"There you go, love," Charlie set the cup of tea before her and leaned down to kiss her gently.
Hermione smiled and reached up to cup his cheek, holding him close a moment longer before letting him go back to lunch preparations while she read quietly, her free hand gently caressing Jack's back and belly where he lay stretched out beside her on the sofa. Ella and Rascal were curled up around each other on one of the large fluffy pillows, contently, taking a nap after the boisterous walk they had that morning and she couldn't help but smile at how fast they were growing. They were now a nearly four months old, and ever since Hermione returned home from the hospital three nights ago, they pretty much refused to let her out of sight, always playing on the bed or by the sofa where she was sitting and resting. Bill was already taking care of the paperwork to adopt them officially and register them with the local vet.
The thought of Bill made Hermione chuckle softly and Jack lifted his head up curiously. She leaned down and nuzzled his head before kissing his snout and he lied down contently again, his tail whacking a couple of times against the sofa in lazy happiness. It took a lot of persuasion to get Bill out of bed to go to work yesterday. They barely had any time to just rest and heal all together after the fight and the hospital whirlwind on Sunday, before Bill had to go back to work fresh and early on Monday morning. At least they all got up early because of the puppies and were all awake, which the curse breaker happily took advantage of and spent a good ten minutes just holding and kissing her before mournfully apparating to London. And he did the same thing that very rainy Tuesday morning as well. Both of them were so attentive, Charlie taking over with cooking and looking after her, and Bill returning home last night with a bouquet of lilies, her favourite flowers, just for her pleasure.
"Charlie?" she called softly, setting her book aside, not really able to concentrate.
"What is it love?" he asked, coming around and leaning over the back of the sofa to wrap his arms around her gently.
"When is lunch?" she asked, glad to be feeling better and trying out something more solid to eat today.
"In about twenty minutes. Do you want to head up and get changed alone or want me to come with you?" he asked.
Hermione shook her head. "Don't worry, I'll be fine on the stairs I think. Keep an eye on the puppies though," she kissed his cheek once more before carefully getting up and heading up the stairs.
She wasn't aching so much anymore and every day she was feeling a bit more like herself, but her body still protested when she tried to be a bit more active, so she rested as much as she could with the hope to be back to normal by the end of the week. Yesterday they agreed to invite Arthur over for lunch so they could actually sit down and talk about what was going on at the Burrow, and he readily wrote back, accepting their invitation for today. His lunch time and Bill's differed only by five minutes so they agreed that Bill would get home for lunch as well to face their father all together.
She heard paws padding up behind her and stopped at the top of the stairs for Jack to catch up with her, leaning down the rub his ear gently. "My personal bodyguard," she chuckled fondly and he nuzzled her palm before leading the way to the bedroom, pushing the door open with paw. He was very clever and learning quickly even at such a young age, making them all very proud.
Their home was thankfully heated well as they all liked to lounge around comfortably with or without clothes, which meant she could leave the sweaters in the wardrobe. But looking at herself in the mirror made her realise just how exhausted she still looked, so she changed into a comfortable pair of skinny jeans and stole one of Bill's large white shirts shamelessly, buttoning it up loosely and rolling up the sleeves so she wasn't completely drowned in it. Her curls, usually so vibrant and shiny were a bit mottled and lacklustre, so she sat down at the vanity and shuffled a bit to the side until Jack sat beside her, looking curiously into the mirror while she brushed her hair out until it looked a bit more healthy. The puppy leaned in and sniffed at her bouncy curls, catching on in his mouth curiously.
"No no, Jack. Let go," she tapped his snout and he released the hair, looking at her with large eyes that said he just wanted to play.
Hermione left her hair loose and pulled him up into her arms, leaning down until it formed a curtain around him. He barked happily, turning his head around, trying to catch her hair while she shimmied it out of the way, laughing at his exuberance. The puppies were such a joy, she'd nearly forgotten how good it felt to have a pet, a mute but expressive face to read and love. "Come on, let's wake up Ella and Rascal before papa gets home," she smiled and set him down, smiling when he dashed for the door as the floo roared to life. She gave herself one last look and thought about covering the dark circles under her eyes, but her bond mates persuaded her that they needed to tell Arthur how everything was impacting them so she let it go and headed down stairs.
Bill already arrived, just folding his robe down on the sofa, and greeted Jack who came to greet him enthusiastically. Ella and Rascal woke up at the commotion and waddled over sleepily, nearly falling off the sofa.
"I swear these two are impossible," Hermione smiled and set them down on the ground before they could hurt themselves but had to straighten up when they both began swatting at her long curls. "What is with them and my hair?" she asked, catching one of the curls between her fingers. It was getting way too long, reaching near her lower back these days, she should get it cut soon.
"They love it as much as we do," Bill chuckles and wrapped his arms around here. "Hey beautiful," he nuzzled her neck.
Hermione wrapped her arms around him and leaned into the touch. "How's work?" she asked, sighing when she felt Bill's fingers tangle in her curls as well. That's it, she was getting a pixie cut.
Bill just grumbled a little and she chuckled at his clear disinterest in work when he could be at home with them. Okay, maybe they were still taking a bit more time to settle into the bond. Or maybe it was fright from the fight, which was even more likely to be the reason. Whatever it was, she was glad to feel Charlie's and Bill's presence, and their magical coiling around with hers.
"Okay, the broth is ready. Tea?" Charlie called from the kitchen across the room.
"Yes please!" Hermione called back, chuckling when Bill refuse to let her go. "Come on, my lovely, the puppies missed you too and Arthur will be here any minute," she tried, feeling his arms tighten around her for a moment.
Arthur stepped through the floo and paused in his step while Hermione and Bill separated and Charlie came over to greet him. He took in the warm, loving atmosphere that seemed to wash over him the moment he stepped in and knew he made the right decision to support their bond.
"Hi dad," Bill greeted and they exchanged a quick hug, Charlie following suit shortly.
Hermione stepped closer and smiled at the aged wizard. "Thank you for coming, Arthur," She greeted and let him pull her into a hug as well.
"I thought it was dad, now," he said softly in her ear and squeezed her once more before letting go of the young woman who was truly his daughter now, a part of his family.
Hermione smiled at him a little tearfully before nodding. "Welcome to our home…dad," she ventured, curious whether the words wouldn't be strained but they somehow felt right. Arthur was her father in law, her father by marriage, and she would address him with the title that his acceptance and love for her and his children deserved.
"Well I have to say, it is quite a home you have," Arthur smiled, looking around the large house while Charlie took his robe and briefcase. "When did you move in?"
"Officially about three and a half months or so ago, but we didn't really start settling in until we got back from Italy," Bill explained and smiled when the puppies trotted over to greet their guest. "And these are Jack, Rascal, and Ella," he pointed to each of them.
Arthur looked at them curiously. Muggle dogs in a wizarding home, he didn't expect his sons to wish for such pets, but it seemed there was always something new he could learn about and from his children. Jack, always the bravest padded closer and sniffed his palm before nuzzling into Arthur's hand. "What a delightful family you are building for yourselves," he smiled as he petted the dog carefully.
They conversed lightly over a quick meal, catching up on how everyone has been. Hermione ate a bit of her soup but her appetite was lost when Arthur began talking about the Burrow and Molly. She pushed her bowl away and sipped on her tea instead. Arthur noticed and looked at her apologetically. "Forgive me, my dear, our last firecall was interrupted so quickly, I didn't even have a chance to say how sorry I am for what Molly said."
Hermione just shook her head. "You should not be making any apologies, Molly should. I'm sorry it had to turn out this way, I just…I don't know what else to say or do," she set her cup down before her hand started shaking too much and she spilt it.
"This can't go on, dad. We won't have Hermione in the hospital over this again," Charlie said firmly.
"Hospital? Oh my, what happened?" Arthur asked, looking at Hermione a bit more closely. Yes, she looked like she has lost a bit of weight, and he could see just how tired her eyes looked, cursing himself for not noticing sooner.
Hermione just nodded for Charlie to go on, too tired to protest anyway. They wouldn't usually have the dogs at the table but she pushed her chair back a bit away from the food and picked Ella up, cuddling her to her chest warmly for comfort.
"We are yet to speak to mum about this, but you see why we have to," Bill said after Charlie explained everything.
Arthur sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead tiredly. "I am so very sorry, Hermione," he apologised, truly mournful for the way things turned out.
Hermione offered a small smile. "So am I. I wish there was another way."
Arthur however shook his head. "You should come to the Burrow on Sunday for brunch. And there we can all sit down and discuss this. Moly will have to hear you out and apologise, I insist," he said firmly. Arthur Weasley married when he was young, to a witch he adored above all. And they remained married for nearly 35 years now, in which time he loved and remained faithful and loyal to his wife despite how difficult their lives and raising so many children was. This however he could not condone and remained baffled by the behaviour Molly persisted in with regard to Hermione and the bond of their sons.
Anxiety gripped Hermione's heart at the mention of the Burrow until she felt Bill's hand on her thigh, squeezing gently and soothing her with love. She looked across the table at Charlie to see what he thought and the dragon tamer nodded his head imperceptibly in agreement. Bill squeezed her thigh gently to let her know he would be there as well if she decided to go. She looked at Arthur again and nodded. "We'll be there. But the moment I hear anything like the words she said last week, I'm leaving and never coming back," she said softly but seriously. "I will always be grateful for you taking me in, especially to you Arthur for being a father to me when I needed one the most, but I won't associate myself with Molly if she persists like this."
"And I would not expect you to," Arthur replied honestly, even if a little tiredly.
"Know that you'll always be most welcome here, dad," Hermione said softly, seeing how much the words pleased the aged wizard.
The clock chimed one o'clock, the lunch break for the two Weasley men over. Arthur quickly said his goodbyes and gave Hermione one more gentle hug before disappearing in the floo. Bill stepped over and took her into his arms, kissing her slightly dry lips tenderly. "I wish I could stay, love."
Hermione just leaned up and pressed a kiss to each of the scars on his cheek affectionately, as she always did. "Go now before I won't let you."
Bill nuzzled her and took another deep breath of her scent before gathering his robe. "By the way, my shirts suit you more than me. You should wear them more often," he grined and disappeared as well after pressing a quick kiss to Charlie's cheek.
Hermione just smiled and shook her head, pushing bleak thoughts of the upcoming confrontation out of her mind until she had the energy to deal with them…
"I think I'm going to be sick.." Hermione told the mirror as she looked at her pale features.
It was three weeks before the Yule ball, and four weeks before Christmas. And here she was, getting ready to face the woman she once held so much love and respect for. Someone she admired for how dedicated she was to her family and to all friends who needed just a bit of her Molly-coddling. Hermione wasn't the Gryffindor Princess for nothing, and she tried drawing on every ounce of that bravery this very moment. Thankfully she was back to full strength and appetite again, so she was going into this confrontation on a good footing. And knowing Bill and Charlie, they will say their own, even if she won't be able to. She just needed to get dressed and get there already before she chickened out. Right.
"Love, you coming?" Charlie peaked into the bathroom and noticed her trepidation. He walked to stand behind her and gently pried her clutch on the sink loose before walking her backwards into the bedroom. "Clothes, love. How am I going to take them off if you don't put them on in the first place?" he teased, hoping to make it a bit better.
Bill raised a brow at them. "Like you would be taking it all off on your own. I call dibs on the knickers," he grinned wolfishly, catching onto the game.
"No fair." Charlie pouted for show before sighing dramatically. "Fine, I'll take the bra. Hmm…boobies," he grinned and cupped one.
Hermione batted him away and stuck her tongue out at them both. "You two are impossible. How did I end up being bonded to you again?"
"Happy accident."
"We're irresistible."
They spoke at the same time, before looking at each other. Oh no, not this again. And yes, there it was ladies and gentlemen, the proud high-five. Hermione couldn't help herself and grinned widely. "Idiots," she said fondly and pressed a kiss to their cheek each in gratitude for making her smile, before dropping the towel and heading for the wardrobe. She could do it now, get dressed, face Molly, talk like adults, and get the hell out of there either way. Right? Right.