Raised with Magic
Chapter Eight: Introductions
Luna was holding my hand so casually as we reached the Weasley's house that I couldn't be sure it she meant it as a source of comfort or if it was just a silly coincidence. Either way, I liked that she was. I feel connected to Luna in a way that I have never felt connected to someone before. Not even Jared. I can only guess that this is what it means to have a sibling.
Dad had knocked on the door and a few shouts, bangs and crashes told us that someone would be greeting us in Molly Weasley's place. I had memorized the names of the whole lot on the walk over. Mum had gone through the names with me three times and she didn't even seem to mind.
I shifted the way I was standing when we could hear someone approaching the door. Now, I was standing up straighter, it is supposed to make a better impression I think.
"Welcome, Xeno, Kaya, Luna and you must be Hermione." The man greeted. I wish I was just bunched into the list. I hate when people draw attention to me. The man was really tall, taller then Dad. He had red hair too, which was apparently a trade mark of this particular family.
"Yes, sir." I squeezed Luna's hand as I replied. She looked back at me confused, apparently it had only been a coincidence. That would be my luck these days.
"Well, it's nice to make your acquaintance. Come in, come in. There are plenty of people waiting to meet you." I cringed. "Luna, Ginny is up in her room if you wouldn't mind going to get her." Luna released my hand to do as she was asked and I missed her. I almost wanted to beg her not to leave me. Instead, I moved closer to Mum.
The three of us were lead into the sitting room. Two boys were in there, one looked younger then me and was coloring. The other looked to be about fifteen or sixteen. "Hermione, these are two of my sons. Ron the younger one and Bill, my eldest. Boys this is Hermione." I noticed the shift in his tone when he was talking to me and when he was talking to his boys. I knew he was trying not to talk down to me, the fact that he was sort of not managing was not something I held against him.
"It's nice to meet you Hermione." Bill was the first to speak, but he used a voice of someone talking to someone who would not understand. Mentally I would have rolled my eyes if I weren't as nervous.
"It's nice to meet you too." Ron was just staring at me, I didn't like that.
"Ron, say hello." Bill told his little brother in his father's place. His father had gone into the kitchen. Most likely to find his wife. I sort of like it that Dad is the cook of the Lovegood family. The idea of a women's place being in the kitchen is something that I find sort of gross or at least unfair.
"I don't want to. Girls have cooties!" Before any of the people could comment on his rudeness, two red blurs tackled me.
"Hermione!" George greeted for the mass of limbs the three of us had made on the floor.
"We thought we would never see you again!" Fred declared in a dramatic voice. I have to say that my inner voice was nearly crying out in glee.
"I'm so glad to see you guys!" I think I surprised Bill when my meek politeness turned into confident enthusiasm. Oh well, I have the twins here, who cares what Bill thinks now.
"What are you doing here?" The boys asked. I didn't need to ask, their hair color gave them away. Before I could answer a very unhappy Mrs. Weasley entered the room.
Her apron was some odd shade of pink and she was wielding her spoon in agitation. She reminded me or Mrs. Laney, the school lunch lady who was always picked on by the older students.
"Fred and George Weasley! What on earth are you doing on that poor girl?" She screeched. Apparently the fact that neither of the Lovegoods seemed concerned didn't mean much. "Get off of her this instant!" She ordered. The twins did so sluggishly and pulled me up with them. "I am so sorry dear." She cooed at me. A lot of self control went into not wincing. The twins and my Mum did wince and Bill, standing behind my Mum, mouthed sorry. I'm pretty sure it was for his own voice earlier, I nodded, accepting the apology. Maybe I did care what Bill thinks after all. "That was awfully mean of them, picking on you like that!"
"But Mum-" they tried to explain but she glared at them.
"Mrs. Weasley, George and Fred weren't picking on me." I tried, but she smiled a fake indulging smile and patted me one the head and tried to sooth me. Yuck.
I gave a pleading look at Luna whom had only then entered with a red haired girl following after her. "Hermione, this is Ginny." She introduced us with an airy smile.
"'lo Ginny." I replied trying to recover from my first dose of Mrs. Weasley.
"HI." Ginny waved. "Want to play? Luna and I are going to play hop scotch!" She was proud of this.
"She's going to play with us Gin." The twins answered for me. It was nice tone seeing as they were 'stealing' what their sister wanted as her new 'toy'. Ron glared at the twins.
The tense stare off ended when Mr. Weasley and two boys entered, carrying drinks for everyone. "This is Percy and Charlie." So, he hadn't gone to get his wife, just two more of his children.
"She's Hermione!" The twins responded. I think they like being my voice. Charlie seemed to recognize my name and I hoped that it wasn't to much to hope that the twins had cared enough about our previous meeting that they had told someone about me.
"It's nice to meet you." I spoke on my own behalf.
"You too Hermione. I hear you are interested in quidditch."
"Yeah, I really want to try playing. I've read about it and it sounds fantastic! Fred and George only made me want to try it out more." The boys in question grinned but the others seemed confused.
"If it's okay with Mr. and Mrs. Lovegood I can take you up flying with me after dinner." Charlie offered and it was easy to see why the twins favored him. By now everyone younger then me had moved on to another room.
I sent my best face at my new parents, but it was not needed. They were both smiling. Charlie would be able to take me flying, I joined in on the grinning.