|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Author: Grandma Kate Story: The Early Years Rating: Everyone Setting: Pre-OotP Status: Completed Reviews: 8 Words: 16,838
At about one in the morning the day after Halloween, Molly and Arthur became aware of unfamiliar noises and both sat up in bed at the same time. ‘You stay here, Mollywobbles,’ said Arthur, pulling on a dressing gown and slippers. ‘It sounds like a half dozen owls pecking at the window.’ He crept down the stairs trying not to wake any of their children and discovered that his off hand comment about half a dozen owls was spot on. He opened the window and six owls flew in and waited for him to take messages off their legs. Arthur opened a small parchment and read the first message. ‘Oh, my! You-Know-Who is really gone?’ he murmured and then quickly opened the second owl’s message. ‘Lily and James dead and Harry hurt. Molly will be so upset.’ He quickly took the rest of the messages from the owls, gave them each a treat, and told them to have a drink from Errol’s water. ‘Rest as long as you need to,’ he said as he took all six messages back up the stairs to Molly. ‘What made that noise, Arthur dear?’ asked Molly in a worried tone. ‘You look strange. Is everything all right?’ Arthur took off his dressing gown and climbed back in bed, cuddling Molly. ‘Something rather strange has happened. You know about Lily and James going into hiding so You-Know-Who couldn’t harm them.’ Molly nodded with an apprehensive look and clutched the bedclothes closer. ‘Well, apparently, Dumbledore had them go under the Fidelius Charm just last week.’ Arthur put his arm around Molly and began to stroke her back. ‘I don’t understand. Are all of the messages from Lily?’ Molly’s voice was beginning to increase in volume. ’Calm down, Molly,’ said Arthur soothingly. ‘None of the owls were from the Potters. They’re from six different friends, telling us about the amazing thing that happened last night. The news is both sad and happy. The terrible news is that You-Know-Who killed James and Lily. He tried to kill Harry but the Killing Curse bounced back and hit him. Harry is alive and You-Know-Who is gone.’ ‘Poor little Harry. Who will take care of him? Are we sure You-Know-Who is gone?’ Molly began to cry. Arthur continued to rub her back as he said, ‘Professor Dumbledore has sent his groundskeeper to get Harry and bring him here. We are supposed to take care of the poor little tyke until he can make other arrangements.’ ‘We could raise him as our own, couldn’t we, Arthur?’ Molly sounded determined. She put on her dressing gown and slippers and disappeared into the loo before Arthur could answer. Arthur dressed quickly and went downstairs to discover three more owls waiting. Molly joined him in the kitchen. ‘ This message says Harry has a cut shaped like a lightning bolt on his forehead. I’m glad you have so much experience healing the cuts that our boys get just being boys. ‘ Molly drew in her breath and looked as though she was going to start crying again. He quickly opened another message. ‘Hagrid should be here any time. Molly, could you make us some tea? This is going to be a long night.’ Molly put the kettle on for tea and went back upstairs to dress. When she came down she was carrying a crying Ginevra. ‘I think she can tell when I am upset.’ Molly sat at the table arranging her blouse. ‘Arthur, would you pour the water in the teapot when the kettle boils?’ ‘It’s already steeping,’ answered Arthur. ‘I wonder when Hagrid will bring Harry. One of the notes said the Potters were killed last night about ten o’clock and it’s nearly two now.’ Molly and Arthur sat in silence, each of them thinking of the Potters. As Molly shifted Ginevra to her other side, they heard a loud noise. It sounded like a Muggle motorcycle right by their kitchen door. ‘Please stay here. I’ll see what’s happening!’ Arthur drew his wand and headed for the door. ‘Who’s there?’ He opened the door and saw a very large man holding a small bundle wrapped in a blue blanket. He realized it was Rubeus Hagrid. There was a large Muggle motorcycle leaning on a kickstand near the door. ‘Professor Dumbledore asked me to bring Harry here. He needs ya’ to take care o’ the little tyke for a bit. I rekon ya’ heard what happen’ las’ night. Owls flyin’ everywhere with the news. Good people, the Potters. Li’l Harry fell asleep on the way here even though he’s got a bad cut on his for’ead.’ Hagrid pulled the blankets away from Harry’s face. Molly handed the baby to Arthur and asked him to burp her. Then she took Harry, clucking at the bloody cut. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll have you right as rain as soon as I heal that nasty boo-boo.’ Molly moved her wand over the cut using the same motions that she had used so often on her hurt boys. ‘It isn’t working,’ she said in astonishment. ‘Professor Dumbledore tried ta heal it but he couldn’t. He reckoned it was from the Killing Curse. Don’t feel bad, Miz Weasley. If the greatest wizard in the world couldn’t fix it, you won’t be able ta either.’ Hagrid shifted his feet and said, ‘I wouldn’t say ‘No’ to some biscuits and a cuppa, or something even stronger. The motorcycle flies pretty fast but it’s been a long night.’ Arthur looked toward the door with an interested expression. ‘If you’ll hold Harry again I’ll make you something to eat. You must be hungry after coming all that way.’ Molly handed the still sleeping Harry back to Hagrid and scurried to get him a big mug of tea, some milk and sugar, and a large plate of biscuits. She motioned for him to sit on a sturdy bench and put the tea things and plate in front of him. Hagrid began to blow on his tea. Harry opened his eyes and looked confused. ‘It is good to see you again, Harry. We’re glad you came to visit us and Ronnie and baby Ginevra,’ said Molly in a reassuring voice. ‘Would you like some milk and a biscuit?’ She waved her wand at the cold storage and a jug of milk floated over to the table along with a two-handled cup. ‘Here you go. Sit here at the little table and have a little snack. A biscuit or so will taste good. Then we’ll tuck you in with Ronnie.’ Harry sat at the little table with the cup of milk and a biscuit. Ginevra watched Harry from Arthur’s arms, her eyes wide. Harry smiled and waved a biscuit at her and said, ‘Baby Dinny.’ She smiled back at Harry. Molly clapped her hands. ‘Did you see that, Arthur? Our little girl smiled at Harry again. I tell you, she fancies him!’ Molly took Ginevra from Arthur and sat on a chair near Harry. He waved a biscuit at the baby again and laughed. She waved both arms and gave a little giggle. ‘I’ve never heard her do that!’ exclaimed Arthur. ‘That was Ginny’s first laugh. She giggles just like her mum.’ Molly blushed and watched Harry drink some of the milk and take a bite of the biscuit. Arthur moved closer to Harry and took his baby girl back. Hagrid drank his tea and ate the whole plate of biscuits. ‘I better get back to Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore said he’d be in touch at first light. I’ll come back for Harry when he tells me to. Bye-bye, Harry. I’ll see ya’ later.’ Harry looked at Hagrid and yawned as he said, ‘Bye-bye.’ He looked like he was falling asleep. Molly carried Harry up to Ronnie’s room, changed his nappy, kissed him, and put him next to her sleeping son. ‘Night-night, Harry,’ she said as she tucked the covers around him. Harry said ‘Nie-nie,’ and cuddled next to Ron. Arthur carried Ginny up to her room and changed her nappy. As he carried her across the room, he kissed her and put her in her cot. ‘Night-night, Ginny, Sleep tight.’ Molly spoke from the doorway; ‘We’ll all have a busy day tomorrow.’ Molly and Arthur climbed back into bed for a few hours. As they cuddled, both wondered what tomorrow would bring. ****************** At first light, the Weasley parents got up, dressed, and went down to the kitchen. There was a knock on the door. ‘Are you there, Molly and Arthur?’ asked Albus Dumbledore from outside. ‘Come in and have a seat, Professor Dumbledore,’ said Arthur. ‘Would you like a spot of tea and some breakfast?’ ‘I’ll never turn down Molly’s cooking,’ replied Dumbledore with a twinkle. Molly glowed under such high praise and started making breakfast for Professor Dumbledore and her family, including Harry. Arthur cleared his throat and said, ‘Our older boys were out late celebrating at a Halloween party at the Diggorys’ so it’ll be a while before they come down. Before anyone else is up, let me make our position clear. Molly and I would like Harry to live with us. James and Lily would want him where he was loved.’ Dumbledore pressed his fingers together in front of his face. ‘Unfortunately, the best protection Harry has is to be with someone who shares his mother’s blood. He must go live with Lily’s sister, Petunia.’ ‘Lily said that Petunia would have nothing to do with her and James and Harry. I doubt she’ll take him,’ objected Molly. ‘We have room for him and would love him like our own. Lily and I have grown very close. She knew my brothers and now, she’s dead – just like they are.’ Molly started sobbing and wiped her eyes with her apron. Upstairs, Ginevra began to cry, as well. Arthur ran for the stairs. ‘I’ll get her before she wakes the boys.’ He returned with a sobbing baby and handed her to Molly. ‘Sit down, Molly. I’ll dish up breakfast.’ ‘So this is the seventh child and your much-longed-for girl. I knew Arthur’s great grand Aunt Martha. She must be delighted to see the first Weasley female in nearly a hundred years. Hello, Ginevra.’ Dumbledore waved at her and she stopped sobbing and looked at him with interest. ‘Harry made her laugh by waving a biscuit at her last night,’ said Molly. ‘Speak of the devil, here are Ronnie and Harry now.’ Both boys came down the stairs holding on to the railing. ‘Good morning, boys. How about some breakfast?’ ‘Hello, Ronald and Harry,’ said Professor Dumbledore as Arthur put a plate and the tea things in front of him. ‘Molly makes wonderful breakfasts.’ Ronnie looked at the man with the long white beard and said, ‘Hey-yo.’ Harry walked over to where Molly was sitting. ‘Mummy?’ he asked. ‘Da?’ He held up his arms to Molly and looked like he was going to cry. Molly picked up Harry and held him in one arm and Ginevra in the other. Ronnie hugged her around her legs. ‘Mummy’s gone bye-bye, Harry. Daddy’s bye-bye, too. You rode on a big motorcycle last night. You came to visit Ronnie and Baby Ginerva.’ Molly handed the baby to Arthur, saying, ‘Arthur, will you hold your daughter while I get these hungry boys some breakfast? Harry and Ronnie, go sit at the little table.’ Ronnie took Harry’s hand and they walked over to the table in the corner. Molly gave the boys some dry cereal and a cup of milk each and started whisking eggs for them. Ronnie and Harry ate the tiny round cereal rings with enthusiasm. Dumbledore stood up. ‘I must get back to Hogwarts. Thank you for breakfast, Molly. I’d like a moment of your time, Arthur. Will you walk me to the porch? Good-bye, Harry and Ronald.’ Both boys waved at him and said, ‘Bye-bye!’ as he started toward the door. Dumbledore spoke in a low voice as he leaned close to Arthur and Ginny. ‘I can see that Harry would be loved here. Unfortunately, ancient magic is at work and he will only be safe if he can call the place where his mother’s sister lives his home. After what happened last night, it would be best if no one else knew Harry is here today. He and your whole family will be safer if you keep him away from your three older boys. I would certainly like to avoid Obliviating any young minds. Hagrid will come for him at midnight.’ Dumbledore turned and Apparated with a pop. Arthur sighed as he opened the door to go back inside. ‘Ginny, my love, we may have a bigger problem than I thought. Now I have to try and convince your Mummy that Dumbledore knows best.’
|