A/N this is a jkr fanfiction and everything in the story, except Maisse Pottinger & Jenny Prewett, belongs to her and her brilliant mind. Thoughts are reviews are appreciated!

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A SIGN

I arrived at the Burrow late that night and stood in the garden, relieved to be home. The lower level of the house was ablaze with lights. Mum knew I was arriving tonight, but she normally left a single candle in the window. I'd never found that dragon I was looking for... It's another researcher's problem now I thought. I was still annoyed. Wondering who was up I walked up the steps and in through the back door.

At the kitchen table sat my mother and sister. Parchment paper spread out in front of them. In the sitting room, my dad and sister's fiancé, Oliver, had fallen asleep; one in the arm chair, the other on the couch. "Hullo Mum! You didn't have to wait up for me," I said putting down my suitcase.

"Charlie, oh good, your home," my mother stood, arms outstretched as she walked over to give me a hug. "Can I get you something to eat?"

"Oh, no, Mum, I'll find something," I answered my mother, "It's late, go on to bed. Why are you up anyway?"

"We're going over the seating chart for the reception," Ginny yawn, "I think we should scrap the whole assigned seating thing, but you know mum," She gave me a hug, "Welcome home, how are you?"

Mrs. Weasley yawned loudly, standing at the table.

"Mum, go on to bed. I'll sit up for a few minutes," Ginny assured her mother.

"I'm tired and we do have a long day tomorrow," mum gave me a hug and kissed Ginny on the cheek, "Oliver can sleep in Ron's room tonight. It's too late for him to go home now."

I watched mum walked into the sitting room to wake up my dad and Oliver. He waved, yawned, and walked upstairs. My father walked into the kitchen, hugged me, and followed upstairs without saying a word.

I looked at the seating chart and sat down as Ginny handed me a plate of cheese and fruit, "Gin, this looks more complicated than ancient runes."

"I know that's why I don't want to deal with it. If mum wants assigned seating, let her figure it out," Ginny complained.

"Is the wedding getting out of control?" I asked.

"It's much larger than we wanted, still, its fine. Oliver's been wonderful about it all," Ginny answered, "I can't believe it is only two weeks away."

"I know! I can't believe you are getting married before me!" I picked through the cheese on the plate.

"No kidding,' Ginny smiled, "but then again, you seem to go through witches like Hermione goes through books"

"Now now Gin you know that's not true."

"I know, but you told no one what really happened with her except me and Jenny; and before her you had a new witch every week!" Ginny countered picking up some grapes from the plate and popping them into her mouth.

"So, what's on the schedule for tomorrow?" I wanted to change the subject.

"Breakfast here at nine and then robe fittings for the wedding party. I had mine today and Oliver had his yesterday. Madame Malkin's closing the shop for us since we have so many people," Ginny explained.

"So there's Bill and Fleur, Percy and Audrey, George and Angelina, Ron and Hermione, and me and who? Mum never told me who else you'd ask to be in the wedding since Jenny won't be able to make it. I'm the only Weasley not married or involved with anyone."

"Be careful Charlie, I think Mum's new mission in life's finding a nice witch for you," Ginny picked a grape off the plate, "Maisse's in the wedding, so you'll be paired with her."

"Maisse …" my voice trailed off as I tried to put the name with a face, "Your yank friend from Hogwarts? Didn't I meet her at the Quidditch World Cup when it was in England?"

"Yes, she stopped by our tent with her dad and younger sister," Ginny reminded him.

"That's right, Maisse Pottinger. Her family owns the apothecary on Diagon Alley."

"They own one in the States among other places. Are you done? I'm tied," Ginny yawned.

"Yes, I am. Go on to bed. I'll clean up and turn off the lights," I hugged Ginny again and added, "I am happy I am home, Ginny."

"Me too," Ginny said as she walked up the stairs.

I woke up and for a split second, I didn't know where I was. Then I felt the soft, worn sheets around me, heard my mum's voice downstairs and smiled. I was home. I lay awake in my old bed. It had been almost two years since I'd been home. Like this time, it was for a wedding. Unlike last time, I was not alone.

I lay there listening to the sounds of my brothers outside. I was too high up to hear what they were saying exactly, but could tell Ron and George were arguing with Percy about something. I knew I was the last one up, but had no energy to move. My mind drifted. I swore that I wouldn't let myself go there. But now, lying here, I didn't want to stop my thoughts.

I was so nervous, bring a girl home to meet my family, and for Percy's wedding nonetheless.I had been so happy.We had been so happy.

Zina

I could see her face – the most beautiful creature I'd ever known; wavy long blond hair, green eyes, creamy skin.

Intuitively, like I was reaching for her, I rubbed my hands on the large empty bed as I thought about her glorious body – thin but athletic, strong, but delicate. Making love to her was like heaven. Being with her was like heaven.

My mind drifted back to a specific memory; making love in this bed.

Is that why I haven't come home I asked myself.Am I avoiding this room?

Sure, I am reckless, I thought.You can't work with dragons and be cautious.But she always took it one step further.

When they were home, Zina shared a room with Ginny. But that didn't stop them from having sex every night. Zina would wait until everyone was asleep, sneak in, and put a silencing charm on the room. Then she would climb in bed, always naked.

"Charlie? Are you asleep?" She would always ask knowing I wasn't. She knew I was waiting for her.

Zina was insatiable. I was exhausted from the lack of sleep. Her mood was ecstatic, like part of the thrill was potentially getting caught.

An unfamiliar voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I got up and dressed. I walked to the dressing table and poured water from the pitcher into the bowl and splashed my face in an attempt to clear my head of those thoughts, thoughts of Zina. I examined my face in the mirror. At 5'11", I was the shortest of all of my brothers, but the largest due to the nature of my job. I didn't work at a desk, I worked outside. My muscles were well defined. I wondered what witches found so attractive about me. I had more freckles than any Weasley. My red hair was wavy - not frizzy - like mum's and I wore it long, just about shoulder length. My eyes were brown, nothing special there. There must be something there, I thought, I never had a problem meeting witches.

I knew I was already late and headed downstairs. As I shut the door to my room I thought I could visualize Zina on the bed.

"Did I hear French?" I asked when I reached the kitchen.

"Yes you did," Bill, my older brother, answered. "And good morning to you. I can't believe mum let you have a lie in today," Bill walked and gave me a hug and then gestured towards a young woman with long black hair, "Maisse's a healer and was talking to Fleur about Dominique."

I took my niece from Bill and asked, "Is she ok? Seems happy to me."

"Oh, she's fine," the young witch answered from the front door, "Just a little gas," she turned around and continued, "You must be Charlie right? I'm Maisse," she walked over, put out her hand, and said, "nice to meet you."

I juggled the little girl and finally shook her hand, "Actually, met again. We met a few years ago at the Quidditch World Cup."

"Maisse, dear," mum interrupted, "help me get breakfast to the table. Everyone is outside and we need to get started. We have to be in Diagon Alley at half past ten."

"Of course, Mrs. Weasley," Maisse answered as she levitated a few platters and walked them out the door.

Bill, Dominique, and I were left standing in the kitchen. "Ok, mate, you can close your mouth now," Bill laughed as he took his daughter back, "Go outside and talk to her."

"What?" I asked still staring at the door Maisse walked through, "She certainly didn't look like that when I met her at the World Cup."

"That was almost ten years ago, mate. People change," Bill slapped me on the back and laughed.

Breakfast was fun. Everyone sat along three long tables sitting next to their wife, finance, or girlfriend in George and Ron's case. It was nice to sit next to Maisse as we were the only two not in a relationship. Ginny had mentioned that she was single as well.

The morning seemed to fly by with conversations dominated by Quidditch. My family was a bit obsessed with the sport. Everyone had played for Gryffindor when they were at Hogwarts and Ginny and Oliver both played professionally. Even George's girlfriend, Angelina, had played in school and now worked for the team that Ginny played for. Maisse never played, but appeared to be equally as obsessed. The only ones not caught up in the conversation were Fleur, who was playing with her children and mum and Hermione who were talking about wedding details.

All of a sudden, mum jumped up from the table, "My word! Look at the time! We are going to be late. Leave the dishes, all of you, and go now," ushering everyone from the table, she added, "thank goodness everyone can apparate."

Bill corrected her, "We aren't appareling with the kids yet. We will take the floo and met you there. Bill, Fleur and the children went into the house leaving a series of cracks as everyone left for Diagon Alley. Maisse, Ron, Hermione and I were the only ones left.

"Mrs. Weasley, are you sure I can't help you clean up?" Massie asked, "It will only take a few minutes."

"Yes, let us help you," Hermione added.

"Absolutely not, I don't have a fitting appointment, now go or you'll be late."

Maisse and Hermione started to protest, but mum was firm, "Ron, Charlie take them now please."

We obeyed without saying a word; each taking one of the girls' hands and left.

Maisse and I arrived outside Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions before Ron and Hermione. We could see everyone else inside.

Maisse looked at me, "Your mum is nuts! I hate that she is cleaning and missing this. It would have only taken a few minutes with all of us helping."

I held the door to the shop open for Maisse, "That's Mum. Come on, Gin will kill us if we are late.'

Just as I finished saying that, Ginny announced, "There you two are! Where are Ron and Hermione? Where's Mum?"

"Right here," Ron answered as he and Hermione walked in immediately after I did.

"Mum's cleaning," I added, "She told us not to wait for her."

"Ok, everyone here?" asked an older witch from the back of the shop.

"Yes Madame Malkin," my father answered, "Well, everyone that has a fitting appointment. My wife will be along shortly. Thank you again for accommodating all of us at once."

"Please, Mr. Weasley, This is the wedding of the century - the union of two such famous Quidditch players! I am honored that you chose us for your robes," she waved her wand and draped the front windows and locked the door, "We don't want any onlookers or nosey reporters. Now, men first."

Starting with dad, each man put on his dress robes and stood on the platform in front of a wall of mirrors. The men were wearing classic black robes, white shirts with black ties. Madame Malkin fussed over each of them, pinning here, making alteration there. It was quite funny to watch. Each of the blokes looked very uncomfortable.

After about an hour of shear boredom, Madame Malkin announced, "Ok finished," "Now it is time for the witches." Just as she said that there was a knock at the door of the shop.

"Ah, that would be Molly," dad walked to the door, opened it and kissed mum on the cheek, "Perfect timing dear."

I was sitting on a padded bench near the fitting area. I had been sitting here alone since I'd arrived. This fitting was painful! The only thing interesting was Maisse. I watched her walk around the shop with Ginny and Hermione. When she introduced herself, it nearly took my breath away. She was so beautiful and self confident; so sure of herself. It wasn't like that when I met Zina.

Sunday night and I was out with my best mate, Nathaniel, at our favorite pub for dinner, talking Quidditch, as usual, with our friend and bartender, Scotty when they walked in.Zina and Emma.They also came to have dinner.Not surprising, they were friends of Scotty's.Scotty was most likely the only Irish bartender in all of Romania.He seemed to know everyone.

About thirty minutes later, Scotty introduced everyone, an hour later we were all talking like old friends.An hour after that we were on our way to a club.From the time they walked out of Scotty's pub, Nathaniel and Emma were inseparable. Zina and I were along for the ride.

I thought about Zina and Maisse. Zina was pretty, but not like Maisse. Zina got prettier over time – the more I fell in love with her the prettier she got. She couldn't hold a candle to Maisse. Maisse was about average height, long dark hair and dark eyes. She had a body that I would kill to see out of her hot pink dress. She was quite sexy. The fact that I even thought that shocked me.

When I came out of my thoughts, I realized the girls were half through. My sisters-in-law, Audrey and Fleur had been fitted, as had George's girlfriend, Angelina. Bill's girls didn't need to be fitted, so he'd taken them home for a nap. Ron, George, and Dad were standing by the front door.

I was just starring at the empty platform when Maisse walked up to it for her fitting. The girls were wearing pale pink dress robes. I watched Maisse as she stood completely still for her dress fitting. Wow, I thought. She looked amazing in the robes; the colors made her already dark eyes darker and actuated her amazing figure. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought these robes were picked just for her.

"I know that look, mate," someone said as they sat down next to me.

Startled, I looked away from the fitting platform, "Oh, Oliver, I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I know that look. I'm sure I had it on my face the first time I saw the love of my life," Oliver answered quietly.

"Oh, I don't know what you are talking about," I lied, shifting on the bench uncomfortably, "I'm just sitting here trying to stay awake through this whole thing."

"Ok, Charlie, if you say so," Oliver smiled and stood up, ". The guys are all leaving. . The girls are going from here to some other appointment. We thought we'd head to the Burrow and play some Quidditch. You coming?"

"I get the chance to play Quidditch with you again? I wouldn't miss it." I stood up and headed to the door while I waited for the rest of the group to catch up. I watched my family say good by to their girlfriends and wives. I thought about Maisse and wondered if maybe it was time to start dating. My first impression of her was quite positive. As I walked out of the shop I looked at the fitting platform one more time. Maisse wasn't there. It was Hermione's turn. Maybe that's a sign, I thought. I am not ready for that.I am so not ready.