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Author: Grandma Kate Story: Ginny's Seventh Year at Hogwarts Rating: Everyone Setting: Post-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 6 Words: 48,775
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.
When they climbed into bed at The Burrow, Arthur said that he had enjoyed the celebrations from different parts of the world that they had watched on the Grangers’ TV. ‘It is amazing what the Muggles are able to do without magic,’ he marveled. Molly woke at her regular hour the next morning and peeked in on Ginny sleeping peacefully before she went down to make breakfast. Ron’s snoring from his room near the attic was loud enough that she knew that he was also home. She flicked her wand at the kettle to start it heating water and opened the window to let in the owl with the thick New Years’ edition of the Daily Prophet. The first section featured the top news stories of the past year, along with a large number of adverts for the after-Christmas sales. Molly was not surprised that Voldemort’s defeat was considered the most important news of the year, but was a little disconcerted that her duel with Bellatrix Lestrange had also made the ‘top ten’. She had hoped that, by now, people would have forgotten that she had lost her temper and used an inappropriate noun in her description of that wicked witch. She assured herself that she had only done what any mother would have done to protect her child. As Molly scanned the rest of the stories that the editors considered most important in the past year, she heard a knock at the door. She peered through the window to see who was coming at such an early hour before she opened the door to let Harry in. ‘Happy New Year! Good luck to this household,’ he said as he entered. ‘I’ve already been the dark-haired man first across the threshold at Andromeda’s, so thought I’d repeat the First Foot custom here, as well. I’ve already fed Teddy his breakfast, so I can eat here, if I am invited.’ ‘You are welcome for breakfast, dark-haired man who brings a lucky year to this household. Please thank Andromeda for reminding me of the old custom. Most of the people likely to cross the threshold early today will have red hair.’ ‘Unless George brings Lee home from the party at Oliver’s,’ chuckled Harry. ‘I was about to make blueberry scones for breakfast. Arthur should be down shortly. I suspect that Ginny and Ron will wake up as soon as they smell them.’ Molly Summoned the ingredients for the scones, thankful that she’d preserved many jars of blueberries from her bushes in the garden. Harry drank a cup of tea while Molly used her wand to mix the batter and began dropping it onto the griddle. She noticed that he kept looking up the stairs in a hopeful manner, so she finally took pity on him and suggested that he go and knock Ginny up. He scrambled up the stairs quickly. ‘You may as well knock up Ron and Arthur as long as you are up there,’ she called after him. It took no time at all for Ron to come down the stairs, yawning and stretching, still in a Chudley Cannons tee shirt and a pair of plaid maroon pyjama pants. Arthur followed him in his dressing gown, hugging Molly around the waist before sitting at the table. Molly smiled when she realized that Ginny had taken time to brush and plait her hair, and had put on the new green dressing gown that Bill and Fleur had given her for Christmas. She and Harry came down the stairs together, holding hands. ‘Get a room,’ mumbled Ron as Harry and Ginny, still holding hands and grinning, sat down across the table from him. ‘That deep green is a good color on you, dear;’ said Molly, bringing a platter of hot scones and a bowl of clotted cream to the table, as small plates flew out of the dresser and landed in front of each of those seated. ‘This is an excellent start to what I suspect will be a grand year,’ said Arthur, blowing on his scone before taking a bite. ‘Harry was the first to step across our threshold in 1999,’ said Molly. ‘Minerva will be happy that we honoured the old customs.’ ‘Is she coming this afternoon?’ asked Ginny, as she chose a particularly large scone and slathered it with clotted cream. ‘She said that she’d stop by for a while but that she is on her way to spend the rest of the holiday with a friend,’ said Molly, pouring some tea for her daughter. ‘What do you need for me to do this morning?’ asked Ginny. ‘Is there anything left to do?’ Molly and Ginny spent a while talking about the food that the Weasleys were preparing for friends who might pay a call in the afternoon. They still needed to put together a couple of salads, but the cold cooked meats were ready to slice, and all of the decorated biscuits and other sweets had already been prepared. Arthur handed the front section of The Daily Prophet to Harry and the sports section to Ron. ‘If you don’t need us, Harry and I would like to go over to see Luna and her father this morning,’ said Ginny. ‘She hasn’t seen our promise rings yet. She guessed that we had committed when we were on the Hogwarts Express, but I told her she’d be one of the first to know.’ Molly agreed that Luna should know before everyone else did this afternoon and sent a platter of decorated biscuits to the Lovegood household. ‘She’s been gone more than ten years, but I still miss Gaia,’ she said with a sigh. ‘Luna reminds me of her more every year. They both have unique ways of perceiving and solving problems.’ George stumbled down the stairs as Harry and Ginny wrapped themselves in cloaks and crunched through the snow to the end of the lane to Apparate. ‘Where are they going so early?’ he asked as he nodded his thanks for the cup of coffee that Molly handed him. ‘Over to show Loony Lovegood their promise rings,’ muttered Ron, as both parents said, ‘Luna!’ in unison. ‘Jinx,’ said Arthur, hooking pinky fingers with Molly. ‘Fred and I did that almost every day,’ said George. ‘I miss that and finishing his sentences.’ He sighed. Molly ruffled his hair. ‘Do you want to go up and wish our other brother a Happy New Year?’ Ron said, as he picked up three more scones. ‘Good idea, young, but tall, brother,’ replied George, taking the same number of scones and heading for the door. ‘I need to tell him something important, anyway.’ They bundled up in cloaks and boots over their pyjamas and left. Molly sat down and picked up the section of the paper about style and society. ‘I half-way expected that Rita Skeeter would somehow hear about Harry and Ginny’s promise rings. I guess she’s lost some of her ‘reliable sources’ to Azkaban.’ Arthur snorted in assent. Then he read Molly an item about a Ministry Magical Maintenance Department worker named Reg Cattermole. He told the Daily Prophet that he and his family had returned from Canada after seeing The Battle of Hogwarts on YouTube. Molly asked Arthur to save the paper to show to Kate and Nic when they came that afternoon. George and Ron returned from their visit with Fred before Harry and Ginny came back from Luna’s, so they were pressed into service getting the sitting room and kitchen tidied up. They went back to bed as soon as Molly was satisfied, assuring her that they’d be down before any guests arrived. Quite a few friends of the Weasley family came by to wish them a better New Year and to congratulate the promised couple after they heard the happy news. Many also shared stories about witches and wizards who had returned from the Muggle world. Although Luna arrived early with Harry and Ginny, her father did not show up until very late, after most of the guests had left. He explained that he had been researching and writing about wizard marriage customs all afternoon. He thought it might match up well with the story about Blibbering Humdingers in the March edition of The Quibbler. He commented that it seemed as though there were many more weddings and pregnancies now that the war was over. When George and Angelina arrived a few minutes later, they were holding hands. They took Molly and Arthur into the scullery for a few minutes and surprised them with some happy news. All four of them were smiling broadly when they returned to the kitchen. Arthur put his wand to his throat and said ‘Sonorus’. Then he said, ‘Xeno is quite correct about weddings being back in style. Our son George has proposed to Angelina Johnson and she has agreed to become his wife.’ Everyone clapped and began congratulating the happy couple. Molly cast Chilling Spells on two bottles of champagne and the family and friends that were still present toasted the happy couple. Minerva McGonagall asked her former students if they had decided when they would wed. Angelina blushed and said that they thought that Valentines Day was the most romantic day for a wedding. George explained that he wanted to marry her be before his birthday so that she would still be a year older than he was. Molly was surprised that the wedding would be in just six weeks. On the following Wednesday, Molly and Kate went to the Ministry to meet with Reg Cattermole to get the particulars on how he and his family had learned that it was safe to return. The small, ferrety-looking man explained that they had fled to Canada to stay with Mary’s Muggle sister. Their daughter Maisie saw the YouTube video while watching television with her cousin Trevor. She had been a Gryffindor, just starting her third year, when they’d had to flee, so she recognized Harry Potter and made them all watch the video. Reg said that his wife and older daughter were at Ollivander’s this morning, since they both needed new wands. Dolores Umbridge had snapped Mary’s wand in a fit of pique when she escaped. Maisie’s wand had been misplaced in all the confusion when they left. He thought that Molly and Kate might be able to catch them if they hurried. They thanked him and took the lifts up to Diagon Alley and hurried to the newly refurbished Ollivander’s. A small woman with dark hair pulled back into a bun and a dark-haired girl were trying wands at the counter. Mr Ollivander was speaking to the mother. ‘Mary Graham, I believe that your original wand was eight-and-three quarter inches, cherry, unicorn hair core. Unfortunately, it was not one of the ones recovered when Voldemort fell.’ He stopped talking as he recognized Molly and greeted her. Then he turned to Kate and said, ‘Kate Wallace, your wand was nine inch, rosewood, also with a unicorn hair.’ ‘It’s nice to see you again Mr Ollivander. You never forget a wand. When did you re-open the shop?’ asked Kate warmly. A formidable woman with a large pink-feathered hat suddenly spoke from a dark corner. ‘He has been getting the shop in order for nearly a month but we just opened right after the beginning of the year.’ Molly realized with a start, that the speaker was her great Aunt Muriel. ‘Auntie Muriel, it is good to see you. This is my friend, Kate Wallace,’ she said. ‘The Kate Wallace who was the original Fiona?’ asked Auntie Muriel. Kate and Molly nodded while Mary Cattermole and her daughter stared at them open-mouthed. Mr Ollivander continued to pull out boxes with wands in them as the small woman waved the latest wand he had handed her. She smiled as golden sparks shot from its tip. ‘I think that your daughter may need a slightly longer and more flexible wand to replace the one she was chosen by three years ago. However, unicorn is still right for the core,’ Mr Ollivander said in a quiet voice. ‘Maisie Cattermole, try this slender ten inch cherry. The little girl shot red sparks from the new wand and laughed. ‘Excellent.’ Kate and Molly invited the Cattermoles to join them for a cup of tea so they could talk about their impression of the YouTube version of the Battle at Hogwarts. Maisie said that her Muggle cousin thought it was a science fiction/fantasy film preview even though he knew his Aunt Mary and her family were witches and wizards. Maisie said that she had never seen people travel trailing smoke behind them or witches dueling like Mrs Weasley had. She said she was sure it was real as soon as she recognized Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley. ‘They were sweet on each other a year ago,’ she said with a sigh. Molly told her that Ginny and Harry had exchanged promise rings this year. She also assured her that she would tell Ginny about them having tea together. Mary and Maisie left to shop for the rest of Maisie’s books and supplies for her return to Hogwarts. The after Christmas Hogwarts Express was leaving the following Monday. When Arthur came home that night, Molly reported on her conversations with Reg, Mary, and Maisie Cattermole and told him that Auntie Muriel had been with Mr Ollivander in his shop. Before he had time to respond, one of the large owls used for long distances landed on the window ledge and pecked at the kitchen window. Molly let the poor cold bird in, took the message, gave him two owl treats, and wrapped a towel around Errol’s open but empty cage. ‘It’s from Charlie and Kathleen,’ said Molly as she opened the parchment and began to read aloud. Dear Mum and Dad, We were both excited to hear about Harry and Ginny wearing promise rings. They seem to be very good for each other. They’ll both be very busy for the next couple of years while Harry finishes his probationary period as an Auror, especially if Ginny is hired by one of the Quidditch teams that are scouting her. I bet you are already planning the wedding, anyway. We were more surprised at the news that George and Angelina are getting married so soon. They both loved Fred so much that they can comfort each other in ways that the rest of us cannot. I hope that they will be very happy. I had not realized that Angelina had lost her entire family in the war. Will they be married at The Burrow? Mum, I think you would like to hear news about another wedding, but you are just going to have to wait until Kathleen and I feel it’s the right time and place. That short nightshirt for me and the filmy nightgown that you gave her for Christmas were pretty obvious hints. We made the twice spice cookies and they were very tasty. Everyone should have some spice in his or her life. I’ll let Kathleen finish this parchment. She’s good at writing a lot more than I am. Love,
I am so happy for Ginny and Harry. It was obvious that she loved him from the way she talked about him. Now she can act as Teddy’s godmother while I am so far away. Andromeda sends pictures of him but it is hard to realize that he is already nine months old. He’ll be walking soon. Your work helping to re-unite families and bring missing witches and wizards home sounds like a very worthwhile way to spend your time. I’m glad that you approved of my story of your victory over Bellatrix Lestrange. It is tentatively titled ‘The Duel for my Daughter’s Life’. I’m not sure where Basil, my publisher, obtained that picture of you in a dueling outfit. I thought you were just dressed in everyday robes. Charlie and I have not yet seen either of the Battle of Hogwarts presentations. We’d have to go into Bucharest to find a computer to see the YouTube version. The Dragons emanate too much magic for electronics to work here. Bill wrote that Fleur is pumpkin-shaped and has been cleaning Shell Cottage and preparing food for the time when she will be too busy with their baby to clean or cook. Fleur wrote a note saying that Bill had gained some sympathy pounds, but then said it might just be eating too much over the holidays. I wish we could be there to see Charlie’s first nephew. It was so thoughtful of you to send the “two spice gifts”. I love my new nightgown and I am sure that I will get a lot of use of it when the weather is above freezing. I liked the dragon-covered nightshirt you sent Charlie. He said that it was accurate except for the size of the Ukrainian Ironbelly. I guess it wouldn’t have looked right to have one dragon covering the whole back. It made Charlie homesick when we baked his favorite spice cookies. I hope we can be with you for a few weeks in May. Love, PS. The story I was writing about the Vampire in Transylvania turned out to be a regular love story with the innocent blonde violinist falling in love with a sensitive dark-haired pianist while the Vampire remained faithful to the female Vampire that he had been with for 114 years. It’s better for Vampires to find their true love among other Vampires. I guess it’s the same for magical musicians, too. ‘I do hope that Charlie and Kathleen come in May,’ said Molly. ‘She’s such a good match for him. All of our children are pairing up, except Percy. I keep telling him that Kate thinks he’d have something in common with Audrey Anderson but he doesn’t seem eager to meet her.’ ‘Is she interested in the thickness of cauldron bottoms?’ asked Arthur, innocently. Molly swatted him. ‘I haven’t actually met her yet but Kate says she is very attractive in a business witch sort of way. She was a professional singer before she trained as a contract negotiator.’ Since their baby was due so soon, Bill and Fleur chose to stay home, but Percy came to a farewell dinner for Ginny and Hermione on Saturday evening, along with George and Angelina. He joined them chatting with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Harry. He didn’t seem to feel uncomfortable being the only one not part of a pair, although Molly questioned him whether he had met any nice witches from work. She gradually brought the conversation around to the success of the ‘Reuniting Families and Friends’ Committee. She asked Percy if he had learned to use a Muggle computer yet but he said that he hadn’t yet had time. He then changed the subject to the newly announced contest to design and construct a new fountain in the Atrium of the Ministry. Kingsley had been the leader of a large group of Ministry employees who destroyed the horrible throne that Voldemort had installed there. The theme for a replacement fountain was to hearken back to unity and tolerance among all magical creatures. Molly was not surprised at how enthusiastic Hermione was about the new project. George said that Lee’s girlfriend Holly Kirke was nearly finished with her idea of a functional design to express the theme. Ron wondered aloud if there would be a similar contest to choose the builder. Molly and Arthur took Ginny and Hermione to King’s Cross to catch the Hogwarts Express the following morning. Ron and Harry occupied almost all of their girlfriends’ time but Molly managed to get in some good hugs and advice about studying for their N. E. W. T. s, staying out of draughts, and writing home frequently. The following afternoon, Ginny’s owl arrived at The Burrow with a letter addressed to her parents. Molly gave Bee an owl treat and let her rest for a while in Errol’s old cage. When she flew off it was towards the east where Harry lived instead of north towards Hogwarts. As she opened the letter, Molly wondered whether Bee was just lonesome for Pye or if she had a Disillusioned letter for Harry. Dear Mum and Dad, How does it feel to be the only ones living at The Burrow after all the company you had over the holidays? It was good to see everyone. Be sure to let me know when my first nephew arrives. I am knitting him a hat and some booties with snitches on them, There’s not much news yet here. Hermione is organizing study groups for everyone who will take their N.E.W.T.s next June. It is an unusually large group since no students took them last year. No one learned much of anything useful last year. I am so thankful that you, Auntie Muriel, and the rest of my family taught me so much last spring. I am at the top of my Arithmancy class and Professor Slughorn can’t stop complementing me on all the potion theory and practice you taught me last year. He said that you and Harry’s Mum were his best students but that I am close behind you. Headmistress McGonagall says that she has given permission for scouts from three Quidditch teams to observe me when it’s warm enough to play. Although I am of legal age, she insists that I not sign any contract unless our family solicitor approves it. Shall I tell her that you will contact Richard Davies if I am offered a contract? I hope I get an offer from my favorite team. Love, ‘Oh dear, I hope that Ginny is not being unrealistic, dreaming about becoming a professional Quidditch player,’ said Molly to herself. ‘I guess she could play for a while, then marry Harry, and have a family. She might even study to become a Healer when their children are older.’ Molly smiled as she told herself this. She had always wanted to become a Healer herself, after the children were raised. When Arthur read Ginny’s letter that night, he commented, ‘Professor Slughorn is quite right about you and Lily Potter having some of the same talents. I’d wager that she is delighted with the way your matchmaking schemes for your children worked out.’ Molly smiled and agreed. A strong storm, with heavy snow, blew in the next weekend. Owls could not make much headway against the wind. Apparating was difficult so most witches and wizards used the Floo Connection to communicate. Molly was hoping that Bill and Fleur’s child would not be born while the weather was so inclement. With impeccable timing, Philippe Arthur Weasley arrived shortly after the weather cleared. Molly and the rest of the Weasleys were informed by Bill’s messenger Patronus that Mother and child were doing well and that he weighed seven pounds, six ounces. He also said that they were receiving visitors at Shell Cottage that afternoon, after four. Molly immediately sent word about her new grandson to the rest of her family and to all of her friends. She was surprised to hear back from Kate that the twenty-sixth of January was also the birthday of Nic Meath. He had refused Kate’s offer of a party to celebrate his eightieth birthday but she assured Molly that they would drink a glass of bubbly that evening in honour of the newest Weasley. Arthur met Molly at Shell Cottage as soon as he could manage to leave the Ministry. Fleur’s mother and sister greeted them at the door. Apolline said that the accouchement had progressed smoothly and that the mid-witch was impressed with the easy delivery. She also informed them that her husband would come to see his namesake as soon as his work with the French Ministry of Magic permitted. They climbed the steps to Bill and Fleur’s bedroom. Fleur looked lovely as ever, sitting up in bed, but all eyes were on the small bundle she held in her arms. Bill took their son and put him in Molly’s arms. Small red-faced Philippe was the most beautiful baby that Molly had seen since Ginny was born. He was bigger than tiny Ginny had been and his hair seemed to be blonder, but Molly thought he was every bit as appealing. She felt a surge of affection for her first grandchild as soon as Bill handed him to her. She nuzzled his tiny head and breathed in his familiar new baby aroma before passing him to Arthur. Gabrielle ran down the stairs to let Percy, George, Ron, and Harry in to see Philippe. Molly was both amused and relieved that Harry made a point of showing Gabrielle his promise ring with the large block WEASLEY on it and telling her that his intended Ginny would come on the weekend to see her nephew. That night when Molly and Arthur were snuggling, Molly kept commenting on what a beautiful baby Philippe was. ‘He is handsome, but how could he fail to be with the parents he has?’ said Arthur. ‘He has a good strong name, as well. It is good for our family to have a new life just starting.’ Molly could not agree more. She fell asleep dreaming of many babies with blonde hair and dark hair and all shades of red.
Philippe, the eldest child of Bill and Fleur is St Margarets’, as is Holly Kirke and the Atrium Fountain contest, and all references to Ron the Builder. I love her universe!
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