Hogwarts Reimagined

Xenophilius was more hesitant about the prospect of a Time-Turner than Rhiannon was, but they read through the information Minerva had provided them and he was reassured that Rhiannon understood the risks. Eventually he gave his permission, and they sent the agreement slip back to Hogwarts with the assistance of Raya, the household owl.

Soon after, Rhiannon received her Hogwarts letter with the lists of supplies, as promised. She skimmed the letter but paid it little heed, as with it another letter had arrived bringing the news that the Weasleys had returned home, and that they hoped to see her, Dudley and Luna on August 11^th – Ginny’s birthday, which they planned to combine with Rhiannon’s.

Ginny. Rhiannon still hadn’t seen the younger girl since their experience in the Chamber, but it boded well that she had been well enough to go on the family’s holiday. But, Rhiannon would not be entirely reassured until she had seen Ginny herself, and admittedly she did look forward to the idea of a birthday party at the Weasleys’ home.

Unfortunately, the 11^th was the final day before the full moon cycle began, so when it arrived Rhiannon was stiff and grumpy. Still, she dressed as nicely as she was able and wore her stim jewellery in case she needed it, and she was genuinely excited – it just wasn’t the best time for this all to have come at.

Rhiannon smoothed down her skirt anxiously as she limped up the hill to the Weasleys’ house. It was about five kilometres from the Rookery, and the three of them had decided to walk rather than suffer through Side-Along Apparition or yet another off-the-books Portkey trip this close to the full moon. Rhiannon’s knees and ankles ached, but more frustrating than the pain was the itching restlessness of the full moon period – and their walk had eased that. She would have been poor company without it.

With an anxious look to both her friends, Rhiannon set her shoulders and breathed deeply. Then, with a sigh, she set off up the hill towards the Weasley house flanked by Luna and Dudley.

When she reached the top, Rhiannon gasped. The Burrow was a great rambling, sprawling mess of a place. It was built around a central tower similarly to the Rookery, but much smaller. To accommodate a larger family, the place had been expanded, the ground floors built out so that now a small farmhouse settled around the base while the tower looked as if it sprouted from the side and supported precariously atop the lower house and against the side of the tower, upper stories had been added so that the entire house looked precarious and more than a little odd. It must have been held up by magic, ramshackle as all the attachments were, but somehow that was a comforting idea – like the magic was a warm blanket that wrapped the whole place.

Luna reached the top of the hill beside Rhiannon and squeezed her hand, while Dudley stared open-mouthed at the house. “Are all wizard houses weird? Because I mean – we live in a tower and this? This is the coolest mess I’ve ever seen.” he said, shaking his head and grinning as he spread his hands to indicate the property.

Luna laughed and shook his head. “We do like our messes,” she agreed. “Out here, we don’t have to be too subtle. There’s wards up on the hillsides, to keep any wandering non-magical folk away from our houses, and magical folk living in cities have to be a little more inconspicuous. But yeah – we do tend to be a little more, creative, in our architecture than non-magical folk, especially the old families that live out here like we do.”

Rhiannon shrugged, smiling dreamily as she looked over the house again. “It’s nice,” she murmured. “Comfortable.”

Luna smiled and squeezed her hand. “It is. They’re nice, the Weasleys. We used to all have Yule together most years, before... you know. Everything. Us, them, the Diggorys and some others. So it feels like – I don’t know, home, in there.” xe replied. “But it does make it a little less homelike when Molly starts thinking all her plans are going to hell, so come on – let’s go in?”

Rhiannon reached over and yanked Dudley from back where he was sniffing around the garden beds, and together the three of them walked up to the front door. It was painted a faded yellow and hung slightly askew, the bottom corner scraped the ground, and it flew open before Luna could even reach it.

Out barrelled Ron Weasley, his red hair longer and messier than ever and his skin heavily freckled. He stared at all three of them and a wide grin spread across his face as he shifted from foot to foot. Then he launched himself at Rhiannon and hugged her tightly, and even dragged Luna and Dudley into the hug with them. “I missed you!” he exclaimed, as Rhiannon wiggled and spluttered half-hearted protests.

Eventually Rhiannon pried him loose and straightened her clothes, grinning all the while. “I- I missed you, too,” she told him. “It’s really, really good to see you – was Egypt good? Is Ginny alright? Have you heard about Hogwarts yet?” she asked.

It was Ron’s turn to splutter, laugh and protest. “Slow down, slow down!” he replied, red-faced. “Egypt – great. Bill got in trouble with his job though, refused to break into tombs. Dad’s really proud of him for that, though. And Ginny, well – good? I, guess? Ask her yourself, it’s her birthday too – now come in!” And with that, Ron pushed the door back open and ushered the three others into the house.

Inside was warm and brightly lit from the many windows, thrown open in the summer heat to let breeze flow through. A pile of muddy gumboots lay jumbled just inside the door, and above them several cloaks hung, dusty with disuse. Rugs made out of many-coloured rags knotted together lay on the floors, and a long-haired cat with fur the deep blue of an evening sky just before dark lay sunning itself on a long rectangular dining table.

As the four kids entered the room, four more red-headed figures startled and turned to face them, having obviously been in a heated discussion. Rhiannon’s eyes skated over Fred and George, over Mrs Weasley, and landed on the fourth figure. Her copper hair had once hung around her shoulders but now it was cut short in a spiky style. It suited her, though the change was startling. And it assuaged some of Rhiannon’s worry because gone from her face was the lost look that had haunted her throughout the year before. The scowl and the defiance in her eyes was its own kind of worrying, but it reassured Rhiannon that she was alive, and that Riddle hadn’t stolen her fight.

“So, now Rhiannon’s here, now will you tell us about Black?” Ginny asked her mother. “If anyone’s got a right to know it’s her, right?”

Rhiannon looked from Ginny to Mrs Weasley who had gone ashen-faced, and then to the twins who were alight with curiosity. “No, absolutely not! This is a birthday party!” Mrs. Weasley snapped. Then she turned to Rhiannon with a bright smile, shaking off her scowl. “And I’ve gotten everything ready for you – it’s all safe, see? No chocolate, and no grapes... I looked things up. Just make sure you don’t have too much, yes? In fact, why don’t you all go out and play?” she suggested.

Fred and George grinned, and George produced a Quaffle from somewhere. He and his brother tossed it about between them but instead of catching it in their hands, they used some kind of small spell to catch it with their wands instead. “Come on, Rhi, we’ll teach you – Levitation Catch. It’s not technically a proper spell so, you know,” Fred said with a grin, “not against the rules.”

Mrs Weasley flicked him on the arm with a teatowel. “Not against the rules, he says,” she grumbled. “Not in front of Ginny! Pick something she can play too, you know better.”

At that, Ginny scowled and propped a hand on her hips. “There’s no rules against just catching the ball the other way, Mum – it’s just a stupid game!” she snapped. “It’s more annoying you protecting me all the time, than just – not doing the things. Just let me be – I’m a Squib now, not broken!” As she finished speaking she reached over and snatched the Quaffle from George who bounced it in the air and, ball in hand, she stomped out of the room. The front door banged closed behind her, leaving the rest of them staring.

The room fell silent in her wake. Rhiannon wasn’t sure what to feel about that revelation – she hadn’t even known people could, lose their magic that way. Only Ginny hadn’t really, had she? Because Dudley still had magic. They found new things he could do almost every day. She looked across at her cousin, to see a stunned smile on his face. He beamed, his eyes dreamy, and looked out past the rest of them to where the door still swung against its frame.

“She’s right, you know,” Dudley said. Mrs Weasley looked at him sharply, and he flushed under the scrutiny, not normally one for so many words to unfamiliar people. “There’s all kinds of things we can do, all kinds of magic – I’m still learning it too, and the new Headmaster, she added all kinds of things for us to the program this year. Even they don’t know all of it yet.”

Mrs Weasley looked chastened as Dudley finished speaking, and she flushed faintly under her heavy blanket of freckles. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, you’re right – you are, you both are. It’s just been – a difficult adjustment.” she replied.

The door clattered as Ginny slammed it back open again and poked her head in, looking cross. “I can still play Quidditch on my birthday, can’t I? Come on!” she snapped, with a jerk of her head to her brothers and friends. They all looked guilty, and she sighed. “Seriously – it’s not a tragedy. I made a mistake, there was consequences, I’m lucky I can still fly a damn broomstick – now can you all get out here and play?”

Galvanised into action, Rhiannon and the others shuffled on outside leaving Mrs Weasley looking suitably embarrassed. Dudley scrambled on ahead of them out the door, and when Rhiannon got outside herself she smiled to see her cousin sat cross-legged on the grass with his arm slung around Ginny’s shoulder, the two of them talking intently while Ginny rolled the Quaffle over in her lap.

Seeing Ginny smiling and nodding, Rhiannon didn’t want to prod her further. It had to hurt, losing something she’d been born with. Rhiannon didn’t think she had anything she could say that wouldn’t be pointless, a platitude. Of all of them, Ginny was with the right one already – the first Squib to have attended Hogwarts in centuries, and without any of the social biases of the wizarding world holding him back from discovering his talents and developing them further.

And a birthday party wasn’t the place to talk about drastic life changes anyway – least of all with someone who didn’t want to. It was time for fun, and friendship, and the passage of time in fun. Rhiannon strolled over to where Fred and George were rummaging in a lean-to shed set against the side of the house. She peered in, as the twins dragged out battered broomsticks and a Quidditch case held closed with an old belt. “How’re we going t’ play Quidditch with just us?” Rhiannon asked them curiously, counting on her hands. Herself, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Fred, George and Dudley, that made seven, and she was pretty sure Dudley wasn’t much for flying.

George shrugged. “Hermione and Neville are supposed to be along later, and some of Ginny’s friends. But we can manage – three a side and someone swaps out to play ref. One keeper each, the other two Beat and Chase.” he explained. “If others show up, we can get the Snitch out for them, but it’s a bit old and tatty.”

Rhiannon grinned. “Well, I guess, gimme a bat then,” she replied, and reached into the shed to fetch the four Beaters’ bats. They were much the same as the brooms and the Quidditch case – old and heavily worn with use. That was no matter, though – they looked as if they’d still work, and today was about fun. With the bats in hand, Rhiannon wandered back to where Dudley, Ginny, Luna and Ron sat on the grass, Luna and Ron a short distance away engrossed in making flower chains.

“So, who wants what job?” Rhiannon asked them, and let three of the bats drop to the ground. Ron and Ginny immediately reached for two of the bats, while Dudley looked concerned.

“I’m a terrible flier,” Dudley protested. “I can do it, I kinda joined class just to prove I could but... well, look at me, I’m useless.”

Rhiannon shook her head, though it hurt her heart to hear her cousin describe himself as useless. He was almost as bad as Ron, never thinking he was good enough. “I’ve seen plenty of Quidditch players bigger than you, d-d-d-don’t be silly – d-do you want to play or not?” she asked again.

Dudley smiled awkwardly, and shrugged. He looked over at Luna. “Do you want to play? We’ve an uneven number so I guess someone has to sit out, I thought that would be me.”

Luna snorted indelicately and held up the flower chain. She placed it on Ron’s head and giggled when he immediately straightened it and settled his hair more neatly. “I don’t think so – I don’t really like sports, and someone has to be referee, right? I know the rules better than you do so I can do that – if you want to give it a go, do!” he replied, with an encouraging smile at Dudley.

Dudley still looked uncertain, but he stood up and offered a hand to Ginny to help her up too. “Guess that means I’m in – I can keep a ball out of a goal, probably,” he agreed. Ginny brandished one of the bats, grinning evilly.

“Not if we’re on opposite teams, you won’t!” Ginny challenged him, and both of them laughed. Rhiannon grinned too – she’d not seen her cousin make close friends in the last year, and it could be only a good thing that he and Ginny got on so well now. This year really could be a lot better.

Fred and George wandered over to join them, their arms laden with battered broomsticks. “Alright, everyone, pick a broom,” said Fred, setting the brooms down on the ground. “Ron, gimme that, you know it’ll only be fair if George and I split and play the same position on opposite sides.”

Ron begrudgingly handed over the bat. “Ugh, true... guess I’ll play Keeper then.” he agreed.

George looked over those who remained. “Alright – I’ll go on the team with Ron, Fred can go with Dudley. Ginny can stick with them, and we’ll take Rhiannon – no, don’t look at me like that, it’s full moon right? They’re all foggy, best split up for fairness too. When the others show up, we can re-jig it but for now... um, goals.” he trailed off, looking around.

Fred held up two baskets. “Stick one in a tree, the other on the washing line?” he suggested. George took one of the baskets off his brother and the two of them climbed aboard their broomsticks and took off to set up the makeshift goalposts. With encouragement from Rhiannon, Ginny and Luna, Dudley climbed aboard his own broom. He wobbled a bit, but he was far from useless, as he had described himself, and all three of them told him so. He grinned and shrugged, but all of them could see he was more confident in himself and they quickly readied their own brooms and got into place alongside him.

They lost track of time playing Quidditch together. As promised, others showed up later to join in. They even got Hermione and Neville on broomsticks, which amused everyone to no end as they were more than a bit wobbly. Three of Ginny’s friends came along as well - Hayley Callister who everyone had met already, as well as Alain Cardinal who some of them had met with the Polyjuice plot – he and Hermione had a bit of a laugh about turning into eachother – and Emmeline Byrd, another girl from their year. They now had enough players for an even six a side match, and Hermione turned out to be surprisingly good at Seeking once she got over her nerves. Neville thumped Bludgers like they had done him personal grievances, and Dudley was fiercely protective of his makeshift goal, even growling at the opposing Chasers occasionally in a way that set them all off laughing.

Eventually, Mrs Weasley called them all in for cake and a rest, but Rhiannon and the others hared off outside again as soon as they’d finished eating. The day was nice and Rhiannon knew if she sat down to rest, she’d stiffen up and hurt. So she and Ginny, with the help of their friends, took their birthday presents outside. For the most part there were the usual things – clothes, books, sweets. They took a moment to laugh as Ron’s gift to Rhiannon, a Sneakoscope, revealed that Hayley had pranked her gift to Ginny, although they then quickly stowed the Sneakoscope inside a new coat of Rhiannon’s as it wouldn’t stop shrieking.

Another gift, from Hagrid, made them laugh even harder. The cover was furry and dyed green, with the title The Monster Book of Monsters stamped on it. It hummed in Rhiannon’s hands in a way that startled her, and when she dropped it the thing took off, flapping and growling strangely around the garden. Fred and George gave chase as it galumphed its way through the flower beds and headed straight for a gnome hole, but it was the gnome itself who helped them catch it. “No, no, no! None of your wizarding in my hole!” it snapped at them and shoved the book back to the twins with a stick. They caught it and returned it to Rhiannon, who stared at the thing in bewilderment.

“Wha-wh-wh-what am I supposed to do with a biting book?” Rhiannon asked nobody in particular, as she held it against her chest to stop it flapping off again.

Hermione shrugged. “What do you do when Calypso’s grumpy? It must be some kind of sentiency enchantment, gimme?” she suggested, and held out her hands for the book. Rhiannon handed it over cautiously, careful to make sure Hermione had a tight hold on it before she released her own grip. Hermione giggled as the thing grumbled, and tickled its’ spine. The book purred, relaxing in Hermione’s grip, and she handed it back to Rhiannon.

“Ju-ss-s-sssss-st, just like Hagrid, to find a critter book you have to treat nicely,” Rhiannon grumbled, stroking the book’s spine as it purred happily in her lap. Ron’s rat Scabbers, who had been perched on her knee, scuttled away from the book and hid in Ron’s coat. “It’s almost – cute, when you think about it, if a bit impractical.”

They were soon caught up again in opening gifts, and Fred and George taught them to play Gobstones when they’d exhausted the presents. Eventually the sun dipped low in the sky and the others’ parents returned to collect them. Rhiannon, Luna and Dudley traipsed inside after wishing their friends goodbye, to find Mrs Weasley waiting for them.

“It’s late, and you’ve got a lot of stuff to haul back over the hills – why don’t you three stay the night?” she asked, smoothing apron down. “You’d be welcome to have dinner with us and everything, we made sure it was safe just in case. We could all head to Diagon tomorrow, spare dear Xen the shopping trip.”

Rhiannon and Dudley looked at eachother awkwardly, and Rhiannon shrank a little inside. It had been a long day, and worse – the full moon was tomorrow night. They’d not be good company tomorrow, or for the next week at all.

Ron glared at his mother and gestured to Rhiannon and Luna. When she didn’t get the idea, he groaned and rubbed his face with his hands. “Mum!” he exclaimed, exasperated. “It’s full moon tomorrow, they were foggy enough today! And they’ll be miserable going home tomorrow night.”

Mrs Weasley flushed, embarrassed. Her hands quivered and she twisted her apron in her hands, Rhiannon wondered if she would back down – it was only so recently that she had gotten over her problem with them being werewolves at all. But she was surprised, as Mrs Weasley shook her head. “Then – why don’t they stay tomorrow night too, and I’ll get Arthur to help them drop things off at the Rookery the day after? We can get Hagrid to come over after we’re done at Diagon, and the orchard’s nice and safe – maybe a change of scenery would be good, for a birthday treat?” she suggested, though her voice trembled.

Rhiannon blinked, stunned. Then she rushed forward to hug Mrs Weasley, overwhelmed by the kind gesture. It must have taken a lot for her to set aside her prejudice and make that offer. There was no way she could turn it down, however difficult it was going to be.

Mrs Weasley ruffled Rhiannon’s hair and pried her free, smiling. “Now, do you kids want the couches? Or we can set beds up in Ginny and Ron’s room, and I suppose Percy wouldn’t mind sharing with Luna.” she suggested.

There was a thump from upstairs, and Percy poked his head down over the landing above. “I most certainly would mind!” he protested. “And I’m studying – if this place has to go to the dogs, can’t it go quietly?”

Fred swiftly grabbed a pillow and lobbed it across the room at his brother’s head, which vanished from sight. They all laughed, and Ron groaned. “He’s got all important, now he’s a Head Student.” he groused. He looked around at his friends and shrugged. “I suppose we can all just camp out down here – saves disturbing His Highness. You in, Ginny?” he asked.

Ginny grinned and nodded eagerly, and Mrs Weasley clapped her hands together. “Alright, that’s that sorted – Fred, George, Ron, would you mind getting blankets and pillows down here? The rest of you, dears, come on – tea’s pretty much ready, you can help me set the table.”

Rhiannon squeezed Dudley’s hand and hugged Luna around their waist, and the three of them plus Ginny trailed off after Mrs Weasley into the kitchen to help. She understood what Luna had said earlier, now – the Weasleys’ home had the sort of air that made it a home to anyone who came there. She felt safe and comfortable, and settled into the familiar routine of setting the table with ease as her friends bustled around her with their own chores. Could a person have more than one home? She supposed they must do, because that was what she felt as she helped dish up dinner and sat down to eat with the rest of the Weasley family, sans Arthur and Percy. It felt like home – a noisier, messier home, but home nonetheless, and she smiled to herself as she reached over the table for another piece of bread. This year really was going to be better.