A/N: So, I managed to piece together a chapter update for this story before the end of the year. I told you I'd try to, didn't I? =) It might not be that well done because I'm still suffering from writer's block on most of my stories and poems. :/

I hope you enjoy reading this because I tried to put more sweetness in it and a stab of humor, though a very lame stab. You decide what you think of it.

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George was relieved to see Selena come into the kitchen for dinner with the cat perched lightly on her shoulder like it was a furry bird. He hadn't expected her to warm up to such a creature so fast after losing Anubis – her slain owl, and Lea Georgette Weasley, which they had decided to name their unborn child. Fred assured him it was the magic of something so "adorable", though both twins agreed that cats were one of the smelliest creatures around next to Hagrid.

Whatever makes her happy again, George thought as she sat down next to him. When he put his hand on top of hers and squeezed it under the table, she didn't pull her hand away. Maybe now we can finally move on.

"George," she said as the cat climbed from her shoulder and onto her lap, curling its body into a fuzzy ball. "Your twin was very thoughtful this morning…brought me MJ and toast…" She smiled teasingly. "Seems like someone was running behind his twin…"

George smiled back at her. "He stole all of it. Every last crumb and fuzz ball," he declared, smirking over her head at Fred. "Didn't you, Freddie?"

Fred nodded and passed his child off to Fleur who blew a raspberry on the baby's cheek. "I took the food from the secret plate Mum was sneaking to Percy. And the cat, I found peeking through the remains of our shop." He smiled. "It doesn't look like the pet shop owner wanted it, so it was up for grabs."

"Uh-huh…" Selena slid her hand from underneath George's as people started filing in. "Was that the same story with the owl?"

"Yep…only Rex was stolen earlier. Paid a fine of twenty-two galleons…" George's brow furrowed slightly. "Which happened to be as much as it cost to begin with. Those sneaky blighters."

Selena laughed and George felt his spirit lift. It seemed like a century had passed since she had last laughed. George hoped he could keep her happy for the rest of time.

"Speaking of Percy," Ginny said, jumping into the conversation. "When are we going to be allowed to let him out of the cellar?"

George looked at his sister. "Well Female-Ron, he can come out now that his little control issue is out of the way." He pointed his fork at her. "But heed my warning: I will not stop Selena from killing him if he attacks her and I will not let anyone keep me from holding him where Selena can torture him."

Selena's smile fell as Dumbledore and Snape entered the kitchen with a grave looking McGonagall and Mad-Eye Moody. George noticed the change in atmosphere quickly and grasped Selena's hand under the table once more. Something was wrong and he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what.

"Molly, you've outdone yourself again," Dumbledore said cheerily as he sat farther down the table than where George and Selena were. "This presentation of your cooking skill is just beautiful."

Molly smiled proudly. "Thank you, Albus." She looked down the table at the others. "Well, everyone eat up; I don't want to see any leftovers."

Everyone started putting food on their plates and passing dishes around. George had to release Selena's hand to put food on their plates. He made sure to put a healthy amount of each dish on her plate, knowing – without really knowing – that she hadn't been eating properly since they buried Lea. He glanced over at Alice as she cooed and smiled up at Fleur, feeling a little twinge of jealousy but also some happiness for his twin. It wasn't like he'd become an uncle by Charlie, Bill, Percy, or Ron any time soon. He had some doubts about Ginny's waistline when he glanced over at her.

Harry better propose quickly if she is…or Mum is going to jinx him badly, George thought with a smirk as he started eating.

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Selena picked at her food and idly scratched MJ between the ears as she listened to the spattering of conversation around the table. She kept glancing to her right where Fred and Fleur were talking about and playing with Alice. She was still uncomfortable around the baby of her dead sister, but it was becoming easier. Selena knew that if she continued to be around Alice, she might grow to like her; just not yet.

"Selena dear," Molly said from farther down right. "Have you received word back from Neville and Luna about the wedding invitations?"

The young witch nodded. "They said they'd love to come," Selena said, trying to sound happy for her future mother-in-law. "I told them they could stay here until after the wedding, whenever it happens."

Molly smiled. "Well, the guests have all been invited from our side of the family. All we need is a date and we'll start on the preparations." She looked at George. "Have you decided on a date yet George, Selena?"

Selena glanced over at George as he cleared his throat and set his fork down, suddenly unsure about herself. "Um…"

"We wanted to be married yesterday," George stated with a cheery smile. "But Firenze predicted that we couldn't get married on any day with a 'y' in it."

Fred peered over Selena's head. "I thought it was any day that had a 'd' in it."

"No, that was when we were supposed to take our N.E.W.T.S., Fred ole' boy."

Selena cracked a smile as the others who'd been listening laughed. Molly rolled her eyes and sipped her fire whiskey.

"Be serious, George," Fleur said, rocking a sleepy Alice in one arm as she picked at her food with her free hand. "We need to know when it is going to happen, so we can get everything ready. It will take at least an hour for me to do Selena's hair and makeup."

Selena frowned. "It will not. I've seen you do other people's hair and it took you twenty minutes."

Fleur smiled prettily. "Oui, that is true. However, their hair wasn't as thick and long as yours. It will take me longer to do your hair properly." She looked at the couple. "So what day is your heart set upon?"

"The sooner the better," George said before looking at Selena again. "When would you like to be married to me, love?"

The daughter of Voldemort's mouth went dry. "Three weeks from now," she whispered.

Molly beamed. "That's wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Don't you worry about a thing Selena. I'll have everything up to your liking, so you don't have to worry about it."

Selena nodded, unable to speak. There was an air of excitement suddenly surrounding her, but Selena didn't take any of it in. George was laughing and joking with his brothers. Molly, Fleur, and Tonks were chatting excitedly about their weddings and the upcoming one. Selena sighed as she realized what an outsider she really was amongst all the happiness and pushed her seat back, rising to her feet with MJ in her arms. No one called out to her as she left the room without excusing herself, but she didn't expect them to.

MJ meowed and bumped his head against her chin as she wandered through the house pointlessly. She petted him and sat down on pearl-colored and -inlaid chair with a frown on her face. A steady purr was her reward.

"At least one of us is happy," Selena muttered.

"'Lena," Charlie said, walking into the room. "You didn't eat much before your hasty exit." He cocked his head to the side and looked at her. "Is something wrong?"

Selena sighed and nodded, looking down at MJ. Charlie sat on the ottoman across from her and took hold of one of her hands.

"You know you can tell me anything," Charlie said, peering into her eyes. "And I won't say a word to the others…so spill."

Selena took a shaky breath. "I'm not sure about a lot of things right now. My upcoming marriage, my future family with George, and if I belong here after I do something that no one will like or support…lots of things are bothering me and I can't seem to figure out why."

Charlie squeezed her hand, his calloused hand rough against her skin. "Getting cold feet already? Selena, you have nothing to worry about. George loves you unconditionally. He doesn't care that you were sorted into the Slytherin House or that your parents were psychopaths or that you have your evil moments…He loves you and because of that and more, the entire Weasley family loves you."

"Except for Percy," Selena pointed out.

"Like I said, the entire Weasley family loves you," Charlie stated with a smile. "And as for your future family with George, you've had a big setback, but you can't let that hold you back or scare you. Chances are it'll never happen again, so you can have a bunch of little red headed and dark haired children. I want a dozen or so nephews and nieces from this new relationship of yours and George's."

"A dozen?" Selena squeaked.

"Hey, that's a low number. We Weasley men have very active sex drives and are very fruitful," Charlie commented. "After what I heard last night coming from your room, I think that you're on the path to making me one happy uncle."

Selena's face burned with color. "We're not that loud!" she protested.

Charlie chuckled. "Selena, I could get into what I heard and have heard coming from your room in the past, but that'd just embarrass you more. Not to mention how awkward it would be coming from me, so I'll move on…"

"Please do."

"Why do you feel like you don't belong here?"

Selena frowned and looked at him fully. "I killed my grandmother here. Evelyn was murdered here because of me. Mad-Eye's pretty much written me out of the Order as a criminal. I'm not a happy, go-lucky person like everyone else-"

"It's an act."

"What?"

"The happiness that you can't seem to grasp as it comes from everyone is just an act," Charlie explained. "We're all feeling the pressure of this war. The constant threats, all the killing and death on both sides of the war, and the depression that comes with it that you are aware of and don't hide from are all the same things we are aware of. It's human to find whatever shred of hope and happiness in the world and hold onto it for as long as possible. The birth of Alice – Mum's first grandchild – was something positive out of an event that wasn't so positive. I believe the babies of the Order's members and you're upcoming nuptials are keeping up morale and keeping all of us sane…So don't think for a moment that you don't belong here." He smiled at her and squeezed her hand again. "You belong where your new family is taking root. You belong here."

Selena looked at Charlie for a long moment, contemplating the idea of telling him what she had been ordered to do. She decided against it until she could speak with Dumbledore and Snape.

"Do you want to go finish your dinner?" Charlie asked, rising to his feet and offering her a hand up.

Selena hugged MJ to her chest with one arm and allowed Charlie to pull her to her feet. "I suppose so."

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A/N: Lame way to end the chapter, right? I'm sorry if you think so because when I first wrote this out, it sounded all right to me. Now that I've edited it, I'm a little unsure about it. Please review anyway and Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy the holiday season and I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks! ~ Scarlet