A/N: Hi guys! I'm trying to keep the author notes to a minimum but I just have a few quick things to say. First off, thank you for sticking with this story and with me. I know I took an unannounced hiatus and I know how frustrating that can be but I'm back now and intend of finishing this story. Second, thanks so much for the reviews and the support! Also, SAgirlatheart – you're completely right about the portkey thing, it fit my purpose so I guess I just blocked how it actually worked out of my mind. Haha. Ok that's it, on to the next chapter!

Good Things in Small Packages

He was barely an inch taller than her and what little advantage he had was due to his messy hair and his boots. He wasn't as much muscular as he was solid, stout even. But he had an easy smile and a twinkle in his eye when he spoke. And he was interested in her. Genuinely interested in what she had to say.

That wasn't to say Charlie was disinterested in her opinions, he always had a modest interest in them, he just preferred her physical side to her mental side.

But comparing her current date to her previous hook-up was not the best way to start out a date, especially when said date was standing in the Weasley kitchen receiving the third degree from her surrogate family. Ok, not all of them, just the twins and Charlie but those three were surprisingly intimidating.

Seamus was handling the attack shockingly well, he had only stumbled over his words twice and he wasn't sweating terribly. Hermione had already decided he deserved a medal for that, especially with the way they were acting.

Charlie had decided to take up wood carving that afternoon and was thrashing through a thick chunk of wood with a knife far too sharp for his task. The twins were for their part looming over Seamus grinning in that wicked way they had that put everybody on edge.

"So what made you ask our lovely Granger out?" Fred asked, his smirk growing wider by the second. This question even attracted Charlie's attention who was trying his best to seem unaffected by the whole thing.

Seamus looked to her for guidance but she merely shrugged and so he responded, "Hermione's a good friend of mine, always has been."

That wasn't true. He was never unkind to her, none of the Gryffindors were, except maybe Ron, but he also rarely spoke to her about anything that wasn't homework related. That didn't bother her at the time either, Seamus was Parvati's lap dog throughout their years at Hogwarts and Hermione didn't have much use for such idol worship.

George stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Hermione's my good friend too, perhaps I should take her out next."

"George." Charlie warned, his first input into the discussion.

"Satisified?" She was getting impatient and wanted them to be done.

The twins shared a look before nodding, "Fine, fine, off with you but –"

"- Have her home by eleven."

"FRED!"

"Midnight." He conceded with a wink.

Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed Seamus by the hand, dragging him out the door before the twins started another round of questions. Charlie's longing glance, mercifully, went on noticed by the others.

The summer air was breezy and warm and Hermione was glad she had chosen a sleeveless dress for the night.

"Beautiful out, ain't it?" Seamus noted as they walked towards the apparition point keeping a foot of space between them.

Five minutes into their date and they were already discussing the weather. Not a good sign.

They reached the apparition point and Hermione allowed him to side-along apparate her to his restaurant of choice. A new muggle place in London, not overly swanky but pricier than she had expected. She was pleasantly surprised and a bit uncomfortable at how much money Seamus was willing to spend on her.

Once settled into their table Hermione launched into first date mode. Forget that they had known one another since they were eleven, it was time to get to know Seamus on a different level.

"So Seamus, what is it that you do at the ministry exactly?"

Asking about his work. Pathetic.

He studied his beer intently, "Oh it's nothing, working in the restoration committee, I do the uh, paperwork for restitution cases. You'd be shocked at how many pleas have been entered into our department."

"There was a lot of loss."

He nodded, "It's bloody awful working there. Everybody's sad all the time, the workers, the people that come to us for help, our boss, everyone."

Hermione briefly wondered if any of the Weasley's had contacted the department, they were in their right to, but she pushed the question from her mind. It really was none of her business and it certainly wasn't a good topic for a first date.

"You won't be there forever Seamus. Are you planning on pursuing anything else after the committee has finished?"

"Me Da had a nice farm back home, he's been wanting me to take over but I don't know yet. What about you Hermione? I'm sure everyone is dying to get their hands on you."

It was her turn to blush. The truth was she had not received one offer so far. True she hadn't been getting her resume out either but it was so easy for the boys.

"Nothing yet, I'm going to go to the ministry soon, I'm just… I'm just getting my life back together first."

She didn't want to admit that staying at the Burrow made her feel safe, she didn't want to tell Seamus that she wasn't ready to face the real world yet. Here he was just as scarred and broken as she was but he had moved out on his own into unfamiliar territory and he was making it work.

Everybody was making it work, the twins with their shop, her classmates here in London, Harry and Ron with the auror program, everybody but her and Charlie.

"Just take your time Hermione, nobody expects you to rush into anything. You deserve a break."

So there was a guy out there that knew the right thing to say after all.

He wasn't waiting up for her. He just had a severe case of insomnia and nothing to do with himself that required waking up early anyway.

The twin's curfew had come and gone and the clock was closer to one than it was to twelve. Oh well, at least she was having fun. Speaking of fun, he needed to find some fun of his own and soon. Hermione was a great girl but if her late return tonight meant anything, she was going to be tied up very soon.

"Charlie?"

He hadn't heard the door open nor did he realize her presence until she was standing in front of him, shaking him softly by the shoulders. So much for quick reflexes from years of dragon training.

He rubbed his eyes, straightening up in his armchair, "Oh hey Hermione. Back already?" As if he hadn't been watching the clock since she left.

"Well yes, it's nearly one, you should get up to bed Charlie. We have a busy day tomorrow." She was bustling around the room now, setting her coat purse on the hook and slipping out of her shoes, busying herself so that she wouldn't realize they were all alone together.

"We have a busy day? What do you mean by 'we'?" He asked incredulously. His plan for the following day was to sleep until noon and then maybe - maybe, shower and wander the town for a bit.

Hermione turned on him, pointing between the two, "We are going to get jobs tomorrow."

"What! When did you start making decisions for the both of us?"

She rolled her eyes at his dramatics, "Oh calm down. It doesn't have to be at the ministry, we can get a job together in a shop somewhere, wizard or muggle I don't care. We need to do something Charlie or else we'll…" She trailed off, mentally kicking herself.

"End up like Mum. I know Hermione." He sighed, "Fine I'll find a bloody job but don't forget darling I've been working for years, I have experience." He wasn't talking about in the work force either.

Hermione blushed, "So I've been told."

"Wanna go for a walk before bed?"

"That never ends well Charlie."

"Why, I think our walks end up splendidly."

Hermione gave him her best imitation of McGonagall's stern face, "Stop talking like that."

"Like what?"

"A tart, a prat, your choice."

He clutched his heart, "That stung Hermione. Fine if not a walk a cuppa' before bed then?"

"Ok, just one."

He set the teapot on the stove in the kitchen and then joined her at the kitchen table while it heated up. Her hair was straightened and she had worn more make-up than usual for her date. She looked gorgeous but Charlie found himself preferring her as she looked when she first woke up in the morning, wild curls everywhere and not a stitch of makeup.

"Stop looking at me."

"Why?"

"It makes me uncomfortable."

"Tell me about your date."

Stupid Charlie, he silently reprimanded. He hadn't meant to ask her about it. His original plan had been to go about as if nothing changed but he hadn't been able to help himself and now he was liable to come off looking like a jealous jerk.

She smiled though, at least she seemed oblivious to his intent behind the question.

"Seamus is very nice, I had a good time with him."

Charlie raised an eyebrow, "Hopefully not too good of a time."

The kettle began whistling and Hermione jumped up to get it. Charlie bit his tongue to stop himself from reminding her that she was a witch. It was her prerogative after all.

"Here you go." She set a cup of tea in front of him, "And as for your question no we didn't have 'too good of a time'."

"Good."

"Ok."

"Yeah."

"Charlie?"

"Yes?"

"Are you jealous?"

"Nope."

"Ok."

"Yeah."

Hermione had gone on four more dates with Seamus since the first rounding out the number to five. Charlie was now making frequent visits to Shell Cottage.

They still hadn't found jobs and ministry work was becoming their only option. Being with Seamus had, to Charlie's distaste, made Hermione not so terribly against the idea. Once again, she assured him they could get positions together. As if, they were really suited for the same fields of work.

"How's the job search?" Bill asked.

Charlie was having dinner with him and a now pregnant Fleur for the third time that week. By now, they knew all his problems, even the ones he didn't want to share. Bill had a way of bullying things out of people.

Charlie shrugged stifling a groan. He hated being badgered by people, which was a big part of the reason he had chosen to go to Romania.

"It's alright, not much available."

Bill looked thoughtful, "I could talk to the goblins for you, both of you. They're looking for skilled witches and wizards to disarm some of the death eater's forgotten vaults."

Charlie's interest was piqued. True it wasn't dragons and he would be under ground for long hours, but he would be there with Hermione and danger get those hormones pumping or so he had been told.

"Hermione would like that."

Bill nodded, "I know she would, but would you like it Char?"

Charlie smiled his good-natured grin, "It sounds like an adventure."

Bill shared his smile, it was good to see a bit of the old Charlie back.

Hermione felt her nerves hit the roof the minute she stepped into Gringott's. She was thankful to have Charlie at her side. Charlie, easy-going independent Charlie, he didn't look at all uncomfortable.

"Bill said he would meet us in this lobby and bring us to the boss's office." He informed her, watching the commotion with amusement.

People were staring, they recognized Hermione for sure and at least realized Charlie was a Weasley although it was doubtful they knew watch one.

"There he is." Charlie said, spotting his brother walking towards them.

Bill looked more the part of a rock star than a banker but Hermione supposed wizard bankers couldn't really be compared to muggle ones and anyways he looked good so who was she to complain.

"Charlie, Hermione," he nodded at the two, "excited?"

"Nervous is more like it." Hermione said, eyes wide with anticipation.

Charlie laughed, "I told her to relax but she won't listen. She didn't sleep at all last night."

"Shut-up." She hissed, hitting him in the stomach.

"Ouch." He rubbed where her hand had made contact but kept a smile on his face.

"Right this way then guys."

Bill led them through the maze that was Gringott's all the while talking excitedly about the history of the place. Hermione was listening attentively always the teacher's pet but Charlie was bored. He knew all this already.

"You first Hermione." Bill said shooing the younger girl into the office and effectively bringing back Charlie's attention.

Once the door shut, the two brothers were alone in the empty hallway. Bill gestured to a bench outside the office and the two sat.

"How are things with Hermione?" Bill asked, he had apparently resigned himself to the fact that he could not keep them apart and was now playing the part of Charlie's chief advocate.

Charlie folded his hands behind his head and stretched out, "She's seeing that Finnigan kid, you remember him don't you?"

"Vaguely. And you aren't mad?" Bill asked, eyebrow raised.

"Of course I'm bloody mad, but she can't know that. It's my fault anyhow, she wanted to be with me and I told her no so she found someone who wanted to be with her too." He seemed unperturbed by it but his brother saw right through his act.

"Bollocks Charlie. You really do know how to mess things up don't you."

"She's nineteen." Charlie reasoned, "She's just a kid."

Bill was clearly not amused, "And when did that stop you? Don't play games with her Charlie, she likes you now but she won't forever."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"You might just be even more thick-headed than Ron. Do you like Hermione, yes or no?"

Charlie suddenly found his hands to be very interesting, "Yes."

"My point."

"Don't you think it's a bit unfair Bill? Tying her down to our family? She doesn't deserve to be stuck in our misery too."

"She chose to stay with us Charlie, you didn't make her do anything and it's just as much her misery. You can make her happy and she makes you happy so what's wrong with that?"

Charlie straightened up in his seat, "You're right. I'm going to win her back."

"Well this should be interesting."

Charlie Weasley never fought for women, he never fought for anything outside of quidditch. This wasn't really a fight anyway, it was a competition of sorts, and Seamus just didn't know he was involved in it – yet.

"Going out again?"

He was sitting in his favorite armchair reading a book on curse breaking Bill had loaned him when she flitted down the stairs, dressed casually but a bit nicer than usual.

She smiled at him, "Yes, Seamus is taking me to lunch and then for a walk since I had the day off and so did he."

She seemed to forget they all had Sunday off. Then again hauling the twins and Charlie along on her date probably wasn't high on her list of things to do.

"Oh have fun."

"That's it?"

"Yep."

She looked confused and it made him smile. That was the plan. Bill seemed to think it would work anyway.

"Ok, well I'll see you later then." She offered him a weak smile.

"Yep." He replied his eyes refusing to leave his book until the door was closed behind her.

Once gone he dropped the book on the coffee table and went to the find the twins. They were in on the plan and were more than willing participants. The twins spent most Sundays at home in their 'closet'. It was attached to Hermione's room but the three had come to some sort of an understanding.

Midway up the stairs he stopped at his parent's door, it was cracked ever so slightly open and he could just see the faint outline of his mother laying on the bed, she was thinner than he had ever seen her.

"Mum?" He called softly walking wearily into the room.

She didn't move a muscle but responded with a strange grunting noise.

He sat gingerly down on the edge of the bed peering down into his mothers face. Her eyes were open but her face looked dead, completely void of emotion. He felt it tear at his heartstrings.

"Percy?"

"No, it's me Mum, Charlie…"

She turned away.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink mum?"

She mumbled into her pillow, "No go away."

That was the way it always was. They would reach out to her and she would push them away. Nobody was taking Ginny and Percy's death well, but their mother was simply not coping at all.

He turned in the doorway, "I love you Mum."