Ella turned around after Apparating into an eerily quiet flat, "George? Chief? Mum's home!" She put her bags down and looked around the flat. Grumbling, she went downstairs through the store to bother Fred. "Where is your twin? I come back after a very long two weeks and he's not home to greet me?"

Fred pulled her into a hug, ruffling her hair, "Ah, my dear, dear Ella, I think he took Chief for a walk," he shook his head, "that dog missed you like crazy."

Ella couldn't help but smile, refraining from saying 'which one?' knowing that Fred would laugh helplessly at her ridiculous pun. "All right, fine, I guess he's off the hook. If you see him, tell him I'm napping." She slowly walked back up the stairs and was able to at least slip out of her shoes and dusty jeans before climbing into bed.

She didn't hear her two boys come home, but she felt George snake his arms around her waist as he slid into bed behind her. Chief curled up at her feet and she turned her head to kiss George. "You came home earlier than expected, miss."

She answered by turning over and kissing him properly, her hands on his chest.

"Hungry?"

She shook her head and smiled coyly, "Not for food, Mr. Weasley."

He grinned, "Chief, go eat."

She laughed as he moved to hover over her. "Your scar?" he asked seriously, lifting up her shirt to look at her side.

"It's fine," she laughed and traced his jaw, "now come here, I've missed you."

---

George ran out to get some take-away from a Muggle Thai restaurant while Ella napped. She was back for an entire month before she needed to determine what to do next. She had numerous offers and opportunities, now that she was fully and properly healed and George was not quite sure why she was delaying her decision; not that he minded terribly that she was home.

She was usually never gone for more than a week, so this had been her longest absence since she had gone back to work. She had only been given the 'all clear' to start working again 6 months earlier and she had already gone back to the Reserve, and completed a few short expeditions in nearby countries. Going back to the Reserve had been bittersweet for her, George knew: the legal department (and her Healers) would not allow her to be alone with the dragons, chimeras or griffins. Ella told everyone that she was okay with that arrangement and only George knew that it was killing her not to be able to spend time with her beloved creatures.

She was able to use the excuse that she had already work with dragons for a few years and wanted something new to move on from working at the Reserve full-time: Charlie and the other higher-ups at the Reserve did not want her to leave entirely, so they gave her a spot on the Board and a part-time job as a Reserve consultant. The Board was a glorified decision-making position for most, those men (Ella was now the only female) who funded the Reserve and networked with other organizations to bring in dragons and sell them, etc. (George was never one for liking such a blatantly useless job, but knew that Charlie and Ella took their positions seriously and were probably the only two qualified to be voting on the Board). And her consultant work was geared more towards putting together training materials, picking new staff for the griffin and chimera facilities and whatever else Charlie thought could use the "brilliant, Wilson-touch".

Once she left the Reserve full-time, she had joined a short expedition in Scotland that allowed her to come back to London every few days; she had also done a week-long expedition in Italy and a month-long expedition in France (which was close enough for her to Portkey back every weekend). These past few weeks had been spent in Norway where Ella had joined the last leg of a two-month expedition.

George sent Chief to wake up Ella once he got home wit the food and was setting the table when she walked in rubbing her eyes. "Morning, Sunshine."

"Thai?"

He nodded, "Had an inkling Ramona wouldn't let her bridesmaids eat carbs during their day-long fitting."

Ella swatted his arm and swallowed her food before replying, "Oh, stop. The fitting isn't all day! We're getting our nails done and –" she pouted, "do I have to go?"

He laughed, "You've been a terrible Maid of Honor anyway, being away in Norway days before the wedding!"

She rolled her eyes, "That's what she has five other bridesmaids for. I can't believe Fred agreed to a big wedding."

George took a swig of his beer, "She and Mum wanted a big wedding, why would be bother to argue?"

She nodded sympathetically, "Too true, too true."

He changed the subject, "You got a bunch of owls while you were gone. They're on your desk."

She cocked an eyebrow and pointed her fork at him, "You read them?"

He shrugged, "Just saw where they were from," he smiled as she rolled her eyes, "Canada, Spain, Egypt, Russia, Mongolia, Sweden, New Zealand," he trailed off, "everyone wants you."

She looked pointedly at him, "George, I have a month – or more – to decide and you know I don't want to go too far away for such a long period of time."

"But," George started but Ella shook her head, "George, stop trying to be so noble. I don't want to go half-way around the world for half a year! There are plenty of other opportunities that are just as good!" She reached for his hand across the table, "And you know I have a bunch of book ideas and magazine article offers."

George smiled and nodded, not wanting to argue with her again. She always said otherwise, but he always felt like he was holding her back, making her feel like she couldn't leave because he loved her. He thought about the ring he had hidden in his hollowed-out Hogwarts, A History: he wanted to marry her and wanted to ask her soon, but didn't want their engagement to prevent her from taking her dream job. It would help, of course, if he knew which job she was leaning towards.

"You coming?" She put her plate in the sink and leaned against the counter, watching him.

He nodded, turning and attempting to smile, "In a minute, I'll just put these things away."

She came up behind his chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning her head against his, "Would you stop worrying, George? I'm not going to base my decision on you anyway," she stood up and started towards the bedroom, "I don't like you that much anyway."

He stood up, growling, "Really now?" She started to walk quickly to the bedroom, giggling. "You'll pay for that, Wilson!" he laughed as he chased after her.

----

"Ramona, you look gorgeous!" Clarabelle gushed.

"Glowing!" Laurie agreed.

"I don't know," Suze started, trying to hide her grin, "you sure you want to get married?"

Ella rolled her eyes at her former year mate, "Says the pregnant woman who eloped straight out of school?"

Ramona turned towards her friends, "I look all right?"

They all started agreeing at once and Ramona couldn't help but laugh, "All right, all right, go downstairs you all, get ready."

All the girls walked out, but Ella stayed behind. She knelt down to look into the mirror and squeezed her hand. "You ready?"

Ramona grinned and stood up to hug her friend, "So ready." She kissed Ella on the cheek, "Now, go show George how gorgeous you look in that dress."

Ella laughed as she walked down the stairs of Ramona's childhood home and couldn't help but blush as George watched her descend the final few stairs. He let out a low whistle as he eyed her up and down, "The name's Weasley, can I get you a drink?"

"Aren't you the bloke about to get hitched?" She teased as she leaned in for a quick kiss.

"You look lovely," he said softly in her ear.

She tried not to blush again under his intense gaze. "And you clean up rather well."

He kissed her again, his hand skimming over her bare shoulder and across her collarbone. "Got to go," he smiled, "see you later?"

She nodded smiling and watching as he walked through the door to the garden, down the aisle.

Maggie, Ramona's friend from the Ministry, nudged her, "That'll be you two next."

Ella adjusted her strapless pale green dress and shook her head, smiling in spite of herself. "No, no, we haven't really talked about it much and well, why ruin a good thing?"

Maggie laughed, "But you'd like to." It was a statement rather than a question as Ella tried to peer into the garden to catch a glimpse of him. But than the music started and Ella watched as all the bridesmaids walked down before her. She started to walk, her eyes on George who was staring right back at her: he wasn't making faces or trying to get her to laugh, he was just staring at her with an intense gaze. And she knew she couldn't lie to herself anymore.

She wanted to marry George.

----

George paid little attention to the actual words spoken during the ceremony, although he did catcall when Fred dramatically dipped Ramona to kiss her properly. He had been staring at the woman he loved – the only woman he loved – the entire time: he watched as she stole glances at him, smiled at the couple getting married. He imagined the two of them standing at the altar one day; of course, they wouldn't have six bridesmaids and groomsmen and they wouldn't have hundreds of guests.

He couldn't help but grin as he took her arm to walk her back down the aisle. "Fancy meeting you here," he smiled and Ella smiled back, holding his arm tight.

"I love you," she whispered.

He turned to look at her, her clear hazel eyes brimming with so many emotions and his heart skipped a beat. "I love you too."

---

"Now there's not much for me to say, you all know the story of the infamous Weasley twins, a young Ms. Granger should be writing about that in her Hogwarts, A Complete History, but I will say this. If it were not for my dogged perusal of Ella, Fred and Ramona would never have met. So, you're welcome." He raised his glass, "To the newest Mrs. Weasley, Ramona, good luck taming that one."

Everyone clapped as Ella stood up from next to Ramona, a knowing smirk on her face, "I think George fed you all some incorrect information. Now, to my recollection – and I'm fairly certain I'm a more reliable source – it was thanks to my final acceptance of George's friendship that led to Fred and Ramona's initial romance. You see, I felt so bad for George, knew that he had few friends, that I allowed the young fellow to follow me around," she paused for the laughter, "and of course, I encouraged the restart of this blissfully happy couple's romance a few years ago. So, Ramona, Fred, it's me you should be thanking." She raised her glass grinning, "To the gorgeous couple."

--

He loved how she could still surprise him after all the years he had spent admiring her: he couldn't deny how unbelievable she looked in her bridesmaid dress. And he loved how well she fit in his arms when they danced. He loved how she got along so famously with his entire family, even Ron and Percy, the two most – eclectic – of the Weasley kids. And like he had always admired her passions, he loved that she was her own person.

They were dancing, his fingers moving subtly across the small of her back when she motioned with her head towards the head table where Mrs. Weasley was gesticulating wildly at Charlie. George stifled a laugh and Ella pinched his arm. "I'm going to go help him."

George pouted, "How?"

She laughed and led him off the dance floor to where Maggie was chatting with Suze, her husband, Clarabelle and her boyfriend. "Hey everyone, enjoying the reception?" There were nods of heads and barely a murmur of agreement when Ella continued, "Hey, Maggie, can I talk to you for a minute?"

George was surprised to see that Maggie looked so relieved her current company – but then again, when had he ever sustained a full conversation with either girl? "Yea?"

"You know George's older brother Charlie?" Maggie nodded, not really sure where Ella was going with such a question. "He's up there and see? His mum is nagging him again for not bringing a date with him to the wedding."

Maggie chuckled, watching poor Charlie take another long swallow of his champagne. "Ah, woman means well."

Ella nudged George in the side, "I can speak from personal experience, and she most definitely does not mean well. It's brutal."

"So you want me to recue him?" The tall, brunette asked, quirking an eyebrow, her brown eyes laughing.

"Just a dance or two, to give him a sort of break."

Maggie laughed, "Dragon Keeper, eh?" Ella nodded and smirked as the girl walked away.

"Now that is how you properly match-make."

George shook his head, "Are you done meddling with people's lives so we can dance some more?"

--

George and Ella were having a marvelous time at the wedding, as were all the other guests: even as Fred and Ramona had Apparated to Spain for their honeymoon (amidst the fanfare and fireworks courtesy of George), most of the guests stayed behind to continue dancing, drinking and laughing. They were chatting with Ron and Harry, discussing when Ron and Hermione were going to finally tie the knot when Ginny came to steal her husband away: dancing and a very pregnant belly were not a good combination.

George grinned at his little sister, "How please would you be when you have twin boys?"

"Not nearly as pleased as I'll be when I have one of each," she retorted, winking at Ella who had attempted to stifle a laugh as she dragged her husband away.

Ron's own laughter died when his eyes came upon his mum and his fiancée pouring over some kind of book. Without any other explanation than an, "Oh, bollocks," he wandered off.

George shook his head, "I'll never understand that one. They've been engaged forever! Why won't he just bloody marry her?"

Ella took his arm and walked him towards the bar, "Let's take advantage of the free champagne, shall we?" They were sipping their champagne, walking around the yard when Ella took advantage of George, knowing he'd be in a subdued state – a combination of the champagne and the atmosphere. Looking up at the string of dancing lights lining the yard, she said nonchalantly, "Do you want to get married, George?"

"Of course I want to," he stopped short, but not soon enough.

She stepped in front of him, a smile on her lips, "Then? Are you too scared? Afraid I'll put you in front of my career?" She frowned as he averted her eyes, "George!"

He tried to defend himself, but was relieved to see that her eyes were still laughing. "Ella, if we were engaged you'd never go anywhere!"

She sighed and shook her head, taking his arm again, "George, have you been to Mongolia?"

He snorted, "When would I have found the time to go there?"

"Well, Wizarding Archaeology Quarterly and International Ruins want to fund an expedition for me to lead and than write an article, and if I acquire enough material, a book."

George frowned, "Ella, that's great!" He was even more disappointed to see that she was grinning even wider.

"And I want you to come."

George doubled back. "Come again?"

"They know who you and Fred are – Entreprenauiral Wizards is a sister publication to WAQ, they know we're dating –"

"How?"

She laughed, tugging her arm tighter around his waist as they continued to walk, "When you are brother to the famous Ron Weasley, and you run the most popular joke store in all of Wizard Europe, people know you." She paused, still grinning, "Anyway, I told them I was engaged and that I didn't want to leave my fiancée."

"You lied!"

She laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder, "Anyway, they said they were desperate for me to lead this expedition, and they were desperate for me to write articles for them, so they said they'd pay you to write a few editorials for any of their publications."

George pretended to think, "I don't know, me, write?"

She hit his arm, "They also said that they'd love for you and Fred to create some toys and games and materials for kids and students about history and ruins, and they said that they'd help fund you and Fred."

George stopped walking, "What?"

She shrugged, "Well, actually, they didn't say they'd fund it, they actually didn't say anything like that at all."

"So, wait what?"

"I thought of it. Why not open another branch of Weasley Enterprises and create some educational toys and things that mums and dads would actually approve of?"

"And sully the good name of WWW?"

Ella laughed, "You could rename it, open a store elsewhere, have other people running the business, only have adults know that you're involved."

George thought for a moment, "I'll have to discuss with Fred on this business front, but I think I should like going to Mongolia."

"For two whole months?"

George took his hands in hers, "Yes, for two whole months."

Ella wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him slowly, "I suppose you'll want a ring soon, eh Wilson?" She laughed as she kissed him again under the twinkling string of lights.

-------

A/N: Ok, ok, maybe I'm not quite done with this story yet…we'll see. Maybe some more epilogue-type things. I'm throwing around more story ideas in my head, we'll see. And I technically finished my Charlie/OC story, but no one seems to be reading that, and I'm really at a stand still, so I'm not sure. We shall see.