Both Molly and Fleur were scolding Bill, and Mia had fixed a glare at Sirius as he
tried to contain his mirth at the plight of his poor godson, who dared use an old-fashioned
proposal on Ginny Weasley, of all witches.
Harry groaned, looking over at the letter in Mia's hands. "What does she say?"
"Well, it appears that Ginny has decided to reply to your Letter of Intent, by sending
one of her very own. She's asked for my permission to court you."
Draco burst into unapologetic laughter.
Harry sighed, threw his hands in the air as a sign of giving up. "I thought you said
I should know all this pureblood nonsense, Hermione."
"I never said to use it on Ginny Weasley. Are you mental? I'm surprised she didn't
Apparate here and Bat-Bogey you for this." Mia giggled and handed him Ginny's Letter of
Intent. "Put this somewhere safe. Poor Harry."
"Owl!" Teddy cried again as a third owl flew in through the window and dropped a
piece of post down in front of Hyperion and Laurel.
"What... is this?" Hyperion hissed, eyes wide as he opened the letter to read.
Laurel, leaning over his shoulder, blue eyes staring at the parchment, let out a loud
squeal of excitement. "Excellent! I get to plan two weddings!"
Molly's face paled. "What?!"
Quite possibly in response to Molly's outrage over Ron's decision to request a
pureblood courtship and betrothal to a Slytherin, Hyperion and Laurel eagerly signed their
permission in regard to the Letter of Intent that he had owled them.
Molly pouted, lamenting over the fact that all of her children were growing up—
and likely no longer listening to her counsel—and the rest of the table began chattering
about weddings. Draco glared across the table at Mia, presumably because he knew she
was to blame for his unfortunate and sudden relationship by marriage to his Weasley rival.
Hours later, the guests were gone and only Sirius, Mia, Harry, and Teddy were left
in the manor. She smiled as she watched her best friend carry the sleeping baby off to his
room—James's old room—disappearing into the shadows. She expected to feel the guilt
pool in the pit of her stomach when she looked at Harry walking away with Teddy in his