Chapter 4

The dinner was amazing, as usual. Mrs. Weasley loved cooking for family dinners. Her excitement over the news of her kids getting married made this meal even bigger than usual. Hermione felt fuller than ever before. She was sitting between Charlie and Harry, with Ginny sitting directly across from her. Hermione had a feeling they were all feeling protective after her breakdown earlier, or maybe because of the announcement that was going to be made very soon. Charlie had grabbed Hermione's hand under the table, squeezing it randomly as he chatted with Bill on his other side. Hermione was surprised how natural it felt to be holding his hand when she had barely talked to him before the law…. Or that morning.

Ginny cleared her throat catching Hermione's attention. She nodded her head towards Ron, who had been glaring at Hermione and Charlie the whole evening. Hermione started chatting with Ron, trying to distract him. She asked him about being an Auror, which she knew would get him talking about how amazing he was, thus distracting him from the whole marriage thing. Hermione was proud of how well Ron was doing as an Auror, and she knew that Ron felt it was something that made him stand out. Sometimes, Ron got a bit caught up in trying to stand apart from everyone.

After everyone finished eating Mrs. Weasley steered the family into the sitting room, telling them to get comfortable as she cleaned up. Hermione felt like she was walking into something that could be worse than the war. In her head she counted each step towards what she expected to be a very loud event.

Everyone got situated. Hermione sat beside Ginny, Harry at their feet. Charlie pulled up a chair beside the couch they were sitting on. He didn't want to be too far from Hermione when the announcement was made. Ron was back to glaring at the couple from across the room.

Mrs. Weasley came bustling into the room after starting the dishes washing themselves. She sat on Mr. Weasley's lap, since every other spot was taken.

"Ok, who wants to start," Mrs. Weasley said excitedly. The kids looked around at each other, no one wanting to be the first.

"I'll go first, since she's coming over in about an hour to meet everyone," George said.

Mrs. Weasley squealed, too excited to stay quiet. Not only was her son engaged, but she was going to meet the lovely girl that very night.

"I am engaged to the lovely Miss Padma Patil," George said formally.

"Oh, she is a lovely witch. I remember she and her twin went to the Yule Ball with Ron and Harry," Mrs. Weasley said excitedly. Ron turned bright red at the memory.

"Oh I am going to have to ask her about that," George said a little evilly. Ron swallowed, he didn't want George to know about how awful he had been back then.

"Percy, you next," Mrs. Weasley said. She was too excited to wait.

"I have been matched to Astoria Greengrass. I owled her earlier, she is a very nice young lady. She is a pureblood, and yes, a Slytherin, but I think we will be a good match." Percy said in his usual matter-of-fact fashion.

"She sounds lovely. I look forward to meeting her." Mrs. Weasley said to her son.

"I got matched with Harry," Ginny jumped in excitedly. Mrs. Weasley laughed, she wasn't surprised by that. If the Ministry did the spell she thought they would she knew that they would put Harry and Ginny together.

"Oh, dear, you are officially going to be a part of the family," She said excitedly, jumping up from her spot and running over to hug Harry and Ginny. "I knew you two were meant for each other."

"Wow, thanks mom. I love how you got this excited for my engagement." George said sarcastically.

"Oh, hush, I am saving that for when Padma gets here." Mrs. Weasley chided her son, happy to see the laughter in his eyes that had been missing since Fred died.

Mrs. Weasley turned to her 3 remaining children. This was what she was most interested about. She knew Ron had assumed he would be with Hermione, but Molly couldn't see it. Molly knew that Hermione and Ron wouldn't be compatible in a marriage. Ron was her baby boy, he needed someone who was willing to work with him. Molly would expect that Ron needed someone who would make him look outside himself, to see that he is an amazing man without trying to compete with his siblings. As for Hermione, she needed someone with more passions similar to her own. Hermione automatically put everyone else first, it was time she found someone who would return the favour. She had always thought Hermione would be a good match for either Bill or Charlie. However, with Bill married and Charlie so much older she knew that wouldn't happen. She wanted to know who her children were matched with.

"Charlie, you next. Who is the lucky witch who was matched with you?" Molly said excitedly.

Charlie took a deep breath and stood up. "Mom, Dad, I understand that this may be a bit of a shock, but I have been matched with Hermione." Charlie put his hand on Mione's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

There was a beat of shocked silence as Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Fleur absorbed this information.

"Oh my goodness this is so exciting! I always thought you two would be a good match! Oh Hermione, you're going to be a Weasley!" Molly squealed, running over to the couple and giving them a huge hug. She never thought this would happen, but oh how she had hoped it would.

"WHAT?" Ron shouted.

Mrs. Weasley let go of Hermione, who had been turning a bit blue from how tight she was being held.

"Ronald Billius Weasley, do NOT yell at your mother," Mrs. Weasley scolded her son, who immediately shrunk back. No one wanted to be on the receiving end of the matriarch's anger.

"But Mom, she's supposed to be with me. Why would you be happy she's with someone else?" Ron whined.

"Ronald, you were not meant to be with Hermione. You need to accept that. Now who are you meant to be with?" Mrs. Weasley asked calmly.

"Pansy Parkinson, the dirty snake," Ron mumbled.

"RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY DO NOT SPEAK OF YOUR FIANCÉE THAT WAY!" Mrs. Weasley screamed.

"But Mom, she is a snake. She is a Slytherin, and the person who wanted to turn Harry over to Voldemort," Ron said.

"Well, did you ever think that she might have been scared? She was raised by Death Eaters, how would she know any better? Maybe you should get to know her before you judge her," Mrs. Weasley said calmly.

Ron sat there, shocked. He had never considered that. Maybe he had judged Parkinson to harshly….. No, she was a dirty snake. He was meant to be with Hermione. End of story.

A/N: Merry Christmas Eve (to all who celebrate Christmas) and Happy Holidays to everyone :D Here's a little present for you ;)

I had a mix of reviews predicting how Mrs. Weasley would react. Personally, although I know she has done some silly things in the past, I believe that Mrs. Weasley truly understands her kids and has thought a lot about what would be best for them. I think she feels bad for how she treated Hermione in fourth year and so has been striving to do right by her adopted daughter. Plus, I love Mrs. Weasley and couldn't bring myself to write any bashing of her.

I would love you guys to read, review, follow, or favourite this story. That would be the best gift ever!

Until next time,

missmysterygirl out