Chances of Happiness

Chapter 3

These family gatherings had expanded to include many more people than just the immediate Weasleys and their families. Dean and Lavender were invited, as was Seamus. Many of the Ron's former classmates came. Oliver came when he was in country. Molly loved fussing over her 'family'. Even Severus and Nymphadora were invited, but they did not attend often.

Molly and Arthur never knew who all was going to be able to make these dinners so they prepared for the as many as possible.

The stage was set. That night they would, with Molly's help, lock Harry and Hermione in a closet together and see what happens.

Bill and Aurora bundled up their clan, and flooed directly to the Burrow from their rooms at Hogwarts. Their oldest child Damon was seven and as the oldest grandchild he was in charge of picking out the desserts that grandma made. He took this job very seriously and made sure that they were the first to arrive, lest one of his cousins usurp his position.

"Mum, Dad," bellowed Bill once he landed in the old house.

"In the kitchen, darling," Molly called to him.

"You kids can go find something to do, so your dad and I talk with grandma and grandpa."

"But what about my desserts?"

"Don't worry, Damon," Bill said reassuring his son, "you'd better go make sure that your sisters and brother don't get into any trouble."

"Fine," the little redhead said as he tore out of the burrow.

Percy and Fleur were already in the kitchen with Molly and Arthur. Fleur was resting comfortably at the table. Percy was being overly cautious with her because she was going to give birth any day now. Bill kissed his mum and sister-in-law. They talked about the most recent changes in their lives. About fifteen minutes later Damon snuck up to the back door and tried to get his grandma's attention. Molly let him distract her and the other adults moved into the living room. Slowly the other Weasleys arrived and finally the burrow was filled to the max.

Fred and Pansy were the last to arrived. But were relived of Tanner and Parker quickly by cooing aunts and uncles. They sat down next to Charlie and Penelope and got drawn into a conversation about the many uses of dragon's blood.

Lavender and Parvati skillfully manipulated Ginny into the seat next to Lee. Over the last few weeks they had been trying to set Ginny and Lee together whenever they went out together. But it never amounted to the admittance of emotions that they had hoped. They were going to give it another two weeks and then call it hopeless.

"What in Merlin's name…" Harry exclaimed, as he was shoved haphazardly into the quidditch supply closet. He had been sent by Ron to get another broom. He had questioned why, especially since they hadn't been playing quidditch. Ron just glared at him and told him to get it.

"I guess Charlie is still out there?"

"Hermione?"

"Yeah," he heard her say. Then he saw her, she was seated on the ball chest.

"What is this about?"

"I don't know," she said thankful that Harry couldn't see her blush. She thought that she had hidden her feelings for him better than that.

"I think I might know," Harry grinned, and gently kissed Hermione.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Outside the rest of the guests were resting comfortably as Harry and Hermione enjoyed their time in the closet. There was a lot of talk about weddings and babies.

"So, Pansy how are the wedding plans coming?" Arthur asked.

"Good," she smiled, "Severus is going to give me away at the wedding, since I have no father."

"You can do better than him," yelled Fred, he was enjoying teasing his fiancé about her attachment to Severus. He was the person she considered to be a father figure in her life since she started at Hogwarts.

"Funny, he said the same about you," she smirked as the rest of the clan laughed at their remarks. Fred smiled and came over to kiss her on the cheek, "Besides he's not that bad once you get to know him."

That was followed by a rather large coughing fit.

They tried to extract Harry and Hermione from the closet when they started eating, but all their actions were in vain. So they sat outside and enjoyed the lovely weather as they ate. Just as dessert was being served, Fleur's water broke.

After the initial panic, they got everything ready to go to St. Mungo's. Percy was still panicking but with the help of his brothers, almost all of who had dealt with this panic before managed to get his wife to the hospital.

Lavender and Dean wished them the best, but had to get home to their own families. Lee and Ginny were left behind to inform Harry and Hermione of the news. Lee made a funny face, that had Ginny giggling, as he knocked in the door.

"Go away," came the muffled reply.

"Can't," Lee told them.

"Yeah, guys come out, you've been in there all evening," Ginny smiled.

"Fine," Harry groaned and he flung the door open once he and Hermione had straightened up.

"What?" Hermione demanded.

"We thought you might want to know that Fleur went into labor," Ginny told them.

"Tonight?" asked an excited Hermione.

"Yes," Lee confirmed, "were all on our way to the hospital.

The four apperated to the hospital and hurried off to the waiting room. They joined the mostly redheaded crowd and waited until there was any news. After a few hours the children had fallen asleep and their mothers took them home. All that was left was Percy's parents and siblings and they dozing off every now and then. It was only a few hours later when the Percy and the doctor came to tell them the news. Fleur and the baby were doing fine. Percy had a son that was named Alton.

After offering their congratulations they went to have a quick peak at the sleeping little boy before heading home to their families with the good news.

To be continued…