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Hiding

Chapter 1: Plan Away

The war was the talk of the summer across the wizarding world. The Boy-Who-Lived and his golden band of buddies were constantly in the Prophet; from what they were up to to what their future plans were.

Harry took no time to announce his engagement to Miss Ginerva Weasley and the fact that they were mobing into Godric's Hollow. Ronald was going into auror training as soon as the fall and was currently on again with Lavender Brown. And Hermione was making plans to go back to Hogwarts to finish her education properly.

Of course there was still a missive number of Death Eaters on the loose which didn't go unnoticed by the Ministry of Magic or the Golden Trio. Caution was stressed to the three young adults constantly. Hermione still hadn't gone to Australia to relieve her parents of the memory charm, in fear that they would be hunted down and killed.

It was about mid summer when Arthur Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt had approached Hermione about her safety. They were currently in the kitchen of the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley having made lunch and all of the Weasley family along with Harry, Hermione and Kinsley were seated to a wonderful meal. Charlie had decided to stay for the summer to have time with his family due to the war. Bill and Fleur had come by for lunch and to announce thier up coming pregnancy. And Percy sat still uncomfortably in the kitchen chatting with Fred and George.

Not a single person in the room knew about the plans the new Minister, Kinsley, and Mr. Weasley were trying to whip up. After talk had pretty much died down, Kinsley had spoken to Hermione.

"We've, that is Arthur and I, have been thinking, Hermione."

Everyone looked up in interest. It was rare that Kinsley ever spoke to Hermione, let alone call her by her first name.

She looked startled at first. "About?"

"Well considering that there are so many Death Eaters still on the loose, we think it would be safe it you go into hiding." Kingsley stated, looking around the table at everyone before looking at the young woman.

"What do you mean hiding? What about Hogwarts? Isn't that safe enough for me?" Hermione blurted looking bewildered.

"It would have been safe last time you were attending, now we are not so sure. What we mean, Hermione, is for you to perhaps leave the country for a while. At least until we catch every single Death Eater." Mr. Weasley said. Hermione thought he made it out to sound like a little vacation. She wasn't fooled though.

"That could take years Mr. Weasley. And where would I go? I can't possibly go to my parents. They don't even know that I exist!" Hermione was still upset about her parents, but she knew better than to go to them just yet.

"Look, they can't trace you if your name isn't Granger. A totally new look, with the help of Ginny of course and you will be a new person." Kinsley explained, now a little nervous about the upset witch. He was never good with emotions.

"And where do I go? I have no one but this family." She hissed angrily.

At the sign of anger everyone thought it would be safer for them all if they got out of the kitchen. Seeing everyone start to get up, Arthur's eyes fell on his second eldest son and it all clicked.

"Charlie, stay for a few minutes." Mr. Weasley said.

Bill looked across the table at his brother, looking a little stunned as it hit him; what that little command said. Charlie knew too as he forced his chair back, knocking it over clumsily. Pale white, a big contrast to his tanned body, he looked like he was going to be sick.

"Oh no!" He whispered, stumbling, backing out of the room. "You can't make me Dad."

Mrs. Weasley was clueless. "Arthur what's he going on about?" She looked between Arthur, Hermione and Charlie before it all came together. Charlie's worst fear was being tied down to someone else. A smile spread across her face. "I'll go get my porfolios." She simply stated, sounding like a child on Christmas morning.

The others then figured out what was going on. Then all at once the Weasley boys slowly started getting up from their seats with knowing smirks on their faces before pouncing on Charlie, dragging him back into the room. There was multiple limbs flailing, in Charlie's case to escape, and attempting to keep him in the kitchen. It was not unknown to everyone that when Mrs. Weasley said 'portfolios' it meant her folders upon folders of wedding ideas. And all the Weasley men thought Charlie was well over due for a commited relationship. There was much shouting on Charlie's part, screaming "No! No!" over and over again as his brothers drug him back to his chair before tying him down to it with a full body-bind curse.

Hermione knew what everyone was thinking. It wasn't that she was against the idea, it was that she wasn't ready for marriage. She didn't even know Charlie that well. But then again, he really was her only hope.

"Dad you can't make me do it!" Charlie shouted as he still struggled against his restraints.

Hermione knew he wasn't going to budge. He didn't want to help her. Standing up, Hermione started walking around the room. Ginny and Fleur looked about ready to pounce her just as the men did to Charlie. Making her was to the chair across from Charlie she slowly sat down. She could feel his eyes boring into her, and it took a lot out of her to look up at him.

He saw her dark chocolate brown eyes swimming with tears. He wouldn't give in.

"Please Charlie." She begged, fighting back the tears.

"No." He didn't care if she cried. He'd made many girls cry.

"Charlie, come on. You have to help her." Bill was standing next to him.

"I said no." He had a dangerously bad tick in his jaw that showed he was becoming more and more angry. His eyes never leaving hers.

Nodding her head she stood up, trying to keep herself from crying. She knew she had to hide. She knew she was in danger. She knew Mr. Weasley and Kingsley were right. She left the room trying to look unhurt.

He wasn't about to give up being single for one person. Although he was hurt when his family left the room, not a word to say to him. Bill was the last to leave only so he could lift the curse from his brother. Charlie turned in his seat to see Bill's back to him.

"Bill I-" He was quickly silenced as Bill lifted his hand in a 'I don't care' way and left the room.