Disclaimer: Still, I own nothing.

Chapter Two: Telling

The next day, every member of the Weasley family, along with their girlfriends, was sitting in the living room. Hermione and Charlie had decided that it was best if they told everyone themselves and at the same time. When Charlie had been discovered the day before by Ginny, it had immediately resulted in an attack and a questioning, but Charlie hadn't said anything, only that they'd all learn about it tomorrow.

Now Charlie Weasley stood in the middle of the room, while Hermione sat on the coach in between Olette and Nancee. George inquired, "So, Charlie, are you going to tell us what's up or are you going to let us die from suspense?" This immediately resulted in a slap on the arm from Nancee.

Charlie took a deep breath and started, "I'm getting married."

No one said anything for a moment, and then it was Fred that broke the silence, "You're getting married? Charlie Weasley is getting married? Can those words actually be put into a true sentence?"

"Yeah, I thought you were the ultimate bachelor. And now you're getting married?" Fred's twin asked.

This time it was Olette that slapped Fred on the arm. "And what's wrong with getting married? Don't you ever want to settle down in a nice house with children?"

Fred saw that he caught at a crossroad. Hesitantly, he answered, "Only if it's with you?"

"Aw. That's so sweet," Olette answered, though she still slapped him on the arm again. That was the one thing she liked about Olette and Nancee, they were the only two women on the face of the earth that could keep Fred and George in line, that is without tying them to the nearest tree.

"Yes, I'm getting married," Charlie answered.

"Who in their right mind is going to marry you?" Ron asked.

"Ronald, that wasn't very polite. Apologize at once," Luna ordered.

The tips of Ron's ears reddened, it was the same thing with Ron and Luna as with the twins and their girlfriends. "I'm sorry. I just meant that you're a dragon keeper, that's a pretty heavy job. And you might get hurt."

"Who are you marrying, Charlie?' Ginny interrogated.

It was at this time that Hermione stood up and moved so that she was at Charlie's right side. Looking right at the group, she answered, "Charlie's marrying me."

"Bloody hell!" Ron yelled.

"Ronald!" and Luna wasn't long to follow.

"Sorry."

"Hermione's marrying Charlie? You're going to be my sister," Ginny yelled as she began jumping around the couple.

Hermione smiled and laughed. "Yes, Ginny, I'll now be apart of your family, legally."

"This is so bloody wonderful."

It was Fred that had to say, "I didn't even know you two were dating."

Instantly, everyone was staring at them, as if waiting for a response. Luckily, it was Charlie that saved Hermione from the embarrassment of telling them the real reason by saying, "Actually, we've been sending letters to one another since we met. It was only a few months ago that I realized that I loved her and began to make little visits every now and again."

"That is so romantic," Olette commented. That was one thing Hermione didn't like about the young woman, she thought to much about romance and not enough about other things.

Luna stated, "That is so lovely, Hermione. I wish you the best. When is the wedding?"

It was Molly that answered, "In three months time."

"Three months, that isn't very long. Most couples wait a least a year, that is unless they're pregnant. You're not pregnant are you?" Nancee asked.

Hermione shook her head, while Charlie laughed and said, "Well if she is I want to know who the daddy is."

George covered his ears and stated, "Way too much information, Charlie. I really did not want to know that about you." This time Nancee slapped him upside the head. "Ow. That hurt."

Hermione looked at Ginny and saw the instant realization in her face; quickly she shook her head, silently begging the youngest Weasley not to say anything. She then saw Ginny mouth, "Later."

Arthur asked, "So have you decided where you're going to live yet?"

Hermione stated, "Yes, we're going to stay here for a time, but then we're going to move to Romania, where Charlie can continue with his dragons and I can become a healer."

Fleur said, "Hat ees wonderful, deear."

Followed by her was her husband, Bill, who said, "All right. I say that in honor of Charlie finally getting up the nerve to ask someone to be his wife, we go out and celebrate. All men, follow me, we're going to the nearest bar."

All the men stood up from where they were sitting, even Mr. Weasley, and moved to form a group of their own off to the side, Ron was the last to join, for he had to convince Luna that yes, he would be fine, and no, he wouldn't get too drunk, Charlie then kissed Hermione slightly on the mouth before joining his family. Then a moment later, the entire group was gone.

Once they were gone, Ginny said, "Hermione, can I talk with you for a moment, alone in the garden?"

Hermione nodded and no one else seemed object, for all the other women just believed that the one was giving advice about their brother to the other. In the garden, Ginny asked, "So what's the real story. Because I know that once wasn't it. You wouldn't not tell about something like this before."

Hermione took a deep breath before saying, "They passed that new law, as you know. And I needed someone to marry, well; Charlie wasn't seeing anyone so he agreed to do it."

"And you don't have any problem with this?"

"Not particularly. I mean, Charlie is nice, and it's better than a death eater by far. I'll also finally be apart of your family, and that is wonderful, but it's just his reaction that's bothering me."

"Why? Did he blow up and refuse at first?" Ginny asked sympathetically.

Hermione shook her head. "No, and that's what's bothering me. He was perfectly fine with it, only took a moment to think. I don't know if he realizes all that is included in this union."

"Why? What is there besides marriage?"

"Well, first of all, our marriage must be consummated on the wedding night or before. Second, we have to be married for at least ten years, and third, there must be a child within the first two years of the marriage."

Ginny twitched and Hermione asked, "Are you all right?"

Ginny shook herself, as if trying to be rid of something. "Yeah, it's just the first and third one were a bit disturbing. Charlie is my brother after all."

"Sorry."

"Stop it; you'll start to sound like Ron, saying 'sorry' ever five minutes. Anyway, and you're saying that he didn't have any reaction to any of this?"

"I don't even know if he knows about it. He knew about the law certain enough; he said that his friend Keith told him about it. The, when I was trying to figure out if he was serious or not, he said, 'I'm not seeing anyone and trust me, I have had more than enough experience with the wrong type of women, besides if you're a friend of the family's than you're a friend of mine, and who better to marry than a friend? Besides, you're important and we can't lose you.' It was just so odd, it looked like he happy about it. And all of our conversations can only add up to about three-quarters of a day."

"I don't know. It does seem really odd though, especially from Charlie. He seems to be, like my brother said, 'the ultimate bachelor'."

Hermione sighed and started for the Burrow door. "I don't know either. But don't say anything about it to him, all right?"

"I swear, I won't say a word to him," Ginny replied, unfortunately, Hermione failed to notice the small glint in the girl's eye.

Later that night, he was about midnight when the guys finally returned, drunk as hell, the only one that even seemed remotely sober was Ron, and that wasn't saying much. Ginny was waiting attic for Charlie when he finally got in and collapsed on the coach. "He had noticed someone sitting in the old chair though, for he said, "Whoover iit iss, ssome bask later, and I'llll killll yyouu sten."

Ginny shook her head, and handed her brother a sobering potion, while saying, "Charlie, it's me, Ginny. Drink this, and quickly."

Charlie did as he was told and grimace at the taste of the vile concoction. Quietly, Charlie asked, "Ginny, what are you doing here?"

"I want to know the truth."

"All right, you want the truth. It was me that made the entire family table explode at Bill's wedding, not the twins. I can't stand that veela and all her, eet ees so muush beeter thees wey. It's just so annoying."

"First of all, that isn't what I wanted to know. Second, join the club, and third, good job."

"Thank you, I started the club, and what did you want to know?"

"I wanted to know what's going on between you and Hermione."

Charlie answered, "I love her and I'm going to marry her in three months."

"No, you don't. I asked her and she told me all about the law. What I want to know is why you were so willing to do it."

"She needed help."

"Yes, but she said you seemed almost happy about it, and she didn't know why seeing as all your conversations couldn't have added up to more than a day. You do know what the law entails, don't you? You have to consummate the marriage on the wedding night, you have to be married for at least ten years, and within the first two years of your marriage, you have to have a child."

"Actually, I already knew all of that. Keith at the camp told me."

"Then why are you so fine with this? It can't be because you really love Hermione, that's for sure. You should at least be disappointed somewhat; you're everyone's definition of a bachelor and a fine one."

Charlie sat up, allowing Ginny, for the first time that night, to look into her siblings face. "That's exactly why I'm so happy. I'm tired of being a bachelor, Keith is my best mate and just one month ago, he got married to some girl that can't cook, clean, hates dragons, and isn't that much of a looker. But he's never been happier. I want that, I want to be able to come home and find someone waiting for me. I've tried my hardest to find a girl, but everyone one I find is even worse than the last. I'm so tired of it that I don't long care if the girl doesn't love me or that I only care about her as a friend. Anything is better than nothing. And besides, I've always wanted a family of my own."

Slowly, Ginny answered, "Charlie, have you told anyone about this?"

"Told anyone? Who am I supposed to tell? I can't tell Keith, it'd just be too awkward, I can't tell Mum, it'd just prove her right, and I can't tell anyone else because they just wouldn't understand. And you can't tell anyone either, got that, Ginny?"

"Fine, but you better talk to Hermione. She is the one that you're going to be coming home to."

"All right, all right, Ginny. I'll talk to Hermione."

Ginny smiled. "Good, now go to sleep."

"Are you going to be back at two to pester me some more?" Charlie joked.

"Hey, don't tempt me."