It was time to head for the Burrow for Christmas Holidays and I was looking forward to it. The Burrow is such an amazing place; it may look rundown on the outside; but a totally different situation on the inside. It reflects a house full of warmth and family spirit mostly from the large family that it is living there of course. If a muggle wants to know how a wizarding family lives, the burrow is the place.
Dishes are charmed to wash on their own, scarves sewn on their own; the lopsided house itself is held standing by magic as well. I came over a number of times since my friendship with the twins in first year and the feeling never gets old, I will always feel glad to be here.
I am now currently unpacking in Ginny's room with Ginny herself and Lexi. Mrs Weasley was apologized that it might be cramped but I reassured her and apologized instead that we were intruding which she waved it off easily, stating the more the merrier.
Unsure what to do next; I decided to start on my gift wrapping which I really do not have the skills for. I still can do decent wrappings if the present was in a box, but if it's not…I hope the receiver doesn't mind too much about the outer appearance of his/her present.
After an hour of wrapping, I was done with it. I had tape stuck to my feet and fingers, wrapping paper strewn all over the area. I think I am just going to give the presents in the nice shopping bags that came with them. Yeah I should do that.
After clearing up, nothing was on my agenda apparently. I decided to make a trip to Fred and George's room. Those two have been cooped up in their room the whole day since we arrived; I wonder what is going on.
Knocking on the door once, there was silence. Odd…
Knocking again, I could hear noises and Fred telling me to wait a moment.
"You two are not changing right?" I said.
"No…" I heard them both reply. Well, it should be okay for me to enter then, what's up with those two?
I swung the door open seeing George holding onto the handle of a cauldron that is bubbling an orange substance.
"Sam!" He shouted in surprise and slipped his grip on the handle. All three of us screamed in fear as cauldron seemed to fall to the ground in slow-mo just like those muggle movies.
Thinking fast, I stretched my palms out to reach for the cauldron and laid flat on the floor, cauldron in palms.
"Saved it." I smiled and gave a sigh of relief.
"Err…Sam. We just put the cauldron over a fire awhile ago." Fred said.
"AHHHH!" I removed my palms and started blowing on my burning palms, the burning sensation was overbearing and I raced out to the nearest bathroom and washed my palms under running water.
The burning sensation died down but was soon replaced by a stinging feeling. Fred entered the bathroom and pulled me to their room, where I got medic treatment by George.
"There all done!" George finished bandaging both my palms and gave them a pat.
"Ouch!"
"Oops, sorry." He grinned goofily. I groaned and stretched myself on his bed. Great….my palms are burnt before Christmas and holidays.
"Why were the two of you so secretive and what's with making potions randomly in your room?" I used my two burnt palms to gesture at the cauldron.
"Should we tell her Freddie?" George looked seriously at Fred. They did some twin telepathy eye contact thing and I was just curious, what are they keeping from me?
"Well, she did save the cauldron as well." Fred said and turned to me.
"Okay, Sam. We have not told anyone before, you are the first." I nodded profusely, curiosity heightened.
"Well George and I are planning to open a joke shop in the future…" Fred started.
"The contents in that cauldron you save are the first step towards the plan…" George added.
"We are currently inventing sweets that make you ill… " My eyes widened.
"To get you out of classes." They both said at the same time, with identical proud grins.
"Well?" They both asked, seeing me all quiet.
"That's really brilliant!" I said enthusiastically and clapped by hands. Ouch! I winced at the pain.
The both of them laughed and I gave a glare that meant that it was not funny.
"That is such a great idea!" I continued.
"Really? Thanks Sam." Fred patted my head and gave a really happy smile.
"We weren't too sure of it. Mum would not really like it though, she expects us to get good grades like Percy and maybe get ministry jobs like dad." He said.
"But starting a joke shop really suits you two to the T! I have faith in you two!" I cheered.
"We are glad you believe in us." George said smiling warmly at me.
"But it will be difficult to have this career, mum will oppose to this dream of ours."
"George, not all people can get their parents to support their dreams. But it is most important to believe in yourself and go after what you dream for. Prove that you can do it and then prove to your mum." I encouraged him.
"Don't be dejected before you even start. Where are the two hyper, cheerful twins I know and love that would not be defeated by things in their way to do what they want?" I continued.
"They are here and planning to make their dream into reality!" Fred punched a fist in air.
"Yeah!" I joined in and George too, all three of us laughed.
"Thanks Sam, I know we can tell trust you with this." George turned to me and kissed me on the forehead followed by Fred.
"No problem. So…what you working on now in the cauldron?"
"Fever Fudge." Fred explained. "Remember that one time during class you just wished you could immediately eat something and get a fever to skive History of Magic?"
"You still remember I said that?" I could see Fred turning a little red at my question. "Yes, well- but that's not the point." He retorted
"But wouldn't it be terrible just to be really sick all for the sake of one class?"
"We thought of that and decided to have the sweet to have two sides causing the sickness and the other having the cure." Fred explained.
"Smart." I smirked.
"Bill and Charlie are here!" Ginny shouted from downstairs. I turned my head to the door and immediately went to the living room.
I only known Bill and Charlie ever since my friendship with the twins but we are almost as close as actual siblings. They are like the older brothers I never had and I was another younger sister they can love and dote on besides Ginny.
"Bill, Charlie!" I ran to hug them like Ginny did enthusiastically.
"Sam, you have grown!" Bill spun me around and I was genuinely happy to see them. Charlie did the same thing to me.
Lexi came downstairs too and hugged the two eldest Weasley brothers.
"Lexi, you grown too." Bill patted her head.
"Our Sam is all grown up but still ever cute, Lexi you too." Charlie pinched my cheeks which I swatted away.
"Sorry Bill, Charlie. But this cute Sam is ours." Fred and George came from behind and pinched each side of my cheeks..
"Wow, everyone wants Sam. I feel the love." Lexi sarcastically commented which made all of us laughed. I rubbed on my sore cheeks, these boys have really firm grips.
"Sam, my dear, what happened to your hands?" Mrs Weasley who just came down from the stairs, came to my side, looking at my bandaged hands.
"Err, they got scalded?" I looked to the twins for help.
"By what, dear?" I looked to the twins and they were doing many actions which make me confused.
"Hot water." I said the first thing on my mind.
"I wanted to make hot chocolate but accidentally got scalded when pouring the hot water. Clumsy me." I made up a lie.
"Be careful next time, anything you need, you just tell me." I nodded obediently.
We all returned to doing our own things before getting called for dinner. I was asked by Fred and George to have a one in a million opportunity to see the before makings of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes live in action. The one in a million opportunities was such an exaggerate…
I was shown other parts of their first ever product of their shop, the Skiving Snackboxes like Fainting Fanices, Puking Pastilles and Nosebleed Nougat. I am surprised they test it on themselves to see if they worked and I gave them a salute for that.
It was time for dinner as we heard Mrs Weasley called for us all from the kitchens. Breakfast, lunch or even dinner was always something to look forward to in the Weasley household. Mrs Weasley's cooking is really amazing and was always cooked in huge amounts to feed specifically to the Weasley boys who have really huge appetites.
I pulled out a seat when somebody was going for that same seat, that somebody? None other than Percy, who I rarely spoke to ever since that utterly embarrassing incident back in school.
"Err...erm…" I gestured for him to take the seat but he insisted I took the seat. We were pushing back and forth when the seat was occupied by Lexi.
"By the time you two decide who should take the seat, dinner will be over." She said. Wanting the awkwardness to go, I immediately took a seat in between Ginny and Lexi across Fred and George.
The smell of the food on the table was inviting and everyone tucked in. I just realized, my hands hurt. Great just great…
I picked up my spoon nervously; thankfully I can still hold it just not a firm grip and ate my food slowly.
"So, how's school?" Bill asked no one in particular.
"Alright apart from the Sirius Black incident." Ron spoke with his mouth full.
"Ronald, eat with your mouth close." Mrs Weasley chided him.
"What exactly happened?" Charlie asked further.
"He wanted to enter our common room." I started.
"The fat lady wouldn't let him." George continued.
"Slashed the fat lady's portrait while she escaped." Fred followed on.
"We spent the night in the great hall and Sir Cadagon is replacing the fat lady now." Lexi ended.
"Sir Cadogan? I remember back in school all he does is always asking for duels." Charlie said.
"And he is still doing that now, he does not let us enter the common room without a duel." Lexi added.
"It's ridiculous, who duels with a portrait really?" She continued.
On the topic of Sirius Black, Percy wasted no time to brag about his great efforts to assist Professor Dumbledore in the event and self-praised that he was possibly the best Head boy that Hogwarts could ever had.
I could not help but let out a snicker which some of the rest at the table follow. Fred and George did exaggerated and hilarious imitation of Percy which got us all laughing out loud including Mr Weasley but we were all told to stop by Mrs Weasley soon after who also let out a small laughter as well.
"Mrs Weasley, your cooking is really great!" Lexi finished her meal and have two thumbs up.
"Of course a mother's cooking is the best." I added.
"I wish I could try mum's cooking…" I muttered soft but could be heard by Mrs Weasley.
"I understand what you feel, Sam." She came patting me on the back.
"Although…" She started laughing.
"No offence dear, you might not want to try your mum's cooking." She chuckled at the her memories.
"I remembered when she was still alive, cooking was not really her forte. She was said to be a disaster in the kitchen. But the image of her trying her best and hardest every time to cook was endearing." I smiled; imaging mum, Lexi similarly was doing the same thing as well.
We were all instructed to go to bed soon and I am now in bed, waiting my hair to dry off a bit before going to sleep.
Looking at my hands, I traced the outline of the bandage on one hand. There was not much pain anymore. Thanks to Mrs Weasley who previously came in to apply magic medicinal cream on my hands which miraculously reduce the pain and injury. That's magic for you.
Combing my hair in between my fingers, I figured it is mostly dried and laid on my makeshift bed. Ginny and Lexi were already in bed, falling asleep. I used my wand to turn off the lights and wished the girls goodnight where I got murmurs of goodnight back in return.
The morning was greeted by heavy snow and big gushes of wind. Everyone was to stay indoors and clean up the entire burrow to prepare for Christmas Eve the next day.
"Ron, Ginny, the bathrooms."
"Fred, George, the attic."
"Sam, Lexi, the living room. Thank you dears." Mrs Weasley gave a pat on Lexi's and my shoulders. She initially did not want to put the guests to work but Lexi and I assure that we can help out too.
Being not seventeen yet, we cannot use magic outside school, so it's off to rags, buckets, broom and mops. After a little more than an hour of wiping, dusting, rearranging and cleaning, the burrow, well at least its living room for sure is ready for Christmas decorating soon.
Lexi decided to take a rest on the couch, taking a short nap while I decided to do the same thing.
"Sam, dear. Can you please tell George and Fred to bring out the boxes of decorations from the attic once they are done? Thank you." I nodded and headed upstairs.
"Wonder if they're done?" I wondered around, going up each floor of the house.
Pushing the door to the attic open, the creaking sound the door made it creepy at the moment. With light shining from one single window in the room, I could hardly see anything in the room. Walking like a blind mouse, I was searching for a switch button.
I managed to find one, but strangely it could not work.
"Guys?" I called out into the room. Where is my wand when I need it? I just remembered it is in Ginny's room; well I cannot use it anyway.
"You two better don't play any pranks." I warned.
"Oh wait, how could I think that you two won't do that." I started talking to myself. I suddenly felt a brush of wind. Okay I am officially not cool with this.
"Fred? George?" I called out once more. Forget it, I am leaving. I turned my back and took extra big steps to the door when suddenly it closed shut by itself.
"No! Ahh!" I ran for the door, holding tight onto the knob, pulling the door open with my entire might.
"Come on, open up!" I shouted and pounded furiously on the door in fear, whatever that is happening now is not funny. I felt someone preventing me from opening the door on the other side; I put in extra effort to pull the door. Using all my might is not enough, I let go briefly. Sensing the person let go too, I took the chance to open the door, but apparently whoever he/she is, he/she reacted quick enough.
I let go of the knob when I sensed something behind me. Turning back, I saw a cloaked figure I couldn't quite see in the dark room.
"Who are you?" The figure did not reply but inched closer towards me, my heart was racing with fear. I closed by eyes as it was coming closer. I am not going to back away from this.
Standing in a fighting position, I hoped in my mind I am still able to remember the martial arts moves I learned when I was taught by Grandpa.
The figure seemed to shadow over me which snap me out of my thoughts.
"Ahh!" I raised my feet and kicked him in the shin I think.
"Ahhh!" The figure screamed when suddenly the door from behind me was pushed open from the outside.
"George!" I called to him who was previously outside.
"Sam! Fred!" He called my name and turned to the figure who apparently crouching down on the floor in pain.
"Fred?"
"Ouch…" I uncover the cloak off him and saw him clutching his leg in pain.
"You assholes, you scared me half to death!" I slapped him on the arm.
"Ouch! Sam! You are adding more pain than needed."
"You deserved that! That was not a nice prank!" I retorted.
"Since when were we nice, it was just for fun anyway." He talked back.
"Anyway, when did you have so much power in your kicks? Your kicks didn't hurt this bad when in school. " George helped him up.
"I only use my martial skills when really needed." I also joined in to help.
"George, I expected more out of you!" I slapped George in the arm.
"Couldn't resist pranking our dear Sam. Besides your scream was priceless." He laughed.
"Don't dear me." I scowled.
"Ahh-ouch…" Fred tried walking. We brought him out of the attic where we had light and he sat on the stairs.
"Does it hurt real bad?" I sat beside him, rubbing the spot where I kicked him and started doing massaging to ease the pain.
"Not too bad." He winced at the pain.
"Don't ever do that again. I thought I was about to never make it out alive."
"Drama queen." Fred said which earned a glare from me.
"What are you smiling at?" I looked up to see Fred grinning from ear to ear.
"Didn't know you were this gentle Sam, I should get hurt more often."
"Tch, you are crazy." I stopped massaging his injury and went downstairs.
"Crazy for you." He shouted from behind. That stopped me in my tracks. An indescribable feeling was tingling in me, and a blush crept up my face.
"Mrs Weasley said to bring out the boxes of Christmas decorations." I nearly have forgotten to do what I came up for. Choosing to ignore the feeling, I continued my way down to the living room and took a short break.
Everyone was done with the cleaning and it was time for decorations. The older kids were in charge of setting up the Christmas tree while the rest set to decorate the entire burrow's first floor for now.
The burrow soon was looking all ready for Christmas, decked in ornaments and lights.
Everyone took a place to rest and I looked for a spot when I saw Fred indicate a seat next to him on one seater couch. I raised my eyebrows, questioning him how are we going to fit together on the same couch. I was going to turn away and take a seat on the floor.
"Yah…" I groaned when I knew Fred pulled me back onto his lap. Too tired to argue, I made myself comfortable and rest my head on his chest, inhaling his scent. Ok, that last part there makes me seem like a pervert…
I felt my heart drumming against my chest as I knew of the intimacy of the position we were in, I was I don't know what I was feeling, all I know I strangely just liked the way we are now. I closed my eyes, taking in the warmth of his body as I felt him playing with end of the strands of my hair. Closing my eyes shut, I rested but knew I could not really go to sleep.
"Eh, what is this?" I could hear Ron's voice speak.
"What is it, Ron? Let me see." I could ear Lexi speak now.
"Let me see." Ginny followed.
"The resemblance is uncanny." Ron spoke.
"What is it, Ronnekins?" George asked.
"A photo of you, Fred and Sam."
"And why would the resemblance be uncanny?" George asked skeptically.
"Because it is a photo of you three but like 10 years older." Ginny answered. That got my attention and I opened my eyes. I rose up from Fred's lap, rubbing my eyes.
"Let me see." George took the photo out of Ron's hands. George looked stunned as he saw the photo, catching my bewildered face, he handed the photo.
"That's not Sam, the woman is our mum." Lexi said as I was handed over the picture.
Mum in the photo looked stunning. Wearing a long, slightly poofy gorgeous white wedding gown with hues of pink lace, hair in a nice long side fish braid. She was standing in between two guys who really look like Fred and George just older, linking both their arms. The photo actually reminded me of the photo I have back in my own room of Fred, George and I in first year.
"Is that how we looked older? I believe we will look really good in the future." Fred commented.
"Where did you find it, Ron?"
"In the box that kept the Christmas decorations, there is actually a photo book right here."
"Can you pass it over?" I opened up the photo book and it was mostly pictures of the two men mum was standing in between with some pictures with mum too. There were ones when they were in Hogwarts as well. They looked like they were the best of friends just like the twins and I.
"What are you kids doing?" I turned to see Mrs Weasley coming from the kitchens.
"Mum, do you know anything about this photo? Why are there Sam's mum and two men that looked like us?" George asked, showing her the photo.
"Where did you get this?"
"In one of the Christmas decoration boxes." Fred answered.
"Well, there is no harm telling you about it." She took a seat on one of the couches.
"The two men were your Uncle Fabian and Gideon Prewett, they were my brothers. Unfortunately, they died in the first wizarding war."
"Amazing isn't it? You two look so much like them." She looked at Fred and George.
"I remember in this photo, it was your mum's wedding. She looked beautiful, everyone was happy for her." Mrs Weasley smiled, with tears in her eyes.
"Fabian, Gideon and Anna ware the very best of friends, a trio just like you three."
"Gideon was a little upset though; he liked your mother way back when they were in school together but he wished his best friend happiness. Nobody could deny how much in love Anna and Dylan were."
"It is a bit of a déjà vu, seeing you three together is like somewhat seeing a part of them alive again." She looked to George, Fred and I and was getting emotional.
"Silly me, getting too emotional again." She wiped her tears.
"Well, dinner is ready soon. Pack up and get ready. You can keep the photo, dear. "
I looked at the photo again, smiling at my mum who is smiling widely in the picture. Mum, I feel like getting to know about you and dad more…
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