Chapter 8 – Quidditch and Deception
The next day they all made a morning trip to St. Mungo's. Arriving early, they had little wait time before they were ushered back to an exam room. The Healer was initially confused on why all four of them were present, but seemed to accept the story of Viktor and Ginny being in-laws along for moral support. St. Mungo's saw enough strangeness that it took a lot to surprise the Healers. The exam did not take long and the Healer happily confirmed Luna's pregnancy. With the news official, the foursome began to celebrate and completely forgot themselves as Charlie grabbed Viktor and Ginny kissed Luna. The Healer looked a bit shocked, but then shrugged her shoulders and escorted them out of the room.
Ginny wanted to stay with Luna the rest of the day, but she needed to get back to the shop. Luna reassured her as she made her own way to the Quibbler. Charlie spent the rest of the morning with Viktor, before returning to work that afternoon.
The following day, Viktor left to go to South Africa for his final practices before the championship. The rest of the family began their own preparations for their trip the following week. Viktor had arranged VIP tickets and accommodations for one evening and everyone eagerly awaited the match. The eve of the championship match soon arrived and Charlie, Luna and Ginny began their multi-leg journey. They took the floo to the Ministry, where a special floo connection had been established with South Africa. They lined up and soon began the second, much longer floo journey 9000 kilometers south. They arrived in a busy receiving hall where their VIP tickets got them an immediate escort that side-along apparated them to their tent. The championship was set up on a large piece of savannah with acres of tents surrounding the pitch. The tent that Viktor had secured them was a deluxe studio style apartment with two queen beds, a bathroom, sitting area and kitchenette. Viktor had wanted to be there to greet them, but they understood he had a lot to do to prepare for the match. Once they had their bags stowed, they decided to wander around and take in the sights. Luna soon separated from Ginny and Charlie, as she was using the occasion to do a story for the Quibbler. They met up again in the evening for a dinner under the stars. In their wanderings, Charlie and Ginny had located a large selection of food vendors and had purchased a variety of local foods to sample. Luna's appetite was already increasing and she quickly dove into the food. They talked about everything they had seen, with Luna particularly excited with details for her article. The night also favored them with a brief meteor shower before they all turned in for the night.
The next day dawned clear and hot. The tent had a cooling charm on it, but outside was another matter. As they made their way to the pitch for the match, Charlie found a vendor who was selling cooling hats with billboards. The hats had a wide brim to block the sun like a normal hat, but also had a cooling charm that provided a downward envelope of cool air that encased the body of the wearer. Charlie picked hats with a Bulgarian billboard that flashed on and off in the colors of the Bulgarian team. He bought four, saving one for Viktor as a souvenir and then handing the other two to Ginny and Luna. They were much more comfortable with the hats and made their way to the pitch and the long climb up to the their VIP seats near the center of the pitch. An hour after they were seated, the match began and all three of them began to cheer and shout themselves hoarse. The teams were well matched, but Spain didn't stand a chance when Viktor spotted the snitch forty minutes into the match. He caught it quickly and Bulgaria took the cup again with a final score of 310-150.
Charlie, Ginny and Luna made their way out of the stands and were trying to figure out how to go find Viktor when a teenage boy wearing a Bulgarian uniform found them. "You! The redhead. You are Viktor's friend?"
"Yes, as are these ladies."
"Very good, come with me."
They followed the boy a fair distance behind the pitch to a large tent, where he passed them through the entrance and then left. As their eyes adjusted to the interior lights, they realized that they were in the Bulgarian team tent and the place was going wild. Viktor saw them and ran over and hugged Charlie. Then, he made a point of hugging Ginny and Luna as well. He gave them a quick wink as he turned back around and dragged them into the party.
The party lasted many hours with copious amounts of food and drink. The press came and did a round of interviews and pictures. Viktor made sure that Luna was included in the press group as well and got everything she needed for the Quibbler. As midnight approached, everyone began dispersing. Charlie took Viktor and apparated him straight back to the tent for their own celebration, while Ginny and Luna walked back. When they arrived, Ginny and Luna lay down on the picnic blanket to watch the stars. A while later, Charlie poked his head out of the tent and told them it was okay to come to bed. The next day they all woke early and Charlie, Ginny and Luna left in one of the first scheduled floos. Viktor would return home the next day after additional press coverage and meetings with dignitaries.
Once Viktor was home, life again settled into a routine. Luna was still concerned about the effect that her pregnancy would have on their unique family, but her fears were laid to rest in the weeks following as they all remained close. Two weeks after the championship, they decided it was time to start looking at buying a family home. They all sat down and reviewed their financial status. Ginny had the least to offer due to her recent purchase of the shop, but everyone else assured her that they didn't care. Truthfully, between them all they were quite well off and had a nice sized budget for a house. They all decided they wanted to stay fairly close to London, but preferably near other magical families. They didn't mind mixing with Muggles some, but they wanted their child to be exposed to both worlds. They started with a couple of houses south of the city, but nothing seemed right and they put the search on hold for a few days as another matter took their attention.
Two weeks after the championship, the Weasleys had a family dinner planned. There was no special occasion, except that Mrs. Weasley hadn't seen all her family together in almost two months and insisted that it had been too long. The dinner was happening at the Burrow and attendance by all family was expected. Charlie realized that with Luna now seven weeks pregnant and glowing that it was time to put their act into motion. All four of the players rehearsed their stories at lunch on the day of the dinner and were relatively confident they could pull it off. When the time finally arrived, they all looked at each other and took a deep breath as first Charlie and Luna floo'd to the Burrow and then Viktor and Ginny followed a minute after.
As Charlie stepped out of the fire holding Luna's hand, Mrs. Weasley came running over to hug them. Just before she got to them she stopped and looked at Luna. Then Mrs. Weasley stopped and looked at Luna intently. She was about to speak when Viktor and Ginny arrived right behind them. Mrs. Weasley was momentarily caught off guard, as Ginny hadn't told her mother that she was bringing a date. Charlie used the interruption to pull Luna out of the house and to the garden where most of the family had already gathered.
Back in the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley took a moment to look at her daughter before responding. "Ginny! I've missed you. And you brought Viktor with you? Are you two together?"
"Yes mum."
"Oh, how nice. I'm glad you are taking our advice and settling down. You and Viktor have so much in common, I mean with Quidditch and all. Come Viktor, welcome to our home. Let's go out to the garden and you can meet the family. I think I also need to have a bit of a talk with Charlie and Luna."
Ginny took Viktor's hand and he squeezed hers encouragingly as they exited to the garden. Mrs. Weasley had gone out ahead of them and they were just in time to see her accost Charlie and Luna.
"Charles Weasley! You ducked out on me once, you are not getting away from me again. I have eyes. Do you have anything you want to tell us?"
Mrs. Weasley's outburst caused everyone else to stop talking and turn to Charlie.
"Yes mum, I do have an announcement. As your keen eye has already discerned, Luna is pregnant."
Several cheers went up from around the garden, while others began murmuring and Mr. Weasley stepped over to his wife's side.
"Well Charlie, you know we would prefer that you had done things in the proper order, but we love all our grandchildren. Now, when is the wedding?"
"Yes, when?" Mrs. Weasley glared and demanded.
"Actually mum, dad, we aren't planning on marrying right away. This wasn't planned and we aren't really ready to formalize our relationship. We're still together and working on it and we plan on raising our child together, but that doesn't mean we have to get married."
The entire garden was silent as Mr. Weasley gaped at his second son. Finally, Mrs. Weasley found her voice. "What? No! Charles Weasley you are going to do the right thing and marry that girl. You are thirty years old, you should know better. I..I..I just can't believe this."
Luna spoke up before Mrs. Weasley could continue. "Actually Mrs. Weasley, I like Charlie well enough, but I'm not ready to marry him. I'm happy he has agreed to be part of our child's life though."
With that, the entire garden grew silent and Charlie guided Luna down the table to sit between Percy and George. As Charlie took a seat, George raise an eyebrow at him and let out a low whistle as he smirked at his brother. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley still stood at the other end of the table, not moving or talking.
Ginny decided it was time to divert attention. "Come Viktor, why don't we sit by Ron and Hermione."
Everyone then turned and noticed Ginny's guest as they went to take their seats. Ron was the first to speak. "Viktor! Um, hi. So you're here with Ginny?"
"Yes, Ron." Viktor said as he put an hand on Ginny's back and guided her to a seat by Ron and across from Charlie and Luna.
Mr. Weasley finally spoke. "Well Molly, I'm hungry. Are we eating?"
"What? Oh, yes, of course Arthur" she replied as she waved her wand and began bringing dishes out through the kitchen window.
The rest of meal passed with tension, but gradually the mood improved as everyone settled into Charlie and Luna's news. Mrs. Weasley didn't talk to them at all and ate little as she stared at them down the length of the table. Charlie made a point of ignoring his mother and Luna had returned to her usual dreamy self. Viktor, Ron and Ginny were deep in a Quidditch discussion as they finished dessert when Ginny saw Hermione giving her a strange look and a quick jerk of her head toward the Burrow. Realizing that Hermione wanted to talk to her, Ginny excused herself and the two women left to go inside.
As they reached the kitchen, Hermione cast a quick privacy spell and gave Ginny a firm look. "Ok Ginny, what is going on. Something doesn't seem quite right here."
"What Hermione? I'm a bit upset with mum's reaction to Charlie and Luna's news, but she will have to come around eventually if she wants to welcome her grandchild. And yes, I knew before we arrived. Luna has been spending a lot of time at the flat."
"Oh, I figured you knew, but there is something else. You and Viktor seem well paired, but still something doesn't seem right. Are the two of you doing well together? You didn't just bring an old boyfriend to keep mum happy, did you?"
"Really Hermione. It sounds like you're brewing up a conspiracy theory."
"I am not. There is something else going on. I've known you for almost fourteen years. You know you can talk to me. That's why I cast the privacy charm."
Ginny looked at her friend and felt her resolve begin to weaken. Taking a deep breath, she finally said the only thing she could. "Sorry Hermione, now is just not the time."
Hermione rolled her eyes, but seemed satisfied with the near confession that something was going on, but Ginny wasn't at a point to divulge her secrets yet. "Ok Ginny, well you know I am always here if you want to talk." She gave Ginny a hug and felt the tension in her, but could do nothing else. Hermione waved her wand, dissolved the privacy charm and they rejoined the family.
When Ginny reached the garden, she saw that Luna was looking tired and decided it was time to go. She leaned over and whispered in Viktor's ear and he stood up to announce their departure. "Well everyone, Ginny and I need to be going. Thank you for a lovely dinner Mrs. Weasley. I appreciate everyone welcoming me." With that, they went inside and floo'd back to the flat. A few minutes later, Charlie and Luna joined them as well.
Charlie immediately crossed the living room and opened the bar. Pulling out a bottle of fire whisky, he didn't even bother with a glass as he downed a large gulp. "Damn that was hard. I knew mum was going to pitch it, but that was worse than I expected."
Ginny took Luna's hand and pulled her onto the couch as she let out a deep sigh. "I think we did fairly well with our act. Most of the family seemed convinced. Hermione wasn't though. That woman is entirely too perceptive."
Viktor took the fire whisky from Charlie and downed some before replying. "I think Hermione knows you and I both too well Ginny. I tried to play the happy boyfriend, but I don't think I did enough."
"That's right Viktor, I forgot. You and Hermione were together once. Were you ever serious?"
"Not really, we were still young. I was 18 and she just turned 16. She spent a couple weeks with me in Bulgaria the summer after the Triwizard tournament. I had fun with her, but we never went quite all the way. We kept in touch after, but that was around the time I finally admitted to myself that girls weren't my preference. I've sent her and Ron tickets a few times. They're good together and I'm happy for them. I hadn't talked to her for a couple of months when we met at the shop opening."
"Hmm, interesting. I hadn't realized the two of you kept in touch that much. Maybe I shouldn't have sat us next to her and Ron. But, anyway, what's done is done. We'll just have to wait for the fallout now."