Games Are Afoot Chapter 34
A New Game
Author's Note: Thanks to my husband for his clever ideas for adaptation and for my kids for helping me so I could more effectively visualize what I was doing. Thanks to enthralled for being my cheerleader and laughing with me.
Disclaimer: JKR owns it all, I am just here to play.
Robert Granger loved magic. The week he had just spent at the Dragon Reserve had only served to enhance that feeling so he insisted that Charlie and Hermione take him home by port key. He didn't want to sit on a stuffy plane with stuffy muggles even though he was one. What he had just experienced was still fresh in his mind and he quite frankly wondered why Hermione would ever want to come home to a magicless house. She reassured him she loved coming home and that soon, she would be able to do magic there just for him. She would show him all sorts of interesting spells.
They sat waiting around the toothbrush each with a finger on it somewhere. Hermione looked intently at her father, worrying that this might be too much for him. Charlie gazed at Hermione and placed his hand comfortingly on her back. She turned to glance at him and he smiled, willing her to know that everything would be okay. She smiled back just as the toothbrush started to glow blue and soon they all felt the tugging behind their navels as the port key did its work.
The group landed on a hill near the Burrow. Hermione quickly moved to help her dad up but couldn't help chuckling at his expression that was a cross between motion sick and pure joy. Charlie laughed too and between the two of them, they got him woozily onto his feet. Charlie had flooed the luggage so with him on one side and Hermione on the other, they helped Mr. Granger walk down the hill and up the drive to Charlie's childhood home.
Mr. Weasley had been watching and waiting for an hour. He almost squealed with glee. Almost. But he contained himself as he announced, "They have arrived."
Two red streaks dashed through the door and Arthur was certain it was Fred and George. Ron and Ginny made their way down the stairs and out the door with slightly more decorum. Bill and Fleur remained at the table in the kitchen with Mrs. Granger and Mrs. Weasley.
Charlie looked up as several of his red headed siblings accosted Hermione with hugs and welcomes. He stood back guarding Mr. Granger who was still a bit woozy from the port key. After a moment he chuckled.
"Um, I remember when some of you used to be happy when I got home…" He teased.
"Charlie!" Ginny squealed as if she had just noticed that he was there too.
The twins nodded to him and continued to fire questions at Hermione. Ron moved over by Charlie.
"Hello Charlie. I didn't know you were coming." Ron turned toward Hermione's father, "Mr. Granger."
Mr. Granger tried to nod but he staggered a bit until Charlie's strong arm stabilized him. Ron looked at Charlie with his brow quirked.
"First time with a port key." He muttered as Ron nodded understanding. He had felt much the same way his first time too. It was at the Quidditch world cup a couple of summer's ago.
Ron moved over to Mr. Granger's other side and he and Charlie escorted him toward the house, leaving Hermione with Ginny and the twins. About half way to the house, Arthur joined them.
"Robert! It's so nice to see you again. Welcome to our home."
"Thank you Arthur." Robert stumbled clumsily. "That port key was an experience."
"They do take some getting used to." Arthur quipped. "Son, how are you?"
Charlie received an affectionate clap on the shoulder from his dad. They looked eye to eye for a time, giving Robert a chance to catch his breath and his bearings.
Arthur cleared his throat. "Well, now that you are here, there are some details you need to be made aware of. We have had to add extra wards and security since Harry will be joining us in a couple of days."
Ron looked to his Dad. "Harry's coming that soon?" He asked hopefully.
"Yes, Dumbledore is bringing him personally." Ron let out a low whistle.
"Blimey. They aren't taking any chances are they?" Ron replied still a bit dazed by the news. He was ecstatic that Harry would be here so soon, but the reality of the danger was there as well.
"You were going to tell us about the wards, Dad," Charlie spoke quietly, refocusing the conversation.
"Ah, yes, well then." Arthur began, "They are similar to what was up last summer but three levels thick. As you enter there will be pauses and an order member or a Weasley must escort everyone. We have added Hermione and Harry so they can enter and leave on their own as they will be staying here." Charlie nodded and then proceeded to move toward the house.
Mr. Granger stopped however. "What exactly are wards, and will I be able to get through them?" He asked nervously. His stomach had still not caught up with him and the thought of another experience like that had him leery.
Arthur tapped Ron on the shoulder and nudged him to the side taking his place. "Robert, in your world you take security precautions, correct?"
Robert looked at the serious expression on Arthur's face and nodded.
Arthur continued, "Well, in the magical world, those security measures are ineffective. As a result, we need to enhance that security with strong magic. I want to assure you that your daughter is receiving the strongest protection that our world can offer. The highest ministry officials are overseeing it personally."
"That eases my mind greatly, Arthur. I thank you for all you have done for my family. Your son, Charlie here, is a good man. I have appreciated the way you have kept us in the loop about the events in the magical world."
"It's our pleasure. Now, shall we proceed? Molly has a pot of tea waiting for us."
They moved along toward the gate that led into the yard. It looked rickety and decrepit to Mr. Granger and he wondered why they didn't hang it straighter on its hinges. Charlie noticed the look that he was giving the gate and decided an explanation was in order.
"Mr. Granger?" He began.
"Yes, Charlie?"
"I know the gate and the fence look beat up—well from this side anyway." Charlie continued.
"This side?" Robert asked with a puzzled expression.
"Yes sir." Ron said. "It's a part of the wards. It makes the property look vacant and uninhabited to muggles and those who are not welcome. It's part of the magic."
Robert looked like Christmas had just come early. "Really? And how does it look from the other side?" He asked excitedly.
"Well, why don't you see for yourself?" Arthur answered as he took hold of Robert's elbow and guided him through the first phase of the wards. Robert giggled like a schoolboy as he felt suspended in time briefly and then stepped out on the other side.
"Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!" He exclaimed.
The others smiled as they stepped toward the next marker. "What would happen if I weren't with you all?" Robert asked eagerly.
"Would you like to find out?" Charlie chuckled. Robert nodded enthusiastically causing Arthur to let go of his elbow and take a step back. "Go on." He encouraged. "We'll come get you."
Robert watched Charlie head back the way they had just come. After a frozen moment Charlie continued walking back toward the gate. Mr. Granger turned and stepped toward the magical marker. Before he knew it, he was on his backside outside the beat up old gate. Charlie helped him to his feet with a grin.
"What do you think?" He asked.
Mr. Granger moved his mouth a few times, but no words would come out.
"I felt the same way the first time my dad showed me that." Charlie chuckled. He led Mr. Granger through again and toward Ron and his dad. They stepped through the next to phases of the words as Mr. Granger marveled at each one. Finally, they reached the door to the Burrow.
"Molly will be so pleased to see you." He told Robert. "And you Charlie. I didn't tell her you were coming." Charlie barked out a loud laugh.
"You do enjoy keeping her on her toes don't you dad?"
As they walked through the door, Robert Granger's jaw hung open. He normally had very good manners, but what he saw astounded him. Arthur laughed.
"I feel the same way every time I go to muggle London." He whispered conspiratorially.
"Robert!" His wife scolded. He closed his mouth and stared at his surroundings. It was the most magical place he had ever seen. Even considering he had just returned from the dragon reserve.
He saw dishes washing themselves! He saw a magical clock that shifted according to the family's location. The flames in the fireplace were green. There was a magic wand on the table next to Arthur's wife and as he watched, she picked it up and waved it bringing several more cups and the pot of tea to the table. Arthur nudged him toward the table and he sat down next to his wife with a delighted little smile on his face.
Meanwhile, outside, Hermione was being warmly welcomed.
"How was it?" Ginny asked excitedly throwing her arms around her friend.
Hermione hugged her back affectionately. "It was amazing and beautiful and fun and—"
"Enough girl talk Granger." Fred interrupted.
"Talk later, games now." George demanded with a grin.
"Boys. I have to get inside first. My mum is waiting for me." Hermione laughed. She secretly loved their enthusiasm but having been around them for years, she had learned to torture them—just a little.
"Mum's can wait. You have been teasing us about this in letters for weeks." Fred reminded her.
George nodded in agreement. "We gave you a break because of the whole near death thing, but it's time for you to make good." Hermione laughed as George who had actually used his fingers to make quote marks in the air when he said it.
"Very generous of you two." Ginny said with the slightest hint of sarcasm in her tone.
The twins smiled simultaneously. "Thank you." They answered. Fred lifted Ginny to his other side and took her place next to Hermione. He linked his arm through hers and George followed suit on her other side. Ginny folded her arms and leveled her best glare at them.
The twins began walking Hermione to the house completely ignoring their sister who caught up with them quickly. Hermione laughed delightedly that she had these two so worked up. She realized after watching them that half the fun of their pranks was the anticipation leading up to them.
Having been to the Burrow last summer, she was familiar with the wards. As they walked, Fred and George continued to talk and guess what her game might be. As they stepped into the wards their words and actions were suspended briefly only to be continued without missing a beat when they exited the other side.
They marched her into the kitchen where the others were sitting down to a cup of tea.
"Mrs. Granger?" George interrupted.
"Yes?" She turned toward the voice.
"Say hello to your daughter so she will quit torturing us." Fred pleaded almost sounding whiny. Mrs. Granger grinned and stood up, walking toward her daughter.
"Hi Mum!" Hermione said wrapping her arms around her tightly. Mrs. Granger held her daughter just as fiercely. Tears came to her eyes as she rocked Hermione gently back and forth.
Fred and George sighed dramatically and flopped into chairs.
"We may as well have a cuppa, Fred, they may do this all day." George sighed playfully.
Mr. Weasley laughed loudly as he levitated two more cups toward the table. Mrs. Weasley was dabbing at her eyes watching Hermione and her mother. Her sniffle caused her children to roll their eyes in unison.
"Oi! Hermione!" Ron bellowed. "I think my mum wants it to be a group hug!" Mrs. Weasley smiled affectionately while shushing him.
Hermione sniffled and laughed at the same time. Her mother held her face and kissed the top of her head. "I have missed you." She finally said.
"I missed you too mum." Hermione said as she watched her mother look her over. "I am okay, really." She tried to reassure her. Mrs. Granger assumed a brave smile.
"I know you are. But it doesn't mean that I don't worry." She hugged her gently one more time and then moved back to the table.
"Ok Granger." Fred started with a determined look in his eye. "Inspire me."
Hermione laughed. "Okay, Fred. Mum, did you bring the game I asked you to?"
"Yes, it's in the lounge." She replied before turning her attention back to her conversation with Molly.
Fred and George pulled Hermione toward the lounge followed by everyone except the parents and Fleur who opted to remain in the kitchen as well. The lounge was bright with sunshine streaming in the windows. Flames crackled merrily in the fireplace and Hermione sighed happily, glad to be here with the people she loved.
Bill watched her eyes scan the room. "Hard to believe that just a year ago we were all here trying to keep ourselves entertained isn't it?" He mused. Hermione nodded along with the rest of the group.
"Enough small talk then." Ron said. "Game time. Whatcha got for us this year?" He looked to her curiously. Fred and George had discovered a box on the buffet. They were looking over it warily.
"Twister?" George asked Fred. "What kind of a game is that?"
Fred shrugged and turned to hand the box to Hermione who was looking at him with her eyebrows raised.
"This better be good." He mumbled.
She just smirked. "You will need to take off your shoes." She addressed the room at large.
"Do I have to?" Ron whined. "I think I have a hole in my sock."
"Oh honestly. Then take your socks of too." Ginny declared. She looked at Hermione knowingly. "You would think that by the time he was sixteen he could solve simple problems."
Hermione nodded and turned her attention back to Fred. "Now Fred, help me spread this out." She opened the box and slipped out a neatly folded white plastic sheet. When she turned it over Fred noticed it had big bold dots in different colors.
"Are you sure I will like this?" He asked petulantly.
"It has lots of room for…adaptation." Hermione replied carefully.
George planted himself next to her. "That's captivating enough for me. What's next?"
Hermione had the group stand around the colorful tarp. She held up a cardboard spinner. "I spin this and what ever it lands on you have to do. Nothing but your feet or hands can touch the ground or you are out. Ready?" When they nodded she began.
"Right foot blue." Six feet moved to blue circles.
"Left hand green." She stated and then watched as the group began bending and twisting to reach the proper circle.
"Right hand yellow." She announced. Ginny placed her hand in the way of where Ron was trying to go and down he went.
"Bloody Hell Ginny! That's my circle." Ron moaned.
"I didn't see your name on it." She snickered.
Ron moved over by Hermione still muttering under his breath. Fred's shoulder was pushing against Bill's nose. Ginny's hip was nudging Charlie's knee. They were finding it difficult to balance.
"Right foot red." She announced. Ginny slid her foot behind Bill's leg and effectively knocked him on his backside with a wicked gleam in her eye.
"Gin! I thought I was your favorite!" He laughed as he moved out of the way. Rubbing his injured pride.
Ginny smiled amiably at him. "Now Bill. You taught me that sibling love does not have anything to do with being successful in a competition." Bill feigned shock.
"That's my girl. Even if it came back to bite me." He answered good-naturedly.
"Quit socializing and spin the stupid thing. The blood is running to my head." George complained.
"Left foot yellow." Hermione supplied. Groans filled the room as they tried to maneuver themselves around without falling. Fred was Ginny's latest victim. He couldn't get his leg around her arm and her leaning into him did nothing for his balance.
Fred scowled as his face hit the mat. "Ginny…how did you get so good at this? I swear you are worse than a bludger." He rubbed his rib that felt sore in a spot that was quite likely the size of her knee.
"You don't survive six brothers without learning a few tricks." She said happily. She refocused her attention back to Hermione waiting to see what was next. The only sound in the room was the whisper of the arm spinning across the cardboard.
"Left foot red." Hermione stated loudly, chuckling as she watched George try to balance his tall frame around Charlie's stockier form. Charlie's eyes twinkled as they met Ginny's.
"Right hand green." Hermione called out. Ron snorted as he watched Charlie and Ginny submarine George. He went down with a flourish as they sandwiched him and made it impossible for him to reach anything green.
He hopped off the mat with good sportsmanship. "I'd watch your back Char. She's been paying way too much attention to our Quidditch tactics." George bantered.
"Oi, George. I think this game has potential." Fred called over to him from the couch. George joined him as they watched, whispered and pointed.
"I think that makes me nervous." Hermione whispered to Ron pointing toward the twins.
"Yeah, those two with their heads together is enough to make a grown wizard cringe."
Charlie and Ginny were the last two on the mat.
"Left hand red." Hermione announced. Before Charlie knew what hit him, Ginny slid her arm under his and on to a red circle forcing him to reach delicately over her, his arms now twisted painfully.
"You know, Hermione, I think taming the dragons is a little easier than this game." Charlie muttered. Ginny laughed.
"Aw, the poor dragon tamer is afraid of a little school girl?" Ginny teased.
"Right hand green." Ginny smiled wickedly and slid her other hand in under Charlie's. Down he went rolling to his back.
Ginny stood with her arms raised to the ceiling. "Queen of the mat!" She claimed.
Charlie sidled up to Hermione. "I think you need a turn." He said sweetly snatching the spinner out of her hand. He nudged her towards the mat with his other hand. She chuckled happily and took a spot next to Ginny.
This round was fast and dirty. Elbows and knees generously prodded stomachs, backs, and legs until at one point all but Fred were heaped unceremoniously in a pile. Fred claimed his victory proudly.
"Hey Ginny, I do believe I am getting the hang of this!" He crowed.
Ginny scowled at him and pushed Ron off her legs. The next several rounds got more heated and more daring. Each took a turn with the spinner. Ginny was a force to be reckoned with and no one wanted to stand near her, which she found extremely amusing. As the rounds progressed in roughness, the volume grew until they heard Mrs. Weasley in her most howlerish tone yell at them to take it outside.
Fred and George were consulting each other in heated whispers as the group complied with her not so gentle request. They made it outside and were hovering around trying to decide where to set up when George cleared his throat dramatically.
"Ahem! Ahem! I need your attention please. Ahem!"
The group turned towards him and waited for him to speak.
"As you all know," George looked around the motley crew. "Fred and I like to make the average game slightly more interesting. We feel that it's time to raise the difficulty level." Fred winked and Charlie nodded knowingly.
"Well," continued Fred, "we have figured out a way to 'adapt' this game to make it a little more interesting." He looked to his twin. "George."
"Thank you Fred my good man. Here Hermione, let me take that spinner from you." He took it from her hand and retrieved his wand with his other hand.
The spinner floated toward the tree and stuck to the trunk with a sticking charm. George muttered an incantation and the arm spun.
"Well Fred, old boy. That's a go." He declared happily. Fred had his wand out now too.
He levitated the twister mat out of Ginny's hands and relocated it to the top of the expanded picnic table. It was nowhere near a fit. Only the middle six circles actually sat on the table and the rest of the mat draped elegantly off the sides. Bill caught on to what they were trying to do and added a spell to hold the edges up instead of draping down.
"That looks sturdy." Ron muttered.
"That is the challenge dear brother. This game is a game of balance. One of us has to maintain the levitation charm and spin the spinner while the others have to…well do their best to not fall." Fred finished with a flourish. He hopped up on the table.
"George," Fred commanded, "why don't you demonstrate while the rest of us attempt to play?"
"Too right!" George replied as he aimed his wand at the tree. The mat only slightly sagged so Bill shrugged and hopped up next to Fred.
"I think I am brave enough to try this." Charlie asserted as he volunteered Hermione to stand by him by picking her up and setting her on the table. Ginny and Ron joined them.
"Left foot blue." George yelled.
They each moved to a blue circle and stood like cranes on one leg. George aimed for the spinner again and the sound of the arm whirring gradually slowed.
"Right hand yellow." He called out merrily.
The players had figured out Ginny's little trick of reaching down first and thwarted her first attempt to dislodge someone. The bodies were packed in tightly delicately balancing on one arm and one leg. They were all fighting for the middle circles that were stable.
"Left hand red." George called gleefully.
With their right legs flying in the air in an effort not to get out, the group now resembled tightly packed dominoes. They were facing up with their arms behind them and one leg perched precariously beneath them. Yet, they remained upright.
George grinned, knowing that the next call could make or break the game.
"Right foot green." He said with delight watching as those taller easily crossed over the shorter.
Hermione collapsed under the weight of Fred and Bill's leg sitting on Charlie's lap. George began laughing and his wand arm dipped causing Charlie to go down over the back edge of the table pulling Hermione down on top of him. George immediately lifted his wand to restore the mat to its original position. Hermione and Charlie were laughing as they picked themselves up.
"I like that adaptation Fred!" Charlie called as he pulled Hermione along by her hand to stand by George.
George scowled. "What am I? Dragon dung?" Charlie laughed.
"No George, I appreciate your contributions too." Charlie patted his shoulder. "I will always be glad for an opportunity to have Hermione sit on my lap." Hermione's face burned red and her mouth dropped open in shock. Ginny started to laugh, followed by Ron. It was getting harder to balance on the unsteady surface.
"Left hand yellow!" George gasped out trying to catch his breath but breaking into new peals of laughter watching Bill try to contort his body to reach the new circle. Ginny elegantly folded herself over so her hands were sharing the same circle.
"How'd you do that Gin?" Ron complained as her shoulder was now leaning heavily on his stomach.
"I have stomach muscles." She said as she used her shoulder to knead his stomach. He tightened it up reflexively and then lifted his arm over her to place his left hand next to his right. He now had her in a headlock. Ginny grunted unhappily.
"Left foot green!" George called. Bill and Fred were too tangled up and crashed to the ground on the far side of the table.
Ron and Ginny were locked in a fierce battle of wills. Ginny managed to swing her leg over so she now looked like she was a bear and Ron was in the exact same position except over her.
"Hey Ron!" Charlie called out. "You are going down brother!"
"Thanks for the confidence Char!" Ron yelled back.
Ginny snorted indelicately and called, "Next one George."
"Right hand red." Both were able to shift easily.
"Right hand green." George called.
Ron was a half second too late. Ginny slid in so fast she knocked against his legs, which sprawled out over the edge of the table. As his feet hit the ground, he grabbed Ginny's waist and pulled her off too.
"You still lose." She laughed as he set her down on the ground.
"Boy can you call it Charlie!" Bill teased. Ron shot him a dark look.
Bill offered to be the spinner for the next round. He pulled out his wand and cast the spell to levitate the edges of the mat and sent the arm spinning.
"Right hand red." The players complied.
"Left hand yellow." The tension in the air was thick as each player concentrated on anticipating the next move.
"Left foot blue." Bill called out eyeing the players. Hermione got the distinct impression he was rigging the spinner, but couldn't clearly see.
"Right hand green." Charlie had moved quickly cutting off Ginny's move so she settled for a circle at the end of the row. She was hovering on the end of the mat.
"Left foot green." Called Bill.
Ginny slid her foot to the same circle her hand was on, balancing effortlessly on her toes. The others grunted a little more getting into position. George and Fred were using each other for leverage. The table however, was beginning to tilt slightly with all the weight shifting to the one side.
"Blimey Bill!" Ron moaned. "Isn't it part of your job to make sure the table doesn't tip?"
Bill adjusted and rapidly fired off a stabilizing charm toward the table and then whipped the wand again to keep the mat from sagging. With his free arm, he wiped his brow. "I think this version is harder on the person calling."
George and Fred shrugged. "Quit acting like a girl." They said.
"Hey!" Yelled Hermione and Ginny.
"See." Commented Fred. "You sound just like them." He squealed as Bill dipped his side of the mat. "Okay. You are a manly man Bill." Fred called loudly and sighed as he felt the plastic beneath him stabilize.
Bill flashed his wand at the spinner making it spin extra long. His face held a wicked grin as he watched the group struggle for balance, subtly shifting in an effort to maintain their positions.
"Right foot green!" He shouted.
Ginny was in a predicament. She was teetering on the far corner of the mat, entirely supported by the levitated mat. Three of her limbs shared the same green circle and her left hand barely balanced her, also not on the secure surface of the table. She had to maneuver herself to get one hand or foot on the solidness so it could bear her weight.
Bill spun again. It seemed like it would never slow, but finally, he called the next move.
"Left hand blue!"
Just as she was about to reach a blue circle that would establish more balance for her, she heard it. That sound.
"Ahem." A dainty female voice cleared her throat. "Beel." It spoke softly.
Bill whirled around to face the voice of the lovely French creature. "Fleur." He said silkily. A collective groan erupted from the group, but he didn't notice. Fleur sauntered toward him and his eyes were riveted. The world seemed to disappear and he reached for her. It was a perfect moment until…
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!" The mat sagged and eight bodies tumbled and twisted off the game mat, crashing to the ground in various piles of legs and arms.
"Gerrof me!" Ron yelled shoving George's shoulder out of his face. Charlie pushed George from the other side, which caused him to land on Fred uncomfortably. Hermione crawled out from under Ron's legs laughing. Soon most of the group was chuckling and Bill's face was deeply red. He knew that they would be teasing him about his momentary lapse for some time.
One person was not laughing. Ginny stood slowly. She focused in Bill's direction but that was not where her eyes settled. With all the frustration she could muster she sent a steely glare over Bill's shoulder to Fleur. However, Fleur didn't notice as she was murmuring quietly to Bill while Ron, Fred, George and Charlie stared stupidly in her direction.
"Oh honestly!" Hermione muttered indignantly after unsuccessfully trying to garner Charlie's attention. Ron was no better so she cuffed him upside the back of his head on her way over to Ginny.
"Boys!" Ginny grunted in greeting as the two girls walked sulkily toward the house. The adults had moved to the lounge and were visiting so Hermione and Ginny were able to slip into their room unnoticed.
"Can you believe those guys?" Ginny asked rhetorically.
"I expect it from Ron. I watched him drool our entire fourth year, but Charlie too?" Hermione complained.
"Beel?" Ginny mocked Fleur's voice. "Oh, Beel, I zeem to 'ave broken a nail…why ever deed I 'ave to opeen my own door." Ginny continued pacing around the room. "UGH!!"
Hermione watched her friend knowing that eventually she would get to the point of her muttering.
"When Harry comes, I can just see it. She will kiss his cheek and mention her sister and thank him for the billionth time. I may throw up."
Now Hermione understood. It was one thing for her brothers to ogle the veela girl, but quite another to have Fleur pay attention to Harry. She suppressed a chuckle.
"The way she clears her throat," Ginny ranted on, "It's almost as annoying as Umbridge. It's ghastly. It's like she's choking on phlegm or something—" She stopped suddenly lost in thought.
Hermione knew this look and was a little wary of where Ginny's thoughts had suddenly gone. She had seen this look on Ginny's face before every bat bogey hex she had witnessed. She was suddenly scared for Fleur. Ginny's face soured.
"Bill would kill me if I bat bogeyed her wouldn't he?" She asked morosely.
Hermione nodded pleased that she had accurately assessed the situation. She was about to console Ginny when another look, reminiscent of Fred and George, crossed her face.
"I think maybe I did think of a new nickname for her though."
Hermione was curious. "What's that?"
"Phlegm." Ginny said.
"Phlegm." Hermione repeated.
They smiled triumphantly at each other as someone began pounding on the door.
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Go away! There's no one to ogle in here." Hermione smothered her laugh.
"Come on Gin. I want to talk to Hermione." Charlie pleaded from the other side of the door.
The girls looked at each other, Ginny's eyes asking Hermione what she wanted to do. Hermione nodded so Ginny stood up and opened the door just as Charlie was about to pound on it again.
"Don't be a jerk," Ginny said passing him. "Well, at least don't be more of one." Charlie looked surprised at her comments but then shifted his eyes toward Hermione who was sitting on the chair by the window.
"I am sorry I was a git." He said quietly standing in the doorway. Hermione tried to fight the smile tugging at her lips.
"You are a git." She muttered. Charlie, sensing he would be forgiven moved toward her.
"I guess I was unprepared for her presence." He explained lamely. "I mean when she came to Romania—"
"Romania!" Hermione squeaked looking stunned as she jumped to her feet.
"Hermione, relax. She came to tell me about what happened at the ministry. Bill sent her to get me." He had placed his hands on her shoulders. "I was so upset when she told me what happened that I hardly noticed her. I could only think of you and getting to you. I sort of figured after that I was immune to her...um…charms." He finished.
Hermione looked up at his face studying his eyes. They were soft and he was looking at her like he always did, like she was the best thing he had ever seen. She decided she could forgive one lapse.
"Charlie, I can buy you were caught by surprise, but you really have to learn to resist. It is very poor manners to gawk at your future sister-in-law." Charlie threw his head back and laughed.
"Good point. I guess I better spend all my time looking at you." Hermione blushed happily.