Chapter 21 – Meeting the parents
The last week of break went by fast. I helped Charlie and Bash, once he was recovered, around the reserve. I saw eggs get hatched, held baby dragons in my arms, I absolutely loved this place and was sad to leave. I had gotten a letter from George to reschedule our date, but I was so busy I didn't have time to write back. On New Year's Eve we went to the muggle village not that far from the reserve. We had dinner at a nice restaurant before ending the evening in the pub with fireworks. Thank Merlin, Bash wasn't allowed to drink with his potions, or otherwise we had to walk all the way back as I and Charlie were too drunk to apparate on our own.
I pouted as I stood in front of the fireplace the afternoon that I had to go back. I was still tired from the night before, still a bit drunk, if I'm being honest.
"Drink this, my mum will flip if she sees you're hungover." Charlie chuckled and handed her a vial.
"Thanks." I smiled softly and drank it in one go, because these potions tasted like crap. But they immediately took effect and sighed happy. "I'm going to miss you." I lunged forward and hugged my brother tight.
"I'm going to miss you too."
"Don't be so dramatic." Charlie sighed playfully. Bash and I pulled apart and looked at him with the same expression, the same arched eyebrow. "You'll see him in a second."
"What are you on about?" Bash and I asked.
"Since it's new year's, time for new resolutions and all, I thought it was time for Bash to meet the family."
"What?!" Bash yelped. "Why didn't you say anything? I look horrible, I didn't prepare, I-" Charlie stopped his rambling as he kissed him.
"My mum will love you."
"She doesn't even know that you're gay." He pointed out.
"So? She will love me just the same."
"And... since two of her sons are gay, she will have to get used to it." I shrugged. Charlie turned to look at me wide eyed. "Oh, come on. Ron's questions after the first task? It's obvious if you know what to look for."
"Huh… Anyway." Charlie shook his head and grinned at his boyfriend. "Are you ready?"
"With you and little one by my side? More than ready." He placed a small kiss on Charlie's lips before he rubbed my short ash blond bob.
"I'll see you in a second." I winked and stepped into the fireplace.
"Mrs. Weasley?" I called as I stepped out of the fireplace.
"In the kitchen, dear." I waited for Charlie and Bash to appear before the three of us made our way to the kitchen, which smelled delicious. "Gwen, how was it?"
"I was great Mrs. Weasley, thank you again for letting me use your floo." I smiled as she hugged me. When we pulled apart, she looked curiously behind me. "Oh, this is my brother Sebastian. He works with Charlie."
"People call me Bash." He said friendly and stuck out his hand for her to shake, but I could hear his nerves in his voice.
"Oh, yes. Charlie told me all about you." Mrs. Weasley smiled and shook his hand before she went to hug her son. I took his hand when I saw Mr. Weasley sitting at the table reading his paper.
"Mr. Weasley, good to see you again."
"Same to you, Gwen. Nice to meet you, Bash."
"Nice to meet you too, sir." They shook hands.
"Sit, sit." Mrs Weasley ushered them to sit.
"Don't I need to get going to Hogwarts?" I asked confused as I sat down, already a drink in front of me.
"Not just yet, dear. Since Charlie said you were coming, I asked if you could stay for dinner." She said as she sat down next to her husband. "And I baked some cookies for you to bring to the boys and Ginny."
"They are some lucky kids with a mum like you." Bash put on his most charming smile, that made her blush. I shared a look with Charlie and tried to hold back our laugh.
"Doesn't you mum bake?"
"Our parents travel a lot. So, it was just me and Bash during breaks. And during the years before Hogwarts, I spend most of my time with Lee."
"Lee Jordan? Fred and George's best friend?"
"Yeah, he is my neighbour." I smiled as I sipped my drink. "We've been friends since we were toddlers."
"I always thought the two of them would end up together. But then Cedric and Geo-" Bash couldn't finish his sentence because I kicked him harshly under the table.
"So, mum." Charlie intervened quickly, but he couldn't contain the grin as he looked at us. "There was actually a reason why I came here." Bash suddenly sat up straight, as he tried to pat his hair flat. The light flare of anger disappeared, and I reached over to squeeze his hand. "I'm seeing someone." He blurted out.
"Oh, that's great, dear. What's her name?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she stood up and went to grab some plates from the cabinets. I saw Mr. Weasley looking at Charlie, with a look that he knew it wasn't going to be a girls' name. His eyes flickered from his son to my brother for a millisecond.
"His name is Bash. Bash is my partner." He said while he intertwined their fingers together. The three of us looked at Charlie's parents, waiting for them to say something.
"Congratulations, son." Mr Weasley smiled broadly.
"So, no girlfriend?" Molly asked once she cleaned her hands on her apron.
"No girlfriend." Charlie repeated.
"And you're happy?"
"Extremely."
Mrs Weasley put the plates down on the table and nearly ran towards Charlie. She pulled him up from his seat and hugged him tight. "Then I'm happy." She whispered in his ear and Charlie's grip on her tightened. "I love you."
"I love you too, mum."
They let go of each other and Bash was surprised when she pulled him out of his chair too and gave him a bone crushing hug. Bash was so tall, Mrs Weasley's head came against his chest.
"So, how long is this been going on?" She asked when she sat back down. And I grinned to myself before I spoke.
"Two years."
"TWO YEARS!" She screamed, making Mr Weasley spill his coffee. Charlie shrunk in his chair and Bash pursed his lips at me, before they started damage control.
I stayed at the burrow until eight o'clock that night. It was fun and dinner was amazing. I felt a little sting of jealousy for the Weasleys. I mean, I love my parents, but we didn't see them often. They didn't make us cookies or took us shopping, not since I started school anyway. That's why I loved going over to Cedric's or Lee's, and now the burrow. Laden with cookies, I stepped out of the fireplace of Professor Sprout's office. I thought the professor would be the one waiting for me, but it was George and Cedric, who were talking to each other. When they heard me step out, their heads snapped to me, a large smile on their faces. I walked over to them and pushed the box of cookies into Cedric's arms before I flung my arms around a surprised George. I pulled him lower and kissed him.
"Rude." I heard Cedric mumble, but I knew he was joking.
I pulled back grinning. "Hi."
"Hi." George said a bit breathless, and I loved it.
"I'm sorry I didn't write back." I said, my arms still around his neck. "I was helping out at the reserve and then Bash…" George stopped me with a sweet and short kiss.
"It's okay. I understand."
"Am I invisible?"
"Drama queen." I rolled my eyes and let go of George and gave Cedric a kiss on the cheek. "Hi."
"Hi." Cedric smirked and we walked out of the professor's office. Without a second thought George wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. I looked up to him smiling as my arm went around his waist.
"So, how did it go with my mum?"
"He's been thinking about it all week!" Cedric laughed.
"You two been hanging out?" I asked surprised looking between them.
"We both been wallowing without your presence." Cedric said dramatically.
"Gods, what have I got myself into." I laughed as we ended in front of the Hufflepuff commons. "Do you want to come in?" I turned back to George. "Or do you have plans with Fred?"
"I'm all yours, love." He grinned while Cedric opened the door. The three of us walked in and Cedric quickly plopped himself on our couch before someone else took a claim. I took a seat next to him, while George sat down on my other side. With the short and cold days, the common room was filled with students. They all looked surprised to see George here, even more when he wrapped his arms around my shoulder. But I ignored the looks and turned to look at Cedric and George.
"Charlie told your parents."
"About us?" George squeaked.
"No." I chuckled. "I mean Bash almost said something until I kicked his shin raw." I grinned.
"That's my girl." Cedric laughed as he kicked off his shoes.
"But we haven't even been on a date yet, so not much to tell, is there?" I smiled at George. "No, Charlie brought Bash over and told them everything. That's why I came back so late, I had dinner with your parents, Charlie and Bash. Those cookies are for you and the others, your mum made them."
"He finally told them, wow. Why the sudden change of mind?" Cedric asked, nicking a cookie from the box.
"I don't know, he said something about the new year." I shrugged. "But I think he finally thought it was time you know; two years is a long time. But -" I turned back to George. "Your mum was just happy for them. Until she found out how long he kept it a secret." I laughed thinking back at the conversation. George and Cedric started laughing at that. I intertwined my fingers with George's, and he looked at me with a smile. "Your mum is lovely, by the way."
"Yeah?" George's voice soft.
"Yeah." I squeezed his hand. "And she told me about some stories from when you guys where younger."
"Oh, no." George groaned letting his head fall back against the couch. I turned to look at Cedric and we both started laughing again.
The next few days people began to whisper about me and George, but we haven't done anything in public. We haven't kissed in the common room or in the great hall. But George being in the Hufflepuff commons without Fred was enough for the gossip mill to start. But since we haven't had our first date yet, we kept our distance in public. It was the day before lessons started, and Cedric asked me to meet him at the boathouse to talk about the second task. Which was weird because he hasn't accepted any help so far. The grounds were covered in a thick blanket of snow, and I wrapped my scarf tighter around my neck as I walked the grounds. The snow was just starting to fall again when I reached the edge of the boathouse.
"Ced?" I called out, rubbing my hands together. No answer came and I started to frown. "Ced, come on, it's cold!" Still nothing. "I swear to Merlin!" I grumbled and started to turn and head back to the castle.
"Where are you going?"
I turned back to see George leaning against the boathouse, not even wearing a coat, his lopsided grin in place. "Since you and Ced like to keep me in the cold, I'm heading back inside." I turned and I grinned to myself as I heard the snow crunch behind me as George ran up to me. He took my hand and spun me around, I landed flush against him, my hands against his chest. I looked up to him, trying to look put out.
"Don't go." He whispered as he leaned his head against mine.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Because I've planned our first date and I don't want to reschedule it again."
"Hmm." I contemplated as I moved my hands up and down his chest and he shivered. Was it because of my touch or the cold as he wasn't wearing jacket, I didn't know. But I bit my lip as I looked up at him. "Maybe... I can be persuaded." The last word was barely out of my mouth before his lips were on mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself even closer. I didn't feel the cold anymore as he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me off the ground. "I think I could go on a date with you." I smiled broadly at him; his eyes sparkled with joy.