The Life and Trials of The Burrow

Prologue: Home Built by Love

Believe it or not the Burrow was once a brand new home. Never lived in, every room in the impeccable condition that can only be in a home that not a single soul has lived in before. The man, who built what is now called the Burrow, was a young wizard who created the cottage for himself and his new wife to start their life together in. This wizard and witch had the kind of love for each other that people create tales about. Their love flowed off each other in waves; it hit you as they walked by, hand in hand. They loved each other with every fiber of their being for the rest of their lives, but not in the house the young wizard created for his wife.

The couple was honeymooning in the flowing hills of Scotland. They stayed at an inn in the countryside where they met on a rainy day. On the last day of their honeymoon the newlyweds were preparing for bed when a crack of lighting struck the thatched roof. Flames engulfed the ceiling of their bedroom. The husband grabbed his wife's trembling hand and ran to escape. Their bare feet smacked against the rough floor. Just before the couple reached the staircase a beam from the ceiling tumbled down in a fiery heap between the two. The young witch trapped behind the flames, with no way out. She screamed for her husband to save himself while he tried in vain to get to her. He yelled for her to go out the window in the bedroom. The young wizard watched as the love of his life disappeared behind the flames forever.

After that night he could never step inside the home his love built for his wife. The wizard grew old alone on the other side of the country, with the key in his pocket.

The impeccable condition of the home built by love slowly withered and dulled as time crept on. Spiders, mice, owls and rats made the once beautiful home their own. Seeking shelter amongst the cobwebs and blankets of dust. The walls ached for a family to shelter and protect.

The once young wizard that built the Burrow sat on a park bench every day to watch the birds. There he discovered a young couple with gleaming red hair. The man would wait for the flaming haired girl on the corner of the park, they would meet, and eat a bagged lunch together every single day. The wizard watched as their love grew and expanded into a love that made his heart ache once again for his lost wife.

He watched one winter as the red haired man proposed to the woman and the joy that burst from his face when she said yes. The new old wizard got up from his bench and approached the young couple. As he got closer he could see their worn and patched clothes as they embraced in the damp snow.

"Congratulations, " The wizard smiled with sad eyes.

"Thank you," the woman smiled back as she held her fiancé's hand. The old wizard reached into his coat pocket for the rusted key. He handed to the red haired man.

"Cherish her while you can." The old wizard walked from the park for the last time, leaving the newly engaged couple in shock behind him.

That coming spring the red haired couple became Mr. and Mrs. Weasley outside the home built by love, given to them by the wizard who lost his love.