It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 32

"It took a bit of persuading, but when we saw the plans drawn up, we realized it would be a great house for us.  We didn't demolish it, just gutted the inside and started fresh; the house was just a building that had seen better days.  We took pity on the structure.  It had what I believe you Muggles call 'good bones', so after all the updating and repairs, it truly was a new house, which is now our home," Harry finished.

"It's a shame you can't visit, but know we're very happy there," Ginny added.

"Okay. . . I understand.  It's just . . . well all I know of it is the sets that we used for the movies, which were purposely made to look awful, so I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around any other way for it to look.  I'm very glad you and your family are happy and healthy, Harry . . . Ginny."  Dan looked from one to the other and received nods and smiles in return.

Turning to Remus and Tonks, Dan grinned.  "I think, besides Fred, you two were the ones I was most anxious to see here, with Teddy, too, of course.  How is it going for you?"

"I'm still an Auror, Dan," answered Tonks, even as she nearly upset her tea cup.  "Just as dead clumsy as ever, too!" 

"AH, some things never change," laughed Dan, turning to Remus. "And  you, Remus?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor here at Hogwarts, Dan," said Remus.  "Seems that being on the winning side against Voldemort greatly improved my public image.  Plus, there's been some improvement in the treatment for my 'condition', so my little 'episodes' are much more controlled and, blessedly, less painful; my recovery time has dropped to a few hours, instead of days."

"That's wonderful!  Great news, Remus!" Dan was really surprised and happy for the werewolf and his family.  "Teddy seems to be a total blend of you two; your height and 'animal magnetism', Remus and Tonks' abilities for changing his appearance," laughed Dan, as he pointed to where Teddy was amusing some of the younger set by flashing his hair in outrageous colors, causing much laughter at both tables.

* * *

Rupert found himself deep in a discussion with Mr. Weasley about all he had learned over the years about Muggle things, how his workshop had been expanded and that he actually had another car he was tinkering with, learning how the engine worked, how to change the tires, etc.

"It sounds like you've been having a great time, Mr. Weasley.  Looks like those books were a good choice, eh?"  Rupert laughed.

"AH, that was just the beginning . . . I've learned to use a computer so I can access information about  . . . .well . . . anything!"  Arthur beamed. even as Rupert's mouth dropped open.

"You have a computer at the Burrow?"  he gasped.

"NO!" injected Molly, before Arthur could form an answer.  "It's at Ron and Hermione's house.  Hermione uses it for her work and lets Arthur do research for his different projects.  We've no electricity at the Burrow, so it wouldn't work there in any case."

"But Molly, dear, it wouldn't be a bit of trouble to have electricity connected to . . ." Arthur started to say, but Molly cut him off, mid-sentence.

"Arthur, we've had this discussion, several times, and there are perfectly sound reasons that is not going to happen . . . and you know it!" she huffed, crossing her arms.

Rupert sat there with a big grin on his face, which made Molly and Arthur turn to stare at him.  Realizing  how he must look, he ducked his head and tried, unsuccessfully, to hide a bark of laughter.

"I'm sorry, that's wrong of me to laugh, but Molly, you are exactly as I imagined you'd be when Arthur is trying to talk you into something.   And I understand the reasons you can't have electric service run to your house; the Muggles would wonder why no-one has noticed the Burrow is inhabited, then you'd have to pay the local taxes and usage costs, etc.  It would be opening a can of worms," Rupert said, as he watched the Weasleys staring at him.