The summer before my third year at Hogwarts is a memorable one. It starts out in the best possible way. Stepping through the barrier between Platform 9 and King's Cross Station, I am immediately met with the warm embrace of Arthur Weasley, pulling Fred and I into his long, gangly arms. Meanwhile, Molly has scooped up George and Ginny. Then, they switch, Arthur grabbing the other two while Molly pulls Fred and I against her.
"My, we missed all of you!" Molly exclaims, pulling away from Fred and I and looking between the lot of us. "Where's Ron? Percy?" she spins in a circle, looking about herself.
"They're following behind," Ginny chuckles. "Harry was giving Ron and Hermione his phone number, and I'm sure Percy is having his last goodbyes with Penelope Clearwater." She enunciates her name carefully.
"Is that his girlfriend?" Molly peers closely at the young girl who appears to be sweating anxiously.
"Y-Yes, Mum. He wanted to tell you and Dad himself, though," she admits.
"Very well, than. Did he think we'd be angry?" Arthur asks.
"I suspect as much. I've no idea why. He's plenty old enough to date," Molly comments, shaking her head.
Finally, Ron and Percy step through the barrier.
"Where's your girlfriend?" Arthur asks Percy in a booming voice, Fred and I sniggering as he does so.
"U-Um," Percy stutters.
"Well?" Molly asks.
"Ginny," Percy squeaks, looking and sounding terrified.
"I'm sorry, Percy! I couldn't help it!" she sounds sincere, though she's stifling a giggle.
While Arthur and Molly tend to Percy, Ginny looks up expectantly at Ron. "Where's Harry?" "He's staying behind to talk to Hermione," Ron shrugs, acting like he doesn't notice his sister's obvious fancy for the legendary boy.
"Can we go now?" George asks Molly loudly.
"Oh, um, yes. Of course! I'm sure you all are eager to get home! You, though-," she peers at Percy. "I'll continue with you later."
Percy continues to look terrified as we walk to the parking lot, toward a beautiful Ford Anglia.
After unpacking into Ginny's room quickly, I head downstairs. All of us have decided to have a little celebration - celebrate our return to the Burrow, celebrate being reunited with family, and celebrate Ginny's rescue and safety.
Basically, we're all going to wear something that's not pajamas or sweatpants and go out on the town - the Muggle town. We've all decided to travel to Exeter, England, which is in Devon, the county in which the Burrow is located. We could have just stayed in Ottery St. Catchpole, but we're all excited to try something new and go to a slightly bigger city.
So, after dressing in a flowy, emerald-green top and skinny jeans with matching green flats and a brown leather handbag, everyone else dressed in a similar manner and ready to go, we hop into Arthur's Ford Anglia and hit the road. Trusting me, a person with Muggle experience, they allow me to decide the agenda for the night. I've decided on, after plenty of research, hitting a nice-looking restaurant called The Salty Pigeon first. That's all I will tell them.
Finally getting there, we walk into the small, completely white dining room and are seated by a nice-looking young gentleman at a table with a view of the city from out the window. Handing us our menus, he tells us the soup of the day and other specials.
"Can I get you all started with drinks? We have soft drinks and alcoholic beverages," he smiles politely.
"I'll take a water," I start.
Everyone else just nods along, following my lead heavily.
"I'll have that right out," he grins widely before heading back to the kitchen.
"Seems like a nice place," I make conversation.
"Certainly," Arthur mumbles, looking around himself fascinatedly.
"Do you all know what you want?" I look around the table.
Suddenly, their noses are all buried in their menus.
When the nice man comes back with our waters, I speak up. "I think we're ready. I'm going to have the Rump of Devon Lamb, please."
"Yes, and you, Sir?" he moves onto Arthur.
"What she's having," he gulps, looking intimidated. Everyone else nods furiously.
"W-Would you all like what she's having?" he asks curiously.
"Y-Yes," Ginny answers.
The man starts to walk away, but I stop him before he can. "We'd also like four of the White Chocolate and Cardamom Mousse to share, please, if that's alright. Held until we've finished the main course, obviously."
"Yes, absolutely," he smiles before walking off.
"So, how have you been? Molly and Arthur?" I grin widely, excited to get caught up.
"How did you do that?" Arthur asks, not even bothering to answer the question. They're all peering at me so strangely.
"Loads of experience and a bit of confidence, I guess," I shrug.
"You will have to teach us," Molly shakes her head in disbelief.
"Certainly. That and this dinner will have to do as repayment for your hosting me over the summer. I only wish I could do more," I look at Molly with big eyes.
"What do you mean? How are you repaying us with this dinner?" Arthur asks.
"Well, I'm paying, obviously," I cock my head in confusion.
"No! This is our treat!" Molly cries.
"Did either of you bring Muggle money?" I raise an eyebrow.
Neither of them responds.
"That's what I thought. Now, let me pay. Just this once. It's not charity. It's fair," I smile my brightest smile.
"I'm not happy about it, but alright. Only because we physically can't pay," Molly furrows her brow.
"Deal. Now, how are you?"
After a bit more chatting, the food finally arrives. It looks and smells delicious, freshly cooked lamb with a few small sides. Biting into it, I'm amazed. I start with the sides.
There's a little serving of this amazing moussaka, which is an eggplant dish that is one of my favorite foods. This one is especially cheesy and practically melts in my mouth. Then there's the lemon and thyme couscous, which is absolutely gorgeous.
Finally, I dig into the lamb, which is cooked to perfection. I drizzle it heavily with the red wine jus that came with, and it tastes like pure heaven in the form of meat. I can't even begin to describe it. I'm the first one done, and, upon looking around, everyone else is enjoying it just as much as I am.
Then, when the dessert arrives, there's a frenzy over who shares with who. Finally, we all share with the person closest to us - Arthur with Molly, Fred with Percy, Ron with Ginny, and me with George. The mousse is served on a raspberry and chocolate sponge crumb, topped with fresh raspberries. The mousse is soft and creamy, the sponge crumb moist and heavenly, and the raspberries topping it all explode in my mouth. Everything in this restaurant is only the best of the best, and I love it.
Luckily, George is used to my stealing from him, so, when I steal some of his portion of the dessert, he doesn't even seem to mind. He just sticks his finger in the mousse and smears a little dollop on my nose, chuckling happily at the result. I stick my tongue out at him, wiping the mousse off with my napkin.
"Waste of good mousse," I faux whine.
"Shut up," he shakes with laughter.
It's the best supper I think I've ever had.
"Okay, so, the next place we're headed is also a restaurant, but we can just order a few coffees on me to be able to go in. Trust me, it'll be fun. It's called Board," I explain before giving Arthur instructions to get there.
When we arrive, I go in and hand the server a twenty dollar bill. "We'd just like a coffee each and a table with the game of Life, please," I smile politely.
Looking down at the bill, he looks back up at me and grins. "Of course, follow me!"
The man seats us at a table before leaving and coming back with the board game. "I'll be right back with those coffees."
Opening up the box, I grin. "God, it's been forever since I've played this!"
Carefully, I begin to set it up, and, as I do, I explain the rules in the most simple way possible. Arthur asks a lot of questions, though, so, finally, I just give up. "I'll explain as we go along," I sigh before setting my green car down on the start and spinning the wheel in the center.
"Rey! You had like three carfulls of kids!" George is still laughing as we stagger out of the cafe.
"You're right," I shake my head in disbelief. "I must have landed on every possible kids spot on the board."
It's been an amazing night, getting to bond and catch up with the people who are practically my family. Besides, Exeter's a fun city. I would definitely come back again. I'm sure I'll sleep soundly tonight.