a/n1: Hello my dear readers! I'm so sorry about my continued absence. The dementors are currently a major pain in the arse and make it hard for me to get stuff ready to be published. Thanks to my lovely betas viv-heart and reynardinepttr this chapter can now be presented you! Enjoy! :)

31st May 1998, 03:24

"Ginevra, what a beautiful name for such a beautiful young lady," Tom purred in Ginny's head. "I wish my mother had been that creative with my name."

"I like your name, Tom," Ginny thought timidly.

"Thank you, dear," the voice in her head said, sounding pleased. "Now, let's go down to Hagrid's, shall we?"

Ginny nodded, but before she could stand up, blackness encompassed her and she felt like she was being pushed back. She saw her hands around the necks of the roosters. Tracing red letters on the wall. Hanging Mrs Norris up where she would be seen.

"Ginny! Ginny!" Tom called teasingly, and then Voldemort descended on her and started shaking her.

"Ginny! Wake up, Gin!" Somebody's fingers dug into her shoulders. With a scream she woke up and blasted them across the room. Opening her eyes she clasped her hand over her mouth when she saw Charlie slide down the wall.

She was out of her bed and running over to him before she realised it. Falling to her knees, Ginny pulled her wand out of its sheath on her left arm. She whispered 'Rennervate' and released the breath she had been holding when Charlie started stirring softly.

"I'm so sorry, Charlie," she whispered over and over again, voice and hands shaking. Conjuring a few candles, Ginny searched her brother's head for the source of the blood on the wall. When she found the gash she summoned a small white globe to give her better light. The healing charm Ginny chose had served her well during the last year. She had in fact gotten so good with it, that it didn't even leave a scar.

"It's alright," Charlie mumbled when she was done, rubbing the spot where the wound had been a moment ago. "Do I want to know why you're so good at healing charms?"

Ginny shrugged. "The last year was hell and it wasn't exactly safe to go to Madam Pomfrey. Someone would always be lurking around."

Charlie cocked his head and searched her face. Ginny returned to her bed, wrapping her arms around her knees. She didn't need his sympathy, or pity, or whatever. She had gotten plenty from her friends. Her family had been too busy mourning to really notice her though.

"Do you want to tell me?" Charlie asked, standing up to sit in the armchair by her window. "I guess nobody else asked so far."

Ginny hummed in affirmation and turned to look out of the window into the night sky. "They were too torn up with grief, I don't blame them."

"I'm glad," Charlie said with a small smile. "Because you shouldn't."

Ginny snorted. "But you're right, aside from Harry nobody's asked so far."

"Not even the guy you're seeing?" Charlie asked in surprise, and Ginny whipped her head around to him. "Your glamour slipped the other day and I know for a fact that you're sometimes leaving the Burrow late at night."

"How?" Ginny snapped. She felt cold curl in her stomach and her fingers itched to draw her wand again.

"I was still in the living room, just thinking, when you walked out the back door," Charlie explained calmly. "You didn't notice me because the fire had burned down."

"Oh." Ginny breathed a sigh of relief. "Did you tell anyone?"

Charlie seemed confused. "Why would I? It's your decision, and you seemed more relaxed the next morning, so I figured he is good for you."

"Why are you so sure it's a he?" Ginny asked teasingly, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe I have a very beautiful lady I visit at night."

"Well, I guess you're right, my bad," Charlie said with a low chuckle. "But don't let Mum hear that she won't get grandchildren from you either."

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked, frowning at her older brother.

"What do you know about what happened before I left for Romania?" Charlie asked, not meeting her eyes and toying with a button on his shirt.

Ginny shrugged. "Not much. I know Mum was upset, but she didn't tell me anything because I was too young in her eyes. And that Bill left soon after for Egypt."

"Yeah, she was upset alright," Charlie said much more viciously than Ginny had ever heard him talk. His normally soft and friendly features were marred by a deep scowl, and she feared he'd rip off the button he was playing with.

"What happened, Sha?" Ginny asked quietly, leaning towards her brother and using her childhood nickname for him.

He smiled weakly. "I discovered my sexuality, or rather the lack thereof. I realised that I'd be happy with dragons for children."

Ginny watched her brother closely and caught the movement of his hand when he clenched it into a fist. Somehow she knew what must have happened next. "You told Mum?"

Charlie nodded grimly. "As soon as I realised it. The only thing that stuck with her was of course that she wouldn't get grandchildren from me. As if she didn't have other children."

"I'm so sorry," Ginny whispered, paling. "She had no right to treat you like that!"

"Thank you, Gin," Charlie said with a small smile. "The biggest problem was, that I was still a teenager and started yelling at her. It's actually a wonder nobody came running. We were interrupted by a letter coming with an owl we didn't know. It was the International Dragon Preservation Agency, telling me that the only free position was in Romania," Charlie trailed off, looking out of the window.

"And you accepted it," Ginny stated. It was obvious.

"Right there in front of Mum," Charlie confirmed with a slight bow of his head. "I sent the owl straight back to them and told her I was going upstairs to pack. I had seen that she couldn't accept me the way I am and I knew I wouldn't be able to live with that. Not after I finally knew why I never understood my roommates or my own brother."

"Do you regret it?" Ginny asked quietly.

"Yes," Charlie said with certainty. "I don't regret working for the IDPA, but I regret leaving in the middle of an argument like that."

"Did she ever come around?" Ginny was nearly sure that she knew the answer, but she needed to hear it.

"No, she came to apologise on Christmas that year, but it ended in just another shouting match," Charlie told her sadly. "She still thinks I'll just have to find the right girl and then everything will change."

"That's why you're planning to leave again, right?" Ginny scooted over to the other end of her bed, closer to Charlie. "I'm so sorry that had to happen to you."

"It's okay," her brother told her with a sad smile. "I don't need her approval anymore. Dad is actually pretty fine with it and Bill only asked me to tell him if I needed anything over with the 'barbarians'."

Ginny laughed. "That sounds like him."

"So, are you sufficiently distracted from your nightmare?" Charlie asked gently.

"Yes, actually," Ginny smiled at him. "Thank you for telling me."

"You deserved to know," Charlie said simply. "So, are you really seeing a lady?"

Ginny blushed. "No, a fine gentleman Mum, Dad and Ron wouldn't approve of."

"So, a Slytherin in your year?" Charlie asked, his eyes glinting and a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

"No, actually in Ron's year," Ginny said laughing. "Blaise Zabini, son to Giulia Zabini, famous black widow and fashion icon."

"No way!" Charlie exclaimed. "I heard he is just as heartless as his mother!"

"That's a reputation he likes to maintain," Ginny said with a grin. "And I know he slept around a lot, but he hasn't since we've met and he actually seems to care about me."

"What makes you think so?" Charlie asked curiously, but he didn't seem to doubt her.

"He invites me to rock concerts, tries to teach me how to drive a muggle car. Stuff like that," Ginny explained, cradling her cushion close. "No roses, or expensive chocolates, luckily."

"That actually sounds nice," Charlie admitted with a laugh.

"It is," Ginny whispered. "It makes me forget the last year and he makes me very happy."

"That's it, I'm sold on him," Charlie replied with a wink. "If anybody has a problem with your relationship, send them to me!"

Ginny laughed. "Thank you, Sha."

"That's what big brothers are for," Charlie said, standing up and stretching. "But if he hurts you, he'll be dragon food. I have that cute Chinese Fireball over at the reserve that really likes to play with his food."

Ginny groaned and buried her face in her hands, so Charlie wouldn't see her smile. He left cackling, and when he closed the door behind him Ginny flopped backwards onto her bed. She banished the glowing orb and only left three floating candles. She was lucky to have a brother like him.

12:07

George looked at the tiny bag on the bed. A fifteen by forty centimetre bag was all it took for him to get ready. Granted he had shrunk down his books and the second pair of shoes. But all his clothes, the little things he tinkered with when he was nervous and the small radio they had used as a communication device during the war fit into a depressingly small bag.

During the last year it had been better that way. A small go-bag could be easily snatched if one needed to leave in a hurry, as they often had. It was safer to have less you could forget to pack and leave behind. Especially with Fenrir and his pack working with You-Know-Who. It had saved their lives a few times too often.

And yet. It still bothered George that he had been able to reduce his whole life into a bag he could easily carry with one hand.

George was startled out of his reverie by his mother calling up the stairs. Lunch was ready. He doubted it. But he nevertheless shut the bag and left the room. His mother didn't yet know that he would leave this afternoon. That he didn't plan on coming back except for Sunday dinners. Too many memories in this place.

Not for the first time George wondered how Theo was able to stay in the manor. After the incident the day before, he asked him about what happened in the house during the war. The way Theo had paled made George regret his question.

Arriving downstairs, George took a look around. Charlie was already setting the table and Ginny was reading on the couch in the living room. She wore long sleeves although it was rather warm today, and pulled them over her hands from time to time. Percy was nowhere to be seen, but was probably outside smoking.

Finally Molly realised that he was standing at the bottom of the stairs and called George over to taste the sauce. It was good, as always, but George didn't feel the usual spark of delight in his mother's cooking skills.

Lunch was a quiet affair until, when nearly everyone was done, George said "I'm moving to Theo's today."

"Which Theo, love?" Molly asked cautiously, putting down her cutlery slowly.

"Theodore Nott," George answered calmly. "He offered, since he has more than enough space, and I accepted."

Molly openly gaped at him, Arthur looked between his wife and his son. Ginny smiled encouragingly. Charlie gave him a thumbs up.

"That's a good idea, Theo seems rather lonely," Percy said finally with a small smile. "I guess the flat is still out of question?"

George nodded and smiled at his older brother, thankful for the lifeline he was throwing him. "That's right, and I need my own place again."

"But aren't you happier here, with your family around?" Molly asked shrilly.

"I'm sorry, mum. I guess I'm already too used to living alone to really enjoy living with my family," George explained with a sad smile. He understood where she was coming from, why she didn't want to let any of her children go. It was bad enough that Ron lived with Harry and Hermione.

Finally Arthur put a hand on Molly's arm. "I'd take it as a sign that he's getting better, love," he said calmly, shooting a quick smile to George. "I'm sure he'll still visit, it's not like he's moving to the other side of the world."

George noticed a frown on Charlie's face, but it was gone so quickly that he was nearly sure that he had imagined it. "Dad's right mum, I'll just be an owl away."

Molly nodded, but she stood up and left for the stairs anyway. His father sighed sadly, looking after his wife.

"It's hard on her, but I think it is for the better," Arthur finally said, turning back to his children. "She will have to get used to you not living here again."

"I guess I'll be next," Percy said quietly. "I'll be moving back into my flat in London soon. My flatmates will both return within the week."

"Who are you rooming with?" Ginny asked curiously. Percy didn't normally talk much about his life before and during the war.

"Penelope Clearwater and Gabriel Truman," he answered quietly. "And technically Pen's girlfriend Gemma Fawley."

"The daughter of Richard Fawley?" Arthur asked in surprise.

"Yes, she is there more often than not," Percy said drily, chuckling. "She is actually quite nice."

"George, would you mind if I tagged along?" Ginny asked suddenly, before their father could ask any more questions.

"Yeah sure, I'll only get my bag and say goodbye to mum," George said, standing up and sending his plate to the sink with a flick of his wrist.

Fifteen minutes later George was finally able to flee the clutches of his mother, and they flooed over to Nott Manor. Theo was already waiting in front of the floo, sitting on the couch reading.

"You you didn't have to wait here for me," George said in lieu of greeting. "It's quite cold down here. By the way, I hope you don't mind that I brought Ginny along."

"A wonderful afternoon to you too, George, Ginny," Theo said sarcastically, putting his book away and standing up. "And I quite enjoyed the cold after a morning spent outside in the sun."

George snorted, clasping Theo's outstretched hand. "What happened to you? Are you ill? Why did you spend the morning outside?"

"Grank forced me to tell him whether the gardens can stay like this," Theo admitted. He turned to Ginny and said with a slight bow, "is there a special reason why you decided to accompany your brother?"

"Indeed there is," Ginny said with a laugh. "Maybe we could talk on the way to George's room?"

Theo nodded and motioned for them to follow him. "Now, what is on your mind?"

Ginny bit her lower lip, a sure sign that she was nervous. "Hermione, Blaise and I thought we should organise a little birthday gathering for Draco. Maybe even invite his muggle cousin, since they seem to get on rather well."

Theo looked back at Ginny. "So you're the girl Blaise is so secretive about."

George stumbled and Theo caught his arm to steady him. "You're dating Blaise 'I fucked everything' Zabini?"

Ginny blushed, drew her wand and pointed it at George in one fluid motion. "Yes, I am, problem?" she asked tartly.

George frowned at Ginny's defensiveness. And then he realised what kind of reaction she anticipated from her brother. She expected to be ridiculed by him. "Does he make you happy?"

Ginny startled. "I- Yes, he does."

"Good, if he doesn't he'll have the pleasure of trying out my newest inventions first," George said with a wink. "By the way is it true that he can do that thing with his fingers…"

Ginny sent a Stinging Hex at his left cheek, but it barely hurt. He rubbed the spot demonstratively.

"I guess that means yes," Theo said contemplatively, a huge grin on his face. "And that would explain a few things about last year."

"Just because you aren't my brother doesn't mean I won't hex you," Ginny said with glinting eyes and Theo raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Alright, alright, Red," he said laughing. "Don't worry, no more jokes from my side."

"Anyway, about that party," Ginny said as they continued down the hall. "Blaise thought it should be just his friends and he mentioned a lodge?"

George laughed. "Oh, the lodge…"

"Shut up, you prat," Theo muttered his cheeks colouring. "The hunting lodge was Draco's, Blaise's and mine preferred spot to get pissed. I actually redecorated it as a pub and it's rather close to the bigger lake on our premises. Quite perfect for a summer birthday party."

"So you'll be our host?" Ginny asked, turning around so she could look at them.

"Yeah, of course, we need more parties these days," Theo said with a small smile. "But I'll have to check the wards, whether I can make them let a muggle in. They're quite old and they were put in place long before the Statute."

George actually felt a tiny spark of excitement. "I think I'll come up with a few fun things for the party, if you don't mind."

"No, absolutely! Maybe Granger can handle the invitations? But let's not make it a surprise party, Draco doesn't particularly care for those," Theo said, before stopping in front of a huge door. "Luckily we have a month's time to prepare everything."

While they had been talking they had reached the third floor in the west wing, and George only just now realised that all the portraits he had seen so far in the house had been silenced. But all of that was forgotten when Theo opened the door to his suite.

The first room was a small, quaint sitting room, a fireplace on the left side. One couch faced the fire, another was positioned in front of the huge window, looking out over the gardens towards a lake.

On the left side, next to the fireplace, a door led into a study, roughly the same size as the sitting room. Three walls were lined with shelves and the fourth had cupboards to the sides of the floor length window. A long table had enough potions equipment for three projects at once and a desk was already stacked with parchment and quills. A small fireplace was situated on the left wall.

Theo then led George to another door on the opposite side of the sitting room. That one opened into a bedroom, which had a king-sized four-poster bed with plum coloured hangings. This room again had a small fireplace on the left wall, in front of which a loveseat and a foot-stool were inviting him to relax.

"Well, that's certainly an upgrade," Ginny finally said and George could only nod.

This was beautiful and amazing and way too much. But apparently Theo didn't think so.

"It's my pleasure," he said quietly. "Normally the siblings of the Nott family would live on the same floor. But my father didn't want any more children, so these rooms haven't been used in some time."

George looked over to Theo, and caught him fingering his right trouser pocket.

"I can't believe you'd just give them to me," George said to distract him. It worked.

oOo

21:53

That night, after they retreated into their respective rooms, George found himself entering his study. He soon found the book he had searched for and settled down at the desk, preparing a sheet of parchment and a fresh inkpot.

'Calming Draughts and how to brew them' turned out to be the perfect book for George's needs. It gave a short summary of the brewing theory of the Calming Draughts most commonly applied in hospitals and in private. It also told him how certain potions could be modified. George remembered that the liquid Theo had taken the other day didn't look like the basic Calming Draught they learned to brew in school. The book described a dove-grey potion that was mostly given to counter anxiety-fuelled nightmares.

George started taking notes on the theory and the brewing process. He would develop a less addictive, easy to make Draught especially for people with panic attacks, because George doubted that Theo was the only one. And since he hadn't found anything like that in the book, he'd have to mostly develop it himself.

a/n2: So, Weasley siblings interaction and George's inspiration is finally back! What did you think about this chapter? Tell me, your comments truly make my day! :)