Disclaimer: I make no money from this and hold no rights to it save for any original characters I may create. Anything you recognise belongs to Warner Bros.
Authors Note:
This story his been rated T due to some violent scenes and some bad language, though the bad language will be kept to a minimum.
Welcome everyone to my latest story which examines what would happen if Harry Potter was raised by the Weasley family.
Please let me know about any inconsistencies or spelling errors and I will correct them. Constructive criticism on the story is also welcome.
Harry Potter-Weasley Chapter One:
When Rubeus Hagrid arrived in front of the Potter House situated in the dual Wizarding/Muggle village of Godric's Hollow on Halloween night ninety-eighty-one it was obvious to the wild haired Half-Giant that something was desperately wrong.
The front gate had been kicked in and the wooden front door had been blasted off of it's hinges. Clearly this was the work of a witch or wizard.
The puzzle to Hagrid was who had done this thing? and further to that, how had this person or possibly multiple people found the Potter's in the first place? for you see the Potter family had been hiding for some months under the protection of the Fidelius Charm a spell designed to keep people safe and hidden from enemies.
Hagrid noted, as he looked to his right, the presence of a familiar black motorcycle that belonged to Sirius Black, a great friend of the Potter's as he himself was.
He strode up the garden path and picked his way carefully over the splinters of wood in to the cottage living room. The place looked largely untouched and Hagrid would have thought nothing out of place were it not for the sight of a slender man, wearing glasses, lying at the bottom of the stairs.
Hagrid hurried on over and knelt down. He choked back tears as he recognised the face of James Potter.
James' eyes were wide and unseeing, his face frozen in a mask of horror. He was dead. "Must've been the Killing Curse", Hagrid muttered. He closed his friends eyes sadly.
He had too often seen the effects of the curse when battling Death Eaters to miss the signs.
A cry sounded above him. The person sounded truly heartbroken. Soon after there were footsteps on the landing followed by none other than Sirius Black. "Sirius, what's been going on here?". Hagrid asked the curly haired man.
"Voldemort, that's what", Sirius replied, "Voldemort killed Lily and James". Sirius bounced Harry slightly and sniffed, "I don't know how Harry here survived but by god I am so elated that he did".
Hagrid stared at the toddler who had short black hair with a slight tuft and the front and now bore a weeping black scar in the shape of a lightning bolt. "What's that on his forehead?".
Sirius shook his head. "No idea", he replied, "looks like a scar but it's an odd shape".
Hagrid gulped. "Yeh'd better give him teh me Sirius", he said as he remembered his instructions from Dumbledore.
"No Harry's coming with me", Sirius insisted stubbornly.
"Sirius Dumbledore asked me to get anyone who was here ta safety and that's I have ta do!", Hagrid said more forcefully.
"He's all I have left Hagrid!", Sirius shouted. The shout caused Harry to start crying and necessitated Sirius calming him down.
"I understand that and ya can see him soon but I've got ta get him to his relatives. Dumbledore is waiting fer me", Hagrid declared.
Sirius gazed at Harry and it was as if the other wizard realised something for he handed Harry over and said, "keep him safe Hagrid. I'll see him and you soon, just something I have to take care of".
"Alright, see you soon Sirius", Hagrid said as he took Harry carefully from the man's arms and wrapped him up tight in his blanket. "We're going on a little adventure Harry", he told the toddler as he strode out of the house.
As he made to disapparate Hagrid heard urgent footsteps behind him and the half-giant turned to find Sirius standing in front of him. "Catch", Sirius said as he threw a set of keys to the larger man. Hagrid caught them in one hand while he held Harry with the other. "What are these for?", he asked.
"Take my bike", Sirius told him, "I don't need it right now and you need a safe, non-magic way of getting Harry out of here".
Hagrid nodded and thanked him. Sirius walked up to him, peeled back the blanket and kissed Harry on the forehead. "I'll see you soon Harry, I love you".
As Sirius went to leave Hagrid felt bound to offer some words of comfort. "It's not yer fault ya know. Don't blame yerself".
"But it is my fault Hagrid", Sirius said softly, "I didn't stop him you see" and with that cryptic reply Sirius Black disapparated leaving behind a confused Hagrid.
"We'd better get ya to yer Aunt and Uncles then young Harry", Hagrid said with a sad smile.
Soon, Hagrid had secured Harry in the sidecar using the seatbelt and was flying across England towards his destination of Little Whinging in Surrey.
"I thought I would find you here, Professor McGonagall", said the tall wizard with the long white beard. He was addressing a small, grey tabby cat and if anyone in that quiet suburb of Privet Drive had been watching they'd have thought the man to be mad.
Luckily, the tall old man was in fact a wizard named Albus Dumbledore and he had used a peculiar device to douse every single streetlight in the vicinity rendering the surrounding area pitch black.
The tabby cat gave Dumbledore a long look before transforming in to a rather severe looking woman immaculately dressed in dark green robes and wearing a slightly pointed hat. "How did you know it was me?", she demanded in a rather flustered and irritated tone.
Dumbledore smiled. "My dear Minerva, how many other cats would have been waiting on this particular street staring up at the street sign when I arrived?".
Professor McGonagall sighed. "I fear you are making a big mistake Albus in bringing Harry Potter to his blood relatives".
Dumbledore was immediately alert. If Minerva McGonagall thought he was making a mistaking then he had better listen to her. "Oh, how so?".
"I have been watching the family all day", she explained as she pointed to a nearby house which bore a well trimmed garden a gleaming front door.
Dumbledore nodded. "And what have you observed?", he asked seriously, his earlier humour gone for the moment.
"They really are the worst sort of Muggles imaginable!", she told him. "I have seen their son Dudley kicking and biting and crying when he doesn't get his own way. They soon gave in and got him that which he wanted. Further to that they take great care to look normal and I can see that they would not welcome a wizard in to their home. Indeed, I heard Petunia Dursley say positively vile things about Lily and James Potter", she said.
Dumbledore's eyes darkened. It was well known he had been immensely fond of Lily and James Potter. "What sort of things?".
"Telling her husband that they are layabouts, drunks, freaks. Declaring that she wished they were dead", Professor McGonagall explained choking back tears.
Dumbledore sighed. "Well she has got her wish now if what I fear is right".
"May I make a suggestion Albus?", McGonagall said.
Dumbledore nodded, "by all means Minerva, your words are always wise and valuable".
"Why not watch the family tomorrow? tail them and see how they behave. If I am wrong then I waive my objection to young Harry living with them but if I prove to be right then alternative arrangements must be made for him".
Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment before a twinkle appeared in his blue eyes. "A most sensible suggestion dear Minerva, I would not wish for Harry to live with the wrong sort".
Just as Dumbledore had finished replying there came from high in the sky the sound of an engine and not just any engine but that of a motorbike. "Ah it seems as if Hagrid has arrived", the old wizard commented.
As it got nearer the sound of the engine grew louder before an audible bump was heard and the motorcycle rolled to a stop next to the two Professors.
Hagrid climbed off the bike with ease and headed to the sidecar. Gently, he lifted his young passenger out of the sidecar still wrapped in his blanket and carried him over to the two professors.
The sleeping toddler made little noise as Hagrid reached his colleagues. "The little tyke fell asleep jus' as we was flying over Bristol", he informed them.
"Greetings my friend", said Dumbledore warmly to Hagrid.
"Greetings Professors", Hagrid replied.
Dumbledore smiled. "There has been a change of plan for the moment on young Harry living with his relatives. It is lucky that I purchased a house for Arabella to live in to keep an eye on him as we will have need of it for a day or so. Minerva shall look after young Harry at Hogwarts with staff help while we are engaged on important business".
"I'm yer man Professor, whatever yeh need", Hagrid assured him.
Dumbledore nodded. He had never doubted it for a moment from someone as loyal and trustworthy as his old friend was.
"The business I speak of involves tailing Mr Vernon Dursley and his wife Petunia to view their habits and assess their capability and suitability of raising Harry", Dumbledore informed Hagrid.
Hagrid was in full agreement and so it was decided. Professor McGonagall left while the two men headed for nearby Wisteria Walk and an empty house recently purchased, unbeknownst to most, by one Albus Dumbledore.
Over the next day, Dumbledore and Hagrid tailed the Dursleys discovering much about them, none of which they liked. Vernon and Petunia were rude, gossips and held much distain and even hatred for magic and people with magic.
Vernon Dursley was also discovered to be abusive to colleagues, looked down on people who had less money than he, hated the homeless and the needy and was found to be having an affair with his secretary a rather attractive brunette called Dawn.
And so it was that on the second of November, two days after Halloween, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Minerva McGonagall convened in the Headmasters Office at Hogwarts School to discuss the results of the investigation.
Dumbledore was grim faced and sighed as Professor McGonagall demanded, "well? what did you find?".
"They're no good fer him", Hagrid declared, speaking first, "they hate magic, they hated Lily and James and they hold no fondness fer Harry of any kind".
Minerva stared at Albus, eyebrow raised and asked, "I presume Hagrid is telling the truth".
Dumbledore nodded, spread his hands out before him and agreed. "Hagrid speaks truly, my original plan for Harry to live with the Dursleys would lead to disaster. They would quite clearly not treat him right, would perhaps even, though I hate to say it, be abusive to him".
"We should find Sirius and let him raise Harry, he's godfather and has all right to do so", Hagrid spoke up.
Dumbledore shook his head. "I am afraid to say that not only is that not possible at the moment but would be an even worse choice than that of the Dursleys".
"And why would that be?", Minerva asked hotly, "he would treat Harry as a son and love him as much as if he were his own".
"If only that were true dear Minerva", Dumbledore replied heavily, "but it seems that none of us knew the true Sirius Black".
Minerva looked confused and her face showed said confusion as Dumbledore explained. "Sirius Black cornered young Peter Pettigrew on a Muggle street earlier today. Peter declared Sirius to have been the Secret Keeper. It was Sirius who betrayed James and Lily Potter to Voldemort, though it grieves me to say it. Not only that but Sirius blew up the street killing Peter and thirteen Muggles. It is said that when the Aurors arrived to arrest him Sirius Black was laughing at the carnage around him".
Minerva gasped and stumbled to a chair sitting down heavily. "I appreciate your shock Minerva for it took me by complete surprise as well, Sirius...Black is the last person I would have expected to kill innocent people or betray the Potters", Dumbledore said, his eyes heavy with sorrow.
"They were like brothers He and James", Minerva whispered, how could he do it?", her face was filled with pain.
Dumbledore shook his head. "Alas Minerva, sometimes people are not all they appear to be. Black fooled us all".
"But I comforted him!", Hagrid shouted. Dumbledore noted that his friend looked and sounded devastated. "He seemed so broken over what had happened and I comforted the lying murderer! I told im it wasn't his fault!".
Dumbledore went to Hagrid and patted him on the shoulder comfortingly. "There there Hagrid", he said, "you weren't to know that he was a Death Eater. If asked I would have said there was no chance he would be the traitor". Dumbledore spread his hands out, "but there it is", he said sadly.
There was silence in the office as the three adults digested this information and thought on what to do next. The only sound came from Harry bouncing a ball on the floor and giggling.
"This new evidence and incident concerning Sirius Black changes everything", Minerva stated with a sigh, "he is by rights Harry's guardian but with what he has done and what he is responsible for he will no doubt be rightly going to Azkaban, perhaps even receiving the Dementors kiss for his actions".
Dumbledore nodded. "I have been reliably informed that Black is to be imprisoned without trial, for life".
"Without trial?", Minerva looked a bit shocked.
"There is no need for one", Dumbledore explained, "all the evidence points to black being the Secret Keeper, a Death Eater and the one who killed Peter and those twelve Muggles".
Minerva shook her head. "Poor Peter. Poor boy. So foolish but so brave".
"I hear he is to be honoured with an Order of Merlin first class decoration which will be handed to his mother", Dumbledore informed her and Hagrid.
"And so he should be", Hagrid declared gruffly wiping his eyes with his handkerchief.
Minerva cleared her throat and then said, "with the news about both Black and the Dursleys Harry must clearly be placed elsewhere".
"Indeed he must Minerva and I am open to suggestions", Dumbledore said, his tone becoming somewhat business like.
Minerva looked happy to be asked and said, "there is but one family I would trust to raise young Harry safely, happily and with love".
"The Weasleys", Dumbledore stated.
Minerva looked annoyed, "Albus Dumbledore did you just read my mind?", she demanded.
Dumbledore looked embarrassed. "My apologies Minerva, it was purely accidental".
Minerva huffed. "Yes, the Weasleys. They are rather poor but they are kind, caring and love each other. They also knew the Potters and I have no doubt they would raise Lily and James' son to respect his parents memories and to know that he was loved by them".
"It's out of the way too, not many people visit the Burrow", Hagrid agreed.
Minerva sweetened the idea by adding, "there is also plenty of room for children to run and play and be themselves".
Dumbledore stroked his white beard and smiled, his eyes twinkling brightly. "I do believe", he said, "we have a plan. Providing, of course, that Arthur and Molly are agreeable to taking another child on, given Molly has not long since given birth to her seventh child".
Minerva smiled. "Molly has always said she would love to have more children and Arthur does a lot for charities involving child and adult victims of the Wizarding War. I am sure they'd be only too happy to help".
Dumbledore nodded. "In that case I shall floo call them and ask them if it is convenient for myself and Hagrid to visit".
Striding over to the fireplace, Dumbledore took a pinch of floo powder and threw it in to the flames. "I wish to speak to Molly Weasley at the Burrow".
Dumbledore plunged his head in to the flames and felt the familiar sensation of spinning around and around before his face found the right fireplace.
The old wizard smiled at the sight of the Weasley family all sat around in the living room. The Twins Fred and George were whispering conspiratorially on one of the battered old sofa's, Percy was engrossed in a book in one of the patched up armchairs, and Ron and Ginny were playing with building blocks on the floor by the coffee table while their mother watched them with a fond smile on her face.
Dumbledore cleared his throat causing six pairs of eyes to look up in surprise. "Oh Albus what a pleasant surprise!", Molly said warmly as she stood up from her armchair and hurried over to the fireplace. She wiped her hands on her cardigan as she went.
"What can we do for you this evening?", she asked Dumbledore as he hovered in the fireplace.
Dumbledore cleared his throat again. "And a good evening to you Molly and your family. As a matter of fact I was hoping to visit the Burrow this very evening on a matter of some delicacy".
Molly smiled widely. "Well of course you are welcome Albus and anyone you choose to bring with you".
"Excellent Molly. Shall we say, half an hour then?", Dumbledore said.
Molly nodded in agreement. "That would be fine Albus. It will give me time to finish dinner".
"Oh dinner for myself and my companion won't be necessary, however if you have a spare highchair and extra milk that would be fantastic", Dumbledore said before pulling his head from the flames leaving behind a perplexed looking Molly Weasley.
Not a moment later, the fireplace flared up and out stepped Arthur Weasley. He dusted himself off, hanged his cloak on the cloak and coat stand, pecked his wife on the cheek and set about making himself a cup of tea. "Busy day Molly my love?", he asked his wife tiredly stifling a yawn.
"Well to be truthful it was very peaceful and without excitement until just a moment ago when Albus firecalled and asked if he and someone else could visit us on matter of some delicacy as he called it".
Arthur frowned. "Not that he's not welcome but it's rare for Albus to visit, must be important".
"And as if his wanting to visit isn't unusual enough he said if we had a spare highchair and extra milk it would be fantastic".
Arthur frowned even harder and shrugged his shoulders. "He's an enigma that man. A complete enigma".
Her husband sat down at the kitchen table and judging by the look on his face as he stirred his tea it was clear to Molly that he was pondering things.
"The visit is all set", Dumbledore informed Minerva and Hagrid. "I leave the school in your capable hands for a few hours dear Minerva", he said warmly.
Minerva nodded. "Of course. Good luck Albus". Before she left she kissed Harry's forehead in a rare gesture of affection, "goodbye Harry and good luck".
Half an hour later Albus Dumbledore and Rubeus Hagrid flooed over to the Burrow with their young charge.
"Welcome, welcome!", Molly said with a beaming smile as she used her wand to dust the two men down before raising an eyebrow at the bundle in Hagrids large arms.
Dumbledore smiled back. "Hello Molly and thank you for inviting us to your delightful home".
"Yes, thank you Molly", Hagrid said warmly.
"Oh think nothing of it. Go and sit yourselves down in the living room and I'll bring through a cup of tea and some biscuits for you", she frowned a little, "we also have the highchair set up and milk".
"Is it in a babies bottle?", Dumbledore asked.
Molly frowned harder. "Given the request for a highchair I assumed it was a baby or toddler so yes, I have placed it in a sterilized bottle".
Dumbledore smiled. "Very good", he said with approval. He led the way in to the living room as Hagrid followed more slowly and carefully, mindful of the child in his arms.
The heads of four curious children looked up as Dumbledore, Hagrid and Molly Weasley entered the living room.
Arthur stood up and walked over to Dumbledore and Hagrid. He extended a hand and smiled at both men. "Albus, Hagrid".
Dumbledore and Hagrid shook hands with him as Molly ushered them over to one of the sofa's. "Please sit down both of you", she said.
The two men sat down, Dumbledore hanging on as Hagrid's bulk temporarily caused the sofa to raise up at one end.
Tea was offered to both men as Molly walked over to Hagrid and said, "I presume this is the child you wished to sit in the highchair?", she gestured to the bundle of blankets.
"He is indeed Molly", Dumbledore said and gestured to Hagrid who peeled back the blanket, kissed Harry on the forehead and handed him over carefully like a delicate piece of porcelain to Molly.
Molly took the bundle of blankets, and peeled them back. Noticing the shock of black hair and the green eyes she had seen many times before she gave a loud gasp and almost stumbled back. "Harry!".
"Yes Molly. It is Harry Potter, son of your good friend Lily".
Molly choked back tears as she said. "It's wonderful to see him but if only it were not in such circumstances...", she shook her head and stared at Dumbledore. "Why have you brought him with you Albus?".
Dumbledore sighed heavily. "To put it simply Molly you are the only family Minerva, Hagrid and myself would trust to raise him. We planned for him to live with his blood relatives due to the blood protection it would provide".
"I would guess you saw something that made you change your mind", Molly guessed perceptively.
Dumbledore nodded seriously. "That is correct my dear Molly", he said. "Hagrid and myself tailed the Dursleys yesterday to decide upon their suitability for raising young Harry and found them to be abusive, rude, haters of magic and hostile to the Potter family in every possible way".
"Then it is understandable you won't place Harry with them", said Arthur, speaking up for the first time. "But what of Sirius Black, he is Harry's godfather after all and the magical guardian named in the will".
Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "He would have been second choice, however...".
"He's a ruddy traitor", Hagrid cut in angrily. "He was Secret Keeper and told Vol...Vol...You Know Who where to find Lily and James in order to kill them! and he killed Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles an all!".
Arthur and Molly gasped while Dumbledore said sharply, "Hagrid not in front of the children!".
Hagrid looked shamefaced. "Sorry Professor, I'm just so ruddy angry at it all".
"As are we all I'm sure", Dumbledore said calmly.
Arthur blew out a breath. "So if all this is true then what is your plan for Harry? where will he live?".
"This is the very thing about which I wished to speak to you", Dumbledore stated. He gestured to Harry who Molly was feeding with the baby bottle. The boy was feeding happily and grinning.
"I know that you and Molly here already have seven children and it would be a squeeze space wise as well as a financial strain for you to care for another but I feel the Burrow would provide the best environment for young Harry to live in, to be happy, healthy and loved".
Arthur stared at Dumbledore, his mouth hanging open in shock so much that his jaw could have hit the floor.
"You...you want...I mean you trust us to raise Harry Potter? the Harry Potter? hero of the Wizarding World?". It was obvious that Arthur was stunned.
Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "I can honestly say that I can think of no one better to do so. Your children will keep him company, the environment will keep him grounded from his fame and you and your wife will, I have no doubt, love him as if he was your own".
"He will be", Molly stated as she turned away from cleaning Harry's chin with a tissue. She had a fiercely protective look on her round face. "He will be our son. We will raise him with love and affection I promise you Albus. He will want for nothing as our children want for nothing".
Arthur's facial expression changed from one of shock to one of agreement. It would be a financial struggle but they would raise Harry as their own son. "And we can promise that Harry shall be told of his parents and all that they sacrificed to keep him safe", he said as he walked over to his wife near the highchair and ruffled Harry's hair giving the toddler a smile.
Dumbledore chuckled. "I knew my faith in you would not be misplaced", he said to Molly and Arthur. "I believe Harry will fit in just fine".
"You'll be marvellous parents to im", Hagrid stated warmly, "ruddy marvellous". The Half-Giant walked over to Harry where he sat in his highchair and kissed the top of his head. "Goodbye Harry, have a wonderful life".
Molly chuckled and shook her head. "I don't know what you're saying goodbye for Hagrid", she said, "after all you'll be visiting when you're not busy I'm sure".
Hagrid looked amazed. "You mean I c'n drop by ta see im?".
"But of course", Arthur said, patting Hagrid on the back, "you're practically an uncle to our children and Harry I don't see why that would change".
Hagrid beamed a smile, ruffled Harry's hair and said, "I'll see yeh soon then Harry". He looked at Arthur and Molly, "take care Arthur, Molly". He shook hands with both as they begged off from the bone crushing "Hagrid hug" he was well known for.
Hagrid turned to leave only to pause and reach a hand in to his large moleskin overcoat. "Almost forgot this", he said as he pulled out a stuffed stag toy which he handed to Harry who squealed in delight and exclaimed, "Prongs!", hugging the toy to his chest as everyone smiled.
"Saved it from the wreckage", Hagrid explained before bidding them all a good night and departing.
"I must be going now too I'm afraid", Dumbledore said. "I shall return in a few days with any photos and personal effects of Harry's, James's and Lily's that I can salvage".
Dumbledore turned to Harry. "I will not see you for a long time Harry so I say now that I hope you have a wonderful life and I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts when the time comes".
Arthur escorted Dumbledore to the fireplace as Molly picked up Harry.
Harry held on to the red haired woman and looked up in to her kind face. "Where Mummy and Daddy?", he asked sadly.
Molly's heart broke for the poor boy. He had lost so much in such a short space of time, even his godfather. She hugged Harry tightly and kissed his forehead. "They died sweetheart, I'm so sorry. They are watching over you thought I'm sure", she said kindly.
Harry started to wail and Molly held him close. She dried his tears, used a tissue to blow his nose which was now very red and told him warmly that, "Harry we are going to be your new family now, myself, my husband Arthur", she pointed out her younger children, "Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Percy and Bill an Charlie who are at Hogwarts".
"What Hogwarts?", Harry asked curiously.
Molly smiled. "I'll tell you someday soon I promise" and then added, "we'll love you and care for you as our son. Your mother and father were good friends of ours and very brave people".
Harry hugged her and she hugged him back barely blinking back tears at all this kind and boisterous child had been through.
"I'll set you down here next to Ron and Ginny. They're using building blocks. Do you like building blocks?", she asked Harry who nodded and murmured, "yeah".
To Molly's approval, Ron and Ginny accepted Harry at once with them handing him blocks so they could build towers and walls of what seemed to be an attempt at Hogwarts Castle.
"I think this may be Albus' best idea yet", Molly commented as she and Arthur watched Ron and Harry using toy swords.
"He'll fit in great", Arthur declared happily before he sipped his tea. He raised his teacup and smiled at Harry, "welcome to the family son".
Arthur Weasley had the feeling that their family life was about to get a lot more interesting now they were raising the son of a Marauder.