Chapter Six- A Day in a Grimmauld Place

When Morwen finally apparated to Grimmauld House her feet where killing her and she had an ugly sinking feeling in her stomach. What a god-awful night, she sighed knocking the door gently when it wouldn't open. Surprised when Molly opened the great heavy black door, it wasn't like them to even lock it but with Molly's wand pointed in her face she guessed they must of decided to ramp up the security.

"Boggart?" Remus appeared behind the portly woman's shoulder.

"Inferi," she replied and they let her in.

"You look beautiful Morwen love," Molly hugged her and then surveyed the green silk dinner dress with its black lace overlay. "It's been a long time since I had the figure for a dress like that."

Morwen laughed as Molly led her down to the kitchen, "I came straight from the damned dinner party with the Boots. Didn't think I'd ever get away."

Sitting down at the kitchen table she surveyed how homely Molly's arrival had made it already. Sirius was down the other end of the table at the fireplace, with what she presumed where the Weasley children, going by their shock of hair, and Tonks. Remus joined them laughing as Tonks whizzed through a few different facades.

"I have some stew left," Molly touched her shoulder, breaking her gaze, "Are you hungry?"

"Starved," she breathed, mouth-watering as Molly lifted the lid of a pot on the Aga. "I don't know what Maggie had in mind when she made up her menu but I don't think it had anything to do with feeding people."

"Maybe you're just too greedy for polite company Morwen," Sirius called with a quick grin before a set of twins gave him a black and orange box.

"Oh Morwen, you haven't met my children, come on down," Molly handed her a bowl and fork, before waving her to move down the table.

Obliging she followed, dinner in hand, and the ginger family all greeted her, good natured, from around the kitchen table as she took a seat. Sirius smiled from where he was ensconced in a wingless chair tucked in beside the fireplace.

"So these twins are Fred and George," they grinned devilishly and she was immediately reminded of the Prewett twins, their uncles. "And this is Ron, and our youngest Ginny," Molly patted Ginny's shoulder and smiled beamingly at Ron.

"Lovely to finally meet you all," Morwen raised her fork before abandoning all politeness for her stew.

"Your dress is very pretty," Ginny said from across the table, she was pale and slender.

"Thanks, it's muggle you know. I had a special feeling delight when Pius Thicknesses' wife commented on how flattering it was," she grinned at Sirius.

"Harmonia?" Sirius replied his eyes wide.

"I don't remember her?" Remus mused.

"Yes, she's a good bit older than us but she wouldn't have liked you, being a half blood and all," Morwen laughed.

"I guess this dinner party was full of esteemed guests?" Sirius asked her as Tonks went back to entertaining the Weasley children, to the delight of Remus. Morwen couldn't help but smile at how he managed to hold a conversation with Ginny and sneak glances at the young woman. She didn't think he even knew he was doing it, subconsciously he couldn't take his eyes off the young auror.

Sirius cheekily half nodded his head towards them when he saw what she'd been staring at, shaking her head she tried to silently shush him. Sirius was about as subtle as a bludger to the head, Remus would be embarrassed if they drew attention to him. The furry little problem had always made him wary of relationships, or so Sirius had quietly told her one evening when Remus had left.

"Oh yes, and I did learn something," she changed the subject, as it were, and Sirius immediately looked curious but Molly set a hand on Morwen's shoulder as she sat herself down beside her.

"There's a meeting tomorrow night, tell us then," Molly surreptitiously glanced at the twins.

The pair were looking at Sirius and Morwen rather curiously, but she said nothing more about it for Molly's sake, instead she grinned at Sirius, "So I met Magnus Montague."

"And?" Sirius fake yawned in disappointment, "was he a fine specimen then?"

Fred and George raised their eyebrow, perfectly in time Morwen noticed, still earie wigging the conversation.

"Oh he was as dull as dishwater, I thought I was going to die of boredom when Maggie landed him on me, first thing as I came in the door," she griped while the rest of them laughed at her expense.

"If you're looking for a man, George here is on the market," who she assumed was Fred pointed at his brother with a wicked smile.

"Oh leave her be," Molly admonished them, "Pity my second oldest is only Tonks' age, my Charlie's a dragon tamer you know?"

"Really?" working with dragons really was rather impressive.

"Oh yes, could've played quidditch professionally too," his mother beamed, "Pity he hasn't met anyone yet."

"Maybe we could overlook the age!" Morwen chuckled, this Charlie was a better prospect than most men. No one else but Morwen noticed Remus' scowl, Tonk's face had dropped at his sudden surliness and she put her hand on his arm. The older man just gave her a small smile before shrugging her off, under the pretext of getting up. Lifting the teapot he hurried over to the stove.

"He doesn't need one woman mum," Morwen was brought back to the conversation at hand by Fred's laugh. Although she promised herself to speak to Sirius about the Remus and Tonks situation.

"Yeah, he's coming down with birds is Charlie, why on earth would he stick to one?" the second twin nodded in agreement with the first.

"Honestly boys," Molly got up to scold the twins, whipping them over the head with a spare cloth she had sitting on the table. Turning to Morwen she smiled motherly, "You finished there? Let me take your bowl."

For a minute or two she just sat and watched them all laugh and chat amongst themselves, it was nice just to be around some company. Morwen couldn't remember the last time she just sat around with friends.

"So who all was there tonight?"

"Yaxley along with Thickness and Bole," she answered Sirius.

Running a hand along his jaw he nodded, "Yeah, they're bad news."

"They must be pretty high in the Ministry, I didn't even really speak to them much," she shrugged but noticed for the first that they were alcohol free. Which was nice, she had a feeling that Sirius and Remus were starting to ferment in this place by themselves. "But I'm pretty sure I have an invitation to the next one."

"Oh joy," Sirius remarked dryly, barking out a laugh when Ron ate a sweet proffered by the twins. The younger boy erupted in feathers and turned into a giant yellow bird.

"What on earth.." That was a serious bit of human transfiguration.

"The twins," Sirius smiled fondly, "brilliant, aren't they?"

"I wonder who they remind you of?" She laughed at his rather sheepish smile. "They're just missing Lily, red faced and shouting herself hoarse at the lot of you."

"Oh, apparently they've got Hermione," well that was a mouthful to carry with you everywhere.

"Who?"

"Harry and Ron's best friend, she'll be along any day now."

"Since tomorrow's Saturday, I was thinking about coming by early," she suggested, Sirius was still watching the twins feed Ron all their strange sweets. "I could help with the cleaning a bit, and then there's the meeting."

"Yeah, of course," quickly he nodded with a grin, "We could do with an extra set of hands, Molly's a right Sargent major."

"I can only imagine," she thought of how boring it must be to live in this house every day, "while I remember I was going to nip down to Diagon Alley in the morning. Want me to pick you anything up?"

"A pardon from the minister would do" he replied dryly.

"Honestly, I know Remus does most of you messages but I'm going anyway."

"I could do with more stationary, I don't like asking Remus," he eyed his friend as he spoke to her quietly, but Remus was engrossed in pouring everyone tea and coffee. Molly was fussing at the pale werewolf, "I can't get at my vault so I can't give you the money-"

"Don't be silly, you can pay me back eventually," Morwen cut him off before smirking, "we all know you're a rich git."

All of a sudden Ron's nose started gushing blood, Morwen watched slightly mesmerised by the volume of blood that was pouring out of the poor boy. Fred, or George, she wasn't sure which was pushing the other half of the sweet he'd ate at him. Ron could hardly eat the sweet around all the blood he was spitting and coughing. The adults started to look a little worried when the steady stream from his nose only eased at little.

"Oh, whoops, that's not looking good," One of the twins commented rather blasé.

"Must have over done the charm," the other twin scratched his head, they pushed one of Molly's many drying clothes at their brother. Both of them seemed too amused to be bothered to actually help the poor boy.

" Oh give him another of the anti nosebleed nougats then," Sirius laughed at their bafflement.

The twins brightened, the slightly cheekier seemed to be Fred who handed Ron another of the anti charming side of the sweet.

"Of course, why didn't we think of that?" George looked thoughtful, "guess we'll have to tone the strength of the charm down."

"Was a bit overkill," Ron nodded, finally his nose stopped bleeding, "teachers would never believe it."

Morwen's eyes raised, "you're going to use these in school?"

"Probably," Fred shrugged, "really we want to sell them."

At his pronouncement Molly could be heard banging pots and pans about up at the stove. Sirius exchanged at look of amusement with Morwen but neither of them said anything more for fear of the matriarch.

Morwen made her way to the leaky cauldron the next morning, she wanted to catch the early morning market for some groceries. Usually Howey did most of the shopping but his little hands shook with the breakfast tray when he apparated into her drawing room that morning. So she decided to do the messages herself, the old houseful was tearful as he helped her write the list in the kitchen.

Besides, she'd asked Molly last night if she wanted her to pick anything up while she out. The elder Weasley had rushed for a notepad, complaining that Arthur never remembered everything and always bought the wrong sort of potatoes even when she made him a list. Molly seemed so busy, organising the mammoth task that was tidying up Grimmauld place that she hardly had time to get to the shops.

Ducking into the small stationary shop beside Flourish and Blotts' she decided to pick up some parchment for Sirius first. Traipsing in and out of the tiny shop with an armful of groceries wasn't a great idea. Picking out some standard quills and parchment wasn't difficult and it wasn't until she was on her way out that she spied a familiar head of auburn hair in the window belonging to the shop next door.

Shrugging and deciding she might as well be polite Morwen headed for the door to Flourish and Blotts. A bell chimed as she let herself in through the door and she smiled at the pleasant smell of fresh books and new leather bindings. Audrey looked up from behind the counter and Morwen was rather relieved to see the younger woman smile.

"Morwen!" Audrey straightened up from where she had been huddled over a ledger, "Doing a bit of shopping in the Alley?"

"Yes, just the usual messages, thought I'd call in when I saw you through the window," Morwen set her bags on a little table by the counter and wandered over to the 'New in' book case. A few cosy chairs where set up beside and Morwen thought about how nice it would be to spend the afternoon here if she had time, tucked up in the corner beside the front window.

"We have a few interesting reads in," Audrey bounced out and made her way to the bookcase, "What do you normally read? I read everything I can get my hands on myself."

"Not sure, I was just having a browse, see if anything caught my eye," she picked out a slim book which had the latest potions journals. Not exactly riveting stuff.

"I'm sorry if Percy seemed rude the other night," Audrey hesitantly replied, sitting down into one of the chairs, "only he's rather estranged from his family…"

"Yes, I'd guessed. What with me being a curse breaker and Bill working a couple of offices down," Morwen gave her a soft smile, "When he didn't mention Bill I gathered things weren't…harmonious."

"I think he's being silly," sighing Audrey gazed out the window.

"He's a man," Morwen snorted, the other woman chuckled, "It'll all work out in the end hopefully."

"Hopefully," with a baleful look she continued, "there's little point in arguing about it, he's set in his mind."

Morwen pulled out another book for perusal, it was a rather chatty volume about the last decade of Quidditch. Written by Murphy Wood, a star chaser when she was at school who'd turned commentator, she thought it might interest the ex-criminal who had lost thirteen years. Last night he'd mentioned Harry liked Quidditch, had waxed poetic that he was a brilliant flier like James, so she figured it could bring him up to speed a bit.

"How much?" she lifted the book to Audrey.

"Quidditch?" Audrey took it from her with surprise and Morwen followed her to the cash register.

"For a friend, not a great fan myself."

"Merlin I hate it, but I've two brothers who are obsessed so that's probably why," Audrey shrugged, "Four sickles, please."

Morwen handed the silverware over, "Say, I was going to owl Hestia Jones. See if she wanted to meet up for a drink, want to join us?"

"Ooh yes," Audrey lit up, "Percy thinks she's a bit common but I thought she was great fun."

"Yeah, she's a rocket alright," the dark haired witch grinned, "That'll do, we'll tell Percy we're having tea and scones."

"There had better be wine! I had to listen to what the Minister ate for lunch yesterday," she rolled her eyes, "Honestly, sometimes I think the Minister actually lives with us."

"I'll owl you!" With a wave she left the shop and went out into the street, the fruit and veg seller was set up at the end of Diagon alley but she didn't like the look of his over ripe vegetables. Sighing she shook her head and headed to Carkitt Market instead, it was over a few streets over and usually had a better food market anyway.

Carkitt Market had been mental, every wizard and his wife had been out doing their weekly shop. Apparating over to Grimmauld Place Morwen sighed and readjusted her bags of groceries. Even with a lightening charm they were so awkward, Molly was trying to feed the five hundred. Apparating to Grimmauld place she hefted the bags so she could reach a hand out to open the door. Tramping in through the doorway she blew a strand of hair out of her eyes as Sirius came bounding down the stairs. "Boggart?"

Rolling her eyes, "inferi, but honestly Sirius, stop being a nuisance and take some of these bags."

"What a greeting, you cheeky bint" although he was grumbling at her he still took a bag of shopping and followed her down into the basement kitchen.

"Where is everyone?" Morwen asked as she dropped her bag onto the kitchen table.

Hefting his own down he turned to her, "upstairs, trying to clear some rooms for the kids."

"They didn't stay last night?" She was surprised they had survived the night in Grimmauld place.

"Nah, they went back to the burrow," he turned a opened a cupboard door to pull out a kettle. "They're hoping to get in by the next day or two."

Sitting down at the table she watched him as he wandered about the kitchen making coffee. "When's Harry coming then?"

"Another week, maybe two," he grinned, face lighting up and showing a flash of his youthful handsomeness.

"Will he stay for the rest of the summer?" He sat down at the end of the table, setting two mugs down.

"Yes, Molly says that's the plan." They sat in silence as she wondered what 'the boy who lived' was really like.

Suddenly she remembered the parchment and quills, reaching into one of the paper bags she pulled a tidily wrapped parcel.

"Almost forgot I picked this up," she handed him the stationary.

"Thanks," setting it on the sideboard he watched her rummage in her hand bag this time.

"I got you something in FlourishBlotts, I wanted to speak to Audrey and then I remembered you going on about quidditch last night," she pulled out the hardback.

Snorting he took it from her, "still love the game then?"

"Merlin forbid," shaking her head, Morwen drank some coffee, "I still hate Quidditch, but you always did watch it. Thought you'd like this."

"Aren't you going soft Morwen, buying presents," teasing her he opened the book with a smile, "yeah, thanks this is great. I could only get so much from the papers when I was on the run."

"Good, the boys are always going on about quidditch. You won't look so old now, calling the cudley canons great," smirking she took in his affronted look.

"I have never supported the canons."

"Before this meeting starts tonight, you must talk to Remus soon," she thought of the patrol she'd done at the Ministry with Tonks.

"I'm always talking to Remus," he shrugged into his coffee.

"Don't be smart," rolling her eyes she got up to put her mug in the sink, "at our patrol all Tonks could talk about was Remus. I don't know why he's being so standoffish, it's not as if she doesn't know."

"He'll come round eventually," Sirius sighed, getting up himself.

"It's been months, he needs a nudge," Morwen huffed, making her way towards the stairs. They really should see if the Weasleys needed a hand.

"You know Moony, he'll stew on it. I don't want to get involved in all your women's business," Sirius whined.

"Sirius Black." She stopped at the door to the hall and glared at him, "he's blind in love with her, he's not going to take the plunge unless his ever so loyal friend convinces him it's a grand idea. Get off your arse!"

"Fine," he followed her out into the Hall, "I'll think about it."

"You will not, you'll do something," she spun on him with a pointed finger.

"Right, ok," he raised his hands, "sorting Moony's love life, number one priority."