HP8 (On Hold)

The Burrow

The next few days after the memorial service were busy ones for everyone, there were all the funerals to attend, which bad enough as they were, seemed even worse because Harry was being escorted everywhere by two Ministry Aurors.  They had explained that although the Ministry thought that the surviving Death Eaters would now be too fearful of Harry’s power to risk attacking him, they couldn’t be sure and didn’t want to take any chances. 

Harry felt sure that there would have been even more guards than that, but because he was attending everywhere with Mr and Mrs Weasley, that they were classed as being included in his guard. 

Harry decided to only go to three of the funerals, Fred Weasley’s, Remus and Nymphadora’s and Colin Creevey’s. 

After each funeral, everyone went back the Burrow, the Weasley’s house.  Here the aurors departed, leaving them alone in the evenings. 

After they had attended the last Funeral, everyone was sat around the large kitchen table, having just eaten one of Mrs Weasely’s dinners. 

George was the first to speak, “I think I will go to the shop tomorrow, although I doubt there will be much trade at present, there are things that are going to need doing.  I think I will visit our solicitors as well, I will need to go over what needs to be done.” 

“Yes, I think me and Percy will need to go to the Ministry tomorrow as well.” added Mr Weasley, “There is going to be such a shake up, the Minister will need as much help as we can give him.” 

“Oh yes,” Percy commented, “I expect my in-tray will be near overflowing by now. What about the rest of you?  What are your plans now?” 

“I had been hoping to finish School.” Ginny answered, “but Professor McGonagall has closed Hogwarts for the rest of the year, there are so many repairs required on the castle, that she felt it would be unsafe to continue lessons for now, so I’m not sure now.” 

“Well I am going to Australia,” Hermione added, “I need to find my parents and bring them home.” 

“Are you sure that’s safe Hermione.” Asked Mrs Weasley, “It’s such a long way by yourself.” 

“Well I can Apparate now, so it’s shouldn’t be too bad, finding them might take a bit of time though.” 

“Do you want me to come with you?” asked Ron. 

“Oh no Ron, your not going all the way out there, you haven’t even passed your Apparation test yet.” Mrs Weasley interjected. 

“Molly, I don’t see why not, those three have been doing it for the last year, apparating, hiding and a bit of breaking and entering as well!!” Mr Weasley countered.  “I don’t think a trip to Australia will be too dangerous.  It’s unlikely they will face as much doing that than they have recently.  Anyway I don’t really see how we can stop him, he is of age now.  And as for the apparation test, I can sort that out tomorrow, Harry needs to do it as well.” 

“Well I don’t like it, but I suppose I can’t argue with that.”  And getting to her feet she started clearing the table with sweeps of her wand, they could all tell she still wasn’t too happy though.  It wasn’t the distance of the trip, it was the fact it would mean another of her sons being so far away that she didn’t like.  

“Thanks Ron that would be great.” Hermione beamed at him.  “I didn’t really fancied doing the trip all by myself.”  Only Harry could see, but she slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze. Ron’s ears went very red, and he couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face. 

“What about you Harry” Ron asked, “What are you going to do, Fancy coming with us?” 

Harry felt the offer was genuine enough, but had the feeling he wouldn’t enjoy the trip to much, he had the feeling that he would be playing gooseberry a lot of the time, as they were obviously infatuated with each other at present.