A/N: Essentially, what you recognize belongs to the goddess that is J.K. Rowling, and what you don't belongs to lil' ol' me.

LovesParis: I am uploading the chapters as fast as I am writing them, which sometimes takes a while because chapters can be long and complicated, or I'm figuring out a fun way to incorporate my characters. I don't stick to a specific schedule when I upload chapters, which I feel is nice because you can read new ones more often than once a week. Thank you for reviewing, and please don't hesitate to keep giving me comments.

•~0~•

Gen-

Dad got the tickets! So if you can, we're inviting you to come for the Quidditch World Cup (I know you secretly actually enjoy watching Quidditch!) and stay for the remainder of the summer! I've got so much to tell you about Romania that I want to wait to say until I see you in person, and I want to hear about Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid. I'm sure he's a much more interesting teacher than Kettleburn - though, I will admit, he was good too.

Best to avoid Percy - he got a job in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and he's become exponentially more insufferable - which I didn't even think was possible! If you can't come, I may just have to kidnap you to save me from his droning speeches! Perce seems to think the idea of a perfect life is spending your days attending to some Ministry official's every whim - ugh! I should hope you aren't planning to join the Ministry anytime soon - I suspect it's awfully boring. Then again, most careers would be awfully boring when compared to studying dragons! I know you want to keep it a secret for now, but I'd really like to know what you told McGonagall for your career consultation.

Ron's inviting Harry too, so I'll finally get to meet the famous Harry Potter. The Cup is Monday, but they're going to get Harry on Sunday, and I reckon you could come even sooner. Mum's all worked up about Fred and George's whole joke shop idea - seems to think they're wasting their time. I think some of the stuff they've invented is bloody genius; can you imagine if I'd had their merchandise with me at Hogwarts? It's a wonder they only got three O.W.L.s each. They're even working on something to get you out of class by making you temporarily sick! But then again, as a former Prefect, I suppose I should discourage such behavior.

Reply soon!

Love,

Charlie

She laughed as she scanned the letter, excited. Genevieve had already asked her father, whose only request was that she give him a play-by-play of the game via letter, and sent her response to Charlie immediately. According to his answer, they would come get her through the Floo at noon on Saturday.

She hadn't been able to wipe the stupid grin off her face since. She was going to see Charlie again! The last time she'd seen him in person was when he'd graduated from Hogwarts in her second year, a full four years ago! She supposed the both of them had changed quite a bit since then, but in his letters he was still the same Charlie she'd met on her first day.

Genevieve was already envisioning seeing him again, running into his arms as he gave her a tight hug. She'd realized that she liked him the year before, but of course she wasn't going to act on such silly emotions. Charlie was so much older, and, more importantly, he was her friend. Besides, he lived in Romania, getting to spend each and every day studying dragons, and Genevieve was still a student at Hogwarts.

And though she did entertain the idea of going to Romania for the same reasons, as dragons were also a huge passion of her life, she knew that she wouldn't be ready to go nearly as soon as Charlie had. Maybe someday, but, if permitted, Genevieve was planning to stay at Hogwarts instead of leaving. The school had given so much to her, and she felt a need to pass it on, to give back to the school and the students it taught.

Still, she couldn't seem to shake the thought from her head. Maybe someday. She closed her eyes and mentally reread the letter, having already memorized it. Maybe not her and Charlie now, maybe not her and Charlie ever, but for now, just to see him again would be more than enough.

•~0~•

She waited anxiously, trunk already packed and ready to go, in her Weasley jumper, partially because Mrs. Weasley always used blue to match her eyes (a dark, vibrant, almost violet blue), but mostly because of comfort.

Her copy of Sense and Sensibility by a Muggle author named Jane Austen lay on the table next to her, forgotten. Genevieve had always had a fascination with books, and, with her Muggle-born father, she had a rather nice collection of them. But when she'd tried to read while waiting, she found herself, for once, unable to escape into the captivating world of the Dashwood Sisters.

At long last, the dancing flames in her fireplace turned green, and Charlie came out, followed by Fred and George. He jogged over to where Genevieve was sitting, pulled her up, and embraced her tightly. She hugged him back. They probably could have stayed that way for eternity, but then -

"Ahem."

The two pulled apart to see Fred and George smirking back at them, Genevieve's trunk having already been retrieved. It was time to go.

Any other girl would have blushed, but Genevieve wasn't like that. She simply laughed and grabbed a pinch of Floo powder, throwing it in before stepping into the fireplace and shouting, "the Burrow!"

She had her arms tucked in and eyes shut tight, opening them only when she knew it was time to get out. Upon arrival, she was greeted by Mrs. Weasley, who gave her a quick hug before shoving Genevieve into a seat at the table to stuff some food in the girl's mouth.

Genevieve ate her meal with gratitude; in preparation for this morning, she'd completely forgotten breakfast and lunch. Charlie and the rest of the Weasleys (aside from Percy, who'd holed himself up in his room) soon joined her, talking in between bites of their eventful summer.

" - and we made these order forms for Weasley's Wizard Wheezes - you know, the joke shop idea we told you about - but Mum burned them all."

"And I should hope you're not planning on remaking them!" She called over her shoulder, her voice dangerous.

"Definitely not, Mum," Fred assured. "We've learned our lesson." He leaned in, whispering, "We've just finished the Ton-Tongue Toffees, but we need a test subject. We were thinking, perhaps, we could - " His voice was nearly inaudible at this point. " - try it on that Muggle boy Harry has to live with. The one who's on a diet."

Genevieve's eyes widened, and she clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. She'd known about the Ton-Tongue Toffees because she'd actually thought them up back when Fred and George had pulled some prank in the previous year and were being threatened by Filch.

"If only there was something to make him unable to talk," George had said wistfully.

"The only way he'd stop terrorizing kids is if his tongue swelled up and left his mouth unable to move around it," Genevieve had commented.

"That's bloody brilliant!" Fred had exclaimed.

Since then, they'd worked tirelessly to figure out a way to perfect the confections, and Genevieve could hardly wait for the result.

She also noticed an unfamiliar redhead at the table. Bill. He was the only Weasley she hadn't met, as she'd never gone to school with him and he was a Curse Breaker in Egypt for Gringotts.

He smiled at her. "You must be the Genevieve I keep hearing about. Prank planning extraordinaire, according to the twins, fellow dragon-lover, according to Charlie, the smartest Hogwarts student in her year, according to Ron, and, according to Percy, the most arrogant and disrespectful girl he's ever met."

She shrugged. "Percy and I never got on well."

Bill grinned. "I can understand and respect that. You're something of a legend around here, the girl who managed 11 O.W.L.s and still had time to hatch schemes with the twins, but never got caught."

"What can I say? I try," Genevieve joked.

After they'd finished eating, Charlie had tugged Genevieve outside for a private chat. He was smiling widely and kept looking at her.

"You've grown so much!" he said, "And you've cut your hair."

She snorted, tugging at her dark brown, slightly wavy hair, which just reached her shoulders. It was, thankfully, the type of hair that she didn't have to put much effort into, and she didn't often think about it.

"Yes, I suppose I have. A lot of things change in four years, you know."

"Like you and animals?"

Genevieve thought back to the frightened first year who'd jump every time she saw Fang, and nodded. It had been Charlie who made it his personal mission to help her overcome her fear of animals, and it had resulted in her signing up for Care of Magical Creatures come third year.

"I did make an Outstanding on my Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L.," she replied, only slightly bragging.

He grinned. "And why should I be surprised? I am speaking to the brightest witch of her age."

"Says the one who gets to wake up everyday and study dragons in Romania," she teased.

His smile widened, and he launched into stories about the dragons he observed, Genevieve listening intently. In the background, the sun sank into the earth as they sat there, talking and laughing and talking and laughing, and Genevieve having quite possibly the best time she'd had in four years.

•~0~•

"So," Ginny started, eyes twinkling. "I was so excited to see you again, but before I could spend time with you, some older brother of mine stole you away. And you guys were so long getting back, I had to wonder if you were coming back at all!"

Genevieve laughed. They had just gone up to Ginny's room, where she'd be staying. Hermione was also there, having arrived before her.

"And it left me wondering," Ginny pressed on, "just what you were doing out there." She smiled mischievously. "Certainly not snogging, I daresay."

"What? No, that's ridiculous!" Genevieve defended. "We were only talking. We had a lot to catch up on."

"Besides," Hermione cut in, and Genevieve made the foolish mistake that the younger girl on her side. "If she'd be snogging anyone, I'd suspect it to be one of the twins."

Genevieve's face wrinkled in disgust. "Absolutely not! Is this really what you talk about behind my back? Who I'm snogging?"

The three of them burst out laughing.

"Well, you do mount a fair bit of suspicion." Ginny stated simply. "But you'd tell us if you were dating anyone, wouldn't you?"

Genevieve nodded firmly.

"Ah well, I reckon we'll just have to wait and catch her in the act," Ginny said to Hermione.

"I haven't even snogged anyone yet, let alone any of your brothers!" Genevieve exclaimed. "And you're one to talk, seeing as how you turn the shade of your hair every time Harry looks at you."

Ginny blushed.

"She's got a point," Hermione said. "I reckon you should get on with life. Maybe go out with some people, relax a bit around Harry. He might take a bit more notice if you were a bit more yourself."

"I agree." Genevieve said. "This whole squeal-and-run tactic isn't exactly working for you. Just, you know, avoid possessed diaries."

Once again, they laughed. As they each readied to go to sleep, Ginny asked, offhandedly:

"Are you sure you don't like any of my brothers, Genevieve?"

Mysteriously, Genevieve countered, "There's a big difference between like and snogging."

•~0~•

The next day, as they were walking down for breakfast, Ginny pressuring Genevieve to reveal who she liked, Percy stuck his head out of his room.

"Would you be ever so kind as to keep it down?" He asked shortly. "I could hardly get any work done last night with your cackling. And I do have important work to do," he added. "For the Ministry."

"Oh yes," Genevieve retorted. Charlie had told her all about his important work. "Standardizing cauldron thickness is such a noble cause." She looked around. "Would here be an appropriate place to fall on my knees and kiss your feet, groveling for forgiveness? You do, after all, expect me to worship the ground you stand on, don't you, O Perfect Percy? I can only hope that my interruptions don't cause a 0.1% rise in cauldron leaks. That would simply be disastrous."

He huffed and slammed his door shut again. Ginny and Hermione appeared ready to explode from trying to contain their laughter.

"You really should move in," Ginny said. "I could use someone to put Percy in his place every once in a while."

When they reached the kitchen, Bill stood up to shake her hand, Charlie grinning from behind him. "We heard that from down here," Bill explained. "That was amazing."

•~0~•

"Didn't you tell him five o'clock?" asked Genevieve as they readied to go.

"Yes, but I'm sure it'll be fine," Mr. Weasley replied.

"Did you tell him we were Flooing there?"

"Er - no," Ron said. "I reckon he'll find out soon enough."

Genevieve shrugged, and entered the fireplace just after Mr. Weasley.

"Ouch!" She exclaimed as she bumped into Mr. Weasley. She glanced around. This wasn't right.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Fred, who collided with the both of them. Mr. Weasley spoke.

"Ouch! Fred, no - go back, go back, there's been some kind of mistake - tell George not to - OUCH! George, no, there's no room, go back quickly and tell Ron - "

"Maybe Harry can hear us, Dad - maybe he'll be able to let us out - "

Genevieve, along with the rest of them, began pounding on the wood in front of her.

"Harry! Harry, can you hear us?"

Harry's voice called back. "Mr. Weasley? Can you hear me?"

Everyone ceased their assault on the boards. Genevieve hissed, "Shh!"

"Mr. Weasley, it's Harry . . . the fireplace has been blocked up. You won't be able to get through there."

"Damn!" Mr. Weasley said. "What on earth did they want to block up the fireplace for?"

"They've got an electric fire."

"Really? Eclectic, you say? With a plug? Gracious, I must see that . . . Let's think . . . ouch, Ron!"

"What are we doing here? Has something going wrong?"

"Oh no, Ron," Fred piped up. "No, this is exactly where we wanted to end up."

George joined in, despite being pushed up against the boards. "Yeah, we're having the time of our lives here."

"Boys, boys . . . I'm trying to think what to do . . . Yes . . . only way . . . Stand back, Harry."

He raised his wand. Genevieve was slightly alarmed. "Are you sure you want to - "

BANG.

Genevieve was forced forward, chipped bits of fireplace and wood flying everywhere. The Dursleys were shocked, to say the the least.

"That's better," Mr. Weasley wheezed. He spotted the cowering Dursleys. "Ah - you must be Harry's aunt and uncle!"

He tried to shake Mr. Dursley's hand, but the man only backed away more.

"Er - yes - sorry about that," he said awkwardly. "It's all my fault. It just didn't occur to me that we wouldn't be able to get out the other end. I had your fireplace connected to the Floo Network, you see - just for an afternoon, you know, so we could get Harry. Muggle fireplaces aren't supposed to be connected, strictly speaking - but I've got a useful contact at the Floo Regulation Panel and he fixed it for me. I can put it right in a jiffy, though, don't worry. Light a fire to send the boys back, and then I can repair your fireplace before I Disapparate."

If those Muggles understood a bit of what Mr. Weasley had just said, Genevieve was the Minister of Magic. While the twins collected Harry's trunk, still hoping for a glance at Dudley, Mr. Weasley tried to make small talk with the Dursleys.

"Well, very - erm - very nice place you've got here."

"Very . . . clean," Genevieve offered generously, earning her glares from Harry's family. When Mr. Weasley had blown up the fireplace, the room had been drenched in dust and rubble.

Mr. Weasley continued to talk, until finally the twins returned.

"Off you go then, Fred."

"Coming. Oh no - hang on - "

Genevieve fought to hide a smirk as Fred deliberately spilled a bag of Ton-Tongue Toffees, hurrying to pick them up, but making sure to leave one by the coffee table, where Dudley was sure to see it.

One by one, Fred, George, Genevieve, and Ron left behind 4 Privet Drive for the Burrow, where they waited with Bill and Charlie in anticipation of the result the Ton-Tongue Toffee would have. It took a while for Harry to return, which convinced them that he'd be able to inform them of what'd happened.

At long last, Harry stepped out of the fireplace, where Fred practically pounced on him.

"Did he eat it?"

"Yeah. What was it?"

"Ton-Tongue Toffee. George and I invented them, and we've been looking for someone to test them on all summer . . ."

Everyone cracked up. Charlie held out a hand.

"How're you doing, Harry?"

Bill also rose to shake his hand, but, before he could talk to the Boy Who Lived, Mr. Weasley Apparated into the room. He heavily berated the twins, threatening to tell their mother when Mrs. Weasley strode in, looking suspicious.

"Oh hello, Harry, dear," she said warmly. "Tell me what, Arthur?"

Hermione and Ginny peeked into the kitchen, while Mrs. Weasley was getting increasingly frustrated. Hermione came to the rescue.

"Why don't you show Harry where he's sleeping, Ron?"

"He knows where he's sleeping, in my room, he slept there last -"

Hermione cut him off. "We can all go."

"Oh. Right."

As fast as they could, Genevieve and the rest of them fled the kitchen, shooting a grateful look at Hermione. The girl could be a lifesaver.