A Prize Worth Winning
by
Varity Sinning
I don't own any Harry Potter characters, thank you. A Prize Worth Winning
"Lot number 78 goes to Ms. Augusta Longbottom. Madam, if you'd be so kind to collect your escort." Professor McGonagall grumped. And so the Charity Auction continued, as Augusta retrieved George.
George offered the Longbottom matron his arm in an overly proper fashion. "I'm surprised they let you have such an important job young man." Mrs. Longbottom said imperiously to her red-headed prize. "I've heard about you, you know." She eyed him critically as he led her through the corridors.
George didn't hide his mischievous side, "Mrs. Longbottom, you'll be happy to know then, that I only bite when asked, never presume a woman is past her prime because of a few grey hairs and like most of the men in my family, we like round bums." Mrs. Longbottom swatted George with her pocket book. "I take The War Orphan Fund Auction, very seriously. Next year I wish to be the biggest draw. It would be an honour to pull in the most money for the Fund." He placed a kiss on her gloved hand. Her fox stole tickled his nose.
"You are a flatterer Mr. Weasley. I like it." She laughed immoderately. The corridors burned with oil lamps which provided enough warmth to keep the chill at bay.
George saw they were approaching the Charms Classroom. There was always loads of pillows in there. "Well, a flatterer I may be, but I also aim to impress. Do you enjoy parlour games?" George's eyes glittered, like smoky topaz.
"Parlour games is it?" Augusta smirked.
"Indeed, if you come this way I'll be happy to perform for your pleasure and amusement." George led her willy-nilly into the room. Lighting enough lamps in the room to create a soft glow, George began. A simple flourish of his wand was enough to multiply the pillows until they were deep and wide. "Now Madam if you could make yourself comfortable, I will begin." Settling in the soft mound, Augusta set her pocket book aside to give George her fullest attention.
He began with opening the coat of his swallow-tail tuxedo releasing several dozen butterflies, which lighted one by one on Augusta. Colourfully festooned with the delicate butterflies, she giggled little-girlishly from the gentle contact of feet and wings. George grinned at his work, conjuring a pheasant, "watch carefully. Don't take your eyes off the birdie." The beautiful bird was transformed into a spray of tail feathers bound in all of their striped and spotted splendour. Feathers in hand he tickled Augusta's calf teasingly.
George was slow and deliberate in wooing Augusta. She soon grew impatient with his gentle attentions, "I won't break for handling," Augusta encouraged.
"As you wish," George acquiesced. Mrs. Longbottom proved to be an old pro, much less proper than he would have guessed. The Longbottom matron was quiet vocal in her admiration of both George's speed and longevity. At the end she very nearly sung her praises contralto. "You've been a very good audience, I thank you." George kissed her hand graciously.
"Young man, next year make sure you are the last on the block, and I shall beat the lot of them." She declared, the roses bloomed in her cheeks.