November 6th 2005 PT1

Sunday dinner at the Weasleys had always been a loud, exciting and boisterous affair and it had only got worse as more and more children were added to the already large family. It was a wonderful place to be, though, and as Hermione stepped out of the floo and into the chaos, she grinned at the feeling of love and warmth that flooded her. Putting Arty down on the floor, watching as he promptly ran off to find Victoire and Fred, she allowed herself to soak in the atmosphere for a moment before moving away to find Charlie.

They had agreed that she would get here a little late, so that everyone would be here when she arrived and they could tell the family before they all sat around the dinner party and away from small ears. Before now, Arty had been told not to call Charlie 'daddy' when there was anyone other than Hermione, Charlie or Ginny around, and he had done impressively, only slipping up once, thankfully with Bill who knew anyway. It was another reason that she wanted to tell them now, so that Arty could freely claim his father.

She found Charlie in the kitchen with his back to her and walked behind him, putting a hand gently on his arm and smiling when he looked down at her. She nodded and his eyes widened slightly and he called everyone into the living room, saying he had an announcement. Hermione waited with him as everyone congregated, squeezing into the limited seating and then walked in behind him, feeling terribly nervous.

"I have something I need to tell you." Charlie blurted, looking directly at his mum and dad, who frowned, before turning to look at Ron, "after you broke up with Hermione, at Gin's wedding, I slept with Hermione."

"Well," she muttered, rolling her eyes and moving to stand beside him in front of his family, "we slept together."

"You what?" Ron shouted, before standing up, leaving through the back door and slamming it shut behind him.

"Told you," Charlie muttered to Hermione who elbowed him in the ribs before he turned to look at his mum, who was looking very disapproving.

"Ok…" she said, shaking her head and clucking her tongue, "why are you telling us now, dear?"

"Molly… work out the dates." Hermione muttered and she watched as the older witches frown melted into wide eyed shock.

"You mean…" she trailed off, looking through the window at the children playing in the garden.

"I'm Arthur's father." Charlie nodded and Molly gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

The room descended into chaos as people digested the news that they were all one way or another genetically linked to the boy that they already considered family. Molly was crying, Arthur was trying to comfort her and the rest of the family was split between being quietly confused and loudly outraged. The shouting ended abruptly when a loud bang sounded and everyone turned to Harry, who had his wand out, obviously having used it to get them to shut up.

"You knew? This whole time? And you didn't tell me?" Harry hissed, his eyes narrowed towards Hermione. It was a look that was quite common amongst those gathered in the room.

"Let me explain…" Charlie sighed.

xxxxxxxxxx

It took over an hour for them to explain the whole sorry tale, from her thinking he wanted nothing to do with their son, to him never having known and kreacher having had the letter the whole time. Hermione didn't know who was crying more when Molly hugged her tightly and apologised over and over again for not doing more, and Hermione only just managed to brokenly tell her that she couldn't have known. Hermione had explained why she didn't tell them the truth and, while they didn't necessarily agree with her choice, they understood why she had made it. It was just as Hermione was wiping her eyes that Arty came running into the room and came to an abrupt halt at the sight of his obviously upset mum.

"Why are you upset, mummy?" He asked, frowning adorably and Molly lunged at the boy who squeaked as he was pulled into the tightest hug he had ever known.

"Oh my sweet, sweet boy!" Molly exclaimed as Arty frowned at his mum over the woman's shoulder, "You know grandma and grandpa love you very much!"

"I love you too, grandma," he said, squirming out of her hold and looking at Hermione, "why is everyone upset?"

"Because we just told them that I'm your daddy." Charlie grinned, opening his arms and laughing when Arty screamed happily and ran into them.

Hermione watched as everyone talked and asked questions, feeling her emotions threaten to overwhelm her. She swallowed them down for as long as possible before walking into the back garden, not wanting Arty to see her cry any more. She walked towards the glade, hoping for a little privacy, when a noise to her left startled her and she saw Ron throwing stones into the pond. Sighing, she turned and walked over to him.

"Ron?" She asked tentatively, "do you want to talk?"

"Not to you right now," he snorted, not looking at her as he turned to walk away and she frowned, following after him and almost stumbling when he turned around suddenly to face her, "You fucked my brother!"

"Ron…"

"No, Hermione!" He roared and Hermione took a step backwards in shock, "what, we break up and you think you've got a clear shot at one of them?"

"You know I don't think like that!" She shrieked, "You have no right to be angry!"

"Like hell I don't!" He yelled, shaking his head, "we just broke up and then you go and open your legs to my brother?!"

"Don't be so disgusting, Ron," Hermione snapped, throwing her hands in the air, "and no you don't have any right to be shouting at me right now."

"Oh my god…" Ron muttered, dragging his fingers through his hair and turning to walk away from her and Hermione followed his quick steps until they were almost in the Burrow's garden and he span around to face her, "it's funny, you know?"

"What-"

"That you've fucked two Weasleys and not managed to keep either of them," he laughed loudly, not noticing the back door open to show Charlie, obviously having come to investigate the noise. He was glaring at his brother after hearing what he had just said and Hermione caught his eye, shaking her head and covering her mouth before turning and running to the glade.