Chapter 11: A Letter Home

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November 4th

Hi Mom!

Greetings from one of the two recent additions to the Weasley family; though I'm sure Harry would send his love too if he knew I was writing…  Just think, we're now both part of a clan.  Who would've thought?  Going from an only child to this has been odd, and I thought I had already been a part of the family!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get around to writing you, but I have just recovered from a nasty bout of food poisoning… I think.  A group of us went to dinner after returning from the honeymoon, and I guess we ate something we shouldn't have.  Everyone got sick, but I seem to have gotten it the worst.  Pretty nasty couple of days there, but I got better!  I don't think we'll be going back to that restaurant anytime soon, which is a shame since it was a nice place.

George and I have been back from our honeymoon for a little while now and I think I've just about settled back into the mindset of being home (and MARRIED!), though it's been hard.  I don't know if he told you where we were going, (since he certainly hadn't told me!) but we went to an incredibly private, and very small, island some where out in the ocean.  You normally can only get there by using a portkey, but as they make me ill, George had arranged a very convoluted way to get us there that concluded with, of all things, a magic carpet ride.  At least it wasn't a broom stick!!!

The island was beautiful- warm with those white, sandy beaches and palm trees you see on travel brochures.  We had a small bungalow to stay in and our meals were transported in every day; we didn't even have to cook.  We spent a lot of time walking on the beach and playing in the ocean.  I think George needs to spend a bit more time out there as he was getting rather startled by some of the native creatures.  Granted, sharks aren't my favorite thing to run across either, but when will people figure out that they generally don't attack people?!?  That's mainly in those muggle movies…  This one was a bit more persistent than normal, but it eventually took a hint and left after I screamed at it in Mermish long enough.  Another excuse to use all those very inappropriate phrases that would make your ears burn to hear.

After so long of only having brief visits where he'd pop in and out during our tours, or when I'd be back in England for a short visit, it was nice to have him Completely To Myself for the ten days or so we were there.  And since we didn't kill each other, I guess we're going to be just fine.  It was nice to be able to cut loose and be as goofy or loud or lovey dovey as we wanted without one of the others, who are always around, making comments.  That's not to say that I didn't miss everyone every once and a while, but for the most part the feeling passed quickly.

There have been times since our return that I have questioned my sanity for those feelings, considering some of the stunts Fred and Charlie have pulled.  They took it upon themselves to 'decorate' the outside of the flat during our absence and probably would've done the inside too, but my wards were too strong.  I did tattle on Fred to Angelina and had a long talk with Charlie's girlfriend as well.  Between the three of us, we came up with some rather appropriate methods of retribution…  Bwahahahahaha!

Other news…  Katie and Brad have moved into a flat off Diagon Alley so as to be close to the Ministry, while Ginny has moved into Harry's current flat.  That's only a temporary solution as the place is a tad too small for two.  They've already started looking around for a new one in the same general area.  George has moved in with me, since the flat is empty and much more appropriate than the bachelor pad type place he'd been living.  I'm actually quite fond of Hogsmeade and with Apparating and the floo network; I don't truly have to be close to anyone to visit them.  And I've been here off and on since I was seventeen; I'm attached.  And I'd hate to have to redo all the wards!

I've been out to visit with Colin and family a couple of times since our return.  Those twins are growing so quickly!  Not that they're walking or talking yet, but you can see a real difference in them in comparison to what they were like two months ago.  Quite amazing really.  Colin and Anna are thrilled and have become obsessive about their well being, not that that's a bad thing, but they hate to leave them alone.  As Molly has told us that they need to get out, and away from the babies, on occasion, the four of us have started going to dance classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and then to do a bit of dancing and a little place near the studio.  It's a muggle establishment so we play it up completely, driving to and from the lessons instead of Apparating, since they aren't too far away from the Creevy residence.  It's been a lot of fun and, so far, Anna hasn't felt too out of place since she's the only one with out a basic knowledge of dance.  I beat it into the guys a long time ago!

Oh, I'm enclosing a copy of the article Pansy wrote about the wedding for The Daily Prophet.  It's a really nice article, though she told me that the editors were hoping for something "more".  Though they wouldn't define what that might be.  I guess they wanted more gossip, but as we're all now married, I don't think they'll be getting much more of that.  Though I suppose they could begin the, "Is their marriage going to work" thing that seems so popular these days.  Sometimes I really don't understand the press.  But Pansy is doing well.  She stopped by while I was recovering to tell me about the situation between her and Justin.  That sounds quite promising…  She made me promise not to meddle though.  Do I meddle?!?  Or, maybe the question should be, have I meddled recently?

Severus stopped by at one point too, but left rather quickly when Ginny and Harry also stopped by for a visit.  He still can't stand Harry, and I'm afraid the feeling's mutual.  Severus might have warmed slightly to some of us over the years, but there's too much history there for Harry and he to ever get along.

I think I need to be wrapping this up.  I need to rest for a little while.  Tonight is one of our regularly scheduled dance class nights, and I'm still feeling a bit tired from my illness.  George is out doing some work at the office, but he should hopefully be back soon and he's promised me a picnic lunch if it's warm enough.  Though that may mean spreading a blanket out on the living room floor and eating there, which would be fine with me.  Fewer bugs, you know, and a lavatory right down the hall instead of behind a bush!

Until later then!

Love,
Alinora