Head of Hogwarts

*Chapter 3*

It wasn't too long before every Weasley had scrambled from the leaning tower of sheds to give me a hug, express their sympathies and offering any emotional or physical aid. I was then ushered into the house by Mrs Weasley, her face was very worn and her hair was growing dangerously thin, closely followed by an excitable Ginny and a surprisingly mature Greg, who carried my belongings up to Ron's room along with Percy (who could only manage my broom and owl cage due to his lack of any kind of muscle). Once sat on the antique sofa that managed to swallow you whole, no matter how careful you were, we were all handed a mug of tea. Mrs Weasley soon disappeared after that, closely followed by Ginny, as they began to cook breakfast. Everything felt so homely, mostly because nothing had changed since my last visit.

Percy told me of his engagement to Penelope Clearwater, and how he was working his way up to Minister of Magic (which, both Ron and George rolled their eyes at). George informed me of his new career at the Three Broomsticks since he closed down Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes (it brought back too many memories of his deceased twin). Hermione announced that since Hogwarts had been destroyed, Ginny had accompanied her to France where she studied witchcraft and wizardry at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, all as Hermione explored the magical ruins hidden in France's countryside. Her eyes lit up like matches as she began to describe the castles and caves she had visited, her hands moved around her, as if she was there now, feeling the incantations inscribed into the walls of some of France's deadliest caves. Even Bill and Charlie had returned to the Burrow to help organise Hagrid's funeral.

"We had to come back!" Charlie chuckled at Harry's shock, "We went to Hogwarts to, remember? Hagrid was a good friend of ours."

"Yeah..." Bill muttered from the corner of the room, where he was slumped against a bookshelf, his silky, fiery hair hiding the scars torn into his face, "He was the one who encouraged me to pursue my dreams, no matter how dangerous they were."

"Yeah, and aren't we thankful for it." Mr Weasley droned sarcastically. Mr and Mrs Weasley hated to see their children in peril, and Bill's work was exactly what they had raised their children to avoid. However, Bill brushed the comment off and grinned naughtily, tucking his hair behind his reddened ear to reveal the scars. I could feel Mr Weasley tense and Ron look down at his lap, as if he were a child being scolded. Obviously this was a touchy subject in the Burrow.

Before anyone could lunge at each other's throats, Ginny peered around the kitchen door and yelled, with an almighty voice for such a sweet girl:

"BREEAKFAAAST!" Her voice echoed up every staircase and along every landing. We all trudged warily towards the dining room as an angelic Penelope glided down the last flight of stairs, her white nightgown flickering around her ankles. Once spotting me in and amongst the crowd of red hair, she pulled me into a soft hug and kissed my cheeks with such finesse and speed. I could feel the places where her lips left grow ever so slowly warmer.

"Harry! I missed you so much! I heard you were away doing missionary work in Papua New Guinea? How exciting! Percy spoke so highly of your strength and determination!" At that, Percy grew a shade as bright as his hair and led his bride-to-be to the table, muttering something about how Penelope should eat and not let her breakfast get cold.

After conjuring multiple stalls from the basement with a flick of Mrs Weasley's wand, we were all seated around the small dining table, and began to dig into the pancakes, crumpets, waffles, toast, eggs, bacon, salmon, croissants and porridge. It was all so delicious. I grabbed scoopfuls of almost everything and was never dissatisfied with the array of foods, some of which I never knew, myself, how to cook or prepare. I ate such an unhealthy diet of microwave meals and takeaway pizzas at home, I had no time nor energy to prepare a home-cooked meal at the flat. People cracked jokes, laughed, and complimented the ladies' outstanding cooking throughout the entire meal.