Chapter 4 – Lunch at the Burrow
"Ginny! Do you have an extra boy? I'm missing one."
"Umm…yep, got him Luna."
Luna sighed and grabbed Lorry as she headed downstairs to claim Sander. She had turned her back for two minutes to fix her hair while the boys were playing, and in that time she had misplaced a son. She arrived downstairs and found Sander sitting on the floor making faces at baby James, who was in his seat. Since she had returned from Kenya five weeks previous and come to live with the Potters, both of her sons had taken a liking to baby James. At six months, he was thirteen months younger than her boys and not very mobile, but they delighted in doing anything to make him laugh. Luna set Lorry down and proceeded to wrestle shoes onto her other son. Ginny came in as Lorry was busy trying to take off the shoes his mother had put on minutes before. Luna put one hand over to stop him and then resumed working on his brother. Ginny laughed at the scene.
"Luna, I adore your boys, but I am so glad I only had one. I don't know how you do it."
Luna shrugged as she finished with Sander's shoes and stood up. Picking up Lorry, she bent to grab his brother and realized that she soon wasn't going to be able to balance one on each hip at the rate they were growing.
"Here Luna, I'll take Sander. We can each hold a boy."
"Thanks Harry."
The three adults settled with a boy a piece, grabbed diaper bags, a casserole, and a tin of tarts. Looking around, Ginny checked off her mental list.
"Alright, I think we're ready."
The three adults turned on the spot and apparated out of the Potters' home and landed in the garden of the Burrow. The place was already raucous as a four year old blond tornado tore past with a blur of turquoise hair not far behind. Harry, Ginny, and Luna made their way inside and Molly Weasley greeted them.
"Hello dears! Luna, I'm glad you were able to make it this time. Oh my, look at your two, aren't they darling!"
Molly hugged Luna and managed to take Lorry from her in one swift move.
"So Luna, who am I holding?"
"That's Lorcan. He answers to Lorry. Harry has Lysander, but you can call him Sander."
Molly was busy nuzzling Lorry while she reached over to hug Ginny and Harry and nuzzle the babies they carried as well. At that moment, a couple of pops could be heard outside. Ginny went to the window to check who was arriving.
"So mum, Percy, Audrey, and little Molly just arrived. I saw Teddy, so Andi must be somewhere. And Victoire ran by as well, so where are Bill and Fleur? Who else is coming?"
"Yes, Andi is here. She and Arthur were talking about some muggle device your father recently acquired and it sounded like something Ted once had, so they went to his workshop to check. Bill came by and dropped Victoire and then went back to help Fleur with Dominique. They should be back anytime. George and the kids should be coming as well. Hermione and Ron should also be along. Now, as much as I'm loving this little one of Luna's, he's starting to squirm. Why don't you take them to the garden? Molly's only a little older than Luna's boys so they can all play."
Luna took Lorry from Molly and followed Harry and Ginny to the garden. They were just setting the boys down when Percy and Audrey joined them. Little Molly immediately ran to her aunt and, after a round of hugs, focused on the two boys that were close to her size. Audrey put a pie in the kitchen and came out to join Percy and be introduced to Luna. Then Arthur and Andi emerged from his workshop. Bill and Fleur arrived a couple of minutes later with newborn baby Dominique. Everyone was happy to see Luna and meet her boys and soon any feeling she had of intruding on the family was gone. Victoire and Teddy were taking turns on the swing hanging from the old oak tree, while the three toddlers played with toys on a blanket and the two smallest babies were passed among welcome arms. Ginny went to help her mum, while everyone found seats where they could talk and still watch their children. A few minutes later, Ron and Hermione popped in and Hermione made a dash at Luna.
"Luna! I'm glad to see you. Mercy it's been too long."
"Yes it has, but I'm back home now and I don't think I'll want to leave England for a while."
Hermione hugged Luna and looked around. Her eyes found the twins and she lit up. Luna went over and introduced her and Ron to the boys, who were too busy playing to care about social introductions. With the children distracted, the three of them went and found seats among the adults as Ron took Dominique from Fleur and began to rock his niece. A half hour later, George popped in with a child in each arm. He put Fred down, who immediately ran toward Molly and the twins. Pausing for a minute, he looked at the two boys a bit puzzled. Then he looked up and saw Luna. Walking over to the table, he passed Roxy to her grandfather as he greeted everyone. When he reached Luna, he seemed a bit shocked.
"Hello Luna. It's been a long time. I assume those cute buttons over there are yours?"
"Hi George, yes those are my boys. On the left is Lysander and on the right is Lorcan. I know yours by reputation. Ginny has kept me updated on her family. Roxanne is quite beautiful. I can see your father is in love."
George snorted.
"Yes, that little girl already has every man in the family and all the wizards in my shop wrapped around her fingers. I'm thinking I should start building a tower to lock her in around thirteen. It's good to see you Luna. We were all distressed when we heard about Rolf. How are you doing?"
"Depends on the day, as you know. It's good to be home in England."
George nodded as Molly and Ginny emerged from the kitchen and announced lunch was ready. Plates of food began to float out from the kitchen and parents started filling plates for their children. Luna prepared plates for the twins with everything in bite sized pieces. She set the plates on the blanket where they were playing and moved the toys aside. Audrey and George did similar for Molly and Fred as the four toddlers attacked their food. Teddy and Victoire were settled on booster seats at the main table and the smaller babies remained on laps as everyone settled and began to partake of another excellent Weasley family lunch.
Luna was seated next to George and they spent most of the meal alternating discussions around his shop and her work and recent publication. It was more than the two of them had ever spoken before and both of them found themselves enjoying the conversation. Others joined them as well and many were fascinated by the work Luna had completed in Kenya. As the main meal finished, Roxy arrived in Luna's lap and she happily hugged the small girl. Running her fingers through her soft baby curls, Luna turned to George.
"So, how old is Roxy?"
"Eight months now. And Fred is two and a half. And I've been divorced a year. Hard to believe."
"Yes, I was quite shocked when Ginny told me about Angie. I'm sorry George, but it looks like you're a good father. The kids are lucky to have you."
"Well, I try. I have a good example. I never imagined I'd be doing it on my own. The first month after Angie dropped off Roxy I was really lost, but it's hard when you have kids that need you to let yourself wallow."
Luna nodded and smiled at George. A recognition passed between them that did not require words. The conversation then changed to less personal topics as Arthur and Hermione began to discuss updates from the Ministry. After everyone had a chance to let their food settle, Molly summoned dessert to the table and conversation dwindled as everyone's focus shifted back to food. When dessert was almost finished, Hermione picked up her glass and lightly tapped it to get everyone's attention. Once all eyes were on her, she took Ron's hand and smiled at her family and friends.
"Everyone, we have an announcement. Molly and Arthur, you're going to be grandparents again!"
The table erupted in cheers and congratulations. Molly and Ginny went to hug Hermione as Molly summoned a box of tissues.
"Oh Hermione dear! That's amazing news. I know you've been waiting for the right time with your career, so I haven't said anything, but I've been waiting...and oh, thank you!"
"So Hermione, how far along are you?"
"Six weeks tomorrow. And I can't believe the changes that are already happening with my body. I've picked up several books, but you'll all be getting questions from me in the next months. I'm not sure what's normal."
"Well dear, normal is relative. Anyway, you have plenty of experienced women in the family, so feel free to ask whenever."
As the excitement died down, everyone talked for a while longer before the luncheon started to break up. Percy and Audrey left first, followed by Bill and Fleur with a squalling baby who needed a nap. With Victoire gone, Teddy had no one to play with and Andi left next. George, Harry, Ginny, and Luna started to pack up all their children who were also in need of naps. As George prepared to depart, he turned to Luna.
"If you're in Diagon Alley, please stop by the shop. I'd like to show you some of the items we've been discussing."
"That sounds good George. I'll try to make it soon. I move into my new flat next week, but maybe after I get settled."
George smiled and said goodbye to the rest of his family before apparating away. Ginny, Harry, and Luna were the next to leave as they gathered the three boys. Molly and Arthur hugged them all as they prepared to go.
"Thank you for coming Luna. You're welcome anytime. If you need anything, just let us know."
With a final wave, the Potters and Scamanders apparated away from the Burrow after a pleasant day spent with family and friends. That evening, as Luna sat reading in the guest bedroom of the Potter home, her thoughts drifted to George. He was really quite different than the brash, carefree young man she remembered. Of course, she was much different as well. She tried to refocus on her book, but bits of their conversation and flashes of his easy smile refused to leave her alone. Frustrated with herself and wondering what her problem was, Luna finally gave up and decided to call it a night.
