Chapter 12 – Family Gathering

The month of July brought nothing major of note for most of the commune, except for the demiguise tribes. Now that it was the height of summer it was time to shear the animals and Luna spent a full week gradually working with each of the creatures to finish the project. She reported that a couple of the more skittish animals were a bit difficult, but she tempted each with tasty, special treats like fresh melon and eventually got the task done. She also reported that two females in one tribe were pregnant and far enough along that they were showing aura changes. The other tribe was younger and she was hopeful that in another year perhaps the tribe would see its own successful breeding.

The end of the month also brought Neville and Harry's birthdays, which were celebrated with a dual beach party and luncheon. Both the guys were happy with a simple, low-key affair with the family. Of course this only included the commune family and a few close invited friends. When Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione made a visit to the Burrow for a Weasley family Sunday supper the weekend before Molly complained about not celebrating Harry's birthday. She also dropped more than one hint about seeing the island and everyone knew that a reckoning needed to happen regarding the unique lifestyle they had all chosen. No one said anything that day, but Ginny and Harry did agree to a joint celebration for their birthdays to be held at the Burrow on the weekend between their two birthdays. The compromise worked, but it still didn't solve the overall problem.

A couple of days later, at an after dinner family meeting, Harry brought the subject up with everyone.

"Alright, when we visited the Burrow recently, Molly wasn't subtle about wanting to see the island and manor where we're all living. She has no idea about the commune and we all agree it's about time to tell the Weasleys. They've basically adopted Hermione and I as well. We were thinking that you may have family too that you want to tell and we can have a big fish fry and party and invite everyone to come see the commune. Thoughts?"

"Well, we discussed this Harry and I agree if we do this, then I want to get a portkey and have my parents come from Sydney."

"And gran came once for my welcome home party, but she didn't get the full tour. I'd like her to see everything."

"I suppose my mum should see where I've chosen to raise Teddy."

The rest of the group were all in agreement and all had family that they wanted to invite. It was decided to keep the family day restricted to just family and not include friends since the day would probably be emotional. Explaining the commune to friends could happen at other times.

"Well then, the first weekend in August is scheduled for mine and Harry's joint birthday party at the Burrow. Everyone's invited of course. I already gave mum the list. Shall we say the week after that? Plan on a late afternoon arrival and tour, then a sunset dinner on the veranda with a fish fry?"

The group all agreed with Ginny's plan and a guest list was drawn up to include: Molly, Arthur, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, the Grangers, Xeno Lovegood, Augusta Longbottom, Amelia Bones, the Abbotts, Andi Tonks, the Thomases, and Dean's brother David. It was agreed that the crowd was a good size to manage given the probable reaction that their news would bring with some of the attendees. With the topic finished, Dean brought up the next item.

"Alright, so that's decided. Next, I'd like to discuss goats again. The commune account includes enough now to purchase four La Mancha goats. My uncle originally imported stock from Spain and I especially like these goats. They can produce close to a gallon of high quality milk a day and the same milk production charms work on them that work on cows. I've checked, and he has the stock available for sale."

"Excellent, vote?"

A unanimous vote was raised and then everyone agreed to have the elves start fencing in another field on the other side of the barn specifically for the goats. They would be fine during the summer, but an addition to the barn would be built for them in a month or so and would be ready by the time the weather required shelter for them.

The meeting was about to end when Neville held up his hand and halted everyone.

"So, before we adjourn, once we buy the goats, the funds will be down again, but I wanted to propose our next item to be funded. On the south end of the island below the fields there is an area of land that Susie and I think will make a good orchard area. I just want everyone to think on it, but plants are our specialty and we think we can dedicate a couple of acres to peaches, plums, cherries, and figs. Another area to make us more self-sufficient."

Around the room, multiple assents could be heard and everyone seemed to like the idea and agreed to think on it. With that the meeting was called to a close.

Within the week, Dean acted as the representative for the commune and negotiated a good price for four La Mancha goats. The elves finished fencing the new field and, as soon as it was ready, Dean portkeyed the animals to the island. When they arrived, Hannah made a point of accompanying Teddy out to visit with apples in hand. The goats and little boy instantly bonded and the new animals settled right in.

Another week passed and it was time for Harry and Ginny's joint birthday celebration at the Burrow. All of the commune members were invited as guests and Neville prepared a large tomato salad to showcase some of the fruits of the large and plentiful garden. The elves also provided a large platter of sliced cheese that was a welcome addition to all the offerings at lunch. Although Molly was more than a bit curious about the farm and the animals, she was pacified since the planned 'open house party' was planned for a week later at the manor. The birthday party at the Burrow went well, lasting about three hours without too much drama, for which both Harry and Ginny were grateful.

A week later was to be the real test when the elves and all of the commune members busily put the finishing touches on spiffying up all areas of the manor and farm before all of their family members came to visit for an evening fish fry. It was late August and everyone had been invited to start arriving around five. The plan was to let everyone arrive and then do a tour before adjourning to the veranda, where drinks would be served. Alcohol would be on tap and would hopefully be accepted, as the next item on the agenda was a scheduled discussion regarding the commune. After that dinner would be served, with the time depending on how long the discussion went.

The first arrival was Andi Tonks, arriving a couple of minutes early. After her came Bill and Fleur and then everyone else came in a steady stream, with Charlie being the last to arrive via a multi connection floo, arriving a couple of minutes late. The entrance hall was full of the large group, plus all of the commune members gathered around with their family members in small clusters. Hermione had gone to the Ministry to retrieve her parents from the international portkey arrivals, but now she had been nominated to be the one to lead the tour.

The tour started with the west wing of the manor, then went to the basement, upstairs to the game room and then across to the east wing, which wasn't covered as extensively since it was essentially a mirror image of the west wing. From there Hermione led everyone outside to the veranda, where the views to the ocean were briefly admired before she led them on the brief walk to the greenhouses. Upon arriving at the greenhouses, Neville took over and gave a brief overview, although he didn't take the group into any of them. He did offer a more detailed tour for anyone who wanted a tour of Potter Nurseries in the future, then he handed the tour back to Hermione. From the greenhouses, Hermione continued on past Dean's workshop where he stopped and showed them a few pieces of his work. Next was the barn and fields, where the horses and goats came to the fence looking for handouts. The group then skirted the fields while Hermione explained about the current crops that were harvested for both the animals as well as for the kitchen's use. She then mentioned about the future plans to add an orchard as the group circled back toward the manor. There was a brief stop on the way back at the edge of the forest where the demiguise nests could be seen in the distance, but the group didn't approach any closer as Luna gave a bit of detail about the tribes. In total, the tour took close to an hour before the group arrived back and found seats on the veranda.

Once the group was seated, the elves began serving drinks as the discussion focused around how impressive the manor and farm were. A number of the parents though were starting to question about the long term goals of the group and now Tonks took center stage. It had been discussed among the commune members about who would speak and Tonks had decided that she could care less what anyone thought. As a widow and single parent she had already been through the worst in life and was finally starting to find some happiness again, she wasn't about to give a damn what anyone else thought and she didn't think her mum would be that judgmental anyway, unlike other parents. She knew others had a lot more to worry about, so she had been happy to volunteer to take the difficult task of 'breaking the news' about the commune. As conversation began to settle, she stood and set her butterbeer aside. Everyone quieted further as they looked up at her.

"Alright everyone, I took a break from the tour because of Teddy, but I'm sure Hermione did a great job. Now that you've seen everything we've been working on here, I know you've got a lot of questions. I've started to hear some of them and I'm about to answer a lot of them. You all know that your children are living here and that we've created a community of sorts. Well, actually, what we've created is a commune. I'd like to officially welcome you to the Drycræft Commune. We are officially incorporated and every one of us is a member of the 'board'. This is only for legal purposes, but the company does have an account, and every person contributes to it. This island belongs to Harry's family and he covered expenses for the first year, but now expenses are all covered via the commune account. Any new expansions wait until the commune can afford them. I believe Hermione told you we are planning an orchard. Well, it won't be planted until the commune has the funds. Everyone in the commune lives and works together. We plan on spending our lives together, raising children together. Recently the manor underwent some renovations for Teddy and I, as well as for Luna and her upcoming arrival. Bedrooms were combined to allow for mother and child flats. The money for those renovations was paid for by the commune. What you need to understand is that everyone here is committed to this alternative lifestyle and to living together with each other harmoniously."

Tonks paused and sipped her butterbeer, waiting for the obvious questions. Of course, Molly Weasley was the first to come forward in her seat as she blurted a question.

"But what about families? The children need a mother and a father. Luna hasn't said who her child's father is. You said a mother and child flat. Where will the father be?"

Harry stepped forward and placed a hand on Luna's back.

"Molly, tests show that I am the father of Luna's baby and I am thrilled to be having a child shortly. That said, I do not expect her sole attention to be on me. That is not the way the commune works. I will be involved with my child, but he or she will be a child of the commune. This child will know more love than many children can imagine. Certainly much more than I ever knew."

Arthur scrubbed his face and looked at Harry. It was Mary Thomas who commented next though.

"Alright Harry, you said you tested to make sure you were the father, so there were other possibilities. Does that mean that everyone in the commune has multiple partners?"

"Not everyone, but most. Look, we promised to be straight with everyone when we invited our families. None of your children are out partying at clubs and bringing whoever home whenever. Within the commune family though, we are open with our affections. I don't want to go into more detail than that. I don't ask any of you for details about your private lives after all."

More than one person was left gaping at the straightforward comments. The next to speak up was Xeno Lovegood.

"Moonbeam, you are happy?"

"Yes daddy, very happy."

Xeno nodded and smiled, seeming to think that was enough for him. Still, he wasn't the last to have a question as Andi Tonks was next.

"Dora, you're sure this is where you wish to raise Teddy? What about schooling?"

"Yes mum, I'm sure. As you know, Hannah has been caring for Teddy more. We've been talking, and she is going to start him on some preschool lessons soon. She actually doesn't have a full time job, but she loves kids. She will most likely become our early education teacher on the island. Of course, all children of the commune will attend Hogwarts when they are of age and the cost will be covered by the commune. Everyone, you should know that between us all, the commune is quite flush even with just percentage payments from each person monthly."

"Will you have more members or are you set with who you have now?"

Dean chuckled and looked at his brother.

"Sorry bro, but you're non magical and Drycræft means magic. Anyway, new members have to be unanimous and only one per year maximum are allowed, if that."

David Thomas sputtered negatively in response to his brother's teasing.

"It was just a question!"

A few chuckled at the brothers and it helped to lighten the mood. The elves had appeared and refilled drinks, which seemed to be helping as well. A number of parents still didn't look happy, but no more comments were forthcoming and the elves came to serve dinner as everyone shuffled and families moved to sit together.

Hermione's parents moved next to her and Jean Granger shook her head at her daughter.

"Mum?"

"I'm still taking it all in dear. A year or so ago I was accepting that you shared your affections with multiple friends. I thought it was a passing thing. Now it seems that you're making this lifestyle permanent. This sounds like some of the hippie nonsense my mother talked about, except that you truly seem to have implemented it. I'm still a bit stunned. I'm impressed at the farm and at your business, but the idea of a commune will take a while to settle."

"I'm happy mum."

"Which I suppose should be enough for me. It seems to have been enough for that odd fellow in the yellow robes. I'm trying dear."

Hermione sighed and nodded.

Dinner proceeded on a somewhat somber tone as the various commune members discussed their jobs and businesses and caught up on family news. Unfortunately, Molly Weasley said no more than a dozen words at all throughout the meal, which was quite uncommon for her and her children wondered what was brewing with her. At least the food was all very good and everyone was appreciative of the fact that all the fish was caught right from the waters off the island, indicating yet another way that the island was providing for itself. Once the fantastic strawberry trifle that ended the meal was finished, everyone talked a bit and then gradually the crowd dispersed and began to floo back to Tinworth and then on to their homes.

As the elder Weasleys were getting ready to leave, Molly finally started speaking again as she cornered her two youngest, grabbing them by the arms and trying to drag them to the floo with her.

"Alright you two, I've had enough of this commune business, you're coming home now! No children of mine are going to be involved in anything so unnatural."

Ginny yanked away and then grabbed Ron and pulled him away as well. Harry was there to help, as was Dean, who was the next closest nearby. Arthur groaned as he stood nearby and watched his youngest explode.

"Mother you seem to forget that we are adults now! We have made a commitment to the commune and this is our home. I'm not going anywhere. Ron?"

"No, of course not. Mum, you need to accept this."

"You two are being ridiculous!"

As Molly reached to pull her wand, Arthur put a restraining hand on her, seeing that four wands were already pointed at his wife.

"Molly, we should go home, this is their home now. Come."

"But Arthur, they…its…unnatural."

"They've made their choice."

"Well I'm done with them! Don't be coming around anymore until you stop this business!"

"Molly…"

"No Arthur, you are too lenient with them. I won't accept this."

Arthur sighed and looked at his children with sorrowful eyes as he gave them a shrug and followed his wife into the floo. The rest of the family members that still had to leave were looking a bit stunned, especially the Grangers. It was a sad note to end what had been a fairly successful family gathering.

Soon the month of August ended and September began with happier news for the commune when Hannah announced that she and Neville were expecting. The month also saw her official start of preschool lessons with Teddy for a couple of hours each day. He was now no longer going to Andi's every day, but instead stayed on the island with Hannah, who arranged lessons in fifteen minute increments, which was about the maximum length of the little boy's attention span. When Teddy took his afternoon naps, Hannah spent the time reading books on teaching and childhood development as it had been agreed that Hannah's role in the commune would be as a mother and teacher, a fact she was quite happy with.

With the beginning of fall arriving and with the commune accounts in the black again, the elves plowed the acreage for the orchard and a selection of peaches, plums, cherries, and fig trees were planted in neat rows south of the current fields. With the addition of more land to be tended, the commune voted to hire another elf and Quivy joined the family in mid-September. The goal was to have plenty of work for every elf, but not to over work them either.