Hello, my darlings! I feel like this has been forever, but the good news is I have more ready to be second drafted onto the computer, so the next chapter will be out soon. :) Thank you all for your patience, and interest in this. Thanks for reading this thing I have no ownership over.

Chapter 13: Meetings

Mid-Sunday morning found Harry and Hermione popping into the Burrow. Silently, Ron met them, and together they climbed the stairs to his old room. Hermione leaned back against the headboard while Ron sprawled across the foot of the bead. Harry spun the desk chair backward, resting his chin on his arms on the back.
"This week sucked," Ron groaned. "And the next seven promise to be just as bad. Two gold diggers and things with Pavarti are a little weird. She's still best friends with Lavender, who apparently did not take the news well."
Hermione made a face, "Wouldn't she want her friend with someone she liked and would treat her well?"
"Lav is more of an 'if I can't have him no one should' type."
"Do we need to worry about her going rogue?" Harry wondered.
"Nah, she hasn't contacted me, just keeps giving Pav shite about it."
"How do you know the other two are gold diggers?" questioned Harry, changing the subject.
"Natalia asked endless questions about my income, savings, and prospects for promotions or advancing to bigger franchises." He shrugged, "It seemed innocent until she wanted a list of investments, properties owned, and perks from my job."
"Yeah, that kind of walks the line." Hermione agreed.
"The part where she falls off the cliff of insanity though? She practically refused to answer her own questions. I mean, tit for tat, if you consider it okay to ask be ready to answer. When she finally admitted she makes next to nothing, has nothing saved, she finishes up by saying she refuses to have anything less than a full binding ceremony." Hermione arched an eyebrow. "I could care less about the money. I know money doesn't ensure you grow up happy, just like the lack of it means you grow up miserable. But her statement was the wizard equivalent of refusing to sign a prenup."
"Look, Mione, Ron remembered something muggle we told him." Harry teased.
"Also known as red flag number two," Hermione remarked. "It's one thing to feel insulted to be asked to sign one in a loving equal relationship, but in this case, somewhat alarming. Tell her you demand a fidelity vow, and she will have a strict allowance. That should give her some pause."
"Is Turpin the other fortune hunter?" Harry asked.
"Of course, she tried to get me in bed on the first date. And she never mentioned having a kid, even when I asked directly about her family."
"Does she know Moira is on your list, too? She might not have wanted to risk you repeating anything about Danielle. Or you asking uncomfortable questions," reasoned Hermione.
"I didn't think of that."
"Are things going well with Moira?"
"I think so, I hope so." Ron gave them a goofy grin. "But enough stalling, Harry, let's hear it."
"Chang and Burgess tried to suck my soul out through snogging. Any brain cells Thalia Nikos had the perfume fumes killed off years ago."
"It couldn't have been that bad," laughed Ron.
"I'd rather be trapped in a broom closet Sixth year with Lavender and Pavarti and forced to discuss the exact shade of Ron's eyes than go on another date with her." Hermione cringed. "But Annika is sweet. I think she liked me," he trailed off. Both men looked at Hermione expectantly.
"Um, let's see, Romanov is a chauvinistic hog, who desires a trophy wife to look pretty and advance his reputation. Neville just needs Hannah to realize he's head over heels for her. And Nigel Livingston is twice my age, set in his ways, and very traditional. He would allow me to continue my research until the children arrived, but everything would be published in his name." She spoke in a calm, even tone.
"What did you do to him?" Ron asked, suddenly very nervous for the older man.
"Nothing."
"We're not aurors anymore, Mione. We can't protect you."
"I didn't do anything. We have a date for next Sunday for a family dinner."
"You agreed to meet his family?" Ron shouted incredulously.
Hermione gave him a serene smile that caused him to shiver apprehensively. "No, he agreed to meet mine. I told the twins to consider it five years worth of birthday presents. I believe they intend to recruit."
Ron's eyes lit up, "That's diabolical." He shook his head, "Brilliant, but scary."
"I told them the goal was for Livingston to demand our interactions take place in public, in silence, and for the minimum amount of time allowed. We can't cancel them entirely, but they can be made more tolerable for me."
"Can we do something similar to Chang?" inquired Harry.
"You have to think of your own evil plots," Hermione told him primly.
"If she starts insisting you give her credit for defeating Voldemort," Ron promised. "I plan on telling Turpin she's smarter than Hermione and encourage her to share her expertise," he smirked.
"Now, I'll know that was all you and respond accordingly."
"Damn," he shrugged, "oh, well, there was always the chance you'd just pat her on the cheek and tell her to feck off." They laughed. "So, how's Viktor?" he asked impishly.
"Lovely, thank you for asking."
"Just so you know, you're the only one on his list he refuses to discuss with the lads. I mean, he'll talk about you, but he is super protective of your privacy. Then when he gets flustered about it, they take the mick even harder." Hermione smiled. Before Ron could continue, Ginny burst through the door.
"They're here!"
Harry and Ron leapt to their feet and stampeded from the room. Hermione slipped off the bed and onto her feet more sedately. "That poor girl, I hope he prepared her."
"Can anyone ever really be prepared for a Weasley family dinner?" She linked arms with Hermione as they left the room.
"I suppose not." Arm and arm they descended to the main floor. "Are the Lupins coming today?"
"Tonks wanted to, she was friends with Bea in school, but Remus said no. Already too much chaos. Mum's disappointed, but understands."
Spying Victorie pouting, "I don't think someone else does."
"I suppose not."
Bea Haywood stood next to Charlie, her head barely coming up to his shoulder. Pin straight blonde hair ended sharply at her chin. Her open stance displayed confidence and ease, but Hermione noted the twinges of nerves. The slight clenching and unclenching of her hands, the way her smile slipped from her eyes briefly. Molly fussed over her second born and his fiancee. Arthur stood next to her attempting to rein his wife in. "Oh, my baby's getting married."
"Deep breaths, Mum, deep breaths. Let us get inside the house."
Molly released him and took a step back. "Of course, my apologies. So wonderful to meet you, Bea."
"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Weasley." She answered politely.
"Please, Mum, or if you can't, Molly."
"Arthur." He reached for her luggage. "Let's get you settled." He smiled at her. "I hope you'll forgive our old-fashioned ways, you'll be in Bill's old room."
"That's fine."
"We're headed to Bea's parents' house in two weeks. They already informed us of the separate sleeping arrangements." Charlie told them. "I'll stay there two weeks, then she'll stay with her parents and I'll be coming back here, probably until the wedding." Molly beamed at her son.
Charlie managed to steer his fiancee away from his mother and up the stairs. Molly made her way into the kitchen to begin lunch. When Charlie reemerged, Ginny suggested a quidditch game as the twins had arrived.
Hermione declined and took her spot against one of the orchard trees. Despite their antics, she ignored the fliers, cloud watching instead. As a child, she enjoyed creating elaborate cloud cities. After a time she felt someone join her hesitantly. "Hello."
"Hi."
"You know, everyone wants you to like us. If nothing else for Charlie's sake."'
"Intellectually I know that. But you're all really intimidating. You are war heroes with Orders of Merlin, down to the last one of you."
"We didn't have much choice. We all did what we had to/"
"And then you all went onto become huge successes in your fields. You're all famous, talented, and Charlie adores you all."
"You'll find we're all ordinary people," Hermione assured her.
"That's what Charlie keeps saying." Bea fidgeted for a minute. "So, can I ask you a few questions?"
"I suppose."
"Charlie told me about the ritual you made for them. He said it was easy. But my grandmother always made them sound hard."
"Is there a question in there somewhere?"
"I suppose the question is how. How do you make it seem easy?"
"I didn't really. The addition of runes to the circles eases the raising of power. But cleansing property is easy. It doesn't resist. Now, if I tried to summon the dead back to life, or banish a poltergeist, something that could resist, that's different. It would be much more difficult."
"Fertility rituals?"
"Nearly impossible it feels. Without knowing why some wizards have poor fertility, it is hard to know how to counter it."
"That complicates matters."
"Immensely." They let the conversation end as the players landed and made their way to them, Charlie grinning at her for being friendly.
Hermione and Ginny blocked the twins from entering the house. "Turn out your pockets." The youngest Weasley demanded.
"We would never."
"Prank our newest sister."
"Lies," Hermione deadpanned. "No pranks tonight on Charlie and Bea and I'll defend everything to your mother next weekend with Livingston."
"Everything?" Fred questioned.
"Anything?" inquired George.
"Just short of permanent damage," she promised.
"Deal!" they chimed in unison. Promptly each emptied his pockets of any and all prank related items.
"Wait," George stopped, "we were going to turn Charlie's skin silver to celebrate."
"Hmmm, it might cause more stress if you didn't do something," Ginny considered. "Do it."
Fred hugged Hermione, while George danced Ginny around the yard. "Best sisters ever, Forge."
"Indeed, Gred."
Charlie stayed close to Bea most of the day as she got to know the

Weasleys. He kept a paranoid eye on the twins. Even when Fleur discovered Bea spoke French and began to interrogate her in Fleur's native language.
Ginny's assessment proved accurate, by dinner Charlie and Bill began eyeing the twins more closely. Briefly, Hermione wondered if the two younger tricksters would put off the prank so they could continue to enjoy the paranoia their eldest two brothers displayed. They flinched when George leaned forward to snatch a dinner roll from the basket. When Fred refilled Bea's drink for her Charlie distracted her while Bill switched the glasses, both glaring at their younger brother. Hermione nudged Ginny with her foot, gaining her attention, as George took advantage of their focus on his partner in crime. The prankster sprinkled a translucent powder over Charlie's plate. If she hadn't been watching for it, Hermione would have missed the entire event.
Charlie resumed eating, never taking his eyes off the twins. Slowly, his skin lightened until it gleamed. "Uh, Charlie?" asked Bea hesitantly, just as Bill noticed and reacted.
"GEORGE!" he thundered.
"FRED!" shouted Charlie, jumping to his feet.
Moving in unison, Fred plunks a silver colored funnel atop his head, while George pinned a heart shaped medal to his shirt. They looked at Hermione with pride. She managed to keep the laughter in until she made eye contact with Harry. "If I only had a heart." He said to her. Together they erupted into peals of laughter that caused the rest of the table to join them.
Molly frowned and tsked, "You shouldn't encourage them."
"I like it," grinned Bea. "Reminds me of something Tulip and Tonks would have done." She kissed Charlie's cheek. "Suits you." Charlie returned her look, grinning foolishly.
Hermione gulped in air, fighting to regain her composure. "I did get them to limit themselves to one prank. Though next week, please have at Nigel. He has it coming."
"Hermione, he cannot be that bad." Arthur started.
"He told me I could continue my research, but everything would be published under his name."
"Boys, I expect that man to run screaming from this house within an hour." Molly pinned them each with a glare.
The twins clutched each other, "Gred, I think we're dreaming." He pinched his twin.
"Ouch, we're not, you git. But I get your meaning, Forge."
Bea looked at Charlie, "We're coming to dinner next Sunday, right?"
"We are now."
She flashed him an evil little smirk, "Good," she looked at the twins, "count us in."
Harry shook his head, "I almost feel sorry for the guy." Ginny glared at him, "What? I said almost. Personally, I can't wait."