The Proposal

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At seven AM Harry and Ginny made their way downstairs. Everyone was already at the table reading a copy of the Daily Prophet or readying their breakfast.

‘M-m-morning’ Harry said through a yawn and sitting down in a spare chair.

‘Happy Birthday!’ They all chorused.

‘Sleep well dear?’ Mrs Weasley asked pouring him a glass of ice cold orange juice.

‘Yeah remarkably well’ Harry said with a covetous grin at Ginny.

‘What time do you have to be at Andromeda’s to get Teddy?’ Mrs Weasley continued pushing a plate of toast at him.

‘About midday’ Harry said scratching his scalp ‘She’s invited me to lunch. I’ll spend a few hours there. Then come back here with her and Teddy’

‘Happy Birthday Harry’ Hermione said pushing a brightly wrapped present across the table to him ‘This is from Ron and I’

Harry took a gulp from his orange juice and began unwrapping the present. Inside was a large handsome leather bound ledger with ‘Harry James Potter’ in elegant cursive lettering across the front accompanied with an elegant eagle feather quill and pot of green ink. Also inside was a red leather wand sleeve with gold buckles.

‘The wand sleeve is from me’ Ron said.

‘Wow thanks guys they’re great ta very much’ Harry said opening the ledger to read the message on the inside cover which read…

‘To Harry on the occasion of your 24th birthday best wishes for the near and far future love from your good friend Hermione’

‘Thanks ‘Mione that’s really nice’ He said flicking through the pages and taking in the smell of fresh parchment ‘Where’d you get it?’

‘Scrivenshafts when we were in Hogsmeade last week’ Hermione said making an egg and bacon sandwich ‘I owled them three weeks ago and had them especially make it. It’ll never run out of pages you don’t need to blot the ink and it’ll never get any bigger than it is now. I thought it might be good for writing major life events in’

‘Thanks I can definitely use this’ Harry said picking up the wand sleeve Ron had given him and fastening it to the inside of his left arm ‘Thanks for this Ron Gryffindor Red very nice’

‘No worries mate’ Ron said between feverish mouthfuls of bacon ‘I got it made at Quality Quidditch Supplies. It’s a wand sleeve made for Quidditch players but it’s good for dueling too’ I just had to give them your arm measurements’

‘How’d you get them?’ Harry asked suspiciously sliding his wand into the sleeve ‘I don’t remember you asking to measure my arm’

‘Well it would’ve looked a bit suss if I’d asked you so I measured your arm with Mum’s magical tape measure last week when you fell asleep on the couch. The night after we got back from Neville’s stag night’

‘Ah I see well at least you didn’t spike my drink with a sleeping draught’

‘Well that was my first thought but Hermione threatened to tell Mum if I did so I waited til you fell asleep on the couch’

‘Ron you’re twenty four years old aren’t you a bit old to be afraid of your Mum?’ Harry said with a grin as Mrs Weasley piled his plate with scrambled egg ‘No offence Molly’

‘None taken’

Ron blushed.
‘Git’ He said.

‘This is from Molly and I Harry’ Mr Weasley said levitating a bulky package over to him from the washboard ‘We weren’t exatly sure what to get you but we were sure you’d like this’

Harry ripped off the wrapping top revealing an elegant blue/black daywear hat with matching robes and cloak that had elegant silver fastenings.

‘Oh wow they’re really nice Molly and Arthur thanks!’ Harry said standing up and sweeping the cloak around his shoulders ‘I need some new dress robes’

‘Maybe you could wear then tonight’ Mrs Weasley said fondly ‘I assume this is a smart party?’

‘Well I’ve told everyone to come dressed smart casual’ Harry said folding the cloak and placing it back in the package it came in ‘George fancies doing a bit of dueling so I won’t wear this if I participate’

‘Men!’ Hermione exclaimed shaking her head as she went over to the sink ‘What is the male obsession with duelling Molly?’

‘It’s a macho thing I think’ Mrs Weasley said in amusement over Ron and Harry’s expressions ‘The need to prove themselves’

‘We don’t need to prove ourselves Mum’ Ron said thrusting his arms into the air ‘We are wizard men! We defeated the Dark Lord! We’re invincible!’

Harry, Hermione, Mrs Weasley and even Mr Weasley groaned loudly and rolled their eyes.

‘Act your age not your shoe size mate’ Harry said with a grin stretching lazily.

Ron laughed at his own joke.
‘Just jokin’ he said running his fingers through his messy hair.

A loud screech from outside announced the arrival of the post. Errol the Weasley family owl had long since died and now Pig was filling in the role of family post owl. He flew lopsided through the kitchen window and landed with a flump on the washboard carrying a shoebox sized package. Mrs Weasley freed the owl from the package and read the address.

‘For you Harry’ She said giving Harry the box ‘Looks like it’s from Minerva’

Harry took the package and ripped off the string and opened it inside was a gold goblet with elaborate designs on the handle and around he lip. The goblet he used at Hogwarts during his students years. The accompanying card read…

‘Dear Harry Hogwarts has always been special to you and you special to Hogwarts. I hope that having a piece of it at home will remind you of all the good times you had here. See you at the Burrow this evening. Many happy returns Minerva McGonagall’

‘It’s my Hogwarts goblet!’ He announced in surprise holding it up to show everyone ‘Wow’

‘That’s all three of us that have our Hogwarts Goblets now’ Hermione said happily ‘I only use mine for special occasions now'

‘I’ll use it tonight’ Harry said placing the goblet back in its box.

A minute later another three owls carrying a huge box soared though the window and landed on the kitchen table.

This package was from George and Angelina and contained a large selection of Wheezes products. Especially Harry’s favourite Decoy Detonators.

After the package from George and Angelina it was like a production line of owls. The next package to arrive was from Charlie and his wife Charlotte, inside was a pair of dragon hide gloves and a miniature moving figurine of a Hungarian Horntail that had an accompanying figure of Harry on his Firebolt a mini scene of the first Triwizard Tournament ten years previously.

‘Wow that’s AWESOME!’ Ron said in admiration watching the minature Harry duck and weave around the dragon.

Harry read the card.
‘Dear Harry on the occasion of your 24th birthday here’s a momento to remember the greatest bit of flying remembered since anything I did at Hogwarts, Ha ha See ya tonight from Charlie and Charlotte’

‘Well it was some good flying’ Ron said touching the figurine and earning a bite from the horntail ‘Ow!’

‘The dragon hide gloves are from Charlotte’ Hermione said going through the wrapping and reading a note as two more owls soared through the window and promptly started to have a furious fight in front of Harry ‘Hey stop it!’

‘Hey that’s Hermes!’ Ron said grabbing the owl nearest to Him as Hermione grabbed the other owl a Tawny Frog Mouth ‘Hermes! can it!’

‘I wonder if Percy knows his owl fights’ Harry said with a laugh as Ron struggled to remove the package from Hermes legs.

‘Perce probably told him to make sure he delivered the package before any other owl’ Ron said freeing the package from Hermes ‘Away with you ya stupid bird!’

Hermes ruffled his feathers and took off.

Harry took the package sent from Percy from Ron and opened the card. Inside it read.

Dear Harry
Congratulations on this day your 24th Birthday hope you find this useful. Love Percy, Audrey, Molly and Lucy'

Inside was a beautiful silver quill and inkpot holder. It was engraved with the Gyffindor crest a Golden Snitch and on the inkpot holder the year.

‘That is beautiful!’ Hermione said picking up the quill and pot of ink that came with her present ‘Put the ink and quill in this Harry see what it looks like.

Harry put the pot of ink in the ink holder and the quill in one of the four holders he then pushed the wrapping aside so everyone in the kitched could see it.

‘That’ll last you all your life Harry’ Mr Weasley said ‘It could become a family heirloom’

Maybe yeah’ Harry sad with a grin laughing at the drawings Percy’s daughters had done on an acompanying piece of parchment ‘I’m sticking this drawing up in my room next to the one Teddy did of a gnome’

You can stick all the drawings you get from the kids in the family in the journal I gave you’ Hermione said handing over the package from the Tawny Frog Mouth owl ‘That’s the perfect thing to store them in’

‘I’ll do that’ Harry said peering at who sent the passage ‘Oh this is from Neville and Hannah!’

Mr and Mrs Weasley and Ron and Hermione looked on eagerly and Harry opened the package and pulled out An enormous box of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans and a box of confectionry with the words ‘En or Snitch sucette’(Golden Snitch Lollies) plastered over it’

‘Golden Snitch lollies!’ Ron exclaimed reading the label ‘They are really hard to get and hellishly expensive! You have to order them in from Dijon! It takes ages for Honeydukes to get them in the waiting list is huge!’

‘I’ve never heard of them’ Harry said curiously opening the box ad pulling out a wrapped lolly that looked like molded sugar ‘What are they?’

‘For want of a better description boiled lollies’ Mr Weasley explained ‘Every one has a different flavour’

‘Like Bertie Botts Beans?’

‘Well in a manner of speaking yes but no bogey or earwax flavoured ones. You can pick your flavour according to what you fancy. That’s why they are so expensive. It’s more usual for them to be served at weddings with after dinner drinks. I expect with Neville and Hannah on their honeymoon in France it was easier to get some than to order them through Honeydukes’

Harry noticed Ron looking at the box with longing in his eyes.

‘Okay’ He laughed holding the box out ‘You can have one Ron’

‘Gee thanks mate!’

Ron carefully opened the box and took out a Golden Snitch lolly as Harry continued to open his presents. Soon lined up at the end of table was the quill holder from Percy and Audrey, The ledger and wand sleeve from Ron and Hermione, the dragon statue from Charlie and Charlotte and the goblet from McGonagall.

After the wrappings put themselves in the bin two more brown barn owls appeared on the horizon. Harry recognized then as Hogwarts owls as they came to an elegant stop just in front of the accumulated gifts. They hopped over to Harry and he untied the leather thongs tying the heavy package to their legs.

‘Who’s that from?’ Hermione asked ‘That’s the second lot of Hogwarts owls this morning.

‘Hagrid’ Harry said recognizing the untidy scrawl ‘Hell it’s heavy’

Once free of the packages the two owls took flight and soared out through the window. Harry unwrapped the package to find a medium sized roughly cut fruit bowl with carvings of house elves and owls on the outside.

‘That’s nice’ Mrs Weasley commented placing another plate of bacon and eggs in front of Harry ‘Hagrid’s very artistic’

‘Yeah he is’ Harry said admiringly examining the bowl ‘That elf looks like Dobby.

‘That’s probably what he was aiming for’ Hermione said 'It’s like a monument. You can put that somewhere where you’ll see it all the time in Godric’s Hollow. It’s be good as a fruit bowl’

‘Or you can keep odd socks in it’ Ron said with a grin remembering Dobby’s liking for odd socks ‘That’d be a true monument to Dobby’

Even Hermione found that funny laughing heartily.

An hour and a half later Harry waited by the fireplace to see Ginny, Ron and Hermione off to work. Feeling refreshed and buoyant after enjoying a loud and enthusiastic lovemaking session with Ginny in the shower.

‘See ya later this afternoon’ He said in her ear after breaking apart form a long kiss ‘You may get back just before I get back from Andromeda’s’

See you then’ Ginny said getting into the fireplace and grabbing a handful of floo powder ‘St Mungos!’

Ginny threw down the floo powder and in a rush of green flames she was gone.

‘Do you want me to get some more Floo Powder today Molly?’ Hermione asked peering into the pot of floo powder ‘We’re running low and I’m going to Hogsmeade today to have lunch with some clients I can get some at Scrivenshafts’

‘If you could dear that woud be great’ Mrs Weasley said untying her apron.

‘Okay everyone I’m off’ Hermione said getting into the fireplace ‘See you later Harry have a good day at Andromeda’s’

‘Yup thanks ‘Mione’

Hermione disappeared and was soon followed by Ron. Then it was Mrs Weasley and Harry left in the kitchen(Mr Weasley had departed to work earlier than anyone else).

‘Aww Molly now I’m getting real nervous! Harry breathed sitting back down at the dining table ‘I’ve got a whole day to dwell on what I’m going to ask Ginny tonight. I’m feeling sick just thinking about it’

‘You need to occupy yourself’ Mrs Weasley said with a grin ‘At least til you get to Andromeda’s Teddy’ll distract you there. Want to de-gnome the garden?’

‘Actually that may just be the thing I need to do’ Harry said ‘At least I can distract myself there’

‘That’s the spirit!’

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Three hours later Harry trudged back into the house covered in dirt, sweat and grime with a huge rip in the leg of his jeans and reeking of dragon dung. He had pruned and fertilized every plant and flowerbed in the vast garden and had charmed the lawnmower to mow the lawn while he worked. The Irish Thrashing Vine had reacted violently to being pruned and Harry had sustained a badly cut lip which was dripping blood down his lip onto his dirt and manure smudged shirt.

‘Harry what did you do out there?’ Mrs Weasley exclaimed pushing Harry into his chair and inspecting his lip ‘It looks like you’ve been dueling with the Thrashing Vine’

‘I have’ Harry said wincing as Mrs Weasley inspected his lip ‘But not on purpose. I pruned it and it didn’t like it very much…OW!’

‘Sorry dear’ Mrs Weasley said going to a small cupboard and pulling out a jar or purple goo ‘I’ll put some of this on it and cast a healing charm’

‘Molly you don’t have to fuss so much you know’ Harry said as Mrs Weasley bustled about.

‘I know dear but I do this for all my children even Bill and he’s thirty three years old’ Mrs Weasley said unscrewing the jar of purple goo ‘Just hold still’

Mrs Weasley dabbed some of the jar's contents on the cut on Harry’s lip. She then pointed her wand at the wound and muttered the healing charm. Harry’s whole face tingled and he felt the skin knit itself.

‘Thanks for that’ He said gingerly touching the lip.

‘That’s okay dear just leave your jeans in your wash basket and I’ll fix them for you’ Mrs Weasley said putting the jar of purple goo back in the cupboard ‘Now go and have a shower before you go to Andromeda’s you really smell’

‘Ha ha’

Half an hour later Harry was back in the kitchen cleaned up and wearing fresh clothes. Mrs Weasley fussed over him some more as he reached for the floo powder.

‘Molly I am twenty four years old!’ Harry complained halfheartedly ‘I don’t suppose there’s much point is kickin’ up a stink about your fussin’ is there?’

Mrs Weasley grinned.
‘No there isn’t’ she said ‘As I said before I do it for all my children’

Harry grabbed the last handful of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace.

‘I’ll be back about three maybe four’ Harry said to Mrs Weasley

‘Okay you have a good day’ Mrs Weasley said.

Harry threw down the floo powder and said ‘Andromeda Tonks’s House’

Green flames rushed up around Harry and he vanished from the Burrow. His right shoulder hit something hard and he ricoched off whatever it was continuing on til he felt himself falling.

Seconds later he arrived at Andromeda’s house tripping up falling out headlong out of the fireplace into a row of dining chairs with an almighty crash.

Andromeda rushed into the room her wand held aloft at the racket but lowered it when she recognized Harry.

‘Oh Harry it’s only you!’ She said in relief helping him to his feet ‘What a way to make a graceful entrace’

‘I didn’t do it on purpose!’ Harry exclaimed straightening his cloak ‘Have you got a trip jinx on the fireplace? I trip up every time I come here’

‘No no trip jinx you just have the agility of a hippogriff on ice skates’ Andromeda said with a laugh brushing ash off him ‘Happy birthday’

‘Thanks’ Harry said.

‘HAAAAAAAAAARY!’ Came a shrill voice.

A small boy came running into the kitchen and clamped himself around Harry’s legs. Harry picked him up and swung him around in the air abouve his shoulders.

‘Tedmeister!’ He exclaimed putting Teddy on his hip and ruffling the childs peacock blue hair ‘Blue today eh? Very nice’

‘Mummy’s portrait said it suited me’ Teddy said.

‘Ted Lupin what have I told you about running in the house?’ Andromeda scolded.

‘Sorry Nanna’

‘Mate can you go off and play for a minute? Harry said to Teddy putting him on the ground ‘I need to have a chat to Nanna’

‘Okay!’

Teddy ran off and Harry sat down with Andromeda at the kitchen table.

‘So what’s up?’

‘Who says anything’s up? Harry said.

‘Don’t be stupid Harry I’ve known you a long time I can tell when something’s bothering you’ Adromeda said ‘You’re miserable at hiding your true feelings’

‘You’ve got me' Harry said ‘Something is up but it’s not a bad thing’

‘Shoot I’m all ears’

‘Well I’ve been thinking a lot about Ted’s schooling between now and when he goes to Hogwarts’ Harry said ‘And I was wondering how you would feel about me sending him to this muggle-esque primary school I found out about last week? It's part of the Ministry's pre Hogwarts education program and kids from magical families go there when their own families don't have the proper time or resources to home school them. I know you and Molly are homeschooling him and you're doing a fine job but I reckon he'd do better in an independent environment in the company of other kids his age'

Andromeda thought for a while.
‘Harry you’re Ted’s legal guardian it’s up to you to decide about his education’ Andromeda said ‘Tht’s why Remus and Nymphadora made you his godfather to make those decisions if they couldn’t’

‘I know but it felt right to ask you’ Harry said ‘You’re Ted’s only blood relative and I’m sure Tonks would have asked you the same question had she been alive’ Harry said ‘I feel he needs to be around kids his own age more often and he’s at the age where muggle children start school’

‘But he’s a metamorphmagus have you thought about what’s going to happen if he goes to this school and gets bullied because of his abilities?’

‘Well of course that’s a hurdle but I think he's more than capable of sticking up for himself' Harry said ‘I know his metamorphmagism would be the most obvious thing for him to be picked on about but true bullies don't need an obvious reason to tease'

‘Harry I trust you’ Andromeda said getting up and lighting the fire with a poke of her wand ‘I know you have Teddy’s best intrests at heart. I think he’ll benefit being around kids his own age too. Where's this school you've heard about?’

‘Callington Primary it's a small school between Maidstone and Godric's Hollow but closer to Maidstone in an isolated rural area. It used to be a muggle primary school but the Ministry bought the property a few years ago shortly after the war and converted it to be used by the magical community. With so many parents lost in the war there wasn't enough adults to homeschool the kids like is tradition in the wizarding world. All the teachers are either experienced in homeschooling, witches or wizards who have gone to muggle teachers college or muggles who have magic kids who are teachers but have been poached from the muggle teaching profession. Though from what I've been told the latter is not common only one or two of the teachers are muggles'

‘Sounds good’

‘Well I thought if it's okay with you I'd send an owl to the school and make an appointment with the admissions officer on Monday’

‘What about work for you?’ Andromeda asked charming a loaf of bread to slice itself ‘Are you going back to the ministry?’ Before I went on holidays two weeks ago canteen talk was all about you being needed and wanted back in the Ministry office’

‘So Draco Malfoy told me’ Harry said ‘No I’m not going to go back to the Ministry. Well not any time soon anyway. Another job opportunity has popped up and I’m near enough to accepting the offer’

‘Oh yeah what doing?’ Andromeda asked charming a pot of soup to stir itself before going to the larder.

‘W-w-eel I-‘ Harry stammered ‘If I tell you will you promise me you won’t tell a soul?’

‘On Merlin’s grave I promise’ Andromeda said pausing to look at him.

‘Minerva McGonagall has offered me the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts’ Harry said.

‘Really? You’re kidding? When?’

Last week when Ron, Hermione, Gin and I had dinner with her and a few of the other teachers at Hogwarts’ Harry said ‘I got pretty drunk that night but I do actually remember snorting Redcurrant Rum up my nose when she asked me’

‘I imagine you would so’ Andromeda said sitting back down ‘Are you going to take it? Term starts in six weeks’

‘I’m still deciding but leaning towards taking it’ Harry said ‘Everyone that was at that dinner last week is coming to the party tonight including Minerva. I’m going to take the rest of the day to decide then tell Minerva my decision tonight’

‘Oh Harry I think you’d be the best Defence Teacher!’ Andromeda said enthusiastically ‘You’re the most recognized authority on fighting the Dark Arts! There’s no better person to learn from than you’

Harry gave Andromeda a skeptical look.

‘Don’t be so down on yourself’ Andromeda admonished pointing her wand at him ‘The youth of today deserve to have a teacher like you. And anyway what’s the point in knowing all you do and not passing it on?’

‘Hermione said that to me’

‘Well she’s right’ Andromeda said firmly ‘I’m not pushing you into anything but I think you’d be perfect for the job’

‘Thanks’

Harry spent the rest of the afternoon with Andromeda and Teddy and at three thirty all three of them left the house and made their way out to the front porch. Harry had already sent Teddy’s bags back to the Burrow.

‘Has Nanna ever taken you on a side along apparition ride mate?’ Harry asked

‘Yeah but it felt yucky’ Teddy said ‘All squishy’

‘You get used to it’ Harry said grasping the little boy's hand ‘We’re not going far just to the Burrow how about on the count of three?’

‘Okay’

‘One…two…THREE!’

Harry thought of the Burrow and he and Teddy disapparated immediately appearing instantly just outside the open back door. Andromeda followed a second later and followed Harry and Teddy into the house.

‘Naaaanna Molly!’ Teddy shrilled running into the kitchen and grabbing Mrs Weasley around the legs.

Mrs Weasley lit up.
‘Teddy!’ She said brightly picking him up and swinging him around in the air like Harry had done at Andromeda’s house ‘I’ve missed you did you have fun at Nanna’s?’

‘Aww yeah we did lots of cool stuff we even went to two Chudley Cannons matches!’ Teddy said ‘Then we went to Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade an’ Honeydukes is ‘mazing!’

‘So that’s why he’s so energetic’ Harry said to Andromeda as Teddy rushed off to the loungeroom from where Ron’s voice was coming ‘You filled him with sugar’

Andromeda rolled her eyes.
‘Ha ha’ She said dryly pulling off her cloak and hanging it up on the cloak hook next to the door ‘Okay need any help Molly?’

‘Oh that’d be great ‘Drom can you get started on a batch of scones?’

‘Of course’

Harry hung up his cloak and went into the loungeroom. He found Teddy and Ron wrestling on the bearskin rug. Teddy had his fake wand out and was sitting on Ron’s chest.

‘Okay okay you win!’ Ron said holding up his hands in a mock defeatist stance ‘You could’ve done Expelliarmus you know’

‘I’m surprised you let him win without one’ Harry said leaning on the doorframe.

‘EXPELLIARMUS!’ Teddy bellowed.

There was a white flash and Ron’s wand flew out of his hand and clattered on the floor twelve feet away.

There was silence as Teddy stared at the wand in his hand and Ron and Harry stared at Teddy.

‘Mate you just did magic!’ Harry said in amazement.

‘How long have you been able to do that?’ Ron asked getting up.

‘I haven’t tried before’ Teddy said as amazed by his actions as Ron and Harry were ‘I was only pretending. I’m not going to get in trouble am I?’

‘No mate you’re not’ Harry said a grin spreading across his face ‘You’re definitely a wizard though and you’re showing magic earlier than normal’

‘I am?’ Teddy said still not sure wether he was going to get in trouble or not.

‘It certainly seems so’

‘Matey you’re not going to get in trouble’ Ron said ‘I think Nanna and Nanna Molly will be really happy’

‘You think so?’

‘Yeah definitely I wouldn’t go and do the disarming charm on them willy nilly though then you will get in trouble’ Ron said investigating Teddy’s toy wand interestedly. ‘You sure this is a toy wand?’

‘Yeah Uncle George gave it to me’ Teddy said ‘At Easter remember? With that big bag of eggs from Honeydukes. It used to change into a rubber chicken but the charm wore off’

‘And it hasn’t done anything peculiar since you’ve had it?’ Harry asked.

‘No’

‘You don’t think George did anything weird to it do you?’ Harry asked Ron.

‘Nah George isn’t stupid he wouldn’t give a charmed wand to a six year old’ Ron said ‘And even if he did it would’ve done something before now’

‘Can we ask Uncle George tonight?’ Teddy asked looking up at Harry ‘Maybe he knows about stuff like this’

‘Sure’ Harry said ‘Want to show Nanna and Nanna Molly you can do this Disarming Charm?’

‘Can I?’

‘Yeah lets go’

Harry Ron and Teddy went into the kitchen. The incredulous expression on Harry and Ron’s face caught Andromeda’s attention.

‘What’s up?’ She asked wiping her floury hands on her apron.

‘I was wondering how old was Tonks when she first showed signs of magic?’ Harry asked

‘Oh I think she was about seven the usual age magic shows why?’

‘Well something just happened in the lounge you may be interested in’

‘Hmm?’

Even Mrs Weasley stopped what she was doing to watch.

‘Go on matey’ Ron said poking Teddy in the shoulder.

Tedy screwed his eyes up pointed his toy wand at Andromeda and cried.

‘EXPELLIARMUS!’

Andromeda’s wand flew out of her pocket flew high in the air and hit the light on the ceiling before falling and landing in the baking tray in which rested a leg of marinated lamb in it.

The incredulous silence that followed was louder than the one in the loungeroom. Andromeda then squealed and scooped Teddy into her arms.

‘Ooof Nannaaaaa!’ Teddy groaned ‘You’re squishing me!’

‘Oh sorry dear’ Andromeda said her eyes shiny with tears.

‘You’re crying!’

‘I know lovie I’m not upset though I’m really happy!’

‘How did you find out?’ Mrs Weasley asked Harry in intrest retrieving Andromeda’s wand from the baking dish and cleaning it with her own.

‘By accident really’ Harry said watching Teddy shriek and Andromeda tickled him. ‘Ted and Ron were wrestling and he said ‘Expelliarmus’ in fun. Ron's wand flew across the floor’

‘And it was a good and proper disarming charm too’ Ron said ‘I couldn’t do a proper Disarming Charm til second year and he’s only six years old. That’s really weird a Wizard showing signs of magic so young The earliest I’ve heard befor this is seven’

‘Might be something to talk to Minerva about she’d know all about early signs of magic’ Mrs Weasley said ‘It’s been known to happen as young as Teddy is but it is unsual. No one I know has shown magic at six. All my children were seven’

‘It’s be intresting to know when Remus started showing signs of Magic’ Harry said sliding into one of the table chairs ‘But I don’t know how we could possibly find that out. Remus has no living relatives left’

‘Ask McGonagall’ Ron said ‘She might know'

‘I’ll do that’
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