Chapter 160: Questions (1/2)
Sirius looked at Mrs. Weasley with a stoney expression.
”I'm perfectly clear who he is, thanks, Molly.” He said coldly.
”I'm not sure you are!” said Mrs. Weasley rising up from her chair as well. ”Sometimes, the way you talk about him, it's as though you think you've got your best friend back!”
”I don't think it's like that, Molly.” Aurelia interrupted. ”I know them and...”
”I didn't ask for your opinion, Aurelia.” Mrs. Weasley snapped. ”No matter how much you know James and Sirius, you don't know Harry.”
Aurelia for the first time looked taken aback, her cool attitude was gone, and a hurt look flashed on her face so fast that anyone barely noticed.
”Right you're Molly. I shouldn't interfere.” Aurelia got up from her chair. ”Thanks Remus... for inviting me to dinner.”
”Wait, Auri.” Sirius stopped Aurelia, then rounded on Mrs. Weasley. ”It's not upto you Molly, who gets to say in Harry's matter. He's not your son.”
”He's as good as,” said Mrs. Weasley fiercely. ”Who else has he got?”
”He's got me!” Sirius snapped. ”I'm his Godfather Molly.”
”Yes,” said Mrs. Weasley, her lip curling. ”The thing is, it's been rather difficult for you to look after him while you've been locked up in Azkaban, hasn't it?”
”Molly, you're not the only person at this table who cares about Harry,” said Lupin sharply. ”Sirius, Aurelia, please sit down.”
Aurelia sat down, slowly, eyes fixed at Sirius, who was still standing.
”Well . . . I can see I'm going to be overruled. I'll just say this: Dumbledore must have had his reasons for not wanting Harry to know too much, and speaking as someone who has got Harry's best interests at heart —”
”That doesn't give you the authority to make decisions for Harry.” Sirius said coldly.
Mrs. Weasley's lower lip was trembling. Sirius sank slowly back into his chair, his face white.
”I think Harry ought to be allowed a say in this,” Lupin said. ”He's old enough to decide for himself.”
”I want to know what's been going on,” Harry said at once.
”Very well,” said Mrs. Weasley, her voice cracking. ”Ginny —Chris — Ron — Hermione — Fred — George — I want you out of this kitchen, now.”
Chris was about to got up but Ginny and Harry pulled her back to the seat.
”Mum, I want to know!” wailed Ginny.
”We're of age!” Fred and George bellowed together.
”If Harry's allowed, why can't I?” shouted Ron.
”NO!” shouted Mrs. Weasley, standing up, her eyes overbright. ”I absolutely forbid —”
”Molly, you can't stop Fred and George,” said Mr. Weasley wearily. ”They are of age —”
”They're still at school —”
”But they're legally adults now,” said Mr. Weasley in the same tired voice.
Mrs. Weasley was now scarlet in the face.
”I — oh, all right then, Fred and George can stay, but Ron —”
”Harry'll tell me and Hermione everything you say anyway!” said Ron hotly. ”Won't — won't you?” he added uncertainly, meeting Harry's eyes.
”'Course I will,” Harry said. Ron and Hermione beamed.