Mos Maiorum

“Harry!” cried Mrs. Weasley as he stepped through the floo. Despite her red eyes and the dark shadows underneath them, she smiled broadly as she wrapped him in a hug. “Good to see you, darling.”

         “You too, Molly,” Harry smiled genuinely. Something about being in the Burrow made him so happy, even if it was tinged with grief these days. “Hope Teddy was alright?”

         Mrs. Weasley smiled. “A pleasure as always. Ron and Hermione are visiting George with him.” George hadn’t left his room since the battle, despite Mrs. Weasley’s attempts. “Are you hungry? I have to say you’re still looking a bit peaky.”

         Harry rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “I’m fine, Molly. Kreacher forces me to eat three times a day.”

         “Well, it seems that the elf has some sense, after all,” Mrs. Weasley sniffed approvingly. She didn’t like Kreacher – anybody who had known him when Grimmauld Place was Headquarters didn’t understand why Harry kept him around – but she seemed to be warming to him.

         Harry made his way up the stairs to George’s room. It felt strange even calling it George’s room – before, it had always been referred to as the Twins’. Expecting the familiar sight of a pale George sitting numbly on his bed while Ron and Hermione fleetingly attempted to engage him in conversation, he was surprised to see Ron and George talking animatedly when Harry opened the door.

         “I was thinking it should be purple,” Ron was saying, grinning briefly at Harry in greeting.

         George nodded, “Only if the box itself is orange.” Turning to Harry, he grinned. “Your majesty,” he bowed deeply.

         Harry rolled his eyes. Fred and George had started bowing to him at the beginning of sixth year, despite his protests. It shocked him slightly to see George do it now, though, as he hadn’t seen the twin so much as smile at anybody since the battle.

         Looking at Hermione questioningly, she explained. “Ron has decided, instead of pursuing his education, to join George at the shop,” she looked mildly disapproving, but Harry knew she was secretly pleased. Glancing at the brothers, Harry realised he hadn’t seen either of them look so happy and relaxed in years.

         “You’ll be fantastic, Ron,” Harry said, grinning broadly as he scooped up Teddy from Hermione’s arms. “What do you think, Teddy?”

         Teddy gurgled and suddenly his hair turned bright orange. Harry stared at the baby in shock. Teddy had changed the colour of his hair many times, mostly to indicate who he wanted to hold him, but he’d never done it as a response to a question before. He grinned at Hermione. “I think that means you have Teddy’s seal of approval, boys,” he smiled at them.

         “That’s amazing, Harry! He’s really showing he can understand us. That’s very advanced for an infant of that age,” Hermione started talking. Turning thoughtful, she said, “You know, this could prove really interesting for paediatric studies…”

         Harry hugged Teddy closer to his chest. “You are not turning my godson into a medical experiment, Hermione.”

         She blushed fiercely. “Honestly, Harry. You know I’d never. I’m just remarking that its interesting.”

         Harry grinned at Ron. “Perhaps you two could come up with a baby range.”

         “That’s a brilliant idea,” George said thoughtfully. “The wizarding world hasn’t really got any commercial baby products – most people just use the home recipes, or muggle stuff. I’d bet there’s a real market for it.” He looked at Ron, smiling slightly.

         Hermione stood up from the bed and unruffled her clothes. “Alright, boys, we’d better be off. You know how McGonagall gets.” Looking at George hopefully, she added, “Do you want to come to?”

         George’s smile froze on his face. “No, thank you,” he said quietly.

         Harry nodded, clapping George on the back. “No worries, mate. Besides, you’re needed here to come up with a baby range of Wheezes.” George allowed a small smile at that.

As they were making their way done the stairs, Ron turned to Hermione and asked, “You don’t really mind that I’m not going back to Hogwarts with you, do you ‘mione?”

         Hermione grinned. “’Course not. I’ve not seen you that excited since the Canons drew with the Caerphilly Catapults.” Ron and Harry turned to look at her blankly. “Honestly, boys, I do listen, you know.”

         Ron grabbed her suddenly and kissed her firmly. Harry turned his gaze to Teddy as he strolled off to the kitchen, leaving his two friends to enjoy their moment.

         “Molly, you should hear what Teddy did,” Harry told Mrs. Weasley excitedly.

         Mrs. Weasley smiled, “Just you wait until he says he first words.” She looked over at Harry as he put a wraparound sling on one-handed. “I have to admit, I was not thrilled when you decided to parent at such a young age. But it suits you. I can see how much you love him.”

         “I reckon it’s not the first time Harry’s had to do something he was too young for,” a shy voice attempted to drawl from behind them.

         Mrs. Weasley gasped and spun around, “George!”

         “Hey, mum,” George said quietly, wrapping her in a hug. Harry was thrilled. The war had broken so many hearts, and destroyed so much, but they were slowly healing.

         Calling goodbye to the members of the burrow, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Teddy stepped through the fireplace, calling for Harry’s first ever home.

         “Hogwarts.”