"Who was that?" Ron asked, once he got back up into the flat.
"And I'm the one with the limited hearing. Weren't you listening?" George murmured before speaking up.
"No, that's not what I meant, I don't recall you or Fred ever saying anything about her."
"Because we never did." George pointed out, going towards the cabinet because this conversation seems to need a dash of alcohol added to it.
"But why? She seemed important."
"She was, is, still important," George corrected himself, just because he haven't heard or talked to Aryan in nearly four years, before tonight, doesn't make her any less important to them.
"We had secrets, that wasn't a secret." George shrugged after taking a swig of his drink.
"Yeah but she's a person, someone you guys seemed to spend a lot of time with."
"I don't see your point. You, Harry and Hermione have secrets that you haven't told anyone. How is that any different from Fred and I having secrets?
All you really need to know is that Aryan is a great person, she's really the only one, besides Lee, we could talk to about the shop and our inventions in great detail. And she wouldn't get that bored look in her face about 30 minutes in, I mean she even repeatedly told us that we should expand."
"To Hogesmeade?" Ron asked, knowing George was still hesitant about expanding but also knew he was coming around to the idea more and more each day.
George let out a small laugh while shaking his head. "You would think, no, she had this crazy idea on expanding to Germany, this wizarding town in Munich that needed a little light apparently, her words not mine." He said smiling at the memory of finding out that was an idea of hers.
Flashback:
"Hey, an owl came for you two." Ginny announced to the twins, who were sitting in the living room listening to the wireless.
"Who's Aryan?" She asked out of curiosity once one of the twins took the package from her.
Both of them glanced at each other and then turned back to their baby sister. "A client," they responded at the same time.
"You have clients outside of the country now? And why would they send something here and not to your shop?" Ginny asked, while putting her hands on her hips, knowing the twins were being secretive.
"So many questions-
-so little time." Fred ended while getting up and ruffling her hair as he went towards the step.
"Get us when dinner's ready," George called out while following his brother upstairs.
"So what did she get us?" The red- head asked as soon as he entered into his old shared room with Fred.
"Let's see a letter, a postcard, a muggle "magic" book, next month's copy of Quidditch's World, a wizarding joke book, two boxes of chocolate and a drawing of our shop." Fred answered, while laying out all said items.
"Wow, impressive." George mused while going over to the bed with the items on it.
Dear Fred & George,
Greetings from Germany! Happy Christmas, hope you are having (Or had if this gets to you after Christmas, I don't know how fast internal mail works) a great Christmas. Mine is sort of a drag, hanging around all of my family, for long periods of time, is never fun. Anyway, I know it's a lot of things but I couldn't decide so I just decided to get it all. I figured the Muggle Book would help with your muggle section and maybe give you some ideas for inventions.
I saw the Quidditch Magazine and couldn't resist and obviously I thought of you guys when I saw the joke book. If you look closely at the drawing it is not in Diagon Alley, it is actually in a wizarding town that is near here. I walked past it and thought it would be a perfect spot for the shop. I mean of course once you guys expand, eventually, you should look here. It's a decent location and it could certainly use some joy and laughter. The chocolate was on sale so I bought a bunch and I can't keep it all.
Anyways, hope things are well with you two and your family. Stay safe and warm. See you guys when I get back. Oh, and Happy New Year!
Love,
Aryan
"Did she really just suggest we expand to Germany?" Fred asked, after looking over the letter again making sure he read it right.
"Look likes it, it's not a terrible idea just –
-crazy." Fred finished.
George simply shrugged while picking up the chocolate. "Like she said eventually, certainly not now."
"Yeah, eventually." Fred murmured while observing the drawing.
"You think if we're extra nice to Harry, he'll let us borrow Hedwig to give her a return letter?" George questioned out loud.
"Oh, yeah we can definitely put on the charm." Fred said smiling over at his twin.
Present Time:
"But why Germany?" Ron questioned.
George shrugged while finishing off his drink, "it's one of her favorite countries."
"I asked her if she was ever a potential sister – in – law," Ron stated, a little nervously.
"What did she say?" George asked, trying very hard to keep a straight face.
"She said that you two only saw her as a friend, but she's been wrong before. And to save that question for you."
"Smart answer," George nodded, while getting up from the kitchen table and putting the bottle back.
"So you see her as a sister?" Ron pressed on.
This made him laugh out loud and he just shook his head, "I've never had the urge to snog my sister, that's gross."
"So you fanci-"
"You know what, I'm done with this conversation. Goodnight Ron," George interrupted, suddenly not wanting to have this talk anymore.
Ron opened and closed his mouth wanting to continue but knew if George wasn't in the mood, it was just wasted breath.
"Night, see you in the morning," Ron decided to say.
George simply nodded his head while disappearing down the hallway.
Two days from then:
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Aryan cried out while going towards her door.
She wiped her hands on her apron, wincing at the dry flakes of glue on the tip of her fingers.
"Hey, George," she greeted, once she saw the red-head on the other side of the door.
"That apron looks great on you," he joked while making his way into the studio.
"Yeah, this is the outfit that will get me on Vogue," Aryan joked back while closing the door.
"Sorry, it's a fashion magazine," she explained, once she saw the confused look on cross his face.
"You want me to heat you up some food? I could use a break from my projects." She asked once she saw him just looking over at the different projects scattered across the room.
"My answer will never be no to that question," George replied with a small smile already making his towards her kitchen table.
"You know one thing I really liked about you," George started out, after eating half of his soup.
"You used the past tense of like, meaning that you don't like that thing about me anymore?" Aryan pointed out, which caused a smile and an eye roll from the younger guy.
"Like I was saying, I liked that you saw us as different people, instead of just twins."
"Well, of course I saw you as different people. I mean you guys were great, the real package deal, but individually, you weren't so bad." Aryan said not at all surprised the conversation turned to Fred.
"It probably helped that I spend time with both of you separately instead of always together," she continued on.
"But of course, you liked spending more time with me."
"No Fred was the best," Aryan said in an obvious sarcastic tone. "I didn't have a preference both of you guys were great." She said more seriously.
Flashback:
"I'm coming, hold up," Fred heard from the other side the door.
"That dressing gown looks great on you," he teased while leaning within the door frame, once Aryan opened the door.
She just rolled her eyes while tightening her gown but still smiled.
"Hi, Fred."
"Hi, bad time?"
"No, do you want to come in? I have pie if you want."
"What kind of pie?"
"Apple, cherry and I think pumpkin but I can't be sure about that."
"Sure," Fred agreed while making his way into the flat.
"Let me just change, continue to make yourself comfortable," Aryan joked while Fred was already going straight towards her fridge.
"Okay, now have you decided what pie you want…" She stopped in mid - sentence when she saw that he was casting some type of spell on his slices of pie that he cut out for himself.
"You know you could have just used the microwave," Aryan informed him while going over to cut a slice for herself.
"Yeah, that would require me to know how to use one, and I don't think you would be too pleased it if it end up breaking." Fred informed her back.
"I would make you pay for a new one. So what brings you here?"
"I just wanted to say hi, haven't seen you in a while," Fred replied with a cheeky grin.
Aryan was about to remind him that they saw each other just two weeks ago, but Fred easily changed the subject.
"You're going to Germany?" He asked, while pointing to the calendar on her fridge, indicating that's where he got his information.
"Oh, yeah. My cousin is getting married on Christmas Day, should be GREAT," she answered.
"Someone doesn't like their cousin or weddings."
"It's the upper but we have our reasons. Me and my brother are dreading it, even though if he really wanted to, he could stay at Hogwarts. My mom would buy into his excuse that he needs to stay and focus on his O.W.L.S and his perfect duties.
"When he told me that he was thinking about using that excuse, I told him exactly where he can shove his O.W.L.S and his perfect badge. And if he doesn't turn up at the train station, I will find some way to drag his butt from Hogwarts to Germany," Aryan ended with a smile.
"Ruthless. Spoken like a true older sibling," Fred observed, impressed at her threat.
"Thank you. Speaking of siblings, where's George?" Aryan finally asked, surprised that Fred was here by himself.
"He's doing the books."
"Do you guys trade off doing the books?"
"Yeah, he does it one night and I do it the other. When one of us is doing that, the other one is usually starting the making of the merchandise. We usually have our assistant clean the main area," Fred explained.
"When you say clean the main area you mean charm the brooms to sweep and charm the wash cloths to wipe the windows," Aryan teased.
"Maybe." Fred tried to say in a serious tone but ended up laughing along with her.
"I'm just joking. Cleaning that whole building by hand would probably be hell."
"Yeah, definitely. Just in the backroom we only use magic for product making and nothing else."
"So if you have a big accident of a certain product…"
"Have to clean it by hand," he finished for her.
"Any interesting accident stories, that's happened recently." Aryan asked, which caused Fred to launch into a potion accident story that happened just a few days ago.
By the time he was finished Aryan was laughing so hard that it was nearly impossible to breathe let alone talk.
"My brother always tells me stories about potion spilling's in his class but none of them are that funny or interesting. Out of all the classes he has, he talks about that class the most."
"Please don't tell me he actually liked Snape?"
"Someone didn't like their potions teacher."
"He's a git. No arguing that."
Aryan laughed at his blunt statement. "No, he didn't like him. He's just likes the class. It makes sense, he's really into cooking."
Fred titled his head in confusion not making the connection between the two.
"Potions from my understanding is like cooking. You have a recipe you need to follow, if you don't put those certain ingredients with those certain measurements the product won't turn out right. I mean granted certain recipes are better off without all their ingredients and measurements but still. I don't know if that is the same case with making potions."
"Hmmm, I never thought of it like that," Fred said thoughtfully.
"That actually gives me a really good idea. If we can work it out before Valentine's day that could be a popular item," The red head trailed off, already looking like he was kilograms away. "I'm sorry I have to…"
"No, no I get it. When inspiration strikes and it'll be rude, in your case, not to tell George as soon as possible." Aryan interrupted while handing Fred a wrapped up pieces of pie.
"Tell him I said hi and make sure he gets this. I will probably see you guys before I leave so until next time and thanks."
"For what?"
"I had a horrible day. You made it better."
That earned a smile from Fred and he waved her off while walking down hallway.
Present Day:
"I teased him so much about that," George said.
"And I bet he gave it right back to you the next night," Aryan stated, remembering the fact the very next day George came by. Right around the same time Fred did.
Flashback:
"No, do not open that door," George heard from the other side of the door.
A couple more seconds later Aryan opened up the door with a child, who couldn't be any more than four, resting on her hip.
The child had shaggy sandy brown hair and green eyes, that were more on the emerald side, he immediately smiled when he saw George and pointed at his hair.
"Orange," the kid cried out in pure excitement.
"Sorry, he's learning his colors," Aryan explained while putting the kid down back onto the floor.
"Hey, George," she greeted with a smile.
"Hey, bad time?"
"No, not all. Come in."
"Michael, why don't you go wash your hands and then we can have dessert."
"Yay!" The kid yelled out while particularly running to the bathroom. "And no running." Aryan cried out.
"Cute," George commented while sitting down at the kitchen table. "He's not…" he started off and she knew exactly where he was going with that question.
"Oh, goodness no. He's my godson. I would have told you guys if I was a mom."
"I am just asking," he said shaking his head and laughing.
"So what brings you here?" Aryan asked, while taking out the cookies from the oven.
"Oh, I just wanted to say hi and to give you this. Apparently, you inspired Fred's latest idea in a very vague way but still. It is way our way of saying thanks, it is a great idea." George explained while fishing out a small box of candies from his pocket.
Aryan easily caught the box with her hands and begin to open it before she realized just exactly who giving her the candy.
"Will this shrink or swell any part of my body? Or make it turn an abnormal color?"
"Maybe, maybe not," George answered with a mischievous grin.
Aryan laughed at George's grin, while putting the candy on top of the fridge. Making a mental note to keep it away from Michael.
"Michael, hurry up or me and George are going to eat all the cookies," Aryan nearly shouted, which resulted in the 4-year old to come out running towards the kitchen.
"Did you wash your hands?" Aryan asked, once the kid sat down at the table.
He simply nodded and smiled.
"Did you use soap?"
He nodded again with more enthusiasm. She flashed him a smile and started to load a few cookies on a blue plate.
"Okay, what color is this?" Aryan asked, while setting the plate in front of him.
"Green," George staged – whispered.
"Green!" Michael repeated, which resulted into scowl from his god-mother.
"What?" The 18- year old asked in mocked innocence.
"It's blue, honey."
"But he said green," Michael argued.
"He was just trying to be funny, key word is trying."
"Hey, I am funny!" George protested.
"Moving on. Michael this is my friend George. George this is my Godson, Michael."
"Do you like dragons? My dad said when he was in Rome…"
"Romania," Aryan corrected him.
"Romania. He said that he saw this big dragon and it breathed fire and it was really cool."
"His dad is the assistant manager for the Arrows, he travels with the team and apparently sees a lot of cool things." Aryan explained, when she saw the slightly confused look on George's face.
"The quidditch team?"
"Yeah."
"You personally know him?" He asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, I mean I'm more friends with his girlfriend, who is Michael's mom. I've known her for a while but yeah I know him well enough."
"Wow, wait until I tell Fred."
"Speaking of Fred, he's doing the books?"
George nodded while taking a bite of his snack. "That and we're brewing a potion and the ingredients we're using at the moment, he's better at handling them than me."
"Who's Fred?" Michael questioned.
"My brother," George responded turning his attention to him.
"Is he older or younger?"
"Technically he's older. We're twins."
And Aryan couldn't help but smile because she knew George hated to admit that there was an "age" difference between him and his twin.
"Is he your only brother?"
George snorted at the question; because if only.
"No, I have five brothers and one sister."
"Woah!" Michael exclaimed. "How old are they?"
"Ummm… 26, 24, 20, 18, 16 and my sister is 15."
"Cool. Do you have a job?"
"I own a joke shop with my brother."
"So you're the boss?"
"Yeah, well Fred and I share equal boss status, but yeah," George said with a self- satisfying grin.
"Auntie Aryan said she doesn't like her boss, so maybe she can work with you guys," Michael said way too enthusiastically for her liking.
George smiled and lifted his eyebrow at her, while Aryan choked on her drink.
"I don't think Fred or George want me as an employee," Aryan said.
"We would love to have you working for us, it would be great," the red – head teased.
"Sure, I'll put in my application as soon as possible. I'll be right back," she announced while getting up from the table.
Aryan gestured for George to continue talking with the kid.
When she came back George was in the middle of an obvious elaborate tale about him, a fire – breathing dragon and something about an egg. However, he had the full attention of Michael and they both seemed to be enjoying themselves so she let him continue with his story.
About twenty minutes later she sees the little boy starting to rub his eyes and trying so hard to fight off sleep.
"Come on little one, we have a long day tomorrow, say goodnight to George." She said while picking up her the 4-year old and carrying him to her room.
"Night, George," Michael murmured while snuggling further into Aryan.
"I'll be right back." She whispered to George and disappeared down the hall.
Ten minutes later she found him sitting on her couch looking through one her many art books, she has scattered across her flat.
"Sorry, as soon as I put him down he tried telling me that he wasn't sleepy. Wasn't much of a convincing speech seeing that he fell asleep in the middle of it."
George laughed at her apologize and just rolled his eyes.
"It's always like that with kids and sometimes with sleepy adults."
"Yeah, speaking of kids. I didn't except the great George Weasley to be so good with them," Aryan joked even though it was more on the serious side.
"You know I should be insulted. I do have younger siblings, kids aren't exactly a foreign concept to me."
She simply shrugged while putting away the left – over cookies.
"So what's this long day you have planned for tomorrow?" George asked.
"Well, we're going Christmas shopping and then to this Christmas tree lighting that's in town. Then I'm going to take him over to this neighborhood that's about five or so blocks away, they have the best Christmas decorations ever. Then Sunday it's supposed to rain, so we're going to build a gingerbread house."
"What?" Aryan asked, seeing that George was looking at her with such an intense look.
George simply shook his head, seeming to be chasing a thought away.
"He seems great."
"He is, how cheesy it may sound, he's pretty much my pride and joy. This will be you someday; you know. Taking your nephew or niece for the weekend, giving them as much attention as possible, you and Fred fighting over who the kid likes better."
George snorted at the statement but didn't deny it. He opened his mouth to say something but then the clock on the wall sounded as it hit another hour.
"Blimey, I should go. I told Fred I'll be back before the potion stopped brewing and it should be about done now," George hastily explained while going towards the door.
Aryan handed him a plate of cookies to give to Fred and just smiled.
"Thanks, for stopping by. I might go by the shop, most likely Sunday or tomorrow, just to say hi and so Fred can meet Michael. Plus, I think he would be fascinated to see you two together."
"Well, of course you have to stop by. We have to say bye to you before you run off for Germany."
Aryan couldn't help but smile at his statement and promised she'll see them before her holiday.
Present time:
"How is the little guy doing anyway?"
"He's great. They moved to Dublin about two or so years ago. I actually stayed with them for about a month before officially moving back here."
"Hey, I'm going to take a long shower, when I come out we can talk or you can watch me do art or something." She announced, while getting up from the table.
George shook his head, knowing Aryan just wanted to give him space but really didn't want to fall apart in her studio, knowing she knew he was on the verge of tears.
"I have to go."
"Oh, come on. If you kip here, I promise to have you back before the shop opens. Even if that isn't the case, I am sure Ron and your assistant and whoever else works for you, can manage without you for a tiny bit of the morning. We can talk, have dessert, you can watch me do some work and you can kip here. And then tomorrow morning we can go to this café that has the best bread and tea, then I can go off to work and you the same."
"I mean you don't have to stay but I really do need a shower. Do what you want," Aryan sighed while running her hands through her hair.
She went over to him and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, while giving him a smile.
"Can I borrow your owl?" George asked while Aryan was getting stuff she needed for her shower.
"Sure, just make sure you give him a treat before you sent him off." She informed him as she opened up her owl's cage.
The medium size owl flew over to George and laughed when the bird landed on his shoulder and George didn't look all too pleased.
"Hey, Aryan" The red-head called out, before she escaped to the bathroom.
"Yeah?"
George looked like he was about to shake his head and say never mind but he stopped himself.
"You know we we're never ashamed of you, right?"
She always knew, they didn't care at all about her blood status but there was always a voice in the back of her head that told her that they did. And the fact that they were purebloods and she was only a muggle did matter a lot. She guessed it showed in some of her actions, if George was addressing it.
"Yeah, I know that."
"Good. Now go take your shower, I was promised dessert," George said with a smile, while waving her off.
A/N: Decided to write a sequel, well more like a continuation lol.
Hope you guys enjoyed it!