WE'RE HERE: Yeah, meet the parents. I know quite a few of you are looking forward to this. Sorry about the lack of Katie--and Angelina..and depth with any of the other characters. You'll get an explanation after the holidays. Thanks for it all, please review.

"Oh, I'm—I'm sorry, I didn't know you had guests. I could come back later--"

"Nonsense," Fred got up from the table and walked over, "We're here all night." He smiled brightly.

"I thought it was the black one," my brother whispered in my ear.

"No," I said.

"I'm Fred," he came over and held out his hand for my brother to take and he did.

"Demitri. It's a pleasure." They shook hands and I just kind of stood there. "Listen, Angelina, I just thought it was you here, I—I wanted you to meet Asami. But seeing as you have company and all, I'll just—see you later."

"I want to meet her, I do," I said.

"Perhaps to breakfast, then? I put in a good word for you and you do the same for me," he smiled.

"All right," I nodded in accord.

"Good meeting you, Fred," my brother nodded at him and then looked at everyone, he raised a hand, "Sorry. Enjoy your night." He exited and I sighed loudly.

"Sorry everyone!" I said, walking back over to the table.

"He's a charming guy," Fred said sitting back down.

"Sure, now—dinner."

Small talk and food—nothing really interesting happened during dinner. First off, because I don't think anyone wanted to let on how much Lee had messed up and what all had happened in her absence.

Well, nothing could be saved after we all had finished eating and were sitting around the fireplace in my living room.

"How're you guys?" Katie asked Alicia and George.

"Uh--" Alicia started.

"I'm fine," George said.

"I meant, the both of you—aren't you still together?" she scratched her head.

"No, we're not," Alicia said.

"Why not?" Katie asked.

"Well, if you must know, Alicia--" I gave George a stern look and shook my head. "And I just thought it was best to call it quits. Or take a break—whatever."

"Katie, can you come with me a minute?" Lee asked.

"Sure."

"In the other room, please."

"I don't think that's proper to do here, Lee," she laughed.

Lee just got up from the couch and headed into my guest bedroom. OH MY GOSH—no.

"Well don't look so distraught, Lee, it makes me think you've got something dreadful to say," Katie said with a smile on her face.

"Ten galleons he doesn't tell her!" George said.

"I'm in," Alicia said. "He will."

"Anyone else?" George asked us.

"No," I said.

The twins, Alicia, and I just looked at each other and continued our conversations about nothing.

"So, Alicia, who you been seeing these days?" George asked as if he didn't care.

Katie came out of the room laughing and holding her mouth, also holding Lee's hand who was walking behind her. "Guys, we're about to head out—it's getting late."

"It's seven thirty," Alicia said, giving George his ten galleons.

She just smiled, "I've got to talk to you, Angelina, I'll be back Monday, all right?"

I just nodded. I think I was more pissed off that Lee didn't tell her than I would be if he did.

Lee looked guiltily at all of us before they Disapparated, hand in hand.

"Oh my bloody hell, what is wrong with that boy?" I asked.

"He'll leg her over, then break the news. Good system—I've used it myself several times," Fred said, nodding and smiling. I looked at him, "But not recently. And—never again."

"So, Alicia, you never answered my question," George smirked.

"No one, George. I've been focused on finding a job. So, I've been training with Angelina. And my parents are about to buy me a flat—so—no one. I haven't had time to see anyone," she said it all without looking at him.

"How is the shop doing, guys?" I asked.

"Excellent. George's been inventing like crazy—good stuff, and I have come up with the idea of expanding—we're getting premises in Hogsmeade," he smiled brightly.

"That's really good, guys," Alicia said.

"Yeah, at this rate we could go international. You'd love to go to France, wouldn't you, Ang?" Fred asked me.

"Sure." France reminded me of Garrett. Ugh.

The rest of the night was pretty uneventful. We had some wine, talked, etc. George and Alicia actually seemed to flirt a bit. I mean, forgive and forget, right? Hell no, but at least be decent to each other. So, it was around midnight when everyone left. The twins said they had business to tend to and Alicia just said she was tired. So, I was left to my own and passed out on my couch some five minutes after they were all gone.

I awoke the next morning with Fred's head resting near mind, he was holding my hand and sleeping on the floor.

Just as I was about to get up, a knock came at my door and woke Fred. He blinked a few times and shook his hair out of his face, "Morning, Ang," he smiled.

"Morning," I said and went over to the door.

"GOOD! You're ready. Breakfast, right?" Demitri asked.

"Actually, I fell asleep on my couch. What's the time?" I pulled my hair back.

"Ten. We're expected at Mum's at noon."

"It'll only take me a few minutes. You can come in," I left him at the door and he entered. "There, bond while I get ready," I smiled at the two boys—men?

I came out of my room about ten, fifteen minutes later. "I'm ready."

"Right, let's go, then," Demitri said.

"Where're we going?" I asked.

"Small diner. Asami is going to meet us there, she's saving seats," he smiled. "We can walk, if you don't mind."

"Sure," I said.

So, we got there soon enough and sat down in an empty table—curious because I thought Asami was supposed to be there. I saw across from my brother and next to Fred—who was on the outside of the booth.

"Yeah, I mean, it pays well—but I miss Quidditch," I said.

"HI!" a young girl squeaked outside the booth.

"Hello," I said awkwardly.

"Angelina, Fred, this is Asami," my brother got up to let her inside.

"How old are you?" I blurted out. Sorry.

She smiled awkwardly. She was absolutely gorgeous, she was. However, she looked about fifteen, honestly, she looked really young. At first glance I thought she was Cho Chang. "I just turned twenty last August." She giggled and I noticed she spoke very good English—her accent was barely noticeable.

"Twenty, I'm nineteen. Wow, cool," I said very—choppy. I didn't want to sound rude, so I said, "and this is Fred—we're all the same age." Maybe that wasn't the best thing. There was more silence. "I heard you like Quidditch."

"Oh, yeah, I've been playing since—practically birth!" Which was not very long ago. Let me remind you that she is my age—my brother is seven years older than me, making him twenty-six—a perfect age for marriage. However, I'm not—well, nineteen is young.

"That's cool—Fred and I played in school," I nudged him. He hadn't said a thing.

"Is Japan nice? I've never been," he smiled.

"Sure, it's nice. Actually, I love it," she smiled brightly. "Never been?"

"No, but if business goes well, we'll have a shop there," he put his arm around me and I just smiled.

"Business?" she asked.

"Fred and his twin, George, they've started a shop—selling--" I started.

"Well, if you're interested in a laugh, we've got everything from your standard Dungbombs to your rubber wands. But if you're not the comedic type, we've got everyday things—get bored after practice, nothing interesting to do—if you take classes, and get bored—we've got--"

"She wasn't looking for a full-page spread, Fred. He sells jokes—it's a joke shop."

"It's not just a joke shop—I mean, yes, the majority of the products--"

"Shop. Yes. And you guys--" I cut him off and heard him sigh.

Thankfully the waiter came and took our orders, the food came and there was little talk while eating. So, time went on. My brother was resting on the window with Asami almost sitting completely on him—there wasn't much space, so you can get that she was really tiny.

"Are you guys excited about tomorrow?" my brother asked. He had obviously slipped something in his drink that we didn't know about.

I looked at him, "Listen, I love Mum and all—but she's not too keen on either of our—significant others."

Demitri smirked sympathetically to Asami, "She's mad about the Ministry—don't know why—but, it's—I think she thinks that a life is more respectable once one is living for business and success rather than for pleasure—as I'd like to say you and Angelina are. Quidditch in that since, is very successful—but she'd rather a more conservative lifestyle. And Fred—is an entrepreneur and that is honorable in every sense--"

"Thank you," Fred said quickly.

My brother nodded, "Yes. But I suppose his field of—industry, manufacturing is not conservative. She leaves a very small box of perfection she thinks her children are supposed to fill—and I guess we don't fit that mold," he took a large breath.

I clapped, "Well put. Still doesn't justify the madness, though."

"Dad just sits back and tries to calm her. Basically, we say nice things about Fred—she'll shut him down. You say nice things about Asami—she'll shut her down. Now, why is she like that? I don't know. Just, give her time. She'll adjust and fall in love with each of you. She's just stiff at first," Demitri smiled.

"'Mitri, you're scaring me!" Asami laughed.

"She's honestly not horrible, just give her some time—by Monday morning, she'll be wished you didn't have to go back him. Also, I think she's exceptionally judgmental because all of the respectable witches or wizards she's known have been somehow involved in the Ministry—and we all know, we fear the unknown." Oh my gosh, stop talking. I swear, Fred and I have maybe said ten sentences together. My brother is a chill person, right? And now—he's all blabby and I don't like it.

"Well, I think we should be off—I mean, need to get prepared before we—head out. You two have a nicer morning," I smirked and hit Fred on the leg to nudge him to scoot out of the booth.

"Nice meeting you," Fred said as we hurried out of the restaurant.

"Be nice—we need them," I whispered just as the door closed behind us. Fred laughed, "Want to walk—or Apparate."

"Apparate, Ang, we've wasted enough time because I'm going to have to last the rest of the weekend," he smiled and grabbed my arm.

"All right," Fred swished his hair out of his eyes and buttoned his pants, "I'm ready for the danger zone."

I laughed, "Loser. Come on, get the stuff—we should get there early."

"Well, I'm all set," Fred said.

"Good. You can carry the stuff. Let's go."

So, we appeared at my Mum's front porch about five minutes later and knocked on the door—didn't want to intrude like I usually do, eh?

"Good day, dearest," my mum answered the door and ushered us inside as if she actually wanted us to be there. "Frederick, my, you do look handsome," she chucked. Drugs—that must be it—she did drugs.

"Uh, thank you Mrs. Johnson," I smiled awkwardly and threw me a look of surprise and uncertainty.

"Come, come, tea? We've made plenty," she reminded me of a hostess at a party, trying to close a deal for her husband or something—extremely nice.

I looked at Fred and he just shrugged, "Sure," I answered for us. "I'm going to put the stuff in my room—uh, just get the tea ready and we'll be right down."

"Right, Angelina, dear." Psycho.

So, we went up to the room I had inhabited for seventeen or so years of my life—I stopped in the doorway, "WHAT DID YOU DO!" I shouted and dropped the bags at my side. "Bunk beds?"

"Ella!" my dad came behind us.

"Yes?" she came up the stairs innocently.

"Bunk beds?" I repeated.

"Well, I thought one would be rather small—so I just—it's like that in Demitri's room as well. I didn't want anyone uncomfortable," she smiled, her hands cupped against her stomach.

"We're not five, Mother, we could manage—and we've got a guest bedroom if you were worried about comfort!"

"But then one of our guests would be forced to sleep in those little beds the two of you have."

"They're queen-sized!"

"Bunk beds are all right with me," Fred said and entered my room.

"Fr--" he yanked me inside and threw the bags on the top. "How about that tea?" he smiled.

"Ata boy, Frederick," my mother patted him on the shoulder and lead everyone downstairs. Can she stop calling him that? Can she stop being nice? Eh.

'Ata boy, Frederick,' he mouthed as we continued down the steps and into the kitchen.

So, we enjoyed our tea—well, at least we looked as if we enjoyed our tea—it was really the most dull ten minutes of my life. My parents chatted Fred up about the Ministry and I nodded off to sleep about five times—in just ten minutes.

"When is Demitri arriving?" I asked. Just then, a knock came at the front door.

"I always thought you two were just like twins!" My mother giggled, "Oh, Frederick, you are a twin!" HAHAHAHAHA. Shut the hell up. "I'll get the door," she smiled and slapped Fred on his knee as she got up, still giggling from her joke—that was not funny.

"Hello everyone!" Demitri said loudly. "This is Asami."

My mother came in the room, looking livid, "My goodness, Edmund—this is statutory rape!"

All of our faces dropped. Not a good way to start off the weekend. "Ella!" my father stood.

"Mum!" Demitri shouted.

"Sorry, you just look so young—how old are you?" my mother asked.

"Twenty," Asami said with a tear gliding gracefully down her cheek.

"Well, that's a fine age," my father said, attempting to repair the situation.

We all just avoided each other's gazes.

"Well, let's talk!" My mother said, "Into the living room, the lot of you!" I don't think any of us wanted to move. However, the spotlight had been taken off Fred and onto the youthful Asami. Poor girl.

Demitri whispered in Asami's ear and we all continued into the living room like my mother asked. Fred seemed greatly at ease and took a seat on the far recliner. I was about to sit in it next to him, it was rather large, but decided against it and took the seat next to him.

"Listen, dear, I am sorry. You just look so young—be proud, though, next thing you know you're fifty and still looking thirty-five!" my mother giggled.

Demitri sat down and he brought Asami to sit right up next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled.

"So, tell us about yourself, Asami, we don't know anything about you," said my mother.

"Well, what do you want to know?" she asked weakly. I think she was scared of doing anything else to upset my Mum. Don't the Japanese like—value the elderly or something? Something like that. Or she could just be polite—scared about meeting the parents just like the rest of us are.

"Everything. What are your hobbies? Coloring? Riding a bicycle? Or perhaps Exploding Snap?" my mother said sarcastically.

"Quidditch, actually, Mother," Demitri answered.

"I was only playing, darling, honestly." Oh my Godric, get me out of this hell—I can not wait until Sunday.

"So, when are you two getting married?" my mother asked Fred and I during dinner. Since Demitri arrived, she hadn't said anything about or to Fred and I.

"What?" I asked, choking on my fettucini Alfredo.

"It's an honest question, I mean—you two've been courting since—some years now."

"Well, when we're going to get married, I assure you—I'll let you know."

"What is happening to today's youth?" my mum asked my dad.

"What is happening to today's elders?" I sassed.

"Well feel free to fornicate all you please—no commitment is needed, I suppose. I never knew my daughter would grow up to be such a classy tart," she smiled.

"MOTHER!" Demitri said.

"Mrs. Johnson, I will not-- " Fred started.

"Oh, sit down, you silly little boy. I know she's not a tart—I'm just trying to get a rise out of you all. Faithfulness may be present in your relationship but commitment is not."

"Oh, Merlin, Mother, shut up! Do you want us here to chastise us? It's Christmas, at least act like you like Fred and Asami," I got up from the table. "Do you want us here?"

"Of course, you're my children," she smiled.

"Then I'll see you in the morning," I pulled Fred from the table and went up the stairs to my old room.

"The audacity of that woman!" I said after I closed the door.

"Angelina, I just want to go to sleep—and wake up—and then go home," Fred got on the damn bottom bunk—that is so stupid. Bunk beds.

"You're right. Sleep is just what I need. But you know what else would make me happy?" I asked.

"What?" he said, fixing his blankets and fluffing up his pillow.

I smirked and he just continued with his sheets and things. He finally turned over. "Can you turn out the light?"

I pulled my wand out of my back pocket and flicked it in the air, plunging us into half-darkness. A small lamp was on my desk.

"Good night, Angelina," Fred said and I heard him turn over—you know how you can hear bunk beds clink and stuff?

"HEY! Hey, hey, good night," he laughed. I had crawled on top of him. "Hmm, bad idea, Angelina. Your mum already dislikes me. And besides—I think it's impossible—oh, okay!"

"Yeah, Fred, wasn't it you that said the risk was half the fun?"

"Hell, it's all fun!" Fred laughed and turned me over. Unfortunately, his head hit the bars just above us and made an extremely loud noise. "SHIT!"

My mother stormed in and turned on the lights. Shit is right.

YESSSS: Always caught at it--actually, this time they are innocent..haha. The rest shall come soon enough. Thanks for it all. I should let you know--I don't think this one will EVER end. Haha.