What Do A Lion And A Wolf Share?

Braving the Burrow

"Malfoy is right," Hermione finally said, breaking the stilted silence Theo's comment had instigated. She ignored the pit in her stomach as she agreed with the git who'd just left them and shoved him from her mind. "We need to get ahead of this so the press can't run wild with whatever narrative they cook up. Rita Skeeter is out for blood when it concerns me."

"Why would a gossip columnist have a problem with you?" Theo asked, his curiosity finally bringing him out from the journal he has been scouring.

"A long story for another time. I'll promise I'll tell you about it later - we have to focus on a plan," she dismissed his concerned look. "I know we intended to tell my friends this week, but I think we need to act today, so we can file the papers and tackle the press on Monday. At a minimum I need to tell Harry and Ron, but ideally, I'd like to tell the Weasleys today too. They're like a second family." In response to his nods, she grabbed a piece of parchment and added: "You'll have to come with me. I'll owl them now to see if we could have dinner tonight."

"We also need to handle the press. I will reach out to Lady Malfoy for help with her contacts so we can-"

"Actually, I am hoping I can pull in a reporter friend of mine to break the story. I'm sure we can schedule an exclusive tomorrow. But perhaps we could ask for Lady Malfoy's guidance in dealing with the press after the story breaks?" Hermione interrupted, trying to be gracious, though the thought of interacting with Narcissa Malfoy turned her stomach. Theo nodded and grabbed parchment too.

Later that evening, Theo and Hermione apparated just outside of the Burrow. The sight of it alone made her giddy with comfortable nostalgia, as she hadn't seen it in two years. "Let's talk battle plan."

"Are we going into battle, then?" Theo twisted his mouth before morphing his expression into the cold indifference she associated with Slytherins when they were in school. In that moment, it occurred to her that he must have grown up going into one battle or another each time he sat down at a dinner table as a child.

"Deep breath. Nothing like that, the Weasleys are friendly. I just want you to know what we are walking into. Molly - Mrs. Weasley- will be shoveling food towards you and calling you too skinny. Arthur is a gentle man who might ask you a question or two, but he tends to sit back as things play out here. Ron's older siblings will likely be polite. But don't eat anything George gives you," she added the warning sternly, recalling the Canary Custard Creams Incident from her fourth year.

"Why not?" Theo asked suspiciously.

"Do you want to turn orange? Or sprout wings?" When Theo's eyebrows hit his hairline, she continued quickly. "Then steer clear of George's food. Also don't stare at Bill's wife - she is part-Veela."

"She's what?" Theo's jaw dropped, no doubt picturing the flashy Bulgarian Quidditch team's mascot lineup.

"Fleur. She was the Beauxbatons champion in our fourth year. You may remember her?"

"Bloody hell, Blaise is going to kill me when he finds out I've had dinner with her."

"Somehow I doubt he'd envy this dinner. She's also happily married, Theo. Anyway, the people to be most concerned about are Ron, Harry, and Ginny. While they're quick to react, I'm sure they'll love you. Ready?" Hermione was nearly winded from expelling the information so rapidly. When he nodded, she gave him a reassuring grin and knocked before opening the door.

"Hermione!" Ginny yelled, pulling Hermione into a crushing embrace after she made it a single step through the doorway. Over her shoulder, Theo made eye contact with the youngest Weasely. He gave a small wave to the girl whose red eyebrows were knitted in deep confusion. "And you brought a guest?"