Connections

Chapter 5: In the Beginning

They all came down for dinner when called by Mrs. Weasley. They were dining outside. Arthur, Bill and Percy had brought out the kitchen table and elongated it with magic. Candles were hung around the garden behind the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley was upset but she had company that needed a meal and she wasn’t about to skimp on the décor.

As they gathered around the table Charlie introduced each of his friends to his father and to his brother, Percy. He greeted each of them amicably and they all thanked him for the Weasley’s hospitality. When he was introduced to Bethany he smiled and hugged her. "Welcome to the Weasley family," he whispered softly into her ear. When he turned and hugged Charlie, Bethany had a tear in her eye.

Ginny was sitting next to Harry and she leaned towards him and whispered, "Looks like it is going to be easier than we thought."

Harry looked over at Mrs. Weasley. She was no longer crying but still wore the red-eyed evidence of her recent tears.

Merrick managed the meal without offending anyone or embarrassing his roommates. Carlo and T.J. were genuinely complimentary of the meal Mrs. Weasley had prepared. Carlo asked for her pudding recipe and said, "I see where Charlie here has learned to cook."

"Do you boys have to cook much?" she asked as she looked at Bethany as if she had been slacking on her womanly duties.

"Yes, Ma’am," T.J. said sensing the insult to Bethany within her question, "We all participate equally in the cooking and cleaning. After all, we all face the dragons as equals."

"So you each cook for the others?" she asked.

"Yes," T.J. answered again, "except for Merrick. No one would call what he does in the kitchen cooking."

"More like torture," Charlie said with a chuckle.

"Okay, okay," Merrick said as he raised his voice, "Merrick Edwards can not cook and from this day forward never will stoop to do so again as not to be accused of torture."

He looked at his friends, "Happy?" The dragon ranchers all nodded their agreements.

Merrick turned to Mrs. Weasley, "Sorry about my outburst. They’ve been giving me a bad time about my cooking for days. You see, I’m hopeless in the kitchen, barely passed potions in school. When I try to boil water for tea, I usually have to put out a fire."

"So how long will you be staying in England?" Percy asked the new visitors.

Merrick started to answer but only replied with a yelp as he was kicked under the table by T.J. and Carlo.

Charlie couldn’t help but laugh at his pain stricken friend, "We plan to stay here until the middle of August or so. If that’s okay with Mum and Dad, then we have work to do in Scotland."

"That’s what I was going to say," Merrick whispered loudly to Carlo who kicked him again as he shook his head and laughed at his friend.

The rest of the dinner went uneventfully with idle chit chat and a few stories of Charlie’s ability as a dragon rancher. All members of the party, including Percy who had still not been told, carefully skirted the topic of marriage.

When dinner was obviously over, Bill suggested that all of his siblings and their friends join him at the tent for a visit.

Percy started to protest but Fred and George each grabbed one of his arms and Fred said, "Come on, dear brother, we haven’t gotten to see Charlie’s home. Ron and Ginny tell us it is full of surprises." Then George lowered his voice and said, "I think we need to fill you in on a few things that happened today."

Bethany, Charlie and Mrs. and Mr. Weasley all tidied the mess without saying a word. Then went into the living room.

"Well I’m sure you are aware that your mother has told me of your marriage, but she was unable to report your reasons for the secrecy or urgency," Mr. Weasley said as he sat in a chair next to his wife and across from his son and daughter-in-law. He looked intently into the eyes of the newlyweds and continued, "She did say that there was not a reason for you to get married, so I take it this was something you both wanted."

"We have explained to Mum that it was something that we had been planning for a while. Before the night of the final Triwizard task, our plans for this evening would have been an engagement announcement," Charlie explained.

"When Voldemort returned," Bethany began noticing that both of her in-laws flinched when she said the dark wizard’s name, "It was suggested that our plans be advanced and that we not inform others so as not to call attention to our marriage at that time."

"Why would You-Know-Who have anything to do with your marriage plans?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Mum, I wish you would just trust…," Charlie started to argue but Bethany interrupted with a hand placed on his knee.

"It is a long story. I would guess that the best place to start is the beginning," Bethany said as she leaned forward and began her life’s story.

"My mother was Muriel Donnalaith, the auror," she paused as both of the elder Weasleys acknowledged knowing her mother, "You knew her or of her, I take it?"

"Yes we did," Mr. Weasley said, "She was one of the best, a great loss."

Bethany nodded and continued, "I was born at our ancestral home in Donnalaith," she turned to Mrs. Weasley, "Bill and Charlie have both told me that you had told stories of Bill performing accidental magic at a very young age."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, "He was always causing so much trouble. Levitating things and transfiguring items I needed. I could never keep anything out of his reach."

"Well in comparison to what I was capable of doing as an infant his abilities were nothing," Bethany noted the offense taken by Mrs. Weasley at her last statement but continued, "the magic I performed was not accidental and my grandfather recognizing my abilities, arranged for me to be instructed in magic when I was only a year and a half old. I could do strong magic and had the knowledge of a great many charms and spells, but at that age I lacked some of the needed control which actually made me quite dangerous to those around me. I did my magic then as I do now, wandless. By the time I was five I was performing spells not even taught at Hogwarts until the seventh year. I was permitted by the ministry to have an apparation license for emergency reasons. As you both know my mother, you know that being her daughter made me a target of many dark wizards even without the magical ability I possessed and with Voldemort’s opposition to my grandfather, the deal was clinched so they say," Bethany paused briefly for a sip of water and when she did Charlie moved nearer to his wife.

"What about your father?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"His story is coming. My mother taught me many defenses against the dark arts and the final spell she instructed me in was that of invisibility. It is a spell, even now, that few witches and wizards are capable of performing. As a matter of fact there are those that believe you must actually possess a specific gene for the ability similar to the animagus transformation. I was five when I mastered the spell. And it is that spell that saved my life. Voldemort and his death eaters came to our London home in May of 1973. I hid beneath a table in the corner and performed the spell. I still hear my mother’s screams in my nightmares. They tortured her, demanding that she turn me over to them to spare her life. He wanted to use my powers to bring him closer to his goal of immortality. When she refused, they killed her using Avada Kedavra. They searched our home but I was not located. They did not know the extent of my powers. As they walked out of the house and created the dark mark, I made myself visible and apparated to the gates of Hogwarts where my grandfather was. He decided that I would be safest with my father and his family. Minerva McGonnagal was selected as my initial secret keeper and I was sent to my father in America," Bethany looked over at Charlie who squeezed her hand and smiled encouragingly at her. This was not the first time he had heard her stories. He knew that it was not something she enjoyed discussing.

She repositioned herself closer to Charlie still holding his hand and continued her story, "My parents met in America. Mother had traveled there in the sixties as a liaison to the American Federation of Wizardry. My father was her counterpart and had spent time in Europe prior to this time. They worked closely together for more than two years before my mother was instructed to return to London. She left the United States two months pregnant and had never informed my father of her condition. She was not prepared to give up her position and he would not have sacrificed his either. When I showed up at Adam Delachesay’s home in New Orleans on that wet summer day with a note from my grandfather, he was surprised but he did accept the reality with little question. He arranged for his old Nanny to return to his home to assist in my care. My father traveled a great deal and would not be home for long periods of time. I couldn’t travel with him and he wanted someone he could trust and who could control me to be in charge of my care and further education. My Na’Nan as I called her was a wonderful Caribbean woman who was the daughter of slaves. She was a great and powerful witch. She assessed my strengths and weaknesses and determined that I needed of instruction in potions, care of magical creatures and herbology. These were the areas my mother was weakest. I had been taught little or nothing in these areas, so she proceeded to teach me all that she knew. Over the few years I lived in Louisiana, I was also taught more about the muggle world. The Delachesay family is a very wealthy and powerful family in both the wizarding and muggle worlds. Most members of the family freely moved between them both, so I was also forced to learn how to live as a muggle. I had no siblings. My father had never married but I did have several cousins and enjoyed having playmates."

She paused again and took a deep breath. Charlie brought her hand to his lips and kissed it as she continued the tale, "Na’Nan had gone to visit relatives. I was home with my father. It was an unusual day to find no one else in the home, but on this day we were alone. I was ten years old that March. Voldemort had located me. We still don't know how. The death eaters arrived with instructions to take us both alive. I again was to be used later in a spell. My father was going to be ransomed. Things did not go as the death eaters had planned. My father fought them and instructed me to hide. I hid myself again in the same way. I could have fought too. I knew some spells but I was young and there were so many of them, if I had not remained hidden I would have been killed like my father was. His death was quick and much more humane than my mother’s. My Na’nan returned home and found me. She contacted my grandfather and arranged for me to return to him at Hogwarts."

"To Hogwarts?" Mrs. Weasley asked, "You keep mentioning spending time at Hogwarts. Was your grandfather employed there?"

"Yes," she answered, "He still is." Her in-laws both looked confused by her statement. They could think of no one who could have been her grandfather.

"He is the Headmaster of Hogwarts" Bethany said to her shocked in-laws.

"Albus Dumbledore is your grandfather?" Mr. Weasley asked incredulously, "I had no idea that he had ever had a child."

"It wasn’t ever common knowledge. Like my parents, he and my grandmother were not married. My grandmother died in childbirth and my mother was raised at Donnalaith. It wasn’t until she attended Hogwarts that she met her father. He was the transfiguration professor then. They were never close. I think that is why he as taken such an active role in my upbringing. He wants to ensure my safety. He was one of the few adults thrilled that I chose a career as a medizoologist and didn’t follow my parent’s footsteps to become an auror. He has made several decisions and had me do things that I don’t often understand, but I do know that each of his decisions have always been for my safety and for the safety of those I care about. I have been a target for dark wizards my entire life and he knows that I alone carry the line of three very powerful wizarding families," Bethany looked down at the rug on the floor. She didn’t like reliving these experiences. It brought back too many bad memories to her.

Mr. Weasley put his arm around his wife and hugged her closely. Mrs. Weasley was restless. She looked like she wanted to jump up and hug her daughter-in-law. Charlie knew this and the smile of relief on his face showed this.

Charlie winked at her, and she continued her story, "It was near the end of term when I arrived at Hogwarts. I stayed in the castle in an area far from the dormitories and classrooms. When term ended, my grandfather introduced me to a sixth year Gryffindor boy and explained that I would be going home to live with him and his family and would return in the fall to attend Hogwarts as a first year. I was confused and upset. I felt abandoned and isolated. The boy sensed this. He told his friends that he would write and he and I sat alone on the train. He told me funny stories and slowly drew out most of my history. On that train ride home I went from feeling alone to feeling like I had family again. And that sixth year Gryffindor became my big brother. That next summer with Remy and his family is one of my fondest memories."

Charlie interrupted to answer the confused look on his parent’s faces, "By Remy, she means Remus Lupin."

"We shared many stories but the one he and his family hadn’t told me was that he was a werewolf. When the full moon arrived, I was told he went to visit friends. I took advantage of my solitude to explore their home. I found Remy in a locked cell in a dungeon like room. They had not yet discovered the potion that would help him so they would sedate him chain him up to prevent him from harming others or himself during the change. When I found him I had no idea why he was there. I immediately unlocked the door and entered the room. He aroused enough to warn me of what was about to occur. I left him in the room, closing the door behind me but did not return to my room. I stayed outside of the door and watched through the small window as my brother writhed against the metal bonds and yelled in pain," Bethany paused. She was staring at a non-existent spot on the wall a tear falling down her cheek with the memory.

She took a deep breath, wiped away the tear and continued, "My Na’Nan had taught me many things about magical beasts and I had a way in that area as well. I can get them to do things others can’t. They can tell me things."

Charlie interrupted again, "It’s not ‘a way’. It’s a talent. She can literally talk to them and they talk back to her. I have seen her do wonderful things. It is amazing, truly amazing."

She smiled at him and spoke again, "I had never been taught about werewolves. I knew nothing more than the scary stories I had been told. But as I watched him turn into a beast, I had an idea. I opened the door and crept inside. He was snarling and lashing out as much as he could against the restraints. I looked at him, knowing that Remy was inside. I began to hum a tune that my mother used to hum. As I hummed I concentrated on thinking that he was calm and to my surprise he quieted down. I approached him slowly and put out my right hand. I got closer and allowed him to smell my hand, like you would do with a strange dog. I reached over and placed my left hand on his head and focused on him sleeping. The next thing I knew I woke up lying next to him. He was crying. He had thought I was dead and that he had killed me. I released his restraints and he immediately started looking for evidence of a wound. I told him I was okay and he hugged me then scolded me for my foolishness. We went back to the house and I was thanked by his parents and scolded again. I wrote to my Na’nan and she sent instructions for a very difficult potion that could be taken. It would not prevent the change but would allow him to remain cognizant of what he was doing. It gave him back his conscience. During the next change he took the potion and I again helped him to relax and sleep. He told me all about Hogwarts and his friends. When we returned to Hogwarts in September, I felt I already knew James, Sirius, Lily and Peter. And although I was sorted into Ravenclaw they allowed me to tag along with them, as Sirius said when I first met him, as long as you keep your mouth shut."

"So you and Charlie were sorted the same year?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Bethany laughed softly, "Yes, but it was Bill that I met first."

They were all distracted by a sound coming from the closed door to the kitchen.

"Speak of the long-haired devil now. Bill, get in here," Bethany called to her friend. Charlie just laughed and shook his head.

Bill walked into the room. He looked very nervous. He had been pacing in the kitchen debating whether or not to interrupt to make sure everything was going okay.

"I was just going to tell your parents how you and I met," Bethany told him and smiled, telling him that things were going well.

"Oh- I can tell them about this. It was maybe the third or fourth week of school and McGonnagal had just given me a detention. Bethany here had gotten one as well and," Bill started his story but was interrupted by his mother.

"A detention. What did you do to get a detention?" she asked angrily.

"Mum, that was sixteen years ago. I was thirteen then. I am almost thirty now. Does it really matter that I released a few hedgehogs in her class now?" Bill argued.

Charlie laughed, "I remember that. I had the class after yours and we spent the whole time chasing after those little guys."

"Anyway, as I was saying, Bethany had a detention the same time I did. She got caught skiving off class if you want to yell at her too," Bill said as Charlie and he laughed. Mrs. Weasley smirked at her oldest son, but he just smiled at her as he continued, "We both had to report to the Transfiguration classroom and after a lecture from Professor McGonnagal on responsibility, she showed us to a pile of muggle cleaning equipment. She pointed at mops, brushes, buckets and rags and informed us that she would return in five hours and expected the room to be spotless. She took our wands from us and left." Bill started his tale and Bethany was smiling at the memory.

* * * * *

McGonnagal walked out of the transfiguration classroom with the swirl of her green robes following behind her. Eleven year old Bethany made a face in her direction as the door shut. She walked past the thirteen year old Bill and sat down at a desk, put her feet up on the seat of the neighboring desk, and took out a book to read. Bill put his hands on his hips and looked exasperated at the first year Ravenclaw.

"Excuse me Miss Priss," he said to her, "I realize all you Ravenclaws worry about are books and learning but you should have thought about that, Miss Wise Ravenclaw, before you skipped a class. I don’t plan on cleaning this room alone."

Bethany raised her right eyebrow in reply and looked at the handsome red-headed Gryffindor and said, "I’ll help. We have five hours it’ll only take a few minutes to clean this place up."

"A few minutes? I thought you were supposed to be smart," Bill said glaring back at the young auburn haired witch, "she took our wands, genius, we can’t use magic. That is why this is detention. You know a punishment. We have to do this the muggle way. It will take hours."

Bethany rolled her eyes and shook her head at the older student, "I thought you Gryffindors were supposed to be able to think on your feet to get yourself bravely out of trouble. I’ve heard about you, William Weasley, they say you’re pretty smart and not half bad when it comes to magic. Didn’t you ever do any accidental magic as a child?"

"Well yeah, don’t we all. My mum talks about how I was very young and performing magic she swore wasn’t accidental," Bill started to explain, "my other brothers have been older when they started doing it. Except for my twin brothers, they’ve already started and they aren’t even a year old, but everyone thinks it is because they are doing the magic together."

"Okay, okay- so you do have magical ability," she said sarcastically, "If you did it as a baby, you can still do it now. All you have to do is concentrate hard enough and you can do any magic without a wand." Bill shook his head doubtfully.

"Come on, I’ll show you," she said as she stood and walked over to the cleaning supplies.

She closed her eyes and held up her hand in the direction of the mop, bucket, rags, and brush and said, "Spic and Span." The mop and brushes began to vibrate. Bethany opened her eyes, took a deep breath and said firmly, "Tidious!" The mop rose and dunked itself into the bucket and began to mop the floor. Chairs moved themselves out of the way when needed to allow the mop to pass. The brush and rags flew into the bucket next. The brush came out sudsy and began scrubbing an ink stain on one of the student’s desks. The rags hovered above the bucket as they wrung themselves then flew to the windows where they began cleaning in small circular motions.

Bill watched in awe as this occurred. "But, how can you," he stammered.

"Oh please. You were a baby doing accidental magic and you said yourself that your mum thought you did it on purpose. Go ahead try a simple summoning charm. Try it on those," she said as she indicated some crumpled scraps of parchment on the floor in the corner.

He looked at her doubtfully again, but raised his hand in the direction of the parchment as he said flatly, "Accio." Nothing happened.

"You know, Bill, it won’t work if you don’t believe that you can do it. Try again but this time forget that you don’t have a wand and say the spell like you mean it," Bethany coached.

He stepped forward with a more determined look on his face and said, "Accio Parchment!" This time the crumpled parchments flew swiftly in his direction striking him in the face.

"You did it. But it would look better if you tried to catch them with something other than your nose," she smiled at him as she retrieved a crumpled ball and threw it in his direction.

He caught the parchment in his hand and asked, "You sure you’re just a first year?"

He walked over and sat down on the desk next to her.

"This is my first year of Hogwarts, but my family has always encouraged my natural talents I should say," she told him.

They sat and talked for several hours about their early childhoods. She told him about her parents and about living in the States. She left out a few details like the extent of her magical abilities, the details of her parents deaths, the fact that her foster brother was actually a werewolf, and that her grandfather was their headmaster. Bill told her about his life at the Burrow and about his younger brothers.

"See nothing too exciting- well except for the twins," Bill said. As he finished talking he looked around at the now sparkling clean transfiguration class room, "Wow, I hadn’t even realized how well those were cleaning. McGonnagal is sure to return soon though."

"Oh yes you are right," she said as she turned towards the cleaning supplies that were buzzing about looking for more dirt to clean, "Finite Incantatum." The mop, brush and rags returned to their original locations near the bucket.

* * * * *

"So," Bill said, "after that we agreed to meet the following Saturday. She promised to help me learn more wandless magic and I offered to help her with History of Magic, seems she could never find the classroom- wasn’t that your excuse for never attending the class, Beth?"

"I just couldn’t bring myself to sit through his classes. They were so boring. I just couldn’t take it," she said trying to explain as Bill and Charlie laughed at her discomfort.

"To be alone to work on the magic, we would meet over by Hagrid’s hut. He liked the company and he would sit in on her tutoring sessions at times too. The more proficient I became at wandless magic the better control and skill I acquired with the wand. With my help, she was passing History, and, with hers, I was excelling in many of my classes. We eventually started meeting just to spend time together. To talk. She was my best friend," Bill told his parents.

"Well then how come you two ended up married," Mrs. Weasley asked Charlie, "if they were courting?"

Bill answered, "Beth and I were never courting, mum. We were and still are best friends."

* * * * *

"What is going on?" Percy asked insistently, "I have things to do and don’t have the time to spend playing your childish games. Now I’ve seen Charlie’s home and met his friends, just get out of my way and I will return to the Burrow."

Fred and George were blocking Percy’s exit. Merrick, the tall, burly, blonde Australian, came up behind him and steered him forcibly to the sofa in the den.

"Sit her mate. I think we ought to fill you in on a few things," he said.

"Well what is it?" Percy demanded impatiently.

"Charlie is in talking with mum and dad," Fred told him.

"I know that. What are they discussing? Do you know?" Percy asked.

"Yes," George answered, "Mum, got a little angry with Charlie today."

"Oh, I don’t know if I’d say angry, perhaps miffed, but not angry," Fred corrected his twin.

Ron walked over laughing, "I think she was more than miffed. She was definitely upset."

"Yes, little brother, I do believe you may be correct," Fred said grinning.

"Will you please stop this and tell me what it is that Charlie did that upset mum," Percy yelled.

T.J. grinned and joined them in the game of tormenting Percy, "Actually, Charlie didn’t upset your mom. Merrick did."

"Yes, sadly it was my fault," Merrick added as he joined the game, "and I’ll have you know that I have apologized to all parties involved."

"This is not helping! Tell- Me- Now!" Percy yelled turning redder in the face with each word and looked as if he may stomp his foot like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

"Boy now I understand why he named a dragon after his brother," Merrick said to T.J., "Didn’t that face he made make him look just like Percival?"

"Yes," T.J. answered laughing, "I always thought the choice of name was odd but now I completely understand."

Percy was becoming obviously angrier.

Carlo walked over and said, "That’s enough Percy baiting. Tell him already before he explodes or something. He’s the only Weasley that doesn’t know."

Ginny walked up to her older brother to end his misery, "Mum, got upset with Charlie because Merrick here let it slip that Charlie and Bethany got married at the end of last term."

"What?" Percy said and sat back down, "but I was… I’m going to…" Percy didn’t finish his thoughts, but he did cross his arms over his chest and proceed to pout.

The others walked away from him and left him there to stew.

"Hey Harry," Merrick asked, "want to play a match of table top Quidditch? Charlie won’t mind. I know you’re a seeker. Probably better than Charlie by the way I saw you fly at the Triwizard Tournament with those dragons. Charlie told me you have been on your house team since your first year."

"A game sounds great," he said as he and Merrick headed up the stairs followed by Fred, George, Ginny and Ron.

Ron stopped midway up the stairs, "Hermione, you coming?"

"I’ll be up in a bit. T.J. is looking for a book he told me about," Hermione called back as she was heading into the library.

Ron turned to Carlo who was walking back to the kitchen, "It’s always, ‘to the library’ with that one."

Carlo looked up at the youngest Weasley male, "I have a small piece of advice for you, Ron. Hermione would probably really like it if you came down here and waited for her. It would show that you cared about her interests and that you thought of her before yourself. Trust me, a little thought goes a long way with the ladies."

Ron thought to himself for a moment and then climbed down the stairs and walked across the room to the library. Carlo smiled, shook his head and went back to the kitchen.

"Hey Ron, What are you doing down here?" Hermione asked as she was pulling a book of the shelf. She just glanced in his direction and began scanning titles again. T.J. was along the far wall looking for a book with his back turned to them.

"Oh," Ron answered blushing, "I just thought I’d, uh, wait down here for you then we could go upstairs to meet the others together."

Hermione looked up at Ron and smiled brightly. Ron gasped as his heart skipped a beat. He returned the smile and they both flushed.

* * * * *

Bill looked at his parents and motioned to his brother, "Charlie here came into the picture just before Christmas. I had told him about a baby unicorn I had seen at Hagrid’s when I went to meet Bethany. She had been helping Hagrid with its care. You know how Charlie is, as soon as I mentioned the unicorn he was all ‘ooh Bill, you have to let me go down there with you’ so I said I’d take him."

"Let me tell this part," Charlie said.

Bethany laughed at the Weasley brothers and said, "Please do. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this from your point of view."

"Like Bill said, I wanted to see the baby unicorn. I knew Bill had been meeting with the first year Ravenclaw but he never would tell me what they were doing. I did love teasing him about it though," Charlie said as he began his tale.

* * * * *

The two red headed Weasley boys were walking across the Hogwarts grounds towards Hagrid’s cabin. Only two years separated them in age but Bill was already almost half a foot taller than his younger brother.

"So you and what’s her name going to go snog in the forest later?" Charlie teased dodging his older brother’s playful return punch.

"Her name is Bethany Donnalaith and no, we are just friends. She and I have been helping each other with class work." Bill answered, "Maybe you can go back to the common room though."

"All right," Charlie said grinning, "I was just wondering what class work that cute first year Ravenclaw was tutoring you in, Mr. Highest-Marks-In-the-Third-Year."

Bill was about to send his brother back to the Gryffindor tower when Hagrid opened the door, "Well- well, two Weasleys come to visit," Hagrid motioned them into the small hut, "Come on in Bill, Charlie. Bethany didn’t mention that you were coming, Bill."

"I told Charlie about the unicorn and he insisted I bring him here to see it," Bill said.

"Charlie, you are always welcome to come visit. Anyone who likes all the animals as much as you do is always welcome," Hagrid told them then added, "Bethany and the unicorn are out back."

Hagrid showed them to a small paddock out the rear door. Bethany was kneeling next to the small golden hair creature, cooing and talking softly.

Charlie was mesmerized by the beast and began walking towards it. "Hold up there, Charlie," Hagrid said as he stopped him, "Unicorns don’t take well to men, you need to go slowly."

Charlie crouched down making himself as small as he could and slowly crept across the paddock towards the unicorn. Bethany smiled at the sensitive approach that her friends younger brother took to greet the unicorn. When he was beside them both he said softly, "Well, hi ya’ little one. Aren’t you a pretty little thing."

The unicorn looked over at him and lowered her head allowing him to pet it. As Charlie was petting the unicorn, he said to Bethany, "Hi, I’m Charlie Weasley, Bill’s my brother."

"Hello, Charlie Weasley, I’m Bethany Donnalaith, Bill is my best friend," she answered.

They looked up simultaneously and smiled. When they made eye contact an energy seemed to flow between them. It stopped almost as suddenly as it started. Neither commented on it because they both doubted that it had occurred.

They were both cooing at the baby unicorn. Bill, watching from a distance, told Hagrid, "Wow, he sure does have a knack with animals doesn’t he?"

Hagrid clapped Bill on the shoulder knocking him briefly off balance, "Yes, that one does have the natural talent. The Professor tells me he does well in his classes, too. As good as you did Bill." Hagrid chuckled at Bill’s reaction.

"Beth," Bill called, "I’ll see you tomorrow."

Bethany waved but didn’t look up she was talking animatedly with Charlie about the unicorn.

"Later, Bill, thanks for bringing me over," Charlie called as Bill left.

* * * * *

"Hagrid asked us both to help him return the baby unicorn to its family in the forest," Charlie said, "but from the first time we met, I felt she and I had a bond. I didn’t realize how strong until later."

"We started meeting up at Hagrid’s often," Charlie continued, "and as we gained his trust in our abilities with the magical creatures and beasts of the forests, he began sending us in on our own."

"Oh’ Charlie, I don’t think I want to hear about this. The forest is called the Forbidden Forest for a reason," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Hagrid knew we would be okay. When we were in the forest we avoided mischief. We knew where not to head and never went very far into the forest when we were alone. Beth and I would talk about anything and everything. I soon learned that she had told me stories she has never shared with Bill." Charlie said.

"I’d go with them on some of their trips into the forest, but she and Charlie were spending more and more time alone together. I was now sharing my best friend with my younger brother," Bill told them.

"It was all innocent," Charlie said noticing his mothers frown. "We helped Hagrid with the animals or worked on homework together. I probably would have flunked potions that year without her help, and we would just talk. She told me all about her time in America and of her travels with her mother."

Bethany watched her husband, her best friend, tell the story of their early friendship with pride and happiness.

"When summer rolled around, she wrote to both of us. She spent that summer with Remus who had gotten a flat in Hogsmeade after leaving Hogwarts. She also spent time at the Potter’s in Godric’s Hollow after James and Lily married. I wrote to her about your pregnancy with Ron and she sent that silver baby rattle for Bill and I to give to you," Charlie said.

Mrs. Weasley smiled over at Bethany, "I always wondered how they managed to get the money for it. They just told me they had been saving up for it."

"When we returned to school," Bethany continued, "I and most of the female population noticed that Bill had undergone his transformation from boyhood to manhood and he was the talk of all the girls. With all the time Bill and I spent together I was soon included in some of the more vulgar talk. Charlie here received his first detention as a result of all the talk when he got into a fight," she paused, smiling, and put her hands dramatically over her heart, "defending my honor."

"Yes, and I so enjoyed the cutting of slugs and the ribbing and teasing afterwards," Charlie smirked as he tickled his wife.

"When time rolled around for the Winter Ball, I had no idea who I should ask. You know how some of the girls at that age can get. If you ask them to the ball they automatically assume you are dating exclusively and start clinging to you until the dance. So about two weeks before the ball the three of us were discussing my dilemma," Bill told his parents as Charlie and Bethany snickered at him.

* * * * *

"I might as well not go," Bill said as he refilled his mug with tea. They had been sitting in front of the fire in Hagrid’s hut discussing the Yule Ball. All students, fourth year and up were permitted to attend the Annual Winter Ball. Bill had plenty of girls queuing up to be his date but none that he really wanted to spend the evening.

"You know how some girls are, hold the door open for them and they automatically assume you are dating exclusively," Bill said.

"No, I don’t know," Charlie and Bethany said together then giggled.

"Hey, I have an idea," Charlie said, "why don’t you go with Beth. She wouldn’t hang all over you and you spend loads of time with her anyway."

"That could work," Bill said excitedly, "of course there may be talk again and you might have to get into another fight and cut slugs again."

The two brothers were talking and making plans as Bethany watched and began moving her head back and forth to the volley of her friends’ conversation. Her grin faded into a smirk. Her fists were clinched so tightly the knuckles began to whiten.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat to get their attention. Both boys looked up at her prepared for the future eruption of their friends obvious fury.

"I would very much appreciate the consideration of being included in the discussion of you plans, as they involve me," Bethany said sternly.

"Okay," Charlie said, "shoot." Bethany glared at Charlie.

"Well not literally, Beth," Charlie said sensing a laser of her temper about to shoot from his best friend’s eyes, "I meant. What is it that you would like to say?"

"For starters it would be nice to be asked before you just assume I’m available," she told him.

"But you spend all your spare time with the two of us. Who else could have asked you?" Charlie said then realized his error as he watched her redden with anger.

"Beth," Bill said, "would you go with me? It would be so much nicer to go with a friend." He hoped that her anger at his younger brother wouldn’t spoil his chances.

"Sure," Beth said shocking them both that she agreed so quickly, "like I would have said no. I’ll be the only second year at the ball." She grinned smugly and hopped up.

"Where are you going?" they asked.

"I need to go see Flitwick to see if he’ll give me permission to go into Hogsmeade tomorrow. I don’t have dress robes to wear. I’ll need to go get something," she told them, and she raced back to the castle to locate her head of house.

* * * * *

She did receive her permission and was very evasive about her dress robes.

"Beth, I at least need to know what color they are. Mum is going to send a corsage and she needs to know the color of your dress to match it," Bill said.

"You told your mother you were taking me?" Bethany asked. She knew that the Weasley boys had both avoided telling their mother too many details about their friendship. They had mentioned her, of course, but Bill didn’t want to explain about the wandless magic and Charlie didn’t really know how to explain their friendship.

"I told her I was going with Bethany Donnalaith from Ravenclaw. I just didn’t tell her you were a second year and she didn’t ask. We’ve both told you how she can be. It would be too hard to explain," Bill answered.

"Oh," Bethany frowned a little as she turned to go to class, "Peach. My dress robes are pale peach."

* * * * *

On the day of the ball, Bethany left Charlie and Bill at Hagrid’s cabin in early afternoon explaining that she needed to go get ready. They watched her walking towards the castle.

Charlie looked at Bill and said, "It’s only four o’clock she needs three hours to get ready?"

"Who knows what women need to do to get ready for a ball," Bill answered as he to got up to return to the castle.

Charlie looked at him and said quietly to himself, "But it’s Beth not a woman."

* * * * *

Being from different houses meant that Bethany would meet Bill in the Entrance Hall outside of the Great Hall where the Winter Ball was going to be held. Bill had cleaned himself up rather nicely and had received several compliments from the older Gryffindor girls and giggles from the girls in his year and younger. His light red hair and complexion looked great in the dark, royal blue dress robes that he was wearing. The robes were well tailored complimented his ever improving physique.

Charlie was following him down to the entrance hall.

"Why are you following me?" Bill asked.

"She’s my friend, too, and she’s been looking forward to this. I thought I should at least see you both off. After all it was my idea that you two go together," Charlie explained but he wondered to himself if that was really the reason he was following his older brother.

* * * * *

Bill waited near the stairway where the other Ravenclaws were entering as couples or alone to meet their dates.

"Where can she be," he said to Charlie who was staring wide-eyed and open mouthed at the girl now standing next to his brother.

Bill turned in the direction his younger brother was staring, "Bethany?" he said surprised and promptly duplicated his younger brother’s expression.

Bethany seemed to glow. The material of her dress robes flowed like a liquid. Its color a perfect compliment to her hair. The robes themselves were cut with a scooped neckline that dipped in the front and back and seemed to cling in all the right places. She looked much older, until she giggled at the boys and said, "Better close your mouths before a bug flies in."

"Wow," Bill said, "You - uh -wow!"

Charlie’s heart was beating fast and he flushed and swallowed. "Beautiful," Charlie said, "Bethany, you really look great."

Bethany smiled. Bill offered her his arm and said to Charlie, "Have I ever told you that you are brilliant, little brother. Thanks for the suggestion. I owe you one."

Then he turned to Bethany, "You really do look great. I think most of the other boys tend to agree." He motioned his head to the others staring in their direction.

"Thanks. Not all the eyes are on me though," Bethany said and pointed to a group of girls who were looking him over and giggling.

Charlie was suddenly upset. He didn’t want his brother taking Bethany to this dance. "Uh, Bill," Charlie said to him, "Please keep in mind that Beth is only a second year and has to be back in her common room by eleven this evening."

Bill laughed and said, "Sure. Mr. Donnalaith, I’ll get your daughter home on time." Bethany laughed and hit Bill for teasing Charlie as the walked toward the entrance to the great hall.

As they stood in the queue to enter the ball, Bethany turned back looking for Charlie. He was standing at the top of the stairs that lead to Gryffindor tower staring right back at her. Their eyes met and both students flushed. Bethany smiled at him then bit her lip. Charlie took a deep breath and returned the smile. They noticed no one as they looked into each others eyes from across the room. Bill looked over at Bethany and followed her line of sight to his younger brother. He noticed that there was a connection, some kind of electricity, flowing between them. He looked again at Bethany and made a mental note to alter his emerging feelings for the girl on his arm.

"We are just friends," he thought to himself as he watched the interaction between her and his brother.

* * * * *

The ball was grand and elegant. The two friends had a great time as they talked and danced almost the entire night together. It was after eleven when Professor Flitwick approached the young couple.

"I do believe it is past the time that you should escort Miss Donnalaith back to her common room," the tiny professor told them.

"Yes, sir. We must have lost track of time. I’ll walk her back now," Bill said as he looked down at Professor Flitwick. He offered Bethany his arm and they left the Great Hall.

When they reached the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room Bill stopped and stared at his friend. He knew what he was doing. He was looking for the girl he saw earlier this evening smiling at his younger brother. He didn’t find her. All that he saw was Bethany, his best friend.

"What is it, Bill?" she asked wondering what was wrong, "Why are you staring?"

He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek and said, "I was thinking how lucky my little brother is." She looked puzzled at him, but he just smiled and winked as he headed toward the Gryffindor common room.

* * * * *

As he expected, Charlie had been waiting up for him in the mostly empty common room. Most of the younger students were already in their dorms and most of the older students were still at the ball. Charlie was not looking pleased with his brother.

"Hey Charlie," Bill said as he purposefully tried to make his face look moony and love struck, "You’re up late. Trouble sleeping?"

Charlie’s face turned red, "You are late. You know as a second year she was supposed to be back at her common room by eleven. It is nearly a quarter of twelve."

"Oh she was back outside of her common room by around eleven. It just took a while for us to say goodnight," Bill said as he tried to suppress a laugh as he watched the growing jealousy of his younger brother.

"What," Charlie said, "you didn’t. You didn’t kiss her did you?"

Bill looked at his brother. He didn’t know how much longer he could do this, "To be perfectly honest, yes, I did," Charlie jumped from his chair and almost fell when he had to change the aim of the punch he threw at his brother when Bill added, "on the cheek as I told her how lucky my younger brother is."

"So nothing happened between you?" Charlie asked.

Bill shook his head, "Charlie, when I first saw her standing next to me tonight, I thought, Oh Wow- maybe I’ve been looking wrong at her, but then I saw the look between the two of you. I knew where I fit into her life."

"What do you mean, Bill?" Charlie asked.

"Come on, Charlie, that look you gave each other outside of the Great Hall. It was like you two were physically connected by the eyes- from across the room," Bill shook his head and walked closer to his little brother and grabbed him by the front of his dressing gown, "and if you ever do anything to hurt her, I will forget that we are related as I beat you to a pulp."

Bill went up to his dorm leaving Charlie shocked and excited as he thought to himself, "I didn’t imagine it. If Bill saw it. If he knew it happened. Then there was a real connection in that look."

* * * * *

Bethany looked over at Bill. She had never known this. Neither of the brothers had shared this story with her. Bill saw the expression and leaned over to kissed her on the cheek, just like he had after the Winter Ball that year. He looked over at Charlie and winked and said, "Same rules still apply, little brother."

Mrs. Weasley missed this last interchange. She was too concerned about what she had just heard, "But Charlie, you were twelve, almost thirteen years old at that time. Are you seriously telling me you have felt that strongly since then?"

"That is only the beginning, mum," Charlie told her as he looked over to his wife and smiled lovingly and squeezed her hand.