By Archie Leach
Zack felt satisfied. Sex three days in a row will do that. The sound-proofing spell on Ginny's room worked like a charm…so to speak. He didn't know if it was Ginny, the fear of getting caught, and/or the use of magic in most interesting ways, but this was some of the best sex of his life. Ginny told him flat out that he was the best she'd ever had. Last night's game of Naughty Wizard Twister, lent by her photographer friends from work - Phoenix and Juliane- proved to be most entertaining. Left-foot-red caused her skirt to disappear and right-hand-purple left him bound helpless to her every whim. I bet she fixed the spinner. Then left-hand-yellow made a feather appear. She left no part untickled…feet, arms, …parts. He chuckled to himself, but she more than made up for it after the game was over. He started to feel a rise in his boxers. Haven't you had enough? Yeah, I know, ask a silly question…
He sat up and glanced toward the window - dawn was coming. Yawning and stretching, he laid back down. These nocturnal missions are wearing me out. He winced at the bad pun. The daylight hours spent trying to stay out of the Molly-tornado gave him no rest either. The crack through the curtain showed the sky to be cloudy and forbidding, but Molly assured everyone Saturday would be perfect.
All week Ron seemed to be auditioning for a part in Wuthering Heights. When he wasn't brooding, he was throwing the occasional none-too-friendly glance at Zack. But he never said anything and Zack acted clueless. Not hard to do right now. He and Ron did talk, mainly about a Quidditch, a sport that Ron seemed obsessed with. Zack had friends back in the States that felt similarly about baseball, basketball, football, etc… so he didn't think it too odd. Zack hoped to learn more about Hermione, but couldn't miss Ron's loneliness so he left it alone. Zack felt an occasional twinge of guilt about Hermione even though they agreed to be just friends for now. Not a chance I'm waiting seven years for anyone. Still…
Charlie's son Arthur began exercising his lungs in the next room and Zack looked over at the clock. It was only just past 7 AM, but he knew he'd never get back to sleep. Sure enough, Charlie and Elyssia got up and tried to placate the tyke. Maybe I can get a soundproofing spell, too. When they arrived last night, Zack's eyes widened when he saw Elyssia sporting an Oakland Raiders football jersey – the Kansas City Chiefs' dreaded rival. Even so, he was glad to talk to someone who knew what real football was. They also talked about medicine after he found out she was a Muggle doctor. Charlie, not as tall as Ron, had a powerful grip and looked to be quite strong. The dragons he worked with sounded fascinating but much too dangerous for Zack to consider. The rest of the family was due to arrive sometime this morning. He remembered Hermione's earlier warning about the whole family being together. He hoped she was only teasing him.
Not fifteen minutes went by when Molly roused everyone out of bed to come down for breakfast. They all crowded around the kitchen table and Molly couldn't wipe the smile from her face. When the baby threw up on her Zack thought she would bust with pride. He stabbed a banger and ate it voraciously, watching Ginny, her leg up on a bench - giving Zack a nice view – talking to Charlie. Ron, witnessed the proceedings, had a resigned look on his face as if he'd seen all this many times before.
"Fancy a game of wizard's chess?" Ron asked, seeing as how Zack had finished his breakfast.
"Sure, why not. Is it similar to regular…I mean Muggle chess?" Zack responded and saw Ginny look over.
"The pieces obey the same rules, but it's more fun." Ron smiled and Zack thought he saw an engaging person under all the angst.
"All right then, you lead the way."
They went up to Ron's room and set up the board. The pieces were odd and looked like they'd been trampled on a time or two. Zack had white so he moved first. He tried to pick up his King-side knight but it wouldn't budge.
"You don't move the pieces with your hand," Ron corrected him.
"Don't tell me I need to use my wand; I'd likely melt the piece or something." Zack still could not cast a reasonable spell.
Ron chuckled. "Naw, you just announce your move and the pieces do the rest."
The pieces actually attacked each other, smashing the opponent's piece to bits…Zack loved it! He sacrificed a castle just to see how a bishop would kill it. It didn't take Zack long to see he was not in Ron's class. He lost the first game in less than 20 moves and only "improved" to losing in about 30 moves in game two. Zack determined to really concentrate in game three. He was holding his own, if only barely, when Ron spoke.
"How do you like boinking my sister?"
OH SHIT…THINK FAST! Zack's pulse began to race and he broke into a sweat. He thought he saw Ron inching towards his wand but he picked up his glass and took a drink. Zack's mouth went dry and he gulped down the rest of his own water, refilled the glass and drained it as well. How tall is this guy anyway?
"I…like Ginny…she's neat." Neat…what the fuck is that!? Zack wiped his sweaty brow with the back of his right hand and smiled tentatively.
"Neat, huh. Is that all?" Ron said staring keenly at Zack, both of his elbows on the table.
"She's nice…and pretty too." I'm doomed.
"Don't you think she's sexy?"
Zack arched his eyebrows. This is getting too weird. "Well…" No matter how hard he tried he couldn't figure out what to say next.
"Are you two gonna get married? Have lotsa kids?" Ron asked with a lilt to his voice.
Suddenly Zack knew. "You're fuckin' with me, aren't you?"
Ron spoke in between fits of laughter. "You… shoulda…seen the look on your face, mate…I thought you might faint."
"Men don't faint - we pass out, and yes, you are a son of a bitch." Zack smiled, wiped his brow, and nervously joined in the laughter. "How did you know, anyway?"
Ron wiped away some tears from his eyes. "Her room is right below mine and there's a spot in the corner where her soundproofing spell isn't working too well. I swear you two are like rabbits."
Zack's face turned about four different shades of red. "Hem, I… You're not mad, are you?"
"Not me. I learned a long time ago that Ginny can…and will…handle her own affairs. If I stuck my nose into her love life, well, I don't want to think what she would do." Ron shuddered. "Shall we finish the game then?"
A knock on the door followed and Ginny let herself in. "What are you two doing? We could hear Ron laughing all the way downstairs." Zack and Ron exchanged innocent looks and then both looked at Ginny, who was now standing with her hands on her hips. "I'm guessing our little fling is no longer a secret."
"You might want to recheck your soundproofing spell. You have a weak spot in the ceiling," Ron advised.
"I guess it never occurred to you to tell me."
"Oh, it occurred to me. But how often does such a chance come along?" Ron turned to Zack. "How did'ya like my occasional brooding look?" Ron demonstrated the look for them.
"Very impressive…you should have been an actor," Zack suggested.
"What do you think Ginny, should I pursue the stage?" Ron asked with a flourish.
"I'm certain you don't want to know what I'm thinking." Ginny gave Ron a withering glance.
"Ouch. Okay, I give. Some people just can't take a joke."
Ginny did not look pleased. "Bill just got here, and I want Zack to meet him." Ginny slipped her arm under Zack's and led him towards the door.
"Thanks for the games, Ron. I must say, you are quite good."
"Thanks, mate. I'll be down after I put the pieces away."
"So, what's Bill like?" Zack asked as he and Ginny descended the stairs.
"He's…how do you say it, got it going on."
"Where did you hear that?"
"Muggle TV. A show called the M-T-V Fashion Awards. It had loads of yummy ideas for next year's clothing line."
Zack groaned inwardly and took the final steps alone as Ginny had stepped ahead of him.
Bill Weasley was cool. It wasn't the earrings or the odd looking boots – god knows what what they were made out of - or the ponytail. He exuded that kind of confident self-assurance one had to have to be cool. If I was gay, I'd have a poster of this guy in my room. Zack shook the thought out of his head and approached Bill, who at the moment was surrounded by the rest of the clan, fielding questions. The closer Zack got the more he felt he'd seen him before. But when Bill turned and their eyes met, Zack sensed no recognition from him.
"You must be Zack," Bill said, rising from his seat and extending his hand.
"And you must be the famous Bill Weasley I've heard so much about," Zack replied shaking hands. Zack noticed his hands seemed somewhat dry and calloused, but not as much as Charlie's.
"Anything interesting?"
"Well, no one's willing to tell me any juicy bits, if that's what you mean."
"I've always been good at hiding my tracks." Bill winked.
"Now, Bill, you stop that. Not in front of the little one," Molly chided, holding little Arthur in her arms.
"Mom, he's like 6 months old. I doubt he'll be emotionally scarred." Bill glanced over at Zack, as if to indicate the frequency of this exchange between him and his mother.
Zack intervened. "So, Bill. Ginny tells me you work in Egypt. It must be fascinating work."
"Yeah, it's all right. The sand su…" Bill paused at a look from Molly, "is most unpleasant. It gets in everywhere…and I do mean everywhere. I had to place wards on all my windows and doors just to keep my place clean. I even spell my undergarments to keep from chafing."
Zack laughed, but the rest of the Weasley's nodded in understanding. "You're serious. There is an…anti-sand spell?"
"Not exactly, but as an old professor once told me Magic is what you make of it. And between you and me, I've made a lot out of it." Bill winked again and turned to look at Molly.
Molly's face turned beet red. "William Wordsworth Weasley!"
"Aw mum, leave him alone. He's almost 40 years old," Ginny said.
"Ginny, I think I'm better off without your help. Almost 40 years old, indeed."
Ginny, Molly, and Bill exchanged a few verbal volleys before Bill turned his attention back to Zack.
"So Zack, mum tells me you had an interesting experience at Ollivanders?" Bill asked.
"Interesting is one word. Long and tedious are two other ones. I think I went through every wand in the store before he found one for me." Zack noticed that all the other conversations had stopped and they were all looking at him.
"Really? I went through 20 or so before I got mine," Bill said taking out his dark brown wand. "How about you Charlie?"
"I dunno, I think it was only two or three for me. Ginny?"
"He got it right on the first try," Ginny stated.
"I bet that's about the only time you've been that easy to deal with," Ron said coming down the stairs.
There were a few chuckles from Charlie, Bill, and even Arthur – although he did his best to hide it. Ginny silenced them with a withering stare. I sure hope she never turns that look my way. Ron acted contrite, but Zack knew it for an act.
"May I see your wand, Bill?" Zack asked, interrupting the awkward silence. Bill handed it over to him. It was a little longer than Zack's but not quite as thick. Zack also noticed it had no markings on it, just as Ollivander had said. "It's nice…seems well used."
"I use it everyday and often in very inhospitable places. May I see yours, then?"
"I'll have to go get it; it's in the room." Zack noticed the disbelieving looks on most everyone's face. "I thought it safer – for all of us – that I don't carry it around on my person," he explained.
Molly came to his defense. "I think that's very sensible, dear. Now, go on ahead fetch your wand."
Zack went up the stairs, not thinking about the reunion or Bill Weasley or even Ginny but about the limitations put on one's wardrobe by constantly carrying a wand. How the hell can I carry a wand in jogging shorts? He retrieved the wand, still thinking about the amount of clothes he had that were "wand unfriendly." Maybe Ginny can help. Hip clothes for the wand toting wizard in your life. Hey, maybe I could have been in marketing…nah. He grabbed the wand but left the box in the room. They don't need to see everything, he reasoned.
He took it downstairs, feeling very protective of it. He shook his head and hurried back to the group.
"Here it is," Zack said, holding it out to Bill, straining to keep his hand steady.
Bill gently took it in his hand and looked at it. "Interesting markings around the handle…symbols of some kind. I've never seen anything like it. Dad, you seen anything like this down at the Ministry?"
"There are few wands in the English Museum for Wizards and Witches that have symbols carved in the handle, but they belonged to wizards or witches long since departed. It is all very interesting," Arthur said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
Fascinated, Zack listened to the family discuss the unique properties of his wand and about wands in general. After a few minutes, he began to feel a little tense. It's going to be hard enough fitting in at 32 years old as it is.
"Dad, did you recognize any of the symbols on the handle?" Ron asked, leaning over Bill's shoulder to get a closer look.
"One of them is clearly a flower, probably a rose of some kind, but the others do not look familiar."
"I see the rose – and I think it is definitely a rose – but the other two aren't familiar. Wait a minute." Bill sat up, looking very closely at the wand.
"What is it, Bill?" Ginny asked excitedly, looking at Zack and smiling.
"I know this symbol…I've seen it somewhere. In Egypt, I think." He was looking at a symbol roughly in the shape of an "X" or a cross.
"Egypt? Why would I have a symbol from Egypt on my wand?" Zack asked.
"I don't know, Zack. Didn't you ask Ollivander what the symbols were? He made the wand after all." Bill asked.
"He didn't make the wand, his grandfather did." Everyone turned towards Zack.
Arthur spoke. "Are you sure he said it was made by his grandfather?" Zack nodded and Arthur took off his glasses and seemed to be calculating in his head. "That would make this wand over 200 years old." The rest of the family stared at Zack in amazement.
"He said it was over 300 years old." Zack felt reluctant to talk about his experience at Ollivanders, but he was hoping for some insight. Unfortunately, they seemed as dumbfounded as he was.
Bill turned the wand over in his hands. "Zack, do you mind if I trace the pattern of these symbols? I'd like to compare them to some of the artifacts I've found in Cairo."
"Sure…I guess, as long as you don't mind."
"Not a problem. Curse breaking is interesting work, but it'll be nice to research something a little less dangerous."
Zack felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders that he didn't realize was there. "Thanks, I really appreciate it." Molly gave Bill a pencil and paper and he carefully traced the symbols.
"Isn't it time we moved outside?" Charlie asked, looking at the window. "The sky is clearing and the sun has decided to make an appearance…just as mum predicted."
They all grabbed something – well, Zack grabbed - everyone else used their wands - and moved the festivities outside. Upon stepping outside, Zack took a deep breath - it truly was a glorious day. He squinted at the bright sky and did a double take. Either his eyes were deceiving him or two large birds were swooping in. No one else had seemed to notice.
"Excuse me – but what are those?" Zack pointed into the sky.
"Oh my heavens! Arthur…they wouldn't…they couldn't…" Molly hemmed and hawed alternatively looking and averting her eyes.
As the objects drew closer, they looked like…carpets. Flying carpets? The siblings were all laughing and pointing and soon the red hair on the two riders of these carpets told Zack why. It was the twins arrived at last. I have to admit, they know how to make an entrance.
"It's about time you came outside," one twin called out as they neared – his carpet had an embroidered "F" on it.
"Yeah, we've been circling for over half an hour," George added sweeping just over their heads clearly showing the embroidered "G."
Baby Arthur was laughing and squirming, reaching out towards the two flying Weasleys. Elyssia held him tight and noticed Zack looking at her.
"Your first time meeting the twins, I take it?" she asked.
"It certainly is, but Hermione and Ginny have told me a few things to prepare me," Zack answered, watching the twins show off with some pretty intricate maneuvers to the oohs and ahhs of the appreciative crowd. Except for Molly, of course, who was animatedly yelling at them to come down immediately and struggling to reach her wand, which Arthur held away from her.
"They are…well, I'm not sure what they are. But they are most certainly Weasleys," Elyssia finished and shrugged her shoulders.
"What was that dear?" Charlie asked distractedly.
"Oh nothing, I just dropped the baby in the well."
"That's nice…DID YOU SEE THAT - A 360! Nice one Fred." Charlie rubbed his fingers together as he watched them. Zack knew he'd be on one of the carpets before the day was through. Elyssia seemed to know it too.
"Arthur, please do something," Molly pleaded, "the neighbors might see."
Arthur was enjoying the spectacle as much as his kids but resignedly signaled the twins to land.
That hadn't even set foot on the ground when Molly launched into them. "You know those are illegal! How dare you bring them to our house…" She continued unabated for several minutes and Zack was impressed with the sheer energy with which she berated them. When she stopped the twins did not seem the least bit repentant.
"Mum, I can't tell how much we've missed your beautiful face." Fred said giving her a hug
"And your beautiful voice," the other twin finished. Molly tried to stay angry but couldn't and directed them to get a drink.
"Hey, Bill – Charlie it's been a long time," Fred came over and shook their hands and was soon followed by George.
"Nice carpets, where did'ya get them?" Charlie asked, taking a closer look at the red and gold colored carpets.
"A bit of barter with Durmstrang," George said, taking a bite of a roll.
Fred took a drink of punch and wiped his mouth. "The delicate company precludes me from going into detail," he looked at Elyssia and Molly, "but suffice it to say we taught a lesson to a certain unfaithful husband."
"Oh? Anyone we know?" Bill asked.
"We promised we wouldn't tell," George started.
"But we can be bribed," Fred finished.
"That's quite enough, you two. Now, why don't you tell us if there is anyone special in your lives?" Molly asked hopefully.
The twins rolled their eyes and groaned. Molly smiled at their reaction. Soon the family began catching up in earnest. It turned out the twins owned a (quite successful) magic and practical joke shop. At times during the conversations they mentioned several new inventions: a bucking broom, a trick golden snitch that could be called with a secret word, shampoo that turned your hair into porcupine quills for 30 minutes, etc…
After a bit, Fred noticed Zack. "I'm sorry, we haven't been with the family for awhile… you must be Zack. I'm Fred and that guy over there," he motioned across the table, "is George. It's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand and Zack shook it…but wished he hadn't. His arm suddenly sprouted feathers and became a wing or at least wing-like. Zack could still see some of his own skin between the feathers.
"FRED WEASLEY! You remove that spell immediately!" Molly screamed and rushed to Zack's side. Ginny and Ron moved in for a closer look.
"It's a new product we're trying out. Haven't got a name just yet though," George said, walking over to take a look. "Aw, Mum it'll wear off in a minute. I swear his arm will be good as new."
Initially shocked, Zack soon looked closely at his wing. The change was such that he could flap the wing and even ruffle the feathers.
"What are you looking at?" Fred asked.
"I was marveling at the completeness of the change. How does my brain know how to flap the wing and ruffle the feathers?"
"You're not much fun to play a joke on, you know that?" George said.
"Yeah, if everyone acted like you we'd be out of business." Fred added.
He looked up and saw Ginny laughing at the twin's consternation. "You two look like someone stole your favorite toy," Ginny said.
Zack watched his feathers fall out onto the ground and be blown away in the breeze. Russell came out of the shed, pawed at a few, then loped over to the table.
"Whose cat?" Bill asked, giving Russell an appreciated scratch on her head.
Zack had just taken a bite out of an apple, so Ginny spoke up. "It's Zack's – her name is Russell."
"Russell is it?" He picked her up and gave her an all over scratching, causing loud rumbling noises to issue from the feline. "I've grown quite fond of cats since moving to Egypt. They are looked on as divine. The old spells often involved cats as well." Russell nipped Bill's hand and leapt away.
"Well, that's gratitude for ya," Ron said.
Zack chuckled. "She does that to show us she's still in charge. You okay, Bill?"
"I'm fine, she didn't even leave a mark."
The food and drink were plentiful and the conversation fascinating. Zack wished he had a tape recorder so he could look up all of the different terms they used. Not for the first time did he wish his memory abilities were not just for the written word. He sat back and watched the Weasley's enjoying themselves. Still, he sensed a reticence about their behavior. They kept looking around as if they were expecting something. An owl arrived later carrying a letter. How strange? Molly took off the letter, read it and promptly went inside the house stifling some tears. She dropped the note on the table and Charlie picked it up.
"Listen to this – So sorry I was unable to attend the reunion, I was unavoidably detained – Percy." Charlie crumpled up the note and threw it on the ground. "What a wanker!"
"You said it Charlie. If he were here…" Ron started, stood up, and stomped off away from the table his hands jammed in his pockets.
The mood at the table turned somber and Zack remembered seeing Percy's picture the other day. He did look different from the rest of the family. Thinking back on his exploration of the house he remembered Percy's room and how…empty it was. Nothing in the room spoke of any passion he may have had or what he did for fun. I guess he was the white sheep in a family of black ones. But, sending such a paltry note explaining his absence bordered on cruel in Zack's mind. Molly had been planning this party for months and for Percy to ruin it for her made Zack angry. But seeing as how this was not his family he stayed out of it. Ginny read the crumbled note and heaved a sigh. She looked over at Zack and gave him a shy smile. Zack smiled back and walked over to her.
"You all right, Ginny?"
"A little disappointed, but I can't say I'm surprised. Percy was always the odd person out in the family." Ginny had smoothed out the note and held it in her lap.
"Someone should go in and check on your mum – she looked devastated," Zack added with a look towards the house.
Before Ginny could respond, the door to the house opened and Molly and Arthur came out. She walked over the twins and apologized for yelling at them and then gave them both hugs. She then sat down and took a drink from her cup.
Zack looked over at Ginny. "You know what I need…a real drink. Is there any whisky in the house?"
Bill's voice answered behind him. "You are so right mate, some Old Ogden's is definitely in order AND it just so happens I have a couple of bottles in my bags – they were destined for Cairo." Bill headed quickly into the house and returned with said bottles.
Ginny had told the others and they were all waiting for him as he walked up…cups in hand and outstretched. He laughed and opened the first bottle. Molly frowned but took the glass Arthur gave her. After everyone had a glass, Bill spoke.
"Cheers to a beautiful day, a wonderful family, the best mother and father in the world, and to our most recent additions - little Arthur and Zack." Bill raised his glass, but before they drank, a loud meow came from under the table. Everyone chuckled and Zack bent down, picked up Russell, and gave her a quick scratch behind the ears.
"I guess she didn't want to be left out." Zack said looking flushed as the attention of the entire family was turned towards him. He looked at Ginny who gave him a sly wink, which made Zack blush all the more.
Bill raised his glass again. "And last but not least to Russell as well then…cheers!"
"Cheers!" Everyone echoed and then drank from their glasses. The bottle quickly made its way around the table again. The liquor loosed their tongues and the conversation began, even louder and more chaotic than before.
Watching the proceedings, Zack cleared his throat and visibly composed himself. "I'd like to offer a toast as well." The family stopped and turned to him. God, I feel like I'm back in high school right before a debate. Ginny smiled encouragingly, and Ron gave him a thumbs up. This relaxed him enough to continue. "To all of you for making me feel so welcome and helping me deal with my…unusual situation." Zack drank and they followed suit. In much better spirits, the family looked at him with smiles and bright faces.
Encouraged by the reception they were giving him, he warmed to his task. "I'd like to thank Arthur for showing me how to rid a garden of gnomes…a skill I'm sure will come in handy for all of my future garden endeavors." The family all laughed and drank to the toast.
"To Ginny for being so nice to me and showing me the ropes…about magic I mean." Zack turned beet red and so did Ginny. Ron laughed so hard he fell off of his chair, and the rest of family chuckled.
Fred looked over at Ginny. "What ropes would those be, Ginny?"
"Yeah, I hope you used some of ours at least," George added with a wink.
Ginny's face flushed pink, but she rallied. "Would you give me a family discount then?"
"Ginny!" Molly said, standing up.
Arthur smiled and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Molly, I believe she was joking."
Molly looked over at Ginny clearly unsure was to whether her daughter was joking or not. But she sat back down and soon turned her attention to little Arthur who was playing with his food. If she only knew.
"I do have one more toast," Zack said loudly to be heard over the din, which quieted. He ambled over towards Molly as he began to speak. "I especially want to thank Molly for being so patient and kind…not to mention forgiving. I lost count of the number of times I almost set the house on fire." Zack paused to let their laughter subside. "Seriously, you're a wonderful woman Molly and if I didn't like Arthur so much he might have a fight on his hands." He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on her flaming red cheek. She quickly put her hand over the place on her cheek where he kissed her and giggled.
Molly regained her composure. "Well don't just stand there, let's get the feast started." Immediately the family sprang into action - the snacks and such were cleared away and the feast appeared. It started with a selection of cheeses: Stilton, Cheshire, double Gloucester, red Leicester, sage Derby, cheddar of course, and some baguette. Smoked salmon with capers and cream cheese made an appearance. Some kind of puff pastry with vegetables and fish, added to the rapidly filling tables. Arthur made some kind of apple cider punch, with emphasis on the punch. But the pièce de résistance was an entire roast venison that appeared out of nowhere, complete with the spit and the fire pit.
"Boy, mum, you really outdid yourself," Ron mumbled appreciatively, biting into a sizable piece of a leg.
"You probably have a bit more money without us kids around, huh dad?" Bill said taking a drink of punch and stabbing a hunk of cheese with his fork.
"I must admit, it is a bit easier to make ends meet."
"Arthur don't say such a thing…we were glad for every minute you kids were in the house," Molly protested and rose, a little unsteadily, out of her seat. She giggled and hiccoughed. I guess the punch and whisky may be going to her head.
What does one do when you are full and more than a bit tipsy…play Quidditch of course! At least that was the consensus of the Weasley siblings. They all went inside the house and came out with brooms and a beat-up old chest of some kind. Zack thought they were nuts. Oh well, it should provide for some interesting viewing.
Charlie walked over to Arthur. "Hey dad, we still got that old training broom?"
"I think it's in the shed. But what do want with that old thing?" Arthur asked.
"It's not for me; I thought Zack could give it a whirl." Charlie looked over at Zack with a malevolent sneer (or maybe it was a jocular smile) and trotted over the shed. Either way Zack sensed that doom was upon him at last.
~~~00~~~
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Flood, It is with great sadness that we inform you your son Zack ran headlong into a tree today…several times.
~~~00~~~
"Come on Zack, you'll love it!" Ginny said, zooming over his head, red hair whipping behind her, and a huge smile on her face. Bill, Fred, and George all flew their brooms in with similar joyous abandon. I wonder if they're always this happy when they fly or if it's the booze.
Charlie came back with a decrepit broom with straps like safety belts and stirrups like one had on a saddle. "Dad designed this so we wouldn't get hurt when we first started. It has a special anti-crash spell on it. The twins had a blast trying to see how close they could get to crashing."
~~~00~~~
We apologize for the state of his remains. Garden Gnomes were able to eat a goodly amount before we were able to retrieve the body – the Quidditch match being tied at the time of the accident…
~~~00~~~
"Oh good…that makes me feel SO much better." Zack reluctantly accepted the broom.
"It's perfectly safe Zack; I used it to train our kids. Didn't we Molly?" Molly did not answer as she was busy snoozing in the shade. Arthur looked at Zack and shrugged. "I'll help strap you in."
Strapped in, Zack watched the Weasley kids zooming around for a few minutes. Ron slowed down and hovered over where Zack stood, straddling the broom.
"C'mon mate, we won't let anything happen to you," Ron shouted, waving for him to join them. Ron and Zack watched as, just then, Charlie careened towards the roof of the shed after bumping into Bill – missing it by scant inches.
Ron looked back towards Zack and shrugged. "He missed it didn't he?"
What the hell am I doing…I don't even like flying in planes? He looked over at Arthur. "How does this thing work, again?"
"You kick the ground hard to rise. To go left you pull the broom left, to go right you pull to the right, to go forward you lean forward, push down to go down, and to stop you pull up on the broom and sit upright. And don't forget that the broom also takes cues from your thoughts. Good luck."
Good luck, he says. Zack took a deep breath and let it out through his nose. He closed his eyes and kicked off the ground like he was jumping and felt the broom rise, albeit unsteadily. Zack gripped the handle as hard as he could and made no movements. The broom hovered three feet off of the ground. He opened his eyes slowly and saw that he was in the air…on a broom…holy shit!
Ginny zoomed by. "Come and get me Zack," she teased.
He looked up at her, as she was now circling back towards him. "Not a chance!" he shouted. He took his right hand off of the broom to emphasize his point and the broom jerked to the left. Startled he grabbed the broom with his right hand and pulled back to the right to compensate, but alas he pulled too hard and started to spin in an ever rising spiral.
"Zack, relax your hands!" Bill shouted, coming over to lend assistance.
"I…I…I…am gonna be sick," Zack said. He was so dizzy he accidentally leaned forward and the broom shot forward right at Ron who was no more than 40 feet away.
"LOOK OUT!" Zack shouted.
"Bloody hell!" Ron responded and took his broom into a nose dive, narrowly avoiding Zack, white-faced, clinging to his broom.
But the anti-crash spell on Zack's broom had already reacted to the imminent collision and Zack shot up and to the left. Terrified, Zack pushed the broom handle down and proceed to hurtle straight down. The roast venison became larger and larger. His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as he headed straight for the most intimate part of the animal. And we haven't even been properly introduced. The anti-crash spell once again saved his ass as he pulled up and to the right, narrowly avoiding the snoozing Molly and a startled Russell, who had taken up residence in the tree above. Molly shot out her chair, startled by the near miss.
"What in Merlin's beard is going on?" she shouted rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She squinted at the hurtling figure on the training broom. She pulled out her wand and strode over towards a shrinking Arthur. "And whose bright idea was it to have Zack ride a broom?"
"It just kind of happened Molly…the boy has to learn sometime…doesn't he?" Arthur asked uncertainly.
Molly stood with her hands on her hips.
The twins were betting each other whether Zack would crash or not…the spell was old afterall, maybe it could wear off. Ron was staying as far away as possible, but Bill, Ginny, and Charlie were all shouting instructions to Zack.
The motion of the broom, the whisky, the overindulgence of food were too much, and he heaved his guts into the empty field where he had thrown the garden Gnomes. His head throbbed terribly as the wind whipping against his face made the act of puking even more wretched. Hermione you were so right…just too many Weasleys at one time. The tenseness in his body drained out as exhaustion fell upon him. The broom slowed down and Ginny pulled along side and helped guide him to the ground.
"And you said it would be fun," a bleary-eyed Zack moaned.
"I had fun."
"I can't tell you how glad I am to hear that," Zack groaned, as they arrived at the ground in front of Molly. She immediately spelled the straps loose and levitated Zack off the broom and into the chair under the tree. Elyssia went over, felt his forehead, and looked into his eyes.
"How many fingers?" she asked, holding up three fingers.
"Fingers?" Zack asked. Elyssia looked over at Molly and Molly sprang into action.
"Ginny - cool, damp towels. Bill - restorative and anti-hangover potions…you know where they are." She gave him a brief disapproving look. "Arthur…you put that broom away right this minute."
Charlie walked over holding a squirming child. "Honey, do you need your bag?"
"No, I think Molly has it all under control," Elyssia responded checking Zack's pulse. "No permanent damage, he just needs some rest."
Ginny wiped off Zack's face and hands with the damp towels. "Is that better?"
"Uh huh," Zack grunted, relief showing on his ashen face.
"Well, look at that. I'd say Ginny must be sweet on poor, sick Zack. What do you think Fred?" George said, dismounting from his broom.
"I'd say you're right…if Ginny's angry expression is any indication."
Ginny gave them a sidelong glance. "Honestly, will you two ever grow up?" They both gave her pained expressions. "How silly of me."
A couple of moments later Zack choked down the restorative and anti-hangover potions. Once again, the potions amazing powers were unleashed and Zack felt almost as good as new in a few minutes. Molly, seeing Zack on his way to recovering, went inside the house.
"Are all of your family get togethers like this?" Zack asked Ginny.
"No. Most are much more eventful."
"So it's your practice to torture all of your guests."
"You should know," she whispered in his ear and flicked his lobe with her tongue.
Zack turned red, but breathed a sigh of relief seeing that no one seemed to notice. "You are bad." She smiled in reply and walked over to the table, flashing her shapely butt in the process. Zack shook his head. A squawk from his feet got his attention and he felt Russell jump into his lap. She sniffed disapprovingly and leapt off, trotting towards the house. I guess I am a bit ripe. Zack went inside, cleaned up and changed his clothes. He returned in time for Molly to reveal the dessert.
"Trifle, anyone?" Molly announced, levitating an enormous bowl, of what looked to be, raspberry trifle. Everyone clapped and whistled as the bowl settled onto a clear spot on the table.
Fully restored, his stomach rumbled at the sight of the custard and cream and fruit and cake. He started to rise and heard a different kind of rumbling. Curiously it sounded as if it was coming from the sky. The rest of the family seemed oblivious to the nearing sound as they talked, laughed, and ate. Ron looked over at Zack noticing him looking into the sky. He walked over, toting his overflowing bowl of Trifle.
"What is it, Zack?"
"Do you hear a rumbling sound?" Zack asked, trying to orient on the sound.
"Now that you mention it, I do hear it. It sounds like an engine." He scanned the skies as well, but continued to eat heaping spoonfuls of his dessert.
The table quieted as they slowly took notice of Zack and Ron scanning the skies.
"What are you guys doing?" Fred asked.
With everyone quiet the noise became easier to hear and everyone looked around. A motorcycle? And then suddenly an enormous figure burst through the clouds, riding said motorcycle. Even several hundred yards away he knew the…rider, was huge.
Ron smiled and shouted. "HAGRID!" The family all began waving excitedly at the figure in the sky. The rider waved back. The family evidently knew this behemoth that rode on motorcycles in the sky. Of course they do…he's riding a flying motorcycle, why wouldn't they know him.
"Ginny, who is that? He has to be the largest person I've ever seen," Zack asked.
"He's an old friend from way back. He works at Hogwarts as the grounds keeper and Care of Magical Creatures instructor. There is entirely too much history to sum up right now, but I know it has been over four years since I have seen him. He is half giant/half man, which explains his size, but he's just a big teddy bear when you get to know him."
Little Arthur began to cry and Elyssia took him inside to lay him down for a nap. Hagrid made a smooth landing and came to a stop about 20 yards away from where they had gathered. He dismounted and took off his goggles and gloves. A huge coat made of a patchwork of animal skins, hung loosely about his frame. An enormous mane of hair and a bush beard both brown streaked with grey, finished the look.
The family moved over towards but it was Ron that spoke first. "Hagrid, it is so good to see you - what brings you to the Burrow?"
"Good ter see yer Ron, yer lookin' good," Hagrid said, enveloping Ron's hand in his own. "It looks like the whole clan is here…did I interrupt somethin'?"
"It's okay Hagrid, we were just having a family reunion," Arthur said.
"Would you like something to eat….we have plenty of food," Molly offered.
"I really shouldn't," he said looking over at the table. "But a little snack couldn't hurt, aye?"
Bill Weasley laughed and clapped Hagrid on the back. "Good ole Hagrid, it is great to see you. I think I could pack in a little more myself. After all, you shouldn't eat by yourself."
The group walked over to the table, all talking at once. Hagrid walked over to the venison and casually ripped off one of the hind legs. A snack? Apparently Hagrid was acquainted with the whole Weasley family in one way or another.
Zack was content to watch the proceedings, but he seemed to be the only one who was wondering why Hagrid was here.
"Hey Hagrid, I thought you'd like to know that Norbert is going to be a daddy. His mate laid over a dozen eggs just last week," Charlie said
Hagrid looked like a proud daddy himself at hearing the news. "Well, what do ya know…good ole Norbert. I knew he was a good dragon as soon as he hatched." Then a look of sadness passed over his face. "I do appreciate you watchin' out fer 'im."
Arthur spoke up. "It really was for the best Hagrid; we couldn't very well have had a full grown Norwegian ridge back stomping around Hogwarts."
"I s'pose so." He drained his cup of punch and took another bite of the venison. His gaze fell on Zack and his eyes opened wide. "I swear my dad musta dropped me on my head as a child one too many times. You must be Zack Flood. Yer the reason I came today." He reached into his coat and pulled out a letter. "Would'ya mind passin' this down to Zack?" He asked Fred who was sitting next to him. They passed it around the table (all taking a look at it first) and eventually to Zack.
It looked like the envelope Zack received admitting him into Hogwarts, except the address was quite different.
~~~00~~~
Zack Flood
Picnic Table under the tree, seat on the end closest to the house
The Burrow
~~~00~~~
Weird. He opened it and read the contents. The letter was from Dumbledore asking Zack to accompany Hagrid back to Hogwarts now rather than taking the train on September 1st. He explained that given Zack's unique status it would be best for him to arrive early so they could decide how best to handle his accommodations. It seemed perfectly reasonable and sensible; still, Zack felt nervous.
"What does it say dear?" Molly asked.
"It's from Dumbledore. He wants me to go to Hogwarts with Hagrid today rather than going on the 1st on the train." I am so not ready.
"Does it say why?" Bill asked, while finishing off his third bowl of trifle.
"Not really, he just mentions my unique status and alludes to my accommodations."
"Albus was always sensible when setting aside school rules for the sake of common sense," Arthur said.
"It makes sense, if you think about it. You are almost 40 years old, after all. Can't have you scaring the little kiddies," Ginny commented.
"Hey, thanks for the support…and I'm only 32," Zack protested. The Weasleys all started to laugh and soon Zack cracked a smile. I am so doomed.
"Hey Hagrid, when you do you think we should leave?"
Hagrid finished the wedge of double Gloucester cheese he'd been working on and mumbled. "As soon as you ken…the trip's better in daylight."
Resigned to his fate, Zack said, "All right, I guess I'll go and pack, then." He headed up stairs to pack his freshly laundered clothes away. Somehow Molly had managed to wash all of his dirty clothes, prepare the gargantuan feast for the family reunion, and take care of all of the family's needs. Even his recently soiled clothes were clean. He finished in a matter of minutes, because he didn't really have much stuff. He was extra careful with his wand and the carrying case, wrapping it in two t-shirts for protection. He'd wait until the last minute to pack up Russell; she hated being crated up. He took a last look around and a soft tap sounded on the door.
Ginny poked her head in and leered at him. "It's time for your going away present." She slid off her panties from under her skirt and tossed them at him.
Zack caught them and shook his head. "Now!? You want to do this with your entire family not fifty yards away…are you crazy?"
She smiled. "When I know what I want, I get what I want." She sidled up to him and slid her hand up his exposed thigh and over his khaki shorts. "And what I want is you inside me now." She unbuttoned his shorts and slid down the zipper. His cock betrayed him and responded to her actions. Traitor. "Men are so easy." She slid his cock out and stroked it slowly. Zack closed his eyes and felt his legs going weak as the excitement increased. He bent down, kissed her roughly, and slid his hands down her back and up under her skirt. He kneaded her buttocks and she nibbled on his right ear lobe. He backed her into a wall, lifted her up, and entered her in one smooth motion. Ginny moaned softly and wrapped her arms around Zack's neck and head. With every thrust the two lovers breathing grew quicker and higher pitched. After a few quick moments, she shuddered, followed swiftly by Zack, and they collapsed on the floor panting heavily.
Zack buried his head in Ginny's red hair, enjoying the afterglow of sex, reveling in the feel of her soft skin and sweet smell. "Can't you come with me?" he said at last.
"I thought I just did."
Zack had to laugh. "What am I going to do with you?"
"What you just did was fine." Ginny brushed his hair back and slowly extricated herself from his embrace. "Oh Zack, don't give me that puppy dog look. You will love Hogwarts. It is unlike anyplace you've ever been."
"I'm sure Hogwarts will be great. It's just…I don't know." He got up, put his clothes back on and sat on the bed. Ginny did the same and sat next to him. "Ginny, I'm 32 years old for god's sake, what am I doing? I was a highly successful surgeon, and now I'm going to be starting school all over again. And for what?"
"Zack, I can only imagine what you are going through. But, don't forget that Dumbledore and Hermione at least will be there for you. And I'll come and visit on occasion as I get some time."
Zack brightened at her words and released a heavy sigh. She furrowed her brow at him and he smirked. "I can be such prat sometimes."
She smiled at him. "Don't be so hard on yourself…it will all work out. Besides, it's Professor Snape's job to be hard on you."
Zack's eyes widened. "Wait a minute, he's the one I think I insulted at the Ministry house."
"You think you insulted Professor Snape!? Maybe you do have something to worry about. What happened?"
"I was very drunk, so I don't exactly remember."
"Maybe you can smooth things out before the term starts. Anyway there's no need to worry about it now. Now, come over here and give me a smooch goodbye." Ginny stood and held her arms out.
Zack gave her a nice firm hug and tender kiss on the forehead. "I'm going to miss you, you know?"
"I sure hope so, after all we've done the last four days," she quipped.
"Aren't you ever serious?"
"Not if I can help it." She gave him a wink. It only took a few moments and they had all his bags together. Ginny moved them downstairs with the ever helpful locomotor spell, while Zack took a moment to go to the attic.
"Hey…ghoul, you up here?" Zack asked after opening the door at the top of the attic steps. I wish the thing had a name. "It's okay….it's me - the one with the cat."
The ghoul poked its slimy head around a beam. "You wouldn't have yer cat with you, would you?"
"No, no he's outside. I thought I'd pop in and let you know the cat and I are leaving today, so the house will be animal free once again."
The ghoul smiled, displaying several uneven teeth. "Oh, thank you sir. I admit it's a relief to feel safe again." Zack had nothing else to say so he wished the ghoul luck and left.
Zack bounded down the stairs, and out the front door. His eyes fell on the entire clan, gathered, apparently to give Zack a right proper send off. They all wished him well and he thanked all of them profusely. The twins envied Zack having Hogwarts almost to himself for a whole week. There was a time when they would have paid good money for such a chance. In fact… Bill interrupted them and told Zack he'd be in touch about the symbols on Zack's wand. Charlie and Elyssia wished him well, as a giggling Arthur chewed on Charlie's shirt. Ron said he'd stop by Hogwarts sometime to see how he was settling in and Ginny echoed that thought – but with a sly grin on her face. Oh my.
Molly was too emotional to say anything so she just hugged him goodbye. Zack assured her they would see each other again soon.
Zack approached Arthur and shook his hand. "Well, Arthur, I was hoping to take you on a Muggle shopping trip this coming week, but I guess it will have to wait…that is unless I can meet you in London somehow. I could stand to upgrade my wardrobe a bit before term begins." Molly and Ginny both nodded enthusiastically at this declaration.
Arthur scratched his chin. "I'm sure we could arrange for a meeting sometime this week. How about Wednesday?" Zack nodded in assent. "I will let you know the details. Good luck."
Finally only a smiling, red-faced Hagrid remained. "So, yer ready to go then?"
"Yeah, I guess so…where are my bags?"
"I already packed 'em in my motorcycle."
"How could they fit…never mind." Magic, of course. "How am I going to get there?"
"I can extend the seat a bit. It'll be a bit tight but we'll manage." Hagrid smiled - all eight plus feet, 600 plus pounds of him. Not a chance in hell I'm sitting behind that for god knows how long.
Before Zack could protest, Arthur spoke up. "Might I suggest an alternative?" Molly gave Arthur a sideways glance. "Zack, I hope you won't mind but I took it upon myself to fix your motorcycle."
"My motorcycle! That's great, Arthur. How far a ride is it? Do you have a map?" The prospect of the trip started looking up.
"Well, you'd never find it on the ground." On the ground – what does he mean by that?? "That is to say, there are no proper roads leading to Hogwarts."
"How can I get there, then?" Sweat began to form on Zack's brow.
"I made a few modifications to your motorcycle."
"Arthur Weasley, you didn't! Not again." Molly's face turned a deep shade of red.
"I did it for Zack, dear. One never knows when something like this will come in handy." Molly wasn't buying it, but everyone else was excited. Ron offered to go and fetch it, Arthur whispered something to him, and off he went to the shed. A few minutes later Ron returned pushing Zack's bike, which looked almost as good as new. Arthur beamed as his family, except a brooding Molly, fawned over the restored bike.
"It looks great Arthur, but I can't see any of difference from when I last rode it." Meaning, I probably should be worried.
Arthur signaled Zack to come closer. "You see these three buttons I added next to the right handle?" Zack nodded. "The red one will enable you to fly, the green one will cause the bike to operate like a normal motorcycle, and the blue one will make you and the bike invisible." Arthur smiled.
Zack stood open-mouthed, his mind seemingly unable to grasp what he had heard. "The red one…the red one…the red one…fly?" If a broomstick with seat belts almost killed me, what will a flying motorcycle do?
After much cajoling, the family was able to convince Zack this was quite different than the broomstick. For one thing the accelerator, brakes, and steering operated in the air as they did on the ground. The kids drew straws and Ron won the right to test drive the motorcycle. Zack had to admit it looked a good deal safer than the broom. Plus, this was his motorcycle. Hagrid would be along side if anything bad happened.
He decided it was time. Bidding everyone a final goodbye he shoved a yowling Russell into her crate and strapped it onto the back of his bike. He took a final look around and started up the bike. He revved it, his chest tightened, and he relived the accident all over again. He stopped the bike and sat there motionless for a moment,
Arthur called out to him. "Everything okay, Zack?"
Zack took several deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth. Calm down. His heart beat returned to normal and he shouted back to the family. "I'm fine - just getting used to riding again." He restarted the bike and rode it around on the ground for a minute or two until the jitters went away. Hagrid had already gone airborne and was signaling Zack to join him. He took a deep breath, let it slowly and pressed the red button. The bike started to rise and his stomach gave a lurch, but he kept it under control. He steered it cautiously over the Burrow and carefully waved good bye. So long…for now.
After the initial fear and excitement wore off, the ride was fairly routine. Although, the invisibility took some getting used to. The non-stop banter by Hagrid made the trip seem to last forever, but at least it let Zack know that Hagrid was nearby. Clearly, he was a nice guy, but Zack couldn't understand most of the references he made. Every time Zack interrupted with a question Hagrid lost his place and started the whole story over again. After awhile Zack started to make sense of a few of the references and it became clear that Hagrid had no fear. He described fearsome beasts as if they were pets to be coddled. Of course, given Hagrid's size most beasts would be (practically) harmless. The hours whittled away and the sun sank lower and lower in the sky. Hagrid indicated they were getting close, so he made himself visible and Zack followed suit. Soon after, Hagrid pointed a finger and Zack saw a large complex in the distance. As they drew nearer he saw it was an immense castle surrounded by a thick forest on one side and a large lake on the other. Reading, Hogwarts: A History, didn't prepare him for how impressive the complex looked.
"Welcome to yer new home. How d'ya like it?" Hagrid asked beaming.
Zack smiled at Hagrid and looked again at the castle. Maybe I'm not doomed afterall.
~~~00~~~
As ever, my boundless gratitude to Juliane and Lillith for editing my story
Please review! Thank you.