Calculations and recalculations

Both family matriarchs parted in a state of Shakespearean enmity, with no possibility of reconciliation. If each had reflected on the underlying reasons for her outburst, both would have realized that they didn't want their beloved child to marry someone whose future had long been predetermined, someone subtly pushed toward them by the well-meaning old man.

Lily did not want her dear, beloved son to be with this brazen, penniless hussy who, it was obvious, would neither appreciate him nor take care of him as he deserved. Moreover, Lily was smart enough to see that both Molly and her daughter were only interested in the money her family had. She might have tolerated this attitude if it weren't clear that the Weasley girl had no intention of earning those riches.

Molly, too, was disappointed. The former Harry had suited her perfectly—quiet, modest, an orphan who was compliant and obliging. He would have pampered her daughter and fulfilled her every whim, and Molly herself would have easily taken charge of the young family. But now, suddenly, there was a son who would make her Ginny miserable and a mother-in-law who had her own opinion on everything and who wouldn't allow Ginny to be controlled but instead would start making demands of her. No, this was not the dream Molly had for her only daughter.

Upon returning from the Potters' home, the Weasleys held a family council in the Burrow. Chairing the council with the deciding vote was Mama Molly. Arthur, as usual, pretended to be the furniture on which he sat. Ginny snapped at anyone who dared address her. The twins were unusually quiet, unaccustomed to being blamed for something they hadn't done. Ron wasn't home yet—but who cared? It was Ron, after all.

Gathering her family around her, Mama Molly advised Arthur to sever all ties with the Potters, told Ginny to think about her future, and cautioned the twins to be more careful with their pranks, though this time they were forgiven—otherwise, that Potter tramp wouldn't have exposed herself. Arthur gave his usual lethargic nod of agreement, Ginny's mood improved sharply, and the twins tried once again to claim it wasn't their fault, but no one listened. It was well-known that the guiltier they were, the more they denied it.

Once the council ended, the family returned to their usual activities. Arthur remained at Molly's disposal. The twins went off to tinker with new tricks since their shop had been closed since noon anyway. Ginny sat down to write a letter to Oliver Wood—maybe she still had time to sleep with him and get a recommendation to play Seeker for the Holyhead Harpies before the next season.

Lily didn't think about Molly. She despised the fat woman too much to waste thoughts on her. She had more serious concerns than some penniless chicken—she herself was suddenly on the brink of poverty.

Hogwarts students who got injured were never sent to St. Mungo's, no matter how serious their condition due to the educational process. It wasn't just a matter of the school's prestige or the professional reputation of its headmaster—the clinic was private and very expensive. Most wizards preferred traditional remedies, and keeping incurable patients there was affordable only for very wealthy families, like the Longbottoms. The Potters could have afforded it too, if most of their money hadn't recently gone to the goblins. Now, Lily Potter could already calculate how many months her family had left before complete bankruptcy if her husband didn't recover.

She didn't like the numbers and began pressing for a business discussion with Dumbledore. She succeeded, though with great difficulty, as the old man tried to avoid such conversations. He was a master of evasion, and his tricks usually worked. But not with Lily.

"Albus, don't try to play me," she said, finally cornering him. "You know very well what happened to our money, and it's all because of you. We can't afford to keep James in the clinic anymore, so make sure the Ministry grants him a pension as a war hero."

"Lily, my dear..." the old man squirmed, well aware that his authority in the Ministry wasn't as high as he liked to suggest to the Order members. "The state treasury can't afford that right now. War, military expenses—you must understand... The Death Eaters wasted state funds on things that now need to be restored, and that requires money too. Kingsley won't understand if I go to him with this…"

"This isn't just 'this'! James isn't just anyone; he's the father of the savior of Britain! You don't want us to sell the house and leave Harry on the streets, do you?"

"Lily... ahem... Your house was bought in my name as a donation from James to the Order of the Phoenix." His bearded, clear-eyed face openly displayed the childish phrase: "the fish swims away, it won't give it back." "I'm the only one who can sell it—and you wouldn't ask for a gift back, would you? The other Order members wouldn't understand."

"What?!" Lily exploded. "Our house, bought with our money—and we can't use it? I don't care about your Order, where only that Molly witch with her lunkhead husband and ignorant children are left! You'll give the house back, Albus, or I'll make sure of it!"

"Ahem... the documents are legally in my name, Lily."

"I don't care. I'll do anything for Harry! I'll make your life so miserable that you'll beg me to take it back!"

Dumbledore believed her. He knew Lily well.

"Dear, I'm not kicking you out. You can live there as long as you want."

She glared at him with her green eyes, which clearly said, "You're in trouble now…"

"Albus, I told you, and I won't repeat it. Either we get the money, or you get problems. I won't let Harry go without."

Dumbledore couldn't help but be alarmed. Anyone who knew Lily as well as he did would have been.

"Lily, dear, have some patience. I'm working on it."

He was almost telling the truth. At that very moment, he realized he'd have to start working on it seriously.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Lily demanded, not satisfied with vague promises.

"Dear, don't you trust me?" Dumbledore looked at her reproachfully.

"I'm keeping an eye on you, Albus. I'll be watching—this is too important to leave unsupervised. So, what are you going to do?"

"I…" Dumbledore's eyes darted about, like a student caught misbehaving by a strict teacher. "I need Severus. I'll instruct him. Some inquiries need to be made, and Severus has access to places where I don't."

"Is he such an important figure that you can't manage without him?" Lily asked, surprised.

"He's a very capable boy. Severus has many useful connections, and he brews potions excellently. But alas, Severus is currently in Australia, so we'll have to wait for his return."

"And what's he doing there?"

"I asked him to help Hermione find and restore her parents. She couldn't do it without him."

Judging by the thoughtful look on her face, Mrs. Potter took note that Severus was very useful.

"When will he be back?"

"As soon as he finishes helping Hermione. It's hard to say exactly when—Hermione doesn't know where her parents settled."

Lily had a good knowledge of world geography, from which she understood that the continent of Australia was very large.

"They could be looking for them for a year. The money is more important," she said firmly. "Albus, have Snape come back and deal with our finances first. Hermione's parents aren't going anywhere."

In his heart, Dumbledore agreed. He already regretted sending Snape to help Hermione, as he needed Snape here, urgently.

"Lily, dear, I'll write to Severus today and have him return."

While Dumbledore's letter made its way to Snape, St. Mungo's was experiencing its own shining moment. Never before had so many patients sought treatment there; the wards were full. Everything would have been fine, but the patients arrived with identical, untreatable symptoms—all pointing to the fact that it had happened after they'd tried a fun candy from "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes."