CHAPTER 6 –All For One And One For All

Harry and the kids were flying around the Quidditch Pitch while Bill watched them. Bill felt that if he flew with them then his mind would not be on protecting them. With this in mind he watched, even though he would much rather be up there with them.

Harry was flying high, letting the breeze fly through his hair. With everything that had happened he knew that flying would help him feel better. As he flew, toward the end of the pitch nearest the castle and the lake, he happened to look down and saw Ron with his Father.

Ron was 'bum up' over a log and Mr. Weasley was spanking him. While they all knew what was going to happen to Ron, seeing it happen made Harry's stomach tie up in knots. He didn't want to see anymore so he flew down to where Bill was sitting in the stands.

Bill noticed that Harry was really quiet, something was bothering him."What's up Harry, not feeling well?"

"I'm fine" replied Harry.

Bill knew better and after thinking about where Harry had been flying he quickly put two and two together. "You saw Dad and Ron over by the lake didn't you?"

Harry nodded but didn't look up at Bill.

The rest of the kids noticed Harry sulking in the stands and one at a time came down to see what was wrong with him. Harry didn't want to talk about it but as they started asking him questions his temper started building up.

"Stop it all of you! I am just upset. One minute you are a happy loving family. Then because old Voldy-shorts is after me, your house is burned down and Ron is in big trouble. You act like this is all normal and you treat me like one of the family. But it is NOT normal, and being a part of your family is doing nothing but tearing your family apart."

Bill had heard enough and stood up. "Harry, and the rest of you for that matter, just sit down and listen to me." "NOW!" he said as they hesitated and the twins rolled their eyes at him. When the "W" of now hit his lips they were all sitting on their backsides definitely paying attention to him, even a couple red-faced twins.

"What is happening to Ron has nothing to do with you Harry. Ron is learning that he is not the center of the universe and you need to know that you are not either." Bill was getting red in the face and knew that his temper was getting out of control. He sat down and gathered himself, breathing deeply.

"Mom and Dad have been talking about taking him down a peg or two for the past few months. Granted being one of the younger in the family he doesn't have it easy. He has to use hand-me-downs and he can't have a lot of money to spend and perhaps he feels like he is not getting his fair share of attention, and he sleeps with a ghoul over his head. But he has started treating others as if they and the world owes him something."

"During the year his comments to Hermonie have been very insensitive as has his language concerning Professor Snape, Profession McGonagal and even Professor Dumbledore. Not to mention his not taking school serious, his jealousy about Harry's money and especially his treatment toward the Slytherins. That is just the tip of the iceburg. He has made a lot of cutting, cruel and snippy remarks at home also. He is acting like the whole world is out to get him. It's getting so that it's either his way or the highway followed by a temper tantrum."

"So, what he received today is an accumulation of a lot of things as I am sure Dad is explaining to him. Harry you don't really know the real Ron but after today I bet you'll get to meet him and he is a pretty neat kid. NOW... Its dinner time so lets all head to the Great Hall. When we get there remember what Dad says; 'Once punished, it is forgotten and forgiven' so don't be giving him a bad time about it. The way this summer is going, I expect that more than one of you just might find yourselves receiving 'attitude adjustment'."

Everyone's jaw was hanging on the ground when he finished. Nobody said a word as they gathered their brooms and headed to the castle.

When they arrived at the common room they found Ron lying on the couch staring at the fire. It was apparent from the red eyes and tear stains that he had been crying.

As they entered he attempted to sit up and they could see him wincing as the couch and his bum met. He quickly stood up and walked over to the fireplace leaning on the mantle as if nothing was wrong and he was just in deep thought.

"Lets all go to dinner, I'm really hungry after all this activity." Hermonie said. She knew that food was one of the things closest to Ron's heart and might motivate him.

Everyone was in agreement, everyone except Ron who said he wasn't hungry. They all knew that he didn't want to have to sit on those hard benches so that is when Harry came up with an idea.

"You know, I haven't ridden on a broom in so long I'm a bit sore and I am not looking forward to sitting on those hard benched with a bunch of adults hanging on my every word and movement. I bet if we go to the kitchens we could have dinner standing up like they do at those walk-up places in the Muggle fast food places, what about it?"

"Well that would be different"... said Fred, "and something new"... said George.

"It would also give us a chance to really see how those kitchens work and I hear there are tons of house elves down there" said Ginny.

"Come on Ron, it would't be the same without you" said Harry.

Ron knew what they were doing, he loved them for it, and he was kinda hungry. "Sure, why not"

Before they left Ginny said she had to go put her stuff up in the dorm and the rest agreed. As they walked out Hermonie said to Ron, "You know you have some dirt on your face why don't you go wash it off." As he started walking toward the loo she secretly handed him a jar of pain cream that he could use on his bum. He blushed but said "Thank You".

They all trooped down to the corridor where the entrance to the kitchen was and tickled the pear to open the door. Harry walked in first and was tackled by no less than fifty House Elves.

"It is a so wonderful good honor to have Master Harry Potter here, sir! Is there good we can help you with Master Potter, sweets perhaps? A special drink? Snacks for later Master Harry?"

Harry was struggling to remain standing as they were all trying to touch him when the Head Elf shoved his way to the front. He bowed low to Harry asking him how they could be of service to the 'Great Harry Potter'.

Harry was in shock and very embarrassed so say the least. "Please just call me Harry, just Harry"

"Yes Master just Harry" if that will please you! How can we be of humble service?"

Harry shook his head and then asked, "I was wondering if you might be able to elevate one of these tables so that we could eat our dinner standing up. We have all been flying on brooms too long which made us very sore and we don't want to have to sit down for awhile."

"No problem Master just Harry" as the Elf snapped his fingers and one of the tables elevated to just the right height so they could enjoy their meal standing up. At the same time dinnerware appeared as did all the food that was being served above them in the Great Hall.

"Thanks a lot...uh...what is your name?" My name is Honcho Master just Harry. "Well, thank you Honcho."

"And if you need anything more please just ask". And with that Honcho gave the rest of the Elves a glare and sent them away to their work stations.

The kids all found a space and wasted no time filling their plates and enjoying the wonderful meal.

Meanwhile Honcho apparated to the Great Hall, right next to Head Master Dumbledore, and whispered in his ear. The rest of the teachers and parents looked at him questioningly as that twinkle in Albus' eyes became brighter and a laugh started rumbling out of his throat.

"It would appear that all the children were 'sore' from riding their brooms," and at this he shot a knowing glance at Arthur, "and decided they wanted to eat standing up." They asked the House Elves in the kitchen to elevate a dinner table for them and they are all standing up but eating a wholesome and nutritious meal".

Arthur, Molly and Bill all started laughing. "Well I guess they are bonding, and that is good, as long as they are not just eating junk" said Molly.

"No, Honcho assures me that he will see to it they eat all their vegetables" and again Albus rolled with laughter. "Although, remarked Albus, 'that all for one and one for all' attitude might come back to bite us down the line" he smirked. And with those words the laughter became contagious.

The adults all felt that they were too full for dessert and opted to retreat to their rooms for some much needed rest. The kids finished up and headed on back to their common room to play games. Severus sent Draco back to his room while Albus, Minerva and Severus, as previously planned, retired to Minerva and Albus' room for a drink.

Ron had a task he felt he wanted to do and asked Hermonie, "Would you teach me that copy charm, when you want to make copies of the same document?"

"Sure" she answered and began to show him the wand movements and incantation. By the time he arrived at the common room he was ready to tackle the letters of apology that he wanted to send to everyone. He knew his Dad didn't say he had to but he really wanted to do this. He lay down on his stomach by the fire and began to compose what he wanted to say. The rest of the kids just figured he was catching up on some homework as he always left it until the last minute and didn't pay much attention to him.

Ron had decided not to hand them out but to have them formally delivered so they had to be just right. He figured it would probably take half the owls at Hogwarts to get it done, but he was determined.

What his father had said was true and that was not who he wanted to be. He father said that when someone is forgiven then it is over but he felt he had to let them all know that he cared for them. He also knew he was not good with words so it might take half the night... so be it.

Severus was deep in thought as he made his way to his parent's room. He mumbled to himself, that if he were in charge all those brats would have been dragged by their ears up to the Great Hall and made to eat their dinner with their family. Everyone was going too easy on these young hooligans and the parents would eventually pay the price.

Of course no one was listening to him so he kept quiet.

Minerva had insisted that her family come together at least once a week and just sit and talk with each other. She knew that her boys, even though one was well over a hundred years old, were stubborn, bull headed and tended to reside in their own little worlds if you let them. She felt that they needed to be reminded that there was a bigger world out there to be talked about and that they were still family even though all three of them were adults.

After handing out drinks, Minerva asked, "So how is Draco doing Severus?"

"As well as can be expected I guess" answered Severus. "His Father constantly teaches him that he is better than everyone else, assists him in the development of that snobbish and superior attitude, then treats Draco as if he was the very scum he is being taught to hate. Draco is confused and he is angry."

"Do you feel that Lupin can make a difference with the boys" interjected Albus, "I know that Draco has been taught not to have a very high opinion of him"

"To tell you the truth Dad, as long as Lucius is alive I don't think anyone will make a difference in Draco's attitude, but we can try. "If we can get him to socialize with the other brats perhaps things might change but it causes hives just thinking that he might turn into one of THEM."

"Son, please, they are not bad kids...just kids who do kids stuff" Smiled Albus.

"Dad, please! I can remember very clearly being over your lap many times for pulling some of the pranks that they pull."

"Yes Severus, you might be right, but you were doing things out of anger and revenge. They are doing things they think are funny or helpful. Granted they don't think things through but their motivation is not the same. It took you a long time to start "feeling" again and have "empathy" for others. Even now you walk around here like you don't care one bit about anybody but I saw your face when we found Harry and I have seen your reactions when your snakes get hurt through no fault of their own."

Severus just grunted and smirked, doing his famous 'raising of the eyebrow' thing.

Minerva just laughed.

"Mom you can laugh but I remember many a time that you facilitated a personal meeting between me and that wicked ruler of yours. You tolerate a lot less than Dad yet you also are letting the Golden Boy get away with murder around here."

"Severus I still have that ruler and if I become so inclined to use it on you again it would be to improve your eyesight. When you can learn to see Harry Potter instead of James Potter, the Potter that took Lily away from you, then I think your world will change for the better. But I love you anyway and always will, even if you are half blind.

Albus knew that neither one of them could stand against Minerva so he decided to change the subject just a bit. "So when do you plan on leaving for the Dursley's and gathering the information we need along with Harry's stuff, if it's still there?

"Also" continued Albus," while you are over there try to find out about a 'Cassy Dursley'."

"I was going through the Hogwarts book the other day, the one that self up-dates, as Witches and Wizards demonstrate magical power in our world. I don't remember seeing a young girl in that house while we were there. You might ask Harry about it before you go and see if he knows anything about her. I would hate to think, after the Harry fiasco, that there might be another young witch or wizard under their care."

"According to the book she should be around six years old. I am sure she is not their child by birth but I am not sure where she might have come from or if she is there at all."

"Could it be that the book made a mistake or it is a different Dursley" asked Minerva.

"I thought about that but the book has never been wrong. What peaks my interest is that the address. If we were to send her a letter, would be #4 Privot Dr., Cupboard under the Stairs, just the same as Harry's address when he received his letter."

Severus rolled his eyes and said, "Oh no, not another one!"

"SEVERUS" growled Minerva!

"Yes Mother, I will use due diligence and check it out! I plan on going on Saturday since the kids should be 'house trained' by then and there are no classes going on.

"SEVERUS" Growled Minerva again! "One more time with the attitude and I will take the starch out of your billowing robes and you will have to develop a new 'Grand Exit' to scare your students with."

Albus laughed and Severus just raised his eyebrow once again, while using his wand to get rid of his tea cup. Then he excused himself, giving his Mother a peck on the cheek and laying a hand on Albus' shoulder.

After Severus left, Minerva and Albus cuddled down to enjoy just being alone for awhile. It didn't happen often and it would seem it would not happen now.

There was a soft knock on and door and when Albus answered it he was a bit surprised when he saw Ron standing there.

"Ron, it's almost curfew time what are you doing out?"

"I know it is sir but I need some help"

"Come on in then" answered Albus.

When Ron entered he was surprised to see Professor McGonagall sitting there. "Good evening Professor, I'm sorry to bother you but it's really important and there was nobody else I could really ask."

"OK Ron, we are all ears," answered Albus.

"Welllllll..."Dad didn't tell me I had to but I want to send out apologies to everyone for my behavior, letting them know that I DO value them. I didn't want to just hand them a note but to do the grownup thing and have it sealed in an envelope and sealed with that fancy wax stuff...you know?. Then I wanted the owl's to deliver them personally."

"I wrote the letter and copied it and found enough envelopes, although they don't exactly match," he said while blushing. "But I can't find any of that stuff that you seal them with that makes them look so official".

"Could you help?" asked Ron.

Both Albus and Minerva were in shock and then so moved that Minerva had to turn her head so that he would't see the tears that were forming in her eyes.

"Of course we will help you" answered Albus, "Come on over to the desk, I imagine we can even find matching envelopes for you."

After everything was finished and Ron had his stack of envelopes Minerva asked him, "Why don't you leave them with Albus and we can have Fawks deliver them all in the morning. It would be quite special to have a Phoenix deliver such a beautiful envelope in a blinding flash of light. We can even have him space them out so that each person received their letter when they are alone, just to make it more special."

Ron was standing there with his mouth open..."Would you really do that for ME?

Albus put out his hand and took the envelopes, "consider it done!" At the same time he looked Ron right in the eye and said, "Ron, Minerva and I are very proud of you!"

With that Ron turned red, said "Thanks, Thanks a lot" while backing out the door, then tore off to the Gryffindore common room as only a twelve year old can do.

Albus and Minerva just looked at each other when Minerva said, "Just when you think you have seen it all".