RP: Weasley Family Christmas

[shh_molly]

Date: 25 December 2004, early evening.
Characters: Molly & the clan.
Location: Molly's tent on the Burrow's property.
Status: Private.
Summary: Weasley Family Christmas Supper!
Completion: Incomplete.

Comments

[shh_george]

"So this is where you've been hiding," George teased Katie. He looked at her companions and nodded to Hermione. Although it took him a second he quickly recognized Gabrielle as the other girl.

""Hullo Hermione. Hullo Gabrielle. Happy Christmas to you both," he said. "Are you enjoying your holiday?" George wasn't sure what the three had been talking about but they all seemed a bit quiet now.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" He asked.

[shh_hermione]

When she noticed George nearing them, Hermione let the topic of conversation drop. It had become far too serious, anyway. It seemed she couldn't attend a party without hiding in a corner or having odd conversations.

"Happy Christmas, George," she greeted with a slight smile. "And, no, you're not interrupting anything. We're just discussing kittens, actually."

[shh_gabrielle]

"I was just leaving, Monsieur Weasley, eet was nice to see you again," Gabrielle said quickly, starting to inwardly panic. Three people around her was three too many, and while she could tolerate Katie and was starting to like Hermione, it was getting a bit crowded, and she was starting to feel claustrophobic.

"'Ermione, Katie," She nodded to both of them and slipped out, breathing a sigh of relief when she was safely out of the tent. The cool night air felt wonderful on her skin, and Gabrielle wound through it, heading towards her flat and resolving to visit Hermione sometime soon about the animal shelter.

[shh_katie]

Gabrielle slipped out quickly once George approached, although from her actions this far that evening Katie wasn't overly surprised to see her go. She turned back to the others, inwardly smiling a little at Hermione's loose description of their topic of conversation, although technically the two had been ingrossed in talking about the animal shelter for the most part.

"Kittens are something you could contribute about," Katie replied with a smile to George, "considering those two little furballs currently living in your flat."

Turning to Hermione, she did have to ask, "Do you have a time frame on the bookstore and such yet?" It was more than a question of idle curiousity, there had been a few topics she was curious about from conversations with others that couldn't be found in muggle stores obviously, and the library appeared to be in ruins.

[shh_hermione]

Gabrielle left, which wasn't a surprise. If anything, Hermione hadn't expected the girl to talk as much as she had upon hearing about the shelter. She wondered if she stayed with Fleur or if she was on her own. If it was the latter, well, she might need to find out so she could at least ward her place.

It was obvious that Katie had little interest in animals, which made her feel awkard considering she'd just spent awhile discussing the stray situation.

When Katie asked about the shop, she said, "Right now, if everything goes according to schedule, we should be ready to open next month. I have a few more factors to consider in my specific calculations, but it looks like mid-month to the end of the month if I have the inventory ready. I already have some texts ready, but I'd rather get the store stocked well before opening for trade and sale."

[shh_katie]

Katie hadn't really expected it to be so quick, but she was glad to hear it all the same. Not that anything she was looking for was of vital importance - just general interest to her. She seemed to have noticed that a lot lately, discovering a variety of topics she had been tempted to explore further. And, not just to acquant herself with muggle culture.

"I'm amazed you can get everything set up that fast, considering everything you are involved in, " Katie replied with a smile, cursing herself even as she realized she was slipping back in to meaningless chit-chat mode, although she was suitably impressed.

[shh_george]

George was a little surprised by Gabrielle's hasty exit but Katie and Hermione seemed nonplussed so he decided not to take it personally. Some people hated to be in small crowds Gabrielle just might be one of them.

"I thought you liked my furballs," George teased Katie. "Even if I do need to go buy new drapes because Buttertarte thinks climbing up them is fun and she shreds them."

Turning towards Hermione, "Sounds like you have been making a lot of progress. Fred and I are hoping to open the apothecary around then as well. Although it still needs a name before we open it." George said with a laugh. "Any suggestions?"

[shh_hermione]

"Well, I've had some help and work a lot of hours," Hermione said, shrugging. "For the bookstore, it's mostly preparing the area and throwing some bookshelves on the walls. The time consuming part is acquiring the texts that will actually fill them, which is why it will be a few more weeks until we're ready, I expect."

"It will be nice to have an apothecary open again. Even if it's just for basic headache powders and Pepper Up, that will be very convenient." She smiled. "I'm rather bad with names, unfortunately. The Apothecary is the only thing coming to mind and that's certainly not creative."

[shh_molly]

Across the room Molly spotted Hermione, and felt such a rush of affection that she cluthched a hand to her chest. She wound her way through the crowd in the sitting room, and reached out, putting a hand against Hermione's back.

"Never Hermione Granger!" Molly cried. "Darling, I'm so glad you come join us! Might I steal you away from George and Katie here? It's been an age!"

[shh_hermione]

The feeling of someone approaching beside her had Hermione gripping her wand tightly. She could see Avery, so she knew it was probably safe but, just in case, she was ready. She tensed when a hand touched her back, but soon heard Molly speaking.

She turned to face Ron's mum, speaking to her for the first time in seven plus years. "Well, I'm not sure I'd wish to be stolen, but perhaps you could borrow me for a bit?" she said with a slight smile. She leaned forward and gave Molly a brief hug and kiss on the cheek. "It's been a long time, Mrs. Weasley."

[shh_molly]

Molly laughed, delighted. "Dear, please, do call me Molly. You're hardly a girl any longer." She stepped back slightly and appraised Hermione. "In fact, you look entirely too grown up. But it is good to see you; I worry when my nest is all flown, you see. How have you been, darling? You returned with Ron, didn't you now?"

[shh_hermione]

"All right, Molly," she said. The name sounded foreign even if she did usually think it. She glanced down and then back up, smiling wryly. "Yes, certain bits finally decided to develop after we left."

"I've been fine. And you?" she asked. "I returned with Ron and Harry, yes. We live together, as I'm sure Ron's mentioned to you. Before you ask, they're like my very platonic brothers."

[shh_molly]

Molly chuckled again. "Oh, I don't doubt it, dear. Ron's made me give up any hope of a wedding ages ago, I'm afraid. Broke my heart, sure, but he did remind me you're part of the family whether it's on paper or not." She summoned a plate of cookies. "Dear," she said to Hermione, pushing the plate forward, "I hate to get henish on you, but really you're all too thin. Much too thin. Have a cookie."

[shh_hermione]

"Ah, well, think of it this way, it just gives you an extra person to worry about matching up," she said dryly, having no desire to be the focus on such attempts.

"Well, I'd not want to spoil dinner by having a biscuit now," she pointed out, not bother to deny that she wasn't too thin. She knew she was and, despite eating more regularly, she seemed to gain weight more slowly. Most likely because of all the walking and physical work at the moment. She took a biscuit and smiled pleasantly. "Thank you."

[shh_molly]

"You're very welcome, of course, dear. Now tell me," Molly placed a hand on Hermione's arm, "how are you getting on? Working, yes?"

[shh_hermione]

"I'm getting on fine," she said. "And, yes, working a lot. Publishing company with Ron and a bookstore of my own plus a few other projects here and there. No use in sitting back and doing nothing when there's so much that needs done, after all."

"And how are you, Mrs. We--Molly? Staying busy?"