Disclaimer: Look at me people; I don't own the characters, if you doubt me, just use veritaserum.
A/N: Ok everyone, I was supposed to update either during my trip to Illinois, or after, and sadly, I think it's been a month sense I've been back. Why am I updating you ask? Well, I was talking too many of my friends tonight, and my friend Herbie asked me when I was going to update. He then gave me the puppy wine, (and I promise my friends are sane) and miraculously I sat here while listening to my friend Kate's radio show and finished the chapter. I'd also like to say thank you to my friend Phil, because without him, you guys wouldn't have this chapter. You see, I tried to translate this document to text, and it only went a quarter of the way down… It was annoying. So, he tried tossing the file threw two Braille translators, and that didn't work. Then, Phil tried to see if it'd come up on this other note taker called the pack mate, and the file wasn't recognized. So, then my friend Dawnielle asked if Phil had a recent version of the pack mate, and he didn't, so she offered to see if the updated version would work. Unfortunately, she could only try that tomorrow. Lucky for you, Phil had this brilliant idea to have me translate the document in to a BRF (Braille Ready File) and see if it'd all come out, and guess what? It did! Sooooooooooooooooooooooo, here it is! And now I'd like to say thank you to Ginny lover-1 for adding this story to there story alerts. And I would like to thank you to lilyjen09 for reviewing, and I'll say this to you: I know it was a long to read, and rather boring, but Brianna thought I did was in the right to put it that way :D. I will try and get two more chapters out before September, but we'll see how things go, you guys honestly deserve it. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 14: Georgette Potter's Birthday
The 18th of July came too soon for Lily and James. This was the day their youngest child would turn two. Outside the window a large Owl flew to the sill of the window where the couple slept. The Owl looked into the window and witnessed a lovely scene. Lily lay on her back with one arm under James' neck, and James lay on his side with one arm around her waste. The couple's free hands lay clasped on Lily's stomach. Not wanting to disturb the sleeping couple the Owl tapped on the window. The Prophet needed to be delivered, and this particular Owl knew it. Noticing no movement from the tap, it tapped again even louder. The Owl noticed the girl's eyes open to reveal emerald green. She slipped out from her husbands grasp and fumbled to the window to open it. The Owl swooped in and landed softly on the bed. Lily reached over to the small pile of coins atop the nightstand which she kept for this occasion. With a few coins in her hand she dropped them into the pouch, and took the Prophet. She put the Prophet down on the nightstand, and crawled back under the covers back to the warmth her husband provided. Instead of wanting to go back to sleep, she wrapped her arms around James and whispered,
"Time to get up." He just groaned and wrapped his arms around her. "James," she tried again, "The Prophet is here, and I'm sure breakfast will be made soon." Lily nudged him gently this time. "Besides, we have to get ready for work, I know you want the shower first," This made him open his eyes to the first day of his youngest daughter's second birthday.
The light from the window filtered slowly into the room as the couple shared a quick kiss before James stretched his arms and legs.
"So, you say the Prophet is here?" James asked with a yawn.
"Yes James, that's what I said." Lily said as she gave her husband a quick hug. James swung his legs off the bed and put his glasses on.
"Have you read the Prophet yet?"
"No, I just got up myself and haven't had the chance to read it." She said as she slipped out of her nightgown. James grabbed a towel off the dresser and exited the room. Lily walked sluggishly to the dresser and picked out Muggle clothing, and an auror robe for work. She knew she had about ten minutes to herself before her husband exited the shower. She couldn't believe her youngest daughter was finally two, and she had to go to work and leave Molly to set up for the party. It wasn't fare to Molly to take care of her children especially on a special day like today. She had no choice of course, because Voldemort was slowly coming into the light. She hated what had to happen between her eldest son and Voldemort. It wasn't fare, but she couldn't do anything about what life threw at her. If she were honest with herself, she would remind herself that she was terrified no matter what everyone else thought. She always put out a tough exterior when it came to her job and the Order. No one knew how truly terrified she was, and the only one who did was the one who was traveling this winding road with her. She wondered how other people in the wizarding community could ignore Voldemorts return; although, it's not their fault the Prophet has stopped all reports of Voldemort. Everyone in the Order was definitely in danger of going to Azkaban for defying the ministry, but what choice did we have when you are a Potter, Lupin, Black, Weasley, Longbottom, Davidson, or even a Granger. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening, the bed shifting, and her husband's arms wrapping around her from behind. Lily leaned over and picked up the Prophet to read.
"There are articles of deaths and St. Mungos robberies." Lily said.
"Wonder what they are about," James said softly in her ear. Lily flipped to the first section and began reading.
St. Mungos robberies? Or misplaced funds and ingredients? By Bria Oliver-Payne
In the wizarding hospital healers have noticed that potions are diminishing, and they do not know why. The entire staff went about there day, doing their jobs as best as possible, but complaints flooded into the Ministry of Magic late yesterday. Healer Bryan Reed told me,
"I was giving a prescription to a client, and the potion wasn't in stalk when we clearly had it the day before." This is disturbing news to those people who need medications. Another healer by the name of Rochelle Black took me back to the lab where potions were prepared, and the shelves were three quarters of the way full. She also told me that they usually have boxes lined against the floor, and even some piled to the ceiling. The workers have no idea where all of it is going. I interviewed healer Sierra Scott and she told me,
"I am one of the people who healers come to tell us what potion have been used, how much, for how long, and if something is out of stock. Our records do not match up to the amount that has been taken." She finished exasperated. It seems that the hospital has no idea what to do. Minister Fudge has said that they will attempt to pay for the missing stock as best they can. The last healer I interviewed told me,
"I was in the middle of a surgery, and one of the deepest cuts couldn't be cured right away, so I am sad to inform that this person died." More articles will come in the following days to keep up with this story. Lily put the paper on her lap, and turned to look at James.
"Can anything else go wrong?" She asked in a whisper.
"Apparently so Lils," James whispered back, "Let's go downstairs and get breakfast, ok?" "Sounds good," she replied.
The couple entered the kitchen a few minutes later and found Molly at the stove cooking. At the table Rochelle, Joanna and Alice were looking at the Prophet which was situated between the three. The wizarding wireless was on in the background spouting sports scores, news updates, and playing music. The guys were sitting together talking in hushed tones. James went to sit with the guys while Lily went to help Molly with breakfast.
"Who is invited to the party?" Molly asked.
"Everyone in the order, the Grangers, and the Davidson's if they wish to come." Lily responded. "Has anyone asked the Davidson family?" She questioned as she put eggs on to cook.
"I believe James has, but Kendra has not responded yet." Lily said as she put pancake batter into another skillet. The two women got a couple more skillets out and put sausage and potatoes in them. A minute later Molly asked,
"What time are we expecting guests?"
"Between 5 and 5:30." Lily said in response. Molly flipped the eggs and sausage quietly as she thought of something to say before she said,
"Then that gives me and the kids plenty of time to clean this place and cook."
"Yes, and I am really sorry that I'm leaving this all up to you. It should be me setting up for my daughter's birthday party." Lily said sadly. Before Molly answered, Lily flipped the pancakes, and potatoes.
"It's not a problem Lily, I enjoy every second of it." After that was said, Molly pointed her wand at the cupboard and the plates, cups and silverware came to rest in a neat pile beside the stove. Lily walked over to the refrigerator to get out the orange juice and said,
"And now that I think about it, I really owe you one... or two..."
"You owe me nothing, I know that all these people are under this small roof, but I've enjoyed every second no matter how crazy it gets." The two women finished breakfast by fixing everyone's plates, and pouring the glasses of orange juice. While they ate, a story caught there attention.
"The last news we have to share this morning concerns the unexplained deaths that have been happening around the world. Last night the police were notified of twenty unexplained deaths. Yes folks, I said twenty. This brings our death toll to fifty. We got word that yesterday morning Minister Fudge went to talk to the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and while he was there appointing Dolores Umbridge to the post of defense against the dark arts position Dumbledore asked him what he was going to do about the deaths. Fudge just responded, start quote, it is probably just some disease we don't need, end quote. We can now conclude that the Ministry will do nothing to stop these deaths. And now, let's get into some music with the Weird Sisters." When the broadcast ended and the music began the men simultaneously banged their heads on the table. "IDIOT! IDIOT! IDIOT!" Sirius shouted.
"Sirius!" Rochelle scolded.
"But it's true," He whined, "Before we know it the entire Muggle world will be gone."
"That may be true, and we all know how much of an idiot Fudge is, but there is not much we can do if we want to keep our jobs." Alice reminded them.
"We know, we know, but it's disheartening to know that the Ministry isn't behind us." James said.
"Absolutely," Remus agreed. As everyone finished breakfast and aparated to work, Molly went into the living room and continued knitting the famous Weasley sweaters.
The first kid made their appearance at 9 o'clock, and it was Bill. "Do you want to help me with breakfast?" Molly asked her eldest son. "Sure Mum, that sounds fun." He agreed. Molly finished the sweater, and then the two entered the kitchen. During the ten minutes it took Bill and Molly to cook the breakfast, Clayton, Dale, Fred, George, Gracie Jane, and Neil entered the kitchen to eat their breakfast. Molly and Bill sat a plate in front of each person before conversation broke out. "Is there any more news?" Neil asked the room at large. Bill turned around from the sink and said, "Just an article on the deaths of Muggles, and the happenings at St. Mungos."
"Great," Gracie said sarcastically, "And let me guess, the Ministry won't do anything about it?" "The Ministry is actually going to try and give St. Mungos the money to replenish there stock, because people are dying for lack of medication." Molly responded. Fred scowled,
"So they are only doing something because our people are dying?"
"Seems to be that way Fred." Bill responded. The room was silent for a minute or two before Clayton asked,
"And what are they doing about the deaths?"
"Fudge claims we shouldn't interfere." Molly answered.
"Why shouldn't we!" Jane exclaimed.
"Fudge thinks that the Muggles have a disease that could spread to us." Bill finished for his mother.
"So he's just going to ignore the fact that the police cannot explain why any of these people are dying suddenly?" George said angrily. Molly's face hardened before saying,
"It looks that way."They're really looking to die aren't they?
" Dale retorted to the room.
"Dale, that isn't nice." Bill scorned, "However, you are correct."
At that moment more footsteps were heard on the stairs. A few seconds later, the kitchen occupants were looking at the faces of Anastasia, Carianna, Ginny Harry, Neville, and Ron.
"Good morning dears." Molly greeted them.
"Morning mum," Ginny greeted her mother back.
"Morning Mrs. Weasley," the others said with tired voices. In an instant six plates were in front of the newcomers.
"Eat up everyone; I'm going to need your help to clean up this place for a special party later." And that was when it dawned on the children that it was the eighteenth of July, and that meant it was Georgette's birthday.
"That's right, it's Georgette's birthday today." Anastasia said.
"It certainly is." Molly replied.
"Wonder what kind of presents the rest of you got a two year old." Ginny wondered aloud. "Hopefully appropriate presents for a two year old." Bill said with a smirk directed at Fred and George.
"You guys better not have gotten her any products from Zonkos." Neville said in horror. Fred and George just smiled good naturedly,
"Don't worry, George said,
"It won't hurt anyone." Fred finished.
"It better not, or you know who you have to answer to tonight." Carianna threatened. The twins gulped, and inhaled the breakfast after that.
More footsteps were heard on the staircase, and in seconds they found Christopher, Dustin, Emma, Kevin, Kira, Nattily, and Wen Wei enter the kitchen. Molly was on it this time, because a few minutes later seven more plates were sitting in front of the kids. Fred and George put down their silverware together and said,
"So mum, is there anything you want us to start on?" They asked in unison.
"The garden needs a major de-gnoming." She replied. The twins got up hastily.
"So why are they so happy to go de-gnome the garden?" Wen Wei asked. The kids looked nervously around before Harry answered,
"Because they basically admitted to give Georgette a minor joke item from Zonkos at her birthday party later." Molly interrupted at this point,
"Anyway boys, it would be much appreciated if you would get a start on it." She finished with the (you better not give that child anything harmful) glare before the twins exited the kitchen at a run. The room was silent for about two minutes before Ron said,
"You know, I think they were smart to run that fast, it looked like Mum was going to murder them." And that ladies and gentlemen, was the wrong thing for him to say, because a moment later Mrs. Weasley had her wand out, and with a levitation spell, Ron found himself outside with his brothers.
"And that is why I keep my thoughts to myself." Kira quipped.
"Goodness, our mothers can be scary." Emma said.
"Yes they can Emma, yes they can." Christopher agreed.
"And that's why I agree with Kira about keeping my thoughts to myself." Nattily said.
"Amen." Dustin and Kevin said simultaneously. By 10:15, everybody was awake either outside with the gnomes, tables, and other party things, or inside cooking, cleaning or organizing the living room.
Outside the burrow we find Christopher and Kevin in a gnome throwing contest. There were very few left on the ground, but the few were being carelessly tossed left and right. Finally, the last were out of the way, and with grins plastered on their faces, Fred and George shouted, "Table bashing time!" And with that, the two picked up two of the tables. Dale and Clayton ran to grab the one table while the twins had the other. Not to feel left out, Neil and Neville grabbed the third table while Ron and Harry got a hold of the fourth. Kevin and Christopher along with the girls cheered the four teams on. Because it was just the older children, no one cared if a little underage magic was used for this particular day. By the end of the match our winners were Fred, George, Ron, and Harry.
"Boys! Put those tables back together and neatly on the ground." Mrs. Weasley shouted from the kitchen. With a simple reparo the four tables were sitting neatly in the freshly de-gnomed grass. Ginny and the group of girls entered the house to help with the party decorations that littered the living room floor.
Inside the kitchen, we find Mrs. Weasley, Dustin, Nattily, Emma, and Wen Wei fixing the food for the dinner and dessert. You could tell it was a magical kitchen by the way the pots stirred themselves, the look of the magical clock sitting in the middle of the table, and we cannot forget the only other factor in this equation, wands! I only say those are the only things because Dustin and Emma were pealing the vegetables just as Nattily and Wen Wei were cutting them and tossing them into the self-stirring pots. Mrs. Weasley turned from the stove to investigate who was entering the Kitchen.
"Ginny, Anastasia, can you go in and help Savannah, Caitlyn, Yvonne, and Meghan with the outside decorations?" The girls nodded, and entered the living room to find a large mess of linked paper, and the four girls were sitting in the middle.
"You guys definitely have done a lot with the paper chain." Anastasia commented.
"Do we even know where it starts or stops?" Ginny questioned. All four girls picked up an end of the mess, and the older girls sighed.
"So I suppose we have to take all four of them and string them all over the yard." Anastasia wondered out loud. All four bobbed there heads up and down happily.
"O boy," Ginny said through her teeth.
"Gracie, Jane, Carianna, and Kira, can we get some help in here with the four girls?" Anastasia asked. Upon request, and the said girls entered the room to assess the damage.
"O boy," Gracie said.
"My words exactly," Ginny said. One by one they took the four paper chain makers out to decorate the tables and trees.
The guests arrived between 5 and 5:30 just as Lily said. Everything was in place for the party, and everybody congratulated Molly and the kids on all the effort they put into the party. Georgette was positioned in the center of the four tables as the food was brought out by the women. Dinner was delicious, and Georgette enjoyed all the presents she got. It certainly was chaotic when the adults found that George and Fred did give a Zonkos product to the little girl. She had a lot of fun when relinquishing it in McGonagall's hair, and the poor woman wanted dearly to give the twins detentions for the next school year.
A/N: Again, I ask for two reviews, but I got one, at least I got the one. Anyway, I'm still in need of a beta, so if anyone is interested, just PM me. O, and sorry if the end of the chapter was rushed.