The Tenth Weasley - CH - 16 (Patreon)

With Bill and Charlie back from Hogwarts, the Weasleys began the exciting project of building their new home. Arthur, feeling both proud and a little overwhelmed by their newfound wealth, decided to hire professionals for the task. While he’d always taken joy in patching up the Burrow himself, he knew that a proper, sturdy home required more expertise than he could offer alone.

Arthur didn’t dream of a grand mansion, as some might expect; he wanted a comfortable, spacious home that would suit his family’s needs. His main priorities were simple: each of his eight children should have their own room, a large dining table to fit them all, and a big kitchen where they could grow their small baking business. He envisioned a warm, welcoming place, brimming with love, laughter, and the smell of freshly baked bread.

The new house was to be built not far from the Burrow, close enough to retain that familiar, cozy atmosphere but far enough to make space for their expanding family life. The construction team began their work with magical precision, their wands and tools moving swiftly and efficiently. Each day, the family would visit the building site, watching with awe as their new home took shape.

For the Weasley children, the sight of the rising walls and expanding rooms was nothing short of thrilling. They ran through the incomplete hallways, trying to guess whose room was whose and envisioning where they’d place their belongings. Fred and George, of course, couldn’t help but toss ideas back and forth about turning their shared bedroom into a “prank lab,” with shelves for joke ingredients and charms to hide their latest inventions from their parents.

Ron, meanwhile, imagined filling his new room with Quidditch posters and models of his favorite players. He was excited by the idea of having a space all to himself, where he could unwind without interruptions. Ginny, too, was thrilled at the prospect of her own room. She’d already decided to paint it in warm shades and fill it with her favorite books, creating a cozy reading nook.

Molly was perhaps the most excited about the new kitchen. Knowing they’d soon have enough space for their baking business, she was already making plans. She envisioned rows of cupboards for storing ingredients, a massive table for kneading dough, and shelves for all her baking pans and utensils. The idea of baking with Ginny and sometimes even Harry, who had grown to love being part of the family, made her heart swell with joy.

After weeks of anticipation, the house was finally ready. The whole family gathered as Arthur, with a gleam in his eye, unlocked the front door for the first time. They stepped inside to see a spacious entryway that led to a cozy, sunlit living room. Each room felt as though it had been tailored just for them; there was a warmth to it that echoed the spirit of the Burrow but with a bit more space to breathe and grow.

The dining room, with its large wooden table, took center stage. Arthur ran a hand along its surface, feeling the smooth, polished wood under his fingertips. This table would be where they shared meals, laughter, and stories—the heart of the home.

As they moved into the kitchen, Molly’s eyes lit up with joy. It was everything she’d dreamed of, with counters big enough to roll out dough for countless pies and pastries, cupboards stocked with ingredients, and a fireplace where a cauldron could simmer away. She could hardly wait to get started, already envisioning the many baking projects she’d take on with the family.

They spent the entire day exploring, marveling at each room and deciding where they’d place their belongings. By evening, they gathered around the big dining table for their first family meal in the new house. Plates piled high with roast chicken, fresh bread, and all of Molly’s best dishes. They laughed, talked about their plans, and shared dreams of the future.

As they sat there, surrounded by the warmth of their new home, Arthur and Molly exchanged a look of pure contentment. They had built something special—not just a house but a true home, where each child could grow and thrive, and where they’d continue to create memories for years to come.

Once the house was completed, Arthur spared no expense in ensuring its security. Recognizing the importance of protecting his family and their new home, he hired goblins from Gringotts to set up a series of complex, heavy-duty wards around the property. While the cost was steep, Arthur felt it was worth every galleon for the peace of mind it brought. The goblins installed layers of protective enchantments, each designed to keep out unwanted intruders, dispel harmful spells, and shield the property from detection by unfriendly eyes. With these wards in place, the Weasley family could sleep soundly, knowing their home was as secure as Gringotts itself.

In true Arthur Weasley fashion, he also took the opportunity to incorporate some of his favorite Muggle innovations into the house, giving it a uniquely charming mix of magical and non-magical elements. He had a full plumbing system installed, complete with showers, taps, and running water in every room. He even fitted the kitchen with Muggle gadgets: a toaster, an oven, and a microwave—appliances that fascinated him endlessly, even if he still wasn’t entirely sure how they worked.

Arthur’s enthusiasm was contagious, and even Molly found herself intrigued by the conveniences that the Muggle devices offered. After a bit of practice, she grew to love the ease of preparing meals with both Muggle and magical tools at her disposal, creating an efficient and well-equipped kitchen like no other. The children, too, enjoyed the novelty of showers and taps, marveling at how different it felt compared to their enchanted baths back in the Burrow.

The entire setup was unique, blending the best of both worlds. Friends and family who visited were always surprised and delighted by the Weasley home, finding it to be a charming mix of wizarding warmth and Muggle ingenuity. Arthur was proud of what they’d created—a safe, comfortable, and distinctly Weasley home where magic and Muggle marvels existed side by side.

For Arthur, this house was more than just a structure; it was a statement of his love for both his family and his fascination with Muggle life. He knew that his children would grow up in an environment that encouraged curiosity, learning, and appreciation for all the magic the world—both wizarding and Muggle—had to offer.

The Weasley children were thrilled when they realized they could connect their underground cave system to the basement of their new home. With some enchanted digging tools and guidance from Bill and Charlie, they carefully expanded the tunnel to link the cozy maze of passages to their new house’s foundation. Arthur supervised, making sure the tunnel was safe and properly supported, but he also knew this connection would give his children a sense of adventure and independence within the safety of their home.

Meanwhile, Arthur had decided it was the perfect occasion to host a housewarming party. He wanted to invite friends, colleagues, and a few neighbors to celebrate the completion of the new Weasley residence and to show off the impressive goblin-enchanted wards and his beloved Muggle gadgets. The children were especially excited by the idea, as it would be a rare chance to meet other magical kids beyond Cedric and Luna. Even Percy, usually more reserved, couldn’t help but look forward to meeting new faces.

In the days leading up to the party, the family worked together to prepare. Molly baked up a storm, filling the kitchen with delicious smells of pies, cakes, and pasties. The twins took it upon themselves to “enhance” a few snacks with harmless prank charms, while Ron and Ginny helped arrange the decorations, adding a touch of magic to make the place look festive and welcoming.

The big day arrived, and soon the house was bustling with guests. Friends from the Ministry, old classmates of Arthur and Molly, and a few neighboring families came through the front door, admiring the charm of the Weasley home and its Muggle touches. Cedric and Luna arrived early to help set up, and before long, other magical children appeared, wide-eyed at the Weasleys’ warm and lively home. There was laughter and chatter as introductions were made and new friendships began to form.

The arrival of the Potters was indeed the talk of the evening, sending a ripple of excitement through the crowd as James, Lily, Charlie, and Rose Potter stepped through the door. It was a rare sight indeed—the Potters were famously private and seldom ventured out to large gatherings. Their reclusiveness was understandable, given the lingering fear of any lurking supporters of the Dark Lord. This was a rare opportunity for many to meet the family who had survived so much and especially to meet the Charlie Potter, the Boy Who Lived.

James and Lily greeted everyone warmly, exchanging smiles and handshakes with old friends and new acquaintances alike. Their presence added an extra sparkle to the evening, and their children quickly became the center of attention. Charlie, with his distinctive scar and slightly untamed hair, looked a bit overwhelmed by the number of eyes on him. His younger sister Rose, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, giving people bright smiles and engaging in cheerful conversation with the other children.

Ron and Ginny were particularly captivated, their eyes alight with admiration as they watched the boy who had become a legend in the wizarding world. Ginny, usually shy, found herself watching him intently, caught between curiosity and awe. Ron, too, couldn’t help but stare, feeling both excited and a bit intimidated by Charlie’s presence. To him, Charlie Potter was more than just another boy his age; he was a hero, someone who had already faced more danger than most would ever see in their lives.

Despite the attention, Charlie soon began to relax. Arthur and Molly made sure to introduce him gently to the Weasley children, creating a natural opening for them to strike up a conversation. Harry, Ron, and Ginny soon found themselves speaking with Charlie and Rose, exchanging stories about their lives and sharing bits of laughter. For Charlie, it was a relief to find kids his age who treated him more like a friend than a legend. He found the Weasley Twins' easygoing humor and Ginny’s wide-eyed curiosity refreshing, and Harry’s quiet but friendly nature put him at ease.

Soon, the children were off playing together, finding plenty of places to explore in the new house and even sneaking into the tunnel system in the basement. The sight of the Potter children alongside the Weasley children brought a sense of unity and warmth to the gathering, and the adults couldn’t help but smile, feeling a hopeful glimmer for the future.

Everything was going smoothly at the Weasleys’ party. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the children were off playing while the adults swapped stories. Harry was enjoying himself, feeling at home in the bustling warmth of the gathering. But as he looked around, something unusual caught his eye: Remus Lupin, who was standing near the entrance, was looking at him strangely which is nothing new. It was as if Remus was both startled and curious, an intensity in his gaze that made Harry uncomfortable.

Then, to Harry’s surprise, Remus broke from the small group he was with and walked straight over to Lily Potter. He leaned in close, murmuring something in her ear. Harry noticed the way her expression changed, shifting from confusion to something deeper, more intense. And then, just like Remus, she began to look at Harry with an expression he couldn’t understand—almost like recognition mixed with shock and a hint of disbelief.

Harry’s heart started to pound as she moved toward him with an urgency that made him feel like he should be anywhere else but there. Something told him to move, to get away before she reached him, and he turned, ready to disappear into the crowd. But then he heard it, a voice calling out his name, clear and desperate:

“Harry!”