Ch 96: Summer Days at The Burrow
Rose and Hugo had asked to go to The Burrow early that Sunday so they could go swim at the pond before the family dinner later that evening. Other cousins were going to come as well, but Rose and Hugo were the first to arrive and were enjoying the quiet together as they floated on the water. They'd been bantering back and forth about vacation ideas for their family trip in August.
"I kind of want to go back to Mallorca," Rose admitted. "I loved how relaxed we all were. But, honestly, I would also love to go somewhere totally new like New York in America or maybe Italy. What are you leaning towards?"
"I guess I want to go camping again. It was so nice to have it be just the four of us with no one else bugging us. I feel like if we go to some big city somewhere they'll be a zillion people around."
"But wouldn't you like exploring the art museums in places like New York or Paris or Florence?"
"Yeah," he admitted. "You do know my weaknesses. But, I feel like those museums will always be there, and it is so rare to have just the four of us together. And really, can you picture Dad doing nothing but art museums for two weeks?"
"No," she laughed. "He would sit in a lot of lobbies for sure."
"Yeah – and who knows how many crazy Americans he would accidentally propose to while sitting there."
At that they both burst out laughing, and it took a while to calm back down.
"Ok," she said, still giggling. "So not two whole weeks of museums. But what if we did 10 days or so in the country somewhere- whether camping or cabins or somethings, but then we spend 4 days in a big city taking in all of the sights? What do you think of that?"
"Hmm," he pondered. "That could actually work. But, let's flip it around. If we do the city party first we'll come home still all relaxed from lazing about the countryside somewhere."
"That's brilliant. So – where should we go?"
"Maybe we give them two suggestions and have them pick. I mean, really, we're kids – we can't be expected to plan all of it."
"Ok. How about New York or Florence?"
"Works for me," Hugo said, and then they both fell into a comfortable silence listening to the frogs and birds around the pond. Rose finally broke the tranquil silence.
"Your face looks worried. Are you still thinking about the vacation?"
He shook his head and stared off at the leaves blowing in the trees.
"You going to share what's running through your crazy brain, Hugo? I know you well enough to read that face, you know."
Hugo nervously shrugged.
"Come on, tell me what's got you worried. I might not be able to fix whatever it is, but you'll probably feel better once you talk about it."
Hugo sighed. "Ok. But, this is asking for insight, not an invitation for harassment."
She splashed him. "This is me, Hu. I may technically be your big sister, but I was your best friend first. Tell me what's up."
"I guess it's a couple of things. The sorting thing is so nerve wracking, isn't it? I mean – it's just some hat that decides who your friends will be and could change the course of your whole life. What if the hat had put Dad in Hufflepuff? Do you think he and Harry would have still become best friends, and then would they have won the war? But, I guess I'm not really worried about avoiding a war, but just trying to picture my life."
"I get it – I was really freaked out about it before I went as well. I was so sure Al would be in Gryffindor and I would be in Ravenclaw and then I would have no friends. Of course, that didn't turn out like I thought, but in the end he and Scorp are in a different house than me and are my best friends anyway."
"The other thing is I wonder what my parents would have wanted for me. Obviously Daddy was in Gryffindor, but Mummy was Hufflepuff. And then Dad is always saying I'll be in Slytherin. I wonder if they would have been ok with that. I want to be happy, and I don't want to disappoint anyone – alive or dead."
"Slytherin isn't what it used to be, Hugo. And I think you would be very happy there. But I think you will be happy in any of the houses."
"Where do you think I'll be?"
"Ravenclaw," she replied without missing a beat.
"Really? That was fast. I'm smart, but not scary smart like you and Mum. And not Slytherin, huh?"
"I could be wrong, but I think you see the world in a different and creative way. It's not just about being top of the class, you know. It's about valuing thoughtful reflection and creative approaches. But, like I said – I promise you, you will be happy in any of the houses. And Mum and Dad will be thrilled for you, and your Mummy and Daddy will be thrilled for you, and I will be thrilled for you as well."
"Ok," he said, sounding unconvinced.
"Fine, keep worrying if you want. But, I think that you will end up in the same house come September if you waste your days fretting as you would if you just relax and soak in the summer. Don't you think?"
"You're right," he grinned. "I'm going to try to just focus on having fun." And with that, he rolled off his inner tube into the water, disappeared into the pond and came up right underneath his sister, knocking her into the water as well. They were both shrieking and splashing each other when the Potters arrived, jumping into the water fight as well. And by the time Molly called them to come back to the house, they were all grinning ear to ear and thoroughly in need of showers.
When they all came down from getting cleaned up, the kids found that that the entire Weasley extended family had arrived. George and Bill had set up the extended table in the garden, and Hermione and Andromeda Tonks were setting a variety of dishes on the buffet table to the side. Ron and Harry were setting out the chairs and everyone else was helping direct drinks, cutlery and other necessities. Soon the large family had all taken seats and had tucked in at Molly's direction. As usual, the food was incredible, and everyone had gone back for seconds. Ron and Harry had their kids clear all of the plates. Teddy got up as well carrying some dishes inside, but once in the kitchen he pulled the kids aside.
"James, I need some help," Teddy said.
"Sure, Teddy, what's up?"
"Once we clear all of the plates, and have all of the dessert plates sent out, I need to go out and make an announcement. But once that's done, can you have the kids bring out everything I have on the back porch?"
"Sure, I guess. What is it?"
"Uh – well, hell, I guess you'll figure it out in a minute. It's champagne and glasses."
"Merlin, Teddy, are you about to propose to Vic?"
The nervous smirk gave James all the response he needed.
"Have you already talked to Uncle Bill? Because I think surprising Vic is great, but surprising Uncle Bill is a whole other situation."
"Yeah," Teddy grinned. "I did. We talked and he gave me his blessing, thank Merlin. He knows it's coming – just doesn't know when."
"Congratulations, Teddy," James said with a warm embrace.
"Thanks, but don't say that until she says yes!"
"Then I'll stick with good luck, mate. I couldn't be happier for you." he said, patting him on the back.
The dishes were cleared and the dessert plates passed out. Molly went to direct the puddings to circle the table, but James had anticipated this and whispered in her ear to hold off. She gave him a questioning look, but shrugged and waited. James caught Teddy's eye and gave him an encouraging nod. Teddy took a deep breath, and got everyone's attention.
"Everyone, before we move on to the sweet stuff, can I have your attention for a minute? Alright, thanks for your patience. It seems like this is one of the only times we have had the whole family here outside of Christmas, and I just wanted to have everyone here for this. This family has meant everything to me, and I hope you all know that. But, I am hoping that after tonight I may be on my way to being more than an honorary member of the family." Ginny and Angie both squealed in excitement as he walked over to where Victoire was sitting and he got on his knee. "Vic, you have been my best friend since before I even knew what a friend was. Over the years we have gone from toddlers to children to adolescents to adults together. You have been with me for every single step – the good and the bad – of my life, and I cannot imagine a future without you by my side. While I may have lost my parents on May 2nd, it has never been a tragic day for me, because every year on that date I get to celebrate the birth of my favorite person in the world. You bring me joy, you challenge me, and with you I am a better person. Victoire Weasley, will you do the honor of giving me your hand in marriage?"
Victoire nodded through tears, and quickly pulled him off his knee to kiss him. The family soon burst into chaos with hugging and squealing and congratulations flying around the table. James soon had the champagne and glasses distributed, and the whole family toasted to their happiness. But once that was done, there was no keeping people at their seats. Women were hurrying to hug the new bride to be, the cousins were smirking at the first of the grandchildren to get engaged, and Molly and Andromeda were hugging in the corner. Once Bill had shaken Teddy's hand and kissed his daughter, Harry approached him and extended his hand.
"What is it with you, Potter? First you take my baby sister and now your godson takes my daughter? It's a damn good thing I like you, you big git," he said as he shook Harry's hand and moved to embrace him.
"I hope I raised him well enough to have asked you ahead of time," Harry said with a raised eyebrow.
"You did, which I appreciate. And he did, which meant a lot to me. It was never up to me as its Vic's choice, of course. But I think we've all seen that she made that choice many, many years ago. And I've told both of them how glad I was that they didn't get married immediately after she graduated Hogwarts. They'll have such an easier time of it now that they've both had a chance to grow up and live in the real world a little bit. And I hope they'll wait a bit more before I become a grandfather, but I'm not holding my breath."
"I'm right there with you," nodded Harry. "I hope they put it off a few years, but I would be shocked if they do."
"Yeah, with Vic set to finish the healer program at St. Mungos before Christmas, I'm hoping they can wait until she's at least gainfully employed before she has to take maternity leave, you know?"
"Oh, I know," Harry agreed. "Aside from the fact that I am not looking to be a grandfather before I hit forty, I am also not ready to have Ginny and Fleur spend their days babysitting, as heaven knows they wouldn't leave it to us. We're just getting that proverbial nest emptied this fall. I want to enjoy it for a while before the nest fills up with babies again."
Bill laughed and shook his head, but then was snagged away by his wife who was crying happily. Ron and Ginny were soon chatting with Harry.
"Why are you laughing?" Harry asked Ron.
"Because I apparently just made it under the wire to get married before the next generation of Weasleys started getting hitched."
Harry laughed at him while Ginny smacked the back of his head. "You're an idiot," she laughed. "But, I would have to say Hermione was well worth the wait."
"Yeah," he said as his eyes happily stared at his wife talking to Hugo at the other end of the garden, "she sure was."
