Chapter 41
Hermione wakes in the morning of the train back to London. She walks into the Great Hall, twenty minutes later, dressed for the trip. She chooses a seat between Harry and Neville. Sue is on Harry's other side, sharing the morning newspaper and a plate of pancakes, bacon and rye toast. It makes Hermione smile. They are so cute together.
Neville, on her other side, is reading a muggle book on victory gardens that she got him for his birthday this year. He is slowly making his way through his plate of eggs, hash and tomatoes.
Across the table is Ginny, who had broken up with Dean earlier that morning, but was in better spirits as it was amicable for the most part. They parted as friends, which was more than Hermione could hope for given their more recent rows. Ron was between his sister and Lavender. It was plain to see that he was just toying with her affections. He liked the benefits of having a girlfriend, but didn't really reciprocate in turn. In truth, he was using Lav for her body, all the while still trying to figure out a way to get Hermione's notice.
Harry, at his meeting with Albus, had been given a task of gaining a memory from Slughorn, like he wanted to spend more time with the windbag. So far, he hasn't been able to do so.
The whole house was still worried about Katie Bell. She had been cursed by some enchanted necklace. Reports from McGonagall say that she is getting better. Luckily, they had won all their games, so they only had to sit back and wait for the other houses to whittle away until the finals.
The kids leaving for the Holidays file out to the carriages, after Hermione and Harry shrink the trunks and let the owls fly.
In town, the four splinter off to the Three Broomsticks. George is waiting at a table inside. He smiles and stands to welcome the group. Hermione immediately runs to him. After a brief kiss, he ushers them through the floo.
They arrive at the Triple W and walk out to the muggle entrance of the Leaky. Tom doesn't even notice at all, so used to people traipsing through. The group then hails a taxi and travels to Granger Dental. Hermione pays the twenty-five pound fare and they get out. All of them walk in and are greeted by their family, plus Nymphadora Tonks.
Dora is the daughter of Andi Tonks, Sirius' cousin. While attending meetings at the Manor, she took a shine to her cousin's best friend. Siri gave his blessing and encouragement to Remus. The wolf didn't waste any time. They are married at the Black Manor before Christmas. The Lupins, Tonks, Bones, Blacks, Grangers, Longbottoms, and Lovegoods spend Christmas at Potter Manor. Sirius and Remus help Harry find the family decorations and the group along with the elves decorate the entire manor and grounds.
They are gathered around the table, playing cards, when a call from the Ministry comes through about the Burrow being attacked. Everyone runs to floo to Devon to help out. It was Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and a couple cronies. They get away, but not before setting the entire homestead ablaze.
Harry, Sirius, Amelia, and Augusta pool resources and send the family to the Potter Hunting Retreat in Scotland.
Janet and Dan pull Arthur aside. "Your boy is going to be my son in law. You are all our family. What sizes are the kids and you and Molly? We can't give you back your cherished mementos, but we can get you clothes, bedding and other essentials to live." Arthur has tears in his eyes. Even with all that Molly had put them, Hermione and even George through, they wanted to help.
He gives them a run down of their sizes and everything. Janet nods, having written it all down. "We need to talk to Siri, Harry and them." The couple walks off. Not only are they going to do what they said, but they are donating to the building fund.
Catching up with Sirius and Remus, Dan asks. "How much are we talking about to rebuild? And how long?"
The adult wizards confer. "Around twenty thousand galleons, but that is only to replace what they had for a structure." Sirius tells them. Dan works it out in his head. It only comes to around five thousand sterling. It would never do. He sees that his wife is thinking the same.
"I have a better idea." Dan tells them to have the site cleared and make sure the septic and water plans are in order. "Sirius, by the sound of things, you have around one hundred and twenty thousand pounds already ponied up. Let's you and I go get them a turn key modular house. It would be more room and the kitchen would be more up to date. Granted, someone would have to teach Molly how to use some of the appliances, but trust me, she'll love them once she is used to them."
The group thinks and agrees to the idea. Dan and Janet tell them that the clothes, groceries and Christmas will be on them. The couple then goes shopping at the local Telsco and arrives at the Potter Retreat to set up the Weasley's temporary home.
The hunting lodge is cozy and as the older boys are going to be coming and going, the fewer bedrooms are not an issue. Ron and Ginny open their doors to see a whole wardrobe, of new clothes, on their beds, the same for Arthur and Molly. Molly finds the fixings for a big Christmas dinner and two whole weeks worth of meals, snacks and drinks in the large kitchen. Under a large tree, all decorated, are presents for everyone and envelopes in the branches.
Christmas morning, the Weasleys open the gifts and stockings. There is an envelope from the Grangers for Arthur and Molly.
Dear Arthur and Molly,
I know we've had our differences, but as we see your family as an extension of ours due to George and Hermione's relationship, we could not sit back and twiddle our thumbs in the wake of your tragedy. We understand the sudden loss was devastating. Made even more so with the fact that the house was not insured.
We put the word out with our patients and took up a contribution towards a new Burrow and one client came over with a policy for insurance. It covers fire, flood and storm damage. She said that she had paid the premium for ten years. She said she grew up near St. Ottery Catchpole and would walk in the woods. I guess she happened upon the house and loved it. She must have had some magical blood somewhere to be able to see it as Hermione assures us it is hidden from muggle eyes.
We hope that your family has a Happy Christmas and New Year. From what George says, it is always a loud, happy gathering.
Sincerely,
Daniel and Janet Granger
Arthur is blown away. He hands the letter to Molly and looks over the insurance policy. It's in their names. The last piece of paper was a Gringotts bank cheque. His eyes widen and water. He knows that the collection was taken up in pounds, but wasn't expecting it to be this much.
He decides that he's going to follow Dan and Sirius' advice and get a modular home. He's going to install electricity also. That way, Molly can have her designer kitchen.