Chapter Two- Everything reminds me of you

Gin hadn't expected to have as much fun with Flora and Hestia Carrow as she had. They had owled a few days after the board meeting and invited her along for a shopping day. Blaise and Draco had smirked, sharing some sort of inside joke and encouraged it. So, she had gone. They had been trying all day to get her to fess up what was going on, why Draco and Blaise would be so interested in seeing how they would get along since the rumour mill was saying that Gin and Theo were an item.

They were just settling in at Sliante for tea when she looked up, not sure what had caught her attention. She was getting to the point where she simply didn't question the sixth sense she had seemingly obtained where her men were concerned. Grinning, she took a moment to take in the gorgeous picture Draco and Blaise made standing just inside the door chatting with Greg, who had been hovering near the table just a moment ago, though both of them were looking at her. Good gods, she was so damned lucky.

"So, Hes."

"Yes, sister mine?"

"I am betting one Theo Nott just walked in."

Gin nearly laughed when both women turned and all but gaped when they saw who was crossing the room. She stood, accepting light kisses from both men and didn't slide back into the booth until Blaise sat and slid over to the far side, giving her and Draco room.

"Really?" Hestia sputtered, blinking and looking at them as if she didn't believe what she was seeing.

"Greedy, very greedy," Flora said with a wry smile.

Laughing, Gin laid her head on Draco's arm. She hadn't expected any of her men to show up, but she was probably being silly to not have thought of it. Theo was in France today, overseeing something or other in regards to business. She had thought Draco and Blaise were tied up in business meetings as well. Apparently not. "Is that it?"

Hestia rolled her eyes, waving her hand at them. "I am processing, give me time for some sort of snark."

"Jealous?" Draco drawled teasingly.

"Hells yes," Flora replied quickly. "Who wouldn't be?"

"Do you know how many mothers will be crying into their sherry when news of this gets around?"

Gin burst out laughing. "Oh, I figure I will have a front row seat for the antics."

"Yes, which will be so fun," Blaise retorted dryly.

"You mean you two didn't enjoy all the women tossed your way in hopes of changing your minds on who to shag?" Hestia's tone and expression were innocent, until she ruined it with a wicked grin. "I know I found it hilarious to observe."

"You know," Greg said, pulling over a chair and sitting at the open end of the booth, "I may have to let slip that I stumbled across Hestia and an unnamed French woman behind the draperies at the last party Cissy held."

Hestia slapped Greg's arm. "I was not!"

"Yeah, Greg, Hes knew her name," Flora said, neatly ducking Hestia's playful swat.

Greg grinned, leaning in looking much like a tot on Yule morning. "I know you two gave me quite the show. Sadly, this moron," he tipped his head at Draco, "pulled me away before I could ask if I could join in the fun."

"Draco!" Hestia wagged her finger at him. "What did I tell you about ruining my fun?"

"Not to do it," Draco said, sounding all innocent.

She was tapping her nails on the table looking quite perturbed. "So, why did you go and ruin it?"

Draco shrugged, pulling Gin almost into his lap. "How was I to know you were putting the show on for Greggie? Had I known, I wouldn't have."

Hestia turned to Blaise. "You!"

Blaise chuckled, holding his hands up. "Hey, you said to get Greg over that way, not to distract Draco as well."

Flora and Gin looked at one another and burst out laughing. Yes, Gin thought, getting along with Flora and Hestia was going to be really easy. Fun too.

-ii—

Draco just shook his head and tried to hide his grin as Gin hopped up on the counter. He had swept her off to breakfast at the winery and a day doing whatever else she thought would be amusing. He should have known a stop to her and George's shop would be on the agenda. He simply could not resist stepping forward to kiss her. She looked just gorgeous in a flowing green sundress with her hair in two long braids. When he leant back, he idly flicked the diamond and emerald flower pendant he'd been unable to resist buying her just an hour or so ago. "You look like sunshine, pet."

"Sunshine?" she replied, smiling brightly. "I like that one!"

Laughing, he moved aside, not quite comfortable enough to sit with her on the counter. He still did have a façade to project and sitting on the counter in a joke shop was opposite of what was expected of him. Though, he conceded, he had some ideas on what to do with her on the bar at home in the men's lounge.

"Slytherin sunshine with all that green," George teased, stepping out from the back of the store. "You three seem to think she can wear nothing other than green."

Draco sneered, though it was more playful than anything. "Copper, chocolate brown, black, silver…"

George hopped up next to Gin, giving him a disgusted look. "Yeah, don't think I didn't catch that three of those are apt descriptions for hair colours. What did I tell you about saying things like that?"

"It only encourages him," Gin said, patting George's cheek. "And how are you today, brother of mine?"

"Good, good. You just missed Gabrielle, she stopped in to say hello."

Gin bounced, distracting Draco as the low neckline of her dress was giving him a very delectable view just now. "When did she get here? How long is she staying?"

Draco shook his head wryly and tried to pull his gaze away before he ended up pulling her into his arms and shagging her in George's office. George tended to retaliate with pranks and sneaky hexes when one of them did that, or so Blaise learnt when he had tried it. Not that Draco didn't think himself able to repay George in kind, just that Gin would get grumpy with both of them and that meant at least a day of no touching the stunning redhead he had fallen for. Only halfway listening to their conversation, he thought back to the day she had accosted him at Hogwarts, Blaise in tow. He hadn't thought past saving his own arse and not being parted from Blaise when he initially accepted her offer of help. That indifference hadn't lasted long for either of them. Though, they had both seen quickly enough that Theo was head over heels for her as well and stepped back. Once they had been invited on Gin and Theo's trip, the stepping back hadn't lasted long either. Now though-

"Draco!"

He looked up. "Sorry, took a mental holiday. What did I miss?"

Gin snickered. "Dinner with Gabrielle as soon as I can arrange it. You remember her don't you?"

"Fleur's sister, yes?"

She poked her tongue out at him. "Yes, Gabrielle Delacour, I am certain you've run into her at all those formal functions you've been dragged to in France."

Draco smirked. "You should ask Hes about her sometime."

Gin's jaw dropped and George nearly fell off the counter he was laughing so much. Amused by them, Draco waited for Gin's shock and George's fit of amusement to end. "Yes, I was serious. Greg may not have recognized her right off, but I did."

Gin looked utterly mischievous at that bit of news.

"Now, love, that calculating look makes me wary."

"I have to agree with him," George said, still snickering a bit. "What are you planning?"

Gin batted her eyelashes and had Draco not known her so well, he might have been fooled by her 'innocent-who-me' act. He was certain she was plotting something, but as her plotting usually provided him with amusement or a wicked good time – sometimes both— Draco didn't bother to inquire just now. Knowing his lovely girlfriend, he would likely be roped into to help her pull it off. Greg would possibly owe him big if that matchmaking look he thought he saw at Sliante was any indication.

"Ginny!"

Draco turned his head just enough to see that, yes Potter had arrived and he looked utterly gobsmacked by Gin's appearance. Lovely. Rolling his eyes, Draco laid his hand on her knee. It never hurt to remind the bespeckled git just who Gin had chosen. One of them anyway. He was here and that meant it fell to him to make sure there were no bodies to hide if Gin's patience was pushed too far.

"Harry," Gin said cautiously, though her tone was somewhat friendly.

Ignoring Draco, Potter strode across to the counter. "I spotted you through the window and thought I would invite you to lunch."

George made some sort of choking sound.

"Sorry," Gin replied cheerily, "I have a lunch date with Draco."

"Don't you think this has gone on long enough?" Potter asked wearily. "Your mum is going spare the longer you are gone."

"Potter," Draco warned softly, his tone promising painful punishment. If Potter mistook the tone for punishment at his hands rather than Gin's, it was his own fault.

"I was not talking to you, Malfoy."

"This is my place of business, Harry, and I won't have you insulting one of my boyfriends."

Draco and George both moved around the counter. It would make a nice cover should her temper explode. "Gin," George called, "No maiming or killing, he is Harry Potter after all."

"Meh," Gin said, her tone still a low, dangerous warning. "I am sure Wren can justify my actions to the Wizengamot."

"Blood is a bitch to get out of silk," was Draco's contribution. "Plus, those shoes are brand new. I would hate to have to go back to Paris for another pair when those were just purchased this morning."

"I do love how this dress makes all three of you all glassy eyed," she said musingly. "The shoes are stunning… why, Harry, I do believe Draco just saved you a trip to St Mungo's."

"This is just not right," Potter said in a low tone. "Not right at all."

"Right or wrong, it is what I want, Harry. I just do not understand why you think your opinions matter or what gives anyone else the right to decide what right or wrong is in regards to my life."

"It just is," Potter said, his tone almost beseeching now. "We see you, Ginny; there is no need to get our attention any longer."

"Get out! Get out!"

Draco dared peek up over the counter to see that Gin had pulled her wand. She was narrow-eyed, her head tipped to the side so that the diamond studs in her ears caught the light. Her wand hand was steady, telling him that she was merely waiting for Potter to say one more stupid thing before she hexed him.

"Ginny, listen to me. Please. Is it because they have money? I have money."

"Oh fuck," George muttered, covering his head with his hands.

"You bastard! It is because I am adored for whom I am. They see me, they see Gin! Even when I couldn't see myself clearly, they saw and loved me faults and all. You never, ever saw me. You saw what you wanted to see and tossed me aside after three weeks. Three bloody weeks! You know the worst part?"

Potter was wide-eyed, shaking his head. "What was the worst part?"

"Is not was. You dare say you see me yet every blessed time you open your mouth, you prove just how little you know about me. The world does not revolve around you, Harry. It never has. I wanted to come home and have some sort of relationship with my friends and family, yet the longer I am here, the more I see that the family I have chosen over the last couple of years is infinitely more important to me than anyone else. Now, I told you to get out and I am adding a 'do not ever come back'. Go. Now."

"How can you do this?"

Draco stood, now that the threat of hexing was almost gone. "She can do this because she has tried to bridge the gap with her family and they have not been receptive."

"Hey! Some of us have!" George jumped up, crossing his arms over his chest. "I resent the broad statement, Draco."

He shrugged, setting his hands on Gin's shoulders hoping to soothe her at least a little bit. "Okay, some of the Weasley family and some of Gin's old friends have not been receptive to Gin's overtures. Better?"

"Much."

Gin snorted, resting her cheek on his hand. "You see, Harry, I never was the girl you presumed me to be and I never will be. I am happy. More happy than I ever thought possible. Try and be happy for me."

"I can't." Potter turned to go, pausing at the door. "I can't bring myself to be happy when you are stepping out with three men, Ginny. I just can't."

"I pity you," George said, shaking his head. "After fighting to end a war so that we could all be happy and free, you are allowing jealousy and dare I say bigotry to cloud your judgement. As half owner, Gin has the right to ban anyone and her ban will stand. You should go, before Gin decides to hex you for the hell of it."

The door closed quietly behind Potter and Verity's voice filtered down. "Is it safe?"

All three of them laughed, Draco tugging Gin back across the counter gently and into his arms. Hopefully at least some of what was said would sink in. If not, it was going to be a hazard to go out anywhere until that lot did understand. He pressed a kiss on the top of Gin's head wishing that there was some way to fix this for her. Sadly, he knew that they couldn't. It had to play out, no matter how painful it was for her.

-ii—

"Pansy!" Gin called out across the busy High Street in Hogsmeade.

The brunette grinned and waved, all but diving into the crowd and finally appearing at Gin's side. "I have missed you so much!"

Laughing, Gin hugged her unlikely friend. "You missed me? Awww, I feel the love, Pans, really I do. I mean the virtual flood of letters the last couple of years and all…"

Pansy rolled her eyes, ushering Gin into Cerridwen's. "I am a horrid letter writer and you know it. I did miss you though, honestly. You never sugar coat anything. I missed that."

Gin settled in at her favourite table. "Always so polite, Pans. I'm a stone cold bitch when I want to be. That was what you meant to say, yes?"

Pansy hid a grin behind her hand. "You have three over-protective, alpha male, Slytherin boyfriends; I am so not confirming nor denying any such thing."

"Hey now," Gin teased, "rumour has it you and another member of the board are shagging like bunnies. Care to confirm or denythat?"

Pansy sat back, batting her eyelashes dramatically. "I never have understood the bunnies reference because I so don't want children yet, but I can say that I have a delicious alpha male all to myself. We are all greedy in our own ways, yes?"

"Not a Slytherin one? I mean, Hes and Flora report you and Dax Vaisey were awful flirty at the last meeting."

Pansy's eyes went wide. "Yeah, Dax is worth a nibble or three dozen, but that isn't who I am seeing."

Gin shot Pollux a thankful smile as he delivered their drinks before studying Pansy. "Not Shaw Montague, you would eat him alive and not in a good way. Ohhh, are you in the middle of a MacDougal twin sandwich?"

Pansy laughed. "No, no, I said one."

Gin stared for a moment. "Helios Moon?"

The secretive little smile told Gin all she needed to know. "You know, we really need to have a girls' night where we get tipsy and share information… all of us."

"You mean a girls night where we lock all the men away so they aren't forever popping in just to check on us?"

Gin laughed. She was so glad Pansy had been on her list of people to help that year, the brunette was almost as outrageous as Gin was and she enjoyed every minute spent with Pansy. Now that the other woman was back, girls' night was going to have to become a regular occurrence. "Yes, exactly."

"Cissy and Marguerite will help," Pansy said, already with a small notepad and quill in hand making notes. "If only for the amusement factor."

"Gods, I really did miss you."

-ii—

Gin woke to find herself wrapped around Blaise and with Theo pressed against her back. Sighing happily, she snuggled down further between them. The last few months had been so good, no one accosted her and she had actually met her mum for lunch a couple of times. Draco was off in Russia finishing up a business deal and she missed him. It didn't matter which of her men was away, it always felt as if they weren't quite whole.

She fell back asleep not long after, wondering how quickly Draco could wrap up his meetings. She knew he hated being away as much as the three of them hated him being away. Sometime later she woke again to find herself alone in bed. Frowning, she slid from the bed and padded across the room and down the corridor.

Blaise stepped out of the study, reaching for her immediately. "Morning, love, I was just coming to wake you."

She stepped into his arms, taking a moment to just enjoy the feel of his arms around her and his unbound dreads falling around her. "I woke alone and wondered what was wrong."

He sighed, leading her into the study and settled into the big leather chair behind the desk. Settling in on his lap, Gin laid her head on his shoulder and groaned. He was tense; she could feel it and that meant nothing good. He would tell her in his own way when he was ready to do so. The silence stretched until Blaise finally said, "Charlie was injured. Theo and George went directly over to be with him, but according to Charlie's boss, he was insistent that you not be told until he was stabilized."

She froze, almost forgetting to breathe for a moment. She wrapped her hand in Blaise's dreads, not pulling but more using it as a way to keep from panicking just yet. "Can I see him? How bad are his injuries?"

"I will take you over now, darling, as soon as you are dressed and ready to go. I contacted Draco and he will come directly as soon as he can. He has burns, bad ones, over about half of his body. He will recover though. The healers have stabilized him and he wants nothing more than to see you."

She was shaky. Of course Charlie's job was dangerous, but over the years he had never been injured badly. Taking a moment, she closed her eyes, making a promise to herself that she would be strong and not worry Charlie. "How long will it take for him to fully recover?"

Blaise pressed a kiss on her brow. "They don't know yet. I promise you that Cissy and Mum are already plotting how to best care for him here. They knew, the moment I contacted them, that you would want him here where you could take care of him."

Smiling half-heartedly, Gin tipped her head back and looked up at him. "Should I presume that the elves have already been given orders to ready a room for him?"

Chuckling, he got to his feet, cradling her in his arms. "Of course. Are you angry at us for not telling you right off?"

"I could be, I suppose, but what good would it do me?" She had no real capacity for staying angry at any of them, not really. Gin knew that she would have paced and demanded information that the healers would not have had. This way, she could get all the information and actually talk to Charlie. At least, she hoped she would be able to.

"None," Blaise teased gently, carrying her up and depositing her on the bed. "What do you want packed?"

Shaking her head, Gin made her way into the bathroom, stripping as she went. Flipping on the water, she called out, "Oh please, whatever you pick will be fine. Do we know how long it will be before we can bring him back here?"

"No idea, at least a week though." Blaise stepped in, laying one of her favourite outfits on the counter. "Your parents are on their way now. I don't know about any of your other brothers though."

Gin showered quickly, mulling over that information. Sure, she and her mum had come to an understanding and Mum had even loosened up around the men, but what sort of situation would they be walking into? Gods, she hoped that no one tried to cause trouble. That was the last thing Charlie needed just now. When she was dressed, Blaise Apparated them to the hospital in Bucharest where they were quickly ushered up to the ward where Charlie was being treated. Healer Petrescu was waiting on them and took them into his office. He informed Gin that Charlie had put her in charge of making any and all medical decisions for him, something that shocked her more than it probably should have. She went over everything with the Healer, from the treatments already started to those which the healers felt were best before she spoke to Charlie. Healer Petrescu obtained her permission to inform the waiting family members of Charlie's condition, which she gave with the caveat that too much information would likely only cause problems and would be the equivalent of too many cooks in the kitchen. The man had laughed, shaking his head and assuring her that he, Theo, and George had been taking turns handling the questions thus far.

Stepping into the waiting room, Gin nearly groaned when she spotted Harry, Ron, and Hermione over in the corner chatting amongst themselves. If Ron or Harry caused any trouble, she would have them kicked out. "Blaise," she murmured, spotting two former Slytherin men standing on either side of the door that led back to Charlie's room.

He leant down as not to be overheard. "Derrick and Warrington are part of the security team for our companies, they are here just in case someone needs to step in and keep the peace."

She smiled wryly, making her way over to where her mum and dad were sitting with Bill and Percy.

"So you finally decided to show up," Ron snapped, crossing his arms over his chest and looking quite pleased with his observation. Hermione was rolling her eyes and pointedly studying the book in her hand. Harry was glaring.

"He was injured less than two hours ago," Blaise replied blandly.

"Ron," Hermione interjected, not looking up from her book. "Stop it."

Gin hugged her mum and dad, ignoring Ron's little temper tantrum. Let him think what he wanted, she had made it clear that his opinion mattered very little to her and he needed to remember that. "Blaise and I are going back to see him now."

"They haven't let us back." Mum was wringing her hands and looking nervously at the door. "I need to see how badly he is injured."

Gin hugged her again. "I am willing to bet that Theo and George have been keeping you informed, Healer Petrescu as well. I will make sure you get back to see him very soon, Mum."

Theo stepped out of the hallway, his eyes on Gin. "There you are, lovely. Charlie has been asking after you. Go on back and I will see about having food delivered for everyone."

She kissed his cheek and gave his hand a quick squeeze in thanks as she and Blaise made their way back. Really, some days she thought they read her mind. Charlie's room was a private one, larger than she had expected. The drapes were drawn, keeping Charlie in the shade, though she didn't miss that a camp bed had been set up off to the side. "Charlie, how are you doing?"

He tried to smile, grimacing instead. "Better now that I know you are here and in charge, Mum has been harassing everyone."

George snickered. He was sitting in a chair pulled up next to Charlie's bed. "Has she ever! You get to deal with her now, sister mine."

Blaise snickered. "No, Derrick and Warrington get to. Now, precious, what can I do to help?"

Gin sat in the empty chair next to George, carefully laying her hand over Charlie's. She wanted to cry at the sight of him so heavily bandaged, but now was not the time. She needed to be strong and stay on task. "We need to let everyone back, one or two at a time. Start with Mum and Dad, then Bill and Percy. Leave Harry, Ron, and Hermione for last, please." She eyed Charlie. "Do you need any more pain potions? I was told you were due for some soon, that you had refused a dose so that you could talk to me. That is simply unacceptable, Charlie."

Charlie laughed lightly, wincing in pain. "Yes, Gin, of course, Gin. Hold off until I can talk to everyone?"

She glared at him, not liking the sound of extending his pain. "I'll be watching you closely. The moment, and do not think I am joking about it, I think you need more medication, I will kick them all out and get a healer in here with potions."

"I'll send them back." George offered, making a hasty exit.

Blaise leant against the wall behind her chair. Gin knew it was his way of stepping back, yet making it clear that he was not above stepping in should he feel it necessary. Her mum and dad arrived a moment later, pulling her attention to them.

"Oh Charlie! My poor baby, are you in pain. How did this happen?"

"I am fine, Mum," Charlie said, clearly trying to alleviate her fears. "My healer is consulting with the best burn specialist healers in the world."

"How?" Dad asked, frowning lightly.

Gin shook her head. Cissy and Marguerite liked to see how quickly they could make people jump to do their bidding, so really such a thing should not be surprising. She tried not to grin outright. "Anything less than the best is unacceptable in regards to Charlie's health and well-being."

Dad flushed, his voice dropping low. "How will he afford the bills on his income?"

Gin scoffed, but Blaise spoke up before she could. "Do you think his employer does not cover such things and even if or when the cost of Charlie's care goes above and beyond what his employer is willing to pay that we would find it acceptable to let the bills go unpaid?"

"Don't," Charlie muttered, cutting off any objections.

Gin smiled smugly. "I can say, without a doubt, that there is no limit to the costs she is willing to pay in regards to his care."

"Oh?" Dad was embarrassed and short with her. "How do you know that?"

"Pansy has a soft spot for him," she replied blandly, winking at Charlie. It had come as a shock that Pansy had inherited the Preserve, but considering her friend's fascination with dragons it should not have been. In fact, she had overhauled the Preserve and one of the things she had changed first was the medical care available to the trainers.

"Pansy? Pansy Parkinson?"

Gin nodded. "Yes, Mum. Now, I hate to say it, but we should give the others a chance to see Charlie before he needs to take more medication and rest. I promise," she added, stopping any complaints, "to let you in as often as is acceptable and still keep him well on the road to recovery."

"The food should be here by now," Blaise pointed out, smiling brightly at her parents. "If you will give me a bit of time, I fully intend on making arrangements for everyone to have rooms at the closest hotel to rest in."

Gin just shook her head at Mum when she opened her mouth to protest. Really, she should have learnt by now that arguing with any one of Gin's men was useless.

-ii—

Gin was taking a moment to walk in the gardens of the hospital. It had been almost two weeks and Charlie was due to be released to the healer's care that had been hired to oversee his recovery at Annwn. It hadn't been as stressful as she had feared it would be, likely because her Mum had insisted that Harry, Ron, Dad, and Percy all should go back to work, visiting every other day in the evenings. Hermione had been in and out, mostly sitting with Charlie and reading to him when he was unable to sleep despite all of the pain potions.

"Ginny?"

"Hermione, it is good to see you outside," Gin teased, having come to an unspoken agreement with the other woman over the course of the two weeks.

Laughing, Hermione joined her. "I didn't understand before, but I do now. I wanted you to know that."

Puzzled, Gin sat on the nearest bench. "Understand what exactly?"

Hermione was blushing bright red. "You and your men. I thought it was some sort of twisted dominant and submissive… thing, that you were being ordered about by them and asking permission to do anything. That was why I was so scandalised."

Gin snorted. "Yeah, we get that a lot. If I had a sickle for every time someone asked one of us that…"

"You'd be the richest woman in the world?" Hermione laughed. "Charlie took me to task last week. After our chat, I talked with Warrington and Derrick about how best to restrict Ron and Harry since they seem to still be plotting trouble."

Gin merely rolled her eyes. "What did they tell you?"

Hermione laughed lightly. "That all contingencies had already been planned for and that I was not to worry about it."

"Slytherin men," Gin murmured appreciatively.

"They do seem to think of everything. Yesterday, books were delivered and when I was puzzled… Nott just smirked at me and said that I would learn soon enough. He added that they were willing to train Charlie up." Hermione flushed a bright red that was normally only seen on Weasleys. "I have no idea what he meant by that."

"Not only do they think of everything, typically they see everything as well," was Gin's bland reply. "I was going to search you out to tell you that you are welcome to visit anytime you wish." She grinned wickedly. "You are also welcome to stay if that would help."

Hermione's jaw dropped and she sputtered.

Gin laughed and laughed. Really, did Hermione think that any member of staff, Gin, her men, or her parents had missed what was brewing between Hermione and Charlie? Hells, even Cissy and Marguerite had laid bets on how long 'two Gryffindors' would circle one another before fessing up. Gin had laughed, not being offended in the least by the comments. That was right before she placed her bet. Once she had calmed, she laid her hand over Hermione's. "Look, school was a bit ago and the war is over. My men had issues with your attitude and the meddling you three did without any repercussions at school. To be honest, I did as well. But, they like Charlie. You make Charlie happy. See the connection there?"

Hermione just stared at her, jaw hanging open.

Patting the other woman's hand, Gin added, "Slytherin men see all, Hermione. You weren't rude from the first moment we showed up here. Hells, the way Theo tells it, you kept Ron and Harry over in that corner and not bitching for hours on end. The offer to train Charlie up wasn't an empty one."

Hermione closed her mouth and nodded slowly. "I think I would like to be with him."

Wryly, Gin levelled her with a look. "Do not try to free the elves."

Laughing now, Hermione just shook her head. "I have learnt to pick my battles, I promise you that."

"Good. Now why don't you go in and tell Charlie that you will meet him at Annwn? I will send Derrick with you; he can bring you through the wards. Theo has promised to amend them to allow you in as soon as everyone is settled."

Hermione's brows rose. "Will he allow me to pack for myself?"

Gin stood, laughing all over again. "Good luck with that." She turned to go, looking back over her shoulder. "Oh, and do refrain from hexing Pansy please, she has a yummy man she is arse over broomstick for, she likens Charlie to the big brother she didn't have."

"You mean Nott, Zabini, Malfoy, and Goyle didn't play that role?" Hermione retorted wryly.

"Ha! Let me amend… the non-Slytherin big brother she didn't have. Oh, and they do have names, you can use them."

She strolled away, amused as could be at the gobsmacked look on Hermione's face. Life at Annwn was going to be even more interesting now. She couldn't wait.