**Disclaimer** I do not claim to own anything that's not mine (J.K. Rowling wrote these amazing things before I could even dream of them). I do claim my main character, Dee.
I was helping Con in the kitchen a few days later. She had transformed the house back into a clean, pleasant place to live in again. She was also a great cook. Now, she was taking me on, trying to teach me how to cook. I had never bothered to learn household skills or cooking. I never had to take care of a place of my own with always being gone and being at Hogwarts so often, the house elves just fed me. She worked quickly, so it took a lot of effort to keep up with her. I was chopping some carrots while she dressed a goose.
"So are you still going to stay?" I asked, hopeful. She looked up at me confused.
"Why wouldn't I?" She replied as she finished with the goose. Light streamed in from the windows as we prepared a big dinner. We were having a celebration for me that was a "Welcome Back/Happy Late Birthday". It was Da and Con's idea…
"Well, I thought you were only going to stay until I got my memory back." I said as I added the carrots into the pot of stew.
"Go ahead and make up those rolls now." She directed me towards the bowl of dough, pausing from our conversation. "I can stay until closer to school start. You guys really needed a woman's touch here…" She continued. "Not that your touch is lacking, it's just that you never had anyone to teach you proper." She added. I laughed. That was a huge understatement. A pang of sadness stabbed at me though as I thought of my mother. If only…
"If I had ever spent any time at home after the age of eleven, then maybe I would have had a chance at learning before now. But it's not uncommon anymore for young women to not learn about "homemaking" basics until they are adults. Too much other stuff to learn about in school to worry about that stuff, especially if you don't have a mother around to teach you." I told her while placing the newly shaped balls of dough on the cooking sheets.
"How old are you now any ways? I guess it'd be good to know for sure since I'm gonna be decorating your cake later." She mused.
"A cake?" I exclaimed, a grin spreading on my face. She froze, a guilty look coming over her face.
"Oops. It was supposed to be a surprise." She said softly. I chuckled.
"I'll pretend to be surprised." I promised with a wink. "And I'm eighteen now. I feel so old…" Con laughed at me.
"I remember my eighteenth birthday. I had spent the whole day with my best friends, Kara and Lily. I had just said goodbye to them when a big, scraggly, black dog jumped out from behind a tree…" She smiled softly at the memory and I was confused why she was smiling over a dog. "It really was a pleasant birthday…" She mused happily but also kind of sad. I was confused that she didn't finish the story but I didn't push it. "The day resulted in my beautiful daughter, Annie." She added a few moments later. I dropped the ball of dough I was holding in my hands back into the bowl as I was shocked by her statement.
"You have a daughter? Where is she? I didn't know you were married." I said in disbelief. She smiled softly, her eyes full of sadness.
"I wasn't married. Her father and I never were officially together. He's the reason why I am over here. He died recently. I never told him about her. I regret it now. Annie is staying with a friend for the summer. She lives in the States with me normally. She goes to the school I work at. She's a very talented witch. She's also an animagus. She got that from her father…." Con explained. Interesting… I wonder who her father is. I didn't want to ask Con directly because I didn't think she really wanted to talk about it, so I let the subject drop.
We finished putting together the dishes for the dinner and let everything cook while we washed up the pans. Working together, we decorated the dining room with streamers and balloons. Isn't that how you decorate for a birthday party? I was quite excited. I watched Con decorate my cake, even though it was still supposed to be a surprise. She made it look like a big spell book and enchanted it to look like it's pages were turning and it had big number 18, all gold and glittery, shimmering above it. We had moved on to checking on the food and pulling out table ware when George burst into the kitchen with Fred on his heels.
"Mmm… Something smells delicious!" Fred said, sniffing at the air dramatically. George pulled me into his arms, causing me to drop the spoon I held, and sniffed at me.
"Yep. I have to agree." He said, winking at me. I smiled. They started moving around the kitchen, poking their fingers into the food for a taste. Con started shouting at them to get out of the kitchen, brandishing a large wooden spoon as a weapon. They scurried out like little mice, laughing as they went.
B~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B
The dining room was full of people. I looked in awe around the room at all the people who had accumulated in my life. The majority of the Weasley family was gathered, as well as Harry and Hermione. Da had also invited the Diggorys, Hagrid, Mad Eye, Tonks and Lupin as well. Everyone was chatting excitedly as they partook in the meal. Several people shouted out at Con and I, complimenting us on the food.
Unkie Aber sat in a corner with Da. I could tell from where I was that they were arguing again but I couldn't tell what about. I felt so blessed to have gathered such an amazing group of people. Though, it was sad realizing how much I missed having Sirius around. Images flashed through my mind at the thought of Sirius. The fight at the Ministry still haunted my dreams at night. I didn't want to linger on thoughts of it again now though, so I pushed them away.
Con brought out my birthday cake and everyone sang happy birthday to me. It was very funny as not a single one of them could hold much of a tune. George and Fred sang the loudest and the most off-key, though I think they were trying to be as off-key as possible.
Cedric smiled at me from across the room as I stood back to enjoy the site of all the people I'd come to care about. His smile faded though and he turned away just as I felt arms grab me from behind. I squeaked, startled, as George placed a wet kiss on my cheek.
"Beautiful sight, eh Love?" He asked softly against my ear. I nodded slightly and smiled.
"I never thought I'd be surrounded by this many people." I stated. "Well, I mean, this many people who know who I am and are allowed to see me." I corrected with a laugh. George chuckled softly too.
"Well, it's only going to get bigger." George said.
"What?" I asked.
"The group. It's only going to get bigger. You'll be surrounded by a huge mob of people… Hopefully that love you and not chasing you down with torches and pitch forks…" He mused in fun. I raised an eye brow and shook my head.
"You've been watching Frankenstein, haven't you?" I accused, smiling. "Just because he's your great great grandfather doesn't mean you have to watch the movie about him all the time." I teased. He made himself grow bolts out of the sides of his head and I started laughing as he started to imitate Frankenstein. I turned away from him, letting my laughter die. "Anyways… The group isn't going to get bigger though if more of them die…" I added sadly.
"Aww. Don't think like that. Only happy thoughts." George encouraged, tickling me lightly on my tummy, making me smile.
"Yeah. Happy, unrealistic thoughts…" I gloomily threw back at him, looking up and over my shoulder to see George's face. He stuck his tongue out at me childishly, which looked especially funny since he still had Frankenstein bolts. I laughed.
"Don't make me steal you away from our family and friends just to prove to you there are happy and realistic thoughts still left in this world." He threatened ornerily with a grin and a wink. I blushed and he chuckled quietly at me. He snuggled my neck, giving me soft kisses.
"I love you George." I whispered to him. He grinned at me.
"Of course you do. How could you not?" He replied, playfully cocky. I gave him an exasperated look and shoved him away with a smile. "Just kidding. Sheesh, can't make a joke around here anymore. I wish your memory had remembered to bring its sense of humor back with it." He said, teasing me. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him laugh. "I sure do love ruffling your feathers." He said with a wink and I couldn't help but to laugh.
"I wish that wasn't the only thing you loved." I said coyly. He feigned an injured and shocked look and managed to pout cutely. He pulled me back into his arms.
"Oh, but I do love something else much more." I cocked an eyebrow at him in fake disbelief. "Oh yes. I absolutely LOVE making a good joke." He said. I gasped and swatted playfully at him, pouting. "Oh, alright. I love you too." He conceded finally. I smiled and pulled him close for a kiss. Others around us whooped and hollered, teasing us but we ignored them.
The evening dwindled away as well as the food. Da set up the playroom in the attic into three rooms to house the Weasley family for the night. Everyone else headed off to their own homes. The Weasleys were staying though, because Mrs. Weasley wanted more time to fuss over me and to visit with Con. It would be a full and crazy house but I wasn't complaining. I enjoyed having the Weasleys around, especially George of course. Though, technically, George and Fred had their own place over top their shop, they had opted to stay the night as well.
George, Fred, Ron and Harry sat at the breakfast bar playing a card game while Con, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Hermione and I all worked together to clean up from the party. Unkie Aber, Da and Mr. Weasley were lounging at the dining room table discussing Muggle politics. The three groups of conversations and chatter ran together, mixing beautifully like a symphony. I smiled happily. This was the best birthday party I'd ever had. Well, actually, it was the only birthday party I'd ever had. In the back of my mind, I thought of my mother and wished she could have been alive to see me grow over the years. Everyone told me how wonderful she was. Con had so many stories to tell me about her. It made me hate my mother's brother so much more. How could someone do that to their own sister?
The bustle of everyone and everything had left me exhausted. I yawned widely and slipped off quietly upstairs to my room. Everyone else was too busy to notice my departure but I didn't care. I was used to not being seen.
When I entered my room, I threw myself on my bed and sighed deeply. I closed my eyes, tempted to fall asleep without even changing. My mind was fuzzy with sleep and my breath evened out. I fought with myself mentally to stay awake and get up to take a shower and change into pajamas. I was so deep in my mind, craving sleep, that I must not have heard the door open, then close and lock.
My sleepiness was shocked away as I felt a soft pressure on my bare ankle, which hung off the bed. The pressure dotted its way gently and slowly up my leg until it got to where my shorts were. I was frozen, unsure of what to do. I felt breath above me and I breathed in the familiar scent of gun powder, sugar and musk. I smiled slowly and opened my eyes. There was George, grinning down at me.
"You better have thought that it was me all along." He scolded in a whisper. I blushed.
"Well, hopefully no one else would be sneaking into my room and kissing my legs. Weirdo." I whispered back with a smile. I didn't move from the bed, so he joined me. He snuggled close, his arms enclosing around my waist and he kissed me softly all over. The combination of his warmth, comforting touch, steady breathing and soft kisses lured me back into sleepy mode and I dozed off to sleep.
B~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B
I awoke to kisses and sunlight. I smiled without opening my eyes and George's kisses finally captured my mouth.
"Good Morning." I breathed softly to him as our kiss ended.
"Good Morning Love." He whispered back, his hands caressing my body.
"What are you doing?" I asked, amused.
"Just helping you wake up." He whispered back with a grin before dipping his head down to start kissing down my neck. My body did awaken under his touch. I sighed happily as his large hands encircled my waist and slipped up under my shirt. We lost ourselves in each other's touch and made love until we fell asleep, again, in each other's arms.
B~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B
I awoke as a loud pop sounded within the room. George's arms tightened around my waist protectively.
"I know you two are under there." Fred's voice said, indicating the quilt that was pulled up over our heads. George peaked out of our cave.
"Oh, hey Fred." He said casually. I giggled from my spot, still hidden beneath the covers.
"You know, Mum will flay you alive if she catches you in here." Fred said.
"Pshh. I'm a grown man…" George replied, unconvincingly. I moved my fingers over George's bare chest, trailing down over his stomach where I lightly tickled him. He squirmed under my touch. "Stop that Dee." He chuckled. "So, how can I help ya Fred?" He asked business like.
"You could help me by coming back to work. I can hardly stand that girl, Verity. We butt heads constantly." Fred said, exasperated. I started to kiss George all over his chest and down his stomach. Again, he squirmed beneath my touch but this time he didn't tell me to stop. "Oh, will you stop that Dee?" Fred exclaimed and grabbed the quilt, pulling it off of us. I invisified as I let out a shriek. George glared at Fred as he got up and put some clothes on.
"Not cool. Calm down Fred. I will come back to work tomorrow. I promise. Okay?" George said, still glaring at Fred.
"Thank you." Fred huffed. "Sorry Dee." He apologized to me before disapparating away.
"I wonder what's been going on at the shop that's got his panties in such a tight bind." George mused as he threw himself back on the bed. I became visible next to him. His eyes traveled over my naked body while a grin spread across his face. I smiled back. We'd definitely be spending the rest of the day in bed. We'll need some charms set to keep everyone out. I thought. I started to silent cast these as George's mouth captured mine again in a deep kiss. Tomorrow would come too quickly.
*** Happy Chapter! Yeah! Haha. I loved writing this chapter so much. =) I hope you guys loved it as well. Sorry for the late update. I was gonna update earlier but I didn't get finished typing it up before the Finale of; So You Think You Can Dance, came on. Anyways… So, Con's daughter, Annie, will be the main character of my next story and I haven't decided who she'll end up paired with yet, but I promise it will be either; Cedric, Fred or Neville. I haven't decided yet, plus the pairing will depend on the fate of those men in the ending of this story! Thank you for all the Reviews/subscriptions/favorites added from the last chapter. You guys gave me crazy response on it! I was in HEAVEN. LOL. Thank you for Reading. Please Review! I love you guys! XOXO