Sunday
Jo Stark woke a start. Loud crashing noises reached her all the way through the floor and her very comfortable mattress. Another audible thud was followed by the very loud voice of her husband shouting : "Scheiße!"
That didn't sound like someone might be dying, so Jo honestly considered pretending she hadn't heard a thing, but now there were fast footsteps chasing up the stairs and she could hear Lily shouting: "No cheating!", so Jo just gave up and grumpily rolled out of bed. She opened the bedroom door, only for a quick, black shadow to move between her feet and hide under the bed.
"Mama!", Jimmy came to a halt in front of her, "Kater found something to eat again. It's not good for cats."
"Good morning, Jimmy.", Jo sighed and turned around to fall on her knees in front of the bed, with Jimmy hurrying to the other side to keep Kater from escaping. The stupid thing was huddled right where neither of them could catch him, trying to devour his pray. Jo, already used to this routine, threw herself on her stomach, grabbed the grumbling cat and told him sternly: "Nein! Gib das Mama. Gib es her!"
Kater actually did let go of his food, but continued to grumble, when Jo took the piece of chocolate from him and put him down on the couch next to her bedside table.
He sounded a lot like Alec did, when she asked him to clean his room, Jo noted with amusement.
"Where did he even find this?", she asked Jimmy. Normally it was ground rule one: No food anywhere where Kater might find it.
"Dad put it on top of the sideboard last night on his way to bed and forgot about it.", Jimmy grinned gleefully, "Kater managed to pull three plants down with him."
"What? Oh no.", Jo ushered Jimmy outside. Kater, it seemed, had already gone off in search for more chaos to cause. She closed the door carefully and hurried downstairs to find Harry carefully sweeping the floor, her poor little plants put on the sideboard for now. She sighed. New pots, it was. She probably had some still stored out back.
Lily, Alec and Wanda were seated on the couch, watching Harry like hawks. It was sunday, meaning no magic was allowed for either of them. It was a rule they had evoked when they had all moved in together. It was meant to make sure that the kids didn't take magic for granted… make them more aware of how life differed for muggles and especially Jo and it was, Jo had argued, also very important for Harry, since SI was firmly rooted in the muggle world and he really needed to stay up to date, if he wanted to make sure SI would continue to be ahead.
Jo was pretty sure though that Harry hated that rule right now, as he was forced to clean up the mess manually.
The TV was still running. It looked like the kids had had an early start.
"Morning.", she yawned at all of them, "Are you guys hungry yet?"
"Morning!", they all replied, some happier than others.
"I'm hungry.", Lily declared, "But it's not my turn to help set the table."
"Whose is it?", Alec asked, fearful the answer might be him and he'd forgotten again.
"Emmy, but she's still asleep."
Well, Jo thought, it was only eight. No need to wake the sleeping dragon… eh… teenager.
"It's your turn tonight, Jimmy?"
"Yeeeeeees."
"So how about we switch. You can help me with breakfast and Emmy can set the table tonight."
"Mhhhhhh… okay.", Jimmy graciously accepted.
"Can we continue watching without you?", Lily asked.
"No!"
"Then we'll help, too. Right, Wanda?"
"Of course.", Wanda yawned.
Jo smiled at them, as they made their way towards the kitchen, getting everything ready. Harry joined them ten minutes later, shortly after Jo had heard the vacuum. He walked up to her while she was cutting some cheese.
"Morning.", he smiled and pressed a soft kiss on her lips, "I am sorry about the chocolate. I put the plants outside for a bit. I'll get the pots from the utility room after breakfast."
"Thanks.", Jo smiled.
As if he could smell it, Jimmy walked in right when Harry pulled the rolls out of the oven.
"Is Emmy up yet?", Jo asked.
"No. But Teddy is. He'll be down in a sec.", Jimmy explained and sat down on his chair.
"Teddy? When did he get here?", Harry raised an eyebrow. Jo hadn't noticed him coming in, either.
"Late last night. You were already in bed… he says he had to come by last night so he could apparate and wouldn't have to drive down from London."
"I appreciate that.", Jo laughed. Harry was grinning brightly. Teddy leaving school and living on his own had been a hard blow for Harry, but Teddy seemed to miss his loud and busy family as well, coming over for weekends or dinner more than Jo had dared to hope.
"Mooooooorning, Starks!", Teddy sundered in, his hair almost the same bright blue as the streaks in Emmy's hair.
They ate with their usual amount of noise, until Emmy joined them half an hour later.
She looked tired, again.
Jo shared a worried glance with Harry.
"Mama, we are done.", Lily declared, "May we continue our episode?"
"Nachdem ihr eure Sachen weggestellt habt.", she reminded them, dropping into German on instinct. She did that more and more lately, she had noticed. Especially with Alec and Lily, who had taken to her native language the most.
"Na klar!", Lily chirped and the two youngest put their dishes into the dishwasher, looking at Wanda expectantly. "I'll stay", Wanda informed them, "Go on without me."
Alec and Lily looked a little disappointed but let it go, returning back to the couch and continuing their marathon of old Star Trek episodes.
"How is life in London?", Wanda asked Teddy, reaching for another roll.
"Busy.", Teddy shrugged, "And fun. If you're okay with that, I'll come by on Friday to get you."
Wanda nodded enthusiastically.
Jo looked up in surprise. She hadn't heard anything about that yet.
"You are going to London?", Harry asked. Oh, so he hadn't heard about that either, Jo thought.
"Don't worry, Dad. We are going to a concert, then out for drinks or something. With some friends from school."
"If someone recognizes me, we will leave.", Wanda tried to justify herself.
"Oh, I wasn't… I didn't mean to sound disapproving! ", Harry assured her," I was just being… nosy."
"Interested. You are taking an interest in their wellbeing.", Jo laughingly tried to correct him.
"That, too.", Harry smiled, putting his hand on Jo's back and smiling at her.
"Oh no, no PDA at the breakfast table!", Jimmy shouted seemingly in disgust.
"Stop it, Jimmy, don't challenge them.", Emmy groaned, hiding her head in her hands.
"I fail to see the problem. Why is touching her back PDA?", Harry asked, looking like a confused puppy.
"It's not… your eyes are just… way too sappy. ", Jimmy's voice sounded so disgusted, Jo was almost ready to take offense.
"I NEVER look sappy.", she disagreed violently.
"You do!", Teddy, Emmy, Jimmy and (to her surprise) Wanda disagreed in unison.
Jo was so happy to see Wanda joining the banter, she almost forgot to fake annoyance.
"Excuse me? I happen to be cool."
This time it was her own husband, who betrayed her, snorting loudly.
"Et tu, Brutus?"
They continued their playful breakfast long after they had all finished eating and Jo loved every second of it.
After clearing the table together, Jo took her tablet and made her way outside to spend some time reading. Kater found her there, making himself comfortable on her legs and watching as Harry carried three pots back into the house.
She had spend about an hour enjoying her lazy Sunday, when Teddy sat down next to her, looking anxious.
"You okay, Schatz?", Jo asked, carefully putting her tablet down.
"Yeah…", Teddy trailed off. She could see him biting the inside of his cheek, "Jo… I… I don't mean it as an insult. You know that, right?"
Jo blinked. She felt that hint of panic welling up inside of her, that had been her constant companion for so long.
"Insult?", she asked, surprised by how weak her voice sounded.
"That… that I call you Jo, and not Mama… "
Jo let out an audible squeak, causing Teddy to jump a little in surprise.
"Oh, thank God!", she breathed, "I thought you were going to say something horrible… like… you don't want me to come visit you anymore or… I don't know, my frightened brain didn't get there yet. "
"What? No. Of course not! Why would you even think that?", Teddy's eyes were wide in horror.
"I don't know! My brain is an asshole?"
"But… you don't think I am being… horrible? For calling you Jo?"
"Never! Teddy… I… I am not your Mum. I am not trying to replace her in any way. I never will. I love your Dad. And I love you. You. Your siblings. All of you. No matter what might happen one day… even if your Dad and I don't work out… you guys are mine now. My family. And you will always be, for as long as you'll have me. It will never matter to me what you call me. You can call me Jo. You can call me Mama. You can switch between those two… technically you COULD call me Johanna, but I WILL start calling you Edward."
That last sentence had the desired effect of making Teddy laugh despite his nervous expression.
"I won't do that then.", he smiled, "But, Jo? Just so you know? You are a great stepmum. And I do love you, too."
Jo tried desperately to blink the tears away. It was true, she loved Teddy, but he was the oldest. He had been away at school. She had never had as much time with him, as she had had with the younger kids. Carefully she sat up in her chair and bend over to press a soft kiss on his forehead.
"There is no right or wrong here. We are who we are and we do what WE feel comfortable with.", she told him, "As long as you know that I will always be there for you."
Teddy nodded, now also looking suspiciously teary-eyed.
"I was thinking of baking Sunday cake now so we can relax later… wanna help?"
"Can I steal some of the chocolate we need for the cake?"
"Pretty sure that's the main job of a kitchen helper.", Jo smiled and Teddy put his arm around her shoulder as they walked back inside.
"What are we baking?", Wanda asked, still seated at the now empty table, a crossword puzzle in front of her.
"Hello? You are NOT stealing my chocolate.", Teddy huffed.
"I have everything laying around for cherry-chocolate cake.", Jo shrugged, "That was my plan for today."
"Oh, I don't know that one yet.", Wanda smiled, ignoring Teddy completely.
"We'll see, I don't know, if it will be enough for everyone."
"Everyone? Is someone else coming?", Teddy looked confused, as he prepared everything to chop chocolate.
"Yes, your grandparents. Didn't your Dad tell you? I thought that's why you came by. "
"Nope. He didn't tell me. I just came by, because… I wanted to."
"Best reason in the world.", Jo grinned.
"Can I help?", Jimmy stuck his head in through the door.
"Oh dear, ähm…", Jo really wanted to give everyone the opportunity to help, but she really struggled to find something for everyone.
"If we don't have enough, Jimmy and I can bake muffins. The Kinderschokolade ones we did last month.", Wanda offered, trying to hide the hope in her voice. She had obviously really loved those muffins.
"I don't know, if I have all the ingredients. ", Jo furrowed her brow. Jimmy and Wanda looked equally disappointed.
"You know what?", Jo walked over to the other side of the counter and pulled out her wallet, "Why don't the two of you take a car and go into town? Get everything we need?"
"Great idea!", Teddy laughed, "Can you guys get me a frozen pizza? So I don't have to go shopping after work tomorrow?"
"Yes!", Jimmy agreed, "Let's go, Wanda!"
Wanda looked at the wallet Jo was handing her with shock. Now that she was thinking about it, Jo wasn't sure she had ever send Wanda shopping by herself before, but she could definitely drive. Both Jo and Harry had practiced with her.
"Which car may we take?", she asked, her voice overly formal.
"Your pick.", Jo shrugged.
Wanda still looked slightly unsure as Jimmy dragged her off towards the garage.
Jo walked into the living room to find Emmy, Alec, Lily and Harry sitting on the couch, laughing joyfully. She gave Harry a questioning look, who followed her gaze towards Emmy and he shook his head. Jo sighed and walked back into the kitchen. She was worried, really worried about Emmy. Harry and her had been talking about what to do for a while and now that Emmy was home for the summer, they planned to sit down with her and discuss the possible options they had come up with.
Teddy meanwhile had turned the music up and was half dancing through the kitchen, measuring ingredients and singing loudly. He looked so happy and carefree that Jo just joined in and they were still singing, when Wanda and Jimmy returned an hour later.
On Sundays there were no lunches, only really big breakfasts. More room for cake, Harry liked to say. With cake and muffins already prepared and cooling down, the Starks spend their afternoon outside. Harry, Lily and Jimmy were teaching Wanda how to ride a broom. Emmy and Jo were both reading and enjoying the sun, while Alec was (again) chasing Kater through the garden. Alec obviously wanted to cuddle the willful cat. Kater wasn't that cuddly. He valued his independence greatly. That or he just liked to annoy Alec.
Emmy squealed in shock as Kater just jumped on her stomach to get over her chair and then sprinted off.
"Unfair!", Alec panted and ran around the obstacle that was his sister.
"Mama, your cat is insane.", Emmy sighed and put her book away to lean back and close her eyes.
"Well yes, of course. He is our cat.", Jo shrugged, "How was he supposed to become anything else?"
"I remember that Alec wanted a cat once he went to Hogwarts. Dad was really against it."
"And he still is. We both are. A school is no place for a cat. An owl, yes, but no cat. Kater will stay here."
"I still think it's funny. Dad really doesn't like cats."
Jo couldn't help laughing. Maybe, she thought, the kids didn't know their father as well as they liked to think.
"Hello? Where is everyone?", Arthur Weasley's voice interrupted them.
"Granddad!", Emmy jumped out of her seat and went to hug him enthusiastically, before repeating the whole thing with her grandma. Alec was trailing behind them, carrying an annoyed looking Kater. Apparently he had intercepted his grandparents on the front lawn.
The others were still enthralled in their game and hadn't noticed the new arrivals, so Jo got up and carefully hugged both Weasleys. She was happy to see them, of course, but a visit by Ginny's parents always felt especially stressful to her.
"How are you, dear?", Molly asked politely.
"Very well. And you?"
The pleasantries continued until the others finally noticed and hurried towards the ground.
Together they set the table outside and Jo was pleasantly surprised to see that Molly had brought Treacle Tart. Harry was beaming at his favourite dessert.
"So much food!", Alec exclaimed and plopped down on his seat, waiting impatiently for everyone to sit down as well.
"That does NOT mean you have to eat it in one go.", Harry chastised.
"You just want to take some to work tomorrow.", Jo teased.
"If that's an option, I am getting in line!", Teddy chimed in and sat down next to Alec.
At some point Jo just had to zone out of all the conversations around. Questions were flying back and worth… How is school? Work? The cousins?
It was just way too… loud.
Suddenly she could feel Harry's hand in hers, squeezing it softly.
"You alright?", he whispered, making sure no one else could hear him.
"Yeah."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Okay… I am not great, but not horrible, either. Just… tired."
Harry didn't look convinced, but didn't press the matter, either.
Suddenly there was a huge amount of shuffling and Jo wondered when exactly the kids had all decided to get up. She hadn't been listening for way too long.
"Mama, do you still need your plate?", Lily asked.
"No. No, thank you."
Lily smiled and took Jo's plate inside, before she ran after the others.
"They are teaching Wanda how to fly a broom.", Harry explained.
"Oh, why is that okay?", Arthur asked, looking slightly confused," We drove down here… No magic! It was very nice, though. Very interesting. You really get to see more of the countryside."
"We weren't really sure about brooms at first.", Harry admitted," We discussed it at length and decided that brooms were toys and we didn't want to take away the usual Sunday matches. Especially now, that Teddy mostly comes by on the weekends."
"It is a good idea.", Arthur smiled, "And since you have many muggles in your family, the idea is even better."
"Speaking of family: How are things with you and Tony?", Molly asked and Jo felt Harry's grip on her hand tighten.
"It's been better.", Harry told her, carefully trying to keep his face neutral.
"Has it been worse?", Molly asked.
"No."
"Oh, Harry, what am I going to do with you boys?"
Jo felt anger well up inside.
"Nothing. They are two grown men. They can figure out their own problems.", she hissed, surprised by the sharpness in her voice.
"They are family. Not talking to each other, it's just not right. They need to work this out. "
"Just because they are brothers, doesn't mean they should just… No, you do not have to 'work it out'. Not everything can be 'worked out'."
Molly opened her mouth to answer, when she suddenly stopped and narrowed her eyes at Arthur, who gave her a meaningful glance. Jo meanwhile felt like exploding, her hand was shaking, Harry was still holding it tight. She hated this, all of it.
There it was again, that old feeling of anger, shame, guilt, resolve, sadness…
"It's not something we should discuss today. Please.", Harry ended the discussion. Molly still didn't look convinced, but didn't go on.
"I'll go see if the dishwasher is full.", Jo declared and jumped up to almost run inside.
She leaned on the counter and breathed in. And out. In. And out.
"Jo?"
She turned around to find Molly standing behind her, looking worried.
"I am sorry, if I… stepped into something. I have just known Tony and Harry for so long. I worry."
"I know.", Jo sighed, "Family is… a tough subject to me. But I should not have overreacted. It wasn't fair to go off on you. I was already on the edge and then… I am sorry, Molly."
" You were already on edge? I hope it wasn't us?"
"No! It is always lovely to see you and the kids are so happy. Don't worry.", Jo hurried, but inside she felt like running off. Yes, the Weasleys stressed her. How could they not? They were Ginny's parents. She always felt like she was being put under a microscope. Would Ginny have reacted the same? Would Ginny have made it better?
She had known Ginny. Liked her, really. Ginny would have dragged Harry and Tony in a room and never let them out until they had worked it out. But Ginny and her were from very, very different backgrounds. And just because they loved the same man and the same children, it did not mean that they were similar.
Urgh, how much she hated her insecurities sometimes. Ginny had been so self-assured, Jo still sometimes woke up and couldn't believe that her life was real. That it wasn't a dream. And in her weakest moments she feared Harry would finally recognize that he could do so much better.
"I know things weren't always easy between us, but I want us to be family, too.", Molly told her, putting a hand on Jo's arm.
"So do I.", Jo smiled, "But we'll have to work that out for ourselves. And so, I fear, do Harry and Tony."
"Let's hope for the best.", Molly agreed, "But for now: How about you show me how this dish thing works. I'd really like to understand it. Just don't tell my husband or he'll try and buy one."
"Deal.", Jo laughed and turned around.
The Weasleys stayed until after a very loud dinner and Jo could enjoy it more that time. When everything was cleaned up, the children send upstairs and prepared for the next morning, Jo walked up to go to bed. She looked in on Harry, who had wanted to read over a file for the next day, only to find him at his desk, deep asleep, with Kater laying on his lap, sleeping as well. Jo smiled and carefully closed the door, before finally slipping under her covers and ending a very long, but ultimately great day.