To say Jean and Michael Granger were shocked when their daughter arrived was an understatement Hermione had revealed what happened, though not too much detail. Her parents may be muggle but they took the news well, embracing their daughter. They had met Ginny and were fond of her, and like Arthur, they had no issue with their daughter being gay. They simply wanted her to be happy. The fact witches, with magic help, could have biological children together, helped lighten it as well. Unlike Molly, Jean and Michael only had the one child.
Back home Ginny was in misery as she headed to work. She couldn't' believe what her mother had done. She knew they had broken the rules but this was too much. She tried to remind herself that she would see Hermione in the fall but that was little comfort to her now.
She was leaving work later when Harry found her. "Harry."
Harry kissed her cheek. "How are you?"
"How do you think?"
"Come on."
"I can't."
"I am meeting Charlie for dinner. He is expecting us both."
"You missed breakfast. I am grounded."
Harry assured her. "You won't get in trouble."
Ginny shook her head. "Mum might home school me."
Harry assured her. "Your dad knows."
Ginny was reluctant. "Maybe I should go home. "
"Turning down dinner with me?"
Ginny tried to smile. "May be a third wheel on a date."
Harry blushed deep. "You know? Not upset?"
Ginny kissed his cheek. "I gave him a nudge. You know I love you like a brother anyways."
He returned the kiss. "Come."
Charlie had hinted that his sister had known but had not told him out right. Of course he knew that Bill knew, he caught them in bed, and Fleur. He and Ginny had broken up on the best terms possible. They had both known they would never be together, even if they were straight. Ginny had known she was gay and Harry just saw her as a sister. The two were happy for each other to move on and in their choice of partners as well. Harry reminded her that he loved Hermione as his sister, and he couldn't think of anyone better for each of them. He loved Ron, he was his one of his best friends and like a brother, but Ron was so wrong for Hermione. He wanted Ron to come to his senses and find someone who was right. Honestly he thought Ron and Lavender had been a much better pair than Ron and Hermione had made. Ron just had to be made to see that.
Ginny came with him to London. Charlie had gone to speak to his father after the hospital. Charlie wasn't in training yet, so when Harry had gone to help the twins in the shop, he had time. He had gone out for lunch with his dad and had got permission to take Ginny out for dinner.
Charlie smiled. "I was worried."
Ginny smirked. "That I ran off with your boyfriend?"
Harry smiled. "I may have rethought my choice. But boyfriend may be pushing it."
Charlie eyed Harry. "Rethinking things?"
Ginny laughed. "You will sleep with him but not call him a boyfriend?"
Harry went red. "You know that?"
"I know I wasn't the only one breaking house rules."
"Oh."
"Don't worry, I don't plan to feed you to mum."
Harry was grateful. "Thanks."
Ginny looked at her brother and back. "Didn't take you to sleep around. Really not going to call him a boyfriend?"
Harry was still red. "Those usually require dates."
Ginny looked at her big brother. "He does have a point."
Charlie motioned. "We should eat."
They went to a little café off Diagon and as they ordered, Harry remembered something. There was a reason that Charlie had got permission for Ginny to come out for dinner with them. They could have given her the letter at home but it would have caused more issues with Molly. Harry took out the letter and handed it to Ginny. Ginny was surprised when she saw the letter and who it had come from. As Ginny went to open, Harry explained that Hermione was in France visiting her parents instead. Ginny was happy that Hermione had gone away, it would be better for her. She couldn't believe what her mother had done to Hermione and she knew Hermione shouldn't be alone right now either.
Ginny had a smile finally a bit. "I am glad she went."
Harry assured her. "She will be back for the wedding."
"And for school."
Ginny nodded. "If I can't see her, I'd rather her be there."
Harry assured her. "You can send word through Hedwig."
Ginny smiled a little. "Thanks."
Charlie motioned. "We should eat."
Harry agreed. "Don't need any issues with your mother."
Ginny was pale. "You got permission."
Charlie nodded. "From Dad. But we shouldn't push it."
Ginny agreed. "I am surprised he allowed it."
Charlie shrugged. "He does stand up to her once in a while."
Harry sighed. "I wish more."
Arthur had tried with Hermione. If Harry hadn't offered her a place, he would have tried to make it work for Hermione. But Arthur had realized in thirty years of marriage, it was sometimes just easier to let Molly have her way. But he usually made himself heard when he needed to be. Both Harry and Charlie hoped he would find his voice a bit more this summer. And not just for the sake of Ginny and Hermione they could admit.
Ginny reminded Harry what Charlie had. "Mum adores you. Besides, unlike Ron, she will know I am all for you two."
Molly was not happy at all and was considering her next move. Her daughter should have been home from work almost two hours before. She had told Ginny in no uncertain terms that she was grounded. She was to go to work and come home. She had spoken to the store owner who had promised to keep Hermione from disturbing Ginny at work. If Ginny couldn't be trusted to come and go, she would not be allowed to work. Molly had never been so angry at one of her children as she was right now. She couldn't believe what Ginny had done to Harry and Ron.
Ron finally came home grumbling all the way. His mother had sent him back into town to find out if his sister had been working late. He wasn't happy at all. It was bad enough his sister was sleeping with his girlfriend, but now he was being sent to escort her home.
Molly turned to him. "Where is she?"
"She left work on time."
Molly was angry. "Did you find her?"
Ron was red. "Like I want to."
Arthur got home. "Molly, what is wrong?"
"Your daughter has snuck off with her."
Ginny came in. "I didn't."
Molly rounded on her daughter. "You were meant to be home two hours ago."
Ginny was pale. "I was out for dinner with…."
Molly snapped. "I told you to come home."
Arthur spoke up. "I gave Harry and Charlie permission to take her out for dinner."
Molly looked at Harry. "You were with her?"
Harry nodded. "Yes."
Molly stewed and motioned to her husband. "Dinner is ready."
Ginny knew things weren't done but she headed for her room. Harry had a feeling he was the reason the subject was dropped. The woman was happy that Harry and Ginny had gone out for dinner. She seemed to overlook the fact that Charlie had been out with them. She was sure now Hermione was gone, her daughter would come to her senses. And she was happy that Harry didn't seem to be angry at Ginny about it.
Harry and Charlie headed upstairs as well considering they had already had dinner. Ginny was off early so they had an early dinner in town. Harry reminded himself that he just needed to get through another eight days without Molly finding out about them.
Harry was in his room when Charlie came in and pulled him in. "It will get better."
Harry reminded him. "Your mother."
"She is down having dinner."
"I think we have to hold off while here."
Charlie sighed. "I know you are worried."
"The house rules."
Charlie kissed him tenderly. "I guess I can wait a week."
Harry whispered. "Lunch breaks."
They heard a groan from behind. "Not you two as well."
Harry turned to see Ron. "Why not?"
Ron sputtered. "You were with Ginny."
Harry shrugged. "I guess we both were looking the wrong way."
Harry shared a look with Charlie and Charlie took his leave from the room. Ron may have been his brother, but he knew this was a conversation between Harry and Ron. Ron was a prat about Hermione but Harry held out some hope his fiend may be a bit better about him. Ron had always been good about Charlie being gay even if he got creeped out at times. Charlie was the brother he had idolized most of his life.
Harry warded the door when Charlie was gone. "Going to tattle to your mother?"
"Going to have sex with my brother?"
Harry shrugged. "Not this time."
Ron was red. "You are with my brother?"
"I am. Do you have a problem with that?"
"When did you turn into one of them?"
"One of them? I didn't think they were lepers or something."
"You know what I mean."
"No, I don't. You have always idolized Charlie."
"He was, well he is cool. Just because he sleeps…."
"He sleeps with men?"
"First Hermione and now you."
Harry sunk onto the bed. "You and Hermione have broken up."
Ron spat. "And she is shagging my sister."
"You know you were happier with Lavender anyways."
Ron frowned. "That doesn't matter."
Harry sighed. "You two were miserable."
Ron grumbled. "But my sister?"
Harry shrugged. "I guess she likes red heads."
Ron stood. "I need air."
Harry stopped him. "Charlie and I?"
"Better than those two."
"Ron?"
"I won't run off and tell Mum if that is what you are worried about."
"Thanks. But us?"
"No shows please."
Harry watched his friend leave and knew that was the best that he could hope for right now. Ron had certainly taken it better than he had worried. Ron would stew on it and he hoped that Ron would come around for him and Charlie. Both he and Charlie loved Ron deeply. Like Molly, his opinion would not break them up, but they hoped Ron would be good about it. He knew he stood a better chance than Hermione and Ginny did.
Ron passed his brother as he headed up and grumbled. "Don't hurt him."
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