Chapter 11
"Young man," Mr. Weasley began, "you can
understand, as loving parents we would like to know what your
intentions are with our daughter!"
Malfoy smiled. "Of course, sir! As soon as your daughter is
old enough I intend to make her my wife, and she intends to have
as many children as her mother has had to carry on the family
tradition. I hope, sir, by the time that that day comes I will
have proven myself worthy to be your daughter's husband!"
Mr. Weasley nodded and turned to his daughter. "And what do
you say?" he asked.
"That as much as I love you, father, and as much as I love
mother, if you were to forgid me in this I would have to go
against your wishes The Old Ones put us together and they opened
our hearts to each other. We cannot deny Their wisdom!"
Mr. Weasley looked a little cross, and looked to his wife who
could not maintain the charade but burst out laughing. She
stepped forward, took Malfoy in her arms, hugged him strongly,
and then kissed him on both cheeks.
"My daughter has claimed her prize!" she remarked,
"And I think she has chosen very well! You must come and
visit often!"
"As soon as the current crisis is over," Malfoy
remarked, "we intend to do so. But until the dark force that
destroyed my father is vanquished our duty is here, standing
beside those fighting it."
He shot a glance to Harry, without a word Mrs. Weasley went over
and embraced him, too. "You must never be a stranger either,
Harry!" she remarked.
"I don't intend to be!" Harry answered. "I can't
do without your cooking!" Mrs. Weasley kissed him.
"Come along!" Mr. Weasley encouraged. "Your
brothers have expressed a bit of concern about this situation. I
want to find each of them and assure them that all is to our
satisfaction. If you will excuse us, Harry..."
Harry bowed as they went off. As Harry turned around Hermione was
there. A distinguished lookeing man and woman stood behind her.
"Harry Potter," Hermione remarked, "I'd like you
to meet my parents, George and Alice Granger!"
Without hesitation Harry extended his hand.
"Should've introduced ourselveslong before," Mr.
Granger commented, taking Harry's hand. "Hermione has talked
about you constantly!"
"She has talked about nothing else," her mother put in,
"since she started school here except that young man from
the north whose mother and I have been good friends."
'That is a very special young man," Harry commented.
"Has Hermione shown you some of Hogwart's special
sites?"
"No," Mr. Granger answered.
"Then let's go see some of them!" Harry remarked.
Hermione's parents both bowed and they headed off. After a while
Hermione's father edged them away from the women. "Hermione
tells me you're under a lot of pressure, Harry. A lot of demands
are being put on you for someone so young. I am a pprofessional
counsellor. If you ever just need someone to talk to that isn't
involved in all this, I'm always there, any time, night of day.
You have my number!"
"Thank you!" Harry praised. "Thank you very much!
I very well may take you up on that!"
When all the festivities were over and all the families had gone
home, the headmistress called everyone to the banquet hall
including the ghosts. She tapped her glass.
"There are some matters," she commented, "that
have to be discussed. Professor Potter has a few things to say.
He will ask for your comments, and I ask you to give them,
freely. Professor?"
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