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Author: Grandma Kate Story: Ginny's Seventh Year at Hogwarts Rating: Everyone Setting: Post-DH Status: Completed Reviews: 7 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.
Apolline was even more enthusiastic about Philippe. At six days old, he was already a paragon of virtue. He ate well, rarely cried, and was a good sleeper. She was sure that he was even gaining weight. Molly humored her by praising the wonderful care that he and Fleur were getting from her and Gabrielle. She was quite pleased to hear that things were going so well that Bill had been able to return to work at Gringotts on Wednesday. Bill must have heard them talking because he stumbled down the stairs, looking almost as frowsy as his youngest brother usually did in the morning. 'Good morning Mum and Dad,' he yawned. 'Fleur is better than I am at going back to sleep after our hungry son demands to be fed every two or three hours.' 'I thought Philippe was sleeping longer than that,' said Molly. Bill shook his head. 'I heard that he slept for nearly four hours once but it was in the afternoon when I was at work.' As if on cue, Philippe wailed and Gabrielle ran up the stairs. The rest of them began to eat the croissants and pastries that Apolline had prepared, along with the scones and fruit from The Burrow. Fleur's mother made very strong coffee, which seemed to revive Bill. Molly noted that his appetite was good, but decided that she would wait to point out that Philippe must take after him in that respect. Gabrielle walked carefully down the stairs carrying a sleeping Philippe. She kissed the top of his head and said, 'Philippe, 'ere is your d'autre grand-mère,' as she handed him to Molly. She then kissed her mother and Bill good-bye. She smiled, said, 'Au revoir,' grasped a small backpack and the silver ladle that was sitting in the middle of the table, and vanished without a sound. Molly fancied that she could see a change in her only grandson during his first six days. His face was far less red and squished than it had been when he was a newborn. His hair was still very fair but had a slight tinge of red that it had been hard to see at first. She cooed at him as he slept, 'Philippe, you are as handsome as your father was when he was your age.' Apolline and Arthur smiled at her and nodded their heads. 'I zhink you are right, Molly. 'E ees much larger zhan eezher Fleur or Gabrielle and zheir 'air was silver,' said Apolline. 'I think he will be an excellent blend of the Delacour and Weasley families,' said Arthur thoughtfully, as he helped himself to his second croissant. The next morning at breakfast, Molly realized that she had been so excited about Philippe's birth that she hadn't even begun to plan Arthur's fiftieth birthday celebration, so she asked him whether he wanted a family party or something else. She was a little surprised when he suggested going out to dinner and a Muggle movie. He said that he had heard very good reports of a film about a huge Muggle ocean liner that had been sunk by an iceberg many years before. He also suggested that Molly invite Kate Wallace and Nic Meath to go along with them to assure that they followed the procedures for buying tickets to the film and some sugary popcorn. 'Do Muggles have devices that enable them to do time travel?' asked Molly. 'They must have some way to go back in time because the steamship the film is about is actually at the bottom of the Atlantic,' replied Arthur. 'And they must have very strong methods of freezing to make icebergs year round.' When Molly told Kate what Arthur wanted to do for his birthday, her friend suggested that Arthur might like the sound track of the film they were planning to see. She said that he could play it on the compact disk player that he had modified to work with magic. Molly agreed and went with her to the shop where Muggles sold the shiny little mirrors in flat plastic boxes with pictures that did not move. Several owls arrived on Thursday, the day before Arthur's birthday. Molly saved the letters and small parcels for him to open the next morning. She had invited Percy, George, Ron, and Harry for breakfast as a surprise, so made massive quantities of eggs, sausages, and toast before Arthur came downstairs. 'Surprise! Happy Birthday!' the four young men shouted. Arthur sat in his regular place behind a heap of parcels and letters. 'Perhaps fifty is a splendid age to be,' he said, beaming at the others at the table. Molly cast warming charms on the food while Arthur opened his presents. He was surprised at the CD of the sound track of the Titanic movie and told the boys what they had planned for that night. Ginny had sent him a sun hat that folded up, Charlie's present was a signed copy of the book that Kathleen had written about the duel between Bellatrix and Molly; while Bill and Fleur had sent a framed picture of him gently kissing the top of newborn Philippe's head. Percy, George, and Harry had gone in together to get Arthur some Muggle earphones that attached to his magically enhanced CD player. He was delighted with all of his presents and they all enjoyed a hearty breakfast. The dinner and movie that night were successful, although Molly cried every time she thought about so many people dying, especially the hero and all the brave people singing and playing songs as the rest of them got into small boats. However, the music was very soothing. Arthur certainly enjoyed his sweet popcorn and wanted to bring a bag of it home with him to show the family. Since Angelina had lost her whole family during Voldemort's regime, she wanted a small wedding. George's family, the Shacklebolts, and their attendants, Lee Jordan and Holly Kirke had parts to play. The only others invited were Angelina's fellow Puddlemere United Chasers and their Keeper Oliver Wood. Molly and Arthur held a small dinner for the wedding party the evening before the ceremony. Much to Ron and Harry's delight, Minerva gave permission for Hermione and Ginny to join the family for the dinner and ceremony. They were happy to be able to be there with their boyfriends and to see baby Philippe again. Everyone except Fleur and the baby trooped up to Fred's grave before pudding and drank some champagne in honour of the occasion. Early on the morning of Valentine's Day, Floral Fantasies owls arrived for Ginny and Hermione with bouquets and heart shaped cards. Molly was making breakfast when they arrived and hurriedly got out her present for Arthur that Kate had helped her to buy. It was another of the shiny little CDs by some women who called themselves Spice Girls. It was very hard to understand what they were singing but Molly thought they sounded very cheerful. Molly smiled as an owl from Floral Fantasies arrived with a corsage for her. Everyone ate a light breakfast and dressed in their best robes for the wedding. Molly and Arthur took their places in the front row on the groom's side just before the familiar tufty-haired wizard stood next to George and Lee at one end of Kingsley's office. Her godparents and Holly accompanied Angelina as they walked between the chairs facing the flowered arch. Molly thought she looked lovely in her wedding robes and began to cry. After the bonding ceremony, the Shacklebolts hosted a small reception before George and Angelina left for a weekend honeymoon. Molly sipped champagne and wondered which of her children would be the next to marry. She concentrated on Percy, asking him again about any nice witches at the Ministry. Ron and Harry quickly left to accompany Hermione and Ginny back to Hogwarts. Arthur snuggled Molly closely before they fell asleep and told her that he thought it had been a lovely wedding. 'I wonder if George and Angelina would have wound up together even if Fred were still alive,' he said in a pensive voice, 'in many ways, they complement each other better.' Arthur's musings gave Molly something new to think about as she drifted off to sleep. George had always followed Fred's lead and was the one who modified pranks to cause less harm, if more notice. Fred was the twin who had the big ideas while George was the one who followed through and changed things until his brother was satisfied. Maybe George would be a better husband that Fred ever could have. ***** The following Wednesday, Molly, Arthur, and George went together to a planning meeting about the Memorial and Awards Ceremony, which was to be held on the first anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. Nic, Kate, and Steve Gates were already sitting around the expanded table with Headmistress McGonagall, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Sturgis Podmore, and Chief Auror Meriwether Macmillan. Percy sat nearby at his small table, covered with his pots of inks and extra quills. Kingsley again started the meeting with self-introductions and a report on what role they were taking in the Reuniting Families and Friends Project and/or the proposed Memorial and Awards Ceremony. Molly listened with some interest to Steve Gates, the Muggle husband of Apple Glorioso. He said that he was the new chief engineer for the Tell-a-Vision department of WWN and that he was joining the committee to advise on technical aspects. Minerva was the chief contact for planning the Ceremony since the event was to be held at Hogwarts. Professor Podmore had been elected by the other professors to aid and advise about the content. Chief Auror Macmillan announced that the winner of the contest to design the new fountain in the Atrium of the Ministry was Holly Kirke, with the construction to be supervised by Ronald Weasley. Molly, Arthur and George were very surprised about Ron being selected to build the new fountain, but Molly noticed that Percy looked like he always did when he had managed to keep a secret from the rest of his family. George whispered to Molly that Lee had already bought a ring for Holly and planned to propose when the time was right. She smiled and nodded. So many people were getting married and starting families now that the threat of Voldemort was gone. Kingsley expressed his definite ideas that very few witches and wizards should receive the Order of Merlin First, Class with a larger number of Second Class recipients in the Awards part of the ceremony. He appointed Chief Auror Macmillan to chair that sub-committee. Minerva, Harry, and George volunteered to help her. Molly was happy to volunteer to be on the committee to plan the Memorial to honour all those who had died defending their way of life. She was sure that Harry would think that Ceddie's death should be listed first, since he had died at the time that Voldemort regained his corporal being. Kingsley began the report on the Reuniting Families and Friends project, commenting that Athena and he were thankful that her missing family members had returned. Nic reported on the responses to the emails that had been sent by Audrey Anderson to WWN former employees. Seventeen witches and wizards who had fled while Voldemort was in power had returned. Percy told them about twelve former Ministry employees who had seen the YouTube version of the Battle of Hogwarts and had returned. George added that several witches and wizards had come into Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes specifically to compliment him on his portrayal of Voldemort, so he knew that many of them had access to Muggle computers. Molly reported that the adverts in Muggle parenting magazines had not drawn much attention except from mothers wanting to know where they could buy Harry Potter costumes for their children. It seemed that dressing like him was popular with small Muggle boys. Molly and Kate went out to lunch after the meeting. Kate was very excited about what was happening at WWN. They had just hired a new General Manager named Elton Madrigal, who was very interested in reviving many of the long running shows. He was also actively encouraging the transition to new Tell-a-Vision ones. Kate went on and on about the Days of Destiny spin-off that she was producing, Generations Yet to Come. She said that she had been meeting with the cast and crew about the differences between a radio production and the new Tell-a-Vision one. The leading man, Barry McQueen, was having a hard time understanding that he must have Glamour Charms cast before every scene so that he would look youthful enough to be believable as Lord Lyle's bastard grandson, Kyle Ainsley, Jr. His much younger girlfriend, Kerry Summers, had been cast as Roana McPhee, the youngest granddaughter of Fiona and Roderick. As she listened, Molly wondered about the wisdom of casting a real life couple in the leading roles. Having to deal with actors who were no longer speaking to each other after a lovers' quarrel might be unpleasant. She wondered if civil behavior was covered in the actors' contract that Audrey Anderson had negotiated. Kate went on to say that she had many more responsibilities as a producer than she ever had when she had been acting, not the least of which was finding a director that she trusted. Fortunately, Abelia Speedworth, the former director of Bedside at St Bridget's, had responded to Audrey's email and returned from exile on Maui, Hawaii with her husband Chadwick, and their teen-aged sons, Burl and Jeb. Kate immediately hired Abelia as the director of the proposed Tell-a-Vision program. Meanwhile, Abelia's husband purchased a possibly lucrative Magic Mirror Receiver franchise. Molly said she had not known that there were franchises for Tell-a-Vision receivers but decided that she'd not tell Arthur about them lest he want one, too. She finally wished Kate good luck with Generations Yet to Come and left to use the Floo Connection at the Leaky Cauldron. Her concern about Kate's production problems disappeared when she arrived at The Burrow and found a strange owl waiting on the kitchen window ledge. She quickly gave it an own treat and untied the note written in purple ink on pink parchment. It was from Apple Glorioso. Dear Molly and Arthur, I want the two of you to be the featured couple on my first 'Maintaining the Magic in Marriage' talk show on the last Saturday of February, between ten and eleven PM. I think you have a great deal to offer younger couples just beginning to reach the stage of their relationship where the magic starts to fade. Occasionally, callers to 'Wickedly Wonderful", the show I hosted before Steve and I left for Newfoundland, would call complaining that their witch or wizard had become completely predictable. This, as you know, leads to boredom, which leads to unfaithfulness. Please come prepared to let my listeners in on the tricks you have developed so that your marriage stays magical. I am looking forward to seeing you in Studio Three at WWN at ten PM on the twenty-eighth. My producer, Persephone Prescott, can answer any questions you might have. See you on the twenty-eighth, 'Oh dear,' said Molly, flicking her wand toward the carafe of elf-made wine sitting on the sideboard. The carafe filled a glass, which floated over to the kitchen table. Molly drank the whole glass and moaned, 'What have I got us into?' When Arthur returned from the Ministry, she poured him a glass of Elf-made wine, and handed him the letter from Apple. He read it quickly and said, 'I'd guess that as soon as the listening witches and wizards hear your advice, you'll be offered a talk-show of your own.' 'So you think it will be all right for us to go on 'Maintaining the Magic in Marriage'?' she asked. 'Why not?' he replied waggling his eyebrows at Molly. 'I recall you saying something about spice in the kitchen and spice in the bedroom when you sent your famous spice blend and those night clothes off to Charlie and Kathleen. I might just have some spice advice, myself, you know.' Molly blushed. The first letter from Ginny in a long time came the middle of the following. Dear Mum and Dad, Hermione calls you and her parents, 'empty nesters'. She says that her parents act like newly-weds now. I'll banish that thought about you because Harry says you act the same as ever when he comes to eat. Maybe it has just afflicted the Grangers. I have been revising and revising but there is not much to do except that and homework. Do they think we Seventh Years have nothing to do but study? Some of us who are on the Gryffindor Quidditch team are using the Room of Requirement as an indoor pitch. We even have a dressing room and showers so no one has caught on what we are doing. We can't really play games but we can practice throwing the Quaffle back and forth and scoring. I've saved the best news until last. Headmistress McGonagall says that the teams sending players to scout me are- the Holyhead Harpies, the Pride of Portree, and the Ballycastle Bats. They'll be at Hogwarts after Easter, when the weather is fine enough to play again. You know that I've always supported the Harpies, but I will just play my best and see what happens. Harry says I'd be smashing in the Harpies colours, but he is biased, being promised to me and all. The little parcel is for Ron for his birthday. I don't see much of him when he is here working for McGonagall and/or wooing Hermione. I did hear that he has been chosen to build the new fountain in the Atrium at the Ministry. Andrew Kirke is one of the Gryffindor beaters and he is over the moon about his sister winning the contest. Hermione says she thinks she and Lee are an item. What does she know that I don't? I am looking forward to being home for two weeks at Easter. Love, 'So I guess Minerva thinks that Ginny has a chance to play professional Quidditch. Won't Charlie be chuffed!' muttered Molly as she refolded Ginny's letter and put it at Arthur's place. 'I better find out whether Ron wants his cake at home or at Hogwarts.' Ron sent word that he'd be at Hogwarts on his actual birthday, so Molly made his cake on Thursday and sent it in to the Ministry with Arthur to put in the Hogwarts post. She sent him some of those Muggle sleeveless shirts he liked to wear when he was building things, along with some trousers, made especially for carpenters with many loops and pockets. All day Saturday, Molly was nervous about being on a WWN call-in show. She fussed about the house so much that Arthur suggested that they take a nap in the afternoon. He also teased her about changing her mind three times about which robes she was going to wear. Finally, he reminded her that it was just radio and not Tell-a-Vision. When they Apparated to the WWN studio, they were met by a young witch named Persephone Prescott. Molly liked her immediately and wondered if she was single. She thought Percy and Persephone sounded very nice together. Apple welcomed them and took them into Studio Three. Persephone took their cloaks with her into a smaller room with a glass window facing the room that Apple, Molly, and Arthur were in. They sat around a small table with three microphones that had wires going to small earmuffs. Persephone sat in front of what looked like a metal square with lights on it. She began pushing wires into holes next to the lights and talking into a small curved piece of plastic that was attached behind her ear. Apple put on her earmuffs, Molly and Arthur followed suit and could hear Persephone's voice saying. 'Barnaby from Bristol on line one.' Molly then heard Apple say, ' Welcome to 'Maintaining the Magic in Marriage'. This is Apple Glorioso and we have a treat for all you lonely listeners. Arthur Weasley and his lovely wife Molly have been successfully married for nearly thirty-one years. They have had seven children. Unfortunately, one of their sons died a hero in the Battle of Hogwarts. I believe that despite their young appearance, they are now grandparents.' Apple smiled at Molly and Arthur and mouthed, 'Say Hello.' 'We are both happy to join you, Apple,' said Arthur. 'Molly and I will be glad to answer any questions that your callers may have.' Molly nodded. 'Barnaby from Bristol on line one, you are on the air with 'Maintaining the Magic in Marriage', said Apple. 'Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself before you ask your question?' 'I never called a call-in show before but I wanted to ask the Weasleys where they met and how they knew that they would get along.' 'Molly, why don't you tell Barnaby a bit about where you met Arthur?' said Apple in her most encouraging voice. 'We were at Hogwarts in the same class,' said Molly softly. 'The Sorting Hat put us both in Gryffindor so we were in all our classes together. I was a Prewett then, with two big brothers still at Hogwarts, so everyone knew me as Fabian and Gideon's little sister.' 'And I was the younger brother of Charlie and Bilius. Our brothers were friends, so we got to be friends, too.' 'My girlfriend wants to know how you knew that Molly was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with. And whether Molly was sure about you?' asked Barnaby. 'Does your girlfriend want to speak with Molly?' encouraged Apple. 'Tell us your name, dear.' "My name is Braemer,' said a voice with a definite Scots burr. 'When did you realize that you were attracted to Mr Weasley?' 'I noticed that I missed him in the summer after our first year, but my mum wouldn't let me go with my brothers to visit the Weasley boys,' said Molly. 'She said that she needed me to help around the farm.' 'I got plenty of teasing when I asked Fabian and Giddeon why they hadn't brought their little sister,' said Arthur. 'So I guess I noticed her more than I thought during our first year.' 'Have you finished your schooling, Barney and Braemer?' asked Apple. 'We are taking our N.E.W.T.s by owl post this May.' said Barnaby. 'Braemer is an apprentice to an Apothecary and I am working in my family's jewelry shop.' 'Do you love each other?' asked Arthur. 'Yes,' they chorused. 'What are you waiting for?' asked Molly. 'You both have jobs so you should be able to afford a place to live.' 'Thank you,' said Barnaby. 'We'll call back after we've been married for a while.' Molly and Arthur heard Persephone's voice saying, 'Adonis from London on line two.' 'Adonis from London, you are on 'Maintaining the Magic in Marriage' with Apple Glorioso. What can we do for you?' 'It's well and good to give advice to youngsters in the first bloom of love, but what about an old couple who have been together forever. What advice do you have for us?' said a rather cranky sounding voice. 'How long have you been married?' asked Molly. 'Twenty-two years,' answered the cranky voice. 'Too long!' 'What have you done to please your wife today?' asked Arthur. 'What do you mean by that?' 'Long marriages need attention every single day.' said Arthur. 'Do something to surprise your wife now and show her how important she is to you.' 'I promise, you will both benefit from it,' said Molly. 'Talk things over when you are cuddling before you go to sleep.' 'Humph!' said the cranky voice and hung up. Persephone's voice said, 'Bill from the coast of Wales on line three.' 'Welcome, Bill,' said Apple. 'Do you have a question for the Weasleys?' 'I've always had questions for the Weasleys and they have always answered them,' said a voice that Molly and Arthur recognized. 'How are you, son?' asked Arthur. 'How are Fleur and the baby?' 'Fine. We are all doing very well. I just wanted to call and congratulate you on your broadcast.' 'Did your father give you advice before you got married?' asked Apple. Bill laughed. 'Yes, he gave me very good advice. He said the secret to a happy marriage was very simple and could be summed up in just two words.' 'Will you tell us the two words that are the secret to a happy marriage?' asked Apple. 'Yes, dear,' said Bill. Molly blushed while Apple and Arthur laughed.
I think the only St Margarets' references in this chapter are to Days of Destiny, Philippe, and Holly Kirke and her fountain contest entry. Some readers are better at finding them than I am.
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