Chapter 9

Exploring A New Home-An Adventure In Itself

The Ministry of Magic was in turmoil. Young and old employees alike were leaving employment for fear of their lives and those of their families. Since the death of Albus Dumbledore, over 50 new deaths had been reported. The deaths were not one side, some were Muggles, and others wizards. All had one thing in common; the 'DarkMark' was always seen over their home. The muggle community was in a state of panic. It was believed that terrorists were the cause of the unexplained deaths. The Muggle Prime Minister was in daily communication with the Minister of Magic. He was constantly being reassured that the perpetrators would be caught soon.

"Weasley!" bellowed from the office. Percy Weasley, First Assistant to the Minister of Magic, looked shaken as he open his boss's door. "Have you found him yet? Have you located your father? When does he come off holiday again? As soon as you find either of them, I want them in my office. I don't care what time of day or night it is."

"Sir," he replied in a shaking voice, "we've had another report. More attacks, this time in Liverpool. Seven dead, found in a nightclub. It is believed to have happened several days ago. The DarkMark was found burned into a concrete wall. Each person was burned beyond recognition. Muggle authorities are blaming it on a drug war." The young assistant was shaking while holding the parchment.

"The Wizengamot has called for a meeting this evening, I have here a summons that just arrived, informing your requirement to attend." He moved further into the office, placing the gold trimmed parchment on the minister's desk.

"We are still looking sir. No sign of Potter, Mad-Eye Moody or my father. I'm sure that we will have some news soon. At a minimum, my father is due back from leave in two days. I am willing to bet he knows were Potter is at.

"Would you just look at this garden," Neville said excitedly. He had the look of a boy with lots of money in a candy shop. He was looking everywhere, moving up and down the different lanes. Luna walked slowly behind him. A smile played on her face, as she gazed around the room.

"It is pretty."

"I wish you and I could live here forever." Looking back at her, Neville found her staring at him.

"Do you really mean that, or are you just saying it? Forever is really a long time, and I mean…" She paused looking at him hopefully.

He stopped and walked back to her. Taking both of her hands in his. "You know this place is beautiful, but even if it wasn't here, I would still want to spend forever with you. I mean… you know.., that is uh of course if.."

Not another word came out of his mouth, as Luna jumped him, stealing his voice with a kiss. They stayed the rest of the day, walking hand in hand in the garden and not really saying much.

"Come on Mione, it's this way. We can always come back to this library. You can have it all to your self." Hermione Granger had the look one would expect in heaven. She was standing in one of several connecting rooms, making up the Potter Library.

"There must be tens of thousands of books here. Oh and look at the card catalog area, it's as big as my room was in Hogwarts," tears were streaming down her face.

Ronald Weasley had stopped to watch the love of his life, hoping and praying that he could bring her this type of happiness always. He walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, whispering in her ear, "I hope you're always this happy. We can stay here if you want. I don't think that tree is going anywhere soon."

"I call it the Wolf's Den. It's were I stayed once a month during the holidays when I was a kid." Remus walked around the compound. In the corner was a wooden deck with a big pillow atop.

Bill and Fleur were standing at the entrance. As he beckoned them in, he pointed out some of the different features. Both remained quiet, and solemn as if on holy ground.

" We have a full moon in two days. We get another room and another pillow and install another deck. James and Sirius used to stay with me back then. It's my turn and I will stay with you, if you need me too. I'm warning you now, it's really rough that first couple of times. I can't say, I've ever gotten used to it. We don't even know if your going to change or not." running a hand through his hair.

"It's a pity we didn't get here a few days earlier. The houselves have a potions lab where they brew their own kind of magic. They have something similar to the wolfsbane potion, but you need to start taking it for four days before the moon. It's really quite remarkable, you don't even feel the transformation."

Fleur shivered as she held Bills arm tighter. She jumped a little as a house elf approached them from the back. "Master Lupin," said the house elf bowing "Seanmhair has requested Master Weasley and your presence," turning to leave, "If you will follow me, please," as he walked out the door.

"Harry! This must be the Hall of Ages!"

Ginny and Harry had been walking for a long time, exploring every room they came to. There was really a lot to see. They had just turned the corner when they found a large doorway without a door. It had ruins written in gold and silver trimmed all around it. A wooden plaque hung suspended in mid air bearing the name "Potter".

"I can read a little of it, must most is beyond me without a book. I'd bet dung for dragons Hermione could figure them out."

Holding hands, they walked through the arch. As they passed the threshold, their skin tingled. Ginny giggled. As they crossed a second threshold though, they stopped and with baited breath took in the scene.

The room was twice as large as the great hall. Pictures and paintings adorned the walls. Some of them had only one person; most had couples and a few with families. The one thing they all had in common was that where watching Ginny and Harry. In the middle of the room, sat a round pool bearing symbols he had seen before. These same symbols were found on the rim of Dumbledore's pensieve. Floating high and in the middle of the room were the planets with the moons orbiting them. The ceiling held stars.

Cautiously they approached the pensieve. "What do we do here?" She was still looking at all of the paintings. Harry was concentrating on the pensieve. He had wanted one, but this was more then he planned for.

"I don't know."

A figure rose from the pensieve. She was stunningly beautiful, even though she you could see right through her. "Harry, Ginny, come sit by the pool, and I will tell you all you need to know.

Looking at each other, they did as she asked.

"Arthur, look at this room! It's a forest inside the house, with animals and everything. Come on." Molly sounded like a schoolgirl. She was so full of energy, as she kicked off her shoes and ran through the grass barefooted.

As Arthur, entered, he felt it too. Like a shift in the magical field. All worry left him; he didn't have a care in the world. Molly looked so young, carefree and innocent before him. The feelings that stirred in him hadn't been there for over 30 years. He too, kicked off his shoes and ran to catch and play with her.

"You don't have to come in." Bill was standing outside the entrance to see Seanmhair, talking to Fleur.

"You will be my 'usband. I will not run away. No matter what, I will be by your side." Fleur was standing tall before him, daring him to turn her away.

He smiled, and kissed her gently. "We are ready." The chambers opened. Bill and Fleur, hand in hand, followed by Lupin and the house elf walked in.

Sitting on her pillows, Seanmhair welcomed them and asked they sit around her. 30 minutes maybe an hour later, they were still with her. Fleur was sitting in front of her.

"…you are strong in heart, and very determined, but I do not see the natural skill to care for him. My friends will help you to care for him, they will teach you the skills needed to make a potion to keep him calm. It will be safe for you to have children. I see that your heart has been asking this. Have no fear child, they will be fine and healthy." Seanmhair voice was soft and tender as though a mother speaking to her baby.

Fleur had tears of gratitude fall from her face. She was so worried about Bill and having children, to have her worst fears lifted was just too much for her. "Thank you Seanm'air, oh thank you," reaching over to hug to old elf, then sat back.

"Bill, I have seen your transformation. It will be slow and painful this time. Too much I am afraid for Remus to be with you. It will be the last time you have to go through it this hard. A room will be set up for you so that Fleur can be outside. The wall will be visible for her through to watch if she wishes, and she will hear you. This must happen for her to understand what you must go through."

Waving her hand in front of her, "sit closer so that I may know you better."

Bill move to the vacant pillow. Seanmhair felt his face, his shoulders then his chest. "You are a grown man, this is why it will be harder for you this time. You will be fine. You have found a special person as your mate. She is your friend and your lover. Keep her safe, and blessings will flow all around you.

"Thank you Seanmhair," Bill said moving back.

"Remus, I have something for you to give to Ronald. It is a gift from me. He will know what to do with it," handing him small velvet bag. "Show him to the forest. He must meditate before he takes her."

Thanking her for her time, Remus smiled feeling the bag as they left.

That night as they gathered for dinner, expressions were very mixed within the group. Neville and Luna looked as they they'd just returned from heaven. Molly and Arthur were still giddy. Bill and Fleur looked at each other lovingly and with self-assurance. Hermione had three very big books that Ron had carried in. Moody sat in his seat watching each as they approached the table. Remus had called Ron to the side and to speak to him. They were still awaiting Harry and Ginny.

"…you go through the second set of doors on the right. Go all the way to the end of the hall, and turn right. You can't miss it. Got it?"

"Are you pulling my leg? I was lost after the first set of double doors!" Looking at his old professor like he must have lost his mind.

"Look, just go through that set of doors and start walking and keeping to the right. If you get lost, ask one of the pictures for directions. OK?

"Why didn't you bloody well say that in the first place, instead of trying to talk me through a maze? I'm a man not a mouse you know," Ron was smiling. He really wasn't upset. The bag held what he had been worried about. He would have to thank the old elf when he met her. How she knew what he needed was beyond him.

Just as they were returning, Harry and Ginny arrived. They had apparently changed before coming, because they were wearing different cloths. Harry looked shaken.

"I just spent the day with all of my relations. I never knew I had so much family." Tears were threatening to spill when Ginny took his hands to her lips.

"Oh Harry, when are you going to get it. You have lots of family. Just look around this table."

Getting ready to sit at the head, Harry stopped and looked down the table at his family. "Arthur, you should sit here," he said with a genuine smile.

Everyone head looked at Harry proudly, as Arthur rose and walked toward him. He embraced him as only a father to son could. Parting they both sat down. Molly got up to sit to the right of her husband. Ginny and Harry were sitting across from her mother and Hermione was sitting between Ron and Ginny.

Once everyone was seating, the table filled with another feast.

"So tell me Harry, where did you meet your relations?" Hermione ask as she was filling her plate with potatoes.

"We found the Hall of Ages and there's this big pensieve in the middle. We sat around it and…"

"What do you mean we? I thought Professor Lupin said that only a Potter can get in."

Molly just watched to the conversation pass between the two before she kicked Arthur under the table to get him to pay attention.

"Well, that is true," Lupin said matter-of-factly, from the other end. Only a real Potter can enter. James tried all kinds of ways to get us in, and they never worked. Sirius even broke his hand holding James's while they tried to walk in. It was extremely funny at the time. But come to think of it, it probably hurt a lot."

"Then how did Ginny get in?"

Everyone turned to Ginny and Harry expecting an answer.

"Something you want to tell us that we don't know yet, Harry? Ginny? Arthur asked looking down on the two.

Harry looked like he swallowed hard-boiled egg whole. His eyes were bulging and his face was turning red. Ron came around and thumped him hard on the back.

"You OK mate?" with a concerned look on his face. "Now you two want to answer the 100,000 galleons question?"

"I uh well uh we uh I mean..." Harry was stuttering, while Ginny sat back ready to crack up laughing.

Ron had put his hand on Harry's shoulder and pointedly remarked "Really, Mister Boy-who-lived-but-may-not-live-long-enough-to-tell-about-it-if-he-can-string-two-words-together-soon. Or do I call you the 'Chosen One- to-get-thumped-by-six-bigger-Weasleys'?

Bill was standing and ready to walk around the table while Ron was glaring down on Harry. Ginny fell out of her seat laughing out loud, while Hermione was covering her mouth to stop laughing too.

"Ronald and William Weasley sit down," commanded Mrs. Weasley. "Ginny get up off that floor. I think I should explain something on Harry's behalf. Last night when we got here, Seanmhair explained that Harry and Ginny are soul mates. Which means by all intents and purposes in the magical world, they are married. Her being his soul mate, bestows upon her all the rights and privileges of marriage."

Ginny put her hand on Harry's shoulder. As he turned to her, she had that smile again. He swallowed with fear on his face and she smiled and wiggled her eyebrows. As Molly was ready to burst from her seat, Arthur placed his hand atop hers, smiled and shook his head no. "Can't change it Molly dear. Don't think I would want to if I could."

"I don't feel so good. I think I'll go up to bed," Harry said looking at the two eldest Weasleys and getting up from the table.

"Don't worry Harry," said a smiling Lupin as Harry walked away.

"You will in the morning," laughed Mad-Eye.

"Darn, I didn't even get to go to my first bachelor party," complained Ron

Hermione, Ginny and Luna leaned into each other and started talking and giggling. Fleur moved to Harry's seat to join them.