Charlie groaned audibly, resting his head on his palm, looking forlornly at his mother. "Charles, I'm not going to let you go gallivanting off with Leah or the twins just because you're complaining. You have to help with your sister's wedding!"
Ginny turned around to look at her brother from in front of the mirror, sticking her tongue out at him, "Come on, you're supposed to be picking out the tuxes and the favors so you can go and order them, yea?" She turned towards her mother, "Too flouncy."
Mrs. Weasley sighed, "Ginny, darling, you've tried on ten dresses already!"
Ginny pouted, heading into the dressing room again, "Come on, Mum, I'm only getting married once it has to be perfect!"
Charlie rolled his eyes at his mother. This was only his first day of dress shopping with Ginny, but his second day "helping out", and he was already bored. "Mum, come on, it'll be time for New Year's Eve celebrations soon…"
Mrs. Weasley waved her hand in dismissal. "Stop it, Charlie, you know Mira, Leah and Hermione are going to try on their dresses."
"What about Luna?" Ginny shouted from her dressing room.
"She's busy tonight, remember? She'll come tomorrow."
Charlie groaned, "So why do I have to stay for their fittings?"
Mrs. Weasley looked astonished. "Well, don't you want to see Leah in her dress?"
Charlie rolled his eyes at his mother, "Really Mum…"
Mrs. Weasley shrugged, flipping through a catalog of different bouquets and flower arrangements. She and Ginny had speedily done the invitations in a matter for hours, thanks to the help from Fleur and magic. "Well, you have to stay Charlie, you're part of this family, you're not working, and we need at least one man's opinion on everything."
Charlie put his head in both of his hands, rubbing his eyes. "Fine, fine, but Merlin, Ginny, how many more dresses do you have to try on?"
Hermione rushed in than, "Did she find the dress yet?" she asked breathlessly.
Mrs. Weasley was shaking her head when Ginny stepped from the dressing room, "Found it."
Charlie looked up at his sister, and grinned. She did look absolutely beautiful, better than she did in the other dresses, and he saw a certain glow about her. She was beaming. He looked to his right and saw his mother and his sister's best friend, and probable future-sister-in-law silently crying. Apparently, his baby sister had found her perfect wedding dress.
As Mrs. Weasley and Hermione were fawning over Ginny, telling her how beautiful she looked in the dress, Mira and Leah walked in. Noticing the tears, Leah tapped Charlie's arm silently, "What's going on?"
Charlie grinned, "She found her dress."
Mira rolled her eyes at Leah who smacked her arm lightly, making Charlie laugh. He couldn't understand how these two were actually best friends with his sister and Hermione. Leah cleared her throat, "Gin, you look stunning."
Ginny beamed at her friends. "Gorg, Ginny, gorgeous. And that cut!"
Leah nodded, "Not too extravagant -"
"Not too simple -"
"Very Ginny Weasley," Leah finished.
Ginny smiled, correcting her, "Very Ginny Potter, you mean."
Leah grinned, standing next to the bride-to-be, "Of course, of course," she looked at Ginny's reflection in the mirror. "He's never going to know what hit him when you walk down that aisle."
Ginny grinned, turning to her three friends, "Mum, grab Madame Porter, tell her my friends are here for their fittings."
Mira groaned, "Can't we just try on some dresses?"
Ginny smiled, "Course! They have a whole selection of different cuts in the color I chose, but you have to try them on so they can fit them better, cut them to the right lengths, all that."
Leah walked back to stand next to Charlie, kissing him lightly on the lips. "How was your day?"
He groaned, hugging her tightly, "Miserable. I had to deal with this wedding all day, and I didn't get to see you."
Leah grinned, smiling up at him, "Well you'll get to see me all night."
Charlie frowned, "But not all tomorrow?"
"Come, come, I have to work a little bit, yes?"
Charlie pouted playfully, "You don't have to…"
Leah rolled her eyes at him as Madame Porter waltzed in rolling in what seemed like endless amount of dresses on a rack. Mira groaned, "Merlin, do we have to try on all of these?"
Madame Porter laughed, her extremely curly hair bouncing as she threw her head back. Leah looked at Charlie, her mouth open in disbelief. "Is she real?" she mouthed. Charlie put his hand over his mouth, trying hard not to laugh. "Of course not ladies! Pick a few that you like best and try them on!" She looked Hermione up and down quickly and handed her a dress, "These will be perfect for you, miss. Not too low cut, not too short, perfect, yes?"
Hermione barely managed to squeak at a yes, when the witch turned to Mira, who crossed her arms, her eyebrow cocked in defiance. Leah rolled her eyes at her friend and looked at Charlie again, who was still trying desperately not to laugh. "Ah, yes, bubble skirt, maybe? Low cut?" She handed a few dresses to Mira who rolled her eyes and entered a dressing room.
The witch turned to Leah immediately, but before she could say anything, Leah held up her hand, "It honestly doesn't matter, give me a few that are different enough from theirs."
Madame Porter smiled, "Ah, yes, of course, strapless? Low back? Short?" She handed Leah a few dresses who took them, winked at Charlie and entered the last dressing room.
Mrs. Weasley thanked Madame Porter, and walked with her to the front of the store, telling Charlie to sit and wait, and for Ginny to wait for her fitting.
Charlie flipped through the catalog, not really paying attention as he waited for the girls to try on their dresses. He was anxious to see Leah in a dress, but really, he was more anxious to see her tonight at the party, for New Year's. He tried not to grin, but Ginny noticed.
"Charlie," she said slyly, walking over to his chair, "what are you grinning about?"
Charlie looked up at his sister, trying to appear innocent, "Don't sit in that, Gin."
Ginny rolled her eyes, "Like I'd do anything to ruin this perfect dress? Seriously though, why are you grinning? Excited to see Leah in her dress?"
Charlie smiled at his sister, "Sure, I guess."
Ginny hit his arm, "You really like her, don't you?"
Charlie shrugged, "I thought you all knew that already."
Ginny smiled, crossing her arms. "My favorite brother is in love!"
Charlie rolled his eyes, "Gin, come on, huh? Cut it out," he paused, "look, it's just been a while since I was with someone I -cared - about at New Year's. And even Christmas. And I'm not sure, it's exciting I guess, isn't it?"
Ginny grinned again. She wasn't convinced by Charlie's cover-up. She knew that the two of them were probably falling for each other, whether they'd admit it or not.
Hermione walked out of the dressing room first, "I think I like this better than the others, what do you think?"
Ginny hurried over to her friend, "Oh, Mione, you look beautiful!"
"You look great, Hermione!" Charlie agreed from his chair.
Hermione smiled at the two, "Thanks, you guys, you don't think it's too, oh, I don't know?"
Ginny grinned, "You look wonderful, Mione!"
Mira stepped out next wearing a long, very low cut version of the dress Hermione was wearing, a very bright turquoise that looked managed to work both on Hermione with her pale skin and chestnut brown hair, and on Mira with her tan skin and jet-black hair. She smiled at Ginny, "Think they could maybe shorten it?"
Ginny laughed, "How short, Mira?"
Mira laughed too and looked at Hermione, "Oh, Mione, you look gorgeous!"
Hermione laughed, "And you do too, Mira! Why shorten it?"
Mira looked at herself in the mirror and without looking at him said to Charlie, "Too long for a bridesmaid dress, right Charlie?"
Charlie shrugged, "I guess. It would look better shorter."
Mira pulled up the fabric, "I'm thinking to about here, right? Right above my knees? Is that conservative enough?"
Ginny nodded, "I think so, but we'll ask the professionals, yea?"
The two bridesmaids were still looking at themselves in the mirror when Leah walked out. Charlie looked up immediately, putting down the catalog he was flipping through. Leah looked up at him quickly, and grinned, turning to her friends. "Well? What do we think?"
Mira frowned, "It's a little boring, in the front, isn't it?"
Leah cocked an eyebrow and turned around. Charlie let out a low whistle and Mira laughed, "Damn, Leah!"
Ginny grinned too, "Who knew you had such a fine back?"
Leah rolled her eyes, turning around again, "Is it okay for your wedding party, Gin?"
Ginny grinned, "If you like it, I like it."
Leah smiled, "I like it." She turned to Mira, "You're shortening that, right?"
Mira laughed, "Sure am. We're like sisters though, I've got that low front, and you've got the low back."
Leah turned to Hermione, "Oh, Mione, that halter cut looks so good on you!"
Hermione smiled, "You don't think it's too, I don't know, boring compared to you two?"
Leah laughed, "No! Come on, from the front, people will just see me in this boring round neck turquoise dress!"
"With a cute little bubble skirt!"
Leah smiled, "You don't think it's too much?"
Ginny shook her head, "It's perfect! And than Luna can have strapless, which she usually loves anyway, so it's perfect!" She waved the ladies in to take their fittings, "Mira and Hermione, you two first, since you two were first, and Leah, yours looks almost perfect anyway." Mira, Hermione and Ginny were grabbed up in a rush of fabric, pins, seamstresses, and Mrs. Weasley. Charlie looked at Leah, and nodded his head towards him.
She walked over, careful not to interrupt the other ladies. "You like it?" she asked, twirling in front of him.
Charlie grinned, eyeing her back and her legs as she turned, finally letting his eyes travel back up to her face, "Remind me to thank Ginny for getting married."
Leah laughed quietly and stood on her tiptoes for a quick kiss. "I'm glad you like it, Mr. Weasley."
"I knew your back was this nice," he whispered in her ear, drawing circles on her exposed skin.
Leah shivered slightly, "Not here, Charlie, we'll have plenty of time tonight, yea?"
Charlie nodded, kissing her cheek, "This dress looks amazing on you, Leah. You look much sexier than Hermione and Mira."
Leah slapped his arm playfully, "Of course you'd think that, Charlie, now come on, I got to have my fitting, and than I've got to get ready for the party tonight."
Charlie frowned again, "Why can't you just wear what you were wearing before?"
Leah rolled her eyes, "I can't even shower since I was working all day?"
Charlie shook his head, "I don't mind you dirty."
Leah laughed and walked over to where the ladies were finishing fitting Mira and Hermione, "I'm going to pretend you never said that," she turned to look at him again, "are you going to pick me up tonight?"
Charlie grinned, "Would I make you go to the twins' by yourself?"
Leah rolled her eyes and stepped on the small stool, raising her arms at the ladies' request.
--
Mira and Leah managed to leave shortly after they were done with their dress fittings, "What are you wearing tonight?"
Mira glanced at her best friend as they walked down the cobblestone road towards Mira's flat. "You really do like him, don't you?"
Leah sighed and looked at her friend, "What I can't ask what you're wearing? I haven't been with someone I even remotely like on New Years in a long time, okay?"
Mira chuckled, "Probably just a black dress and heels. It's just at the twins' flat."
Leah nodded, "I was thinking a casual dress too."
Mira nodded and said softly, "You can talk to me about it you know."
Leah saw the concern in Mira's eyes, "I know, thanks, Mira," she paused, "I just, don't want to think about it too much, you know? We don't even really talk about it." Mira nodded, urging her to continue. "We're just seeing how this month goes, and than when it's time for him to go back to work, I don't know."
Mira stopped and pulled Leah into a hug. "Thing's will work out, Lee."
Leah laughed, trying to ease the tension. "I know, thanks." They continued walking. "How are things with George, now with all this wedding stuff?"
Mira tried not to grin, "Well, apparently Fred is having fits, because now he's worried about how he's going to top Harry's proposal."
Leah laughed, "It shouldn't be that hard, should it?"
Mira laughed too, "No, Fred doesn't want it to be too big or anything, you know Hermione will want it to be simple and romantic and thoughtful."
Leah nodded, "Of course, of course, when does he think he's going to do it?"
Mira rolled her eyes, "Probably Valentine's Day, or maybe a little before to catch her off-guard. Soon after the wedding though."
"So have you and George talked about marriage?"
Mira grinned again, "He mentioned it in passing, and he knows I don't mind what we do, as long as he's happy," she paused, "but you know his mum won't want us to be living in sin much longer."
Leah laughed, "So? Are you guys going to get married?"
"We're not going to rush into it, of course. We like where we are now, you know? We're still young, so we don't need kids right away," she paused. "If he wants to get married once Ron and Luna do, we'll probably have a simple wedding, just the family and friends, maybe in the country," she sighed, "Merlin, do I sound like Hermione or what?"
Leah laughed and slung her arm around her best friend's shoulders, "No! You're doing it to make George happy! I know you and George love the country almost as much as I do! So to want to get married there? To be thinking about it amongst all bonanza of wedding craziness? You don't sound like Hermione at all. You sound like my little Mira."
Mira laughed, "All right, all right, now, come on, enough wedding talk! Go get prettied up so we can ring in the New Year!"
--
Leah was touching up her mascara when there was a knock on the door. "Coming!" She yelled as she ran barefoot to open the door. Charlie wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her before she even had a chance to see what he was wearing.
"I missed you," he whispered against her cheek, kissing her jaw.
Leah smiled, threading her hands through his red hair, "I missed you too," she kissed his lips again before falling back on the balls of her feet, "come on, I have to put my shoes on and we can go." She walked back to her room as Charlie closed the door, following her.
"We don't have to go yet," he said from her bedroom doorway as she sat down on her bed putting her bright blue heels on. She stood up and he took in her simple navy strapless dress that ended about mid-thigh. He grinned, "You," he caressed her cheek with his thumb, "look beautiful," he kissed her lips softly, tilting her head back slightly, backing them towards her bed.
She pulled away slowly, "Charlie, come on, it took me a long time to fix my hair and get my make-up done," he moved his hand slowly and lightly from her waist, up her back and to her shoulder.
He pulled away, grinning, "Well, than, come on. I'm hungry, and apparently the twins' got tons of food from Luna."
Leah rolled her eyes, "So, what, food will get your mind off sex?"
Charlie laughed, walking towards the front door, holding her coat open, "No, I'm always thinking about having sex with you."
"When you're not thinking about food-"
"Or dragons, sure," he grinned boyishly and Leah's heart almost melted. He really was too good-looking for his own good.
--
It was 10:30 and Leah was laughing with George when Oliver, Katie, Angelina, Alicia and Lee finally arrived. Charlie took another drink of his firewhiskey, listening to something Ron was saying and watched Leah greet everyone. But he especially watched her greet Oliver. He knew that he had nothing to worry about - Mira had said that they really had only worked as friends, but he was still a little perturbed. The rest of the guys that were here were his family, or going to soon be his family. But not Oliver. From the way he was laughing with her, his hand around her waist like it had been at the club that first night, it didn't seem very brotherly. He turned back to Ron, trying to pay attention, but his gaze traveled back to Leah who was now talking with Angelina and Lee about something. Why was he so worried about Leah and Oliver? Weren't things good with them now? It's not like she didn't talk to other men. Men loved her - or they must - why wouldn't they? She, like Mira, were nearly perfect. Very relaxed, very laid-back, not too girly.
He finished the rest of his firewhiskey in a gulp, unaware that Ron watched him, open mouth. "Charlie, you all right? I mean, I know it's New Years, but…"
Charlie turned to his brother, trying to smile, "I'm fine, just wanted to finish that drink, been nursing it for a while." Ron nodded, unconvinced. "Seen Mira?"
Leah had turned back to talk to George again, to continue their conversation, but Oliver grabbed her attention again. "Leah, how have you been? Haven't seen you since the club."
Leah grinned, "Been working, hanging around with Charlie, things like that."
Oliver raised his eyebrows, "So things with you and the Dragon-tamer are going well?"
Leah tried not to blush, the alcohol slowly starting to hit her, "Yea, they are," she paused, "they really are." She looked around briefly, "Didn't bring a date this year?"
Oliver shook his head, "Couldn't snag one in time," he paused, cocking an eyebrow and quickly moving his eyes over Leah's entire body without her noticing, "I had hoped you'd be single this year too, but I forgot Charlie was still around."
Leah looked indignant, and she wasn't kidding. She opened her mouth to rip Oliver a new one when George, overhearing what Oliver had just said, intervened. "Leah, dah-ling, I was looking for you, Oliver, I think Katie was looking for you, go get yourself a drink, will you?"
Oliver nodded, confused, and George grabbed Leah's arm, "He - he - did you hear - how dare - let me at him - George!" She struggled to get out of his tight grasp, to stick her heel in Oliver's gut, to yell at him, to remind him she wasn't just a piece of meat.
George dragged her over to a couch and sat her down. "Leah, I know, calm down, he's being a bloody arse, but I will not have any fights at my party, and well, maybe you don't know, but if Charlie sees that he pissed you off, whether you could take him or not, he'd beat Oliver to a bloody pulp."
Leah frowned, taking a sip of her wine. "I could handle it."
George smiled, chucking her under the chin, "I know you can, kid, but Charlie's emotions would get the best of him, wouldn't they? He likes you too much to let you have all the fun."
Leah pouted, "Why is he being a jerk?"
"Who, Oliver? He was always a jerk. Well, sometimes. Especially with the ladies. Maybe you never noticed at these functions because you'd be sloshed and would just want some ass too."
Leah put her head in her hands. "You're probably right," she stood up, "Merlin, I hope Charlie didn't see. You don't think he knows do you?"
"That you had sex with Oliver?"
Leah sat down, "What does it matter anyway, right? He won't be jealous if I talk to other guys that are single, right?"
George shrugged, "I was jealous at first, with Mira, but I realized, well, tons of men like her, you know?"
Leah laughed and nodded, "They do really like Mira," she nudged George's shoulder, "why did she ever settle for you?"
"Ha-ha-ha, very funny, Ms. Cooper. Please, keep your day job, won't you?"
"My two day jobs you mean?"
Charlie found Mira at the food table, "Hey, Mira? You don't think Leah still has feelings for Oliver or anything, do you?" Mira nearly spat out her food she laughed so hard. "What?" Charlie asked.
Mira stood up and looked at Charlie, still laughing. "No, she definitely doesn't," she paused and saw Charlie's actual concern. "Why?"
Charlie shrugged, "I don't know, it's just that he's the only single guy, who's not my brother or Harry, who I've seen her talk and flirt with is all, and I know they dated for a while."
Mira waved her hand, "I wouldn't call it dating, I mean, I don't know if you think it makes this any better, but I know it would for me - but all it was was meaningless sex. They had sex a few times, not even that many, just when she was really stressed out at work and things. But they haven't for what, oh, Merlin, over a year?" She looked up at the ceiling, trying to figure it out. "Yea, they did about two summers ago a few times, when she was really stressed at work - well, more so than usual - and than last New Years she had a really tough time. Single, another crappy Christmas, so she real hammered and brought Oliver home. And than was the last time."
Charlie nodded, "I suppose that makes me feel a little better."
Mira turned to Charlie again and looked him straight in the eye. "Charlie, I know we don't know each other very well - which I really hope we can work on, by the way - but Leah really, really likes you. Trust me. And she really doesn't flirt with guys," she put up a hand to keep him quiet. "She doesn't mean to, unless she's really interested in them. And flirt with Oliver? No, she wouldn't do that," she paused again, popping a grape in her mouth. "She's just like the twins, and like me, I suppose, and maybe like you," she grinned, "we're just too cool, too amazing for our own good, and our friendliness just attracts people. And I know that Leah is a big believer in guys and girls being friends, which she should be. Guys love to be her friend. Or, at least, that's what she believes. All through Hogwarts? No boyfriends," she paused. "Why am I telling you this again?"
Charlie smiled widely, "You were trying to help me understand that she doesn't like Oliver."
Mira nodded, smiling, "Course, course. She doesn't. She's crazy for you, you know. She won't admit it, but I know her history with guys. She'd date you for longer than a month, even with no sex." Mira grabbed a few appetizers and walked away, leaving Charlie to his thoughts.
Charlie found Leah and George talking with Angelina on the couch, "Leah, care for another drink?"
Leah stood up and maneuvered her way around the couch, putting her arm around Charlie's waist, "And where have you been?"
Charlie grinned, putting his arm around her shoulders, "Talking with Mira about you, and your no boyfriends in Hogwarts."
Leah groaned, "Oh, no! Why did she tell you that?"
Charlie laughed, "She was a little tipsy, I think, and I think it came out. Something about you not thinking guys liked you."
Leah waved her hand, pouring herself a glass of champagne. "Well, in Hogwarts, when I was younger, guys did only want to be my friend. Well, granted, not the Slytherins, or the rich, snooty kids who didn't like that I was poor, but they thought I was cool for having read comic books, and I could help them with their homework, and than when I got older, they liked that I could drink firewhiskey with the best of them, could play Quidditch pretty well," she paused and winked at Charlie, "for a Chaser, I was pretty aggressive." She took a sip of champagne, "And I think by that time, they were so used to seeing me as that cool kid who they forgot was a girl, that when I started wearing make-up and things, they didn't exactly know how to feel about me. So I just stayed being their friend."
Charlie kissed her cheek, "I'm sure they were just too intimidated by your beauty, and your brains -"
"And my all around amazingness?" She laughed and leaned her body into Charlie's. "You were jealous that I was talking to Oliver earlier, weren't you?"
Charlie nodded, nestling his head on her shoulder, "I didn't mean to be."
Leah nodded, resting her head next to his, looking out at the party, "I'm glad that none of your ex-girlfriends, or sex-buddies or whatever, aren't here. I might rip their eyes out."
Charlie chuckled, his rumbling chest sending vibrations through her body. "I didn't have that many ex-girlfriends. And they were mostly to keep my brothers quiet anyway. I didn't like any of them as much as I like you."
Leah turned around in Charlie's arms, bringing her arms around his neck, still holding her glass. "And for all my non-ex-boyfriends, and sex-buddies, I think I like you best," she grinned, her eyes flickering to his own grin, "we're getting sappy, aren't we?"
Charlie leaned down to kiss her briefly, "I'm fine with it if you are."
Leah grinned, "I'm fine with it."
