Disclaimer: No money is being made or received for this work in her playground of characters.
Chapter 11 -- Walking up with Weasleys
Harry looked at the map for a moment when he saw the words "Master Bedroom". He got the strange idea that his parents had lived in that room and he suddenly wanted to see the Master bedroom. Ginny did not seem capable of making a decision, so Harry grabbed her hand and took her with him. They made their way up the stairs and down a long hall. The portraits all greeted them with interest, some speaking, some eyeing them without sound. The doors to the bedroom were massive. Another Lion's head greeted them in much the same fashion as the one downstairs. Harry went through the same ceremony, and then introduced Ginny. The door swung open and they entered. The room was massive. The bed could have fit everyone in the house and had room to spare. The closets were bigger than his dorm room; the first one filled with men's cloaks, while the next closet one filled with ladies fashions. The bathroom gave the prefects a run for its money.
Harry explored on his own while Ginny sat on the edge of the bed, tears leaking slowly down her face. Harry, who did not realize she was not with him, continued to look in doors. There was a large nursery set in one room that reminded him of a tower. The book shelves had children's books and there was a lone rocker. He stood staring at it. It was a match to the one in his nursery in Godric's Hollow. He turned to tell Ginny, but finding her not with him, walked back into the main room. He saw her tiny form curled on the bed. He watched as her shoulders sagged, her body trying to control the tears that fell.
He walked cautiously toward her. Not wanting to set off any alarms of the promise he made the professor. He sat behind her. Finally, knowing he just wanted to help her through this time, he lay behind her. Wrapping his arms around the petite frame, he held her until they both fell asleep. Unknown to either of them, Dobby crept in and covered them both with a blanket of silks and velvets.
They slept in each other's arms a long time, the stress of the emotions overtaking them both. Ginny stayed close to the safety of the feeling of arms holding her, neither had nightmares that day, no visits from dark wizards, or memory of prophesies or lies; just content, restful sleep.
Neither realized when the door opened and people filed into the room. "Harry, Ginny, wake up" Ron was shaking her shoulders. They both stirred. Turning over, Harry fixed his glasses which he had slept in. It was then that he realized that the room was a sea of red-heads. Bill was the first to speak, carefully, so there was no doubt what he was going to say: "Get your hands off my sister." Harry looked at Ginny and quickly scooted away.
Ginny being awakened by the sound of her angry brother, rolled her eyes. "Oh hell… have you ever just wanted to feel safe? You stupid git. Harry held me while I cried myself to sleep. He has never done more than that - period. Leave him alone", she narrowed her eyes, "or else."
Bill did a double take as he looked from Harry to Ginny. "Seriously?" Harry nodded. He did not want these people as enemies.
Harry, finally finding his voice, squeaked, "How about I explain it all over dinner?"
Charlie smirked, "How about a late dinner? Since it is almost nine o'clock."
Harry groaned. They made their way down the stairs. Harry walked a bit behind the group. Ginny grabbed his hand and pulled him forward. She smiled and said "Thank You" under her breath.
He looked into her brown eyes. "Anytime." He stopped, thunderstruck. Reality hit him square in the stomach. The wind blew out of him as he realized that he was actually thinking about future. It had to be the first time since hearing the prophesy a year ago. He really wanted to win, to spend his life with this fiery red-head. He wanted to beat the bad guy so he could live, so that the Weasley's could live. So their children could go to Hogwarts. So the wizarding community could live. Smiling at the realization, he looked into the form of his favorite red head swishing away. Dropping her hand, he ran past her and hurried down the stairs, jumping on Ron's back as they entered the dining room, whooping happily as Ron carried him all the way to the table.
That meal was more enjoyable than he could ever remember. Dumbledore returned to eat with them, having apparated just as they had sat down. Laughter filled the hall as Harry explained to Dumbledore the rude awakening. Rowan did take some charity on him and explained to everyone about the honor promise the four of them had made. At the end of breakfast, as the plates were cleared, Harry found himself feeling love around this table. True, they had lost everything, but they still had each other. He would trade every Knut he had just to have been reared with this kind of love.
As the elder brothers left to explore the castle and grounds with their own map, Remus made his apologies and left to do some business for the order. Rowan retreated to the library. The four youngest teenagers looked to the oldest red-heads as Dumbledore left as well. Harry spoke first. "This is your home. I have several apparently. More than I can really grasp right now." Molly made to interrupt him, but Harry stood up and smiled at her. "Mrs. Weasley, do you remember when I got to the order's headquarters a few days ago?" She nodded. "What did you do?"
"I… hugged you while you cried for Sirius, your parents, and things I don't even know about." She answered, seemingly pleased with herself, her eyes meeting his as he smiled to her.
He wasn't embarrassed as a normal teen age boy might be. He agreed with her. "That's right and I cried for a long time if I remember correctly. You probably don't realize this, but you are the closest thing to a parent in my life. As much as I love Remus and Albus, they have only recently come into my life in that capacity. For six years, you and Mr. Weasley have opened your home to me. Knowing that I bring trouble to whoever I associate with. I have led your son, daughter and Hermione into more mischief that Fred and George combined. Their lives are constantly in danger, as are yours. You lost your home because of me. But every time I see either one of you, you show me forgiveness, courage, and love. The strength you find with each other amazes me every time I am privileged to witness it." He paused thinking about the tenderness he was never shown while on Privet drive.
"Mrs. Weasley, I don't understand everything that is happening. I only know that because of a prophesy of some batty old woman, I get to be the one to change things. I have learned, however, that I can't do this alone. I need love around me. I need someone to be near so I can draw strength from them. Who else do you know can fill that order?" She shook her head, not quite understanding what he was on about, "Only the family you have reared. Your history, love, strength, concern and a thousand other positive things tell me you are the ones I need in this role. I love Remus and Albus, but neither of them is a parent like you are. Please, stay here. Make this house a home for Weasley's. Make it a home I can come to and enjoy the company of my best friends. Please." he begged.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley looked to one another. Relief softened the edge of losing the home they had shared for so many years. As Harry realized that they had silently agreed, he shouted out loud, "YES!" Composing himself, he called for Dobby, who appeared instantly. Harry leaned down and whispered something in his ear. Dobby nodded and left.
Several minutes later found the group looking at some hundred house-elves. Hermione's eyes widened as she looked at these creatures in their clean pressed pillowcases. She opened her mouth, but Ron hissed "Not now". She glared at him, but did not speak.
Harry looked to the sea of house-elves and spoke. "Is everyone here? Good. I would like to introduce myself. I am Harry Potter, son of James and Lily Potter. Apparently this home is now mine. Uh… and so are all of you. I would like to compliment you all on a job well done. The place looks great." The house-elves looked a bit smug but no one interrupted him. "First, I would like to know if any of you would like to be free." The house-elves shocked at the mention of freedom shook their heads no.
Harry proceeded, looking to Hermione "Would any of you like pay for the work you do? Or perhaps time off to go see a relative?" The elves eyes widened in horror. Harry took that as a no. "I would like to get to know each of you, but at this point there is no time. Next summer, after I finish my final year at Hogwarts, I will return and make a real effort to get to know each of you. In the mean time, with Dobby's assistance, each of your names will appear on your Pillowcase." A snap of his fingers and each elf had his or her names in scarlet lettering appear on their pillowcase.
Smiling, Harry said "Thank you Dobby. Additionally, I would like to introduce to you Arthur and Molly Weasley. They will be living here, hopefully forever, with their children and grandchildren. Should they need or want anything, I want you to consider them to be my family. Ron Weasley is my brother and Hermione Granger is my sister, though not of blood. Ginny Weasley is the one who holds my heart. There are five older brothers. Although Percy is still questionable," he looked apologetically at Mrs. Weasley before continuing, "he is welcome here as well. Anyone who Arthur or Molly deem suitable will be here. Are there any questions?"
Only one elf raised a hand. "Yes?" Harry asked
"Sirs, begging pardon, but we is tied to the house of Potter, not Weasley."
Harry thought for a moment before answering. "Yes, but Ginny Weasley and I are tied by the heart." The Weasleys' eyes opened wide at this declaration but said nothing. "One day, if I am lucky, she will be mistress of this house. Until that day, when we are both of age, I would like her parents to be in charge, as my… guardians of sort," this seemed acceptable to the elves, "If you have any additional questions that you did not want to ask in front of everyone, please find me later and we will take time to answer them." The room was suddenly empty as he turned to Ginny. "Close your mouth Miss Weasley. You know I love you." And with that sudden verbalization, his heart was lighter than he knew possible.
When everyone, including Ginny, Ron, and Hermione left the room, Harry sat between Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "Before you say anything else, let me make a few things very clear," he waited to see if they were going to interrupt, "I can't make long term promises to anyone. Not Ginny. Not Ron. Not Hermione. Not either of you. I don't know what will happen when the final war begins. Too many people know about the prophesy at this point.
"What I do know, is that if, by the Grace of God, or Merlin, or the great Elders above that, I can actually defeat this man, snake, what ever you want to call him, I will want a home to be waiting. I will want to be with Ginny. She is the only one in the world that will ever understand all the horrible things I have lived through. She is the only one who understands the nightmares and can make them go away just with a whispered word.
"I won't hurt her on purpose. I only realized my true feelings for her when we were walking downstairs tonight. I… for the first time since I was told the original prophesy, I… want a future. I want more than anything else to win just so I could have a future."
"Harry…"
"No, wait Mr. Weasley. I really need to say this to you… You have both accepted me as your own. My hair doesn't match, my personality doesn't fit, and honestly, I don't have a clue how you could love me, but it something I never doubt. I don't have anyone else. I was serious when I said that before. If… something happens to me… you will be my heirs. I don't know exactly what I own at this point, but it will be yours." He knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. "Please don't cry Mrs. Weasley. I am going to have Remus call a solicitor to come out here and get this all straightened out legally. The house already knows you are the guardians. The elves accept you. Please, just promise me that you will always take care of the Weasley family with whatever you want or need from me, if I am not around to give it." He stopped for a moment. Both the adults were letting the tears flow down their cheeks as they held hands and looked to him. "Promise me. Please." He half begged.
They both nodded their agreement. "Good, with that said, I have a call to make. Excuse me." And whistling, he left the room and the adults to find a fireplace.
When Molly went to wake Harry early the next morning, she was shocked to find all four of the teenagers in the large bed. Hermione snuggled close between Ron and Harry. Ginny was snuggled in close to Harry. She took a moment to stop herself from shrieking at them when she saw the situation. Finally deciding to wake them anyway, she cleared her throat before saying, "It's time to get up you lot. I'll see you downstairs, and at some point… we will be discussing your choices for sleeping arrangements."
Hermione's eyes opened wide at her words. Molly retreated as the four teenagers realized that they had all ended up together. It might have been odd to the outsider, but it had been late last night when they finished talking. Hermione was often found to not be able to sleep alone, having even crawled into Ginny's bed a few times to stop the nightmares which claimed her soul as she tried to find rest. Only when she was with others, did they seem to not be able to take hold of her. Her mind and heart healed when she was in his arms; she was just worried that Mrs. Weasley would not understand.
The four dressed in the two separate bathrooms; using clothes from the massive closets. Ginny resisted the urge to put on the translucent silver dress robe that had caught her eye, making the more sensible decision to wear jeans and a t-shirt with her sandals. Hermione chose a similar outfit as well. They held hands when they left the room, determined to present a united front against the one they all now called 'mum'.
Luckily, when they arrived to breakfast, a group of people were already assembled. Harry knew he was simply putting off the conversation that Mrs. Weasley was sure to have with them later, but at the least, he would not have to deal with it before breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Professors Dumbledore, Lupin, and Professor Black sat at the breakfast table with a man they did not recognize. He was introduced as a Mr. Obee, partner from the Eagle Law Firm, and the goblin was Gargrel, of the Gringott's Goblin Horde. Each had been handling and supervising the Potter Estate since James died. Only after Lily was murdered, did they begin handling the Evans estate as well. Harry looked around the table before speaking.
"Thank you for coming out this early. I need to make this legal just in case anything… wild… happens to me," the others seem to wait with baited breath, "I would like to make out my… last will and testament." Mrs. Weasley sobbed as the words reached her ears.
"I'm sorry to make you cry Mrs. Weasley; please don't," he waited until she was breathing normally again before continuing, "Mr. Obee and Gargrel, I would like the following to happen immediately. Please draw up whatever paperwork is necessary so that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley immediately will be put in charge of my Estates should anything happen to me. When Ginny, Hermione, and Ron are of age, they will receive twenty-five percent each of all holdings, with Hermione in charge of the Muggle holdings. I want her to always consult with Ron and Ginny before making big decisions. The other twenty-five percentof my estates should be divided as follows: five percent to Remus Lupin and the remaining twenty percent to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who at their personal discretion may subdivide it to whom they see fit." Mr. Weasley knew in an instant that he was referring to Percy, but said nothing.
"I want that IRON CLAD, no loop-holes. If I am dead, it's immediate. If I'm missing, give them… three days to find me. Then transfer everything to them until I am found. If I am incapacitated, they need to stay in charge until I am okay. Make it magical as to when the transfers happen. If I am not found alive in say… five years, declare me dead and give it to them anyway."
"Mr. Potter, this is highly unusual. Would you not be better to leave it to an heir?" Mr. Obee asked his young client.
"Mr. Obee. I am almost seventeen years old. My girlfriend and I have been together less than twenty-four hours. Where would you suggest I get an heir?"
Harry watched as his eyes darted to Rowan, before stating, "It will be done as you wish, of course. Do you agree with the terms of this will?" he asked the Professors. They all three nodded.
"Uhm, excuse me, but Professor Black, what do you have to do with this decision?"
"She is only here as a witness Harry," interjected Dumbledore, "do not concern yourself."
Harry was not convinced, but the Goblin stood up in the seat and asked him something. "Mr. Potter, are you aware that you have not only inherited the Potter's and one-half of one-third of the Black estate, but that you are also sole owner of an extremely large Muggle estate?"
"Yes, that's why I want Hermione over that part. She's muggleborn and understands what will be needed."
"Do you have any clue how much monetary value you have?"
"Enough to make Voldemort go away?" The adults in the room snickered. "Honestly, no, not a clue, but from the sounds of things, you do. Enlighten me."
"The Black Vault, on the lowest level of Gringott's is roughly the size of a Quiddich Pitch, full of texts, money, and jewels. The Potter Vault is LARGER than the Black vault. The Evans' estate, well, it was large when it was all transferred in, but now, with sixteen years of solid interest, well, it's so full, well; there are now two of them."
"Monetary Value please?"
"The Potter Estate, alone, is roughly… before today's interest of course, and without value of homes, properties, and real estate, somewhere around… 400 BILLION galleons. Your percentage of the Black Estate adds in perhaps another billion galleons." There was a collective gasp around the table. Not even Dumbledore seemed aware of the total. "The Muggle Estate is worth somewhere around 475 Billion; again, not including the values of the Real Estate. That is just what is in accounts world wide. Let me just say that you are the single richest person in the world."
"Uhm, no, didn't realize that," Harry sat for a moment, as did the others, thinking quietly and seriously before speaking again, "Mr. Weasley, would you… would you still be willing to be my heir? I mean it's going to be a lot to handle. I don't have a clue what to do with that kind of money. But, honestly, it doesn't mean a lot to me."
Mr. Weasley stood and paced for a moment before answering. "Yes, Harry, I believe that Molly and I are up to the challenge. After the Twins, what trouble are a few billion galleons going to cause?"
Harry rose from his seat and hugged the older man; relief flooded his senses. "Thank you Mr. Weasley…for everything. I… Love you." At the close of the meeting, Harry signed a letter of intent for the completion of the Will he had just outlined to his solicitor. The letter would serve in the event anything happened before the final paperwork could be completed. When they left, it was decided that no one else should know about the monetary value of the estates. Although Harry, smiling broadly, suggested that Remus go shopping and buy new robes soon.
