Hi, I do apologise for how long it's been. It's been a whirlwind of a year with Covid, finishing my degree, finding a job etc etc but I haven't given up on this I never did, I just only ever wrote a very infrequent paragraph at a time but here we go we're getting closer to the end. I'm thinking 2 chapters left? No idea when you'll get them though so apologies in advance, I'd like to think by the end of September maybe, we shall see. In the mean time enjoy, and leave a review they make writing worth it so much more!
- HermionesPolyjuice xo
Chapter 26
The following 10 days flew by for each member of the unusual trio and before they knew it it was Thursday the 23rd of December. They all had days off the following day and so were planning on heading back to the UK first thing the following morning, to miss the midday rush. Draco was planning on heading home to visit his mother briefly for morning tea, check in on her since she had been let out of Azkaban a few weeks previously and he obviously had yet to see her. He couldn't bring himself to stay though with all the taunting memories of Malfoy Manor and in addition to his promise to join the Weasleys at the Burrow he agreed to join Hermione and the redheads by lunchtime ready to endure what he anticipated to be a rather uncomfortable and less than enjoyable few days. Charlie had three weeks off from work so would be staying at The Burrow for most of it, Hermione had just over a week off and was planning on playing it by ear but was expecting to come back to Romania after Boxing Day, not wanting to encroach on the Weasleys and not exactly anticipating greater success of her return. Draco only had a few days off from his job in the potion shop so would be returning to Enisala after Boxing Day, if not before depending on how the Weasleys dealt with him.
As a treat, the three of them decided to go out for dinner that Thursday evening after they all finished work. By 7 o'clock they were tucked away in a booth in the cosy pub on the outskirts of town having decided to steer away from the wizarding street of Tibertan.
"Cheers to three days of hell," Draco said clinking his beer with the other two glassed before taking a very large swig.
"That seems like quite the exaggeration," Charlie said as he began to look down the menu, despite already knowing exactly what he would be getting: roast duck with all the trimmings.
"I'm not sure you two quite get how uncomfortable I feel about this," Draco responded, not unkindly, not needing to look at the menu to know he wanted the steak and vegetable pie.
"No, we probably don't know but we do know that we'll be there and it's likely going to be just as uncomfortable for me as it will be for you," Hermione replied with a sad smile. She was reading the menu intently not knowing whether to go for the vegetable stew or the fish plate.
"We're going to get through this altogether. Worse case, I know where Dad keeps his supply of firewhiskey so we can raid that," Charlie said with a wink, receiving a grateful look from the other two.
"So Tuesday's the next full moon, how are you planning on going about it?" Draco asked once they had ordered food, cast a muffliato and knew they wouldn't be disturbed. Hermione chewed at her lip nervously, casting an eye at Charlie.
"Well, I'll be at home so it will be fine for me. I might even go and stay with Remus that night and be with him. And Hermione, no doubt you'll join us," Charlie responded, reaching out and giving Hermione's hand a squeeze.
"I'm not sure, I was planning on coming back probably on Monday so will probably just be here." Hermione avoided her eyes.
"Will you be OK being alone?" Charlie asked, concern marring his face.
"Of course, I did it by myself however many times earlier in the year, it will all be fine, I am sure." Charlie didn't counter her argument, but he also didn't look entirely convinced. She hadn't been alone since they had met and knowing how his wolf was feeling right now about not being together he dreaded to think how she might react. There was an odd silence between the trio before Draco finally piped up.
"You know, we could try me being with you this time what being in your pack and all." Hermione's jaw dropped open and Charlie raised his eyebrows suspiciously.
"No, I'm not entirely sure I'd be comfortable with that," Hermione responded once she had gathered herself.
"Why? You'd be on the Wolfsbane. I'm in your pack so you'll know that I'm safe. You wouldn't do anything to me, we could just almost hang out I guess," Draco argued. Hermione mulled over this for a few moments. She wasn't keen on Draco being there in a human form, she'd obviously never been around humans whilst a werewolf and had no idea how she'd act.
"I'm not sure about that, Draco," Charlie mused. "I think the first time she's alone after meeting me might be difficult for her, we don't want you caught up in anything. Maybe another time once she's used to being alone again?"
"How long are you planning on staying in the UK?" Hermione asked indignantly, not quite catching on to Charlie's drift.
"No, you misunderstood I'll be back by the January moon but just one time might be enough for your wolf to become accustomed to being alone on the full moon again," Charlie explained. Hermione nodded; she understood. They were both concerned about her wolf's reactions to Draco when alone.
"Sorry, Draco. I'm not sure about it this time, we can definitely try it another time though. I reckon the wolf would like to meet you," Hermione responded with a smile reaching across the table to take is hand in hers and give it a squeeze.
"OK, but soon please." Both Charlie and Hermione agreed just as the waitress appeared to take their order and deliver their drinks.
[-||-]
Malfoy had just disappeared from the room to Malfoy Manor, leaving Hermione and Charlie, and a glowing hairbrush, alone in the international portkey transport room at the Romanian Ministry of Magic. They still had 2 minutes and 37 seconds until they would travel to The Burrow. Seeing the terrified look on Hermione's face, Charlie reached out and pulled her close into a hug. She leant into him, resting her cheek against his chest, her hands curled together in between them.
"Everything will be fine, we will get through this together. If it gets too much just say and we'll come straight back without a second thought," Charlie whispered as he rubbed her back. Hermione nodded her head gently. She was of course incredibly apprehensive about this weekend but just having Charlie, and even Draco, with her soothed her quite considerably and a tiny part of her was almost looking forward to seeing everyone again.
The shoe brush started vibrating rapidly causing Charlie and Hermione to quickly grab their bags and touch a finger to the handle before the portkey yanked them from behind the navel off back to England. Once Hermione had steadied herself after a bumpy landing, she put her bag onto the ground and took in her surroundings.
It was grey and drizzly and not overly cold, much like any day in England. They had landed in a field to the south of the Burrow in less than half a mile north Hermione could see the slanted, almost falling over building that she had grown to love so much during her childhood. Her heart began to pound. It all seemed very real now. When she had fled Hogwarts that fateful night she didn't know what to expect for the upcoming weeks or months and her (soon to be) reunion with the Weasleys was not something she had considered. But now it had finally arrived, and she was both nervous and excited. She couldn't wait to be able to see Harry and Ginny again, they had both opened up a lot more towards her in their exchanged letters the previous weeks so she was definitely looking forward to seeing them. She was excited for Mrs. Weasley's cooking, who wouldn't be? But she was very apprehensive about the others, she expected Bill would welcome her with open arms given everything he'd been through, she hoped Fred and George would accept her back again, and she knew Mr. Weasley previously saw her as a second daughter but none of that meant anything until she actually stepped foot into the Burrow. It was Percy and Ron she was most concerned about, especially Ron after what happened with Charlie. Ron had been her best friend for so many years and she loved him like a brother and she just couldn't imagine not running into his arms and welcoming him back like a sister would. She had never wanted her actions to ruin anything, like she had told everyone many times before it was a spur of the moment decision, something she regretted hugely and was incredibly selfish of her.
Charlie reached out and grabbed her hand in his and began walking towards the all too familiar house, whispering kind words of encouragement that went in one ear and out the other. Hermione was entirely in a world of her own and was shocked when they finally reached the large, old oak tree just metres away from the front door. She halted, jarring Charlie's shoulder as he had continued walking. He stopped and turned around; an eyebrow raised.
"Just give me a minute. One minute and then we can go," Hermione said as she closed her eyes and turned her head up to the sky letting the rain fall into her face. Charlie watched intrigued as his girlfriend just stood there. He could only imagine what was going on in that head of hers, so he just left her be and slowly counted to 60. As he reached a minute, he squeezed her hand more tightly urging her forward. She dropped her head, opened her eyes and smiled at him. The first true smile that spread to her chocolate brown eyes he had seen in months.
"Ready?" he asked, despite knowing the answer already.
"Ready," she nodded, and they strode forward hand in hand up the stairs, onto the terrace and through the door.
It was very anticlimactic as it turned out no one was sat in the living room, it felt as if the house was deserted. Charlie and Hermione exchanged a quick look. Charlie was about to call through the house when they heard hurried footsteps down the stairs and turned around to see Ginny appear, a wide grin spreading across her face.
"You made it! I didn't think you'd actually come. I wasn't going to believe it until you stepped across the hearth," she exclaimed excitedly rushing over and embracing Hermione in a hug.
"A promise is a promise," Hermione responded with a smile.
"Yes, but with you track record sometimes you don't know," Ginny replied, but with a wink to tell Hermione she was only jesting.
"Where is everyone?" Charlie asked once he had received his hug from his sister.
"Well, we decided it would be very overwhelming if everyone was here all at once when you arrived. Bill, Percy and Dad are all at work, Fred and George are at the shop, Harry's just upstairs and we managed to convince Mum to pop to the village. She'll be back soon. Hang on let me just call up to Harry." Neither Hermione nor Charlie missed that Ginny had not mentioned anything about Ron. Charlie gave Hermione's shoulder a squeeze, reassuring her once more everything would be all OK.
Moments later, Harry appeared from upstairs, just as eager and excited as Ginny had been that they had arrived.
"We were watching out of Ginny's window for when you arrived," Harry said as he and Ginny sat down on the sofa and Hermione and Charlie occupied two of the armchairs.
"Does anyone know we're here?" Charlie asked.
"No, they know that you Charlie were coming back for Christmas but didn't think you'd be back until tomorrow morning. But they know nothing about Hermione. Oh Merlin it's going to be so exciting. We'd better make sure we get mum's bags out of her hands before she sees you Mione or she'll drop it all," Ginny said so fast it took everyone else in the room a few seconds to digest what she had just said. Hermione looked over nervously at Charlie. She didn't quite know what to have expected with her arrival, but she had been anticipating everyone all at once and getting the reunion over quickly. Having it dragged out wasn't exactly what Hermione had foreseen and she couldn't quite decide whether it was a good or a bad thing.
20 minutes passed as the four of them mad, surprisingly easy, conversation. Harry and Ginny were intrigued to find out more about the reserve and Romania, whilst Hermione and Charlie found out about the Quidditch training; the Holyhead Harpies for Ginny and Puddlemere United for Harry. They suddenly heard a rustling outside the door and footsteps, causing Ginny to jump to her feet. She hurried to the door and flung it open. Hermione could hear muffled voices, but couldn't quite hear what was being said. Just moments later, Ginny reappeared with the bags in her hands leading her mother into the lounge. Hermione took a deep breath before standing up and turning around to face her wizarding mother, as her own mother had named Mrs. Weasley. The reaction was instantaneous. Mrs. Weasley burst into tears and practically flung herself at Hermione, gripping her so tightly Hermione struggled to breathe.
"Oh, Hermione. I'm so glad to see you. Thank you thank you for coming back. We were all so worried but you're safe and you're back. Hermione, my dear what a delight. What a delight," Mrs. Weasley gushed pulling away from the girl. She took a hold of Hermione's face in her hands and examined her closely. Hermione could see the tears threatening to spill out of the elderly woman's eyes but equally the love deep down inside.
"You're looking very thin, my dear. We had better feed you up well whilst you're here. How long are you staying? You can stay as long as you like, weeks or months or whatever works. Now I'll have to make up the spare bed in Ginny's room but anything for you, my lovely –" It was then that Charlie decided to cut in.
"Alright mum, let the poor girl breathe. You're bombarding her," Charlie said, subconsciously reaching out and wrapping an arm around Hermione's shoulder and steering her to follow the Weasley matriarch into the kitchen. Mrs. Weasley eyed her son's actions and knew immediately what was up.
"Oh yes of course. Let's get you a cup of tea deary and we can have a proper catch up. You and I will need a chat too at some point, Charles," she added turning back to her second eldest son and giving him a rather distinctive look. His hand clenched over Hermione's shoulder causing her to wince. Charlie apologised as they both sat down, two steaming mugs of tea placed in front of them moments later.
"Now, my dear you must tell me all. Where have you been? What have you been up to? Everything," Mrs. Weasley said, not unkindly but definitely with a bit of force that told Hermione she was seeking out the truth. She opened her mouth to respond, when thankfully Ginny cut in.
"I'm sure Hermione won't want to repeat her story 10 times in a day, why don't we wait until everyone's back and then she can just tell us once?" Ginny suggested. Hermione mouthed a 'Thank You' over Mrs. Weasley's shoulder, who had turned around to eye her only daughter.
"Yes, OK, that would be fine. I shall send word out to let them know you're here. Get them back fast. I am sure they all are eager to see you," Mrs. Weasley said rising to her feet.
"No," Ginny practically shouted at her mother, receiving a glare. "I mean, surely Hermione would want to settle down a bit, freshen up maybe. It may turn into a long evening. Plus we wouldn't want everyone to have to leave work in the middle of the day." Mrs. Weasley considered her daughter for a minute.
"Hmm, I guess so. Right well I'd better start making up some dinner. I reckon a celebratory dinner is in need." Mrs. Weasley then started bustling around the kitchen, singing to herself, her smile wide. Harry hadn't seen her this happy since probably before Bill's wedding. He was relieved to see it. And he was just so glad his best friend was back he had forgotten he was angry at her. He just loved seeing her and being in the same room as her again.
[-||-]
The two following Weasley reunions went just as well as the first for Hermione. Mr. Weasley had conveniently popped home to 'pick up some tools' from his shed, but Hermione had a sneaky suspicion that Mrs. Weasley had indeed contacted her husband about Hermione; it was not even half an hour before he appeared at the door. He was also not quite as surprised to see her as she may have expected from someone who had not been informed about her reappearance, but absolutely thrilled nonetheless.
It was the twins who Hermione saw next, of course to Ginny and Harry's plan. They had persuaded them to pop to the Burrow for lunch and so bang on one o'clock there were two distinctive pops from the terrace. The two couples and Mrs. Weasley were all sat in the kitchen making their way through a large plate of sandwiches when the patio door burst open and footsteps and laughs made their way towards the kitchen.
"We've made it, did you mi-" but Fred was cut off as he took his seat and having looked around spotted Hermione. His mouth dropped open.
"You'll catch a fly in that trap if you're not careful Freddy," George said also taking his seat and grabbing some sandwiches, not paying attention. Fred couldn't say anything, his just closed and opened and closed his mouth like a fish pointing at Hermione.
"You," was all Fred said after a few long moments.
"You'll need to say more than that for anyone else to underst-" George started but then stopped as he received an elbow in the ribs from his twin and followed his finger towards their guest. Just as his twin had done, his mouth also dropped open.
"I'm sure Hermione didn't come back to see down your throats," Ginny said with a laugh, finding the twins' reactions amusing. This seemed to wake the two of them up and they jumped to their feet, practically ran around the table and both smothered Hermione in what they would call a Twin Squeeze for a good couple of minutes.
"Maybe let her breathe," Charlie laughed, trying to extricate his girlfriend from his brothers' arms. The twins loosed their grip but continued to hold the bushy-haired witch.
"What are you doing here?" George asked.
"When did you get back?"
"How long are you staying?"
"Are you back for good?"
"Where have you been?"
"What have you been doing?" Fred questioned.
"Oh, Mione we've missed you so bad," the twins both gushed together. After catching a rather stern look from their mother, they both let go of their friend and found their seats once more.
"Well, are you going to answer us?" Fred asked after they had all finished a few more sandwiches each. Hermione gulped, exchanged a look with Charlie and took a breath.
"I'm here for Christmas, if that's ok. I only got back a few hours ago. You'll find out the rest when I tell everyone my story later." The twins nodded, both accepting her explanation.
"Brilliant."
"Smashing."
"Fantastic."
"Wonderful."
"Amazing."
"Fabulous."
"Boys," Mrs. Weasley warned but everyone just laughed.
"We were concerned where we were going to send your Christmas present too, so you've certainly made that easier for us," George said so casually one wouldn't have thought Hermione had been 'missing' for over 7 months. Hermione smiled. Oh, how she had missed the twins. She'd missed everyone of course, so much that it had made her heart hurt but seeing them all again felt like another punch in the stomach. She had been silly. She regretted almost every decision she had made since May. But by Merlin was she glad to have finally proven her Gryffindor roots and come back home.
"Who else knows you're back?" Fred asked.
"Just everyone here and your dad," Hermione responded. The twins nodded.
"Yes, I reckon you'd be sporting an injury if Ronnikins had found out. Percy will be Percy he'll probably just give you the silent treatment but Bill will welcome you back with open arms no doubt," George muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
"And we assume you two getting all loved up is part of this later story?" Fred asked nonchalantly, causing Hermione to choke on her pumpkin juice. Charlie hit her on the back as she coughed loudly. Once she had stopped, she eyed the twins her face blushing bright red. They just smirked back at her but gave each other a high-five, causing both Hermione and Charlie to roll their eyes.
"Right, well we'd best be off back to the store," Fred exclaimed jumping to his feet.
"It's incredibly busy at this time of year," George explained, banishing their plates to the sink.
"Wouldn't want to leave Lee in charge for too long," Fred added and like that they both disappeared with a pop.
"Well, that went about as well as it could have done," Ginny said with a grin leaning back in her chair. Charlie and Hermione exchanged a look. It had gone well. Everyone about today had gone very well. It concerned them both about later. About what would happen when the truth was spilt and about when an unwanted guest turned up at the doorstep. Hermione gulped as a shiver ran down her spine, just thinking about this evening, the butterflies and nerves appearing once again.
(A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first part of the reunion, leave your thoughts in a review! I think this is the longest chapter of the story so it had better been worth it)
