Chapter Eight
Bill and Fleur contemplated the situation. By silent, mutual agreement they decided to wake up the two sleepers, then quickly do damage control to prevent them from freaking out and backing away from what was definitely forming. Bill reached out and shook both Hermione and Charlie gently.
"Wakey, wakey! Eggs and … bacy!" He sang out cheerfully. Fleur giggled at his antics.
"Bacy?"
"Yeah. Bill – speak for bacon." Bill joked. They both laughed.
"Shut up." Charlie muttered, His voice husky and slurred with sleep.
"Mfgrmf." Hermione grumbled into Charlie's chest. Charlie's eyes snapped open, and her stared down at her. After a moment of silence, laughter rang out from all three Weasleys, which increased Hermione's grumbles of protest.
"Maybe some coffee will perk her up." Charlie suggested.
"I'll make some. And some breakfast too." Fleur agreed. She bolted up the stairs, humming cheerfully.
"Come on 'Mione. Up and at 'em." Charlie wheedled. He sat up easily despite Hermione still resting on his chest. She just grumbled darkly at both men. They both chuckled, coming to the conclusion they were witnessing the birth of a whole new language.
"Never would have though you wouldn't be a morning person "Mione." Bill teased. He leaned over and dropped a kiss beneath her ear, causing her to giggle. "Or ticklish!" He added with a laugh.
"I guess she's having a stronger reaction to the Dreamless – Sleep Draught." Charlie said. He wrapped the hand formerly resting on hers around the far side of her legs and swung her body around, supporting her back with his free arm. He slipped his hand beneath her knees and lifted her, bridle – style, as he stood.
He carried her up the stairs with ease, followed closely by Bill. Gently, he deposited her in a chair in the kitchen jus as Fleur placed a cup of coffee, made just the way she liked, in front of her. She attacked it ferociously, drowning it in under a minute, ignoring the burning sensation on her tongue and the roof of her mouth.
"Thanks." She said gratefully when Fleur replenished her cup.
Charlie and Bill sat next to, and across from her respectively. Fleur set coffees in front of them, served Hermione and Charlie scrambled eggs and sat sipping her own cup of coffee.
"So I heard you had trouble sleeping last night." Bill commented as a way to subtly let Fleur into the loop.
"Yeah, that's why Hermione made us ea and Dreamless – Sleep Draught." Charlie answered, realizing his brother's intent.
"Ah… and apparently Miss 'Mione doesn't handle her Draught very well." Bill teased. Hermione just sniffed and turned up her nose at him. After finishing her eggs, Hermione stood and began to clear the table. Charlie jumped up and took the dishes from her.
"I'll take care of this. You go get dressed. As soon as my sister arrives, you ladies can head over to your old place and get everything packed for us to bring back."
"No rush. It's already half done." Ginny's voice surprised them from the doorway. Next to her stood a serene Luna.
"You've already packed that much?" Hermione asked, feeling both shocked and concern for her belongings.
"Not us." Ginny answered vaguely.
Luna and the Weasley's shared looks of understanding. Harry and Ron had gone ahead of them to make sure Lavender and her boy-toy would be long gone. Knowing their over-protective nature, the two would be hexed to hell and back gotten screaming earfuls and enraged rants that would only half make sense and leave looking and feeling in a way that could only be described by the scared, crying children, and howling dogs and yowling cats that would be seen left in their wake.
The brothers would have been more concerned by the looks of triumphant approval on the women's faces, if they didn't feel the same, or had spent a large chunk of time planning their own horrors to put the two through. They shared a look that clearly said that it must be a trait that came with being a Weasley… or spending a lot of time in exposure to them.
Fortunately, Hermione's mind was still too foggy from the Sleepless – Dream Draught to notice the exchange. She was instead suddenly extremely worried about her belongings. Her worry turned to panic when she thought of her carefully hidden shoty romance novels, packed carefully in a box to cover her much more… graphic romances, as well as her well loved and very well used… personal massager in her night drawer, protected by a whole slew of charms. One hint of those charms and the boys would rip the place to pieces until they found her 'friend' and other guilty pleasures.
"'Mione, you okay?" Charlie asked tenderly, placing the back of his hand to her now very pale face. Hermione tried to create a coherent answer when Ginny interrupted her.
"I did stop in your room to get some essentials before dawn today. Any later and Harry and Ron would be wrecking havoc on the place." Ginny grinned brightly at the thought. "I shrunk them, hope you don't mind, and brought them in my purse, If you'll show me to your room we can take them out and I'll help you put them away" Ginny shot Hermione a look that said she figured what her panic was about and had already taken care of it. Hermione smiled gratefully and nodded.
"Sure, I'll bring you there right now." Hermione stood to lead her out of the kitchen and to the hall with the rooms. Charlie had begun to wash the dishes, and just before turning the corner to follow Hermione, Ginny looked over her shoulder at Bill and Fleur.
"'Mione?" She mouthed at them with a nod to Charlie looking both amused and surprised. At her brother's nod and nonchalant shrug that told her she was only seeing the tip of the iceberg, Ginny's expression become excited, curious, perhaps a bit mischievous and (to the couples surprise) even a bit hopeful.
Once in Hermione's room Ginny levitated not only the items that had nearly sent Hermione into a panic attack out of her bag, but also all of Hermione's undergarments, fresh clothes and pajamas for the day and all of her more riské clothing.
"I grabbed everything I figured no man, other than your significant other, should even suspect you have."
"Thanks Gin. I completely owe you!" Hermione thanks her emphatically.
"You could repay me by going out and getting yourself laid." The red head announced seriously. "If this stuff's any indication, you're long over due. Although, I'm sure this puppy sure helps." She reached over and picked up the vibrator Hermione had charmed to run magically, and with much more power than any muggle vibrator could ever hope of using.
"Whoa!" Ginny gasped and grinned at the red faced Hermione. With a dark glare, she reached out and snatched it from the girl, with a black look to prevent any lewd comments she knew were on the tip of the younger woman's tongue.
"I do not need to get laid," She seethed. "I'd be even more stressed trying to do that, and God only knows why you all love it so much. It's uncomfortable and hurts."
After Hermione and Ginny left the room, Bill nudged his wife lightly.
"Je voudrais parler avec mon frère en prive sil vous plaite." He murmured. She nodded and gave him a peck on the lips. She caught Luna's eye and gestured for her to follow her out the room. She would keep the young woman distracted for w while so the brothers could chat.
Once the women were out of earshot, Bill leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee while regarding his younger brother thoughtfully.
"So, sounds like you two got pretty close last night." He commented, figuring the direct approach was the best way to go.
"Not really, we barely spoke." Charlie answered just a bit too quickly. Bill simply fixed him with a blank stare. As always, Charlie caved, desperate to talk and prove to himself he wasn't entirely crazy, or a complete bastard. For his credit, Bill listened attentively and didn't even crack a grin when Charlie told him about his mini-me devil and angel.
"So you like her." Bill shrugged. "Sure she's innocent, but I know you man. And so do Ron and Harry. Of there's anyone who could take good care of her and make her happy, it's you. As far as I can tell, she doesn't seem to have anything against you. Just the opposite really. Personally I think you're on the right track – inviting her parents over and making sure she's comfortable. Just don't forget that Harry, Ron and Ginny are just as much family to her as her parents are. I'm pretty sure Ginny's on board already- she's always wished Hermione was her sister. Talk to her first, she might be more help to you than me. Then talk to Harry and Ron. They'll take it better if they know Hermione's happy and wants the same thing."
"If she wants the same thing." Charlie amended, still looking dubious. "Thanks Bill." He pulled his brother into a gruff hug.
AN: Sorry the update took a bit longer than I planned! I had my wisdom teeth out Monday, but the chapter was ready to go yesterday. I just didn't get to finish typing the whole thing! Anyway. I hop you like. Be sure to review!