But What If

by Yavanna and SunStar

It's the summer of 2002 when Non Llewellyn, an anxiety riddled PTSD suffering auror, is just struggling to get through the days. Hot on the case of dark wizards who evaded capture after the war, she doesn't have time for any additional stress but when a new Ministry of Magic law gets put into place her world will never be the same again. *AU as FW lives*

15. Chapter 15

Disclaimer: I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe, that all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Non Llewellyn however is mine.

Chapter 15

I hesitated as I stood outside the door that would lead to the stairs up to George and Fred's flat. The dish of rhubarb crumble hovered in the air in front of me. What if the door was locked, how was I to get it? Last time I'd used this entrance Fred had been leading the way.

I glanced nervously about me, it was still relatively early on Sunday morning so there were no people about but I didn't want to risk being spotted. I had in fact been up for hours. I'd been woken by the dawn light as it filtered through my living room window where I'd forgotten to shut the curtains, and my neck still hurt slightly from having slept awkwardly on the sofa. Hermione had placed a blanket over me but I guessed she hadn't wanted to risk waking me.

As soon as I'd woken a horrible sinking feeling had settled in my stomach. I knew I had to apologise to George, to at least try and explain to him why I'd reacted as I had although I squirmed at that thought. I'd hardly even spoken to the girls about how anxiety bothered me, it was just plain weird to have to explain it to George. I mean really, I still hardly knew him.

I'd taken a long walk, taking in the noises of the birds as they started to wake before cooking up a decent breakfast, probably the best I'd had in weeks, and then finally set to baking the crumble. Okay so it wasn't exactly my best but I started work soon and knew I didn't have time to make a proper cake in apology.

I drew in a deep breath and as I let out a heavy sigh I finally reached my hand out to try the handle. To my amazement, the door clicked open and with another quick glance behind me I pushed it open and stepped inside, the crumble hovering along beside me. As soon as I'd stepped in to the hall the door shut loudly behind me and I had to quell down the thrum of nerves. I counted my breaths as I made my way slowly up the stairs before I steeled myself and knocked on the door to the flat. And waited.

And then waited some more. Shit, what if he wasn't in? I hadn't even thought of that. What if he was in the workshop? What if, my stomach sank further, he was at The Burrow? I really didn't feel up to a Weasley family gathering especially not when I didn't know how pissed off George was with me. What if I just hadn't knocked loud enough? I chewed on my lip as I raised my hand again ready to knock when I finally heard the sound of the door starting to open.

I felt a split second moment of panic where I seriously considered just abandoning the crumble and making a run for it but then the door was open and George stood there filling the doorway, one hand still on the door and I wondered if he was considering just shutting it again now he'd seen who was there. He was still in his pyjamas, just checked bottoms with an old grey t-shirt and he very much had bed hair. Shit, had I woken him up? He wasn't smiling. It was very un-George like and also I guessed a clear sign that he really was angry with me. He also hadn't said anything. I took a deep breath and tried to screw up my courage.

"Um, hi George. S-sorry if I woke you I just wanted to-to…"

Apologise Non, you want to apologise.

George's face was still expressionless, he clearly wasn't going to make this easy but I felt absurdly awkward being stood on his front door step. I tried again.

"May I come in?"

He considered me for what felt like a very long moment. His brown eyes didn't stray from my face and I had to fight the urge against squirming before finally he nodded.

"Sure, come on in."

He pushed the door open wider but didn't let go of it and I had no option but to duck under his arm slightly as I entered the flat. After he'd shut the door he brushed past me, one hand rubbing at the back of his neck as he led me towards the kitchen. I could see the leftover breakfast dishes and felt absurdly glad that at least I hadn't woken him. George was busying himself putting the kettle on and getting some cups ready for tea when I screwed up my courage again.

"I'm really sorry George."

There was no reaction. George just carried on making the tea. Shit, had he not heard me? I bit my lip. Should I just say it again? He turned then, indicating that I should sit as he took the seat opposite me, the cups of tea floating towards us before they settled on the table.

"What are you sorry for?"

Right okay, so he had heard me. I bit my lip again.

"Well, uh for, well for upsetting you."

"Why do you think I'm upset?"

I blinked at that question. I mean it was obvious, wasn't it?

"Because I-I shouted at you. I, well I told you to fuck off."

I could feel my face burning in mortification as I recalled it, but George was already shaking his head.

"That's not why I'm upset Non."

"I don't – I don't understand."

And I mean, I didn't. How could that not have upset him? George took a deep breath in through his nose and I could have sworn he was counting to ten silently.

"I can understand why you shouted at me Non. What I don't understand is why the hell you didn't tell me at the match that you needed to leave sooner than you did. I don't understand why you couldn't just say why you needed to go. I wouldn't have just taken you somewhere if you'd just said Non. I'm not a bloody mind reader. "

"I didn't – I didn't want to leave the match."

"Non you hated every bloody second. Are you seriously trying to say that you wanted to be there?"

His jaw was clenched and I could see a muscle ticking slightly in his check. His hands at least were only loosely clasped around his cup of tea. He was annoyed then although I didn't think anger was too far away.

"No I didn't want to be there but that doesn't mean I wanted to leave. No please, let me finish," I stumbled over my words as a scowl formed on George's face, "It was my first match in two years and I had to see it through. I just, I didn't want it to beat me. I know that probably doesn't make much sense."

I glanced down at my lap, I felt weird having admitted that. But it was true, I felt that if I had bailed half way through the match that my anxiety would have won. Annoyingly, George now didn't look like he was going to say anything and I hurried to fill the awkward silence.

"I mean ideally I'd have had a seat at the end of a row, and probably gone on my own so I didn't have to pretend that I was…"

I trailed off. Merlin I couldn't finish that sentence.

"Pretend that you were okay?"

I mean why finish my own thoughts when George will just do that for me right? I could feel my cheeks colour in embarrassment. Did he not get just how awkward and horrible this was for me, to admit that I was so pathetic I could hardly hold myself together to watch a game of Quidditch? I shrugged at him.

"Yeah okay no more shrugs Non. How about you try words."

I bristled at his reprimand.

"You know this isn't easy for me George. I don't even talk to the girls about it, not really. I mean you try telling someone you hardly know that you're so messed up you struggle to sit through a game of Quidditch."

"Stop that."

I startled at the sharpness of his words and glanced up to see his eyes blazing and I had to fight against shrinking back in my seat.

"You aren't messed up Non."

"George I struggle to even go to a bloody pub let alone somewhere where there's big crowds. So forgive me if I can see how messed up that is. You know normal people don't have that problem."

"Define normal."

My jaw dropped slightly even as I felt my brow furrow. What did he mean define normal?

"Oh well you know, ordinary everyday people. People who don't get anxious."

"Or you mean people who've not had something traumatic like say a war, happen?"

George asked his question lightly but his eyes narrowed as I made a move to shrug my shoulders.

"Uh well I guess. I mean most people can handle sitting down to watch a sports match George."

"Most people don't live through a war Non. You know, Fred still doesn't like loud noises. Hermione is the twitchiest witch going. You know not to sneak up on her right? She'll hex you before she's even thought."

I blinked. I mean I never did sneak up on Hermione only because I hated when people snuck up on me. I was at a loss of what to say to George though and he let out a frustrated breath.

"Non, you aren't the only one to still be working through things. Not by a long shot."

Silence settled over us both as I thought over his words. It was on the same lines as what the girls had told me when I'd first admitted my problem to them. I guess I really should have just listened to them.

"I'm upset that I upset you."

I'd been so busy staring in to my cup of tea I nearly missed George's quiet words but my head shot up, startled.

"What?"

"I'm upset I upset you, because I didn't know what things bothered you. You need to talk to me Non, or you at least need to try. If you really hadn't wanted to go to the match you should have just said."

"But you looked so disappointed when I said I couldn't go because of work…. I didn't want to upset you George. And you seem to like surprises, and you're spontaneous…you shouldn't have to change that because of me."

It was, I mused, just another clear bit of evidence that we weren't well matched.

"But it's fine for you to change what you would do to suit me?"

I opened my mouth to reply then shut it again. Shit, I didn't know how to answer that. I risked a glance at his face and was glad to see that the beginnings of a crooked smile forming on his face.

"I didn't think of it that way." I said the words softly. "It's only because I've been so tired it was so hard anyway. I know that now it's just yesterday I couldn't see it that clearly."

"Work's that bad?"

"Yeah well I'd come straight to the match after a double shift so it wasn't really great preparation."

I felt a slightly bitter smile freeze on my face. Shit why had I mentioned the double shift? I hadn't meant to let on about that at all. God, I hope he didn't notice.

"Double shift? Wait, Non did you – shit is that the shift you had to swap so you could come?"

I took a bit too long to look at him which seemed to be all the answer he needed as he cursed.

"I'm sorry Non, that was my fault."

I shook my head furiously at him.

"It isn't George. Not at all. If I hadn't have worked the double before the match I'd have had to work it after. Either isn't great but neither should be the reason why I can't keep a handle on things. That's on me."

I'd crossed my arms in annoyance only to see George had done the same. His jaw was clenched and I could feel a similar tension in my own as we tried to stare each other down.

"What are you two doing, practicing Occlumency?"

Fred snickered slightly as we both startled, George even smacking his elbow on the edge of the kitchen table.

"I thought you were down in the workshop?"

George rubbed his arm even as he gave his twin a half-hearted glare.

"I was Georgie, but potion brewing's hungry work. Say what's this?"

I glanced in surprise at the dish of crumble that was still hovering in the air beside me and I reached out to grab it before plonking it on the table.

"It's a peace offering. For George," I clarified as Fred made to investigate it further and he pouted.

"Excellent."

George crowed slightly as his arm snaked out to snag the dish to his side of the table as he breathed deeply.

"Rhubarb crumble?"

I inwardly squirmed at the small smile on his face but managed to nod, only to fight squirming again as his smile grew. Really I should have been relieved, it was much better than the blank expression he'd been wearing most of the time I'd been here this morning.

"But it's more for pudding not breakfast…" I trailed off as George quickly set to using the spoon he'd just summoned to eat a mouthful of the crumble.

"Mmmm, Non that is good. Honesty Fred, it's the best crumble. Shame you can't try some."

Fred scowled and flicked an apple at George who casually ducked out the way.

I took that as my signal to leave as I pushed my chair back slightly and stood. I really wasn't in the mood for a George and Fred encounter. George on his own was more than enough for me to process. George's spoon clattered as he dropped it in the dish as he stood as well.

"You're off? Don't you want to come to lunch at mum and dad's?"

"Oh I can't, I start work in a bit."

"Again? Don't you ever get a full day off?"

I gave Fred a half wave goodbye which he acknowledged with a nod as I started to head down the hall to the front door, George keeping pace behind me.

"Not really George. We've got a couple of big cases on at the moment. It won't be forever."

I mean I really hoped it wouldn't, but the staffing issues were something of a worry.

"Well alright." We'd come to a stop at the front door which George opened for me. "Just, let me know when you're free next?"

I bit my lip as I nodded, not surprised at all this time when George wrapped me into a hug.

"Oh wow you're right, this crumble is good!"

I felt George tense at Fred's shouted words.

"Ah shit, I left it in the kitchen, rookie mistake." He pulled away from me slightly to look down at me. "See you soon Non."

"Uh yeah, alright. And I really am sorry."

This time I did let out a squeak of surprise as George hugged me tight again. I felt a bit flustered when he finally drew back and I ducked my head even as I gestured in the direction of the kitchen.

"You uh, you better go save your crumble."

"Right you are Non."

"Bye George."

As I walked down Diagon Alley to head towards work I mused that perhaps that hadn't gone as badly as I'd feared. But still, George was now wanting me to talk about things and I didn't like the idea of that at all. I mean, I hated talking about things that bothered me. And I thought guys were supposed to be non-talkers about feelings. Why couldn't George just be like that?

My week trudged along in a blurring monotony of shifts at the warehouse combined with my normal auror duties of processing arrests and all of the other outstanding more petty crimes that cropped up in the magical society. All throughout I was also having to keep on high alert for Aurors Stent and Proctor so I could be sure to act a bumbling, giggling version of myself.

Thankfully they weren't around too much although on Wednesday I had heard Proctor erupting in a rage in Beckett's room as the three of them had met. I couldn't be certain it was to do with my anonymous request for the staffing records at Azkaban but it was hard to think what else it could be. It wasn't until Thursday that anything truly of interest happened at all.

I sat at my desk, my favourite battered quill twirling slowly in my hands as I gazed mournfully at the outstanding cases tray. It was overflowing. When I had been on desk duty I had at least kept it down to levels where you could actually see the top of the tray. My eyes tracked Aurors Hopkiss and Monart as they dutifully followed Gilden form the office, Merlin I missed working with them.

"Oh stop that Llewellyn."

I startled slightly at the irritated voice and frowned at Ron who was looking at me with a hint of disgust.

"Stop what?"

"Stop looking like Gilden's stolen your favourite puppies."

I scowled.

"I bloody wasn't. I just miss working with Hopkiss and Monart that's all. We made a good unit."

"Why," Ron snorted, "Because they let you call the shots and you had nobody telling you what to do?"

"That's, that's preposterous Weasley." I was well aware I was sputtering and I searched for more words. "They'd gather the evidence for me to look over, that's all. It was a system that worked well."

A stifled laugh had me glaring over at Harry's desk where all I could see was the top of his very messy head.

"Did you say something Potter?"

"Not at all," the cheeky grin on his face should have prepared me, "Although you do seem to have trouble taking orders."

My jaw dropped. That was absurd. I took orders all the time. I mean I had to, otherwise Beckett would fire me.

"Unless you can provide me with an example I'm calling bullshit."

I crossed my arms and glared at them. Ha, see if they could find anything.

"Monday. Beckett ordered that the tea area be rearranged and the only one who argued was you."

I blinked. Shit, Ron hadn't even waited a second.

"Tuesday. I ordered you to go in and make the arrest-"

"I did make the arrest!" I couldn't help myself from interrupting Harry.

"-whereby you questioned me for nearly five minutes before you finally agreed to do it."

"You know seeking clarification for something isn't wrong."

"No, not always. But when your superior orders you to do something in the field, you're supposed to do it."

I pulled a face. I mean he did have a point. I just had thought going in to arrest straight away was a bit heavy handed.

"Just because I don't like doing things without being able to ask questions doesn't mean I can't follow orders. I mean what if the orders are stupid? I'm meant to what, blindly follow it? Like that stupid tea thing on Monday. That tea area is perfectly fine, Beckett only wanted to change it because he was having a hissy fit."

"A hissy fit?"

"Yeah that's right he-." I froze. Neither Ron or Harry had spoken, in fact, they both looked like they were trying not to laugh. I swivelled around in my seat slowly. Of fucking course, it was Beckett.

"Perhaps that was the wrong choice of words."

I tried to send him an innocent smile but I quailed slightly at the snarl that broke across his face.

"You," he jabbed a finger in my direction, "Will go and rescue Benson on reception from whatever imbecile journalist is bothering him and then you will fix the tea area. No questions, no clarification, do I make myself clear?"

To be honest, I did have a question. Why on earth was he sending me to rescue Benson from a journalist when he'd specifically told me to stay away from the press? I mean that really was stupid. I swallowed down my words though as I nodded my head stiffly before I stood, shooting a side glare at Ron and Harry who were pretending to work, before I stomped out of the room grumbling to myself.

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Benson couldn't handle a persistent journalist. I mean he was fairly easy to intimidate, he even found me intimidating when most thought I looked like I was perfectly harmless. Then again maybe that made him smart…

I came to a pause in the corridor as I narrowed my eyes at the reception desk in front of me. I knew that blonde head of hair. It was Rita Skeeter. I set my face into a sweet smile as I ambled closer.

"You needed to see me Benson?"

Both figures jumped at my voice but Benson cast me a half relieved half terrified look and I sidled closer.

"Oh y-yes it was just that Ms Skeeter here needed information and I-I've tried to tell her that as a clerk I can't divulge anything."

"Oh come now Benson we both know that wasn't the only thing I was asking for."

My smile froze. Helga she was practically purring at Benson who was staring at her transfixed as he swallowed heavily. Eww, this was, urgh this was gross. I did not want to be party to a flirting Rita Skeeter.

"What is it you need Ms Skeeter?"

"Why only the tiniest bit of information Auror…." She trailed off, clearly hoping I would divulge my name. I didn't.

"What information would that be?"

"Well it's just a follow up on that muggle murder. Our readers are desperate to know more. It's been a couple of weeks now and we don't want the public to think the Auror department aren't doing their job now do we."

"Of course not Ms Skeeter. You can advise your readership that we are working closely with our muggle counterparts in the police force and that we are narrowing down the options. Progress, albeit slow, is being made."

It was the most I could give her. If I declined to comment she would just spin it in a negative light. She's probably put a bad spin on this too but I felt like I'd worked in enough that she couldn't do a hatchet job. There had been another thought on my mind, just the seed of a thought but with Skeeter in front of me it felt too good an opportunity to miss. I pretended to hesitate slightly before I spoke again.

"Mind you we'd be making quicker progress if we weren't so short staffed."

"Short staffed? What do you mean?"

There was a hungry gleam in her eyes. Good, at least I'd got her interested. I shrugged dejectedly.

"You tell me. I can't even remember the last time I had a full day off, isn't that right Benson?"

Benson was making a strangling noise and I patted him on the shoulder.

"So you see Ms Skeeter, we're really very busy. Was there anything else you needed?"

"Why no dearie I think that's enough to be getting on with. See you around." She directed her parting comment at Benson with an outrageous wink and it was all I could do to keep my face fixed with my sweet smile. I would need more therapy if this continued.

I clapped Benson on the shoulder again, ignoring his splutters as I hummed happily back down the corridor towards my desk. I really hoped she'd take the bait. If she started sniffing around the staffing records of the auror department it would throw all suspicion her way about the anonymous requests. The more I could do to keep people off finding out it was me, the better.

I shifted a bit in my seat, pulling at my bra straps a bit as they had started to become a bit uncomfortable before I grabbed the next case load of work and I threw a smirk in Ron and Harry's direction.

"See. I followed orders."

"Yeah, the tea area looks completely sorted out."

I pulled a face at Harry. Shit. I'd forgotten about that part. I decided to ignore their laughter instead as I ducked my head down to work muttering to myself. I didn't have trouble following orders. I bloody didn't.

The rest of my day didn't really get better and my bra got more and more uncomfortable.

"I am going to burn this fucking thing!"

I bellowed out to Hermione as I shoved the front door open, kicked off my shoes and started to unhook my bra strap through my t-shirt. As soon as it unhooked I felt immediate relief. I slipped the bra straps down over my arms before reaching under my t-shirt to pull the offending garment out. Merlin that was better.

"Seriously, remind me Hermione, I knew I should have binned it after last time."

I stretched out the straps as I walked into the living room before releasing the bra with a ping to send it sailing across the room. I tracked it with my eyes and let out a startled shriek as it hit George Weasley in the face. Holy shit. My bra has just hit George in the face. George Weasley is in my living room and I've just flung my bra at him. Why is George in my living room? Scrap that, how the fuck is George in my living room? I've never invited him here and he shouldn't be able to get pass my wards.

"Well now that's an entrance."

I let out a strangled scream as I whirled to see Hermione sat on the sofa with an openly grinning Fred Weasley.

How the fuck were they both here?

"What – how – what – how are you both here?"

My eyes darted between George's stunned face and Fred's amused one although I felt a frown forming when I clocked Hermione's face, she actually looked upset. I however was too busy trying to calm myself down.

If George and Fred can get in here it means my wards don't work.

I felt a surge of alarm as I sped across the room to one of my book cases.

"I mean you shouldn't be able to get in. I didn't invite you. How the hell are you here?"

My searching hands finally found the heavy bound book I wanted and I hefted it on to the coffee table with a thud before I desperately started to search the pages.

"I-I invited them Non. I'm so sorry, I know I should have asked first."

"But that doesn't make sense 'Mione. My wards don't work that way. I have to be the one that asks."

I hadn't glanced up as my eyes searched the pages. Shit, shit where the hell was the section I needed?

"My home is yours."

"What?" I cast a distracted glance at Fred.

"It's what you said to Hermione. 'My home is yours'. Wouldn't that mean that she has the same control over the wards as you?"

My hand paused in the middle of turning the page as I cast my eyes around the room.

"I suppose, I mean that could be it. I'd need to double check to be sure though…hey where's George?"

I craned my neck around in case he was behind me but the room was empty, the chair he'd been sat in was vacant too save for my stupid bloody bra.

"I suspect he's leaving."

I shot an alarmed look at Fred.

"What, why?"

I didn't like the look Fred gave me, it was half exasperated half angry before the reason hit me smack in the face. Well shit he probably thought I didn't want him here. I raced out of the room to see the front door was open.

"George! Hey, George!"

I called desperately as I ran down the garden path to see George had just got to the gate. I was lucky I guessed that he hadn't already apparated away. He stopped at least but he didn't turn to face me and I eyed the tension across his shoulders wearily. Was he upset, or just plain angry?

"I'm sorry. If it sounded like I didn't want you here. I was freaking out that my wards hadn't been working but I uh, I think they're actually fine. G-George?"

I reached out a tentative hand to touch his shoulder and he immediately moved out of my reach although he did at least turn to face me, with his arms crossed. Oh Merlin he was pissed off. He was looking as angry as Fred had the day we'd all found out who we were paired with.

"Do you want me here?"

"Of course I do!"

"Really? When would you have invited me?"

Merlin, George had a very intimidating glare. I felt myself shuffle slightly before I frowned. This was my home after all and it was up to me when I invited people back here. I squared my shoulders.

"When I felt ready to. I'm a really private person George, and not many people have access to my home. I'm not mad Hermione invited you both though, in fact I'm glad."

I felt my own surprise at my words. Was I really glad they both now had access? Weirdly, I thought I was. That really was some turnaround from getting alarmed at the mere mention of the twins names, to now being happy they had access to my home.

"When would you have felt ready to?"

Okay so, he was still angry.

"Well I dunno George, when I felt I'd gotten to know you a bit better."

"You know getting to know someone means making an effort Non . Have you even been trying?"

I gaped at him, stunned. He knew I'd been trying. I mean shit, I only went to the stupid Quidditch match for him.

"Oh by the way there's some books inside for you from Bill. Apparently you called in to the bank to see him. Nice of you to let me know he'd be dropping stuff off."

"I didn't – I didn't call into the bank to see him. I went to see Susan. I just bumped into Bill after…"

I trailed off, what exactly did George want me to say? God he was being so pissy. Had I really upset him that badly?

"I-I really am glad you're here." I stopped myself from reaching out to place a hand on his arm again given how he'd reacted the last time. "Did – did you want a tour of the place?"

George glanced at me for a long moment before letting out a heavy breath and rubbing at the back of his neck.

"Alright."

"Okay good! I'm just – er I'm just going to get changed first. Why don't you wait with Fred and Hermione?"

And shit I needed to remove my bra from the room.

"You alright there Non, you're looking a bit pink?"

Oh god why was he commenting on my blush now when he never normally mentioned them? I shot him a quick look to see a rather wicked gleam of amusement on his face. I supposed it was better than his angry glare, though only just.

"I'm – I'm just trying to forget the fact I accidently flung my bra at you."

"Well it's certainly the most unique welcome I've ever had. Not sure I'll ever forget it."

I groaned. He bloody wouldn't either would he? I felt him chuckling beside me and left him to it. A happier George was much nicer to deal with even it was at my expense. I got changed in record time before I headed back to the living room. Whilst I'd been upstairs my brain had managed to catch up and I levelled Hermione with a serious look.

"What happened?"

"Oh, nothing!"

"So it's just a coincidence you invite people here for the first time ever on the same day you're sat on the sofa looking really upset?"

I felt a bit bad at her stricken look but she kept her mouth firmly closed.

"She wouldn't tell us anything either."

"Fred!"

"What 'Mione, you bloody wouldn't. We bumped into her behind The Leaky," Fred clarified for me, "and when we couldn't get any sense from her she asked us back here."

"You two didn't exactly give me much choice."

I tried to hide a smile at how petulant she sounded but the glare she sent me told me I wasn't successful.

"So you don't want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Alright then."

I ignored George and Fred's muttered protests, clearly they had been badgering Hermione for information for a while and I knew she would only get more and more resistant. Best to wait until they'd left and she felt less cornered.

"So," I clapped my hands together, "Do you two want a tour?"

I mean, it wasn't really much of a tour. My cottage was after all, rather small. The living room they had already seen so I led them in to the kitchen diner before heading out to the back garden.

"Wow."

I cast a confused glance at George. I mean my garden was nice but it wasn't exactly wow. I turned to stare at it again. I supposed the view today was quite nice on a sunny evening. At least the mountains in the distance looked pretty cool.

"Eh, it's just a garden." I shrugged. "I've got the muggle part closest to us here, and down the bottom is the greenhouse with all the magical plants. I've also got a wild area for the garden gnomes so they don't bother the rest of the garden."

"You sure about that?"

I frowned at Fred's question to see he was staring at the rows of carrots. Where there was a fucking garden gnome trying to dig one up.

"Cachwr."

I grumbled the insult under my breath.

"I won't be a mo'!"

I hurried across to the carrots and delighted in the squawk of alarm the gnome gave when it clocked sight of me but it was too slow and I soon had it dangling head first from my hand.

["Come here you little shit, did you forget we had a deal?"]

["A geroff me, I couldn't help it. I was hungry, we all was!"]

["I planted plenty of food in your patch too, if you look after it properly you'll have food the whole time."]

I'd reached the wild patch of my garden now and I placed the gnome on to the ground but I held on to him as I levelled him with a serious glare.

["No more stealing of my food. If you do, I'll evict all of you from this garden. You understand?"]

I got a string of swear words back before the dejected gnome finally nodded his agreement. I hummed happily to myself as I spun back around to head back to the twins. I was part way there when a loud musical roar echoed through the sky and I had to stifle a laugh as they both dove for cover.

"What's the matter, you not heard a dragon before?"

I really did laugh at the identical scowls they sent my way before I turned to gaze at the sky. It took me a few seconds but finally, a tiny speck in the distance, showed me where the dragon was.

"It's really far away don't worry although, whenever you're here, always remember to check the skies. Welsh Greens can be sneaky, you won't always hear them coming."

"If you were going for reassuring, that didn't really work Non."

I smirked at George as we all headed back into the kitchen.

"It's just what life in the wilds of Wales is like that's all. So that's it really. Not much to see here, all very dull."

"Yes, because having dragons on your doorstep is very common place."

I laughed at Fred's quip only to see he was looking at George with an amused smile on his face, and I glanced at George in confusion. He looked completely normal to me.

"I think it's amazing."

I felt my anxiety uncurl in my stomach as George gave one of his funny smiles again and I shifted awkwardly.

"Oh well it's you know, home. I uh-" I cast around for a change of topic, "I mean do you both want to stay for food?"

Ah no, now why did I ask that? I felt my stomach flip as they answered yes.

"Alright well, why don't you both go back to the living room while I get things ready."

Fred thankfully went without a second thought, George however insisted on trying to help me.

"No seriously George, you're a guest it wouldn't be right. I cook this all the time, it'll be easier if I just do it myself."

It took a good five minutes or arguing before he finally conceded and sat himself at the kitchen table casting me a mock glare. I hid in the pantry for a good long moment as I tried to compose myself. What if I didn't cook it properly? What if I messed it up? What if I gave them food poisoning?

That final almost hysterical what if was enough for me to snap at myself inwardly. I was being ridiculous. I cooked shepherd's pie all of the fucking time.

Stop undermining yourself Non.

I took a deep breath as I headed back into the kitchen, praying my wand hand wouldn't shake as I set about the spells that would chop all of the ingredients for me.

"So you do all of the cooking?"

George's question startled me so much my board of chopped up carrots dipped horribly as I was in the process of adding them to the pan.

"Oh um, yes. I mean Hermione's not…" I trailed off and cast a nervous glance in the direction of the other room in case she could hear me. "She's still learning. Besides, I've been cooking for myself since school."

"Did you teach yourself then?"

"Oh no, my mam taught me to cook the muggle way but it was Percy that taught me all the spells for chopping and things."

"Percy."

I glanced at George in confusion. He'd almost sounded annoyed but his face seemed completely calm, with his normal half smile.

"Yeah that's right."

"Percy's been here before?"

"Yeah. I mean he and Audrey helped me fix the place up. It wasn't exactly habitable when I bought it, it had been empty for years."

I finished putting all of the ingredients into the pan as I added the stock to let it simmer for a few minutes before I turned my attention to prepping the potatoes.

"This isn't the house you grew up in?"

I froze for a moment before turning to face George. His smile was all but gone and I bit my lip unsure of what to say.

"Uh, no. That house is up on the north side of the reservation, this place is on the west side. It wasn't safe to go back to it, structurally I mean, so yeah I uh, got here instead."

I busied myself with the potatoes again as they came to the boil in the hopes to make the conversation feel less awkward.

"So who exactly does have access to this place?"

I chanced a glance at George, and his half smile was back. Whilst I was glad for the conversation to move into a different direction he really did seem to be full of questions today.

"Well let me see there's Hermione, Percy, Audrey, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Luna, Susan and well, now you two."

"What, that's it?"

I sent him a half smile of my own, though it felt more sardonic than amused.

"Who else would I ask?"

George didn't answer my question and I took the opportunity to pour the filling of the pie into a dish as I set about draining and mashing the potatoes. A quick flick of my wand had the oven firing up before I spooned the potatoes carefully on top and slid the dish into the oven.

"Righty, thirty minutes and it'll be ready. I can do the broccoli and peas just before it's ready to serve."

There was no reply. In fact George had been really very quiet for nearly five minutes. I turned around slowly and my eyes widened in alarm to see he was still sat at the kitchen table but he was looking intently at my planner.

He's going to think I'm crazy.

"Uh that's – that's – I like to be organised."

George glanced up at me with wide eyes.

"Organised? Merlin, Non you've nearly accounted for every minute."

I hurried over the table and tried to snatch it away from him but he quickly moved it out of my way.

"Hey, George, hey give that back to me."

"You cannot possibly survive on this work rota Non, this is impossible."

"Give it here George, I need that."

George however wouldn't give it up and we were soon in a full-fledged bickering match whilst I desperately tried to get my planner back as George always held it tantalisingly out of reach. It had reached the point where I'd been forced to practically half clamber over him in pursuit of it when I heard a huge crash from the living room that sounded horribly like the breaking of a piano. My heart plummeted and I let out a strangled grasp.

They can't, they can't have broken it.

Before I could even process that I'd moved I stood in the doorway to the living room unable to believe my eyes. My piano, that I hadn't touched in what had to be nearly three years, was broken. Half of the keys lay strewn on the floor as the front panel was smashed and a great crack had appeared in the body of it. I could see Hermione was casting me an upset but nervous look while Fred stood there sheepishly an almost half smile flickering at the side of his mouth and I could see he was going to try and joke away the situation.

"That was my mothers."

Fred now looked like he'd swallowed curdled milk. I couldn't process what I was feeling. Was I angry? Upset? I couldn't stop staring at it. How was I supposed to react? A sharp intake of breath made me aware that George was behind me.

"We'll fix it. Right Fred?"

"Uh yes, of course! Just an accident Non, we'll have it back to normal in no time."

George had joined his twin at the piano while Hermione steered me in to the kitchen to leave them to it.

"It was an accident Non."

"Oh I know that I just…" I gestured helplessly with my hands as though that would explain it.

"C'mon let's get you some wine. Merlin knows I need some and no, I won't tell you yet why I was upset. I will once Fr – they're gone."

Well now that at least distracted me enough that I could accept a glass of wine gratefully. By the time the twins had in fact managed to fix the piano (or at least it looked fixed, I would have to wait until I had the place to myself to test it out properly) dinner was ready. There was a slightly awkward silence at the table to begin with until Fred let out a grunt of pain and glared at George.

"What did you do that for?"

George however didn't reply and instead they held what seemed to be an intense silent conversation. Hermione and I cast slightly amused if not alarmed glances at each other as their silence continued. Finally George broke away and happily set to eating again.

"I'm sorry I damaged the piano Non."

I paused with my fork halfway to my mouth. Had they really been having a silent conversation about apologising?

"Uh that's okay Fred. Hermione said it was an accident so…" I trailed off with a shrug.

Fred nodded happily before we all set about eating again. It was actually getting on to being nice and relaxed with just quiet talking until Hermione took a sip of her wine, promptly turned into a Flamingo and then ten seconds later reappeared as her normal self. You know if I were Fred I'd have scarpered by now by the way Hermione's fist had closed over the handle of her fork.

"Is everything alright Hermione?"

He was definitely far braver than I. The impish grin he was sending her way was designed to annoy and I could see her nostrils flare before she took a deep calming breath, picked up her wand and emptied the contents of her glass with a quick mutter before she refilled it with wine and took a large gulp.

"Oh yes thank you Fred. Everything is absolutely fine."

Dinner continued in that way with Fred purposefully needling Hermione. I cast a nervous glance at George, was he going to do something similar? But he just seemed happy enough to dish up seconds of food. I had another bickering match with George when it came to cleaning up but we both seemed to feel it safer to step away from the table as Hermione looked like she was about to erupt and neither of us wanted to be on the end of one of her hexes.

Miraculously though it seemed that Fred had discovered the balance of just winding her up enough before he'd say something so amusing he'd then have Hermione trying not to laugh. Really she looked torn between laughing with him, or simply throttling him.

"Oh I know, let's play a game!"

Fred had a gleam in his eye as he hurried into the living room. I mean I did have some games stored in there I supposed but I couldn't remember the last time I'd played them. He came back and plonked the box on the table with a triumphant bow. I edged towards it hesitantly and pulled a face. It was 'Risk'. I was no good at that game at all, in fact Ron and Harry had teamed up to buying it for me knowing that I wasn't good at it after we'd all played it in a muggle pub one time. Honestly, they were such a delight to work with.

"You know, that's not my favourite…"

"Good, good I knew you'd like it." Fred talked over me as he started to set up the board and George quickly moved to sit by him.

"Oh no, no way are you two working together. If we're doing teams, you are most definitely being separated. You'll cheat."

The twins froze before casting identical angelic smiles at Hermione.

"Why whatever do you mean Hermione? You can't think that we would dare cheat?"

"Is your opinion of us so low?"

"I fear I shan't recover George, I have been wounded, a mortal blow, however shall I recover?"

The twins continued to get more and more melodramatic but Hermione just stood there, arms crossed as she waited for them to finish.

"Are you done?" she asked testily as they nodded in unison. Merlin it was creepy. "Good, you aren't going to be on the same team."

George and Fred looked at each other briefly before turning to stare back at us, identical wicked grins spreading over their faces.

"Alright."

I felt a surge of alarm and cast Hermione a panicked look. I didn't want to be on a team with either George or Fred. Even Hermione was looking a bit doubtful but whatever protests either of us had were thwarted when Fred ushered her into a seat next to him and George sank into a seat next to me and shifted his chair closer so our legs and arms were practically touching.

"Ready to crush them?"

I nearly jumped at his whisper in my ear and I scowled up at him as he chuckled, before he moved to open a bottle of beer and I frowned. Where on earth had the beer even come from? I shook my head slightly as I leant up to whisper a response but I froze when I realised the side of George's head closest to me was the one without an ear. Oh shit.

"I uh-" I stuttered, flushing a brilliant red as I leant back and George cast me a confused look before understanding flashed across his face. He grinned at me before turning his head and pulling at his remaining ear before leaning in. Oh god I really was such a socially awkward arse.

"S-sorry George I didn't mean I…" I trailed off before leaning in to whisper as I didn't want Fred to hear me. "I'm um, I'm not very good at this game." I glanced up at him guiltily.

"Nonsense Non," George took the moment to fling an arm around my shoulder as he leant in closer, "We'll crush the pair of them together, you'll see."

What followed was the weirdest game of Risk I'd ever played, which mainly consisted of Hermione and I trying to reign in Fred and George respectively. I couldn't say we were having much success. We'd each almost won on numerous occasions but we were now at a stage where we were bogged down in South America and I had to stifle a yawn. This was another reason I didn't like this game, sometimes it could go on for far too long.

I'd already told George what I wanted our next move to be but he was busy occasionally muttering to himself and randomly tweaking my hair as I half-heartedly slapped his hand away. I'd learnt by now that it didn't deter him at all. Hermione to my surprise was frowning heavily at George, but I was more transfixed with how Fred was staring at Hermione. He hadn't taken his eyes off her for a good five minutes but I couldn't read his expression at all.

"Are you ever going to make your move?"

Hermione's snapped question seemed to wake us all from a trance and George stuttered slightly.

"Oh you mean the game. Right yes of course, yes I think we'll go for…" he trailed off as he rolled the dice before he let out a happy sound.

"We've got them crushed Non, just you see."

I shivered slightly as his words tickled my ear but it turned out he was right. Within three moves we had annihilated Fred and Hermione from North and South America, taken over Africa and secured our hold on Europe. In another three goes we'd won.

"Victory!"

George pulled me up from my seat to spin me around the table even as Fred scowled half- jokingly and Hermione made to start clearing the board game away. I tried hard to stifle a yawn as George finally stopped twirling me although it took a while for the room to stop spinning.

"Well we'll be off then. Need my beauty sleep don't you know."

Fred winked at me and I giggled lightly before rolling my eyes and I glanced up at George who was now looking very sleepy.

"You're right you do need it."

"Well if I need it, you need it."

"Nonsense, we all know I'm the better looking twin."

"Are not."

"Am too."

It was an easy free flowing banter that they had, even as they said it sleepily, like they knew their lines so well it was second nature and I hummed happily to hear it.

"G'night then George."

I amazed myself by not even tensing when George hugged me this time. I supposed maybe I really was getting used to it. Or it was the wine. Yeah you know, it was probably the wine.

"G'night Non."

Hermione and I watched from the door for a moment as the twins headed down the front path before I shut the door and secured it with a locking charm.

"Right I know you've got questions for me Non but I'm so – so sleepy…" Hermione did indeed trail off with a yawn and it was only a few seconds before I was yawning along with her.

"I do have questions but they'll wait for the morning."

"Alright, thanks Non. Good night."

It was the first time in a long time that night that I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

A/N:

Okay so Cachwr is a Welsh word that means a shit person, or a coward. It can also be along the lines of saying 'You little shit' in English.

Hello to all my new followers. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. I had wanted to include more but as ever the chapters seem to run away from me. Hopefully I'll have a couple of plot progressing chapters for you soon.

Thank you so much if you've taken the time to follow, favourite and review. It means so much.

Diolch/Thanks,

Yav