To Win the Heart of a Dragon

Chapter 2: The Burrow

           The Burrow was one of Rhea's favorite places in the world, having only partly to do with the ginger haired man that lived there. There was a warmth to the home that made everyone feel like they belonged and Mrs.Weasley made sure everyone knew and felt that they did. The Burrow was her second home and everyone that lived there her family.

Rhea apperated onto a nearby hill, and was basking in the warmth of the sunlight on her face and the feeling of the wind blowing; making her hair dance around her like fire. She closed her eyes savoring the quiet moment.

Across the field from Rhea, stood a man leaning against the door frame with his hands in the pockets of his jeans, admiring her from afar. His blue eyes themselves danced as he took her in, and a smile ghosting his lips. He was so enraptured with her that he didn't hear his mother come up behind him.

Molly reached out her hand and placed it softly on her oldest son's shoulder, hoping not to startle him, but she still felt him jump slightly under her touch. She smiled up to him saying " Go grab her before we have to go hunt her down."

Bill chuckled as he stepped out into the field. Rhea had a habit of disappearing out into the fields surrounding the burrow, and watching the clouds or finding and tracing constellations. She claimed she was "connecting with nature", which Bill had no doubt she really was. There was something about her he could never quite put his finger on; maybe it was her magic that was so attuned with nature, or perhaps that was just her. But she seemed to vibrate with the energies of nature itself. Bill had more than a few times wondered if she could even talk with animals. Another thing she was strangely always attuned to. It was as though she was mother nature incarnate, a wayward thought that always put Bill a bit on edge; feeling as though she wasn't real, that she was a dream or fantasy thought up by his imagination.

As Bill neared her, her features became more prominent, and he took a moment to really look at her; absorb some of the magic that he seemed to always feel around her. She really was stunning, not that she knew she was, and maybe, Bill thought, that was what had always pulled him to her. She didn't know just how beautiful she was inside and out, she was grounded and modest.

He took in the rebellious nature of her, that she had marked on her skin. Each tattoo a story, a memory, a moment in time she had painted into her skin. The way her hair caught the light made Bill's breath catch in his throat; the color of her hair would make even the most beautiful rose jealous.

Her eyes snapped open, and the silver of them looked molten rather than stormy in the sunlight; and the smile that spread across her face was brighter than the sun. Bill was sure that if he died at that moment, that his heaven would be this scene playing on repeat.

"Hey there RJ." He breathed as he opened his arms to her.

That was all the invitation she needed, and was bounding towards him, jumping into his awaiting embrace. As he caught her, he felt her warm breath on his neck as she whispered out "Billy".

A pleasant shiver made its way down his back. It seemed fate had been cruel, to Bill. It had given him an angel, a celestial being, who Bill would never be able to have. It was no secret to anyone, except Charlie it seemed, that her heart belonged to another. Bill seemed to resign to fate's merciless joke, as he had been defenceless when it came to falling in love with her.

Bill relished the feeling of her in his arms; breathing in her scent: rain, honey, and a scent that made Bill imagine a meadow.

"Come on, let's head in. Lily and Harry are already here, and I'm sure they are dying to see you." He said, smiling down at her.

"I just saw them yesterday! I'm sure they are tired of me by now!" She laughed, as she took his hand in hers, swinging their entwined hands wildly, as she made way toward the Burrow.

Walking into the house Rhea saw her dads already there with Lily and Harry, as Bill had told her, drinking tea. Molly seemed to appear out of thin air as she embraced Rhea.

"You're getting far too thin dear. Come sit, I'll grab you a bite." Molly said as she affectionately patted her cheek.

Rhea was all too happy to oblige Molly's request as Molly disappeared into the kitchen; Molly was an amazing cook and it had been far too long since Rhea had enjoyed Molly's cooking.

Molly soon reappeared placing a plate of food in front of Rhea as she took the seat next to the girl she loved as a daughter. Since Rhea had been born it had been Molly's secret hope that the girl would become part of the family. The way Rhea looked at Charlie had not escaped her, nor the way Bill looked at Rhea, as if she was the most precious thing in the world. It was a tough situation and Molly had taken her husband, Arthur's, advice to not get involved and let nature run its course. What was meant to be will be. But that didn't mean she wouldn't try to help push things along, just a little.

Rhea was taking a bite of her sandwich as Molly decided to ask "So love when are you going to settle down and get married?"

"I've been wondering the same thing." Lily added.

The sudden question had Rhea choking on her food and everyone else at the table falling over themselves laughing.

Once Rhea regained her composure, she responded with, what she hoped was a noncommittal answer that would, by mercy of the gods, hopefully stop this line of questioning. "Molly, Aunt Lily, I've just started my career and I also don't have a fiance, let alone a boyfriend who might become one."

Rhea once again set her focus on the plate of food in front of her, with reddened cheeks she hoped no one noticed. But there was little doubt in her mind that they had indeed noticed. Rhea wasn't entirely unsurprised by the line of questioning. She knew her aunt and Molly meant well, they loved her and just wanted her to be happy.

"And why is that?" Lily asked her, taking a sip of her tea.

Rhea looked around the table, hoping to find assistance from someone, but all she seemed to find was curiosity pointed her way, and what she swore was a knowing look from Harry. A look she was hoping was just her imagination.

"Fuck." She swore under her breath. Sending up a quiet prayer to any god listening for help.

As luck would have it, or maybe it was the gods answering her prayer, her Uncle Prongs burst into the quiet house.

"Uncle Prongs!" She yelled as she got up and run to him, jumping into his arms. "You have to help me!" she begged him softly.

James looked up questioningly at the group around the table. Harry was the one to answer his silent question. "Mom and Molly are asking her why she doesn't have a boyfriend."

"Oh." Was all James said for a moment, walking to the table to take a seat. Once he was seated he turned to his goddaughter and said "So why is it you don't have a boyfriend?"

Rhea's last hope for help disintegrated before her eyes. She let out an exasperated sigh, "Not you too Uncle Prongs!" In an attempt to ground herself she took a shaky breath, looking down at the table in front of her and continued, "I don't have a boyfriend because unlike you and Aunt Lily, and my dads, the person I love doesn't and never will love me back. And I've made peace with my lot in life. I'm okay being alone." She could feel the tingling of tears behind her eyes but willed the tears away as she looked up from the table.

She was met with somber expressions. She knew it wasn't the answer they wanted or even hoped to hear, but it was in Rhea's opinion, the truth of the matter. She was in love with a man who would not and could not love her back the same way she loved him.

Several, long and uncomfortable, moments of silence passed as the front door opened and a new person entered the room.

Rhea turned to look at the newcomer and her eyes immediately sparkled and a smile grew on her face, "Charlie!" She exclaimed as she got up from her seat. As she did, she noticed he wasn't alone and was holding hands with someone hidden behind him.

Rhea's smile faltered for just a moment, but inside her emotions were raging like a storm. She could have sworn, she felt her heart breaking at that moment, but she didn't let it show on her face.

Out from behind Charlie stepped a beautiful blonde, and Rhea knew nothing would ever be the same again.