(Untitled)

[vedovo]

Who: Arthur Weasley, Percy Weasley, Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom
Where: A small pub in Dover.
When: 14th October 2001
Status: Complete

Comments

[scarlet_lioness]

Ginny nodded, her expression resolute

[vedovo]

His heart was stuck in his throat and dancing a paso doble. When he spoke, it was hoarse, and betrayed all of the fear he had not wanted to let them see.

"Clothes," he said. "Not having to wear the hand-me-downs from your brothers, though you sometimes chose to. The toys that you got that were just for you."

Arthur could not tear his eyes away from her - she reminded him so much of her mother. "Knowing you were always my favourite." He reached out for her and clasped Ginny to him tightly, knowing that all the things he had to say would completely fail him if he tried them. He held onto his daughter for what seemed like an eternity, breathing deeply as if to try and convince all of his senses that she was real - she was there - she was alive.

Sensing himself beginnong to crack, he released her and turned to his right, holding out a hand to the young man to shake. "Good afternoon, Mr Longbottom," he said - the title seeming warmer than it did formal.

[plant_master]

Neville watched as Ginny spoke to her father. Mr Weasley looked much they they all were. Worn and that look of having seen too many horrible things happen.

The answer he gave to her must have been the right one. Neville could sense the tension relax the tiniest bit.

He took the hand offered to him, clasping it firmly. "Mr Weasley..." Neville paused, a little awkwardly. After all, what do you say to someone that you thought was dead for so long. "It's good to see you again."

[vedovo]

The incongruous comment made Arthur laugh, and he clasped Neville's hands again before releasing them. Slowly, a little of the unease was beginning to leave him, as the reality of his family being back with him began to sink in. They would never be the same - but now they were here, they could start again.

If they would let him, a small voice echoed in his head. He quickly pushed it away.

Turning to Hermione, Arthur's expression softened further. "A little late, but - happy birthday," he said, and smiled. "It's -" he paused. "I'm glad you're here."

[hiddenpages]

Hermione had been standing there for a long moment both hating and loving the older man now speaking to her. She couldn't explain it and she was horrified at herself for even allowing those feelings to creep in, but they did. And like it or not she was jealous. For more than three years Hermione had wanted her parents and now Ron and Ginny and the rest of them get to see at least one again.

But how dare she be angry or feel any sort of resentment. How dare she? They had lost so much and here was this one glimmer of ... light.

And they were all waiting for her to say something to him or cry or fly at him with her arms open for an embrace and all Hermione could manage was a weak smile.

"M-mister... Arth... Mr Weasley." She didn't even know how to address him.