Extra: The Burrow
Why is it called a humble abode?
"Uh, I don't know."
"I don't think anyone would ask why London is called London. That's just their name."
After they returned to Godric's Hollow and quickly washed up, Harry led her to a large tree outside Autry St. Catchbolt. The Burrow was not far away, and they needed to walk there. Hermione and Ron were there to meet them.
Hermione, upon hearing Queenie's question, displayed the breadth of knowledge befitting a top student: "London comes from the Celtic word 'Londinium.' The Celts first built the bridge across the Thames, and then the port and town. The original meaning of London is quite straightforward—a port on the Thames. However, some say it originally meant 'a fortress on a hill,' but I personally think the former is more reasonable. As for the Burrow, I think it might be related to the Weasley surname. Weasley is similar to weasel, and burrow originally means a cave."
Harry and Ron were shocked, unable to understand how Hermione knew this. They meant that Hermione was certainly knowledgeable, but how could she even know the origin of the name London? Some might ask why the sky is called the sky, the earth why the earth is called the earth, and why Hogwarts is called Hogwarts? No!
Queenie couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow! You're even more like Weasley than Weasley himself!" She was referring specifically to the Weasley present; perhaps someone in his family could recall some historical anecdotes.
Hermione's face immediately turned red. "What did you say—anyone who knows the word 'weasel' can guess what that means!"
The three people in front of them blinked innocently, completely unaware of what was going on.
Hermione was inexplicably angry, or perhaps not angry at all; in any case, she quickly walked toward the warmly lit Burrow, leaving her friends behind.
When Queenie finally saw the Weasleys' house up close, her mouth, painted with peach-pink lipstick, involuntarily formed an "O." She had only ever been to 12 Grimmauld Place and Godric's Hollow, but those were just like Muggle detached houses. The Burrow, however, was instantly recognizable as a wizard's home.
“Well, it’s a bit simple, but it’s a home.” Ron seemed to introduce his home like this to every friend who visited for the first time.
"Yeah, right! I think it's fantastic!"
Queenie genuinely believed this; she meant that the magic she had encountered, apart from the first one that injured her, was mostly small-scale or limited in scope.
But the humble abode truly allowed her to experience the quantification of magic.
It looked like it was made of Lego bricks. The whole house was crooked and twisted, as if it would collapse at the slightest touch, but it stood there quietly, supported by just a few wooden beams on the first-floor roof.
Just like using a levitation charm to levitate a feather versus levitating a car creates completely different visual experiences.
Queenie was deeply awestruck by the miracles brought about by magic.
Ron opened the front door. "Come in quickly, Mom's cooking. The last time we had such a feast was at Christmas."
Queenie stepped into this warm and welcoming place.
When the twins heard they were coming, they dashed downstairs in a flash. Queenie was immediately surrounded by two handsome and funny boys who looked exactly alike, and she radiated happiness.
The twins flanked Queenie as they toured the house, each with their own fascinating story to tell—listening to them was a pleasure in itself. Harry, however, wore a somber expression. He had intended to show Queenie around each room and perhaps even demonstrate his boyfriend skills when they encountered goblins and ghouls, but now he couldn't get a word in edgewise; the twins had her completely surrounded.
Harry emphasized, "You may know, Queenie is my girlfriend!" They were meeting for the first time, so why were they acting like old friends reuniting?
“She’s my savior! She’s much more important than a girlfriend! Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today!” Fred put his arm around Queenie’s right shoulder.
“I’m here too! Saving you is saving me!” George put his arm around Queenie’s left shoulder.
Hermione went into the kitchen to help, allowing Mrs. Weasley a temporary escape. She gave Queenie a warm hug and kiss, but Queenie didn't have time to say more before the twins pulled her away—they had heard that Queenie loved the 10-second anti-pustule remedy and were eager to show her their new invention.
Harry couldn't keep up; the stairs were too narrow, and Mrs. Weasley turned towards him again.
Her usually kind face was full of disapproval. "Harry, you should go stay with Madam Pomfrey for a few days."
“But I feel great, better than ever before.” He felt his soul had been cleansed.
"But you have still been struck by a death curse!"
Well, thankfully Queenie was pulled away.
Harry didn't want to disappoint Mrs. Weasley, but he also didn't want to lie in the infirmary, so he compromised by saying, "I'll go see Mrs. Pomfrey for a checkup." After the final battle, many members of the Order of the Phoenix were injured, keeping Mrs. Pomfrey very busy.
The twins' room was filled with magical items, all in preparation for their upcoming shop opening, which led them to turn down a large number of orders.
Queenie saw a large quantity of candy and assumed it came from Honey Duke. "You like sweets?"
The twins smiled at each other. "Would you like to try some? There are several flavors."
"We recommend the toffee, hazelnut flavor."
"Is it a prank?" Queenie realized. "Harry told me that your greatest hobby is playing pranks."
"It's more than just a hobby—"
"That's the cause we've dedicated our lives to—"
Are you coming to the store opening ceremony?
"As our savior and the wife of our major shareholder?"
“Go,” Queenie blinked, “as a friend.”
"It is well known that Weasley loves making friends."
“That’s right, we have friends all over Hogwarts, including Slytherin.”
Dinner was unusually lively. Mr. Weasley, Bill, and Fleur were back, and Sirius was also there. The only Weasleys missing were Charlie and Percy.
Harry shyly and solemnly introduced Queenie to everyone, and when they learned that they had been secretly dating for a year, everyone made good-natured jokes.
Ginny seemed a little uncomfortable. She kept glancing at Queenie, then quickly looking away, repeating this several times, making it hard to miss. So when she looked at Queenie again, Queenie quickly turned her head away and gave her a friendly smile.
Ginny was taken aback, and her face slowly turned red.
During dinner that followed, Ginny was unusually absent-minded, and even when Sirius and the twins loudly recounted the exciting moments of their final battle, she couldn't muster any enthusiasm.
Hermione sat next to her and noticed her state, feeling a little worried, thinking that she had been reminded of something sad again.
Ginny, are you alright?
Ginny glanced at Queenie again. Queenie was discussing the upgrades and innovations of Muggle phones with Mr. Weasley, and was also praising him with a smile for his various amazing modifications to Muggle items. Mr. Weasley was so happy that his face turned red, and he snorted at Mrs. Weasley several times with pride.
"She's so pretty," Ginny whispered.
“Oh, Queenie is wearing makeup today. She’s a great makeup artist, but she’s already very pretty.” Hermione glanced over there and noticed Bill and Fleur, who were always sticking together even while eating. “She’s about the same age as Fleur.”
Their boyfriends are ten years apart in age; love is truly amazing.
Ginny pursed her lips, instinctively wanting to say something sarcastic to Fleur, but remembering Fleur's heroic feat in the final battle, she swallowed her words and instead poked at the steak on her plate, "If I asked her how to do makeup, would she be willing to teach me?"
"Uh, of course?"
That's great.
Ginny flashed a shy smile she hadn't shown in a long time, which stunned Hermione. She had never mentioned Harry even once.
After dinner, they played games together for a while before returning to Godric Valley just before midnight.
Queenie wasn't sleepy at all, after all, she had only slept for more than ten hours the night before.
After washing up and getting into bed, Queenie suddenly sat up and glanced to the side. There was a new glass ornament on the bedside table. The glass bottle stood at an angle on a perfectly shaped wooden base, filled with blue water. On the water was a small boat, which was slowly moving. Just before it was about to hit the edge of the bottle, it playfully shook its mast. Then the whole boat transformed into an orchid and sank to the bottom of the water, only to reappear on the surface as a small boat.
There is a nameplate in the center of the wooden base, with the same words as on the boat—Queen.
Queenie touched it again and again, then exclaimed in surprise, "You made it?"
Harry cleared his throat, feigning profundity, "Magic is all-powerful."
Queenie rolled over and sat on him, pressing her hands on his shoulders. The rich scent of strawberries wafted straight into Harry's nose. "Was it magic that made me do this?"
“Yes.” Harry looked intently into her eyes. “Love is the greatest magic.”
"Pfft—" Queenie laughed and fell into his arms. "You're so corny."
"..."
Queenie's hand moved up his shoulder and took off his glasses. She turned her face to the side, and Harry could almost taste the strawberry. "But you're right, it really is."
Along with their breathing, the little space left was completely encroached upon.
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