Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
New Beginnings… for everyone
Dumbledore conjured a portkey to take them to gates of the Potter estate. Once everyone was ready, he counted down "three…two…one". A familiar jerk pulled Harry's navel once again. When it stopped he was at the gates of the largest home he had ever seen. It was colorless and lifeless; like looking at a black and white Muggle picture. The land surrounding the fenced lawn was plush green. The sprawling lawn just inside the gates, had the same black and white aura to it. The home, situated, on the top of a hill overlooking a small village, the front of the home faced it. He looked to Molly who was in as much shock as Harry, reaching for her arm; he gave her a soft squeeze. As Harry took his first step inside the boundaries, the color flowed into the property; as though it had taken its first breath of life with his presence. The large crowd walked at the front of the crowd toward the massive doors. It was beautifully kept as gardens and statues came to life as Harry stepped toward them, Even the color of the bricks began to glow vibrantly.
Stepping on the large brick porch, he noticed that it was covered in ivy. The buzzing and soft lights made him briefly wonder if the plants were full of fairies. He watched at the ivy's inhabitants stopped buzzing for a moment. Harry looked at Dumbledore then back to the ivy which was now pulled back, looking like great green curtains to reveal the front doors.
Harry reached for the massive Lion's head that was the Door knocker, its mouth opened. A voice called out: "Only the true heir of Potter can enter here."
Harry, not quite knowing what else to do, swallowed hard, "I am the son of James T. Potter."
"Do you possess the key?" Harry looked to Dumbledore, who merely raised his hand and indicated his wrist. Comprehension dawned on Harry as the bracelet glowed into existence again.
Harry steadied himself and put his hand into the Lion's mouth, relieved when it did not bite. When Harry withdrew his hand, the lion spoke, "Welcome home Master Harry Potter, son of James and Lily Potter. We have been expecting you." Then the lion went silent. A great click was heard as the lock on the great front door released and the massive front doors opened.
The entry hall was as large as the house on Privet drive. Harry stepped in, helping Mrs. Weasley as he did so, his excitement began to bubble. After everyone entered, Harry turned to the Lion's head once again. "These are the Weasley's: Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Ginny. This is Hermione Granger. This is Professor Dumbledore, one of my God-fathers, and this is Remus Lupin, my other God-father. This is Professor Black, a friend. These people will be welcome here; free to come and go as they choose. Agreed?" The lion glowed for a brief moment then returned to its metal look of before. Turning to the crowd, just as Harry began to ask "What now?" Molly collapsed. Harry caught her as she fell. Looking to Mr. Weasley, he said, "… uhm… help?"
Ron moved swiftly to his mother's side and picked her up in his arms. An elf appeared and led them to a room under the long, grand flight of stairs. Ron took her into the room the elf indicated, and then laid her quietly on the bed. Mr. Weasley lay beside his wife and touched her gently. She was breathing slowly. Harry watched the tenderness of this couple and knew that all would be okay for them. He left the room, Ginny, Ron and Hermione joining him as he sat on the bottom step. Ron spoke first "She'll be okay, she's just overwhelmed." Harry nodded.
The rest of the group joined him. Rowan told him that Arthur would stay with Molly. Then she spoke to the crowd at large. "Perhaps everyone should find a bedroom and get some rest." With five cracks, house-elves appeared, each taking a separate red-head to different rooms. Rowan spoke to them again, "Please keep them close to each other."
Dumbledore looked to his young charges, and disappeared without a word to any of them. Remus looked as though he would fall over as well. Rowan turned to him and with another crack, Dobby appeared, leading Remus and Rowan to another bedroom. Rowan tucked him in, hearing him mumble "…glad you're home again…" before she turned and left the room.
"Well, ya' wanna find out just how big this place is?" The four teens looked up to her with grins on their faces. "Think of it this way, you can spend the day here and unless you really want to, probably won't even have to see each other, or me, if you don't want to." Her smile widened at the thought of what two teenage couples could do with too much time. "I wonder if there is a map of this place."
They all five walked into a great dining hall. It had to be at least as large as Hogwarts, if not larger. On the table were five identical pieces of parchment. Each one had a map of the entire house: five floors, plus a basement and attic. Indoor and Outdoor Quiddich pitches and pools, gardens, bowling alley, 30 bedrooms, each with a private bath, at least four children's nurseries, play rooms, solarium, hospital wing… the list went on and on, finally she saw it: A Library. She turned to Hermione who apparently seen the same thing and turned to follow the bushy haired girl out of the room.
Ron, seeking time to sort through the information given just a short time ago, that his two friends were the reason his family now had no home. Deciding he needed to fly, he chose to discover the Quiddich pitch turned and went in a different direction.
