The Ones Who Lived

IV - Guess who's coming for dinner today

6th of May – 18th of August 1998

Chronology

2nd of May 1998 : Battle of Hogwart

As soon as Ron, Charlie and George had disappeared in the chimney, Molly stifled a sob. Ginny hugged her tight. Hermione suddenly realised that the sink was overflowing and beginning to create a flood, and she and Harry quickly finished cleaning up the kitchen.

Later, Hermione used the Floo network to go do some shopping while Harry went to fetch Teddy. Andromeda had indeed asked him to take him for a while, as she had to complete some administrative procedures at the Ministry. Harry thought it was perfectly timed – the presence of a baby at home always had a good influence on Molly. They spent the afternoon strolling around the countryside surrounding the Burrow. Teddy, amazed, looked around with interest, his irises permanently changing colours.

When the Weasley boys came home, George's eyes were slightly less dead-looking. He was far from his usual good mood, but he seemed to follow conversations, to the rest of the family's huge relief. Hermione created huge surprise when she announced she was leaving the day after tomorrow.

"But where do you want to go?" worried Mrs Weasley. "You're at home here."

She cast a look to her youngest son, as if she was suspecting him of being the cause of his girlfriend's evasion. But Ron looked just as surprised as the others.

"I need to go fetch my parents," explained Hermione. "I bought myself plane tickets this afternoon. I'll only be gone for a few days. Can I leave you Crookshanks for that time? After that, I'll probably stay with my family until the start of the school year."

Ron didn't seem particularly ecstatic about this program, but he preferred not to say anything. He and his girlfriend had a long conversation in the garden after the meal, from which the young man came back slightly relieved:

"She says that when she's back, we'll be able to see each other in the evenings when I'm done with the shop," he explained to Harry while they were preparing for the night. "The advantage of being a wizard is that distance isn't an obstacle."

"That's great," commented Harry, but he thought that when Hermione would join Hogwarts in September, Ron wouldn't be able to see her that often.

*

The following days, Harry and Ginny often found each other left to themselves in the house. Hermione was in Australia and Molly did what she could to help other witches and wizards in need. Bill had resumed his job at Gringotts, Ron, Charlie and George looked after the shop and Mr Weasley and Percy worked at the ministry.

Ginny regularly had melancholy attacks during which Harry did his best to be tender and affectionate. He had understood that she needed to be busy to forget her dark thoughts and he arranged the day in such a way that they always had something to do. In the morning, they assured the stewardship of the Burrow, going shopping at Hogsmeade, cleaning the house and preparing meals. When they were in any kinds of public place, Harry hid under a large wizarding hat that he carefully pulled down to his eyebrows. On some afternoons, they took Teddy with them and took him back to his grandmother in the evenings.

Harry decided to officially pass his apparition test. He had practised this exercise a lot during the last year and obtained his qualification with ease. When they had free time, Ginny also helped him to sort his post. The Boy Who Lived received a good dozen letters per day. There were congratulations to which he never answered, not wanting to create a fan-club; there were demands for autographs which he usually threw into the fire, Professor Lockhart having disgusted him from them permanently; and there were interview offers, to which he answered firmly with no, his relations with Rita Skeeter having scalded him.