8:Preparing for the Third Task-May and most of June 1995
The Harry Potter Universe belongs to J.K. Rowling. I'm just borrowing the characters for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Early in May, Molly and Arthur began to be able to eat supper outside in the garden on particularly fine days. Mr Perkins' joint pain problems had improved a great deal with the end of the rainy season so Arthur was able to come home at a more reasonable hour since did not have to take care of every Muggle Magical Mishap all by himself.
Molly began to harvest some early greens for salads but none of the tomato plants had flowered yet despite having Warming Charms cast every night. Molly suspected that the plants were waiting for it to become warm enough for the bees to arrive. No sense blossoming without bees to pollinate. Her garden was doing quite well and the apple blossoms were within a week or so of blossoming.
Almost no news came from Hogwarts. If it had not been for Percy's visits there on Ministry business and his subsequent short reports, they would not have known that Ginny was keeping up with all her classes and doing a great deal of studying with a group of Ravenclaws. Percy reminded them that he had also joined a Ravenclaw study group while he was attending Hogwarts. Ron was arguing with Hermione almost every night. Harry was doing his homework but seemed a bit distracted. He also seemed to be spending time in the Hogwarts' kitchens. Percy commented that he was especially close to a house elf named Dobby. He did not report at all on what the twins were doing. Molly wondered how Fred and George were managing to evade Percy.
Percy himself was exceedingly busy at the Ministry and began to voice criticism of some of Professor Dumbledore's actions. He did not believe that there was any evidence at all that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was influencing his former followers. He frequently quoted Minister Fudge on the subject. Molly knew that Arthur was distressed by Percy's rants about Dumbledore's belief in what Harry was telling him. She became upset herself when he repeated the Daily Prophet's accusation that Harry was either deranged or seeking attention. She reminded him that Rita Skeeter had been wrong numerous times before.
Molly was so busy tending her garden and practicing dueling twice a week with Corrine that she didn't have time to listen to her favorite WWN programs every day. She tried catching up with the Saturday marathon but decided she'd rather spend the time with Arthur. They went to Brighton with Kate and Nic one weekend and enjoyed looking in the Antique Magical Objects shops there. Kate tried to convince her that she should make some more of the Weasley Clocks to sell but Molly told her that she wanted to surprise each of her children with one when they married and set up their own household.
Kate changed their topic of discussion and they talked about Molly's favorite radio shows. Not much new was happening on Days of Destiny and Bedside at St Brigid's. Nic said that many of the regular cast were on holiday or had the Terrible Puking Flu. The writers wrote scripts that let the new Lord Lyle rant and rave for nearly the whole program. All the sleepwalking on Bedside at St Brigid's had resulted in some unplanned pregnancies and a completely new storyline about determining parentage. Kate said that their sponsors were uneasy about the new direction but that St Mungo's was helping them inform their audience of the dangers of overdependence on Sleeping Draughts. They thought it should qualify as a public service. Molly was not sure about that.
It was mid May when Ginny sent a school owl with a letter attached. Molly wondered why it wasn't Pig or Hedwig but gave the strange owl a treat and opened the letter.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I am sorry I have not written but we have been very busy. Revision is taking all of my waking hours. You'd think the teachers would stop giving homework to give us a chance to prepare for tests but they haven't. I am keeping up but wish I had more time to sleep.
Ron is constantly busy with something that he and Harry and Hermione are doing together. It may have something to do with the Third Task but they don't tell me anything. Ron sometimes looks as if he has been running into a stonewall. Everyone has been trying to figure out why the Quidditch Pitch is all torn up. Most people think it has something to do with the Third Task. I guess we will all find out when Ludo Bagman meets with the champions in another week. He's going to tell them all about the Third Task.
Fred and George are spending a lot of time with the younger students in Gryffindor. Angelina and Katie and Alicia say it's just a phase they are going through but no one will eat anything they offer us. They have fake wands that turn into dead rats besides the ones that look like rubber chickens. I think that's funny but keep my wand safely hidden when I am around them.
It won't be long until I'll be home for the summer.
Love, Ginny
Molly and Arthur discussed the latest letter from Ginny at supper that evening.
'She doesn't mention Percy at all,' said Molly.
'He may not have been at Hogwarts much lately,' replied Arthur. 'I think he is sleeping on a couch in Mr Crouch's office… the Crouch Couch,' he repeated with a laugh. 'He very nearly hasn't been home since Easter and is decidedly aloof when we pass in the hall at the Ministry.'
'He's probably just overworked. If Mr Crouch hasn't been in the office for weeks, he must be doing all his work as well.' Molly was clearly sympathetic with Percy for having to work so hard.
'I wonder if Mr Crouch sends the owl to Percy Weasley or Percy Weatherby?' Arthur commented, trying to lighten the conversation.
Molly did not look amused.
*****
The last Saturday of May, a school owl arrived with a letter from Ron. Arthur read it aloud as he and Molly drank some lemonade in the garden.
Dear Mum and Dad,
I've been really busy with school and helping Harry figure out what to do in the
Third Task. He depends on Hermione and me quite a lot. Ludo Bagman has told the champions that they have to get through a maze to the Triwizard Tournament Cup. Harry and Cedric (that's what he wants to be called now because Cho thought Ced was too sissy sounding) get to go in first because they have the highest scores. They have to get by magical creatures and do spells and all that sort of magic. We hope that he doesn't have to face those blasted Blast Ended Skrewts that Hagrid has been making us feed.
Something really strange happened this week. Harry and Victor Krum saw Mr Crouch. That's right! Percy's boss was in the Forbidden Forest but he was acting like he was insane. And when Harry went to get help, someone Stunned Victor Krum. When Harry got back with Professor Dumbledore, Mr Crouch was gone again. I guess that's why Percy hasn't been here as much as he was for a while. Mr Crouch must be able to do some of the work even if he is frothing at the mouth.
Fred and George are up to something but I don't think it has anything to do with the Third Task. We saw them at the Owlery sending a letter and they wouldn't tell us who they were writing to. We don't know much except they were acting strange and they didn't like that we heard what they were saying to each other. They said they were joking, but I don't believe them. We were sending an owl off to Harry's godfather to tell him what the Third Task was.
Ginny is studying all the time. I guess she is using Hermione's notes from last year. She's not around much but we are so busy that we don't miss her.
Love, Ron
"I wonder what that business with Mr Crouch was all about,' said Molly with a sigh. 'I hope it means that Percy will not be so busy that he doesn't have time to come home and eat and sleep.'
The weather in June became very warm and sunny so Molly spent a great deal of time outside in the garden. She forgot her Sunscreen Charm one day and regretted it. The days were longer so it was light enough that Arthur was able to help her when he got home.
Percy showed up every few days to spend the night and pick up some clean clothes but he claimed to be even busier now that he was supervising the preparations for the Third Task. One morning when he and Molly were the only ones in the kitchen, he drew her aside into the corner next to her cooker and whispered, 'I really shouldn't tell you because it is top secret, but your oldest son will be coming to Hogwarts bringing part of the Third Task.'
Molly hugged him and said, 'But will he be able to be home for a few days? Surely, he's not just going to Hogwarts.'
'That I am not at liberty to say,' replied Percy solemnly. 'You and Dad will be invited to watch the Third Task but I can not speak further of this matter until you have received your invitation and replied.'
Molly heard Arthur coming down the stairs so said, 'More porridge, Percy?'
Arthur entered the room and said, 'Hello, Percy. We haven't seen much of you lately.'
'I have many matters to attend to. Have you been well, Father?' replied Percy as he stood to leave without waiting for a reply. He kissed his mother and nodded to his father before he threw the floo powder in the fireplace and said "The Ministry!'
'That's more conversation from him that I get at work in a week,' said Arthur, shaking his head.
'The poor boy is overworked. He's not himself,' said Molly in a worried tone.
'I hope that's all it is.' Said Arthur sadly.
A very large and proud looking owl arrived a week before the Third Task. Molly took the envelope, which was addressed, to Mr and Mrs Weasley. The owl waited while she opened it.
The Board of Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Department of International Magical Cooperation
and
The Department of Magical Games and Sports
Request the honour of the presence of
Mr and Mrs Arthur Weasley
At
The Triwizard Tournament Third and Final Task
Hogwarts School
Dusk on Thursday, the Twenty-fourth of June 1995.
R.S.V.P.
Molly looked at the owl, which stared back at her. She immediately took a clean piece of parchment and wrote in her best handwriting.
Mr and Mrs Weasley accept your kind invitation for the Twenty-fourth.
She folded it and handed it to the proud owl. He flew away.
Molly immediately threw some floo powder in the fireplace and called out 'Diggory Downs'. She leaned into the fire and called out, "Corrine, did you get an invitation to the Third Task?'
Corrine smiled at Molly's head and answered, 'Yes. What are you wearing? It's at dusk so it will get dark while they are in that maze. Ceddie is allergic to some plants so I hope they haven't planted anything that will make his nose run.'
Molly and Corrine talked for a while and decided to meet the next day to look through their closets and try on outfits.
When Arthur came home that night, Molly told him that they had been invited to go to the Third Task. 'It didn't say we were going as Harry's family, but I think that is the only way we would be invited. Those Dursleys have never shown the slightest interest in what he is learning or anything about him.'
'Now, now Molly,' said Arthur. 'Of course we'll go. I'll have to see if I can get away a bit earlier that day. I can't promise anything. You know that Bill will be there all day long. He is bringing something from Egypt that is a part of the Third Task but no one knows what it is.'
'Yes, Percy told me that Bill would be here. How is Percy?' asked Molly. 'He hasn't been home much at all lately.'
Arthur looked very serious. 'I think he is avoiding me because he turns around and goes the other way every time I see him at the Ministry. Minister Fudge himself questioned him about all of the instructions that Mr Crouch owled him.'
"I hope Percy doesn't get in trouble just for doing his job,' Molly said in a very worried tone. 'He works so hard and no one appreciates him.'
'There, there Molly,' replied Arthur. 'Is there anything I can do to help you tonight?'
The next day, Molly helped Corrine pick out some robes and a cloak that would be suitable for sitting out on a June evening. Then they went to the Burrow and chose something for Molly. They decided that the striped dress she had bought in Cairo would be comfortable in the warm part of the evening but included a light cloak in case the outcome was delayed.
As the time grew closer to June 24, Molly grew more worried about Harry being hurt during the final task. She tried not to let on to Corrine, who was already worried about Ceddie. Arthur tried to comfort her before they went to bed but Molly began thrashing and turning in the night, moaning, 'Not Harry. Don't hurt Harry.'
Bill arrived at the burrow the night before the Third Task and said that he had given the item he had brought from Egypt to Percy that afternoon. He said that he had seen Fred and George and that they seemed very concerned about something but he didn't have time to find out what was bothering them.
Molly was pleased to have her oldest son home but could not resist commenting on his ponytail, his lack of a girlfriend, and the dragon fang in his earlobe.
When Arthur came home that night, he was happy to see Bill and suggested that he and Molly go to Hogwarts right after breakfast so that they could spend the day with all the children and Harry. He said he'd be along as soon as he was back from a small village in Wales where there was an outbreak of dust bin lids in banging in unison to the tune of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".
Molly slept fitfully again, moaning, 'Don't hurt Harry!' She was also kicking out with her leg and thrusting as though she were dueling. Arthur was quite sore when he got up to go and tend to the clattering dustbin lids in Wales.
