Chapter 9-Confronting the Inevitable

The day after Andromeda's dinner at Grimmauld Place, Mr. Weasley had an unexpected meeting while he crossed the atrium at the Ministry. Emerging from one of the floo fires was Xeno Lovegood. Mr. Weasley made his way over to say hello and noticed that the usually ebullient Xeno was looking decidedly down.

"Hello Xeno, how are you? It's been ages since I've seen you. How's Luna?"

"Oh, hi Arthur, good to see you. I'm doing fine, but I have an appointment . Need to do an interview for the Quibbler. It's all up to me now."

Mr. Weasley looked questioningly at him.

"What about Luna?"

"Oh, Luna left me and the Quibbler. She moved in with Harry Potter a while ago. Now, I'm terribly sorry, but I have to go."

With that said, Mr. Lovegood left a stunned Mr. Weasley standing in the Ministry atrium, oblivious to the traffic around him. Luna living with Harry? But Ginny was living with Harry. Was Harry renting out rooms? He certainly didn't need the money. Mr. Weasley was confused and couldn't get his thoughts in order. He would need to discuss this with Molly tonight.

The rest of Mr. Weasley's day seemed to drag on. He was too distracted to really focus as he kept contemplating what was going on with his children. Well, with his daughter, but he thought of Harry almost as a son. And what about Luna? As the day finished and he proceeded upstairs, he saw Ginny in a crowd across the atrium. He thought about going to her, but he still wasn't sure what to do. He saw her and Harry both a couple times a week at the Ministry, usually just in passing. He didn't work much with their departments. They were always cheerful and would stop and chat with him for a few minutes. He regularly encouraged them to adjust their schedules and make it home for a family dinner. So far they had missed seven and Molly was counting. The first few times were reasonable excuses, but lately they were getting weak. He had made it clear to both of them that their living together was still not in favor, but that was no reason to stay away from the family. After all, Hermione and Ron still managed to make most of the dinners.

Mr. Weasley arrived home a short time later and greeted Molly with his usual kiss, but she could tell something was wrong.

"Ok, Arthur, what is wrong?"

"Um, well, let's wait until after dinner Molly."

"Dinner won't be ready for an hour, so tell me what happened at work today."

Mr. Weasley regarded his wife and knew there was no putting her off. He took her hand and they sat down at the table. The Burrow was quiet now that all their children had moved out. Mr. Weasley quickly recounted his brief discussion with Xeno Lovegood and then waited for Molly to respond.

"Luna, living with Harry? But, no.."

Mrs. Weasley became quiet, then she grabbed her husband's hand and stood up to leave.

"I have had enough with their excuses, we are going to Grimmauld Place to sort this out."

Mr. Weasley was getting ready to speak up, but was cut off.

"No more Arthur, we are going to apparate there now. If we floo then they have warning and I am done with being patient."

With that said, Mrs. Weasley popped out and Mr. Weasley followed. He had been married almost thirty years and knew when not to argue with his wife. They arrived outside Grimmauld Place and Mrs. Weasley marched up to the door and knocked. They waited a couple of minutes and then the door opened and Ginny was standing there. Ginny blanched at the sight of her parents. The time had come, was she ready for this?

"Oh, hi mum, hi dad, please come in."

As the Weasleys entered, Harry came down the stairs and saw who had arrived. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, welcome to our home, why don't we go to the living room and talk."

Then Harry called Kreacher.

"Kreacher, please prepare tea for five."

Kreacher popped out, on his way to do Harry's bidding. Mrs. Weasley had caught the reference to five for tea, but she held back and followed Harry down the hall. When they reached the living room, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were only a bit surprised to see Luna lounging on a sofa reading. Looking up, her eyes widened and she sat up. She mumbled a quick hello and then Harry decided now was the time to take the lead.

"Please sit down Mr. and Mrs. Weasley."

Harry gestured to a couple of chairs. Then he sat down next to Luna, placed Ginny on his lap and then put his arm around Luna. Ginny realized the picture that he was arranging and took hold of Luna's hand. As the Weasleys settled, they looked over and were momentarily stunned at the sight of the three young people clinging to each other. Before they could speak, Harry plunged forward

"Well, I guess you are here for some explanations and I know that we are overdue to give them. Please allow each of us to speak before you question us."

Mr. Weasley gaped at Harry. The boy he once knew was long gone, now a man sat before him, taking a difficult situation in hand. As he realized this, Harry began speaking again.

"The first thing you need to know is that the three of us are very much in love. Yes, I said the three of us. We are all adults and are aware of the uniqueness of our partnership. This is not a sudden development, but one that has been gradual over a period of a couple of years. I will let Ginny and Luna tell you more, as much as they feel is necessary, but what I want to tell you is that I love your daughter very much. I also love Luna. I have researched what is possible to formalize our partnership and I have found a history of traditional wizard bondings. Unlike weddings, a bonding is something that has historically always allowed more flexibility. It is also still completely legal and constitutes a formal magical contract the same way a wedding does. Ginny and Luna both wear rings that I have presented to them and both have accepted my proposal for the three of us to be bonded, but we have yet to set a date."

As Harry finished, he looked first at Luna and then at Ginny. Luna decided she should go next.

"Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, I know you are upset, but please understand that I love Ginny and Harry. During the year that Harry was hunting horcruxes, Ginny and I needed each other very much. This is not a sudden decision."

With Luna finished, Ginny began.

"Mum, dad, I know this is a lot to understand. You know I have loved Harry for years. Then two years ago when Harry and I were together, we also found that Luna was attracted to both of us. This started briefly then and has grown since. When Harry returned after the battle, the three of us mutually decided to try again and I have been very happy ever since."

Ginny finished and the three of them waited for the Weasleys to adjust to the news. Mr. Weasley spoke first.

"Harry, are you truly serious about this, um, bonding? With both?"

"Most definitely!"

Harry tightened his grip on both women as his determination was obvious. Mrs. Weasley took a deep breath and looked at her daughter.

"Ginny, just to be clear, you and Harry are together and you and Luna are together?"

"Yes, mum. We are all three together with each other. Last week we completed renovations upstairs to enlarge the master bedroom and bathroom so that we will all be comfortable."

This news caused a small gasp from Mrs. Weasley and she leaned back into her husband's arms. Harry took the silence that followed to take control of the conversation again.

"I am glad this is done. I cannot feel ashamed for falling in love. I hope you will be able to understand this in time. And, when you are ready, we would like to return to the family, but we want to come together. That has been the reason for our excuses. Ginny and I could not come and leave our Luna behind."

Mr. Weasley thanked Harry and turned to his wife.

"Well, Molly I guess we had better go home and talk. Once you are ready, you can let them know when to come back home."

Mrs. Weasley realized what her husband was saying and knew that only one choice was possible.

"Arthur, I certainly wish to talk, but I have already lost one child and I will not lose another."

Mrs. Weasley then turned back to Harry, Ginny and Luna.

"Bill's birthday party will be the Saturday after next at the Burrow. I expect you all to attend."

With that said, she stood up and prepared to leave. Ginny got up and embraced her mother and both began crying. Then Mrs. Weasley leaned down and pulled Harry and Luna into the hug as well. Finally, Mr. Weasley stood up and wrapped his arms around them all. His head was still spinning, but his heart felt a bit lighter and he knew a healing had begun.

After the Weasleys left, they continued talking. Ginny and Luna decided that they wanted the bonding ceremony done at Grimmauld Place with just immediate family and a few friends. The master suite was complete, but they were still working on additional redecorating, so they decided on having the ceremony in two months to allow plenty of time to finish. Harry knew his research was correct, but no wizard had applied for a bonding in almost a hundred years, so Harry would take on the task of applying to the Department for Magical Contracts and Ceremonies.

Finally, they all agreed that it was time to visit Mr. Lovegood and inform him of their partnership. Luna seemed unsure, but Harry and Ginny encouraged her and they settled on the following evening for making the visit.