Chapter 11
Ginny looked stunned and began, "Harry, I..." But Harry cut her off, "I know that we are not much older than her, and we are young and not even married, but I can't stand the thought of sending her back to that orphanage. I want to help Lizzy. I..." Ginny put a finger to his mouth and said, "Harry stop for a minute. Listen, I think it is a good idea."
Harry was so happy. Of course he had a back up plan just in case, but he really didn't want to use it. "You really do think it is a good idea." he asked. Ginny smiled and gave him a kiss, "Yes I do and I had been trying to think of how we could bring her into our family. I am not sure mum and dad will like it, but I do. Listen Harry I got to go before Lizzy starts to wonder where I am." Harry smiled, "Please don't say anything yet. I am to make sure it can happen first." Ginny nodded, gave him a kiss and turned to leave.
Harry appariated back to the Burrow. He found Hermione and Ron and told them his plans. Hermione was skeptical at first, but she finally agreed that it could work. Since all the wedding plans had been taken care of, she said she would do some research and help Harry get things started. They all agreed to wait until things were a definite go before they told Mr. and Mrs. Weasley anything.
Several weeks had passed and with the help of Hermione, Ron, and Professor McGonagall, everything was set. He was going to adopt Lizzy, and when he and Ginny got married, Ginny would then adopt her. He had bought a rather large piece of land and had magical builders begin building a house. Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Lizzy and himself would live there. When their families grew, so would the house.
Now all they had to do was break the news to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Harry had asked if Professor McGonagall would come and help them with this task. She had agreed. They were to meet at the Burrow before dinner that night. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were nervous. Mainly because they had gone behind their backs, but they also knew that everything was in motion, so they couldn't really be stopped. Professor McGonagall showed up just before they all went inside.
Ron went and found his parents, while the others sat at the table. When the Weasley's entered the kitchen, Harry stood up. The two friends decided that they would be there for moral support as well. He said, "There is something that I would like to discuss with you." Mrs. Weasley sat down. She looked at McGonagall and said, "What is it? Please tell me this isn't about Ginny." McGonagall patted her hand and said, "Relax Molly, It's nothing like that." Molly sighed, "Thank Merlin. Well what is it then. You all look so serious."
Harry took a breath and began.. "Please let me finish before you ask any questions." Both Weasley adults nodded in understanding. "When I was at Hogwarts in October, I meet a first year. Her name is Elizabeth. Lizzy, as we call her, well she is an orphan. Her parents abandoned her when she was a baby. They did not want a daughter. This girl has had a difficult life. While I was at the school, Ginny and I became real close to Lizzy. I spoke with Professor McGonagall shortly after I met Lizzy. And I had decided, and then confirmed this with Ginny, that I want to adopt Lizzy." Molly gasped and looked at her husband, who took her hand. Harry continued, "Now I know that we are young and that you wanted Ginny and I to be well into our careers before we got married and had kids, but I feel that this situation is different. I am going to adopt Lizzy and make everything final over the winter holidays. When Ginny and I get married she will then adopt her as well."
Arthur had started to say something, but Harry stopped him. "There is more. All four of us have discussed this, and we all feel that there are many more children who have been left with out parents, because of Voldermort. We have decided that we are going to help find these children a home and families. Professor McGonagall, along with members of the Order and the Ministry, and the rest of the professors from Hogwarts, have helped us to be able to do this. We have gotten a list of all of the children who have lost their parents during the war, and we have managed to help place most of those children with their extended families. There are about ten children, all under eleven years old, who have nobody, and through donations from many of our supporters we have accumulated enough funds to help support these kids for several years. We have found possible families for all but one of these kids.
Both of her parents didn't have any siblings. As well as all of her grandparents.. Well back to the point. As I said before, we haven't been able to place her with a family. Everyone we spoke with, well they didn't think they could handle her. This is were the two of you come in, hopefully." Both the Weasley adults looked at each other then to Harry as he continued to talk. "This girl is only a few months old. I was hoping that you would consider adopting her, or at least being her guardians. You have then most experience with kids, other than teachers at Hogwarts, and well just would you at least consider it. Please."
The Weasley's looked at each other and Mrs. Weasley spoke first, "Harry, that sounds like a lovely idea, however I do wish you would have spoke to us about Lizzy first. You of all people should know that we would have been more than happy to help Lizzy and take her in as our own, but if you have discussed this with Ginny, I guess we can not stop you, as you are still keeping your promise. Also, Arthur and I would be happy to help this young child who needs a family." Harry smiled and said, "I had thought about that, and if Ginny had told me she didn't think it was a good idea for us to adopt Lizzy, I would have come to you. However Ginny agreed with me and we feel that we had created a bond with Lizzy, like no other." Mr. Weasley spoke next, "It's just that you are so young, is this really what you want to do because it will be forever."