Disclaimer: I don't own anything Potter; I'm just borrowing the characters. No copyright infringement is intended, and I'm not making any money from the writing of this. It's all for a bit of innocent fun.
Inspired by the hp_3forfun community on LJ; original prompts - #1 – hot mulled cider with cinnamon sticks; #3 – autumn showers; #4 – raking leaves
After another burst of leaves sprayed against her face in a rainbow of oranges, yellows and reds, Hermione aimed a halfhearted glare at the ginger-haired wizards in front of her. Both pointed at the other as she placed one hand on her hip while the other held on to her rake. "How exactly does pelting me with leaves help with raking them?" she reprimanded, attempting to keep her expression stern as the two men smirked at her.
"Well, they're still ending up all in one place," Fred offered, suppressing a laugh when Hermione narrowed her eyes.
"Just not by the means you had in mind," his twin finished, breaking into a full grin. Shaking her head, Hermione returned to raking at the leaves around her, pulling them into the already large pile beside her feet. She waited until she heard the sound of the two men's rakes scraping against the dried leaves before slipping her wand free of its forearm sheath.
"Wingardium Leviosa," she murmured, softly enough that her voice would not carry. Levitating the large pile of leaves, Hermione cast a quick glance over her shoulder to be sure neither of the twins was facing her before guiding it towards them. "Boys," she trilled, catching both of their attentions at once. As they turned back to face her, she canceled her levitation charm with the leaves hovering just above their heads.
"Oi!" they exclaimed in unison, ducking their heads in a chorus of laughter as the leaves scattered around them. Hermione didn't notice when Fred pulled his own wand from the pocket of his Muggle jeans and sent a spray of the leaves towards her. Their little back-and-forth quickly escalated to include the second Weasley twin, resulting in the yard of their cottage home becoming covered in leaves again, as though they had never raked them to begin with.
Had it not been for an ominous clap of thunder from the greying sky overhead, they likely would have continued longer than they did. But as the first rain drops of the first autumn shower splashed against Hermione's bushy curls, Fred and George held up their hands in defeat and ushered her inside.
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Hermione was watching the rain rolling down the glass of the sitting room window when George placed the mug of hot, mulled cider with cinnamon sticks into her hands. "What's this for?" she asked suspiciously, looking up at him and quirking one eyebrow at the older man. Fred appeared beside his brother and smiled innocently at her, holding two more mugs in his own hands and passing one to George.
"Must we always have some ulterior motive to do something thoughtful for you, love?"
"Perhaps we just thought you'd enjoy a nice drink," George chimed, taking a sip from his mug. Hermione maintained her questioning expression for a moment longer and then crowed inwardly when George finally cracked. "Alright, it's an apology for the leaves."
Smiling slightly at that, Hermione took a sip from her mug and nearly moaned at the flavorful taste. Closing her eyes, she tipped it back again for a deeper drink, savoring the cider for a moment before finally looking back at the twins. "Well, sit down, boys," she said cheerfully, sighing in contentment when they sat on either side of her, each wrapping their arm around her waist.