Chapter 3

"It wasn't like that at all! The little larcenist was always nicking our candy. It's not my fault we added a few acid pops," Fred exclaimed as he and Hermione made their way down to the muggle pub in town.

"Alright, I suppose that's fair enough," Hermione allowed, laughing.

"With six siblings you learn quickly how to keep what's yours, yours."

"I would imagine so, but you have to admit, it has to be nice to always have other children around."

"No arguments here, I hope to have a house full one day too. At least enough to make up a decent enough Quidditch team. Now it's my turn, yeah? Is it true that you set Snape's robes on fire your first year?"

They continued playing the game of is it true all the way to the pub. Hermione was a little startled to realize that she knew a lot more about Fred than she had thought. Though there was quite a lot that surprised her. The most startling of all was how pleasant the surprises were. As they walked up to the pub Hermione couldn't help but burst out laughing, the name of the pub was The Cheshire, given the fact that she was just reading Alice in Wonderland she couldn't help but love the coincidence. Fred looked a bit confused until she explained it to him. They were both chuckling as they walked in.

…..

Ginny was enjoying the rare weak sunshine as she circled lazily around the old makeshift pitch situated out behind the house. Her original purpose had been to spy on Hermione and Fred a bit, she hadn't gotten close enough to hear what they were saying, but she watched as they walked along the road together. It was so obvious to her that they were dancing around each other. Soon enough, she thought. As she was making a final loop around the pitch something caught her eye that made her smile so much it nearly hurt her face. Two redheaded men were making their way from the apparition point, she had barely made it to the ground before she was running.

"Charlie!" Ginny said as she jumped into his arms. "I'm so happy you're here. Hi daddy, I'm glad you made it back safely as well," she said as the two men laughed at her.

"Alright there, pet? Missed me I see, come on then help me bring my bag upstairs and tell me all that's going on," Charlie said putting her on the ground, kissing the top of her head and handing her his bag. The first time Charlie came home from Romania when Ginny was a small girl she had made such a big deal about him being home she had tried, mostly in vain, to carry his overnight up to his room for him, even though it was much too heavy. Every time he had come home since she carried his bag for him to his room, and every time he made sure the Romanian chocolate she loved so much was peeking out the front pocket for her.

"Alright pet, tell me what's new," Charlie asked, as they settled into his and Bill's old bedroom.

"Well, Bill is a bit mopey now that Phlegm has gone back to France for a bit, but it's a good thing, mum was bound to walk in on the two of them going at it soon," Ginny said matter-of-factly, sitting on his bed digging out her chocolate.

"You don't say? Bill still having control issues then?" Charlie asked, aware of Bill's troubles since the werewolf bite. He sat down on the bed with her and put his feet up in her lap.

"Big time, makes me want to vomit every time I see them together. Percy is still being a prat, no word from him," this got only a stony look from the second eldest Weasley, so she continued.

"Fred and George have done something mental I'm sure, not sure the specifics but it has to do with the shop. George is over at Angie's saying goodbye I reckon."

"Is she going somewhere?"

"No, he is. A mission, undercover, it just happened yesterday so I'm still working out the details. Him and Fred, professor Lupin and Tonks, Bill and Hermione are all leaving in the morning."

"Hermione? How'd that happen, I thought mum had successfully avoided the three of them joining the order yet," Charlie asked genuinely surprised.

"Well she isn't officially a member, but I guess Professor Lupin needed her. She and Ron are both of age, and the fact that they haven't pushed to join makes me even more sure they're planning something with Harry. I haven't got any clue what it is though," she said a little bitterly.

"Which frustrates you to no end I'm sure," Charlie chuckled.

"Of course it does! Anyway Hermione and Fred are out on a date at The Cheshire," Ginny said casually, knowing Charlie would get a kick out of that one.

"I'm sorry, I misheard you. What is Ron's girlfriend doing on a date with Fred?"

"Ron and Hermione aren't together, he fancies Luna. Fred and Hermione aren't on an actual date, at least not as far as they think. They are going undercover as an engaged couple, so they are getting to know each other better. Silly really as they are both mad for each other."

"Interesting, I take it they don't realise it?" He smiled at this.

"Not at all, which kinda makes it fun. Pay attention to them at dinner tonight, you'll see what I mean."

"Alright, and Ronniekins, is after Lovegood's daughter?"

"He's got it bad, been writing her every day."

"You don't say, that is odd." The idea of Ron writing anything every day was quite foreign to everyone.

"I may or may not have brought it to mums attention, she's invited the Lovegood's to dinner tonight," Ginny said with a triumphant smile.

"I've created a monster! I'm so proud! So now, that's everyone but you... things with Harry any better since the funeral?" Charlie broached the topic carefully.

"Not heard a word. I get it, I do, I just think he's being too bloody noble. I miss him you know?"

"I know pet, I understand his reasoning, I just hate that you're hurting." He knew Ginny was the last person in the world who needed protection, but that didn't stop him from wanting to punch Harry Potter right in the nose for hurting his little sister.

"I'll be alright, I always am you know. Hopefully once the war is over he'll get his head out of his arse. Anyway how are things with you? Did Bella's eggs hatch yet?" Ever resilient, Charlie thought as she said this.

"They did, two males, Apalala and Apophis, happy and healthy." He told her with a genuine smile lighting his eyes, he really loved what he did.

"And Jake? Are you two causing any more trouble with those Romanian witches with the large boyfriends?" Ginny asked with a laugh, asking about his best friend at the dragon sanctuary. Jacob Hensen was an American who started at the same time as Charlie, they quickly became inseparable and Jacob visited the Burrow nearly as often as Charlie did.

"Haha no, we've both given up on the birds up there, seems there are no single ones. I just wish we knew there were boyfriends before we started with those two. Lunatics they were! And Jake will be here at the end of the summer," Charlie blushed a bit at the mention of their romantic escapades. Charlie would never knowingly go after a girl who was taken, these girls never mentioned boyfriends until Charlie and Jacob were being punched in the face.

"Good, I've missed him," Ginny told him honestly, Jacob was her first crush as a little girl but the relationship had developed into a very solid friendship.

"CHARLES WEASLEY YOU GET DOWN HERE THIS INSTANT AND KISS YOUR MOTHER! DO YOU NEED A HAIRCUT?!

….

At dinner that night Ginny had chosen a seat at one end of the table with Charlie so they could watch everyone during the meal. The table was so full many people had resorted to shouting to be heard, which just made the whole table even louder. Ginny was giggling to Charlie betting him a knut that Ron would knock over half his food before the night was over. Charlie shook her hand surreptitiously under the table before turning to continue his conversation with Bill and Tonks about his new dragons.

"Here we go," Ginny muttered under her breath as Ron sent a basket of rolls flying. He was trying very hard not to look at Luna, which meant he could hardly keep his eyes off of her. Ginny caught George's eye and winked as he whispered something to Fred.

After the meal Xenophilius excused himself back to his house to make sure his newspaper, The Quibbler, would be ready for print on Monday morning. Ginny asked Luna to stay the night with her and Hermione and she quickly agreed. Ginny didn't miss Luna's glance toward Ron at all.

"How about a bonfire?" Charlie asked no one in particular and was met with a chorus of yeses.

"Bill, you're in charge," Molly called out as she and Arthur began walking back into the house.

"Why Bill?" Charlie asked indignantly.

"Because Bill is the oldest," Molly answered simply, as if it were obvious. "Besides I'd like to not have the entire back yard engulfed in flames again."

"That was the twins!" Charlie shouted back, but Molly just waved him off not even looking back.

Charlie childishly stuck her tongue out at the door his parents just closed before pointing his wand at the open window above them. A bag came flying gracefully out of the window and landed in his open hand, he reached in and pulled out a few bottles of some sort of romanian alcohol. Bill and George began putting the bonfire together while Tonks and Fred conjured chairs around the large pit.

"I think Angelina might have a run for her money with Ms. Ruth, I do believe she's quite in love with you George. She was laying it on quite thick until Fred told her he wasn't you," Hermione said happily. She was on her second glass of whatever it was charlie had handed her and it was making her louder and much more excitable.

"Ms. Ruth? That muggle woman down at the pub?" Bill asked with a snort. "Isn't she near 90 years old?"

"What can I say, I'm irresistible to young and old, I can't help I'm just so damn good looking," George said with mock sincerity.

"And just imagine, I'm the better looking twin! I'm just bloody gorgeous! Georgie here is the more charming of the two of us however." Fred said.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Hermione said matter-of-factly taking another sip.

"Oh my sweet betrothed, are you saying that I'm charming?" Fred asked, taking a step closer to her.

"On the contrary, dearest," she said as she closed the gap between them. "I'm saying George is much better looking than you."

Hermione pecked Freds cheek quickly before she took off running. Fred looked around blankly for a full 30 seconds before muttering about a cheeky little witch and shot off after her. He head start did very little for her as his legs were much longer than hers and he caught up quickly. Soon he had reached her and tackled her to the ground, taking care to twist to take the brunt of the fall but twisting again quickly to make sure he was on top of her. He then started tickling her, relenting only when she admitted, "FRED WEASLEY IS THE MOST CHARMING AND HANDSOME MAN I HAVE EVER LAID EYES ON!"

"See what I mean?" Ginny asked Charlie.

"They are mad for each other for sure," Charlie admitted.

"You know?" George asked.

"Who doesn't?" Tonks asked.

"Hey where did ickle Ronnie run off to?" George asked as they moved their attention back towards the fire.

"I believe I heard him ask Luna to take a walk, they headed off towards the orchard," Ginny told them with a smirk.

"Well hell, looks like everyone is coupling up," Bill laughed.

…..

"Look there! It's a yellow winged moon sprite," Luna said in her dreamy voice, taking Ron's hand. They were sitting on the bank of the old pond on the other side of the orchard.

"What are those?" Ron asked with a smile, he really liked hearing her speak. He looked at where she was pointing but all he could see were fireflies.

"They are meant to hide in apple trees and are a very good omen," She explained happily.

"We could sure use a few of those, then, couldn't we? You look really pretty by the way. I forgot to tell you earlier," Ron said, happy it was too dark for her to see his face turn the same colour as his hair.

"Things do seem to be getting a little foggy, don't they?"

"That's a way to put it. I don't know, it just looks bad all around. Everyone is so tense and on edge."

"That is very true. I like to think that there is one thing You-Know-Who can't take from us, no matter what."

"What's that?" Ron asked.

"Well love of course. I believe that no matter how miserable someone is, if they love someone, and someone loves them back, there will always be enough light to see the other side. He just can't take that away."

"You really are one of a kind, Luna."

"I think you would like to kiss me now, you can you know, I'd quite like it as well, I think," Luna said simply.

It always seemed to Ron that she knew what he was thinking, which he liked a lot because often times he had trouble taking what was in his head and saying it out loud. He tended to mix it all up on the way out somehow. Now, however, he took the opportunity to not talk, he took her in his arms and kissed her gently. He smiled into the kiss as her arms came to wrap around his neck and she reached up on tiptoes. The kiss was short, sweet and a little awkward, but it was full of promise and hope.

"Look Ron, the moon sprites! We should dance!"

Ron took her hand again, he was learning quickly there was very little he wouldn't do if Luna asked him to. That apparently included a bumbling slow dance in the middle of the orchard at midnight. He was surprisingly okay with that.