It was an ordinary Sunday, the best day of the week of course. A day where no matter the plans, Mr and Mrs Weasley would invite everyone to a family feast. They loved seeing the once small and fragile children they deeply cared for flourish into their adulthood with the support of each other to guide them through.
Having everyone in the same room created a warm and extremely comforting feeling that day, as if their family bonds grew like passionate flames.
It was no surprise that the food Molly had served was like no other, she was the best cook in the family for generations now. Everyone undoubtedly left the table stuffed to the brim of wonderfully cooked food with a great smile across their faces.
"Thank you Mrs Weasley, that was delicious!" Said a grateful Hermione as she joined her boyfriend on the sofa. Molly looked back at her with a gleaming grin.
"Wasn't it just!" Exclaimed Arthur, giving his wife a kiss on her cheek before retiring to the sofa also.
"It's not just me to thank!" Replied Mrs Weasley with an encouraging jog over to her son, "George has been at it all day slaving in the kitchen, maybe that shop of yours 'ought to become a restaurant 'eh? I'm sure we could all chip in, even Ron could help with the washing up." Everyone let out a chuckle, except for Ron of course who gave his mother the 'please stop I'm embarrassed' look, even still at the age of 22 he hadn't grown out of it.
George let out a small giggle at his mothers comment, back when he was at Hogwarts that would've been him making the jokes. Now every time he made a joke all he could think about was how his brother would've reacted. Not Ron though, Fred, his other half. So he rarely made any, but when he did the family all encouraged him through positive laughter and recognition. It was the small moments that gave George the motivation each day.
"So what board game will it be today then!" Shouted Arthur excitedly, "Hermione, what muggle invention have you brought this time! They are clever people, the rules always exact with clear instructions."
"Its a bit of an odd one this week, not usual to an ordinary witch or wizard, but easily understood of course." Replied Hermione reaching into her extendable bag.
"Twister!" Explained Ginny, rather curious by the name.
"Oh bloody hell." Said Ron aloud followed by a stare from Hermione.
"Ronald isn't so keen on this game," replied Hermione with a smirk, "The last time we played this he got himself in a knot and fell flat on his face, making up excuses for the rest of the evening!"
"It was the slippy floor." Said Ron in denial.
"It's played on a mat Ronald." Hermione couldn't stop herself from giggling at this point, neither could the rest of the family.
"So, how do we play?" Said George eagerly, he had wandered from the kitchen over to the lounge. Molly looked over the moon to see her son engaged in a fun game, it was a rare occurrence these days.
Hermione explained everything to the family as they all participated in a extremely competitive and thrilling game of twister, with many slips and falls. It all came down to the final match up, Ginny vs Hermione!
"Right foot yellow!" Said Harry towards his girlfriend, who instantly complied.
"Left hand green!" Hermione moved next.
"Right hand blue!" "Left leg green!" Left hand red!" Right leg yellow!"
Harry kept shouting out combinations to the pair who were trying to keep up with each others moves as if their life depended on it!
Everything was going well until Ginny's foot slipped and crashed into Hermione leg. This caused the girls to tumble to the ground.
"Draw!" Shouted George, almost amazed by the girl's competitive drive.
"Not sure about your referee skills George," said Arthur pondering the situation, "According to the rule book it says Ginny was at fault here."
Ginny noticed how interested her father had become in such a game and laughed while reaching over to Hermione helping her up off the floor.
"You okay Hermione?" Said Ron looking rather worried at his girlfriend, who was grasping at her forearm rather distressed.
"Yeah I'm fine, honestly," replied Hermione in a tone that did not in fact sound fine.
"Good game girls, good game!" Said Molly joyfully, "Whose up for some dessert!" Everyone gleamed back at Molly, they didn't even have to reply before she had practically jogged over to the kitchen to get her pudding.
Hermione was the only one not to look at Molly, as if she didn't hear her, as if she was to busy with something else. Ron had noticed.
"Is it your arm?" Asked Ron worriedly, "Only I saw you holding it the other day, is everything alright?" Hermione didn't reply, she looked at her boyfriend weakly before looking back to her arm which she released from her grip.
Hermione began to pull back her top, a single tear fell from her face from the pain and the embarrassment she felt. It was a long sleeve top of course, the only type of top she would wear no matter the weather, hot or cold. She didn't like short sleeve anymore, even 5 years later the very sight made her feel sick.
Hermione revealed her scar, dark with red as if it raged with anger. It had never looked or felt like this before, as if it was worsening even to this day. The word "mudblood" angrier than ever deeply etched into her skin.
"Oh Hermione!" Shouted Molly from across the room. She came running over. Ron was to stunned to speak, instead he put his arms around her, as Hermione's tears fell into his shirt sleeves.
"Its changing," said Hermione through gritted teeth, "More painful by the day, it even looks worse."
Harry was most intrigued by this. He knew Hermione's scar was bad, but the very sight before him almost took his breath away.
"It's like it's trying to tell you something." Exclaimed a perplexed Harry.
"Or warn me," replied Hermione looking softy at Harry. Her words were not so soft however, the rest of the family looked on with despair.
"We should inform Kingsley!" Said Arthur very seriously. Hermione looked up suddenly in shock, that was the last thing she wanted to happen, drawing attention to the very thing that made her wish she'd never been born.
"No! Dad why it's no bother, Hermione's had it for years now." argued Ron, his tone very weak as if he knew what he said was wrong. He was just trying to protect Hermione as he noticed the worried and desperate look on her face grow uncontrollably.
"What does it mean Mr Weasley?" Said Harry looking over to him, "Surely you have some idea?"
Arthur did have some idea. A very big and extremely frightening idea in fact. As such he did not wish to share at this current moment. It would only advance the family's worries.
Arthur knew, however, there was no turning back now. The future was inevitable, as terrifying as it may seem.