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Rise of the Cannonites	By : KusanoSaku Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 12614 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters. I am just having fun with them and I don't make money that way.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
Title: Rise of the Cannonites
Pairings: GideonxArthur, BreccxGeorge, ViktorxCharlie and BillxFleur ect.
Summary: a spin off story of 'I did not Sleep with that wizard!' focusing on the Weasley-Prewett family. Tracks the family's rise to fame or is it infamy?

Chapter 22

Poaching his cousin Andret from the Daily Prophet hadn’t been all that difficult, the Chudley Cannons need an experienced printer after all. Managing Dean and Colin as contracted artists wasn’t hard either…

Although Colin was officially on family leave since he had begun to show signs of ill-health, mostly mental. For some reason, Colin’s pregnancy had made him overwrought and after delivery had slipped into a state of vacant consciousness. It was as if Colin’s soul, or at least his mind had gone on vacation. According to his Dad and Uncle Gideon, it was called postpartum depression. Now he was on leave from school as well after a nasty fall thanks to Ginny, his injuries coupled with his depression had him in the care of both Healers Tonks, while school was important if Colin wasn’t consciously present then it was like trying to teach a wall. Best to get well and then finish…

Granted grandfather Septimus, Papa Gideon and Old O’Shanesey had taken the news that Ginny nearly caused a late miscarriage of her own daughter as well as grievously injuring Colin with ill ease.

While Ginny was technically part of the Corner family, her actions accidental or purposeful had caused ill-will between her blood kin and kin by bonding.

Michael Corner had agreed with Mind Healer Ted Tonks that Ginny remain at St. Mungos’, but he had immediately taken custody of their daughter Mishel, Percy’s niece. In Percy’s opinion, the only persons to blame for Ginny’s reckless behaviour at this point were Ginny herself and Molly, their bearer. Molly had spoilt the brat and refused to allow her mind healing after her ordeal with the diary. Forcing Ginny to see a mind healer during her pregnancy had been deemed ill-advised since she was already overwrought with indignation at being pregnant at all, so it had been postponed. However, given the suspicious nature of her fall and Colin’s injuries, especially when Ginny’s fury at Colin being their half-brother and Mal’s adoption was well-known in the family, Ginny was to reside in the Janus Thickey Ward. Until such time that she was deemed no longer a threat to herself or others. Unfortunately, due to Colin’s head injury and his postpartum depression, he was there as well. Hopefully, they were kept separated….

Well, the Quidditch season would start soon…

The first match of the professional season was usually in Late September or early October after all.

They had a full team; seven players that had passed a healer’s exam ensuring they were fit to play. While they were a young untried team, they had Maximus as their manager who had proved just as dedicated as Percy had expected. The former Finchburg Finches’ Captain and Seeker had taken the American National Quidditch Team to the World Cup in 1986 and 1990 after all. Percy usually had brilliant ideas after all, so Maximus’ suitability was predetermined to be a success.

Besides the sponsorship of the Cannons by George’s Weasley Wizard Wheezes as well as all of the Appleby Arrows Sponsors who had been required to sponsor and support both teams after Greg granted Uncle Gideon the team as Mal’s bride price. Both the Prewetts and the Weasleys owned private boxes, they had retained them even though the team had fallen from grace to be a laughingstock of the United Kingdom’s Quidditch world. Greg had reluctantly agreed to purchase a box to retain his private box for the Arrows.

Anyone who joined the revamped Cannons Fanclub by Samhain would receive special rewards: limited edition posters of the new team, players’ info cards and for the lucky seven replica jerseys. There were also themed nights and limited quantities of goods for home matches.

Similar events were planned for the Appleby Arrows, not the same or at least not in the same order.

Pre-game promotion was under Percy’s purview for both teams but he had full rein with the Cannons at present. The quidditch stadium had a team store that would be offering new and familiar souvenirs and other merchandise. While there would be food vendors of course there would also be programs and team newsletters that were printed under Andret’s supervision.

As far as Percy Weasley, Vice President of Marketing and Promotions was concerned the Chudley Cannons Organization was on track for the beginning of the 1996-1997 season. While Percy didn’t play himself- he was pants at flying and definitely preferred both feet on the ground, having his four closest brothers as well as his on-again, off-again boyfriend play, he understood the game well enough. Having been manipulated by Umbridge, it didn’t take much before Percy resigned from the Minister’s office. One, the pay was much better and he received credit for his own work. Besides, seeing Oliver a few times a week was worth it… especially now since they were technically engaged.

After all, the Cannons stadium was just outside of the town that housed the Cannon offices…

It was Muggle-warded, according to Dean Thomas’ step father David it looked like boring solicitor offices that he had to be forcibly tugged through by his witch daughter.

Rumour had it that Uncle Gideon was discussing with George and Brecc about joining the Cannons, the Arrows and WWW into a large corporation but that was between their stepfather, his brother and their solicitor. The only way that would impact Percy would be if the job of promoting the Arrows was combined with his own officially.

Security for both the stadium and the office building that housed the practical work of a professional Quidditch team was his dad’s purview. Due to his bearer, it had become clear that their Dad would never rise above his minor post in the Ministry’s Department of Magical Law Enforcement even with his Grandfather’s support behind the scenes. It wasn’t until his graduated Hogwarts that Bill explained just what was meant when their dad was described as lacking ‘proper wizard feeling’, it had nothing to do with Dad’s interest in Muggles but rather dad supposedly breaking his betrothal contract that he had consented to by impregnating his betrothed’s sister. ‘Proper Wizard Feeling’ implied that their dad had no honour…

Despite his own exemplarily work in his Uncle Crouch’s department, the elder wizard had acted as if his presence was troublesome and he had been forced to taken him on. Percy had practically run the department following Crouch’s surprise ‘illness’ and then disappearance, only to bounce from another dead-end Ministry job to another. For all his foolish [likely Molly-inspired aspirations] dreams of being Minister, it was unlikely to happen due to his birth parents’ scandal. Even their own children might be haunted by it…

Building a corporation that specialized in entertainment would go a long way in rebuilding their family’s reputation. Bill, whose conception and birth had begun the scandal haunting their family, had managed to be Gryffindor’s Keeper for five years, their captain for two years and prefect as well as balancing twelve OWL courses. Becoming Head Boy was Bill’s reward after a fashion for his hard work but he had wanted to stay on their House Team his Seventh Year and the rows between Molly and Bill nearly blew the roof off.

Percy had always looked up to Bill, while they had a lot in common academically, Bill was far more social, possessed a stronger well of courage and more self-confidence than the rest of their siblings. Fred was the closest when it came to self-confidence but he was more selfish. Charlie and Bill were both daredevils in their own ways, having spent so many years being responsible, having dangerous and exciting careers was enjoyable for them.

Although to be fair, Charlie was signed to the Cannons as a reserve Seeker even if his bonded were their primary Seeker. Fate certainly had interesting taste, who would have thought that Bill and Charlie would end up bonded to two of the Triwizard Champions? It was still awe-inspiring that Viktor Krum was his brother-in-law. Apparently, they met during the Triwizard and had been dating quietly ever since. Percy was hurt that he hadn’t been invited to Charlie or Bill’s bonding, but he had been being such a prat at the time that even Oliver wouldn’t speak to him.

With everything in professional life running smoothly and his form on-again, off-again boyfriend; now fiancé on the team along with Percy’s brothers Bill and Fred who randomly attended practices when their work schedules permitted it. While being a Professional Keeper was Bill’s dream job, he had found he enjoyed Cursebreaking for Gringotts…

Charlie had been enthralled with Magical Creatures but especially dragons for as long as Percy could remember but Bill had introduced Charlie to Quidditch to give them something in common since they had different academic interests.

Anyway, buying the Cannons had been a surprise first move for Uncle Gideon following his return to the Wizarding World and the suspension of his parents’ bonding contract but it seemed to have brought them closer together.

Percy didn’t know or really care if Uncle Gideon had formally disowned his bearer, in the past Percy had been considered a Mummy’s boy and that sort of creeped him out. After the revelation of his having been under the Imperious, Percy had to take a long hard look at himself and what he wanted. Being close to Mary Prewett or her favourite was not a role he wanted… anymore that is.

Percy was grateful for his own place even if it was small, while he made more now he had grown comfortable in his tiny London apartment. Growing up he, Ron and Ginny had their own rooms at The Burrow unlike Bill and Charlie or the twins who had always shared. Yet he had six years at Hogwarts sharing a dormitory with four other boys including Oliver as well as his cousins Andret and Branor. During his Seventh Year, as Head Boy, Percy had his own room and due to his relationship with Penelope, he had it to himself. Of course, once Andret confessed to Penny after she was unpetrified, his Head Girl counterpart had dumped him. If Percy was reticent, then Penelope was icy while Oliver on the other hand was as exuberant as he could be single-minded. Driven was definitely a word that described Oliver…

He wondered if Oliver was so obsessed with winning the House Cup to please him, but he had never dared ask…

Anyway, some afternoons Oliver brought lunch and others, Percy was dragged out to eat. Oliver knew from their school days that Percy could become buried in paperwork or research to the point of missing meals if he wasn’t gently bullied to remember. In turn, Percy had ensured that Oliver kept his grades up to at least Exceeds Expectations to appear as more than just a Quidditch-obsessed wizard.

Given that Bill was bonded to Fleur, Charlie to Viktor, Alicia to Lee and Fred to Angelina even if Fred and Angelina didn’t live together, players were usually released to eat lunch away from the stadium. Thus, leaving Oliver free to keep an eye on him, Percy couldn’t say he hated the attention when he didn’t. It made him feel important that Oliver, their Starting Keeper took the time to look in on him. It was a bit embarrassing that his grandmother Cedrella and Oliver’s grandmother Capella were already planning their bonding even though they hadn’t set a date just yet. Oliver wasn’t pressuring him, rather he ensured that Percy ate at least one decent meal a day and dad escorted both himself and Uncle Gideon out of the Cannon office’s floo to make sure they left at a decent hour. Or was it Gideon who escorted them out? Percy took after his dad and was a workaholic after all…

Percy’s cousin Calibom was taking care of his and Susan Bones’ daughter as well as studying under Fleur’s tutoring for his NEWT Exams because he had a lighter load academically. It was still odd that both Charlie and Fleur were Hogwarts staff, Charlie who had never been more than a member of their House Quidditch team before replacing Bill as team captain, was a professor. Likely since Charlie was scheduled for a C-section some time in November, they wouldn’t start more practical lessons until after he recovered. During December, they were likely to return to lecture-based lessons due to the weather until spring…

Oddly enough, current and impending parenthood had brought Bill, Charlie, George, Andret and Calibom closer as well as Mal. Due to Fred, Ron and Ginny’s refusal to be involved in their daughters’ lives, not to mention Colin’s depression, Percy was still the odd one.

Branor was single and a restless spirit, but Percy didn’t feel any closer to him then when they were sharing a dormitory. It wasn’t as if Percy had many friends, Oliver had decided they were friends on the train their first year. Both had surnames near the end of the alphabet (Weasley and Wood) and were from Gryffindor families even if Oliver’s sister Nimue was a Hufflepuff and his younger brother Eron a Ravenclaw. Being reckless and obsessive, there really wasn’t another House for Oliver, while Percy had almost been a Ravenclaw, however being sorted away from his only friend had him insist on being sorted to the same House as Bill and Charlie even if he would be the third Weasley in that dormitory. After all, Andret and Branor were roughly ten months older than himself and Oliver was older than he was by three months.

“Hey Percy.’

Speaking of the bloke, there he was…

That freshly showered look had always made him swallow…

Percy was bored after all, hence the maudlin thoughts, so he greeted his fiancé with a small smile, “Hey yourself.”

Oliver swallowed, “I forgot how gorgeous you were when you smiled…” then he winced, “Sorry, no lover talk. We’re at work right now.”

The pain in Oliver’s eyes was hard to ignore and made Percy a little uncomfortable but he put a brave face on.

Last year had been difficult, since as long as he was saying unkind things about Potter, Oliver wouldn’t speak to him. Percy was embarrassed that Umbridge had Imperioed him, perhaps that was his last straw with the Ministry. It was bad enough that following his handling the aftermath of the Triwizard Tournament fiasco that he was sentenced to relative obscurity in the Minister’s office for his pains. His dad had begged him to stay in Crouch’s Department while Percy had argued that Fudge hadn’t given him a choice in his reassignment. The argument had spiralled out of control quickly, while neither were especially known for their tempers, they were both redheads and stubborn after all.

“Percy? If I’m disturbing you, I can leave…” Oliver said quietly.

Percy shook his head, “You’re fine. I have just been thinking too hard. I think leaving the office for a nice long lunch is just what I need. Where would you like to go?”

Oliver gaped at him of course in shock, “Well, um there is this new Chinese place here in Chudley…”

Percy nodded, grabbing a light jacket, “I needed to go over some things with you anyway…”

“Like what?” Oliver frowned.

“What sort of promotion as the Cannon’s Keeper that you find acceptable now that we are affianced.”

Oliver sighed, “There isn’t a difference, I’ve always said I was taken or seeing someone. It’s not my fault if someone assumed I meant I was bonded to Quidditch and had no room in my heart for another love.”

Percy remembered Oliver brushing off confessions in Hogwarts, even more so after scouts from teams like his beloved Puddlemere began attending his matches. He just hadn’t realized it was because of him, he really needed to treat Oliver better. Inwardly sighing at his own oblivious selfishness, he slipped his hand into his lover’s and the other into his pocket.

Oliver just beamed after he recovered from the shock.

Percy wasn’t into public displays of affection.

Percy’s heart began to race, maybe they really did belong together. It wasn’t as if Percy could see himself with anyone else. It had been Penelope who decided that the head Boy and Head Girl ought to date. That is until Andret confessed and she exchanged one Weasley for another essentially.

No more on that, he was going to enjoy himself…

XooooooX

Fleur was surprised when Bill walked in just as the bell rang for lunch with a picnic basket.

Her bonded greeted his cousin Calibom and praised Cal’s daughter while her Seventh-Year students packed up. Then he teased Mal’s sister-in-law playfully about how she was prettier every day.

Bill really only had eyes for herself so Fleur didn’t bother being jealous, Giselle Bulstrode was madly in love with her Millie to the point of staring at her rings in awe and caressing her swelling stomach absently. It was Bill’s way of being friendly…

Once the students left, Bill tugged her through her office to a balcony with a blanket and cushioning charms.

It was a warm Autumn day surprisingly.

They both missed Egypt sometimes but they would definitely take their children there someday.

“3omri. Do you remember what day it is?”

Fleur blinked.

Bill coughed, “Today is the day we met in the dormitory’s common area.”

Fleur blushed, “I remember, I dropped a book.”

“And I picked it up. I had just returned from a hunt and was headed out to go shopping.”

Fleur was flattered that he remembered the day so clearly and had decided to celebrate with a special lunch, it was still warm enough to eat outside.

Bill remembered all of her favorites, even the ones from Egypt that he’d introduced her to.

He pulled out a black velvet box nervously.

Fleur was surprised, she already had her rings and that house…

“William?”

Bill cracked it open, “I saved this…”

It was a golden ankh on a black velvet cord.

It was clearly well made, both in form and in spell content.

“Yes?” Fleur asked breathlessly.

“It was made from the small amount of gold from my first foray into a tomb that I was allowed. I chose the ankh because it’s a symbol of life and from the land where we fell in love. I cast the protection spells myself, it’s my hope that it will protect you and our son. It will reflect certain types of magic and absorb others to retain its power. It will glow blue if there are potions in your food, there shouldn’t be but I want you to feel as safe as possible.”

The any and all possibilities seemed to be a partial result of Ginny almost injuring Mal who was pregnant, Colin who needed help and was badly injured as well as Ginny almost causing her own miscarriage.

Fleur kissed him tenderly, before bowing her head and holding her hair out of the way so he could place the ankh around her neck. He could be so sweet, just when she thought he couldn’t top their home, he goes and does this.

She really was quite blessed…

Once the ankh was around her neck, the two of them lounged on the picnic blanket and fed one another.

Fleur was certain that Bill would make an excellent papa…

XooooooX

Michael had withdrawn from his friends.

He might be his sire’s heir and Mishel’s sole caregiver, but he was determined to do well this year academically.

It had been a wrench to give up his prefect’s badge and not try out for his House Quidditch team, but he was a father and technically a bonded wizard.

He felt as if spending too much time with his peers who had avoided the Lilithean’s attentions would make him wish for a less complicated life.

Fate had dealt him a hand that was partially his own fault, seeing as how he had been reckless. While he wouldn’t wish his daughter out of existence, it was still plausible that due to his poor choices that she might have been born anyway.

He couldn’t give Mishel a responsible bearer who could raise her with the love she deserved but he could give her himself as a decent single father. He was determined to be there for her…

Michael carried Mishel strapped beneath his robes to classes, thankfully Mal who was his sister-in-law through Ginny was providing his daughter with milk. Rumour had it that she was doing the same for Ron’s daughter as well.

He felt sorry for Lavender, unlike himself, the blonde witch was in love with her idiot Weasley. How did Ginny and Ron come out of that family? The rest of their siblings; half, whole and adopted were excellent students and hard-workers.

Even if Fred was as resistant about parenthood as Ron and Ginny; George who was supposedly the younger twin had stepped up and with his Bonded’s consent had taken in his niece.

Michael had gotten up with every feed, surviving on cat naps and pepper-up potions. While he knew his mother, Gwen would love to dote on Mishel, he had almost lost her already because of Ginny’s fall and he was reluctant to part with his daughter. He was terrified that someone might accuse him of being a bad parent and take her away.

He was exhausted, having spent the weeks prior to Mishel’s emergency delivery doing as much work academically as possible.

He was surprised when his portrait guardian announced a visitor.

Micheal stumbled to his feet and headed to see who it was.

He was surprised to see not one of his four sisters or his own twin Stephen but one of his old friends, Terry Bott.

“Hi…”

Mishel chose that moment to wake up and cry softly.

To Michael’s surprise, his old friend wiggled past him and plucked Mishel up from her cradle humming an unfamiliar lullaby.

Michael’s exhaustion was just about the only thing that kept him from telling Terry to go away. That and he was intrigued…

Terry changed Mishel’s nappy with gentleness and even accepted a bottle from a Goyle house elf, humming that lullaby all the while.

Michael felt a bit of guilt that Ginny, Mishel’s bearer couldn’t even do that.

“Well are you just going to stand there?” Terry said in a low voice. “Sit down before you fall over.”

Michael blearily collapsed in an arm chair.

“When your mother mentioned you never bring Mishel to visit her in the nursery, I was afraid you were doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“Working yourself into a state of exhaustion.”

“I’m a single parent because I wasn’t circumspect about whom I bedded.” Michael groaned. “I have to do this.”

“Take a sleeping draught before I call your mother.”

“Terry,” Michael protested.

“You can see I know what I’m doing, I have siblings you know. A bit younger than yours I’ll have you know. Now lay down and rest. My homework is finished and I’m bored. You won’t ask for help Michael, but you need it. Let me help, just for a little while. If you work yourself until you pass out, you’ll be no help for Mishel.”

“She needs me.” Michael insisted.

“She needs her daddy to be healthy. If you keep this up, you’ll be in St. Mungos. I promise I won’t even leave the apartment. You can sleep right there if you don’t trust me. You can’t do this alone and if no one else is willing to step up despite your pride and insistence that you can handle it, then I will. She’s a cute baby, it’s a pity that you’re doing this alone.” Terry said soothingly.

Before he could really kick up more than a token protest, Michael felt himself drifting off.

At least Terry hadn’t forced him to take a potion or worse, used a spell to make him sleep.

There was something comforting about not being alone, Terry had always been shy but helpful when he needed it, by providing that one book he needed for an essay or opening the text to answer a question. Terry never was truly pushy but he’d always been there when he needed him…

Out of all of his ‘friends’ that he and Stephen shared, Terry would be the only one he would trust…

What did that mean? Was his last thought...

XooooooX

Lavender had made an appointment with the new mind healer.

She knew that she was worrying Pavarti and she wanted to prove she was alright.

“So, word around the school is that Gwen’s sire refuses to be involved in anyway.”

Lavender flinched.

Ron had made that quite clear in front of practically the entire school.

“How are you coping? You have NEWT courses and are essentially a single mother.”

“Pavarti and Dean have been very kind, they let us stay with them even though Gwen and I have our own place. Ron’s adopted sister provides milk…”

“That hurts worse than being single, doesn’t it? That you can’t feed her…”

“Healer Andromeda has tried practically everything, adjusting my diet and even offering potions but nothing helps. I’ve been dry. I don’t remember any wet spots before Gwen was born. Perhaps, I should have realized something was wrong before… Pavarti and Mal showed signs that their bodies were preparing for it. I’m sure Pansy’s has as well but she’s too fastidious to let me or anyone else see that.”

“Ron’s made himself unhelpful since you’ve known about Gwen, hasn’t he?”

“If by that you mean, he won’t share a bed with me… then yes. He tried to avoid my company and even protested being bonded to me. He was disgusted to share a house with Pansy even if she was my cousin. Pavarti had family issues to work through due to her pregnancy and I felt very abandoned. Pansy and I were both pregnant, we hadn’t been close in a long time but we’re family. She doesn’t have many female friends or even a sister so as her cousin and host, I wanted her to feel welcome. I was ever so pleased with I learned that her bonded Vince asked to have her apartment near mine.”

“Has Pansy stayed close?”

Lavender nodded, “We share all of our classes after all… she borrows Gwen sometimes so I can study. She hasn’t had her sons yet so I suppose she’s practicing. Most of us are, we have friends with babies so we get some practice in before ours are born.” Her face fell and her voice was hushed with shame, “I sometimes feel so jealous when I see Pavarti with Dean and her Parisa… I wish them all the best but I want that. Ron came from a big family who seemed so close. I was sure he’d pick Hermione because she was smarter and was next to him all the time. When I found out about Gwen I was hopeful, but after hearing he was reticent, I thought maybe he didn’t believe my feelings were genuine. Now…”

“You realise he’s an immature brat with an inferiority complex.”

Lavender flinched. “Something like that.”

“So, what are you going to do? Separate legally? Pardon my rudeness but have you consummated the contract?”

“We’re already living apart, what is the point of being legally separated?” Lavender muttered under her breath, pointedly ignoring the final question.

“You deserve more then what you have. A relationship with someone who respects you and is willing to be a father to your daughter. Someone who sees the wonderful person that you are. You had to have a contract because you were expecting but if it’s not consummated then you can have it exchanged for a backdated one-child contract. You don’t deserve to be made miserable because you and Gwen aren’t wanted.”

“What do you know about bad relationships?” Lavender sighed.

“My bonded and I grew up next door to one another. We each had one Muggleborn and one Halfblood parent each. We were out in the woods, in our special place making love when we were brutally attacked and left for dead. We were eventually found by our fathers, who were sent to bring us in for dinner. They dumped us in St. Mungos and refused to be responsible for us.” The mind healer admitted softly.

“Luckily our education was already paid for, but we had to get jobs during the holidays and weekends to save up money. We put ourselves through school. We were lucky enough to be given partial scholarships and the Tonks’ let us live with them rent free until recently. They recommended us to Professor Flitwick and he took us on. I don’t know what we would have done without them. They were guardian angels to us, don’t let the mask fool you, Andromeda can be a very helpful person. She sees what others don’t wish to…”

Lavender was appalled, they were attacked and left for dead? For being bent? Lavender may have had her own personal issues but she knew that the night healer and the mind healer were bonded. She couldn’t understand why Ron was so disgusted by George and Harry being gay, there was nothing wrong with it. Padma was bonded to a woman and no one cared…

“I could never abandon my baby like that, I don’t care how old she is.” Lavender said fiercely. “I just want her to be loved and to have a relationship where she is treated with respect…”

“The same respect you deny yourself?” the mind healer asked archly.

Lavender flinched, “I know but he has good qualities, I just wish he…”

“Would be responsible and apply himself. Ron Weasley never has, he tries to bully others to do his work for him. He has befriended the most embarrassing Hufflepuffs and spends most of his time calling Harry Potter a whore for being in love with Draco Malfoy who is just using him for sex until he can turn him over to You-Know-Who. Regardless of that fact that the loss of such a number of his followers was such a blow to devastate his ranks. I believe that Lucius Malfoy as well as Andromeda were involved in defending Diagon Alley along with Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Severus Prince.”

“He’s lonely…”

‘That’s not an excuse for his behaviour Lavender. You deserve better, no one could call themselves family or a friend and not want that for you. They don’t wish to hurt you more by telling you to request a contract that sets you free. Pushing you like that might make you turn on them and they don’t want you to be alone. I’m different, I’m not your friend. I’m not blood but I still believe that you deserve better. You do deserve the same sort of relationship that Pavarti has. Unfortunately, Ron will never be able to give you that Lavender.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“You need to believe that you deserve better and accept that Ron will never be the partner you deserve.”

“Okay…”

Lavender let herself out, her arms were aching for Gwen but her heart ached for them both.

“You know without the parasite, you actually are hot…”

Lavender flinched.

Ron…

She knew she should protest Gwen being called a parasite…

Ron smelled funny, but his hands were touching her the way she wanted…

“I forgot what you looked like when you weren’t fat…”

“Ron! Molesting witches in the corridors is inappropriate.”

“I’m not molesting witches. I’m talking to my wife. Go away Pavarti, no one cares what you think.”

“Gwen’s fussing, we thought maybe she sensed you were upset. Dean’s watching our girls but I came for you.”

“Gwen needs me?” Lavender’s self-esteem rose a little.

“She’ll always need you.” Pavarti’s tone was gentle with her but her friend was glaring at Ron like he was a counterfeit, well anything…

“Have you been drinking Ron? You smell like fire whiskey.”

Lavender spun around, crushed. That was that smell? Ron was drunk? He only wanted her because he was drunk? Her bottom lip trembled, “Take me home Pavarti…”

Her friend took her hand and led her back towards the apartment that Pavarti and Dean generously shared with her and Gwen.

She knew she deserved better, but she still wanted Ron…

XooooooX

George pumped sometimes but shyly because his pectorals were so full that they ached.

It really wasn’t so bad with two sets of hands even if they had three little girls.

It helped that he pumped on the rare occasion that all three were hungry at the same time, after all he only had two nipples to feed with.

Brecc, contrary to Fred, Lee and Alicia’s sour comments was gentle and careful, not only with the girls but with George as well. George might be a Gryffindor but there was much to be said about how actions spoke louder than words.

Every time George had to pump, Brecc would snap his fingers and refreshments would be delivered so he wouldn’t get dehydrated.

If George was too tired and Brecc’s knee too stiff, instead of letting an elf take care of the girls, they were under orders to deliver the babe if they were hungry to bring them to the bed.

There were times when George would snatch a few hours of precious sleep to wake and find Brecc on the settee in their adjoining sitting room surrounded with the girls’ cribs.

Sometimes, he’d find Brecc with a girl on his chest, them both sleeping while there were two other girls sleeping beside him in the nearest crib.

Like right now for instance…

Brecc could have blamed him by proxy for his injury and taken the girls from him, forbidding him to see them. Yet, Brecc had been a wonderful helpmate who dove into the business and handled the boring paperwork that Fred always left to George, despite his already being busy with product creation.

Brecc was even considering Gideon’s proposition of their combining the shop with their two Quidditch teams to have one business altogether. George was more than willing to let Brecc decide if that was right choice financially. He had agreed to turn their pranks into a business because as fourth and fifth born respectively, as well their father being on the outs with their Weasley grandfather, it was unlikely they would inherit anything.

Now thanks to Grandfather Septimus and Uncle Gideon, who was now their legal papa, they all had some amount in a trust vault. It wasn’t a large like the one that Bill would inherit because he was officially grandfather’s heir.

George was happier now then he’d ever expected to be…

He had his dream wizard as his bondmate, he felt cherished and they were raising three beautiful girls.

While he did wish that Fred was more responsible and willing to be involved in Clary’s life, he’d fallen in love with his niece just as surely as he had his daughters Nixie and Gail.

He hadn’t known he was capable of loving so much until he lay in bed with Brecc with them holding their three girls.

Now his heart was even fuller…

He carried the girls back to their cribs beside the bed with gentleness that kept them from waking.

George gently massaged Brecc’s bad knee, knowing it would be stiff.

His bonded woke slowly, “George? You’re supposed to be resting…”

George pouted playfully, “The bed got cold. I woke up alone…no girls…no you. I came to get you. The girls are tucked in, now it’s your turn.”

Brecc tried to pull him down onto the settee sleepily.

“You sleep better in the bed where we can prop your knee up with the right sort of pillow and you can get in the best position.” George said tugging on his bonded’s hands insistently. “Please?”

“The bed’s cold?” Brecc asked archly as he let George pull him up.

“I rolled into your spot because I was cold… that’s when I woke up. You and Clary were so adorable, I couldn’t be mad but I do want to snuggle.” George knew that Brecc wouldn’t have allowed him to do that if he wasn’t certain that his stomach muscles were healed from delivering Nixie and Gail.

Brecc nuzzled the top of his head and wrapped an arm around George’s shoulders to brace himself while George wrapped an arm around the bear-sized former Slytherin.

They really had lucked out on each other.

George helped Brecc get comfortable in their bed before he snuggled in next to him.

He definitely preferred a warm bed, he’d missed the comfort sharing a bed meant after he and Fred were banished to cots after Ron was big enough to need a bed.

Brecc’s bed was even nicer than the one he had at Hogwarts.

Brecc didn’t tease him for his worry about expense or even that he had formerly lived in a shack.

George was ever so grateful that Brecc treated him kindly, he’d always believed that Brecc was nicer then he seemed on the pitch. Trailing after Brecc and Adrian Pucey for marks had been his way of trying to stand out without standing out too much. Fred’s confidence was only truly apparent if he was outshining someone, George was just happy he didn’t have be that someone anymore. He wanted to be someone Brecc and their girls were proud of.

Curled up with Brecc in their bed and knowing he was a very lucky wizard, George basked in Brecc’s warmth as he fell asleep.

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?
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Rise of the Cannonites