Disclaimer: Harry Potter...not mine...can't go on...too devastated...don't sue me...
H-ello all. You what sucks? When you fall out of love! Which has recently happened to me. But I'm glad I fell out of him because now I look at him and think "What the hell was wrong with me?" LOL! "I had a first love and methought it was very sweet." Hmm everything is really humdrum for me. Business as usual, you know? Well I hope your lives are more interesting than mine...Anywho to the thank-yous then!
QueEnfullofDrama: LOL again eh? Maybe you should keep the medication strapped to your belt like a police officer with a gun! Yes it was marshmallow fluff and marshmallow fluff it was. Woah I kind of had an unnecessary Dr. Seuss moment there. haha. Well thanks for the review anyways!
Silver Ice: Yeah I know that crazed-check-my-mailbox-for-a-Author-Alert-from-my-favorite-fanfiction-feeling and it's CRAZY! I'm happy you feel that way about the story because I didn't expect anyone to! The penguin thing was pretty good and I'm pretty sure it felt almost satisfying to see Ron get some credit for once! Thank you for the review too!
airhead14: Yeah the ending does seem pretty cute in a lonely-ish sort of way for me too! I think Hermione kind of felt sparks fly there for a second and freaked out and left lol. ..:sigh:.. The idiocies of love. LOL. Thanks for review too!
Chrismukkah-hunnie: Thanks for the enthusiasm! It's greatly appreciated! I'm not sure how I exactly managed such a quick update...I think it was a mix of little homework and lots of free time. I'm glad you felt it and thanks for reviewing!
Brooke Monica: Ron finally getting kudos for something is strangely makes everyone feel good because he does deserve it kind of. Even I find it difficult putting her with Seamus because it's just such an unexpected couple. Thanks for the update thingy and for your review.
hikaru: Thanks! I'm glad I didn't get angsty or anything for once in my life. Sometimes fluff frightens me because I have a horrible fear of over-doing it or not doing it naturally but I'm glad it seemed just right to you!
Wander Aimlessly: I'll try with the quick updates. I did pretty well on the last one, which was surprising even to me. I like getting my readers addicted though. Thanks for reviewing also!
lindsey-31: The last line was not planned but it kind of came to me last minute as does a lot of the best stuff in my story. I've sometimes seen fluff overdone (in my opinion) but on the most part the best authors can keep it under control. And on the reviewing front, thank you!
soonerchick117: I totally agree with you that Tempted is the coolest Squeeze song. Sorry about the grammar but I try lol. Anywho Ron being drunk was one of my favb scenes too. Thank you for the review.
DevilDevilsdream-15: Thanks all around for the compliments. Nice to see you're enjoying the story. I'm definitely having fun writing it. I'm pretty proud of the quick update myself!
trikitty: Yeah I know I should but I'm a busy (buzay!) person lol. Haha if Bret read this it would be funny! :p Aren't I cruel? HELLO BRET! JUI LOVES YOU! LOL as if. You need to "chillax." whoosh I have a feeling you'll want to kill me now. Sagwa Jillafa! LOL I love you JuiPuiLui!
LunaAqua: Haha yes my parents think I'm a bit odd too with my Harry Potter obsession and all. I'm glad you enjoyed the fluff while it lasted. It's not where I'm strongest but sometimes I enjoy writing it. Yes expect Drama soon! (like in this chappie pretty much). Thanks for the awesome review too!
Mijy: I'm glad you saw the sadness portrayed in that chapter too. Haha I'll try and keep you the happiest loser (not that I think you are one) alive by updating as quickly as possible! Lol thank you for your review!
MeryKey-7: I'm glad it was a good read. I'm happy that the scene was so vivid in your mind that it seemed to be entranced into a movie! Thanks for the writing compliments and I've cried before when reading a fanfic so you don't seem idiotic at all!
xoxron-iz-minexox: Thanks for the enthusiasm! It's always gratefully appreciated! I'm glad you're so...in love with it because I've fallen in love with many stories myself before!
Woot! I'm happy that I reached well over the 100(115 I think to be exact) mark for reviews. I'm actually surprised so many of you took the time to review! And I LOVE you for it because reviews make the world go round obviously. Well lack of homework and good TV shows led to this update LOL. Not to mention the awesome reviews and my best friend ragging me to post the next chapter.
Thanksgiving was quick on its way and everyone in the Burrow was fearfully anticipating it. Every year Jocelyn Peasegood, Mrs. Weasley's sister, would drop in for dinner with her husband Arnold and their four children Ross, Sissy, Perry and Lola. The most horrible thing about this out-of-town family who lived in Manchester was that every time they came they brought a whole mass of critical comments around with them. Mrs. Weasley was always stressed at Thanksgiving striving to prove which Prewett sister was truly the better of the two and worked her own family hard to prove it. Since they were older now Mrs. Weasley allowed them to bring escorts to the big dinner. In fact she forced it upon them to bring someone both beautiful and intelligent because, after all shouldn't Jocelyn know that her children were in the market and always had a fine young suitor or "suitress" after them?
Ron highly doubted that anyone would want to date the Peasegood children seeing as to how insufferably annoying they all were. There was Ross, the eldest of them all, who only cared to eat and sleep (especially with young, pretty witches). His head might've fallen off if the hands of a higher power didn't screw it on. Perhaps Dumbledore.
Sissy was a complete other story. Like her mother in everyway she lived only to sneer over how much better she was then the Weasley family, which made them want to pick on her even more. And Perry, the third child to be born, was like Sissy except he cared to disagree with only one member of the family in particular, Percy. They both had ambitions to be Minister for Magic and both were working in the Ministry side by side, competing constantly.
And last but definitely not least was Lola. Ginny was about two years her elder. In her younger days Lola had taken up the hobby of constantly cutting the heads off of Ginny's porcelain dolls and hexing her stuffed animals to fly about her room at night howling causing Ginny to have the worst nightmares of her childhood. She was also about the biggest fibber and "tattle-tale" Ron knew.
Ron found himself with no fond memories of Thanksgiving as something always went wrong no matter how hard Mrs. Weasley tried. And the whole family would get an earful of scolding afterwards. He reminisced the time when Fred and George had been five and mistakenly set Sissy's beautiful blonde head on fire or the time they'd hexed a beehive onto Perry's big arrogant head. He doubted all the yelling and arguing afterwards were worth the few good laughs.
It was in evident however that a dinner would continue to happen every year between the two families and it was in evident that talks about the evening they all dreaded would come up someday.
"Ok, we all know what time of year it is" Mrs. Weasley said putting down her spoon at the dinner table one night, "Thanksgiving."
An unwelcome groan swept through all the members sitting at the table. The only people not to release groans were Fleur and Luna. Fleur out of sheer lack of knowledge never having been to one of the Thanksgiving celebrations and Luna out of simple courtesy.
"Vhat iz de problveme vith Thanksgiving?" Fleur asked slightly dumbfounded at all their moaning and groaning, "Thanksgiving iz en vonderful 'oliday en France."
"Well you've never met the Peasegoods" Fred grumbled.
"Here here" George said sounding downcast.
"Enough. I will not have my children shaming their own family" Mrs. Weasley said sternly, "The Peasegoods are your family and they love you very much."
Ron snorted.
"But mum" Ginny whined, "Lola always dips my hair in the Gravy! It takes time to wash it out you know!"
"And Perry has borrowed my Encyclopedia of Dragon Breeds in Britain and hasn't returned it for six years" Percy sniffed.
George scowled, "Ross stole some of our valuable supplies for creating the Mortal Wounds potion last year and he ate it!"
Fred laughed, "Yeah dumb ole Ross. He even ate that Devil's Dung Food Cake we left in his chambers."
"Well it doesn't matter does it? They're family." Mrs. Weasley said oddly keeping her voice level, "Now listen, year after year the Peasegoods have shammed us, embarrassed us, and poked fun at us but this year shall be my-everyone shot her an odd furtive look-our year to shine and prove that we are one of the best families around."
A few of members seated at the table gave appreciative applause.
"Now time for the duties. Fleur is going out to buy new china and a tablecloth while Penelope will be creating our centerpiece. I will, of course, be cooking aided by Ginny-a distinct moan could be heard coming from the redhead-and Luna-another distinct sound could be heard this time the excited clang of a butterbeer cork necklace as Luna clapped her hands together happily-. Fred-Fred raised his head-, no wait never mind Bill you pick them up from the train station. Fred-Fred leaned forward into the table to hear his duty-, no actually Harry, Ron you two make sure the house is clean. Fred-Fred looked up hopefully-, well no Charlie you make sure the usual decorations are up and that ghoul is under control. Fred-Fred balled a fist into the air finally expecting to get a task-, no how about Percy you make sure you greet them at the front entrance. Then Fred-Fred perked up-no no I meant Arthur-Fred sighed and leaned back in his chair-, sorry, can you make sure their are Ministry cars able to pick them up with Bill? And finally Fred-Fred perked up once again- oh never mind I meant George make sure everyone has a place to sleep for the night. Alright?" Mrs. Weasley said all in one breath, "Did I miss anything?"
"Yeah" Fred said in an over exaggerated tone, "Me!"
"Oh sorry Fred dear I just don't have enough jobs for you to do one also" Mrs. Weasley said staring at him sympathetically, "But you're still a huge part of this family honey."
Fred cursed darkly under his breath, "One twin is always more special."
"And I feel the need to remind you NO ESCORT NO DINNER." Mrs. Weasley said thundering the last part. Everyone nodded a bit scared. Ron in particular since he'd turned by the last four years with either no date or a flimsy one.
Ron silently cursed in his mind. How was he going to find a date? He'd hardly had any since he'd seen Hermione again which was most unlike him. Perhaps he ought to call back Gina or Becky even...He was desperate. Thanksgiving dinner was always delicious and he'd hate to miss out on what trouble they were likely to get in next anyways.
"Ron!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed shaking him into reality.
"Yes?" Ron inquired quivering under his mother's glare.
"I just wanted to know if you had a date yet? Seeing as to how Thanksgiving is two days away and I've been clueing at you to get one?" Mrs. Weasley questioned sweetly although Ron sensed the fire in her tone.
"Erm no" Ron mumbled.
"Well Ronald you best remember, No Escort No Dinner" Mrs. Weasley explained and she whipped out her wand and inscribed NO ESCORT NO DINNER on his forehead in bold red and purple pimples.
"Mum!" Ron howled miserably, "I'll never get a date this way."
"Lesson of the day" Mrs. Weasley said calmly, "Never wait till last minute and NEVER anger your mother."
"Your mother's just a doll!" Hermione grinned, "Do you think it'll come off?"
"I dunno" Ron frowned, "Can you believe this? I'm like Eloise Midgeon!"
"Serves you right for teasing her so much" Hermione stated, "Anyways what did you do to earn that?"
Ron gulped down some Fire whisky and looked around the Leaky Cauldron for any date-worthy witches. None. Well in defense of sexy witches everywhere the Leaky Cauldron wasn't exactly a major gold mine anytime.
"I didn't get an escort for Thanksgiving dinner and my mum's mad to show up her sister" Ron clarified sullenly. He caught Hermione's eye and saw her staring at him thoughtfully and smiling quietly to herself.
"I'll go with you" Hermione suggested.
Ron gaped at her, "You can't be my date!"
"And why not?" Hermione asked indignantly.
"Seamus is why not" Ron replied wondering if Hermione's bumped her head on anything lately. She seemed so dreamy and out of it. Almost like Luna except it was weirder when Hermione acted like it. Every time they had met this week her eyes were glazed over and she had a faraway look in her eyes. As if she and Seamus had gotten engaged or something. But no, Seamus would've needed more of his help if that were true and for some reason he seemed in no hurry to propose anytime soon. Ron feared that the engagement would be like the Birthday Party. Romantic, Affectionate, Perfect, Disgusting.
"Oh yes" Hermione spoke slowly as if trying to remember some faint memory, "Seamus..."
"But" she added, "It doesn't mean I can't go with you. It's a friends thing Ron, not love."
"Right not love" Ron said rather silently, "Ok it's settled then. Thank god I've got an escort. I best go tell Mum so she can undo this damn spell."
He gestured to his forehead in an exaggerated manner. Ever since he'd gotten the "Stark Mark" , an unwelcome nickname given to the acne disaster on his forehead by Fred, George and Harry, witches had been veering clear of him. Apparently all of them were vain, stuck-up and shallow. It was how most women were these days according to Bill.
Ron gave Hermione his share of the bill payment and left her there in the Leaky Cauldron and headed out into the cold streets. Dead leaves were fluttering about in clutters all around the busy people buzzing about their business. Every time one of the thousands of witches and wizards in Diagon Alley took another step a mound of leaves with crunch under them causing an earthquake of crunching to echo through the alleys between all the buzzing of voices.
Ron decided this particular day to take the Muggle way home. Walking. It was a refreshing break from the everyday dregs of magic. And as he strolled onto the cobbled street outside that oh so familiar sound echoed through his ears. Crunch, crunch, crunch.
The evening that the Peasegoods were expected to arrive at the Burrow was a dreary one like its visitors. Rain had been pounding the windows and roof of the house all day and the ghoul in the attic was moaning uncontrollably. Charlie had spent the better half of the afternoon trying to get it to shut up. Everyone's backs were aching as had given them no time to slack off. Ron regretted ever wanting to come but as soon as he rub his hand against his smooth forehead he decided it was all for the best. The "Stark Mark" was finally off because Ron was sure Mrs. Weasley wouldn't want the Peasegoods to think Ron had any disease of any kind. Her children were perfect, healthy, angels.
"Ron get off the couch. You're wrinkling my pillows!"
Ron glared, "Shut up Harry."
"I spent two hours trying to make those pillows look beautiful and you will get off them" Harry said in a voice uncannily like his mothers. He waved a feather duster in front of Ron's face causing him to cough insistently. Harry bounced onto the couch beside him laughing at his mate's expense.
"You two! Out of my living now!" thundered the real Mrs. Weasley with her hands on her hips. Both boys immediately stopped their laughter and hurried to stand up. After fluffing the ruined pillows, they made for the doorway. Mrs. Weasley had taken away Harry's privileges for his eighth round of turkey at dinner because of his misuse of a feather duster. Ron was glad he hadn't had anything taken away. Rules were tightly bound around Thanksgiving.
Just as the two scurried out of the living room the doorbell rang. Mrs. Weasley, Harry and Ron looked from one to the other in the foyer. No one was expected at this time of day. A storm of footsteps rang through the house as people came to see who had arrived from bedrooms, the attic, the kitchen and the den.
"Mum do you think it's them?" Ginny asked unnerved. She was hanging off the staircase obviously in the middle of getting dressed seeing as to how only one of her eyes had eyeliner applied to it.
"Of course not" Mrs. Weasley said reasonably, "They're not expected for another two hours."
The doorbell rang again. Everyone looked at each other rather nervously.
Finally Mrs. Weasley sighed, "Oh this is silly. It can't be them. I'll get it."
She swung open the door to reveal all six Peasegoods standing there all ranged together with wicked smiles on their faces. Mrs. Weasley gasped and stepped back as if almost frightened to death of the early arrivals.
"Molly!" Mrs. Peasegood cried holding out her arms in a hug position and letting herself in, "How wonderful to see you!"
She wrapped her arms around Mrs. Weasley who quickly pulled away.
"Jocelyn, what are you doing here so early?" Mrs. Weasley demanded.
"Early? Oh I didn't know we were early. I told you we were coming at five Molly, dear" Mrs. Peasegood said in a syrupy voice.
"No I believe I heard you say seven" Mrs. Weasley said stiffly.
Mrs. Peasegood dropped the sweet act in about two seconds.
"Then you heard wrong" she responded coldly.
It seemed that as fast as the sweet act went it came also.
"Charlie!" Mrs. Peasegood exclaimed, "How lovely to see you! I heard your dragon-breeding ordeal didn't go down so well? I suppose that's why you left Romania? Poor dear, horrible to be a failure."
She smiled at him sympathetically.
"Actually-" Charlie started but was quickly cut off.
"Bill!" Mrs. Peasegood shrieked with delight, "I see you've still got that haircut."
"I find the haircut lovely" Mrs. Weasley commented angrily. Everyone stared at her obviously surprised. They all knew Mrs. Weasley was always ragging Bill about his haircut. Mrs. Peasegood sniffed.
"And George!" she said turning away from Bill before he got a chance to speak.
"It's Fred. George is picking up his girlfriend" Fred said scowling making his face ugly and unbecoming.
"Whatever darling" Mrs. Peasegood said waving her hand. She greeted the others in the same manner and ended up coming to Ron.
"Ron dear! Give your Aunt Jocelyn a hug" Mrs. Peasegood said wrapping her arms around him and wafting him in a stench of perfume. She pulled away and studied him carefully, "No date again honey?"
"I have a date!" Ron said in his family's defense, "She's just not here yet since you are early."
Mrs. Weasley beamed down on him and Mrs. Peasegood sniffed under her large nostrils. Ron cuffed his collar proudly. The four parents headed off to the dining table to continue their 'chat'.
The rest of the Peasegood children looked just as dull as ever. They were wearing their usual garb. Girls in pink. Boys in blue. Perry and Percy locked eyes and immediately stomped upstairs together never losing eye contact.
Lola stayed back and watched to see what move Ginny would make next. Ginny herself looked unsure and rather frightened. Sissy strolled through the house tutting at certain objects around the house.
"If you want to inspect objects perhaps you should go to a museum" Harry said coolly. Sissy's eyes flared at him. Ron knew Harry was the one she disliked the most. At first she'd fancied him, been turned down, now hated him.
Fred swung an arm around Ross and led him upstairs saying, "How would you like to make joke shop history with a new experiment of mine?"
Ron idly watched them all and wished for what seemed like the millionth time that Hermione was here with him.
Everyone's dates arrived soon enough. Ron was shocked to see ex-team mate and Gryffindor, Angelina Johnson being escorted in with Fred who looked rather smug. He was even more shocked though to see Becky who was Charlie's date for the night in his house once more. She gave Ron an odd smile, which looked more like an irritable twitch and took her place at the table. Penelope, Fleur, Luna and Hermione were the expected dates of Percy, Bill, Harry and Ron. Ginny had brought along Neville and explained to Ron that she wasn't dating Neville but couldn't find anyone last minute and was rather desperate.
But the one lady they were all anticipating the most had still not been seen in. George's girl. His soul mate. Ron supposed she would be some beautiful witch who was just as playful as George. I mean who else could qualify as his soul mate?
"Well since George isn't here yet I suppose we'll have to start without him" Mrs. Weasley said disapprovingly.
"My babies have always been punctual" Mrs. Peasegood bragging with her mouth full. At the very reaches of the table Ross stuffed food into his mouth like there was no tomorrow with gravy sloping down his front unpleasantly. They all stared at him open-mouthed and revolted for about ten seconds.
"Well my babies have always been well-mannered" Mrs. Weasley replied daintily cutting a slice of turkey for herself.
"Do they always do this?" Hermione whispered in Ron's ear.
"Pretty much" he whispered back.
"Shouldn't someone do something about it. I mean they are sisters" Hermione mumbled through her napkin.
"Nah. We all just let them go at it. It's sort of their thing" Ron went on to explain.
Hermione frowned at him ever so gracefully and followed it up with a casual shrug. Ron watched her eat her food slowly. As if she were savoring each ounce. And the way she portioned her food was just right. She didn't get tiny bites like the other girls and she didn't take big sloppy bites like him. Her bites were just right. Even to taste but not to overwhelm. Gosh the girl even did eating the best way possible.
Halfway through dinner the front door could be heard thrashing open and there were loud footsteps in the hall outside the kitchen. All the Weasleys sat up straighter. Ron was one of the more excited ones in particular. The rest may not know it but they were about to meet their future-sister-in-law. George rushed in and snatched the napkin that was tied around Percy's neck. He began to dab at his forehead with it.
"Sorry I'm late, Mum, Dad, Auntie Jo" George said casually.
"George!" Percy said crossly, "That was my napkin."
"Put a cock in it Perfect Percy" George said, "Uh-he shot a nervous look at them all-sweetheart you can come in."
Ron restrained from clapping his hands together in excitement. Once the door swung open he craned his neck as high up as possible.
"Good evening everyone."
Everyone around him replied good evening in response but Ron sat there mouth slightly opened. He turned to Hermione who was sitting beside him and noticed that she looked calm and all knowing. She faced him and helped him out by shutting his mouth for him. George's soul mate wasn't exactly who Ron expected her to be.
Author's Note: Da Da Da! Wowzers a surprise cliffhanger and I love it. I was debating over if I should reveal the mystery girl in this chapter or not but then I decided...nah. LOL! I hope you all still love me at the end of this chapter!
Loves you
Winky