Written for the Achieve the Outstanding Challenge (Outstanding - post war or next-gen & canon compliant)

Written for the Whodunit Competition (my character is Harry - write about your character being forced to lie about something they didn't do. Killer: Hermione, Victim: Ginny, Weapon car)

An Uncle's Duty

May the second was both a day of mourning and a day of celebration for the Weasley family. They would gather in the morning on the Burrow property and throw flowers onto a memorial which had been placed there for Fred. Molly would say a few words about how wonderful her son was (and how he still is) and then break down into tearful sobs in Arthur's arms.

The morning was always spent in sorrowful silence, while the children played quiet card games and those who remembered what had happened all those years ago became lost in silence.

By midday Molly would have recovered and would get to work in the kitchen, cooking up a wonderful birthday dinner for Victoire. Given the circumstances, the eldest grandchild was allowed to choose whatever she wanted for her birthday, and Molly would oblige. As a really small child Victoire chose the basics; now an adult, however, she preferred more sophisticated meals for a dinner.

Harry, who had become used to this routine, smiled at his mother-in-law as he passed her in the kitchen. He had been in the living room with the others when Ron had pointed out that Rose was missing. At the mention of her daughter, Hermione's lips had pursed together and her eyes had narrowed.

Ron had simply looked worried, causing Harry to ask what the matter was.

"She's being… difficult," Hermione explained, a hint of anger in her tone.

"But today isn't the day to be angry at someone you love," Ron had then tried to reason. "She should be here." He had looked down into the bottom of his Butterbeer glass, frowning.

Harry was well aware of Ron's attitude towards Rose and thought it best to diffuse the situation before it got out of hand. Sometimes, Ron simply couldn't be disciplinary with his 'little girl'. Rose was almost sixteen.

In saying that, however, his goddaughter had become quite a handful in her teens. She had the temper of her father and an attitude which had come from somewhere no one could determine. She was moody more than half the time Harry saw her.

He made his way into the backyard, knowing immediately where Rose had vanished to. As a little girl Rose had loved being inside her grandfather's shed. She would often hide in there to get away from her brother, and as she grew older, her parents.

He opened the door. "Rosie?" he called.

No answer came, but Harry moved further into the crowded shed. Without a word, he joined his niece on the floor behind an old car almost identical to the one he and Ron had driven to Hogwarts in their second year.

"You okay?" he asked.

Rose didn't answer, but simply stared straight ahead with a red face and pursed lips.

Harry looked around the shed, taking in all the Muggle artefacts that belonged to Arthur. He hadn't spent much time in the shed himself, but he was certain the number of objects grew each year.

His eyes then fell upon a dent on the back of the car. A few scorch marks were on the side, and then he noticed Rose's wand lying by her side.

As calmly as possible, he asked, "What happened?"

For a moment, he thought Rose was going to ignore him again, but soon enough a tear rolled down the young woman's cheek.

"I… I was angry," she sobbed. "I… Mum will be so angry with me." She looked back at the damage she had caused to such a treasured possession. Arthur often spoke of all the changes he was making to the vehicle to make it 'better than any car a Muggle could drive'. "Grandpa will kill me."

"No he won't," Harry assured her sympathetically. Arthur was very fond of the Muggle invention, but he loved his granddaughter more.

"Not to mention I used underage magic," Rose continued, another tear rolling down her cheek. "Oh, I'll be in so much trouble."

Harry patted her back. "You'll be fine, Rosie," he promised.

"Not if they decide to snap my wand, I won't be. I'll never be able to be a Healer then."

"That won't happen." It was distressing for Harry to see her so upset, but he was thankful Ron was not there as well. He hated it when Rose cried.

After a moment, he placed his arm around his niece and said, "How about you come back inside and enjoy the party? You normally love today."

Rose scowled.

"Oh, right, sorry." Harry had forgotten that Rose still remembered the mistreatment she had received from Victoire as small children. Victoire – opinionated herself – had not taken too kindly to having someone else who was just as bossy and demanding.

"Your dad's worried."

Rose shook her head.

"Okay, we'll just sit here then." He knew the others would come looking eventually, but for now, he would just sit with Rose.

The girl didn't seem inclined to talk and Harry didn't force her. They just sat in silence.

Eventually, however – as Harry predicted – someone came looking. It was Ginny, Lily in tow.

"I thought I might find you two here," she said, smiling. "Rose's favourite spot."

Rose didn't bother to acknowledge her aunt. Harry gave her a weak smile, shrugging. She returned his smile with an understanding nod.

"I just came to let you know that dinner is ready. We're all waiting." Ginny looked to where Rose sat, her back pressed against the front of the car. She didn't move.

"Give us a few moments," Harry said softly. "We'll be in shortly."

Ginny gave a nod and indicated for Lily to follow as she left the shed.

Once they were gone Harry turned to his niece again. "You coming?" he asked.

Rose nodded reluctantly, and climbed to her feet. "I guess," she said.

When they returned to the kitchen where Molly had magically extended the table to fit them all (even Charlie had come from Romania for today) Ron was the first on his feet.

"Rosie!" he exclaimed. "There you are!"

Rose ignored him, but sat at the table between James and Albus. Harry watched with a pang in his chest as Ron's smile disappeared.

He and Rose had such a strong bond; it hurt him when she ignored him.

The dinner was rather pleasant. Hermione struck up a conversation that started a long wave of waffle from everyone apart from Rose. When the dinner was cleared and Molly announced dessert would be served shortly, Arthur got up from his spot and disappeared. In the direction he was headed it was clear where he was going. From the look on Rose's face, too, she also knew.

Arthur didn't say anything to begin with, once he had returned, but it was obvious something was bothering him. He brought back a light bulb and set it on the table (with a groan from Molly and a cheer from everyone else). Using his wand, he lit it so it glowed a deep red across the room.

Rose watched on without a smile, while Harry watched her. Arthur beamed.

"Pretty cool," he said, specifically to his grandchildren. "I put a spell on it to make it change colour."

There was a soft 'wow' around the room as the light bulb (ordinary in any case) changed to a green.

Arthur seemed rather pleased with himself, but did not, Harry noted, look at Rose.

Harry decided then and there that he needed to amend this situation. He could deal with Arthur being upset with him; what he could not deal with was a strain being put between his father-in-law and niece. While the others were playing with the light bulb, Harry pulled the older man aside.

"Can the car not be fixed?" he asked simply.

Arthur's face paled, and he shook his head. "I really should lock it," he said. "However, as they are old now, I just assumed that –"

"It was me," Harry interjected before Arthur could accuse anyone. "I'm terribly sorry."

Arthur's eyes widened, genuinely surprised. "You…?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, I was trying to cheer Rosie up and showed her some magic she probably hasn't seen before and it misfired and hit the car. I was going to tell you, but I didn't want to ruin today."

Harry was surprised by how easily the lie was formed. He supposed lying to protect someone he loved was not all that difficult in the end. After all, he had done it before.

"I see…." Arthur looked back at the table where most had now become fascinated by the colourful light bulb.

"Don't be angry with Rose," Harry continued. "It wasn't her fault."

Arthur nodded, and then smiled, shrugging. "Oh well," he said. "Not to worry." He clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Magic mightn't be able to fix it, but… it is just a car. I'm sure Molly would be delighted to hear of what has happened."

Harry smiled, and nodded. "No doubt," he laughed.

The two men wandered back to the table and rejoined the family. Rose glanced at her grandfather, and then at Harry. He only shook his head and mouthed, "It's okay."

She nodded, and glanced to her parents at the other end of the table.

Harry hoped – perhaps rather stupidly – that this might be the end of Rose's bad behaviour. Perhaps – maybe – this had been a wake-up call for her and she would settle down.

But when Rose turned her head away from Ron's smile, Harry sighed.

Maybe.

I feel this is one of the best things I've written in a long time. I really like this, actually. I hope you all did, too! Please leave a review if you read it. Would be much appreciated! Thank you :D

Also, the new season (season 3) of Quidditch League is underway now with sign-ups. If you would like to participate in a writing competition, follow the link on my profile. It's fun, and this year I am acting as a participant, not as a coordinator. Hope to see you there! Please post in the forum if you have any questions.