Mrs Weasley stirred the tomato soup before placing the lid back on and wiping her hands on her apron. Soon the whole family would be arriving, Hermione had taken the night off work and had special permission to bring Ginny along as well. Harry and Ron were currently staying at the Auror training academy but had alos taken the night off, Tonks, Remus and Teddy were coming as well, Andromeda was coming a little late as she had an appointment with an old friend. George was coming along with Katie, Fred...she cursed herslef inwardly fro bringing Fred up. In her heart she knew that not all the family was coming, one of the family was missing. Although she had come a long way in healing after the Last Battle, she suspected there would always be that shred of guilt that she could have saved him. No matter how many times Arther told her it couldn't be helped and that he died fighting for something he believed in, she still wished she had kept in bundled up in cotton wool.
A thud and a shriek from the other room alerted her that Tonks had arrved. She rushed into greet them, seeing a giggling Remus holding a smiling Teddy, looking down on a disgruntled Teddy. She held back her own laughter and helped Tonks up.
"Thank you Molly."
Tonks brushed her knees off and hugged her while glaring at her husband and son.
"I feel as if its always going to be the two of them ganging up on me."
Remus sighed, kissed Molly on the cheek and gave her Teddy. Molly walked back into the other room cooing at him and tickling his feet. Remus put his arms round Tonks shoulders then lent back so he could see her eyes. He gazed into the deep blue spectrums and for the millioneth time, wondered how he'd ever got so lucky. Tonks stared right back at him and bit her lip. The two moved in until thier lips were just touching.
"I love you Tonks"
"I love yo.."
Tonks was cut short by someone tumbling out of the fireplace next to them. She jumped back and promptly fell over a stool in the way.
"Same old Tonks"
Ginny's voice sounded amused to say the least, she helped Tonks up and gave her a hug, then moved away from the fireplace just before Hermione followed her.
Remus hugged Hermione then Ginny and the four of them walked into the kitchen where Mrs Weasley was showing her expertise by cooking the soup while balancing Teddy on her hip. On seeing Ginny and Hermione she dropped the spoon and hugged them both with such force they felt they might suffocate.
"Hi Mom, hows dinner coming?"
"Oh just fine dear, hows school? Behaving yourself?"
Without waiting for Ginny's answer she turned straight to Hermione
"Is she Hermione? You know you can tell me if she isn't! She's not too old for a Howler!"
Ginny rolled her eyes and took Teddy from her mothers arms while Hermione answered.
"Ginny's fine Mrs Weasley..I mean Molly"
Hermione corrected herself at Mrs Weasleys stern glance.
"Mom, I'm going to take Teddy out to meet Harry, OK?"
Without waiting for her mothers approval she turned and walked out with Molly's raised eyebrows following her. When Ginny had gone she turned to Hermione who was looking around, blushing slightly. Molly sighed inwardly and rolld her eyes at the embarrasment of young love. Deciding to save Hermione just this once she turned back to her soup and spoke.
"Oh Hermione dear, would you mind running after Ginny and waiting with her? I do hate her being alone out there at night."
"Of course not Molly, I'll go now and I should be able to catch up with her."
With that Hermione rushed out the door and into the darkening night, taking her blushing cheeks with her.
"Molly!"
Tonks sounded impressed and amazed.
"Yes dear?"
"Did you just lie in order to get your youngest son and his girlfriend together?"
"Why yes Tonks, I believe I did"
"What happened to them waiting until their married?"
"Oh for heavens sake Tonks, I'm not telling them to go hop into bed! I'm simply giving them a little alone time together. Heaven knows they need it, what with the girls being at Hogwarts and the boys always training!"
Tonks smiled and rolled her eyes while Remus chuckled silently.