House: Hufflepuff
Position: Muggle Studies
Drabble
Prompt: [First line/Last line] It was times like this when name would hide (Alt, It was/is times like this when name/he/she/they would hide).
Word Count: 841
It was times like this when Harry would hide, or try to.
An army of Weasley brothers march over the grass towards him, thunderous looks on their faces. They weave through the barbecue guests with practised ease, and Harry wonders if this is the first time they've done this. Apart from the youngest, who is trailing behind with his ear tips shining bright pink. Ron looks sheepish, and Harry knows his best friend has given away his secret.
"Bugger."
Harry casts his eyes left, then right, looking for somewhere to make his escape, but despite the large crowd gathering in the sunny back garden of the Burrow, there is nowhere he can seek refuge. Even the house is full of people, and if this conversation is going to happen, he'd rather not have everyone see it.
Or maybe witnesses would be a good idea, he thinks.
Even though he knows it's coming, it's still a surprise when George and Charlie hook their arms into Harry's and drag him down past the boundaries of the house, dumping him unceremoniously outside the old treehouse.
"We need a word with you." Bill is the first to speak up. The eldest brother crosses his arms tightly over his chest, and the sun highlights the scars on his face, making him look more menacing than usual.
"Yes, someone told us you have plans." Percy stands tall next to his brother. Although the ex-prefect's face looks more relaxed than Bill's, Percy's pompous-always-right tone cuts straight into Harry's thoughts, sending a shiver of fear over his body.
"I gathered," Harry sighs, pulling himself up from the grass and dusting himself off. He had dressed smartly this morning with Ginny in mind, and he doesn't want to look a mess later. If he even gets a chance for later.
Again, he checks his surroundings, looking for a quick escape and a place to hide if it's needed. It's something he's always done—a habit leftover from the war.
I'd rather face Voldemort again, than the entire bunch of Weasley boys, he thinks.
"Ron tells us you're planning to propose to Ginny." George is the next brother to speak up. He's kinder in tone, but Harry remembers the cruel pranks and jokes the remaining twin has played over the years. It makes the black-haired man shudder.
"Ron should learn when to keep his mouth shut." Harry glares at his best friend, who shrugs then decides his trainers have suddenly gotten intriguing.
"Well, we just wanted to warn you..." says George. He takes a step closer to Harry. The redhead has his wand in his hand, and he's brandishing it menacingly.
"... that if you mess around with our sister's heart," Bill adds.
"If you dump her again."
"Or if you go all saviour-complex on her."
"We'll be here."
"Watching."
"Or at the end of the floo."
They're all chiming in and looking like they're having a lot of fun as they do it. Their voices melt together and if Harry were to close his eyes, the sound would conjure up the image of one giant Weasley brother. If he didn't know the family better, Harry would be petrified. Any other man would be put off or rethinking his plans, but not Harry.
"Of course, our sister is Ginny, lads." Charlie's voice is lazier, and when Harry looks up, he spots the dragon-keeper leaning up against the tree. Charlie's eyes are closed as he basks in the late afternoon breeze. "She does know how to stick up for herself."
"True." Bill relaxes, sinking onto the grass. "I've been at the receiving end of one of her Bat-Bogey Hexes, and…" he trails off, the memory too brutal for him to bear.
"Maybe we should rethink our approach," Percy laughs. "Maybe we should be rewarding Harry for taking her off our hands."
One by one, the brothers recline in the shade. Out of nowhere, a bottle of Old Ogden's appears and slowly gets passed around. Harry checks to make sure they're not leading him into a trap before finally settling in the grass next to Ron.
Just as quickly as they started, the threats have finished, and once again, they're all great mates.
The bottle reaches Harry, but he only takes a short sip from it. It wouldn't be a good idea for him to get drunk before he achieves his plan. He passes the drink to Ron next.
"'M sorry," Ron whispers before taking a long draw. "They have ways of getting information out of you. You don't want to know what they threatened."
"So, Harry," George interrupts, propping himself up on his elbow. He's smiling over at the Chosen One, and Harry is sure the twin is trying to be friendly now. "Are you looking forward to becoming a Weasley? Because even though Ginny will probably take your surname, there is no escaping us."
Harry's stomach lurches at the thought of the upcoming proposal, but the five faces grinning at him quells the nerves somewhat. "Yeah, I reckon it'll be okay."