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Weasley-Is-Our-King-26,
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And helen713713 who is the 300th reviewer!

I'm amazed every time I cross a 100!

Thank you all sincerely!

I also want to thank everyone who has alerted and favourited this story!

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CHAPTER 46.

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"So how do you think Mrs. Weasley is going to react?" Nikita asked Hermione, rubbing lotion onto her hands.

"Hmmm. If it were anyone else really, I'd say she would be over the moon. But it's Charlie. Don't get me wrong, she's going to be ecstatic nevertheless, it's just that she hates to be kept out of the loop. And Charlie committing is a huge thing. Don't worry. It's all going to be great in the end. Mrs. Weasley is a darling. You have nothing to worry about." Hermione said reassuringly, handing Nikita a cup of tea.

"Oh hardly. I'm not worried. Nah. It's Charlie's headache. I'm just going to smile and enjoy the show. I kept asking him all year long what his problem was and why he wanted to keep quiet about 'us' you know, so now that it's in the open; he can jolly well handle it." Nikita said winking.

Hermione laughed.

She had offered to let Nikita stay at her flat for however long she was visiting, and the Romanian girl had instantly accepted. They had hit it off since the beginning and Hermione understood why Charlie liked her so much.

"But why did Charlie want to keep it a secret?" Hermione asked, curiously.

"Well, it's silly really. I mean to me it's silly. Of course Charlie had his own reasoning. He's never been the long term types you see, so when our relationship started veering towards that, he got a bit, let's say, nervous. On top of that, his mum constantly owled him to find a girlfriend. She was worried about him. So according to him if he had told her about me then, she would have insisted on meeting me and these are his words and I quote, 'now that you've finally managed to find a nice girl, I'm going to start planning your wedding soon. We'll have it at the Burrow and it'll be a magnificent affair!' This freaked him out and to be honest, it freaked me as well.
He was worried I would run away after meeting his family, especially his mum." Nikita laughed.

"Oh I can understand that. The Weasley's can be a loud lot. And there are just so many of them. But they are all wonderful, loving and most accepting." Hermione said.

Nikita smiled. "I know. I experienced that first hand today. But you see, when you've just started a relationship, you barely know where it's going. You don't even know if you love the person yet, let alone his family. That's what Charlie was worried about. He didn't want himself or me to face the family without us knowing what we wanted. But soon time passed and we got sure about where we were headed. He proposed and I said yes. I was also going to come to the wedding, but some emergency at the reserve came up."

"Wow. Your absence from the wedding caused such a big difference" Hermione laughed. "Had you come, Ginny wouldn't have thought up this harebrained plan of hers."

Nikita chuckled too. "Oh I don't know. It's Ginny. From what I've heard about her, she would have surely found some other way.

"You're right." Hermione said.

"So are you'll going to declare your relationship tomorrow as well?" Nikita asked Hermione.

Hermione nodded. "I have a feeling it will come up. Even if it doesn't, I think it's time. We were only waiting for Ron and Lu to come back. Now that they are, we can tell Mr. And Mrs. Weasley."

"Hmmm. I'm really not the excited types when it comes to weddings. Should I be worried about Mrs. Weasley's excitement levels?" Nikita asked.

"Uh... Maybe." Hermione tried being diplomatic about it. "Just expect a few waterworks. A couple of bone crushing hugs. A large welcome to the family feast and some wedding catalogues from all over the world."

Nikita stood transfixed, wide eyed and fixed.

Hermione tried keeping a straight face but she felt bad for the olive skinned girl and burst out laughing.

"Relax Nikita. It's ok. She's a wonderful person. She's going to love you." Hermione pacified her.

Yeah. That's the problem, Charlie had said. She's going to love you, too much! Phew! Nikita was glad she wasn't in her fiancé's shoes right now.

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Charlie had come home after the party and informed his mum that he was staying for a few days more.

Mrs. Weasley was predictably happy and when Charlie suggested that they should have a family lunch as long as he was still here, since Ron and Luna had come back, Mrs. Weasley was so excited that Charlie was taking an active interest in family affairs!

"Okay dear, I'll let everyone else know. You owl Hermione as well." She had said and had run off to gather some parchment and a quill.

Charlie stood there momentarily wondering why she had given him the task of informing Hermione.

Did she? No? She couldn't? Did she think that he was dating Hermione? It wasn't possible. No one would tell her. Then did she know somehow or was it some ploy of hers to get Hermione and him together?

Either way, tomorrow all secrets would be out and Charlie would come clean.

So he mentally prepared himself for a day full of smothering and mollycoddling. Pun intended!

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"Mmmm. Molly dear. Allow me to say that in over 30 years of marriage, so many things have changed but your pumpkin sponge cakes are just the same. Delicious." Arthur Weasley said, kissing his wife tenderly on the cheek while she hit his hand with a long ladle.

"Arthur!" Molly yelled, "Those are for dessert! You won't have an appetite for lunch then."

"Oh come now mollywobbles." Arthur said, using his nickname for her and watching her blush. "I'll never lose my appetite for your exceptional cooking."

"Ahem!" George cleared his throat from the end of the kitchen. "Maybe we should go back to our respective homes for lunch, eh dad?"

Molly blushed and pushed Arthur away and scowled a 'look at what you've done now' look and put a smile on her face immediately, "shush George. Don't be cheeky now. Come on in. I'm only finishing the dessert."

George laughed and Angelina and the twins scurried into the kitchen.

"Looks like dad was finishing dessert too." George said smirking.

Arthur laughed and Molly gave her son another scathing look.

"What was dad finishing off?" Fred piped, entering the kitchen and settled himself on the platform.

"Nothing." Molly answered before George or Arthur could expand on it.

"Hey mum! Sorry I'm late. Teddy just would not leave without his broomstick. Do you need any help?" Ginny gushed, as soon as she flooed in.

"No dear. It's all done. Has no one else come yet?" Molly asked.

"Harry and Ted are outside with Bill and Charlie. I think Fleur and the girls will be flooing in any minute." Ginny said.

Just then Ron and Luna apparated into the kitchen and Mr. And Mrs. Weasley both greeted them enthusiastically.

Soon the kitchen began filling up with family and Molly had to discourage more people from trying some pumpkin sponge cakes.

Hermione entered with Nikita as her guest and Molly welcomed her warmly.

Just before they settled for lunch, Charlie told Mrs. Weasley that he wanted to tell her something.

Mrs. Weasley's eyes sparkled with excitement. "About time Charlie. I was wondering when you would tell your poor mother that all her matchmaking is now not needed anymore."

Everyone at the table looked at Mrs. Weasley, shocked.

Charlie looked gobsmacked.

"Mum.. I .. You know! How?" Charlie mumbled.

"Of course I know Charles! You really think you would be able to hide it from me?" Molly said, looking smug.

"But ... You never hinted.. " Charlie said.

"Oh come now. I knew all along. Who do you think planned it all in the first place?" Molly asked, still smiling from ear to ear.

"Yeah but... What? What are you talking about?" Charlie asked confused.

"Oooohh this is going to be goood!" Fred whispered into Ginny's ear, grinning.

Ginny looked at him sternly and then giggled quietly. "She has no idea, does she?"

"Nope." Fred snickered.

"You really think I wouldn't come to know? I'm your mother Charlie. And considering I tried all ways to set you'll up. I have friends working at the Halo haven as well." Molly said, cheekily.

Oh no. Charlie groaned.

Somewhere across the table, Hermione mirrored Charlie's groan and Nikita sent her a confused look.

Mrs. Weasley looked lovingly at Hermione and then at Charlie again.

"I'm so happy that Charlie finally saw some sense. And Hermione dear, I'm so glad you're making a man out of my boy."

Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat and Charlie was just too stunned.

"Mum. Mum! Listen. Calm down. It has nothing to do with Hermione." Charlie said.

"What? But Lindsey saw you'll together at the Haven. And you've been gone out of the house so often." Molly said, confused.

"Uh. Yeah. That was all a mistake. Just some prank actually." Charlie said uncomfortably.

"Charlie Weasley! Are you leading my poor Hermione on? Hermione honey, has Charlie been treating you like other girls?" Mrs. Weasley asked looking worried.

"No. Mrs. Weasley actually.. "

"Mum! No. I would never do that to Hermione! "Charlie said indignantly.

"Then you are not dating Hermione?" Molly asked.

"No." Hermione and Charlie answered together.

"What's going on Charlie?" Mrs. Weasley asked seriously.

"Mum. I um have been.. You see..."

"Oh come on Charlie. Don't be such a baby. Out with it!" Fred urged.

Charlie glared at him. "I'm engaged." He said before he could take his words back.

Mrs. Weasley looked stupefied for a moment before a big smile broke her face. "To Hermione ?" She asked expectantly.

Ginny and Fred rolled their eyes and controlled their laughter.

"No mum." Charlie sighed. Thank Merlin Fred was dating Hermione. She seems hell bent on one of her sons marrying that witch.

"Charlie Weasley! You're engaged! That too to someone we don't even know of. That means you must have dated her for a long time. And you are telling me now?" Molly yelled.

"Mum please! It was all so sudden." Charlie pleaded.

"Sudden! Since how long have you had this secret relationship of yours?" Molly asked.

"A year now." Charlie said softly.

"A year! Arthur do you hear that? A year and he doesn't even tell us. Do you know how many girls I've tried setting you up with in the past year. And you couldn't even let your poor mother know that it was unnecessary." Molly wailed.

"Come now molly. I'm sure he took his time. Proposals don't happen out of thin air. He had to make sure if he was ready. How could he tell you before that?" Arthur tried placating his wife.

"Thanks dad. That's exactly it." Charlie said, relieved that at least his father understood.

"You could have told me you had a girlfriend." Molly argued.

"When have I ever told you about my girlfriends mum? You would have insisted on meeting her etc and for all you know, we wouldn't have lasted. I just wanted to prevent any complications until I was ready to introduce you'll to her." Charlie explained.

Molly wiped a tear and smiled at Charlie."I can't believe you actually are thinking about getting married. I secretly worried that you were having affairs with your dragons."

Nikita snorted and everyone else laughed.

"Yeah mate. Wouldn't have ever thought I'd be hearing about you getting married anytime soon." Bill said.

"So now will you tell us who the poor girl is, who is ready to share her love with dragons?" Molly asked.

Charlie grinned and said, "I think it's for the best then, that she too is a dragon tamer. We have a common love."

"Oh that's wonderful. But really Charlie, at least you could have brought her to the wedding." Molly said disapprovingly.

"Well she's here now." Charlie said, turning towards Nikita.

Molly looked to where Charlie's eyes were looking and she squealed.

"Charlie! You did not tell me she was right here! Oh dear. I'm so sorry you had to see that! Come here, love. Let me take a good look at you." Molly said.

Nikita blushed and stood and walked gingerly towards molly.

As told to her, molly enveloped her in a massive hug.

"Welcome to the family dear! I am so glad you managed to domesticate my Charlie." she said in midst of free flowing tears.

"Mum. Calm down. You're scaring her." Ron said.

"Thanks?" Nikita said, not knowing what else to say.

"Okay now. Lunch is getting cold. Let's tuck in!" Molly said happily.

"Since we are on the topic of announcements, do you want to say anything Freddie?" Charlie snickered.

"Huh? What?" Fred said, caught unguarded.

Molly turned to look at Fred.

"You're engaged too?" She joked.

Fred shot Charlie a dirty look and Charlie just shrugged. Payback.

Fred stood up and said. "Mum. Dad. Mum especially. Since you seemed so keen to have one of your sons date Hermione, I decided I should step up and honour your wishes, since I'm the only single one left. Not to mention the most handsome of the lot. (All the brothers roll their eyes) So I'm announcing to you'll that Hermione and I are officially an item."

Hermione rolled her eyes. Trust Fred to put it this way.

"I'm no 'item' Fred Weasley." Hermione said pretending indignance.

"Oh I beg to differ." Fred said waggling his eyebrows.

Hermione shook her head as everyone around started laughing.

Mrs. Weasley clapped her hands and hugged Hermione. "Oh dear. I'm so happy for you two. Though I never expected this. I almost thought I was being so clever setting Hermione up with Charlie. But no matter! Two good news in a day. This calls for a feast. "

Hermione and Nikita exchanged knowing glances and laughed.

Lunch passed by peacefully without any further announcements. Mrs. Weasley spent most of her time chatting and getting to know her new soon to be daughter in law and Hermione.

Nikita was relieved that everything went smoothly. Maybe Charlie had exaggerated a bit.

Over dessert, that consisted of delicious pumpkin sponge cakes and jelly with ice cream, Molly Weasley finally asked the question, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"So Nikita, when do you suppose you want to discuss the wedding?"

No. He wasn't exaggerating.

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Okayyy!
So that went well!
It's all out now!
And we are nearing the end!
Only one more chapter to go!
Thank you all for staying with me!

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p.s. : poll on profile! please do vote :)

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