Chapter 24: Get over it, bro!
Chewy Brownie Cookies
Makes 3 dozen cookies
2/3 cup shortening
1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
1/3 cups of Hershey's cocoa
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips
1. Heat oven to 375 F. Place length of foil on flat surface.
2. Mix all the ingredients and drop by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until the cookies are set. Cool 2 minutes; remove them from the cookie sheet and let them cool completely.
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That was Molly Weasley's most favourite recipe for heart aches; the most terrible, most ancient agony human beings are doomed to live. And yet, this time, Molly Weasley was not the one preparing the cookies. God knows she has enough on her mind to worry about bakery at the moment, with the wedding breathing down her neck and all.
Fred Weasley was the one mixing the ingredients and heating the oven. He was worried about this brother's heart; he was worried about his future. It was time for them to talk, it was time for him to share his deepest secrets, it was time for them to have a heart-to-heart conversation.
"Countdown to Ginny and Harry's wedding: 45:23:32", read the magical clock on the kitchen's wall. That clock had been there for almost 4 years. Since Harry and Ginny's engagement party and since the day Hermione and Ron had broken up. It was still there, though dusty and rather old. It was the exact same clock enchanted by Florence as an engagement present.
Fred smiled a weak smile; Florence knew about presents alright. She had style, she had elegance, and she had hormones… a nasty cocktail that George was about to taste first hand.
George apparated in the kitchen with a loud pop! and Fred was amazed to see how old George looked.
-Hello, brother… I was waiting for you- Fred said, turning around to face his preparation.
-Hi- George said shortly. He wasn't in the mood for talking; he had spent a whole afternoon thinking about his life, his relationship with Florence…and…well… that was just about it. His conclusions had reached a level of negativism that amazed him.
-I am just finishing with this second round of cookies. The first round is here…they are still warm, though… I must warn you- Fred said politely.
-Thanks- George replied. It was so strange for them to actually speak on such terms. We are talking about a couple of twins who used to finish each others sentences. And now…they seemed so distance, even strangers.
-Your welcome… these are…- Fred started
-Mum's "Chewy Brownie Cookies", I know… she used to bake this…- George said
-For our little brother's heart aches- Fred finished.
They grinned at each other as if time had frozen and they were still little kids eating sweets at the Burrow.
-Why do you think …- George dared to asked, but Fred finished his question.
-…that you need these kind of cookies?- Fred asked. George nodded- Well… I may have had a hunch… something in my guts told me that you might need these- Fred answered.
-Well… thanks…I do need them- George confessed.
After placing the other round of cookies on the oven, Fred sat down across George. They needed to talk.
-How are things with Flor?- Fred asked.
-Sensitive subject, dear brother- George joked- Let me ask you a question… how does it feel?
-And by that you mean…- Fred joked.
-…you know, having no responsibilities whatsoever; not depending from anyone… having your heart intact?- George inquired.
-Well…the fact that I like men does not mean I have my heart intact; on the contrary. Being proud of something as normal as your sexuality may come as a routine for you, but not to me. I have problems with commitment ever since I split up with Florence (A/N: If you want to know what I am talking about, read "Love Is What Happens to You When You Are Busy Making Other Plans). I don't have my heart intact, though… something about your last statement is true: I have no responsibilities whatsoever and I depend from no one... and to some extend I feel lonely- Fred confessed.
-Yes, I know what you mean… I've been feeling alone a lot lately…ever since- George started
-Snape arrived?- Fred finished.
-Yes- George replied.
-Have you considered talking to…-
-…talking to Florence about it? No…I haven't. For one thing, because I know things aren't the same between us, because she kissed me this morning thinking I was Snape- He confessed.
-That sucks, mate- Fred said kindly.
-Yeah… it's the truth though. I don't know what to do; I don't know what she wants… maybe you are right. Maybe I should talk to her- George commented looking melancholically at the window.
-I know nothing about love, but I know she loves you…and that you love her. Maybe… you need to explore other horizons for the moment… maybe a nice trip to Japan may suit you nicely; you've always wanted to visit that country- Fred suggested.
-You remembered…- George whispered.
-Of course… George… we are practically the same person- Fred said- besides… I've been meaning to tell you how sorry I am for walking away from our business.
DANGER! DANGER! DANGER! Hot topic!
-I understand- George said between his teeth.
-No you don't… but that's alright. I hurt you, dear brother… and you have every right to not understand. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am… - Fred commented.
-It's ok, ickle Freddikins- George joked- Thanks for the cookies, by the way… they taste wonderful… where did you…?- George started to ask, but once again he was interrupted by the voice of his carbon copy.
-… learn how to cook? …well… I took a quick course in France while working there- Fred confessed. George started laughing frantically.
-You are TOO gay to be my brother…- He said between laughs.
-You are TOO of a Drama Queen to be straight, Georgie boy- Fred told him- Promise me you'll be fine.
-I can't promise you that, but… I'll try- George said- I must go upstairs… to find my …to find Florence.
-Good luck, bro…- Fred said from the kitchen table- Take some more cookies with you- He suggested
-Accio cookies!- George shouted pointing with his wand towards the sweets.
And with that, George Weasley was gone.
He had no idea, however, that he would find a very sweet couple- Ron and Hermione- sleeping cosily in his bed while Florence laid on Fred's old "divan". He approached towards his ex wife, and hugging her tightly, he felt asleep surrounded by her curls and her smell of vanilla and apples.
Not far away, on that same floor, in a very tiny, very dark room a very grouchy Hogwarts professor was dreaming of her love: Florence Pugliare.
But only 42 hours away from the "D hour", more guests were left to arrive at the Burrow, as I once said, the place where the magic started. And also, I must add, the place where EVERYTHING can happen.
