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CHAPTER SEVENTY THREE - 🍂୧ meeting. . .
the weasley familyও🦌

THE HOUSE HUNTING PROVED to be more challenging than both James and Autumn had anticipated. With their work for the Order consuming most of their time, they found themselves constantly having to delay their search for a new home.

The demands of the Order kept house hunting on the back burner for the couple.

James was assigned to a lengthy assignment that would keep him away for a few weeks, while Autumn found herself practically confined to Headquarters due to her episodes of needing to draw, which, ironically, turned out to be quite beneficial for the entire Order more than usual.

Despite the challenges, Autumn made the most out of her time at Headquarters. Her episodes of needing to draw became a regular event, with other members of the Order quickly learning to recognize the signs of her artistic frenzy.

"You're in the zone again, aren't you?" Gideon would comment teasingly whenever he saw her sketching diligently, her quill moving furiously across the parchment, if it wasn't Gideon it was Fabian.

"Can't blame her," Fabian would chime in, grinning at his brother. "When inspiration strikes, you can't hold back, can you, Autumn?"

Autumn would merely nod in response, her focus solely on her sketches, unaware of the fond glances and chuckles passing between the Prewett brothers.

A new strategy that had been implemented to ensure the success of every mission. The younger members were still a bit inexperienced and tended to be more impulsive, while the older ones had the advantage of experience and wisdom. Pairing them up would hopefully balance things out.

Autumn had the privilege of working closely with the Prewett brothers, Gideon and Fabian, who were renowned for their exceptional ability to gather and relay crucial intelligence to members on the frontlines.

Meanwhile, Marlene and Dorcas often collaborated with Edgar Bones and Elphias Doge, who focused on uncovering vital information from within the Ministry regarding the war's political dimensions.

James and Sirius, on the other hand, teamed up with Mundungus Fletcher and Alastor Moody, often engaged in combat-related missions, particularly rescuing fellow Order members who found themselves outnumbered by Death Eaters.

Raven and Remus found themselves working alongside Dedalus Diggle and Ben Fenwick, although their tasks varied, leading them to often be found within the Order's headquarters, engaged in various assignments.

Lily worked closely with Frank and Alice Longbottom, who often took on missions disguised to gather intelligence that eluded Autumn's artistic abilities.

Peter and Mary worked together with Caradoc Dearborn and Sturgis Podmore, often focusing on logistical duties such as securing supplies for the Order.

The pairs seemed to blend well together despite their differences. The older members were patient and wise, providing guidance and strategy, while the younger ones brought fresh perspectives and a willingness to try new methods.

Autumn let out a sigh as she leaned back in her chair, tilting her head upwards to face Gideon and Fabian. "My drawings are being unusually vague today," she explained, her frustration evident in her voice. "I can't grasp anything substantial to pass along to you two."

Gideon and Fabian shared a knowing look. "Maybe you just need a break," suggested Gideon, his tone laced with concern.

Fabian nodded in agreement, his eyes studying Autumn's weary face. "You've been at it non-stop. Even we know when to take a breather."

Autumn groaned, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I know, I know," she relented, her voice filled with exhaustion. "It's just... I feel like I'm letting everyone down if I step away. What if I miss something crucial?"

"Nonsense," Fabian reassured her, his voice firm yet gentle. "You're no use to anyone if you're running on empty, love. A little break won't do anyone any harm."

Gideon nodded in agreement. "The Order can manage without your drawings for a few hours. You're not the only one carrying the load, you know."

Autumn sighed again, unable to argue with their logic. "I suppose you're right," she conceded, running a hand through her hair in a gesture of defeat. "It's just hard to switch off from the pressure sometimes."

"We understand that," Gideon said sympathetically. "But taking care of yourself is as important as taking care of the Order. You know that, don't you?"

Fabian added, "We rely on you a lot, Autumn. But we need you at your best, not running on fumes."

Autumn gave them a tired smile. "Alright, I'll take a break," she assured them. Hopefully, my brain can process some useful information before I come back down again."

Gideon and Fabian exchanged a knowing look before both placed a hand on Autumn's shoulders, grins dancing on their faces. Fabian suggested, "How about you join us today?"

Gideon chimed in, mirroring his brother's action, "Yeah, we think it'd be nice to have you with us."

Autumn looked at the twins in surprise. "You want me to join you?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of surprise and intrigue.

She'd never been included in a mission with the Prewett brothers before. It was always her providing information, never being directly involved in the action. The offer was both unexpected and exciting.

Gideon chuckled at her surprise. "Indeed, we do," he confirmed, his hand giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Meanwhile, Fabian added, "We thought it would be a nice change to have you with us. You're more than just a pretty artist, you know."

Autumn felt a pang of warmth at their words. "Flattery will get you nowhere, you know," she teased, feigning nonchalance.

But secretly, the offer was tempting. The opportunity to be more than just the Order's resident artist, to actually participate in the action instead of just providing information – it was a challenge she couldn't resist.

...

Confusion washed over Autumn's face as she gazed at the surrounding hills and fertile meadows. Her eyes darted to the house with its crooked two-story layers. She observed the half-built layers, seemingly a work in progress.

Fabian and Gideon exchanged amused grins, and Fabian spoke up first, "Looks like Molly and Arthur finished another floor."

Gideon chimed in with a chuckle, "Probably going to need more since the twins are growing."

Autumn looked at them and then narrowed her eyes. "Wait, you mean Molly as in your sister? Wait, did you guys bring me to your sister's home?"

Gideon and Fabian chuckled at her realization. "Indeed we did," Gideon confirmed, his eyes dancing with mirth.

Fabian added, "We thought it'd be nice for you to get away from Headquarters for a bit. See something other than those cramped corridors and gloomy rooms."

They gestured towards the house, their grins widening. "Plus, what better place for a break than the Burrow? It's chaos all the time."

Autumn shot them a playful glare, her confusion now replaced with mild annoyance. "You two could have at least warned me," she replied, trying to sound frustrated but failing to hide her underlying amusement.

"We could have," Gideon acknowledged, his tone not even remotely remorseful. "But where's the fun in that?"

Fabian chimed in, his grin matching his brother's. "Besides, the look on your face when you realized was priceless, love."

Autumn rolled her eyes, her annoyance melting away. "You two are impossible," she muttered but the corner of her lips twitched, betraying an unwilling smile.

The brothers took one of her arms each and dragged Autumn closer to the burrow, but before reaching the home, she spotted a woman in the yard. The woman, in her late twenties, had been gesturing towards three children. She had said, "Bill, I told you to check under that box!"

The woman then sighed. "No, not that one, Charlie," she said. "Yes, that one, Percy," she said to one of the children. "Bill, go over there and help your brother catch the gnome."

As they approached the woman, Autumn couldn't help but admire her maternal energy. The woman exuded an air of authority despite the chaotic situation around her.

Fabian let out a chuckle, whispering to Autumn, "Looks like Molly has her hands full as always."

Gideon nodded in agreement, a fond smile on his face. "She deserves all the credit, I reckon," he said. "Running a household of five children... it's not an easy job."

The woman then looked up and noticed their approach. Despite her earlier exhaustion, her face brightened as she spotted her brothers, a wide grin lighting up her features.

"Ah, look who decided to pop by," Molly said, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation but mostly fond delight.

Gideon and Fabian smiled back, their grins mirroring hers. "Thought we'd drop by," Fabian said casually.

Molly's eyes then flicked to Autumn, a gleam of curiosity entering them.

"And who is this you've brought with you?" she asked, her gaze studying Autumn intently.

Autumn felt slightly self-conscious under Molly's scrutiny but held her ground, offering a faint smile.

Gideon and Fabian chuckled, looking quite pleased with themselves. "This is Autumn," Fabian answered.

"She works with us," Gideon finished.

The two kept it short, as the Order was something their sister didn't know about. She had her suspicions about their job, knowing it wasn't a regular occupation, but she never questioned it.

Molly's eyebrows shot up in surprise, not expecting such information. Her gaze flicked from her brothers to Autumn and back, a mix of curiosity and wariness filling her expression.

Molly studied Autumn silently, a hundred questions clearly on her tongue before she settled for a simple, "Is that so?"

She then shot her brothers a questioning glance that said 'We'll talk about this later', before turning back to Autumn.

"Well," she said, her voice softer now. "Any friend of my brothers is a friend of mine. I'm Molly, it's lovely to meet you."

Autumn smiled back politely, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the woman's warm yet slightly overbearing presence.

A small part of her wondered if Molly knew about the Order or at least guessed her brothers were part of something secretive. But she didn't dare ask, not wanting to reveal anything that could cause trouble.

"Likewise," she replied, genuinely meaning it. Despite her initial surprise, there was something about Molly that was both endearing and comforting.

Before the conversation could continue any further, a shrill sound of cries pierced the air, causing all heads to turn towards the house.

Molly's expression hardened slightly, the exhaustion from dealing with her children returning. "Excuse me for a moment," she said quickly, dashing off to attend to the cause of the noise.

Gideon and Fabian chuckled sympathetically at the sudden chaos, looking over at Autumn with grins.

"Welcome to the Burrow," Fabian teased lightly.

Autumn watched Molly rush off with an amused and slightly empathetic look on her face. Even though she knew all too well the feeling of being overwhelmed by situations.

She returned her gaze to the brothers, a smirk playing on her lips. "So this is your idea of a relaxing break, huh?" she teased back, gesturing towards the chaotic scene unfolding.

Gideon smirked back at her, his eyes glimmering with amusement. "What, you don't find chasing gnomes and wrangling hyperactive children relaxing? I'm wounded, love."

Fabian chuckled, enjoying the banter between them. "Oh, come on. Where's your sense of adventure, Autumn? Nothing like a good game of 'gnome-tossing' to loosen you up."

Autumn tilted her head and chuckled. "You two do remember I'm a Muggle-born, right? I have no idea what 'gnome-tossing' is. Care to explain it to me?"

The brothers shared a look, then laughed. Fabian placed his hands on his hips and chuckled, "Right, I forgot that."

Gideon let out a snort and turned to the field, where he could see his nephews throwing a gnome over a hedge. "Hey, boys! Could you explain 'gnome-tossing' to our friend Autumn?"

Bill and Charlie, who had just launched a gnome over the hedge, looked over at their uncles as they called. Their eyebrows raised in surprise at the request.

Percy, who was standing a bit back, turned as well. The three boys walked over, and Autumn knelt down to their height. She smiled at them and said, "Hi, before you tell me about the 'gnome-tossing' game, let me introduce myself. I'm Autumn Potter."

The three Weasley boys looked at her intently, clearly curious about the unknown woman who seemed to be on friendly terms with their uncles.

Charlie, the adventurous and slightly mischievous one, spoke first. "You're Autumn, huh? Like Fall, the season? Oh right, my name first, My name is Charlie Weasley!"

Bill, the oldest and most serious of the siblings, offered her a firm handshake. "I'm Bill, nice to meet you."

Percy, the younger of the three, seemed a little less friendly. He looked at her with a hint of curiosity. "I'm Percy," he said formally, almost as if testing her.

Autumn couldn't help but chuckle at their introductions. They were so different in personalities – Charlie with his eager energy, Bill with his steady politeness and Percy with his cautious formality. It was endearing and amusing all at the same time.

"It's nice to meet you all," Autumn replied, shaking their hands in turn. "Your uncles were just explaining the concept of 'gnome-tossing', and I'm fascinated by this. Can you guys explain it to me? Step by step, please."

The Weasley brothers perked up at her request, exchanging grins. It was as if they were excited to show off their game to someone new.

"Sure!" Charlie said eagerly, stepping forward. "It's dead simple. You see, gnomes live in your garden and are known to be pests, so we throw them out over the hedge!"

Bill chimed in, clearly enjoying the explanation, "We take turns to see who can throw the farthest."

Percy, who wanted to contribute as well, added his part, "It's also a good way to relieve stress if you ask me."

Autumn chuckled at their descriptions, clearly amused. Their simple game sounded more like a strategic competition, each trying to outdo the other. "I see, a competition and a stress reliever, all in one," she mused thoughtfully. "Sounds like it can get quite intense."

The boys nodded in agreement. Charlie added, "Yup! And sometimes, the gnomes try to bite us when we pick them up."

Bill chimed in, "It gets chaotic, and the competition can get aggressive."

Percy then chimed in, "Not to mention the occasional bruise."

Autumn winced in mock pain, feigning shock. "You guys risk getting bitten and even bruised playing this game? Sounds like the stakes are quite high."

The boys nodded in unison, their faces serious. Bill spoke up, "It's all part of the fun, isn't it?"

Charlie grinned, not looking the least bit concerned. "Absolutely. Can't have a good game without a few scars to show for it."

Percy, not to be outdone by his brothers, added, "A game isn't truly worth playing if you come out of it unharmed."

Autumn laughed at their determination. "So it's not just a game, it's a rite of passage to be part of the Weasley clan, eh?"

Gideon and Fabian, who had observed the entire conversation between their nephews and Autumn, chuckled warmly.

Fabian quipped, "Oh, absolutely. Can't call yourself a Weasley if you haven't thrown an angry gnome across a yard at least once. It's practically tradition."

Gideon nodded in agreement, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Indeed. It's a test of bravery, precision, and most importantly, your aim."

Charlie huffed. "Yeah, but uncles are bad at it. I hope you're better!"

Gideon and Fabian feigned being hurt, putting their free hand over their hearts and looking at each other in mock disappointment. "How could our cute little nephew say such a thing?"

The Weasley boys puffed out their chests in pride, clearly relishing the pride of being a Weasley.

Charlie added, "And don't forget our secret technique of handling the buggers. It's all in the grip."

Bill put his two cents in, "That's right. You have to hold them just the right way or they'll bite your hands off."

Percy, always trying to one-up his brothers, said, "And the key to any good throw is all about the wind-up and follow-through."

Autumn stood up and reached out her hand to the kids. "All right, show me how it's done," she said with a smile.

The three boys grabbed her hand and pulled her away, leaving their uncles behind, who could only chuckle. Molly soon appeared, her hands full with her two youngest sons, Fred and George.

Gideon and Fabian quickly went over, each grabbing a baby. Gideon took Fred, and Fabian got George. The infants, both only around one year old, fussed, making the Prewett brothers chuckle and swiftly switch babies, which seemed to soothe them.

Molly, looking slightly frazzled from carrying her other sons, finally had a moment to breathe when she saw the two brothers handling her babies with such ease. She huffed out a tired laugh.

"Honestly, they're such handfuls," she said, shaking her head in affectionate resignation.

Gideon chuckled, cuddling George close. "Ah, but they're cute little handfuls, aren't they?"

Fabian bounced Fred gently in his arms. "Come on, you have to admit they're adorable."

"Adorable?" Molly echoed, her hands on her hips. "You try dealing with these two when they're both crying and throwing tantrums simultaneously. Then tell me they're adorable."

Gideon chuckled as the infants cooed and playfully batted their tiny hands against their uncles' faces.

Molly smiled and looked over at the field, where Autumn was with her three sons. "Did you two put her on gnome duties?"

Gideon snickered, "She seems to be doing a good job." He watched as Autumn threw a gnome over the hedge.

Fabian looked up, his words slightly muffled as Fred's tiny hands stretched his mouth. "She does it better than us," he said, struggling to say it clearly.

Molly chuckled, her eyes warm, and nodded in agreement. "She's got the hang of it, doesn't she? And she seems to be handling the boys just fine. They all seem quite amused."

Gideon chuckled as the babies squirmed and giggled in their arms. "Yeah, she's a natural. It's almost like she's been here before."

Fabain's words echoed in agreement, still struggling to speak clearly due to Fred's little grip on his mouth. "Yeah," he managed to say. "It's as if she's been part of the family for years."

Molly chuckled again, a hint of wonder in her eyes as she watched the unusual scene: Autumn in the field, playing with her sons and throwing gnomes around, and her brothers, holding her babies with as much ease as they would a Quidditch ball. This was truly a different sight.

"You know," she mused, her voice low and thoughtful, "It's almost like she's... fitting in perfectly."

Gideon chuckled, holding George, who was now trying to chew on his ear. "You might be onto something, Molly," he said, amused.

Fabian, still struggling to speak over Fred's tiny grip, managed to say, "It's almost as if she's... meant to be here. But we can't say that too much, her husband might think we're trying to make her a Weasley."

Molly's eyes widened. "Oh, Autumn is married? She seems so young," she remarked.

The brothers chuckled, and Fred tried to clamber onto Fabian's shoulder, but he held him firmly in place."Molly, you married young yourself, didn't you?"

"Yes, but not that young," Molly replied, swiftly changing the subject, "Anyways, besides that, who is her husband?"

"Oh, well, she married into the Potter family," Gideon said, nodding. "Her husband works with us as well."

Molly's eyes widened, recognition flooding her face. "The Potter family? As in..." she began, trailing off in shock.

Gideon nodded, enjoying the reaction. "Yes, that same Potter family."

Fred, who was now successfully perched on Fabian's shoulder, tugged at his hair as if to emphasize the point.

Molly's face fell, and she placed her hand gently against her cheek. It was a well-known fact among most wizarding families that Euphemia and Fleamont had passed away. The Potter family was distantly related to the Prewetts, and by extension, the Weasleys. The only surviving member of the Potter line was their son, but knowing that he had married brought a glimmer of happiness nonetheless.

Gideon, sensing her train of thought, offered a reassuring smile. "Yes, they married back in March of this year."

Fabian, now with a red-haired infant clinging to his head, nodded in agreement. "And they are absolutely smitten with each other. Never seen two people more in love."

Molly's expression softened, an underlying hint of relief in her eyes at the knowledge that the once-great Potter line still continued.

The infants, completely unaware of the family history discussion, continued to play happily in their uncles' arms, blissfully unbothered by the topic.

Fred was now trying to balance precariously on Fabian's head, while Gideon tickled George's stomach, making him erupt into a fit of giggles.

...

Later in the day, Autumn joined the family for lunch, and the boys bombarded her with questions about muggles, filling the room with chatter and laughter.

As the boys began to feel sleepy, they retired for their afternoon nap, leaving the adults to chat among themselves. However, not long after, Fabian and Gideon also felt the need for a nap, joining the boys and leaving Molly and Autumn together in the dining room, free to talk in peace.

Molly, now sipping tea, observed the peaceful scene around them. The silence was momentarily interrupted by the faint sounds of the kids napping upstairs and Gideon and Fabian's soft snores from the living room.

Turning her gaze to Autumn, she smiled warmly. "Can I ask you a question?"

Autumn, who had been watching the napping males with amusement, switched her focus back to Molly. "Of course," she replied warmly, sensing something serious in the other woman's tone.

Molly seemed to debate the question silently for a moment before finally voicing it. "Might I ask how old you are, dear? Not that it matters, of course," she added hastily.

Autumn chuckled softly, shaking her head lightly. "It's alright. I don't mind at all. I'm nineteen."

Molly's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Nineteen? I must say, you seem much more... mature for your age, if I might say so."

Autumn smiled. It wasn't the first time she'd heard a similar remark, and she'd grown used to it. "Thank you. Life has a way of forcing you to grow up a bit faster, I suppose."

Molly's gaze softened in understanding as if she could relate to that. She took a sip of tea before asking quietly, "If you don't mind me asking... do you and your husband have any children?"

Autumn smiled and shook her head. "No, not yet," she said. "We haven't made any plans in that regard just yet. We're currently focused on finding a home first...or well, that's been the plan, but work has kept us too busy." She paused, considering the recent end of the war. "But once we find a home, and perhaps with the war behind us, we might consider starting a family."

Molly nodded, a tinge of wistfulness in her eyes. "Oh, you're young, you have time. There is no rush." She smiled, her gaze drifting towards the living room where her brothers and children were sleeping.

"As for children, they are a blessing, but they do require a lot of patience. You really have to be ready emotionally and financially before having them."

Autumn chuckled. "Wise words. I'm certainly nowhere near prepared for the chaos and energy your boys have."

There was a pause as Molly looked at her, debating something inside her head. After a few moments, she spoke up again. "Can I ask you another question? It's a bit personal, and you can refuse to answer it if you're uncomfortable."

Autumn nodded, intrigued by Molly's hesitation. "Of course, go ahead."

Molly's eyes darted down to her hands, where she nervously fidgeted with her fingers. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, still unable to meet Autumn's gaze. "Well," she began falteringly, "My brothers... their job, is it dangerous?"

The tension in her voice was palpable, and it was clear that the subject made her uneasy.

Autumn sensed the weight of the question, knowing full well the true danger of the Order. They were essentially soldiers in the war, facing constant peril.

Autumn clenched her hands in her lap, biting her lip as she struggled to find the right response to Molly's question. Molly, observing her unease, forced a laugh. "You know what," she said, trying to sound lighthearted, "Maybe I shouldn't have asked. They're my older brothers, and I should trust that if they're keeping things from me, it's to keep me and my family safe."

Autumn looked at Molly, a mixture of sympathy and guilt in her eyes. "I... I shouldn't say too much," she confessed, her voice strained and conflicted. Molly was clearly worried about her brothers' safety. For a moment, Autumn was tempted to reveal the truth behind their Order, but Molly had a beautiful family if she knew, it would danger them.

"I can't say for sure that it's completely safe," she admitted. "But...but I promise you, they know what they're doing."

Molly's eyes widened slightly, her fears confirmed, but her face remained composed. She nodded slowly, her expression a mixture of acceptance and concern. "Alright," she replied quietly, "I...I understand."

There was a heavy silence as Molly processed this confirmation. She took a deep, almost shaky breath before speaking again. "Just... just tell me that they'll be careful, alright? And that you'll all look out for one another."

Autumn, still struggling with the weight of the truth, nodded fervently. "I promise, Molly," she said, her voice firm and earnest. "We're all in it together, and we... we always watch out for each other." Autumn felt a pang of guilt, knowing she was half-lying, but what choice did she have?

The two women sat in silence for a moment. Molly was clearly deep in thought, her heart no doubt clouded with worry. Seeing this, Autumn reached out and gently placed a hand on her arm, making Molly look up.

"They'll be fine, Molly," Autumn assured her, trying to sound reassuring despite her worries. "Your brothers are smart and tough. They know what they're doing."

Molly and Autumn were completely oblivious to the fact that the brothers were no longer asleep. Fabian and Gideon were now wide awake, but they continued to feign sleep as they listened in on the conversation.

The brothers exchanged sympathetic glances. They longed to reveal the truth to Molly but knew the dangers of involving her in the Order's affairs. They silently appreciated Autumn for not breaking and disclosing any information to their sister.