Always

RON

When we got to Mum’s house, she had a big table set up under a tent outside with a warming spell around it so the January frost wouldn’t get to us. Mum went all out. She made two whole turkeys, potatoes – both mashed and roasted -, roasted vegetables, there were a variety of rolls and garlic bread. She also made three different kinds of pie and two cakes. The tent was decorated with a bunch of small lights that made it seem like fairies were lighting the tent. I held on Kat’s hand as we stood at the entrance of the tent in Awe. Hermione and Blaise were the first to stand greet Kat with hugs.

“Congratulations”, Blaise said with a smile, stepping out of the way for Hermione. I reached out my hand and shook his while Hermione hugged Kat.

“I just know you will be much happier”, Hermione said to Kat. I was suddenly shoved out of the way.

“Mine turn!”, Kayce squealed, as she reached for Kat. Theo waited patiently and then hugged her tightly. Theo had always been protective of Kat. I later found out it was because of his ow issues at home, that he felt drawn to Kat.

“Out of the way! Most important person coming through”, Charlie said, pushing Hermione out of the way much more lightly than he did me. He gripped Kat in a tight hug and picked her up to spin her around. Kat slapped his shoulder.

“Let me down you fool”, Kat said laughing.

“Just know, I will always be the most important brother. Bond or no bond… I come first”, Charlie said, trying to sound serious, but he couldn’t manage to wipe the smirk off of his face.

“Of course, you will”, she agreed, unconvincingly. Charlie moved out of the way to make way for the twins. George hugged kat and kissed the top of her head and moved so Fred could give her a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m really the favorite right?”, I heard Fred whisper in her ear.

“I’ll never tell Freddie”, she laughed again. We moved a bit further into the tent, attempting to make our way over to our seats. We were stopped again by Draco and Angelle. Angelle reached out and hugged Kat tightly. I leaned over and kissed Kat’s cheek.

“I’ll leave you lot to talk”, I said, squeezing Kat’s hand before walking away. It was driving me nuts, knowing that Malfoy would be hugging her soon, but I told her I would try, and I meant it. I used this moment to distract myself and talked to Harry and the twins. I was handed a drink by Charlie who started hounding into Harry with questions.

“I’ve never seen an adoption bonding ceremony before. Do you feel different? Can you feel Kat’s magic in you?”, he asked Harry. I shoved his shoulder.

“Mate, let the guy breathe”, I said to my brother. “Besides, I’m sure Kat will tell you all about it later. I’m pretty sure you’re her best friend”, I said.

“HEY!”, the twins, and Harry said at the same time.

“What? If I’m not offended by it and I’m her boyfriend, there is no way you lot should be”, I laughed. I looked up to see Kat run over to Mum and dad and pull them both into a hug. Mum rubbed her back in her motherly way, and dad kissed her cheek. I smiled at them. I don’t think it was possible for Kat to love anyone more than she loved my parents. Kat slowly made her way over to the table. I was sitting her left and Harry was to her right. She reached for both of our hands and smiled at us.

Dinner was filled with laughter and jokes. The twins were pulling pranks and jokes. Draco was telling work stories with dad, while mum and his girlfriend Angelle listened intently to their conversation. Harry and I were talking to Ginny and Theo about some quidditch team Ginny started following. Bill and Charlie were talking about some exotic animal that Charlie was studying for work, Kayce listening on intently. Kat was just sitting back and watching everyone with a smile on her face. I knew sometimes Kat felt like she didn’t have a feeling, but I knew that today that wasn’t the case. I knew there was only one person missing to make today feel complete for her.

KAT

“I am sorry I am late”, Narcissa said. “I was picking up a gift for the two of you and the shopkeeper couldn’t find it”, she finished. She walked over to Harry and me. We both stood and greeted her with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She handed over two small parcels, one to me and one to Harry. I opened my package carefully. Harry and I looked down at our matching gifts. We both received small gold coins. The front said, “Friends by Chance, Family by Choice'', the back was blank.

“It is to keep in your pockets. If there is ever a time where you need your sibling, simply hold the coin in your palm and think about what you want to tell them. The other coin will then glow, and your message will appear. This way you can always have a way to connect”, Narcissa explained the coins. “Your magic is now joined, and you may feel that tug for each other, this will help with that”, she pulled us both into her sides and gave us a quick squeeze.

“Thank you”, I said quietly. Tears in my eyes. Apparently, I was just meant to cry a lot today. Charlie came over to us and took Narcissa by the arm and led her to a chair next to Draco and Angelle. She smiled at him as he pulled out her chair and walked back to his own seat. We all sat around the table and laughed and joked for a little while more. Soon though, my friends began to leave. It was just me and the Walkers now.

“Hey guys, I have something I would like to tell you all. Could you come closer?”, I asked. I looked over to Bill who nodded at me and came to my side. Ron reached for my hand and laced our fingers together. I took a big breath.

“Before the ceremony today… Bill helped me do something and you can’t be mad. This mostly is for mum and dad, but it involves all of you…”, I trailed off, suddenly very nervous for how mum and dad would take it. I looked to Bill, and he took over for me.

“Katie has moved the money from the Greene vault. Half went to Harry’s vault. The other half, the larger half, went into the Walker family vault”, Will said for me. I started talking right after so that mum and dad couldn’t interrupt.

“I want to support the family that has always supported me. You will never have to struggle again, there is plenty there. It is mostly for mum and dad, but you all have access, and it is for all of you. I closed the Greene vault, and my birth parents cannot access that money or take it back. It is yours”, I said quickly. I looked down waiting for their response. I didn’t expect mum to pull me into a hug, and for dad to join her.

“I don’t suppose I can convince you to take it back?”, mum asked. I shook my head no.

“Never”, I said into her shoulder. She chuckled lightly.

“Well, then, thank you dear. You have always been our daughter and we are so incredibly proud of you and the woman you have become”, Dad added.

“Bill, will she have access to the vault as well?”, mum asked.

“Originally no. But when she wasn’t paying attention, I put in the paperwork for her to have access to our vault. You may have bonded with Harry today, but you will always be my little sister”, Bill said, looking at me. Of course, I started crying again. I rushed to him and hugged him tightly.

“I love you, big brother”, I cried into his chest.

“I love you too”, he said back. Soon Charlie joined our hug.

“Of course, you’ll always be my little sister. You can’t get rid of me”, he joked. I laughed at him and felt two more pairs of arms join the hug now.

“Of course, you’ve always been our sister”, George said.

“That’s never been a question”, Fred added. Soon Ginny and Ron joined the hug. Ron squeezed his way, so he was right next to me.

“I love you”, Ginny cried. I looked over to her and noticed her face was just as tear stained as my own. I moved so that the hug broke up.

“Okay, I think I need a breather. And maybe a nice hard drink, I’ve cried far too much today”, I said laughing.

Drinks were handed out and we sat around the table laughing and joking until the night sky was so dark, only the stars lit up the night. I loved my family. My birth parents didn’t know what they were missing. This is what love was, and I was so glad I could experience it with the amazing people around me.