I hope I buried some plotholes :/ And, again, don't hurt me for the couples I made!
The morning dawned bright and cold. Fresh snow covered the plains and fields as far as thee eye could see. The Weasley men woke, slightly hungover, from fitful sleep to do their duties. In protest, Ginny vowed to not do her share of the work.
Meanwhile, the women woke to the smell of fresh eggs and bacon, cooked by Hermione, who hadn't slept much. Ginny was all for making her brothers starve but at eleven, Hermione took pity on them and delivered a basket of rolls and bologna to the garage. They were all out and she was glad she didn't have to speak to any of them; she was still very angry.
For the next few days, Hermione set the women to work in different parts of the house to keep them busy while she tried to figure out how to fix the situation. She was to be found shelling peas with Ginny in the scullery one blustery afternoon. They were discussing possible plans for the women's return and admonishing the men for the hundredth time.
"There's one thing I didn't know about though," said Hermione, ripping a pod open with a flick of her wand. "Only Weasley men can apparate in and out of the Burrow?"
"I actually didn't know about that. I've never been able to apparate by myself, so I'd never have known," said, Ginny, shrugging.
"But apparently the men can apparate anyone in and out."
"Apparently."
And that was that.
The next day, Hermione delivered supper to the garage as usual but actually stayed to talk with them. They seemed to become more and more put out every time she saw them.
"Okay, what's wrong?"
All five redheads looked up sullenly. Hermione put her hands on her hips. "Really. What's wrong?"
"D'you know what happened today?" said Charlie, staring at a piece of wall.
"No, what?"
"I saw Tonks in a window. I stopped to watch her. I love watching her. And d'you know what she did?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Opened the window, smiling at me. I thought she'd say she forgave me and she missed me. But then she suddenly pointed her wand at me β took aim at me! β and sent a curse at me.
"Hermione," he said, scooting up to her. "You don't think she hates me, do you?" He looked so worried and sad that Hermione couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the fellow.
"Well, you did kidnap her."
"Hermione," said Bill, also crawling over to her. "I know now what a terrible, awful thing it was to do to them, but we didn't know what else to do."
"What can we do to fix it?" said Percy.
"Preferably without taking them back," added Fred.
"Well," said Hermione. "I would say take them back, first of all."
Fred groaned. "But we already have them here! Half our job's done!"
"If you don't want my help, then don't ask," snapped Hermione and she went back into the house.
The same evening, all the women sat in the sitting room and Hermione read aloud from the book that she had smacked out of Ron's hand the night of the kidnapping. Alicia was drawing on a piece of parchment while Tonks watched and gave pointers. Penelope and Ginny were brushing Fleur's hair and Angelina was lying on the couch with her feet in Ginny's lap, staring at the ceiling.
There was a knock on the door. The women all stopped what they were doing at once. Ginny and Hermione exchanged looks.
"Come in," Hermione called.
The door swung open and there stood George, holding his hat and shyly stepping inside.
"It's really cold out there," he said, glancing over at Alicia. "Could I grab an extra blanket?"
"Go ahead," said Hermione, suspicious. He marched up the stairs and came back down carrying a thick, dusty blanket that he'd gotten from the attic. He stopped at the door and turned back to the room at large.
"Thanks," he said, shooting a look at Alicia again, who giggled as the door shut behind him. Tonks backhanded her shoulder and she quieted down very quickly.
They all resumed their activities until they were interrupted by another knock on the door.
"Come in."
It was Percy. "Cut myself onβ"
"Dittany's in the kitchen," said Hermione, eyes narrowing. He nodded and smiled slightly at Penelope before tottering off toward the kitchen. On his way back through, he almost tripped on the doorframe and this made Penelope giggle. Fleur shot her a glare and she became silent.
They had no time to continue their tasks, as there was another knock almost as soon as it had closed.
"Come in," said Hermione, getting very annoyed.
It was Bill and Charlie together. Hermione stood. "And what do you want?"
They seemed at a loss for words; they had just spotted Fleur and Tonks. Hermione strode over and placed a hand on both of their chests, pushing them gently backward. She could see Fred waiting his turn just beyond the door.
"Enough of this!" she said and shut the door behind them with a snap. Ruffled, she turned back to the sitting room to find all the women save Ginny peering eagerly out of the window.
"I think we should all go to bed," said Hermione sternly. The women hurried off up the stairs looking slightly ashamed of themselves. Hermione plopped down on the sofa next to Ginny.
"I miss Harry," said Ginny sadly.
"Harry?"
"I met him in Diagon Alley. I wish I could go back to see him. My brothers are kinda lucky having their girls here to see any time. I can't apparate, so I can't go to him. And he can't come to me."
"Wait, Harry Potter?"
Ginny looked up in surprise. "You know him?"
"We're old friends," said Hermione grimly.
"And," continued Ginny, staring at her hands, "I know you miss Ron. So do I." Hermione had become frozen, perched on the edge of the sofa. Ginny glanced at Hermione fearfully, hoping she hadn't said the wrong thing. Hermione stood. "Goodnight, Ginny."
"Goodnight," said Ginny and watched as Hermione climbed the stairs to her room.
Alicia and Angelina waited for Hermione to pass their room before sneaking out and entering Fleur and Tonks' room. Penelope was already there.
"So what'd you girls think of the guys' little show?" said Tonks, taking a seat on the floor so Penelope and Alicia could sit on her bed.
"I thought eet was deespicable," sniffed Fleur.
"You were just as excited to see Bill as we were, don't deny it," said Angelina scathingly.
"I can't believe you," Penelope shot at Tonks. "Cursing Charlie one second, then struck dumb by him the next. You're such a hypocrite."
"Hey," said Tonks. "I saw you giggling like a child at the sight of Percy."
"Girls," said Alicia, "let's not fight, please. It's obvious we're not mad at them anymore."
The women glared at Alicia for a moment, then their anger melted away.
"Z'ee is right," said Fleur, defeated.
"But what are we going to do about it?" said Angelina.
"Ginny told me about how her youngest brother left and that Hermione had a thing with him before their fight," said Alicia. "If we just suddenly get all lovey-dovey with the men, Hermione'll be really distraught."
"You're right," said Tonks. "We have to be strong. For Hermione."
Thanks for reading, please review ^_^
