The aroma of Molly Weasley's pot roast stew wafted through the Burrow, making everyone's stomachs growl. Fred noticed that Haley and his mother weren't in the family room any longer.

'She must be helping Mum with dinner.'

"You're quite handy in the kitchen, Haley."

Haley smiled at Molly. "Cooking was always my favourite thing to do back home. I actually rather miss it."

"Well, you're welcome to help me any time you come visit." Molly said with a smile.

Haley looked at her surprised. "You'd like me to visit again?"

"Of course, dear. Anyone who can make my Fred smile like that is more than welcome in our home." Molly said, her smile growing.

"Ma'am?"

Molly chuckled. "There isn't much that gets passed a mother's gaze, Haley. That boy has never smiled like that before. He's clearly taken a shine to you."

Haley blushed and went back to slicing the bread Molly had just finished baking when they had arrived earlier. "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh, I think you do." Molly said, chuckling. "Haley."

Haley looked at Molly as she placed a hand on her arm.

"How do you feel about Fred?"

Fred had left his siblings and father to continue marvelling at Haley's flame and headed to the kitchen. He had figured that Haley went to help his mother and he was correct, but when he reached the doorway to the kitchen he stopped as his mother asked Haley a question.

"How do you feel about Fred?"

Unaware that Fred was in the hallway, Haley looked at Molly.

"How do I feel about Fred?"

"That boy clearly cares about you and I've never seen him look as happy as he does around you." Molly said. "Humour me, as his mother, alright dear?"

Haley looked down for a moment. "Fred is special to me." She smiled and looked up at Molly. "He's always been so kind to me, always found ways to talk to me, to make me laugh and smile. He makes me feel welcome, like I belong at Hogwarts. He's been more than a good friend to me. I'd go so far as to say that he's my best friend."

"Good, I'm glad to hear it." Molly said, rubbing her arm. "You know, it doesn't matter to any of us that you're in Slytherin."

Haley looked at her.

"The House you're in makes no difference to us; what matters is who you are as a person." Molly smiled. She reached up and touched her cheek, her smile growing. "You're such a sweet girl and the children all seem to love having you here, especially Ginny and Ron. I've never seen them so excited."

Haley smiled and hugged Molly. "Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me." When she stepped back, she looked down for a moment with a sad look in her eyes. "Ever since I was young, I've always been bullied for how I look. No one else in my family- or my village for that matter- has ever been born with silver hair or green eyes like mine. Even at school, people tease and make fun of my appearance, many saying that I was meant to be in Slytherin for that reason alone. I've never really been accepted by others before beyond my own family and it's the biggest reason why I've always preferred to be alone." She looked back up at Molly, her smile growing. "Fred has been the only one to really accept me for all that I am and he doesn't care what House I'm in. And to have you and your family be so accepting of me as well, it means more to me than you know."

Molly teared up a bit and hugged her. "Well, you're always welcome here, any time you'd like."

"Hey, Mum, is dinner almost ready?"

Molly and Haley looked up as Fred came into the kitchen."Yes, dear, it is. Why don't you go let the others know while we set the table." Molly said, smiling at her nodded, smiling when his gaze met Haley's before he left the he left the room, Molly chuckled and patted Haley's arm. "He's a good boy and I'm glad he's found a friend in you. Now, let's finish up in here while he gets the others."

While Molly and Haley finished setting up for dinner, Fred walked back to the family room. Hearing what Haley thought about him made him smile, having grown to start seeing her the same way.

"Hey, Fred, dinner almost ready?"

"Yeah, Mum asked me to come get everyone."

"Well, then children, let's get washed up!" Arthur said, standing.

"Come on, Charlie, let's take the flame back to Haley!" Ginny said, pushing her brother towards the kitchen.

Fred followed the others and stood in the doorway, watching as Charlie made to give the flame back to Haley.

"Why don't you keep it, Charlie?"

"Keep it?"

Haley smiled as she took her hands and placed them over his, closing his hands around the flame- just as she had with Fred. She gave them a gentle squeeze and released them.

Charlie opened his hands and saw the flame had vanished but he could still feel the warmth. "What'd you do?"

"That flame is yours now. If you ever need it, just think of the flame and it'll appear." She said, smiling. "A little gift of dragon's fire to help you on your journey to Romania." She found herself blushing when she saw how Charlie smiled at her and looked over at the youngest children as they called to her.

"Haley, come sit with us!" Ron said, patting the seat between he and Ginny.

"Yeah, please Haley?" Ginny asked smiled.

"Of course." She made her way to her now designated seat as Molly brought over the large pot of stew.

"Alright, everyone dig in!"

Over the course of dinner, Fred was finding himself more and more relieved that Haley felt so comfortable around his family. He was glad that she accepted his invitation and it was well worth it to see her smiling so much.