A Match Made at the Ministry

Chapter 2: Betrothed

Charlie Weasley sat out in the garden at the Burrow, drinking a Muggle beer. His desire was to drain it and grab another one out of the charmed cooler at the end of the table but thought better of it. Didn't want his betrothed to think he was a drunk. Betrothed. That's what the press were calling the matches and it had kind of stuck. He still didn't know much about Tracey Davis and his sister hadn't helped. She claimed that Tracey, along with Daphne Greengrass, were amongst a group of Slytherins that didn't go along with Draco Malfoy and those idiots, but beyond that she didn't know much.

"Ready for this?" Harry Potter fished a beer out of the cooler and sat across from Charlie. He'd met Charlie a few times before that, and while Ginny and Bill had a special bond as siblings he knew that Charlie was only eclipsed by Bill in his fiancee's feelings. "I'm still trying to figure out how Fred an' Lee are getting out of this."

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, me too. And I doubt I'm ready. You and Ginny are lucky you didn't have to go through this."

Harry nodded and took a sip of beer. "Win some, lose some. I'll take a win."

Charlie eyed Harry for a moment and simply nodded. What the kid had gone through was unlike anybody he'd ever known, too much for anyone, really, so it didn't do to bring up what he'd fought to get past. Ginny'd told him stories, enough to know that whatever he was going to go through didn't come close to what Harry and his sister had gone through. "Watch the beer. Mum'll have my head."

"But I'm drinking it, so why..."

"She knows I brought it and you know Mum."

"Right."

The pop of apparition took their attention. Right by ward line a red-headed woman stood in a summery, floral dress.

"Hey, Susan!" Harry waved at her and turned to Charlie. "Go get George."

Charlie took a glance at Susan, who looked a bit nervous, and headed into the Burrow to find George. He did find him, sitting with their parents and from the look on George's face Charlie could tell that Molly had been giving him some instructions. Possibly for a long time. "Hey George, Susan's here."

With that comment Molly stood up, straightened her apron and shooed George out the door. After he left she looked at Charlie. "How many?"

He stifled a laugh. "Just one, Mum. Harry's having one, too."

She shook her head. "Never you mind Harry, he's fine. He's not meeting his betrothed for the first time. You did remember to contact Tracey, didn't you?"

"Yes, Mum, I did. She said she'd be here." Charlie looked over to his father for help but Arthur just gave him a shrug. Thankfully he was saved by his sister. "Hey, squirt."

Ginny punched him in the shoulder. "You're not that much taller than me." She looked up as the door opened. "Hi, Susan."

As Harry and Susan walked in Charlie watched as Molly and Arthur welcomed her into the Burrow. George was following and it was only for a quick moment but Charlie caught his brother staring at Susan's bum. He went over, introduced himself to the woman and then went out to the garden to get the beer. He knew he'd need another one, probably soon.

From the moment he saw the next arrivals Charlie knew he wasn't going to be the only one to need a beer. Lee and Fred had arrived but the blonde in the middle was someone he didn't know. There had to be a reason they'd brought the woman with them. As they made their way towards him Charlie pulled out three beers. "Hello there, I'm Charlie. If you're with those two you need a beer."

The woman shook her head. "Verity, and no thanks. Not anymore." She looked up to Fred. "Well?"

"Uh, Charlie?" Fred squinted and semi-winced. "This is Verity. She works at the shop and, well...she's pregnant."

Lee reached forward and grabbed one of the beers in Charlie's hand. "Yeah, I guess I'm onto the second-chance list. I'm gutted. Me an' Fred coulda been so happy..."

Charlie stared at Lee for a moment and then turned to Verity. "Congratulations. I'm Charlie, second oldest. Welcome to the family. Head on in, I'm sure Mum will set you up with something non-alcoholic." He watched as Fred took Verity's hand and they made their way towards the Burrow, Lee trailing slightly, and off from another direction heard his name. Walking over the hill was Percy, a blonde head bobbing alongside. He hadn't seen Luna in ages, not since...the battle at Hogwarts and a few funerals thereafter. She looked good, her hair pulled back, and he laughed softly to himself at the sight of her next to Percy. She smiled as they made their way towards him, but what got Charlie was the slightly perplexed look on Percy's face.

"Hello, Luna. How are you? Hey Perce."

Luna gave Charlie a hug. "Hello, Charles, I'm very well. Ooh, is that beer? May I have one?"

"Sure." He handed her one and watched as she popped the top, looked at Percy for a moment and then put the beer in his hands. Percy almost dropped the beer as it surprised him but, recovering somewhat, thanked Luna and took a sip. Charlie handed her another one. "How're you two doing?"

"Oh, very well, thank you." Luna nodded. "We've been talking and I think things will be odd for a while but they'll go better eventually. Daddy says he's just what I need but I think I'm just what he needs."

"Hmmm...I think you could be right." Charlie leaned over and stage-whispered into Luna's ear. "Maybe you could help remove the stick he's got up his arse."

Luna giggled slightly and then took Percy's arm. "I think you might have a case of the whimplicks. They affect people..." She stopped and looked at Percy. "Perhaps we should go inside. Daddy and Percy were talking about Fred and Lee Jordan and think they might have a way out of that."

"I think..." Charlie paused. "I think you find that's sorted. Head on in."

For the next fifteen minutes Charlie sat out there, watching the sun begin to go down, and wondered if his nerves were going to eat him alive. He heard his name and turned to see his oldest brother walking his way. "Hey."

"No sign of her yet? It's fun in there, I don't think Mum knows what to do with herself. I think she wants to yell at Fred but she's too happy. Bad luck for the Jordan kid."

"The hell with Jordan, I'm dying out here." Charlie reached in and grabbed another beer. "I don't care what Mum says, I need this one."

Bill ignored that comment and grabbed his own beer. "I'm just glad I married Fleur before all this nonsense. If you'd just married Tonks like you planned after Hogwarts you wouldn't have this problem."

"Sod off. You know it wasn't gonna work. We knew it wasn't gonna work, me in Romania her with the Aurors. Still can't believe she married Remus Lupin."

"I still think you would've found a way if you wanted it bad enough." Bill took a drink. "So what do you know about this girl?"

"Not much."

"Well..." Bill clapped him on the shoulder. "Look at it this way, you'll have stuff to talk about." As the pop of apparition sounded Bill hit him again on the shoulder. "Starting now."

Charlie looked as the woman stood there, in Muggle jeans and a white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up slightly. Her dark hair fell about to her shoulders and her eyes were large and brown. He slid off the chair and went over to her, extending his hand. "Hello, I'm Charlie. Charlie Weasley."

"You forgot Osbert." Tracey shook his hand and heard the man behind them snicker. "So you guessed that I'm Tracey."

"Tracey Gertrude." Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Since we're doing middle names and all." After they let their hands fall he motioned towards the house. "Want to head into the house?"

"Is that beer?" Tracey looked towards the cooler.

"I'll just leave you two." Bill headed down the path to the Burrow. He was very, very, very glad that he met Fleur before the marriage law was passed. "But don't stay out long, Mum's holding supper."

-ooo-

It was very late when Daphne arrived back at the flat. Technically it was very early, but she wasn't worried about the time as since the Wizangamot wasn't in session she didn't have to go to work. She was a bit frazzled, though, as it had been a night unlike anything she'd expected. Besides that there was something very off about the flat but she couldn't place it. Ignoring the thought she went to the loo, washed her face and was about to head into her room when she gave out a shriek of surprise as Tracey stood there in her pyjamas holding a carton of ice cream.

"Merlin's pants, Tracey! A bit of warning!"

"Um, ok." Tracey walked around the corner and said, loudly, "Daphne, you're home, I have ice cream." She walked back around the corner and handed Daphne a bowl. "Better?"

"Smart arse." Daphne headed into the sitting room and flopped on a chair, kicking off her low heels. "How was your night? What's he like?"

"Nuh uh." Tracey shook her head. "It's half-three in the morning. Nobody stays out until this time without anything good happening. Details."

"Fine." She reached up and undid the clip that held her hair back from over her left ear. "He lives on a farm, way up in Northern Scotland. One brother who's married and a niece. His father, Eddie, is a wizard and his Mum, Annie, is a Muggle."

"Uh huh." Tracey took a spoonful of ice cream. "That's wonderful. Very nice. So what did you talk about for this long? Sheep? Quidditch? What to name your third son?"

"What? Ah, um, no." She gave her a look, as it was obvious Tracey was in one of those moods. "First, you were right, I was too dressed up."

"Told you so. Cream skirt and top, bet that went over well on the farm."

Daphne rolled her eyes. "I am a witch, remember. Just because you lack the basic skills in household magic doesn't mean everyone is that way. It was a wee bit uncomfortable..."

"Wait. Stop. A wee bit?" Tracey snort-laughed. "I can't wait for him to meet Lucina and Harold."

"Don't remind me. Mum's been on me to tell her who..."

"You haven't even told them who you're matched with?" Tracey dropped the spoon in her bowl. "Bloody fucking hell! What about your sister?"

"Oh." Daphne smooshed the ice cream in the bowl with her spoon. "She and Dennis ran off to Gretna Green. Mum's been a bit preoccupied..."

"Stop. Stop." Tracey held up her hands. "Your perfect little sister ran off and married a Muggleborn? Oh Merlin, I'd pay good gold to have seen the look on Lucina's face."

"So you can see why she hasn't pushed me too much." Daphne got up from the chair. "Do we have any chocolate?"

Tracey shook her head. "I took the money you gave me for chocolate and spent it on heroin. It was fun but I'm starting to need a fix and I think my skin's on fire. Fuck chocolate, why are you just now getting home? What's he like?"

"Give me a minute." Daphne headed off to her bedroom and came out a bit later in her pyjamas. "There. Much better."

"Delaying won't do you any good. Why were so late?" Tracey paused. "You didn't shag him, did you?"

"Are you mental? I did NOT shag him."

Tracey waggled a spoon at her friend. "But you thought about it, didn't you? Admit it, you did. I know I did. Marriage and babies and babies means shagging."

"Yes, but not tonight. Why, are you pregnant now? You got the ice cream?"

"I don't think so." Tracey shook her head and then put her hand over her stomach and then gave a very fake look of surprise. "Oh my God, you're right, I'm pregnant! I knew shaking his hand was a bad idea!"

"Not funny." Daphne slunk further into her chair and brought her legs up to sit cross-legged. "It was funny, in a way. His parents were very kind, and I'm not sure what his mum thought I was going to be like. And sweet Salazar he was nervous. You would have thought a professional Quidditch player would be all...well, you know how they are."

"Mostly twats, but continue. What happened?"

"Well, when I got there there were introductions, and I stood out like a pixie in a punchbowl, they were all in jeans and things like that. Eventually Eddie said they'd give me a tour so we all went out and got in the land roving thing."

"Land Rover. Oh hell, this is wonderful." Tracey laughed. "Perfect pureblood princess Daphne in a Land Rover. Was the top on?"

"No, it didn't have a top. It was very loud and bouncy. I sat next to Oliver in the back as we went all over the farm. It's very large, surprisingly. Quite a lot of land. And yes, they have sheep, but other things. Their best crop is some sort of potion ingredient they use at St. Mungo's. Thankfully I know the beauty charms or my hair would have been all over the place. He didn't say much, but you were right. He is rather fit."

"Told you."

"So how was the Weasley..."

"Good try, nuh uh. You first, Miss Three in the Morning. Then what?"

"Oh, well, we went back to the house and had tea. Oliver was showing me the main house. They have several on the land, his brother and sister-in-law live in one out on the far part and Oliver has a little crofter's cottage when he's back in Scotland. He was telling me about his flat near the Puddlemere training ground when his brother Ben handed him a cup of tea. He didn't even look at it, he just took a drink. Tracey, it was cup that was shaped like a boob. Nipple on the front and everything. I didn't want to say anything but he saw me looking at it and then when he realised...I've never seen anyone look so embarrassed in my life."

"So, good start, then." Tracey nodded thoughtfully. "I think it's the start of a wonderful romance, you bouncing around in a Land Rover and him drinking tea from a boob mug. Great story to tell the kids someday." She paused. "So you were flustered and he was embarrassed for how long, then?"

"Oh. After that his Mum yelled at his brother for a while and his dad asked me about my family. Apparently he knows my father from Hogwarts, they weren't in the same year, but I don't think I've ever heard Daddy mention him. It was when Annie, his mum, was trying to figure out about how to tell her parents...Oliver's grandparents are Muggles, you know, about how we met when I looked at him and saw that he looked like he wanted nothing better than to get away from there. I mean, his parents are very nice, if nothing like mine, and I could tell that his brother wanted to tease him some more, so I asked if he wanted to go for a walk. It was quite pretty out there, very green. Nothing like my parents' place in London. I asked him what it was like being a professional Quidditch player and...well, I always thought it would be quite easy but it's apparently very different. Not very glamourous, lots of hotels and practices and physically demanding. Much different than clerking for the Wizangamot, that's for sure."

"You're giving me nothing here." Tracey paused. "So you just walked around and petted sheep or whatever?"

"We talked. He's somewhat shy, one on one, and he's thoughtful. Asked me a lot of questions, and more than that he seemed very interested in the answers. Not like Gerald."

"Still can't believe you slept with him."

"Well you slept with Nigel."

"I thought we were never going to discuss that." Tracey glared at Daphne. "You promised."

"Well, you brought up Gerald." Daphne rolled her eyes. "And he apologised for me being matched with him. Said that he wasn't much of a catch, outside of Quidditch. He's glad I'm not a Quidditch fan, apparently there are women who throw themselves at him just because he's good on a broom."

"I know the type. See them hanging about Games and Sports. You'd be surprised. So..."

"We had a nice dinner with his family. And then we went out for coffee in Inverness. He asked if we could date, even though we're supposed to be engaged. You know, to get to know each other. And we're going to one of the dances up in Scotland. Maybe you and Osbert can join us."

Tracey snorted. "We're going to the London one. Mostly so we can drink and make fun of people."

"So you did get on with him. What's he like?"

After thinking for a moment Tracey started to say something and then stopped. "He's...outdoorsy. He's a dragon keeper and lives in Romania."

"Romania? I thought..."

"Kept his British citizenship. He's almost six foot, sorta stocky, a few burn scars and has a wicked dragon tattoo. I saw part of it at the table when he opened his collar. It goes all over his chest and shoulder. Margaret's gonna love that."

"So you've told your parents?"

"No! Are you mental? I'm not talking with my parents about this, not yet. You can imagine what they'd say about the law. He's not thrilled about it either. Told me the wizarding world's in the dark ages, blah blah blah. He's funny, not 'ha-ha I just had a wee in my knickers' funny but sneaky funny. When you don't expect it. Quiet at times but doesn't miss much. He thought the mustache was a good touch."

"Mustache? Tracey, what did you do?"

"Oh, it was brilliant. I'm there with all the Weasleys, and I mean all the Weasleys. Potter and Granger are there because they're engaged to Weasleys and Fred brought some girl who works with him. He's been seeing her on the sly, got her pregnant and now he can't marry Lee Jordan. Mix up at the Ministry, it was funny, but Molly, that's his mum, she was giving Fred a hard time telling him it wasn't fair to Verity, the girl from the shop, and everybody was sitting there and that's when I did the mustache. It was a good one, too, I had it curl up at the ends."

Daphne put a hand to her forehead. She remembered when Tracey had visited and pulled the same trick, charming a mustache onto her face and sitting there like it was completely normal during one Easter dinner. Her mum was aghast. "Seriously?"

"Yup. And nobody said anything until Loony Lovegood, she's been matched to Prefect Percy, good old Loony told me I had butter on my mustache. Everybody stopped and stared but Charlie just reached over and wiped the butter off with his napkin and told me I'd need to be a bit more graceful if I was going to be his wife."

"Merlin." Daphne yawned. "Maybe you're matched to the wrong Weasley."

"No, I don't think so. I think I've got the best looking one. And he can dance, anyway."

"Stop. Stop. Stop." Daphne leaned forward. "You're giving me stick for being out late when all Oliver and I did was go out for coffee and talk. You went dancing?"

"Hey, it isn't that big of a house. Merlin knows how all of them lived there. We made it through dinner and you can only listen to Mummy Weasley plan weddings for so long, so he asked if I wanted to go out for a drink."

"Tracey...wait." Daphne's eyes went wide. "How in the world did you know about his tattoo? You said it went around his shoulder and chest...no. You didn't?"

"What?" Tracey shrugged. "I said he's fit. And funny. A bit older, which is fine. We ended up going to a Muggle club and there was a band so we had a few drinks, did some dancing and...well..."

And then the thing that had been gnawing at Daphne's mind clicked into place. She'd lived with Tracey since they were eleven and she knew for an absolute fact that Tracey was a horrible housekeeper. She was, to be honest, a right slob. But their flat, which was always messy, was undeniably tidy. Almost spotlessly clean. "You brought him here, didn't you?"

Tracey scrunched up her nose. "How'd you know?"

Daphne gestured with her hands around the flat. "Apparently he's much better at the household spells than you."

"Bollocks." Tracey sat back. "Ok, I wasn't planning it ,mind you. I planned on not liking him. I had it all planned. I'm tell him that I'm a horrible choice for a wife and we'd have a wedding, he'd visit a sperm bank and I'd get knocked up that way, we'd call it good and he'd live his life and I'd live mine. But he's...um..."

"You shagged him. In our flat. You're giving me shit and you're the one who shagged on the first date."

Tracey rolled her eyes. "So? I like him. We really got on. I didn't annoy the hell out of him like other men. You know how I am."

"I do. You always say you can tell if you'll like someone after an hour. So I take it after that..."

"He's agreed to meet my parents' in a few days. Please tell me you can talk Wood into joining me. I'll go to your parents' if you come to mine. Don't make me do it alone. If you do you know what'll happen." Tracey yawned. "Now can we call it a night? Some of us have to work in the morning."

"Fine. Fine, I'll go with you. I'll owl Oliver later. But you owe me."

"Good. Hopefully my heroin addiction will be over by then. Night, Daph." Tracey smirked at her friend and left for her bedroom.

Daphne sat there, unsure of everything. Tracey had not only got on with her intended but apparently got off as well. Oliver was...intriguing. As she picked up the ice cream bowl where Tracey left it and placed it in the kitchen sink she thought no matter what had happened, at least she finally had a clean flat.

-ooo-

Initially several of the Ministry-sponsored dances were scheduled to happen all over Britain, but after further consideration all of the smaller, more intimate dances were cancelled for one large event in London. The press had a field day with that, citing more Ministry mismanagement and incompetence.

The topic of the law and it's legality were still hotly debated, and the Department of Mysteries statement that those who ignored the law chanced losing their magic didn't help matters. Other publications went into overdrive, such as Witch Weekly, and the amount of wedding magazines and guides quadrupled. It wasn't all butterbeer and chocolates, though, as a group of witches and wizards unhappy with their pairings protested and almost started a riot in Diagon Alley.

Eventually, though, the dates of the calendar turned to the night of the big Ministry ball. It was going to be the largest mass event in Wizarding Britain since the Quidditch World Cup, with attendance from not only the newly matched but familes and friends of the matched. Madame Malkin could barely keep up with the business, as everyone was determined to see and be seen in their best. More than that, though, when each matched couple entered the ball they'd be given an envelope with their scheduled wedding date, guaranteeing attendance. As for those on the Second Chance list, they'd be given their match. Needless to say there were a lot of nervous witches and wizards getting ready for the big night.

-ooo-

Charlie stood in George and Fred's flat above their shop, looked into the mirror and tied his tie for the third time. It'd been so long since he'd worn one, the last time he'd worn one was for Bill's wedding as he'd promised himself after Hogwarts he wouldn't wear one unless he couldn't get out of it. Needless to say he was a bit out of practise. "Damn it." He untied it again and started over.

"Going Muggle? Bet her parents will love that." George stood there in his dress robes, smirking. "So a little birdie told me someone stayed out quite late after dinner at the Burrow. Care to explain?"

"Stuff it, George." Charlie focused on his tie. "I like the suit."

"Looks like a Muggle spy." Fred joined his twin in the doorway, also sporting dress robes. "Maybe he's not actually a dragon keeper but a spy for the Ministry stationed in Romania to keep..."

"You can stuff it, too." Charlie finished tying the tie, this time coming up with the proper knot and length. "And we went out for a drink after. You know, what people do on dates to get to know each other, not shagging in the storeroom by the Canary Creams."

"Oh, you wound me." Fred mock-clutched at his heart. "And for the record it was by the Fizzing Whizzbees. And the Patented Daydream Charms. Umm...and by the Ten Tongue Toffees."

"Poor Verity." Charlie pushed them out of the way. "At least she knows what she's getting into." He made his way into the sitting room and turned on the wireless; the coverage of the ball was on so he turned that off and picked up a magazine and sat down.

"Well, it seems our big brother is a bit out of sorts." Fred sat down on the sofa. "George, he's out of sorts, isn't he?"

"I believe so, dear brother." George looked at his watch. "But I'm afraid I have to leave. Picking up Susan and I don't want to be late. See you there."

After George left Fred grinned. "He's scared to death of Susan's auntie."

"Smart." Charlie nodded. "You don't want to be on Madam Bones' bad side. Just like mine. So are you picking up Verity..."

"She's coming over in a few minutes, we're going from here. What about you?"

"Meeting her at her flat and then we're going with Daphne and Oliver." He paused. "And nice try, Fred. I know better than to go out the door without checking for charms. I'm not a firstie, you know. Honestly, flashing letters saying 'I have a small penis' on the back of the jacket is beneath you two. No creativity."

"We had to try." Fred shrugged as the chime from downstairs indicated that Verity had arrived. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to meet the mother of my child. I'm thinking Zeus is a good name for a boy, how about you?"

"I think you're an idiot, as usual. Go, I'll let myself out." After Fred left and locked the door Charlie went over to the Floo. He paused, as he didn't like big events, and this was going to be a massive event. He smiled though, as he picked up the Floo powder. If he had to go to this thing at least he'd be with Tracey. He never thought that things would go this way. She was irreverent, snarky, and if he was honest with himself very attractive. He stood in the fireplace and threw down the Floo powder, gone in a puff of green flame and smoke.

"Tracey, he's here." Daphne stood next to the doorway, slipping on her heels as the puff of smoke and flames revealed their guest. She walked over and extended her hand. "Hello, Daphne Greengrass."

"Charlie Weasley, nice to meet you." Charlie took in the blonde woman in the green sheath dress and wondered what Wood would think of her looking like that. "Sorry about the mess." He quickly took out his wand and siphoned up all the excess Floo powder.

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "It's good to know one of you can do the household spells. Apparently you've rubbed off on her, as our flat was spotless after the dinner at your parents' house. Must have learned a trick or two."

Charlie coughed nervously. "Um, yeah. I guess."

"Hi." Tracey came into the room and kissed Charlie on the cheek. "She knows."

"Oh." Charlie blushed a bit. "You look wonderful."

"This old thing?" Tracey smiled. "Thank you. You don't clean up too bad, either. Didn't expect a Muggle suit."

He knew he should respond but he was drawn to the black dress she had on...it showed her curves quite well, and that reminded him of seeing her curves and then he remembered he was standing there while Daphne was there and felt himself get warm. "I'm blushing, aren't I?"

"You're a ginger, you can't help it." Tracey took his arm and pulled him away from the fireplace. "Wood's due any moment."

Almost as if on cue the moment they were away from the fireplace there was another flash of fire and smoke depositing Oliver Wood in the flat. He wiped the Floo powder from his face and gave a nervous smile. "Hello, all."

Tracey bit her lip as she looked over at Daphne. Her friend had an odd look on her face. She turned back to Oliver. "Nice kilt."

"Well, it did say formal, didn't it." Oliver took his wand from his sporran and dismissed the excess Floo powder. "You look quite lovely, Daphne." He paused and then his face fell. "I dinnae tell you about the kilt. I'm sorry."

Daphne shook her head. "No, you look quite nice. You are Scottish. Your family tartan?"

"Aye." He nodded and saw Tracey's smirk. "Problem?"

"Me? Oh no. No problem." Tracey shook her head. "Have you met her parents? Please tell me you haven't met her parents yet."

"No, not yet. Tonight's the first time. Couldn't make the schedules work. Quidditch practise."

"Brilliant." Tracey took Charlie's arm. "This is gonna be good."

Charlie glanced at his watch. "Right then, now that we're all here, it's time. Floo, portkey, how are we..."

"Maybe we should take the tube." Tracey's smirk was threatening to become permanent on her face. "I'd love to tell Lucina..."

"Portkey." Daphne hit Tracey on the arm as she went over to Oliver, extending a small figure of cupid. "The Ministry is really stretching it with these portkeys, though."