*** Telling Molly continues… Just a short chapter, to resolve the scene at the Burrow. ***

Molly instinctively put her hand to her pocket, crumpling the parchment inside. 'Yes, I had a feeling. I can't imagine what it could be, though a little bird told me this wasn't just a social call.'

George and Fred gave up their pretence of busy-ness, and sat back down at the kitchen table, flanking their mother on either side, each taking one of her hands in theirs. Hermione watched the three red heads in a row, knowing this attention would please their mother.

'Mum,' George began. 'It's about us. And Hermione.'

Taking a hint from McGonagall, Fred decided not to delay any further. 'We love each other, mum. I mean, George and me – we love Hermione. And she loves us. Both of us.'

Molly darted a look at Hermione, who nodded. Molly's good mood had apparently evaporated in an instant, even if she did not appear to be very surprised. 'No. No, no, no. This sort of carry on won't do, my girl. You can't split up my boys.' She glowered at Hermione, challenging her to disagree.

Hermione shook her head. 'Molly, I know that. It would be pointless. But you know when I did that resurrection spell on Fred?' she said, twisting her napkin, hoping that the reminder would soften the older witch.

'That spell created another bond,' she pressed her advantage. 'It was there in the book where I found the spell – "whosoever casts the spell shall be bound to the life they save". So, I'm bound to Fred, and of course that means I'm bound to George as well, as his twin, and I certainly love him just as much. We have no choice. But we wouldn't choose it to be any other way, even if we could.'

George gave his mother's hand a reassuring rub. 'We won't split up, Mum,' he said. 'We want to form a Triad Bond – but not like that old Uncle Prewett you told us about – we'd all be on equal terms, all loving each other the same.'

'But Hermione said that we couldn't form the Bond until we had your blessing,' Fred added.

Molly back looked over at Hermione, giving her a shrewd appraisal. 'Did you indeed?' she asked, some of the sharpness leaving her face. 'And why does my approval matter so much?'

'None of us would be happy without it, Molly,' Hermione said. 'We know some people won't approve, that there'll be gossip, but if we have you on our side – well, we can face anything. And, well… I can hardly talk to my own mother about this. She can't give me any advice now, or her blessing…'

All Molly's sternness now melted away at Hermione's heart-felt words. 'Oh, my boys, Hermione – how can I say no to that? Very well – go and form your bond, although it all seems highly irregular.' She waved a hand vaguely in the air as she spoke, as if wafting away her former objections.

'And I'm sure you've thought it all through, if Hermione has anything to do with it,' Molly continued, as George and Fred each shot Hermione a quick smirk. 'I don't expect this will change anything, really. The three of you are already inseparable enough as it is. It's hardly a surprise, in a way.'

Seeing they were now ready to leave, she got up from the table, echoing McGonagall's herding gestures, as she walked them to the door. 'And don't worry about your dad, boys. I'll explain it all to him. He's not such an ogre as he seems.' The three ducked their heads to hide their laughter at the thought of kindly Arthur as an ogre.

In the garden, Molly had a hug for each of them. She paused as she held Hermione. 'I know I'll never replace your mother, but I suppose you truly are my daughter now,' she said warmly.

Hermione hugged her back. 'I really couldn't wish for a nicer family, Molly.'

Molly brushed a small tear from her cheek, with a brisk gesture of impatience. 'Off you go now. Off home, my dears. Come again soon – maybe next weekend, when Ginny and Harry are here?'

As the door shut behind them, the three hesitated. They had faced what they thought would be their strongest opposition, but now they were free to form their Bond. The reality made them feel strangely shy with each other.

Hermione eventually looked up. 'So? Home?' her casual tone belying her feelings. The twins smiled down at her, even forthright Fred looking a little unsure of himself. 'Right,' he said. 'Right. Our home.' And the three wrapped their arms around each other again, and all spoke the word, 'home', as they disapparated.

*** It's going to get a bit more R18 in the next chapters – are we ok with that? Please review and tell me how you think it's going; reviews are firewhisky and pygmy puffs! ***