Heres the next chapter. I own nothing.

Chapter 8

The first thing that Hermione did when she got back to the Burrow was changed into her bathing suit and some shorts. The beautiful morning had turned into a sweltering August afternoon. Hermione couldn't help but to think that the water was unusually warm for this later in the season. Or maybe its just thinking about that kiss with Fred thats got you all hot and botherd, she found herself thinking as she dipped her feet into the small pond. Oh great, now you're starting to sound like Ginny, she thought, sighing.

Placing the text book she had brought out with her on her towel, she leaned back on her arms and let the cool water of the pond sooth her legs. The sun was beating down on the small amount of exposed stomach, causing her to desperately want to hop on into the cool water. As she was having an internal debate with herself on rather or not she should just get in, she felt something run past her, followed quickly by a massive splash.

Hermione squealed loudly, the water having been extremly cold on her warmed skin.

"Sorry,"came an amused voice from the water. Charlie was grinning up at her from his spot in the middle of the pond.

"You should be," Hermione replied, trying with much difficulty not to grin.

Charlie waded closer to the bank where Hermione was sitting. "I just got home from helping Hagrid with some animals in the Forbidden Forest. It was bloody hot in there! When I got home and saw you out here near the pond, I couldn't help but change to join you. You really are one of the brightest witches. Mum and Ginny are in the kitchen, fanning themselves with their hands," he informed her showing her with his hand how his sister and mother were doing it. Hermione laughed, finding it quite funny that this big, handsome man could mimicked his mum and little sister so well.

"You do that well," she informed him, causing the former dragon handler to quickly stop fanning himself.

"Thanks, I guess," he replied. "Why aren't you in here?" Charlie asked her, floating even closer to her.

"Well, I've been debating on it for a bit, but I just hadn't convened myself," Hermione replied honestly. If she accepted his petition, he would need to know she talked to herself quite a bit. That way he can walk away quickly, if he likes, she thought watching as the red dead approached her submerged feet.

"Why don't you just come on in?" he wondered, looking at her feet and back at her eyes.

Hermione raised an eyebrow as she noted the mischievous gleam in his eyes. "What are you doing?" she asked skeptically.

"Nothing," he said, innocently as he slowly started splashing his hands gently around her legs. She watched as he caught her eye and grinned broadly before throwing his arms wide over his head and bringing them quickly back down to the water. The effect was exactly what he had wanted it to be. The entire front side of Hermione was drenched.

"Charlie!" she squealed loudly, laughing despite the fact that she was soaked.

"Yes?" he asked, having moved toward the middle of the pond.

"You're going to get it!" she exclaimed, getting into the pond.

"Promises, promises," he taunted her happily as she swam furiously in his direction. Much to his surprise, she was an excellent swimmer. Hermione reached him in record time, using all of her limbs to splash him up on side and down the other. When she was quite exhausted, she stood up to look at Charlie, who had his arms folded over his bare chest, eyes closed.

Thank Merlin for dragon handling, she found herself thinking as she looked at his chiseled chest. Charlie opened his eyes, catching her staring and grinned.

"Are you finished?" he asked, amused.

"Splashing you or looking at you?" she found herself asking, much to her shock. Where did that come from? she thought. I defiantly HAVE been hanging around Ginny too much.

"Both," Charlie replied, grinning widely. He loved that Hermione felt open enough to admit that she had been checking him out.

"For now," she answered shyly, blushing.

"Then its my turn," he insisted coming towards her, arms out to grab her.

She tried to get away quickly, but he was quicker. Charlie grabbed her around her waist and went under the water with her. When they came back up she giggled and began trying to wiggle herself around so that she could splash him properly. After a few rounds of going under, Hermione found herself exhausted.

"I call uncle," she exclaimed loudly, causing Charlie to loosen his grip on her. "I'm exhausted!" she added,laughing.

"You're beautiful," Charlie declared,looking her straight in the eyes.

Blushing furiously she patted her hair down. "Yeah right. I probably look like a drowned rat."

"No you don't," he insisted, wading slowly towards were she was sitting on the bank. He stopped directly in front of the brown haired girl and moved a piece of her hair behind an ear. "You're breath taking."

She looked up into his eyes and saw that he believe every word that he was saying.

"Thank you," she whispered, not exactly sure how to react to this gorgeous man complementing her. Hermione watched as he came closer, moving yet another stray piece of hair. Her eyes widened as she saw that he was closing in, slowly lowering himself towards her lips.

"Hey, can we join you?" asked a voice a few feet away.

Hermione backed up quickly, happy that someone had interrupted them. She wanted to kiss the handsome man, but she didn't know if she could handle being kissed by two Weasley boys within twenty four hours of each other.

She quickly turned to see Ron, Luna, Ginny and Harry walking towards them, towels draped over their shoulders.

"Sure. The more the merrier," Charlie replied sarcasticly, causing his sister to laugh.

"You've had the pond to yourself for the last hour. It's time you share," she informed her older brother.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Charlie grumbled. Ginny put her towel next to where Hermione was sitting and ran and jumped, practically on top of Charlie, drenching him.

"Why you little," he started laughing but was cut off by two more splashes from Harry and Ron.

Hermione laughed as she watched the four rough house, completely carefree.

"You okay, Hermione?" Luna asked as she sat her towel out and took a seat next to her.

"Yes, I think I am," she replied, smiling at the blond reassured.

"You don't have to talk to me about what you are going through. However, my ears are always open and my mouth never over flows," Luna said sweetly as she leaned back on her arms to soak up the sun.

"You know Luna, before this is all over, I might have to take you up on that," Hermione said.

Luna smiled. "You know where to find me."

When Hermione woke up the day before they were to leave for Hogwarts, she was excited. With all of the drama of the whole marriage law thing, she hadn't done much in way of preporation for her return to school.

"Why are you smiling so early in the morning? And why are you packing? You have ALL day," Ginny grumbled from her bed.

"Because, Ginevra, not all of us are procrastinators are we," Hermione replied, smiling sweetly at her room mate.

"This is the last day before school though," the red head mumbled from under the pillow she had thrown over her head. "We should be sleeping as late as we can."

"I did sleep as late as I could," Hermione teased. "You know I'm an early riser."

"Merlin help the man who ends up with you," Ginny said, lifting the pillow briefly to show her friend she was teasing.

Hermione grinned evily. "You know, Harry gets up pretty early as well."

"Yes, but there are ways that I can keep him in bed," Ginny replied suggestively as she sat up.

"Ginevra Molly Weasley!" Hermione exclaimed laughing. "You better hope your brothers didn't heard that."

"We're engaged, for Merlin's sake. They can get over it," the young girl replied, shrugging. "If you're not going to sleep in today, are you at least going to keep your p.j.s on?'

"I plan on it. There's no where else I need to be today," Hermione said, picking up a book she had just recently gotten.

"Oh, is that the book that Malfoy sent you?" Ginny asked, walking over to sit on her room mates bed.

"Yes, it is," she answered smiling.

After they had left the ice cream shop the afternoon of their date, Draco had asked her if she would like to go look at the book store, which Hermione had immediately accepted. They looked for awhile, Hermione seeing many books she would love to read more. She had wondered into the fiction section of the store, fully interested in maybe reading some light, wizarding reading. The book that had caught her attention was called, 'Pure, Muggleborn Love.' She read the back of the book, which talked about a muggle born girl who had come to fall in love with a pure blood wizard and the challenges that they faced. As she was about to open the front of the book, Draco had come around the corner to see if she was ready to leave. Startled, she quickly placed the book back on the shelf, not wanting him to see her reading a romance novel.

A day later a package had arrived with a letter attaced to it.

Dear Hermione,

Yesterday was truly one of the best days I have ever spent with anyone. I hope that you enjoyed yourself as much as I did.

I bought this book for you. I hope you like it. I noticed you looking at it right before we left Flourish and Blotts and decided to come back and buy it for you.

I look forward to seeing you when we go back to school.

Yours,

Draco

"Is it a good book?" Ginny wondered, bringing Hermione back to the present.

"It is quiet romantic," Hermione replied. "I'll let you borrow it after I'm finished."

"No thanks. I think I 'll have plenty of reading to do while at school," Ginny replied as a knock came from the door.

"Come in," they called.

The door opened slowly and a black head popped in cautiously. "Everyone decent in here?'

Hermione laughed. "Well, I am, but I don't know about Ginny. The verdicts still out on her."

Harry raised an eyebrow, about to ask what she meant, but quickly thought better of it. Somethings are better left unknown.

"Mrs. Weasley asked me to tell you that breakfast is ready," he informed the girls, snaking his arm around his fiancee waist, pulling her close for a quick kiss.

"Oh thanks," Ginny said, smiling up at him.

"We're coming right now," Hermione added, placing her book beside her trunk, in case she decided to read a little later on in the day.

They made their way down to the breakfast table, where everyone was waiting.

Everyone but the twins, that is, Hermione thought as she took her seat next to Charlie who grinned down at her, handing a cup of coffee over.

"Thank you," she replied, smiling.

"Your welcome," he replied, winking at her.

"Tuck in, everyone," Mrs. Weasley said, passing bowls around.

Hermione looked over to where the twins usually sat and had to hold back a sigh. Since the night Fred had kissed her, she hadn't heard a word from him. He left for work before George and returned home late in the evening. George had been at breakfast and home for dinner every night, always saying that Fred was off doing something he didn't even know. Hermione and George would talk for awhile each night, about tons of things. She found that she had been enjoying his company, even if his twin had become a mystery to her in the last week.

"Where's George this morning?" Ginny asked, almost reading Hermione's mind.

"He said something about having a busy day ahead. That's all I know," Mrs. Weasley answered. "Charlie, what time do you have to leave today?"

"After breakfast. Hagrid needs help getting the boats and carriages ready for tomorrow," her son answered. He looked over at Hermione and smiled sadly. They had been getting to know each other quiet a bit, slowly but surely. When they arrived at Hogwarts, they knew it would be difficult to have much time together with him being a professor and all. Charlie had told Professor McGonagall about petitioning Hermione. She had been happy and had just said that while Hermione was in Care of Magical Creatures, Hagrid would be her teacher and if things got serious between them, he would not be allowed to hold her hand or kiss her during lesson time.

But all other times are free and open, he found his self thinking happily.

A few moments later, there was a knock on the door.

"Who could that be?" Mr. Weasley wondered as he stood to answer the door. "Oh, good morning, Luna."

"Luna!" Ron exclaimed with his mouth full.

"Good morning future in-laws," the blond greeted them as she walked into the kitchen, carrying a small package.

"Luna, dear, its so good to see you. Come eat some breakfast," Mrs. Weasley stood from her seat and hugged her future daughter in law tightly. She retrieved a plate from the cabniet and sat it beside Ron.

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," she said, taking the seat beside her fiancee and kissing his check, causing it to turn bright pink.

"What's in the package?" Ginny asked, passing Luna some strawberries.

"I'm not sure. My father said that it was left on our doorstep this morning with a note asking that I bring this package over to Hermione," she replied.

"To me?" the brown haired girl asked, shocked.

"Could it be something dark?" Charlie asked instantly, looking over the package suspiciously.

"My father did many spells over it to check it before allowing me to carry it over here,"Luna informed them.

Hermione took the package and sat in front of her, the breakfast forgotten. After pulling her wand out of the pocket of her pajama pants, she slowly opened the package with the other hand. Nothing exploded or slithered out of the small package, so she picked it up and stuck her want into it, mumbling a few words to see if anything dark or evil was waiting for her. Satisfied when nothing happened, she put her want down and looked inside. Hermione pulled out two pieced of parchment and a single yellow Gerber daisy, her favorite.

"Whoes that from?" Charlie asked, sounding annoyed.

"I'm not sure, Charlie. I just receive it," Hermione replied, sounding equally as annoyed.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to sound short," he quickly apologized, not wanting to make her upset.

"That's alright," she assured him opening the piece of parchement that read,'Read this one first.'

Here's a challenge, just for you;

I wonder if you'll see it through.

Today is a day of hide and seeking,

It won't help you at all to try and peekie.

Surprises and flowers you'll find on your journey,

Don't worry, Charlie, she won't come back on a gurney.

I hope you will follow these simple directions,

Not sure what my heart will do with rejection.

I'll be waiting to see you at the end of this day,

And I promise I won't hold back what I have to say.

Your Forever Admirer.

Hermione's mouth was gaped opened, not knowing what to say.

"What does it say? What does it say?" Ginny demanded, excepting the page from Hermione. The young red head read the parchment, a smirk quickly appearing on her face.

"A scavenger hunt," Ginny said excitedly. "What's the other piece of paper?"

"I'm not sure," Hermione replied, opening the other piece of parchment while Ginny read the poem aloud to the table.

Here's where you are to go first:

Honeydukes, Hogsmeade

There will be clues as to who I am at every stop. If you like, you can bring one of your girlfriends along.

"Who do you think it is?" Ron wondered, eating a piece of sausage.

"I don't know, but I don't like it," Charlie answered, folding his arms over his chest.

"You don't have to like it, son. It has to do with Hermione, not you," Mr. Weasley replied.

"Are you going to do it, Hermione?" Harry wondered, smiling slightly. He thought he had a pretty good idea who this person could be.

"I'm thinking about it," she replied, smiling slightly. The thought of going on a fun scavenger hung was too alluring to pass up.

"I should go with you," Charlie said, looking at Hermione pleadingly.

She put her hand over his and smiled. "You are suppose to go to Hogwarts today. I don't want you to get in trouble. And if it makes you feel better, this person suggested that I bring Ginny or Luna along."

"Really?" Ginny squealed excitedly,looking at the other piece of parchment.

"It doesn't, but I suppose it will have to do," he replied. Charlie looked at his watch and sighed. "I better go."

"Be careful," Molly replied, standing to hug her departing son.

"I always am, Mum," Charlie replied, hugging her back.

Hermione stood to walk him to the fireplace in the living room. He would be flooing to McGonagalls office.

"You be careful today, alright," he told her, hugging her tightly.

"I will," she promised, breathing in his scent; smoke and trees, a smell that Hermione had grown quiet fond of.

Charlie leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips, shocking her.

"See you soon," he replied before picking up a hand of floo powder and threw it down, saying, "Hogwarts Head Mistress Office."

"That was interesting," Ginny replied, coming up from behind her. "You still going to go on this scavenger hunt?"

Hermione gently touched her lips that still tingled the tiniest bit. "Yes I think so. If I didn't, I would always wonder what if, you know what I mean?"

"Then lets go get ready,"Ginny said, excitedly.

"I thought you wanted me to stay in my p.j.'s all day," Hermione teased.

"I did, but not now. Who knows, maybe your prince Charming will be waiting for you at the end of the day," Ginny replied.

"Yeah, maybe," Hermione replied, as she followed her friend up the stairs to get ready for her new adventure.

So what did you think? Let me know please by reviewing. If you have any ideas, let me know and I'll try to put them in here. :) Happy Reading.