It's All Just Temporary with a Bit of Necromancy

Chapter 15: He's Our Son

"Yeah," Ron mumbled, cursing himself for missing his chance.

Arriving in the house, Ron could smell roast wafting from the kitchen. Remus was already there, looking pale and shaky, Ron wondered if the man had been drinking recently.

"Hey, Professor," Ron greeted the man.

"I'm hardly your professor anymore, it's just Remus," Remus replied kindly. Despite his outward appearance the man still kept his gentle nature which was a relief. Ron had been personally worried that all of the news might have been the last straw and the kind man would fly off the handle.

Food was brought out and everyone took their seats and began filling their plates. Ron sat between Hermione and Ginny with his mum next to Ginny, the twins on the opposite side of him with Remus between Fred and his father and George next to Fred and his mum.

The five teenagers kept exchanging glances with each other, trying to determine who should start the conversation. Ron couldn't taste his food as his stomach knotted tighter around itself. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and decided to start talking. He never did like silence.

"So, school starts soon," he said probably louder than necessary but his nerves were frantic. He was surprised he was capable of holding his fork at this point.

The three adults blinked at the random comment but just nodded.

"Yes, my baby girl is starting her O.W.L. year and you and Hermione are starting your N.E.W.T.s. You're all just growing up so fast," Mum whimpered lightly, her eyes going shiny at the thought.

"Yeah, I'm so excited to be starting on our career-focused subjects," Hermione chimed in. "It'll be nice to not have additional distractions."

Ron nodded and saw the twins looking intently between the three adults, observing closely. "Should even be a relaxed year now, you know? What with Harry not being there with us."

It had started. Ron felt his heart stop as he held his breath. There was no turning back now, he had brought Harry up now and so began the part of feeling out the adults to determine their loyalties. He could feel Hermione and Ginny tensing beside him which only fed his own frayed nerves.

"It will be strange, him not being there," Ginny agreed softly, her eyes flickering between her parents and former teacher. "I wonder if we should continue the DA?"

Ron watched his parents and Remus exchange looks. "Now children, we wanted to speak with you about this and so I'm glad you've brought it up," his dad started. Ron glanced at the others and swallowed hard. This wasn't what they planned for.

"Now, I know what Dumbledore said and given the article that came out with Harry's interview confirming it," Remus began, shifting between the twins looking far paler than normal. "Well, we understand that you might be upset about what happened. Might be blaming Harry for choosing to be Dark. Well, magical inheritances, they can't be chosen. You were all able to accept me for being a Dark creature when I didn't have a choice. Harry didn't either."

Ron's mouth hung open and so did the others. This was far easier than he thought it would be.

"Harry didn't have a choice in his magical inheritance. And even if he is Dark as the Headmaster claims," his mum took over. "Having an inheritance doesn't take away your memories, so Harry does still remember us. He is just afraid right now and all alone." His mum started tearing up now and so his dad took over.

"What your mother, Remus, and I, are trying to say is, if Harry does contact you let us know. We want to show him that getting an inheritance isn't the end. Even if Dumbledore believes it is... Well Dumbledore is a great man and a powerful wizard but there are instances where he is wrong."