Mr Weasley had his hands over a mug but his face had a look of sheer bewilderment.
"Merlin's Beard," was all he was able to get out after what seemed like a long time.
Ron and Mr Weasley had tears welling up in their eyes as they were moving
towards each other for an embrace exchanging words Harry couldn't hear, however
Harry was looking around to see Sirius' old home had been lavishly decorated with
an array of quirky furniture but it had clearly not been completed. Mr Weasley then
proceeded to hug Harry with a force that would rival Mrs Weasley's.
"What's with the decorating Mr Weasley?" asked Harry who amidst the shock of
seeing him react so unusually emotionally had forgotten to greet him.
"We thought this could be good for George and Angelina's new home. But now
you're back that changes things. I must tell Molly," Mr Weasley managed to say
between sobs of relief.
"Don't!" yelled Harry and Ron in unison.
"Why not?" came the puzzled reply.
Ron opened his trunk and handed over the Daily Prophet with rigidity in his hands
to his father who put his mug back on the dining table to pick it up.
"Ah I see," Mr Weasley said with apprehension and sadness and then gestured for
Ron and Harry to sit down opposite him at the table which was now a granite
worktop. Suddenly the slightly downcast Kreacher trundled down the staircase with
Regulus' locket around his neck but at the sight of Harry and Ron cracked a wide
smile.
"Master has returned!" in a squeaky voice Harry had never heard Kreacher use
before.
Harry gave Kreacher a grin with Ron trying to stifle his laughter.
"So boys do you have a plan?" asked Mr Weasley leaning in slightly.
"Well…, we thought we would disturb the wedding somehow," replied Harry very
hesitantly earning a look of astonishment from Ron and a thoughtful one from Mr
Weasley.
"You realise that firstly you haven't met Ginny or Hermione for a while and they
may have changed and secondly there will be very tight security surrounding
Hogwarts as well as within it so you will struggle to get inside," Mr Weasley
methodically answered.
"Well I could get some money from Gringotts for a new broom which would beat
the apparition wards," suggested Harry.
"The problem with that is that your account was closed last year due to your
condition so it would be impossible to access it without visiting Gringotts and even
then someone from the Prophet is guaranteed to notice and I'm sure that isn't what
you want," said Mr Weasley resulting in firm nods from Harry and Ron.
"Is that how you got this house then?" asked Harry
"Yes, well I inherited this estate being the so called head of the Weasley family and
with a bit of help from Kingsley, I forced your will on to our side instead of the
Dursleys'." sighed Mr Weasley with guilt in his voice.
"Sorry," mumbled Mr Weasley.
"Don't worry Mr Weasley, I'd rather you had it as Sirius knew you well," remarked
Harry with no hint of regret.
"Even though Molly thinks the fiances (making them all grimace) are a perfect
match I know who the girls truly love. And I know if there is anyone who can pull
this off it would be you two." added Mr Weasley making Harry and Ron blush as he
made his way towards the fireplace.
"Dad, where do Ginny and Hermione live?" asked Ron with a genuine air of
curiosity.
"Ginny lives in Wales now with the Holyhead Harpies and Hermione lives in a flat in
London near the ministry but they do both come to the Burrow a lot for dinner,"
replied Mr Weasley with a hint of suspicion.
"So Ginny got what she wanted," thought Harry having flashbacks to days walking
with Ginny hand in hand in the Burrow's paddock just after the Battle of Hogwarts.
Ron appeared to have thought the same for Hermione as he was dreamily gazing
into thin air.
"Wait Mr Weasley I want you do something for me at the wedding," said Harry
trailing off as Ron waved goodbye to his dad and ventured upstairs and on to the
second floor into a bedroom where he and Harry had slept 5 years ago which had
now been converted into a small nursery.
"If only," thought Ron with an air of resignation as he walked back down the stairs
to see Kreacher serving up a scrumptious breakfast for the duo.
Harry and Ron ate in silence with the exception of the occasional clattering of
cutlery or the gentle footsteps of Kreacher, both feeling relieved that Mr Weasley
had declared his full backing to regain their hearts' desires.
"Want a game of chess?" asked Ron through his breakfast to break the silence.
"Alright then," even though Harry of course knew he was going to lose but had
nothing better to do for now until they could develop their plan further.
Ron muttered a summoning charm and the Wizard chess set flew out of Ron's
trunk, shaking off some dust in flight.
"Rook to H4," declared Harry at one point resulting in one of Ron's pawns being
swept aside.
Unexpectedly Ron leapt out of chair with such vigour that the flagon of pumpkin
juice on the table rocked and said in awe of his own thinking,
"That's it, we've got to see Luna."
"What?" asked Harry with a look of bemusement etched on to his face.
"We know what Luna's like, she's fearless, bluntly honest and loyal to us. I think
she'll know we're fighting for a good cause.
Harry looked at Ron with a look of astonishment at this unusual perceptive thinking
from Ron and could only nod his head in agreement.
"It's been known to happen," Ron said shrugging his shoulders.
"We'll have to wait until tomorrow to apparate there remember," said Harry.
Harry and Ron spent the rest of the day reacquainting themselves with basic spells
for both combat and general home use, occasionally challenging each other to
friendly duels. They also made plans to make sure they were prepared to visit the
Burrow at a later point, because they wanted to be able to see Ginny and
Hermione, even if they couldn't communicate with them.
After dinner Harry and Ron were both feeling worn-out and went to sleep in Sirius'
and Regulus' room respectively, both dreaming about overcoming the barriers to
achieve their dreams.