June 15- Evening

[ginevra_dark]

They twins had teased her for taking so long getting ready. She wasn't usually bad about it but she was nervous. She had an idea that Charlie might be bringing Percy; she really wanted things to go well. George held her close as they Apparated to the street and walked toward the bar where they were to meet Charlie. It was small, tucked in between a

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[twistingcharlie]

Charlie had already appropriated one of the few round tables in the pub, and collected enough chairs for everyone. They hadn't answered, but he hadn't expected an answer. He knew they'd show up.

Then he saw Ginny walk into the pub, followed by the twins. "Hey, Ginny." He yelled over the noise of the crowd, before sitting back down, and patting Percy's leg. "It'll be all right."

[cursedbroken]

The owl had come as a nice surprise, and, with a bit of trepidation, Bill left his flat for what felt like the first time in days and headed to the pub. It wasn't hard to find Weasleys in this crowd. Just look for a shock of red hair.

Then again, he didn't have to look long. There went several family members into the pub. Bill joined the procession, yet kept his head down as he walked in an attempt to keep away from outside attention. "Hey," he said to the group from behind, offering a slight wave.

[ginevra_dark]

Ginny turned at the familiar voice, breaking into a smile. "Bill!" she exclaimed. Without thinking, she threw herself into his arms, holding onto him tight. He might look different but he was still Bill and she missed him. She'd not seen or heard from him in over a week. The images of him lying in that corridor, face down, blood spreading over the floor, still haunted her dreams... her waking thoughts as well. She'd thought...

"How are you?" she said against his chest, unwilling to let go at once.

[changeling_man]

Percy rose as well, shocked at the sight of Bill, miserable and humiliated for not having been to visit him. He'd just been waiting for...well, for the right moment, which, funnily enough, never did seem to arrive. He stood very still, unsure whether he feared notice or longed for it.

[chessmate]

Ron held up his Twinkle, wishing desperately that the drink had a less pathetically girlie name. It had sounded like pudding, though, with vanilla liqueur and homemade vanilla sugar. And the whisky, though not Ogden's, did the job. "To the Weasleys," he said with a grin.

He stuck his tongue out at Ginny in return. "I'd like to see you try to outdrink me. I might be new to this, but you're bloody well newer, aren't you?"

[twistingcharlie]

Charlie tried to ignore the tension he was feeling, and smiled at Ron. "That's all right, mate; it doesn't matter if you can outdrink. We all love you anyway. Besides if she gets too drunk, she can still have sex. If we do, we can't get it up, so I say, let her win, and we can go find a few good lays."

He took a bunch of peanuts from the bowl in front of him and threw them at Ginny. "Did I say to be good?"

[ginevra_dark]

"I am good," said Ginny, throwing a few of the peanuts back at Charlie. "I thought we'd established that. I am your sister after all, Charlie." She smiled sweetly. "And I can out drink you any day, Ronnikins." She drained part of her ale. She didn't look over at Percy; she knew he wouldn't approve.

[changeling_man]

Percy had only had half a bottle of cider, but he already felt vaguely drunk. It was overwhelming to sit at a table with all of them talking, and Fred smiling at him--what was he planning?--and Ginny holding his hand and drinking far too much, of which he didn't dare say anything. Percy could sense Charlie's tension at Bill's words, and looked between his elder brothers anxiously. Surely Bill knew that Charlie had been working in Romania? Ought he to say something?

"Charlie got the job right away because of all his experience--the department head was fearfully impressed with him," he said, quickly and clearly, then slumped back down and took a long draught from his cider.

[chessmate]

Ron decided that maybe sticking his tongue out again wasn't the most mature thing to do. And also? It was just creepy to hear Ginny use the word "penis".

"Accio Twinkle," he said, one of the drinks flying into his hand. He held it up to Percy, half-mischievously, and said, "Thanks, Perce. 'Preciate it." Then he held it up to Bill. "And thank you for the vote of confidence, brother." He grinned at Charlie, and then at Bill, feeling decidedly happy. "I think we could clobber some dragonkeepers. Absolutely."

[cursedbroken]

Bill took another drink off the tray Percy brought back, nodding his thanks in his brother's direction. It was slightly disconcerting to have had as much alcohol as he had without feeling any effects. Bill had always been able to hold his liquor, but this was... different. Not even the slightest bit buzzed.

"But of course I'd give you a vote of confidence." He kept a close eye on how much the younger Weasleys were drinking. He may goad them on, but when it came down to it, he didn't want to see any of them doing something completely stupid.

[forgeisgeorge]

George eyed the drinks Percy brought over.

"Thanks, Percy. I think I'll trade in my ale to try one of these concoctions since it's got the 'Bill and Ron' seal of approval."

He grabbed two and set the extra in front of Fred.

"I wouldn't mind getting the ol' bats out and beating down again."

He gave Fred a conspiratorial look, hoping he'd want to test out their Firebolts against some actual competition.

[gredisfred]

Fred toasted George specifically and the table in general. "Absolutely! You guys needn't worry about the bludgers, we've got your backs." The Twinkle thing was actually not bad. Fred's ale had been consumed by Ginny and he had no intention of doing more than nursing this new thing. "Good call on the drink, Ron," he said, before turning to Percy and speaking softly, "Thanks, Percy."