Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe, that all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Non Llewellyn however is mine.

Chapter 8

I started awake with a jump to see Ginny stood over me and I blinked, confused. It took me a few seconds to remember where I was and I ducked my head to hide my embarrassment as I realised I'd fallen asleep in the Weasley's garden whilst I was propped up against the tree.

"Where's Teddy?"

I realised with some alarm he was nowhere in sight.

"Andromeda took him home about half hour ago. I can't believe you didn't wake up. You that tired?"

"Yeah, I guess…"

I trailed off as I rubbed the back of my neck which felt a bit stiff. I must have slept with my head at an awkward angle. It wasn't like me not to wake when being disturbed, I was normally a light sleeper and I frowned at myself.

"How long have I been out for?"

Ginny smirked slightly as she offered me a hand to help pull me to my feet.

"Oh, about three hours."

I spluttered.

"Three? Why didn't anyone wake me? And what – what the hell is on my head?"

I lifted a hand up tentatively as I felt something move against my hair.

"Teddy made you a daisy chain crown. And George wouldn't let anyone wake you."

"Oh."

I pointedly ignored Ginny's eyes as I darted my own around the quickly to try and spy where George was but I couldn't see him anywhere. I didn't know what to make of Ginny's comment so I thought my best option would be to ignore it.

A light huff brought my attention back to Ginny but she just rolled her eyes as she grabbed my arm to drag me to the run of tables set out on the lawn and I blearily rubbed at my eyes with my spare hand in an attempt to feel more awake as I allowed myself to be tugged along. I chewed on my lip as I mulled over that I hadn't actually been all that sociable. I hadn't even said hello to most people here and then had pretty much passed out asleep. What the hell must they all be thinking of me? I also realised with a sudden burst of alarm that I hadn't thought to bring anything with me for Mrs Weasley. That's something I should have done right? Like brought some wine, or offered to make something for desert, was that something that people did when they were invited for dinner?

"Does your mam need help with anything Ginny? I feel bad I've not done anything."

Ginny shook her head at my question as she steered me to a chair at the end of the run of tables.

"Nope. Not this time, like I said earlier any excuse to avoid Aunt Muriel."

Ginny's voice had dropped to a whisper as her eyes flickered to the other end of the run of tables where the small yet apparently fearsome old lady was sat at the head of the table, Mr Weasley by her side. Percy was sat in the first seat on the right side of the tables followed by Fleur, Bill, Hermione and Fred. Harry was just moving to sit by Fred as Ginny plonked herself next to him. The first seat on the left side of the tables was empty but following on from that was Audrey, Charlie, Alina, Luna, Ron, and an empty seat directly opposite Ginny. I let out an inner sigh of relief, pleased that I was at the very end so I wouldn't be trapped in from either side even if it did mean I was at technically directly opposite Aunt Muriel. There was enough of a distance with the amount of tables between us that I hedged a bet I wouldn't have to talk with her. It may even be possible that I could get away with not talking to her at all and I bit my lip in guilt at the surge of hope I'd felt at that thought. I was being rude really by not talking to her but, and here I mentally shrugged, I would follow George's lead on when to be introduced to her.

I sat quietly as conversation from around the table washed over me. I don't think I'd ever been to a sit down meal like this before and whilst I'd obviously experienced the busy meal times at Hogwarts in terms of family meals there had only ever been me, my parents and often Gruffudd. I felt a pang of pain at the thought of Gruffudd and I started to chew on my lip as I furiously tried to direct my thoughts elsewhere. The conversation with Alina and Charlie really had thrown me, I could admit that to myself, but now wasn't the time to consider it. Either way I knew I wasn't comfortable in this setting and I felt my stomach dip as a wave of melancholy washed over me. Everyone here seemed so happy and at ease, even Hermione seemed to be enjoying herself but I just felt miserably awkward.

A distraction came then in the form of George who settled in the empty seat that was to the left of me. The resulting anxiety that spread through me however was not welcome and I only managed a tight smile as he greeted me and we settled in to silence, and I kept my gaze determinedly on the empty space on the table in front of me.

He must think I'm so boring. C'mon Non, at least think of something to say.

But I didn't have anything. I felt like I had a mouth full of cotton wool and it was all I could do to keep my breathing even and George didn't offer up any words of his own. Further down the table I could hear people laughing and I bet in ordinary circumstances or when someone wasn't as socially backward as me that George would normally be one of the ones leading the laughter. I started chewing on my lip again when thankfully Mrs Weasley appeared, plates of food hovering by her as she waved her wand and they came floating along to settle in front of us in turn.

I swallowed heavily at what she had made. Spaghetti bolognese.

I had still been having bouts of queasiness following from Wednesday's recovery of Mr Task's remains and this was almost too much. Long strings of pasta covered in a rich red sauce filled with chunks of meet. I breathed in through my nose sharply as I pressed my lips together and tried to count to ten silently as I desperately tried to think of something else.

I can't eat spaghetti properly.

My nerves surged.

Not helpful Non.

I darted a glance around the table to see that most had already started to expertly eat their spaghetti by twisting it around a spoon. How on earth did they even do that?

I had to do something soon, someone was bound to notice I wasn't moving otherwise and I wanted to avoid questions at all costs. Breathing deep through my nose again I grabbed a knife and fork and set about cutting the spaghetti up into bite size pieces. That part of my task done I breathed deep again before tightening my grip on my fork and I started to eat.

That's it Non, open mouth, put in food, chew chew chew, swallow. Repeat. Do NOT think of anything else.

I set my fork down with a huge sigh of relief once I'd finished and I sat back in my chair as I cautiously wiped at my mouth with a napkin in case I'd managed to get some of the sauce over my face.

"Were you guy having a race or something?"

I started slightly at George's voice but when I darted my eyes to him he was looking at Ron. I was momentarily confused until I could see that Ron and even Harry had finished eating too, while George and Ginny still had half a plateful left.

"Something like that."

Ron's muttered reply and thin grim smile was enough to let me know he was experiencing something similar to me.

"Finished already dears?"

Mrs Weasley's voice was drifting closer.

"Here I can dish you up some more."

"No!"

Mrs Weasley stopped abruptly at the chorus of negatives.

"Er, I mean, Er no thank you Mrs Weasley – err Molly."

Harry gave a little cough and I could see his skin had gone slightly grey.

"I'm absolutely full Mrs-Molly. It was delicious thank you."

The quivering of my stomach did not agree with my words.

"Yeah sorry mum I'm full too."

"Full? Are you quite well dear? You always have seconds."

Mrs Weasley tried to place the back of her hand on Ron's forehead as though to check for a temperature.

"Geroff mum, honestly I'm fine."

Mrs Weasley did not look convinced but she nodded to herself once before heading back to her end of the table.

"Okay Ronniekins you are not fine, you never turn down food. In fact you normally make attempts to eat as much as disgustingly possible. "

"Leave off George, it just reminded me of something is all."

I must have let out a pitiful whimper as I saw George and Ginny glance my way before I shut my eyes tightly and gripped hard on to the table with one hand, trying to focus on that than the images flashing through my mind. I heard Harry mutter to himself as well, he had seen the images in the report so whilst he hadn't had the full effect of both sight and smell first hand it was enough to have even made him feel sick.

"Please can someone mention something else to think about, please."

Harry's voice sounded clipped to my ears.

"Professor Slughorn naked."

"Ginny!"

"You're sick."

"Gin that's, that's gross."

Ginny's grinning face came into view as I snapped my eyes open.

"Worked though didn't it?"

George was chuckling loudly and as I half scowled at her I had to concede she was right. My eyes caught Harry's gaze and I was in the process of sharing a commiserating smile with him before I remembered I was annoyed with him and I scowled properly and his own smile dropped.

"Non you aren't still angry with Harry are you? I thought he apologised?"

Ginny was looking at me expectantly and I felt my brow furrow in confusion.

"He has not."

"Yes I have!"

Harry was indignant and I shot him an irritated look.

"You have not. I've hardly seen you all week. When did you apologise?"

I was sure he hadn't.

"Monday morning. I bought you apology bagels."

I felt my lip try to twitch into a smile.

"Apology bagels?"

I mean I'm not going to lie that probably would have gotten me to forgive him. He was nodding his head at me.

"Well I never saw them Harry. How am I supposed to believe you got them?"

Harry took in a deep breath as I could see him starting to get annoyed as he prepared a response. Huh, maybe he had gotten me bagels. But then what had happened to them? I remembered George's words then about Ron always eating and I cast Ron a suspicious look. His face was bright red with his lips pressed tightly together. I gasped.

"You! Ron you ate my apology bagels!"

"Ah what Ron you didn't, did you?"

Ron was hooting softly with laughter, utterly unrepentant as Harry and I both stared at him accusingly.

"Come off it you two, don't look at me like that. Beckett wasn't letting her out of training all day, they'd have gone to waste otherwise."

He may have had a point.

"You still should have told me Ron. If I'd known Harry'd apologised I wouldn't have – have stayed so angry at him."

I was hoping no one noticed my hesitation. I'd almost owned up to charming the toilet roll to stick to Harry's shoe on the Wednesday morning and given the headlines that action had generated I didn't think he'd be very happy with me. Recalling that particular headline I had to fight off a giggle as my lip twitched with suppressed laughter.

"Why did you hesitate?"

Harry was staring at me intently and I could see suspicion growing in his face. His green eyes really could be quite intimidating. I raised a hand to my mouth to pretend to cough. I couldn't answer him, I knew I'd laugh.

"It was you, wasn't it?"

My shoulders were starting to shake with suppressed laughter.

"I'm s-sorry."

I managed to splutter the words out before I broke down into proper silent laughter, my whole body shaking.

"What did she do? What did you do Non?"

Ginny was glancing between the two of us, confused yet her mouth was tilted up in amusement. I darted guilty glances at the faces around me. George looked confused but there was a small smile on his face as they all looked at me expectantly.

"Oh Merlin, okay it was really childish. You didn't manage to see a particular headline about Harry in the paper did you?"

George's eyes lit up as Ginny and Ron tried to hide a laugh.

"What the 'Potter Pooper' one? I thought Skeeter was just annoyed Harry wouldn't give her an interview."

"She was." Harry snapped at George as I'd started to laugh again. "Someone," he shot me a nasty look, "charmed toilet roll to stick to my shoe all day. It wasn't – it wasn't funny! I had to meet foreign dignitaries that day!"

My whole body shook with more silent laughter as my eyes watered and the more Harry continued to protest how unfunny it was the more we all laughed. I took a deep shuddering breath as I tried to compose myself.

"I- I really am sorry Harry. I thought you'd notice early on and get rid of it."

He shot me a rueful smile and then shrugged as he too started to chuckle.

"S'alright."

"Good, you can both go back to being friends now, right?"

I glanced at Ginny and smiled. Harry had hurt me but as he shifted guiltily again I knew it had been an accident. Harry wasn't a spiteful person so I hummed my affirmation and nodded. A smile back from Harry settled the matter and then it turned out to be time for desert.

Mrs Weasley had made trifle. I quickly forgot my laughter at the prospect of eating jelly with everything looking all mushed up like, like…

Potter Pooper Non. Just focus on that.

I smirked to myself as I sped ate my desert. I ignored the raised eyebrow of George as I sat back again in my seat. Everyone else, even Harry and Ron, appeared happy to take their time now. My nerves started to make a reappearance and it was only when I realised I was twisting my fingers in my lap that I remembered to focus on my breathing. Easy conversation washed over me as I sat again worried about what to say when I decided to take a toilet break and re-group.

I muttered to Ginny where I was going as I slipped quietly from the table. I jolted slightly at the sight of my reflection in the bathroom cabinet mirror; I'd forgotten that I was still wearing the daisy chain Teddy had made and I smiled softly at the thought of him. He was such a sweet kid. After doing my business I washed my hands as I thought of what I could possibly talk to George about. I couldn't think of anything. I couldn't even use work as a topic given how bad it had been this week. I sighed miserably and I splashed water on my face before I patted my face dry and took a deep breath and squared my shoulders so I could steel myself to go back outside. I just had to hope that George would figure out something to talk about.

I knew as soon as my eyes landed back on the tables outside that something was wrong. Ron and George's backs were facing me but they were sat far too upright and they both had tension across their shoulders. I could see a clear glower on Fred's face and the Hermione's seat was empty. I scanned the garden and could see she had settled down to sit right at the bottom of it. Ginny's face was tight with anger but I could see her shooting concerned looks at Luna as I got closer to the table. I faltered slightly as I took my seat as I could see even as Luna's head was downcast that her cheeks were wet with tears. Ron had one hand placed awkwardly on the back of her chair as though he wanted to offer up a hug but he didn't quite dare. I glanced nervously around the table but my eyes caught on the beady gaze of Aunt Muriel sat at the other end of the tables to me.

Well, at least now I could have a decent guess as to why Hermione and Luna were upset. I tried to ignore the thundering of my heart as my adrenaline spiked at the hint of threat in her gaze and my hands grasped the edge of my chair lightly. I wasn't going to let her upset me. Firstly I was an auror, I was trained to deal with antagonistic people. Secondly I wasn't a stranger to grumpy old women. In our local chapel when I was growing up there's been a couple of absolute bitches that my mam always had run ins with and I thought then of her advice.

Kill them with kindness Non.

I felt a small smile slip on to my face as I inclined my head at Aunt Muriel.

"It would appear my great nephew has misplaced what few manners he's ever owned and has neglected to introduce you to me dear."

Aunt Muriel's voice was a lot stronger than her appearance would suggest it would be and it carried easily to me.

"Of course I didn't introduce her, didn't want to traumatise her did I?"

"George!"

Mrs Weasley looked horrified and I had to fight to keep my expression neutral as I glanced at George. He was glaring pointedly at his aunt, arms crossed over his broad chest and so he missed my look.

"What's your name dear?"

My eyes snapped back to Aunt Muriel.

"My name's Non Llewellyn ma'am."

"You call me Aunt Muriel. And Llewellyn did you say?"

I struggled to hide a wince at how badly she mispronounced my surname.

"Don't tell me you're Welsh? A backward people I've always found. Why I remember one wizard was so dumb he could hardly speak English."

I felt a spark of anger in my chest and I fought to keep my smile soft. This was like having an encounter with Rita Skeeter when I knew I had to remain polite otherwise she'd run a trash piece against the aurors in her next article.

"I am so blessed to be Welsh, yes."

Beady eyes narrowed at me.

"You don't speak that awful language do you? Sheer stupidity to speak it in this day and age when everyone can speak English."

I could feel my anger flare. I hated it when English people rubbished my language. Why they thought it unusual to speak the language of your own country I could never fathom. I also could never understand their need to feel that English was superior. Perhaps Aunt Muriel was simply ignorant and didn't know the history of the English literally beating the language out of Welsh school children. It was amazing my language had survived the muggle English establishment's onslaught at all.

"I speak the language of my country and the indigenous language of this Island, yes. It's beautiful."

Neutral tone, soft smile, and a scowl in return. Perfect.

"Beautiful? Sounds like a mouthful of spit if you ask me."

No one did you spiteful cow.

When I didn't respond she decided to change tack.

"Well I suppose the Ministry must have known what they were doing pairing someone from a backwater with an imbecile and drop out. I suppose you're well matched."

I heard George's angry intake of breath and I was momentarily stunned at just how rude she was. Was she just like this naturally or was she genuinely just doing this for a reaction? It felt nice to have my mind work through her motives as it stopped me from getting too angry to respond.

"I'm not sure I understand you Aunt Muriel."

"I'm talking about George dear. My ill-mannered, failure of a nephew."

She spoke slowly as though I couldn't understand her words.

"Failure? I don't follow you sorry." I shot her an apologetic look before I carried on, making sure I furrowed my brow in a show of confusion. "Surely George is a co-owner of a very successful business. I mean you are, aren't you?"

I directed my question to George with pretend concern. He had his fingers covering his mouth but his eyes gleamed brightly and he simply nodded his confirmation. There was a slight tremor across his shoulders so I figured he was trying not to laugh.

"Well then, not a failure then."

I smiled softly at Aunt Muriel and she sniffed loudly.

"We have different standards, clearly."

Clearly, she meant mine were lower than hers.

"And what it is your father does dear?"

I saw from the corner of my eye both Mr and Mrs Weasley stiffen slightly. They had told dear Aunt Muriel then that my parents were no longer alive I was sure. I tightened my grip on the sides of my chair.

"He was an unspeakable at the Ministry."

"Was? What does he do now?"

"Oh, he's dead Aunt Muriel."

How I was managing to keep my voice neutral now I wasn't quite sure but I focused on the feel of the wooden chair beneath my hands in an attempt to ground myself.

"And what is it your mother does?"

Bitch, bitch, bitch.

She hadn't even paused to say she was sorry about my father.

"She was a music teacher at the local school."

"A muggle then. And what does she do now?"

"She's dead too, Aunt Muriel."

Aunt Muriel scoffed.

"An orphan then."

Her sheer dismissiveness nearly stunned me. I felt a pang of pain in my chest at her callousness but a pressure on my left foot was enough to get me to refocus.

"I believe that's the correct term, yes."

I was getting dangerously close to being flippant and I could see her eyes starting to gleam. Merlin she wanted a reaction, she wanted to upset me. I kept a soft smile on my face as I forced myself to deliberately loosen my grip on the chair and settle my hands in my lap as I relaxed my shoulders.

"A music teacher. That sounds lovely Non, did she ever teach you to play anything?"

Mr Weasley, bless his soul, was trying to intervene. I didn't speak often about my parents as I found it so painful but I would take this opportunity he had given me.

"She did Arthur yes, it's one of the benefits of growing up in such a cultured country." I paused slightly to let my gentle barb reach Aunt Muriel before I continued. "She taught me the piano, guitar, violin oh and the flute and the harp."

I nonchalantly added on the last two as though it was common to be able to play five musical instruments and I beamed a smile towards their end of the table. You know technically I wasn't lying either. My mother had taught me to play all of those instruments. The fact that I had only stomached a handful of lessons on the flute and harp, was mediocre at best at the violin and guitar and could only truly play the piano well was not something I had to admit.

"When did they die dear?"

You know George had prepared me that Aunt Muriel wasn't going to be nice but the silence around the table at her latest question was so deep I don't think anyone had expected her to be quite this bad. I wanted desperately to chew on my lip or to show my unease but I was adamant I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of my true reaction. She'd upset my friends, been horrible to George and was being an absolute bitch to me. I sent up a silent thanks to Beckett and the other aurors for training me so well to keep my composure.

"Oh, they died in the war Aunt Muriel."

I offered a shrug. This was normally enough to get people to stop asking questions.

"Be specific dear. Was it at the start? During? Did they fight? Come now we all sacrificed things for the war, tell me their story."

I could feel that my face was frozen in a neutral expression. In my mind the closed off doors were starting to rattle, both what I termed the war door and my parents door. I didn't know it if was a good thing that I compartmentalised things so much but I glanced down briefly as I tried to still my mind. Pressure on my left foot again helped to ground me.

"It was at the start I suppose."

"You suppose?" The scorn in her voice whipped over me but what caused me to startle as she smirked at me was the hand that had grabbed my left one. It had to have been George's, unless Ron's arms had all of a sudden become freakishly long, but I didn't dare look at him.

"They died on August 29th 1997". I felt the hand squeeze mine. "It was a Thursday," I added helpfully, and had to fight back a smirk at the glare she shot me. I squeezed the hand back.

"And how did they die?"

I froze. I couldn't think about that night. Wouldn't think about it.

"I'm not going to answer that question Aunt Muriel."

There was a repeated pressure on my left foot now and the hand holding mine was gripping it tightly.

"Why not?"

I blinked in shock at her snappish question as I gathered my thoughts. I was so angry, I could feel it churning in my chest, but I didn't want her to know that.

Neutral voice Non, soft smile, kill her with kindness remember.

"It's not something that I talk about and certainly not to someone whom I've only just met. You must forgive me Aunt Muriel, but the memory of my parents is precious to me. I'm sure you understand how important family can be to a person."

Take that you evil hag.

I allowed a confused look to pass over my face before I spoke again.

"You know I can't remember if I checked on one of the plants in my greenhouse this morning. I've been treating it for a fungal infection so I really ought to have. Would you mind if I checked with Hermione?"

I directed this question at Mrs Weasley hoping she'd give me the out I wanted as I squeezed the hand in mine again before I gently wiggled my fingers to get them to let go.

"Of course not dear, you run along."

"Thank you Mrs W – Molly." I shot her a true smile. "And thank you for food, it was delicious. Do you need me to help with the clearing up?"

"Oh no dear, Ron's told me how busy you've been this week don't trouble yourself."

We were both straining to be polite as possible.

"Okay then, thank you."

I stood up gratefully and inclined my head to Aunt Muriel before I turned and headed toward Hermione. I suppose I should have told her it was nice to have met her but I couldn't face forcing that lie to leave my mouth. As soon as my back was turned my face broke into a grown as I tried hard not to stop down the garden. Anger was washing through my in heavy waves and I felt the prickle of a flush of rage creeping up my neck and on to my face. I had no idea whether I'd handled that conversation well. She'd needled me more than anyone had in years. My hands were trembling with supressed adrenaline and I let out a shaky breath as I plonked down on to the ground by Hermione.

"What a bitch."

My quiet words were choked with anger and I was dismayed to feel tears prick at my eyes. I rubbed at my face furiously. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of having made me cry. My whole body was trembling now.

Hermione let out a snort of agreement as she wordlessly handed me a bottle. I glanced at her startled to see her face still wet with tears of her own but her eyes were blazing with anger.

"What's this then?"

I wiggled the bottle that was now in my hands for emphasis.

"Goblin wine apparently. That old hag brought it with her though so I suspect it's actually just some cheap knock off she's picked up. I – I think I hate her."

Hermione was rubbing absentmindedly at her forearm that still bore a very clear scar of the word Mudblook carved into her skin. It didn't appear that it was ever going to fade and I huffed angrily to myself before I took a suspicious swig.

"Huh. It tastes just like fruit juice. Maybe she's just recycled the bottle…"

Hermione and I continued to murmur to each other quietly as we drank and after a while I felt the anger drain out of my and I flopped down on to my back. Twilight was just starting to settle in and I tried to see if I could spy the appearance of the first star.

"You can really play five instruments?"

Hermione's question jolted me and a giggle escaped me.

"Ha no, not at all. I was absolutely rubbish at the harp and flute."

"So you lied?"

The amused smile on Hermione's face showed she didn't mind.

"Technically no. I said my mam taught me to play them. Which she did."

We both laughed at that then and I all of a sudden felt better. I sat up again to reach for another drink from the bottle as Hermione sighed deeply and rolled her shoulders with a resounding crack.

"Merlin Hermione you need to do something about that."

"Urgh I know. I just always have to sit at my desk for so long or carry so many books."

"Tell you what Mione I'll set you up a training routine."

I ignored her snort of laughter and continued.

"Seriously, I'm out of shape too, I'll write up something for us tomorrow."

Hermione laughed even harder at my words and I found myself joining in, not knowing why it was so funny but just that it felt good to laugh. I let my hand trail through the grass as a pleasant warmth spread through me.

"Alright you two it's safe, the old battle axe has gone. And what exactly is so funny?"

I grinned up at Fred who had walked over to us as Hermione carried on laughing.

"I'm going to be her personal trainer."

"Hermione doesn't need a personal trainer."

Fred's look of confusion was adorable and I giggled.

"Is it safe to go back to the table then?"

Fred for some reason was shooting a suspicious look between me and Hermione.

"Yep it's all clear. Er – are you both okay?"

"Oh yes, fine fine." I waved away his concerns as I moved to stand up. I got to my feet successfully, took a step and then blinked to find myself back on the ground. Hermione was cackling.

"What on earth…"

I prodded at my right leg and glared at my feet suspiciously. I turned to tell Hermione to stop laughing, there was obviously something seriously wrong with my legs, only to see her fall backwards into the flowerbed as she tried to stand up. I laughed.

"Serves you right!"

Fred was huffing to himself before he called out for George and I moved again to stand up. I steadied myself and took one experimental step forward and I didn't fall. Excellent.

"C'mon then Mione, up you get."

I wobbled a few steps over to her but she was laughing too hard to hold her hand up for me to help.

"Fred, can you help?"

I glanced over to get his attention to see George had joined him and they were shooting looks between the bottle they'd scooped up off the floor and us.

"Hi George."

I beamed at him happily. Honestly he'd been so nice trying to support me when Aunt Muriel was doing her worst. George blinked a few times before he stepped closer.

"Hi Non. Erm do you know what it is you've been drinking?"

"Oh just some stupid fake goblin wine, honestly it was more like fruit juice." I waved a hand dismissively. "Fred seriously can you help her up?"

The other twin raised his eyebrows as he grinned at me before moving towards Hermione.

"Non." I startled slightly, when had George moved so close? "This isn't goblin wine, its goblin mead."

"Oh. Oh!" Realisation hit me. "That's why Hermione seems drunk."

"Just Hermione?"

I shoved at George slightly as he grinned happily at me and I scoffed.

"Well I'm not drunk. My legs feel a bit funny but otherwise I'm fine."

Honestly, how silly was he being.

"Of course you are."

"You know, you don't have to always sound so sarcastic."

"My apologies." George smirked as he doffed me an exaggerated bow and held his arm out. "Walk you to the table?"

I eyed his limb suspiciously.

"Aren't you supposed to be ill-mannered?"

"Didn't you quite easily de-bunk that old hag's slanderous claims against me?"

My lips twitched into a smile.

"Technically I only de-bunked one of them." I tried to nudge him teasingly with my elbow but wobbled alarmingly. "Alright well I don't think I need any help, although," I conceded, "maybe don't stray too far away."

George hovered by me all the way to the table as a cursing Fred followed behind with a giggling Hermione. I caught Luna up into a hug as soon as I got to her before settling down into a spare seat. A glass of actual wine materialised before me and I sipped at it happily as I joined in the conversations around the table. Everything seemed so much nicer now that Aunt Muriel wasn't there and after teasing Ron enough that he conceded to play a game of wizard's chess with Luna I was soon wrapped up in conversation with Alina and Audrey.

As night started to settle around us Mr Weasley set up twinkling lights to shine softly over everyone. I'd soon found myself talking to Bill and Charlie too and I couldn't stop giggling at the stories they were telling of the adventures they'd got up to when growing up especially not when George joined in from the seat beside me.

After a while I needed a wee so I quickly excused myself and skipped up to the porch where I bumped into Mrs Weasley.

"Oh sorry Molly."

"It's nothing dear no harm done." She patted my arm comfortingly. "Are you having a nice time now dear?"

"Yes thank you Molly I'm having a lovely time. You've got a such a nice family."

I mean she really did. The Weasleys were just so nice. And there were so many of them. I thought right then that Mrs Weasley must be the luckiest person I knew.

"You're so sweet to say Non. And I am sorry about earlier, with Muriel she can be a bit…"

I waived a hand dismissively as I scoffed.

"Oh that's fine. All forgotten."

Mrs Weasley was sniffling slightly.

"Well if you're sure dear, I would hate to think she'd upset you."

Like she had last week in the kitchen she moved to put a comforting arm around me and I smiled happily as I lent in to hug her. I didn't like that she was getting upset over this.

"Honestly Molly, I'm not upset at all."

I smiled at her as I pulled back and she patted me on the arm once more before she headed out to the tables. I blinked slightly as I stood there thinking over what had just happened.

"Wow. I actually am drunk."

I hear a snort of laughter and whirled around guiltily to see George had walked up behind me.

"Well I did try and tell you."

"Hmph."

I decided to carry on in to the house to get away from his teasing grin but I could hear him following me although he thankfully didn't decide to follow me up the stairs to the toilet. When I came back down he was still in the kitchen and held a plate out to me.

"Biscuit?"

His face was a picture of innocence.

"Nice try. Fred offered me some earlier but I know you've both done something to them, he has a tell."

"A tell?" George's eyebrows shot up. "What is it?"

"Oh no way, I'm not saying. You'll tell him and then he'll know about it and change it and then how am I supposed to know when he's up to mischief?"

"So suspicious." George tutted at me as he moved a step closer. "Well, what's my tell?"

I frowned slightly as I considered his question and glanced up at his face. What was George's tell? I wasn't sure I'd noticed one as yet and I scanned his features. He had just the one ear but that didn't seem to turn pink like Percy's ears did when he lied. His eyebrows were thick and straight, a slightly darker ginger than the hair on his head. His nose was straight, almost too long. Everywhere there were freckles, even dusted along his wide jaw that was just starting to be covered with a fine layer of stubble. Now Fred's tell had been the twitch at the corner of his mouth and I turned my gaze to George's. His lips were full and slightly parted, a pale pink and his lower lip was chapped slightly. There was no twitch though so I returned my gaze to his and blinked rapidly when I saw how close he now was. Merlin his eyes were bright. They were a warm cinnamon colour or perhaps a nutmeg. They were gleaming at me and I furrowed my brow as I tried to think exactly what colour they were.

"Non?"

I could feel his breath ghosting over my face. I blinked slowly. What was it I was supposed to be answering again?

"Um…"

"There you both are!"

Percy's voice startled George so badly he jumped away from me as though he'd been hit.

"Percy. What the hell?"

I raised an eyebrow at George's grumpy tone. That was weird. Percy didn't seem to mind though, he was grinning widely at his brother.

"What did you want Perc?"

Percy glanced at me briefly.

"Just to say that Fred is about to beat George's chair balancing record. Figured you wouldn't want to give up your title George?"

George huffed before he let out a chuckle.

"Right enough. You coming to watch Non?"

I nodded happily as we all moved back outside. George was a few steps ahead when Percy's hand on my arm stopped me.

"Can I have a word Non?"

Percy was swaying ever so slightly and I was happy to realise that Hermione and I were no longer the only drunk people here.

"Of course Percy, what is it?"

"I just, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. For not helping you know when you weren't well. I should have noticed."

I blinked at him stupidly.

"Don't be daft Percy. Why would you have noticed?"

"I should have noticed when.." He trailed off as he ran his hand through his curly hair in frustration before he readjusted his glasses. "I should have known something was wrong when you turned down the invite to mine and Audrey's wedding."

I could feel my face scrunching up in confusion.

"What? I thought you'd only asked me to be polite."

Percy's forced laugh startled me somewhat.

"Non, when a friend asks you to a wedding they aren't being polite. They're asking because they want you there."

"Oh."

I felt a bit funny. I hadn't realised Percy had thought of me as a friend. He and Audrey had helped me out so much when I'd graduated from Hogwarts but I had always supposed that was because it had been part of their job at the Ministry.

"We…we were friends? I thought…I thought you'd both only helped me so much because it was your job."

I felt sheepish as I said that, even more so as Percy gaped at me in outrage.

"You, Non, I can't believe, that is the most ridiculous…" He let out a heavy sigh before levelling me with a clear gaze. "Non we were friends. I would quite like us to be friends again."

He was gazing at me expectantly and I felt a flutter of warmth that felt like happiness. I had always liked Percy and I really liked Audrey but what with me hiding away in work and only ever dealing with Percy via the political minefield that was the Ministry lately I guess I'd lost sight of that.

"Uh yeah alright then Percy, I-I'd like that."

He let out what sounded to be a sigh of relief as he enveloped me in a hug.

"Good."

I squeaked in surprise before I hugged him back. He clearly took after Mrs Weasley.

We broke apart and headed back out to the tables where I found myself sat next to George. I was distracted by Luna's whoop of delight as she finally beat Ron at their game of wizard's chess. I wish I'd had a camera on me at that point to capture Ron's expression of outrage and I snorted with laughter. A tug at my hair distracted me again and I turned to see George smirking at me.

"I want to never forget this moment. Seriously when was the last time Ron lost at chess?"

George grinned at my question before he launched into a story about how he and Fred had one summer made it their sworn duty to sabotage Ron's chess matches with Percy and he did such a good impression of Ron's growing frustrations I was soon nearly doubled over with laughter.

The rest of the night passed that way, with our numbers slowly dwindling as people left to go to bed. I was blearily trying to focus on what George was saying and I blinked slowly as I realised I hadn't heard a single word.

"What-what time is it?"

I reached out for George's arm so I could look at his watch and I pulled it closer to me.

"Ah shit, it's nearly one in the morning."

I struggled to hide a yawn as I glanced sleepily up at George. He looked as tired as I felt.

"I better go."

I let his arm drop as I sluggishly moved to my feet as George muttered something. I glanced absently around for my bag before I remembered I'd left it inside. I paused as I got to the back porch to stretch trying to work out the kinks in my muscles that had set in after being curled up in a chair for so long.

"Hey George, come help clear away the tables."

Charlie's deep voice carried quietly across the garden and I heard George curse from right behind me and I blinked in surprise. I hadn't realised he'd followed me.

"Ah c'mon Charlie."

"What George, you got somewhere to be?"

I heard George curse again as I carried on inside to leave the brothers squabbling. I quickly found my bag and I was just about to head outside to ask where Hermione had got to so we could leave when I saw something out of the corner of my eye in the Weasley living room and I took a step inside to investigate. I mean honestly it looked like a muggle telephone.

I sat heavily down onto the sofa next to it and carefully lifted up the receiver and placed it to my ear and I jolted in surprise. It had a dial done! Had Mr Weasley truly managed to connect a muggle phone correctly to his house? I was amazed and when I put the receiver down and glanced at the rest of the phone I giggled to myself to see he'd even written down that they had a telephone number.

The sofa was ridiculously comfortable and I realised too late that I shouldn't have leaned back against the cushions. I half-heartedly tried to propel myself forward to stand up but the more I moved the deeper into the cushions I seemed to sink. It was just like earlier in the day, every time I blinked my eyes they were harder to open and before I knew it, I was asleep.

A/N: Hello new followers *waves* welcome along for the ride.

Hope you all liked this chapter. I really enjoyed writing a drunk Non.

Let me know what you think, I'd love to know if I'm on the right track writing and storytelling wise.

Diolch/Thanks

Yav

P.S. If you want to learn a bit of muggle history about the English establishment trying to eradicate the Welsh language then feel free to look up information on the Welsh Not. Tis a real thing.