Chapter Text
Bill set the dinner table with a contented smile. They could have had dinner at Mum and Dad’s, but Harry was right; they weren’t ready for that. The concept of creating their own separate tradition was exciting and new. Bill had a soft spot for blazing his own trail.
“Smells good,” Bill wrapped his arms around Harry’s middle. He couldn’t resist kissing the back of Harry’s neck.
‘Mate smells better,’ Tiny argued cheekily.
Harry hums, swaying side to side as he finishes the salad.
‘Mate is happy. Make him even more comfortable.’ Tiny insisted. Bill knew just the thing.
Bill flicks his fingers, turning on the record player. He tugs Harry away from the counter, spinning him around. Harry giggles with delight.
“You said this was The Kinks. Right?” Harry raises an eyebrow.
“Yes,” Bill nuzzles Harry’s neck, nipping his neck in a display of praise. Tiny rumbled in his mind, equally pleased.
Bill heard the sound of heavy boots thudding against the wooden floor. With a smirk, he spun Harry out into the open. Charlie quickly grabbed Harry’s hand, pulling him close. With a firm grip on his hips, Charlie lifted Harry effortlessly into the air. The sound that escaped Harry was a mix of laughter and surprise. With a swift motion, Harry was swung onto Charlie’s hip. He danced with him momentarily before pulling Bill into their lively three-way dance.
“The party started without us,” Fred huffed, brushing off his suit.
“No, it’s really starting now,” Bill laughed, running up to Fred to dance with him.
Bill cherished the moment as he peered over Fred’s shoulder, taking in the lively scene around him. He spotted Lee holding George’s hips, moving rhythmically to the music, while Charlie danced with Harry still perched on his hip. Angelina burst through the back door and whisked Fred away. Charlie tried to pull Bill back into the mix, but he smoothly evaded his grasp, transforming gracefully into his wolf form. Bill pranced merrily around the dancing pairs, embracing the jubilant atmosphere.
They closed their eyes, savoring the warmth blooming in their chests and the joyful sounds echoing through the living room.
Caught up in the celebration, they suddenly lost their balance. Snapping their eyes open, they were met with soft brown ones that reminded them so much of their mother’s gaze.
It turned out to be just George playing a clever trick on them.
They barked out a laugh, unable to resist the good-natured fun.
George beamed as he danced with the giant wolf. Dancing on hind paws was difficult initially, but they were getting the hang of it. Lee reached around, ruffling their fluffy cheeks as he kissed his brother.
Bill longed to capture this moment forever, fully embodying the feelings of love, joy, and togetherness that surrounded him, a time when no one felt sadness, loneliness, or pain. His love for his family was boundless, perhaps even deeper than the very bones in his body.
“DINNER TIME!” Fred bellowed.
They danced their way to the dining table in a laughable imitation of a conga line.
Harry set the chicken pot pie in front of Bill, who was at the head of the table, ready to dish out the first slice. With a cheeky wink, he switched his plate with Harry’s before actually helping himself—something his father would do with his mother. Tiny chuckled, thoroughly entertained by Bill’s playful antics.
The pie and salad made their way around the table, allowing everyone to serve themselves happily.
“I know we like having our own family dinner and trying to find our independence. But what if we went to dinner with Mum and Dad once a month?” George broached the question.
“Percy was not our favorite sibling, but we should make an effort with Molly,” Fred aggressively stabbed at a piece of lettuce.
“She needs to know who her dad was from us–” George smiled sadly.
Fred cleared his throat. “–Because we have some of the worst, most embarrassing stories,” His laugh at the end was watery.
“We should do it,” Harry stretched across Charlie to grab Fred’s hand.
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement- nary a disagreement or rebuttal was uttered.
Fred sighed exaggeratedly in a vain attempt to clear the melancholy air. “Speaking of Percy and doing the right thing, McG gave us an offer.”
“What offer? Should we be worried?” Angelina asked.
Bill blinked suspiciously. Clearly, Fred had not discussed the matter with her. Lee appeared equally perplexed.
“She is letting us take our N.E.W.T., stating a war criminal drove us out, so we should be allowed to. We haven’t said anything because we weren’t sure if we–” George gestured between them. “we were really keen on it.”
“So you’re doing it?” Lee put his hand on George’s forearm.
“I want to,” George said solemnly.
“I was the unsure one. I don’t know if I can walk back into the castle.” Fred had a bitter edge to his words.
“Harry, are you going?” Fred asked earnestly.
“Yes, I am,” Harry smiled gently.
Bill watched Fred’s expression change from apprehension to a tranquil resolve.
“Then I’m going. No offense, George, but…” Fred shrugged.
“None taken. I understand you’re my twin.” George said, taking Fred’s hand.
Bill thought he could even read between the lines. George likely shared the same instinctive insight as Bill did when he paired Harry and Fred during those early post-war days. Their shared grief and loss forged a deep and lasting bond between them.
“I have a concern,” Lee piped up. Bill noticed the boisterous young man had grown quiet after the war, only showboating when he ran the shop. “Ron.”
The word was simple, yet it cut like a hot knife to butter.
Bill knew he would have to be the one to say something as the oldest.
“I hope he will be there. Despite everything, this choice should not be taken from him based on our feelings.” Bill put his hands up to placate any potential protests. “Yes, he made poor choices. But so did I in the marriage. I just hope they are happy.” he expressed his regret, openly acknowledging his mistakes.
Bill found it liberating to admit to his family but felt so naked and exposed all at the same time. His eyes swept around the table to his family, seeking comfort in his vulnerable state.
Bill was crestfallen to meet Fred’s and George’s scrutinizing gaze. They were clearly unsure of how to take the admission. But the feeling didn’t get a chance to fester. Charlie reached around Harry, gripping the back of Bill’s neck in reassurance. Harry kissed Bill’s cheek, showing his pride in Bill’s effort. Tiny pressed against Bill’s mind, offering his support. He hoped the twins would come around.
The rest of dinner was a quiet affair.
Harry plated the chocolate pudding, setting a plate down at each spot.
“Then I have no concern,” Lee speared the spoon in the middle of his pudding, like a man with a flag staking his claim.
“But Harry?” George protests.
“But nothing. Yes, Ron tried to pin the blame on me. But I can’t help but think that was out of fear. He gets desperate when his emotions get too big for him to handle. It stings and hurts, and I know we will never be friends like we were, but I won’t go out of my way to actively hate him or rekindle that kind of friendship.” Harry states firmly in a way no one could object.
“Before any of you say it. I will bring up Ginny.” Harry huffed.
Tiny released an involuntary growl.
“Tiny,” Harry warned. “I know you struggle, but we, too, made our mistakes.” He ran his fingers through his messy mop of hair.
“She grew up with an idea and expectation– if you will,” Harry said slowly, teasing out the words from his mind. “Mum fed into that, and I did not help,” he said bluntly. “I’m not blameless. Too late in our relationship, I realized that she was not who I wanted to be with.”
“If you were a normal teenager, maybe things could have been different,” Angelina argued.
“But we did not get that luxury,” Fred mumbled bitterly.
“No, we didn’t,” Lee said somberly, mourning the life they could have all had. George tucked him into the crook of his neck.
“Her and Ron are like our mother. Stubron to a fault at times.” George said, absently rubbing his thumb up and down Lee’s neck. “Like a dog with a bone, they just can’t let go.”
Harry hummed thoughtfully. “Ginny needs time to let go and move on with her life.” Angelina interjected, “And to learn boundaries.”
“Exactly,” Harry smiled softly. “If we give Ron grace, we must extend that to her. It will never be the same either.”
Bill saw through Harry’s words that they were not for Bill’s benefit but for Tiny’s. He could understand Ginny’s actions, knowing they had all enabled her misguided behaviors, spoiling the family’s only girl.
Tiny didn’t feel entirely mollified; it was more like he was warming up to the notion.
“Technically, when you two marry,” Fred swings his spoon, pointing. “Ron will be your brother-in-law, and Ginny, your sister-in-law.”
“And you will also be my in-law, same with Charlie and George. By extension, so will Lee and Angelina.” Harry challenges.
Bill was unsure where this was going.
“Means we all have to get along to some degree, for Mum’s sake. Even if we want to wring their neck, them’s the rules.” Fred wiggles his eyebrows, showing off a bit of his old self.
“Mum probably made those rules because of how relentlessly you teased Ron and Percy,” Charlie grumbled.
“It was all in good fun,” Fred batted his eyelashes.
“They were easy targets to rile up, don’t lie!” Angelina smacked him on the arm.
Laughter erupted around the table, seamlessly transitioning the conversation into a relaxed and enjoyable one for the duration of dessert.
Harry and Bill wrapped their arms around Angelina, George, Fred, and Lee, pulling them into warm embraces as they said their goodbyes. One by one, their family stepped into the swirling green flames of the Floo, disappearing in a flash.
Bill looked over to Charlie expectantly.
“Staying,” Charlie grunted before trudging up the stairs.
“I think he likes his gift,” Harry said softly as he entered the kitchen.
Bill hummed his agreement; the sound shifted effortlessly into a soft melody as he trailed closely behind Harry.
“Neville will be coming over to study with me. He was planning on returning for his eighth year but decided to stay on the task force longer.” Harry said while gathering the dirty dinner dishes.
“I think that sounds wonderful. Will Luna be studying N.E.W.T.S. with you?” Bill grabbed a tea towel to dry the dishes.
“No, she is a year younger than we are,” Harry hummed.
“Then how was she able to drop off the moth to us?” Bill questioned. He was so engrossed in becoming an Animagus that he scarcely had time to consider anything else.
“During the board meeting,” Harry moved his finger in an S curve, filling up the sink. “Several decisions were made regarding education. It was important to create a sense of stability for those most vulnerable.” He focused on scrubbing the dinner dishes.
Bill took them from his hands, drying each one in turn. “Makes sense,” he was following, but Harry was taking a roundabout way to answer his question.
“The seventh years,” Harry bit his lip. “The ones that survived anyway,” he choked up, nearly cracking a plate.
Bill leaned in, kissing Harry’s temple, providing his silent support.
“The board felt that their education was inadequate. As a result, they would have to repeat their seventh year. However, the staffing will be insufficient. And housing them in regular house dorms was out of the question.” Harry mindlessly washed as he spoke.
Harry paused and looked at Bill, “Some students have even gotten married.”
“You kinda did, too,” Bill winked.
“Being mated is not married,” Harry puffed up his cheeks.
“That so?” Tiny rumbled.
“Yes,” Harry huffed. He grew quiet, staring at the plate in his hands. “There is a bond and a slip of paper with marriage. But being someone’s soulmate is....”
“There are just no words for how deep the bond is,” Bill said lovingly.
Harry shook his head in agreement.
“Anyway, they decided to allow any repeating seventh-year student who wished to opt-out to take their N.E.W.T.S. instead.” Harry returned to finishing the dishes.
“That is a reasonable compromise,” Bill ran his knuckles along Harry’s lower back.
“McGonagall staggered the arrival times this year,” Harry paused to dry his hands and drain the water.
Bill leaned against the counter, his feet planted firmly apart. He created a welcoming spot for Harry to step in between. Harry smiled warmly, accepting his invitation. Tiny rumbled, nosing at Harry’s cheek.
“August twenty-ninth, she had the repeat seventh-years move-in. Since there were not many, they were able to give them smaller versions of the staff apartments. Families accompanied the new first-year students as they arrived by boat on the thirtieth. Given the recent events, she thought that allowing families to see where their children would stay for the school year might help ease some of their worries.” Harry elaborated.
“Smart lady is so thoughtful to the young pups and family pack,” Tiny praised.
“I see what she is doing! She wanted the repeat seventh years to be guides or ambassadors.” Bill exclaimed. McGonagall never ceased to amaze him; she would be a perfect headmaster in this post-war environment.
“Precisely!” Harry exclaimed.
“They gave the first years a day to acclimate and explore the castle to get familiar with it. There are a lot more muggle-born students this year.” Harry added.
“That could be due to the measures McGonagall is taking,” Bill hummed contemplatively.
“That or magic recognized the void and took it into her own hands,” Harry shrugged.
“Possibly,” Bill shrugged back.
“Depending on how it goes, McGonagall did say she may stagger from now on. Have the first years, head boy, head girl, and the prefects come on the twenty-ninth. With the rest of the school arriving on the evening of the first from here on out.” Harry elaborated.
“I think the concept has merit,” Bill chewed on his lip in thought. “Did she take your other thought into consideration?”
“Yes, but before I move on, I still need to answer your first question.” Harry pointed out, giggling. Bill had plum forgotten wrapped up in the theoretical. “The rest of the student body arrived on the second. That is how Luna was able to visit us. She went shopping after she left us.”
“The timing worked out mysteriously perfectly,” Bill chuckled.
“Luna has that way about her,” Harry effortlessly leaned back on the counter facing Bill.
“Now, to answer your second question. McGonagall brought my concerns up with the board. They were receptive to the idea–” Bill cut Harry off. “But didn’t want to implement it.”
“No, that was not it,” Harry pulled at his chin. “They were concerned with the logistics as muggle studies is an elective starting in the third year.”
“And no one wants to develop an entirely new curriculum,” Bill rolled his eyes. “Hopefully, a more accurate one,” he snorted.
“That is where Hermione comes in. Like most muggle-borns, her parents are concerned we do not learn the basics of math, science, history, and literature. She will be writing it based on current Muggle education standards, naturally.” Harry winged his hand.
“Naturally,” Bill nodded.
“First years for the first semester will learn either introduction to magical or muggle culture based on where they come from. The second semester will be a muggle and magic relations class.” Harry relayed Hermione’s vision.
“What is that?” Bill tipped his head, trying to work out where Hermione was going with this.
“Don’t worry. I had to have Hermione explain that to me.” Harry chuckled at his own failing.
Bill crossed his arms loosely over Harry’s lower back, allowing them to dangle, settling in for a Hermonie-sized explanation.
“It will be a joint mixed class where they learn aspects together and how specific things translate across the divide,” Harry said simply.
Bill blinked at the succinctness, mulling over the concept.
“I see where she is going now. People become scared of what is unknown or different, and that is where they can lash out or become prejudiced. She aims to build tolerance and acceptance to lessen the chances. If Shacklebolt is not careful, she might take his job one day.” Bill tipped his head back, laughing.
“Don’t laugh. I think Hermione could genuinely do it. She convinced the whole board to make the entire school do it this year. She kept pressuring them, referring to the rift the war caused.” Harry sassed.
“I am not doubting. So how is the elective going to work?” Bill was intrigued by this change and its potential ripple effect. Would other schools implement this once they see a positive impact?
“From my understanding, Muggle Studies won’t remain an elective anymore. It will be mandatory for everyone in their second year, with one day allocated to each area of study - math, science, history, literature, and culture. The focus will be on practical work, using Muggle workbooks similar to those used in schools. Hermione will design the curriculum for each year, with a dedicated portion of each lesson highlighting its connection to the magical world. She said that with Tom gone, she would have loads of free time to devote to this project.” Harry animatedly gestured as he spoke.
“The meeting you attended the other day was about the final verdict. Did anyone vote no?” Bill hedged his suspicions on a few families that would.
“I am not supposed to know how people voted,” Harry said slowly and deliberately.
“But you do know how the thirty-four families of old voted?” Bill growled a bit. He detested the fact that certain families were excluded from the list solely based on their political inclinations or their mixed-blood heritage. Regardless of their ancestry, these were still ancient families, and they deserve to be recognized as such. It was a miracle that his family was still included.
“Thanks to Lady Longbottom and her violent tongue-lashing, they are moving back to the Families of Old. She is currently leading as the head. No one dared to stop her. She is also implementing that the last female in a line should not take her husband’s last name in an effort to carry on the family name.” Harry shuddered slightly. It was wise to hold fear and reverence of her.
“I met her once, and she is a strong-willed woman. I am glad she finally accomplished something. Something our society needed for a long time.” Bill snorted.
“They are trying to bridge tradition and modernize. Hermione was not keen initially since there was not enough muggle-born representation, but she liked the female representation.” Harry said.
“How do I put this kindly?” Bill tapped his index finger to his lip.
“Her perspective is that of an outsider,” Harry supplied, rolling his wrist.
“Yes, that,” Bill nodded. “She does not understand that we tend to struggle to accept changes, even if they are for our betterment. Keeping status quo has been our motto for so long.”
“And a lot of changes have happened,” Harry tipped his head to the side.
“Did she see reason?” Bill raised an eyebrow.
“After our debate– because everything is an intellectual debate with her–” Harry stopped to roll his eyes fondly. “She became more amenable to comprehending the importance of building bridges first before you make radical changes. Get people comfortable with the idea. By bringing in families that were expelled due to their political standings on muggle-borns. Then slowly introduce muggle-borns.”
“I can see her concern and desire for representation,” Bill hedged. “But we need more than just muggle-borns. What about Goblins, Trolls, and werewolves?”
“Centaurs, too,” Harry added.
“But demanding too many changes will cause pushback,” Bill commented.
“Or another war,” Harry’s eyes downcast.
“We are starting somewhere, and that is what counts,” Bill supplied.
Harry smiled weakly at Bill, slumping slightly. He pushed off Bill’s chest and walked out of the room.
‘Is mate upset should we follow?’ Tiny pranced uneasily in his mind.
‘Give him a second,’ Bill soothed.
Harry soon reappeared, clutching a parchment scroll tightly in his hands.
“Families that went extinct and thus could not vote Avery, Carrow, Crouch, Lestrange, Ravenclaw, Moody, and Brown,” Harry rolled his shoulders. Bill felt relieved that some families had gone extinct, but the others were unfortunate.
“Abbott, Black, Fawley, Greengrass, Longbottom, Macmillan, Ollivander, Shacklebolt, Slughorn, Weasley, Potter, Gaunt by descendent proxy of the Boot family, Sayre by descendent proxy of the Boot family, Peverell by descendant proxy Potter and Boot family, Prewett by descendent proxy of the Weasley family, Shafiq by means of female descendant claiming last name, Hufflepuff by decedent proxy of the Longbottom family, Gryffindor by descendent proxy of the Potter family, Slytherin by descendent proxy of the Boot family, and Lupin by guardian proxy due to the head being under aged voted in favor.” Harry gulped a lung full of air.
“Bulstrode, Burke, Flint, Malfoy, Nott, Parkinson, Rowle, Rosier, Selwyn, Travers, Yaxley by means of female descendant claiming last name, Prince by means of female descendant claiming last name, Crabbe by means of female descendant claiming last name, Goyle by means of female descendant claiming last name voted in opposition.” Harry read the last of the long parchment.
Bill blinked, head swimming. That was twenty in favor and twelve, or was it thirteen that were opposed? It was a lot of information to absorb, and Bill would need to read over the parchment himself.
“Some I am not surprised, but it’s a kick in the teeth knowing the descendants and how they voted because their predecessors would’ve rioted over that choice, specifically Slytherin and Gaunt,” Bill dumbly said, stunned by the outcome.
“I think that was the other reason for the private vote so that no one would be targeted. Private votes are looking to be the way of the future. From my understanding, some muggles do it already.” Harry rolled back up the parchment.
“It was a wise choice on their part,” Bill rubbed at his chest, still mulling over all the names.
“Why have you not told me sooner?” Bill furrowed his brow. This had been something niggling at him.
“Because of some legal matters, I was unable to divulge anything until the decision was finalized. The board was confident they had sufficient votes to proceed, so they implemented the new curriculum for the school year. However, it needed to be legally binding for the future. Another aspect was the restructuring of the Families of Old, which had significant implications.” Harry explained.
“I was not trying to hide it from you on purpose. I just couldn’t. Not until now. Tracking down the families is what took so long.” Harry sagged, looking away. Bill surmised there had to be something magically binding in place.
“I’m not mad, I understand,” Bill rubbed at Harry’s arms. He genuinely did after working with banks and goblins for a long time.
“It has a huge impact on our eldest. You hold the Weasley and Prewett titles, and I hold the Potter, Black, Peverell, and Gryffindor titles. It will be a lot of titles for one kid to hold. I know what kind of pressure that can do to a person.” Harry grew quiet.
‘We want lots of pups,’ Tiny said melodically, joy lacing every syllable.
‘That we do,’ Bill smiles smugly, gathering an idea. Harry’s concern was valid. He could not put one of their children through the same burden as Harry.
“We could write it so each of our kids has a different last name having that title to make it equitable. I know Teddy’s child will be the Lupin descendant, but you could appoint one of Teddy’s children the Black title if that is what you both agree upon.” Bill suggested.
“I like that idea. We will need to speak with your parents regarding their titles. What would you think of giving little Molly the Prewett title? Not only for her name, but Percey.” Harry looked away, tears gathering.
“For Percy,” Bill shudders, a lump welling up in his throat.
His family was messy and flawed, but he would not change it. He wouldn’t trade any of them for anything, even if they didn’t see eye to eye or had lingering tensions among themselves. They had to learn from their mistakes with Percy to be better because of him.