Chapter twenty four
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Ginny was in the Burrow's kitchen drinking a little water. Of course, she could have summoned a cup of water with her magic wand while she was in the living room with her mother and brothers, but she wanted to walk a little to reduce the stress.
The tension that she is currently feeling, along with a mixture of other emotions that she is feeling inside herself now.
Today was the day of the weekly family gathering at the Burrow and Arthur decided that they would meet Athena today. This gathering was limited to Ginny and her brothers Bill, Charles, Percy, George and Ron, in addition to Molly, Arthur and the spoiled Athena, the daughter of vile McGonagall.
Ginny felt a little anger growing inside her again. She took a deep breath to calm herself and drank a little water. She had promised her parents that she would meet the girl and treat her well.
After she finished, she returned to the living room.
The room contained Bill, the older brother, sitting with a book in his hand, reading a little and discussing with Percy sitting next to him for a little while, and at a distance from them, Charles was arguing lovingly with Molly, and Charles was trying to escape from his mother's advice to marry and settle in Britain with kindness and fun so as not to disturb her.
On one side, George and Ron sit, talking a little among themselves about one of their new versions of games and tricks.
Ginny smiled how much she loved her family , her parents, her brothers, her nephews, their wives, her young children, and her husband, Harry.
She went and sat next to Molly to help her mother convince Charles to at least get a girlfriend.
After a while, Ginny asked, wearily and sarcastically, "When will Princess Athena come? Are we going to wait for her all day?"
Molly said, "Your father went to pick her up from her house. They will come anytime with floo-powder ."
Ginny said, "I left my young children with their father so I could see your spoiled princess. I don't have much time. I have young children to take care of and a husband to take care of as well."
Ginny had left her three children with their father, Harry, to take care of them until she returned from this gathering. Of course, Andromeda (Teddy's grandmother) suggested that she and Teddy help Harry.
Ron said with a sideways glance at Ginny, Ron said with a sideways glance at Ginny, "You are upset because you are no longer the only princess in the family and you are no longer papa's only spoiled princess."
Ginny looked at him sharply and said, "I'm not thinking that silly way , Ronald Weasley."
Ron said, smiling nervously, "I was just kidding with you, Ginny, don't be upset."
George said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "You are no longer a princess, Ginny. You have become one of the queens of the family, like the best queen in the family, Molly Weasley." He smiled at his mother and continued, "And you have a little princess, Princess Lily Luna Potter. And don't forget, our family has a large number of "Cute little princesses, and you will remain the first princess in the Weasley family after three generations, my dear sister."
Ginny smiled shyly and said, "Stop fooling me, you fraudster, George."
George felt proud and said, "This is a compliment that makes me very happy, my little sister."
The people in the room laughed together and talked until they heard the sound of someone coming from the fireplace, and after a short while, Arthur and Athena entered the living room.
Everyone silent, looking at Athena. Ginny looked at her as well. She was a tall girl for her age, with fiery red hair like the Weasleys, and a few freckles. She looked very similar to Minerva McGonagall, as if she was a miniature, younger version of herself.
She was wearing a white sweater, dark green tights, a tartan skirt that reached just below the knee, and shiny black shoes.
Athena was very excited and nervous to meet them today.
Arthur said, "Hello, Weasley clan, I present to you Athena McGonagall Weasley."
Ron was surprised and said out loud, "Bloody hell, she looks like McGonagall."
"Ronald Weasley," Molly called out, "Watch your words! There's a small girl in the room, boy!"
Ron's ears were red from his mother's scolding of him and he said, "Sorry, mother." And his brothers laughed.
Molly said, "Hello, my little Athena. How are you?"
Athena smiled at her and said to her in a shy voice, "I'm fine, Aunt Molly. Thank you for asking."
Athena remained standing next to Arthur shyly, looking at every member of the room, and when her eyes fell on George, she smiled at him, and George smiled, welcoming her.
Bill stood up and went to her and extended his hand to shake her hand and said with a smile, "Hello, Athena, I'm William Weasley, but everyone calls me Bill. Nice to meet you today."
Athena shook his hand and smiled at him and said, "I am also happy to meet you today, Bill."
After Bill, Charles came forward and he also extended his hand to shake Athena's hand. He smiled at her lovingly and said, "Hello, little one. As for me, I am Charles Weasley. I am happy to meet you today, Athena, and I hope that you are also happy to meet us."
Athena smiled at him and quickly said to him, "I am very happy to meet you. I have been waiting for this day impatiently." and She glanced at Ginny, who immediately looked away.
Charles said as he gave her an orange and green dragon toy, "Take it, Athena. I brought you a gift. I hope you like it."
Athena's face automatically smiled and she took the doll from her brother Charles and said to him, "Thank you, Charles. I loved this dragon doll very much."
Ginny was looking at the doll that Charles gave to Athena, feeling sad and angry ، It was Charles' custom, when one of his nephews was born, to bring the baby a toy dragon doll to welcome the new baby, and his giving one of those dolls to that bitch's daughter meant that he accepted her presence in the family and welcomed her joining the Weasley family.
Ginny joined her hands together in anger and felt a wave of hatred towards Athena and her mother, but this wave did not last long.
Then Percy walked up to Athena, smiled slightly at her, extended his hand to shake her hand, and said, "Hello, Miss Athena, I am Percy Weasley. I am happy to meet you today. I hope you are in good health, little one."
Athena shook his hand and smiled at him and said, "I'm very happy to meet you today, and thank you, Percy."
Then George came forward, shook Athena's hands, placed a gentle kiss on her hands, smiled at her, and said, "Hello,my miss."
Athena laughed at him and said, "Hello, George, thank you for the Halloween box. This gift made me very happy."
George placed his hand on his chest, bowed slightly, and said, "This is an honor for me, Princess Athena."
Ron pushed him away and said, "Move, George, it's my turn now." George moved away and returned to his place.
Ron stood in front of Athena, smiled at her, shook her hand, and said, "Hello, Athena, I'm Ronald Weasley, but call me Ron. And sorry for being rude before, I'm happy to meet you today, little one."
Athena smiled at him and said, "Hello, Ron, and I am also happy to meet you."
It was Ginny's turn, who hesitated a little. Arthur looked at her and smiled at her. She stood up and went to Athena, who was smiling at her lovingly, her green eyes wide and bright.
Ginny shook her hand and said, "Hello, I'm Ginevra Potter, nice to meet you."
Athena shook her hand and said, "Hello, Ginny, I am very happy to see you today. I am your little sister, Athena." She smiled nervously and shyly, "You are my only sister."
Athena tried to hug Ginny out of her extreme joy, but Jenny was shocked by Athena's action and moved away from her quickly, as if she had touched a flame of fire and was afraid that it would burn her.
Athena was surprised by Ginny's behavior and thought she had done something wrong, and everyone in the room was surprised.
Arthur tried to solve the issue quickly and said, "Don't worry, my little Athena. Ginny gave birth to a baby girl not long ago and she is breastfeeding her baby, so sometimes she feels pain in her chest and it hurts with any small pressure."
Ginny's eyes widened and her cheeks turned red and she said, "father, don't say that. You're embarrassing me with your words."
"There is nothing to be ashamed of, my daughter," Arthur said. "I went through this with your mother a lot after you and your brothers were born."
Molly smiled at Arthur's quick thinking and the boys smiled.
Athena said, "I'm sorry, Ginny. I didn't know that hugs hurt you. I hope you get better soon." She smiled at her lovingly.
Of course, this is just an excuse for Jenny's behavior. Jenny's chest was not hurting from breastfeeding little Lily now, but she did not want to hug Athena.
They all sat on the chairs and the sofa and started talking among themselves. Athena was talking enthusiastically with her brothers and trying to talk a lot with Jenny. She began to get to know her brothers and sister more.
After a little while, while her siblings were exchanging conversations, Jenny then settled on a couch a little far away, and Molly went to the kitchen to get some juices, biscuits, and cakes, and Arthur went to his own workshop to show his children one of his works.
Athena went to Ginny shyly and sat next to her. Athena was trying to get closer to Ginny more than once, and they even talked about Quidditch. In a family like the Weasleys, the sport of Quidditch is loved by most of the family members. They continued talking about it for a while, and it did not surprise them that their little sister, Athena, loved Quidditch Sports as well. Athena told Ginny that she was a fan of the Holyhead Harpies team that Ginny played in, and that Ginny was her favorite player in this team , and that she still has the poster of the team when Ginny played in it, and that she hangs the poster in her room until now.
Of course, Ginny felt guilty because she did not accept the little girl, but she could not treat her like a family member.
Athena sat next to Ginny and said, "Does your chest still hurt, Ginny?"
Ginny looked at her and took a closer look at his face. She saw the similarities between Athena and the Weasleys, and she even found similarities between Athena and her when she was Athena's age. She felt that Athena was a member of her family, but a voice in her mind kept telling her that the existence of this girl is a mistake that she is McGonagall's daughter, and the voice reminds her of the circumstances of Athena's birth.
Ginny sighed and looked away from Athena and said, "I'm fine, now
Thank you for asking."
Athena smiled and said, "Really? I'm glad you're better."
When feelings of familiarity and affection for Athena began to return to Ginny again, Ginny stood up quickly and said, "Okay, I will go to the kitchen to help my mother. Excuse me."
Athena stood up and said quickly before Ginny walked away, "do I come with you to help, Ginny?"
"No, that won't be necessary," Ginny replied. "Wait here, Athena."
Athena returned to the sofa and sat down and sighed sadly. She was spending a good time with her brothers and loved sitting with them very much, but she was looking forward to spending some time with her sister Ginny, whom she was very excited to meet especially, but she felt that Ginny was not behaving normally with her. She tried to Athena reassures herself that Ginny must be sick and that she must understand her circumstances.
Then she heard Ron and George approaching her and Ron said, "Athena, come, we want to try something. Come, it will be fun."
Athena ran to her brothers.
Ginny entered the kitchen and found Molly placing some biscuits on a serving plate.
Ginny said, "Mother, do you need help?"
Molly said, "No, my dear Ginny thank you , but does your chest still hurt, my child?"
Ginny smiled and said, "No, mother, I'm better now."
"But didn't you tell me that you no longer feel so much pain from breastfeeding," Molly said. "It's strange that it hurts now. Do you think you should go to St. Mungo's to see a Healer?"
Ginny said, "Don't worry, mother, I'm fine. My father is making the matter worse and exaggerating it."
Molly knew her daughter well and suspected that she was avoiding dealing with Athena, but Molly did not want to put more pressure on her daughter.
The mother and her daughter carried trays loaded with cups of juice, biscuits, and cakes and went to the living room.
There they found George carrying Athena and playing with her, he and Ron, Percy shouting at them, and Bill laughing at his siblings.
George, Ron, and Athena approached, and Ron said, "Look, doesn't she look like Professor McGonagall now? How cute and little she is."
They had changed her hair color to black like her mother's, changed her hairstyle to one like her mother's as well, and put glasses on her face so that she would look like a miniature version of Professor McGonagall.
George said, "Say as I taught you, Athena."
"50 points from Gryffindor, Mr. Ronald Weasley," Athena said.
"Bloody hell," Ron said, laughing.
Molly and Ginny said in a firm voice to him , "Watch your language, Ron."
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help myself. She's so similar," Ron said sheepishly.
"It's normal for Athena to look like Professor McGonagall ,you idiot," Percy said. "she is her daughter."
Percy went to Athena and gently took her from George and put her down on the ground and said, "Stop treating her like a doll and leave the girl alone and don't bother her." He took out his magic wand and returned Athena's hair color to its natural color and restored her hairstyle and gently took From his face the glasses.
Athena said in her childish voice, "Don't worry, Percy. This doesn't bother me. I like to be like my mother, and I'm happy when someone tells me that I look like her."
Molly said, "Children, take a break from playing and have some snacks and juice."
They sat down and started drinking juice and eating biscuits and cake.
Charles and Arthur entered the room and Charles went to Athena and sat next to her and gave her a book and said, "Take it, Athena. I found this book in my old room. The book talks about dragons. You can borrow it, and when we meet next time, I will bring you pictures of the dragons that I work with and l raise in Romania."
Athena took the book and said, "Thank you, Charles, I will take care of it, don't worry." She smiled at him.
Charles smiled at her and patted her head.
Arthur began presenting his latest work to his children and listening to their opinions.
After a while, Bill said while drinking some juice, "Victoire will love you when she meets you, Athena. Did you know that she is the same age as you?"
Athena said, "Yes, I know. I'm excited to meet the rest of the family, especially the children. After all, I'm their aunt."
Percy said, "Did my mother and father tell you about their grandchildren, Athena?"
Athena said after she swallowed her piece of cake "Yes, you told Papa and Aunt Molly a lot about them, and I saw some of their pictures too," than She wiped her mouth with her handkerchief and continued with her childish enthusiasm. "Bill has Victoire, Dominique, and Louis. Percy has little Molly and Lucy. George has little Fred and Roxanne. Ron has Rose and Hugo.
As for Ginny, she has James Sirius, Albus Severus, and Lily Luna, and we must not forget Teddy, Harry's godson, Ginny's husband. "And who is considered their fourth son."
Bill clapped his hand admiringly and said, "Well done, Athena. You should get used to them, my little one. As you said, you are their aunt now."
Athena quickly replied, "Don't worry, Bill. I love children and I can deal with them. Some of my friends have little brothers, and when I meet them we get along well. One of my wishes was to have siblings ."
Percy smiled at her and said, patting her on the head, "Your wish has come true, Athena, and you have a large family now."
Athena smiled at him.
Ginny knew from the way that her brothers, father, and mother treated Athena that she had now become a member in the family.
She could not deny that a part of her loved the girl and began to feel that she had no fault, but a voice in her head kept saying the opposite and spreading hatred in her.
The weekly family gathering at the Burrow ended quickly and Athena wanted to stay with her siblings for a while, but Arthur told her that he had promised Minerva that he would return her on time, and if she was late, that would make her mother very worried about her.
Athena said goodbye to her brothers, sister, and Aunt Molly, and they agreed to gather next week, and this time she would meet the whole family and get to know them.
Arthur and Athena went to the fireplace and used floo powder to return to Athena's house.
Meanwhile in the headmistress's office at Hogwarts.
Minerva was walking back and forth in the office, thinking about her daughter, Athena, and how the Weasley family, especially Ginny, were treating her at the Burrow, and should she have gone with her to the Burrow today or not?
She heard the voice of her friend and school nurse, Madam Pomfrey, saying, "Don't worry, Minerva. I'm sure Athena is enjoying herself and is doing well."
Madam Pomfrey was sitting in one of the comfortable armchairs in the headmistress's office with a cup of tea in her hand.
Minerva said, "No matter what you say, Poppy, I can't help but worry about my daughter. What if she gets upset there, or what if they don't accept her among them, what if her heart breaks, I'm very afraid for her."
Madam Pomfrey stood up and left the cup of tea and went to Minerva and took her to the sofa and they sat down.
Madam Pomfrey said, "If she's still there all this time, it means she's enjoying her time there and things are going well. If something had happened, Arthur would have sent you a message."
Minerva sighed, not denying that she was happy when she learned that Arthur's children wanted to meet their sister Athena. Minerva was always afraid for her daughter as she got older, especially since Minerva gave birth to her at an old age and she wanted a large family to take care of her daughter if anything happened to Minerva .
After she and her friend Mrs. Pomfrey had talked for a while, she looked at her watch and said, "I must go home now, Poppy. Athena and Arthur will be home in half an hour."
"Okay, my dear," Madam Pomfrey said.
Professor McGonagall took her cloak and hat and left the office to reach her home in Hogsmeade Village.
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