Chapter Five
Nikka seemed much refreshed as they landed in the garden of the Burrow. A few dusty hens pecked around their feet before the door was flung open before they'd even had a chance to knock.
"Bonjour!" Fleur beamed, giving Danica a large hug, " 'Ow are you this fine afterno'n?"
"We're quite well, Fleur." Lily smiled, ushering Danica inside.
"Nikka, I am so sorry I never got ze chance to say goodbye before I left the 'ouse." Fleur said, holding Nikka's hands in her own, "I want you to let me kno' if zere is anyzing I can do to 'elp."
"Thank you Fleur, it means a lot." Nikka smiled, "Something smells good."
"Mrs Weasley 'as been cooking. She is very good at it." Fleur said, with a slightly tight smile, "I will go and tell 'er zat you are 'ere."
They followed Fleur into the kitchen where Mrs Weasley was standing stirring a dark red sauce. A purple pamphlet lay on the kitchen table, they had been given the same one at Grimmauld Place, it most consisted of some rather obvious advice on how to keep yourself safe, mostly done to make the Ministry feel like they were doing something rather than be of any actual use.
Harry had flicked through the pamphlet while they were waiting at St Mungo's one day, the waiting room was strewn with at least three dozen, strangely it didn't advocate simply jumping out of the way.
"Our guests 'ave arrived, Molly." Fleur said, picking up a knife and helping by chopping some carrots, a knife which was quickly snatched from her hands by Mrs Weasley.
"Yes I can see that, thank you." Mrs Weasley said tightly, "And I didn't want carrot sticks, I wanted slices. Never mind, I'll do it myself."
"Why don't you take Harry and Danica and go and find Bill?" Lily said gently.
Fleur nodded and left the room, swishing her silver blonde hair behind her. Lily gave a knowing look to Molly and sat down.
"I really don't know why you're so hard on her, she's trying." Lily said, helping to chop the carrots the 'correct' way.
"I just don't approve." Mrs Weasley shrugged, "They barely know each other."
"They've known each other for a year or so now? It can't be far off anyway." Lily pointed out.
"That's not that long! You need to get to know someone before you go and jump into marriage." Mrs Weasley insisted.
"You and Arthur didn't, so I've heard." Lily said levelly, trying not to smirk or roll her eyes, "Neither did James and I for that matter."
"That's different!" Mrs Weasley said, scandalised, "I mean… we were more grown up…"
"Me and James were eighteen when we married, same age as Fleur near enough and younger than Bill." Lily countered.
"Well age isn't everything." Mrs Weasley pointed out, "I just don't see the rush!"
"Well why did you and Arthur marry so soon after meeting?" Lily asked.
"Because there was a war on." Mrs Weasley said tightly, "There was a rush then."
"Molly… there's a war on now," Lily said softly, "We've already lost people from this war… goodness knows how many of us will be here next year."
Mrs Weasley put the potatoes she was peeling down and looked, tearfully at Lily, "Yes… yes of course. It just feels a little distant for us still I suppose, Ron seems to have grasped it better than the rest of us so far!"
"Well he went though a lot last year." Lily shrugged.
"It's not that I didn't believe you, and Harry, last year." Mrs Weasley said awkwardly, "Or Dumbledore, I knew that You-Know-Who was back but… well with Arthur working at the Ministry and… I mean Harry said that Umbridge had threatened his family with repercussions, I assumed she'd go after Arthur as well if Ron got himself into trouble, we couldn't afford for him to lose his job."
Lily smiled knowingly, "I'm sure that was part of it, and I don't blame you for struggling with wanting to keep your children out of danger, gods know I wish I could keep Harry out of it all."
"Ron hates me for it." Mrs Weasley said, wiping her eyes quickly.
Lily waved her hand dismissively, "I wouldn't worry to much about that. Harry hated me a fair few times last year as well, keeping everything from him. Teenagers hate quickly and forgive in a second later. Have you thought about trying to teach him some simple spells? Make him feel a little more prepared?"
"Charlie and Bill already have." Mrs Weasley sniffed, "I did offer, but honestly the boy seems to think I couldn't fight off a chicken!"
Lily laughed, "Well he'll learn. Don't underestimate yourself in all this."
Molly smiled and nodded, "Thank you. Now, run and see the children while I finish this before Arthur gets home."
Lily nodded and gave Mrs Weasley a quick hug before leaving her to it; she knew that cooking helped Mrs Weasley think and there was a lot on her mind at the moment, Lily really wasn't surprised she was struggling, they all were.
Lily wondered through the house and found them all outside, even with the slightly greying sky. Danica, Nikka and Ginny were picking flowers while Fleur was deftly weaving them into headdresses while snuggled in Bill's arms.
Ron was talking to a reluctant Harry who was picking aimlessly at the grass. Percy had been making more of an effort with the family once more, now that it was proven they weren't all rebel rousers trying to over-throw the government, or simply insane.
Lily wished he wouldn't however, it was selfish but he set her teeth on edge. He'd had a screaming match with Danica after he'd taken his jumper back off her and magically cleaned her colouring in off the 'P's tail.
He was wearing it now, under his expensive robes that caused him to flinch every time a speck of dirt touched them.
"Ah Lily, I assumed you had arrived!" Percy said, jumping up and shaking her hand, "Danica is still being a little funny over my jumper." he laughed.
Lily forced a smile, "Well she had gotten very attached to it, as I said."
"Yes, well… Mother does love to see me wearing it. Anyway she's already made another for the little squirt!" Percy chuckled, even more awkwardly.
Lily tried not to glare at him, "Yes. I should-"
"So how have you been?" Percy asked, guiding her over to the garden bench and sitting down.
"Much the same as last week." Lily informed him, "Ticking along."
"Did you see the report of Dolores Umbridge in the paper yesterday? They're being a tad harsh on her, and Mr Fudge in my opinion." Percy sniffed.
Lily glared at him, "Well, we are all entitled to our opinions I suppose, however uninformed."
"Well it was a pretty wild story Dumbledore was telling, and besides, what was the point of causing panic before it was needed?" Percy asked.
Lily took a deep breath. For someone who was so book smart, Percy was the most stupid person she'd ever met. He never seemed to have an original thought in his life and right now, she wanted to slap him for it.
"Who else is joining us for dinner?" Lily asked, choosing to be the adult and simply change the subject.
"Oh, just Father." Percy said waving his hand dismissively.
"Not Fred or George? I know Charlie is away at the moment." Lily said, trying to sound bright.
"Yes, Charles does seem to be enjoying his work!" Percy said happily, "Fred and George are busy, so I'm told. Too busy for family dinners it seems! With their new 'joke' shop."
Lily rolled her eyes, Percy had missed far more family dinners than the twins had, that was for sure.
"Oh Nymphadora Tonks is coming, I believe you know her?" Percy said, flicking a speck of dirt from his book.
"Yes I know Tonks, I thought she'd be busy." Lily smiled, "I know the Ministry are trying to get all of their Aurors up to scratch."
"They are, but the office is already very good so it's not too difficult." Percy nodded, "I think Mother quite hopes that William will take a fancy to young Nymphadora rather than Ms Delacour."
"I should go and rescue Fleur from poor Danica thinking about it." Lily said, taking the chance to slip away, ignoring the noises of protest Percy made.
Harry picked at the grass, running out of strands to pull at that would mean him having to move.
"So, learned anything new?" he said after a few minutes of Ron rambling on about having to de-gnome the garden, "You said Bill and Charlie had taught you some stuff."
Ron shook his head, "They're both really busy and mum keeps hinting that she'd like to teach me but I don't want her to."
"Why not?" Harry asked, "She fought in the last war didn't she?"
Ron nodded, "Yeah but it's her fault that I didn't get to learn all this stuff last year, with you."
Harry rolled his eyes and sighed loudly.
"What?" Ron asked defensively.
"You can't keep blaming your Mum!" Harry said quietly, so they couldn't be over heard, "I know she told you not to get on Umbridge's bad side and all that but it was your choice to listen. Fred, George and Ginny all got told the same stuff and they still joined the DA."
Ron shifted uncomfortably, in truth it was simply easier to blame his mother, even though Harry was perfectly correct.
"I know that, it's just… it's just…" Ron was lost for what to say.
"And the only one keeping it alive is you." Harry pointed out, "It's not like your mum is still saying you shouldn't know how to fight, is it? No, she even wants to help teach you."
Ron nodded, "Yeah, yeah I guess you're right."
"And just think how much worse it could be, she could be acting like Percy." Harry smirked.
Ron grinned and used a finger to push his nose up, "Oh yes, William will be joining us for dinner, and Nymphadora…"
Harry snorted a laugh, earning them a disparaging look from Percy. Mrs Weasley came out and called them all in to get ready for dinner.
"Is Mr Weasley home?" Danica asked, helping to lay the table.
"He will be." Mrs Weasley smiled, "He's travelling, see on the clock?"
"What on earth is my boss doing here?!" Percy exclaimed, pointing out the window.
Lily looked confusedly to Mrs Weasley who wiped her hands on her apron, "Go through to the sitting room, all of you. Now!"
She waited until all of the children had left before cracking open the door, "Mr Scrimgeour, what a surprise."
"Hello, Molly dear. I am sorry to drop in on you like this. May I come in?" Rufus Scrimgeour asked, taking off his hat.
Mrs Weasley looked over to Lily for a moment before turning back to the door, "I'm sorry but the Ministry pamphlet said not to let anyone in that you couldn't be one hundred percent sure weren't under the effects of polyjuice."
Mr Scrimgeour smiled and nodded, "Quite right, well lets see… Nikka DeGere always has at least three cacti on her desk at work, and two weeks ago one stopped flowering. She also insists on calling them cactuses. Tonks on the other hand has a rather out of control ivy plant hanging down that was not at all allowed while I was in charge."
Mrs Weasley looked over to Lily and Nikka to check.
"What is the latest cactus I added to the set?" Nikka asked, stepping forward.
"An Astrophytum Myriostigma." Scrimgeour said quickly, "Commonly known as a Bishop's Miter. It was originally in a brown pot but is now in a blue and pink spotted one."
"That's right, I doubt anyone would have known all that." Nikka smiled.
Mrs Weasley opened the door and allowed Scrimgeour in.
"Sorry, but best to check." Mrs Weasley said, turning back to plating up the dinner, "So, is there something I can help you with?"
"I actually heard that Harry would be here, Percy let it slip at work." Scrimgeour explained.
Lily made a note to mention it to Percy and give him a verbal slap, "What do you care where Harry is? Not to be rude…"
"I need a quick word with him, if that's all right?" Scrimgeour asked. He didn't fidget like Fudge did and was all together more sure of himself which made it far more difficult to argue or refuse him.
"I'll go and fetch him." Nikka said, carefully, "Why don't you all go though to the dinning room?"
"All?" Scrimgeour asked, looking around, "It is a rather delicate matter I wish to discuss."
"I'll be staying with Harry." Lily said firmly.
Scrimgeour gave her a small nod and followed her though to the dinning room, closing the door behind him. Lily sat down on one of the seats, adjusting the place setting slightly.
Harry came in a moment later, looking a little worried and confused, "Is everything OK?" he asked, sitting down next to his mother.
"Yes, yes… well I see you are about to eat so I will quickly get to the point." Scrimgeour said briskly, "You are clearly Dumbledore's man-"
"I wouldn't have said that." Harry shuffled slightly, "I mean, I support Dumbledore in the fact he wants to get rid of Voldemort and so do I." Harry was slightly impressed that Scrimgeour didn't flinch at Voldemort's name.
"Yes, yes of course." Scrimgeour said, "The thing is, many people are worried, struggling right now. There is a lot of fear out there and I think that you could really help there Harry!"
"Really?" Harry said, "How exactly?"
"I feel, and so do many other members of the Ministry that if you were seen to be… supportive of the Ministry, it would reassure people." Scrimgeour explained.
Harry clasped his hands in front of him and took a deep breath, "I believe the Ministry already has a statement about how I feel about them."
Scrimgeour rubbed his forehead quickly, "Yes, we do but it is hardly a glowing report."
"None the less, it is how I feel." Harry said, proud of how calm he was sounding.
"You don't want to calm people? Make them feel safe?" Scrimgeour asked, a little more forcefully.
"No." Lily hissed, "We want to make people safe, that is a very different thing that simply making them feel safe when they are not."
"I wish I could help Mr Scrimgeour." Harry said simply, "I really do. Nikka says you're a good man and I trust her, she likes you, but I can't ally myself with the Ministry after what they did to me and my family last year. I know that people are scared, I'm scared, but me saying how great the Ministry is isn't going to change anything."
"We would pay you, if that makes a difference?" Scrimgeour tried. He'd known that getting Harry to 'big up' the Ministry was a lost cause before he'd even arrived, but he'd had to try.
"No it wouldn't." Harry said, shaking his head, "In this situation I am, as you put it, Dumbledore's man."
Scrimgeour stood up and nodded, putting his hat carefully back on his head, "I see. Well I can't say I blame you, the Umbridge scandal was not our most shinning moment. As you are about to eat I will leave you to it."
Harry nodded and shook his offered hand.
"Oh, I heard that you wished to become and Auror? It was scribbled in some of Umbridge's confiscated paperwork." Scrimgeour said turning back to them for a second.
Harry shrugged, "It was an idea. I hadn't really thought about it to be honest."
"No, no I imagine not. Just trying to get to the future, before you plan it out! Man after my own heart there. Anyway I was just wondering. I'll see you around I'm sure. I'm sorry you feel like we couldn't work together under the circumstances." Scrimgeour said quickly before leaving.
Harry took several deep breaths and shook his head; he could of laughed at the pathetic attempt to turn him into a figurehead after they spent the last year trying to say he was insane.
It was only a moment or two after Mr Scrimgeour had left when everyone else joined them around the dinning room table, Mrs Weasley being forcefully bubbly as she served their dinners.
Harry was very grateful that no one asked him what the new Minister for Magic had wanted from him.