Hallowe'en at The Bower

[teaandsympathy]

Molly and Charlie had been busy. The cottage had been what Muggles call a fixer-upper to begin with, and it had taken time, work, and more than a little magic to turn it into a place that not only suited them, but felt like home. It was the sort of project that could have - and likely would, if Molly guessed right - continue for months and months. But it was often easier to work with a particular deadline in mind, and a Hallowe'en feast had seemed a good one to work toward.

They'd let everyone they knew know there would be a housewarming on Hallowe'en - some in person, others by the telephone Molly still wasn't all that comfortable using - and that the more, the merrier. Even Draco had been invited, although Molly doubted he would come.

When the holiday arrived, The Bower was ready for their guests. A fire crackled in the fireplace, and Molly had put Charlie in charged of decorations while she bustled about the kitchen where a half dozen things were going on at once: pumpkin stew being ladled into a giant pumpkin, carrot cake in the oven baking, dishes were washing themselves as quickly as Molly used them, and she was busy chopping vegetables to roast.

Various snacks were already set out on one end of the farmhouse table, and there was a bowl of candy by the door, although with the Muggle-repelling charms, they didn't expect trick-or-treaters who wouldn't be coming anyway.

Still, a bit of candy never hurt, did it?

~*~*~

Charlie, with a touch of whimsy, charmed several, small, floating pumpkins to hang about, guiding guests through the living room and into the kitchen. Each pumpkin bears a charming grin and a glimmering candle within; he's also cast a charm so that their home smells like the woods surrounding them, with a pinch of cinnamon and caramel apples tossed in for good measure. He's purchased some Muggle decorations of cut-out cats, skeletons, and, yes, witches, to place upon the walls, charming them to blink and smile as each guest passes through the house. Not an over abundance, but enough to emphasize the cozy nature of the place.

Of course, he jokingly brought up a chair into the air, as a reminder to the duel he'd had with Bill back at the Burrow, but one look from Molly was enough for him to cease those antics with a sheepish grin, even as he eyed the Muggle candy by the door with a look of distaste. What he wouldn't give for Honeydukes to magically appear one day.

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[cleverness]

Hermione breathed in deeply as Ron made the announcement, feeling butterflies in her stomach as she gave his hand a squeeze in return. What she couldn't contain was the smile that spread across her face, excited and impossibly grateful that the baby was growing well, and that it would have such a loving family around as support. Hermione ducked her head shyly, biting down on her lip.

"I know, it must seem sudden — it felt sudden to the both of us, as well," Hermione said, trying to fight back the tears that were already forming in her eyes. While the first several weeks hadn't come with very outwardly noticeable changes in her physique, the emotional rollercoaster was certainly great.

"But we had our first check-up with the doctor a while ago, and everything seems to be going well, so... we wanted you two to be the first we announced the news to," she added, cheeks pleasantly flushed as Hermione looked between Molly and Charlie expectantly.

[dragonsandquidditch]

Charlie lets out a loud whoop, raising his arms in the air in a celebratory gesture and promptly falling off the counter in the process. He manages to pick himself up quick enough, though, and rushes to hug both his brother and Hermione.

"Bloody hell, you two are fast. That's brilliant news, though," he tells them, ruffling Ron's hair for good measure and squeezing Hermione's shoulder with affection. "You two are going to be amazing parents. And I'm going to spoil my new little nephew or niece rotten, I can tell you that right now."

[teaandsympathy]

Molly didn't say anything at first, although as she all but surged from her chair to pull Ron and Hermione into an enthusiastic embrace, she had a passing thought that having taken a seat was a waste.

And maybe she was getting used to the idea of them not being children any more, since the feeling they were too young didn't hit until later.

"Oh! I'm so happy for you," she said, pulling back to look Hermione over with the experienced eye of someone who knows a thing or two about pregnancy.

[cleverness]

Hermione broke into a relieved laugh at once, allowing herself to be pulled into an embrace, and feeling her vision already swim under the threat of tears. More than anything, she knew that whenever she had children, she wanted them to be part of a warm, loving family, and it was a relief to know that even now, her child was surrounded in that effusive warmth. The same that had drawn Hermione to the Weasleys as a family to begin with.

"Thank you," she said, her voice wavering and brows knit in frustration as she tried to keep her voice steady. But perhaps that was the best type of problem to have, being overwhelmed with happiness and optimism. "I can't even begin to express — how glad I am — how happy it makes me to have all of you here, how fortunate I feel to have Ron by my side. I've always wanted to start a family, but growing up, I never could have imagined also having the type of love all of us share."