"Love, can you please pass me the large box of Nosebleed Nougat?" Fred called down from his perch on the ladder near the tops of the shelving unit. It was taking time, but they were getting through the summer. Thankfully, apart from the Ron scare, no one in the family had been seriously hurt. Although, they could all feel the weight of Sirius' death. That, and they needn't even look outside to know the bad times had arrived. Even the weather seemed to be affected, dreariest it had ever been, or so it felt. People were truly shaken, one neighbour turning on another at the drop of a hat. Muggles and muggle-borns were being attacked all over the area, Death Eaters once more at large. The Minister had stepped down, and everyone realised the truth they'd tried so hard to hide from. Voldemort had returned. And with him came his followers and the start of the mysterious disappearances.
The one light the three had right now was the store. They'd all put their hearts and souls into making Odile's creation come to life. The walls were bright and colourful, and every inch oozed the tone of mischief and tomfoolery. Stacks and stacks of Weasley products lined the rooms, and there were more being added each day as the boys perfected more and more of their wondrous creations. The store's opening day would be soon, and they were getting prepared by stocking each shelf with so much product that it almost spilt over.
"Yeah, just gimme a sec." She called back as she put the finishing touches on the mural on the wall behind the register. It wasn't anything too artistic and fancy, just the Weasley Wizard Wheezes logo emblazoned across an orange wall, but it seemed to fit them. The boys were a bit put out when she said she wanted no credit in making the store a reality. She had told them that it was their baby; she was just there to make it look pretty. Despite them offering her a large cut of their business, she'd insisted on measly 10%, much to the protest of the boys. She had then proceeded to remind them that all she'd contributed was the design, and had they not forced her, she wouldn't have even been there for the conception. It was then that the boys learned just how humble to a fault that Odile was. She stood and brushed her hands on her jeans, admiring the work.
"Blimey, that looks fantastic, Odile!" George cried out from his spot, where he was carefully stacking the Skiving Snackboxes display. She beamed over at him and grabbed the box of nougat, crossing the room to where her boyfriend stood precariously on the ladder.
"Do you want to come down, or should I levitate them up to you?" He tapped his chin in mock consideration before attaching his heels to the corresponding sides of the ladder and sliding down. She barely had time to react before his lips were on hers. She heard a distinct thump as her hands came up around his neck, pulling him in closer. These were the best moments. Despite their somewhat rocky start, things were getting better with the living situation. They'd finally finished redecorating her room, so she had an environment where she could relax and not be surrounded by the brightness of the rest of the flat. She had spent her Hogwarts days in the dungeons after all, and red was definitely not her colour.
"Again? When are you two going to get a closet?" The two broke apart with the loud groan from George.
"You're just jealous, Georgie." Fred joked as he pulled Odile closer to his chest, hands clasped at the base of her spine.
"Sure," he replied with an eye roll as he turned to put more wood chips into the pet display case, "Or perhaps I don't want to see you two devouring each other's faces each time I turn around."
"Hey! … it's not every time." Odile mumbled, afraid to admit that, yes, George Weasley was correct. The two had become much closer, little displays of affection very present; whether it was through Odile putting the kettle on so Fred could have tea while she made her morning cup of coffee, or Fred going out of his way to buy Cheerios from a muggle store near Diagon Alley.
"Keep telling yourselves that. I think I preferred it when you were fighting," George shook his head and looked at his checklist before shouting back at the two, "I'm going to go pick up some supplies for the Pygmy Puffs, try not to procreate while I'm gone."
"GEORGE!" The boy raced from the room at Odile's scandalised cry, and the book that had been aimed for his head bounced harmlessly off the wall. She could feel Fred's chest vibrating with poorly concealed laughter. She pulled herself out from his grasp, crossing her arms in annoyance.
"Merlin, he's so ridiculous. As if I would, well-" Odile pouted as Fred chuckled at his girlfriend's outraged look.
"Have sex?" He questioned in between laughter, but there was a glint of something else in his eyes. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm not some blushing virgin Fred, I've had sex." He stopped laughing rather abruptly and looked over at her in shock.
"What?" He blurted out, eyebrows furrowing. She snorted at his change of tone, cocking an eyebrow.
"Was that a note of jealousy I detected there, Mr Weasley?" His face flamed nearly as bright as his hair. He spluttered in an attempt at defence as she moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around the nape of his neck.
"What, pft, no. I was just, well, um-"Odile giggled and ran her fingers through the tufts of red sticking up across his shaggy head.
"Fred Weasley, you may not be my first, but I certainly intend you to be my last." He gulped, almost in disbelief at how much those words meant to him. She grinned at his speechlessness and gave him a quick peck on the nose.
"Come on then. Let's get this job finished, and then we can get some of that Chocolate Frog Delight from Florean's. My treat." He grinned down at her as she bent to pick up the abandoned box. He wondered once more just how he had managed to snag this one. He certainly was punching, and everyone knew it. Well, everyone except her.
"Sounds perfect."
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"Grand opening tomorrow, how are you feeling?" Odile asked with a grin as she watched the boys over her steaming cup of hot chocolate. The clock was soon to strike 10, but not one of the young adults were truly tired yet, bellies bubbling with nerves. Fred and George exchanged looks of anticipation.
"Brilliant." They replied simultaneously, causing her to burst into laughter; her iconic giggle had the brothers joining her not long after. She flopped between them, a place that had been unanimously chosen as her place on the settee. Once they calmed down a bit, she sighed and leaned back against the couch, her new reality finally hitting her.
"Dear Merlin, it's actually happening," Her voice was coloured with such wonder, Fred couldn't help but grin within the first few seconds, "To think, just a few months ago, I was neck-deep in books and theories and essays about that damn troll war. Now I'm helping open the store with my two favourite boys."
"Not boys anymore love, we're men now." Fred countered with a puffed-out chest.
"Oh yes, of course, how could I forget?" She soothed, patting him condescendingly on the shoulder. George grinned over at the couple as they teased each other. His brother had always been the life of the party, the one to cheer up everyone on their sad days, but he knew his brother wasn't as happy as he appeared. He had some difficulty with the number of people who underestimated him. That had ended the majority of his relationships. Girls had just wanted a fling and decided that he wouldn't want anything serious anyway, given he was the school joker. As corny as it sounded, that had changed when he met Odile. Neither particularly looking for a relationship, neither expecting one from the other, but somehow both had found it. With an ever-present grin on his face, George waved his hand, silently turning on the record player that had been a gift from his Dad. The sweet mellow crooning of the muggle singer Frank Sinatra filled the room, washing over everything in its path, bathing the room in its peace.
"Mmmm, this is nice." Odile murmured before letting out a yawn, curling up between her boys, head on Fred's lap, feet digging into the side of George's leg. The brothers sat there for what felt like an hour, watching the fireplace crackle, the flames dancing across their vision, enjoying the soothing music interlaced with Odile's soft breathing.
"We really did it, Freddie." George said after a while, causing his brother to hum in agreement.
"We really did, Georgie." And there they sat for the rest of the night, huddled together, until one by one, they all nodded off, a blanket of peace, warmth, and silence enveloping them.
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A/N: Chapter 2, just for you! I'll try and upload every Thursday, if not every second Thursday. A very special thank you to those who favourited M-chanchen, Meliara422, Raven That Flies At Night, those who followed, M-chanchen, Raven That Flies At Night, minnatarek, nathy13, and those who reviewed, LilEinstein, M-chanchen, and Raven That Flies At Night! You are all very much appreciated, and I hope to see y'all soon.