The walk through town with Ginny and Teddy cleared Harry's head and made him think about what he was going to do, now that he knew about everything he owned. He saw it as a lot of responsibility, especially as he now had a seat on the Wizengamot. He needed to see Potter Manor, or at least, see what was left of it. It had been nearly twenty years since anyone had been near it. Well, he assumed no one had been there in twenty years. If Voldemort and the Death Eaters had ever known about it, then they definitely would've ransacked it. But he still wanted to see it. And soon too. He was thinking about going back to Hogwarts when it reopened, so wanted to clear everything up before he left. As it was hoped the school would be up and running again by September 1st, so that gave him three and a half months to sort everything out.
"Ginny, will you come to Potter Manor with me?"
"Harry, do you even know where Potter Manor is?"
"Well, actually, no, I don't. But your mum said I can talk to her and your dad about anything I want to know. So I'm hoping they know where Potter Manor actually is. I can't believe I own a manor. I mean, it is probably destroyed beyond belief, if Voldemort knew about it. But it is still mine!"
"Well, Dad should be home in about half an hour. Teddy is due for his nap at the same time. How about I put him down and you speak to Mum and Dad?"
"Or, we can both put him down to sleep and then you and I can talk to your parents. I want you involved in all of this. Unless of course, you don't want to be."
"Harry, of course I want to be. If anything, I'm honoured that you want me to be a part of your life at this time."
"Are you really sure though? I don't even know what I am getting myself into!"
"Harry James Potter, you listen to me now. We're in this together, no matter what. I love you, and I will support you and be there for you through everything. Got it?"
"Yes, Gin. I get it. I love you too."
"I know you do baby." She flashed him a cheeky smirk, followed by a swift kiss on the cheek.
They stopped in a few shops along the way, including the baby store, to get some clothes for Teddy, as well as some toys. They eventually made their way back to the Burrow, munching on Muggle lollies as they did. As Ginny's face took on a twisted expression, courtesy of a lemon-flavoured sherbet, they crossed the Apparition barrier, as did the Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shacklebot.
"Harry! I haven't had a chance to speak with you yet! How are you? And you too, Ginny? Is your mum feeling okay yet?"
"Mum is getting there, Kingsley. She is thinking of seeing one of those Muggle grief counsellors though. Hermione was telling her about it, and Mum and Dad both think it is a good idea."
"Sounds wonderful! Harry, did you receive those documents concerning your parents?"
"I did, Kingsley. I'm beginning to look into the properties I own, not to mention the jewels and artefacts sitting in the vaults at Gringott's. I'm actually going to be chatting with Molly and Arthur this afternoon, to see what they know about everything I now own. Why are you here?"
"Very good, Harry. Seems that you have everything under control. I am actually her to speak with Hermione and Ron about their impending journey to Australia, to find her parents."
"Hermione and Ron are going to Australia?"
"Oh, I fear I might've spoiled their news. Pretend you don't know when you see them!"
By now, the young couple with their charge, and the Minister of Magic had reached the front door of the Burrow, which opened automatically for them, recognising them as occupants and friend.
"We'll leave you to speak with Ron and Hermione, Kingsley. Come on Harry, Teddy needs a bottle and to go to sleep."
"Thank you, I'll see you both soon."
They both bid a goodbye to Kingsley and made their way to the kitchen to retrieve a bottle for the young Lupin, which is where they found Ginny's brother and Harry's female best friend embraced in a rather personal embrace, with Hermione on the bench, her legs wrapped around Ron's waist and her hands in his hair, and his arms around her, pulling her closer, not that it seemed possible.
"Ahem. Do you two want to take this to Ron's room or go and meet Kingsley in the living room?"
Ginny's voice broke the now bright red couple apart.
"Kingsley's here? Of course, I must've lost track of the time. Come on Ronald!" Hermione grabbed her boyfriend's hand and all but dragged him to the living room.
Harry fixed the baby's bottle, and with his girlfriend, deposited him in his crib in Charlie's old room. He was then dragged to Ginny's room, where the door was closed and the Muffliato charm quickly cast.
"Ginny, what're you doing?"
"Well, if Ron and Hermione can get away with it on the kitchen bench, we can definitely get away with it in here. Especially when no one can hear us."
"Gin! We're not. I won't do that in this house, especially when your mother, two of your brothers and the Minister of Magic are in the house. Not to mention your dad will be home soon!"
"Oh Godric, Harry! I'm not talking about sex! But Merlin, can't we do anything? The snogging is great! But we're both of age! Well, you are. I almost am. I'm not saying we have to have sex straight away, but we can work towards that."
"Gin, I don't want you to feel pressured into anything just because you think that's what I want."
"I will stab you with sword of Gryffindor, I swear. I want it too! I'm a sixteen nearly seventeen year old girl. Trust me, I want this!"
"Gin, I just want you to totally be sure about this. Trust me when I say I want us to be more intimate, but I don't believe right now is the correct time."
"And why in all that is holy, do you think now is not the right time?"
"Because, your family is home. The Minister of Magic is downstairs. And your dad will be home soon. Ginny, baby, I want this. I do! But I want it to happen when it is just us. When we're completely alone, with no chance of interruption. Okay?"
Ginny looked at her overcautious boyfriend but began to see the sense in what he said.
"Okay, I understand what you're saying. But I want us to show how much we love each other, in a more physical form."
"I know, baby, and we will. Soon, I promise. I want you just as much as you want me."
"Impossible Harry, you're not a teenage girl with raging hormones who is in love."
"Yes, but I am a teenage boy with raging hormones. Five galleons says I'm worse." Harry's statement was complemented with a smirk, which drove his girlfriend insane, causing her to jump on him and start kissing him. First quick pecks all over his face, eventually finding his lips, and very quickly becoming passionate. Until they heard the back door slam, signalling the Weasley patriarch's arrival home from work. The redhead bounced off her boyfriend and reversed the earlier-cast charm, grabbing his hand and dragging him out of the room and down the stairs.
They reached the bottom of the stairs to find Molly and Arthur in a tender embrace, much more reserved than the one they witnessed between Hermione and Ron on the kitchen bench.
"Dad! You're home!"
"Uh, yes, Ginny. I'm home. Just like I am every other evening."
"I know, but I guess I still get worried after the past year."
"Well, that's understandable." He grabbed his daughter in a tight hug and spoke to her boyfriend over her head. "Harry m'boy, how are you? Molly told me you received the wills of your parents this morning."
"I'm good, and yeah, I did. I actually wanted to talk to you and Molly about some things. It can wait until your settled and whatnot though. No rush."
"Well, no time like the present! How about, Molly and Ginny, you two make some tea, and meet Harry and I up in the study?"
"Of course, dear. We won't be long." Molly gave her husband a peck on the cheek and an affectionate look, before he and Harry set off up the stairs to the Burrow's study.
Harry took a seat in one of the four armchairs in front of the fireplace, while Arthur took the one opposite him.
"Well, would you like to begin, or should we wait for the ladies?"
"How about we wait for them? Gin will feed me to a dragon if we start without her."
"I highly doubt you'd end up as dragon dinner, though the recipient of a bat-bogey hex? Well, that's more likely the consequence if we were to begin without her."
The two men chatted about Arthur's day at work and Harry's day in town with Ginny and Teddy, until Ginny and Molly entered the study, with tea and biscuits. Once settled, Arthur looked at Harry with a concerned and yet inquisitive face.
"Where would you like to start, Harry?"
"How did you know my parents?"
Molly took the job of answering this question. "I knew them through my brothers, Fabian and Gideon. See, Fab and Gid were pranksters, just like James and Sirius. Got on like a house on fire. I believe the twins were asked to be Marauders at one point, but knocked it back, preferring to work as a two person team. Still, James and Sirius were a constant at my house, and the twins at Potter Manor. I remember having to collect them one time, lovely place, in the countryside. But I'll tell you about that later. As for your mother, I didn't meet her until after Hogwarts. See, your parents didn't get together until their seventh year, and by then, I was with Arthur and we had our own family. We had the three boys to worry about, and it was rare I got to see my parents, let alone the twins and their many friends. Whenever I think of Fred and George, I am constantly reminded of my brothers. Four peas in a pod. However, they joined the Order, as did your parents and Arthur. I was a part of it but not expected to play a huge part, due to being a mother. I did attend your parents' wedding Harry. It was perfect. Small garden wedding, Lily walked down the aisle by her father. James, Merlin, never seen a man happier. Sirius next to him, making eyes at Marlene McKinnon, Lily's best friend and only attendant. I was also there the day you were born Harry. Never have I seen two people so happy to have created such a creature. Your mum was even happy about the pain, saying that see your gorgeous black hair and stunning green eyes made it all worth it. I actually took Ronald with me to meet you, because he was only a few months old at the time. You were the first person he smiled at. Don't tell him I said that though." Mrs Weasley finished her reminiscing with a small chuckle, and wiped a tear away from her eye. "What next, Harry?"
Harry was still trying to process the information that the Weasleys had been a part of his life from the very beginning. Ron must've been destined to be his best friend! He had just learned so much, but he needed to know more.
"Where is Potter Manor? What is it like? Is it still there? Wait, my parents' wedding? Did you meet my grandparents? Potter or Evans? I never met either."
"Both sets of grandparents were there, as was your mother's sister. Her husband was not, but she was pregnant at the time. The Potters were lovely, you would never have known that they were as wealthy as they were, because they didn't flaunt it, say like, the Malfoys. The Evans were positively gorgeous! Merlin, Muggles at a wizard wedding and they just took the whole thing in their stride! It was fantastic! All four of them were so excited about James and Lily being married, even Petunia. When Arthur collected you from there a few years ago, the woman he described to me was incredibly different to the woman I met at that wedding, the one who played with my sons and let them rub her belly. But it had been years since I'd last seen her, and people change. Your father's parents were lovely. They bought the house in Godric's Hollow, you know? I suppose you would like to know why you never met them?" Upon seeing Harry's curious face, Molly continued, "Voldemort killed them. Before he killed your parents. He wanted to know where you were but they never gave up the answer. And why they could fight back a little, your mother's parents couldn't. He tortured them but they never told. So he killed them. They were just pawns. He was trying to force your parents out of hiding. Fortunately, they were clever. They, along with you, were present at the funerals. Magic is a wonderful method of concealing identity. Voldemort didn't know about the Dursely's though, which is why they survived. Now, as for Potter Manor, I assume it is still standing. It can only be seen by Potters, and those a Potter has invited in. Therefore, Voldemort would not be able to get in. I am more than happy to show you where it is, I still remember the Apparation location. We could even go now, or if you have more questions, we can wait until after."
"Is it okay if we wait? I want to find out some more things before I go adventuring. Now, Dad's will said something about the Wizengamot. Am I seriously a member?"
"Every family with status has a member, if they are living and of age. Now, as you are of age and a living member of a family with status, you are entitled to a position on the Wizengamot. However, you may defer it until you finish Hogwarts. That is, if you're going back."
"Arthur, you said every family of status. Why not the Weasleys?"
"We were kicked out years ago, because of an old family feud. Since then, we just haven't been reinstated."
"Oh. Well, that's not very fair."
"No, it's not. But oh well. Anything more?"
"No, not at the moment. Though, I am going to make a trip to Gringott's to look more intensively at my vaults. Just to see what is actually in there. Molly, Arthur, thank you for telling me all you have told me. Molly, would you be able to take myself and Ginny to Potter Manor?"
Ginny, who had been silent through the entire conversation, looked up in shock. She thought Harry had forgotten she was even sitting there. She was even more shocked when her mother agreed to take them both. The room's four occupants stood and walked out the study and made their way to just past the wards. Molly grabbed a hold of both Harry and Ginny, and with a final nod to her husband, turned, inducing a tugging-at-the-navel feeling in all of them. After a short time, they hit solid ground. Harry looked up and gazed at a marvellous white manor. Potter Manor.