CHAPTER 8- Holiday
Hermione, Bill and George (although George was stood at the end of the path, out of sight of his mother who still thought he was in therapy at Ilvermony) sat quietly in the Burrow Kitchen at one end of the table. Percy was sat at the other. The atmosphere was icy.
"Erm… I expect Charlie will be down imminently."
"Yes."
"How are you both?"
"Good, thank-you."
"Er… are you both…?" Percy gestured at them and it took a moment for the question to sink in. Hermione flushed and began murmuring to herself.
"No Percy. I'm married.",cut in Bill.
"But you wouldn't know that, seeing as you missed the wedding." Charlie's voice echoed down the stairs. The older brothers of the family had sided with George and his twisted logic that if Percy had been around more, Fred wouldn't have got distracted whilst duelling and would in turn, still be alive. A moment later Charlie appeared in the flesh and another second later a travelling rucksack made an appearance, falling heavily down the stairs.
"Charlie, we have magic for that kind of thing."
Charlie grinned at Hermione.
"And?"
Bill growled internally at his flirtatious brother.
"Right, we'll be going. Percy." He nodded at Percy and then strode out, the other two following.
The four of them walked for a while, heading toward the same hill that they had used for the Quidditch World Cup, a long five years ago.
George and Hermione walked in front, laughing darkly at something. It was about the only kind of laugh George produced, along with his dry smiles.
Charlie and Bill scuffed along behind.
"Are you sure she isn't a bit well…young for you Bill?"
"You think I haven't thought of that?" Bill's voice was full of melancholy. "I'm ten years older than her, I'm married and I have a temper that can literally kill. I'm surprised she will even talk to me after what I did to George, let alone take me with her on holiday."
"Eh, love is love William." Charlie waved his hand flippantly. "I'm just hoping I meet some hot muggles." And with that he lit up a cigarette and bounded ahead to offer George one, leaving Bill with his thoughts.
Hermione whipped round when somebody tapped her on the shoulder, her reflexes on fire. It was just Charlie, offering them cigarettes.
George motioned to take one, but she plucked it out of his hand.
"No addictive substances for you Mr." George looked sullen.
"Me on the other hand…" Hermione slipped a lighter out of her pocket and lit up easily. She'd not intended to start smoking it went against all her principles, but… there were only so many awkward meals with Ron and heavy silences with Harry she could tolerate.
Charlie's jaw dropped.
"Why Miss Granger! OI BILL! HERMIONE SMOKES!"
Bill loped forward, laughing at them all, George and Charlie staring at Hermione with bemusement, her face dressed in a shy smile . He knocked the fag out of her mouth.
"You are not dying of lung cancer. Merlin knows I've already lost too many people I love."
The atmosphere was suddenly electric, George and Charlie smirking like the Cheshire cat and Bill and Hermione both staring at one another awkwardly.
"I mean of course, we all love you, and well, no one wants you dying, and well, duh, I'm married, kind off, not that it's relevant, or you care for that matter…" Bill rambled on.
"I understand Bill." Her voice was quiet. They reached the top of the hill and on a count of three from Charlie, felt the familiar tug behind their navels and were whisked away.
The holiday had been going swimmingly. Once arrived. They had checked into a hotel together and were enjoying the quaint little seaside town. However, today was the day they were looking forward to most. Hermione had announced at dinner she had a treat for them all and today was the day.
They walked, laughing and chatting loudly down the Highstreet, Hermione and Bill reading off a local map, heads close together. Last night (possibly under the influence of Muggle alcohol) Bill had confided in them upon leaving Shell Cottage to come on holiday he had given Fleur divorce papers and then legged it. They were all giggling so hysterically by this point at the thought of Bill running away from his wife that not even Hermione had time to feel sorry for Fleur.
Charlie was happily waving at locals, his strong build drawing plenty of attention from scantily clad teenage girls, who all whispered hysterically. They all ignored George, who, as usual, had a face of non-moving emotion. The sunglasses he had purchased didn't help with the whole *I have potential to kill you* vibe. They passed a pub, where a tall man with blond hair and even more intimidating sunglasses sat alone. Charlie nudged George.
"You should hook up with him. He looks moodier than you."
Unfortunately, Charlie couldn't see the magnificent eye roll George gave. As they passed the man, George felt as if he recognised him, but the minute he turned his back, he lost his thread of thought and took his sunglasses off to scratch his nose instead.
Eventually, they reached a house with a brown door and hundreds of daffodils growing in pots all around the front garden. Hermione simply stepped over the wall, but the others tried to open the gate, to no avail. There was no lock!
"It's left handed." A bemused voice told them. At the door, speaking to Hermione was a woman of about 20. She had freckles all over her face, and half her head was shaved short. She had a climbing smile creeping up her face.
"This is Etty. She has agreed to give you a proper tour of a muggle house and city." Hermione announced as the boys climbed the short brick wall.
As they were led into the warm little house, out of the beating sun, Bill politely spoke to Etty.
"How do you know 'Mione then?"
"We went to junior school together, before she went to Hogwarts."
"You know about Hogwarts?"
Etty was unlocking a backdoor, as behind them Hermione pointed out several muggle things to the fascinated George.
"Yeah, how else could she explain bringing three men to my house who had no idea what a toaster was?" she laughed and led them into the back garden, where four other girls sat on several picnic blankets. Two were snorting hysterically, and the other two were shaking their heads in apparent despair.
"Hem Hem." Coughed Hermione, just like Umbridge. George laughed.
The four girls looked up and one leapt up and hugged Hermione. She had an oversized denim jacket, and dark wavy hair to envy Hermiones. Her wide smile met her wide inquisitive eyes.
"Hello!"
"Hi!" Noticing Bill and George standing awkwardly (not Charlie he was smiling widely at Etty who was giving him a look of disdain), Etty spoke.
"Right, George, Bill, Charlie, Hermione, meet Al, Beth, Hera and Sophia. Erm, I've enlisted their help to inform you everything about our peculiar world." She pointed them at in turn one at a time. There was an awkward moment, until Charlie threw himself down, and pulled George with him.
"So what is a condom?" he asked with a knowing grin.
Soon enough they were all sat around, as Etty, Hera and Hermione all caught up in the kitchen, making what sounded promisingly like food.
Charlie was talking to Beth, a blond girl with dancing green eyes. Between them they were swearing more than Keith Lemon.
Bill sat with Al, and they talked quietly about sailing, something Bill wanted desperately to try out. She was a petite girl, with long hair that framed her face like a picture.
However, observed Hermione from the kitchen window, George and Sophia were the most interesting. He sat entranced, as the lanky girl with a classic 80's haircut made weird motions with her arms.
"So you have to catch them all right? And you can get all the cards…"
"What like chocolate frog cards?"
"Que?"
In the kitchen, Etty waved her hand in front of Hermione's face.
"So?"
"So what?"
"Have you ever taken Charlie to Pride? Or the wizarding equivalent of."
Hermione laughed. "Charlie's not gay! He just flirts with everything with a pulse."
Both girls exchanged a look.
"He's 100% gay 'Mione." Said Hera solemnly.
"What?"
"He has rainbow shoe laces."
"So? You can wear whatever shoelaces you want. It's not the 70's anymore. It's nearly the Millennium." Hermione's first year assertive know it all side made a brief appearance.
"Ask him. I bet he says yes." A wide grin was spreading across Etty's face. Hera just gave a soft smile, her arms crossed.
Hermione's eyes widened. "You can't just ask people that!"
"Sure you can. It's not the 70's anymore, it is nearly the Millennium." Assured Etty.
She stuck her head out the window, her oversized jeans hanging around her ankles.
"OI CHARLIE!"
"YEAH?"
"WOULD YOU DATE A BLOKE?"
"DEFINITLEY!" Charlie was unabashed, finally relieved someone had pulled him up on it. George groaned and passed Bill 5 galleons.
"Long standing bet." He told Sophia, who looked fascinated with the coins.
Etty reappeared through the window.
"Looks like you're all going to Pride with us 'Mione!"
Hermione looked flustered.
"How could I not know?" was all she said.
When Etty, had said 'us' she had meant it figuratively. In reality, she had work and was also helping Bill file a muggle divorce, as he had also filed a muggle wedding document, just in case. This meant (of course) Hermione stayed with Bill, and Sophia and Hera got to take an over excited Charlie and social recluse George to pride.
Thinking about it, it had probably been her most amusing March yet, Heera mused. Charlie had leapt about asking questions about everything, glitter all in his bright hair.
George and Sophia had lurked in the corners of the parade, looking intently at what appeared to be Pokémon Cards, Sophia picking up on George's clear distaste for crowds.
Meanwhile Charlie and Hera had ran through the gardens throwing rainbow glitter as they went.
"Hi Hera!" A saccharine voice piped up as Charlie and her collapsed on the grass snorting. Hera used all her body strength to lift her torso and peer at the speaker. A girl, who shall remain unnamed, stood smiling at Hera and running her eyes up and down Charlie.
"Oh. Hello Lily."
"Who's your friend?"
"This is Charlie." Hera's voice had a blunt edge the girl ignored.
"Hey."
Charlie gave a sarcastic smile, the rainbow face paint crinkling up. He turned to Hera.
"Anyway, my friend Oliver lives in Canterbury, he moved down from Scotland. Do you know him?"
"Um, surname?"
"Wood."
Still the girl stood there, flipping her hair and casting furtive looks at her friends who stood about 25 feet behind them.
"Hmm," mused Hera, "Where does he live?"
Charlie looked at his hand, where there was some smudged biro.
"Dan John Gardens?"
"Dane John silly! That's here!"
Hera looked up a taut smile pinching her face.
"I'm sorry are you still there?"
"Who's annoying you babe?"
Charlie's face was the epitomy of concern.
"Her." Hera gestured vaguely.
Charlie squinted.
"Who?"
"You know what, I think she's left babe." Hera played along.
The girl stood, her small eyes ugly in the look of disdain she pulled.
"Ugh, you've always been a rude bitch Hera."
Charlie stood up now, looking really happy.
"Hey!"
The girl beamed.
"Finally. Hi, take it you are Charlie?"
Charlie looked over her head, and then at Hera.
"Thought I heard a noise there."
"Same."
The girl let out an annoyed noise and stropped away, just as a man limped towards them.
"Charlie!"
Charlie hit him with a hug and Hera winced, being hit by an over excited Weasley was an experience she had had and it hurt.
"Hera, this is Oliver Wood." The look in Charlie's eyes said it all and so as Hera stood to greet him, she gave a genuine smile.
"Hi. Erm, I'd introduce you too Sophia but her and George have vanished…" She frowned and looked around.
"I think that's them." Oliver gestured to a gloomy looking band stand where two figures sat, now both making weird arm movements.
"Ah. Yeah."
The now re-united small group weaved through the rainbow coloured crowds, laughing and murmuring. They'd even ventured into a muggle pub, but had been removed from the premises by an irate barkeeper, when Charlie had taken one mouthful of vodka and spat it all over a member of staff.
It was the end of the day for the four of them. Charlie had re appeared after wandering off with a tall man a few hours ago. As Hera hugged them all goodbye and prepared to get on a bus with Sophia, George swallowed his heart from his mouth and caught Sophia by the arm. She turned around, her eyes wide in a peculiar face an alarmed ostrich may make. Silently, he pulled out a sharpie Etty had given him and wrote his muggle address on her arm. She looked at it, smiled and gave him a very tentative hug. Hera and Charlie looked on with smug knowing smiles. Then they were on the bus and gone.
After watching Etty leave for work, Bill and Hermione had a few hours to themselves. They both returned to the hotel, to wait for Charlie and George to come back. Bill sat quietly, thinking with his new headphones in and Hermione stretched out beside him on the double bed, bashed up notebook in hand. Shoving her hair up into a bun, she began to write, checking Bill had his eyes closed first.
Who is Bill Weasley?
William Arthur Weasley, Age 28. Demi-Werewolf, symptoms increasing and in unusual circumstances.
Her mind began to wander. After the war, she had begun recording her memories of people very clearly, perhaps out of fear of losing them. Her fear was irrational, she knew, but all the same she would never forget the misty eyed looks her parents had held when she cast that fateful spell.
Bill thinks his face is hideous. I more see it as a map. There are four scars on the left side of his face, which twist and turn, leaving jagged edges. They are deep, with pink middles and they pull his smile into pensive frown. One slashes through his eyebrow.
I assume, he has grown his hair long to try and hide them. He no longer pulls it up with a string of leather, but lets it fall around his face, hiding his sharp blue eyes. He is built more like Ronald than the twins, with a long lanky build, yet he has no freckles, which is odd. I'm guessing he looks more like The Prewett's than we'll ever know.
Bill is not the same person he used to be. He has hidden inside himself, disliking to go outside into the community, which doesn't surprise me. The looks people can give him are unbearable. Fleur said she did not care what his face looked like, yet I know she must have. She wanted to marry the handsome rugged Curse breaker, not the cursed scarred man who hides in Egypt to avoid his problems. He thinks he is a monster, and he has shown me this, when he attacked George.
But that is the outside. I try to see the inside, the inside of Bill and not the wolf he shares his own body with. I think his scars show bravery, show the people he saved. I think his smile has the perfect amount of arrogance and shyness mixed up in it. The way he lopes about stealthily, the way he prides himself on his work. He is not loud and funny like the twins or Charlie. He is not loyal or clever like Ron or Percy. He is the best of all of these things. He places trust where it is deserved, he can separate himself from his knowledge. He has a dark sense of humour that wakes people up, and laughs at himself. He lives his life on the edge, a streak of danger and misery marring everything he does, no, more a reckless abandon for life, which pains me to see. He cannot see his scars complete him instead of ruin him. He cannot see how happy he makes me.
Hermione put the pen down and sighed and miserable attempt at a non-biased character analysis. All the same she closed the book just in time as George and Charlie apparated in and Bill's eyes snapped wide open.
