Change the Future

GOF 8

Neither Mr. Weasley nor Percy was at home much over the following week. Both left the house each morning before the rest of the family got up, and returned well after dinner every night.

"It's been an absolute uproar," Percy told them importantly the Sunday evening before they were due to return to Hogwarts. "I've been putting out fires all week. People keep sending Howlers, and of course, if you don't open a Howler straight away, it explodes. Scorch marks all over my desk and my best quill reduced to cinders."

"Why are they all sending Howlers?" Ginny asked, mending her copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi with Spellotape on the rug in front of the living room fire.

"Complaining about security at the World Cup," Percy said. "They want compensation for their ruined property. Mundungus Fletcher's put in a claim for a twelve-bedroomed tent with en-suite
Jacuzzi, but I've got his number. I know for a fact he was sleeping under a cloak propped on sticks." Mrs. Weasley glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. Mr. Weasley's arm was still pointing to "work." Mrs. Weasley sighed.

"Your father hasn't had to go into the office on weekends since the days of You- Know-Who," she said. "They're working him far too hard. His dinner's going to be ruined if he doesn't come home soon."

"Well, Father feels he's got to make up for his mistake at the match, doesn't he?" Percy said. "If truth be told, he was a tad unwise to make a public statement without clearing it with his Head of Department first"

"Don't you dare blame your father for what that wretched Skeeter woman wrote!" Mrs. Weasley said, flaring up at once.

"If Dad hadn't said anything, old Rita would just have said it was disgraceful that nobody from the Ministry had commented,"  Bill, who was playing chess with Ron said. "Rita Skeeter never makes anyone look good. Remember, she interviewed all the Gringotts' Charm Breakers once, and called me 'a long-haired pillock'?"

"She wrote some lovely things about Hermione as well" Ron says laughing slightly.

"Yes and about Rory, Ronald" Hermione glares at him whilst Rory looks down remembering the articles.

"Well, it is a bit long, dear," Mrs. Weasley said gently. "If you'd just let me -"

"No, Mum."

"Don't worry Bill I think the long hair looks good but no comment on the pillock bit" This causes Bill to throw a pillow at Rory which she catches sticking her tongue out at him.

"I never realised how well you and Bill get on" Ron says looking surprised.

"Really, how" Ginny and Hermione both ask, Ron just shrugs.

Rain lashed against the living room window. Hermione was immersed in The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4. Charlie was darning a fireproof balaclava.

"Charlie" Rory starts as he glares at her.

"Nova I will throw you in the lake if you say even one mean thing about me"

"You wouldn't dare"

"Wouldn't I why don't you try me" He smirks at her.

"Never challenge Rory like that" Harry says laughing.

"Shut up Charles Weatherby" at this Charlie runs for her as she quickly runs behind Bill.

"I would help you but after the pillock comment I think you deserve what you get"

"Bill I'm sorry you're not a pillock now help me please" She says still running away from Charlie.

"Nope"