alt_molly | It's summer...but it's different

Ginny is the only one living at home, now. I am glad that I cut back just a little on the garden this year. Not too much, because I still intend to can, and part of my crop can be used in trade.

The gnomes in the garden are becoming ridiculously cheeky, since I don't have as much regular help with de-gnoming. Why, one of the little blighters had the effrontery to...to MOON me on my way to the henhouse this morning! Ginny is excellent with the bees, of course, but Fred and George were the best at clearing out the garden quickly, of both weeds and gnomes.

The whole Burrow has a different feel this summer. The ghoul is almost puzzled not to have an audience. Ron always used to bang on the wall if he grew too loud. The dining table seems so quiet with just Ginny and me, compared to the racket of years past. Of course, it's pleasant to have a comfortable cose with my daughter without being interrupted by jokes about bodily functions--and at the dinner table, mind you! And there aren't nearly as many arguments about whose turn it is to spellwash the dishes. Still, I almost miss the uproar, at least sometimes.

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Charlie, I'm thinking of expanding our family circle a bit for Sunday's dinner. Well, actually, I'm thinking of inviting some particular individuals. Particular individuals of the female persuasion, who might especially enjoy the company of your respective brothers. I suppose you won't be surprised if I tell you the names: Rachel Brodie, Sally-Anne Perks, and Pansy Parkinson.

I don't like to make assumptions...is there anyone you would like me to invite, too, for you? If there is someone, and you think she would be interested, let me know. I expect I'll be sending owl invitations out on Wednesday.

(My, that was a long Order meeting, wasn't it? I was simply thrilled to hear Cecelia and Scott's news. Tonks was more of a surprise, although I had suspected. She just had that glow about her.)

Thanks, Mum. That'll be nice, to have everyone for supper. I'll do everything I can to be able to be there too.

And no, I don't have anyone I'd like to add to the guest list! You know me -- I'm not the settling down type, never have been. And there's way too much going on in my life to have time. But thanks -- and it'll be nice to have the girls at supper. (Well. The girls and Rachel, she's a bit too old to be one of 'the girls'.)

Tonks and Celia both looked so happy, didn't they? It was nice to have a bit of good news in the middle of all that. I wonder how Sally-Anne really feels about having a new baby brother or sister on the way!

That's true about Sally-Anne. Perhaps I can sound her out a little about that. I hope she isn't hurt or jealous or anything.

As for Rachel not being quite 'one of the girls,' that was one of the reasons I half-hoped you might have someone you'd like to invite, too. I...I'm afraid I haven't been particular friendly to Auror Brodie, but I would very much like her to feel welcome this time. It seems quite important to Bill. Another woman closer to her age would have helped.

You know, it's funny--you'll laugh. I was wondering who the father of Tonks' baby might be last night. I mean, she didn't say 'Remus and I are expecting,' she said I'M expecting a baby, too.' And Remus seemed happy, along with the rest of us, but I don't know...I thought he was very attached to Sirius now. And...well, the thing is, I've suspected once or twice that Bill might have had bit of a yen for Tonks. For a while, at least. And the thought crossed my mind to wonder...

Oh, no, it's impossible, isn't it? He's with Rachel now. ~~Worse luck~~

Humph.

Well, I hope that all your brothers don't decide they're not the 'settling down type,' like you.

If they do, I'll never have grand babies.

Well, you wouldn't want me bringing anyone who isn't in the Order, anyway, even if I were seriously involved with someone. And the only other woman Rachel's age in the Order is Tonks, and ... that would be more than a bit awkward, they didn't get on at school at all, and I don't think they're really all that eager to do all the work they'll need to do to figure out how much of that was both of them trying to play what the Protectorate wanted and how much was their actual personalities.

I'll do what I can to make her feel at ease, though. Don't worry about that.

Although... just a tip, Mum? Don't mention grandchildren. At all. To Rachel or to Bill!

I won't, I promise. It wouldn't be wise at all, I expect. She does seem very focused on her career, after all, and who knows how things really are between the two of them. The last thing I want to do is to cause either one embarrassment.

And I certainly don't want grand babies from Sally-Anne or Pansy, or at least not for a good long while! They're much too young.

Well, I'll keep my lip buttoned. And if it gets really bad, I'll just go to the nursery at Moddey Dhoo and rock the babies there.

But do tell me this, Charlie: I know Bill is close to you. I'm not asking you to betray any confidences, but do you think he is truly serious about her?

I just don't understand it, I suppose. She seems like such a...such a hardened young woman. I suppose she had to be, with the work that she does.

What worries me is the strain Bill's been under this past year, and whether it's affected his judgement. Working for Corax Mulciber would drive anyone around the twist, I think.

How I wish Arthur was here to give him advice. I think Bill would have welcomed it.

What I really want to know is, is she good for him? Does she bring out the best in him? If she does, well...I'll do my very best to mend fences and mind my tongue around her.

She's definitely good for him. She cuts straight through the -- well, you know how Bill gets, that thing where once he gets in a mood he'll practically disappear up his own ~~arse~~ backside fretting over things? She's great at cutting through that. Which, well, that's the thing I'd say he most needed, so I'm glad to see it.

And most of the younger members of the Order were raised by wolves, Mum. Or by people who were genuinely buying into the Protectorate propaganda, which is close enough. You're holding it against her where you wouldn't hold it against others, because she's dating Bill, but honestly, we aren't exactly anywhere to go for stable and well-adjusted folks. Not everybody's parents raised them like you and Dad raised us.

Thank you, Charlie. I'm very grateful for your opinion. You are really the closest to him since your dear father died, and...well, young men don't always tell everything to their old Mums. Which is at it should be; it's all a part of growing up. I was quite concerned because he said something the other day that made it clear she could hurt him very badly, if she were inclined to do so. But I'm reassured by what you've said.

I hope she accepts the invitation, and I'll do everything I can to make her feel welcome.

You know, sometimes I think everyone we're in love with, even a little bit, even not the romantic kind of love, can hurt us badly. It's a wonder we allow ourselves to reach out to people at all, really.

But Bill was so lonely, and so worried about trying to date someone who wasn't in the Order, and even if the two of them don't last together Rachel has shown him that it's not all hopeless for him. And I'd like her for that even if I couldn't stand to be in the same room as her, you know?

But I do like her. And I hope you'll give her a chance.

I will.

It's summer...but it's different

Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

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Re: Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

Re: Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

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Re: Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley

Re: Order Only: Private message to Charlie Weasley