The next several hours blurred together. Ron recalled certain details vividly, others not at all. The first few hours, sitting in Professor McGonagall's study waiting for further news, was a blur. The only conscious memory of that time was Hermione close by his side and his sister's broken sobbing. He vividly recalled Tonks apparating and knocking over Professor McGonagall's favourite teapot from a corner shelf. It would have been humorous had not the news she brought been of such importance.
" It's alright, dears! Your father is safe-he's fine! Well, actually he may not be fine once your mother gets through with him…" Tonks rambled on, then stopped dead as she caught Professor McGonagall's eye. The Professor was no doubt annoyed by the teapot. Luckily Hermione had pointed her wand and murmured " Reparo" before Professor McGonagall could vent her feelings.
Instead she continued to look pointedly at her former pupil.
"Just give us the facts, Nymphadora, if you please."
" Oh, right. Well, Arthur was to go to the Burrow to pick up some extra clothes for the family and get some papers he needed at the Office as Molly had instructed – I mean – asked him to do."
Seeing the stunned expression on Ron and Ginny's faces, Tonks became flustered and once again was off.
" Oh, dears, didn't you know? Charlie, you didn't tell them! Well, you see, it all has to do with Bill's wedding and actually mine and Remus's. We've decided to tie the knot at the same time. No time like the present, don't you think? Now, do you think pink or blue hair?"
At this point even Ginny began to smile and Professor McGonagall simply groaned and sat heavily down in the nearest chair. Ron wondered if he was dreaming the whole thing and it was fortunate indeed that Charlie, now assured of his father's safety, took up the tale.
" Thanks, Tonks. The facts are simply these. With Bill being transferred to St. Mungo's yesterday afternoon, it's much easier for Mum and Fleur to visit and plan for the Wedding in London so they are staying with Great Aunt Muriel. "
Shared groans from both Ron and Ginny greeted this news. With a sibling bond born of old, they made terrible faces and Ginny said in a high wavering voice, " Oh, I think I smell something quite terrible…"
Charlie smiled fondly and told them to pipe down while he continued his tale.
" So tomorrow when the Hogwarts Express drops you off, Ginny will go to Great Aunt Muriel's. …"
At this Ginny made a gagging sound reminiscent of a crow with laryngitis.
" And Ron and I will bunk down with Fred and George at their flat," he finished.
Ron grinned in spite of his sadness over the attack on his home. If he were staying with the Twins, how hard would it be to see Hermione in London?
Charlie then asked Tonks, " Have you any other information?"
From the corner, a resigned Professor McGonagall broke in with some acerbity, " And stick just to the facts this time, Nymphadora."
Tonks, a little overawed by her former professor, gulped and stated very clearly, " Arthur Weasley of the Ministry of Magic Department of Muggle Relations was called to an emergency attack of a Muggle home yesterday evening and therefore did not get to the Burrow until much later than expected. At that time several members of the Order, including Remus and I - well anyway -the Order managed to put out the fire. There is still some minor damage to repair…"
" I'll bet there is," muttered Harry to Ron, " if Tonks was helping clean it up." They both chuckled earning them a glare from Hermione who shushed them.
" But," Tonks continued cheerfully, " We put a Double Protecto charm in place as well as several well-placed surprise hexes and reinforced the wards surrounding the Burrow. There won't be any Death-eaters back in a hurry and the damage should all be put right in time for the Wedding – I mean Weddings."
" And Arthur Weasley, Nymphadora? " Professor McGonagall inquired politely.
" Oh, quite alright although a little upset about some of his Muggle artifacts that were damaged, as they do not respond well to the Reparo charm."
The now relieved members of the party, other than the Professor, burst into laughter as they had all been present the summer before when Arthur Weasley had performed the Reparo charm on an unsuspecting Muggle television. This had the unfortunate effect of causing a series of minor explosions. Far worse was the disembodied newscaster's voice that drove Molly Weasley crazy until Fred and George captured it using their patented Extendable Ears to locate it and then a strong stunning spell to disarm it.
Professor McGonagall obviously thought enough was more than enough and quickly dealt with the situation.
" Well, we are indeed glad of this very fortunate news at the end of such a day. Bed and more than time. Miss Granger, Miss Weasley – please show Tonks the extra bed in the Dormitory Tower. Off you go now."
Ron sighed. He had hoped to have a chance for a quick side chat with Hermione now that the current danger to home and family had passed. Hearing the sigh Hermione paused, squeezed his arm and said quietly, "We can talk tomorrow" before she followed Ginny and Tonks out the door.
" Potter, Weasley – take your brother to your dormitory and no more visiting tonight! We all need some sleep." This was her final comment before moving to the shelf in the corner and examining her teapot.
" Good job, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall muttered approvingly to herself before she departed with a somewhat lighter heart to see how the night guard progressed.
The next morning Ron awoke with a start remembering that there was something vital he meant to do, though it currently escaped him. He also felt his bed shaking.
" Get up, you slug!' Harry shouted. " McGonagall left instructions for us not to be disturbed and now we're running late. Only two hours till train time!"
Ron groaned and emerged from his bed, red hair standing on end and distinctly bleary eyed. When he was able to focus, he noticed Harry glance up from his haphazard packing job.
" Aren't you a sight for sore eyes this morning?" he teased.
" Shut it, you git!" growled Ron." Have you seen the girls this morning?" he added suddenly remembering the events of the previous night.
" No, but I did send a spy to get information and here he is…"
An unhappy looking Neville entered the room and cornered Harry.
" Next time, go yourself. They saw right through my lame excuse."
" As well they might as they are the two smartest witches at Hogwarts," Harry replied unsympathetically.
" Just tell us, Neville," Ron urged with characteristic impatience.
" Well, alright but you're not going to like it. Ginny says she's fine and can take care of herself, thank you very much, Harry. And as for you, Ron, she says to get your lazy sluggish self moving so you don't bring any more woes to the family by missing the train and I quote, 'NOW, Ron!'" Neville ended nervously.
Harry smirked with a note of pride in his voice.
" Well, our Ms. Weasley is showing her normal spunk. I guess she's over the effects of last night."
Ron scowled," I like her nerve." He cleared his throat self-consciously and swallowed.
" And what about Hermione, Neville?"
Neville appeared a little apprehensive and backed away from Ron before replying.
" Come on, Neville. Spit it out, " encouraged Harry.
" Um, well – she hoped you slept well, Harry" Neville stalled the inevitable.
" AND WHAT ELSE?" Ron demanded with an ominous feeling that he really was not going to like the rest of Neville's message.
" She said to tell Ron he'd better not be thinking that just because he's late and hasn't had his usual three course breakfast that he can skive off Prefect duty and…that if he doesn't appear in the next ten minutes, she'll arrange with the Head Boy and Girl for him to do Prefect duty with the Slytherins because...uh...you know… that they're short without Malfoy."
"WHAT!" Ron exploded enraged and now completely wide- awake.
" Where the Bloody Hell does she get off thinking she can pull strings like that! I 'm perfectly well aware that I've got duty (Actually it had completely slipped his mind. She doesn't need toshove it in my face!"
Harry was trying hard not to laugh, knowing full well what Hermione was doing. He tapped his Muggle watch significantly.
" Ten minutes, Mr. Weasley," he said in a fair imitation of Professor McGonagall.
" Bloody Hell, " Ron muttered heading rapidly towards the showers.
Neville looked relieved and asked Harry bemusedly, " Aren't those two ever going to – you know- get on with it?"
Harry just rolled his eyes and slammed his trunk closed. Sighing heavily he began to pack for his equally disorganized friend. It was the least he could do under the circumstances.