Disclaimer: I don't own any of the things that seem familiar to you.
Chapter 12: A New Home
Nev's POV
We've just arrived in Daytona Beach, Florida, more specifically, the Daytona Beach International Airport, two evenings ago. I'm forever thankful that we decided to move to a state on the eastern coast. I don't think I could manage flying all the way across the country on top of that bloody flight across the ocean we just took. I wasn't one for flying on a broom much and I'm certainly not one for flying in a Muggle plane.
Natty and Eddie both thought I was hysterical on the way over. They were used to flying in the monstrosity already. I'd be glad not to have to do that again often. Ginny, a natural on a broom, had no problems with the flight, but spend a great amount of time trying to calm me down. I'm grateful she forced me to take a Sleeping Draught and I didn't wake up again until it was time to leave the plane.
After some minor debating we rented a hotel room near the airport and are planning to stay there until we find a place to rent. Yesterday, our first full day, we went exploring. We figure the best way to get a feel for the place is to wander around. It was a blast. We checked out various piers and beaches. Today's the day to start looking for some where to rent.
"Where to you guys want to look first?" I ask after we've all eaten and gotten ready for the day.
"I'd love to live on the beach," Gin says dreamily.
"Me too," Natty sighs. I exchange a look with Eddie before we both nod briefly. Who are we to deny them that?
"So why not just drive around the beach area and stop anywhere that calls to us?"
"You sound just like Ginny does Eddie. That's how we ended up in your town you know. I believe the night we left she said something along the lines of "Just drive, you don't need any directions. Just go which way your heart tells you to." Right Gin?"
"Well that's just further proof it's a good theory," she laughs.
"Alright so we just drive around," Natty says. "And what exactly are we driving in?"
"Ah, have you forgotten already?" I ask and pull a shrunken truck out of Gin's trunk. Yesterday we had just walked and took a bus.
"And how exactly do you plan to make that a drivable size with out anyone noticing?"
"That's easy, we walk to an abandoned alley or something and just wave our wands. As far as anyone else knows, it was parked there. We've plenty of practice at hiding magic from people."
With no plans actually made, we venture out to find a place to enlarge the truck. After driving to the beach area we start to look for any signs about rental places.
Once we're settled into a place I have big plans. I'm going to ask Ginny to marry me. I knew I wanted to be with her the rest of my life, but I hadn't really thought about marriage until the day that we had gone to see Gran. Between talking to the twins and talking to Gran, I knew I was ready to ask her.
Flashback
"So, we couldn't help but notice earlier," Fred said slowly.
"You look pretty cozy with our baby sister," George finished for him.
"I am pretty cozy with her," I reply nonchalantly. I know they are trying to intimidate me. They're leading into the whole "you hurt her we hurt you" speech. I can't seem to bring myself to be worried though. I'd never hurt her, so they'll never hurt me.
"Just don't be too cozy," Fred warned.
"We don't want anything to happen to her," George added. I sigh.
"Look guys, I know brothers always get a kick out of scaring the little sister's boyfriend, but it won't really work on me."
"And why not?" Fred asks, clearly annoyed. He really must enjoy the intimidation factor.
"Because I'm never going to hurt her. Meaning any threat you make for when I do, is invalid."
I let that thought sink into their heads. They need to know I'm completely serious about her. I thought the whole running away with her thing would show that, but hey, if they need extra proof I'll give it.
"Besides," I add on with a smirk, "If I ever did hurt her, I'd be more terrified of her revenge then yours, even if it's you and every Weasley brother plus Harry. I'd rather cross the seven of you then her and her wand."
They're both silent for a minute before errupting in laughter. Once under control again George turns to speak to me.
"At least you know who the real threat in a Weasley family is."
"Gin or mum with a wand make for the most terrifying sights."
"Well lucky for me I don't have to worry about ever making Gin cross." This statement resulted in two identically confused faces.
"What do you mean? She gets angry faster then anyone I know!"
"Too true George. How could you not have to deal with her like that?"
"Simple. I just don't do anything to make her angry. I probably couldn't if I tried."
"That's preposterous! I could think of a million things George and I have done to make her mad with out meaning to."
"Yeah, so how have you not?"
"When I make her mad, I just get mad at myself," I sigh. "I like to make your sister happy. I'd give her anything to make her smile."
"You'd give anything?" Fred asks. I nod.
"You're bloody insane mate," George shakes his head in disbelief.
"Not insane, just in love."
"What about when she asks you to do something you don't want to do?"
"Yeah, that'll make her mad when you deny her."
"I don't deny her."
"You don't what?" Disbelief is still clear on George's face.
"You must have denied her something, anything."
"Face it guys, I spoil your sister rotten. Anything she asks for, I do."
"Blimey mate, she's got you wrapped around her little finger."
"Basically," I chuckle. "She doesn't know it though. When she asks for things I make sure I don't let her think she's convinced me before she even tries."
"So what you're saying," Fred clarifies, "is that anything Ginny asks you for, you'd give her?"
"Yes."
"Well at least when you get married there won't be conflict on wedding choices," George grins.
"Married?" I ask in surprise.
"Surely you plan to?"
"I guess so, I never really thought about it. I pictured us together forever, but a wedding never popped into my head."
"Neville! Fred! George! Time to come in," Gran calls to us before either can respond.
"Fred and George, the girls will be waiting for you in the sitting room. I need to speak to Neville privately," Gran says once we reach her.
She leads me inside and to her bedroom. She tells me to sit on the bed while she digs something out of her closet. She comes to sit next to me with a sad smile on her face.
"I know I didn't ever have much to give you from your parents Neville, but this is one thing I've been holding on to since they were married," she says well handing the small box she's holding to me.
I open the box to reveal a ring. A gold ring with a large diamond flanked by two slightly smaller diamonds to be exact.
"This was your mum's. My Franky proposed to her with that ring. When they married she replaced it with a wedding band. I think she'd want you to have it to give to the girl you want to marry one day."
What's with everyone talking about marriage? Am I missing something? Is there a special sale on bloody wedding items? As far as they know Gin and I haven't even been together very long. Now they all want us married?
"I haven't even thought of marriage yet Gran. I mean, in the future I'd like to think we would be married, but right now doesn't seem entirely appropriate. She isn't even talking to most of her family."
"First of all, I'm not saying you have to ask her right now. I just don't know when I'll see you again and would like to make sure have this. However, you might not want to wait until she's speaking with her family either. You said yourself that may not be for a few years. And even when you come back, who's to say they'll all readily let you get married?"
I guess she makes a good point. If I wait until her whole family is okay with this I could be waiting for way too many years. I'm ready to marry her. She's the girl of my dreams. Besides, I could ask her now and see what she says. If she wants to wait we can be engaged all that time at least. If she doesn't want to wait, we can be married with at least these four there.
"Thanks, Gran. I'll think about it."
End Flashback
"There's one!" Natty hollers.
"Oh look at it Neville. It's perfect," Ginny adds on. Funny, the last five we looked at were perfect too and here we are, still looking.
"We'll take a look at it girls," Eddie says earning two excited squeals.
Hermione's POV
I'm on my way in to the twins' shop right now. Ginny and Neville, along with Natty and Eddie, left a few days ago. I hope to hear from them soon. I want to make sure they made it all right. I know everyone else is anxious to make sure they made it okay too. We're all rooting for them. I proudly wear my "We Support Ginny and Neville" pin daily. Boy does that get Ron angry.
I really can't wait till we get an owl saying they're getting married. Gran said she gave him his mother's engagement ring. And Fred and George said they mentioned marriage too. Now that it's in his head I just know he'll ask soon. Who cares if they haven't been together long. If they love each other enough to run away from their lives, I think they love each other enough to get married. Frankly I'm surprised he hasn't asked already. It's been over two months since Gran gave him that ring. I bet he's waiting till they settle in though. That seems like a Neville thing to do.
"Hey Mione," George greets me as I enter the shop.
"Hello George. Is Fred around? I wanted to talk to the two of you about something." I'm so glad I finally learned how to tell them apart. It's hard to be allies with people when you can't tell exactly who they are.
"He should be in the back room. Just head back there. I'll be along, just need to have Beth cover the counter."
I nod and head to the back of the shop, looking around as I go. I stop and stare as I see the eye-catching posters Spellotaped to the walls outside of the back room. After registering each one, I start laughing so hard I need to lean on the wall for support.
"What's going on out here?" Fred asks, sticking his head out from the curtain seperating the two parts of the store.
"Noth...nothing," I laugh out.
"Ah, Hermione darling. Finally catch site of the lovely posters?"
They're lovely indeed. The farthest left one is a shocking pink and in flashing white letters says the basic, "We Support Ginny and Neville!" The one next to it is an electric blue color and the flashing letters, though violet this time, say, "Ginny and Neville forever!" The next one, the center one, is done in a Gryffindor scarlet with the matching gold lettering. It's by far my favorite, "Vote Ginny and Neville! A happy couple is better then a crappy couple!" The one next to that is a bright, sunny yellow color with orange lettering, "I believe my little sister is happy in love! How about you?" The last one is a lime green color with pink lettering, "Smart people support Ginny and Neville. Sorry to hear you don't."
"These are brilliant Fred. When did you guys make them?"
"Just a few days ago," George's voice answers from behind me.
"We're expecting Harry and Ron to come visit soon," Fred smirks.
"Oh, you two are just looking for fights aren't you?" I laugh.
"Naturally Mione, it's our style."
"Now, may I escort a lady to her seat?" George asks while holding out his arm.
I nod and link arms with him, Fred joining on my other side. They're quite the charmers. Once situated George turns to me.
"What is it were discussing today then?"
"Just an idea I had. Obviously they left already. We knew that though. I was thinking about how long it will be until we hear from them. They don't have an owl and they don't know where the wizarding community is."
"So we're here to talk just because you won't hear from them for a while?" Fred says before I can get any more in.
"Mione you went months with out hearing from them before. I think you can manage to wait a bit now."
"Well if you'd let me finish you'd know what I had in mind," I reply annoyed.
"Terribly sorry."
"Please continue."
"As I was saying, we've no idea when they'll be able to obtain an owl. No one knows how they'll even find the nearest wizarding area. My idea was to buy them an owl. A nice owl though, that can make occasional trips across the ocean. If we pitch in we can easily buy one."
"That's not a bad idea," Fred says after thinking it over.
"And I thought maybe we can find out where their nearest wizarding community was and write it in a letter for them."
"Even if they don't need to buy an owl they'll want to know where it is," George says. "Besides, we can find out what kind of competition we have there."
"You boys and your business," I say rolling my eyes.
"Yes, but our business gives reason for us to go over there. We can use it as a "business opportunity," Fred grins.
"And what's your excuse for going over there?" George asks with a smirk.
"Gran's my excuse. Now, I already talked to Gran about an owl and she liked the idea. So on your break today lets go look for one. Until then, I'm going to the ministry to see about finding that community. And I'll use your business as an excuse thank you," I smirk back.
Gin's POV
"This is it. This is the house I want to live in. I don't care how much it costs," I beam at Neville and Eddie.
"It's perfect for us," Natty agrees.
It really is perfect. It's located right on the beach and the view is beautiful. Out the front door is a large porch with a swinging bench at both ends. Out the back door is another porch, this one connecting to a pool. The best part though is that it's got a high fence to give us privacy. It's got three bedrooms and two bathrooms, each complete with a shower. This way each couple can have their own bedroom and bathroom combination. Then there's the guestroom for when the other's come to visit. It's got a modern kitchen, which is already full of all the needed appliances and a dining room just off that. The sitting room is large enough for a few couches and armchairs.
"I think they're right Neville. This is just the kind of place we were looking for all day. I guess it's a eighth times a charm sort thing," Eddie laughs.
"Alright. We'll talk to them about renting it. Don't forget we need to be able to rent it for at least a few years straight. They may have it booked already for some of that time," Neville says.
"Let's just hope that's not the case," Eddie says. Good, I have him on my side and I know Natty wants this place just as bad as I do. It's all up to Neville now.
"If it's what you want, we'll get it." I grin as he goes over to talk to the owner.
I wonder if my brothers were right. Ever since they pointed out that he'd do anything I ask I can't help but notice that he does do anything I ask. I hope that's not true. It's nice to have him do all these things for me, but there are a lot of things I rather him have done because he wanted to. Like running away, that was my idea. What if he only did it because I asked? What about letting Natty come with us? Or when I asked him to move to another country. I wonder if he honestly even wanted to do any of those things. I'll have to take that up with him later, once we're settled into a house and everything.
"Well," Neville says coming back over towards us, his face showing no sign of if we have the place or not, "how bad did you want to stay here?" My heart drops.
"We can't stay here?" I ask in a dejected tone.
"We'll never find a place as perfect as this!" Natty adds on, her voice equally depressed.
"Well I guess that answers how bad they wanted this place," Eddie laughs.
"Good, because this house is where we'll be living for the majority of the next two years," he grins.
"Are you serious?" I practically scream in my excitement.
"We can move in when ever you want," he nods. "On one condition though. This place is already booked for a month, but it's not until three months away. We'll have to rent a hotel for that month and then the place is ours after that. Deal?"
I look over to Natty and see her grinning. Eddie is already nodding his head.
"If we get it for two years, I think we can manage to give it up for a month."
"Excellent! She'll be thrilled to hear we're taking it. She even offered a discount for the prolonged period of time," Neville says, finally showing some excitement.
"Can we move in tomorrow? I'm not too fond of the hotel we're at," I ask.
"Tomorrow would be wonderful," the owner says coming up behind Neville.
Perfect, we'll move in tomorrow and I'll talk to Neville the next day, or maybe tomorrow night.
