" Your Mum… doesn't want to meet me?" Marni asked, slightly sad. She and George were standing behind the counter at the bookstore, Fields Of Lilac Books. Marni's older brother, Matt, owned the store and ran it with his wife, Kiara. It was currently lunch hour, so Matt was out and there were no customers.
George winced and said, " My Mum… Is going through a hard time right now, Mar. I told you about the war, and well, Percy. Plus she's terrified of any of us getting hurt, and I get the feeling that Ron is planning on running off on some wild goose chase to defeat Voldemort, and nothing's going right. I'm trying to talk some sense into my mother, but well…" " It's fine George. But I'd at least like to meet your brother Fred.
" Why don't the two of you come over for dinner? Tomorrow is the twins' birthday," Marni said. " Kiara keeps saying she wants to meet you. It'd be the perfect time." " If you're sure Matt wouldn't mind," George said. Marni smiled. " Of course not, George. And remember to invite Fred. It won't be very formal, but try to dress nice. You are meeting my sister-in-law."
George kissed Marni on the cheek and said, " What time tomorrow?" " Around six," Marni said. " And remember, they're turning three, so none of your big explosive pranks." " What about small explosive?" George asked. Marni told him, " Let's stick with no explosive."
" Alright," George said with mock-sadness, making Marni laugh and smack him lightly on the arm. George pouted and said, " I have to go. My lunch shift is almost over. I will see you tomorrow, my fair lady." He bowed low and kissed her hand. " Of course, kind sir," Marni said, curtseying as George waved and apparated out.
" You really like him, don't you?" someone asked from behind her. Marni turned to see her Matt, his tall, lean figure filling the doorway to the back storeroom. Marni nodded and said, " He's amazing, Matt. Do you think Kiara will mind…?" " No," Matt said. " But you need to be careful, Marni. George seems like a nice guy, but so did Seth, and…" " I know, Matt," Marni said. " But I was young and naïve then.
If Marni hadn't turned to go straighten the magazine rack, she might have heard Matt say, " You're still young, Marni."
Molly's POV
" Mum," Ginny said, as she was washing dishes with Molly. Molly turned to her only daughter. " Yes, Ginny?" " What's wrong with George dating a muggle?" Molly winced, having hoped to avoid this conversation. Ginny wouldn't understand.
" George is putting this poor girl in danger, Ginny," Molly said. Ginny asked, " But couldn't she come stay with us. She could share a room with Hermione and I…" " Ginny, she wouldn't be happy living around magic, but not being able to do it. It'd be like rubbing it in her face," Molly said.
Ginny finally relented at that. It would be horrible to be surrounded by magic, but unable to do it. Like a Squib. " Okay, Mum. I understand. You should explain it to George like that. He'd understand then," Ginny said, continuing to dry the dishes handed to her by her mother. Molly shook her head at Ginny's naïveness. 'If only you knew, Gin,' Molly thought to herself.
George's POV:
George was pulling nervously on the collar of his shirt. " Calm down, George. You've met her brother. You've passed the hard part of the test," Fred said, watching his brother pace around the room. George began smoothing his hair and said, " It isn't your girlfriend's sister in law you're going to meet. Kiara is like Marni's sister. They…"
" I know, George," Fred said. " But I am going to meet my twin's girlfriend, possibly my future sister-in-law. I'd say that would be pretty big." " Yeah, but… Wait," George looked at Fred. " Who said we were that serious?" " Your face and the fact that you didn't realize you have your shoes on the wrong feet," Fred said with a straight face.
George put his shoes on the right feet and Fred managed to pull him down the stairs into the shop. George grabbed the present and said, " Remember, Fred. Marni knows about magic, but Matt and Kiara don't." " Got ya," Fred said. " Now let's go. We're apparating to the alley by the post office, right?" " Yeah," George said. " See you there."
With a little twirl and a pop, George found himself next to the post office. Fred appeared beside him a moment later and the two hurried down the street to the St.Clair house. It was a nice sized, cozy looking house right by Fields Of Lilac Books.
George knocked on the door and straightened his collar again. The door opened and Marni appeared. George stifled a groan at seeing her in her short, long-sleeved, black minidress. She had a pair of tall black boots on and the length of the dress added height to her small frame.
" Hey George," Marni said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. She turned to Fred. " You must be Fred." " Actually, I'm George," Fred said. " I can't believe you just kissed my brother. I…" Marni looked horrified. " Oh I'm so sorry. I could have sworn…" " Ignore him," George said. " I'm really George. He's really an idiot."
Fred looked hurt and Marni laughed. " Your eyes aren't as blue as George's," Marni said. " But you really had me for a minute there." " Sorry," Fred said. " But yeah, I'm Fred Weasley. You must be Marni St.Clair." " Pleased to meet you," Marni said. Fred said, " The pleasure is mine. George's description of you doesn't do you justice. You're much more beautiful."
" George must have described me as a hag, then," Marni said. Before George could say anything, Marni said, " Come on in. Kiara is getting Siobhan and Keely ready upstairs and Matt is picking up the cake from the bakery." Marni led George and Fred into the parlor.
George sat down on a large soft sofa in front of the fireplace and Fred sat down next to him. Marni sat on the other side of him and Fred noted that they were a little too close. " So, how long have you too been going out?" " Three weeks," Marni said happily. " It seems like much longer though."
Fred relaxed slowly by Marni. She seemed to be very sweet. She was extremely talkative, which was good, as it balanced out the quieter George. Marni was quite pretty, though Fred knew better than to get attracted to her in that way. Fred was getting very comfortable when the door opened and a tall, blonde man walked in with a cake in his arms.
