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CHAPTER 39.
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"Hermione? Hermione ? Are you all right?" Harry called out, with a polite knock on the bathroom door.
He didn't hear any response and he stood there for a moment, wondering why she was taking so long and why he couldn't hear anything.
"Hermione? Please answer. I'm beginning to get worried. If you don't answer in a few seconds I'm going to have to.. "
"Harry?" Hermione's muffled voice could be heard from the other side of the door.
"Hermione? Are you fine? It's been so long, I came to check." Harry said with obvious relief in his voice.
He heard the sound of the tap running and it shutting and Hermione opened the door.
He scrutinised her, as if looking for some external evidence of illness.
"Harry! I'm fine! Just a little emergency! Don't worry." Hermione replied, looking a bit off.
"Are you sure? I could ask Ginny to look at you and she could probably give you something." Harry persisted.
She hugged her friend and smiled.
"No Harry. I'm perfectly well. Just a bit of umm surprise to see Charlie here as well and I really just needed to use the bathroom." She tried convincing him.
Harry and Ron were her oldest friends. And even though they were mostly oblivious to her feelings in school, they had grown to learn to read her emotions, Harry more so than Ron, and even now Harry could almost always tell when she was upset about something.
"Does it bother you that Ginny called Charlie over as well? I never would have thought that could be a problem." Harry said honestly.
Hermione sighed. "Well it wouldn't be a problem per se, but you see, Ginny's trying to set me up with him. And Harry, I don't like Charlie in that manner. But she said he does like me and I should give him a chance."
Harry was quiet for a moment.
"Would it be so bad?" He asked finally, after thinking a bit.
Hermione sighed again. "I know it doesn't look so bad, Harry, but I just don't feel it. I can't explain now but I seriously cannot give it even one small try. Please understand."
Harry looked at her again and she knew he was trying to go over her words to find the meaning and look between the lines. She didn't know if he actually realised anything or just out of respect for her, nodded.
"Okay. If you really don't feel like it, then don't bother. Ginny really loves you and she thinks the best thing she can do for you is get you a man. And Merlin knows how much she wishes it's a Weasley." Harry said.
Hermione laughed. Well you got that wish Gin!
"I know she can get overbearing at times. But she loves you nonetheless. But if you are so adamant about not thinking about Charlie then don't worry. I'll be the perfect buffer. I just want you to enjoy dinner, yeah?" He said.
Hermione looked over at the man who was in all senses except by blood, her brother and gave him a wide smile. She hugged him and thanked him for understanding and they headed out to the dining room together.
"There you are Mione! I was beginning to wonder what took you so long." Ginny said.
"Come on then, love, I can't wait any longer. Let's eat." Harry said, trying to change the subject of Hermione's temporary disappearance.
"Oh yes! Let's see baby sister, if you have anything of Molly Weasley in you." Charlie said good naturedly.
They placed themselves on the dining table and Charlie even held Hermione's chair out for her.
She took it with an embarrassed expression and sat down.
"So Mione, Charlie tells me you gave him a tour of the school yesterday." Ginny said, while serving everyone some mashed potatoes.
"Umm yeah. I did. He was rather sweet with the compliments." Hermione said.
"Oh come now, Mione, I was only saying what was true. Besides no compliments can be enough for you." Charlie said.
Harry raised his eyebrows to this blatant compliment showering and continued to dig into his rice.
"You embarrass me Charlie," Hermione said turning a shade of pink.
"And I must say that you were very pleasant company for lunch too. I'm so glad I stayed back for a bit this time, I would have never had the pleasure of your company otherwise." Charlie said smoothly.
Hermione almost gulped down her tomatoes. She resembled one herself and in spite of the delicious food, she barely tasted anything that she ate.
Charlie was openly talking about the time they spent together in front of Harry and Ginny. This was not something Hermione wanted. This would only add fuel to the fire.
Thankfully Harry started some topic about Dragons and Charlie was soon immersed in a genuine discussion about dragon eyes and how they were helpful to Aurors after their death.
Dinner passed smoothly without any more compromising conversations between her and Charlie and by the time Ginny got the dessert out, Hermione was actually having a good time.
Hermione helped Ginny take the dishes to the kitchen, and just then they all heard a very sleepy, crying Teddy call out to Uncle Harry from upstairs.
Harry left his goblet on the table and immediately took the stairs two at a time to reach Teddy.
Ginny gave Charlie a pointed look that Hermione missed and said, "I think I better go check on him. I'll take some chocolate for him, he feels better soon after."
She hurried behind Harry with the chocolate and that left Hermione and Charlie alone in the living room.
The uneasiness that Hermione had experienced at the beginning of the evening started returning as Charlie made his way from across the room towards her and stood too close to her for comfort.
"Hermione ? There's something I need to ask you." Charlie said in a soft voice.
"N-now? Charlie it's quite late and even teddy has woken up. I think we should leave." Hermione said, backing away a bit and trying to avoid the question at all costs.
Charlie seemed to think for a few seconds and then he said, "Okay. You're right. It's not the right time or the right place. How about you meet me tomorrow? After school?"
"What?" Hermione stammered. This was not what she had expected.
"Either you meet me tomorrow or speak to me now." Charlie said stubbornly.
"Charlie... " Hermione said wistfully.
"Come on Hermione. Just for some time. And this time I promise not to take you out of England." He joked.
She tried to laugh at his joke. But she had to make some excuse. She needed to bide for some time.
"I have a staff meeting tomorrow after hours, how about I owl you in the morning the time that is suitable for me?" Hermione said, improvising.
"Okay. But if you don't owl me, I'm landing up at the school before closing time." Charlie said.
Hermione groaned inwardly. Bloody persistent Weasley men!
"Of course." She said, trying to sound in control. "It won't be necessary though, since I'll definitely owl you."
Ginny and Harry chose that precise moment to descend down the stairs.
"Is Teddy okay?" Hermione asked, concerned.
"Yeah. Just a bad dream. Nothing that chocolate can't cure." Harry said, smiling.
"Oh. Good. Gin, I've cleared the dishes, you don't have to worry about them." Hermione said.
"Oh thanks Hermione! You're a sweetheart." Ginny said.
Hermione really wanted to get away now and said, "I think I'll be off now, early morning tomorrow!"
"Are you sure Mione?" Harry asked looking concerned. "Have another drink with us."
"Really. I'm fine. Stuffed. Dinner was wonderful Gin. We really should make the fish once over the weekend when Luna's back." Hermione said, hugging Ginny.
"Thanks Harry, Gin. Goodnight !" Hermione said and harry hugged her good night.
Hermione turned towards Charlie to say goodnight to him and suddenly realised that she had not planted the Ear anywhere yet.
Panicking just a slight bit, she saw an extra pocket at the base of Charlie's dragon hide jacket on the backside. Weird Romanian fashion, she thought. But it suited her fine, as he would not come across it anytime soon since the pocket was at the back and not really a functional one.
Besides, the Ear was charmed to self destruct without any evidence 3 seconds after the person on the other side with the partner ear destroyed his ear.
This way chances of detecting the object were minimum. Hermione silently applauded and complimented the twins on their latest invention.
She had planned on just saying goodnight to Charlie but now that she had to plant the ear in his pocket, she brazenly went ahead and hugged Charlie and discreetly slipped the object, which was much smaller than the original extendable ear into his pocket.
"Goodnight Charlie!" She said merrily, inwardly chuckling at his surprised expression and delay in returning the courtesy.
Harry and Ginny too looked a bit surprised, but Charlie found his voice and said goodnight and Hermione apparated on the spot and reached Fred's flat with a pop!
George almost dropped his cards when Hermione popped into Fred's flat!
"Blimey! You could have given some warning Hermione. All my cards are on the floor now." George said.
"Can't help if you have a weak heart George!" Hermione said merrily as she came to sit on the handle of the chair Fred was sitting on and kissed him on the cheek.
"Someone's in a better mood now." Fred exclaimed.
"Yes! I'm quite pleased with my location of the Ear. I bet we will have excellent reception." Hermione said beaming.
"Oh goody!" George said excitedly, rubbing his hands in the same manner his kids often did.
Hermione laughed at this.
"Okay good then. Let's switch on the ear and keep. We can hear what they say. Although we aren't sure if we will hear anything of importance today. But let's hope." Fred warned as he switched the ear on.
"Harry, this is some great wine you have." Charlie said.
"Isn't it? Shacklebolt sent me some last month. He had gone somewhere and brought a few bottles for me." Harry replied.
"Be careful Charlie. I hope you'll be able to apparate properly. It's your 5th glass? Do you want me to activate the floo instead?" Ginny asked.
"Nah Gin. I'll be fine. Thanks though, I can see now how badly you want me to leave. " Charlie laughed.
"Oh get lost Charlie." Ginny's voice came loud and clear.
"Very bad Ginny! That's rude. I think I'll have to start wearing the pants in the family again!" Harry said, sounding a bit high.
Hermione giggled at this and Fred and George looked quizzically at her.
She mimed "later" and they continued listening.
"Harry James!" Came Ginny's indignant voice.
"Sorry love. Joking. Although you'll must excuse me. All this wine! Nature calls!" Harry said and they heard the shuffling of a chair and retreating footsteps.
"Wow. These ears are very good! I could hear Harry's footsteps! It's almost a weapon." Hermione said in awe.
Fred and George beamed and continued to listen.
"Ok. Quick. Before harry returns." Ginny's scheming voice could be heard.
Fred, George and Hermione all automatically bent forward towards the ear, sensing that this was going to be it!
"Did you ask her?" Ginny asked.
"No. She didn't give me a chance. I'm meeting her tomorrow though and I'll ask her out then." Charlie said.
"Okay. Then we need to see how she reacts. I bet she'll refuse and it's going to be up to you to break her." Ginny said.
The trio looked at each other, confused, but Charlie continued.
"I gave her many moments when she could have confessed, you know. I don't know if she will tomorrow." Charlie said.
"Oh she will! Don't you worry. Try WHATEVER you need to. Intimidate her a bit, I bet if you try to kiss her she'll blurt out finally that she's with Fred!" Ginny said.
Hermione gasped! Fred and George looked appalled though not shocked.
"Ginny! Are you insane? I bloody well agreed to your ridiculous plan when you blackmailed me! But I'm not kissing my younger brothers girlfriend! Even not in pretence. Nikita would hex me worse than any dragon could injure me." Charlie said.
"Oh come on Charlie! It's a small peck. And don't tell me your Romanian girlfriend is so possessive." Ginny said.
"You better believe she is. And there is no way I'm kissing my brothers girlfriend." Charlie said adamantly.
Ginny sighed. "Fine. At least you could pretend to kiss her? Go real close and all in slow motion. Build it up. I bet she'll lose her nerve even before you kiss her."
"Merlin Ginny! You're mental." Charlie breathed.
Fred and George both nodded and consented with their brother.
Hermione just sat like a statue, still stunned at what she was hearing.
"They are hiding it since who knows how long. I just want them to come clean." Ginny said.
"Clean what?" Harry's voice could be heard a bit muffled.
"Umm nothing Harry. I just was asking Charlie how to clean my dragon hide gloves without ruining the fabric." Ginny said hurriedly.
"Merlin Gin! The bloke's a dragon tamer. Not an expert on items made from their hide." Harry exclaimed.
"It's no problem Harry. I happened to know actually. So Gin use the charm next time. I'd better be off now! It's late." Charlie said.
Ginny hugged Charlie and whispered, "Do your best."
Charlie could be heard groaning as he said goodnight and apparated.
"Phew." George exclaimed as Fred destroyed the Ear.
"I cannot bloody believe her!" Hermione seethed.
"I actually can." George and Fred said in unison and grinned.
"Shouldn't have trained her so well mate." George said.
"Yeah mate. Coming back to bite our own arse!" Fred exclaimed.
"And I was so worried! For nothing. That Charlie! And Ginny! I am going to kill her." Hermione exclaimed.
Fred and George turned to her with identical, mischievous grins after looking at each other for a minute.
She looked at them, eyebrows raised, wondering why they were not more upset about this.
"Hermione. How good are your acting skills?" George asked.
Hermione looked at them as if they had lost their minds.
"What? Why?" Hermione asked.
"They better be good." Fred said. "Because when you meet Charlie tomorrow, you're going to accept the position of his girlfriend."
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There!
They know now.
Time for Charlie to fret a bit, don't you think?
But poor Charlie! Squashed between Ginny on one side and the twins on the other.
I'm almost beginning to feel bad for him!
I bet you all will too, in the next chapter!
I hope this chapter was enjoyable.
Thanks for reading!
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