Magical Lineage

Mrs. Weasley had Sunday brunch at the Burrow every week. Her children were grown and very busy with their own lives, responsibilities, families and jobs. Still the invitation was there to have brunch and catch up every week. Sometimes there were so many people that the tent was set up in the yard and sometimes there were just enough to fit around the kitchen table.

With Charlie recently being offered a position to run his own dragon preserve and rehabilitation center closer to home. This will be his first Sunday, living back in Britain. Mrs. Weasley made it clear that everyone must attend this week's brunch to celebrate.

Of course, regardless of what she had told Draco and Theo last night, she could not show up at the Burrow with a dish of any kind. Not dessert, not a side, not a vegetable. No food whatsoever. Mrs. Weasley really took offence to any food on her table that she didn’t have a hand in making. So, she opted for a lovely bouquet of flowers. Neville had sent over a beautiful arrangement, Wild flowers, ferns and some very exotic herbs, that made the whole bouquet smell wonderful. He and Justin will also be at the brunch today. Their greenhouse seemed to be a success.

That morning while she showered, her thoughts drifted to Theo and Draco. Sweet Circe, they were good looking. She was very nervous about the first phase of the program. Excited to get to know them, but what if while they were getting to know her, they decided that she was not what they wanted in a mother for their children.

She knew that she had positive traits one would like in a mother, she was smart and resourceful. Her magic was strong and she was a talented witch. Malfoy had teased her and bullied her in school because she had always scored higher in their shared classes. Nott was consistently third in those classes. No, she was not worried about them rejecting her because of her magic or talent. They were very handsome and sophisticated, what if they didn’t find her attractive enough?

Trying to shake all negative thoughts from her head, she focused on her wardrobe. She really wanted to wear something cute today. So she put on a green babydoll blouse with mushroom buttons and a heart shaped neckline, paired with her flowing black skirt and her ballet flats, her mum would have said she looked like a gypsy.

She was very excited to see Charlie, he was one of her favorite Weasleys. Fred and George had always looked out for her but after Fred had passed, George was lost and she couldn’t burden him with her grief. He had lost his twin. Charlie was the one who noticed her grief, he saw the pain that she tried to hide from everyone. He had noticed that Hermione and Fred had a different type of bond, a bond that, if his brother had lived, given time she may have become a Weasley by marriage.

She felt she had no right to feel a greater loss than his family. After Fred’s funeral, Charlie was the one who noticed her busying herself and trying to comfort everyone else. Later that night, he caught her sneaking out of the burrow. She went into the backyard and put up a silencing ward and started to cry. He held her in his strong comforting arms. She buried her face into his chest and cried. She had cried in his arms for hours while he stroked her hair and called her little sister.

Hermione was so happy that he was going to be living closer. She was still close with George and Ginny of course but Charlie made her feel safe. She never had to hide her feelings from him. Grabbing the bouquet and her wand she headed to the floo. Stepping into the house that was a second home to her during her Hogwarts years and a safe haven during the war. The cramped and cluttered room was comforting. She knew there would be a stack of books on the coffee table, the sofa and chairs always had knitted blankets draped on them and pictures scattered around the room. Hermione did a quick cleaning charm to get rid of any soot on her clothing.

The Weasley’s charmed family status clock hung on the wall above the fireplace. She could see where every Weasley was and how they were. Shortly after Fred was killed, Mrs. Weasley received an owl from Headmistress McGonagall that Hogwarts had another ghost protecting the children. So, Mr. Weasley re-charmed the clock to show that Fred was at the castle and added Fleur after Bill and she were married. Since Mrs. Weasley insisted Harry and Hermione were family so they were also added to the clock. She looked up and saw Ginny, Harry and Charlie were here. George and Ron were still at Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, Bill and Fleur were still at Shell Cottage. Percy was at St. Mungo’s and had been for the past three years.

She heard noises coming from the kitchen and headed in that direction, Mrs. Weasley was cooking and frosting and cleaning all at once. “Oh, Hermione, you're here. I thought I heard the floo. My dear you look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I brought these for you.”, and she handed the bouquet to her.

“Thank you, they’re beautiful. Did you get them from Neville and Justin?” the older woman asked.

“Yes. Neville always puts together such beautiful arrangements. They said they were coming today.” Hermione asked.

“Last I heard, they were going to be here later for dessert. Justin owled and said they had been up all night tending to some Aconite that needed to be harvested and delivered to Damocles Belby’s apothecary shop. With the full moon approaching he must begin his brew of Wolfsbane potion.” The older woman then smiled at Hermione and scooted her out the back door.

Harry, Ginny and Luna were all walking back from the pond. Charlie had his back to Hermione so she put her finger to her lips, instructing the three approaching to not let him know she was there. When she was about a meter away Charlie said, “Hermione, Love. you know it’s almost impossible to sneak up on a dragon tamer.” Then he spun around and wrapped her up into a big bear hug.

Squealing with surprise and delight she hugged him back and then tried to squirm out of his embrace. When Charlie Weasley hugged you, your only escape was if he released his grip. “Put me down you crazy dragon tamer.”

“Little sister should know better than to mess with my mad skills of trapping. I have trapped dragons smaller than you.”, he chuckled.

Hermione pouted, “I am not a dragon.”

Ginny giggled, “My brother relates every aspect of his life to dragons. He eats, sleeps, works with and heals them. I am pretty sure if he could, he would marry one. I think that's why he is still single. The right dragon hasn’t come along.”

‘You hush, Charlie is perfect the way he is. No girl, witch or dragon, will ever be good enough for him.” Hermione retorted with a secret wink only Charlie saw.

The five of them sat down in the grass, Harry between Luna and Ginny. Charlie pulled Hermione onto his lap and held her there. He wanted to know all about the repopulation program. Since he was most recently a citizen of Romania, he wasn't put into a group. “I expect once my residence has been officially logged into the Ministry, I may be put into the program.”

“I suppose so. It seems mum is getting all of her grandchildren at once.” Ginny said. “Does anyone know who Ron and George have been assigned to?”

Charley said, “I don’t know about George, but I was in Diagon Alley yesterday and overheard some wizards talking about Ron. They said he was at the Ministry yesterday making quite a scene and was overheard saying, ‘The Ministry had no right to make a witch or wizard have a baby with someone who is evil, rude and untrustworthy?’.

Hermione stiffened and tried not to continue listening to the conversation. Pretty sure that his tirade had nothing to do with who HE was paired with. Charlie felt her body tense and just as he was about to ask what was wrong, there was a true “ruckus” at the kitchen door. Out ran Victoria with Bill and Fleur on her heels. Well as fast as a very pregnant Veela could move. Bill was carrying baby Elizabeth in the Moses basket that Hermione had given them as a gift. Elizabeth was sound asleep.

Bill put the basket down and then hugged Charlie, Fleur caught Victoria on her way to the pond and walked her back to the group. She hugged Charlie and then asked, “Iz there any place on zee prezerve for a little wild girl?”

Victoria giggled and put her arms up to her mountain of an uncle. Letting him know that she wanted to be picked up. As he bent down and scooped her up he said, “I think I need someone to brush the dragon's stinky teeth. Victoria, you would be perfect for that. Stand inside their mouth and use a long toothbrush. You’ll have to be careful, if they sneeze you might get a little toasty.” On that last word, he turned the adorable three year old upside down and tickled her belly.

“Uncwe ‘Chawie’ you are siwwy, Dragons not bush their teef. Can I see the dragons. Pwease, Pwease.” Victoria giggled. She had the best of both of her parents. Bill’s blue eyes and Fleur’s Veela attraction. Although she did not have the Weasley shocking red hair. Her’s was more a strawberry blonde, softened by her mother’s Veela blonde.

Hermione giggled, “Victoria you are so smart and beautiful. How did you know dragons don’t brush their teeth?”

“Uncwe ‘Chawie’ teases me. ‘Mine-E’ howed me?”

With that, Charlie put Victoria into Hermione’s arms and then he put his arm around Hermione. She was so happy that Fleur could be here, wanting to talk to her about pregnancies and new babies. She had about a million questions and Fleur was the only witch she knew that was close to her own age to ask. “Fleur can we talk later? You know I am involved the repopulation program, I was hoping we could spend some time together later.”

“Of course ‘Ermione’, let’s seet down after brunch.”

Ginny heard Hermione ask about sitting with Fleur and she asked if she and Luna could join them. “Of course Mon Cheri. I am so excited you vill be having zee babiez. Zhey vill be so close in age to my leetle ones.”

Just then there was a noise at the back door of the burrow. George came out and smiled announcing, “The party can begin, the best Weasley is finally here.”

Ginny shouted back, “Yes darling I have been here for about an hour. Speaking of ‘better than you’...where is Angelina?”

“She'll be here shortly. She had to drop some products off to a customer. My witch has done wonders for product marketing and distribution. George came over to the group and smiled at Harry and asked, “So did you make me an uncle yet? Or are you knocking up Luna first?”

Harry turned red and put his head down, Ginny smacked George on the chest and Luna smiled and said, “All the charts and signs indicate we will conceive on the same night.”

George waggled his eyebrow and said, “Two in one night, good for you Harry.” Before anyone could say anything there was a commotion at the back door. It was Ron and it sounded like he was drunk.

Hermione, still holding Victoria and still secure in Charlie’s embrace, went stiff. “What is it love? Every muscle in your body has gone tight and you are biting your bottom lip like it has personally offended you.”

“Nothing. Just Ron and I have not been on the best of terms lately.” She responded.

He saw the group and shouted as he walked over to them, “There she is. There is the girl that fought for the light. Fought against Voldemort at Harry’s side. I guess being a Death Eater and Slytherin whore isn’t enough? Want a dragon tamer too?”

A couple things happened at once, Molly and Arthur came out of the house and heard his words. Being drunk, he did not see Elizabeth’s basket, and he tripped over her, prompting Bill and Fleur to attend to their youngest. Hermione shifted Victoria into Charlie's arms. With an “I’m sorry.” whispered into his ear. She turned and ran away. As all of this happened Luna looked at her friend with concern in her eyes, Ginny and Harry instantly took up defense of Hermione against Ron.

Not wanting to be the target of Ron’s temper or witness anymore of his bad behavior. She quickly made her way to the edge of the property's wards and apparated. With tears in her eyes, and her face flushed from anger, hurt and embarrassment she didn’t know where to go. If she went home they would follow her. They knew every place she would go. Well, there was one place they wouldn’t look.

_________

Draco and Theo had just come out of the pond. Being May the water was still cold. But Draco couldn’t pass up a challenge. Ever since they were little, they would issue physical challenges to each other. Theo had challenged Draco to swim across the pond. That was what he was doing when the Manor’s wards indicated Hermione was at the front gate.

Draco hurriedly grabbing both his robe and Theo then apparated them to the front gate. Hermione was just sitting there on the ground. Knees hugged tightly to her chest with her forehead resting against them. She didn't look up or make a move in any way. So he opened the gate and gently touched her shoulder.

That was when he heard her softly crying. “Granger? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

Theo quickly went to her other side. He knelt down next to her and touched her lower back, “Love, what’s happened? Why are you crying? What can we do?”

Hermione took a few deep breaths and finally looked up at them. “I’m sorry. I should not have come here. I’m so sorry. Please forget.... I’m sorry. I’ll go.” Then she stood and started to step away from them to apparate when both wizards grabbed her hands.

Draco’s concern for her showed clearly in his face and in his eyes. Theo looked lost, like he didn’t know what to say or do. Just then there was a loud crack and Hermione saw Charlie Weasley standing a few feet away. Her locked eyes with his and he nodded to her. She dropped both of the hands that were trying to comfort her and ran into his arms,

They both knew who Charlie was, but neither wizard knew how to react to this situation. So, they just watched as he, not them, comforted and soothed “their witch”. They could hear soft murmurs between Hermione and Charlie, but not what was said. He embraced her and kissed her softly on the cheek, then gently wiped her tears. She stepped back and Charlie apparated.

Hermione turned to them, “Malfoy. Nott. I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have come here. I was emotional and I wanted to hide. I forgot about that bloody clock. I'll go and let you get on with your Sunday. I’m sure you don’t need to see me three days in a row.”

“Granger, what the hell is going on?” Draco sounded more perturbed than he wanted to.

Theo shot Draco a warning look, “What Draco means is, Are you okay? What happened?”

Wiping her eyes and squaring her shoulders she told them, “I was upset about something that was said, But I’ll be fine. If you still want to go on a 'date' please owl me with the information later in the week. Thank you for your concern. Again, I’m sorry for the interruption.” Then she disappeared

Draco and Theo looked at each other both asking, “What the FUCK?”