PhoenixSong.net :: A Harry/Ginny Fanfic and Fanart Archive

Author: Grandma Kate

Story: Ginny's Seventh Year at Hogwarts

Part: 9:Memories and More - May 1999

Rating: Everyone

Setting: Post-DH

Status: Completed

Reviews: 4

Words: 5,662

Updated: September 26, 2009, 10:21pm

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9:Memories and More - May 1999

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.

A/N: Even as those who loved Fred still mourn for him, they each begin to realize that life must go on. This story is told from Molly’s Weasley’s point of view and continues from where Ginny’s Sixth Year at Hogwarts leaves off. It takes place the year after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, therefore eighteen years before the Epilogue.

Molly woke early on the first of May. She hurried out to the garden to pick flowers for Arthur, Charlie, Kathleen, and Ron. She was surprised to hear footsteps on the stairs as she was arranging bouquets in the five small milk jugs.

‘Happy May Day, Molly,’ said Kathleen. ‘I should have realised that I couldn’t get out to pick flowers before you were awake, even though Charlie and I are still on Romanian time, an hour ahead of The Burrow.’

‘Would you like me to make some coffee?’ asked Molly, hugging Kathleen.

‘I’d better stick to tea with milk in it,’ answered Kathleen, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t object to some lightly buttered toast.’

Molly tried to get Kathleen to mention any wedding plans without asking her outright, but the quiet-seeming young woman was evasive. She kept repeating, ‘Charlie and I haven’t decided what we want to do yet.’

Arthur was the next one to arrive in the kitchen, since it was Friday and he had to go into work. He said he only had time for tea and toast. Ron was the next to stumble down the stairs. He was always ready to eat a full breakfast. The smell of eggs and sausages made Kathleen feel queasy so she took a walk in the garden while Ron shoveled his breakfast down.

Molly joined Kathleen in the garden and they sat companionably on the bench that faced the hill where Fred was buried. Arthur kissed them both before he Apparated to the Ministry. Ron, dressed in his magenta WWW work robes, waved from the back porch as he walked down the lane to Apparate.

Eventually Charlie came down and found them talking about the ceremony to dedicate the Memorial and honour the defenders of Hogwarts. He stayed with Kathleen while Molly made him a full English breakfast and then took his place in the garden while he ate. When he finished, the three of them walked up the path to Fred’s grave to bring him up to date on what was happening in his family and about the new yet-to-be born Weasley.

Bill, Fleur, and Philippe were the first to arrive for dinner that evening. Kathleen held the strawberry-blond baby as though she thought he might break, but Charlie took him confidently, saying, ‘Mum all but gave Fred and George to Bill and me as soon as they were born. Philippe can’t be half as wiggly as George was.’

Almost as though he knew he was being mentioned, George, followed by Angelina, stepped out of the Floo connection. They hugged Kathleen and Fleur and commented on how much Philippe had grown. Charlie gave Philippe back to Fleur who promptly put him back in his carrying cot.

Ron greeted Percy as he stepped from the fireplace and took the bundle of dirty clothes that he had left behind when he moved back to The Burrow. Charlie grabbed Percy in a neck hold and asked him how his love life was coming along. Percy attempted unsuccessfully to release himself from his more muscular older brother as he greeted Kathleen and Fleur. George watched serenely as Bill finally helped Ron pry Charlie’s brawny arms off him, saying, ‘Ron and I have to band together to rescue our other blue-eyed brother.’

Molly told them to play nice and that dinner was ready. Kathleen’s possible pregnancy was not mentioned at all, but his three brothers teased Percy about his lack of love life all during the meal.

Although she and Arthur snuggled for a while, Molly fell asleep reliving the events of the year before.

The Anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts dawned clear and mild. Molly, Arthur, Charlie, Kathleen, and Ron, dressed in their best robes, decided to take the Floo Connection to The Three Broomsticks because Molly and Arthur were to sit on the platform with the other committee members who had planned the event.

Hundreds of chairs were arranged between the front steps of Hogwarts and the white tomb of Dumbledore. The chairs nearest the lake were being filled by lines of Hogwarts students in their dark school robes, while the other half was filled by more colourfully dressed witches and wizards in their best robes.

Molly nodded to Minerva and joined George who was sitting with the rest of the Memorial Committee on one side of the platform. Hagrid sat in a large chair next to it with Kreacher and Winky on small chairs in front of him. Arthur joined Kingsley on the other side with the rest of the Awards Committee.

When nearly all of the chairs were filled, Kingsley stood, touched his wand to this throat and said, ‘Sonorous”. His rich voice continued, ‘It is fitting and proper that we gather to remember the heroes of the Battle of Hogwarts on this day, the first anniversary. Headmistress McGonagall has a few words of welcome.’

Minerva also amplified her voice but spoke briefly, welcoming those who came and thanking the members of the Memorial and Awards committees. She also told them that the Reuniting Families and Friends Committee had been responsible for nearly two hundred witches and wizards returning from exile. There was a huge round of applause.

Kingsley then introduced Molly so that the memorial service could begin. Molly said that her committee had decided against reading all the names of those who gave their lives to assure the wizarding way of life would continue. She said that the committee had chosen a living memorial with the assistance of Holly Kirke, the brilliant designer of the new fountain in the Atrium of the Ministry. There was another round of applause.

Molly continued, ‘Hagrid, the Groundskeeper of Hogwarts, and selected Hogwarts house-elves are responsible for completing the Defenders of Hogwarts Memorial. I want them to join me in lifting the Disillusionment Charm.’

Molly lifted her wand and Hagrid proudly showed off his new replacement wand, as Kreacher and Winky pointed their right index fingers toward an empty area near the front steps of Hogwarts. The assembled witches, wizards, house-elves, Merpeople, Centaurs, and other magical creatures suddenly could see a grove of rowan trees. Winding through the trees was a curving path bordered by several white marble benches.

‘We chose the place where Hagrid carried what he and we all thought was the body of Harry Potter on that terrible night,’ said Molly. ‘The benches are arranged in the approximate order that our loved ones were taken from us. We also tried to keep friends and family members together. We hope that you will come often to this peaceful place.’

Kingsley then amplified his voice and said that the programs contained a list of all who were being honoured by the Memorial Grove, as well as all those being awarded the Order of Merlin. He next thanked all the Hogwarts students and house-elves who had stayed to defend Hogwarts, and their family members. He next thanked the Centaurs and other magical creatures, and the witches and wizards from Hogsmeade who had joined the battle as reinforcements. He asked those who were in either category to stand and waved his wand. Medallions of the Order of Merlin, Third Class appeared on ribbons around the necks of those being honoured as everyone stood and cheered.

‘The next classification of awards includes a number that will be awarded posthumously. All the members of Dumbledore’s Army or those who were in the Order of the Phoenix have earned the award of the Order of Merlin, Second Class. Please stand if you are in either group.’ A smaller number of witches and wizards stood and suddenly found that they had medallions hanging around their necks. Boxes with awards also appeared in the hands of the survivors of members of this class who had given their lives.

Molly felt tears in her eyes as Andromeda stoically held the boxes with the medals for Tonks and Remus and bent to show them to Teddy. Corrine was crying as an unexpected box with Ceddie’s name appeared in her hand.

‘There are also a small number of witches and wizards who have earned the Order of Merlin, First Class. I think there can be no question that each and every one of them deserve it,’ said Kingsley. ‘Please come up to the platform as I call your names so I can personally present the highest honour our community can award. The first three medallions go to the three students who lead Dumbledore’s Army and organised the rebellion from within Hogwarts — Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Luna Lovegood.’ The student section went wild as Kingsley put the medallions around their necks.

‘The Order of Merlin, First Class is also awarded to the three young people who searched out and destroyed Voldemort’s Horcruxes at grave personal risk — Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter.’ He placed the ribbons with the medallions around their necks. Everyone cheered wildly.

Molly began to cry, but was surprised when Kingsley approached her and said, ‘I am pleased to award one more order of Merlin, First Class to someone who was willing to give up her own life to save that of another, Molly Weasley.’

Molly nearly fainted when Kingsley put the medallion around her neck and she heard her children shout, ‘Way to go, Mum!’ Arthur appeared at her side to support her, as he always had. He held her in his arms and told her how proud he was of her. The crowd cheered and Kingsley said that the audience was free to explore the Memorial Grove and to have refreshments.

The guests and students milled around, congratulating those who had received medals and walking down the path in the shade of the rowan trees, stopping to read the names on the benches. Many were crying. Most of the students headed for the refreshment tables and celebrated in their own way. Many people came to Molly and thanked her for what she had done during the Battle and during the past year. Quite a number said that they had returned because of the outreaches that her committee had made.

Molly smiled at Harry and Ginny walking Teddy to the bench with the names of his mother and father. They sat him on it but he immediately stood up and held his arms out to them, saying, ‘In-ee!’ and ‘Ay-wee!’ They laughed in delight and declared their ‘first name by Teddy’ contest, a tie. The last thing that the Weasley family did before they walked to the gates of Hogwarts to return to The Burrow was to gather by the bench with Fred’s name. They each traced his name and patted his bench as they left with their loved ones.

Percy was the last to Apparate to The Burrow. Molly’s heart went out to him since he looked so devastated. She suddenly realised that he was the only one without a loved one to support him. She hoped that he’d meet his soul mate soon. After Percy arrived, the family silently climbed the hill to Fred’s grave and each of them conjured a rose to put on it and told him how lovely the Memorial Grove was. Arthur showed him his Order of Merlin, Second Class and said that it would have a place of honour draped over his picture on the mantle in the sitting room.

Molly and Arthur nearly forgot that it was Saturday night and time to watch the next episode of Generations Yet to Come. Harry and Ron had returned to Hogwarts with Ginny and Hermione to eat dinner, so Charlie and Kathleen were the only ones interested in watching the show with them. Kathleen said that her publisher thought that there was a great demand for Tell-a-Vision scripts but that she had never seen a series. Molly tried to tell her about Kyle and Roana and Lord Leonard’s mysterious disappearance.

The show began as it always did, with Nic Meath’s voice soaring over the music, saying, ‘The great love of Fiona and Roderick was too strong to be broken by time. Destiny was on their side throughout their days, and it will continue to protect — (pause) Generations Yet to Come.’

Molly and Arthur were surprised that the first scene after the commercial for Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans was set in a jungle. It said that it was Peru at the top of the picture. A gaunt old man was lying on a mat made of leaves and was whispering something to a dark-skinned fellow. “I must see to it that my sons are provided for,’ he managed to say. ‘Heath and Cliffe don’t even suspect that I am their father.’

The dark-skinned wizard nodded. ‘I will take your last will and testament to the office of Barnswell Bains in London.’

The elderly gentleman closed his eyes and breathed his last.

The scene shifted to Leonard’s Lair where Roana, Miss Prism, Heath, and Cliffe were all sitting on a large blanket, having a picnic under a shady tree. Each of the young men was playing a guitar and singing loudly about being unhappy in love and having a feeling of imminent danger. Miss Prism looked as though her ears hurt, but Roana was smiling sweetly at each of the men in turn. Unfortunately, her smiles seemed to encourage them to sing even louder.

Suddenly, Kyle, Junior, Apparated next to the tree. He was still holding the same flask that he had been holding in the final scene of the last episode.

Molly was about to tell Kathleen what she thought was in the flask, when ‘We’ll be right back’ appeared on the screen. Arthur pushed a button on his control box that stopped the voices shouting about the Tent Sale of winter robes and boots at Robes-R-Us, a factory outlet in the low end of Diagon Alley.

‘Kyle has been off in Transylvania looking for a potion to cure Vampires,’ said Molly.

‘There is no cure for Vampires,’ said Charlie. ‘Once bitten, forever biting.’

‘I hadn’t realised that,’ said Molly.

After the commercial break, a very serious-looking Barnswell Bains Apparated to the gate of Leonard’s Lair. The dark-skinned wizard was with him. They hurried to the lawn where everyone was gathered and the solicitor held out an impressive looking document.

‘Lord Leonard is dead,’ he said in a sad voice. ‘His partner in the Peruvian mineral operation, Gustavo Garcia, is fulfilling his deathbed request about his estate. Lord Leonard’s will has been verified.’

Kyle, who was still clutching the flask, stepped forward and said, ‘I am his sole heir. Now everything he owned is mine! I have waited so long for this moment!’

Miss Prism, Roana, Heath, and Cliffe all looked horrified that Kyle had revealed his greed.

‘Not so fast, Mr Ainsley,’ said Barnswell Bains. ‘What you do not realise is that Lord Leonard secretly fathered two sons. They are his true heirs. Their mother died in childbirth delivering his second son, so they will jointly inherit all of his land and money.’

‘No!’ cried Kyle. ‘I have discovered the Elixir of Eternal Youth and need a fortune to live as I have dreamed about.’ He gulped some of the potion from the flask but became older, rather than younger. Everyone gasped as he crumpled to the ground.

‘It always had to be all about you,’ said Roana in disgust.

Miss Prism was the only one who thought to ask, ‘Who are the sons of Lord Leonard?’ as the credits rolled.

‘It has to be Heath and Cliffe,’ said Kathleen. ‘It wouldn’t be fair to not have introduced the true heirs.’

‘Which will get the fair Roana?’ asked Charlie. ‘They both look like I would if I had blond hair and blue eyes.’

‘I can’t imagine you with anything but your beautiful chocolate eyes,’ said Kathleen in a sultry voice that made Molly and Arthur decide to take an early night. They wished the young couple a good sleep and went up to bed.

Charlie and Kathleen were invited to George and Angelina’s house to spend the day, so Molly and Arthur were eating breakfast alone when the owl delivered the Sunday Edition of the Daily Prophet. It was very thick with many pictures of those who had been honoured at the ceremony yesterday. Arthur was delighted to have the cover photograph show Kingsley putting the medallion around a very surprised Molly’s neck.

‘That picture does not do justice to you. You are far more beautiful than that picture shows,’ he said as he kissed her cheek.

‘I’d have worn Great-grandmother Macmillan’s pearl earrings if I’d known I was going to get an award and have my picture taken,’ said Molly. ‘Did you know that I was getting an award ahead of time?’

Arthur nodded. ‘Kingsley and the rest of the committee was adamant. If you hadn’t stopped her, Bella Lestrange would have killed Harry before he could destroy Voldemort.’

‘She tried to kill Ginny, our baby girl.’ Molly began to cry. ‘I didn’t have time to worry about her killing me. I just fought her as well as I could. I’d never even thought of casting Avada Kedavra until she gave me no choice.’

Arthur put his arms around her and rubbed her back to soothe her as she had soothed their children many times. ‘I had time to worry about losing you. You are my life.’

‘We’re a good team. I can’t imagine life without you,’ said Molly, drying Arthur’s tears as he dried hers. ‘Would you like to finish reading the paper or shall we go up and take a little nap?’

‘Eww! Cut out the mushy stuff. I am scarred for life,’ said Ron. ‘Is there any breakfast left?

‘Dish it up yourself. We’ll be back down in time for dinner,’ said Molly, leading Arthur up the stairs.

When Molly and Arthur came back downstairs, there were a dozen owls with congratulatory messages about Molly’s award, but no Weasley children.

‘I guess Ron decided to go back to Percy’s tonight,’ said Arthur, waggling his eyebrows. ‘Do we have enough leftover ham for sandwiches and a salad?’

Molly nodded, went out in the garden to pick some early lettuce. Then she sliced bread and ham for sandwiches.

Charlie and Kathleen came back from the Joke Box much later that night. They said that they liked George and Angelina’s house very much. Both Percy and Ron joined them for dinner. Percy was interested in the historical objects buried all around the place and Ron was interested in the strength of the structure and its wind resistance.

Molly and Corrine had Charlie observe their dueling and their target practice. He said that they were both very competent but taught them a few new shields. As Kathleen pointed out, he was far more likely to need protection from the dragons than to do them any harm.

Kathleen and Charlie Apparated in to Diagon Alley with Molly and Arthur on Wednesday morning. They planned to do some shopping while the elder Weasleys attended the final meeting of the Reuniting Family and Friends Committee. Molly was excited because Kate and Nic were bringing Audrey Anderson to receive a special commendation for her help in finding witches and wizards who had disappeared into the Muggle world when Voldemort was in power. Kate had described her as being attractive, yet professional looking, and Molly agreed. She was about Percy’s age but had attended an all girl Witches Academy near Cairo so they had not been in school together. Molly wondered if Bill had ever met her when he worked as a curse-breaker at the Cairo Gringotts.

When Molly first saw Audrey Anderson, she thought she was quite a personable young witch. She was tall with long brown hair twirled into a bun. Molly wondered if she would look younger with her hair down. Her blue eyes were kind and her voice was warm and husky. Molly thought she sounded a bit like Apple Glorioso. It must be her acting and singing training. Arthur seemed charmed by her.

When Kingsley started the meeting, he explained that Percy Weasley would be delayed because he was meeting with Reg Cattermole about the constant rain that kept falling in the Office of International Magical Cooperation. It was causing ceilings to collapse in the floor beneath that department. He said that minutes would be taken by a Quick-Quotes Quill but edited and disseminated by Percy as usual. He welcomed Miss Anderson, praised her inventive methods for communicating with expatriate witches and wizards, and presented her with a Ministry Commendation, suitable for framing. He then invited her to remain for as much of the meeting as she could spare the time for.

The final report of the Reuniting Family and Friends committee took only a few minutes. Only a trickle of missing witches and wizards were still returning. Miss Anderson excused herself when they took a refreshment break. She thanked Kingsley for including her, and expressed the hope that there would be future cooperation between the Ministry and the guilds she represented. She looked deeply into Molly’s eyes as she shook her hand and said, ‘I admire you so much. You are a role model for professional women and mothers everywhere.’ Molly wondered if being a receptionist and tour guide in the Atrium of the Ministry twenty-five years ago, qualified as being a professional woman, but nodded her appreciation.

As soon as Audrey left, Kate asked her what she thought about her. Molly pointed out that she now had only one son who was unattached, but that she doubted if he would ‘wake up and smell the roses’ in the near future. She did, however note that Audrey’s and Percy’s eyes were exactly the same shade of blue.

Percy arrived just as they finished the refreshment break. Molly wondered if he and Audrey had passed in the waiting room. Unfortunately, Percy did not look at his best. He had on an old yellow rain slicker and the sort of hat that deep- sea fishermen wear in storms. His feet were encased in bright green Wellingtons and he was still dripping water.

‘I got here as promptly as possible,’ he said to the assembled committee. He pointed his wand at his rain gear and said, ‘Evanesco.’ Then, Percy took his seat, properly dressed for the meeting.

Kingsley congratulated the Memorial committee and the Awards committee for their successful accomplishments. He appointed Sturgis Podmore to handle requests about having the name of a witch or wizard that Voldemort had killed, added to one of the benches. He said that the families of Amelia Bones and Emmeline Vance had already petitioned that their names be added to the bench that had only Cedric Diggory on it.

The day of Ginny’s last game, the entire Weasley family was seated in the stands of the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts, ready to cheer for Gryffindor over Slytherin. Charlie recognised all three of the players that had scouted Ginny at the last match. He got very excited when an older wizard entered the faculty stands and sat next to Gwenog Jones. ‘That’s Dylan Anglesey, the owner of the Holyhead Harpies,’ he said, in awe. ‘The Harpies must really want Ginny.’

Molly enjoyed the match, although she thought the Slytherin Beaters were a bit too interested in knocking her only daughter off her broom. The Gryffindor Beaters protected her as well as possible, with Andrew Kirke taking a Bludger to the back that would have hit Ginny, more than once. George and Holly were sitting with Lee and Angelina in the announcer’s box. Lee and Angelina were doing a better job of announcing the match than Luna Lovegood, who seemed to be more interested in anything but the actual manoeuvers being completed by the Chasers. Demelza and Cordelia scored almost as often as Ginny. Lee said that it was Ginny’s accurate passing that was responsible for Gryffindor’s lopsided score.

Molly was relieved when the tiny girl who was the new Gryffindor Seeker caught the Snitch, therefore insuring a victory since her team was already far ahead. Harry had become almost frantic when he spotted the little golden Snitch before either she or the lanky Slytherin Seeker did. The Gryffindor team all flew in formation around the pitch, blowing kisses. George and Ron activated the red and gold fireworks as the team landed in the center of the pitch. All the Weasleys joined them in celebrating there and later in the Gryffindor common room.

Charlie, Kathleen, and Percy joined Molly and Arthur that night to watch Generations Yet to Come. After the opening sequence, the final scene from last week was replayed. Kyle drank what he thought was the Elixir of Eternal Youth, grew older before their eyes, and crumpled to the ground. Miss Prism, Roana, and the two young men who had been revealed to be Lord Leonard’s sons and heirs, stared at the shriveled body. The dark-skinned wizard felt for a pulse and shook his head.

The next scene was the Memorial Service for Lord Leonard and Kyle Ainsley, Junior. An attendant pushed Lord Lyle seated in a very old wooden wheel chair, up to the two coffins. He was carefully watched by his attendant and removed when he began threatening to kill everyone at the service. Miss Prism and Roana were frightened by Lord Lyles’s outburst. In a rather strange sequence, Kate and Nic, as Roana’s deceased grandparents, appeared in a vision to Roana and told her ‘to follow her heart’. Roana was clearly impressed to have her deceased grandparents giving her advice and reacted immediately. She shook her fist at the casket that contained Kyle Junior’s body and said, ‘it was always about you, Barry! Burl and I are eloping to Hawaii.’

Miss Prism clutched Roana so close that she could not make a sound. ‘She means, "It was always about you, KYLE. She and HEATH are eloping to Hawaii." Roana nodded.

The commercials were not nearly so interesting as the outburst by Kerry Summers had been. ‘Barry McQueen must have really been insensitive to her needs,’ said Molly. ‘Good riddance to insensitive men.’

‘How can a nice witch like Roana even consider such a cad?’ asked Percy. ‘A woman wants a man who tries to understand and fulfill her needs.’

Kathleen agreed with Percy and complimented him on being so sensitive. Charlie looked stunned that Percy had grown up so much. After the commercial for Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions and the Quality Quidditch Supplies advertisement for the Firebolt II, the program began again.

Miss Prism had taken charge at the disrupted Memorial service. She announced the elopement of Roana and Heath and said that Cliffe was about to ride off to the forest to rescue the maiden held prisoner in the tower. The girl with the beautiful singing voice happened to be her daughter, Primrose Prism. Lord Leonard had been enthralled by her beautiful voice and had captured her three years earlier. Miss Prism said that she took the job as Roana’s governess only to find her daughter, that she was actually not a governess at all, but a successful writer of romance novels.

Cliffe immediately jumped on a horse and rode off to find his true love, Primrose Prism. They sang together. The credits rolled.

After the credits finished, Nic’s voice swelled over a picture of a rakish looking wizard, surrounded by very affectionate and nubile witches. ‘Tune in next week for our new reality show — ‘Wealthy Wizard Woos Willing Witches’.

‘I think not,’ said Molly. ‘I wonder if Generations Yet to Come turned out as the writers wrote it?’ asked Molly. ‘The end seemed rather abrupt.’

‘Sometimes characters have minds of their own and don’t do what the author had in mind,’ said Kathleen, ruefully.

She and Charlie took an early night because they had to leave for Romania the next morning.

As she and Arthur snuggled, Molly mused, ‘Charlie is happier than I have ever seen him. Maybe he and Kathleen don’t need to have a shower of sparks fall on them as their wands fuse to be able to raise a child together. Love is what matters, not the tufty-haired wizard saying they are married.’

Molly cried when Charlie and Kathleen left for the International Portkey Station in London. She promised to come and help when their baby came. Then she cleaned the house and washed their sheets and towels and took a long nap.

Although she didn’t think she was going to like the program at all, Molly and Arthur watched the beginning of Wealthy Wizard Woos Willing Witches. It was mostly about how successful the bachelor wizard, Artemis Applegate, was. He had inherited a company that made Magic Mirrors, but he had been so busy expanding it, that he’d never even had a serious girlfriend. Molly felt sorry for him when they introduced the dozen witches that he was supposed to choose among. They were all very pretty but self-centered. They definitely were high-maintenance witches

Molly thought that Artemis Applegate was really a sensitive caring wizard who had been talked into putting himself to a situation where he was sure to have his heart broken. She wondered who had thought up this reality show. None of the names in the credits were familiar except the one listed as assistant to the producer. Molly recognised the name of Persephone Prescott, whom they had met when she was the producer of Maintaining the Magic in your Marriage. Molly remembered thinking that she might be a good match for Percy. Perhaps she could arrange for them to meet.

Ginny sent Bee with a short letter on the last Tuesday of May.

Dear Mum and Dad,

Dylan Anglesey has just offered me a three-year contract with the Holyhead Harpies. I would have to report to training camp in Wales the Monday after I leave Hogwarts but I am over the moon. I’ve always supported the Harpies.

Can Dad arrange for us to see Richard Davies this Saturday morning? Headmistress McGonagall has given me permission to seek legal advice and spend the weekend at home. I am so excited.

Is Kathleen pregnant? Hermione thinks she is. Why doesn’t anybody ever tell me anything?

Love,
Ginny

Molly thought that Arthur would want to know right away so she put in a Floo call to his office. He was quite excited at the prospect of having a professional Quidditch player in the family and said he’d ask Richard Davies to meet with them early Saturday morning. Molly asked if Richard had ever recovered from the shock of losing his fiancé, Emmeline Vance. Arthur answered that he would be able to answer that better after Saturday morning.

Arthur went into Diagon Alley early Saturday morning to meet with Ginny and Richard Davies. Molly pulled a few weeds and picked some fresh vegetables while she waited to see her daughter. It was less than two weeks before Hogwarts would be out for the summer, but it was a treat to see her whenever she was available.

When Arthur and Ginny Apparated to the end of the lane, Molly ran to greet them. ‘Is the contract all right? Did Richard Davis approve of it?’

‘He said that he had never seen such a well-thought-out counter-proposal,’ said Arthur. ‘Hermione made a slight change in several paragraphs that made far more sense than the original. Richard said that she should definitely study contract law.’

‘I think she wants to write laws instead of negotiating contracts,’ said Ginny. ‘I signed the amended one and we sent it off to the Harpies main office. Now we have to wait until they send it back with Mr Anglesey’s signature on it. Then I will be one of the Harpies.’ She danced around excitedly.

Harry took Ginny out on a date that night. Molly told Arthur that she just did not feel like watching the new Tell-a-Vision show about the nice young wizard who was supposed to decide which witch he wanted to bond with. Molly thought that they all liked his riches more than his kindly nature. She decided to knit a blanket for the grandchild that Kathleen might or might not be carrying. She had many balls of wool left over from past jumpers so decided to make a patchwork blanket with many colors.

Ginny returned to Hogwarts around noon on Sunday. She said that she had revisions to do since her finals started midweek. Molly and Arthur enjoyed being alone again. ‘There is something to be said for an empty nest,’ said Arthur as they went up to take a nap.

A/N: So we leave Molly and Arthur in bed yet again. The June chapter is rather short because I end this story the morning that Ginny goes off to the Harpies’ training camp.

Again thanks are due to friends who read and reviewed, especially St Margarets for her generous offer to let Audrey and Percy meet a year earlier than in The Flat so they could have a son named Prewett Owen before they produced the two daughters that JKR let them have.

Once more Trelawney2213 has helped immeasurably. She even guessed my connection to The Importance of Bring Earnest. I was a ‘pretty in pink’ Cecily when I was an undergraduate. In addition, she supplied the proper British spelling of ‘manoeuvers’.

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