Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe, that all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Non Llewellyn however is mine.

Chapter 7

"I think I drank too much."

A dull throbbing pain was present on the right side of my head and I clutched at my cup of tea miserably.

Hermione was heedless to my pitiful moan as she raced around the kitchen, momentarily stuffing half-eaten slice of toast into her mouth as she scrambled to fix her robe and grab her bag.

"I'm going to be late! We're going to be late Non. Why aren't you rushing?"

Hermione hardly seemed to want my answer as she furiously chewed on her toast and I mulled over her question, my mind feeling extremely sluggish. We'd had a very peaceful Sunday given the drama of the first week of the Marriage Law. I'd set up the guest room for Hermione, showed her how everything in the kitchen worked (the key part being my pantry for storing food and the special cooling draws that were charmed to act like a muggle fridge and freezer), walked her through my garden and greenhouse and most importantly I advised her of the dangers of where I lived. Hermione had of course visited me a number of times but living here meant you had to be far more aware of what I lived next door to.

The part of Wales I lived in was in the county of Ceredigion in the west of the country. All of the muggles believed that there was a nature reserve in the locality called Ynys Hir when really that was just a front. Beyond the area cordoned off for muggles was a huge area of land dedicated to the Ynys Hir Dragon Reservation – the home of nearly all of the remaining Common Welsh Green's throughout the island of Britain. It was a safe space for them to live, breed and prosper from rural west Wales and spanning across large swathes of the Cambrian mountain range through mid Wales as this area was so sparsely populated it was much easier to hide them from muggles.

Dotted very sparsely around the perimeter of the Reservation were homes for witches and wizards. Wales didn't have a large magical community, but anyone from Ceredigion or Powys were always asked to see if they wanted to live in one of the houses to help keep muggles away. Because of the dangers of being so close to dragons most turned it down but it meant the properties were cheap to buy which is why I'd managed to get my hands on this cottage. I'd grown up on the outskirts of the Reservation, on the northern side, but my family home was no longer standing so when this cottage had shown up as vacant I'd not given it a second thought to go for it.

Besides the dragons hardly ever caused problems. Sure they could get noisy in breeding season but at least the Common Welsh Green didn't roar, their calls were much more like music and I loved to listen to them. The biggest problems came if the dragons had been fighting and moved beyond their normal range, or more typically when the young dragons first started to venture out. They liked to travel further afield, before they realised that the steady supply of food meant the Reservation was the best place for them. When that happened you always had to keep a close eye on the sky when you were outside. You wouldn't want a young dragon to mistake you for a sheep and decide to take a closer look.

Hermione had listened intently and I knew she would be careful when venturing out doors. This was the most dangerous time of year and they wouldn't settle down really until November but she didn't seem overly concerned.

We'd cracked open a bottle of wine then, Hermione hesitant at first before she started to talk about Ron. I almost felt a physical pang in my heart at the hurt she was going through. I'd just reached for the second bottle of wine when my front door had opened to reveal Lune and Ginny clutching a bottle of gin.

"It's my birthday, Harry's been called in to work, and I want to get drunk."

Who were we to refuse the birthday girl?

Although now as another throb of pain worked its way through my head I rather wished we had. I blinked slowly remembering I hadn't yet answered Hermione.

"Honestly Hermione I'm currently trying to remember how to feel human. For once I'm not worried. It's quite nice."

"I'm going to ignore the fact it's taking a hangover to stop you feeling anxious."

I ignored her mutter as I moved to pick up my bag. Luna and Ginny were still asleep upstairs in my room after I'd oh so nobly given up my bed for them as I'd crashed on the sofa and I felt absurdly resentful that they were still soundly sleeping.

"Urgh, let's go."

Work was atrocious. Beckett had read up our reports from the raid on the weekend and he'd consigned me to two days training with the focus being primarily on my fitness and charms. He was of the opinion my charms got so sloppy when in a battle because I got too fatigued and didn't concentrate. Maybe he had a point but as I sprawled over my office desk on Wednesday morning I had nothing but choice words in my head for him. Every part of me hurt and as Harry strolled in to the office with the effrontery to be whistling I remembered my anger with him from the weekend and came up with a really mature solution.

I kept my head down until his whistling started moving away again and I eased my head up, drew out my wand and muttered a little charm. I fought the grin that spread over my face as a piece of toilet roll drifted from the roll that was ever present on the office drinks table (I'd learned long ago not to question its presence) and quietly attached itself to Harry's shoe. It was exceptionally childish. I didn't care. I just hoped he wouldn't notice it too soon.

At the sound of heavy clumping feet I wearily lifted my head again to see Ron trudging in to the office. He'd only just sat down when a bright green memo came shooting in to our in tray. Green memo's were the lower scale warning that something serious had happened and I could see Ron scowling as he moved to quickly snatch it up.

"Llewellyn, we're on a call out."

I couldn't stifle a groan as I moved, my shoulders cracking as I stretched and stood up.

"What is it?"

"Missing muggle near one of those sites of experimental magic. The one up near Newcastle."

That was not good. Not good at all.

"Shit. I was up there just the other day. All the test results came back inconclusive for what sort of magic was being used."

"Can you apparate us there?"

I took in Ron's tired appearance, there were almost purplish bruises under his eyes, and I nodded before leading him to the apparition point. Given that I knew exactly where we were going now, we didn't need to floo to that old pub first.

Ron held on to my free arm tightly as I took my wand out so he could side-along apparate with me. When we emerged behind one of the abandoned buildings on the dockside we were welcomed by a swirling wind and the spatter of heavy rain. I mumbled a quick spell and soon the rain kept off me and I saw Ron had quickly done the same.

I edged towards the end of the building to look out on the dockside but given the miserable weather I wasn't surprised to see it appeared completely abandoned. Not even Mr Bob Task who I had interviewed last time was in sight.

"Right, they had a dockside office about a five minute walk from here, follow me."

Ron nodded silently as he fell into step behind me. I didn't think the silence between us was awkward but I couldn't think of anything to say to him. Apart from a brief interaction in the Weasley kitchen Ron and I had hardly spoken more than a few words to each other since his loss of temper and my outburst at him. I mean we didn't normally speak all that much to each other anyway but I felt as though I should be saying something. Luna had let us know that Ron had at least gotten his act together and spoken to her on Saturday evening and escorted her home so that was some positive news but given how exhausted he appeared it was clear he wasn't okay.

Our food steps thumped loudly on the wooden walkway and Ron had now moved to walk beside me. I shot him a quick look from the corner of my eyes and decided to take the mandrake by its leaves.

"So Weasley, are you-"

"What's that building there?"

Ron cut my question off any my eyes moved to his face. He was deliberately not looking at me and I quickly followed his line of sight. He was eyeing up the warehouse where I had seen evidence of magic. Okay so maybe he hadn't deliberately avoided my question.

"That's the place where I saw signs of experimental magic. There was some sort of muggle repellent on it last time I was here."

"Let's go check it out."

I scrunched my nose in confusion.

"If there's a muggle repellent then our missing muggle isn't likely to be there or maybe", I quickly added as the thought hit me, "the reason the muggle is missing is because the muggle police don't even think to look there."

Ron's mouth flattened into a grim smile as he nodded once at me. I hummed to myself as we walked on, this time Ron was leading and I contemplated him seriously. I often forgot because Ron was so blundering in many ways that he was in fact two years more experienced than me as an auror and added to that he had seven years of helping Harry in his battles against You Know Who under his belt too. He really was a very good auror, and I'd do well to remember it.

I froze at the same instant Ron did when we realised the door to the warehouse was ajar. Ron gestured at me silently to wait as he edged forward, wand at the ready as he checked to see if there was anyone there. After a long pause he nodded at me and together we stepped into the disused warehouse.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. I had to resist scratching my nose as the strong scent of burning reached me. There was the stench of singed hair but also a strong metallic burn but it didn't quite match the smell like when a cauldron exploded. If anything it reminded me vaguely of when my mam's electric kettle had blown up. That was a faint memory though but it was the closest I could think of to match this particular smell.

The second thing I noticed was the sound. There was a light buzzing that got louder the more steps we took into the building. As it was such a gloomy day outside very little light was getting inside through the cracked windows. I muttered lumos under my breath and held my wand up high. The light from it cast a wide circle and I couldn't help the startled cry that left my mouth when my eyes landed on a misshapen lump that appeared to be in the very centre of the warehouse floor.

"What", I swallowed and tried again. "What the hell is that?"

Ron just grunted as we edged forward. The smell was getting worse, it was so strong now it was like I could taste it and there was an underlying stench, like something had gone off and I used the sleeve of my robe to cover my nose and mouth. Ron quickly did the same.

The source of the buzzing sound soon became apparent. Flies, hundreds if not thousands of them were crawling over the mass of…something that was on the floor. Maggots could be seen wiggling and crawling everywhere as they fed on the substance that was on the ground. Using his wand Ron sent a light gust of wind to disperse the flies and we finally got a look at what was on the ground. I could see intestines, metres and metres of them spooled out across the floor. And there was blood, so much blood congealed and clotted. There where white bits of what looked like thin ribbon or wire interspersed between what looked like hunks of cut beef and the wide dark circle of dried blood around the mass seemed to indicate it had been there for well over twenty four hours. My eyes moved up and I froze. That was a spine surely and was…was that a heart? Were those sunken grey masses lungs? I chanced a quick glance to the very top of the mass. Under a crawling mass of black flies, and I could see it clearly now, was a skull.

This was a human being. An inside out human being.

"Fuck. This is just like the fish."

Ron choked on my words and dry heaved. I couldn't blame him. I couldn't take my eyes off the body. How could a spell do this? How could there possibly be enough behind a spell to generate enough power to do this?

I felt a hand on my shoulder as Ron yanked me backwards even as he coughed. I left the warehouse in a daze and Ron let go of my shoulder once we were outside and abruptly turned to the edge of the dock as he bent over and vomited. I tried to draw in a breath of clean air, to get rid of the smell from my nose but it was like it was seared in to my very skin, like it had sunk in to my clothes and I couldn't escape it. I grimaced and closed my eyes but all I could see was the body. I snapped them open quickly again and noted that Ron seemed to have stopped being sick. I conjured a glass of water for him and hesitantly walked over to him.

"Here."

"Thanks."

He sipped at the water before taking a deep breath and grimacing.

"I think that's the worst thing I've ever seen."

I nodded in silent agreement.

"We've got to call this in. I'll wait here, you head up to that muggle office you were on about to see if you can find out the name of the muggle."

I nodded again before heading off, focused on nothing more really than keeping the contents of my stomach quiet. They rolled uncomfortably inside me and I clamped my mouth tightly shut. I could feel bile at the back of my throat.

When I got to the office it was shut but a quick alohamora spell let me in. It didn't take me long to discover that all the mail noted as being for Mr B. Task was unopened. The local newspaper that had been posted through the door provided me with everything I needed. There on the second page it read 'Local business owner Mr Task feared missing.' I shut my eyes tightly and struggled to breathe. He'd been a nice man, helpful and seemingly happy with his lot in the world. The fact that someone from the magical community had completely destroyed him like they had. I heaved, slapping a hand across my mouth and I stood there quivering for long moments before I felt I had my stomach under control.

I quickly left and locked up the office again before I headed back down to Ron. More aurors had arrived to examine the crime scene and to decide what to do with the body. Normally when a muggle had been murdered due to magic we could liaise with the muggle police but with this…I couldn't see how we could hand the body over. It wasn't even really a body anymore, not when the insides were not confined by skin. I heaved again.

Get a grip Non. Stop thinking about it, just stop.

That was much easier said than done. Thankfully Ron asked me to head back to the Ministry so I could start writing up and to make our cases on experimental magic a priority. Inside out fish were one thing but a muggle being experimented on was disastrous.

Back at my desk I sat with my rubbish bin on my lap and every few minutes I had to stop my writing to cough before my stomach would settle back down. It was getting to the stage now that I'd rather throw up and just get it over with but my body didn't seem to want to comply. I could feel the sweat on my forehead as my thin hair was plastered to my head.

A memo came fluttering to rest above my head. I put my quill down and retrieved it and set about clumsily opening it with one hand.

"Dear Ms Llewellyn,

There is a visitor waiting in the atrium for you. Please confirm how you wish to proceed."

Brilliant.

My stomach churned at the thought of going up to the atrium. I couldn't run the risk of spewing in front of a large number of people.

I quickly scribbled a response asking the visitor to attend the entranceway to the auror department. There were a row of small seats right before the front desk that would have to do. I slowly walked there, taking the rubbish bin with me. I didn't trust myself to be parted from it. I sat down on one of the seats and nervously waited to see who would arrive. I never got any visitors so this was something completely out of the ordinary.

The lift doors let out a soft ping as they slid open and only one person stepped out. The lime green dragon skin jacket was a huge give away and as I glanced up to see the smiling face of George Weasley my stomach did its normal flip of nerves. I heaved and slapped a hand over my face, clenching my teeth shut and I saw George's smile falter.

"Non?"

My stomach gave another lurch and this time there really was no stopping it. I grasped the rubbish bin between my hands as I retched and finally emptied the contents of my stomach. I took deep shuddering breaths and kept my face hidden in the bin as I counted to ten silently. When I finally felt my stomach calm enough I muttered a quick spell to clean the contents of the bin. I glanced up through my hair to see George still standing although he was no longer smiling.

"Uh, hi."

I cringed at how shaky my voice sounded and I kept a hand over my mouth, I was sure my breath would smell disgusting. I couldn't believe I'd just thrown up in front of him. A feeling of mortification swept over me and I closed my eyes with a grimace.

"Are – are you alright?"

He took a hesitant step forward before taking a seat but I was very grateful to see it was two away from mine.

"Are you sick?"

I actually managed a weak chuckle.

"I mean obviously you're sick. Stupid question."

I snuck a quick glance at George and was amazed to see his ears were turning red.

"No I'm – I'm not sick".

I was amazed I managed to get the words out. I took another deep breath and tried to explain, now determined not to look at him as my embarrassment was really setting in.

"I've just seen something really" I coughed and ducked my head back into the bin for a moment trying to block the images from my mind. "Really disgusting."

I was quite proud I managed to finish my sentence as I lifted my head again.

"Right. So, I suppose me asking you to lunch is out of the question?"

My snort of laughter almost turned into something far worse as I ducked my head back into the bin.

"Um, just a bit. Not sure anywhere would let me bring the bin."

I heard George chuckle just as my stomach gave another lurch. He had a deep laugh I noted absently as I tried to focus on breathing through my nose.

"I suppose not. How about tomorrow then, or Friday?"

I kept my face hidden in the bin as I pondered his question. I'd literally just vomited in front of him, why on earth would he want to go for lunch? The image of the destroyed human body flashed through my mind again and I groaned. There was no way I'd be having any lunch breaks the rest of this week even if I wanted one – we'd be too busy trying to figure out the mess.

"Right, bad idea."

He sounded deflated. I wish I knew what expression he had on his face but I couldn't face looking at him.

"No, not a bad idea. Just I don't think I'm going to be having any lunch breaks this week. Work's going to be a bit mental."

I was met with silence.

"Honestly George I'm not making an excuse."

"Alright."

I heard him shuffle slightly but I resisted the urge to look.

Why did I have to vomit in front of him?

"Well, my brother Charlie is home this weekend with his fiancé. Mum wants us all to meet up again on Saturday after last week's false start. Lunch and dinner. Make a proper day of it. You want to come?"

I hesitated. My honest answer was no. A whole day with the Weasleys and everyone else? I wasn't sure I could actually handle that much socialising.

"You can bring your bin and everything. It can have its own chair."

I bit my lip to stop myself smiling as I finally chanced to look up out of the bin to see George stood up, a crooked smile on his face.

"Well, if I can bring my bin…"

His smile grew and he nodded his head once.

"Alright then."

"Good."

George gazed at me a moment and opened his mouth before he shook his head.

"What?"

It didn't seem from what little I knew of George that he would be indecisive.

"Nothing important. I'll leave you to it. See you Saturday Non."

"See you. Sorry for not being able to go to lunch."

George had half turned but paused at my words and looked back as a grin flitted across his face.

"Well it's a crushing disappointment Non I'll admit. I mean not one lunch request refused but three."

I winced.

"Oh Merlin, I really am sorry."

"Suppose you'll have to make up for it."

"Uh…yes?"

No. You should have said no stupid Non.

I blinked stupidly. George beamed. I hoped I was imagining the wicked gleam in his eyes.

I really shouldn't have said yes.

"I'll look forward to that then."

I blushed.

"Bye Non."

I was still blinking stupidly and clutching the bin for minutes after the lift had taken George back up to the Atrium.

I shook myself as I made my way to my locker to fish out my spare tooth brush and I set about removing the taste of vomit from my mouth. As I clocked a look at my reflection in the mirror I stilled. I looked terrible. My hair was now completely lank, the skin of my face looked almost grey and I had dark circles under my eyes. Why on earth would George have even wanted to ask me for lunch? To meet with his family again?

I felt a wave of mortification wash over my and I closed my eyes as I continued to brush my teeth. I was starting to learn that it was better to just not look at myself when thoughts like this appeared. They were the truth but the truth made me miserable. I'd already known I wasn't good enough for George, I didn't want to see the evidence of it right in front of my face. Not after today.

I'd been right in my prediction that I wouldn't be able to have a lunch break for the rest of the week. Work was flat out and I didn't get home until 9 o'clock at night at at the earliest for the rest of the week as we set up a watch schedule to monitor the warehouse. Mr Task's remains had been removed for an in depth autopsy at St Mungo's and I knew Beckett was eager for its results. Until they were received though we were to monitor not just the warehouse near Newcastle, but the other four sites of experimental magic too. It meant that I was going to be starting shift work sooner than I had planned in my phased return to field work and I cursed at the timing but was thankful enough that I didn't have to start on that until Monday.

We'd also been working hard to keep the news of this muggle's death from the magical press but they had managed to sneak a few bits of information into one tiny article. Thankfully Harry had actually made more of the headlines this week after he'd been roped in by Auror Stent, who organised the defence rota for important ministers, to do some more PR stunts with Minister of Magic Shaklebolt.

On Saturday morning I took my time in getting ready. I had worried to start with when living with Hermione that she would find me strange when I went to sit outside to go through my morning breathing routine like the healers had taught me but if she thought me weird she didn't say anything.

In fact one of the bonuses of Hermione living with me now is that she was able to help me pick out what to wear when I'd finally admitted I didn't have a clue.

"Honestly Non the Weasley's won't care at all what you wear."

But she'd still helped and as we walked up to The Burrow I nervously played with the strap of my bag but felt comfortable enough in my flower patterned skort (the greatest clothing invention) and a simple black vest with a high neckline. I was thankful at least that I wasn't in jeans this time as it was another blazing sunny day. I cast a quick sun protection charm so as to protect my skin. Being fair skinned, freckled and blue eyes I'd be turning pink within a few minutes of being out in this heat.

Ginny welcomed us both into The Burrow and quickly waived off our offers to help with anything.

"Honestly don't, Aunt Muriel is here so mum's pretty much barricaded herself into the kitchen. My advice? Avoid at all costs."

Hermione and I shared a look before silently agreeing to head straight outside.

"Oh and Non, would you mind taking over Teddy duty for a bit? I don't know what sweets the twins gave him earlier but he's absolutely bouncing. Harry and I could really do with a break."

"Shouldn't the twins be looking after him then?"

I nodded along with Hermione's question but Ginny just smirked.

"If you think combining the twins with a hyperactive four year old is a good idea then you may want to reassess how well you know them Mione."

I had to stifle a laugh as even Hermione giggled.

"I guess I didn't think of that."

"What didn't you think of?"

Fred's voice chimed into the conversation as he joined us on the porch. I took my time in the break in conversation to survey the garden and take in just how many people were here. Teddy duty was sounding better and better.

"Oh, nothing…"

I quirked my lips at Hermione's vague answer.

Fred clearly wasn't satisfied with her answer but he stilled momentarily when he saw me before he plastered a grin on his face and shoved a plate of biscuits he was carrying at me.

"Have a biscuit Non, they're really good."

I eyed Fred wearily. He had been grumpy with me when I'd last seen him and I wasn't sure if this was an olive branch or revenge. I knew enough about the Weasley Wizard Wheezes products to know to be extra cautious when accepting something from the twins. The corner of his mouth twitched, only slightly, and I knew this was something best to avoid.

"Maybe later Fred, don't want to spoil my lunch. But thank you."

"Later? I'll remember that."

Why did everything one of the twins say always seem to carry some sort of mischievous threat?

"Oh thank goodness you're here."

I glanced up at the new voice to see a harried looking Andromeda Tonks hurrying up to us. She shot Fred a filthy look before she grabbed on to my arm to lead me out into the garden.

"One of these days I will murder the twins."

I chuckled at her muttered threat. I didn't like walking through the centre of the garden, I'd have much preferred to make my way around the edges. Glancing to my left I could see a table set under an awning where a tiny frail old witch sat with Mr Weasley, Percy and Audrey next to her. That must be the infamous Aunt Muriel. Straight ahead I could see Harry, Ron, Luna and the hyperactive Teddy who was currently using the set of tables and chairs as a climbing frame. I felt a smile appear on my face as I started to stretch out my arms. This was clearly going to be an active Teddy duty. I snuck a quick look to my right and could see Bill and Fleur with little Victoire talking to a red headed man who looked a taller burlier version of the twins who had to be Charlie and a tall witch with short cropped blonde hair; his fiancé. Nerves shot through me again as my eyes moved on to George to see him already looking at me and I gave him a half wave in greeting.

"Llewellyn about time."

Ron looked absolutely harried and even the usually serene Luna looked ruffled as they quickly departed. Harry had the decency to shoot me a guilty look before he hurried off to find Ginny.

"Right Non under no circumstances is he allowed any more sugar. Try and get him to eat some normal food in about an hour. I'm hoping he'll crash out soon for a nap. And if possible, please get him to wear his sun hat."

Andromeda gave me a grateful smile, patted my arm and swiftly left.

"Non Non!"

I had a split seconds notice as Teddy launched himself from one of the tables at me.

"Oof!"

I felt the air half knocked out of me as I just managed to catch the four year old.

"Teddy Teddy. Maybe don't fling yourself off of tables hmm?"

I got giggles in response as he tried to wiggle out of my hands. His hair was changing colour every few seconds and what I could see of his eyes they were a swirl of colour. His metamorphmagus powers were out of control and I felt queasy just looked at him.

"Hey Teddy, you reckon you can pick just one colour for your hair?"

"Nope! Non Non come see what I found."

There was no stopping Teddy Lupin then. He managed to wriggle out of my grasp and he set off at a run around the garden, intent on showing me all of his discoveries which admittedly seemed focused solely on the garden gnomes. For someone with such small legs he moved at a pace and I was soon out of breath and cursing my friends. How come there had been five of them watching Teddy and they now left him just for me? Still, it meant I didn't have to socialise with anyone else so I decided to focus on that.

Teddy finally got bored of showing me around the garden and brought me over to a large blue blanket in the middle of the lawn which was covered with all of his toys.

"You are a very spoiled little boy Teddy Teddy hey."

My murmur was typically ignored by him as he told me quite seriously that we were now on a pirate mission to find some buried treasure. Seeing my chance I made a grab for Teddy's summer hat.

"Well every pirate captain needs to wear a hat right?"

It took five minutes of persuading until Teddy finally consented to wear it. George chose that moment to walk over and I had no qualms with scowling at him which judging by the grin on his face he only found amusing.

"What the hell did you feed him?"

I hissed at him quietly seeing as Teddy was suitably distracted for a moment and seemed at long last to be calming down slightly.

"Why hello Non. Yes it's lovely to see you too."

I fought against blushing as I rolled my eyes.

"Hi George. What did you give him?"

"Me? Nothing at all. It was all Fred."

I snorted.

"Sure it was."

"I'm wounded that you wouldn't believe me."

"Your reputation precedes you."

"Non Non come and play."

I glanced down to see Teddy waiting impatiently by the toy pirate ship and I shrugged at George.

"My captain calls."

I moved to kneel by Teddy on the blanket.

"Need any more pirates Captain Lupin?"

I raised an alarmed eyebrow as George addressed Teddy but had to bite back a smile at the serious expression that crossed Teddy's face as he considered the question.

"No."

"What, why not? Look I've got a pirate scar and everything, I'd be great."

George had moved to kneel by me after gesturing at his lack of a left ear and I had to stifle a chuckle as Teddy walked over to stand between us and crossed his arms as he scowled at George.

"No more pirates, I only need Non Non."

"But why?"

"Because…because…"

I leant forward quickly to mutter in to Teddy's ear.

"Because you're a scallywag!"

I hid my grin with a hand.

"A scallywag!"

George hooted with laughter.

"Seems I've quite the worrisome reputation Captain Lupin."

He'd addressed Teddy but I knew the words were for me but I only offered him another shrug.

"Seems like I'd be just the sort of pirate you'd need."

I froze at his words but he was looking directly at Teddy now who was pondering George's words quite seriously.

"Alright."

I tensed at Teddy's agreement and shot George a nervous smile. George however didn't seem nervous at all as he flung himself into Teddy's game of make believe pirates. I bit my lip as I tried to join in but I couldn't really let myself relax fully now that George was there. I felt absurdly self-conscious and was very happy when Teddy announced he needed the toilet and George volunteered to take him.

I let him know I was going to make up a plate of food from the lunch buffet Mrs Weasley had set up before I headed over. I hesitated as I grabbed two plates for Teddy and myself. Should I make one up for George too? But I decided quickly not to. I didn't know what he liked and he was more than able to make up his own. For Teddy I decided to plate up the same food as what I chose. I remembered he had been a very fussy eater when he was a baby so I figured if he was me eating something he would more than likely want to copy and have the same thing.

"Why do you keep looking up at the sky?"

I startled slightly at the accented voice and glanced to my left to see the tall blonde lady I'd noted earlier stood by who I'd guessed was Charlie Weasley and who I had to assume was his fiancé.

Shit, I forgot to ask George what her name is.

"I was?"

"Yes", she nodded slightly a light blush appearing on her cheeks and I cursed inwardly to see that she was embarrassed. "Sorry but I saw you doing it quite a lot earlier too."

It was my turn to blush.

"Oh right. That's just a habit. I live right by the Ynys Hir Dragon Reservation, I kind of always need to check the skies when I'm outside especially in summer."

Her eyes had lit up at the mention of dragons.

"You live by dragons? I work with dragons out in Romania with my Charlie. But do you not find them so very noisy? That is the one thing I find hard about them."

I grinned at her enthusiasm.

"Nah, they luckily aren't too close to my cottage and besides, Welsh Green's don't really roar, they sing."

I startled slightly as a male voice chimed in with my last two words and I glanced behind me to see Charlie Weasley had walked over. He kept moving until he stood next to the blonde witch and casually slid an arm around her waist. It was a fluid movement as though it came naturally to him as breathing and I bit down on a smile as the blonde settled comfortably into his side and smiled up at him. I felt a pang of jealousy. This is what a couple set to marry should be like, not what the Ministry of Magic had foisted on the rest of us.

"I'm Charlie by the way and this," he gave the witch at his side a gentle squeeze with his arm, "is Alina."

Charlie Weasley was quite an imposing figure. He was as broad shouldered as George and Fred but was nearly as tall as Bill. He did however seem to have more freckles than the rest of the Weasley's combined and that combined with the easy smile on his face made him seem welcoming.

"I'm Non." I cursed silently at how quiet my voice sounded and I cleared my throat slightly and tried again. "It's nice to meet both of you."

"Are you finding this all as scary as me?"

I shot an alarmed look at Charlie at Alina's question but he only winked. I bit my lip as I glanced back at Alina and nodded.

"Oh good! I am glad it is not just me." She reached out to give my hand a squeeze and I smiled fully at that. I decided that I liked her. "Charlie did you know that Non lives by a dragon reservation?"

"I did indeed."

I raised a confused eyebrow. How did he know that? Perhaps Hermione had told him.

"We've met before."

My second eyebrow joined the first at his words.

"We have?"

I searched through my memory furiously. I couldn't remember ever meeting Charlie Weasley.

"You were a lot younger, on a trip to Diagon Alley with your brother."

I blinked stupidly. My brother? I didn't have a brother. Before I could say anything Charlie carried on.

"You know him Alina he works out in Romania with us."

"Uh – what?"

Neither of them seemed to hear me.

"Oh! Oh you mean, of course he is Welsh and I knew that reservation name was familiar. I had not realised Griff was your brother!"

They were both smiling expectantly at me.

"Er – who? I think you might have me mixed up with someone else," I hurried to explain, "I don't have a brother. Or any other siblings actually."

Charlie's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Are you sure? I mean I could have sworn you were the Non he speaks about. You really don't know Griff?"

I paused. I had known someone when I was younger with that name but I hadn't seen or heard from him in six years. In fact I actually thought he was dead. When someone disappears over night without leaving a note and you never hear from them again you did tend to think the worst.

"I – I knew a Gruffudd. Gruffudd Jones. I called him Gruff*." (A/N: *this is pronounced like the English Griff)

Charlie was smiling again.

"Yes that's him. Although I thought his surname was Llewellyn Jones. Isn't that your surname?"

I blinked again and had to fight against taking a step away from Charlie and Alina.

"N-no I'm just a Llewellyn. I-" I struggled for my words. "He was never my brother."

I tried to ignore the concerned looks they were shooting each other and I tried to explain myself further.

"I mean, he looked after my when I was growing up and he stayed over a lot. He was more like…I dunno like a live in babysitter."

Charlie's eyebrows shot up at that and his smile fell from his face as he studied me more closely.

"Are you alright Non?"

I swallowed heavily at his question as I took a few seconds to try and settle my breathing. My thoughts were racing. I hadn't thought about Gruff for years. He'd upped and disappeared one day when I was fifteen, coming up to six years ago and after the first year of waiting for news the war had kicked in and after that I'd given up any hope of him being alive. The Gruffudd I'd grown up with would have found me again after the war knowing my parents were no longer alive. He wouldn't have just left me all alone.

"I- yes I'm fine. He - he's alive then?"

"You thought he was dead?"

Alina's shocked voice prompted a further response from me.

"Well, yes. He disappeared years ago and I've never heard anything from him since. We, I mean my parents and I, thought the worst."

I shrugged not knowing what else to say.

"He's been out at the reservation in Romania for about five years."

Charlie's voice was quiet and I gave a stiff nod at his words.

"Right well that – that's good to know." I forced a smile on to my face to plaster over the confusing mix of relief and hurt I was feeling. "I'd better get back to getting Teddy his food. It was really nice to meet you both and - and congratulations on your engagement."

I can't believe I'd forgotten to already congratulate them. I ignored their baffled looks as I hurriedly added more food to the two plates I'd already set out and I changed my mind and quickly chucked some food on a plate for George before I hurried back over to the blanket. I needed a distraction, anything, to take my mind off thoughts of Gruffudd and the fact that Charlie and Alina now probably thought I was a bit nuts.

Someone had sensibly (I refused to believe it was George) moved the blanket into a shaded area under a tree and I could see George and Teddy were already there along with Hermione and Fred. I quickly passed two of the plates to George before I settled down and rested my back against the tree.

"Right Non I need to warn you about Aunt Muriel before we sit down to dinner later."

I paused half way through biting through my cheese sandwich and shot George an alarmed look as Fred chuckled. I had so much adrenaline coursing through me after my conversation with Charlie that I was struggling to keep myself calm but I tried to cover that fact with a raised eyebrow.

"You see Non, for some absurd, ludicrous, baffling, un-justified reason Aunt Muriel doesn't like Fred and I."

I swallowed my mouthful of food.

"Un-justified?"

"I don't like what you're implying by that question Non," Fred held up a hand to his heart, "Surely you know we're completely innocent in all this."

Hermione's snort of laughter was all I needed to hear to get George explaining. I heard all about the instance with dung bombs under their Aunt's chair.

"But honestly Non it was a public service, she didn't come to stay for years. It was bliss."

"The rest of the family owe is really."

"You speak the truth Fred."

"Why thank you George."

I chuckled lightly as I placed an arm out to stop Teddy from leaving the blanket and I could see he was just getting to the stage of sleepy that he may actually succumb to a nap.

"C'mere and have a cwtsh Teddy hey."

Teddy hummed happily as he climbed in to my lap and I set my discarded plate to one side.

"Alright so I get whey she doesn't like you, but why do I need to be warned?"

"Guilt by association." George flashed a grin at me before continuing. "Plus she's a miserable old hag who delights in being rude to people so either way…be prepared."

I rolled my eyes.

"Great."

"Fred, you do know that guitar is horribly out of tune right?"

Hermione's question distracted me from whatever George had been about to say and I noticed that Fred was half-heartedly strumming at a child sized guitar.

"That would explain why it sounds so terrible. Care to tune it for me Ms Granger?"

It was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes.

"I don't know how Fred."

Fred grasped the guitar to him in mock horror.

"Hermione Granger not know something? It's the end of days George."

"Indeed it is. Well it was nice knowing you Gred."

"You too Forge."

"I can tune it."

I blinked in surprise at my own words. I hadn't meant to utter them, I hadn't even known I'd thought them but as three pairs of eyes swivelled to look at me I swallowed and spoke again.

"I used to play. Haven't for years mind so maybe I won't be able to."

I was nervous now. I truthfully hadn't touched a guitar since I was sixteen. I'd lost all enthusiasm for it after the war and even now years later I hadn't felt the urge to play. Fred held the guitar out for me.

"Be my guest."

I shrugged.

"Alright."

It was in truth a welcome distraction from my thoughts. I still didn't know what to make of George. We really needed to have a proper conversation about everything and I realised now, days later, that this perhaps was why he'd wanted to go to lunch with me so we could just try and talk through this crazy situation we found ourselves in. I wished now that I'd been able to, maybe it would have stopped me feeling quite so awkward still when he was near. I couldn't stop thinking about my conversation with Charlie and Alina either. It had completely thrown me for a loop and it was taking all of my concentration not to think about Gruff and to remain outwardly calm. I would have to save that for when I was home alone because by the lump I could feel forming in my throat I knew I was going to cry.

The guitar itself didn't take too long to tune but I pretended to tinker away at it for a lot longer than was needed. George and Fred were called away by Mrs Weasley to help with the setting up of the tables and I lulled into a peaceful silence with Hermione, Teddy having finally fallen asleep, interspersed only occasionally by my playing half tunes on the guitar. The day was so warm, and Teddy so heavy against me I had to fight to keep my eyelids open.

A/N: Okay I've had to make the decision to stop the chapter here. I've got loads I want to write about the dinner and evening ahead and it would have turned this chapter into a monster one and I really wanted to get an update done this week for you. I don't understand why all of the chapters for this story all want to be super long but really it just seems to be writing itself so I guess I should just go with it.

Let me know what you thought about the chapter if you can. And to my new followers – hello! I really hope you enjoy this instalment.