Disclaimer- I do not own Al or Molly, nor do I own Harry Potter.

Chapter 11- Gran

The summer following my second year was quiet; I spent most of my time between Potter Manor, Malfoy Manor, and the Burrow, doing pretty much nothing with my siblings, mates, and cousins. But there was one day when it was just Gran and I; I've got to say it was pretty insightful;

"The Burrow!" I exclaimed from inside the fireplace, and I was soon whisked away to one of my favorite places in the world.

I stepped out of the fireplace, brushed myself off and looked around a bit miffed, nobody was here!

This is practically unheard of, the burrow always has at least three people in at all times, and now no one, what was the world coming to!

I sighed about to go back home and work on my summer homework when I heard a noise coming from upstairs, I immediately brightened, and went to investigate who was moving around upstairs.

I walked up the crooked steps with a smile on my face, but as I went higher the smile slowly fell, for I hear a distinct crying sound coming from Gran's room.

The door was opened a crack and I slowly, but steadily looked through it with a frown.

What I found scared me more than any words could describe. On the bed my Gran sat holding a book, or an album of some sort, and she was crying steadily, small sobs erupted from chest.

I couldn't watch her suffer anymore so I quietly knocked on the door, and said, "Gran?"

Quicker than I could say Quidditch, Gran's wand was on me, but when she saw who it was she lowered it.

"Albus, you gave me a fright I'm sorry, dear." She hiccupped through her tears, which she was now trying to hide.

I slowly made my way into the room; it was very comfy, with a big bed with a very Weasley-esque quilt, a stand up mirror, and a dresser.

All in all simple like my Gran.

From what Dad and Mum say Gran hasn't changed much in later years accept she's a bit grayer, more lined and a bit more subdued after Grandpa died.

"Are you alright? I heard you crying and I got worried," I said biting my lip and staring at the scuff on my sneaker.

"Thank you dear I'm fine."

I sighed and looked up, Gran was no longer crying but I could tell it was taking her a herculean effort not to break out into sobs in front of me.

I put on a fake smile and moved so I was standing next to where she was sitting, "Whatcha looking' at, Gran?"

Her brown eyes – identical to Mum's and Lily's – softened and she patted the spot next to her, "I'm looking at an old album would you like to see, Al?"

I sat down next to her gently and looked at her expectantly; she smiled and went to the beginning.

The first photo brought a smile to my face it was an old photo from before the war (this was obvious for Uncle Fred was alive and well in the picture), it took place in front of the burrow, and in what I would say was dad's fourth year. On the far left trying to almost edge out of the frame of the picture, was Uncle Percy looking rather pompous with his nose permanently stuck in the air, Uncle George and his Twin were making faces behind Uncle Percy. Next to them Uncle Charlie stood grinning, trying not to laugh at their antics, Grandpa was next with his arms around Gran who was smiling softly and looking between the twins with a disproving glare and grinning at the end of the line where the trio stood. Uncle Bill was next; he had his arms around Mum, who was grinning up at him with an adoring expression. What amused me the most though was Uncle Ron rolling his eyes and grabbing Dad from somewhere beyond the edge of the photo and throwing his arm around him, then when dad got in the picture he smiled bashfully and looked to his left and pulled Aunt Hermione into his arms where she giggled.

"This," Gran began, "was taken right after the 1994 World Cup. Your Grandfather and I wanted a family picture, because with the unexpected attack at the Cup, we realized how precious this brood really was. One of our last family photos with-"

She cut herself off abruptly, tears coming to her eyes as she no doubt thought of Uncle Fred.

I looked up at her she seemed as if she was looking into the past; perhaps thinking of the day this was taken?

She continued after a long silence with a small motherly smile, "Your father was still convinced he wasn't an unofficial Weasley, and didn't think he should be in the picture, your Uncle Ron convinced him otherwise."

I grinned, "Dad can be stubborn."

Gran gave a watery chuckle, "Yes, he can, and that's a reason I knew he and your mother would fall in love. When they had you and your siblings, your grandfather said you lot would be the most stubborn children England has ever been graced with."

I felt a small tug in my gut; I could now barely remember the man.

I recovered with a smile, Gran turned the page, and I gave a big grin.

The picture was of Dad and Uncle Ron, their arms thrown around each others shoulders, shaking their heads and grinning.

Gran seemed especially misty-eyed as she looked at their innocent faces and I realized this too was probably before Voldemort returned.

"They were always such good boys; they had to grow up to fast though." Gran sighed.

I contemplated this; I never thought of the fact he would only be a few years older than me now and he was fighting, with the strength no doubt of a man.

A sudden thought came to my head and I voiced to my Gran.

"Gran," I said softly causing her to look at me, though I only felt her gaze for I was staring at Dad's bright grin, "what was Dad like? I mean was he different before the war? Different before he defeated Voldemort?"

I felt Gran give a small twitch at 'Voldemort', but otherwise she stayed quiet.

She, then, sighed, "Well, Al, Yes he was different before HE came back, and was even more different when he defeated HIM, but he was Always Harry, Always."

I blinked and was going to question further but Gran continued, "When I met your dad for the first time he was a polite eleven year old boy, who seemed lost. Of course I really hadn't realized at the time exactly who he was but when I did all I could think was "Poor dear". I knitted your Father a Weasley sweater that year for I heard your father and Ron were best friends, it made heart warm to know he wasn't arrogant or too good for anyone when he sent me the sweetest thank you note. We invited him to stay with us the next year and when he arrived, he was so polite, always "Please", and "Thank You", more than I could say for my own boys. As the years went on he became a Weasley in all sense of the name, the boys excepted him as their brother, Arthur and I as a son and your mum, well she just fell in love with him." Gran sighed sadly and I patted her hand, "Then the war came, I tried to shield them from the horrors but your father was smack dab in the middle of it. When he lost Sirius I was afraid we would lose our Harry but no he became even more determined."

Gran looked out the window with a frown, "Then we lost Dumbledore, out of most people Harry took it the worst. He was always very close to him, more so than many can say. I truly thought Harry was going to break down but no he was determined to complete the mission Dumbledore left him."

I broke in with a small smile, "You didn't like that did you?"

"Not at all, I tried everything to keep them from leaving," Gran smiled at me, and for a moment I could have sworn mum was smiling at me, "I did everything from guilt-lectures to keeping the trio apart."

She frowned then and I tightened my grip on her hand, "But I'm afraid it was inevitable, they were forced to flee at your Uncle Bill and Aunt Fleur's wedding. I worried constantly, and not just over them I had so much to lose…"

She trailed sobs wracked her body, and I wrapped my thin arms around my grandmother, as she cried. It was in its own way nice to see how much she cared for her family, but it pained me greatly to see her reduced to this.

"Oh, Gran, everyone who fought then knew the risk; they wanted a better world for the future generation, me, and us, all of us. I know you worried and it must have been dreadful but they in the end won even if we did lose. I doubt grandpa or Uncle Fred would like you reliving these nightmares."

A little while later Gran calmed down enough to look at me and say, "You are without a doubt your father's son."

I felt my entire chest warm, like I did every time someone said that, but this time coming from Gran it meant the entire world.

Authors Note- Sup! Sorry about the delay my laptop got a mega virus and my dad had to wipe everything out L

Brittany