Chapter Text
written in the stars
I - HERMIONE/CHARLIE
It all started on Christmas Eve morning when Molly Weasley was standing and kneading gingerbread dough. The house was relatively quiet, but she knew it was the calm before the storm. They were all due to arrive for the holidays soon, although the word everyone ...
She involuntarily looked at the clock and her gaze shifted to the portrait of Fred - his clock hand had been broken off years ago.But no one dared take it off because Molly refused to let it go. The wound in her heart was already healed, but it took a long time.
The second clock hand she constantly followed was Bill's. It was her only constant information that Bill was actually alive. She didn't know where he was, what was happening to him, or if… he was okay.
Five years ago, Bill suddenly disappeared from their lives, unexpectedly, a few days after he divorced Fleur. Their marriage was not a happy one, and it fell apart when Fleur left for France in 1999.
Despite her best efforts, Molly was unable to find Bill, and the only thing that kept her hope alive were the letters. Every letter she wrote and sent was received but left unanswered.
So now, six years after the war, she didn't expect to see him. And although hope smoldered in her heart, she did not dare to allow herself more.
The dough was perfect. Molly brushed the flour off her hands and wiped them on her apron. She waved her hand and the kitchen became cleaner - in the hustle and bustle of work, magic was a wonderful addition.
She heard a hiss in the fireplace and Teddy emerged from it, led by Hermione's hand. Hermione greeted Molly and undressed the boy while removing her coat.
“It snowed all over London.” She said and took off her sweater because it was hot in the Burrow. "Percy and Harry, along with Arthur, will be later today."
Molly nodded and petted Teddy who stood by her side, "Are you hungry?" she asked and he shook his head.
“I just had breakfast.” Molly smiled at him and whispered in his ear, "There are some Christmas candies in the living room, go get some."
Teddy disappeared, and Hermione slowly approached the counter and sat down in a chair. She was eight months pregnant and couldn't wait for the lively baby to leave her belly.
"How do you feel?" Molly gave her a concerned look and Hermione shrugged.
"It’s quite alright. The little one is very fidgety and I can't sleep on my back. But fortunately, only two more weeks." She smiled back and placed a hand on her bulging belly. "Ginny should be here soon, I know she was on her way back from Spain."
Ginny was fulfilling her Quidditch contract and starting her Christmas break, as well as Ron. They both decided to focus on their careers before starting a family.
Molly was pretty sure Harry was going to propose to Ginny tomorrow, and if she were lucky maybe Ron would make important life decisions as well...
There was a crack and a bang, followed by first a scream in the living room, and then Teddy's loud scream. Hermione raised her eyebrows, ready to save the boy, but gave up after hearing Ginny's chattering. Just as Ginny was cheerful, Ron was cloudy.
“Teddy.” Ron verbally scolded him before he decided to go into the kitchen. Molly knew that the boy would ignore his remark because when Ginny appeared, everyone and everyone faded into the background. "Hi, Mum," said Ron as he reappeared in the kitchen and placed two large bags of gifts on the table. "Hi, Hermione." He added when he realised that his friend was sitting at the table. Hermione struggled to her feet and walked over to him, and he kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"You're getting bigger, aren't you?" The remark did not go unnoticed by Molly, who scolded him with a huff.
“Ronald, how do you treat your sister-in-law?” She added in an accusing tone, but Hermione ignored his taunt and replied,
"I can't wait for your nephew to stop kicking me in the ribs." Her hand rubbed her belly. “But I still have to suffer for a while.”
"He takes the strength from his daddy." Molly smiled and started cutting gingerbread. She decided to involve her step-grandson, who was still crazy about Ginny, in this process. "Ginny Teddy!" She screamed, and the two came to the kitchen. Ginny said hello to Molly and Hermione, and Teddy obediently began carving gingerbread cookies.
Hermione decided to go into the living room and sit more comfortably on the sofa to relieve her tired feet. She really hoped that this little beast would be born sooner.
A hiss in the fireplace made her turn her head, but she knew Charlie was behind her anyway. She smelled him.
"How's our rascal?" He leaned over her and kissed her forehead, then took a step and sat down on the sofa.
"He hasn't had a nap yet and he's kicking me in the ribs without mercy." Hermione winced, but Charlie just laughed.
"I know some ways to calm him down." He started off in a seductive voice, but Hermione snorted and slapped him lightly on the head.
Charlie took her hand and kissed it, then lifted his two blue eyes and turned serious.
"Bill is coming today." He whispered, and Hermione stiffened. She knew Charlie was the only one who had contact with Bill, but she hadn't noted how often they talked to each other.
"Did you talk lately?" She asked quietly, Charlie nodded.
"He won't be alone." Hermione raised an eyebrow and started to say something, but Ron appeared in the living room. He was covered in flour and Hermione couldn't help but giggle. ‘Hi, Charlie.’ His voice was slightly resigned as he walked around them and headed for the bathroom.
Charlie waved at him, but his lips didn't even move - Hermione could see he was tense. The prospect of Bill showing up at the Burrow for Christmas made him both happy and nervous.
He hadn't seen Bill in six long years, and he really had no idea what to expect.
"Do you know who he'll be with?" Hermione asked quietly, but Charlie shook his head.
“I don't know, sweetheart. I only got a short letter from him." He handed her the parchment he had pulled out of his leather pants.
Hermione took it and ran her eyes over it, but the letter seemed normal. She felt no curse on him.
She bit her lip and said, "Will you tell Molly?"
Before Charlie could answer, Ginny entered the living room and unceremoniously plopped down on the sofa, saying, "What is Charlie going to tell Molly?"
Charlie grunted, and Hermione replied unabashedly, "That he'd rather have a girl than a boy."
Ginny rolled her eyes, not believing a word she said. But it didn't matter - everything was going to happen anyway and be explained in the evening. But until then, both Charlie and Hermione had to be quiet.
It was almost nine o'clock and everyone but Bill had gathered around the table. Hermione cast nervous glances towards the door, and Charlie had to grab her hand to calm her down and catch her breath.
“Breathe.” He commanded her, and she obediently took a breath.
“Do you feel bad?” Lavender's high-pitched voice came from the other end of the table. Hermione denied it but drew intent eyes from the entire family. The upside of this situation was the fact that she could blame it on her body.
Charlie apologised to everyone and, under the pretense of fetching something, went out into the hall. He felt his heart pounding as there was a knock on the door. Hesitantly, he opened the door and stood face-to-face with Bill.