Family Weasley

DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you’ve seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$

A/N: Sorry for the delay. I knew when I wrote it that last chapter would confuse, annoy or both. It is part of the subplot of unforeseeable consequences and my desire to make Ron less the impediment he became in cannon. Okay, there was a review that really ticked me off from someone clearly upset that I did not throw Ron under the creative bus. I know I’ve done that in other stories, but please! To always do that is so uncreative. I put this down for a bit in silent protest deciding not to tell said reviewer what I really thought about it. Then the Holidays hit and I was off to a tropical place and was not about to let computers or such things detract from that. Then I get back, read what I’ve written but not posted, found errors, repetitions and so on and so forth and then realized I totally forgot to write about Peter Pettigrew and… well, I’m still fixing all that but it’s several chapters away from where we are today…

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN: FAMILY WEASLEY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10 th 1993 (Day 5)

Madam Pomfrey checked in on them again after they had eaten.

“Madam Pomfrey?” Katie asked. “Did we choose this somehow?”

“Few in your situation ask that question,” the Healer replied.

“That’s them,” Ron said. “Not that I’m against this, but it’s a good question. Did this happen against what we wanted? I mean, I like Katie. She’s my friend. But we are young, don’t you think?”

The Healer nodded. “It is said the heart wants what it wants regardless of what the head considers proper. In most cases, that’s just a saying or perhaps a justification. In your case, it is closer to the truth than anything. The bond you now share just like the bonds of compatible magic your friends share cannot just happen even if magically it’s possible. Your own desires are a factor even if you did not realize it at the time; even if you might be years away from realizing it and even if otherwise you might never have realized it. Understand?”

“So if we didn’t like each other…?”

“If I didn’t like you, Ron, you’d never’ve been my Quidditch Partner,” Katie said. “If my choice was some berk like McLaggen as a Partner or no Quidditch, I’d’ve left the team altogether.”

“The bond could not have happened at all if either of you did not truly like the other,” Madam Pomfrey said. “You may be young, but deep down where it really matters this was your choice. Your magic may have trumped your brain, but your brain may have gotten there on its own in time or at least it could have if you had let it. All too often people fight such things, I suppose. The world might be a happier place if bonds such as yours were not the rare exception. The only real difference between you and your other bonded friends is your magic did not make it easier for you to make that choice. Their magical compatibility made them more open to the choice than they might’ve been otherwise, but that’s it. They still had to make that choice just as you had to make that choice. There is no proof of the belief that bonds such as yours happen because the couple was best suited for each other to begin with. Then again, there’s no proof to the contrary either.”

“Why does it seem strange then?” Katie asked. “Not that I want different.”

“Same here, to both,” Ron added.

“That’s a common question or should be, I suppose,” Madam Pomfrey said. “I suppose it’s because the vast majority of the people don’t know they’ve made that choice until they are conscious of it and even then many never do anything about it. The two of you skipped that bit of self discovery and self doubt, as it were. But you also avoided much of the misery of being a teenager which is the not knowing if what you head says is true or if what your heart says is true and if what you want is realistic. Most people your age will pine for a person who has little real interest in them. They will make mistakes before they get it right, assuming they ever do and some surely do not ever. Because of your bond, you can rest assured that is not the case between you. You got lucky in one respect since the bond was by no means certain. But the very fact of that bond means you also got it right. Although telling each other it is so is still a good idea.”

“So we’re in love?” Katie asked. Ron seemed to choke.

“Not yet, perhaps,” Madam Pomfrey said. “But that will come sooner rather than later. Oh, and before you ask, no it won’t be perfect whatever that is. Not even magic can prevent either of you from ever getting on the other’s nerves or prevent you from disagreeing about things. You don’t lose your individuality or personality to the bond. But it does make it easier to get over yourselves and each other when that happens. So when you have your first disagreement remember that and remember your magic will help you make up and move forward.”

Ron and Katie were moved to the “Island Resort” after they finished eating. It was what its name suggested. There was an Island in the Great Lake which was the largest lake on the Estate and the place where all the rivers and streams ended. It was in the Tropical Garden so the Island had tropical flowers and palm trees and such. There were four bungalows, each with a very open plan with a shaded veranda that opened onto the lake itself with a dock for a boat. From their bedroom and the veranda they could look out across a mile or so of water to the far side and in the distance they could see the Lake House where Ron’s parent’s and brothers (and, it turned out, Angelina and Alicia) were staying. Ron and Katie were the only ones on the island and it would remain that way until Time Compression ended unless one included the elves that took care of them. They could leave the island if they wanted to but no one else, not even Harry, could pop by for a visit. There was a note from Harry that told them not to do anything he wouldn’t do or had not thought of doing and to feel free to wear whatever they wanted while they were on the island, or nothing at all.

In a way, and maybe it was the bond, they wanted to spend the entire time alone together. But they did talk about that and agreed that they should visit his family and Harry at least once. They made their minds up to do that their second day together, but it took them time to actually get around to doing so. They chose to cross the lake first and the staff arranged to do so by boat, which was something neither of them had experienced before. They both enjoyed the trip even if they were both a bit tentative at first.

“You must be Katie!” Molly Weasley exclaimed as she and Ron entered the lobby of the Lake House. “Oh, of course you are,” she added almost to herself as she hugged Katie. Katie was taller than Molly Weasley and certainly thinner. “Arthur and I saw you play the other day… or I suppose yesterday. Harry, Ginny and the others seem to have this time stuff sorted out, but it still confuses me. Welcome! Welcome! Oh, listen to me! You’d think this was the Burrow and not one of Harry’s guest places. Still, it’s almost another home what with the time Arthur and I have spent here since returning from Egypt. Have a seat!”

Katie was too surprised to say anything and Ron was reluctant to. They took a seat together on the couch and Molly sat across from them.

“Madam Pomfrey told Arthur and I all about what happened the other day. I guess it is the other day to us isn’t it? Anyway, we are so glad that you’re okay and proud that Ron did the honourable thing and helped a friend. She also told us about the bonding that happened. While I think you’re a little young for such… Well, our Ginny’s betrothed and will be married soon so I guess I can’t be upset besides it is a bond and those are rare and very special. Just promise that there’ll be no grandchildren from you two in the near future and we’ll leave it at that.”

“We’re a bit young for that, Mum!” Ron exclaimed.

“I’m glad you agree, then.”

“Where is Dad, by the way?”

“Oh,” Molly said less please. “It seems Mr. Potter, Mr. Greengrass and Mr. Granger are trying to introduce him to a Muggle game called golf or some such. They explained it to me. Makes no sense at all. I had so hoped he would be here when you two finally showed up.”

“Um…”

“Not that I’m complaining. You two are bonding and I understand your need to be alone and intimate like that.”

“Surprised,” Ron began.

“What’s that, Ronald?” Molly asked.

“Um… well, I thought…”

“We’d be upset? Why would we be upset?”

“Um… the way I had to help?”

“Ah. Well, there is that. But it’s not like either of you were taking advantage, correct? You both had a choice and you chose to be Partners and that’s what Partners do if the time comes, and your father and I are pleased that you two waited for the time to come instead of… well, that’s not important now. There was no way either of you could’ve known that the Cure would cause a bond. They are rare, those bonds are. But as you and Katie are bonded, what you do in the privacy of your own room is really none of my business now, is it?”

They heard a snort and saw Ginny enter taking a seat next to her mother.

“What was that about, young lady?” Molly asked.

“You sure were not so understanding regarding the others,” Ginny said.

“That’s entirely different and you know it. Those four’s behavior has been… Well, I’m sure Ron and Katie aren’t here about that…”

“Fred, George, Alicia and Angelina decided what’s good for their teammates is good for them too,” Ginny said to Ron and Katie. “If you take my meaning. Mum walked in on two of them yesterday morning.”

“I don’t understand,” Katie began.

“I do,” Ron said. “Years of Weasley innuendo, you know? Fred, George and their partners Alicia and Angelina decided since we were… you know… they should as well.”

Katie snorted. “And this is a surprise? They’ve been together that way since last fall.”

“I can’t help what goes on in that school,” Molly said with a slightly disgusted tone. “I was young once too, you know, and know a fair bit about what young people do. But when I was your age there was a difference between what you did with your boyfriend at school and what you did at his home or at your home for that matter! Your father and I never crossed that line until after we were married.”

“What line?”

“The shag line,” Ginny giggled.

“That is such a crude term!” Molly protested.

“Dad’s the one who said it,” Ginny complained. “What Mum means is that what a boyfriend and girlfriend do with each other at school stays at school. They don’t do it at their parent’s home until they are properly married. At school they can get sweaty - Mum’s term - in whatever broom closet they find, accepting of course the risk of losing points and detentions; but outside of school they are expected to act with discretion.”

“Of course, the rule is different in your case,” Molly said. “What the two of you do in your room even at the Burrow is your business. But, I expect you two to behave in the rest of the house.”

“Um… ,” Ron began.

“Yes?” Molly asked.

“I just… well… I mean with our bond there’s stuff… I never thought you'd…”

“I may be your mother, Ronald, but I was young once, remember? And you should realize that your father and I have done that before. We have seven children after all and they came the natural way.”

“I don’t need to hear that!” Ron protested.

“Most children do not,” Molly agreed. “All evidence to the contrary, the thought of my parents doing that was always… disturbing.”

“Exactly!” Ron and Ginny agreed in unison.

For a brief moment a wicked expression crossed the face of Molly Weasley. Ginny could not see it from where she was sitting. Ron could, but he missed it otherwise he might have paled at the thought of what might be behind it. Katie, however, did see it and saw it for what it was. She was beginning to think the more wicked side of the Weasley sense of humor came from this woman who, from what she had heard was mostly about propriety and proper decorum.

“It you must know, your father and I got together in our Fifth Year. Well, that’s not true. In a way we’d been together since Third Year as friends. We did most of our Hogsmeade visits together. Fifth Year, we both made Prefect and I knew he liked me and he knew I liked him but he had been brought up to be a gentleman and I was tired of that. It was one thing when we were Third Years and still getting to know each other. It was another by then. I admit I goosed him a little.”

“Goosed him?” Ron asked.

“We were on patrol and I told him I was thirsty - I was, but I could’ve waited. We stopped by the kitchens and had a glass of pumpkin juice and I slipped a potion into his. It was one of those mild ‘love’ potions they sell out of Teen Witch Weekly. It’s all but useless unless the boy’s really interested in you already and even then it merely breaks down his inhibitions. All I really expected was that he’s snog me silly - he hadn’t so much as kissed my cheek yet, you see - although I was certainly open for more than a snog if you know what I mean and I’m sure you do. Be careful of what you wish for, you may get it my Father had said.”

“What’s that mean?” Ginny asked.

“Well, I will admit I certainly let him know I had no limits,” Molly said, “not for him, anyway. I lost my virginity right there and then.”

“In the school kitchens?” Ginny asked in shock.

“Not sure I can eat school food any more,” Ron mumbled.

“It was… adventurous,” Molly admitted. “A bed may have been nicer, but I have yet to hear of anyone else doing it there so… And I did enjoy it. Now you know one of my secrets, you three. Seeing as you two will have your own quarters when you get back, I think there’s no need for such shenanigans.”

“The kitchens?”

“We only did it there that one time. Mostly, we did it in the Prefects' Bath.”

“The Prefects' Bath?” the three asked.

Molly nodded. “There’s a special bath for Prefects. It has the largest tub you’ve ever seen. All of the school Prefects could use it and there’d still be loads of room, not that it happened that way. Even then, Slytherin and Gryffindor did not get along at all and we were never there when the Slytherin Prefects were. But, outside the Quidditch Locker Rooms it was the best place to do that. So, aside from that first time in the kitchens and a few other times here and there, we did it there. A fair few of the Prefects did and I suppose still do.”

“I don’t think we’re here to talk about you and Mr. Weasley,” Katie said.

“Of course not, dear,” Molly nodded. “I just thought you should know that should either of you three feel the need to talk about such things and want a… well, an experienced opinion, I will oblige. After all… ,” and to everyone’s surprise she began crying quietly.

“Mum?” Ginny asked.

“This has been a strange year,” Molly said after gathering herself together. “Does Katie here know about you, Ginny?”

“I know she’s betrothed to Harry, Mrs. Weasley,” Katie said. “That’s known to a fair few and everyone at school knows Harry’s married to four other girls already…”

“Oh, there’s more to it than that,” Mrs. Weasley said almost in anger. “Ginny?”

Ginny then told Katie and Ron about the Contract and how Harry and his wives figured a way around it. Both were shocked to learn he had called in her Life Debt to bind her to him as a Concubine, although both were also pleased that he was going to marry her the next summer to end that bond.

“Of course,” Ginny continued, “they came up with that idea before they knew anything about Sirius Black or Harry’s parents.”

“Harry’s parents?” Katie asked. “What about Harry’s parents?”

“They’re alive,” Ginny said.

“But…” she looked at Ron. “You never said anything…”

“Couldn’t even if I wanted to, Katie,” Ron said. “The Concubine thing, well I wasn’t told ‘bout that 'til now. That was also under that spell?” he asked Ginny who nodded in reply. “A lot of stuff is under the Fidelius Charm. Harry’s marriages were. The truth about Sirius Black was. What happened to Ginny is, it seems. And the fact that Harry’s parents are alive still is. Fair bet there’s other stuff as well and if they think we need to know about it, they’ll tell us. But that spell means we’ll know, but can’t tell anyone who doesn’t know. We can’t even talk about it off this Estate unless Ginny’s around I think. More importantly, no magic known can force it from our minds.”

“The bond I share with Harry protects me from that as well,” Ginny said. “I can’t reveal things unless Harry says I can and before you ask he has allowed me to share this with you. Hermione calls it a double blind protection. That I’m Secret Keeper is also a secret protected by a similar charm. So the secrets are protected by secrets and the people who know can’t reveal the secrets on their own and can’t be forced to do so at all. After what happened with that spell and Pettigrew and the Potters, we decided it should not be that easy with us and our secrets.”

“But doesn’t that change everything?” Katie asked. “I mean if Harry’s parents are alive…?”

“It doesn’t,” Ginny said. “All of this happened before they were revived and until they were they were as if dead. Magically and legally they were dead. So when Harry had to deal with my contract, he did so as if they were dead and that deal is done. I will still be his wife. He still had to bind me to break the clause that would steal his birthrights. Had we learned about it after his parents were back, then they could’ve voided the contract. But maybe not. Harry’s certain Dumbledore would’ve used me some way in any event and he didn’t want to see that happen. So I think we would be where we are in any event. Not that I’m complaining. Being with Harry and the others has been… well, I couldn’t ask for a better outcome even if it didn’t happen the way I might have wanted it to.”

“Fortunately, I don’t have to worry ‘bout such stuff,” Ron said. “One wife or bondmate is more than enough, thank you.”

“I agree,” Katie said. “I wouldn’t like to share. But are you sure?”

“Pretty sure. Five older brothers, you know. And I’m nineteenth in the line of succession for Head of House Weasley. Dad’s got two older brothers and they have six sons, five grandsons and seven granddaughters all born after Ginny, I should add. Before Ginny there hadn’t been a Weasley daughter in ages, although I’m less certain about the girls' place in this. So I’m not carrying on a line and I’m pretty sure there’s no Line Continuation out there either.”

“Not unless someone erased that from our memory,” Molly said. “But your father did check with the Ministry and there’s none recorded so I think your safe from that. And, before you ask, there’s no one out there with compatible magic either, aside from Katie here. Bell. I’m not familiar with that name,” Molly added changing the topic.

“Dad’s a Muggle Born,” Katie said. “Mum’s a Half-blood. Her father was Muggle Born as well and Gran’s a Pure-blood. She was disowned for running out on a proper Pure-blood betrothal to marry a Muggle Born. One of her younger sisters went through with it and the other was also cast out of that family. In her case, Grand Aunt Eileen married a Muggle.”

“What family was that?” Molly asked.

“The Ancient and Noble House of Black. My Great-great Grandfather Sirius and Great-granduncle Arcturus were Heads of House. I never met them. Then again, the older Sirius died more than twenty years before I was born. We don’t associate with much of that line. Only Mum’s sister and her family.”

“So Sirius Black - the current one?”

“He’s a cousin. Same degree of kinship as Theodore Nott’s dad and Professor Snape.”

“Snape?” Ron and Ginny said in unison.

“My Grandaunt Eileen’s his mother. We had nothing to do with them. Gran hated the husband and not because he was a Muggle. He was a no account drunk and a violent man, according to Gran. She’s certain he had something to do with his wife’s death, although we’ll never know seeing as the Death Eaters killed him during the War.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Snape’s the one who did it,” Ron muttered. “He admitted he was one.”

“Gran wouldn’t be surprised either except that it happened when Snape was still at Hogwarts,” Katie said. “But the Muggle in question wasn’t much better than the Death Eaters according to Gran. Real nasty person. And before you ask, I don’t think Snape knows we’re related nor do I care. Bad enough I have to put up with him in Potions. Certainly don’t want to see him at all over the Hols.”

“There’s an image I’d rather not have,” Ron agreed.

“So what do your parents do?” Molly asked changing the topic again.

“Until this year, Mum stayed at home mostly,” Katie said. “My younger brother started Hogwarts this year. He’s a Puff. Anyway, with just my sister left (she’ll start my final year) Mum says she might work more, especially while Sis is at school.”

“School? But you said she hasn’t started yet,” Molly said.

“She attends Primary school just as I and my brother did.”

“You mean a Muggle school?” Molly asked confused. “But you were magically raised.”

“We live among Muggles. My parents work for and with them and until Hogwarts, aside from my Aunt’s family all the people we knew were Muggles or probably were.”

“But… why?”

“The War. Daddy was a Muggle Born and Mum was considered the worst sort of traitor by the Death Eaters. The Muggle World was safe for them; more so than this one was. Besides, in most cases magic isn’t all that much of an advantage. That and my parents make a lot more than they probably would’ve had they stayed. Mum writes for a living, scripts mostly for the BBC. She does children shows with all sorts of magic in them…”

“But that would violate the Statute of Secrecy!”

“Some may say that. But do you really think the Muggles don’t know anything at all about our world? They know quite a lot. True, it’s not accurate at all. But they would hardly be surprised by much, except to learn that it’s real. To most of them, magic is make believe, something for children’s stories and works of fiction. It’s not real. So Mum writes her stories about magic and it appears on the telly performed by puppets or cartoons - which are moving drawings - and where the real magic are camera tricks. Since she writes, she was able to do that from home and watch us when we were younger.”

“I suppose,” Molly said unconvinced but clearly not intending to delve further. “And your father?”

“He also works in the Muggle World,” Katie said. “Not surprising as our world was hardly welcoming Muggle Borns such as him back then. Not sure they’re all that welcoming now. But he makes pretty good money I’m told. He works in an office doing what he calls information management, whatever that is. Sounds dreadfully dull so I really have no idea what it really means. When he’s joking about it, he says he’s a ‘deforester.’”

“A what?” the Weasleys asked in unison.

“There are people who write all sorts of reports that get to his desk. He reads them, figures them out and what they mean and whether they might be important and writes more reports about them to pass on to his boss and others, so there’s always more than one copy of everything. All that’s on paper which is made from wood which is made from trees that have to be cut down and there’s lots and lots of paper involved so lots and lots of trees need to be cut so he’s a deforester.”

“I see what you mean,” Molly said clearly not understanding. “But your family does get by, doesn’t it?”

“I never asked about their finances, if that’s what you mean,” Katie said somewhat coldly. “My gran was disowned, you know. She and Grandpa made out alright and my parents do as well. We haven’t had to ask for assistance from the academic trusts or any of that to send us through school.”

“I had to ask dear,” Molly replied. “After all, you’re both so young and while you are bonded and could get married at any time, you can’t possible take care of yourselves financially. You’re still in school and need the education to qualify for decent employment.”

Katie seemed to take offense at the decent employment remark, but Ron spoke up before she could reply. “Don’t be so sure about that, Mum,” he said in a mischievous tone that sounded more like the twins than Ron.

“Ron, I know what I’m talking about,” his mother replied. “Your father and I eloped before our final year. We barely scraped by once we finished school.”

“If we had this talk a few weeks ago, I might be worried about that. Wasn’t sure I would be… well, what girl would go out with…”

“I would and I told you that,” Katie said.

“I know,” Ron replied. “But I didn’t know that before, did I? But as you said, for now you don’t need much so we can go to Hogsmeade and hang out and I won’t have to worry about your being upset that I can’t empty a money purse on you… yet. This time next year, maybe Spring Term however…”

“What have you done, Ronald?” Molly scolded.

“Not much,” Ron said. “Just helped Harry figure out ‘bout the Basilisk and go with him to kill the thing. Rules of Conquest, you know? He has an offer from the Goblins for the thing and his elves are getting it all set. My cut will be at least 200,000.”

“Galleons?” Molly asked in shock.

“Actually, 228 and change,” Ron said. “That much is certain, ‘though Harry and some others think the thing’s going to bring in more than the Goblins offered so it could be more than that. If I had to, once that thing’s sold I could pay for the two of us to finish school, no worries. And yes, I know how much that costs! It’s far less than I’d be making with the Galleons just sitting in the vault - and Harry did say most of it would be doing just that 'til I’m seventeen.”

“Too right!” Molly began. “And what about your sister? You will share some of that with her given what she went through, right?”

“No he won’t!” Ginny shot back. “Before you even begin, mother, remember that I am a Potter now. Money is not an issue in this family. Besides, as I am to be his wife, any money I get would become family money anyway, right? There’s little money I need given our resources as they now are. Harry’s got to keep half of whatever he gets for that snake and that’s a half million certain. Why do we need any more?”

“I’m sure whatever he has he could use more…”

“He tells us what he has when he gets his monthly statements from the Bank, Mother. Is eighty-six thousand too little?”

Molly’s jaw dropped. Oddly, Ron’s did not.

“That’s how much he can spend from his trust accounts today. There’s well over two hundred thousand more he can’t touch ‘til he’s older. And that’s just the Trust Account and does not include his farm income which goes into his spending account and not the savings one. His farm’s been earning a thousand and more a month and that’s only a fraction of it since we haven’t sold the bulk of our harvest yet. I have no idea what the main Potter account has and Harry says he only has a rough idea. I think we can survive without my getting something from that Basilisk separate from the Potter cut! I know you and Dad struggled. I won’t have to, not that way at least. It seems that despite what’s happened to Ron, he and Katie won’t have to either.”

Molly seemed to try to calm herself down. “I’m sorry. It’s just… well, the lot of you are so young…”

“You were too, weren’t you?” Katie asked.

Molly nodded. “Not as young as you lot, but yes. Our families were supportive enough but thinking back I remember the hard times we had starting out and… well, that’s what I see even if in my mind I understand it won’t be the same. It wasn’t supposed to be this way at all! There was no helping what happened between you two,” she said looking at Ron and Katie. “We were told there was no telling if that would happen. The two of you could’ve gone through that Magical Disconnect scores of times and never bonded. But you did and I want to help you make the best of it. I didn’t know about the Basilisk or had forgotten or never figured it would amount to anything for Harry or anyone else. I saw my youngest bonded and betrothed before her Second Year and my next youngest bonded and… you are betrothed, aren’t you?”

“Not formally, Mrs. Weasley,” Katie said. “We’re not in a hurry that way.”

“Need to get used to where we are, I think,” Ron added.

“Well, the sooner the better on that,” Molly said. “But not today. This was not what I ever envisioned. I saw Bill and Charlie moving on first: leaving school, leaving home - which they have - marrying and starting families of their own - which they haven’t. Not even a rumble of one. Instead, it’s my too youngest. It’s, well these past few months have been a bit of a shock.”

After a long pause Ginny said, “well, for my part - our part - House Potter’s part, we hope there are no more surprises in the future. You’re certainly going to have to wait for grandbabies to spoil.”

“Babies?” Ron gulped.

“Not anytime soon, Ron,” Katie said.

“They really don’t say much, do they?” Harry said.

“They’re paintings, Harry,” Hermione replied. “They’ve only recently begun to say anything.”

“Their ability to interact is limited,” Daphne added. “They can tell you things from their former lives: what they did, who they knew, what they remember. There’s an imitation of their personalities imbued in them: of course that stuff is further limited by the time of the painting. The children are still children, for example. Aside from that, they have no new experiences to share or talk about. The Hogwarts paintings are more interesting only because they’ve been hanging in a school filled with students and things going on for ages.”

“I guess,” Harry said. “I suppose I was expecting them to be more helpful in a way.”

“In what way?” Luna asked.

“Don’t know. It’s hard to explain.”

“Could be useful for family history,” Hannah observed. “And that is important for all of us. But you’re right. Not much use with the other stuff.”

“Hey guys!” Ginny’s voice called out. She had just entered the Great Hall of the Manor.

“How’s Ron?” Hermione asked.

“He and Katie are bonded,” Ginny said with a shrug as she joined the group in the circle of high backed chairs that Harry and the others had arranged for sitting around. She then explained what she had been told.

“Pretty rare, that,” Daphne said. “I mean there’s stories of such things, but I only ever thought they were stories. Then again, I only thought compatible magic was stories; that plural marriages were stories. Ever since this summer began, a lot of stories seem to be based on truth at least.”

“Ron and Katie said it was rare and even less predictable than what happened to any of us. Compatible magic is very rare, but it’s well known that it can lead to a bond. Life Debts are rare, and they can lead to bonds of some kind - not that I’m complaining, Harry. What happened to them makes what happened to us commonplace.”

Harry snorted. “That’s the truth considering House Longbottom.”

“There is that,” Daphne agreed.

“Anyway, they were told and my Mother was told - I suppose Daddy was too, but he wasn’t there - they were told that the two of them could’ve done what they did the other night with Katie all out of sorts with Magical Disconnect loads and loads of times and never bonded.”

“How are they?” Hermione asked with obvious concern.

“They seem perfectly fine. Ron's… well, I guess he seems a little more confident about things than before.”

“I certainly feel that way,” Harry said.

“Oh?” several voices asked.

“Hard not to be in a way.”

“You’re not getting all big headed, are you?” Daphne teased.

“I don’t think so. I hope not. But I think we’re handling this change in our lives rather well. A lot of the other stuff just seems easier now. I’m not saying it’s easier, just less… scary.”

“Okay,” Daphne nodded, “I get that and agree. Maybe we’ve grown up a bit? I do know a lot of things that used to seem important now seem silly to me.”

“Why didn’t we know?” Harry asked after a few moments.

“Know what?” Hermione replied.

“‘Bout Ron and Katie. 'Bout Sirius being married and having a daughter. Why didn’t we know?”

“You mean our future memories?” Luna asked.

Harry nodded.

“Perhaps we didn’t send those back,” she suggested. “Perhaps they weren’t all that important; not enough so that we should send them. Gammy and Grampy haven’t told us the details of that magic, have they? Not really. For all we know, there’s a limit to how much could be sent back. Maybe we had to make choices and chose to send only the really important stuff back. But maybe we didn’t know because we didn’t know in that time. After all, maybe Sirius never told you ‘bout his wife. He was a fugitive the whole time in that memory, right?”

Harry and Hermione nodded.

“What point would there be in telling you about his wife? He couldn’t be with her, could he? He didn’t know where she was or any of that just as he didn’t know in this time. Here, however, he was free to look although she did find him first. There? He wasn’t free even if he was out of that prison. What good would it have done to tell you about her? One might say you had far too much on your mind to further burden you with what was a purely personal matter to him, don’t you think? And of course, he knew nothing about the daughter. He only learned that in this time after his wife found him. As for Katie and Ronald; perhaps they never bonded in that time. Perhaps Ron never made the team or, if he did it was much later on. I do recall the game in that other time. It was the first game of the season as it was here and the weather was just as bad. But it was Gryffindor against Hufflepuff, not Slytherin and I don’t remember Ron or Ginny playing at all. And, unlike this time, there were those dementors about, which was why the memory was sent I’d guess. After all, it was Neville’s Bondmate who died in that time. But I think that was another game.

“No. I think Sirius and his family and Ron and Katie are events unique to this time. They are ‘unintended’ consequences of what we have done with that information, but I think they are for the better of all concerned, don’t you?”

“I suppose,” Harry nodded.

“That explanation makes sense,” Hermione added with the others nodding in agreement.

“Gryffindor against Hufflepuff?” Harry asked Luna.

Luna nodded. “That’s what I remember.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Things are different,” Ginny said. “Remember that meeting with McGonagall about the game? Maybe it didn’t happen in that other time. Or maybe it did and Dumbledore overruled her. They weren’t dealing with the ICW mess, were they?”

“Not that I can recall,” Harry said as Luna and Hermione shrugged.

“So, that would mean that Dumbledore was here and not off on that business,” Ginny suggested. “He might well have taken Snape’s recommendation. McGonagall did not. So, without him here…”

“The Snakes had to play. Still,” Harry sighed, “I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“Shoe?” Luna asked. “But you’re wearing your shoes as is Ginny. The rest of us aren’t wearing shoes, or anything else for that matter. You may be a little lost in thought, Harry, but surely that hasn’t escaped notice.” Aside from Harry and Ginny who had just returned from seeing Ron, none of the others were clothed.

“It’s an expression, Luna,” Hermione moaned.

“Oh? Oh yes. One of those sayings that makes no sense whatsoever unless you know what the other person means? I always thought they were kind of silly. I mean people always are on about Merlin’s pants, but I’m pretty sure people didn’t wear pants back then. Well, not what we would call pants.”

“It means he thinks something bad’s bound to happen,” Hermione said.

“Of course he does,” Luna said. “I am aware of the meaning of that silly expression. Always wondered why shoe dropping and bad things were related. Maybe it was a superstition? But I said what I said ‘cause our Harry was getting moody and that’s not what he needs to be.”

“Still,” Harry said, “nothing’s happened since the trial.”

“But all the stuff with Sirius and now Ron,” Ginny began.

“I meant about Dumbledore and all that,” Harry said trying not to sound patronizing. “He’s made no move to regain control of things…”

“That we know of,” Daphne offered.

“True,” Harry conceded. “Then there’s Malfoy and his fake injury. Didn’t one of you think that was ‘cause he or his father’s up to something 'bout that hippogriff?”

“Harry,” Hannah said, “even if your concerns are valid, nothing’s going to happen for a while. Dumbledore needs to make his move in the Wizengamot and Malfoy probably wants some publicity for whatever he has planned. With the ICW still debating what to do about Gringotts, business such as that is at a standstill. All civil matters are on hold ‘til after the Wizengamot deals with whatever the ICW does. Basically, you’re shoe dropping can’t happen until after the ICW acts.”

“I suppose,” Harry sighed. “I just thought there’d be more, you know? Our uncaps were months ago.”

“We were a lot older when we decided to mess with things,” Hermione said, “and one would hope wiser. I’d guess we sent back enough for us to do something with enough time to do it the way it needed to be done and with time to deal with the consequences. After all, any change from the way things happened in that other time is bound to have consequences, perhaps even unpredictable ones and we would need to adapt to that to avoid that future or a similar one, don’t you think?”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“Besides, we do need to deal with some of those consequences today, right?”

“The dinner?”

Hermione nodded.

“Oh pooh!” Luna said. “That means clothes, doesn’t it?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, welcome,” Harry said. He and his ladies were in the Entry Hall awaiting the guests for the evening. Many were already there: Fred, George, Angelina and Alicia; the Grangers; Madam Pomfrey and the Greengrasses.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, Harry,” Mr. Weasley said. “Is cursing really a part of golf?”

“Pretty sure the pros don’t do it - at least not if anyone can hear. But I’m told it is acceptable. It’s certainly cheaper to swear than take it out on the clubs. After all, it’s not the club’s fault if the shot doesn’t work out.”

“So you…?”

“Think you have to be good enough to have something to curse about, Mr. Weasley. I’m not. Most of my shots are terrible and the ones that are not are surprises.”

“I guess that makes sense,” he said shaking his head meaning it made no sense to him at all.

“Mum? Dad?” Harry asked as his parents entered. The Weasleys turned.

“My word, Lily!” Molly said. “I thought you were…”

“Harry and his time machine,” Lily snorted in an amused manner. “My due date’s now in about two months, assuming there are no surprise added weeks.”

“I did get your note Mum. Say the word and Madam Pomfrey’ll be here for any future Time Compressions.”

“Well, I’m not saying the word yet, but thanks.”

“We’ll make sure he remembers, Miss Lily,” Hannah said. There had been a debate about forms of address. After all, Lily had been Lady Potter at one time and technically still was in a fashion. She was no longer a Countess as the titles passed to Harry and his wives, but she had been. Still, “Lady Potter” did not seem right, nor did “Mrs. Potter.” So they agreed on “Miss Lily” even though she was married. It was an old, yet accepted term for an older dear friend where their first name only was not appropriate.

“After all,” Lily said, “she was there for Harry when he came.”

Harry snorted.

“And what was that about?” Lily asked.

“Careful son,” James said softly.

“Um… well, given my life, maybe that one should start off different?” Harry suggested.

“Considering how you turned out thus far despite all that, I’d say why mess with a good thing?” Lily commented with a mischievous smile. “Of course, whatever this squirming one is, I do hope there no Trolls or Cerebuses or Basilisks in its first two years of school outside of books.”

“I…”

“I’m allowed to be concerned about things, Harry. Regardless of anything else, I am your mother.”

“Okay,” Harry said. “No promises, but I’ll try to cut down on the life threatening adventures, not that I really went looking for them.”

“You must admit, Miss Lily, it does take his mind away from pranking,” Luna said.

“I can’t say which is worse,” Lily began.

“Life threatening adventures,” Molly said. “No doubt. As frustrating as Fred and George’s pranks can be, I never worry when I get letters ‘bout them. I just get the Howler parchment ready before I open the note.”

“And you never send Howlers about the life threatening stuff,” Ginny noted.

“Well, there was the car,” Harry mused. “Although it wasn’t all that life threatening compared to the other stuff. Ron did get a Howler that threatened to bring the walls of the Great Hall down on the lot of us for that one.”

“And Mum had to mention me in it,” Ginny huffed. “My first day at Hogwarts and I was mortified!” When Mr. Weasley and the Potters looked confused, Ginny continued. “After letting Ron know in no uncertain - and very, very loud terms what Mum thought of Ron flying Dad’s car to school, she then congratulated me on getting into Gryffindor. The whole school heard! I so wanted to vanish!”

“Now dear, I’m sure it wasn’t so bad,” Molly said.

“You weren’t there,” Ginny mumbled.

“Why don’t we head into the main room and mingle?” Mr. Weasley suggested sensing a row on the horizon. Fortunately, the other adults agreed.

“I’m really sorry about this, Mrs. Weasley,” Lily said as she and the other three adults entered the Great Hall.

“What?” Mrs. Weasley asked. “The Howler? Ron did steal a car that my husband… well, never mind. Ginny’s reaction was hardly strange for an eleven year old girl away at school for the first time.”

“No, I meant what happened between Harry and Ginny.”

“And why should you be sorry? It’s not your fault. And I don’t blame Harry or Ginny either. To be honest, you should be very proud of your son and as unusual as Ginny’s situation seems, I doubt she could’ve managed better. Harry’s a wonderful boy and I’ve never seen her so happy. Given the state she was in when she came home for the summer… I never thought she’d smile again but after her time with Harry and the others… Yes, I’d rather that it had not been necessary. But neither I nor my husband wanted any part of that scheme and to be honest we couldn’t think of any other way out of it.”

“But if James and I had been around…”

“True, it might not’ve been necessary. Harry didn’t know about the two of you then, did he? Given what we knew at the time, there really wasn’t a better option. They didn’t even know about his Godfather until after Ginny joined them and given the mess she was after what happened last year and what she was like when we saw her at the end of the summer - and since - I can’t thank Harry enough for whatever he and the others have done for her. What I can thank you for is that baby you’re carrying. He did tell you ‘bout the Wards on your sister’s house?” Lily nodded. “Because you’re expecting, Ginny can marry Harry next summer and her bond to him will change. Otherwise, she would have remained as she is now in case they needed her to extend the wards beyond her seventeenth birthday. At that meeting at Gringotts, Harry spelled that out for us. Given what happened, you could hardly blame him for doing whatever was necessary to protect his family and even then I suppose he saw Ginny as his family. I can’t thank him enough for that. Another boy… well, many boys his age… You look at Harry with his girls and you can’t tell there’s any difference between them in his eyes. But there are differences. Harry’s bonded to two of them in ways I can’t understand and to Ginny in a way any witch has a right to fear - except Harry doesn’t take advantage - and the other two there is no magical bond, yet you’d never know there was a whit of difference watching them together. I am thankful Ginny’s bound to such an honourable young man and look forward to their children… although not for some years yet.”

“I don’t know how he does it or where it came from,” Lily nodded. “I’d like to think James and I had something to do with it. I can’t say we did and all that happened to him since that night… It all could’ve turned out so wrong and yet… I don’t know if Harry would be the Harry I know now had that night never occurred and I don’t want to find out ‘cause I couldn’t be prouder… of course, he could have worked on his marks before this year.”

“I’ve got three boys whose marks need work,” Molly sighed. “They’re bright enough, but two of them are more into creative magic - pranking really - than school work and Ron’s been distracted by all that nonsense at school. He’s always been easily distracted. But hopefully…”

“Something changed?”

“He’s on the Quidditch Team. Fred and George do work hard enough to keep on the team, I just wish they worked harder like their older brothers. That and Ronnie’s bonding now…”

“He is?”

“His Quidditch Partner suffered from Magical Disconnect after their first match, poor girl. We met her this morning. She’s a lovely girl and… but I’d never wish that on anyone. Don’t really know what to say to them about it.”

“Make a deal?” Lily asked.

“Oh? What do you mean?”

“I missed all those years with Harry. He’s my son and all, but he’s not in a way. I don’t know anything ‘bout being a Mum to a thirteen year old…”

“No one does, not until they are.”

“But I do know about the kind of bond your son has with…”

“Katie? How’s that?”

“Once it forms, it’s almost indistinguishable from the bond Harry has with Hermione and Luna. The only real difference is the cause. I didn’t share compatible magic with James, but we did bond.”

“Quidditch?”

“Um… no. Never played or had much use for that game. It was the end of our Fifth Year. We were already sitting our OWLs and I was… well, I was determined to be the best in my year period! I was a wreck as a result and exhausted magically and physically and I may not’ve been taking care of myself as much as I needed. Emotionally, I was not nearly as bad as a lot of my classmates. Always believed you prepare for exams well in advance, not the night before like some did. But I was also a Prefect. I had just had a rough day. My oldest friend betrayed me in the most hurtful of ways and James… I was actually closer to his friend Remus at the time, but not romantically… James had pushed my friend too far. James and Sirius hated the boy and I did not understand why at the time and it infuriated me. So I had that drama happening in my life and was on patrol and caught a Seventh Year Slytherin Prefect raping a Third Year Muggle Born on the Astronomy tower. I… I killed him.”

“I can see why,” Molly began.

“No! I mean killed him as in dead as in he left Hogwarts in a pine box! Hit him with a knockback hex…”

“Must’ve been one…”

“It only knocked him back, and he fell over the wall and to his death.”

“Oh my!”

“That’s what triggered it. I was in Disconnect before I could even report what had happened. Madam Pomfrey told me. I knew what it was. I knew how bad it could be for me. And I knew what the cure was. I didn’t know ‘bout Quidditch Partners and the thought of several boys… cure’s worse than the disease, you know? But Madam Pomfrey did tell me it didn’t have to be that way. I still had to have a lot of sex, but I could pick one boy to… James was the first one I thought of. I found that odd 'cause he had always been so infuriating. Oh, he was nice to me. But he and his friends broke so many rules and… Still. I thought of him. Something told me he might well be the only boy who'd…”

“Respect you in the morning?” Molly offered.

“Something like that. He looked so… so lost when he first got there. I knew I’d made the right decision then, although it was not what I had…”

“Ron and Katie both said it was not the way they saw it happening, but they have no regrets.”

“None here, either. Bonds like this are different. James and I didn’t know anyone who had one like ours and, to be honest, had we known anyone I would’ve hoped they were older and further along as it were; someone who could answer our questions about it from experience and not what they read in a book.”

“Ron would probably be uncomfortable…”

“I understand. But if either they or you or your husband need to talk to someone…”

“I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”

They took seats in one of the several sitting areas in the vast room while one of the Elves served tea.

“How are you managing?” Molly asked.

“I thought we discussed that a bit,” Lily replied.

“I meant… well, correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Harry Lord Potter now? How do you and James get by?”

“He is Lord Potter now,” Lily nodded. “And he would support us if we needed his help that way, although we’ve not discussed that. No need. James and I can make do quite well, thank you.”

“Oh?”

“Although it’s now Harry’s, the Valley was ours and since our house is still there that’s where we live. Harry lives here, we live there so it’s no imposition at all although he’d have us live here if necessary. Not sure how his girls would like that, but they’d understand. As for money, while Harry is Lord Potter, money wise he only has access to his trust account and even then only the earned interest - which is substantial. He earns additional money from the farm, although the two older trunks are not part of his earnings statements. They deposit into the House Vault which he can’t access ‘til he’s older. Still, his farm income from the four that pay him direct will pay for this trunk he bought by the end of the school year. Harry isn’t seventeen, which means James’s Trust Vault remains outside of his control and as James is 'alive’ now, it will remain our money and not Harry’s - not that I think it would matter in any event. That trust has been sitting ‘round for years with interest accruing and nothing going out. It’s over a million Galleons as of our last bank statement and our anticipated interest income for this year is over ninety thousand. Living here, about all we need to buy are some clothes and personal items. Most all of our food is grown here and costs us nothing so we’re making far more than average and spending far less than most young married couples. I think we can manage.”

“Hey Harry,” a voice said and Harry and the others saw Ron and Katie entering through the huge doors that opened into the Entry Hall from the outside of the Manor. “Um…”

“Ginny told us you two are bonding,” Harry said. “So, I’m told in polite society I should say welcome, and welcome to you Mrs. Weasley.”

Katie blushed pleasantly at the comment.

“Um… we’re not married yet,” Ron said.

“I notice you said yet,” Ginny giggled.

“Yeah. I do get it, you know. We will be married one day, probably sooner rather than later. You know? It doesn’t bother me at all. I like the thought. Mum’s not… well, it could’ve been… but she’s being awfully nice about the whole thing and Gin here’s not picking on me.”

“Only because you’re with Katie,” Ginny said. “No promises if she’s not around.”

“In that case, I’m not leaving her side not that I had any plans to do so.”

“Are you okay, Katie?” Harry asked.

“Pretty much. Then again, I haven’t had to explain this to my parents yet. As Ron said, his Mum’s okay with it although she did say this past few months has been a shock of sorts what with Ginny and all and Ron and Ginny are the youngest and aside from Fred and George she’s not aware of any of her older brothers even having a serious girlfriend.”

“Fred and George?” Hermione asked.

“Mum caught them or at least one of them in bed with their girlfriend and that one squealed on the other in a rare instance of twin disunity,” Ginny giggled. “She was right put out with their explanation.”

“Oh?”

“They said if it was okay for Ron and Katie to…”

“Um… I think it’s a different kettle of fish.”

“It is,” Ginny agreed.

“Yeah,” Ron added. “We’re bonding. We have to be together, you know. They’re just…”

“We get it,” Daphne said.

“They are Fifth Years, though,” Katie said. “That’s usually when it happens, certainly by then from what I’ve seen and heard. Their Mum said she and her husband started then. I didn’t get the impression she was so much upset by what they were doing, just the where and when.”

“That and they didn’t lock their doors,” Ginny said. “That was stupid on their part.”

“So, you two are okay then?” Hermione asked clearly not wanting to hear more.

“We are,” Katie said. “It was all a bit much at first. But now? I wouldn’t want any different… although my parents don’t know yet as I said and that does worry me a little.”

“Guess we kind of now know what you’re going through,” Ron said. “Pretty good thing I didn’t get all weird ‘bout it 'cause…”

“You’ve been surprisingly accepting, Ron,” Daphne said.

“Oh?”

“Ron Weasley, best known Slytherin Loather in our year, and yet he’s been quite friendly to me but for the first five minutes that first day.”

“Well, Harry was right about you,” Ron said. “You’re not like the other snakes and neither is Tracy. I’m not changing my opinion about the rest of that lot just ‘cause you two are different.”

“There may be others like us,” Daphne said, “but we don’t stand out in that group for a reason.”

“I figured that. But I’m not subtle enough about those things to suss out who’s just a Slytherin and who’s clearly a snake. That said…”

“Don’t feel too bad,” Daphne smiled, “there’re very few of us true Slytherins. Most of them are just snakes.”

Ron and Katie laughed.

“Most true Slytherins aren’t in Slytherin at all,” Harry said. “That’s where the Hat wanted to put me. But really, what’s so cunning about being sent into the House known for it?”

“You’re joking, right?” Ron gasped.

“About the Hat? Nope. It did.”

“Then how…?”

“Told it not to. Practically begged it not to. That’s all. Already met Malfoy and wanted to be as far from him as possible.”

“Are you two okay with what happened?” Hermione asked.

Ron merely nodded. “Well,” Katie said, “I’d rather not have gone through what got us here. I don’t think any witch would want that. But I did pick him as my Partner just in case ‘cause he’s my friend and I trust him. I won’t say it was my dream as a first time.”

“Mine neither.”

“But… yeah, I’m okay with it.”

“Me too. Makes some things easier, you know?”

“Oh?”

“Hogwmeade Weekend coming up. Figured you lot would be hanging together and I would…”

“You would always be welcome, Ron,” Hermione said.

“Yeah. But I thought it might be… weird. Figured it was either run with Dean and Seamus… not my idea of a fun time… or ask a girl and… well, that wasn’t gonna happen. Even after making the Team, I was… well, asking Katie before wasn’t as easy as it might sound. But now? I’d be daft not to, right? And before you ask, Hermione, I already have and she already said yes so even if we are bonding and m-m-married in a way, it’ll be like our first… um… date.” He was blushing furiously when he finished.

“His Mum’s okay with this,” Katie began trying to change the topic.

“Yeah,” Ron agreed.

“Which means Dad’ll be too,” Ginny noted. “He doesn’t always agree with Mum, but he would about something like this.”

“My parents don’t know yet,” Katie admitted. “I’m worried about that. Dad’s a Muggle Born, you know. Mum might understand. She’s from an old line on her mother’s side: House of Black to be honest.”

“Really?” Harry asked. Katie nodded. “Another cousin! Which one? Mine was Cygnus.”

“Sirius,” Katie said.

“The older one,” Ron added.

“Really,” Daphne asked surprised. “I’m from that line on Mum’s side! We must be second cousins or something! Dad’s side was from Phineus.”

“As was my Dad,” Luna added.

“Arcturus,” Ginny said, “same as Ron.”

“We’re not Black listed,” Hannah chuckled indicating Hermione was the other part of the “we.”

“Definitely should make a day of it in Hogsmeade!” Luna said. “Cousins should be friends, don’t you think.”

“Doesn’t always work that way,” Hermione observed.

“Well, if it did there’d be a lot less nastiness in the world.”