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"Now, what is this all about, Molly?" he asked. His tone, while gentle and affectionate, was also commanding—he was not about to let this go without a fight.
"Arthur, you know Ginny has always idolized Harry. She is very upset about this betrothal, and I am upset for her—she and Harry would be perfect together if not for these Delacours interfering."
"Are you forgetting Sirius, love? He was the instigator of this in the first place."
"Yes, Sirius had a hand in it, and though I do not like it, I am well aware of the fact that he is only trying to do his best for Harry. He should have consulted us—what can an unmarried man of his age, who has spent the last decade of his life in prison, know about raising a young boy?"
Arthur sighed and snuggled closer into his wife, a movement which she returned, feeling somewhat comforted by his presence.
"Molly, Ginny has never idolized Harry—she idolized the Boy-Who-Lived. It is only recently that she has begun to see him for himself rather than for his fame.
"And if I may be so bold, I'd like to point out that she appears to be handling this better than you are."
"But, Arthur—"
"No, Molly," Arthur interrupted, using a firm tone he rarely used with her. "You need to step back and allow the children to live their lives. If Ginny is meant to be with Harry, I do not doubt that she will still end up with him—he is a prime candidate for a multiple marriage, after all.
"And besides, I think you're missing the reaction of another who is much closer to Harry than Ginny has ever been."
Molly turned her puzzled gaze on her husband. "Pardon me?"
Arthur chuckled quietly. "You've been so focused on Ginny that I'm not surprised you missed it. Though she's handled it very well, I believe that Hermione has been just as upset with the betrothal as Ginny—if not more so."
"Hermione?" Molly demanded.
"Yes, Molly. I think our little resident bookworm has fancied Harry for some time now. It's hardly surprising, if you think about it—they are practically inseparable."
Was it true? How could she have missed such a thing? Unless, of course, her normally somewhat distracted husband was completely mistaken. But if he was not mistaken, then what about…
"But Arthur, what about Ronnie?"
"Yes, I've noticed Ron's infatuation with Hermione, too," Arthur confirmed with a smile.
"Arthur, Ron would be so disappointed to learn that Hermione has feelings for Harry. I can't bear to have two children upset."
"You have no choice, Molly," replied Arthur firmly. "They have their own choices and must live their own lives. Besides, despite Ron's feelings, I truly doubt that he and Hermione could cease their frequent disagreements long enough to come to an understanding of such significance. I'm afraid they are not well suited to one another at all."
It was only the truth, Molly had to admit. Much as she loved all of her children, she was not blind to Ron's faults, and she knew that a driven and intelligent young woman such as Hermione—who shared virtually no common interests with him—would not likely develop feelings for Ron under such circumstances. Ron had undoubtedly improved over the years—and she could only admit the influence that Hermione and Harry had exerted had much to do with it—but he still had a certain amount of growing to do.
"Now, Molly, I must have your word on this—you must not interfere. The children must be free to live their own lives with whomever they wish. Leave them alone, my dear—I have no doubt they will work it out themselves."
Molly murmured her agreement, which seemed to satisfy her husband, and within minutes, he was snoring softly. In the back of her mind, however, she could not help but worry the situation like a dog with a bone. There must be something she could do to save her daughter from heartache. She would have to continue to think on it.
The next week after the Order meeting saw a slight change in the training program. While Moody continued to drill them in stances, avoiding curses, and the proper way to move about a battlefield, he also began to move them toward learning more about curses and hexes which they would use in a duel. He was very blunt with them, telling them all he was covering months of training in the period of a few days. However, it was necessary, for, as he told them, they did not have months and months to prepare. Once they arrived at school, they would need to continue to practice what they had learned, and they could call on the headmaster (when he was available) or Professor Flitwick (who had been considered a master duelist in his youth). Next year, he told them, he would continue on with their training in the summer.
The other circumstance which changed was the fact that from Monday of that week, the entire group Flooed to the manor with their trunks, as it had been decided that they would stay the entire week there rather than returning after their sessions were complete. It had been a joint idea put forth by Fleur and Harry. It afforded them more time with their friends and helped build their level of camaraderie. Harry particularly was happy to have his friends there for longer, and Fleur, though she was still getting to know Harry's friends, welcomed the opportunity to do so more quickly.
In fact, by the end of the first week, Hermione had all but moved into the manor and away from Grimmauld Place. Her parents had visited the Delacours the day after the Order meeting—with Hermione joining them, of course—and had come to stay the final weekend of the summer as well, meaning Hermione stayed for that weekend as well.
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