Willow Song

XIX. Summer Eighteen Comings and Goings

An owl tapped at the kitchen window carrying a letter from the Samuelsons. Serena untied the letter from the owl's leg and gave it a treat. She waved her wand, "Recitis Lexographis."

"Dear Serena," the letter spoke in Silva and Henry's voices, "We have just finished our work in Burma and will be presenting a week long seminar in London before we leave for Kigali to research our next project. Our time is mostly tied up with academics, but we would be happy to buy supper for you, your fiancé, and his family on the night of August 12 at the restaurant of your choice. We'd like to get to know the young man you've chosen and his family, especially because we are concerned about your young age. He must be incredible for you to consider marrying this young." She could hear an underpinning of disappointment. "But we'll speak more of that later. We'd like to see how you are doing and where you're taking your special gifts. Please leave word at the desk of the Waldorf-Hilton Hotel by August 10 if you and your fiancé and his family can join us. Love, Silva and Henry"

She walked into the study and handed the letter to Remus. He read it quickly.

"Do you think I should go? I mean, with just the Weasleys there'd be seven members of the Order with me. I'll have to owl Charlie. The Weasleys will come, won't they?"

"You're forgetting something."

"What?"

"Your parents will ask about your eyes. Except for Fred and Charlie, the Weasleys don't know about your eyes. You'd better tell them beforehand."

"I'm still not ready to tell them." She shook her head in frustration. " I guess I have to now, don't I? All right. This isn't going to be easy. Will you help Winky and me put a little pre-parent dinner together, so I can break things to the Weasleys?"

So Serena and Lupin planned a pre-dinner dinner party at 12 Grimmauld Place for the Weasleys and let Charlie know he needed August 12 off to meet Serena's parents.

The morning of the pre-dinner party, Remus came to Serena with some interesting news. "I've been to the Ministry archives, and I researched the Verte-Chantes. Did you know that you come through a long line of seers and healers and that all the greatest and most powerful seer/healers in your line were blind? The blind trait shows up every two or three generations, usually in a female, but the ones who go blind are the ones with amazing talents as seers, as healers, and possessors of natural Legilimancy."

"So my Legilimency does come through my birth mother, or more likely, her grandmother. I used to be afraid that it confirmed I was related to Voldemort."

"I didn't know that. And I thought it was hard enough that Dolohov is your birth father. You know, even if you were Voldemort's daughter, it wouldn't change who you are. I think talents and preferences and physical abilities are inherited, but character isn't."

"Thanks for that, Remus."

"You're welcome. One more thing, it said that the losing of physical sight was considered confirmation of a greater gift and the Verte-Chantes considered it a blessing from the Light."

"Why have I never heard of this before?"

"The Verte-Chantes were Quebecois with strong ties to Beauxbatons. We tend to be rather Anglo-centric at Hogwarts. But the name is well known at Beauxbatons. As far as I can tell, you are the last living Verte-Chantes."

"Wow. That's a lot to live up to. Thank you, Remus." She hugged him.

Everything was in readiness for dinner with the Weasleys. Serena, Remus, and Winky had prepared baby spinach salad with feta cheese, French onion soup au gratin, stuffed manicotti, and fresh fruit for desert. Ginny flooed in first, then the rest of the Weasleys apparated one by one--with Ron popping in and out of the kitchen several times to show off his new apparition license.

After supper, Serena told them of her parents' dinner invitation for the following week, then told them she had something important to tell them. "Charlie already knows, so it won't be a surprise to him when my parents bring it up next week; I just wish he could have been here tonight. Fred's been helping me keep this a secret for most of a year."

Fred looked at Serena encouragingly, while George looked at Fred furiously.

"I've hesitated to tell people sooner because I don't want pity. But I can't hide it anymore; it's happening faster than the ocular healer predicted. Here goes. I'm going blind."

Ginny gasped. Thirty seconds of deafening silence passed while shock washed over the previously cheerful gathering. The boys looked concerned. Arthur slowly shook his head. Molly broke the silence by grabbing Serena in both arms and repeating, "Oh my poor dear girl."

"I'm fine really. I have Winky for help. And most of this is a blessing. My gifts are becoming much stronger. Remus researched my family at the Ministry and this runs through the Verte-Chantes--both the gifts and the blindness. We're quite famous for it in some circles." Serena's tears belied her words.

"How much can you see now?" asked Ron.

"I've got about ten feet of clear vision left. Beyond that the shadows grow dark. And tiny details, like fine print, are getting harder to focus on. It's been happening for about a year, little by little. It'll all be gone in another year. The healer had hoped for three or four years, but I can tell it's happening sooner."

"How did Charlie take it?" asked Arthur.

"It took awhile for him to convince me that he wasn't just being noble, but he's dealing with it. He's applied for a transfer to a dragon keep closer to London."

Molly began blubbering. Serena reached over to comfort her. "But dear," Molly began, "you'll never see your children's faces. How can you bear that?"

"Mum, I'll see them in your minds and memories and in the reflections of everything they love. I'll know what my children look like." Serena smiled. "Remus, would you tell us a Marauder story?"

So Remus told a story about one of Sirius and James' practical jokes at Hogwarts.

Fred and George began telling stories of their best pranks to continue to lighten the mood and soon everyone joined in. Ron was especially good at telling the stories of their pranks gone wrong: the ones where they were pranked back unexpectedly or caught in the act. Molly shared what she thought were some of the twins' most infuriating pranks, only to learn that those had been Ginny's.

At the end of the evening, as the Weasleys were disapparating, Ginny kissed Molly on the cheek and asked her if she minded if she stayed the night with Serena. They had a lot of girl talk to catch up on.

Ginny walked into the kitchen and curtly announced to Serena, "I'm staying the night. We need to talk."

"Fine, I'll have Winky make up an extra bed."

"Why didn't you tell me before? We've been good friends. I defended you when Ron thought you were a scarlet woman. I told you about how I feel about Harry. You told me about Charlie. But you didn't tell me any of this, even though you told Fred. You didn't trust me with this. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Ginny flamed, angry tears welling in her eyes.

"I didn't want your pity. I didn't want my own pity. I needed to act like it wasn't happening. I didn't want to be reminded of it. I did trust you; I just wasn't ready to really accept it myself. I'm so sorry. I should have told you. I wasn't thinking about anyone but myself."

"How come you told Fred?"

"He was at St. Mungo's with me when I found out. He knew before Charlie, or my parents, or Minerva. I made him keep quiet."

"How?"

"Remember last holiday when Fred started laughing so hard at the table that soup started coming out of his nose? Well, this is why." Serena sent the picture of Fred tied up with the secret breaker sign on his chest, and Serena burning his toes with violet flames from her wand to Ginny's mind. Now Ginny laughed too. "So what are your plans for catching Harry?"

"I'm playing hard to get. He's going to have to catch me. In the meanwhile, I'll still be his friend."

Serena and Ginny stayed up until well past midnight talking when Winky finally came in and scolded them, shaking her finger at Ginny. "You is not to be keeping Mistress Serena awake. She is needing her sleep to make her eyes not hurt her so. You is a bad friend to be keeping my mistress up so late."

"Goodnight, Serena," said Ginny, suppressing a giggle.

"Goodnight Ginny. Goodnight Winky."

The next morning they ate oatmeal with raspberries and cream and drank sweet tea for breakfast while they discussed where the big dinner should be held. They needed to find somewhere safe, not too confusing or magical for Muggles, and somewhere inexpensive enough that the Weasleys wouldn't be embarrassed by the Samuelsons' paying. They finally decided on a Chinese restaurant on Gerard Street in the heart of muggle Chinatown. Moody and Remus would provide back-up protection.

The day of the big meeting arrived. Charlie apparated early to 12 Grimmauld Place and met Serena there with a hungry kiss. It took the loud cracks of the other Weasleys apparating to headquarters for Serena to let him go. All of them arrived save Ginny and Arthur, who took a taxi to the restaurant together. Lupin and Moody left just before the remaining Weasleys and Serena to sweep the restaurant for signs of Death Eaters, then Moody stationed himself near the alley entrance and Lupin near the front entrance. Minutes later, Serena and the Weasleys arrived with loud pops.

Serena told the hostess, "Samuelson, party of eleven," and they were taken to a large table in the back room where her parents and Arthur and Ginny were already waiting for them. Arthur was talking animatedly with Henry while Silva quizzed Ginny on her studies. As Serena and the remaining Weasleys entered, hugs, handshakes, and introductions were passed all around.

"Silva, Henry, this is Charlie Weasley, my fiancé."

"So this is the young man who's robbing the cradle," joked Henry, not altogether humorously.

Charlie and Serena and the Samuelsons and Molly and Arthur sat on the north end of the table while Ginny and her remaining brothers sat on the south. The servers began to bring in huge platters of fried rice and chow mien and beef and broccoli and orange chicken and many other dishes. They served themselves from the heaping platters. The discussion was lively and entertaining on the south end of the table, and serious and concerned on Charlie and Serena's end.

Charlie and Serena talked about their future plans and how they would manage with her failing eyesight. Arthur quizzed the Samuelsons endlessly about their research work among aboriginal muggles and wizards in mixed society. Charlie, Arthur, and Henry leaned in to one topic, while Serena, Molly and Silva listened in on another.

"Serena, I'm glad you're going to have Molly to look after you; you aren't looking good. I think you need more sun. There are no roses in your cheeks. Though they did seem to glow a bit when you introduced your Charlie. What a nice young man! Here, stand up and let me have a good look at you." Serena rose, embarrassed. Silva appraised her, "You look good, a bit pale, but nice. Same long braid down the back, a bit longer now. That's been your signature hairstyle since you were ten. But it's lovely on you, really dear." Serena sat back down, even more keenly embarrassed.

"It's just simpler to keep it in a plait."

"Of course, dear, of course."

"Now, are you going to explain to me why you and Charles are in such a hurry to get married? You're eighteen, he's twenty-three--you two shouldn't need to think of marriage for another ten years. Go to the university, research, explore your options more; there's plenty of time later for marriage."

Suddenly Serena couldn't wait for the evening to end. She knew Silva hadn't meant to anger her, but she was furious. She felt slighted and patronized. Her answers to Molly and Silva grew clipped and terse.

"I'm doing this because it's what I'm supposed to do. I prayed and waited for the Light to confirm it was right, and I felt it grow brighter and warmer inside me; I love Charlie, and I'm following the path I need and want to be on. We've made our choice--please support us," Serena said in an overly measured, controlled voice.

Charlie looked up at her, sensed her inner fury, and raised one eyebrow quizzically. "Later" she mouthed. She listened to Silva, still talking about Serena like she was an obedient little girl, not an eighteen and a half-year-old engaged young woman. She looked at Ginny and mouthed, "HELP!"

Ginny smiled and pulled a large jar of Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans out of her bag. Serena smiled back. This was a game the Gryffindor girls had played in the dorm whenever anyone was feeling especially picked on. Serena tapped her water goblet with her knife. "Everyone, we're going to play a game. Each of you take a handful of jelly beans from Ginny. Then we'll each take a turn saying why we are deprived. Every time a person is more deprived than you, give them one of your jelly beans. The person who is the most deprived gets the most jellybeans and wins.

Ginny passed out the jellybeans and said, "Charlie, you start."

Charlie began, "I am deprived because I've never used a telly phone." Serena, the Samuelsons, Ron, and Arthur each gave him a bean.

Serena's turn was next. "I am deprived because I only got to go to two years of Hogwarts." Each of the Weasleys gave her a bean.

Henry was next. "I am deprived because I've never seen a dragon--and my future son-in-law gets to work with them." Everyone but Silva and Serena gave him a bean.

Silva came up with, "I am deprived because I can't use a magic wand." Everyone but Henry gave her a bean.

Arthur said, "I am deprived because I've never flown in a muggle aeroplane." Serena and the Samuelsons each gave him a bean.

Ron added, "I am deprived because I have to wear maroon pajamas." Everyone gave him a bean, although Molly muttered that anyone who looked so nice in maroon shouldn't feel deprived by wearing it.

Fred tried, "I am deprived because I have a twin." Everyone gave him a bean but George.

George came back with, "I am deprived because I've never snogged Angelina." Fred handed him a bean to much explosive laughter.

Percy said, "I am deprived because I have curly hair." All but Arthur and Henry gave him a bean.

Ginny said, "I am deprived because I have six older brothers." Everyone gave her a bean.

Bill said, "I am deprived because my mum is always after me to cut my hair." Everyone but Serena gave him a bean. Bill raised his eyebrows, looking questioningly at Serena. She nodded slightly.

The game went another round, each turn getting a little sillier. "I am deprived because Ron thinks I'm a scarlet woman," Serena pouted. Roars of laughter followed as Serena replenished her supply of beans. The game proceeded through jokes and teases until finally Ron won with, "I am deprived because I've never been kissed."

Serena bid her guests goodbye, then apparated with Charlie to 12 Grimmauld Place. "I'm so glad that's over!" Serena exclaimed. "I mean, everyone got along all right, but parts of it were tense, like when Henry was grilling you on what dragon keepers make for a living and how they can possibly provide for a family. Or when Silva was letting your mom know her responsibility to take care of me. And I sat there quietly, like a good child. And then when they started in on how young I am to be engaged, I thought I'd blow the roof off."

"Don't be so hard on them. They're good people who raised you well. You bring out the protective in me too. What was that thing about the hair that you and Bill shared?"

"I've worn my hair pulled back in some variation of a plait since I was ten. She was just patronizing me about it being my signature look. I felt like a rebellious child for getting so angry."

"May I loosen it?"

"Sure." Charlie loosened Serena's shiny braid. Cascades of chestnut brown hair fell well below her waist.

"You could leave it down sometimes. It's beautiful," he said.

"It's just easier to keep it plaited. Otherwise it gets tangled too easily. It's a nuisance."

"I've missed you," he said, kissing her neck. "May I stay here tonight?"

"Yes." She smiled. "Winky, Charlie is staying here tonight, so there'll be an extra for breakfast."

"Winky will make Mr. Charlie up an extra bed in the room next to Mr. Remus's. You is not married yet, Mistress Serena. You must be a good witch. Mr. Charlie must be a good wizard."

Serena and Charlie laughed at Winky, but Charlie interrupted her laugh with a kiss. He gently began kissing her lower lip, then hungrily grabbed the back of her head as he kissed her harder and pulled her down on the couch with him. They were too busy snogging to notice the loud crack as Remus apparated into the room.

"Excuse me," he cleared his throat to cover his intrusion, "but I live here too. Couldn't you two go to a bedroom to do that?"

Serena broke off, giggling, "Winky won't let us."

Remus guffawed as he left for the upstairs.

"I have to go back to Romania tomorrow, but I'm next in line for a transfer to Wales. It should be final within a year. I'll be home at Christmas, and then not again until I transfer. I don't want to leave you."

"Stay with me tonight," Serena whispered.

"Winky's right, you know."

"I know she's right, but well, just hold me all night. Can't we just sleep together and not do more?" Charlie nodded, picked up Serena, and carried her into the bedroom. Serena slipped her dress off and crawled between the covers in her slip. Charlie stripped down to his underclothes and lay next to Serena but on top of the covers, then pulled a light blanket over himself. He put his arm around her, and she used his chest as a pillow, sleeping to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

The next morning Winky shooed Charlie out of the bedroom, insisting he allow Serena to get ready privately. Serena came to breakfast with her hair loose and newly laundered. They had kippers and stewed tomatoes and wheat toast for breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice. "Charlie, before you leave, I need you to do me a favor."

"Anything."

"Cut my hair."

"What!? How much?"

"If I'm going to wear it loose, I need it much shorter. Just trim it off with your wand about midway between my shoulders and my elbows."

"Are you sure? I've never done this to a girl before. I just trim my own a bit when it needs it. Mum does Ginny's. Are you sure you won't regret it?"

"No, it'll still be long; I'll just have more options. Please do it. You promised 'anything'."

"This'll teach me not to do that again. All right, here goes." Charlie used a tickly snipping charm from the end of his wand, and it was done quickly. Serena summoned the hair from the floor into a neat ponytail, then packaged it with an explanatory note and gave it to the mail owl, addressed to a well-known wizarding wigmaker for children with cancer.

Charlie's goodbye kiss had lasted several minutes when Remus finally reminded him that he was expected in Romania. He disapparated away.

"Your hair looks nice. It'll be easier for Winky to help you with too. Hey, I was wondering if you would do me a favor. The full moon's coming up and Severus isn't around to help me brew my potion. Will you?"

"Sure, if you will read the labels for me."