A/N I'm really enjoying writing this and I'm so glad I decided to post it. Your support has made it so much more enjoyable, thank you all for that. Sorry for the delay this chapter, lots of things going on with my own little ones. I wanted to put more into the chapter but figured it would only delay it further.
Thanks Vadimmom and Ankoku Dezaia for the reviews! I'm still working on a lot of details, but you guys bring up some good points that I'll keep in mind.
The next few days seemed to fly by for Hermione. She spent much of Wednesday afternoon discussing her ideas with George and making improvements on her designs.
Thursday morning they got to work early cleaning the joke shop and taking stock of the remaining product. They were in pretty good shape for most things as business right before the war had been slow but they definitely would need to produce more for the upcoming opening.
George took his time really showing her the thought process behind where they had chosen to place products. The better selling products were always paired with a not so great seller to encourage more sales. New and impulse buy products were near the counter.
Once she knew the layout and the store was cleaned they spent the rest of the day stocking the shelves. Taking note of what they still needed to make they finally called it a day well past nightfall.
Friday came with sunshine and the Weasley's took advantage with a friendly game of quidditch after breakfast. It was only Harry and Ginny versus George and Charlie as Hermione had never been the greatest on a broom. She instead enjoyed the sunshine while sitting on the sidelines cheering them on.
Watching them soar through the air brought back so many happy memories for her but they were dampened by thoughts of Fred. If George was feeling the same he was doing a spectacular job of hiding it.
When their game was done they all walked together back to the house, sweaty and out of breath besides Hermione. The others raced upstairs, all of them determined to shower first. She headed to the kitchen and made some tea while she looked over the list of supplies they would need for the shop.
It wasn't long before Charlie came back downstairs, red hair damp and a victorious grin on his face. He poured himself a cup of tea and sat down across from Hermione at the table.
"I see you won the race then," she said, acknowledging him before returning to her list.
"I didn't win, Ginny did. But she didn't close the door fast enough so I took the liberty of showing her the error of her ways." He said with a hearty laugh.
"You're lucky she didn't hex you" Hermione said, a bit shocked at his antics.
"I still might" Ginny called, walking past the doorway in fresh clothes.
Charlie leaned in towards Hermione, talking quietly with a smirk still lingering on his lips,
"Nah, I'm her favorite. I'm safe," with a wink he finished his tea and moved to the sink.
Hermione rolled her eyes and focused again on the list in front of her. George was going to show her where he gets his supplies and they were sure to have a full day of shopping ahead.
After she was satisfied she hadn't forgotten anything she folded up the list and tucked it in her pocket. Looking around she realized she Charlie was still at the sink, washing dishes?
"Charlie, are you doing dishes without magic?" She asked incredulously.
Charlie seemed to shake himself out of a daze and looked down at his hands that were currently scrubbing a tea cup. He looked over his shoulder at her.
"I guess I am" He said with a shrug and a small chuckle.
"The dragonlings are sensitive to magic in the early days. It is irritating to them. Upset babies leads to upset dragon mums and nobody wants that so we limit our magic usage on the reserve."
He finished the last dish and dried his hands.
"I guess it's habit now."
Hermione took this new information in with a nod. She realized she didn't know much about baby dragons even though she had helped with Norbert, well Norberta, in her first year. No wonder the little one was so feisty, there was magic everywhere at Hogwarts.
"Did it hurt Norberta? The time she was exposed at school?" She asked, concern showing in her frown.
Charlie seemed surprised at the question and had to pause to think a moment.
"No, no lasting effects. She has always been a spitfire. She had her first brood last season. They're magnificent little ones." he said, a far off look on his face.
"You miss it don't you?" Hermione asked, watching him.
He gave her a long look before answering.
"I do." He sighed, "it's a different world out there. Always work to be done. And there's always a hint of danger. Don't tell mum that though. I've always been better with animals than people but she seems so happy to have me here a while. There is plenty of time to play with dragons later. "
She visibly balked at his statement.
"What do you mean you aren't good with people? George hadn't left his room in weeks until you talked to him. He's a different person since you came home. I don't know what you said or did but it deserves a Merlin First Class" She said, maybe a bit too firmly.
He cringed a bit at her tone. He shook his head and held up his hands.
"I didn't tell him anything he didn't already work out for himself. But he needed to hear it. To get permission to move on from someone who had some idea what he was feeling. He's not completely there yet, he puts on a good face though. He knows mum needs it, and dad."
Hermione nodded, softening a bit as she thought about how much the Weasleys had suffered. At how much Charlie must be suffering as well.
"And you?" She asked.
"What about me?" he asked, a genuinely confused look on his face.
"You're running around taking care of everyone, dropping your passions to come home and help them. What about you Charlie? What do you need?"
He paused again, pondering her words. He let out a long breath before speaking.
"I needed the time away I thought. To throw myself into my work. But when mum started writing me about coming home I realized I was avoiding it. Making myself busy so I could delay it. I made so many excuses not to come back. But as her letters got more desperate I was less able to block it all out, and so I decided I had no choice but to comply."
He looked around the worn old kitchen.
"It's hard being here again. Nothing is ever the same after something like that happens. Mum is trying so hard to keep the faith but she can feel everyone slipping away from the family, nursing their own wounds."
He starts counting off siblings with his fingers while pacing.
"Bill hardly comes around, even now with Fleur pregnant. They're in their own little world. I was off in Romania without a care for anyone else. George was in seclusion, Percy never leaves work, and Ron is chomping at the bit to leave for training. Ginny is off to school again as well and as happy as mum is for her to finish, she's lonely and grieving. It's sad for a family that was so close to drift apart when we all need each other most so I'm trying to do my part to help."
He stopped and looked at Hermione, shoulders sagging a bit.
"But look at me unloading on you like you don't have your own battles to fight."
"No no! Its honestly good to hear that I'm not the only one that feels that way. It's been quiet as a tomb around here until you showed up." she said
He walked over and leaned against the table beside her.
"I'm sorry, I guess I didn't realize how much I was holding in. Thanks for checking on me love."
He put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"When you're ready to talk come find me, yeah? I know it might be a while yet, but the offer is open."
He strode out of the room before she could really respond. She was glad he talked about the situation. It put into words a lot of what she had been feeling. She was also happy that he hadn't pushed her to talk like so many others had. It was a small relief at least that there was someone who understood her need for time.
George peeked into the kitchen through the doorway Charlie had just exited. She saw him smile and motion her out of the room.
"Are you ready?" he said with an excited grin.
"I thought I was until I saw that look on your face" she laughed as she made her way towards him.
"I'm not going to like this am I?"
He gave her a goofy grin, reminiscent of their school days, and with a wicked look in his eyes he pulled her towards the fireplace.
