Thank you to;
Amber611,
SaruDM,
LeeArt,
faithlace,
93 Diagon Alley,
Weasley-Is-Our-King26,
me-heart-fred,
DGfleetfox,
echizenochi and
NickelRamaMetalHydride

For such lovely reviews!

.

.

.
CHAPTER 35

.

.

"What? No no no. Absolutely not! Whatever in the world gave you the idea that I would agree to this and why in Godric's name do you want to do something like this?" Charlie asked, backing away from his crazed sister and leaning into the kitchen counter.

It was past midnight, and the festivities of the wedding had ended an hour ago and everyone had left one by one after Ron and Luna had departed for their honeymoon after receiving many congratulations.

Charlie was going back to Romania after a few days and was staying at the Burrow till then, to his mothers utter delight.

Ginny too had decided to stay the night after witnessing Harry sleeping with Teddy in his arms on the couch. Besides, she needed to discuss her new plan with Charlie.

And she needed to convince him, something that was not going well as of now.

Ginny sighed and looked at him, "I didn't want to use this but you leave me no choice, Charles. I just want a little help from you, is all. But if you're going to be difficult about it, I may just have to tell mum about Nikita back in Romania and then you can spend the rest of your holiday answering her endless questions as to why you didn't feel the need to bring her to the wedding or even inform your poor mother that you are seriously seeing someone for almost a year."

Charlie looked stunned. "You wouldn't."

"I don't want to", she said earnestly.

Charlie shook his head in resignation. His only sister, youngest sibling, was scarily similar to his twin brothers. There was no way anything escaped them and you just couldn't say no to them.

Not because they were cute or anything. Just because they were bloody good at finding out secrets and at blackmailing.

"Fine." He said grouchily. "I'll do it."

Ginny gave him a sunny smile. "I'm glad we came to a consensus about this in an agreeable manner."

"Agreeable?" He said looking astonished. "You just blackmailed me into this scam of yours."

"I'm glad we see eye to eye." She continued and Charlie resisted the urge to slap his palm across his forehead.

For the first time, he felt sorry for Fred; and himself.

.

.

Since the day after the wedding was a Sunday, Mrs. Weasley had her usual family get together. But it wasn't a lunch, since the previous day had left her tired. So she called everyone for dinner.

Ginny thought it was perfect for her plan. And now that Charlie had agreed, she only wished he played his part well and convincingly.

Since Ginny had stayed over, she helped her mum prepare dinner and before long, her family started joining them.

George and Angelina came in with the twins first and not surprisingly, Fred had not come with them.

Ginny knew that Hermione and Fred would not make the mistake of coming together but she was sure they were together and would make well timed entrances.

She only hoped Hermione came before Fred.

And sure enough, after Percy and Audrey, Hermione popped in and came in to say hello.

The twins immediately ran to her and hugged her, now used to staying with her and had missed her for the past two days.

She hugged them back fondly and kissed them and Teddy not wanting to miss the group hug, trotted towards them and Hermione laughed and hugged him too.

The children all scampered off to play and Hermione was taken by the arm by Ginny and she ushered her to a quiet corner.

"What is wrong with you? How could you Hermione?" Ginny said, looking absolutely livid.

Hermione took in her friend's angry expression and gulped.

What is she talking about? Did she find out about Fred? And why is she so angry? Hermione was wondering and started to get unnerved.

"Ginny... I ... Well.." She stammered.

"Ginny what? How can you be so callous Hermione?" Ginny went on, amused to see the look on Hermione's face as she tried hard to figure what Ginny was so upset about.

Ginny was sure that she saw guilt etched on her face and was thinking that Ginny was referring to Hermione not telling her about Fred. That is what she had intended to make her think, giving her one last chance to spill about her secret relationship.

But Hermione seemed to fidget with her hands and not say anything.

Hermione and Fred had decided to keep their relationship a secret for a little while longer.

While Hermione's reason was that she wanted to tell Luna and Ginny simultaneously and also break it gently to Harry and Ron, alone, in case they got defensive and protective.

It was after all Fred Weasley they were talking about. The prankster and incorrigible twin! No way would they believe that Hermione had fallen in love with would be sure that Fred had probably imperiused her.

So Hermione wanted to wait until Ron returned and she had Luna's support as well.

This was Hermione's reason. Fred just thought it gave him a few more days to have Hermione all to himself and frankly he was enjoying the sneaking around a bit too much.

So he had no complaints. Besides, George already knew and so did Lee by now. Even though Fred had not verbally told them.

George had confronted him after the wedding, and Hermione too was pretty sure that he knew, after their dance.

She knew Fred would never hide anything from George, and not telling him was uncomfortable for him, so she was happy that George was in the loop.

But for now, she really wanted to tell Ginny, but the Burrow was full of people and she didn't know how Ginny would react. Besides, she would most definitely want to tell Harry. And Hermione really wanted Ron and Luna to know as well.

So for now, she decided to wait it out.

Ginny realised that her ploy wasn't going to work, so she tried her other plan.

"You are so naïve. Another girl just snags your boyfriend in front of your eyes and you do nothing!" Ginny said heatedly.

Wait! What? Hermione thought. Her thinking doing a major 180 degrees. What is she talking about?

"Don't play innocent. I know you're absolutely heartbroken, but too shy to show it. I saw that Estelle snatch McIntosh right under your nose. Bloody Veela. He didn't leave her side all evening. Snogging away at a wedding with someone else's date nonetheless. Absolutely disgraceful." Ginny fumed.

Hermione had a confused look on her face. Of all the things, this was not the reason she had imagined Ginny to be mad about.

Better she's angry over this than my secret with Fred, she thought relieved.

Hermione quickly rearranged her facial features and said, "look Gin.. It's okay. I was not serious about McIntosh anyway. That's why I was surprised you got him to be my date. And if he's happy with Estelle then it's great because he's still my friend and I'm glad that he's happy."

Ginny pouted. "Well, you may not be upset then but I'm still mad at Estelle. She was supposed to be Fred's date. And she definitely was not supposed to go around snogging other peoples' dates."

Hermione resisted the urge to laugh. She felt bad for Ginny for a moment. But then realising what Ginny would say and do to her when she finally would tell her about her and Fred, she sobered up.

"Yeah. That's too bad though. I'm sure Fred is shattered. Although I don't think Estelle would have done what she did if Fred had curbed his interest in Lee. Poor Estelle, it's not her fault really." Hermione said, laughing.

Ginny gave a small smile and shaking her head she left to signal Charlie and look out for Fred. She had to make sure that Hermione and Charlie were way into their conversation before Fred arrived.

Charlie caught her cue and sighed dramatically and made his way towards Hermione.

He knew his mother was persistent and slightly overbearing, that was one of the reasons he didn't want her to know about Nikita as yet, but she really loved her family and meant well. Ginny did too, but all these games made his mind reel.

He supposed it would be entertaining, and although he knew Ginny would not really go and tell his mother, he just played along because he knew she meant no harm. He was happy for Fred. Hermione was a brilliant witch and she already was a part of the family. He was sure she would be good for Fred.

He spotted her talking to Percy and although she was one of the very very few people who could handle Percy for more than two and a half minutes, he felt he needed to go and rescue her.

"Hey Hermione!" He said as he came around the corner and kissed her cheek.

"Charlie! I thought you would have missed your dragons too much to be here today!" Hermione replied.

"Yeah.. I do.. But I figured a few extra days at home wouldn't hurt." Charlie said.

"That's great. I'm sure Mrs. Weasley plans on feeding you enough these days that you're here." Hermione said.

"I'm sure. She keeps saying I'm too thin for dragons. So tell me. How is your school going on ? Tired of the little kids yet?" He asked.

"Not at all. I love them. And I'm sure by the time I'm done with them all of them will take up Muggle studies at Hogwarts. The 9-10 class is very curious about anything Muggle." Hermione said, beaming.

"I've never come to your school before. Do you think you can show me around sometime?" Charlie asked.

"Of course. I'd love to. How does tomorrow sound? I have my last class getting over at 1. You could come around then, and I'll show you around." Hermione offered.

"Sounds perfect. Then I can take you for lunch soon after, as a thank you for showing me." Charlie said.

Hermione's smile faltered for a minute. She was supposed to have lunch with Fred tomorrow at the shop. But how could she tell Charlie that?

"Oh Charlie! That's awfully kind of you. But really, it's no big deal. You don't have to go out of the way and burden yourself by taking me to lunch." Hermione said.

"Oh come on Hermione. It's not a burden. In fact, I would be delighted to have the company of a beautiful, intelligent witch such as you for lunch." Charlie said.

Hermione's face flushed, and she was still trying to think up various excuses to get out of lunch with Charlie.

Fred had just walked in and greeted his mother who told him that dinner was ready and to call everyone at the table.

He scanned his eyes around the room and saw Hermione. His face lit up for a moment and even though she was talking to Charlie, he didn't mind.

Ginny saw him from the kitchen and looked in Charlie's direction. He was still talking to Hermione and had not reached the dinner table yet.

She needed to stall Fred till Hermione and Charlie reached the table.

Setting the big bowl of stew on the table, she hurriedly wiped her hands on her apron and walked towards Fred, deciding to give him her condolences on losing Estelle.

That should give Charlie enough time to seat himself and Hermione together.

Mrs. Weasley announced again that dinner was laid and Charlie wasted no time in guiding Hermione, who kept looking about as if she was searching for someone.

Of course Charlie knew she was looking for, but he had to get her to sit next to him before Fred saw her.

So he lead Hermione to a bustling kitchen and chose a place next to Fleur as it had only 2 seats empty and that would be perfect for preventing Fred sitting next to Hermione.

Poor Hermione just followed suit, still looking for Fred, probably hoping that he could save her. Not that she minded Charlie or his company.

She just wanted to get out of lunch with him and frankly she just wanted to sit next to Fred.

But didn't seem like it was going to happen. She saw Fred from the corner of her eye being lectured by Ginny. She giggled inwardly at Fred's bored expression.

She was now sitting next to Charlie and Harry and Fred soon entered and looking around he gave her a quick look of disdain and went to sit next to Bill.

Mrs. Weasley seemed to notice that Charlie and Hermione were sitting next to each other without her having to do anything and she seemed secretly very pleased about it.

Hermione gave Fred a helpless look and the slightest shrug of her shoulders and he smiled back blinking his eyes in a reassuring gesture.

Her entire body warmed at this simple exchange and she hoped fervently that her face didn't betray her.

Charlie and Ginny noted the entire exchange and Ginny had to bite her tongue and almost hold the handles of her chair till her knuckles turned white lest she jump up and down and squeal with joy.

Charlie was trying hard to suppress his grin too. He had to admit, it was fun keeping them apart, especially when he got to see his forever joking, never serious brother go all mushy over a girl.

Turning to Hermione, he passed the eggs and said, "So, tell me... What's your favourite food? I'll pick a restaurant for lunch accordingly."

Hermione inwardly groaned. These Weasley's are too persistent. I'll just get it over with. She thought.

"Anyplace you like. Since you're being kind enough to take me, anything's fine." She said.

"Okay! This will be fun!" Charlie said, rubbing his hands together excitedly like a five year old. "Wear something nice." He said and winked at her.

Hermione gulped. Uhhoh! He seemed way too excited for a simple thank you lunch! And wear something nice? What does that mean?

She rubbed her temple tensely. Somehow, for the first time in years, she didn't look forward to school tomorrow.

.

.

.

Hey!

Next chapter up!

I know it's nothing awfully funny or active but kind of filler!

But Charlie's going to be as bad as Ginny!

Is Fred going to have to hex his brother?

Lol I hope not!

I loved hearing from you all after my last chapter!

i am so kicked ul enjoyed it!

i think this is the longest that ive not updated!

apologies for the delay.. hope this chapter makes up for it..

Please let me know if you liked reading it, I love writing this story, so if you liked reading it as well, drop me a review. It makes writing more fun!

And I love hearing from you all!

Muaxies!

.
.

.

.