RP: Let's get this party started

[pb_bill]

Characters: Weasleys and guests
Date: 25 January 2000
Location: Shell Cottage
Status: Semi-private (if a Weasley would have logically invited you, jump in! Add your tag as you join, please.)
Summary: Redheads throw good shindigs.
Completion: Closed. (group thread)

Comments

[pb_charlie]

Charlie pointed his wand at Bill and summoned one of the biscuits he had in his hand. "I'm going to have to pop out in and out today," he took a big bite of the biscuit. He had just Apparated by the back gate dressed in his close fitting dragon hide because he was on call today and he had dragons close to hatching. He knew if he was called back, he'd be going straight to work.

"You know Fleur is going to get all beaky on you if she learns Mum was mucking about in her kitchen," Charlie chuckled waving toward the cottage where he could see Mum moving about through the kitchen windows.

[pb_bill]

He didn't even have to look to know who'd just stolen his biscuit. There was only one brother who'd really risk taking food away from him, and Bill flicked two fingers over his shoulder before turning around. "Oi, taking sweets from babes, not on, y'know."

He gave Charlie a long look, then stuffed a biscuit in his mouth and grinned around it, chuckling. "You look like an armor-plated sausage, bro. Still can't figure how the dragons don't get a bit riled when you're wanderin' around wearin' their friends. Be like me wearing a goblin suit to work."

He threw a glance towards the cottage and shook his head. "That's only if my darling wife learns Mum was in her kitchen. I'm not tellin' her."

[pb_charlie]

"Babe? I'm not even sure you qualify as middle aged anymore old man," Charlie said before stuffing the rest of the biscuit in his mouth.

"Don't dis the dragonhide, Billiam." Charlie made a face at the thought of what a goblin suit might look like.

"If? Brother mine, you really need more lessons in women. Right now, I reckon that Mum is in there rearranging a few things to 'make them easier' for Fleur. She'll be itching to share that spot of news at first opportunity and then ma belle soeur is going to be in your face asking why you let chere mama loose in her kitchen." Charlie laughed, "You're doomed, mate. Hate to say it but you are."

[pb_bill]

Bill patted his stomach and grinned. "Still got the looks, no matter how old I am. And you're no spring chicken yourself, mister. Good thing you snatched up McGonagall before you were too aged and crotchety to ever find you a girl."

He nodded towards the bonfire and headed for it, putting a quick Engorging charm on a piece of driftwood to make a taller seat for him. "I'll just claim you did it, mate. 'Oh, you know, Charlie was here, he helped out a little. Sorry if he made a mess.' Something like that, yeah?" Finishing off the last biscuit, he dusted the crumbs off his hands. "Nah, wouldn't do that. I'll 'fess up eventually. Won't lie to my wife. Even if I am doomed once she finds out Mum was in there. Good thing we live out here, right? No eavesdroppers for the shouting."

[pb_athena]

“I’m a big boy.” Teddy announced as Athena attempted to get his coat on

[pb_charlie]

"Teddy!" Charlie called as he squatted down to put himself at the right height for catching running toddlers. He kept one hand on his holstered wand in case the tyke took a tumble. Teddy took after Tonks' in more than random hair colour. There weren't any mishaps until just at the end and Charlie caught him before any damage was done. "I was just telling Billy this party needed Teddy Lupin."

"Hullo, love." Charlie kissed Athena's cheek, having noticed his mum looking out the kitchen window. He didn't like to snog her too senseless in front of the child anyway. He reckoned it was going to be a full time job keeping the tyke out of the bonfire and sea, two things designed to attract a child's attention.

[pb_athena]

Teddy hugged Charlie around the neck happily. "Biwwie." He said, peeking over Charlie's shoulder, liking the way the name sounded

[pb_charlie]

"Oi, you're strong. Leave me room to breathe, Chief." Charlie nodded. "That's right, Billy. He likes to be called Billy-boy nice and loud, too," he winked at Athena.

"Biwwie Boy!" Teddy practiced.

"Excellent! Just like that, Chief," Charlie gave him a tickle before turning back to Attie. "Actually, I do know some tethering spells but they're meant for kneazles and crups, not kiddies. Billy-boy went down to ward the bonfire just in case."

"She needs to be taken care of because she had an owwie. It's a good thing she had you to help her, Teddy." Charlie rolled his eyes. "You do love picking on Perce. Billiam said he wasn't sure he and Cho were coming. I might have to pull out of here in a hurry myself," he told her heading down the path from cliff to the sea with Teddy on his hip. "As if you couldn't tell from my work clothes," he winked at her, knowing she admired him in dragon hide.

"The water's too cold to play but you can play in the sand," Charlie suggested.

[pb_george]

Apparating hand-in-hand to Shell Cottage, George and Katie suddenly appeared at the back gate. It was immediately deemed a poor choice because Molly was in the kitchen and staring straight out the window. George gave her a quick wave and a cheeky grin before leading Katie down the beach path, leaving Molly to question their entwined fingers and George's blush.

Above the swishing of the sea and the crackling of fire, George could hear laughter and voices and they followed the sounds until their shoes hit the sand.

'Sorry for the quick exit. No patience for Mum's questions on an empty stomach.'

[pb_bill]

Bill bounced across the sand, pursued by a seagull after the biscuit he'd meant to offer to little Teddy as a bribe to stop the tyke from pulling on his hair. "Hi, George!" he bellowed on his way past. "Be back in a minute!"

[pb_katie]

Katie smiled as George's eldest brother bounced past. She squeezed George's hand and smiled.

"Don't worry," Katie whispered in his ear. "I can handle almost any kind of question with grace... that's why they pay me to do my job." She laughed.

[pb_george]

George snapped his head back in Katie's direction when he started talked. He'd been staring at his brother's quickly retreating form and trying to decide for himself what exactly had just occurred.

'I'm most sure. But this is my mother and it's simply more pleasant the longer we avoid it. Luckily everyone else seems attached at the hip so maybe she just wont bother.' Other than insisting to send food once in a while, George hadn't heard much from his mother lately. She was either slowly getting the hint that he didn't want her pity, or he was better than usual at avoiding her.

[pb_rosmerta]

Rosie made sure she had enough bottles beer for Bill, wondering if she should just shrink a keg and bring that as well. Deciding it was a good idea, she walked into the back room, shrunk a keg and stuck it into her pocket. Glad for the apparation zone lift, she quickly apparated to Bill's home.

She walked inside, spying Bill. "Bill Weasley, you are not allow to leave again because no one else drinks that beer you make me buy for you."

[pb_bill]

Bill looked up from stealing more biscuits from Molly - no, he wasn't hiding from the seagulls at all, no - and gave a brilliant smile. "Rosie! Darlin' madam of the 3Bs." He trotted to her and held his arms out for a hug. "If I weren't married, I'd be houndin' you, y'know. Nobody else provides that beer I like. What's wrong with it? It's delicious."

[pb_rosmerta]

She tossed her head back and laughed before stepping into his hug. "Nothing's wrong with it. I just want to make you feel bad for leaving me for a year." she said, pulling out the keg and placing it into his hand. "I brought some bottles as well."

[pb_bill]

He gave her a big, squishy hug, then stepped back to make efforts at a penitent, apologetic face. It didn't do so well, since his mouth kept twitching for a smile, and he gave up quickly, holding his hand out for the bottles he expected. Instead he got a little keg and the promise of bottles, and he laughed loud enough to fill the room. "Oh, you're too good to me. Too good to us all. C'mon, let's go down the beach! We've got a tent set up, got a roarin' fire - not as hot as you, but what is? - and Chuck's here with Miss Athena, George has popped by with his lady. We've got a passel of gingers!"

[pb_ron]

Ron was excited and nervous about arriving, and had apparated to the the front gate, Megan next to him. He was excited about seeing Bill; he thought highly of his oldest brother, and knowing he was back and about was brilliant. And Ron was nervous as well, for Megan's sake. It was her first Weasley event as the holidays had sort of fallen through, what with almost half of the sibs being in the hospital, and her little boy being sick. So, it was the first official Weasley sponsored affair that he had brought her to, as his official girl should anyone ask. He had made an apple pie that morning at the flat, carefully practicing the steps he'd learned a few weekends before from his mum (she knew he was bringing it, so he hoped there'd be some room for it) and he held Megan's hand firmly in his

[pb_bill]

"Another Weasley!" Bill popped his head into the room and nodded towards the door. "Quit lingering indoors, Ronniekins. We're out on the beach. Leave the kitchen to Mum, would you?"

He started to disappear again, then re-popped. "'scuse my manners, miss," he said, looking at the girl beside his youngest brother. "Hi and how are ya? He sucker you into visitin' the clan?"

[pb_megan]

Megan was nervous, which was uncharacteristic of her. Then again, she'd never really been in this sort of position before. When she was meant to spend part of the holidays with the Weasley's, she'd been on edge enough, but now she was even more nervous because after putting it off the first time she'd had more time to let the anticipation and anxiousness build. Meeting Ron's family was a big deal to her. She already knew George from visiting Ron's flat, and she knew Ginny through the Harpies, and knew of Charlie through her father's business with dragons, but this was entirely different. It was one thing to greet someone in passing, and another entirely to go to an event put on by the family itself. It was a big step in her and Ron's relationship too, in her eyes at least. She also knew by reputation how tightly knit the Weasleys were. If they didn't like her, it could be problematic. Fortunately it seemed that the few she had met liked her well enough

[pb_ron]

Ron said, "Hey!" and he put the pie on the counter and moved towards his oldest brother, to give him a large hug.

"Bill! You look fantastic! This is Megan Jones. I did convince her to come, using some sort of persuasive arguement about how great all Weasley men can be," and Ron moved back over to take Megan's hand, "How does it feel to be back, Bill? Is everyone here already?"

He had a slew of questions, and was ready to follow Bill, where ever he would lead.