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Hiding

Chapter 4: I'm Gonna Charm Him

Hermione didn't know what to say. She definitely heard him right. Marry Charlie? First he says no, now he's saying yes? She looked down at Charlie, who was still down on his knee. "I can't Charlie." She turned away from him, closing her eyes as she tried not to show the upsetting emotions she had been holding back for the past month.

"What do you mean you can't?" Charlie was shocked that she was rejecting him now. No woman had ever rejected him before.

"I live with here with Bill and Fleur. They are my protectors now. I can't just turn my back on them." she turned back to face Charlie who was now standing.

"Well then what's going to happen when they have that baby? They can't keep track of both of you." He knew that she knew that he was right. "Marry me Hermione. Come to Romania with me. And when it's safe for you to come back to England, you can then leave me if you want."

"This wasn't what you wanted." she glared at him as she reminded him of their last encounter.

"Please just think on it. My boss gave me the week off. Give me your decision tomorrow evening and we will be married before we go to Romania, if you choose to marry me." He walked out of the garden and left for the apparition point.

"Charlie, wait!" She followed him around the front of the house.

He turned to her. "Yes?"

"Where will you be staying?"

"With Mum and Dad. Floo me tomorrow and we will talk about it over dinner."

She nodded her head before turning to go inside. Going straight to the kitchen, Hermione deposited the basket of flowers onto the table and went to wash her hands. All the while, Bill watched her.

"So, Hermione what did my dear brother want?" Bill asked, trying to read her expression as she started arranging the flowers in multiple vases.

"Oh nothing." She said nonchalantly. "It's not important."

"Right. If it wasn't important then he wouldn't have been so apprehensive to speak to you." She looked up at Bill. "What did he want?" It was more of a demand than a question.

"To marry me." Hermione said quietly. She didn't know how Bill would react and was afraid to find out.

"To what?" He sounded shocked.

"To marry me. You know, tie the knot? That wonderful little ceremony that two people go through to be bonded for life and all that hogwash. What you and Fleur went through?" She rambled on.

"I know what it is." he hissed. "But why now? He hurt you Hermione."

"I know Bill." she said in a small voice.

"You're not going to are you?" The surprise in his voice left Hermione wincing. "Hermione don't. He won't be fair to you. He'll cheat on you every chance he gets. He hates the idea of marriage. Wants to marry you, that's a load of bollocks!"

"He made a good point Bill!"

"Oh and what was that?"

"That you and Fleur can't babysit me forever! Especially when the baby is born! He's right!"

"Look, Hermione," Bill knew he was right too. "if I know Charlie, which I do, he just wants to get into your pants. He'll screw you once and move onto the next bird that crosses his path!"

She smirked at Bill. "Not unless there's a Fidelity Charm added to the ceremony." she said smugly. "He won't be able to get it up for anyone else if he tries. He wants to marry me because he feels bad, well it's my turn to pull one over on him. He doesn't even need to know that the charm is being used."

"Hermione," a smile spread across his face. "you are a genius! He doesn't even know the charm!" Bill engulfed her into a hug. "We have to get you to the Burrow and talk to mum right away."

"Actually, we are going over there for dinner tomorrow. I'm announcing it to everyone as a surprise. Charlie wants me to think it over and announce my decision over dinner." Hermione wasn't ready to face a load of Weasleys just yet.

So Bill made plans for dinner with his family for the next night, thrilled to no end about getting one over on his brother.

The family dinner was as good as ever with everyone chatting like there was no tomorrow. Hermione kept noticing Charlie looking at her from time to time, obviously nervous about her decision.

When dessert came around Hermione knew it was time to give Charlie her answer. Standing up, the table fell silent. "I have an announcement to make." she said nervously. She looked to Bill and Fleur who were sitting beside her smiling encouragingly. "Er, Charlie and I have decided to get married."

Complete silence engulfed the tables occupants, save for Mrs. Weasley who started crying and hugging her son. Charlie looked shocked. He was positive that she was going to say no. Mrs. Weasley let go of her son and made her way over to crush Hermione in a hug.

Hermione noticed that Harry didn't look too happy but he knew better than to make a scene. Hermione didn't want any of the rest of the evening to turn into an all out riot.

After dinner found Arthur, Molly, Bill, Fleur, Hermione and Charlie sitting at the kitchen table making wedding plans.

"Well, I'd like to do it at Shell Cottage by the bay. I think it would be perfect." Hermione looked to Bill and Fleur. "If that's ok with you two."

"Absolutely! But there's not enough room for a wedding at home." Fleur said a little confused.

"That's why I said it was perfect! I don't want a big wedding, and I know that Charlie doesn't either. Besides, isn't this supposed to be a secret wedding to cause all traces of mo to go 'missing'?" Hermione explained.

"Brilliant! I sea side wedding, just friends and family, small and intimate." Mrs. Weasley gushed. "Now, when is this wedding taking place?"

"Oh. Well, considering that I need to be back in Romania on Sunday, we were thinking Saturday night." Charlie said looking at Hermione. "Maybe...oh I don't know, sun set?"

"Sounds perfect." Hermione smiled at Charlie then looked to Bill to share a knowing smirk when the pending groom wasn't looking.

"But so soon?" Mrs. Weasley questioned, bewildered at the small amount of time.

"It's got to be done dear." Mr. Weasley said patting his wife's hand affectionately.

"I know that. I just didn't realize we would have so little time to prepare." Mrs. Weasley didn't sound so hostile this time.

Later that evening Hermione was in Ginny's room with her and Fleur, looking through bridal magazines. This gave Bill the time to confront Charlie about his motives. And when Bill knocked on Charlies old bedroom door he found Charlie opening the door with a wide smile.

"Hey Bill, want to come in?" he pulled the door wider for his brother to enter.

"Thanks." Bill crossed the room to sit in a chair he pulled from the far corner of the room.

"Was there something you needed?" Charlie had a feeling that his brother didn't just come to him for a friendly chat.

"Yes, about the wedding-"

Charlie cut him off as if he had forgotten something. "Oh yeah, about that, I was hoping you would be my best man."

"What the hell are you doing Charlie?" Bill asked dangerously.

"What are you talking about Bill?" a confused Charlie asked.

"I'm talking about Hermione. First you hurt her and tell her that you don't want to help her. Now you're wanting to marry her? What are you planning?" Charlie could tell that Bill was pissed.

"When I got back to Romania, I spent that whole month trying to get sleep. She was constantly on my mind, eating away at me. I realized that I had to do something about it. Marrying her is the right thing Bill. Where is she going to go when you and Fleur have the baby?" Charlie stopped for a breath. "I told her that when it was safe again for her to come back that she could leave me if she wanted to. I'm not holding her back from anything."

Bill stood up. "Fine. But I swear if you hurt her I don't care if you're my brother, I will kill you Charlie." Bill all but snapped at Charlie.

He completely understood what Bill was saying. "Got it. I will not hurt Hermione. I promise."

Bill nodded and reached to shake Charlies hand. "Congratulations." he said gruffly before leaving the room.

Charlie sat back in front of his desk before taking a deep breath as he looked st the ring he had for Hermione. "Now is as good of a time to do this as ever." he mumbled to himself.