AN: I knew this story wouldn't have the same numbers as other pairings, but there were only 3 reviews last chapter. I really want to know if readers are still interested in this one so please leave me your thoughts.
Hermione stood up and walked over to the large sofa and sank down, resting her arms on her knees as she buried her face in both her hands.
After a few minutes she rose to her feet and started talking to the others. "Right, Harry let's go for a walk. Everyone, please give me a little bit to organize my thoughts and I promise we can talk when I come back."
Without another word she turned and walked through the kitchen of The Burrow and out through the back door knowing that Harry would catch up.
Sure enough she felt him engulf her cold hand into his bigger and much warmer one as they walked in silence.
Harry knew she would talk when they were sufficiently far enough away to guarantee privacy from any of the twins eavesdropping products; of which there were many types designed for the war.
Finally when they had reached the top of the hill on the other side of Ottery St Catchpole where they had caught the boot portkey for the Quidditch World Cup before fourth year she plopped herself down on the ground to catch her breath.
"Thought you were just planning to keep walking until we reached water." Harry said with a dramatic sigh as he laid down on his back with a laugh.
"Shut up!" She laughed. "Wow, how terrible is it that I'm laughing right now. Poor Molly."
"'Mione, we just ended the reign of an evil maniac that has been after us for so many years, me for my whole life. I think people might be able to understand our joy and relief." Harry answered sarcastically.
"Harry, can you tell me straight everything you know about the situation with Charlie? I need information to make a decision. This is so not what I expected to be happening if I lived through the war. Well honestly I didn't think I would live through the war." She said gazing into the distant setting sun.
Harry sighed and sat up putting his arm around her shoulders. "Well, you already know everything I do Hermione. You probably know more than I do as you were much closer to Remus and Tonks than I was. You were their friend while I was the son of his best friends so he was parentally guarded with me."
He watched a one tear run down her cheek and thumbed it away. "Talk to me 'Mione."
"I just…." She let out a trembly breath as she pulled grass from the ground. "I don't even really know Charlie, Harry. He's never been around much and when he was I wasn't here. How can I make that kind of commitment?"
"Maybe you can think of it a different way at first. You made a humongous commitment to me when you were 12 years old after being friends for less time than a woman is pregnant! Now we are free and you get to have a life that doesn't involve death and torture." Harry pointed out.
"Look, I can't tell you what to do Hermione, this one is your decision and I will be at your side as you've always been at mine no matter what you choose. Can I ask a favor though?"
She smiled at his thought process and nodded silently.
"Let me send my patronus and you sit here and talk this over with Bill. He can give you more information than I can and then you need to talk about this with Charlie alone. He seems calm when he's alone with you but once he knows you're no longer alone together he becomes aggressive, possessive, and immensely protective. If you're alone you can just be alone with normal Charlie so it will be easier I think." Harry finished.
"Hey, I'm supposed to be the brains of this ship, when did you get so smart?" She teased him bumping their shoulders together.
He was happy that he'd at least put a smile back on her face. He conjured and sent his patronus and waited for Bill to arrive.
He smiled when he heard the crack of arrival of Bill and kissed her forehead before walking away, patting Bill on the shoulder as he passed.
"Hey there Mina Bean, what can I help you with?" Bill asked using his pet name he started using when she wouldn't sit still for weeks waiting for O.W.L. results a few years back.
She giggled as usual. "I need to talk about Charlie. I know I have to talk to him alone but I wanted to understand things before I do that. I don't even know him Bill, well not really, not like the rest of you."
"Ahhh. Well I can help you there, he's the sibling I'm closest to. My best mate and brother all in one." He smiled thinking about his little brother. "I won't ever be able to repay you for saving him Mina."
She rubbed his cheek and smiled. "You look so tired, I should let you and Fleur just go home and rest. I don't need to be repaid for saving Charlie, Billy. He's a part of my family even if I don't know him very well, I love the rest of you and you all love him." She shrugged looking back at the ground.
Bill smiled at the young girl that if he was honest he felt closer to than Gin. He had more in common with this sister, they understood each other's intellect, and humor, adventurous nature's.
"Let's see, the first thing to know about Charlie is his gentleness. He's looks like a badass and tough, which he can be, but his heart is really big. He's very passionate about creatures whether magical or muggle." He paused as she turned her head to him quickly.
"He knows muggle animals too?" She asked excitedly.
"Charlie loves all living creatures, right down to an ant crawling through the garden."
She smiled and encouraged him to continue.
"He works with dragons but that isn't what his life goal is but that's his story to share, not mine. You should ask him about it though because it might surprise you. Anyways, he likes being outside more than indoors, says walls make him feel too closed in." He told her.
Reaching over he took her hand for this next part. "Mina, I can't tell you about the whole mate thing yet because we don't know. The last full moon you were both unconscious and this one his body hasn't processed the condition far enough to transform. We won't know if he's full wolf for sure for two more full moons but I'm almost positive he will change." He said sadly.
"Now, I'm gonna go all big brother one you for a minute. Even though I'm sure he is full wolf that doesn't mean you have to accept being his mate, it is fully up to you. He's my little brother and best friend, but your my little sister and best buddy too. I want you to be happy." He said pointedly.
"However, because I love you both and I honestly have always thought you would be compatible I want to point out a few things. First, think about how Tonks was once they knew she and Remus were mates and he refused her." He paused to let that memory sink in.
"Werewolf mates aren't like other creatures who have mates, he won't die without you and you won't die without him. Neither one of you will be happy or fully healthy without each other though. For some reason we don't know yet, being a mate to a wolf changes the mate's physiology. Probably for procreation reasons as the pregnancies are extremely difficult and dangerous, you missed Tonks' pregnancy while you were on the run, but Mina it was scary and hard."
"Why, what happened?" She gasped.
"She was constantly in danger of losing it, she got huge with Teddy and he was affecting her during full moons, her magic was wonky, she spent 6 months on bed rest. It wasn't easy for her but once Teddy was here she said it was the best thing she ever did and she couldn't wait to do it again." He said losing a few tears himself now.
"I'm going to miss both of them so much." Hermione whispered sadly. "We have to promise to love Teddy as much as they would have, we're his family now, all of us."
"We will. Now, I've told you as much as I can think of are you ready for Charlie yet? Or we could just sit here quietly while you organize all those thoughts running through that massive brain of yours." He teased her.
"So, you and Fleur really won't be mad whatever I decide? Some of the others will you know. Molly will hate me if I do not accept and so will Ron and Ginny."
"Maybe, but you have to pick your own path Hermione. They won't be the ones living your life, you will. Charlie won't let them hurt you physically or emotionally either way." He hugged her to him and she sighed and laid her head on his shoulder.
Taking a deep breath she said, "Tell him where I am. Sunset is a good time to talk."
"Better than the full moon anyway" Bill laughed as she swatted his shoulder.
"You are a brat, Bill!" He smiled and kissed her cheek before standing and disappearing.
It took only five minutes or so for Charlie to appear and walk towards her. He sat himself down next to her and smiled his crooked smile and said, "Let's talk, yeah?"
Hermione smiled at him and nodded.
AN: Please leave a review if you are enjoying Charlie and Hermione. Next update in two or three days.