I was woken by a loud chorus of Happy Birthday from the entire Weasley family and presents were handed to me from every direction. Fred and George had gotten me a book on charms to help with the joke shop and a gold necklace that spelt my name, 'just in case I forgot it'. Harry and Ron gave me new Quidditch gear and Bill gave me a new chess set so I'd stop stealing his. Molly and Arthur presented me with a beautiful photo album full of hundreds of moving pictures from my Hogwarts years. Hermione and Ginny gave me a gold diamond and sapphire bracelet that I adored.

"I'm sorry Alexis, I couldn't find anything to get you. I will give you something though, I promise," Charlie said.

I smiled at him, "That's alright, don't worry about it."

"I'll get you something," He repeated.

Everyone filed out of the room for breakfast, except for Ginny, Hermione and I. I was a little disappointed that Charlie hadn't got me anything.

"He'll get you something," Ginny said, reading my thoughts.

"He doesn't have to," I replied as I got dressed, "I mean, I'm just a friend of his siblings, that doesn't mean he has to buy me gifts."

"He gets you something every year, this year isn't any different. You're his friend too, you could be more than a friend if you'd let me talk to him."

"No Ginny," I said as Molly called us down for breakfast.

Half way down the stairs we ran into Charlie.

"Hey Lex, walk with me?" He asked.

I nodded as Ginny and Hermione gave me a 'tell me everything' look. I followed Charlie out into the garden and realised that my pulse had quickened considerably. He didn't say anything so I just walked beside him in silence. He stopped underneath the big tree and smiled.

"I do have a present for you Lex," He said, holding out his hand, "Do you trust me?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak and reached for his hand. As soon as I touched him he apparated us away from the Burrow. When my head stopped spinning I opened my eyes, not sure what to expect. I didn't have any idea where we were and Charlie grinned at me.

"Welcome to Romania."

"You apparated us all the way to Romania? Seriously?"

He laughed, "Yeah, we'll have to floo home because it's so hard to floo this far but I wanted it to be a surprise for you. Now follow me, I'll show you around."

He led me by the hand through the reserve and we stopped at the room he lived in on the reserve.

"Well, this is my home," He said, as he pushed open the door to a small room.

I looked around at all the photos of his family on the wall, there were so many of them, mostly taken from the few summers he spent at home.

"Come on, I want to show you the best part of your present"

"Do I get to see the Horntails?" I asked.

"Even better, you get to play with them."

"Are you serious? Charlie that's awesome."

He laughed at my enthusiasm and led me to a small building. "This is where we monitor the baby's for the first month or so, just to make sure they are fit and healthy and to get them used to being handled. Come in and sit and they'll come to us."

Sure enough when Charlie and I sat on the floor five baby dragons came to investigate. Charlie gave me some food and they quickly devoured that and climbed all over us, hoping that there would be more. I picked up one of the dragons so I could get a little more comfortable and felt a sharp pain across my face. Charlie was soon at my side, taking the dragon out of my hand and shooing the others away.

"Come on Lex, let's get that fixed," He said, helping me to my feet, it was only when he said that that I realised the baby dragon had scratched my face.

"Lex I'm so sorry. I didn't think that would happen. They usually don't do that. I didn't think they'd hurt you. There's a medi-witch just down here that'll help you."

He hurried along to the room at the end of the building and the witch there gave me a few things to drink to stop me from getting infections.

Charlie handed me a towel to clean my face with. "Come on. Let's go back home."

"Can't we go back to the babies?" I asked.

"No. we're going home now so I can't get you hurt any more. Mum might be able to stop it scaring too badly if we hurry," He said, dragging me to the nearest fireplace.

"I can handle scars Charlie. Just for five more minutes?"

"Not a chance," He said, flooing us back to the Burrow.

"CHARLIE WEASLEY! What on Earth were you thinking taking Alexis into a cage of dragons? You could have got her killed!" Molly yelled, when he explained what happened, "Come on Alexis, I might be able to prevent some of the scarring."

"Molly its fine. I don't mind scars. They'll remind me of the best present ever."

But she wouldn't have it. She dragged me to the kitchen, sat me down and began working on me immediately. Soon enough the entire Weasley family minus Charlie was crowded around, trying to see what all the fuss was about, Molly shooed them away., trying to fix the gashes in my face.

"Give it a day or two and hopefully I can fix some more of the scarring. I know I stopped some of it scarring but the wound will need to heal a little more first."

I thanked Molly before going in search of Charlie. I found him out behind the tree he had apparated us from. He was sitting with his knees up to his chest with his head resting on them. I sat beside him and gently touched his arm. He jerked his head up to look at me.

"I'm so sorry Alexis…"

"Don't be," I interrupted. "That was by far the best present ever. Thank you."

"But I've gotten you all scarred now."

"You've got scars too". I pointed out.

"But that's different."

"How is that different Charlie? They're all scars."

"Well boys are supposed to have scars and yours are right across your face. What if I've ruined your life? You'll have scars in every picture, what if no one wants to date you because you've got these scars. I could have lost you someone special."

"Charlie, it honestly does not bother me if no one wants to date me because of a few scars. If they can't handle that I didn't want them in my life anyway."

"That's irrelevant," He said as he reached out to gently touch the gashes on my cheek. I shivered slightly at his touch.

"I'm so glad it was only the babies though, if that was an adult you could have been killed," He said as he pulled me into a one armed hug. "I would never have forgiven myself; you're my brothers' best friend and are like a sister to me. I couldn't bear to lose you," He kissed the top of my head and let me go. "You'd better go and find Ginny and Hermione and tell them what happened."

"You're right. I'll see you later."

I stood up and hurried back to the room I was sharing with the girls. I threw myself on the bed, not realising that Ginny and Hermione were already in the room waiting for me.

"What happened? You looked so happy before," Hermione said.

"I thought Charlie kissing you would have made you happier, but apparently it had the opposite effect," Ginny added.

"We were kind of watching from the window," Hermione explained. "Ginny's idea."

"Tell us everything that happened after we left you with Charlie," Ginny ordered.

I told them everything, including the conversation I had just had with Charlie.

"I should hex him for being an ass. Why would he even say that?" Ginny said.

"That won't help Ginny. He won't know why you're hexing him and will think it's because of the scratches. And then he'll feel worse," Hermione pointed out wisely. "Maybe Alexis should just tell him how she feels."

I laughed, "Or not. How about I just pretend that everything is good. That's a much better idea."

"Just do it Lex," Ginny ordered.

"Fine," I lied, leaving the room, I headed up to the twins room and shut the door quietly behind me so the girls would think I had gone to Charlie.

"So how was Romania?" George asked.

"It was awesome. The dragons were so cute; I could have stayed there for ages."

"I'm wondering if it was the dragons that made you want to stay or if it was the company you were keeping," Fred said.

"What in the world are you talking about?"

"Lex, we've known you for years and we're not stupid. You've got a crush on Charlie," George replied smugly.

"No I don't," I lied, even as I felt myself blush.

"Well if you didn't like him you wouldn't be blushing," Fred pointed out.

"Fine, I admit it. You guys are right. So much for secrets around here."

"Secrets? What are they?" George asked.

"I think it's something you don't want anyone else to know," Fred replied.

"Yeah that's it."

Fred pulled me into a hug. "It's alright; we'll sort him out Lexy."

"Why does everyone say that?" I asked.

"Because we love you and want you to be happy," Fred replied, planting a kiss on my cheek.

George rolled his eyes, "Honestly Fred, the girl has enough issues without you being involved."

"Jealous much George?"

"Seriously, you two really need to get girlfriends."

"But we have you," They responded in unison.

"What for?"

"Being our girlfriend," They replied, once again, in unison.

"You know what I mean. I'm your friend, not your girlfriend."

"If it wasn't for Charlie things would be different," George whispered loudly.

"No it wouldn't because you wouldn't both want me as your girlfriend anyway."

"It could be interesting. I'll have you Monday, Wednesday and Friday and George can have you Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and we'll both have you Sunday," Fred suggested.

I slapped him on the arm, "That's wrong on so many levels. How about no. Any new products?" I asked, changing the subject.

They nodded, "Love potions."

"Not testing."

"You can do it willingly or unwillingly," Fred suggested.

"Fine."

The twins rubbed their hands together, delighted at having a test subject. George handed me a small vial which I drank. The rest was all a foggy memory.