A/N: Two chapters in two days!

I wanted to give y'all a new year's present. I hope y'all enjoy Chapter 18.

Edit: I didn't realize that there were a few words left off at the end of this chapter when I posted it, so it is fixed now.

The Grand Re-Opening

Saturday morning rolled around, and Bill and Fleur met Molly and Hermione at the Burrow before heading to Diagon Alley. Harry and Ginny were already at the joke shop as they were helping George out. No matter how hard the Weasley matriarch tried, she could not convince either of her hard-headed sons to see their brother. Ron wouldn't even listen to Hermione. It broke Molly's heart with how everything was going. Her life had been flipped upside down; however, right now was not the time to think about that.

The group could barely make their way through the aisles half an hour after Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes had opened its doors. Kids were shouting, vials were bubbling, and trinkets were making an array of noises. The store had returned to its normal before the war had disrupted all businesses in Diagon Alley.

Molly spotted Ginny helping a customer and Harry at the cash register before finding George who was bounding down the staircase.

"Hello, everyone!" George exclaimed, a broad grin on his face.

"This is amazing, George! It looks like it's busier than it used to be," Hermione marveled.

"Yeah, I hope you have enough people working. Ginny and Harry would probably pass out before lunch," Bill commented.

"Verity is back. Lee, Angelina, and Katie are helping out for the meantime as well. Do you want to come into my office where it's not so loud?"

"Thank you, but Bill and I must get to work. We only had a few minutes to pop in," Fleur stated.

"She's right. Sorry, George," Bill apologized. "I'm glad everything is going well."

"I understand. Thanks for stopping by," George bid farewell. "Mum? Hermione?"

"Actually, I'm going to look around some. You don't have to wait around for me, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said.

""Whatever you want is on the house, Hermione," George called after her as she weaved her way through the crowd. "Alright, Mum, this way."

Once in the back office, Molly enveloped her son in a bear hug. It had been too crowded to do so in the store. "I am so proud of you, George," she said, patting his cheek. "Fred would be happy you opened back up," she choked.

"I know, Mum," George replied through a watery smile.

Clearing her throat, Molly asked, "So, how have you been, out on your own?"

Nodding, George replied, "I've been good. It's different, but not bad."

"You can move back home if you still aren't ready?"

"No, Mum, really. I'm fine," George assured her.

Mother and son spent the next ten minutes talking until there was a knock on the door and Ginny's head popped in. Not even looking at her mother, she informed George of an upset customer before disappearing again. This behavior was nothing new to Molly. Ever since she was told she couldn't move out until her birthday, Ginny had been colder toward her mother than she had been before.

"I guess I'll leave you to it then," Molly told George as she stood.

"I'll see you later, Mum. Love you," George said, hugging his mother.

"I love you too, Georgie."

The conversation left both Weasleys distracted. It had nothing to do with the content of the talk, but the person they were talking to. For George, he was still upset with his mum for the way she had been treating the situation with his dad, but he loved her no less. Molly sensed George's feelings and suspected that was why he moved out in the first place even though he had not explicitly stated his reasoning. She also had an itching feeling that he had lied to her about being fine by himself.

Consumed in her thoughts, Molly bumped into someone, which was already difficult to avoid with how packed the store was. Strong hands grabbed her by the shoulders, steadying her.

"Molly?" a thick Irish accent asked.

Looking up, Molly's eyes met a piercing green gaze. "Conner?"

"We really need to stop meeting like this," Conner chuckled. "How have you been?"

"Oh, I've…I've been alright. And you?"

"I can't complain. Did things work out with your husband? Is he any better?" Conner inguired innocently.

At this, Molly stiffened. "Um – No…No, not really. I – I actually kicked him out. And things have been so topsy-turvy recently, I can't think straight," she quietly answered.

His expression softening, Conner apologized, "I'm so sorry to hear that…Would you like to get some coffee and talk about it? Or just try and clear your head?"

Appalled, Molly accused, "Are you asking me on a date? I am still a married woman and –"

"No, no, no," Conner interrupted. "I'm sorry. I meant as friends. I thought it might be good to get away from everything for a little while."

Molly deflated. "Oh, okay then. I don't suppose that could hurt."

oOoOo

After a long week, it was finally Saturday, and Percy was eating lunch at his kitchen table when his father finally came out of the guest bedroom.

"Good morning, Dad. There's some stuff for sandwiches, or I made pancakes this morning," Percy stated politely.

"Thank you, Percy," Arthur acknowledged as he began fixing himself a cup of coffee and plate of pancakes.

Father and son were on better terms than they were Wednesday. When Arthur had come back to the flat to get his things after work, Percy had stopped him. By that time, Arthur had sobered up and was thinking clearly, so the two were able to have a civil discussion.

"I was waiting to see if you wanted to go with me to see George," Percy began. "Mum and Bill went earlier this morning, so you don't have to worry about running into them. I don't think Charlie and Ron were planning on going at all." He wouldn't say anything about his father's late night the night before as that was one of the stipulations they had gone over earlier in the week.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, Arthur replied, "Um – Yeah, yeah. Let me finish this and get ready, and I'll go with you."

"Great!" the young man beamed. It had been unclear if Arthur would go to the joke shop even after their talk, so this was a nice surprise. Now Percy just hoped his dad would shave before they went.

"Oh, Dad, you'll be on your own for dinner tonight," Percy said even though his father was never there for dinner.

"Hmm, and why is that?" Arthur speculated, knowing his son was only wanting to tell him some bigger news.

"I'm…I'm proposing to Audrey tonight!" The smile that spread across Percy's face could light up a room.

Clapping his son on the back, Arthur returned the smile "Good luck, Son. She's a nice girl. I'm sure she'll say yes. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad."

oOoOo

An hour later, Percy and Arthur entered Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. The shop was still as noisy and crowded as ever. They spotted George straight away as he was helping a customer at the front of the store. The two observed a nearby display while they waited.

As soon as he was finished, George rushed over to his father and brother and hugged them both.

"Hey, Percy. Dad, you came!" Neither Arthur nor Percy had seen a smile that big adorn George's face in years.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Son," Arthur grinned. "This is brilliant. I'm sure you'll sleep like a rock tonight."

"Busiest day since we've been in business."

Since Arthur hadn't seen the store recently and Percy had never seen it, George showed them around, ending with the muggle magic tricks; however, this didn't get an enthusiastic response out of his dad like he expected. Before George or Percy could ask about it, Ginny approached them.

"Hey, Percy."

"Hey, Ginny. Busy day today, eh?"

"Hi, Dad," Ginny said timidly. The whole reason she came over here was to see her dad, but after what happened, she was a bit uneasy.

"Hey, sweetie," Arthur held out his arms to hug his daughter who relaxed a little. "I'm sorry about the other night. You have to understand that it still isn't safe to go out by yourself, especially at night. It scares me to think what could've happened if you ran into the wrong person."

"Okay, Daddy. I'm sorry too," Ginny apologized. "Can we talk in the office for a minute?"

Arthur nodded then followed his daughter through the crowd. George was about to protest before Percy stopped him and mouthed that their dad was sober. This gave the brothers a chance to talk more openly.

After making sure his dad was out of earshot, George faced Percy. "Has he said anything to you? Used to, Dad couldn't get enough of this," George gestured to the muggle magic tricks..

"Honestly, George, I've barely seen him all week. Until this morning, I wasn't sure if he was even coming. "

"Should we ask him?"

"About what's bothering him?"

George nodded.

Thinking for a minute, Percy shook his head. "Not right now. He's having a good day, and I don't want to make him mad."

"Merlin, I hate this." George rubbed his hands over his face. "I wish things would go back to normal. The war fucked everything up."

Percy sighed. "I know. But we have to accept it and move on, and we can't make Dad do that. It's up to him."

George nodded his understanding. "You know, when Mum was here this morning, she tried getting me to move back to the Burrow. I told her I was fine here."

"Are you?" Percy questioned.

"Pfft. No, but I'm not moving back home. I feel bad that Ginny has to stay there. She only has Harry and Hermione really…Do you think Dad could stay with me?"

"George…I doubt he'd go for it. It was hard enough for me to convince him to stay at my place."

"I can try though, right?"

Percy shrugged. "I don't see why not."

Ginny and Arthur rejoined them, having worked things out. Being older and more mature than their sister, George and Percy knew it was temporary because next time Ginny encountered a drunken Arthur, things would fall apart again. They hadn't the heart to tell her though.

"Dad," George began, "it's been pretty tough, living by myself. I was wondering if you'd like to move in?"

"I'm sorry, George, but I'm not sure I'd be much help."

"Of course you would," George protested.

"I'm at work late most days, "Arthur lied. "So it wouldn't be all that different."

Getting rid of his sister, George asked, "Ginny, will you go give Verity a break?"

"Sure. Bye, Percy. Bye, Daddy," Ginny agreed, hugging her brother and pecking her dad on the cheek.

Waiting until she was a fair distance away, George turned back to his dad. "I know you and Mum said 'no,' but what about Ginny? She keeps telling me how much she hates it at home, and I need someone here…" George looked at his dad pleadingly.

Arthur thought for a moment. His son had a good point. Ginny had just told him how she hated it at the Burrow. There really was no reason to deny his request.

"What about Harry?" Arthur inquired.

"He's only staying there for Ginny. If she moves in with me, he can too. Or there's Grimmauld Place."

"Alright, it's fine with me," Arthur conceded. "But it's ultimately up to your mother."

"Can you talk with her? It's just that, this morning I told her I was fine here by myself because she was trying to get me to move back." George knew it was highly unlikely that his dad would agree and if he did, it would be a tense conversation between his parents, but he gave it a shot.

Running a hand through his hair, Arthur let out a deep breath. This was not a conversation he would like to have. Currently, any conversation with Molly was not a conversation he'd like to have. This was for his son though, and his daughter in a way. He agreed.

"Okay. I can come by tonight after you close. Get your mother here, and don't say anything to Ginny yet. The three of us can sit down and talk."

"Thank you, Dad. Thank you. Thank you," George beamed. "Well, I need to get back to work. I'm glad you came by," he said, hugging his brother and father in turn. "I'll see you around nine tonight, Dad?"

"I'll see you tonight, Son," Arthur confirmed. This would impede his own plans, but he wanted to be there for his kids.

A/N: Alright, so I hope y'all liked this one. I actually had not thought any on this chapter until I started writing it a couple days ago.

Dark Noct, thank you for your review. I am glad you are enjoying the story. Honestly, I don't think I've ever read one of those types of stories, but if it is beginning to become cliché please let me know as I am not a big fan of clichés either. There are probably more good dads/husbands out there than bad ones. Mine is one of the former. Best dad ever! I hope you continue to read and enjoy.

Everyone else, please keep reading and reviewing. I kind of know how the conversation will go about Ginny living with George, but not sure about anything else for the next chapter, so if there is anything y'all want to see let me know.