Dad

[alt_bill]

Today would have been Dad's 46th birthday.

We'll have dinner at the Burrow tonight, Percy, Mum and me. Wish the rest of the family could join us, too, but we know you'll be with us in spirit.

Raise a glass for him tonight.

Comments

Private message to Percy Weasley

[alt_bill]

Got your owl. I can understand why you don't want to refuse if Mr Malfoy is offering you such a treat, but you will be here for dinner at least, right? Mum's really counting on it.

Hell, I just wish that Charlie could be here, too.

Private message to Ginny Weasley

[alt_bill]

Sis:

I saw your private post to Charlie and me yesterday but didn't think it was a good idea to reply there. Ginny, there's been a lot of talk around the office about how private messages in student journals at Hogwarts seem to be drawing fire from your new Headmistress. I really must insist that if you have something to say to me of a private nature, you write it in my journal (or Charlie's), not your own.

That being said...

I'm sorry that you've been feeling at loose ends and lonely. And I'm sorry that you feel that Ron, Fred and George have been absorbed with their own affairs. Not surprised, though. Teenage boys can be remarkably dense like that, you know. You have to hit them on the side of a head with a brick sometimes to make them pay attention to things.

Thing is, Dad's death shook us all up, maybe in ways we don't entirely understand. Boys may deal with it by going off and ignoring things, riding brooms, playing Exploding Snap, pulling pranks.

Mum deals with it in her own way, too. Baking a lot...I've gained almost half a stone since moving back home, and I bet you've been getting extra tins of shortbread by owl. I guess she's doing as well as can be expected. I've been dealing with mine by burying myself in my new job, and Charlie tells me he deals with his by volunteering for extra shifts babysitting brooding dragons (which is probably why he hasn't replied to you; I think he doesn't take his journal out with him to the hatching grounds).

Grief comes out in all sorts of unexpected ways. So while you may not know how to deal with these feelings, I'm not surprised to hear about them.

Interesting to hear about Dean Thomas. I don't think I've met him, but Dad told about him a time or two. He was really proud that he pulled Dean out of the camps, you know, but I don't think he'd want Dean to fret over the idea that Dad was looking for any kind of gratitude that he didn't get. Dad knew what a difference he'd made in that kid's life, and that was enough for him.

Be patient with yourself, Gin. Love you. Can't wait to see you at Easter.

Order Only: Private message to Arthur Weasley

[alt_bill]

Today's gonna be hard. Damn, I just miss you so much. I miss your advice. I'm longing to talk with you about Ron, and Ginny, and Percy. I guess you'd tell me I have to be their brother, and not their Dad. Ron's right, you know? No one can ever replace you.

Charlie and the twins have been amazing. Mum's struggling, but she's trying so very hard. She misses you, but oh, you would have been so proud of her, to see how tickled and excited she was the first time she went out to help Kingsley bring a Moddey Dhoo baby home.

I love you, Dad. I feel you're watching over me. I talk to you just as much.

I only wish that you could talk back.

[alt_ron]

Yeah.


I wish we could be there, too.

Order Only

[alt_kingsley]

We'll be thinking of you today, son, and yes, we'll raise a toast tonight for Arthur.

[alt_bill]

I'm planning on getting an owl off to you in the next day or two. Along with a letter, I have a few things of Dad's to send to you. Mum's been going through his things. Not very quickly (it's hard for her), but she's worked at it a little at a time. Of course, his clothes don't really fit any of us, but I have several of his cardigan jumpers if you're interested. Percy's taking several pairs of his cuff links. But I also have some tie tacs, including some with Gryffindor lions on them, to pass on to you and Fred and George.

Do you think you might like one of his hats? One of those fedoras, you know. I know it may not be quite the thing for young men of our generation, but it was Dad's.

Hope the Weasley Hogwarts contingent will all be able to have dinner together tonight at least. Except I saw your message to Ginny. She's in the Hospital Wing? What's that about? Have you seen her?

Private Message to Bill

[alt_ron]

I would like one of those hats, yeah. Thanks. And anything else, really. I mean. I don't know if I'd wear any of it, but just to have, I guess.

And, yeah. Gin's in the Hospital Wing. She had a bit of a crying jag last night, I guess. I think everything just sort of piled up. Dunno. She seemed normal enough Monday evening during our exercise session (it's a YPL thing, y'know), but that's the last I'd really seen her before last night when she got called out about that private message. I had Revue rehearsal and other stuff until late on Monday and I don't think she was at breakfast yesterday. Or if she was, she must have got there early and gone before I came down.

Anywiz. I stopped up to see her during lunch, but she was sleeping and Madam P said she just needed some extra rest.

Private Message to Bill

[alt_ron]

Tell Mum I miss her.

Re: Private message to Percy Weasley

[alt_percy]

Yes, I'll be there for dinner. Although I hope we'll be done in time that I can join Mr Malfoy at his club by about 7:30.

How's Mum doing today?

Re: Private message to Percy Weasley

[alt_bill]

She was a bit teary in the loo when she first got up, but then was determinedly cheerful over breakfast. Bearing up rather well, all things considered.

She did serve kippers for breakfast, even though neither of us like 'em much, just because they were Dad's favourites.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

Right, then there's a hat and a few other things that'll be winging their way to you tomorrow.

Aw, poor Gin. Anyway, thanks for the report and for trying to go see her.

Re: Private Message to Bill

[alt_bill]

Of course I will.

She misses you, too; we both do.

[alt_gredforge]

WE'D appreciate a couple of hats.

[alt_gredforge]

Matching ones would be wonderful.

[alt_gredforge]

Maybe with jaunty little feathers.

[alt_gredforge]

We'll start a new fashion!

[alt_gredforge]

Or, well, reinvent an old fashion, anyway.

[alt_bill]

I have a pair that are almost identical. Gents, they're yours.

Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_bill]

I hope you're just pulling double shifts at the dragon hatching ground and not lying scorched to a crisp in the infirmary.

We'll miss you tonight. After we eat dinner at the Burrow, Percy's off to New London to go swanning around at Lucius Malfoy's club by special invitation (don't get me started), and Mum and I are off to see Sirius, Tonks, Remus and Bea.

Mum did okay this morning. A bit weepy before breakfast, but she pulled herself together.

Re: Order Only

[alt_bill]

Thanks, Kingsley.

Re: Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_charlie]

Yeah. I'm all right, it's just...

Well. Working double shifts is easier, really. Keeps me able to fall asleep at night, you know?

I traded shifts so I could be there Sunday, at least.

Re: Private message to Charlie Weasley

[alt_bill]

Excellent. It will be good to see you.

The Laszlo contingent said be sure to say hello.