Connections

Chapter 12: Two Houses, Both Alike in Dignity

Charlie was leaving from the kitchen door of the tent. "Charlie, where are you heading off too?" Bethany asked as she was cleaning up after lunch. She smirked as she looked in the sink. It was filled with dirty dishes left from breakfast. "They’re bloody wizards and they still can’t manage to clean a plate after themselves," she thought as she sorted through the mess.

"Ginny said that George was planning on tutoring Hermione on flying lessons and apparently Mona is joining them. I thought this was a great idea until I considered the fact that it was George teaching the flying lessons. Something about that was bothering me so I thought I’d go see if I could help out any," Charlie said.

"I don’t think George would try to hurt them," Bethany said as she shook her head and cast spell causing the plates to begin scrubbing themselves.

"I don’t think he would intentionally, but it is George and Fred was going to be there too, I’m sure," Charlie said, "besides it will be good practice for me. Ron says Hermione is dreadful on a broom."

Bethany laughed, "Mona isn’t that great either. She didn’t even bring a broom. Why don’t you take my old Nimbus out for her to use."

Merrick walked in and left his plate on the counter near the sink. Bethany just stared at him.

"What?" he asked, "did I forget my pants again?" He looked down at his attire to check to see if everything was properly in place.

"You're just hilarious, Merrick. The dishes in the sink are washing themselves right now. You could at least put your dish into the sink," Bethany said testily.

Charlie just raised his eyebrows and made a face behind his wife’s back. "I’ll be going now," he said, as he quickly left the room.

"Hey, Charlie, you coward. You get her pregnant and all testy-like and then leave. I thought you were a Gryffindor," Merrick called to Charlie’s back. Charlie was laughing as he left.

"So Merrick, the house you were in at the Australian Institute of Magic, it didn’t happen to have a Dodo as it’s mascot did it?" Bethany said. She was glaring at his back.

Carlo walked in, "Remember, Bethany, no unforgivables, we are in England and no dragons here to eat the evidence." Carlo placed the plate Merrick had left into the sink along with his own.

Bethany turned to smirk at Carlo, but after seeing what he had done smiled, "Yes, well, Berta and Percy will take care of any refuse when we get to Hogwarts. And, Merrick, I don’t have to be pregnant to get angry at your laziness."

"Sorry, Annie," Merrick said as he walked over and kissed her sloppily on the cheek.

"Ugh, I’ll forgive you, just have a little consideration. The cleaning chore shouldn’t include picking up after the others. I am not a servant," Bethany said.

"Speaking of servants," Carlo said, "why don’t we send for a few of your house elves when we go to Hogwarts. That way we won’t have to worry about cooking or cleaning when we should be watching dragons or teaching," Carlo suggested.

"You’ll have to speak with Charlie. He is the reason we don’t have any here now. It still bothers him to have someone wait on him like they do," Bethany said.

"Well, growing up like he did, pureblood but bloody poor, can’t have been fun," Carlo said.

T.J. entered, "Not everyone was born with the silver-spoon in his mouth, you know."

"Awww, T.J. The poor little cowboy from the States," Merrick teased.

T.J. glared in his direction, "Is this the same Merrick that asked for my help on making a magic filter for the CD player? And, I am not a cowboy. I am from New York. Do you wrestle crocodiles?"

"Actually, yes, but that’s only because they are like little dragons. I had to train on something, didn’t I?" Merrick said, "And yes I need your help still. I can’t get the thing to work and your much better at mixing magic with muggle technology than I am."

"I’ll look at it. If the magic levels are as high as Charlie said we may just have to change our technique of Dragon wrangling," T.J. added.

"The magic is so high that an automobile without enchantments won’t work when it gets within five kilometers of the school. The older autos used to work fine but now the muggles put in so much electronic equipment that it just won’t work. Why do you think the schools in the States are in the middle of deserts mostly? Those crazy yanks think it’s little men from outer space in the desert," Bethany said laughing.

"Area 51. The muggle government loves to help with the cover up, of course the AFW tends to lend a hand in some of the internal muggle affairs of the country, too. They covered up a presidential sex scandal in the sixties with a few well placed memory charms," T.J. said.

"I have everything in the dining room," Merrick said, "I’d really like it if you could give it a look over."

* * * * *

Charlie walked out to the yard carrying his and Bethany’s brooms. He was glad he decided to trust his instincts. Mona and Hermione both looked a little green as they watched Fred and George perform swoops and dives high above their heads.

"See girls, its no problem at all," George said, "there really isn’t any need to be afraid."

"Besides," Fred added, "If you fall, I’m sure Bethany or one of the others would be able to fix you up. They have to know a few medical spells with working around dragons and all."

Charlie whistled loudly, "You two get down here, now. I think I’ll take over the instruction. You just demonstrate what I say." He turned his attention to Hermione and Mona and smiled in their direction, "Okay, tell me what you know."

"Well, I do know how to fly," Hermione said blushing, "I just don’t like it much. I don’t feel like I have much control when I’m up there." Charlie nodded at her description.

Mona was smirking, "I’ve gotten up there but only on a broom with a training charm. I’m hopeless. I know." Charlie shook his head in reply.

"Okay, Hermione, let’s see your broom," Charlie said as he held out his hand to receive the broom. He looked it over and began trimming the bristles. He looked over at George, "Here. You finish with this. She is best friends with Harry and Ron and no one has taught her how to properly care for the broom."

Her turned back to Hermione, "Go with George and let him show you how to trim the broom properly. That may be part of your control problem right there. You bought it used right?" Hermione nodded. "Well, they spotted you coming. You probably overpaid. It isn’t a bad broom it just isn’t in the best of shape. We’ll get it straightened out for you though."

Hermione sat down near George who began to explain what he was doing. Her face was red. She did not like the fact that they could tell she had been fooled. And, she felt equally worse that part of her problem may be that she wasn’t doing the basic things she should have done. After second year Hermione had just avoided using a broom as much as she could.

Charlie turned to Fred, "Go ask Ginny for her broom. Bethany sent out her old Nimbus but it may be too much broom for Mona to start on. Ginny’s will be a good starter." Fred nodded and set off to the Burrow to find his sister.

"Mona, how often have you been up?" Charlie asked suspecting that a fear of heights may have something to do with her flying problems.

"Not much and not far. Like I said I always used a training broom and got teased. Then I just didn’t fly if I didn’t need too and I really haven’t needed to since I was in middle school," Mona said.

Charlie picked up his broom and set it to hover at mid thigh level. He began telling Mona the fundamentals. He had decided that she had probably never had proper instruction anyway so he may as well start from the beginning.

Mona listened intently as Charlie described the theory behind the broom flying. She interrupted, "So you say it is supposed to obey my thoughts. No wonder I could never get them to fly. I always wanted to be firmly on the ground, thank you very much."

"Look, Mona, you don’t have to do this. I think it’s a good idea to have the basic skill but you don’t have to try out for the Advanced Care of Magical Creatures Course. Bethany and I will understand," Charlie said.

"It isn’t that. I like working with the magical creatures. I want to take the class. I don’t have Bethany’s skill with them even though they said my daddy had the same ability as Bethany, at least to some extent. I want to do this, it just makes me nervous," Mona said.

"Okay, let’s start off with you as a passenger. I can take you around," Charlie started then grinned, "or I can go get Ron…"

"You’ll do fine," Mona said quickly as she mounted the broom with Charlie and they began to fly low around the yard.

Mona and Ron had both been avoiding one another since they originally met. Ginny had wasted no time in sharing the information about Ron’s face appearing on the magazine covers of Teen Wizard. The twins loved the news and teased Ron unmercifully. It was not just this information that had kept them separated. The second time they had come face to face was just after breakfast her first morning at the Burrow.

* * * * *

Mona was sitting reading the Daily Prophet, when Harry, Ginny and Ron entered flushed and sweaty from their run that morning.

"First dibs on the shower," Harry yelled as he bolted up the stairs.

Ginny shook her head fixed a glass of water and said, "Second to the shower," before running up the stairs as well.

Ron was rooting around the cupboards to locate some food.

"Your mother left something in that box thing," Mona said as she pointed to a copper breadbox that rested on the counter.

Ron opened it and pulled out a breakfast sandwich. It was a Mrs. Weasley specialty. With a family as large as hers she often found they rarely sat at the breakfast table together. To avoid having to remain in the kitchen all day she created the sandwich made from toast, eggs, and sausages that she would store in the breadbox that kept them warm and fresh. She knew each of her children would get a good meal and she would be able to go about her day.

He carried the sandwich to the table and sat across from Mona who had gone back to reading the paper.

"Ernyfing interesting in there," Ron mumbled with a mouth full of food.

"I find it really amazing that the reporters get away with what they do. They’d be sued left and right back home," Mona said.

She looked up at Ron and their eyes met. They felt unusual warmth come over them both and the rest of the room seemed to fade away.

Harry came down the stairs a few minutes later having finished his shower. His hair was still wet. "Ron, Ginny told me to tell you she’ll only be a few…" Harry’s words trailed off when he realized that neither his friend nor Mona were aware that he was there. He wasn’t sure if they were aware of anything. They sat across from one another with their eyes locked. Harry could have sworn he smelled the ozone scent of electricity running between them. He called their names softly as he walked closer to the table. No response.

"Ron! Mona!" Harry called more loudly with more than a little concern evident in his voice. They both took in deep gulping breaths as though they had been submerged beneath water the entire time. They looked at each and shook their heads.

Harry noticed that Mona had looked ill as she ran for the stairs. He heard a door slam a few seconds later. "Ron," Harry said looking worriedly at his friend, "mind filling me in on what just happened?"

Ron shuddered as he took in another deep breath. "I don’t think I know. It was weird. I sat down to eat a sandwich and asked Mona about the paper. Then everything seemed to just disappear. The next thing I knew you were yelling our names."

"This is really odd, Ron, I think we need to tell you mum or something," Harry said.

"I don’t want to upset, mum. I’ll go talk to Bill or Charlie or something a little later and then if we need to I’ll tell mum," Ron said, "Is Ginny almost out of the shower yet?"

"That’s what I came down to tell you. Ginny said she’d be about ten minutes or so. What about Mona though? Shouldn’t you go talk to her?" Harry asked.

"You can. I feel weird right now. Ever have one of those dreams where you go to class wearing nothing but your underclothes?" Ron asked.

"I had this one dream where I was in Snape’s class dressed only in a pair of red tartan boxers," Harry said then realizing that wasn’t what Ron wanted and stopped his story.

"Well, you know how you feel all exposed and open and everybody sees any faults you may have?" Harry nodded he guessed he understood what Ron was getting at, "well that is what I feel like. Like I’ve been standing naked here while she stared at me. It really feels weird."

* * * * *

Mona ran up the stairs to her room. She had no idea what had happened but she kept making sure that her blouse was fastened properly. She looked in the mirror. Nothing looked out of place. Why did she feel like she had just exposed herself to Ron Weasley? She couldn’t figure it out. "I’ll go talk with Bethany," she thought as she turned toward the door. She stopped when she realized that Ron and Harry were probably down stairs right now and that she would have to cross them again to get to Bethany. She felt lonely and homesick and when she thought of what had just happened she had to take several shallow breaths to keep her breakfast down.

* * * * *

Ginny and Harry walked out to the yard. Ginny held her broom over her shoulder. She watched as her brother flew around with a very frightened Mona. "I don’t know if I want to loan her my broom. We’ll have Quidditch try outs soon and if she crashes," Ginny said as she wrinkled her brow.

"Charlie won’t let her wreck it. And besides, Mona can replace it if she breaks it. They said the family was wealthy," Harry said looking down as he finished his last statement. He knew money was a sore subject with Ron and suspected Ginny felt the same. She had used Ron’s old books and her brother’s old wands and broom.

Charlie landed in front of them, "Ginny, Bethany said you can have her old Nimbus 2000 if you let Mona use the Clean Sweep. That Nimbus is too much broom for Mona right now and if you are going to be on the Quidditch team you could use a better broom."

Ginny turned to Harry who was grinning at her. He had liked his old Nimbus and would still be riding one if the Whomping Willow hadn’t destroyed it in his third year. That was when he received his Firebolt from Sirius. Ginny smiled back and quickly handed over her old broom.

"Alright, Charlie said as he showed the broom to Mona. This was originally my broom and then Percy used it and then Ginny, so I know it has been well taken care of. It is a good broom but isn’t as powerful as the Nimbus," Mona nodded but was looking green again, "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, do I have to go high?" Mona asked.

"I’ll go up with you and Ginny can join us too," Charlie said. He looked over at George and Hermione who had just finished with her broom and were walking in their direction.

"That looks much better. George, why don’t you have her ride around slowly and see if the broom has a better feel now," Charlie said. George nodded and instructed Hermione.

Harry asked, "What was wrong with Hermione’s broom?"

"It was in deplorable shape. Did you or Ron never look at the thing? I was amazed it would hover level much less fly straight," Charlie said, "It’s no wonder she said she felt out of control when she flew."

"She never said anything to us. Ron and I just thought she didn’t like to fly. It never occurred to me to look at her broom’s condition," Harry said, "Actually I don’t think I’ve seen her try to fly since second year."

"That’s what she said," Charlie said, "you’ll have to make sure she knows that it isn’t just Quidditch brooms that need servicing. All brooms perform better with a little attention."

"Is that what you tell Bethany?" Fred asked as he joined the group.

It took a moment but when Charlie realized what his brother just said, he blushed then composed himself enough to smirk in his direction. He made no other reply.

"Now, Mona, hold your hand out over the broom and say, ‘Up.’ Remember the broom responds to your thoughts not just how you maneuver it, so think about flying and being up in the air. You did fine with me. You will be okay," Charlie said.

Mona took a deep breath as she held out her hand and shouted, "Up." The broom sprung up rapidly but then hovered at a level where she could easily climb on it. She nervously looked toward Charlie who nodded his encouragement as she swung her leg over the handle of the broom.

Harry looked around. He didn’t want to stare at her. He looked up to the window to the room he shared with Ron. A brief glimpse of red hair could be seen before the curtains fell shut. Ginny turned and noted where Harry was looking.

"Did he ever talk to Charlie or Bill about what happened?" she asked as she motioned with her head at Ron’s window.

"He said he would, but I don’t think he has. Did you talk to her about it?" Harry asked as he motioned to Mona who was now circling the yard about five feet above the ground as Charlie followed closely behind her.

Ginny shook her head. "Not yet. I don’t think she’s quite forgiven me for telling the twins about the magazines," Harry raised his eyebrow at Ginny, "I told her I was sorry about it. I didn’t think she would get so upset. Bethany said she liked a good joke and really it was hard not to tease Ron about it all." Harry winked at Ginny telling her he wasn’t that upset.

"Why don’t you give the new broom a go, Ginny?" Harry suggested. Ginny nodded and took off rapidly.

Harry looked over to Hermione who was now flying high above them. "Well, I think she has the knack for it now," Harry thought. George was flying beside Hermione and although Harry couldn’t hear what he was saying he knew that George was offering encouragement to her. Harry laughed to himself when he realized that it was usually the other way round. Hermione usually encouraged he and Ron.

He focused again on Ginny who was doing rapid moves with plenty of quick stops and turns. She slowed down and flew beside George and Hermione. The sun was hitting Ginny’s hair causing it to light up like it was on fire. Harry smiled, "She really is beautiful." He grabbed his Firebolt and took off to join them.

"That’s it, Mona. Now try to go a little higher," Charlie called. Mona was flying about fifteen meters above the ground, but still looked very nervous. She looked to be chanting something to herself.

Mona was getting accustomed to flying at the low level when Charlie asked her to go higher. She took a deep breath and began chanting quietly to herself, "I want to be flying. I want to go higher. I want to be flying," as she slowly ascended to her current height. Charlie had told her not to look down as she flew, to look toward the treetops or the roof of the house. Mona was trying her best not to look down. She was flying toward the Burrow when she noticed movement behind a window on the top floor. "Eww, it’s that creepy Ron. I wish he’d stop staring like that," Mona thought as the broom went a little higher.

Bethany came outside to see how the flying lessons were going. "How are they managing professor?" Bethany asked Charlie.

He smiled. "Not bad. Hermione’s troubles seemed to be caused by a substandard broom. I think she has the skills just lacked the right equipment. She isn’t going to win any races but with more practice I think she’ll do okay," Charlie said.

"What about Mona?" Bethany asked as she watched her cousin slowly flying in circles over head.

"Mona is afraid, but holding her own. I started from the beginning. She will need a lot of practice before I’d trust her without a training spell on the broom," Charlie added.

"There’s a training spell on that broom? Does she know?" Bethany asked.

"Yes there is and no she doesn’t know," Charlie said, "I didn’t think she was quite ready for the broom to be responding to her thoughts, but I didn’t want her to loose confidence. She seemed a little embarrassed that she only flew with a training broom before. I put the spell on while she wasn’t looking."

"What is she saying up there?" Bethany asked.

"I think she’s chanting about flying," Charlie said, "I told her that you have to be thinking about flying for you to fly so I think that’s her way of keeping happy thoughts in mind."

Bethany laughed, "Did you sprinkle her with fairy dust too?"

Charlie grinned, "No, but I thought about it."

"Do you think she’s had enough? We need to go to Diagon Alley today," Bethany asked.

Charlie nodded and called Mona down to get ready for her trip. Bethany was taking her and the twins to Diagon Alley. Mona needed Hogwarts robes and her schoolbooks and the twins had an appointment with the man at Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Mona landed and smiled, "I did it. I flew."

"Yes, you did. Now I think Bethany is ready to go shopping. We can practice again tomorrow," Charlie said as he ruffled her hair and took the broom from her. Mona nodded and headed into the Burrow to change.

"George, Fred, you need to get ready too," Bethany called.

George instructed Hermione as she landed her broom in front of Charlie. "You did great, Mio," George said as they landed.

Hermione smiled, "I feel a bit foolish to learn that it was mostly a bad broom and I never knew better."

"Well, the only flying you’ve been exposed to is Quidditch and I know you only ever watched the matches that the Gryffindors played in. Face it. You had no real need to know more about flying," George said trying to reassure her.

Hermione blushed, "And how do you know I’ve never watched any of the other matches?"

"I’m observant," George said as his blush matched Hermione’s. He turned to his brother, "So Professor Weasley, what do you think?"

"You did pretty well. I think you need to keep up the practice and learn to care for your broom properly. You have the skills. You just need to get used to using them," Charlie said.

Harry and Ginny landed with Fred just as Charlie had finished telling Hermione this last instruction. "We’ll go over proper broom care again," Harry said, "I really am sorry we didn’t think to look after your broom before." Hermione shrugged.

"How long before we leave?" Fred asked.

"If you two are ready, we’ll leave as soon as Mona is dressed," Bethany answered.

"Just need to collect our things from our room," Fred said as he turned to walk in the house.

"We shouldn’t be too long," George said to Hermione, "and I promise not to let Bethany talk us into a slumber party at Donnalaith." Hermione giggled.

Harry and Ginny rolled their eyes at each other. Harry grinned mischievously as he said, "Gin, I’m going to get my broom servicing kit. I won’t be too long and I promise not to let Ron talk me into anything while I’m up there."

Ginny laughed and answered, "Okay Harry. As your girlfriend, I am so glad you are telling me what you are going to do because if we were just friends you wouldn’t need to tell me anything other than, ‘see you later’ or something."

"Well Ginny, I am only following the proper boyfriend etiquette," Harry teased.

George was laughing at first until Hermione smirked and said, "We are just friends."

George’s face saddened. Harry nudged Ginny to walk with him leaving Hermione and George alone. George looked at Hermione and said, "I’m a little nervous about the meeting. Do you have any last minute advice?"

"You, George? You’ll do great. You have wonderful wheezes. You and Fred have prepared an excellent presentation. Really you don’t have anything to worry about," Hermione smiled as she put her hand on George’s hand.

George blushed and smiled back and squeezed Hermione’s hand, "I’m glad you have so much faith in me, Mio."

Hermione giggled and said, "Mio? That’s a new one. I like it much better than Herm."

She looked down and realized that she was holding hands with George and released his hand rapidly.

George smiled and looked around. No one was outside near them. He said, "Mio is a special name for a special person." He leaned in and kissed her quickly on the cheek and walked inside leaving her flushed and mildly confused as she stared off in the direction he left.

* * * * *

Harry had left Ginny in the kitchen as he ran upstairs to get his broom servicing kit. He stopped on the second landing when he saw Fred waving his hand in between Ron and Mona who were staring at each other like they had at breakfast a few days earlier. Fred looked over at Harry with a worried expression. Harry nudged Ron and shouted his name. Ron fluttered his eyes and he and Mona both inhaled deeply and shuttered. Mona blushed deeply and ran down the stairs past Ron, Fred and Harry.

"Okay, you are not going away until you explain what just happened," Fred said as he cornered Ron who had attempted to return to his room.

"I don’t know Fred. Get out of my bloody way," Ron said as he pushed past his brother and ran up the stairs.

Fred turned to Harry, "Okay, Potter, what do you know? What is going on between Ron and that girl? What just happened is not normal and you of all people should be worried."

Harry shook his head. "It’s the second time I’ve seen it happen. They go into some sort of trance when they look at each other. Ron had said he’d talk to Charlie or Bill about it but I don’t think he has."

"I think he should talk to them now," Fred said.

"Look, Fred, I’ll talk to him. You and George need to leave our you’ll be late for your meeting," Harry said.

"You better. Let me know what you find out when I return," Fred said the expression of concern still evident on his face as he walked down the stairs.

Harry walked up to Ron’s room. He entered slowly and found Ron on the bed staring up at the ceiling.

"Are they gone yet?" Ron asked.

"If not they will be soon," Harry answered, "Are you okay?"

"It is so weird when that happens. I don’t know what it is so don’t ask. And, no I haven’t spoken with Charlie or Bill, but I need to now," Ron said still staring at the ceiling.

"How many times has it happened?" Harry asked.

"This was the second time. Well, third, the first time was not like the others. It happened the first night she arrived when we were introduced," Ron answered.

"You do need to tell them. This definitely isn’t normal. Charlie will be alone with Bethany going to Diagon Alley," Harry said.

"Harry, that’s it!" Ron said.

"What’s it?" Harry asked.

"Charlie and Bethany. That connection thing they told us about," Ron said.

"I think you may be right. There is only one way to find out," Harry said.

"Where are the girls now?" Ron asked.

"Ginny is downstairs. She and I were going to help Hermione clean up her broom some more. Hermione was outside when I came in. Did you see her flying out there?" Harry asked knowing that Ron had watched them all.

"I saw her," Ron said as he blushed. "She did really well. Why has she always said she can’t fly?" Ron asked as he sat up.

"It turns out she was nervous about flying her first few times and then had a lousy broom that wasn’t working properly," Harry said as he began digging in his trunk for the broom servicing kit Hermione had purchased for him. Harry closed the lid on his trunk, looked at the servicing kit, and laughed at the irony of the situation. Hermione had given him the tools necessary for him to care for his broom but never considered the need to look after her own.

"He kissed her," Ron said looking at his feet.

"What? Who kissed who?" Harry asked.

"George kissed Hermione on the cheek just a while ago. Right before I came down the stairs and ran into Mona," Ron said.

"That is odd, since they are just friends," Harry said with a grin. He noticed Ron was a little down. "Are you okay with this?" Harry asked.

Ron just nodded and said, "They must be gone now. Let’s go down."

* * * * *

Mona ran down the stairs to find George waiting in the kitchen with Ginny. She was still flushed from running into Ron. "What is going on with this family?" she thought to herself.

"Hi, Mona. Did you see Fred on your way down?" George asked.

"He should be just behind me. Where is Bethany?" Mona asked. George shrugged.

"Fred, is Harry coming or do I have to go up there myself?" Ginny asked as her brother entered the room.

Fred ignored his little sister and asked, "Mona, what was that between you and Ron?" George looked at his brother, confused. Ginny suspected they had gone into another trance again like they had a few days before.

"What do you mean?" Mona asked trying to convey with facial expression that she would rather not discuss this now.

"Did it happen again?" Ginny asked, "I really think you should talk to Bethany about this."

"Talk to me about what, Ginny?" Bethany asked when she came into the kitchen.

Ginny pointed to Mona, "I think she should tell you."

"Mona, what’s happening?" Bethany asked.

"Can we talk about this later?" Mona said, "Like when we can be alone or something."

"Mona, has something happened that I should know about?" Bethany asked again.

"I should say it has," Fred said. He missed Ginny shaking her head to stop him. "I just ran into Ron and Mona in the hallway. They were in some type of trance or something. It was like they didn’t know anyone was around."

"Mona, is this true?" Bethany asked. Mona just nodded. "This isn’t the first time is it? You and Ron have been noticeably apart from each other since you have arrived. I don’t think I’ve seen you in the same room since your arrival," Bethany said.

"Bethany can we talk about this later?" Mona asked again as she motioned with her head toward the others in the room.

"If you two are going to chat Fred and I will be late," George said as he walked to the hearth and took the small jar of floo powder off the mantle.

"Okay, Mona, we’ll talk later. George you and Fred go first. Mona will go next and I will go after her," Bethany said.

They all threw in the powder and as the fire turned green they stated their destination and stepped into the hearth to travel to Diagon Alley.

* * * * *

Harry, Ron and Ginny found Hermione outside with Charlie. He was telling her the magical mechanics of flying. "I think I have a book on this in the library if you’d like to learn more," Charlie said as he looked up and smiled at the others who just joined them.

"Yes, give her a book," Ron said, "then she’ll understand perfectly."

Hermione smirked in Ron’s direction, "Better watch out. Now that I’ve learned the problems, I may just out fly you, Ron."

Ron snorted, "Not bloody likely."

"Language," Hermione said.

"Yes, mother," Ron said. His face became more serious as he turned to his older brother, "Charlie I need to speak with you."

Charlie looked at the fretful expression on his little brother’s face and mirrored it on his own. "Sure, Ron, let’s go inside," Charlie said.

"Harry, will you come too? I think you might need to explain what you’ve seen," Ron asked as he started to walk to the tent with Charlie.

Harry nodded and handed his broomstick servicing kit to Ginny. "Here. Help Hermione," he said as he followed Ron.

Hermione just looked puzzled. Ginny pulled her aside to sit in the shade. Harry looked back and could tell from Hermione’s expression that Ginny had begun explaining about the trances between Ron and Mona.

Charlie led Ron and Harry to the study upstairs. He dragged a large wingback chair from one side of the room to a pair that matched so they could all sit together.

They took their chairs and Charlie said, "Okay, you look really worried. What is going on?"

"I don’t know where to begin," Ron said.

"Perhaps I should start," Harry said. He took a deep breath and began to explain the times he had found Ron and Mona in a trance. "It was really odd. Both times they came out of it like someone had been holding their heads in a rain barrel," Harry said.

Charlie’s face showed a greater concern, "Ron, why didn’t you say anything? You know the first time you were introduced, Bethany and I both thought we saw something but we assumed that one of you would talk to one of us if there was anything."

"I guess Mona hasn’t said anything to Bethany then?" Ron said.

"No I think Bethany would have told me about this even if Mona had asked her not to. You do know that I will talk to her about this as well?" Charlie said.

"Do you think it’s like what you and Bethany have?" Ron asked.

"What do you feel when it happens?" Charlie asked.

"I told Harry I felt, erm, exposed. Like she was seeing me naked or something. I don’t like it. It’s weird. I really thought I’d like her and now, well, I wish we’d never met," Ron said.

"Well, that is certainly different than Bethany and I. It was always warm and comfortable and every connection we’ve had has strengthened our relationship," Charlie said.

"Maybe that is part of it," Harry said. Ron and Charlie both looked at Harry with questioning faces. "Well, I mean, you said you and Bethany had a relationship. All Ron and Mona had done was stare at some pictures. You and Bethany were friends first, weren’t you?"

"We had a connection the first time we met but I don’t remember it making me feel bad. And, it was almost a year later before we had our first real connection and we were very good friends at that point. You may have something there, Harry. But what I don’t get is why it happened with Ron and Mona in the first place. Professor Dumbledore has always held that it was something that the Donnalaith’s did with one of our ancestors, why would Mona be affected?" Charlie said as he wrung his hands.

"Can I do anything to make it stop?" Ron asked.

"Don’t make eye contact with her," Charlie said. Ron looked exasperated. "I know, Ron, easier said than done, but we’ll have to look into this more. Bill has bugged Bethany and I to research the whole thing further. I’ll put him to work on this one too. I knew there was a reason it would be good for him to be a curse breaker. Nothing like having a brother used to ancient curses and spells when you need to find something out about one."

"Will you talk to her? She just runs every time it happens and we haven’t spoken since the morning after she got here. I really wanted to get to know her and something still wants me to, but, I don’t know, it’s like she’s been snooping in my private life," Ron said.

Harry chuckled, "What private life?" Ron just turned and smirked at Harry before looking back expectantly at his older brother.

"Maybe she’ll talk with Bethany about this and when they get home we can figure something out. But, Ron, you need to let mum and dad know about this," Charlie said.

"I don’t want to worry mum. Let’s wait until we find out more," Ron said.

"If you’d like, you can wait until after I speak to Bethany, but tomorrow you will need to tell them. I am not keeping secrets from them. This isn’t like not telling mum you got a detention or had been helping Hagrid smuggle a dragon out of school. She and dad have a right to know. You are still underage and they are capable of handling more than you think they can. Trust me. I know," Charlie said. Ron nodded reluctantly.

"Come on, Ron, let’s go find Ginny and Hermione and see what they’re up to. Who knows, Hermione has probably read a book that will tell us all about this," Harry said.

"You think there may be something in Hogwarts a History?" Ron said finally smiling.

Charlie grinned and shook his head lightly, "We can talk in the morning okay?"

"Thanks, Charlie," Ron said as he and Harry scrambled out of the room.

Charlie stood and walked to the window to watch Harry and Ron join Ginny and Hermione outside. He could tell Hermione was already questioning him about the trances he fell into when with Mona. "I sure hope this turns out to be nothing, but this is so odd. I never thought anyone else could have the connection like Bethany and me," he thought as he watched them fall into a deep discussion.

* * * * *

The Leaky Cauldron was filled with the lunch crowd that was heavier than usual since it was so close to the start of term at Hogwarts. The twins, Bethany and Mona all walked out to the alley to enter Diagon Alley properly through the entrance that was magically activated by tapping a wand to a specific brick on the wall. Mona had never been to Diagon Alley but was familiar enough with the wizard world that it didn’t surprise her.

"Okay," Bethany said as she turned to the very nervous Fred and George, "Mona and I will be at Madam Maulkin’s, then Flourish and Blott’s, and then Magical Menagerie. When you’ve finished your meeting you can come and find us."

George took a deep breath and opened his mouth to answer but then stopped and nodded. Fred looked like he would be ill any second. Bethany smiled, "You’ll do fine. The letter made it seem like everything was sold. I think they just wanted to meet with you to see who the comedic geniuses are. If you are worried, I can go with you."

"Thanks, Bethany," Fred said, "I think it’s just a little overwhelming. This is something we’ve always wanted but I know I didn’t think it would happen so quickly." George nodded his agreement.

The twins looked at one another and took another deep breath, "Come on, Fred, we don’t want to be late."

"Good luck guys," Mona called to their backs as the twins walked hurriedly to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

"This way, Mona," Bethany said as she started to walk toward Madam Maulkin’s for new robes.

"It’s so old fashioned and quaint here," Mona said.

"Diagon Alley has been around much longer than any wizarding district in the States. I would say old fashioned would describe it, but I’m not sure about quaint. This is the city after all," Bethany answered as she slowed to a stop.

"What is the matter? Why are you stopping?" Mona asked.

"Tell me about what’s happened between you and Ron," Bethany said.

"Here? In the middle of the street?" Mona asked as she looked up and down the busy area.

Bethany looked up and down the street and back at Mona with a matter of fact expression, "Yes here, you wouldn’t talk to me back at the Burrow and Fred and George will be finished their meeting before too long and even though it doesn’t look it, it is more private on the street than in the shops."

Mona took a deep breath and scrunched up her face. "Fred already told you. Every time Ron and I make eye contact, we end up in some trance. It’s creepy," Mona told her.

"Why didn’t you say something before now?" Bethany motioned Mona to sit on an iron bench that stood along the outer wall of a small used cauldron shop.

"At first I thought it was some trick of his. Like maybe he knew some way of reading minds," Bethany looked incredulously at Mona who smirked as she continued, "He’s only been hanging out for the past four years with the one who defeated You-Know-Who when he was a baby. You’ve always told me what a great school Hogwarts was. I thought maybe he learned it there."

"Hogwarts is good, but it isn’t that good," Bethany answered, "You say it’s creepy, in what way?"

"The first time it happened I ran up the stairs and kept checking my clothes to make sure everything was closed the right way. I left with the feeling that I was exposed, completely. It was really weird and after that and the teasing about the magazines, I just didn’t really want to be around him. Today we ran into each other on the landing and it happened all over again, but you know what’s even weirder?" Bethany shook her head as Mona continued, "It wasn’t as creepy. I mean I still felt like he was seeing things about me I’d rather he not see, but I also felt like I was seeing him. Not like he was naked or anything. I couldn’t see him see him. It was like I knew things he did. Like his favorite candy is Bertie Bott’s Ever Flavored Beans which means all the magazines are wrong because they say his favorite is Chocolate Frogs and..." Mona was speaking very rapidly when Bethany interrupted.

"Wait," Bethany said, "So in this last trance you transferred information?"

"I think so. I mean how else would I know that Harry has a map that can help them get around Hogwarts and that last year Ron had a crush on a Veela and actually asked her to the Yule Ball, what ever that was," Mona said.

Bethany was amazed. What Mona had described was similar to the connection that she and Charlie shared, but the progress of theirs had been much slower. She and Charlie hadn’t experienced the full transfer of information until their third year after the Winter Ball. Of course, she and Charlie had never felt uncomfortable or uneasy with the connection, at least not with each other. No wonder Mona felt so exposed. She had a fairly intense connection with someone who was essentially a stranger. "I wonder how Ron is handling this?" she thought.

"Have you spoken to anyone else about this?" Bethany asked.

"No, but I think everyone knows. Harry, Ginny, and Fred know for sure because they have been around when it happened. I’m sure George and Hermione know by now too. I haven’t talked to anyone but you about it though. I think Ginny was supposed to talk to me but I wasn’t exactly the most accommodating the past few days after she told everyone about the magazines," Mona answered.

"When we get back to the Burrow we’ll need to discuss this with Ron and Charlie. I’m sure Charlie will want to let his parents know about this and I want to do some research. Charlie and I never worried about why the connection was there. We always just listened to what my grandfather said about it being something done between the Donnalaiths and the Weasleys, but with you involved I’m not so sure," Bethany said.

"Do you think it’s anything Dark?" Mona asked worriedly.

"No, my grandfather wouldn’t have been so care free and cheerful about the whole thing if it were, and besides Na’nan knew about this too. She definitely would have said something if she thought it was bad. Now let’s go get the shopping done," Bethany said as she stood and motioned for Mona to follow her toward Madam Maulkin’s.

* * * * *

"Let’s go to the library at Charlie’s. I’m sure they have a book or something that will have more information about this," Hermione said once Ron and Harry had finished their story. Hermione had taken the information matter-of-factly. And not surprising to Harry or Ron, had suggested a trip to the library.

"Hermione, I know you feel that the answers to all life’s mysteries reside in some dusty old book in a library, but don’t you think if Charlie had a book that mentioned this that he would have said so?" Ron answered.

"I’m afraid Ron has you there, Hermione. I think all the research will have to wait until we get to school. I’m sure with Bill’s help and Professor Dumbledore’s we’ll get this all figured out," Harry said.

"I don’t think it’s any type of Dark magic," Ginny said, "Surely Dumbledore wouldn’t have allowed Bethany to go around with some Dark curse on her without letting her know." The others nodded in agreement. And Ron just sighed and laid back on the grass to look at the sky.

After a few quiet moments when everyone seemed to be contemplating the problem, Ron said, "You know what?" Harry, Hermione and Ginny all turned to look at the still supine Ron. "That cloud up over there looks just like a strawberry tort." Ron pointed to the sky and sat up just as Ginny and Hermione threw handfuls of dirt and grass in his direction. Harry just laughed. Leave it to Ron to break the tension when the problem involved himself.

"Oh Ron, really, I thought you had something important to say," Hermione said as she huffed but her grin gave away her true feelings. She wasn’t mad just surprised and somewhat relieved that Ron felt that they didn’t have to worry about this.

"It is important. I’m hungry. Let’s go see what mum has to eat," Ron said as he stood and offered a hand up to Hermione.

"Ron, when are you not hungry," Hermione said as she accepted his hand to stand. She brushed the grass from her clothes and turned to wait for Harry and Ginny to join them.

"We’ll catch you up," Harry said as he smiled mischievously at Ginny.

"No you won’t," Ron said, "You’ll join us or I could just send mum out here."

"You wouldn’t," Ginny said as she stood. She suspected that Ron would carry out that threat. As Harry stood she added, "Sometimes I wish I was an only child."

Ron ran behind them and put an arm around Ginny. "Aww, Gin, I’m offended. I always thought you loved being the little sister," Ron said as he ruffled her hair.

"Did you now? If you keep that up," she said as she moved from under his arm, "you will know first hand what being a girl is like." Ron paused in his tracks and paled slightly at the threat from his sister.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and laughed. Harry grabbed Ginny’s hand, "That’s my girl. No damsel in distress here." Ginny blushed. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

* * * * *

Bethany and Mona had completed their shopping earlier than they expected. They checked in at the Quidditch shop to find that the meeting was taking place at a solicitor’s office near Gringotts. Bethany was worried at first and inquired about who it was. She was happy to find out that it was David Runechild. He was new at the job but had already established a solid reputation in the field of wizarding law. They had decided to wait at Flourean Fortescue’s where they could watch the crowd and while enjoying ice cream. It wasn’t long before they saw a familiar red head they hadn’t expected to see.

"Percy," Bethany called, "I didn’t know you were in London today."

Percy smiled and joined them at their table, "Yes, I had to go into the office to finish up a few things. I actually will have a few days off before I start my new position."

"You looked relieved," Bethany said.

"It’s been a while since I’ve taken any time off. I do feel a little bad since I will be taking a week after the wedding. Thank you, by the way, for loaning us your villa. Penny loved the photos you sent," Percy said.

"How are your wedding plans going? I’m sure Penelope is getting excited," Bethany added. Mona was barely listening as she busied herself watching the crowd go by.

"Professor Dumbledore has consented to letting us hold the wedding at Hogwarts and says not to worry that the house elves will have the place looking lovely. Penelope is getting excited. I just wish her family would be more accepting of everything. It’s like she’s all alone in this. If it weren’t for some of her friends from school Penny would have no one on her side. Professor Flitwick has agreed to stand in as her father for the ceremony," Percy added.

"I’m sorry to hear that about her family. I always adored Professor Flitwick. Of course, he may argue that point with you, but he really is a dear. Hard to believe he is one of the top Duelers of his time. He is always so cheerful, even when his patience is being tried. And believe me I know," Bethany said as she laughed at herself.

Percy smiled as well. They continued to chat about the wedding plans and brought Mona into the conversation by discussing her preparations to begin school.

"There is no better school, Mona, just remember that you get out of it what you put into it," Percy told her. Mona just grinned and took a deep breath.

Percy looked past them concerned, "Is that Fred and George? What are they doing leaving Runechild’s office?"

"They had a meeting with investors about their joke company today," Bethany said as she turned in that direction, "they look happy. I do hope they weren’t taken advantage of."

"David’s a good man. He was in Hufflepuff, two years ahead of me and was Headboy in his seventh year. I’m sure that if he was involved, the twins were treated fairly. I just wish they would have asked for some input from some of us," Percy said.

The twins arrived at the table grinning from ear to ear. "Well, don’t just sit there," George said, "stand up and congratulate the new CEW’s of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes."

"It’s official," Fred added, "we have our company now. Zonko’s had a representative there and they want to stock our line in their shops. We’ll have to get busy straight away to meet our deadlines."

Bethany stood and hugged the twins each in turn, "Congratulations, I hope everything went as well as you planned."

As George hugged Bethany he whispered in her ear, "Better than that. Mr. Runechild was very helpful and even arranged it so that we had extra galleons to start off the productions right away."

"You better not let your studies fall behind. You have the N.E.W.T.S. to pass, and the Weasleys have a reputation of doing well on them. You boys need to remember you need to set the appropriate example for Ron and Ginny," Percy said.

"Don’t worry about our studies," Fred said, "George here has a little inside help for that."

George rolled his eyes at his twin. Fred had been teasing him about Hermione all afternoon. "And why do we need to set an example for Ronnikins and Ginnypoo?" George asked.

Mona giggled at the names George had for the youngest Weasleys. She finished her ice cream and as she placed the glass dish back on the iron table it disappeared.

"Our little brother and sister look up to you both," Percy said, "that is why you have the duty to set a good example."

It was Fred’s and George’s turn to laugh this time. "They don’t look up to us," Fred said, "why do you think that?"

"It’s just natural. In the same way that you look up to Bill and Charlie and myself," Percy explained.

Bethany couldn’t help but laugh along with Fred and George. She knew that deep down Percy was right. The twins did look up to Bill and Charlie, and even though they’d never admit it they were proud to be Percy’s little brothers too. She laughed not because it made her happy to think of the close connections that ran through the Weasley brothers, although it did, but because she knew that the twins would never let Percy live down his last statement.

There was a brief pause before both boys doubled over in laughter. Percy’s expression was priceless. He wore a facial mix of embarrassment, frustration, and enjoyment as he watched his younger brothers making spectacles of themselves. He was shaking his head as he tried not to smile. He pulled himself together before saying, "They will follow your example if not by out right duplication of your mischief they will at least adopt your attitudes. I am glad you will be able to follow your dreams just don’t turn it into a nightmare." Percy looked up at the sky and said, "It is getting late. I need to finish at the office so I can have my time off. Bethany, Mona, it was nice running into you both. Boys, tell mother not to hold dinner I’ll be late this evening." He turned and disaparated.

Still laughing George said, "Mona, did you get all your things?"

"Yes," Mona said, "I even got a cat." She smiled as she reached down and pulled up a basket containing a small bluish-grey cat with silver spots down its back and ears much too large for it’s head. "Her name is Olivia Twist. It would have been Oliver Twist but that would have been really weird for a girl."

"Mona, that is the ugliest thing I have ever seen," Fred said, "The creature looks like someone tried to shrink its head but missed the ears."

Mona smirked in Fred’s direction then turned to the small kitten and said, "Don’t you listen to him. You are just the sweetest thing, Olivia."

"Bethany, is that a kneazle?" George asked as he moved the basket nearer to himself to see the cats tail. The tail was long and slender with short fur along its length until the very end, which had a tuft of longer hair creating a silvery bushy ball the same color as the spots along its back.

"Yes, it is," Bethany said, "apparently the worker in Magical Menagerie is new because she had no idea and had it in a box marked ‘stray cat’. Mona purchased Olivia here for much less than she should have. I’d feel guilty about not saying anything, but Harry over paid for all those owl’s the last time I was here."

Neither George nor Fred caught Bethany’s slip, but Mona did. When Mona turned to question her about the owls, Bethany quickly changed the subject. "Let’s say we bring home some ice cream for everyone," she suggested.

* * * * *

As the floo system activated in the Weasley kitchen Harry said, "They’re coming back Ron."

"I’ll be upstairs," Ron said as he headed up to the top floor.

"I hope they can figure something out. Ron can’t hide all the time like that," Hermione said.

"Charlie said he and Bethany will discuss it," Harry said, "we’ll just need to keep them apart until then."

Bethany came through first and Mona followed soon after. Bethany and Mona spoke in hushed tones before Bethany left the Burrow to find Charlie.

"Did you get everything?" Ginny asked.

"I think so. Look I even got a new pet," Mona said holding up the basket.

"Oh another cat," Hermione said, "Crookshanks will have a playmate."

Mona looked around nervously, "Where is Ron?"

"He went up to his room. He knew you were coming back," Harry said.

Mona frowned and looked down, "I have to put all my things away. You can go tell him that I’ll be in my room so he can come back out of his. Oh, and tell him Bethany wants us at the tent at five." Mona picked up a few of her packages and began to climb the stairs.

"I’ll help," Ginny said as she took some of the packages from Mona and followed her up the stairs. "You can tell me how your trip went today," Ginny added as she climbed behind Mona.

"I’m going to go tell Ron," Harry said and ran up after the girls.

"I’ll just stay here by myself," Hermione said to the empty room as the fire turned green again.

George and Fred exited the fire and were smiling brightly. They excitedly told Hermione about the success of their meeting.

"That’s marvelous news. You must be thrilled," Hermione said.

"I need to owl Angelina. She’ll be upset if she’s the last to hear the news," Fred said as he headed for his room.

George flopped onto the sofa beside Hermione and said, "I really am excited. I never thought it would all happen. I assumed something else would come up to prevent it."

Hermione was smiling oddly at George as he rambled on recounting the meeting with the investors and telling her of his and Fred’s plans. He stopped when he noticed her staring. "What, Mio?" he said.

She smiled, "I was just thinking we should probably talk." George looked at her with a confused expression as she continued, "about this morning."

"What about this morning?" he asked as he moved closer.

"Well," she said blushing, "you kissed me."

"It was a friendly kiss. Have you never kissed one of your friends on the cheek?" George asked. It had hurt him earlier when Hermione had said they were just friends. He was glad that they were friends, but he was sure after all the conversations they shared over this summer that he wanted more than just friendship with Hermione.

"Oh," Hermione said disappointedly.

George smiled, "You sound… upset. You aren’t mad that I kissed you, are you?"

"No," she said a little too quickly and realized so. She felt her face warm and knew her cheeks were red as she stared down at her trainers.

George’s heart skipped a beat as he moved closer still. He slowly moved his right hand to her face and lifted her chin until her brown eyes made contact with his and said, "Were you upset that it wasn’t more?" He didn’t give her a chance to answer but leaned toward her and kissed her again, on the lips this time. As she kissed him back, she moved one hand to his chest and the other found his left hand and twined her fingers with his.

This kiss ended with a series of small pecks. Neither seemed to want to end the kiss. When they finally pulled apart they were both very flushed but grins were worn by them both. "I suppose I will need something new to say when someone asks about you and me," Hermione said.

"And why is that?" George asked as he kissed her lightly on the lips once again.

"Because I can say safely say that I have never kissed a friend quite like that. As a matter of fact, I’ve never kissed anyone like that," she said smiling coyly.

George grinned, "So I guess we aren’t just friends anymore. I think you’d have to tell them that George Weasley is your boyfriend."

Hermione giggled, "Yes, George, I suppose I will have to say that."

George leaned over and kissed Hermione again as quiet footsteps walked down the stairs. Harry cleared his throat to make his presence known and said, "Hmmm, just friends. Ron will be upset when I tell him. I know I am. You never did that with either of us."

Hermione blushed and buried her face in the folds of George’s robes. "And she never will, Potter," George said, "Now go away or my next wheeze will be designed with you and Ginny in mind."

Harry just grinned and turned to go back upstairs. He had forgotten what he came down to ask them.

* * * * *

"Your grandfather said it was something between the Donnalaiths and the Weasleys. Explain to me how Mona can be involved," Charlie said angrily. He and Bethany were in the library of the tent. They had shared Ron’s and Mona’s stories with one another and had spent the last three hours going through book after book in search of something that could explain this. They had decided that before they spoke to Charlie’s parents they wanted to have a few answers, but as it was looking more and more like there were no answers to be found their tempers started to grow.

"Look, Charlie, I’m no where closer to figuring this out than you are and right now Mona’s involvement is as much a mystery to me as it is to you. You don’t have to yell," Bethany yelled back at her husband as she slammed shut the book she was reading.

Charlie just smirked and went to the shelves to search another book. There was a soft knock on the door and before Charlie or Bethany could grant entrance to the knocker, Bill entered, "What is going on between you two? I could hear you shouting outside."

They quickly informed Bill about the apparent connection that had occurred between Ron and Mona. "It looks like history is repeating itself," Charlie said.

"You are not going to find anything in the books you have here. I told you that before. This was a very old spell and although you have some very rare books here, Bethany, it won’t be in them," Bill said. Charlie sighed and returned the book he was reading to the shelf.

"I still think we need to tell mum and dad as soon as possible," Charlie said.

"There’s no time like the present," Bill said, "Where are Mona and Ron?"

"They should be here any minute," Bethany said, "We told them to meet us here at five to see if we found anything."

"I’ll call mum and dad and have them come over here," Bill said just as Ron could be heard telling Merrick hello in the kitchen.

"In here, Ron," Charlie called, "Is Mona with you?"

Ron entered the library and said, "No, she’s behind me. We decided it was best to avoid another trance."

Just as Ron explained this they could hear Merrick directing Mona to the library. Mona entered with her head down. "Okay, did you find anything out? I told Ginny that if anyone could figure this out it was you, Bethany," she asked.

Bethany sighed. She wanted to say yes, but she had no idea why this had happened with herself much less Ron and Mona. She wanted to have the answers for her cousin and for herself. Charlie came up from behind her and wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her on the cheek. For her the connection had given her many of these special moments. Times when Charlie just sensed her needs. He had also benefited from reciprocal exchanges over the years. For them the connection was something good, but she knew that Ron and Mona didn’t share that feeling. They had described something uncomfortable and scary, something they didn’t enjoy. Their discomfort was more than evident in their faces as they painfully attempted to avoid eye contact with one another. Mona reluctantly agreed to be present when telling Arthur and Molly Weasley about their bond, but only if it was made clear that she had no part in causing the connection.

"Believe me, Mona, if I thought you capable of causing this, we wouldn’t have to explain to the Weasleys because you would just be undoing whatever was done," Bethany said.

"Mum and dad know about our connection. They will be worried about the one between you and Ron but will accept it," Charlie said.

From the kitchen Merrick was heard saying, "You didn’t have to but we’ll more than appreciate these sweets."

"Well, I don’t like to visit without bringing a little something," Molly answered.

"Where is everyone?" Arthur asked, "It sounded urgent."

"Dad, Mum, everyone is in here," Bill said as he and the others walked out of the library to the larger living room. Charlie lit a fire in the large fireplace.

Ron sat near Mona’s framed picture. He looked at it longingly, but shuddered as he realized what he was doing. He now knew the girl in the picture and didn’t think he liked her as much as he originally thought he might. "Well," he thought, "I know who she is. I haven’t really been able to get to know that girl."

"So what is it that brings us here tonight?" Arthur asked.

"Ron?" Molly said as she just noticed the presence of her youngest son, "what are you doing here? I think Harry and the twins were going to go flying."

"Ron is the reason you are here," Charlie said.

"Well, your son and Mona," Bethany corrected.

Molly looked nervously from his son to their young visitor and back. She was searching for information in their faces and when she found none she asked, "What has happened between you two? Don’t tell me…" Her hand went to her face as tears came to her eyes. Molly had jumped to conclusions. She had heard stories of Mona’s reputation and apparently believed the worse.

"Mum!" Ron said, "It’s definitely not what you’re thinking."

"And you can read minds now?" Molly said her tears turning to anger.

Her husband placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let’s hear them out, Molly," he said calmly.

"It seems that Ron and Mona have something in common with Charlie and I," Bethany said.

Molly calmed a little but was still obviously concerned. "I’m assuming it is more than a love of dangerous beasts," Arthur added.

"Ron told me and Mona told Beth that they have been experiencing a similar connection. Harry described it as a trance. Apparently it is the same magic but it has affected them differently," Charlie explained.

"Differently how?" Molly asked her son.

"For Charlie and I the connection brought us closer, made us want to be together. It seems theirs is driving them apart," Bethany said, "that perhaps it is more intense than ours was at first."

Molly turned to Ron, "Is this all true?"

"Yes, mum, the first morning after Mona arrived was the first time it happened," Ron said.

"And you are just telling us about this now? Charlie I would have expected…" Molly began.

She was interrupted by Charlie, "Mum, we told you as soon as we found out. Or at least soon after. Ron just came to me today and Bethany overheard Fred and Ginny questioning Mona about it. When Bethany returned from shopping she and I talked. We started doing some research and even brought in Bill to help, but we didn’t find anything out. We would have preferred to have told you about this along with some explanation of why."

"My grandfather has always held to the premise that the original spell was made between the Donnalaiths and the Weasleys long ago, but Mona doesn’t fit into that picture," Bethany said.

"Well, that answer is obvious," Ron said gaining the attention of everyone in the room. "It wasn’t the Weasleys and Donnalaiths it was the Delachesays. I mean I figured that was clear. Don’t tell me I’m the only one who thought of that."

Bethany started laughing, "Glad that it wasn’t a snake. No, Ron, I think I just took my grandfather’s word as law. He doesn’t usually have a habit of being wrong."

"I don’t know many who would doubt the word of Albus Dumbledore," Bill said.

"It’s nice to know he isn’t perfect, but I wish it would have been about something else," Bethany said.

"Actually, I looked into our family history and can’t seem to find anything that brings together the Donnalaiths or the Delachesays and the Weasleys. I hit a brick wall on all the leads," Charlie said.

"Have you tried the Delachesays and the Glasfords?" Mona asked quietly.

"I never thought of the Glasfords," Charlie said, "wait, how did you know that Glasford was mum’s maiden name?"

"Um, Charlie do you really need Mona to answer that?" Bethany asked.

Charlie started laughing, "Okay, so that was my snake."

"I don’t understand," Molly said, "how would she know?"

"It’s part of the connection. You learn information that the other person knows. How else do you think I know the twins apart? I know because Charlie knows," Bethany said.

Ron’s face turned bright red. Charlie ruffled his hair and said, "Don’t worry Ron. If you know something and you don’t want the other person to know it isn’t shared. Even Beth and I each have a few of our own secrets."

"You know it actually makes more sense. The Glasfords are a much older family than the Weasleys and completely pureblooded. Where is your family genealogy, Beth?" Bill asked. Bethany pointed to a stack of books on a shelf in the corner of the room. Bill walked over and began going through the books.

"I’ll owl my grandfather this evening and have him start looking in the Hogwarts library," Bethany said as she went to gather parchment, quill and ink.

"I think the other thing we need to discuss is the trance they go in each time. I think they need to start causing the link on purpose and attempt to gain more control," Charlie said.

Bethany added, "This will be something you’ll have to continue to work on once you get to school. We can arrange for you to use a class room and have someone with you to help bring you back."

"Harry, Hermione, Ginny and the twins would all help I’m sure. I’ll talk to them and let them know what they need to do," Bill said.

The discussion and plan continued with Ron and Mona remaining silent. Ron decided to risk a glance in Mona’s direction. Just as he turned to look at her standing near the fire she turned in his direction and the second they made eye contact the connection was triggered.

"Ron, Mona," Bill called. He had been the first to notice their connection.

Ron and Mona shook their heads as if trying to shake off sleepiness, but neither had the sickening feeling they had experienced before. Mona looked in Ron’s direction careful not to make eye contact again. She smiled and blushed when she realized he had smiled in return. She had the impression that Ron was just as nervous and upset about the connection as she was. She knew now that he didn’t want it happening any more than she did.

"Was that one? Ron, dear, are you okay?" Molly asked her son. With her concern she had missed the innocent exchange that occurred after the connection between Ron and Mona.

Charlie raised his eyebrow as he looked at his wife. She shrugged in return to answer his unanswered question. They had both witnessed the simple smiles after the spell was broken. Neither had any answers, but looked as though it wouldn’t be so dreadful for them each time.

To Be Continued