After finishing their scrumptious ice cream, the Weasleys and the Potters headed towards the portkey for Ron and Hermione's house. They walked to a spot that was rather secluded and grabbed what looked like an old tin can. They were sent with a whoosh, to just near the Burrow, where Ron had his mansion custom built (much to the joy of his mother). The door magically swung open when Ron stepped upon the doormat. Harry looked stunned and smirked.
"So this is what fame gets you, eh? Even your doors open for you," he said grinning.
"You're one to talk about fame Harry," Ron retorted, folding his arms, "Come on in then." Harry and the others stepped through the giant oak doors into the hallway of the Weasley mansion. The Weasley mansion….these words would have been laughed at in Harry's Hogwarts years. Harry had been here before but each time, it never ceased to amaze him. The whole house was floored with dark hardwood and the walls were wooden as well, made toresemble aVictorian house. Ron had paintings of his family up everywhere. He also managed to tastefully decorate the house with paintings (although that may have been Hermione's doing). A large grandfather clock stood near one of the two grand staircases and it was the exact replica of Mrs. Weasley's location clock. Everyone's indicator was currently pointing at 'home'. James and Isabelle ran forward, excitedly jabbering on about something. The patter of Victoria's feet followed them. Hermione walked in and turned to the group. She was about to say something when she looked at her blood-stained shirt and frowned.
"Oh bugger—I'm going to change, but as soon as I get back we'll decide what to eat for dinner!" She exclaimed, heading for the stairs.
"Be careful darling, walk slowly," Ron cautioned her. She waved her hands as if to say that she was alright.
"Ginny, why don't you go with her, I'm sure she'll need some help," Harry suggested.
"Yeah, I think I will, just to be safe. Hermione's not always sane when she's pregnant," she smiled and left after Hermione. Harry and Ron were left alone. They walked over to the study and sat down in green squashy armchairs. Harry sighed.
He leaned in and started talking very quietly, "So Ron…about the 'situation', it's serious Ron...in all my days as an Auror, even after Voldemort himself—" Ron flinched still at the sound of his name, Harry continued, "Oh Ron get over it. He's gone. Dead...so as I was saying, this is serious dark magic and I'd keep an eye on your daughter really closely. I'll check up now and then. And I'll take this," he pulled the page out of his pocket, "To be tested at the ministry. See where it came from."
Harry turned his head while looking at the page. The tree appeared to have healed. It wasn't bleeding anymore. "That's odd...it—"
Harry started to say something, but was interrupted by a green puff of smoke, followed by the magical tying of a green string to Ron's index finger. Harry noticed the expression on Ron's face. He looked like he was going to be sick. He stood slowly and covered his face with his hands.
"Ohhh….no….bloody hell!" he expressed his words with a smack to his forehead, "My Quidditch game, Harry! I've missed the first game of the season! That's what the green string was for—work! They're probably off their bloody rocker, wondering why I haven't shown up!" Ron looked really queasy and Harry tried to think rationally, amidst Ron's blubbering. Honestly, what would he do without Hermione?
"Ron—why don't you just send them an owl and tell them you're on your way?" Harry asked sympathetically.
Ron shook his head, "No, it starts at 6:00—that's in five minutes!" he yelped, frowning.
"Then just apparate there! I'll explain to Hermione and the others. Go!" He shoved Ron to a corner. Ron nodded and disappeared with a pop.
Harry ventured out into the main hallway and was greeted by Hermione, who came down the stairs and clasped her hands together, "So, what shall we eat—where's Ron?" Harry explained the whole situation with her and she panicked, but slowly relaxed after Ginny's pleading.
"Okay so my choice of menu!" she exclaimed and walked into the kitchen. Harry and Ginny reluctantly followed her, remembering the last time she cooked. They rather unfortunately came down with a case of food poisoning. They walked into a kitchen that looked like it was out of a medieval magazine. A large brick oven was the focal point of the room and it was flanked by grey stone walls, that covered the entire room. On the wall opposite the oven was a gigantic fireplace that was currently not lit in the summer time. In between these two walls ran a long oak table, surrounded by enough chairs for the whole Weasley family. Hermione began pulling out pots and pans with her wand as she opened the window. The pans settled on top of the counter near the sink and Hermione's wand now prompted fresh vegetables to float from the garden in the window, as if pulled by an invisible string. James and Isabelle came running up.
"Dad, can we play outside?" James asked Harry, ever so sweetly.
Harry looked at Hermione and Ginny, who nodded, "Sure you can, go on." They ran out to the garden, skipping as they went. The little patter of Victoria's feet again followed them, much to the dismay of Isabelle. Harry looked at Ginny and Hermione who were happily chattering and waving their wands to cut up veggies.
"…I can't believe I didn't think of it before!" Hermione was saying to Ginny, "I mean, I've been trying to cook the muggle way and it tasted horrible! I can finally use my talents to cook—using magic!" she said, rolling her eyes. Half and hour later, the kitchen was filled with the smell of such wonderful food, that they'd only previously smelled coming from the burrow.
Hermione turned to them, "Dinner's ready!" Dishes that smelled of delicious care floated onto the table as scrumptious smells wafted into everyone's noses and made their mouth water. Even the kids came in to fill their tired tummies. Everyone sat down to eat just as the doorbell rang.
Ginny stood up, "I'll get it!" She went to the door and the kids naturally craned their necks to see who it was. Ginny brought some familiar faces into the kitchen.
"Uncle Fred! Uncle George!" Victoria ran up to hug them.
George picked her up, "Hey Vicky!" Fred and George were dressed in trim black suits with neatly cut hair.
Hermione rolled her eyes, "You guys! I told you it was informal..."
Fred brushed his nails against his collar, "Well you know, when you got the money, you don't dress funny."
George continued, "Yes you see, because of our multi-million galleon business our house is so full of notes that we've begun using it as everything. Napkins, note pads, paper airplanes...loo seat covers." They all laughed. A second doorbell rang as the faces of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley entered.
Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly, "We let ourselves in dears."
Ginny waved it away, "That's alright mum, come and sit." Everyone sat together at the long table dishing out the wonderful food. Hermione got up and walked to the kitchen drawer, she brought back something that made Mr. Weasley's eyes light up.
"Is that—what I think it is?" Mr. Weasley asked happily.
"Yes, my parents sent it to me after they bought a new one. It's for you!" Hermione squealed.
Mr. Weasley looked teary-eyed, "A telly-phone! For me? Why bless you love!" he gave her a gigantic hug and examined his new possession. After they cleaned up—which consisted of a couple of spells—they all sat in the living room for tea and biscuits. Fred walked over to the kids and pulled out a purple velvet sack.
Isabelle's eyes widened, "Ooohhh have you brought us something?"
Fred nodded, "Look inside."
She shoved a hand to the bottom of the bag. "There's nothing inside!"
Fred laughed he called over to his brother, "George if you'd like to do the honours."
George pulled out his wand and pointed at the bag, "Encapsulate!" Fred immediately turned it over as dozens of candies fell out. The kids dropped to the floor opening every wrapper.
Hermione looked unsure, "Oh...that's a lot of sugar—," she looked around at everyone's expression, "Sorry, my parents are dentists," she said sheepishly, while everyone laughed quietly.
"So Harry, how's work going? Caught any criminals lately?" Mr. Weasley chuckled.
"Well, the usual…although I must say, you must have your hands full as well," Harry replied.
Mr.Weasley looked stressed as he answered Harry, "Yes well, I never thought that becoming Minister of Magic would mean more trouble than it would honour. Still, I have to say I enjoy the challenge. What good is a job that doesn't keep you on your toes eh?" he said smiling.
Hermione, half way through drinking her tea, set it down and looked like she was trying to decide upon something. Her brow furrowed, her eyes focused hard and she bit her lip. Harry had seen that look before on Ginny. Hermione clutched her stomach and yelled in pain. She looked at Harry and his worst fears came true. Time for the hospital.
A/N Please read and Review, I appreciate it. Thanks.