Chapter 8 - Preparation and Education

One week after the momentous family dinner, Mrs. Weasley clutched the large stack of wedding invitations as she reached the owl post. A stack this big would take several days to deliver and they didn't have much time to put this wedding together. All of the brides had helped with guest lists and it was a good thing that they had a lot of the same friends in common or the number would have been truly astronomical. As it was, a total of 312 invitations were going to nearly 600 people. This was going to be the biggest Weasley wedding yet, but then it was a quadruple wedding. It also was not cheap, but each couple was well employed and the Weasleys were doing what they could to help. In just three weeks, all of her children would be married. Mrs. Weasley sniffled a little, then stepped forward in line to begin her instructions for the postmaster.

Three days later, Minerva McGonagall sat at her desk in the tower at Hogwarts. The day had been a busy one for the headmistress and she was contemplating several staffing issues. She really wished that the professors could set an example for the students and try to work together. Her deliberations were interrupted by a tawny owl that flew in the window with a large, elaborate blue envelope. She took the envelope, rubbed the tawny's head and fed her a treat before she took off. Minerva opened the envelope and read it completely. Then she read it again. A quadruple Weasley wedding! And in just weeks! She immediately began to suspect what the reason for such a fast ceremony may be, but four? Setting aside her school issues, she decided to make a floo call to Molly.

Molly Weasley was sorting through her husband's laundry, wondering how he managed to singe so much of it, when Minerva's head appeared in the fire. It seemed that the invitation had arrived and Minerva was concerned. Molly asked her to come on through, as there was really more to discuss than could be done through a fire. The school day was almost complete, so McGonagall decided she could take a bit of time for a visit and stepped on through the fire.

Mrs. Weasley immediately started the teapot, while at the same time summoning a tray of biscuits from the kitchen. The women sat down and Minerva's first questions were to make sure Mrs. Weasley was ok. Looking up at Minerva, Molly suddenly broke down and started to cry. She was really trying to be happy, but was still in shock. She confirmed Minerva's suspicions on the reason for the accelerated schedule. Then she disclosed to the headmistress that not one, not two, but all four were pregnant. Minerva gasped and the color left her face and only one word left her mouth.

"How?"

Realizing what she had said, Minerva quickly added that yes of course she knew HOW, but the real question was how all of them could have been so careless?

Molly replied that it was a different reason for each. Angelina was the farthest along and admitted that she had never been great in Charms. Minerva nodded at this and remembered that was quite correct. After discussing the problem with friends, Angelina realized that she had not been casting the contraception charm correctly. Hermione was next and her charms were always well done, but she hadn't realized that the charm wore off. Minerva really thought that a junior healer should have known better. Alicia was next and had been quite honest when she admitted that she had slipped up once and forgotten and that was apparently all it took. Ginny had opted to not use the charm, but a contraception potion instead. What she had failed to read on the label was that a new potion took 24 hours to take full effect.

As Molly finished detailing each of the errors, Minerva just kept shaking her head. Molly then continued and what she said struck the headmistress.

"These girls need to be better educated about all aspects of contraception and they need to think about it well before passions get ahold of them."

Minerva agreed and decided that she needed to take the matter in hand. Every one of the brides had been a student of hers and all should have known better. Per Ministry direction, Hogwarts offered one class on magical sexual education to all fourth year students. As the most common form of contraception was a charm, this class was taught by Professor Flitwick. Filius was a wonderful teacher, but he always seemed a bit embarrassed with teaching the class. Minerva decided it was time for her to take over, at least with the girls. She assured Molly that she would begin outlining new sexual education guidelines, with or without Ministry approval. Molly agreed that it was a good idea and wished that she had at least thought to talk to Ginny more, but what was done was done.

Minerva finished her tea and biscuits shortly after and realized she needed to return to school. She gave Molly a hug, assuring Molly that she would indeed attend the wedding. Then she stepped in the fire and was back at Hogwarts.