Chapter Text
The group did not huddle. Mr. Moody taking point to help clear a path straight out to the road outside the station. An Auror was at the portal to 9 and 3/4 a bit of magic to keep the muggles unconcerned and the small invasion forced moved out to the bus loading area and came up to a triple decker bus a springly looking young man stood at the platform and was taking the first arrives trunks and what nots, It took a little time but soon the group of seven children and nine adults were loaded aboard.
The kids were nearly all face planted looking about at the muggle world. Elizabeth was pushed into, along with Harry as tour guides. The Bus shot off like a rocket not even a moment of acceleration sort of like 0 to 160 KPH. Elizabeth found a seat and used her belt to improvise a seatbelt instead.
The man came round with tea and biscuits. The man seemed in synch with the twists turns and even the sudden stop. This tossed people like seed tossed to feed birds. But no one was hurt. Then back to 160 KPH Things became smoother once they were out of the M25. The bus did not go any faster and the lane changes were less happening. The ride came to an end and was just as jarring as the taking off was. Elizabeth was very unsure that the ground was not about to jerk in any of the multitude of directions but she kept her feet. She and the others got their luggage and a quick levitation charm cast by the adults as the Aurors were there and no one wanted to break the laws. The hauled the luggage up to a house. And what a House. In a way it was clearly help up by magic but way put together had her looking at it. Ron stepped alongside her. "Not as fancy as your last guest house?" he said the barb was clear in his tone. She looked at him. "Ronald. Malfoy Manor is a massive home,and one can find where the fingerprints of the Malfoy's are placed to welcome guests and family. It has a grace that is it's own." she says hauling her own luggage.
"This." she gestures to the Burrow. "This is a home. A Warm welcoming one. A sign that the family that lives here will welcome you and make sure that if you stay the night a warm tea maybe a meal will be given if needed.And a person will if they are a decent sort feel and return that warmth and kindness. The house might be held up with magic but it is also held up with love." She then pulls the trunk a little harder and faster so as to pull ahead of the boy.
The two men who met them at the large door and entryway were very clearly Weasleys. Red hair and all. The slightly taller was Bill and the clearly still a little boyish looking in the face was named Charlie. Both took their parents things first and gestured towards the living room. "Please have a seat while we get things sorted out." Bill being the eldest had spoke up. Charlie stood midroom to see where others were taking seats. Once folks started to take seats he brought out a tray of tea in a mix of cups a few of a classical tea set and the others mugs and some with decorations and slogans. When Bill offered to take her trunk. Elizabeth explained it had a section inside with additional bedrooms so as to lighten the bedroom issues and she followed him to where they placed it. She had suggested off to the rear and ground floor as to not cause issues with the upper floors magic. And once set up she opened it to allow the plumbing and utility issues to sort themselves out.
Once set up she went over and took her seat. The other children talked about a quidditch game James offered to join. Ginny stated she would be playing as well since she had her own broom. And when eyes fell on Elizabeth. "I will be cheering on Danger Mouse for the win." The room looked confused. "Ah nevermind." she said and finished her cup and set it back on the tray and headed over to her suitcase. "The rooms are outfitted with queen sized beds so plenty of room. The Library has a decent mix of Muggle and Magical authors.. So I will see folks in the morning." she said and stepped into the suitcase.
The next couple of days was spent getting used to a farm life. She walked with Ginny getting eggs and helping the boys with de-gnoming the garden. She found a spot to set up here telescope and the light shade would be put up after she could see how the light from the houses played out. Lily came out to talk about things. She came up on Elizabeth looking at the two older Weasley boys...correction Young Men. It was clear Elizabeth was seeing something she rather liked. "So getting used to things?" she asked Elizabeth mumbled a 'yeah.' Lily smiling turned her towards the house "Come on. You have work to do." she said pushing her by her shoulders forward.
The work was helping with the kitchen work. Turned out feeding seventeen people was a task for about half that number while the other half was seeing to clearing space to put out a tent and move tables out to have the dinner for this mob. Peeling potatoes was faster and easier with many hands Ginny and the twins was followed quickly by snapping beans. Soon the kids were done and sent off. James and Remus were while they were using magic had the laundry out of the way when it was time to go help Bill and Charlie with the Tents. Tonks had been busy with the warding not that much was needed the Weasleys over the years had done a great job with the warding it was a few latest to cover gaps.. Harry and Ron got tasked with bring in the eggs and had found a way to goof off and finally were caught swimming in the pond by Lily and then Molly. So soon they were getting peels and unuseable part of the beans together to take out to the pigs.
Then the boys had to wash out the sty and Arthur got back ahd after a quick change of clothes got the eggs that would be needed tomorrow morning. But having had a long day at work was allowed by Molly to go to his shed. of 'Muggle Things' suspecting she would be asked for her knowledge on such things. Elizabeth set out to put out her telescope and then came back as she would need to wait till night to finish focusing and setting up that camp chair. (edited)
The offer to use Elizabeth's cook surface was taken up. Most of the side dishes and the oven for the desert. Marlene stepped up and said while James and Remus had "Gotten the laundry done... And done well. I am going to take up the bedding tomorrow and spare you boys the making all those beds. I know you have an appointment to see Sirius." she said smiling. Her gaze lingering on Remus. The discussion was tomorrow to lighten the load on Molly and to show they loved her cooking they were wanting to take her out for a lovely meal and discuss plans for th rest of the break. Also it was to convince Molly to accept the help in refilling the larder which the group had done a job of keeping down. (edited)
Regulus came back that night talking about Severus Snape having something happening to him and he then pushed the others out to a area very open and clear of eavesdropping kids. Elizabeth walked over to Harry who looked just as interested as did the other kids. "Harry get your cloak and go listen to them. I will go to the telescope and swing it towards them when they see me I will get caught and we see what happens.
The group stood talking some where looking around and it was not till the telescope a about a hundred meters away had been point that way for a while did anyone seem to notice they were no longer alone.Lily James and Lupin started walking her way. The trio stepped up. "Elizabeth. You are interrupting a private discussion by snooping" James said. "Sorry but we are interested about things that can effect us. If Snape is gone. Then Lily will be busy having both sets of classes. " Elizabeth replied. "Well it none of your business." Lily said a pissed off tone. " Well as I said before I am sorry." She turned the scope back in the general direction. "No you are staying in tonight. Call it a grounding for a couple of days." Lily said. She had been like she was riding herd on Elizabeth and Harry and it was like herding cats. "OK. So no work tonight." Elizabeth said walking towards the Burrow. As she approached the door she saw Harry waving her in.