Beyond the Second Destiny

Arc One:

"Order of Merlin Arc"

Chapter 5

Arthur and Percy led Harry, Hermione and Remus into the dining room of the Burrow, where the children of the Weasley family sat and waited.

A brown-haired woman walked into the room. "Dinner's almost ready, Arthur," the woman said in an American accent.

"Thanks, Peri," Arthur said. Arthur and Peri kissed as Harry and Hermione walked up to them. "Arthur, who is this?" Harry said.

"Harry, Hermione, Remus, this is Perpugilliam Brown, though she prefers Peri," Arthur said. "She is an in-the-know Mundane-born from America."

"Although MACUSA, America's governing body for magical life, calls us No-Maj," Peri said. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord and Lady Potter. Arthur has told me some very interesting stories about you."

"Thank you, Peri," Harry said before he shook Peri's hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

Hermione then shook Peri's hand. "So, what's on the menu tonight?" Hermione asked.

"Some delicacies I picked up the recipes for on my travels back in the '80s," Peri said. "It's those travels that made me 'in-the-know,' as Arthur called it."

"I look forward to hearing your stories," Harry said. "But let's do it another time."

"Agreed," Arthur said. "There are some important things we need to attend to."

As the first entree was set out on the table, Harry stood with his glass of butterbeer extended towards Arthur and Peri. "I would like to propose a toast," Harry said.

Everyone at the table held up their glasses. "To Arthur and Peri," Harry said. "Arthur has been a valuable friend and ally to the Houses Hermione and I lead since we first entered the Wizarding World last year. And Peri has been a very valuable figure to House Weasley since Arthur divorced Molly Prewitt back last November."

Hermione smiled. "Wherever things go between the two of you, Houses Potter, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Peverell, Dagworth-Granger, Ravenclaw and Malfoy will stand by you."

"Thank you, Lord and Lady Potter," Arthur said after the toast was completed. "One of the important things I mentioned earlier concerns Peri."

Arthur stood from the table, moved over to where Peri sat, then led her away from the table.

"Perpugilliam Brown, these last six months since we met at the last ICW meeting have been the most fulfilling of my life since I divorced Molly," Arthur said. "Your being there for me, teaching me about the Mundane world and being there for my children when they needed a mother figure in their lives made me realize that you are the right person for me."

Peri gasped as Arthur summoned a small blue and white case from a nearby table and opened it, revealing a small gold and diamond ring.

"Peri, will you marry me?" Arthur said.

Peri sniffed back tears as she said "Yes."

Harry, Hermione and Remus smiled as Arthur put the ring on Peri's finger. Percy stood from his chair and held up his glass. "To Perpugilliam, future Lady of the House of Weasley. May she bring honour to our House."

"Hear hear," Harry said before everyone took a drink.

As dinner crawled to an end, Harry turned to Arthur and Peri. "Arthur, Peri, Hermione, Remus and I thank you for the kind invitation to come here this evening," Harry said. "It is, therefore, only fair that we invite you to visit us at Potter Manor this Saturday evening for dinner."

"Thank you for the invitation, but we have other plans," Arthur said. "Peri agreed to take me on an educational trip for me and the rest of the family to learn about the mundane world."

"If you require assistance in that regard, Peri, you can call me and/or Harry at any time. The Floo address for Potter Manor is Lyon's Den," Hermione said.

"Thank you for the offer, Hermione," Peri said. "I might just take you up on it."

"Until then," Harry said. "Dobby?"

Dobby popped into existence in front of Harry, Hermione and Remus.

"Yes, Master Harry, sir?" Dobby asked.

"Dobby, take us back to Potter Manor at once," Harry said.

"Yes, sir," Dobby said.

Dobby took Harry, Hermione and Remus by the hand and popped out of the Burrow.

Next time, the "Modernization Arc" begins and changes the Wizarding World forever!

::TBC::