AN: again, sorry about the wait. Sometimes regular life really annoys me. Please note, that the world and relevant characters belong to JKR. I'm not making any money off this, just having fun, and trying to exercise my brain. Here's chapter 25, ENJOY!

Monday, October 31, 2011

Madame Malkin had chosen to dress Charlie and I in "dramatic black" for the ball. My accents were in silver, and Charlie's in gold. The dress she made for me was high necked in the front (Madame curtly informed me that my bosom was impressive enough that I didn't need to show it off) and sleeveless, shot with silver strands, and a slit up the side. Charlie had a black robe, matching trousers and a black and gold brocade waistcoat, with a crisp white shirt, and appropriate white bow tie. We spent the two hours before the ball sequestered in the shop being dressed and primped. Madame had a twenty minute argument with the young witch who'd arrived to do my hair and face. They eventually decided to leave it down with a silver and crystal hair band. We compromised on the shoes, madame wanted me in five inch spikes, I wanted flats, we both settled for three inch heels. The final touch was a crystal star burst brooch in the center of the collar of my dress. They wanted me to leave my glasses off, I flatly refused. I thought I looked like a fool, until I saw the look on Charlie's face when I stepped out of the dressing room.

"Blimey," he said. "You look like a goddess."

"You clean up quite well yourself, Mr. Weasley," I commented admiring Madame's assistants' handiwork.

Charlie held out his arm, "Shall we, my love?"

"Let's," I agreed as I took his arm and we apparated to the Ministry building.

The grand hall at the Ministry of Magic was decorated in a seasonal theme, with all the appropriate icons and colors, basically, lots of pumpkins and orange and black. There were tables set up for feasting, and an orchestra. We were escorted from the apparation point to our table by a uniformed house elf. Harry and Ron were already there with their respective mates, as was another brother that I didn't recognize, with a vivacious looking brunette. Charlie quickly introduced me to Percy and his fiance, and then Ginny and Hermione. Charlie was seated next to Ginny, and I, next to him. A few moments later George and Angelina arrived with Bill and Fleur.

"Where are the kids tonight?" Charlie asked, the table in general, as the feast appeared on our table.

"Mum and Dad have them," George explained.

"All eight?" I asked.

"Yeah, they love it."

Our meal was delicious, rib roast au jus, whipped potatoes, and a beautiful salad, with a wonderful dressing made with pumpkin seeds. "I'm going to need a night of dancing just to work off all this food," Ginny commented dryly.

Every female at the table agreed whole-heartedly, as desert appeared.

The orchestra that played after dinner was made up entirely of ghosts. The music was eerily beautiful, and somewhat hypnotic. A few camera flashes went off as we danced. I cringed a bit, "don't worry, love," Charlie whispered into my ear. "They just want pictures of the most beautiful witch here." I just smiled and kissed him, another flash went off.

After about three songs I'd had enough dancing for a while, Charlie went to get us drinks from the bar, and I joined Audry and Ginny at the table. I had just sat down, when I heard a voice behind me. "May I haf de next dance?" I recognized the voice immediately.

I turned around to see an old friend. "Viktor!" I exclaimed. "It's great to see you, what's it been

five years?"

"Six," he corrected me, "how are you doing Little Sister?"

I stood up to hug my friend. "How have you been?"

"I haf been good," he said. "Hello Ginny," he said, turning to Harry's wife. "I see Harry took my advice," he grinned.

"Yes, I did," Harry said as he and Charlie returned to the table. "And thank you, Glinda has been a great asset to our educational system."

"So you're the reason for the job offer," I mused. "I wondered how the British Ministry got my name for the teaching position."

"I vas having lunch with Harry in July ven he mentioned that Headmistress was hafing troubles finding new professor. I knew that you vould be bored within de first veek of retirement, I know you far too vell, Little Sister."

"How do you two know each other?" Charlie asked, looking completely confused. as he sat down

"After school ended, I vanted to do something other dan Quidditch, vas recruited by International Aurors, Glinda vas my field trainer, den partner for six years. You did not owl me, Little Sister, vy?" he admonished me.

"Because, I didn't want to compromise you, if you were undercover."

"You call her Little Sister," Charlie commented, "why?"

"Glinda is like sister to me, but you can see compared to me, she is not big," he continued to explain, "it vould be insulting to call her old sister, so I call her Little Sister."

"What brings you back to England?" Harry asked.

Victor sat down in an empty seat, and explained. "Harry, International Aurors sent me to give you information about Sang Pur. I have documents of recent activities for you. Dey haf indeed, come to Britain, and dey vere invited. Dis is very disturbing, ve were able to destroy most of der netvork, but

it vas not enough. Glinda, ve have evidence dat you are primary target."

I felt Charlie's arms tighten around my shoulders. "I can take care of myself," I assured him.

Victor pulled a scrap of parchment out of his robe and handed it to Harry. Harry perused it for a second. "I'm sorry Victor," he said. "I don't read German."

"May I see that?" Charlie asked. Harry handed him the paper. "You're right, Krum," he said. "An English zauberer, that's sorcerer, approached one of their German affiliates to request help in destroying the 'mongrels' infesting Britian." Charlie just shook his head, "this is disgusting, they're wanting to purify the world, even if they have to do it one 'tierblut', at a time, they want to start with 'die Drachehexe'."

"When did you learn German, Charlie?" Ginny asked.

"I picked it up while I was on the continent."

"Just how many languages do you speak now?" She continued.

"Five," he answered. I could see the tension in his face, and the worry. I squeezed his hand.

"Don't worry about me," I assured him, "I can protect myself."

"Little Sister, deese monsters vill use da children against you. I know you, you vill risk yourself

to save de little vones," Viktor said, "you vill need help."

"Don't worry, she'll get protection should she want it, or not," Harry stated. "Do you have any more information for us?"

"Dey have someone in Hogvarts, we do not know who it is."

"We really shouldn't have this conversation here, My office is down stairs, shall we?"

Harry looked at his wife. "Ginny," he asked. "Would you mind finding Ron, and send him down to my office?"

"Certainly Darling," she said, as she got up, she kissed her husband once and went off to find her brother, as Harry, Viktor and I, got up to head to Harry's office.

Charlie got up as well, "you better not be expecting to have this conversation with out me?" he scolded me, lightly.