The next couple of weeks were hard on Lacey and her father. The business wasn't doing too well. Lacey's father had told a couple of friends down at The Leaky Cauldron. Soon word had got out and everyone around Diagon Alley was whispering about it. Lacey always got pitied looks from store owners every morning. She hated people feeling sorry for her.

The store terribly needed help. They would be sure to close in the next coming weeks if they didn't get help, or the business didn't pick up again soon. It worried Lacey every single day. This shop was her father's life.

It was a quiet Friday afternoon; it wasn't always like this business used to be booming. Friday used to be one of their best days, not until it was their worst.

Just as Lacey felt her eyes slowly close out of boredom, the shop door opened and her eyes shot open. To her surprise, it was a Weasley twin; she was confused to why he'd even bother showing his face after what she did. She would have yelled at him if she wasn't so tired.

"Anything you want, sir?" She asked, yawning.

"Hi." He gave her a small smile. She could already tell he was there because he felt sorry for her. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Please don't," she groaned, not wanting to hear another you've got this rant. "You don't have to feel sorry for us, we'll be fine."

"No, I'm here for a business opportunity."

"What? A business opportunity with you?" She was bewildered. Was this a joke? Why would she want to work with them after everything they had done to her?

"Yes, with me and my brother. We heard about, well um-you know.." She rolled her eyes at him, of course this was them feeling sorry for her.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear it. I don't want you or your brother feeling sorry for us."

"Please, just let me explain. I think you might like it." He smiled. He really wanted to help.

"Ugh Okay what is your great business opportunity?" Lacey groaned.

"Well, me and George were discussing the sweet recipes we had created a couple of weeks ag-"

"Oh, the ones you brought out to send me and my father out of business?"

"No.. but yes, those. Well, as you know we can't put them to use, as it was a shitty thing to do. But you and your dad could use them, they did really well in our-"

"I'm sorry weasel, but we haven't got the money to waste on making new products that may or may not even sell." She had to admit it was a kind offer, but they couldn't do it. It was too big of a risk.

"I've already thought of that." He placed a briefcase onto the counter, popping it open. He pulled out a red envelope, an envelope Lacey knew too well. It was the same type of envelope they had left the first time they had fucked her over. "I know you don't want to take the money, but this is a business opportunity. This is a partnership. We wouldn't want you to make our products for them to not work out and put you out of pocket."

"I'm sorry, I'm confused. What is the whole partnership?"

"The deal is that you make our creations, maybe seal the boxes with a collaboration sticker showing it was both of our companies working together, you would sell them in your store and we would sell the sweets you make in our store too with a display advertising this shop. We would split the profit fifty fifty."

"But that doesn't seem quite fair on you guys. I'd be getting the better deal.. What's the catch?" It was too good to be true. There must have been some weird type of catch.

"No sneaky catch, I promise. Let's be honest, we fucked up, we got off on the wrong foot, and that was purely our fault. In the end we'd both be making a profit."

Lacey took a moment to think about it, it was an insanely good deal but something in her felt like she was making a deal with the devil. "I would have to ask my father about it first."

"Yeah, that's completely fine." He nodded. "I'll leave this here." He pulled out a contract for her to sign. "If you decide to take us up on the offer, just sign this." He smiled and walked out of the shop.

Lacey took a moment. She was a little in shock. This deal could save them. She picked up the contract to look at it, and under it he had hidden the small red envelope. She opened it. Inside must have been well over 500 galleons. She couldn't believe it, it had been a long time since she had seen that much money at once.

Lacey looked up out of the window and noticed the tall ginger in a conversation with a small child and her mother. He was pulling faces at the little girl, making her laugh. Maybe they weren't so bad after all. She instantly felt bad by the way she spoke to him, she could've been a little nicer.

That night she had discussed the offer with her father. He was more than happy about it. He thought it was a brilliant idea. Lacey and her father spent the night trying out the recipes the Weasleys had given them. They were good. Sweet, tangy, and tasted incredible.

"Lacey, I think that boy was definitely onto something.. whatever it is, it's brilliant!" He cheered, biting into yet another one of the squishy sweets.

"I think that one's called a monko?" She laughed at the odd name. These were honestly good recipes. The two of them had decided they were going to take the Weasleys up on their offer. What else did they have to lose? The store was already on the verge of closure. They needed this.

In the morning Lacey went over to Weasleys Wizard Wheezes with the contract in one hand and a basket filled with treats in the other. She knocked on the door more gently than previous times she had stormed over there in a huff.

She heard the bolt slide and was greeted with an exhausted Weasley boy.

"Good morning," Lacey smiled. He opened the door wide, letting her come into the store. "Where's the other one?" She asked him.

"He'll be down in a second. Anything I can do for you? Don't want to hex me or shave my head or anything? Because before you do that, at least give me five minutes to prepare myself." He laughed, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Oh no, I came here to thank you both." She smiled, handing him the gift basket.

"Thank us?" She heard from behind her, the other twin was coming down the stairs very much confused.

"Yes, me and my father spoke last night, and we agreed." Lacey grinned.

"You agree?" The one holding the basket was completely lost.

"Oh, shit... you agree!" The other twin came running down the stairs, bringing Lacey into a bear hug. He was undoubtedly excited.

"She agrees to what?"

"Her and her dad are gonna take the deal, George!" He cheered, bringing his brother into the hug. "Is this for us?" He asked, taking the basket off of his brother. "Are you sure you haven't added dye in these again?"

"Or worse, poisoned us?" George laughed, eyeing the treats.

"No, look." Lacey laughed, grabbing one of the sweets from the basket. She took a bite to show them they are not in fact poisoned. They both smiled at each other and took a sweet each from the basket.

"Wow, these are incredible. Slightly better than the ones I made." George looked to be enjoying the sweets as he went into the basket for another one.

"Well, it's all thanks to you guys."

A/N -

I know Lacey can be unbearable; I wanted to make a somewhat annoying character. I wanted to go outside of my comfort zone. I promise she'll get more bearable.

I love hearing your opinions and advice. Thank you to those who already have. :)-GG