Together at Last

Harry blinked slowly then looked towards Hermione at the sound of her voice. “Harry, there have been some changes to number twelve.” She hesitated at his blank stare. “Good changes. You see, Molly, Minerva and I went over there looking for you right after you vanished and when we didn’t find you Molly decided to take her worry out on the house with our help.” Harry’s expression finally changed; he raised his eyebrows at her. “Well, we didn’t leave for two days. There was a lot that needed to be done.”
“To say the least,” Ron commented. “Even when Kreacher decided he liked us, he was still fighting a losing battle against that house.”
Harry finally spoke. “You’re right.” He managed a small smile and met Hermione’s anxious gaze. Do I want to hear this story?”
“Be ready, mate.” Ron chuckled.
“Well, if you boys are through…” both men turned and smiled at Hermione. Harry could feel the tension leaving him. “OK. You’ve seen how Molly can get when she’s upset.”
“Just my Mum, huh?” Ron added under his breath. George and Neville stifled their chuckles.
“And the Minister can be, well you remember. So I’ll start by saying the portrait of Mrs. Black is no longer hanging on the wall in the foyer.”
“What? How?” Harry asked Hermione but it was Molly Weasley that answered.
“Now, Harry, dear, you know powerful emotions can sometimes intensify the strength of our magic. Times that by three exceptionally magical witches and that old Dark house never stood a chance.” Molly smiled at her own memory. “Poor Kreacher. Hermione had to call Ronald to come take him to the Burrow.”
“Then there was that old grandfather clock that had started shooting bolts at people again,” Hermione continued. “And more doxies and a boggart.”
“And the rest of those awful portraits that kept trying to hex us,” Molly added. “And the library: we boxed up the books that didn’t fight back and eventually sent them to Hogwarts.”
“I got rid of that nasty mirror in the room you and Ron used to share.” Hermione grinned. “It called me a bushy-headed mudblood and I slightly lost my temper and blasted it off the wall.” Every one laughed at the idea of Hermione only slightly losing her temper.
“They came to the shop when they were done, looked awful,” George said. “Said they were starving and were to tired to Apparate and the shop was the closest place.” George looked at his mother and smiled. “The lot of them ate every piece of food in my flat, got cleaned up then slept for sixteen hours.”
“My wand still vibrates when I get too close to the front door of number twelve,” Hermione said.
“When we were refreshed Minerva told me she was off to the Wizengamot to put herself forward as the new Minister of Magic and wanted me to take on Hogwarts. She said she didn’t know anyone better suited to run the school.” Molly stopped and looked lovingly at her children, stopping at George. “She said I had done such a fine job with all of my children. She even hugged my Georgie.” Molly wiped a tear from her check. George just smiled at his mother and continued for her.
“Old McGonagall told me to take my Mum to Hogwarts. Said there was no creature on earth who could give her a better education on the secrets the castle held.”
“Harry, are you ok?” Concern filled Hermione’s voice. Harry had sat motionless through the story. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“Harry, do you want me to go with you,” Oliver asked.
Harry took a couple slow deep breaths. “That is very sweet. But I think I need to do this alone.” All eyes were on him as he stood.
Oliver stood and hugged him. “Yell if you need me,” he whispered in Harry’s ear.
“This isn’t good bye,” Harry whispered back. He squeezed Oliver tightly then turned to Molly. “Thank you.” He hugged her.
“If you need us, send Kreacher.” She turned him and pushed him towards the gate. Harry called quick good-byes to the rest and heard Hermione planning the next get together.