Harry Potter and the Year After

Chapter Twenty-three: At the Burrow Again

Chapter 23: At the Burrow Again

Ron knocked at the door of the Burrow for the first time in his life that he could recall. Ginny answered.

"What are you doing knocking at the door, prat? Come inside. Oh, hi Hermione," she said, belatedly noticing Hermione behind Ron.

"Is Dad still at work?" Ron asked but he need not have. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were both sitting at the kitchen table.

"Ron, Hermione!" Mrs. Weasley said, hopping up from her chair. She pulled Hermione into a hug and then Ron and then Hermione again. "We've heard the news! Lovely, lovely! We're so thrilled!"

Mr. Weasley stood, setting down his Daily Prophet and hugged them each as well. "Very happy, yes! Well done!"

As it was nearly lunch time, Mrs. Weasley already had lunch made. She got them plates of chicken sandwiches and glasses of pumpkin juice. Ginny sat in her chair near the fireplace with her arms crossed over her chest. She was smiling though.

"So!" Mrs. Weasley said, pushing them down into chairs and then plopping back down into her own again, "Have you chosen a date yet?"

"Well," Ron said, "We haven't told Hermione's parents yet. So maybe we'll start planning after that? We're thinking of going to Australia for a day or two before school starts again."

"Well, I mean..." Hermione cut in before Mrs. Weasley could respond, "Well I was thinking it'd have to be after we graduate from Hogwarts. So maybe July?"

"Wonderful! Of course, this is just what Arthur and I did. Summer after seventh year," Molly said, patting Hermione's hand. Ron started eating the lunch in front of him despite having already eaten.

"Will you have the wedding here at the Burrow?" Ginny asked.

Hermione glanced at Ron. It was suddenly feeling more real, talking about the wedding this way. "Ron and I haven't really talked about any of this yet. We've only just--"

"Well, where else would we have it though, 'Mione? I suppose we could have it in Hogsmeade. With all my wizarding relatives, you don't want to have it in a Muggle place. Too much explaining and Memory Charming would be involved."

"There's the Leaky Cauldron?" Ginny suggested.

"People get married in the Ministry sometimes," Arthur put in from over his cup of tea.

"No, no," Hermione said, grinning, "Of course we should have it here. It'll be beautiful, like... well Fleur and Bill's wedding, until things... well you know," Hermione finished lamely.

"Right," Mrs. Weasley said, nodding. "Well, there's plenty of time to plan all this out. Each bride has her particulars that she wants. For me it was my dress robes... oh, and the cake! Arthur, do you remember our cake?"

"Mm."

"It had a well-wishing fountain. So beautiful. And huge. I think we have some pictures in an album upstairs. I'll show it to you sometime."

"Dad, I'm surprised you're already home from work," Ron said, ignoring his mother.

"Oh! You haven't heard our news! Arthur--"

"I have accepted a position as the new Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts," Arthur said, smiling.

"Cheers, dad!" Ron said, grinning with his mouth half-full still.

"Congrats," Hermione said smiling.

"It'll be quite a jump in pay, which you wouldn't think," Molly said, theatrically holding her hand up by her mouth as though she were telling a secret.