**THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SUICIDAL THOUGHTS**

Chapter 7

July 6, 1999- July 18, 1999

Hermione wrote Charlie like she promised. Nearly all of it was good. It wasn't until Saturday that she had a bad day and needed him.

July 10, 1999

Charlie,

Today is bad. The thoughts came back, but as promised, I'm writing you.

Ginny, Lav, and I went back to my cottage to spend the day at the beach and the thoughts returned stronger than they were before. I stayed on the sand and didn't venture into the water because I was scared that I would try it again.

I told the girls I wasn't feeling well so we cut the day short. I feel even worse knowing I ruined their fun. We're still at the cottage but we'll be leaving after I grab some clothes to take back to the Burrow.

I wish you were here.

Hermione

Charlie didn't write back that day. Instead, he came to the Burrow as soon as he got her letter. Everyone was a little shocked when he came through the floo and immediately wrapped her up in his arms, the letter still clutched in his hand. They had only been back at the Burrow for an hour and although she was feeling better, Hermione held onto him tightly as he hugged her, afraid she would break in front of everyone.

They went outside and talked for two hours before he left. He wouldn't leave until she had a smile on her face, and she assured him she'd be staying at the Burrow.

The next Sunday, Hermione was sitting by the edge of the lake with her feet dipped in the water. It was an absolutely sweltering day and the twins, Bill, Fleur, and Victoire had come over to go swimming in the lake. The twins persistently begged her to go swimming with them, but she couldn't find the strength to take off the thin long sleeve yellow shirt she was wearing. She knew she could disillusion the markings on her arm, but to keep it up required concentration and she wouldn't be having fun if she had to focus on keeping her arm covered. Over a year after the battle and only four people, now five including Charlie, had seen the word carved into her arm. She knew what the responses would be like if they saw it.

The twins were not easily swayed, and it wasn't until they had tried to grab her to pull her in that Bill snapped and growled at them. Everyone was a bit shocked, but the twins finally left her alone. Bill was starting to understand that Hermione had essentially joined his 'pack' and he felt a strong need to protect her. He wasn't sure why, but he had an uneasy feeling and felt like he had to be there to keep her safe. He had talked it over with Fleur, who was more understanding than most wives would have been. That was why they had come over almost everyday that week. The feeling was getting stronger and he couldn't control it.

Hermione decided to lay back on the glass, keeping her feet submerged. She closed her eyes, not to sleep, but just to relax and meditate. Bill kept an ear out for her breathing while he continued playing with Victoire.

Charlie stepped out the door of the Burrow and watched Hermione from afar. Her hair was splayed out behind her head like a halo. She was wearing tiny shorts that were peeking out just below her yellow shirt. He watched as her tan legs kicked slightly in the water.

As if sensing that she was being watched, her face turned towards him and she slowly opened her eyes. Her face lit up with a smile and Charlie almost fell to his knees with the realization that he had fallen for his little brother's best friend.

When Hermione's heart rate sped up, Bill's eyes snapped to her. After seeing she was okay, he saw what had gotten her attention and chuckled softly.

"What iz et?" Fleur asked, hearing his laugh. Instead of answering, he motioned towards Hermione and Charlie with his head.

"Oh!" Fleur exclaimed, grinning. "Zat is wonderful! I wonder when they'll tell everyone."

"I don't think they know themselves, dear." He told her kissing her cheek.

Charlie made his way over to Hermione and picked her up in a big bear hug. He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent, green apples and honeysuckle.

"What are you doing here?! I thought you couldn't get away this week because of the new dragon." She asked as he set her down on her feet. He didn't answer right away and pulled her over to the garden away from prying eyes.

"I can't stay long, but I have something for you." He told her, digging for the box in his pocket.

"Ugh, you know I hate surprises, Charlie Weasley."

"This is a good one, I promise. Dare I say, I think it'll finally push me to the top of your favorite Weasley list." He grinned as he passed her the black box. Suddenly, he was nervous, and it didn't help that his eyes had caught a tiny bead of sweat that disappeared beneath her shirt. Hermione snapped open the box and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"It's not for you, technically." He admitted, pulling the ring out. It was another dragon ring like the one still resting on her thumb, but the eyes were different. "The eyes on the ring you have are my birthstone. This one has your birthstone, sapphires. If you hold it in your hand and squeeze it, it'll bring you to me and mine will do the same. And when you twist yours, mine will twist as well, letting me know you're thinking of me. When I twist mine, you'll know I'm thinking of you. I thought it might help you on the bad days." He explained as he twisted his ring and the dragon on her thumb spun slowly in response.

Hermione's eyes watered with the thoughtfulness of his gift and she took the ring out of his hand before sliding it onto his left thumb, the same place hers rested.

"Thank you, Charlie. It's perfect." She murmured as she threw herself against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head.

"You're welcome, 'Mione. I'm always here for you." They hugged in silence until Hermione spoke.

"Charlie?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you- Do you think of me often?" She asked softly.

"All the time." He whispered, placing a kiss to the top of her head. When she pulled back to look up at him, Charlie got lost in her mocha eyes. He made the observation that there were flecks of gold in them and made a note to tell her that she truthfully was the Golden Girl. It was as if time was moving at a snail's pace. Her lips were moving towards his, but it just couldn't happen fast enough. He watched as her eyes closed and finally, their lips connected. His stomach twisted in knots as a heat flamed in her belly. Slowly, she opened her mouth and their tongues began sliding together. Nothing on Earth tasted as good as she did at that moment. Her hands came from around his waist and slid up his chest leaving goosebumps in their trails. He rested his hands on her waist and pulled her flush against him. The kiss seemed to go one forever and Charlie found himself wishing he could bottle it up. All too soon, a cough interrupted their passionate embrace and they jumped apart.

"Sorry to interrupt, Charlie," Bill said coolly, very clearly not sorry. "But mum wants to know if you're staying for dinner tonight."

"Oh. Um, no. I can't." Charlie stammered, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Then you should go tell her that." Bill told him sharply. Charlie's eyes narrowed.

"I'm in the middle of something."

"Clearly." He shot back at Charlie.

"What's your problem?" Charlie demanded, stepping toward Bill.

"You're my problem." Bill growled, getting in Charlie's face.

"Bill!" Fleur yelled, running up with Victoire in her arms. "Come on, let zem be."

Bill continued glaring at Charlie but let Fleur pull him away. When they were alone again, Charlie turned back to Hermione, his face red.

"I hope you don't think I got the ring for that purpose, Hermione. I never expected that to happen and if you don't want it to happen again, I understand."

"I do." Hermione mumbled. "Want it to happen again, that is."

At her admission, Charlie grinned. "So do I." He echoed leaning down to capture her lips once more. This kiss was much shorter, but just as sweet. "I'm sorry, I really have to get back." He told her as he pulled away.

"That's okay. I'll see you next Sunday, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it." He vowed, smiling at her. He kissed her one more time before leaving her in the garden. She stood there frozen with a smile on her face and her fingers resting on her lips.

That was how Lavender and Ginny found her half an hour later.

Ginny squealed as she ran over to Hermione and Lavender stood to the side.

"The whole house is buzzing about your kiss!" Ginny practically screamed at her.

"What?! How does everyone already know?!" Hermione asked, panicking.

"The twins. Bill was in a right state when he came in after Charlie left. He and Fleur had to leave, if you know what I mean." Ginny told her, wagging her eyebrows.

"Ugh. Did not need to know that, Gin. I wonder why Bill was so upset though. We just kissed." This time, Lavender was the one who answered.

"The thing about us part wolves is that we still travel in packs. Our family is our pack. Technically, because Bill is the oldest, he is the Alpha of the pack. Anyone who develops an emotional or physical relationship with someone in the pack, automatically becomes a part of it. You and Harry have been a part of his pack since he changed because of your connections with Ron and Ginny. He's already protective of the pack, but even more so of the unbonded females within- "

"Wait, what do you mean by unbonded?" Hermione interjected.

"Oh, um. It means you don't have- well, you don't have a physical relationship with anybody." Lavender stammered. Hermione's mouth dropped open as she looked at Ginny who just shrugged.

"So, Bill will know when I'm having sex with someone?" She asked incredulously.

"As a member of his pack, yes. And my guess is that since you're the last one without a partner, it's stronger. Although, if you're a virgin, he would barely be able to stand any male, within the pack or not, to be around you. You're like a cub to him."

Hermione blushed at her statement which caused Ginny to gasp loudly.

"You're a VIRGIN?"

"A little louder, Gin. I don't think Romania heard you." Hermione shushed her.

"How are you a virgin?" Ginny asked.

"Not everyone had time for that, Ginny." Lavender giggled as Hermione groaned and covered her face.

"This is mortifying."

"Why don't we go inside and talk about the wedding? That'll help take your mind off of it." Lavender suggested.

"Oh, that's a good idea. Then maybe you can help me get this harpy to change her mind about forcing me into that ugly orange dress." Ginny whispered loudly to Hermione causing Lavender to laugh.

"Sorry, Ginny, but someone has to wear orange."

They continued inside to talk about the wedding but only after Molly expressed how excited she was that Hermione was now dating another Weasley. Hermione tried politely to explain to Molly that they hadn't even discussed dating yet, but Molly would hear none of it.