Oh goodness, thank you to all that have reviewed, I appreciate it. Also I have forgotten this in the last couple of chapters, I don't own anything, and I wish I did. Happy Reading.
Sbolzzz—I know, I hated how she basically let Ron treat her like crap in school in the books, I needed a way to let her unleash at him.
.96780 – I am very pleased you can't jinx me lol I wanted to have everyone be a little shocked at how they found out what Hermione has been going through. She makes time for everyone else but doesn't let anyone in. Harry and her will have a good talk, don't worry.
LeeArt – Thanks! Ron is a git and needs to be put in his place. Or at least I think so.
Miss Magic 101 – Thank you for the glowing review, I really like the idea of developing the relationships between everyone and I like the details. I just hope that I don't move too slow through the story and annoy anyone.
Every person is turning and looking at Ron, who is now sitting on the ground with his head in his hands. Expecting Molly to go into one of her famous tirades, the people standing next to her take a step back but the screaming doesn't come from her but from someone completely unexpected. "You immature, miserable, great big arse you! What the hell were you thinking? Were you thinking?" Luna starts yelling and failing her hands around. Hitting him in the chest as he leans back at the shock of her yelling, "Have you lost all of your common sense, did you have any to begin with? She is your friend, one of your best friends, you need to apologize to her, hell you need to get on your stomach and crawl to her to ask her forgiveness. Get over it? So help me, I should hex you for saying that!" Slowly people start backing up, letting Luna have at Ron. No one has ever seen her angry let alone yell at someone. Moving around to the other side of the house, hear Luna yelling at Ron and this time it might stick as he listens to everything other thing Luna says.
Trying to get a semblance of normalcy back, greetings are exchanged, Molly and other girls go back in the kitchen and Arthur asks the boys, Sirius and Remus to set up the tent and tables for dinner. Looking at the pond he can see Hermione sitting by herself. "Boys, set up the tent, I will be back." Sighing and heading towards the young witch.
"Dad, are you sure?" Bill asks.
"Not sure if you want to do that." George warns.
"Boys, I must know how to talk to women when they are upset, otherwise your mum would have hexed me into oblivion by now." He smiles, "I will be fine, plus you aren't too far if I get into trouble."
She hears him coming, her chin is resting on her knees, she turns her head so he can't see her face. She is crying and is embarrassed by her outburst. "Sweetheart" he sits down on the ground by her and puts his around. At first she is resistant to his attempts to comfort her and then she breaks down and throws herself at him.
"I am so sorry, Arthur, I didn't mean to make such a scene." She sobs. "There is just so much going on, first the Ministry is making us marry, then I have to admit what happened to you about my parents and now Ron! Oh he just gets me so mad. I really tried to hold my temper, I tried but I just couldn't take it any longer." Leaning away from Arthur and still ranting, she is punching the ground in front of her, "I am just so mad, I have always tried to be so much for so many and when I needed him, he wouldn't listen." Arthur is just listening at this point in stage, knowing well enough she just needs to get it all out. "Bloody hell, it's not like I asked to be tortured, I would give anything to have not lived through that but also I wouldn't wish that on anyone and if it was between me or them, I am glad it was me."
"Hermione, that is why you are as strong as you are. You know in your heart that if could go back and put someone else in your place you wouldn't do it. You would go toe to toe with them again." Putting his arm around her, "Molly and I are proud of you; your parents would be too." Looking at him, he is shaking his head, "They wouldn't understand it all but they would know that they raised an incredible young witch and would love you still the same regardless of what happened." Standing up, "Now you take your time and when you are ready, come back to us. I will tell everyone that you don't want to talk anymore about it."
"Thank you Arthur."
While the boys are outside setting up the tent and the others are in the kitchen, giving Ron and Luna some space. She had screamed and hollered at him for quite some time after the others walked away. Soon all is quiet and slowly Luna is walking around the corner and in her normal airy voice. "I am not sure what came over me, I am sorry I yelled like that." Looking down at her feet before Molly breaks the silence, "You are quite right in my book Luna, you said exactly what everyone else wanted to say." Walking around to her and Molly is hugging her tightly, "He deserved that, don't ever apologize for that." Everyone mumbles in agreement, looking around the others in the kitchen.
Walking into the kitchen Ron has his head hung. Lifting her hand before anyone else can say anything Molly states. "Now, Ron has already gotten a right ear full from Luna, I don't want to hear anyone else say anything to him. I think he needs to first apologize to Charlie and then try to apologize to Hermione. That is if she will accept it." Looking at him, with her arms crossed.
Opening and closing his mouth a few times before "I am sorry, I don't know what came over me. I am very ashamed with what I said to her. I had no idea, I am going to apologize to both of them and then I think it will be best if I go home." Walking back out, no one says anything. Each of them looking at the other with the same thought, what all did Luna say to him? Apologizing so quickly is out of character for Ron. Exiting the house, into the yard he sees all of his brother plus Sirius and Remus staring at him. Before he even gets all the way to Charlie, George punches him, hard in the gut.
"I hope you feel as bad as she does right now, having to relive all of that just because you are a prat." standing over his brother George is fuming, his hands are still balled up into fists. "She hadn't even told Gin until this morning."
Trying to speak but he can't catch his breath; he is falling to the ground. "I do, I am really sorry. I had no idea. Trust me; you can't make me feel any lower than I already do." Putting his head in his hands and running them through his hair, a trait all Weasley men share, when they are stressed. "Charlie, I feel really bad, I shouldn't have said that there was anything going on between you two. I don't know why I thought that."
"No, you shouldn't have, you had no proof to accuse someone of something like that." Charlie says, flexing his hands. "I love Hermione, as a sister. When you all appeared at the Shell Cottage, she was a mess. She hardly weighed anything and has lost a lot of blood. She needed someone to take care of her. Fleur tried to heal her but she could only do so much. She was bleeding so badly; she even tried to argue with us that she would be fine." He put one hand through his hair, "Took us time to get her convinced to let us see her wounds. She can be quite stubborn, even when she knows she needs help."
"Stubborn, doesn't even describe her," Harry says laughing just a little, bringing a smile to everyone's face, knowing that Hermione puts everyone else first but will always stand her ground.
"Once Bill figured the knife was cursed and we figured out the potion to use. We were able to heal her body not without her taking a swing at me first; I mean the potion we used more or less cauterized the cuts. Burning skin is not something you ever want to smell. You know what, she still didn't scream, I had put up a silencing charm just in case but we didn't need it until she fell asleep. Those couple of nights at the cottage the only time she really made any noise was when she slept." shrugging Charlie says, "We just did for her what we would want done for Ginny if she were in that position. After the Battle at Hogwarts, I checked in her and wrote her." Rolling his eyes at Bill's smirk "Yes, Bill, she did cause some talk when she visited me at the reserve, I had a few days off and I knew she wasn't happy, so she came and stayed with me. It gave me a chance to see how she was doing." Looking down at his brother who was still on the ground, "I accept your apology but I would tread very lightly with Hermione." Offering his hand out to Ron and pulling him to his feet. "I think you deserve to be on her bad side for a while.
"George," Ron turning to his other brother.
"Not right now Ron." George says walking away waving him off. "Another time," Fred is following George, they see their dad, "How is she Dad?"
"Pissed off, very pissed, I would let her be for a little while, let her come back up when she is ready. She really doesn't want to talk about it, so I suggest everyone leave her be, especially you Ron. Give her a day or two until you try to approach her."
Sirius approaches George, "Can I have a minute George? Just something I wanted to talk to you about, it might take your mind off everything right now."
"Sure Sirius, what's up?"
"Congrats, I just heard this morning about you and Hermione, she is a wonderful woman, you are lucky." Sirius smirks, knowing well enough that the two of them are a great fit. Hermione has put Sirius in his place more than a few times; he knows she will be fine.
"I know she is, she simply amazing." Flushing red as he realizes, he is grinning like he is crazy.
"Well, if you ever want to treat her, I have access tickets to shows in Muggle London. I know she likes theater, she mentioned it." Sirius is looking around like he is awkward, which never happens.
"That's awesome, I don't know how to thank you, I was just saying to Bill and Fleur I wanted to do something extra special for her." George is smiling, a plan is coming into place for him to treat Hermione to a night out, though Sirius' behavior is concerning. "What's the matter Sirius, you look uncomfortable? Something going on?"
"Well, I am feeling a little guilty about what Bellatrix did to Hermione, you know she was my cousin, crazy cousin but still unfortunately family." Biting his lip, "I just don't want Hermione to look at me and see her. I knew something happened at the Malfoy's that she wasn't telling anyone. She does so much for us all and none of us could help her when she needed it."
"Sirius, she won't, she cares about you. Why do you think she comes and checks on you? I know she stops by and has dinner with you and the Lupins, if all she saw was Bellatrix, she wouldn't be able to do that. Now that she is opening up it is our turn to help her."
"You are probably right; don't tell anyone I said that." Smirking and walking back to the others.
In the kitchen
The ladies are all talking about the upcoming nuptials, when they hear the Floo activate and then. "Mama, mama, mama!"
"Teddy's here!" Tonks says "With Mum. Hey there little man," as she picks up the toddler, he is 3 and is extremely smart and active. Kissing him and then her mother, "I hope he wasn't too much of a handful."
"He is always wonderful but he kept asking for his Auntie Mi. Very adamant he wants to see her." Andromeda is laughing, "That is all I have heard for the last hour."
"Auntie Mi, Mama. I want to see Auntie Mi." Hermione was too difficult for Teddy to say so he settled on the last part of her name, Mi, which sounded like me. He is saying with a very serious face. Tonks is trying not to laugh at him but he has such a furrow in his brow he looks like a little old man.
"Ok, Teddy, she is outside, down by the pond. We can go find her. I will be back in a few minutes." As she is being led out the door by the very determined toddler.
In the yard, Remus and Sirius see Teddy and Tonks, "Teddy! Come see your Uncle Si!"
"No Uncle Si, I want Auntie Mi," pointing a finger at the older man.
"Here Dora, let me take him, he and I will go see her." Picking up Teddy and putting him on his shoulders. "Teddy say hi to everyone else before we go."
"Hi." Hunching down, trying to hide behind Sirius' head but his hair has now turned a vibrant red. Unfortunately with him being young his metamorphic qualities come out at random times. "Now Uncle Si, let's go," Poking Sirius in the side of the head.
Laughing at the persistence that is all Dora, "He wants his Auntie Mi, we will be back, I think she could use a visit from this little guy."
The closer they get to her, the more Teddy is starting to bounce, "Auntie Mi, Auntie Mi!" waiving his hand and bouncing.
Getting up to great Teddy, she is smiling; it has been a little while since she has seen Sirius. "Hi Sirius, how are you?" Stretching her arms out to Teddy who launches himself at her and in the process knocking Hermione off her feet, "Oh Teddy what am I going to do with you?" She asks from the ground, the toddler now sitting on her stomach.
"Hi Auntie Mi, I miss you," burying his face in her neck his little fingers tickling her neck causing her to shriek with laughter.
By the house, they can hear the shriek of laughter, from the lake that causes everyone to look around. Smiling Remus says, "Well Teddy found Hermione."
Back to the laughing pair on the ground and Sirius looking around not sure what to do. "Come on Si, join us." Patting the ground next to her "I don't bite, regardless of how I acted earlier."
"I am sorry Mi, I feel horrible." Sitting down next to her and flopping on his back. "I hope you can still be my friend."
"Sirius Orion Black, do you really want to irritate me today? Not really in the mood for games. I have had enough crap…. Oooff," rubbing her stomach, "Teddy what did you do that for?"
"Auntie MI, can't be upset, she needs to be happy."
"Ok but don't push on my stomach like that, it hurt."
"I sorry," he lowers his head and his eyes turn dark brown and his hair lengths and curls to mimic Hermione's hair.
"How can I be upset at you when you do that? It's ok Teddy, just Uncle Si is being silly. He doesn't realize that he is my family not just my friend." Raising her eyes to meet Sirius', "I mean that too." Grabbing his hand, "I hold no grudge against you."
Flashback to Grimmauld Place the week after the Battle of Hogwarts
Sirius' POV
I stood there watching her from the door of the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe. It is roughly 2 in the morning and I have no idea what she is doing here and why it looks as though she is starting to cook.
"Blasted, annoying git," slamming pan down on the stove. "Leave him be, he says, get over it, he says. I need to talk with him and he won't help me. He wouldn't be here without me." Rummaging through a cabinet, looking for something, slamming the door when she doesn't find it, moving on to the next cabinet and repeating the course of events. Pushing myself out of the darkness and towards the agitated young witch before I can get two steps into the room. She is whipping around and pointing her wand at me, her normally vibrant brown eyes are red and puffy and the color is bordering on black. "Don't move," she hisses. Putting my hands in the air, showing I have no wand. I should have known better than to approach anyone so soon after the war without announcing myself but she is in my house. Lowering her wand and head when she realizes who she is threatening. "Sorry Sirius. Habits don't go away."
"It's ok. I just heard the noise and was wondering who was making it." Peeking around her at the stove, "Making something to eat?"
"Was going to, nothing sounds good but I am starving." Rubbing her stomach, "I have been so hungry since we got back; I think I went to long and too often without food when we were gone."
I guide her to a seat, "Let me make something for you. I have to ask though why you are here?" Knowing she was most likely looking for Harry my godson but wanted to hear it from her.
"Harry told me if I ever needed him to just come by and if he wasn't here to make myself comfortable." I see her tense up, "He didn't tell you, did he?" I shake my head no. "Oh my god, I will be going. I thought he told you or asked you." Standing up quickly, she is heading for the door.
"Wait Hermione, you can stay, I am up most nights anyway and it is nice to have someone else around." Walking towards her, I put an arm around her shoulder and set her back in the chair. "Rough night?"
"Been better, been worse, just needed to talk with someone and first person wouldn't talk with me and Harry's not here, then I realized I was starving." Shrugging "I guess I am just lonely for one of the boys, it had been just the three of us for so long and now I am having a hard time getting settled back into the Burrow with everyone else. Weird, lonely in a houseful of people." Smiling slightly, "Now you think I am crazy."
"Well, I have two ears if you want." I don't her very well but have heard stories from Harry and she has stood by him through everything so I can try and help her. "And no you are not crazy, just never heard one of the famous Granger rants as Harry calls them." I see a small smile on her lips. "Now, what would you like to eat?"
"Oh, can we make pancakes?" she is rubbing her hands together with a look of a little kid on Christmas morning.
"Of course," how could I say no to her, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I appreciate the offer but what I need to talk to someone about, I don't know you well enough." Walking towards me and leaning against the counter. "But we can talk about anything else. Like, how is it having Harry live here?"
"It's great, except I never see him." I look at her and shrug, "He is always doing something for the Ministry or Aurors or with Ginny." Nodding her head in agreement. "Don't get me wrong, I love him, he is everything James and Lily were but it gets lonely now that the Order is not meeting here constantly."
"Trust me it could be worse, Molly has been insufferable, I can't go anywhere without her asking me 20 questions. I love the woman but Gods!" Tossing her hands up in the air "Bloody hell woman, I was on the run for close to a year, I think I can go to the loo alone." Crossing her arms across her chest, laughing, "I know, she means well."
"She does and we, the whole Order were afraid for you, all of you. She also knew that you would be the one watching out for the boys, so now she wants to watch out for you. For her, she had 3 children on the run." The young woman has taken over making food, watching her stir, I know she is thinking. "You know if it gets too much at the Burrow, you can stay here. If you want." Looking at me confused, "I just mean, if you need a break, a night or two once in a while. You can help clean out some of the rooms and have a reason to escape. Think about it." She has finished making the pancakes and has plated up food for both of us.
We ate our pancakes in the silence. Chatting here and there about everyday things. Watching her, I realized she has more going on in her mind than she lets anyone know. "I think, I could come by twice a week. I could help around the house if ever you need me too or we could just talk like this."
End of Flash back
"You really are the brightest witch of the age, you know that." Laughing, "When I first met you, all I could think about was, you bossed Harry just like Lily bossed James. I do have something I want to talk to you about." Squeezing her hand tighter, "Congrats first off, I have already told George; he is extremely lucky to have you. I hope you are happy."
"The whole thing was a shock, I didn't think they would actually pass such a law but I can see why they have. I am as happy as I can be, George is wonderful. Never figured I would be marrying a Weasley, lucky though I could have been paired with someone I don't know. So what do you want to talk about?"
"Well first off we have missed you at dinner, haven't we Teddy?" The little boy nods his head, sadly, "I hope that we will see you again soon, you can bring George if you want to. I mean, I would like to get to know him better than I do since he is marrying you. You are like family to me, just like Harry, you know."
"You are sounding weird, even for you Si." Sitting up she is looking down on him now, cradling the toddler who is almost asleep.
"Well, you don't have to, if you don't want to but I know that in both Muggle and Wizarding tradition the father of the bride is involved with many things in the ceremony. I know yours can't be there. I want to, I mean, if you need, I would be honored to." Smacking himself in the face with his hand, "This is not how I meant to say it."
"Well then out with it. We have talked about too many things for you to be like this." Looking over at him, "What is the matter?"
"I would be honored if you would consider letting me help you with that role." Sighing, "You and the others are my family, since I am the last of the Blacks, I know you were probably considering asking Arthur, you have known him longer and better than me but I wanted say I would love to help. You don't have to answer now but think about it."
"Yes."
"Yes, what?" sounding confused, Sirius is shaking his head.
"I would love to have you give me away."
"You can think about it if you want."
"Si, shut up."
Laying there in the silence, they are both smiling. Realizing that they both have found families they need. While they no longer had the ones they were born into for very similar reasons, both of them were defending what they believed in. "I am going to go back to the house, dinner will be ready soon," Sirius is getting up, "You want me to take Teddy with me."
"No, he can stay we will be up shortly." Laying there for a few more minutes, she can hear Molly calling everybody to dinner, getting up is a little more difficult this time; Teddy has fallen asleep. She is carrying the sleeping boy against her shoulder. Approaching the rest of the group, settling into a large chair on the end of the table, she is smiling.
"Here Hermione, I can take him, so you can eat," Remus is offering.
Waving him off, "Don't worry about it, I miss snuggling him; I don't get to do this very often anymore. Plus before long he will go through a phase that girls are gross and I won't get hugs anymore." Tonks is smiling on one side of her and George is on the other.
"He has been asking for you all day according to mum. He misses you." Slowly everyone is filing in around the table. Ron is next to Luna and his mother, no one really wanting to sit next to him, glaring at him occasionally. Between Tonks and George filling her plate up she has plenty of food, she has Teddy in one arm and is feeding herself with the other. "You know Hermione, you do that well," Tonks says smiling; Hermione is lifting her eyes from her plate.
"Well it's easy with a little one like Teddy; he is a great little one." Smiling, "Don't start with me Dora." She is shaking her finger at her and laughing "Or I won't offer to take him anymore. I can't help it that he loves me." Shifting the weight of the boy from one arm to the other. "Do you think you can take him? My arm fell asleep and I can't get it woke up."
Taking her son, Tonks is taking him into the Burrow to lay him down on the couch.
Conversation is comfortable around the table; Amanda and Charlie are on the other side of George. Everyone is having their own discussions, Amanda is leaning across the table a little and is talking quietly, "I am really sorry Hermione, I didn't mean for any of that to happen."
"Don't think about it another minute, you had no idea." Hermione is grabbing her hand and squeezing it slightly, "I hope we can get together sometime and get to know each other when I am not screaming at someone." Amanda is blushing at Hermione's comment.
"She is normally quite nice, she can even be charming when she wants to be." Pretending to whisper to Amanda. "But don't tell her I said so." George is smiling. Amanda is bumping George with her shoulder and turns back to Charlie. George is turning back to Hermione as she is yawning. "I talked with Fred; he knows I will be moving in with you, it works out great then he and Angelina can have the flat over the shop. When do you want me to start?"
"No time like the present. How about you go get a few things tonight and come over. I don't want to sleep alone tonight."
"I can do that. I will start each day by bringing a few things with me after work. We can talk about furniture and such later." Looking down the table at each of the couples, "If you want to I can take tomorrow off as well and we can just relax together."
"Sounds good but do you think we can go soon, I am worn out."
"Let me go talk with Fred for a minute about tomorrow and then we can start our good byes." Kissing her on the cheek as he gets up to go to the other end of the table.
She is watching the conversation between the twins and doesn't notice Harry at first. "Oh, Harry, sorry, I was spaced out a little." Grabbing his hand squeezing it. "How are you?"
"Better if you meet me for lunch tomorrow? I want to talk with you."
"Owl me with a time and place, I am off and George and I will just be hanging out, getting use to each other." Laughing, "Never thought I would have to get use to someone I already knew." Leaning her head back against her chair and smiling.
"I will talk to you tomorrow then," Quietly in her ear, "You mean a lot to me, don't forget that," Harry kissing her on the cheek and is gone. Closing her eyes for just a minute, waiting for George to come back, before she knows it she has dozed off.
"Come on sleepyhead, time to go." George is waking her and pulling her up out of her chair.
"Sleepyhead, I only leaned my head back just now." Hearing his laughter, opening her eyes and realizing the yard is emptier than two seconds ago.
"No, you nodded off and we didn't have the heart to wake you but Charlie and Amanda are going and then I am taking you home." Walking her in the house. "I was finally able to wake Sleeping Beauty here but not for long I am thinking." Hermione is already leaning back against him.
Feeling her weight shift and new arms around her, "Night Hermione, see you soon." Charlie kissing her on the cheek and hugging her tight. "Forget me beating George up; you let me know if Ron gives you anymore problems." Another set of arms are circling them both, Amanda has her arms around both Charlie and Hermione. "It was great to meet you."
"Sorry I dozed off you two; next time I promise I will stay awake."
"No problem, take care of yourself." Amanda says as they are leaving.
"Get her home and in bed George," Arthur is telling his son. After squeezing Hermione "Have a nice day off tomorrow, relax a little."
"Hermione, you tell me if you need anything." Getting a bone crushing hug from Molly.
"I will Molly, right now I just want my bed, sorry but I am exhausted for some reason."
"You had a busy day, now off you go." Pushing Hermione and George towards the Floo and he is taking her home.
"We are here, let me get you to bed, I will go get stuff from my flat tomorrow." Picking her up in his arms, her arms are wrapping around his neck. Walking through the flat he makes his way into the bedroom, shifting her so she is leaning lengthwise against him, with just the one arm around her waist. Pulling the covers down on her side and sitting her down, "Lift your arms Meenie, I am going to take your jumper off, so you will be more comfortable." Compliant with the request, she is lifting her arms up, pealing her jumper off, leaning her back on the bed. "I will be back; I am going to the bathroom." Kissing her temple and pulling the blankets up over her. Several minutes later, walking out of the bathroom. Looking at her in the moonlight, she is now laying in bed with the sheets thrown back. She must have woken up enough to change into her pajamas. George is smiling at her, climbing in bed next to her. Covering her back up and settling in next to her.
Groaning and shifting herself towards George, wrapping her arms around him, kissing him on the neck. "Night Georgie, sweet dreams."
Thought it was time to bring in a few more characters, Sirius and Teddy I just couldn't resist not writing about the little guy, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. More to come soon. Now to figure out what to have George do special for Hermione, what does Harry want to talk with Hermione about and when will Ron and Hermione see each other next.