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Arthur took a thick walking cane, carved from what looked like some type of dark wood with a rounded top and inlaid mother of pearl teardrops running down its length and pounded it on the ground. "Welcome to the second annual meeting of the Brotherhood of the Weasleys. Everyone welcome Harry, our newest member, who's been a Weasley for quite some time now."
All the men responded in unison with stamping their feet.
"Welcome Harry. We are all so very glad you could make it this year. We've kind of missed you around here," Arthur said as he took a puff of his cigar.
Harry shifted in his seat under the weight of their stares. They were going to hassle him into explaining his absence, he just knew it. "Thanks. I am just glad none of you are sore with me for taking so long to come back." He thought if he brought it up, maybe it would bother him less.
"No way Harry, you're family. And you can't be mad at family," replied George, as the rest of the group stamped their feet and murmurs of "here here" floated around the room.
Harry smiled and realized this is what it must feel like to have a real family. To have those who love you through thick and thin. They had been through a lot together, the Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry. He couldn't imagine them not wanting him in their lives anymore. He didn't even want to entertain the idea. "What is all this? Your club here?"
Arthur looked nervously over to his oldest son Bill, who then looked at Charles, who then looked at Percy, who looked at George, and then at Ron, who ran his hands through his red locks. "We formed it a couple of years ago. On the evening before we head out to Hogsmeade we gather together here, smoke some cigars, and talk while the women get ready."
Harry lifted his cigar to his mouth and hesitated before taking a small puff. He choked horribly and set it in an ashtray. "Talk about what?" he asked between hacks.
Everyone looked at their laps, except Ron who looked right at Harry. "Lately? You."
Ron was always a jokester. "Right." He poured some ice water from the pitcher into an empty glass from the table in the middle of all of them. When Ron's gaze didn't fall, he knew he wasn't joking. "You're being serious? You formed a club to talk about me?"
Ron put his cigar into an ashtray as well. "Listen, we all know what happened to you. You're our family. But not all the women know. We didn't feel it was our business to share your personal life with some of our wives, and definitely not the children. So here, we can talk freely without the risk of them overhearing."
Arthur cleared his throat with pride. "I used a quietening charm outside the room so they can't hear us at all. And the door is locked. I learned my lesson after you kids would spy on us during the Order's meetings."
A wave of pleasurable remembrance washed over Harry. He hadn't been to Sirius's house since a time after the war was over. Even though he owned it, it hurt him too much to be there. But remembering that night that George and Fred lowered the ear down to eavesdrop and Crookshanks ran off with it brought a huge smile to his face.
Ron continued. "I don't want you to think we're saying bad things about you, Harry. We just have no one else to talk to about what happened to you. I can talk to Hermione, but I had to stop because every time I did, it made her cry."
George was next to speak. "Yeah. Angelina doesn't know you well enough for me to tell her such a personal thing as you trying to kill yourself."
Ron jabbed him with his elbow.
George jabbed him back. "What? I am sorry, should I have more tact when I talk about suicide attempts? You think I haven’t thought about it too?"
Arthur's face reddened. "What?! What are you talking about?"
"C'mon guys. I lost my best friend. My brother. We all lost a brother, I know, but he was my twin. In every single way, not just our DNA." His face reddened, as though he was about to cry, but was holding back. "I miss him every single day of my life and yes, I've thought at times what it would be like to see him again on the other side. How easy it would be to make the pain go away and just be with him again." He looked over to Harry. "So, I get it. I get why you did it. I am just so very happy it didn't take because I can't lose another brother." George got up to walk over to Harry and reached down to grab him out of his seat for a bear hug.
"You are the love of my sister's life, you know that?" he said in his ear. "Always remember that if nothing else, she is worth living for."
"I know," he said back. And he did know. This was his life now, the Weasleys. He was their brother, their son, their friend. It was like being jumped into a gang of red-haired freckled goofballs, but instead of violence, they just smoked smelly cigars and hugged each other.
George wiped the tears off his face and sat down.
Arthur sat straight in his seat and banged his stick on the ground again. "Well, now that we've gotten some truths out of the way, let's get to why we're really here."
Nods and sounds of agreement were heard around the room. Harry wondered what on earth could come next. Although he did have an idea.
"Dolores Umbridge's execution is coming up. Every witch and wizard is expected to attend. This week the entire wizarding world has time off from work for the festivities if they want it. But as for Umbridge's execution, there is no choice in the matter. Everyone is expected to attend. It's not mandatory, but you cannot go to work even if you wanted to. After the execution there will be a celebration like no other. This will be a momentous day in history, men, and we all have to be there to experience it."
The sounds of many feet stomping on the ground together filled the room.
Harry didn't know what it meant exactly, but assumed it meant agreement.
Arthur banged his stick again and the sound stopped. "And you, Harry, Ginny told you what I relayed to her?"
Harry closed his eyes and nodded. This was it. This was what he was waiting for. To address this issue and deal with it so he could just move forward.
"For those of you who don't know, Harry has been asked to deal the final blow to Umbridge, if he so wants. He has been asked to be the executioner."
Murmurs again filled the air, but instead of agreement, it sounded like confusion. Harry's head started to pound. He looked at his watch. It was time.
"I need..." he started, but nobody heard him. He could feel the world around him sway a little. He didn't know if his cravings would come back all at once or if it would be gradual. Harry had to act quickly. He stood up and reached over to Ron's shoulder and spoke right into his ear. "I'll be back, I have to use the loo."
Ron nodded.
Just as Harry was opening the study door, Ginny appeared on the other side. "It's time for your meds," she whispered as she pointed to her watch.
Sweat dripped down Harry's forehead. He could feel the withdrawal surging through his veins. "I guess I need to be more on top of things," he panted.
Ginny put her arm around his shoulders and led him to the bathroom.
"Harry alright?" Molly called from the kitchen.
"Fine, Mum. He's a bit sick to his stomach, is all."
Molly charged over to put her hand on his forehead. "You're clammy, Harry. I better fix you a pot of my soup."
"I'll be fine, Mrs. Weasley, I just need to get to the bathroom." More sweat poured down his face. He was surprised at the swiftness the medicine wore off.
"Nonsense, just come over and sit...." but before she could finish, Ginny grabbed her by the arm and led her away so Harry could make it to the bathroom.
"Mum, he's fine. Just let him be."
"But..."
"No really, he just ate something funny before we left. He just needs to use the bathroom. I would like some of your soup, though." Ginny flashed her mother a warm smile.
"Um, okay, if you say so." She patted her daughter's hand. "Let's go get you some soup."
Their voices trailed off as Harry shut the bathroom door behind him.
His hands shook as he reached up to wipe the sweat from his brow. He almost didn't recognize his own reflection as he glanced in the mirror. His eyes look hollow, his cheeks sunken in: he looked as though death was on his way to retrieve him. That, or like a dementor had gotten to him. He shuddered at the thought of the latter, remembering all too well what a kiss from them had felt like.
He reached into his pocket and fingered the vial. What if he could do without it? What if he could beat this thing cold turkey with no outside interference, with no crazy vial of oozy purple liquid to swallow? The nausea in his stomach was building to a crescendo that he didn't want to see the outcome of, so he pulled the pouch out of his jacket pocket, shakily slipped a vial out, uncorking the top, and dropped a single drop onto the tip of his tongue.
Warmth spread throughout his body. The terrible coldness that was making his body shake evaporated into oblivion. And just like that, he felt fine.
He made his way back to the den that Arthur Weasley had created for the men of his family to meet up and, well, talk about him. If it were anyone else, he'd feel intruded upon, but it was the Weasleys. They were his family. They just said it, so it must be true. And the Weasleys did not have a malicious bone in their bodies. If they said they just talked about his well-being, then that's exactly what they were doing. They didn't lie. And they surely didn't tell you things just to make you feel better. So, if they said he's a Weasley? Then he's a Weasley.
Ginny came up behind him. "Are you okay?" she whispered into his ear.
Harry nodded.
"Well, what's this? No secrets, Ginny. You know that." George raised his eyebrows at her.
Ginny sighed. "You don't need to know everything that goes on between a husband and a wife, brother."
He crinkled his nose up at her. "Gross."
Harry took his seat, feeling so much better than he had just moments before.
"Shoo," Ron said to his sister as he closed the door again.
Ginny rolled her eyes and went back to her mother who was calling her to the kitchen.
Ron sat down next to his best friend and leaned in. "For real Harry, are you okay? You looked horrible before. Are you sick?"
Harry could feel a knot in his stomach coming on. He decided not to lie. Hiding things from each other was how all of this started. "Excuse me everyone, I have something to say."
The murmurs settled down and all eyes were on him.
He felt very overwhelmed in that moment. He didn't like being the center of attention, but these men cared about him. So, he took a deep breath before speaking. "I am not sure how much Ginny has shared with you all. But..." he paused for a moment, not knowing how to put it.
Arthur reached out and patted his hand. "Go on, son, you can tell us anything."
Harry almost broke down. His entire life he never had anyone who treated him as kindly as Arthur did. Well, no father figure, anyways. He swallowed back his tears as his voice shook. "I have a drinking problem. And I have to take this," he pulled out the vial to show everyone, "every six hours to keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay. When I left the room just now, it was my first dose."
Nobody looked surprised.
"I assume Ginny already told you all."
Ron shook his head slowly. "No, mate, she didn't. But we all get it."
George half-laughed. "Frankly, I am surprised that's all you're on. I mean, it's bad enough, but I was addicted to painkillers a few years ago."
"Muggle painkillers? Why? You know we have spells for that, right?" asked Bill from across the room.
George shook his head. "I didn't take them for pain, William," he scolded.
"Oh," his brother replied quietly. "That makes sense."
"How did you get off of them?" asked Harry. If George beat his addiction, then maybe Harry could too?
"I was in rehab."
Murmurs filled the room.
Arthur looked astonished. "How did I not know this? How did I not know any of this?"
George looked up at his father. "Because, dad, I was ashamed. And I didn't want you to worry about me. You had lost your son. You didn't need to worry you'd lose me, too."
Arthur stood up with such fervor that everyone almost jumped out of their seats.
"You listen to me, young man!" He strode over to George and cupped his face in his hands. "You are MY boy and if you are hurting, you tell me! If you are lonely? You call me! If you need anything, you tell me the moment you need it! You got it? I will not have you," he looked up at everyone else. "Or any one of you, shutting me out because you're trying to protect me, you hear me? Yes, I lost my son, but you all lost a brother. We are in this together!" He spun around to look Harry in the face. "And that means, you, too, Harry Potter! You are my son now! We are all in this together. Nobody gets to suffer alone anymore, got that? We are bonded not only by blood, but by this horrible, horrible tragedy that has happened to us all!"
Everyone was stamping their feet on the floor, including Harry, yelling "Here! Here!"
"We will meet once a quarter, in this room, until the end of time! And then your sons will continue this tradition, and by God there will never be another Weasley man who ever be left alone to deal with the crap that life throws us!" He grabbed his glass of water and held it up in the air.
The rest of the men did the same, still stamping their feet on the ground and yelling "To Harry!" and "To George!" and "To the Weasley men!" and "Long Live the Brotherhood of the Weasleys!" They were whooping and hollering and all of the excitement coursed through Harry's veins when he screamed "I am going to murder the bitch!"
The sound suddenly stopped, and Harry covered his mouth, unsure if he had just said that out loud.
Arthur reached out to his shoulder and looked at him with serious intensity. "Are you sure? This isn't something to take lightly."
He took a deep breath and uncovered his mouth and looked around the room at the faces of each man. "I...I don't know. I mean, I want to, but when I think about doing it, I can't imagine doing it. I just don't know what to do."
Mr. Weasley smiled a pitiful smile. "I wouldn't either. This is a tough decision."
"It won't bring them back," George added, while looking at the floor. "I thought about doing it myself, if you said no, but I know afterwards, I wouldn't feel any better. Fred would still be gone and I'd still miss him."
Murmurs of agreement circulated the room.
"Though, I'd love to see her toad face the moment she'd see Harry standing before her," Ron added.
They all started laughing, pulling them back into their joyousness.
Harry couldn't help but agree. The look on her face would be priceless. She had tried to kill Harry (and Dudley) with a dementor, after all, so returning the favor would be nice. Though after feeling the kiss of those things more than once, he would never wish that on anyone, not even someone as horrible as Delores Umbridge.
"How do they want to me to do it? With the killing curse?" Harry wondered aloud.
Arthur sat back in his seat. "That. Or any other way you see fit. Many possibilities were mentioned."
"Like what?" He was genuinely interested in knowing what the Ministry had in mind for him.
The head of the Weasley men clasped his hands together in front of his mouth. "Torture was one suggestion."
The universal sound from the room was a resonating sound of disgust.
"Do they even know Harry? That's ridiculous. He's a Gryffindor, not a Slytherin," George groaned.
Everyone stamped their feet in agreement.
"True, true. I told them that very thing. Another suggestion was to have a dragon commanded by Harry to get the job done, burning her to a crisp."
Most of the men didn't think that was a terrible idea. Not the best, but at least it wasn't torture.
"And another suggestion was to turn her into a toad before putting her in a blender."
The room broke out in uproarious laughter. That was by far the funniest of all the suggestions and was the most pleasant Harry had heard yet.
"I mean, it's not a half-bad idea. Who would be upset over blending up a frogshake?" laughed Ron hysterically.
Percy was wiping tears from his eyes. "I wonder if we flavored it right if we could find a way to make it taste good?"
The men were all still laughing when a knock came from the door.
Arthur, still chuckling to himself, patted out his cigar, got up and opened the door for his daughter. "Jesus, dad! You need some air circulation in here!" She squeezed past the men to open the window behind Percy's seat. "Time to go, gentlemen. Harry, you feeling okay?" she smiled.
"Right as rain, my love," he smiled back to her.
Lots of gagging noises came from behind him.
"Grow up, boys, would ya?" Harry laughed as he rolled his eyes and turned backwards. "Most of you are married, too."
"Ew, but not to our sister!" laughed Charlie, to which all the Weasley boys joined in making gross faces at Harry.
Ginny sighed. "I swear, you guys. You're going to be teenage boys forever. C'mon, let's go," she slid her arm into Harry's and pulled him towards the hallway and planted a kiss right on his lips.
"What was that for?" He smiled and pulled her in close.
She smoothed his hair back, uncovering his scar, which was fading every year the further they got from the war. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I am proud of you. And I know you're only doing this for me, but you need to remember that's only going to work for so long. Eventually, you're going to have to do this for yourself. Okay?"
He looked into her sparkling brown eyes and nodded. "I know," he whispered. "I am working on it."
She pressed her freckled forehead into his. "I know," she whispered back. "I love you."
He pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you too, more than you can ever know," he whispered into his hair. This time he didn't hold back his tears. This woman was his everything. She has saved his life more than once just by sheerly existing.
She pulled back and wiped her own tears away. "We're going to be late. We should go. Are you ready?"
Harry smiled. This was going to be the beginning of a new life. Or maybe just a new era of his life. He couldn't promise, not even to himself, that any of this was going to fix anything, but he was sure it couldn't get much worse. He's been to hell and back, and he figured now it was time to start finding ways to avoid sliding back again. "Let's do this."
And with that, they followed the rest of the Weasley clan into the night. As he walked out the front door and pulled it shut behind him, Harry reached up and rubbed the notebook in his upper pocket. "We'll do this together, right?" he whispered to his lost friends. And for a moment, he could feel their presences around him, helping him gather his strength, which he knew he would need. For the first festival has begun in Hogsmeade.
