Rose Among the Thorns

Chapter 25 Of Parties and Announcements

Saturday found Hermione and Charlie bustling about in their little kitchen, adding finishing touches to the enormous meal. Charlie was setting up several tables in the back garden when the family began arriving. Soon the house and garden were teeming with Weasleys bearing dishes of food, playing bowls, and corralling the numerous children. Hermione's parents, back from a holiday visiting friends in Australia, were admiring Charlie's rosebushes. Hermione was mildly surprised when Remus arrived with Hestia Jones. The faint blush that crept across his cheeks when he caught her calculating look spoke volumes.

As the family finally sat to eat, Remus stood and cleared his throat. "I'd just like to say how incredibly grateful I am to all of you for welcoming Teddy and myself into your family."

"Hear, hear," George said, raising his glass.

Remus grinned slightly. "Your openness, to me especially, being what I am, means more than I can ever say. However, I hope that you might be able to welcome one more."

At the sight of their confused faces, Remus took Hestia's hand. "I have asked Hestia to marry me, and she's said yes."

The garden erupted in shouts and cheers. Remus beamed as a mass of Weasleys lurched forward to embrace him and his fiancée.

"It's about bloody time," Fred shouted, pumping his hand.

"Best of luck, mate," Bill said.

"You'll be best man?" Remus asked him as Molly planted a large kiss on his cheek.

"I wouldn't let you ask anyone else," Bill returned with a grin.

A radiant Hestia was promptly surrounded by the women of the family, all attempting to catch a glimpse of the engagement ring.

"When did he ask you?" Katie queried.

"Wednesday," Hestia replied.

"When's the wedding?" Verity shouted over the commotion.

Hestia cupped her hands around her mouth and called back, "November."

The uproar finally died down when Mrs. Weasley reminded them that dinner was rapidly growing cold. Everyone finally returned to their seats and began to eat. Forty-five minutes later, an over-nourished Weasley family collectively leaned back in their chairs as Fred and George set up their latest line of fireworks, which utilized Muggle-repellent charms to make them invisible to non-magical neighbors.

Hermione and Fleur began levitating the mounds of now empty dishes into the kitchen.

"I don't think I've ever had better chicken pie," Mr. Weasley announced as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

"Your lamb stew was perfect, dear," Hermione's mother said, kissing her daughter's cheek.

Molly's eyes narrowed as Hermione seemed to glow with pride at the complements. There was more than met the eyes here. She did not notice the satisfied look on Helen Granger's face.

When the dishes were finally cleared, the family settled into conjured sofas to watch the fireworks display. Several knowing looks were exchanged when Charlie and Hermione sat so closely they were nearly on top of one another.

"You couldn't get a piece of parchment between the two of them," Percy muttered to his wife.

The sky exploded with colors as the fireworks whizzed above the treetops. "Oohs" and "Aahs" from the children were punctuated with enthusiastic clapping from both young and old as bright catherine wheels, rockets, Chinese dragons, and roman candles shot across the sky.

When the display finally ended, the twins met the standing ovation from their family with deep bows and princely waves.

"It was all Remus' idea," George announced. "He modified the muggle repelling charms to be used on the fireworks."

"In fact, Remus has been so important to the continued prosperity of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes that George and I have decided to ask him to become a full partner in the business," Fred told them.

Again the garden erupted in spontaneous applause. A thoroughly shocked Remus shook everyone's hands again and again.

Hermione began levitating several dishes of custards, puddings, and pies out into the garden, much to the delight of the male Weasleys. As their wives looked on in amusement, the same people who, less than an hour earlier, had proclaimed they couldn't eat another bite were elbows deep in dishes of desserts. Surprisingly, Hermione was in the thick of their midst, with dishes laden with sweets in each hand.

"I just can't get enough chocolate," she said sheepishly, after downing a rather large biscuit in two bites.

Helen Granger raised both eyebrows. "Indeed," she muttered under her breath.

After all of the dishes were finally cleared and the after dinner wine brought out, Mrs. Granger decided to make her move.

"Hermione dear," she began. "How long have you known?"

"Known what, Mum?" Hermione asked, her hands full of wine glasses.

"You're pregnant."

Six glasses fell to the ground, one after another. As Hermione gaped in shock. No one, not even the twins made a noise. Then Hermione thought she heard the sound of a jet engine winding up as the Weasleys began to realize, one by one, what was going on.

The garden exploded with shouts, cries, and laughter. A still speechless Hermione was besieged by her in-laws and parents. From the back of the crowd, she saw her husband elbowing his way in toward her. Charlie wrapped her in his arms and kissed her until she thought she might die from lack of oxygen. The roar of the Weasleys' congratulations fell to a buzz in her ears as Charlie took her face in his hands and softly whispered, "I love you."

As far as Hermione was concerned, there was no one there but him.