The entire Weasley family stood before their beloved Hogwarts. Harry couldn’t help but feel like he was returning to his long lost home. He led the way as they walked to the front doors. Snow was softly floating to the ground and covered everything beautifully. The large doors opened and there stood Professor McGonagall. She was the first to speak. “Welcome back!” She beamed at the clan before her. “Come in, it’s dreadfully cold.”
As they all entered the main corridor they collectively gasped at the decorations of red and gold. Large panels of red velvet had been draped from the ceiling and large gold spheres of light hung in collective bunches around the room. Fairy lights adorned the large Christmas trees, 12, just like always. The doors leading to the great hall had massive wreathes of pine hanging upon them. There were clusters of mistletoe hung in various locations inside massive doorways.
Hermione took the moment of silence to speak first. “We are extremely grateful that you allowed us to use the castle for the wedding.”
“You are quite welcome.” She said as she led them to their tower. “You will have the entire Gryffindor Tower to yourselves.” Professor McGonagall said as they made their way up the staircases.
They stepped into the common room and it felt like the first time. It had been so long many had even forgotten what it looked like. Remembering the tricky stairs to the girl’s dormitories couples began dashing for the boys dormitories. Arguments began to fill the common room as they elbowed one another, desperate to share rooms with their significant other.
“Ahem,” The sound permeated the room and reminded the younger ones in the group of the sound often made by a Professor in their fifth year. “Pardon me,” Professor McGonagall peered over the top of her eyeglasses. “It might interest you to know that I have temporarily removed the charm on the staircase to the girl’s dormitories. The shuffling soon stopped.
Harry and Ginny along with Ron and Hermione made their ways to the staircase leading to the boy’s dormitories to stake their claims while the others continued to discuss who would now be staying where.
Susan looked around. “So, this is Gryffindor Tower. Lovely”
“Come along dear, I’ll show you my old room.” George took her and led her to the room that had been his home for nearly six years.
*******
Mr. And Mrs. Weasley chose the first dormitory along the girl’s staircase. “Memories” Mrs. Weasley ran her fingertips down the curtains as she looked out onto the Hogwarts grounds. “Arthur, do you remember our first kiss?”
Mr. Weasley walked up behind her and looked at the tree beside the lake. “Yes, I wonder how many first kisses that tree has seen.”
“They’re all going to be all right, aren’t they?” She looked at her husband. “Hogwarts taught them well. They made great friends here and now they will begin their families here.”
“It’s only right. This place has been a haven for us all. Magical.” He chuckled at his own joke. “You still want more?”
“Maybe not, we may soon have enough grandchildren to keep us quite busy.” She then began tidying the room out of habit. They might have had a few grandchildren already but they were beginning to think there would be a lot more very soon. Maybe too many to keep up with.
“Molly, stop, would you please relax!” Mr. Weasley laughed. “Let’s enjoy this time together. Think of yourself as a student again.”
She stopped and looking at him she said, “Okay.” She plopped herself into the chair by the fireplace. “No more responsibility for me then.” She propped her feet onto the ottoman in front of her.
They then heard a loud commotion coming from the common room. They both quickly went to see what was going on. As they entered the common room the screams of children was piercing the air and they saw them all looking up a bearded man.
“Grams! Poppy!” The children screamed as they crossed the room.
“What in Merlin’s beard is all the screaming about?” Mrs. Weasley asked as she dropped to their eye level.
Rose soon spoke up. “It’s Father Christmas. He’s here!” She said pointing at the Headmaster.
“And we saw him,” Hunter bellowed, “now he won’t bring us any gifts!!!” He wailed on.
“Now children,” Mr. Weasley tried to help his wife comfort the children. “This isn’t Father Christmas.”
The children all looked wide eyed at the professor and debated whether or not to question the adults as to his identity. Then the accused Father Christmas spoke.
“I have been called a good many things, but that is definitely a new one.” Professor Dumbledore examined each child carefully. They were all Weasley red and obviously had minds of their own. However, which particular Weasley each of them belonged to he couldn’t say with the exception of the only girl. “Miss Rose, how nice to see you again.”
Rose’s mouth dropped as she stood in amazement that he knew who she was. The boys all stepped back as the tall bearded man walked closer to her. Rose tried to control her shaking body as she bowed, not knowing what else to do.
“Oh honey, this is the Headmaster here, Professor Dumbledore.”
“Professor Dumbledore?” She said now smiling as the light in her head went on.
“Ahhhh!” He said half amused. “It seems I have a reputation.”
“My Daddy and Uncle Harry told me all about you.” She was now very enthusiastic.
“I see,” He looked at her quizzically. “And just what have they told you?”
She was just about to answer when she heard a familiar voice. “Everything she needs to know to keep her out of trouble.” Harry said as he approached the man hugging him. Although some might not find this appropriate, the Professor had been like family to him. He had seen him through the worst times of his life.
“So, I take it you left out everything about yourselves then?” He joked looking over the top of his glasses.
“Why of course Professor!” The room looked on as Hermione bound into the room with Ron at her side. “We don’t need her trying to save the world.”
“No, we don’t Miss Granger, maybe a bit smaller, Hogwarts.”
The children stared at the adults and wondered what they were talking about.
“Sure thing Sir.” Ron smiled.
“My intentions were to let you all know that dinner is at 6:00p.m. The house elves are preparing something simple tonight.” He then added. “But the rehearsal dinner shall be extravagant.”
“Thank you!” Hermione smiled as she hugged the man as well.
“It is my pleasure and honor to have you all starting your life again here at Hogwarts.
*******
The Weasley family soon disappeared and went on their own trips down memory lane. The children decided to set out and explore the castle after strict orders on where they could and could not go. Mr. And Mrs. Weasley took a stroll around the lake while Percy and Penelope spent the afternoon pouring through the library. Fred and Angelina went to the Quidditch Pitch for a look around and with the Headmaster’s permission, Susan toll George on a tour of the Hufflepuff quarters. Bill and Fleur decided a trip into Hogsmeade would be safe. Fleur was watching Bill extremely close since the incident that occurred earlier yesterday. Charlie and Cho had not yet arrived, but would be there in time for dinner. And finally Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny headed straight for Hagrid’s hut.
Harry and Ron simultaneously beat on the massive oak door that stood before them. They watched as the windows shook from the vibration of the large man that walked across the floor.
“Who is it?” Bellowed a deep voice from behind the door.
“Orphaned dragons!” Yelled Hermione from behind the guys trying to stifle a giggle along with Ginny.
“For Bloody sake, ye’s made it!” He threw open the door with ease. He looked onto the front step at the four pair of eyes that smiled with glee. “Get your grown up bums in here.” He stood back to allow them to enter.
“How’s everything been, Hagrid?” Ron asked as he passed the man slapping his sleeve.
“Good,” he said, “Fer me anyways.” He smiled pointing at the picture on the mantelpiece.
“Sorry we missed it.” Harry said as he curiously looked at a wedding photo of Hagrid and Madame Maxime.
“I know ye would’ve been there if’n you could’ve. Hermione and the rest of the Weasley’s made up for it.” He sat at the table as Hermione went about like she always had making tea. “Building a house in Hogsmeade, ye know.”
“How have the living arrangements worked out thus far?” Asked Ginny, wondering how the two of them got about in the small hut.
“Commutin’, but she’s retiring from Beauxbatons in the spring. She’ll move everything else here then.”
They all noticed some things hanging around that most definitely didn’t belong to Hagrid. That soon changed the subject and began discussing things of very little importance. They told stories of things that had happened in each others absence. The time had gone by so quickly and it was now time to make their way to the Great Hall for dinner.
*******
All the students had been sent home for the holidays because of the wedding ceremony. The Great Hall was just as extravagant as the entrance hall. The few professors that stayed behind were sitting and waiting at a very large table. The normal house tables had been removed and replaced with a more formal dining table large enough to seat the entire Weasley family and then some. The family soon began filing into the Great Hall and the children looked around in amazement.
P.J., Percy and Penelope’s oldest, nudged Rose and leaned over to her. “Where’s the ceiling? Did they run out of galleons when they got to it?”
She laughed at him. “No, it’s bewitched to look that way. My Daddy said that ‘Hogwart’s, A History’ tells all about it.”
Harry elbowed Ron and they both couldn’t help but snicker like a couple of schoolgirls. I was like watching Hermione all over again.
“Welcome back!” A familiar voice bellowed around the room. Professor Dumbledore stood with his arms opened wide, gesturing them to the table.
Dinner went rather smoothly without any major malfunctions. Considering the persons present that was a miracle. Percy and Penelope excused themselves to put the children to bed and voluntarily took Rose as well. Bill and Fleur then followed close behind with theirs. Harry and Ginny took the first opportunity that they found to sneak away for a bit of time alone. They lingered through the corridors remembering the times they had shared there. Harry felt like a schoolboy again. Here he was walking the cold torch lit halls with the one girl that had always made everything worthwhile.
Ginny stopped and rubbed both hands across the cold hard stone wall. “Smell that?” She asked him.
“What?” Harry looked around half expecting Mrs. Norris to pop up around a corner.
“That cold musty smell.” She took in a deep breath; closing her eyes as she did so. “I will always remember it as being the smell of Hogwarts.”
“How about the smell of the broom cupboard?” They had hid in it plenty of times to know.
“I’ll give you that, but nothing is worse than the smell of the potions classroom.” She now grinned.
“Maybe Greenhouse 3!” Harry thought the fertilizer used in there was absolutely hideous.
As they reminisced they began to ascend a staircase, not even paying attention to where it was leading them.
“The fresh air on a Wednesday night.” Harry remembered back even further. He took in a deep breath, the cold air was invigorating. The North Tower had always a favorite place of his. “The stars are bright, aren’t they?”
“Just like that night.” Ginny noticed that even without a full moon the stars lit up the night sky. Harry wrapped his arms around her as she laid her head on his shoulder and they watched as the stars danced in the ebony sky.
“I should really thank Ron.” Harry said softly.
“For what?” She asked, thinking this to be a strange thing for him to say right now.
“For fighting with you that night.” He half chuckled. All because of that one incidence He and Ginny now stood here together. “If he had not upset you so much, causing you to run off, I couldn’t have found you here, alone and upset.” He remembered clearly. There were few times that he had been angry with Ron, but that time could have very well been the time he was most angry with him. After searching nearly the entire castle he had found her here.
“I’m just glad you were the one that found me.” She snuggled deeper into his arms and kissed his neck just behind his ear. She knew this drove him absolutely mad.
Harry brushed back the hair from her face and pulled her chin closer to him. He first kissed her lips softly before deepening into passionate kisses. She soon had both arms locked around his neck.
A/N I'm sorry if the chapter isn't what you expected but I thought a little trip down memory lane would be nice. Thanks to all of you that are supporting me and welcome aboard to the new readers and reviewers. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!