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Chapter 4

  The white walls of St. Mungo’s Hospital seemed to glow softly in the morning light as Arthur and Molly Weasley, alongside Gilbert Moore and Oswald Tadpol, walked through the corridors. The hustle and bustle of healers and patients barely registered with Arthur, his mind focused on the boy he was about to meet. After hearing about Harry’s plight, both he and Molly had been restless, eager to help him in any way they could.

  As they approached the room where Harry was staying, Arthur knocked softly on the door. It creaked open, and they were greeted by El Grace, the healer who had been taking care of Harry since his arrival. Her kind face lit up with a smile as she welcomed them inside.

  “Good morning,” El greeted them warmly. “Come in, come in. He’s awake and doing much better.”

  Arthur and Molly exchanged a hopeful gnce before stepping into the room. There, sitting on the bed, was Harry. The boy looked entirely different from the one they had heard about—gone was the weak, unconscious figure they had found in the cupboard. Instead, Harry sat up in bed, a pte of breakfast in front of him, and he was smiling. His red hair, slightly darker than that of the Weasley children, framed his pale face, and his small freckles dotted his cheeks. Hazel eyes, wide with curiosity, stared back at them.

  El walked over to Harry, pcing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I’ve introduced Harry to the basics of magic, and he’s very excited about learning more. He’s even asked about going to Hogwarts. A little hope for the future is something he desperately needed.”

  Harry’s smile grew even wider at the mention of Hogwarts, and Arthur’s heart swelled with compassion for the boy. He could see the spark of excitement in Harry’s eyes—the same look his own children had whenever they talked about magic or going to Hogwarts.

  “Harry,” El continued, “I want to introduce you to the two Aurors who rescued you from your retives’ house. This is Gilbert Moore and Oswald Tadpol.”

  Harry looked up at the two men with awe and gratitude. “Thank you,” he said softly, his voice filled with appreciation. “Thank you for helping me.”

  Gilbert gave him a warm smile, while Oswald nodded, stepping forward. “It was no trouble at all, Harry. We’re just gd you’re safe now.” He gestured to the couple standing beside him. “And these are Arthur and Molly Weasley.”

  Before Oswald could continue, Molly stepped forward, her eyes filled with determination and tenderness as she knelt beside Harry’s bed. “From now on, we’ll be your parents,” she decred, her voice gentle but firm.

  Harry blinked, his smile faltering as his brain tried to catch up with the sudden announcement. “W-what?” he stammered, looking between Arthur, Molly, and the others.

  Molly smiled warmly at him, her motherly instincts clear in her gaze. “You’ll have six brothers and a sister, and they’re going to be so happy to meet you. You’re part of our family now, Harry.”

  The room fell silent for a moment as everyone processed Molly’s words. Even Arthur was slightly taken aback by the sudden decision, but as he looked at Harry—his red hair, freckles, and hazel eyes that weren’t all that different from his own children—he understood why Molly had made the offer so quickly. Harry, despite a slightly different facial structure and darker red hair, could easily be mistaken for one of their own.

  Arthur smiled, stepping closer. “Molly’s right, Harry. I know it’s a lot to take in, but you really only have two options. You can come and live with us, or... you’ll have to go to an orphanage.”

  Harry’s eyes widened further, the idea of an orphanage clearly filling him with dread.

  Arthur knelt beside Molly, his voice gentle and kind. “I promise you, Harry, our house is full of love and warmth. It’s a big family, but you’ll fit right in. What do you say? Would you like to come with us and meet your new family?”

  Harry blinked rapidly, his mind racing to process everything. A family? He had never really had a family, not one that cared about him. The Dursleys had been... something else entirely. And now here was this kind couple, offering him a home, brothers, and a sister. It was like something out of a dream.

  Slowly, Harry nodded, his face filled with a mixture of disbelief and hope. “Yes,” he whispered. “I’d like that.”

  Molly’s smile grew, her eyes bright with emotion as she reached out and gently pced a hand on Harry’s. “You’re going to love it at the Burrow, Harry. There’s always something happening, and the children can’t wait to meet you.”

  Gilbert and Oswald exchanged a gnce, knowing full well that they were stepping into a moral gray area. But they also knew it was for the right reasons. Gilbert stepped forward, clearing his throat. “Don’t worry, Harry. Oswald and I will make sure everything is taken care of. We’ll... adjust some documents and make sure that your adoption is legal.”

  Oswald nodded, looking down at Harry with a smile. “We’ll make it so that Harry Dursley is reported to have died in a gas explosion, an accident caused by his own accidental magic. Harry Weasley, on the other hand, is a boy who was adopted from an orphanage by Arthur and Molly Weasley. It’s not entirely by the book, but... well, it’s for the greater good.”

  Arthur and Molly shared a knowing gnce before looking back at Harry. They both understood the complexity of what was happening, but they also knew that they were doing something right. Harry deserved a family that loved him, and they were going to give him that.

  Harry, still in shock but filled with a strange new sense of hope, nodded once more. He had no idea what the future held, but for the first time in his life, it felt like it might be something good.

  As the adults continued discussing the details, Harry let himself smile. For the first time, he wasn’t just surviving. He had a family—a real family—and a future to look forward to.

  After what felt like an eternity of paperwork, Arthur and Molly Weasley finally wrapped up the adoption process for Harry. They emerged from the Ministry of Magic, the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders. The thought of giving Harry a home filled them with warmth and excitement. As they Flooed back to the Burrow, they couldn’t help but wonder how their children would react to the news. It was a significant change, and they wanted to ensure everyone felt included in this new chapter of their lives.

  As the familiar sight of the Burrow came into view, Molly sighed in relief. “Thank goodness it’s still standing. I half-expected Fred and George to have burned it down while we were gone,” she joked.

  Arthur chuckled as they stepped out of the firepce, brushing off the soot from their robes. “Let’s gather everyone. It’s time for a family meeting.”

  The dining room of the Burrow was filled with the scents of Molly’s test culinary creations, and the wooden table was a hub of activity, littered with various schoolbooks, Quidditch magazines, and a pile of socks that needed mending. The children looked up as Arthur and Molly entered, their expressions curious.

  “Right, everyone, gather ‘round,” Arthur called, settling himself at the head of the table. The children quickly joined him, taking their seats, their eyes wide with anticipation.

  “I know this is going to sound strange and new,” Arthur began, gncing at Molly before continuing, “but what do you think about having a new brother in your lives?”

  Charlie gagged, his face contorting in disbelief. “What? You can’t be serious!”

  Fred and George exchanged accusatory looks, their eyebrows raised in mock horror. “You told me you were going to stop once you had a girl!” Fred chimed in, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

  “Wait, are you telling me that you’re pregnant, Mum?” Bill asked, looking as if he might be sick.

  Molly quickly held up her hands, a flustered smile on her face. “No, no, it’s not what you think! Let me expin.”

  Arthur nodded, eager to crify the misunderstanding. “There’s a boy—Harry—who doesn’t have a family. His previous family was quite abusive, and we’ve decided to adopt him.”

  As the weight of their words settled in the room, the Weasley children’s expressions shifted from confusion to understanding. Raised by Arthur and Molly with all the love and kindness they could muster, they quickly embraced the idea of having another sibling.

  “An orphan?” Charlie said, his tone shifting to one of empathy. “That’s horrible. We have to help him!”

  “I promise I’ll take good care of him,” Bill added, determination shining in his eyes. “He’ll be part of the family.”

  “I’ll hug him whenever he needs it,” Ginny said, her voice filled with sincerity. “I can’t wait to meet him!”

  Ron, ever the practical one, chimed in, “He can stay in my room! I’ve got a spare bed. We can share the space.”

  Arthur and Molly exchanged proud smiles, their hearts swelling with love for their children. The enthusiasm in the room was contagious, filling the Burrow with an atmosphere of excitement.

  Molly took a moment to ensure the children understood the importance of respecting Harry’s feelings. “Now, we need to promise that we won’t pry into his past. He’s been through a lot, and it’s important we let him open up to us in his own time.”

  “Absolutely!” Bill agreed. “We’ll make sure he feels at home without any pressure.”

  With their commitments made, Arthur continued, “Harry will be staying in St. Mungo’s for a week to recover fully, but we want everything to be perfect for when he arrives here. We need to clean up the house, make sure he has a proper bedroom set up, and perhaps even pn a welcome dinner!”

  The children nodded enthusiastically, already brainstorming ideas for decorations and how they could make Harry feel special.

  “I can take care of the decorations!” Fred and George excimed in unison, their minds undoubtedly spinning with prank ideas and mischievous pns.

  “Just make sure it’s welcoming, not terrifying!” Molly warned, raising an eyebrow.

  As the family discussed preparations, ughter and excitement filled the room. For the first time in a long while, Arthur felt a profound sense of happiness. They were opening their hearts and home to a boy who needed love and care, and he knew that their family would welcome Harry with open arms.

  With pns in motion, the Weasley family rallied together, ready to transform the Burrow into a pce of comfort for their new brother. As they began to clean, decorate, and prepare for Harry’s arrival, the air buzzed with a sense of anticipation—one that promised new beginnings, new friendships, and a home full of love.

  For the next seven days, Arthur and Molly Weasley visited Harry at St. Mungo's, eager to provide him with the love and attention he had sorely missed in his life. Each day, they arrived with bags filled with delicious treats, knowing that Harry needed to regain his strength after the malnutrition he suffered at the Dursleys'. They chose to keep the visits a secret from their children, wanting to surprise Harry when he finally came to live with them.

  Harry looked forward to each visit, his heart racing with excitement every time he heard the soft knock on his door. The moment he saw Molly’s warm smile, his worries seemed to melt away. She would bring freshly baked cookies, fluffy pastries, and hearty breakfasts, which he eagerly devoured. Even the healers at St. Mungo's had taken notice of Molly’s culinary skills, frequently complimenting her on the deliciousness of her offerings.

  “Your cooking is a treat for the patients here,” one healer remarked, eyes twinkling as they sampled a chocote biscuit. “I’m afraid we might have to put up a ‘Molly Weasley Special’ on the menu if you keep this up!”

  Molly chuckled, her cheeks flushed with pride. “Well, I’m just gd Harry is enjoying it! We need to fatten him up a bit!”

  As they sat together in Harry’s room, Molly regaled him with tales of his new family. She spoke of her seven children, each with their own quirks and mischiefs. There was Bill, the oldest, who had a knack for getting into trouble at school but always managed to charm his way out of it. Charlie, her adventurous son, was brimming with excitement about going to Hogwarts this year. Then there were the twins, Fred and George, whose antics had become legendary even before they’d set foot in Hogwarts.

  Molly’s ughter filled the room as she recalled stories of Fred and George’s most outrageous pranks, their constant schemes for mischief, and their endless energy that often left her exasperated. “You’d better be ready for them, Harry. They can be quite the handful!” she said with a wink.

  “What if they try to prank me?” Harry asked, eyes wide with a mix of fear and curiosity.

  “Don’t worry!” Molly said, shaking her head, “They’ll love you and want to include you in their fun. Besides, if they bother you too much, just come to me! I’ve got a few tricks of my own for dealing with them!”

  As the days passed, Harry’s anticipation grew. With every story Molly shared, he found himself more and more eager to meet his new siblings. He envisioned the warm chaos of the Burrow, where ughter and pyfulness filled the air. He hoped fervently that they would be kind and welcoming, unlike the Dursleys, who had made his life a nightmare.

  Molly also told him about Ginny, the youngest, who was full of spirit and always ready to lend a hand. “She’s a sweetheart, but don’t let her cuteness fool you! She can hold her own,” Molly assured him, a proud smile spreading across her face.

  As the final day of Harry’s stay at St. Mungo’s approached, he found himself counting down the hours. Each visit left him feeling more hopeful than the st. He imagined running around the Burrow, joining in on the Weasleys’ daily adventures, and finally experiencing what it meant to be part of a family.

  On the st day, Arthur was able to spend a bit more time with Harry. He arrived in his work robes, but his eyes shone with excitement. “Today’s a big day, Harry! You’ll be coming home with us soon!”

  Harry beamed, the thought filling him with warmth. “Really? I get to go home today?”

  “Yes! But first, let’s make sure you’re all set. How do you feel?” Arthur asked, kneeling beside Harry’s bed.

  “I feel good! I can’t wait to meet my new brothers and sister. What are they like?” Harry’s enthusiasm was palpable.

  Arthur chuckled, “Oh, they’re a lively bunch. You’ll find plenty of adventure with them, that’s for sure. But remember, it’s not all pranks and chaos; they have hearts of gold.”

  As the day unfolded, Harry’s excitement soared. He could hardly believe that after so long, he would finally have a family that cared for him. With each passing moment, the dread of his past began to fade, repced by a bright and hopeful future filled with the ughter of the Weasley cn.

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