Chapter Four: One Big Happy Family

There was silence for a few moments until it was broken by Fred and George.

'Nice one, Ronniekins!' said Fred.

'Congratulations! Welcome to the family, Hermione!' said George before both of them pulled Hermione into twin-hug and kissed her on the cheek.

'OI, hands off, cheeky sods!' said Ron jovially.

Arthur, then Charlie and Percy all took it in turns to hug, congratulate and welcome Hermione to the family as they showed off their wedding rings.

'You knew?' Fred asked Bill, Fleur and Ginny.

'Yeah, they told us while they were staying with us,' replied Bill.

'And I knew because I was a bridesmaid,' said Ginny.

'Hang on!' began George, 'if Ronnie got married on the seventh of July last year, is that not almost four weeks before our esteemed eldest brother, who, during his stag night, bragged about being the first of us brothers to get married –'

'And told the rest of us we had to follow suit?' finished Fred.

'Oh, bugger. I was hoping you weren't going to remember that …' said Bill.

'How were we going to forget that?' asked George.

'The same way we're not going to let Bill forget that Ronnie beat him down the aisle!' answered Fred.

'He beat you two as well!' said Bill.

'True, but we weren't bragging our arses off about being the first!' replied Fred and George together.

Fleur giggled at the twins and Bill.

However, one person had remained silent – until now.

'How could you, Ronald? How on earth could you be so selfish as to elope?' shouted Mrs Weasley.

'You and dad eloped,' he replied.

'That was different!' she snapped.

'How so, Mum?' asked Ron.

'Your father and I were made for each other!'

'And Hermione and I aren't?' asked Ron getting angry.

'I didn't say that!'

'So, what are you saying? Don't do as I do, do as I say?' Ron retorted.

'No! But, why didn't you include me?'

'You were busy with Bill and Fleur's wedding preparations. Are you going to congratulate us or not?' said Ron.

'No, I am not. Because as far as I'm concerned, that if I wasn't there, it didn't happen. Therefore, you are not married, Ronald – not in my eyes,' she replied harshly.

Harry could not believe his ears. How could Mrs Weasley say such a selfish thing? He also noticed Remus, Dora, Ted and Andromeda leave the room with Teddy.

'Now who's being selfish? How can you stand there and say that? How can you piss on our happiness like this?' shouted Ron.

'Because I am your mother, Ronald Weasley, and you will watch your mouth! You are not mature enough to get married, and you will be coming home with me and we will discuss how I found you in bed with Hermione in Gryffindor Tower!'

'Like fuck I will! We are married and have every right to share a bed together!'

'No you are not! Have I not already told you that? And for the last time, mind your language! You are going to do as you are told, you will not be seeing anymore of Hermione and I will find you someone better who will not turn you against me!'

'I am eighteen years old, so is Hermione. We are both adults in our world and the muggle world too! We are married, end of fucking story! The sooner you get that through your thick skull, the happier you'll be! And the only person turning me against you – is you!'

Mrs Weasley suddenly moved to Ron and raised her right hand to slap him, but before she could make contact, her arm was caught by Hermione.

'Don't you dare hit my husband! What is wrong with you, Molly?' said Hermione.

Mrs Weasley tugged her arm free and turned to face Hermione. 'Take your hands off me! How dare you! This is all your fault! And it's Mrs Weasley to you, you little bitch!'

The hurt in Hermione's eyes could be seen by everyone. But she quickly turned the hurt into a cold, but determined look as she replied, 'Likewise,' in a fierce tone of voice.

Mrs Weasley then raised her hand to Hermione and once more, before contact was made, her arm was caught.

This time by a furious Ron, who roared, 'How dare you raise your hand to my wife? Get the fuck away from us! I don't want you anywhere near us ever again. For what you've just said to me, and your attempt to hit me, I don't give a fuck. But for what you just said to my beautiful Hermione, and attempting to strike my beautiful Hermione, I will never, ever, forgive you. And, even though it's not my house, I want you to go and never come back!'

Harry looked at Arthur. The poor man was looking between his wife and youngest son as she said the unforgivable things she did. The poor bugger was caught between a rock and a hard place. The rest of the Weasleys were also in shock. It was as if they were seeing their mother clearly for the first time. Harry then looked at Sirius. He was angry. He looked like he could kill Molly Weasley where she stood. Amelia, Susan and Professor McGonagall were wearing frowns in her direction too. Kingsley looked rather sheepish and wanted to be anywhere but here.

Harry then broke the silence. 'Mrs Weasley, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave my home.'

Mrs Weasley turned to face him and said, 'Is that all you have to say to me? After everything I have done for you?'

'Yes, because without Ron and Hermione, I would be dead. They are the best people I know, and they don't deserve their happiness pissed on because of your selfishness. It was one of the proudest days of my life being Ron's best man as he married the girl of his dreams, his best friend and his soul-mate. So, I would like you to leave now. Preferably of your own free will or I will have Abby expel you. Make your choice.'

'Fine! I shall go, and know this, Harry Potter, you are no longer welcome at the Burrow! Ginevra, come along, we're leaving!' declared Mrs Weasley.

Ginny scoffed. 'The hell we are! I wouldn't go with you if we were going to Holyhead Stadium so I can try-out for the team!'

'You are sixteen years old, and you will do as you're told!'

'I come of age in three months' time, and I'm not spending it locked up at the Burrow with you for company! The way you've treated Ron and Hermione, and now spoken to Harry, I will never forgive you! I've waited for the better part of a year for Harry to come back to me, and I won't let anybody come between us again, not even you!'

'Arthur! Say something! Back me up!' shouted Mrs Weasley.

'Oh, fight your own battles, won't you?' hissed Hermione.

But before Mrs Weasley could say another word, Harry yelled, 'ABBY!'

There was a loud crack and Abby, the Head elf for Potter Manor appeared. 'Master Harry summoned Abby?' she squeaked.

'Yes, Abby, I did. I would like you, please, to expel Molly Weasley from our home forthwith to the Burrow of Ottery St Catchpole,' ordered Harry.

Abby, noticing her master's anger and following his pointing finger at a plump woman with red hair, became just as angry on her master's behalf before latching onto Mrs Weasley and Disapparating with her, returning a couple of seconds later.

It was then that Arthur crumpled onto the floor in tears. Bill then dropped down next to his father and whispered words of comfort to him, then Charlie, Percy, Fred and then George. Ron and Ginny stood still not sure whether their father wanted them near him. But they were waved over by their father, who said, 'Ron, I am so sorry for your mother and the things she said and attempted to do to you and Hermione. I am so proud of you and I love you. Hermione, I stand by what I said when I welcomed you into our family. I am pleased and proud to have such a lovely, brave and smart girl marry my son. It's an honour to have a muggle-born in the family at last! Ginny, I am not angry at you for standing up for yourself. You have found a good man in Harry. Harry, no matter what Molly says, you are always welcome at the Burrow, you too, Hermione.'

The Weasley boys all helped their father to his feet.

'Thank you and I'm sorry, Mr Weasley,' said Harry humbly.

'You have nothing to apologise for, Harry. This is your home and you have every right to choose whom you have in it. And I thought I told you to call me Arthur?'

'Yeah, you did. I guess I haven't trained myself to do it yet,' replied Harry.

Arthur then pulled Harry into a hug, before doing the same to Hermione and said, 'If you need any help in bringing home your parents, just ask.'

'Thank you, Arthur,' she replied.

'That goes for us, too,' said Fred and George, as Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Percy and Ginny all nodded.

'What they said,' said Harry and Kingsley.

'I should go,' said Arthur.

'You're welcome to stay, Arthur, so are the rest of you, Weasleys,' said Harry.

'Thank you, but I should get home. I don't know what Molly might do all alone,' said Arthur.

'If you need anything, you know you are always welcome here,' said Harry.

Arthur thanked Harry once more before leaving.

'I don't envy dad right now,' said Charlie, 'I'd rather take on a Hungarian Horntail, than go home to mum.'

'Been there, done that,' said Harry, 'if you want to stay, you can, there's plenty of room.'

All of them with exception of Bill and Fleur accepted the invitation as they had their own home to go to.

Harry and Kingsley then discussed what they should say to the press. They decided that neither the Horcruxes, nor the Hallows could be mentioned in any of the stories or interviews. As for the Elder Wand, it would be reported that Harry had destroyed it.

Ron and Hermione, despite the fact they were still upset, helped Harry and Kingsley come up with a good cover story for what they had been doing for the last nine months before Kingsley left.

Hermione approached Professor McGonagall and asked, 'Are Ron and I still allowed to come back to Hogwarts even though we're married?'

'I don't see why not. If you both want to come back, then I would be happy to have you and allow you to share living quarters. You would also still be eligible to be Head Students, or Prefects and the Quidditch Captain,' she replied, speaking to all three of them.

'Thank you, Professor,' said Hermione.

'You are most welcome, Miss – Mrs Weasley? Oh Merlin, I am not sure how to address you!' said Professor McGonagall with a smile.

'How about calling me Hermione?'

'Yes, Hermione, I think that will be all right. I'd best be going. I'm sure we'll see one another soon for the mass service at Hogwarts, as well as some of the private funerals. Good luck with bringing your parents home, if you need any help, you only need to ask.' With that Professor McGonagall bid everybody a good day and left.

Ron and Hermione sat down in a chair as Sirius spoke, 'Are you two all right?'

'No, but we will be, right, Hermione?' said Ron.

'Yes, I think so, thank you, Sirius,' she replied.

'For everything you've both done for Harry, I will always be here for you,' said Sirius seriously.

Fred and George then suggested having a few drinks to celebrate Ron and Hermione's marriage, and the birth of Teddy. Sirius agreed and got Harry on board as the Lupins and the Tonkses joined them all once more and were quickly and quietly told what had happened after they had left to put Teddy down for a nap.

The drinking went on late into the night as Charlie, Fred and George kept the party alive as long as possible.

But, after a few drinks, Ron and Hermione left the party for the room they had shared together back in the summer before their fourth year. Ron undressed Hermione and helped her into bed before undressing himself and joining her. He then pulled her into his arms as she finally broke down into floods of tears. Ron hated it when she was sad and cried because of it, so he wept with her as they cried themselves to sleep in one another's arms.