A Weasley Mess *ON HOLD - REWRITE*

XII.End of an Era

"Yes, dear?" She crooned, her motherly tone more so than she had ever gotten from her own mum.

"I wanted to give you something as a gesture, a thanks for taking me in when I had no one." She started off stuttering, but she got more and more sure in herself as she spoke. Finally she looked up at Mrs. Weasley again, bracing a smile.

"Sweetie, you don't need to. It's a pleasure to have you, so little fuss!" She chuckled softly, patting Claire on her arm. But yet she extended her hand and offered her new diamond bracelet.

It was the one her parents had given her, and she could promise that it was extremely expensive. But she didn't care, money didn't matter as much as love and family did. Mrs. Weasley gaped, absolutely shocked as she looked down at what Claire was offering her.

Looking from Claire to the bracelet again and again she feebly put out her hand to close Claire's

"Sweetie, you don't have to." Her tone was shaky. Claire didn't give up though, she took the bracelet and clasped it around her wrist.

"Never have I ever come home and been hugged by my mother like you did the very first time we met. This bracelet was a present from my parents, and that's why I want you to have it. I have never felt like I had a family until your sons included me the very moment I sat down in The Great Hall." By the end Mrs. Weasley had tears in her eyes. She immediately grabbed Claire and hugged her so hard that Claire feared her ribs would crack a little.

"If you were mine, I would never have let you go." She petted her hair, pushing motherly affection she had never experienced. "You deserve better than them, Claire. And you will always be welcome at the Burrow."

A few hours had passed and the clock was almost eight. Gonna and Claire was still in their room, mostly pampering Ginny to her heart's desire.

Ginny had on her midnight blue dress, the pearl necklace she had gotten from Claire, and some light lip tint. Claire didn't feel like endorsing much makeup when she was still this young; best not to ruin skin and perfectly good eyelashes before they found it necessary themselves. Ginny put on some black flats. She looked so adorable, the hours she had spent making it happen was totally worth it.

Claire had slipped on her white lace dress. It was a sleeveless fit and flare with a slight v-neck, stopped at her mid thigh in the front and went a little lower in the back. She had paired it with sparkly pumps, pearl earrings and a golden hair chain that rested on her fluffy, curled silken hair.

She felt like a princess and she wasn't yet sure if it was for her benefit or someone else's yet.

Both of them headed downstairs to the kitchen, which was decked with all kinds of food and dessert. She would swear on it, the Weasley's would one day ruin her waistline!

"Girls!" Mrs. Weasley beamed, wearing that diamond bracelet still. She looked at both of them and gushed over how grown up Ginny looked.

Ginny kept blushing furiously as Molly crooned to Mr. Weasley about how the young ones grew up too fast. So Claire hooked her arm into Ginny's and made an excuse.

"Ginny! You have to help me." She beamed at Mrs. Weasley and Ginny blew out a relieved breath.

"Thanks." She laughed, surprised at how intense her mother had been.

"Such a pretty YOUNG LADY!" She bellowed the last part, earning a smack of the back of her head.

Both of them giggled loudly as they made a short round around the first floor.

"Come, come!" Cried Mrs. Weasley, making both Claire and Ginny quickly shuffle off to get their usual seats.

They sat down, both on each their sides of the food filled table. In due time, a few seconds in fact, Bill sat down at her opposite side. He immediately caught her eye and smiled a smile that only the two of them saw.