AN: I don't own Harry Potter. Just...putting that out there.
Thanks so much for the reviews, follows, and faves. I'm sorry this was a bit late, but I was having a hard time getting it written. The muse hasn't been cooperating with me lately.
Well, folks, I think we're getting near the end. Possibly one or two more chapters and an epilogue. Possibly. I make no claims that that's how it gonna go. The muse is a fickle bitch, after all.
Anyway, on we go. Enjoy!
"So, does anyone know what the news is?" Angelina asked as all the Weasley wives, Ginny, Hermione, and Mallory stood in the kitchen. They had all convinced Molly to take it easy for once, and just enjoy being around her guests. With a word that if they needed her they'd let her know, the women had nearly shoved the woman out of her own kitchen.
Hermione shrugged. "No idea. But, it must be something big if she demanded everybody's being here today."
"Well, what about you, Gin? Do you know?" Angelina asked, looking at the pregnant witch.
Ginny shook her head as she frosted the cake. "No, I don't. They wouldn't even tell me, their own daughter!"
Fleur snorted. "Az if zhey would tell you. Dizzcreshion iz not your zhing." she said, buttering the rolls before placing them in the oven.
"I can so be discreet!" Ginny yelled in indignation. "I didn't say a word when Fred and George were planning on proposing, and I helped picked out the rings!"
Angelina laughed. "Please. Every time I was in the room, or Katie, you'd start humming 'Here Comes the Bride'."
Ginny sputtered for a moment. "Well, I couldn't help it! I was excited!"
"Or, when I found out I was pregnant, and you started giggling every time you saw Percy enter the room." Audrey said, laughing along with the others.
"Well...that was...there wasn't...oh, sod off, you lot!" she exclaimed, crossing her arms and huffing as she glared at the laughing group, before she could no longer keep the scowl in place and joined in the laughter.
Once the food was on the table, and everyone had found a seat, the rush to start filling plates began. As always with the Weasley family, it was absolute chaos as everyone loaded their plates. It was especially chaotic with the kid's still in a boisterous mood, yelling and screaming at one another over and down the table despite their mothers trying to shush them.
Arthur grabbed his water glass and stood, clearing his throat. "Uh...before you all start eating, I'd like to announce why we wanted you all here today." he said. Seeing he had everyone's attention, he continued. "As you know, I've been with the Ministry for quite some time, and in several different departments. And, now..."
"Wait, are you retiring?" Ron asked, interrupting.
Arthur chuckled at his youngest son. "No, no. I wouldn't know what I'd do with myself if I retired." he said. "No. It's much bigger than that." Clearing his throat again, he smiled around at his family. "Kingsley has, for personal reasons, decided to resign his post as Minister. So..."
"Arthur is one of the candidates for Minister!" Molly blurted out in excitement, standing and embracing her husband. Noticing the rest of the family was silent and unmoving, she asked, "Well? Aren't you lot excited?"
"Are you serious?" Bill asked.
"Entirely." Arthur said with a nod, squeezing Molly tightly to him.
The family was quiet for another moment before they all burst out clapping and whooping, most of them rushing up to hug him. The kids of the family, although not entirely sure what was happening, also started yelling and screaming in support of their grandfather.
"I think this is great!" Ginny said, wiping the tears off her face. "I wish Draco was here for this. I know he'd be thrilled for you, as well." she said, hugging her father as he chuckled.
"Yeah. You'd make a great Minister!" Ron smiled.
"I absolutely agree, Mr. W." Mallory smiled from her seat beside Ron. "I mean, coming from someone still relatively new in this country and unfamiliar with the past Ministers, I think you'd be the tops." she added.
"Thank you, Mallory." Arthur said. "Thanks, all of you. It's so great to have your support." he smiled, sitting back down.
"Who are the other candidates?" Angelina asked.
"Robards is one I know for sure. And rightly so. And Lucius, I know that, too." he said, giving Hermione a little smile. "I think also Amelia Bones, but she's one of the ones that their nomination is just a rumour." he added.
"When does the Wizengamot vote on it?" Hermione asked, trying to wrap her head around Lucius being a candidate for Minister. She hadn't known, and neither he nor her mother had said anything about it, so it was a shock. Now, she was torn between wanting Arthur to get it, and Lucius getting it.
Arthur took a deep breath. "Well, since these are special circumstances, they're convening all members tomorrow to start the deliberations, and, if all goes well, they should announce their decision on Tuesday." he said.
"That soon?" Severus frowned. "I thought these things took a week at most."
"Yes, well...It won't be officially announced until next week, but Kingsley's resignation kicks in as soon as they've elected someone to take over." Arthur said. "He's in a bit of a rush to step down."
"Can you tell us why?" Harry asked. "I mean, every time I've talked to Kingsley since I've been back, he's seemed like everything was fine. Is he sick, or something?"
Arthur sighed, looking around the table. "Alright. But, it goes no further than this table for now." he said. Seeing his family nod, he continued. "Kingsley's wife has been given a new job, and is moving to Brazil, I think, and Kingsley wants to go with her."
"Whoa!" Hermione exclaimed, holding her hands up. "Since when does Kingsley have a wife, and how did we not know about it?" she asked, the others echoing her question.
"Since about '95, I think." he said. "It's one of the wizarding world's best kept secrets." he smiled.
"And we all know how rare it is to have a secret be a secret, don't we?" Bill chuckled. "Wow. King's married." he said, shaking his head.
"Does he have children?" Percy asked, frowning. He knew it was silly, but he was feeling irrationally upset that he didn't know. After all, he worked with Kingsley at the Ministry closely for years, and felt he should have known.
"Uh...um..." Arthur stammered, looking to his wife.
"He does." Molly said, smiling. "He has a little girl. Tatiana, I believe her name is."
"Wow." Ron whispered. "But wait, isn't Kingsley like...60 or something?"
"Um...I think he's only a few years older than Dora, actually." Harry said. "And, how'd you know about it, Molly?"
"I know many things." she winked, laughing. "And it doesn't matter his age, Ron. Everyone's entitled to have a family, and a personal life." she said.
"Well, I think it's great that he has a family. I gotta say, I was...Ginny? Are you alright?" Hermione said, changing her statement when she saw Ginny sitting quietly, wiping tears off her face.
Ginny waved her hand. "Of course. I just...I just think it's sweet that he'd give up being Minister for his wife, is all." she said. "Don't mind me. It's the..."
"Hormones." the women in the room said together.
"We understand, Gin." Hermione smiled at her friend. Hearing a cry from the enchanted baby monitor, she stood. "I was wondering when he'd wake up." she said.
"Would you like me to get him, love?" Severus asked, wiping his mouth on his napkin and preparing to stand.
Hermione shook her head, giving him a smile. "No. I think this is a job for Mummy." she said, standing. "I won't be long." she said before going to her son.
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Til next time!
XOXO - Onyx Obsidian