Charlie had begun their journey toward healing, and while the sorrow still lingered in the quiet moments, there was a newfound sense of calm between them. They were slowly reclaiming their lives, day by day, allowing the small joys to seep in where the sadness had once overwhelmed them.
In the weeks that followed, Hermione found herself laughing again, small bursts of joy that had been absent for so long. It wasn't the loud, carefree laughter she had once known, but it was enough to remind her that there were still reasons to smile, that life could still hold moments of brightness.
Charlie had noticed too. One evening, as he watched her curl up in her favorite chair, engrossed in a book, a soft smile tugged at his lips. He hadn't seen her this peaceful in so long. The change was subtle, but it was there—like the first signs of spring after a long winter. It was enough for now.
They both knew they were still on a fragile path, but they were walking it together, and that made all the difference.
It was in this spirit that Hermione came up with the idea of hosting a family game night. She and Charlie had been spending more time with their loved ones lately, finding comfort in the familiar warmth of the Burrow, the chaotic laughter of the Weasleys, and the quiet conversations with Ginny and Harry. They had both realized that though their loss had been a personal one, they didn't have to carry the weight of it alone.
"Why don't we invite everyone over?" Hermione suggested one evening as they prepared dinner. "We can have a game night. It'll be just the adults, no kids this time. I think it could be good for us."
Charlie looked over at her, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "A game night?" He let out a chuckle. "Are you sure you want to subject yourself to Fred and George's antics for an entire evening?"
Hermione laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. "I think it might be fun. Besides, we could use a little chaos. It's been too quiet around here."
Charlie grinned, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. "Alright then. Let's do it."
And so, a few evenings later, the living room of their small cottage was transformed into a cozy haven filled with the warmth and energy of family. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a soft glow over the room. The table was piled high with snacks—courtesy of Molly, who had insisted on providing more food than could possibly be eaten—and the sounds of laughter and playful banter filled the air.
Ron and George were engaged in a fierce competition of wizard chess, their voices rising in mock outrage as pieces smashed into each other with satisfying cracks. Ginny and Harry were sprawled out on the couch, debating strategy for their next game of Exploding Snap, while Percy, much to everyone's surprise, was regaling them all with stories of the Ministry's latest bureaucratic mishaps, making even Fred chuckle.
Hermione, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside Charlie, felt the corners of her mouth curl into a smile. She hadn't realized just how much she'd missed this—the easy camaraderie, the feeling of belonging to something larger than herself. She glanced at Charlie, who was deep in conversation with Bill about the latest dragon hatchlings at the reserve, his face relaxed and animated in a way that warmed her heart.
"Alright!" George suddenly announced, standing up and clapping his hands. "Enough of this slow-paced nonsense. It's time for a real game!" He waved his wand, summoning a large, enchanted board that unfolded itself on the floor. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for the ultimate test of wit and strategy—Magical Mayhem!"
The room erupted into cheers and groans, with Fred immediately claiming, "As reigning champion, I demand we all acknowledge my superiority before we begin."
"You cheated last time," Ron muttered, rolling his eyes.
Fred shot him a grin. "Ah, but only because you didn't catch me. That's on you, little brother."
Hermione shook her head, laughing at the familiar bickering. As George handed out the enchanted game pieces, she felt Charlie nudge her gently.
"You ready for this?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "The Weasleys take their games seriously, you know."
Hermione gave him a wry smile. "I think I can hold my own."
The game began in earnest, and soon the room was filled with shouts of excitement, complaints about unfair tactics, and bursts of laughter as players tried to outmaneuver each other. Hermione found herself caught up in the moment, her competitive spirit coming to life as she carefully plotted her moves. It felt good—so good—to be surrounded by this chaotic energy, to feel like part of something vibrant and alive once again.
At one point, as Charlie playfully sabotaged one of her moves, Hermione caught Ginny's eye from across the room. Ginny smiled warmly at her, and Hermione felt an unspoken connection pass between them—a reminder of the conversation they had shared months ago. The grief was still there, lingering beneath the surface, but tonight, in this moment, Hermione felt a spark of joy that she hadn't known was possible.
As the night wore on and the Weasley family's competitive banter echoed throughout the house, the atmosphere softened, shifting from frenzied gameplay to the gentle lull of conversation and shared memories. A few empty bottles of firewhiskey littered the table, remnants of the drinks Harry and Charlie had poured while George dramatically recounted an exaggerated tale of his latest joke shop invention.
Hermione, her cheeks warm from both the firewhiskey and the laughter, leaned back against Charlie's chest as she surveyed the room. She felt a contentment she hadn't expected—a lightness that had been missing for so long. It was in this warmth, surrounded by the people she loved, that Hermione found herself feeling bold, mischievous even. She looked up at Charlie, who was still chuckling at Fred and Ron's antics, and a sudden idea formed in her mind.
Sitting up straight, she cleared her throat. "Alright, everyone," she said, her voice carrying above the conversations. "I have an idea for a game."
The room quieted, and all eyes turned toward her. Harry raised an eyebrow, intrigued, while Ginny grinned, already sensing that something unusual was coming.
Hermione smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. "I was thinking... how about we play a Muggle game? A drinking game, to be precise."
Charlie looked at her in surprise, but there was a spark of amusement in his eyes. "You, suggesting a drinking game?"
"Why not?" Hermione shrugged nonchalantly. "It's fun, and it's something different. Besides, it's simple enough for even the most competitive among us to enjoy." She shot a teasing look at George and Fred, who exchanged grins.
"Alright then, Hermione," Fred said, leaning forward. "What's this game called?"
"Never Have I Ever," Hermione replied, her smile widening.
Ron, halfway through a sip of his drink, nearly choked. "Never Have I—what?"
"It's a game where you say something you've never done," Hermione explained, looking around at the group. "If anyone has done it, they take a drink. It's a great way to learn some... interesting things about each other." She grinned wickedly.
Fred was the first to catch on, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "So, basically, we get to expose each other's deepest secrets?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
"Exactly," Hermione said with a nod. "And the more honest you are, the more fun it gets."
Charlie chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Hermione Granger, leading a drinking game. I never thought I'd see the day."
Hermione shot him a playful look. "What can I say? Life's full of surprises."
Everyone seemed game for it, and soon enough, the drinks were refilled, and they all settled into a circle on the floor, their laughter echoing through the cozy living room. Hermione's heart swelled as she looked around at them, her family by choice, all gathered together in this moment of levity.
"I'll start," Hermione declared confidently, feeling emboldened by the firewhiskey and the moment. "Never have I ever… ridden a dragon."
Charlie smirked at her as he raised his glass. "That one was too easy," he said before taking a long drink, his eyes never leaving hers. Bill, too, took a drink, laughing as he remembered the old days at Gringotts.
Fred, looking far too pleased with himself, jumped in next. "Never have I ever… worn a dress."
Harry groaned, rolling his eyes as he raised his glass. "Thanks, Fred," he said sarcastically before taking a drink. Even Ron had to drink, looking sheepish as he recalled the Yule Ball and that horrid set of dress robes.
Ginny, grinning wickedly, leaned in for her turn. "Never have I ever… kissed someone in the library."
Hermione's eyes widened as Ginny gave her a knowing look. Her cheeks flushed pink, and she reluctantly raised her glass, while Ginny and Harry both snickered, clearly enjoying the memory of Hermione and Ron's long-awaited kiss during the Battle of Hogwarts.
"Oh, this is going to get good," George said, rubbing his hands together in excitement. He turned to Harry with a grin. "Your turn, Potter."
Harry thought for a moment, then smirked. "Never have I ever… gotten detention for sneaking into the Restricted Section."
Hermione groaned, but there was no hiding it now. She raised her glass with a laugh, remembering all those late nights in first year trying to uncover the mystery of the Sorcerer's Stone. "Worth it," she muttered before taking a sip.
The game continued with varying degrees of teasing and mischief. The group quickly fell into easy banter, and as the drinks flowed, the revelations became more and more outrageous. Charlie, to Hermione's amusement, ended up drinking to almost every dragon-related statement. Fred and George, as expected, were exposed for several prank-related escapades that led to new rounds of laughter.
Hermione felt lighter than she had in months. There was something freeing in the simplicity of the game, the way it let them all shed their grief for a few hours and just be themselves—just be together.
As the night grew later and the room filled with more laughter, Hermione leaned back into Charlie's chest once again, the fire crackling softly beside them. She could feel his steady heartbeat against her back, the warmth of his arms around her.
"Feeling alright?" Charlie murmured into her ear, his voice low and affectionate.
Hermione smiled, her head resting against his shoulder. "More than alright," she whispered back. "I feel… alive."
Charlie tightened his arms around her, his chin resting on top of her head. "I'm glad," he said softly. "You deserve this, Hermione. We both do."
As the night wound down and the game finally ended with George declared the unofficial champion of outrageous revelations, Hermione found herself looking around at the people she loved most. They had all been through so much—individually and together—but tonight, in this small cottage filled with laughter and warmth, it felt as if they were reclaiming a piece of the joy that had been missing for so long.
And in that moment, Hermione knew, deep down, that they were all going to be okay.