** Here is the end, I know I took forever, don't hate me. Let's just say that after entering the working world straight out of college, working a 50 hour week, going to grad school part time, and continuing to find time to write is an arduous task. But I'm back and working on a new fic that has me very, very excited. We're talking at least 20 chapters. The plot, you ask? I will give you a clue- think Blue Lagoon. Heehee. That will be uploaded very shortly, maybe even a day or two after this is posted.**

A/N- Because I say so, Gabrielle is a year younger than Ginny.

Ron Weasley had never been one to get himself into dangerous situations. His best friend, Harry, usually saw to that. Ron just always happened to be along for the ride. This time, however, the peril he was in was his own fault, and no one else's.

Not that he'd really done anything wrong. It wasn't his fault, after all, that part-Veela girls were running about his house in small bits of clothing.

He was only human.

Hermione apparently neglected to accept that reasoning. After catching him staring at Fleur's…..assets, she had stomped straight out the door, with Ginny at her heels and tossing Ron a nasty look upon exit.

His Mum had sighed heavily and shook her head at him, while Fred and George were too busy still staring to even bother to tease. Bill had merely smirked and continued eating.

That was an hour ago. The girls still had not returned.

Harry and Draco were due to arrive any moment. After a near fatal confrontation with Voldemort, Harry had remained at Hogwarts a full two weeks after the end of term, simply recuperating. Now that the whole of the wizarding world knew of Voldemort's return, much more aggressive steps were being taken to ensure Harry's safety and Dumbledore felt it acceptable for Harry to continue his recovery at the Weasley residence, where he would be suitably fussed over and protected.

Draco had stayed as well, having nowhere else to go. It had been decided that the two would floo to the Burrow as soon as Harry was well enough.

Ron missed Harry a lot, no doubt about it. He was looking forward to chess and Quidditch and arm-wrestling (which Harry had recently introduced Ron to). But, to be honest, if he had to choose between chess and snogging Hermione, the latter would win, hands down. Ron was also quite sure Harry had some snogging of his own to engage in. Ron just prayed he wouldn't have to see it.

Ron had one chance to grovel before Harry arrived and had the pleasure of watching Ron trip over himself to get Hermione to forgive him. Ron loved her and all, but there were some things you just didn't do in front of your mates.

Getting to his feet swiftly, he decided the best course of action would be to seek her out and beg shamelessly. Ron left the house and did a quick search around the property. Hearing giggling coming from the direction of the lake, he moved towards it.

It's not like Hermione hasn't looked at a bloke since we've been together. Hell, when she saw Bill, her eyes almost popped, they were so wide. She's got no bloody right getting mad at me. It's not like it was on purpose.

Rounding the thick cluster of trees surrounding the water, Ron saw Hermione and his sister laying about the grass next to the lake.

Thinking fast, Ron exclaimed, "Gin, Harry's here. He wanted to know where you were."

Ginny squealed and got to her feet in about one second, then dashed towards the house without a word.

Ron looked after her, a bit amazed, then turned back towards Hermione when he saw her begin to get to her feet.

"Where you goin', Moine?"

"To see Harry, of course," Hermione replied in clipped tones.

Right, still mad.

"He's not really here, I just said that to get rid of Ginny."

"Ron, that's a horrible thing to do!"

"Well, I didn't fancy having my little sister here to watch my humiliation."

"Oh?"

"Look Hermione, I'm sorry I was staring at Fleur's….uh, area. I swear, I didn't even realize I was doing it. And yeah, Fleur is, well, drop dead gorgeous and all, but I don't you know, like her, or anything. It's more like admiring Harry's broom. You appreciate its beauty and construction, but you know, it's someone else's so you don't really want it. Now, my Cleansweep is a bit old, not the most shiny thing, but it's right reliable and it's kind of grown on me. Like you."

There was dead silence for a moment.

"Old?" Hermione hissed. "Reliable?"

"Well, yeah." Ron smiled cheekily at her to let Hermione know he truly meant it.

Hermione seemed to be choking on her words. "And just when, and exactly where, were you staring?"

Ron's eyes widened. "Uhm, you didn't notice me….looking?"

Hermione shook her head slowly in the negative.

"So, you weren't mad at me….when you, uh, stormed out earlier?"

Hermione again shook her head.

"So…I just….er….told you I did something wrong and apologized for it when you didn't even know?"

"Yes, Ron, you did."

"Oh." Ron fervently wished the earth would swallow him whole.

"So, uh, who were you mad at, then?"

"The twins changed all my class notes so they said Hermione Granger- Weasley." *

"Ah," Ron muttered weakly. "Makes sense for you to be mad then…."

"Indeed." Hermione's face was unbelievably dark and Ron was really beginning to get frightened.

He decided a hasty retreat would be best, and began slowly moving back towards the house.

"Stop. Stay. Explain." Hermione all but spit out the words.

Ron sighed heavily. This was the part where he got killed.

"I was looking at her, ah, chest. But I wasn't really looking on purpose. My eyes just kind of landed over there while I was thinking of something else. And by the time my eyes refocused, every else thought I was like, purposely doing it. I swear I have no feelings at all for Fleur. She's practically my sister. And her accent is way too annoying to tolerate for long. And she-"

Hermione held up her hand for Ron to stop talking, and he ceased abruptly.

"So, you were staring at the breasts of the girl you fawned over two years ago, the girl you asked to the Yule Ball instead of me, the girl who's stayed here a week longer than I have, so you've had plenty of opportunity to gape, and you didn't mean it?"

"Uhmm, yes?"

Hermione shrugged. "Fine then."

Ron gaped. "Wh-what? Fine?"

"Sure. If you say you didn't mean anything by it, fine."

"O-okay."

"Now," Hermione continued on. "If you're finished, I want to go up and see if I can accidentally on purpose tell what Bill's got going inside his shorts."

"What?!?"

Hermione giggled, but deeper chuckles were also present. Ron whirled around to see Harry and Draco guffawing, along with Ginny, who looked like she wasn't sure she should be laughing or gagging, considering the part about her brother's package.

"You prats were there the whole time?"

"No, Ron. We made it in time for your comparision of Hermione to your Cleansweep. Very poetic. Really." That started off another round of laughter.

"Oh, shut it, you."

Ron sobered a bit as he took a good look at Draco. His face looked more pale than usual, his hair not as perfectly slicked back as it normally was. He looked…ruffled. It was a strange sight.

"Malfoy."

"Weasley."

"Now, now boys," murmured Hermione gently. "Play nicely."

Ron looked back, and smirked, "Whatever you say, Mum."

Harry winced. "Ron, do you really want to make that particular comparison?"

Ron blinked. "Good point, Harry. Forget I said that."

They began the trek back to the Burrow, talking about this and that. Hermione was proud to note that Ron wasn't completely ignoring Draco, though he certainly wasn't going out of the way to include him in conversation.

"How soon is dinner?" Harry asked. "I'm starving."

"Should be any minute now, and don't worry, Mum's got enough food to fill all of Gryffindor," Ginny replied.

The aroma of fresh baking swirled around them as they entered the house.

Harry and Ron immediately moved towards the kitchen, with Draco trailing uncertainly behind them.

Ginny and Hermione followed, offering their assistance in setting the table.

Mrs. Weasley thanked them graciously, then turned her attention to Harry and Draco.

"Harry, dear! How are you?"

"Just fine, Mrs. Weasley."

"And you must be Draco. Welcome to the Burrow, love."

Draco thanked her politely, his eyes a bit wide at her enthusiastic hug.

The rest of the family began to drift in, as well as Fleur and her sister Gabrielle.

"Hello, "Harry," Fleur smiled down at him brightly.

"Hello, Fleur." Harry froze at the kiss she placed on his cheek, glancing out of the corner of his eye to gauge Ginny's reaction.

"You remember my sister, Gabrielle?"

"Yes, hello."

"Hello," Gabrielle responded shyly, her accent not quite as apparent as her older sister's.

"I was hoping to get you two together, but I see that is not possible now, hmmm?"

Harry blushed, doing his absolute best not to look at Ginny or anyone else.

He heard Ron snicker, and kicked him under the table.

"Anyway," Fleur continued, "It is good to see you all."

At that moment, large helpings of food appeared on the table. After oohing and aahing over the feast, everyone began to dig in enthusiastically, chatting when they weren't busy chewing.

Harry noticed that, throughout dinner, Mr. Weasley kept giving him and Ginny odd, wistful looks. Not sure what to make of it, Harry decided to ask Ron later if his dad had ever been a violent sort.

The children had to get it from somewhere.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the rest of the table, Hermione had decided to have a bit of fun. In keeping with her recent rebellious streak, she glanced at Ron before stealthily removing her shoe and sliding her toes under the table, across and up his calf.

Ron didn't give any sign of surprise, as he was still debating the merits of the Cannons roster with Bill.

Hermione became more daring, sliding her toe up and up until she reached the junction of his legs. Glancing to Ron again, she saw that he looked admirably unruffled.

She failed to notice that Harry's face had turned a deep red, and he was clenching his fork rather hard.

Ginny, however, did notice, and asked quietly, "Are you all right, Harry?"

As if she didn't know, Harry thought ruefully. Who knew Ginny was the sort to do that kind of thing right under her family's nose.

"Ginny," he whispered, trying not to draw the attention of the rest of the table. "You probably shouldn't be doing that."

"Doing what?" Ginny replied, genuinely perplexed.

Just then, an owl arrived for Mr. Weasley. Excusing himself for a moment, he went into the next room to read it. Mrs. Weasley took that opportunity to check on the dessert in the kitchen.

Directly after, Hermione moved her toe a little up, then pushed flush against Ron and rubbed. Firmly.

Harry couldn't stop the loud "Uhhhhhh" from escaping his lips.

Hermione froze, mortified.

The conversation ceased around the table, and everyone looked at Harry in concern.

"Ginny, stop it!" Harry's tone was a harsh whisper.

Hurt by his tone, her voice rose as she shot back, "I'm NOT doing anything!"

Harry stared at her for a moment, then noticed that Ron was no longer looking at them, but at Hermione. So was the rest of the table.

She was covering her face with her hands, voice high with horror. "I'm so sorry, Harry! I thought you were Ron!"

Almost as one, the table took in their red faces, Hermione's statement, and the fact that her body had been slowly moving more and more under the table in the last few minutes.

They all cracked up, save Ron, Ginny, and Harry.

Shaking his head in amazement, George said, "Damn, Hermione. I didn't know you had it in you. Suddenly, you're about ten times more attractive to me."

Fred added, "Why don't you move across from me? I could use some stimulation."

George snickered. "What's the point? She'd likely get me by mistake! Wait, uh, yeah Hermione, move across from Fred."

The table broke into snickers again.

Gabrielle kept looking around, saying, "I zoo not unnerzand?"

Fleur kept trying to shush Gabrielle, but her own giggles prevented it.

Ron looked from Hermione to Harry with a smirk, still laughing. "I don't how exactly how to feel about this, but it's just too hilarious to get upset over."

Instead of joining in the laughter, Hermione stood and fled upstairs.

"Ron," Ginny admonished, "That was really mean!"

"What?" Ron responded. "It was just a joke!"

"That was really embarrassing, and you made it ten times worse. She probably thinks that the whole table believes she's…..not proper!"

Draco let out a small snort, which he quickly stilled at Ron's sharp glance.

"Go talk to her!" Ginny crossed her arms and glared.

Ron threw up his hands, stubbornly insisting, "Why? It was funny!"

Ginny huffed. "Forget it!" She turned and stomped upstairs after Hermione, followed shortly thereafter by Fleur and Gabrielle.

Afterwards, the men looked at each other, stunned. How had this happened?

After a moment, though, their natures took over and Ron started off a fresh round of laughter with the comment, "So, Harry, was it as good for you as it was for me?"

The girls could hear their guffaws from the second floor.

**********************************************

"It's ok, Hermione," Ginny soothed. "I'm not mad at all, and Harry certainly isn't."

"Why is this happening to me?" Hermione hugged her pillow tightly, still sniffling a bit.

"Every since this thing started with Ron, I feel like I've absolutely lost my composure. I'm a walking disaster!"

"Please, Hermione." Ginny giggled. "Think about who you're talking to here. Does elbow in butter dish ring a bell? Eyes as green as a fresh pickled toad? See, squeal and run?"

Hermione laughed along with her. "You make a good point. Maybe that's why we get along so well."

"The only thing I can tell you is that it does go away a bit, the awkwardness. For Harry and I, some of it is always there, but I think that's because he's shy and I know that he's knows I've always wanted him."

"I would think that would make things easier, Gin."

"Well, not really," Ginny sighed. "I think he doesn't want to do anything to disrupt the ideal image I had of him. If he did, maybe I would realize I don't really love the Harry that's real. So he's careful, and cautious, and only holds my hand after asking permission. I can't believe he ever got up the courage to kiss me, and now it seems I'll have to wait a year for a good under the shirt grope."

"Ginny!" Hermione tried to sound incredulous, but ruined the effect when a snort of laughter broke through.

"You could always grope him," was Hermione's sly reply.

"I don't think anything I could do would possibly match your actions today."

"You'd be surprised," Hermione smiled mysteriously.

Ginny gaped at her in astonishment. "Do I even want to know?"

Hermione shrugged. "Considering it's your brother, probably not."

Fleur and Gabrielle entered then, and the girls moved on to other topics, but still discussing men.

Fleur was attempting to show Hermione a new hairstyle when Gabrielle hesitantly whispered to Ginny, "Zinny, I was curious, who is ze blond boy? He spoke little, but he kept looking at me all through zinner."

Ginny smiled. "That would be Draco Malfoy. Bit of a prat, really, but he's recently redeemed himself."

Gabrielle blushed. "He is very attractif."

Ginny grinned wickedly. "Forgetting poor Harry so soon?"

Gabrielle's eyes widened. "I am so sorry. Ef I had known, I-"

"Don't worry about it," Ginny said, smiling gently. "I completely understand."

The two girls shared a look for a moment, before Ginny teased, "So, Draco, hmmm? We'll have to see what we can do about that."

After another hour of conversation, Fleur announced that she had to see Bill.

Once she was gone, the other girls began to giggle.

"What's the point?" Ginny smirked after her. "She'll be seeing him about an hour after bedtime, anyway!"

"Ginny!"

"Well, it's true. I wish I could sneak into Harry's room."

"Why can you not?" was Gabrielle's tentative reply.

Ginny sighed morosely. "Well for one, my Mum would kill me. Two, my brother sleeps in there. And three, I talk a good game, but I would never have the courage to really go through with it."

Hermione retorted, "All true, but I've never known a Weasley to turn down a dare."

Ginny's eyes widened, and the look she shot at Hermione was one of pure terror.

"You wouldn't."

"Think of it this way, Ginny," Hermione said, her voice full of false sympathy. "You can always use the excuse that I dared you to do it. Absolutely no responsibility at all on your part."

Ginny simply shrugged resignedly. Hermione was right. A Weasley never turned down a dare.

***************************

Ginny fisted the cuffs of her nightdress tightly, her heart pounding as she ascending the steps to Ron's room on the third floor. Even though she had agreed to Hermione's dare, she hadn't been sure at the time whether or not she could actually go through with it.

It sounded great in principle- a nice snuggle with Harry in a bed, no less. Harry Fantasy number four hundred and two. But actually doing it seemed more and more impossible with every step closer to Ron's bedroom door.

Ginny was about to turn and run, quite suddenly willing to suffer Hermione's wrath and ridicule, when she was startled near to death by the bushy brown head of her good friend, who had come up behind Ginny.

Hermione patted Ginny quietly in an effort to still her fright, and murmured, "I knew you'd try to chicken out, so I decided I might as well visit Ron and get him to apologize."

Ginny rolled her eyes, but was secretly glad Hermione had come. It didn't seem so embarrassing and scandalous if both of them were sneaking about.

Ron's door opened with a slight creak, which immediately had the two girls freezing momentarily, before continuing on into the room.

Hermione went left while Ginny went right, both trying to squint in the darkness to see their targets. In Hermione's case, no special skill was needed; Ron's slight, rhythmic snoring was more than enough to guide the way.

Hermione slid under the covers of Ron's bed, then turned herself to face Ron. In his sleep, he more closely resembled an overgrown little boy, as his face looked innocent and quite angelic. Hermione leaned forward slightly and molded her lips to his. Even in slumber, Ron responded, automatically reaching out and pulling Hermione closer to him.

Across the room, Ginny gingerly sat down upon the edge of Harry's bed, content for the moment to just gaze at him. In contrast to Ron, Harry's face was contorted slightly, giving the appearance of an uneasy rest. Ginny couldn't resist touching his brow in an unconscious effort to smooth out his worry. Harry murmured softly in response to her touch, and he relaxed visibly. She eased down on the bed, arranging herself next to Harry's body. She remained on top of the covers, though, because she didn't want him to wake up thinking she was accosting him. She resumed her strokes of his hair and forehead until Harry was roused from sleep.

Harry smacked his lips, then slowly opened his eyes. After blinking a couple of times to make sure he was in fact awake, Harry smiled sleepily at Ginny and pulled her closer.

Harry sat up suddenly, and moved the covers from under Ginny so that they were both under them. He gave her a little stupid grin then kissed her cheek quite bashfully. She sighed happily and snuggled down into his arms.

Ron thought he was dreaming that Hermione was snogging him senseless. When his sleepy eyes opened, he was quite happy to find out he wasn't.

He turned her over, pressing her into his mattress before deepening their kiss. After several breathless moments, Ron huffed out, "Hermione, what about Harry? He's right over there."

Hermione giggled. "Don't worry about Harry, I brought a girl for him, too."

Ron's reaction to that was immediate. Hermione's "Ow!" echoed through the room as Ron sat up so fast that he unseated her, sending her to the floor with a thud. Ron turned on the light, and as room lit up, spied his sister in the arms of his best friend, in a bed, no less.

Hermione glared up at Ron from the floor. "Honestly, Ron! That hurt!

"Sorry," he mumbled off handedly, more concerned with glaring fiercely across the room.

Despite her strong blush, Ginny spoke forcefully. "What? We're just laying here! We certainly weren't doing what you were."

This made Ron blush as well, but he responded, "You're in his bed, Gin!"

She huffed. "Fully clothed, thank you very much. I'm just enjoying a nice cuddle with my boyfriend. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that!"

"Oh, really? So you think Mum wouldn't blink an eye if she walked in right now?"

Ginny had no response to that, so she smiled feebly at Ron. "I won't tell if you won't?"

Ron considered. His virginal sister, in bed with his equally virginal best friend, who would probably be the jumped, rather than the jumper, if they ever did get to anything.

He was right there, so he knew nothing too improper would happen, and he would get to be with his own girl in his bed, without any repercussions.

"Deal," Ron replied. "But I don't want to hear any noises."

Ginny and Harry both snorted. "Then that goes double for you two!"

Ron and Hermione both nodded their agreement, a bit embarrassed, and Ron reached for the light, bathing the room in darkness once more.

A giggle once or twice, a few bed creaks and whispers, and Ginny thought she might have heard a moan from the other side of the room. But, since she happened to be moaning right then herself from a particularly pleasing maneuver courtesy of Harry's lips, she couldn't be sure.

*****************************

Molly Weasley liked to get an early start to the morning, even on the weekend. With so many houseguests, it was even more so necessary to be up and about to get breakfast ready, assign chores, and generally see to things around the Burrow.

The first and always exasperating chore, rousing the children out of bed, was what she set about first while Arthur, the dear, set the table and finished up the cooking. No point in making food people wouldn't enjoy because they were still asleep. She woke up Fleur and Gabrielle with little trouble, then moved over to Draco's room.

He was already up and in the bathroom, so she moved on to Hermione and Ginny. They didn't answer when she knocked, so she stuck her head through the door. The beds were made and the room was empty, so Molly assumed they were up and somewhere in the house.

She continued on to the next floor, and knocked on Ron's door. "Time to get up, dears," she called, and noticing the empty laundry basket in the hall, tisked to herself. Ron always forgot to take his basket in. Entering the room swiftly, she placed the basket near his closet, picking up some of the clothes on the floor and depositing them into it for good measure. Maybe now that he'd see clothes inside the basket, her son might actually grasp the concept and do it himself, though she wasn't holding out any hope.

Molly was on her way out the door and called again for the boys to get up. She froze, however, when she heard a distinctly female voice mumble from one of the beds.

Turning around slowly, Molly was astounded and quite shocked to see Hermione Granger's head poke out from the covers of her son's bed.

Ron's arm snaked around her middle and tried to pull her back towards him.

"Don't leave," his slurred voice pleaded. Hermione started to respond, then realized where she was and who was staring at her.

Her mouth opened in an "O" and she shoved Ron forcefully with her elbow.

"Ron, wake up," she whispered fiercely.

"WHAT," Molly thundered, "DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?!"

Ron's head popped up, and he winced visibly at the sight of his Mum.

Harry peeked out from across the way, and immediately burrowed back under his covers.

"We were, uh….talking, and uh, we uhh….fell asleep?"

Nobody in the room believed that excuse, least of all Molly Weasley.

At nothing more than the furiously pointed finger of Mrs. Weasley, Hermione was up and out of the bed.

Mrs. Weasley glared at Ron fiercely, but turned to Hermione and said, "I know he talked you into it, dear. Don't you worry, I'm not cross with you."

Ron sputtered in indignation. Molly was about to instruct him to shut it, when another thought occurred to her.

"Where is Ginny?"

Ron blinked, and looked quite panicked. He exchanged a quick look with Hermione, then said in a rush, "Oh, uh, I don't really know. Probably in the garden."

Ron had never been known for his ability to lie.

Molly approached Harry's bed with trepidation. She really didn't want to know, but, as a mother, it was her duty to find out.

With a deep breath, she drew back Harry's covers to find……..absolutely no one other than young Harry.

She sighed in relief.

She was about to turn back and berate Ron further when she saw a slight crease on one side of Harry's bed.

Bending down for closer inspection, Molly reached a hand out and got silken fabric that felt nothing like the worn cotton of the bedsheets.

With a shriek, Molly yanked away Harry's invisibility cloak to see her youngest child in nothing but a nightdress, sprawled out, hair in disarray and eyes wide with the fear of discovery.

For a moment there was silence.

Then, in a very small, quiet voice, Molly said, "All of you downstairs. Right now."

When Molly Weasley yelled, you jumped. When Molly Weasley whispered, your heart stopped.

Almost as one, they jumped up, out the door, and down the stairs to the living room.

Arthur heard the pounding steps down and turned to greet the rest of the breakfast crowd.

When he saw them marching single file straight past the kitchen, he shook his head ruefully and handed the food duties over to Bill, before meeting his wife in the hallway.

"What have they done?" he inquired, putting his arm around his wife in an effort to assuage her obvious anger.

"Slept together. All night. Same beds!"

"Ahhh." His smile ceased immediately at his wife's glare.

"Let me handle this, love. We knew it was coming, after all."

Molly sighed. "I suppose we did."

Arthur gave her a gentle push in the direction of the kitchen, followed by a quick kiss to the cheek.

Entering the living room, Arthur took a look at four extremely red faces before he settled in his favorite chair.

"Would anyone like to volunteer to tell me what exactly happened last night?"

They all kept their eyes towards the floor, no one daring to speak aloud.

Arthur decided a bit of a threat was just the thing. "Unless, of course, you'd rather I got Molly back to ask?"

Ron's head shot up. "We were talking, Dad, just talking."

Arthur kept his eyes on his son, making clear his disbelief.

Sighing heavily, Ron continued, "Okay, not just talking, but nothing, you know…we just…ermmm…."

Taking pity on her boyfriend, Hermione decided to speak up. It was much easier talking to the easy-going Arthur.

"It was my fault, Mr. Weasley," Hermione confessed. "I dared Ginny to sneak up to the boys' room. I followed her up to make sure she went through with it, and we woke the boys up. We really did intend to go back to our rooms, but we fell asleep. I swear, nothing….untoward happened."

Arthur smiled kindly. "I believe you, Hermione. But you all must understand, this is a very serious situation. I know that you all are very close, and right now you're experiencing all kinds of changes in your relationships with each other that you might not know how to handle. My purpose here is not to berate you for something I am sure didn't happen, but rather to caution you and make you understand what could happen in this type of situation."

All four teenagers shifted uncomfortably at that statement.

"Things happen, things you may not mean to. Situations get out of hand, and often, those situations have very real consequences."

Arthur paused to make sure they all understood what he meant.

"You are my children," Arthur smiled. "All four of you. I have a feeling that, while at the moment only two of you are in the strict sense, this will not always be so."

Ron coughed loudly. Harry goggled at Arthur, while the girls just looked at each other and tried not to giggle.

I can't believe he just said that, Ginny thought.

"But that is, of course, the future. This war will test us all. I know you want to grab life while you can, because none of us are certain how this will end. I sympathize with you- if this was the way I'd had to grow up, I would have seriously considered some 'life affirming' of my own."

At this, Arthur's voice hardened. "You are still children. Children who have grown too fast and seen too much, certainly. But you are all still children. And I would very much like you to become adults before you start making any. Is that clear?"

Everyone nodded vigorously.

Arthur paused, thinking for a moment, before continuing. "What I am about to say is not a scare tactic or a threat, it simply is. We Weasleys tend to….resist any type of contraceptive charm or potion. Something about our biological makeup. If you were to slip up, I daresay there would almost certainly be a little present nine months down the road. You all have much work to do. I know all of you, each one of you, has a pivotal role to play in the ensuing battle. Don't take risks that could change everything."

With that, Arthur stood and began to walk towards the kitchen. "With that said, I am quite aware that both Molly and I are sound sleepers. A certain, limited amount of life affirmation is to be expected, even understood. I just don't want to see or hear it."

After he left, the four of them looked at each other in stunned silence.

***************************

Fred Weasley read the note over three times, just to be certain of its contents. Letting it flutter to the floor with a shaky hand, Fred paced around his room.

What was he going to do?

How could he have been so stupid?

He'd known better, of course. But he hadn't been able to wait one second longer. He and Angelina had managed to keep their engagement secret all term, deciding to wait until midsummer to make the announcement. All that had changed with Voldemort's savage attack on the village of Dalrye, where hundreds of wizardfolk had been killed.

Fred had swept Angelina to Hogsmeade as soon as it was deemed safe, and the two of them had been joined in marriage with George, Alicia, Katie and Lee looking on.

Fred had thought they could keep it secret until he was sure it was safe for Angelina. He'd had no thought of this twist.

Sighing heavily, he grabbed his wand, preparing to disapparate. Angelina needed him.

Two hours later, Fred returned to the Burrow, a red-eyed, sniffling Angelina beside him.

Outside the door, he turned to her, and caressed her cheek softly. "It's all right, love," he murmured. "Mum'll be ecstatic."

Angelina looked up at him with a tremulous expression. "Do you really think so?"

"Course. She's always loved you. Thought I was lucky to snag you."

Angelina managed a small giggle. "Your Mum is quite smart."

He grinned down at her before opening the door.

The family was eating dinner. When Molly had asked George where his brother was, he had replied vaguely that he "had an errand to run."

Molly wasn't satisfied by this, but her attention had been turned by Bill and Charlie fighting over the last turkey leg.

When they walked in, Molly took one look at Angelina and demanded to know what was wrong. Angelina had then burst into tears again, and Molly had moved to envelope her in a hug, patting her head and giving Fred an evil look, demanding to know what he'd done.

"Mum," Fred said seriously. "Three months ago, Angelina and I got married."

The whole room gasped. Hermione and Ginny gave little squeals and went up to hug Angelina.

"Frederick Weasley," Molly managed. "You- how-"

"We decided to keep it secret," Fred continued. "I wasn't sure if she'd be a Death Eater target because of me, because of our family, and I wasn't willing to take that risk. We were planning on just getting engaged and married again later on, and having everyone there, but it was something we had to do, just in case- well, just in case."

Fred glanced at his dad, a bit red now. "But I've just found out something that changes everything."

Pausing, Fred looked to Angelina to see if she wanted him to say it. Angelina straightened up and looked at Molly. "I'm ..I'm pregnant, Mrs. Weasley."

"Oh! Oh!" Molly's hands flew up to her cheeks before wrapping around Angelina and pulling her into a huge embrace. "You dear! Call me Molly! Oh, you shouldn't be standing. Off your feet at once. Trust my Fred to stuff it all up! That's all right dear, you're here now, we'll take care of you."

The rest of the room erupted in noise, exclaiming congratulations and exchanging hugs.

Ron muttered into Harry's ear to combat the sudden noise. "Blimey! Dad wasn't fooling. I wager Fred got it done in one go!"

"Actually, dear brother, it was three." Fred grinned down at them wickedly, before kissing his wife soundly on the cheek.

*****************************

Draco Malfoy sat on the soft grass, staring out at the lake in silent contemplation.

The sun was just starting to set and the simple beauty of it had startled him.

He wasn't used to seeing beauty in anything, and the newness of it was compelling.

Draco didn't turn around as footsteps approached.

Hermione sat down to his left, and Ginny plopped down on his right.

They remained silent for a few moments, captivated by the sight just as he had been.

Suddenly, Ginny reached out and ruffled his perfectly groomed hair, then laughed as he vainly attempted to bat her hands away.

Once she stopped, he tried to restore it to its former pristine state, but soon gave it up as a lost cause.

"You okay?" inquired Hermione quietly. Draco shrugged in response. "It's strange, being here. I mean, I've never seen people act so…happy and ….loved, I guess. It's disconcerting."

Ginny frowned. "Love shouldn't be disconcerting, Draco. It's wonderful."

He turned to her, suddenly angry. "What do you know of it, Weasel? You grew up here, with people who actually gave a damn about you. The only thing I ever learned about love is that it's a weakness one can't afford."

"Draco." Hermione touched his arm, attempting to still his outburst. He deflated, then muttered an apology to Ginny. She patted his hand, and they fell into silence once more.

Ginny giggled suddenly, and Draco glanced at her, eyes narrowed. "What?" he demanded. "I know someone that liiiikkkesss youuuuuuu," she sang, giggling more.

"I'm sure she'd be more than happy to teach you all about l'amour."

Draco colored. He wasn't unaware of who she meant.

"Why don't you go talk to her?" Hermione asked teasingly. Draco shrugged. "Dunno."

"She's waiting for you to," Ginny said seriously. "Just go up and say hi or something. She'll take it from there."

Draco glanced back towards the house. "You think?"

Both Hermione and Ginny nodded vigorously. Draco hesitated. "She's only fourteen. Is that-"

"It's perfectly fine," Hermione interjected. "She's quite mature for her age. Go!"

Draco threw a grin at them over his shoulder, and strode back towards the Burrow and Gabrielle.

Ginny and Hermione congratulated each other on a job well done.

***********************************

Ron showed Hermione all his Quidditch guides and spent two hours trying to explain the Wronski Feint, and was astounded to learn that Hermione had known what it was and how to say it all along and had just been playing with him. He snogged her senseless in retaliation.

Gabrielle and Draco took a walk around the lake, and were holding hands by the end of the week.

Gabrielle gave him French lessons, and it wasn't the language he was learning.

Angelina moved into the Burrow where Molly could keep a proper eye on her and make sure she was eating enough.

Her parents, at first upset at their daughter's deception and surprise pregnancy, eventually overcame it and were regular visitors to the Burrow.

A second wedding was planned for, under the careful direction of Mrs. Johnson and Molly, who discovered they had quite a bit in common, including a love of knitting sweaters and nagging their children.

George and Fred patented over a hundred of their product ideas, including some promising ones from Harry and Hermione, who were deemed Honorary Weasleys in thanks.

Fleur and Bill moved in together, much to Molly's dismay. "They're not even married!" she'd screeched.

Harry finally got up the courage to go under Ginny's shirt.

Arthur was sent a barbecue grill from Hermione's dad, and singed his eyebrows off during an impromptu barbecue while his family laughed uproariously at him.

Later that same night, the Dark Mark rose in Hogsmeade.

And innocence was lost.

*****************************

Sorry to end on such a sad note, but I had to put in 1% of non-fluff. There is a war looming, after all.

Please let me know if this epilogue did the story justice, if it sucked, or if you want more. Just in case you didn't understand, PLEASE REVIEW!

I'm a sequel queen, so if enough of you want one, I will oblige.

So, coming up, new multi-chapter fic, Sequel to Lunch Break, and a one-shot PWP. Whew, I'm gonna be a busy girl. I also hereby appoint Jane and RedMoonChick to yell at me to update whenever they feel necessary, since I seem to piss them off the most with my lag time. Heehee.

* A cookie to whoever gets the reference first!

PS- No more PMS. Wheee!