Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
Chapter 5 -- Return to Hogwarts
Her birthday was June 21st; she was to arrive in England on June 30th. The children, after much debate, would join her August 30th, flying in to Heathrow and meeting Arthur there, he would deliver them to the Hogwart's Express and they would arrive with the other kids to the school. "It is important," Molly had said, "that they get to ride at least once."
As she turned to leave them in the airport, she looked to her children. "Remember to always stay together. You're stronger than you realize when you are together. Stronger still when we see each other next, but you will always stay safe if you stay close." Both kids rolled their eyes as she left. They knew it by heart. She had told them the same thing every day of their lives. Mason figured she told him that when she was still pregnant with his sister. With a heavy heart, she once again found herself on a plane; leaving her world and her children behind to try something new.
Her arrival this time was much like the last. Arthur and Molly greeted her with friendly hugs and well wishes, the Limousine was parked in the 'No Parking Zone', and once again, no one seemed to notice. The trip was shorter, only into London. Mr. Weasley explained that other travel arrangements were made for her departure after she began curriculum review and revision with a special department of the Ministry. When they entered an odd area of abandoned buildings and trash collectors, the limousine slowed to a halt.
Rowan was a little out of character as Arthur opened the door. As she followed him to a broken telephone box, he asked her to step inside. She looked at his eyes and found that she truly trusted the man and did as she was asked without further question. He dialed a number after joining her and laughed as he got his change out of the phone. She hadn't even seen him put anything into it. He passed her a badge that read
"Rowan Black
Muggle Research
Muggle Relations Department"
Arthur asked her to attach it to her blouse as the floor of the telephone box began to move downward much as an elevator. Unable to contain her question any longer, she asked Arthur "What is a Muggle?"
He laughed and said that they were non-magic people. He began to explain the Ministry of Magic and different departments. She was completely lost in the conversation. She didn't mention this of course, but followed him out of the doors and into a beautiful atrium which seemed to be going through a renovation. Her mouth opened and closed as she looked around. No words seemed appropriate though and none escaped her lips; having almost convinced herself that she was still asleep in the back of the limousine.
As they entered Arthur's office, a kind older man muttered that he would be back from break later. This made room for Rowan to sit at his desk. Taking a deep calming breath as her grandmother had always done, she finally looked into the eyes of the man standing before her and asked the question she had been saving for almost an hour: "What the hell is this place and are you all insane?"
Eight cups of coffee later, the first one with an addition of something called Firewhiskey, Rowan had her answer. There was another world to which she alone had been given clearance to assist. She would be given a free reign in her field of 'Muggle Studies' which was to be renamed "Survival without Magic". The tests she was to revise and correct was called O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s. The text books would be rewritten by hand and taken care of by a publishing company when complete. And Arthur was intrigued by the word "computer" and "typing". She was to work on them at Hogwarts. But for tonight, she was going to spend the night at the "Burrow" and further explanation would be forthcoming then.
Noticing the time, Arthur assured her that she would learn and her understanding would grow. Molly was making dinner and his children and their two best friends, who would be in their class, were already waiting their arrival. The books were being shrunk and put on a charm bracelet for later use. Arthur handed her the bracelet and helped her with the clasp. He asked if she was ready to go and she agreed, hesitantly. For now, all she really wanted was to just to wake up.
A bumpy "floo" ride landed her face down at the Burrow. When she turned over, she looked up into a sea of red-heads. Rowan knew she had hit her head when two identical faces rolled her over to help her to her feet. Seconds later, Mr. Weasley was greeting his wife happily. They helped her out of the house and into a garden area where there were several tables loaded down with more food than she had her last Thanksgiving.
She ate quietly, watching and listening as she realized that this family loved one another just as her family in Texas did. There were a couple of odd additions, a dark headed boy named Harry and a bushy haired girl named Hermione who sat sitting with the youngest of the red heads at the other end of the table. Rowan felt odd, like she knew these kids. It took a few moments before he remembered she had seen them just before her interview.
After the excellent meal, the older Weasley boys left with resounding "cracks" after hugging the family and shaking Rowan's hand. Soon, Molly was shooing the kids off to bed. Rowan sat in a comfortable chair near the fire waiting her return. Arthur joined her long enough to say good night, that he had to be at work early the next day. Molly kissed her husband as she made her way back into the living room to talk with Rowan. They had become fast friends with her last visit and it helped Rowan to see how much her family loved her. Molly's children felt about her the way Rowan's did: Respected, Feared, Loved, Trusted. Those four things could get a family through anything.
Molly, free now to answer questions and gave Rowan details about the Magical Community of Europe; a brief history of good and bad points. She also discussed Hogwarts and Professor Dumbledore, and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named".
Rowan, being a Muggle reared in a home with four older brother, their friends, a father who was in the military Special Forces, a history with some of the most terrifying international criminals for over a decade, and a mother that scared every one of them at times, could not understand why anyone would be afraid of a name; especially one as stupid as 'Lord Voldemort'. It sounded down right retarded to her.
As the night wore on, and conversation continued she learned about Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and her children Ron and Ginny. Rowan glanced to the doorway leading to the stairs, there were shadows on the door which she saw as she was just at the right angle to do so. Without preamble, Rowan asked Molly how long they had been coupled off. Molly, shocked at the thought, excused herself and went up the stairs.
Several minutes later, all four were sitting in front of the fire looking guilty. Rowan, smiling at each one, knew they had been caught doing something. As it turns out, Ron and Hermione were in the second story hallway kissing. Harry and Ginny were sitting on the stairway to the third floor talking but just holding hands. Harry had been crying as his eyes were red and swollen. Hermione seemed mortified that she and Ron had been caught by the woman who was taking care of her this summer. Ron and Ginny were not overly concerned about it.
Just as Molly was about to get wound up, Rowan interrupted her, "Molly, come on, they're kids. From the little you have told me, the last few years has had them in situations that we can not even fathom. I doubt even you and Arthur know all the details of what they have shared. At my house, which this is decidedly NOT my house, no boys in the girls room, no girls in the boy's room unless supervised by an adult. " Molly gawked at her as she continued, "Of course, because I have two teenagers their age, we have strict rules. If you want to spend time together, as anything more than friends, you should know that you are being watched closely."
Molly stood looking between this American woman and the four teenagers. She now knew that Ms. Rowan Black could handle these kids. Magic or Not - Rowan was a mom. A good one at that, she bet. "There will be extreme cases that this rule should be broken. But what the gist is that you don't need to make out when you are supposed to be in bed asleep. Agreed? Until an adult releases you from these rules, I want your promise to follow them. Your promise on your honor."
The four teenagers agreed to her rules of the house. A light flashed around them as the words left their mouths. They knew the rules would not be broken. Rowan then added as an afterthought, The children all agreed and with another flash of light, the four children hugged Molly and went to their beds.
"How did you know about the promises?" Molly asked her, still clearly stunned.
"I have kids of my own Molly, besides that, I have four older brothers and a dad that I respected. But my mother… she was the one who taught us morals. She always made us promise on our honor if something was important. Looking back, I can always remember a flash, but did not really understand what it was. I believe now, that it was my honor that made me keep my promises to her. I am very tired, where will I be sleeping?"
As Molly left Rowan's room, she continued to wonder about woman staying in her home, but put it out of her mind as she fell into her husband's loving arms.
