William."
"I have no Intentions of staying anywhere near your ugly face when I get to school. The tramp either." He said, sticking up his nose.
Kenneth laughed dryly. Oddly enough, Maggie didn't move in for the kill.
"You really need to get a firm grip on reality. Can't live in your fantasy forever." said Maggie matter-of-factly. Maggie grabbed William again, and dragged him to the living room, to her father. "Dad, tell us that story about Uncle Bill's wedding. I want William to hear it." Kenneth followed to the doorframe,
"You have your story. I will be out back if you decide to cease this rubbish." Kenneth spat condescendingly. before he stormed off and Maggie turned back to her father, adjusting her glasses.
"Bit of a foul apple that fell far from the tree, eh?" Ron said, offended. "He thinks he's better then the rest of us Weasleys because his father is 'The Great Harry Potter' but it's a good thing too, I have too much respect for ol' Harry to bop him upside the head." after that serious note, Ron smiled. "Now, where was I?"
"You were going to tell the story of Uncle Bill's wedding." Ron raised his eyebrows to his daughter.
"I don't think-" He stopped. Ron looked Blankly at both William and Maggie. Maggie had given a puppy-dog look to her father, in which her father sighed in recognition.
"Watch out for this one, she'll control you. She's just like her mum." Ron said jokingly.
Maggie gave a glare that could kill small animals, and Ron shot back into his seat. He stumbled forward and cleared his throat.
"Well the story happened like this, and don't go repeating this, or 'Mione will have my head, as well as a few other undisclosed pieces."
"It all started with…"
Flashback
It was the Morning of June 15th, and It's was Bill and Fleur's Wedding. There sat all the Weasley's in Suits and Dresses and Hundreds of guests. You could tell not all the guests were expected, for other then 50 people sitting on the Benches, there were about 160 people sitting on folding chairs. there was a very large man with a long beard sitting on a log he had pulled up from the woods. Obviously the folding chairs didn't cut it. There in a bench to the far right was Ron sitting Next to a younger and less expectant form of Hermione. Next to her to the left was quite obviously, Ginny's Husband, and Oddly enough, Ginny was nowhere to be found. You could basically cut the tension with a knife, seemingly because the ceremony was minutes away from starting. The Priest, up at the alter, had turned around to take a shot from his flask.
The ballad started to Play. The whole crowd brightened up, even a few had woken up in shock, but the general feeling on the crowd was awe. Bill had already came in from the left and was standing in front of the priest, who had choked on whiskey when the music started. Bill's face was skewed from a previous attack, But the way he was smiling, you could imagine, it had not phased him whatsoever.
Many heads turned, to look upon the bride in veil as she walked down the aisle toward the altar, her white hair almost blending in with the dress. Followed by her was a few girls in white dresses including Ginny, who was lagging in the back. She Reached the alter with her bridesmaids and the Priest continued with the Ceremony.
The Reception.
"Herm-own-ninny!" It was Viktor Krum, passing through the large crowd, shouting as if she was giving free gold at the buffet. "Herm-own-ninny!"
Hermione, who had been standing at the buffet eating some shrimp cocktails, and Turned around like there had been a ghost behind her.
"Viktor? I didn't know you were coming!" She said almost sarcastically.
"Veil, Fleur had inffited me." Hermione didn't look surprised. After all, they we're both school champions for the Triwizard tournament.
"How's Bulgaria?" she questioned uninterestedly.
"Dreadvull, witvout you, Herm-own-ninny." By his tone, he was obviously trying to make this a romantic moment but, it was one-sided. She looked up to him with curiosity. But before she could do anything he grabbed her into a powerful kiss.
Unknowing to them, Ron was watching them out of the corner of his eye. He was next to Harry, who, was deep in conversation with Hagrid and Professor Flitwick. When Viktor kissed Hermione, he squeezed his glass so hard the glass shattered in his hand, severely cutting his palm. But his eyes were still set to the couple with total and utter bitterness, after a second or two, storming off to mend his wound.
…Missing the part where Hermione slapped the everliving crap out of Viktor.
About two hours later…
The sky was growing dark as the reception was drawing to a close, those only left were the family and close friends of the eloping couple. Ron was sitting in his own anger and sadness just outside the tent where everyone was, having a good time. In fact he looked as if his bride had run off with another man which was not too far from the truth. Hermione walked out carrying a couple glasses of Firewhiskey.
"Hope you fancy a drink" she said tipsy, placing a glass down on the table next to Ron. He proceeded to brush the glass of the table in anger.
"What the bloody hell is up wh-"
"He practically had his ruddy hands up your dress!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. "Over these past years I've been running around like a bastard to get your attention, and you end up with HIM!" Hermione looked astonished, he has never acted this severe over her.
"For your information-" she tried to speak again.
"I love you, Hermione!" He shouted again. Obviously he didn't care anymore. "I hope you see it now, even Harry had seen it!"
Her eyes teared up… and she ran off, crying…
After the Reception
Ron had seen Hermione was sitting in the corner sipping on a paper cup of punch, which had most certainly been spiked by Fred and George. She was staring at the floor sorrowfully, almost at a state of lamentation. He paced slowly to the chair she was sitting on, and as he reached her, she slowly looked up, teary-eyed. The pair had gazed into each other's eyes for what seemed to be Eternity. Ron extended his hand, which she lightly took it. They both had slowly risen, not ever breaking their stare, with the night air coming in strong, and the crowd lingering on the dance floor. The night closed in, the paper lamps had set aflame, and had revealed the landscape's enchanted beauty. Reaching the dance floor, they embraced each other, moving back and forth, not really aware of what they were doing... the moment was too magical for things other then each other. Seconds turned into minutes, Minutes into hours. The crowd slowly faded away, but there they were, dancing like nothing else mattered. It wasn't until the crowd completely diminished that they had released, but their stare remained. She smiled. He smiled. Even the shouts of the drinking games in the reception tent we're fading from their ears. Nothing can describe this other then that time stood still. Ron leaned in, and their lips met for the first time.
flash forward
Maggie had her hands together up by her cheeks and sighed dramatically.
"…How romantic." Ron rolled his eyes and William laughed happily.
A/N Next Chapter will be up in the next few days, I promise!
