Chapter seventeen: visiting rights

Remus was very pleased to hear that the ward cleansing had been successful. His Cub's - to exclude Ron from that designation was now unthinkable, though Sirius had used the term Pup in relation to the redhead a few times and it seemed likely to stick - had returned from the ritual exhausted and more than a little unnerved. They had locked themselves in their room with some very strong privacy wards, and come out a day later looking quite smug.

Molly was like a new witch, now that her daughter had been exonerated of turning her back on one of the family. Percy had always been a burden around her neck, but to have Ginny at odds with them as well had been frankly stressful. That her son and son-in-law had played a key role in returning Ginny to the fold had seen her spoiling both boys quite a bit, and watching Harry's shy responses to that spoiling had been a pleasure to say the least. Their Cub didn't get any spoiling while growing up, but better was late than never, and his time with three resident parents was allowing Harry to experience some of his lost childhood.

Today Ginny and Hermione would be coming for a brief visit at the girl's anxious request. They had been terribly upset, and as it was a Hogsmede weekend it had been decided to grant their request. Remus and Sirius were both a little concerned about the impending visit, as the last thing Harry needed was for the two girls to reject him again, this time on the basis of his relationship with Ron. Neither teen were in the habit of hiding their regard for each other, not that they skipped along hand in hand either. It was just that both boys had picked up some habits from the established couple in the house, and didn't seem to think twice about it.

Ron for instance was a hauler. Just as Sirius felt free to haul his lover closer, so did the redhead. Neither one of them seemed to care about comfort or company, though Ron didn't do it in 'class time', they just wanted their lover close and had become accustomed to reaching out and dragging them into proximity. Remus and Harry both had become used to both this and the arm that would anchor them at their lover's side. Neither was complaining.

Harry on the other hand, had become a snuggler. He and Remus both were quite happy to sit or stand close for a little while, and then the need to get closer would win out and they'd inch up on their lover, twining their arms around them if they could, or twining their fingers in robes or hands if they couldn't. This little habit went well with the hauling, because it meant that they would always end up in close proximity no matter who started it. Molly was used to this and didn't mind at all that they were affectionate among the family, though kissing in public was an unattractive prospect to both couples, and never done except as a joke. When the Professors came over the teens were more discrete in their touching, and Remus and Sirius toned it down as well.

"Hey Moony!" Ron bounced into the kitchen happily and Remus smiled. The Marauders old nicknames were in frequent use at the moment, something that was a comfortable reminder of happier times.

"Hey Pup," Moony replied and blinked. Yep, the new nickname had definitely stuck, "Ready for the big visit today?"

"Sure," Ron shrugged carelessly, "Harry will be glad to see the girls, and I suppose it will be nice. He misses Gryffindor."

"You don't?" Remus asked curiously, and Ron paused, obviously trying to think of a way to explain clearly.

"Kind of. I miss the House at times, and the stuff we used to get up to, but at the same time I really like being here with the family. It's hard to explain," he shrugged, giving up on the task and Remus smiled in sympathy. He thought he understood. Ron wasn't overshadowed here, in fact he was getting equal billing with Harry, whereas at home or school he was just one of the crowd. Harry on the other hand hated the spotlight and preferred to be just one of the crowd, which was why Gryffindor was sorely missed. That the green-eyed teen loved having his family around him was never in doubt, but at the same time wasn't quite sure how to react to the loving attention he was receiving. Knowing what they did about the Dursley's this was no great surprise.

Breakfast was the usual noisy affair, with people talking comfortably about a wide variety of topics. Molly would be heading back to the Burrow for a few weeks starting tomorrow and Arthur would be going with her. The couple had moved into Sirius' home to help supervise the boys, but were moving back to the Burrow because Bill and Charlie were coming home. As large as Grimmauld place was there simply wouldn't be enough rooms for everyone and still have space to spare for emergencies. The Order was still meeting here after all, and sometimes they had an unexpected overnight guest.

The teens tidied the kitchen up after breakfast and then hauled out their schoolbooks, intending to tackle the three-foot essay set by Sprout on her last visit. The plants in the conservatory were heading into hibernation, and this was the perfect time to complete their journal come catalogue and get things all ready for next spring. Sprout wanted the list before they started planning, and even Snape had mentioned in passing that he'd be interested to see what potions ingredients they had in stock.

The Floo flashed green and two girls whirled out of it just as Ron started arguing with Harry about preparing a third journal designed to track the potions plants and their properties. Harry thought it would be a useful resource to have, but Ron thought that Snape would see it as 'sucking up'. Ron was not about to suck up to the potions master in any way shape or form, and Harry was trying to argue him out of his opposition.

Hermione called their names the moment she stepped from the Floo and they abandoned the argument readily enough, though they left their school things out. She wrapped Harry in a strong hug, muttering a thousand and one apologies at the speed of light in his ear, and then turned and flung herself at Ron. Harry didn't have a chance to smirk at his lover because Ginny had thrown herself at him in a wild hug and was also mumbling apologies, her tone anxious.

"It's ok Ginny," Harry said awkwardly, patting her back in what he hoped was a soothing fashion, "I understand."

Ron was peeling Hermione off him and putting her into a seat and then rescued Harry from Ginny's determined embrace, plonking her in Harry's original chair and selecting one on the opposite side of the table and hauling Harry into the one next to him. His arm stayed on the back of Harry's chair in a silent show of support and Harry gave him a small smile.

"Really girls, it's ok. We understand about the wards and everything," Harry tried to reassure the teens opposite him. Hermione was pale and fidgeting, a sure sign she was upset, and Ginny had her eyes glued to his face, something that had always made him uncomfortable. Although he'd missed the school he had enjoyed the lack of anxious, adoring or arduous stares.

"Ginny, knock it off with the staring," Ron was blunt as ever, "Harry is not a painting."

"Ron, don't be so mean," Hermione immediately rose to the girls defence, "We're both a little worried about…"

"Being forgiven? I think Harry just said you were. He and I both participated in the ward cleansing ceremony that had you wanting him away from the school, so we understand that you were under the influence… so to speak," Ron grinned at his phrasing and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Only you could make a malevolent spell sound like a bout of underage drinking," he teased the redhead, who shrugged amicably. Ginny decided to get off the topic and looked over the notes that they had left out upon the girl's arrival.

"A herbology journal? I didn't know there was a garden here," she looked up, "I suppose you've been keeping up with your studies then."

"Good," Hermione smiled before they could reply, "You won't have as much to catch up with when you return to school."

"Er, Hermione, we're not returning to school," Harry spoke hesitantly, "We're planning to take our NEWTS as independently schooled candidates."

"But Ron! Mum and Dad can't afford…" Ginny stopped abruptly and flushed, and Ron flushed as well. He wasn't happy that Harry was paying the tutoring fees for both of them, but Harry had insisted way back at the start and made Molly and Arthur acquiesce. He wasn't going to let Ron be at a disadvantage because of him, and the fees actually worked out to be the same as the yearly school fees that Hogwarts had required.

"It's been handled," Harry's tone was final, "Ron's fees and mine as well."

"Oh, are your mum and dad paying?" Ginny smiled, unfortunately latching on to the idea that the Potters must have been one big happy family so far. She had obviously forgotten the tension in the house over the summer holidays and Harry didn't want to explain the new situation to her. Hermione was exclaiming in confusion and Ginny took a few moments to explain what had happened this summer, including a few words about how Harry couldn't just tell everyone that his parents were alive at this point.

"Oh Harry that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you! Are they here, can we meet them?" Hermione gushed, and Harry shrugged miserably, unable to meet her eyes.

"They're not here, and you won't be meeting them," Ron said baldly, shifting his arm so it was wrapped around Harry and hauling him closer, "Harry and his parents don't speak to each other, and Sirius has said they're not welcome in his home."

Harry huddled closer as Ron explained in as few words as possible that the Potters had been unable to accept that Harry had created a family of his own and refused to renounce that family in favour of parental authority. When Hermione looked as if she was going to stick her two Knuts worth in he silenced her with a glare and a subtle gesture that told her they'd speak more in detail later.

"Ron, I think you can let go of Harry now," Ginny was looking at them strangely and Harry looked up, blushed and reluctantly peeled himself away. Ron patted his back and put his arm back along Harry's chair, giving Ginny the old 'I dare you to say something' glare as he did. He glanced at the clock and sighed. The girls would be here for another five hours at least, and so far things had not gone well.

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