A/N: I would like to thank those have been warning me about the author trashing me in their stories, but I'm not too worried about it. If they dislike my New Beginning series, that is their right to do so. It may be over the top to write about it in their stories, but that's their choice. If people choose to flame me because of that, it is also their choice. I will continue to update my stories despite that. I am very grateful for the warnings though. I'm sure the person will get bored of it soon. :)
I would also like to thank my reviewers who have been reading my stories. I love all of you.
Molly felt good to see the smile light up Harry's face as he gazed at his presents. She felt very proud of her children as well. It had been Bill's idea to give Harry the Christmas he'd missed out on. Unbeknownst to her, her eldest son had listened in on the conversation she'd had with Harry about his old home life.
While Harry ate, he proposed to his brothers and sisters that they each give up a toy so that Harry could still have Christmas. The children kept Harry busy while one at a time, they'd gone to pick something for him to have.
Bill, who had always treasured his old copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard gave it to Harry. The family had their own copy as well, but Bill had always kept his up and away from the others. He'd wanted to keep it for his own children someday, and yet, he'd given it to Harry without hesitation. He'd told her he was happy to do it, and someday he would just buy a new copy for his own children.
Molly did wonder if Harry would notice that everything was used, but he hadn't questioned it. He hadn't expected brand new toys or books. He'd just been happy to receive the gifts. Charlie had given Harry his old stuffed dragon, something he'd had since he was a small boy. She knew her son still loved that dragon even if he was twelve years old now.
"It's worth it to see how happy he is," Charlie told her now.
Indeed, Harry hadn't stopped grinning all day. It was now mid afternoon, and he was in the living-room with his new toys. The other children were playing with them as if they'd never seen any of them before. Even Ginny, as young as she was didn't give anything away. He had some of her children's books as well.
Her children could be very possessive of their belongings at times. It wasn't that they didn't like to share, but at the end of the day, they knew what was theirs. If they leant out a toy, they expected it back when the other child was done playing. All seven of them knew that they were giving up their toys so that Harry could have something. They would have to buy him more clothes of course, but Ron had given up his favourite outfit, so Harry would have something else to wear.
Molly had some hopes that Arthur would find some of Harry's old clothing when he went to the Dursley's the night before, but he came back empty handed.
"Any clothes they had for him were much too large," Arthur had explained.
As it was, the clothes he came to them in were too big, so she'd shrunk them. For the moment, he and Ron seemed to wear the same size so they'd be able to share, but Molly knew they would have to get him more clothes as well.
"Mum, why did his aunt and uncle have to be so mean though?" Charlie asked. "Why would they want to hurt him?"
"I wish I knew the answers to that dear," Molly told him. "I honestly believe they couldn't accept the magic."
"But they could have just sent him to another family," Charlie replied sadly. "Maybe we could have taken him in sooner. He is staying here, right?"
"We're trying Charlie. We've applied, that's where your father went. Professor Dumbledore said he would put in a good word for us. They may not let us because we don't have a lot of money" Molly explained.
"I'll use my robes for next year too then," Charlie said. "I've grown, but I won't need new robes. I can go without anything else if he can stay here."
"Me too," Bill said as he joined them. "I don't need anything new. As long as Harry stays with us, I don't need new things."
"We'll be getting you new robes," Molly murmured. "Money might be a bit more tight, but no one is going to go without. He's still quite young, and he can share with Ron. They both still fit in most of the twins old clothing, though I do want to get Harry some outfits. You two boys need more clothes. The others can have your hand-me-downs."
Given how happy Harry seemed to be to have anything at all, she didn't expect temper-tantrums from him. He'd been denied so much for the last four years. She believed most children would have noticed that the toys they'd been given were old, and yet Harry hadn't. The only thing he did notice was that they were clearly magical.
She smiled as he laughed and then clapped his hands while a few toy Quidditch figurines flew around the room. He almost seemed younger than five as he let out a loud squeal of excitement. It put warmth in her heart knowing that it was because of them. He was finally being allowed to have a normal childhood.
"Mummy," Ginny said as she got up, and then rushed over. "Can we take Harry outside? Can we show him the toy broomstick? Mummy, he doesn't know people really can fly on brooms!"
"Can we?" Bill asked. "It's still light outside mum, and we won't let him go on a real broomstick."
Molly hesitated a moment, but then finally nodded. It wouldn't hurt to let him see more, and it was warmer out today than yesterday. She wanted to see his reaction to brooms anyway. She wished they had extra money so that he could see a real Quidditch game.
"Yay!" Ginny shouted causing her to flinch as it was right in her ear.
"Ginny dear, remember, indoor voice," she reminded her daughter as she rubbed her right ear.
"I'm sorry mummy," Ginny said and then she turned to her brothers and Harry. "We can go outside! We can show Harry the brooms."
"I've seen brooms," Harry said as he stood up. "Sweeping is one of my chores."
"But they fly like real," Ron said. "Just like the toys, people can fly for real too!"
Harry's mouth dropped open and then he looked at her for confirmation. When she nodded, he grinned and then began jumping up and down with the rest of the children. She smiled watching him. What a change it must have been for the boy to go from his aunt and uncles to their place.
"If you take him on your broom, do not fly too high boys," Arthur said as he entered the room. He turned to her. "Well, it's done. Well, it's started. I took in the paperwork but it will probably be a long process. We've been given temporary custody, but they'll have to observe us to make sure we are a good fit for him. Dumbledore really did go to bat for us. Normally it isn't even that fast to get temporary, but we have what they called emergency temporary custody."
"Too bad they didn't do that with the Dursley's," Molly said with some annoyance as she stood up to get the children ready to go out.
The situation really irked her. People like the Dursley's were given custody to Harry right away just because they were relatives, and they weren't struggling with money. Her family would have a harder time though they'd do anything for him. Dumbledore had sent over the papers the night before, and after breakfast, Arthur went straight to the Ministry where Dumbledore had met him.
"I get the feeling Dumbledore will pull strings to make sure we get him," Arthur assured her. "There aren't too many people he wants Harry with. Though he did try to convince me this morning to think it through again. I believe he really does want Harry back with the Dursley's because of the blood wards, but he knows we won't allow that. He said if things change, we'll be given extra protection. He didn't explain how, but he must know people."
They followed the children into the kitchen where they began helping them to get dressed. Luckily, they still had a couple of extra snow cloaks from when the older boys were younger. Harry was able to fit into Charlie's old cloak.
"I just hope he doesn't pull strings to go the other way," Molly said once the children were all dressed. "Go on outside, I just want to talk to your father and then we'll be out. Bill, Charlie, and Percy, watch the younger ones. Do not take Harry up too high."
"Okay mum," Bill replied.
And laughing they all ran outside. What if Albus was trying to get their trust, only to send Harry back to the Dursley's? He couldn't go back! Even if the Ministry or Dumbledore didn't believe they were suited for him, there had to be someone much better than the Dursley.
"How long does the temporary custody last?" Molly asked.
"As long the observation period is I believe," Arthur responded. "They didn't give me a date, but someone will be coming very soon. We'll have to be careful because they'll be watching everything, including our finances."
"And what about the Dursley's?" Molly asked.
"There will be some punishment, but unfortunately, I don't think there will be jail time. There should be, but Albus doesn't want Dudley to suffer," Arthur said and he rolled his eyes. "He's helping us, but I disagree with that completely. Dudley shouldn't suffer, but his parents shouldn't go without punishment just to prevent that. Even that Marge woman should be punished in my opinion, but Dumbledore says they can't. She seems as if she eggs them on."
"It doesn't surprise me. She seemed unpleasant just from the few minutes I'd met her. I'm going to go out and watch the boys Arthur after I clean up," Molly said. "Are you coming too?"
"Soon, I'm just waiting on a response from Dumbledore. He is going back to the Dursley's with a Ministry official. I really hope they disagree with him, and they do get jail time after all. Harry suffered four years of abuse for no reason. They shouldn't get away with it just so that Dudley can be protected," Arthur said. "Sometimes I don't understand that man."
She didn't understand him at all, but she was grateful that he was helping them out. She just hoped they would be given more than temporary custody.
Harry still felt like he was in a dream. Everything in this house was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Molly confirmed it was magic of course, and so did the Weasley children, but he still couldn't believe it all! He felt like he was living in a telly show, or maybe in one of the stories he'd been read to over the years.
It wasn't just all the magical things around him, it was the fact that everyone liked him. Everyone was very nice to him. Other than his teachers at school, he wasn't used to people being nice to him, not even other kids. Likely the other children at school would like him, but because of Dudley, they didn't. Most of the time he played by himself.
He loved it here, and he was so scared he couldn't stay. Molly said she was going to try and let him stay, but maybe he wouldn't be allowed to. What if he had to go back to his aunt and uncles? He didn't want to. Not after he was here. Both Molly and Arthur told him that he wouldn't be spanked or hurt ever again. He didn't want to be hurt anymore, and he knew he would be the moment he went home. He knew his aunt and uncle would be very angry for telling the family secret. He had a feeling it was going to be the worst he'd had yet.
The Weasley kids and Harry went outside after playing with his new toys for a little bit. Even they seemed to agree that Santa must have sent his gifts ahead. They were all very happy that he had toys now too. If he was back at home, Dudley would be throwing a fit! His aunt and uncle probably would either throw it out since they were magical, or they would give them to Dudley. They took him into an area surrounded by trees.
"Come on Harry," Ron said. "Wait until you see the brooms."
The most bizarre part of this day was the fact that brooms actually flew! He'd seen something like that in cartoons when he was allowed (which wasn't often) and now these people were telling him it was real! He wanted to see this! Maybe they were just joking around. It was one thing to see the toys do it, but real brooms for real people? The only brooms he'd seen were ones he had to sweep with.
Bill and Charlie took them over to a shed which they opened. Harry peered inside to see that there were indeed brooms inside.
"Show him this," Bill said as he reached into to pull out a smaller one. He handed it to Ron.
"This one is easier," Ron said. "Daddy is just showing me how to use a real one. We have to use the toy until we're six. I'll be six so soon! Sometimes Bill and Charlie take me on their brooms but they aren't allowed to go high with me. I can't wait to fly high."
"Me too!" Ginny said excitedly.
"You don't need to go on the brooms," Percy told her which earned him a glare from her.
"Show him how to ride the toy Ron," Bill repeated.
Ron smiled and then let the broom hover before he scrambled on. It didn't move very fast, and he wasn't very high up, but it was still really neat! Ron suddenly shot forward fast and then began to laugh. He climbed off and then handed it to Harry.
"You try now," Ron said. "It is a lot of fun. The big brooms are more fun, but that can be too. You don't have to make it hover, you can just put it between your legs but I like doing it that way."
Harry wasn't even sure how to make it hover, and yet, when he let it go, it stayed in spot in the air. He did as Ron did, and then climbed onto it. Something took over and he instantly knew what to do. He began flying around the yard while the Weasley kids cheered him on. He was flying! He was actually flying and it felt right to him. He felt like he'd always done this. No one even needed to tell him what to do. He knew how to make it go faster, and then slower.
"He's a natural," Charlie said. "Harry, try to catch this!"
Charlie threw up a small white ball, and Harry shot forward to catch it before it could hit the ground. He took a hand off the broom, and lowered the broom a little as the ball got closer to the ground. He managed to catch it just as it almost landed. Harry pulled the broom up so he'd fly higher, and then began doing laps, all the while holding the ball over his head. The Weasley's were clapping and cheering him on.
"You could be a Seeker!" Ron said excitedly. "I've never been able to do that!"
"He could be a Seeker," Charlie said as he came closer. "That was brilliant. You even lowered the broom. You knew exactly what to do. Neither Ron or Ginny can fly unless both hands are on the broom. You can, and it's your first time."
"I can too! I did it the other day!" Ron said seeming to take offense to this.
"Not as long as Harry," Fred said. "You only did for a few seconds. Harry still doesn't have his hand back on the broom."
"It's not a competition," Bill said quickly as Ron looked ready to cry. "It is impressive but I think Ron will be able to do it soon too."
"I will!" Ron said nodding quickly.
"Want to try now?" Harry asked as he stopped the broom.
He handed the broom back to Ron who took it back eagerly.
He didn't want a fight, and he was sensing one. He also didn't want Ron to be angry with him for being able to do something right away. He wanted to be friends with him. He wasn't even sure why he was good at it, but he was.
"And then me!" Ginny said.
"We're not throwing anything for you to catch Ginny," Charlie said. "Not yet. Maybe when you're five."
"I'm never big enough," Ginny pouted and then she folded her arms and stared at the ground. Her lower lip was sticking out.
"Watch out, a bird might poop on that lip," George told her.
Ginny just glared at him, and then flopped down in the snow into a sitting position. Harry had a feeling that the boys were just really protective of her, like Aunt Petunia was with Dudley. She was the only girl after all. They all seemed worried that she might get hurt. He was still a guest, but he wanted to tell them that she would probably be okay.
Ron was already flying around excitedly. Harry wasn't sure how many of the white balls they had, but they seemed to have many. Charlie was tossing some to his brother, who was missing them all. He didn't have the confidence to let go of the broom. Harry wondered why this was. He'd likely used it for years.
"You won't fall," Harry assured him. "But the broom isn't far up and there is snow on the ground. It won't hurt if you do."
"I know," Ron said though he didn't sound too confident about that.
He took his hand off the broom to try and catch another ball thrown at him, but he panicked and nearly did fall off.
"Come on Ron, it's easy," George said. "Harry's right. You won't fall, but if you do, it won't hurt."
"Just don't think about falling," Fred said. "Just think about catching."
They tried a few more times. On the last try, Ron did nearly catch it but it fell into a patch of snow. It was his best try yet. Maybe if he was allowed to stay, he would help Ron out.
"Okay, let's show Harry real brooms now."
While the older boys took out the real ones, Ginny began flying around on the toy. She seemed to be quite good as well. Harry watched as she took her hands off, and then put them back on after about a minute. She seemed better at it then Ron.
"Watch them Harry!" Fred shouted.
Harry looked away from Ginny to watch Bill, Charlie, and Percy climb onto some brooms. He stared in astonishment as all three flew up high!
"No one will see them do that," George told him. "It's why we fly in the orchard, but we're far from the village anyway."
"Sometimes we throw the apples at each other," Fred said stooping down to pick something up. When he straightened back up, he threw it at Ron who let out a yelp.
"Don't! Mummy said not to, especially when they are frozen!" Ron whined.
"Don't be a baby," George retorted.
"I'm not!" Ron snapped.
"Don't fight!" Charlie called down to them.
Harry looked away and smiled. He'd always wanted to be part of a normal family like this. The Weasley kids argued but he knew they loved each other. Bill flew down in front of him.
"Come here Harry," he said. "I'll let you right in the front. Make sure you hold on tight. Don't let go yet, okay? When you're older you can do that on a real broom. For now, only let go when you're on the toy."
Harry nodded eagerly and rushed over to where Bill lifted him up. He placed him in front of him on the broom. Once he was sure Harry was gripping the broom, he began to fly around. Automatically, Harry could see that this was different from the toy. It went up higher and it was faster too.
"I can't go too high with you or the other kids, but I'll go a little higher. Promise you will not let go, Harry," Bill said.
"I promise," Harry said quickly.
He wasn't about to disobey. This was so much fun already. He wanted to go up way high, but Bill only took them up a few more feet. Nevertheless, it was the most fun he'd ever had. Bill began to make really fast laps, causing Harry to squeal in excitement. This was more fun than the toy broom. After the laps, he began flying the broom up and down, very fast. Harry felt tears stream down his cheeks as he laughed hard. They felt cold against his skin, but he didn't care. He never wanted it to end.
"Thank you Bill," Harry said as the older boy began to slow down. "This is the funnest I've ever had. I wish I could stay forever and ever. I don't want to go back to my aunt and uncles. They're going to spank me when I go home."
"My mum and dad are trying to keep you here," Bill said. "Don't worry, they won't spank you. We hope you stay forever too. We can do this all the time when I'm home if you do."
He took them back down to the ground, where he lifted Harry off first. Harry hadn't noticed that Molly had come out while they were flying. He'd barely paid attention to anything, except the fun. Charlie had Ron on his broom, Percy was helping Ginny on the toy, and Fred and George had climbed onto some brooms as some point.
"Did you have fun Harry?" Molly asked him.
"Yes," Harry said quickly. "Molly I want to be here forever."
"Well, we're still not sure about forever Harry, but we're allowed to keep you here for a little while. We were granted temporary custody of you."
"That was fast," Bill said. "Maybe that means he can stay forever."
"I think it was all down to Albus," Molly responded.
Harry was confused though. He didn't know what temporary custody meant.
"What does that mean?" He finally asked her.
"It means we are allowed to keep you here, but they haven't said for how long," Molly answered. "It might end up being forever, but it might not."
"Why can't they just let me stay?" Harry asked.
"We're going to do the best we can to allow you to stay, Harry," Molly said.
"I don't want to go back to my aunt and uncles," he said though he knew he'd said this several times.
"They won't send you back. Arthur is trying to make sure of that. Even if you can't stay here, we are going to do whatever we can to make sure you never have to go back," Molly told him.
"But they gave you custody so fast," Bill said. "That has to mean something, right?"
"I do hope so Bill, but I think it's because Dumbledore convinced them to let us keep him until he talked to the Dursley's more," Molly said.
"But Professor Dumbledore isn't trying to send him back?" Bill asked.
"He has his reasons for it, but we're trying to stop it. Arthur does think that things will work out for us in the end. He thinks Dumbledore will realize it isn't the best place, and that we are," Molly said. "He is speaking up on our behalf, but he also believes there is a reason that Harry was safe there."
Harry stood listening to all this. He didn't know who the man was with an odd name, but he wasn't sure if he liked him. He was trying to send him back? He thought he was safe there?
"I'm not safe there!" Harry protested. "Don't let that man send me back! Please! I want to stay here. I don't want to be hit anymore."
And then he began to try. He'd been so hopeful, and the day had been so wonderful and now some dumble man wanted to send him back? He felt Molly pull him into her arms. He put his head on her shoulder and then began to cry harder. He didn't want to have all this fun only to get hurt again.
"Harry, you will not go back," Molly said. "Even if we don't get to keep you. We will not let that happen. Arthur and I are willing to fight that. We will do whatever we have to keep you safe."
"Please tell the dumbley man to let me stay here," Harry said. "Please."
"That's what we are doing," Molly said. "So dry those tears Harry. Lets have some fun okay?"
Harry backed away and wiped his tears away, but he still felt sad. He didn't feel happy knowing that he wasn't staying forever. They said he could stay, but not for a long time. He didn't blame Molly or Arthur though. He knew they were trying. He blamed the dumbdore man who was trying to make him stay at his aunt and uncles.
"And I think Dumbledore is doing his best to keep you here too," Molly added as if reading his mind. "You are here because of him."
"But you said he is trying to send me back," Harry said.
"I think he is going to realize it's a bad idea," Molly answered. "He thinks you are safe there, but we are doing what we can to prove he is wrong. He's a smart man, and he will see sense. He has helped us keep you here so far. I think he will help you stay forever. So, why don't you let Charlie take you on his broom now, okay?"
Harry nodded, and walked over to Charlie who was now beckoning to him. While he'd been crying, Bill must have decided to take Ron flying. They were now flying above their heads. Ron was laughing. He would have more fun if he knew he could stay.