Chapter 42
"Dad, what's wrong?" Bill asks. He and Fleur are seated on the couch.
"Absolutely nothing, Between our friends and new family's generosity, we will have a new home faster than ever. Your mother's going to have her kitchen too."
Molly has gotten through the letter and policy. Even though she can't stand the Grangers, any of them, she has to admit they are good people. That policy is amazing.
George beams at what his in-laws have done. He knows that is his mother isn't going to thaw, but he feels grateful enough to cover her idiocy for a while. Fred looks over and nods to him in agreement.
Fred clears his throat. He hasn't even told George this. When everyone's attention is on him, he starts. "Angie gave me a big chunk of news. It seems that George's pest is not going to be bothering him any longer."
'Oh good! He dumped Hermione.' Molly beams.
"Alicia Spinnet is off the market. Marcus Flint and she eloped in November and will be moving sometime next year to Los Angeles in the States. Angie is going to miss her, but I think it's a good thing. Hopefully, she'll get over her obsession with George."
'Dammit! Why couldn't he just fall for the right girl?'
George could tell what his mother was thinking, but doesn't care. He is too happy. He will see the others when he, Fred and the older two go over for a bit tomorrow. Hermione had told the four that Christmas is for family. She didn't want him to cut out on his. Especially, this year with what just went on.
The rest of the break, he and Fred work out a way for each to see their women and still have a presence at the store. Hermione is hired on to do the bookkeeping, to keep their finances afloat. Looking ahead, knowing that at least she and Harry will be leaving at a drop of a hat, most likely they'll have to deal with Ron coming as well. With that in mind, Hermione teaches Angelina and Verity how to do the books, because all three agreed the boys were useless with it.
James and Belle find that they are both early risers, which will work well as they can have their friend time before breakfast. This is when she tells him about her parents' gift. He asks to be included, wanting to know more about his aunt and uncle. He tells her about the revived Marauders. Belle is glad, given that Teddy has always been like an older brother to them both.
"You do know that you are descended from the Blacks also right? Your great-grandmother Potter was the little sister to Narcissa's grandfather. Sirius was in direct line, but your grandfather was one rung higher on the family tree as a first cousin to Sirius' father." Belle tells him. Hermione had made Belle do a family tree, before starting Hogwarts. This naturally turned into one of the Black family due to all the different branches which reached into the Weasley family also.
In the Great Hall, a contingent of girls are waiting for the newest addition to the social scene to arrive, including Rachel Goyle. She can't believe that a guy would actually pass up a chance with her for Belle Weasley of all people. The girl's last boyfriend was a known horn-dog, behind her back and ended up leaving her for Rachel.
The focus of all this attention is waiting for his best friend and especially his lovely girlfriend. Scorpius doesn't have to wait long, before his girl is in his arms and James is laughing at the two of them. This is how the trio walk into the hall. Belle is towed over to the Gryffindor table by both boys and welcomed as usual.
"Don't worry Belle, we'll sit with the Ravens tomorrow." James tells her, before reaching across the pair for some sausage links.
All through the hall, dreams were broken and hearts are shattered. At first, there was hope, both Potter and he had their arms around Weasley, as they entered, but when they sat down, Malfoy wrapped himself around the girl. The whole hall watched as she snuggled into his arms. Where if she had done this last year with the Corner boy, Weasley would have been rebuffed or treated to the boy wanting more. With Malfoy, he smiles at her, tightens his arms around her more and feeds her a piece of his french toast. The steamy kiss to her neck was missed, as everyone had turned back to their own business. All, that is but two. One Ravenclaw seventh year was angry with himself. He had the beautiful Head Girl and tossed her aside for what ended up being an one day screw fest and four days of being treated like a pet pooch/endless wallet/bag carrier, until he was let go for not being able to afford her tastes.
Rachel Goyle was incensed. This is not how this should go. She was the most popular girl in the school. She should be in his arms, not Weasley. She wasn't a Slytherin legacy for nothing, she'll find a way to get her hooks into the Malfoy heir.