Love Will Find A Way

Chapter One: Insinuations

It seemed like an eternity ago.

It was difficult to contemplate a time that she had spent without her father or the Weasley family in general. Living without magic seemed so foreign to her now. It made her wonder what life would have been like if she had never learned that she was a witch. The day she turned eleven would always be one of her cherished memories... it was the day her life changed drastically and forever. It'd be revered as the day when she finally found out who she was and where exactly she came from. The Wizarding world was a whole new experience... something out of a dream. She still wondered to herself what reason her mum had to leave magic behind for eleven long years and live as a muggle. She didn't understand why her mum, graduating as a top student at Hogwarts, decided to leave it all behind.

She also remembered how nice it was to be an only child, and yet how lonely she used to feel. She also couldn't imagine how life would be now without her younger twin siblings - Junior and Lynn ( Ron Junior and Lolynnae Abbrielle). She still remembered vividly that first day of Christmas break back in her first year when her mum had told her she was pregnant, and the day her parents finally got married that summer. It really did seem like it was ages ago. Yet in retrospect, still felt like it was only yesterday.

Another day that would also be treasured was the day she met Alex Wood - her best friend for going on seven years. Before Hogwarts, she used to feel so insignificant compared to everyone else and thanks to Alex she was much more confident.

Mahaila Lavara Weasley - now seventeen - was still the same shy and self conscious girl that came to Hogwarts in her first year though. The emotional scars she got before Hogwarts with kids picking on her insistently were still present. Magic when done by accident doesn't make you too many friends... back then she didn't understand how she did these things. And neither did the other kids, and they made sure to never let her feel normal. They didn't understand it. She stuck up for herself now of course, but it still didn't wipe the scars of the past away.

At the present time, she was stretched out on her king-sized bed and gazing around her medium sized room, seemingly bored. At times like these, when she was all alone, she couldn't help but think about life before Hogwarts, before she ever knew magic even existed. For eleven long years it was only her and her mother. She never knew of the Weasleys or her father, not even of her mother's family. She'd go to school each day just to be teased mercilessly because she didn't have much money, even though her mum worked two jobs. The ring leader of all the teasing was usually none other than a boy named Davie Melton - a brown-eyed, black-haired boy who would actually be quite nice looking without his constant pompous stature.

When Mahaila started her first year at Hogwarts she was happy to leave that all behind, it was like a new beginning. However, she was given a tough reality when she found out that Davie was accepted to Hogwarts too. He was put into Slytherin. Mahaila was put in Gryffindor like the rest of her family.

As she sunk back into the present she was instantly filled with tiny butterflies in her stomach. It really was surreal that this was her last year at Hogwarts; She still didn't have a clue what she wanted to do as a career. Her mum had already gave her books and pamphlets on about every job imaginable. She had very good marks luckily (thanks in big part to her mother - Hermione), which would make the job field more open to her in whatever she chose. She had received a letter earlier that summer saying that she was to be Headgirl. She had been Prefect the year before. Alex had also been one and would have been chosen to be Headboy, but he turned it down to be Quidditch captain. Mahaila was proud of him, he was very talented. She had always looked forward to seeing him play games ever since he had been accepted on the team in his second year. With years of experience in the Quidditch department, at school and also summer Quidditch camp since he was six, he planned on going pro after school. Which probably wouldn't be difficult with his dad - Oliver Wood - already playing for a national team.

On another note, with all things good also brings bad. Davie still had to pick on her every so often, she guessed for an ego boost. Though it didn't really bother her much anymore. He never said anything too harsh, because she had reason to believe he was afraid of Alex. Alex never liked him ever since Davie had picked on Mahaila in the boat up to the castle in first year. Alex had come to her rescue. In the end it resulted in Davie being drenched thoroughly from being knocked out of the boat and the start of a seven year friendship between Alex and Mahaila.

She had to go back to Hogwarts in two weeks, and she was very ready to see her friends and start the year. But as much as she wanted that, she also wanted it to slip by as slowly as possible. She didn't want to leave Hogwarts and her friends behind. She got up off of her bed and went over to her dresser. She smiled as she saw a picture of her and Alex in second year. It was the first game he had won for Gryffindor and they were both ecstatic. She smiled as she saw Alex grinning wildly with an arm around her as they both waved at the camera. She then looked from the picture to the mirror in front of her.

She peered in it, biting her lip. To her, she looked the same as she did in the picture she had just looked at, although her hair was a little darker and a little longer. It fell to her waist with a mixture of dark red and auburn tones, waving slightly at the ends. Her eyes were like her mother's - dark brown. She also had a few freckles here and there, but not all over the place like most of the Weasleys. The only thing that she knew had changed since that picture was her body. She now had a more womanly figure that she had acquired over the years, like most girls her age. Though no one seemed to notice, that she could tell anyway, and she was fine with that.

She jumped slightly as she heard her mother call for her at the end of the stairs. She looked at her reflection once more, sighed, and made her way downstairs to see what she was being called for.

"What do you want, mum?" she asked curiously as she saw her mum put on a bergundy cloak.

"I have to go into work. Ellinore couldn't make it in today," she replied quickly, looking at Mahaila seriously. Her mother worked as a Code Breaker for the Ministry of Magic and her father worked as the Head of the Foreign Magical Cooperations Department. "I need you to watch the twins desperately. Your dad works late tonight, apparently there was a dragon frying a town in Brazil, so he will be performing tons of memory charms. Oh, and I'm also going to stop by Diagon Alley before coming home to get some things and do your shopping for school. I would have you come along, but I just need a break for a while, you know? Since you're going back to school I won't have a chance to breathe because I'll have to bring the twins everywhere with me when I'm home. I can't ask your grandma for too much, she's getting too old to chase after two six year olds. And your father is always exhausted when he comes home from work. It's not too much of a hassle?" asked Hermione, looking at her hopefully.

"It's not a problem at all," Mahaila replied with a shrug. Her mum hugged her quickly as a way of showing her gratitude, before smiling widely and Disapparating.

Mahaila heaved a sigh as she went into the living room and found her brother and sister playing with blocks and chatting enthusiastically. They looked so young and care free, she couldn't help but smile. She wished she would have had their childhood.

"What are you building?" she asked curiously, as she sat on the sofa in front of them.

"A castle of course! Can't you tell?" replied Ron Junior, giving his sister a huge grin. Mahaila smiled back and nodded.

"It's like your school, right? It's a castle too..." replied Lynn matter-of-factly. Mahaila loved how they both always tried to impress her when she was around.

Mahaila picked up a book on the side table out of boredom. With her mum, there was always a book or two on every table. She began to read when a huge gray owl swooped into the living room from the open window, startling her and her siblings. As soon as she saw it, she automatically knew who's owl it was...

As she took the rolled up parchment from it's leg, she couldn't help but smile to herself. It had been a few weeks since they corresponded. She hastily unrolled it and began to read to herself:

After she had finished, she rolled it back up with a smile still plastered on her face. Of course she'd love to go. In all of their time of being friends, she had never met his family and vise-versa. Every time she'd mention families he'd swiftly change the subject and she didn't want to elaborate on why... it wasn't any of her business. She knew with his father being a famous quidditch player that they valued their privacy. She only hoped her parents would let her go. She was snapped back to reality when her brother and sister started asking who the letter was from.

"The letter was from Alex," she answered finally, opening the book she was reading before.

"Oh..." said Junior, obviously bored with her answer and continued building.

"Alex is her boyfriend!" said Lynn with a grin and a giggle.

Mahaila felt her cheeks heat up at the mere mention. How was she supposed to explain to a six year old that she was not dating him? She had thought of what it would be like to date him of course, but then she would remind herself that he was her best friend and that was it. That's all she needed. She would not be like the other star struck girls who giggled when he walked by or try to flirt aimlessly with him. He was more than looks and Quidditch or the son of Oliver Wood. He had a caring personality that topped all of it. He was the best friend that anyone would love to have, and he happened to be hers. Being his friend was all she wanted and all she needed.

"No, Lynn... Alex is not my boyfriend, just a friend," she explained.

"Yeah, your boy-friend," said Lynn, giggling again.

"He is a boy, true, and yes, he is my friend... but not a boyfriend."

"That's what I said," Lynn rolled her eyes, "he is your boy-friend," she replied, with a shrug of her shoulders.

Mahaila gave up. It was no use arguing. She already had to do that enough at school. People seemed to think just because they were friends that there was something more going on. It started in fourth year when Davie had started the rumor. She couldn't remember being more humiliated ever. She hated going to the loos then, for there always seemed to be a girl wondering how good of a kisser Alex Wood was, and she hated explaining how she never did and never will kiss Alex, and he was only her friend. It didn't seem to bother Alex though, but nothing ever seemed to. He said he knew it was false so there was nothing to worry about. After a while people got bored of the new rumor and moved on to the next, much to Mahaila's relief. She hated being the center of attention.

A few hours later, Mahaila finally got the twins to sleep. Hermione came back with an armload of stuff and Mahaila quickly stood up and went over to help her unpack it all.

"Hey mum, can I ask you something?" she asked nervously, not sure of how to word her question.

"Of course Hailie, what is it?" she asked, looking at her expectantly.

"Well, I got a letter from Alex today and he asked if I could come and see the Quidditch World Cup with him, since his dad is playing he was able to get some tickets. So can I go please?" she asked with a pleading tone.

"Sure, that sounds fun!" her mum answered with a grin.

"Thank you!" she said in relief and gave her mum a hug. They continued unpacking the bags and boxes in silence until Mahaila plucked up enough courage to ask the second bit of her question.

"Um, there is also something else..." she said a minute later, biting her lip like she always did when nervous.

"What is it?"

"He asked if I could stay at his house until school starts," she said quickly. "So can I stay? It's only a few days, and there will be adult supervision. Not that I'd do anything wrong-"

"It's okay with me, I trust you, but you know you'll have to ask your father about this too."

"I know. I hope he says yes."

About a half hour later, Ron Apparated into the kitchen and made his way over to Hermione and Mahaila. He wrapped his arms around Hermione's waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. Mahaila smiled to herself. She wished that someday she could have what her parents have.

"So what have you two lovely ladies been doing today?"

"Well, I went into work for a bit and to Diagon Alley to buy some things and Hailie watched the twins. She also has a question to ask you." Hermione smiled encouragingly at her.

"Oh, and what's that?" he asked his daughter.

Mahaila felt her face go red, she hated being put on the spot. "Well, I got a letter from Alex today-" she started.

"And?"

"Is it okay for me to go and stay at his house until school starts?" asked Mahaila in a rush. She instantly wished she would have worded it differently.

Ron turned red. "Of course not!"

She felt her eyes fill with tears. "Why not?" she asked, eager to know why her dad suddenly had reason to become a first class jerk. Did he not trust her?

"Because I said so, that's why. Boys that age only have one thing on their mind, and it isn't Quidditch," replied Ron seriously.

"Alex is my best friend, he's not like that! You don't trust me!" she asked disbelievingly.

"I trust you now, but what you do when we are not around is another thing."

"Ron!" snapped Hermione, looking at her husband with wide eyes.

"So you don't trust me," replied Mahaila.

"Hermione, I am in no fixed state to become a grandfather any time soon! Don't tell me you agreed to this?" asked Ron dumfounded, before looking at Mahaila again. "Hailie, I was your age once, your mum was too, and you happened..."

"Well, I am not you, and I happen to have a whole lot more common sense not to shag my best friend thank you!" she muttered angrily. She was shocked that her dad was insinuating this.

Hermione looked horrified as she saw her husband and daughter arguing. She obviously didn't know what to say.

"There is no way I am letting you stay with some seventeen year old boy... friend or not," said Ron in a final sort of way.

"Fine," she replied through tears and pushed passed him and up the stairs. She sat at the top and eavesdropped on her parents' conversation.

"Ron, don't you think that's a bit harsh? Alex seems like a really nice boy."

"I don't think it's harsh at all, it's the truth. I can't believe you actually agreed to it, what were you thinking? Look what happened to us! If you remember, it all happened when I asked you to stay at my house in no other way than being friendly."

"You are over-reacting, he is just her friend. Hailie is smart. I doubt she would make the same mistake I did," said Hermione seriously.

"Hello Hermione! We were also best friends! You were top student at school, smartness has nothing to do with it! When you're that age, all you think about is your hormones... end of story."

"But I used to go to your house every summer."

"Totally different! Harry and Ginny were also there... and so was my whole family! No, I am not going to have my daughter stay with some teenage guy. She's not eleven anymore! You have the biggest brains I know, so think logically Hermione!" he said, frustrated.

"Fine, I suppose you're right. Mahaila is going hate you for a while, you know."

"Small price to pay in the long run."

Mahaila went to her room and threw herself on her bed. She couldn't believe her dad would think that of her, or of Alex. She thought he trusted her. She never even thought of doing something like that with Alex, or anyone else. She had never even kissed a boy! She really wished he wouldn't put their mistake at her feet. She couldn't wait to get out of the house and back to Hogwarts.