Hey, Remus!

Chapter 24: Life at The Burrow

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The Burrow was everything Grimmauld Place was not. Where the old Black family home was oppressive and dark, the Weasley house was filled with life, light, and love. Every room seemed to hum with its own warmth, the mismatched furniture and cluttered surfaces a testament to a house that was truly lived in. Maria had always been an outsider, both in her own world and in this one, but The Burrow seemed to pull her in, wrapping her in a kind of chaotic embrace that was both comforting and overwhelming.
She tried to find her place amidst the whirlwind of life in the Weasley household, though it wasn't easy. There was always something happening: a pan boiling over on the stove, a broom crashing through the garden, the twins testing some new invention with spectacularly loud results. Maria wasn't used to this kind of chaos, but she threw herself into it, eager to be helpful where she could.
Most mornings began the same way. Molly bustled about the kitchen, her wand flicking this way and that as she orchestrated breakfast for what felt like an army. Maria would slip in quietly, grabbing a dishcloth or reaching for a cutting board without waiting to be asked. She quickly learned that Molly had a way she liked things done, and while Maria was clumsy at times, Molly's firm but kind instructions helped her find her footing.
"Peel the carrots, dear, but mind you don't slice your finger along with them," Molly said one morning, setting a pile of vegetables in front of Maria.
It wasn't long before Ginny and Hermione began pulling her into their own corners of The Burrow's life. Ginny was fiery and confident, and Maria couldn't help but admire the way the youngest Weasley carried herself, her sharp wit balanced by a kind heart. Hermione, on the other hand, was methodical and studious, her focus often split between her latest reading and keeping Ron in check.
One afternoon, Maria found herself in Ginny's room, sitting cross-legged on the floor while the young girl rifled through a pile of old robes.
"So," Ginny said, holding up a particularly hideous shade of green fabric and making a face, "what's it like, being from another world? Must be strange, yeah?"
Maria hesitated, unsure how much to share.
"It's... different," she admitted. "I mean, a lot of things are similar, but there are times when I feel completely out of my depth."
Ginny plopped down beside her, tossing the green robe aside.
"Well, if you ever need help, you've got me. I'm pretty good at giving advice. And I reckon Hermione's got you covered for anything too complicated."
As if on cue, Hermione poked her head into the room.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ginny grinned mischievously.
"Nothing, Hermione. Just saying you're good at the brainy stuff."
Hermione rolled her eyes but joined them on the floor, her expression softening as she looked at Maria.
"Ginny's right, though. If you need help with anything, spells, history, whatever, just ask. You're part of the team now."
Maria felt a warmth spread through her chest. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed having friends until now.
Later that week, as Maria helped Molly fold laundry in the sitting room, the older woman finally broached a topic she'd been dancing around for days.
"Mary," Molly began, her tone carefully neutral as she folded a pair of Ron's socks. "I've been meaning to talk to you about something."
Maria glanced up from the pile of towels she was folding.
"Yes?"
Molly hesitated, smoothing out a wrinkle in the sock before setting it aside.
"It's about you and Remus."
Maria's stomach tightened, but she nodded, bracing herself.
"You know I care for Remus deeply," Molly said, her voice soft but earnest. "He's been a part of our lives for so long, and I can see how much he cares for you. But, Mary..." She paused, searching for the right words. "Have you thought about what comes next? About your future together?"
Maria's hands stilled on the towel she was folding.
"I... I don't know," she admitted. "I want to be with him. More than anything. But everything feels so uncertain right now."
Molly nodded, her expression thoughtful.
"I understand that, dear. It's a difficult time for all of us. But love isn't something you can leave to chance. It requires work, commitment. And in times like these, it also requires a lot of courage."
Maria looked down at her hands, her chest tightening.
"I just don't know if I'm brave enough," she whispered.
Molly reached over, placing a gentle hand on Maria's arm. Her expression was warm but earnest, the kind of look that made it impossible to brush her off.
"You're braver than you think, Mary. You've already come so far. But I want you to promise me something."
Maria looked up, meeting Molly's steady gaze, her chest tightening.
"What is it?"
Molly hesitated for a moment, smoothing an imaginary crease in the fabric she was folding.
"Promise me you'll think about your future with Remus," she said carefully. "He's a good man, Mary. A rare one. And he loves you, that much is clear to anyone with eyes. But love isn't just about what you feel. It's about commitment, about building a life together. And if you love him as much as I think you do..." She trailed off meaningfully, her tone gentle but pointed.
Maria blinked, caught off guard by the weight of Molly's words.
"You mean...marry him?" she asked, her voice faltering slightly.
Molly nodded, her hand tightening on Maria's arm.
"Yes, dear. You and Remus have built something special, but it's important to think about what comes next. To make it official. Especially in times like these, when tomorrow is never promised."
Maria's heart twisted painfully.
"It's not that simple, Molly," she said softly, her voice tinged with frustration and sorrow. "I don't even officially exist in this world. I don't have a name, or papers, or anything that would make a marriage possible. And... Remus hasn't even asked. We've never talked about it."
Molly leaned back slightly, her brow furrowing in thought.
"I understand the challenges," she said after a moment. "But love always finds a way, Mary. And if you're waiting for him to ask, perhaps he just needs to know that you're open to it. That you want it, too."
Maria dropped her gaze to her hands, which were twisting nervously in her lap.
"I don't even know if I'd be a good wife," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm clumsy and unsure of myself half the time, and I don't understand all the rules of this world. And what if... what if he doesn't come back?" Her throat tightened, and she had to pause to steady herself.
Molly's expression softened, and she reached out to brush a strand of hair from Maria's face.
"Oh, my dear Mary," she said gently. "No one knows what the future holds. But if you spend all your time worrying about what might happen, you'll miss the chance to shape what can happen. And as for being a good wife... it's not about perfection. It's about love, understanding, and being there for one another. And from what I've seen, you already have all that with Remus."
Maria swallowed hard, her emotions swirling.
"I just... I don't know how to start," she confessed. "I don't even know how to talk to him about it."
Molly smiled, patting her arm reassuringly.
"Start with honesty," she said. "When he comes back, tell him how you feel. About him, about your hopes, about the future you want together. He's a good man, Mary, but he can't read your mind. And I'm sure he'd be over the moon to know you're thinking about building a life with him."
Maria let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly.
"I'll try," she said softly. "I promise I'll try."
"That's all I ask, dear," Molly said, her smile warm and full of encouragement. "And if you need help with any of the... technicalities, well, we'll figure it out together. You've got more family here than you realize."
Maria blinked back the sting of tears, her heart full and heavy all at once.
"Thank you, Molly," she whispered.
"Anytime," Molly said, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. Then, with a wink, she added, "And don't worry about being clumsy. Merlin knows, I've raised enough boys to handle a bit of chaos."
Maria couldn't help but laugh, the sound soft but genuine, and for the first time in what felt like days, she felt a flicker of hope.
As the days passed, Maria began to settle into life at The Burrow. She wasn't as quick or skilled as the others, but she made up for it with her quiet determination. She learned to manage the washing-up without breaking too many plates, to dodge the twins' pranks with increasing accuracy, and even to laugh along with the others when things went wrong.
But more than anything, she found herself beginning to feel like she belonged. Ginny and Hermione included her in their conversations, Molly trusted her with small tasks around the house, and even Arthur, with his fascination for all things Muggle, seemed to genuinely enjoy her company.
The nights, however, were still hard. When the house grew quiet, and the distractions of the day faded away, Maria's thoughts inevitably turned to Remus. She worried for him, missed him fiercely, and longed for the day he would walk through the door again.
But she remembered Tonks's and Molly's words, and each night, as she lay in the small, cozy room she'd been given, she resolved to hold onto hope. For Remus. For her parents. For herself.
And slowly, ever so slowly, she began to believe that she could find her place... not just at The Burrow, but in this world.