Chapter 21 - Appointments and phone calls

Dublin Preserve for Dangerous Magical Creatures

Charlie read the letter from his father for the third time. He still thought it made no sense at all. "What will? What vault?" I think I'd better call Bill." he said, half aloud and half to himself. The green eyed redhead who was walking into his office heard him talking but couldn't make out what he said.

"Were you talking to me, Charlie?" she asked.

"No Tracy, I was really just talking to myself. This letter from my father makes no sense at all."

"Why not?"

"Well he's writing about needing to see me and Bill to show us something about my mother's will and her vault."

"OK, what's the problem with that?"

"Just a couple of relatively minor issues. She had no will. She had no vault. and he wants me to bring you with me and Bill to bring Fleur."

"Fleur is Bill wife right? And she's the one who's part veela?"

"Yes but it makes no sense. I'm so glad we listened to Narcissa when she told Bill and I to get these muggle mobile phones. Right after I see that hippogriff that you just rescued, and you tell me how you did it, I'm going to ring him up at work and talk to him about this. I'm afraid our father is losing it."

Gringotts Bank - Curse Breaking Department that same morning

Bill Weasley read his father's letter again. He still could not make heads or tails of it. "He wants Charlie and me to meet him to talk about mom's will and vault. But, mom didn't have a will or a vault." Bill said to no one in particular.

Suddenly his mobile rang. Still not completely used to the device he jumped at the noise. "I have to get used to this. I can't jump every time it goes off. Hello?" he said, pressing the button to pick up the call, "Oh Charlie, it's you. Narcissa was right about these mobiles, wasn't she? How are you doing? … Fine? . . .Good I'm glad. . . . Did you say she rescued a hippogriff? Amazing. she must be really a tough bird! . . .I want to know how she did that. . . You'd better be on your best behavior. . . . Listen did you get a letter from Dad? . . . Yeah, Me too. . . . You're right it makes no sense whatsoever. And he wants us to bring Fleur and Tracy with us. I wonder if any of the other kids got a letter. . . Tell you what, you ask Fred and George and I'll ask Percy, Ron and Ginny. At least Ginny got a phone also. The rest of the family hasn't moved with the times yet. . . Yeah you're right they better. These mobiles make it so much easier to talk. I'll give your regards to Fleur and you tell Tracy that Fleur and I can't wait to meet her. I don't remember her at all from Hogwarts. . . I guess you and Percy are the only ones who met her there. I remember what he said about researching her for you. . .When do you think you can get away to meet with dad? . . . Next Monday, Ok If 8:00 AM is good, I'll put it on my calendar and get a hold of dad to let him know. . . Yeah you're right it might be easier to ring Narcissa. Dad has to get a mobile also. Talk to you tomorrow Charlie. Bye."

As he hung up he noticed a tall, very fit looking, dark haired young woman standing in his doorway. "Hi Millie." he said. "Were you coming to see me about something?"

"Yes and no, Bill. My manager is talking to me about going undercover for an investigation involving some stolen goblin-made jewelry in Egypt." Millie said.

"That's right up your alley isn't it?"

"Yes but there is a problem. They want me to go in with someone posing as my husband." she added.

"Well I guess that sometimes you have to do that type of thing, You look upset by it. What's wrong?"

"They asked the auror school in Alexandria to recommend someone to partner with me. I know the guy they're suggesting and I will probably kill him."

Bill was taken aback. "Why in the world would you do that?"

Millie explained, "When I went to meet Ron last week, this guy started hitting on me. Ron said that he's the top student at that school. He actually had the nerve to put his arm around me and grope my breast." She blushed at saying that to her future brother in law. "Well I slugged him and had my wand at his throat. Fortunately Ron stopped me from doing anything more."

Bill said, "Do you want me to talk to your boss about it?"

"No, I guess I'll just take my chances. Maybe I convinced the jackass that he shouldn't act that way, at least with me."

"Well good luck. If you need anything just let me know. We are family after all." Bill said. As she was leaving he called her back and asked, "Did Ron say anything about a confusing letter from our dad?"

"Yesterday afternoon he called me on the mobile I made him get before I left Egypt. Imagine he wanted to discuss plans for the wedding via owl. How old fashioned. At any rate he said something about your dad wanting to meet him and me too, so he could show us something about a will and a vault. Ron just sounded very confused. Sorry, that's all I know. See you later."

Gringotts - Security department - that afternoon

Millie's boss called her into his office. "Millie," he said, "There's a problem with that undercover assignment in Egypt."

"What's the problem, Boss?" she asked.

"Well it seems that Marc Anthony character can't make it. He was in a training exercise where he was matched against one of the other students. Well instead of just fighting the way the trainers instructed them to, the dickhead started telling his opponent about the assignment He was bragging I guess, and the other guy took it personally. Between the hexes he took and the broken arm from being thrown out the window and the broken jaw he suffered from being punched in the face, he'll be out of commission for a few weeks. Instead they're sending their new top student."

"New top student?" Millie said with a puzzled look on her face.

"Yes. Anthony's ranking went down to about 7th or 8th place. The directors of that school feel that if you get beat up that badly, by just one guy no less, you shouldn't be the top student. They also said something about him not being smart enough. It seems he decided to tell the bloke he was matched against what he was going to do while making believe he was the husband of the woman that bloke is engaged to marry. That's why he got beat up. How stupid could he be?" the director of security explained to her.

"The new top student wouldn't have been the second ranked student before would he?" she asked. When her boss simply nodded, she continued. "Ronald Weasley?" He nodded again. "Ronald Weasley did that because that fucker said he was going to do something to me?"

He nodded a third time and said, "In fact Mr Weasley's portkey is scheduled to come in at 5:00 this afternoon. A smirk spread over his face when his agent looked surprised. I'll need you to work a little late today. Is that OK with you?" he added.

This time she nodded and said, "You don't even have to pay me for tonight's work." while a smile lit up her face as she walked away. "I guess Ron must really take after his father. I've heard his father is really something else when it comes to defending his family. And I guess Ron considers me family already." she thought to herself smiling.

Ministry of Magic - International portkey arrival area.

Ronald Weasley landed flat on his feet once the portkey deposited him in the Gringotts branch back in Diagon Alley. Before he could even move he was grabbed by a dark haired whirlwind. Not only did the whirlwind grab him but it began kissing him over and over. Suddenly he realized that the whirlwind was the woman who was going to be his bride. "Millie" he said. "I'm not complaining but what's this all about? We're in the middle of the international portkey arrival area of the bank. Everybody is looking at us."

"My boss told me what happened. What that Marc Anthony creep said and what you did to him." Millie said between kisses.

"Well," Ron responded "No one disrespects my future wife that way. It just happened that we were having a training exercise when he said that. I didn't think he could be that stupid but I guess I was wrong. We Weasleys make a habit of protecting our family. To say nothing of the fact that the only one in the family whose temper is worse than mine is Ginny's. If you don't believe me just ask my brothers."

Millie stopped kissing him to say, "I thought you might have gotten in trouble when I heard what you did. I was worried about you."

"I guess as much as I hate to say it, I must have a Slytherin side to me after all. It all happened instantaneously and then once he was on the ground under the window I stopped. My trainer said that I 'exhibited restraint during the incident.' I bet the people who know me from Hogwarts would be shocked by that. Me exhibiting restraint. I remembered what you said about chess and just channeled that feeling. You must already be having a good influence on me." Ron then leaned into Millie and kissed her deeply.

"Hm. Hm." They heard a cough and then heard Bill's voice saying "Little brother, I guess I really can still say that even though I have to look up at you, you've gotten to be the tallest of all of us. Listen to me, save it for when you're alone before someone, meaning me, tells you to get a room!"

Bill!" said Ron breaking the kiss and blushing at his brother's comments. "What are you doing here?"

"Well you do know that I work here don't you?" the oldest Weasley brother said. "I'm just teasing you. I heard that you were coming in this afternoon and wanted to talk to you about the letter you got from dad. Were you as confused as Charlie and I?"

"Yeah. What was that about a will and vault? The only vault mom and dad have is the family vault, right?" Ron asked. "And what's this about my making sure I bring Milie?

"That's the only one anyone ever knew about. I guess there's something that dad has to tell us. Charlie and I are meeting dad on Monday morning along with Fleur and Tracy. Did you ever meet her at Hogwarts?"

"No she was gone before I ever got there. Do you think dad would mind if Millie and I showed up Monday as well?"

"I'm calling Narcissa this afternoon to make sure Monday is OK with dad's schedule, do you want me to ask her?"

"No, I'll call her myself. I have to apologize to her for being such an arse that last time I talked to her."

"That's a good idea. You really were an arse. Even more than you usually are. I have to tell you that day was the maddest I ever saw dad get. Even madder than with Fred and George and all their antics."

"Yeah he was even madder than when Harry and I stole the car to get to Hogwarts and crashed it into the Whomping Willow."

Millie felt left out. The two brothers were walking together while they were talking. "Hey you guys. You do know I'm still standing here don't you?"

Ron jumped, "I'm sorry honey. We brothers sometimes get carried away. You know how close knit a family we are."

"Just as long as you don't forget that I'm part of your family also."

"Ron, I hate to tell you but Millie sounds just like Fleur. We have to watch our step around our women. Millie you're going to be my sister but fair warning Ginny has accused us boys of ignoring her as well. Why do you think she developed that bat bogey hex she's famous for? All of us have gotten hit with it. Ron the most I think." Bill teased.

"Do you think she'll be willing to teach it to me?" asked the witch.

"She would, but based on the right cross I've heard about I don't think you'll need it to keep Ron, or any of us in line." Bill answered laughingly.

Narcissa Black's flat that evening

Arthur was in the living room. He heard Narcissa's mobile ring and heard her answer it in the kitchen. Hearing her say "Bill what a surprise," he walked into the kitchen to join her.

Yes Bill. I know what those letters are about. . . No I can't. Your father wants to tell you himself. . . Monday morning? He can make it if it can be about 8:00 will that work? . . . Good. You and Fleur will both be there. . . Oh Charlie and Tracy also. He'll be glad. He's been dying to meet her. In fact so am I. . . Yes, I'll be with your father. . . Good I'll see you Monday at 8:00. . . yes you can depend on it. . . Bye, give my best to Fleur." She broke the connection.

Turning to Arthur she said, "Arthur that was Bill. He got your letter and . . ." She was interrupted by her mobile ringing again. "Damn! It always rings at the wrong time. Let me answer it and I'll tell you what Bill said later. Hello? Ronald? . . . Yes Ronald it's Narcissa. I didn't know you had gotten a mobile. . . Oh Millie made you get one." Both her eyebrows raised in surprise as she heard this. "That's wonderful . . . Yes, she's a smart girl you're right. . .You spoke with Bill. . . Yes I just got off the phone with him. He and Charlie along with Fleur and Tracy are meeting Arthur and me at Gringotts Monday morning at 8:00. . . You're here in Britain?! That's a surprise. . . Of course you and Millie can joins us on Monday. I know your father would want that." She was silent for several minutes as an incredulous look came over her face. Her eyes teared. Then she began speaking again. "Ron, I understand. . . You were upset and everything took you by surprise. . . No I don't blame you for lashing out at me. You were very emotional. . .Thank you Ron. I really appreciate what you just said to me. . . I don't think I'll need any time to love you. . . I think you just made me love you this moment. . . I'll never be your mum but whenever you need something you know you can always come to me. . . Bye. . . See you Monday. . . Give Millie my love as well. . . You too, Bye" She burst into tears as she hung up the phone.

"What the hell did that idiot son of mine say to you now? He's upset you again! I'll rip his head off for making you cry!" Arthur shouted as he moved to hug Narcissa.

"No dear. These tears are tears of happiness. Ronald actually apologised to me for as he put it 'Being a total arse.' He and Millie will meet with us Monday morning along with Bill and Fleur and Charlie and Tracy. Arthur, your littlest boy might finally be growing up."