film-chick101: This chapter is just for you ; )
Holly: No fair! I don't get to see POA because I have to save up money. Let me know how wonderful it was. Rupert's hair is just begging to be cut, but my sister LOVES it.
Natasha: I try to keep some humor in my stories. It can't all be angst I suppose.
MANY thanks to my other reviewers: zeynel, Ailiria-Delasting, and AmyFire. You inspire me to continue with this story.
Disclaimer: Alas, Harry Potter is not my property. I've simply borrowed the characters for my own amusement. I'll return them in a few months…maybe.
Brunch Surprises
It was very early morning when George's alarm went off, informing him that he needed to be at Sunday brunch in a little over an hour. Fred had begged him to be on time this weekend for moral support when he and Angelina announced their engagement. Not that they would need it. Molly Weasley would be thrilled with the news that the family would be extending even further. Besides, a Weasley wedding practically guaranteed another grandchild for her within two years.
He stretched his arms and yawned, not really feeling like going to watch his mother fawn over his brother. It was not the he was not happy for his brother, he was just, well, a little envious. Usually, it was their siblings that were being fussed over while they stood off to the side and came up with a way to liven up the occasion. He could not very well do it by himself, especially not to his own twin.
The alarm clock continued buzzing until he reached over and slapped the off button. It was very tempting to simply roll over and go back to bed instead of bothering to go to another brunch where he would be constantly asked when he was going to bring someone. Even Ginny had Harry there despite not being present herself.
"You're not out of bed!" the alarm suddenly screeched.
He found himself being tossed from the bed and onto the dusty floor as the maroon window shades shot open, allowing sunlight to stream into the room.
"Maybe because I don't want to be out of bed," he retorted grouchily, "I'm not exactly in the mood to be quizzed about when I'm bringing some to brunch like everyone else."
"Oh stop whining," his mirror sighed, "I'm tired of listening to you complain about it. Have you ever considered taking a friend? For example, that Patil girl you always talk about."
George rolled his eyes.
"I do not always talk about her."
"Really," the mirror sniffed tempestuously, "You spent two hours just last week struggling with your hair because you were going to the apothecary, and then you moped around all evening when you found out she had the day off."
"But…I…she…it," he sputtered.
"Exactly."
He picked up a nearby book, prepared to throw it at the obtrusive wall object, but thought better of it when he remembered that magical mirrors could not be broken. The book would only be deflected back at him, and he was not interested in explaining a massive bump on his head. Instead, he retreated to his bathroom to shower, rubbing his stiff neck as he went.
"Just think about it," the mirror called after him.
Padma carefully cracked an egg into the ceramic bowl while a metal Pampered Witch eggbeater mixed it into the dough. This morning she had awoken with a distinct craving for Belgian waffles. It had been months since she had eaten one although part of her suspected she was suffering from her twin's cravings.
She poured the dough into a waffle iron, and then pushed it to the side while she dug through her refrigerator for a carton of strawberries she had bought the day before. The fruit, however, seemed to have disappeared or been nabbed by the ghoul living in the apartment next door.
Her refrigerator was like a bottomless pit. All the food she could possibly think of was in there except for the strawberries. The waffles were pushed to the back of her mind while she waded through the edibles until the distinct smell of burning food flooded her nostrils.
"Oh bloody hell!" she yelped as she saw the dark smoke wafting up towards the ceiling from the waffle iron.
She grabbed her wand from her back pocket to turn off the appliance and then attempted to open it. The blackened waffle was stuck to both sides beyond any hope of removal.
"I hope your flat doesn't always smell like this."
It was a good thing she was used to people popping into her flat unannounced or she would have dropped the appliance on her toe.
"Only after I burn waffles," she told George, who was standing in the kitchen doorway, "I suppose its cold cereal again today."
"You're in luck," he grinned, "I've come to invite you to the weekly Weasley brunch, complete with waffles."
The destroyed waffle iron was tossed into the bin under the sink along with the leftover waffle mix.
"I suppose a good warm home-cooked meal would be nice considering what I eat every other day."
The Weasley household was filled to the brim with people and Padma found herself constantly reciting names in her head to keep them all straight. The eldest, Charlie was there with his muggle wife, Hannah, and two year old son, Caleb, who was chasing the cat up and down the stairs. Bill was the next oldest and his wife, Fleur, was four months pregnant and relaxing in a chair. Percy, who she remembered vaguely from Hogwarts, was next with his three month pregnant wife, Penelope, a former Ravenclaw that Padma knew well. Fred and Angelina were there and she had been instructed not to breathe a word about their engagement. The engaged Ron and Hermione were helping to set the table. Harry was in the living room speaking with Mr. Weasley. Ginny was the only member not present as she was still in school.
She had been instantly welcomed into the home and bombarded with questions about why she was there. George had fended them all of, reminding his family repeatedly that she was just a friend with pathetic cooking skills and needed a good hot meal. Mrs. Weasley was all too happy to oblige.
The talented woman stirred and flipped and sifted, all while asking Padma what kinds of food she liked. Padma delicately told her that the Patil family was strictly vegetarian due to their ethnic background, but Mrs. Weasley did not lose a step. She told Padma that it was no bother, she would just make more non-meat items and Padma could feel free to forego the few meats that were served for the men.
During this inquistion, Padma observed George's family. Charlie delighted in showing everyone that his son was already showing magical prowess while Mr. Weasley asked Hannah about her Muggle family. Ron and Harry were busy discussing Quidditch.
"Overwhelming isn't it?" Penelope asked her.
Padma smiled.
"I'm not used to so many people," she answered, "but they seem so loving."
"They are. I'm sure you'll fit right in." The insinuation about Padma and George was obvious.
"We're just good friends," Padma repeated for what felt like the umpteenth time.
"Just like Ron and Hermione," the blonde whispered.
Padma flushed and turned her attention to Fred and Angelina who stood apart from everyone else until brunch was ready.
It was when the meal was finally set on the table and everyone seated, that Fred spoke up.
"Before we dig into this delectable meal Mum has prepared," he said over the roar, "Angelina and I wanted to make an important announcement."
The kitchen grew quiet. Angelina stood up beside Fred and took his hand in hers.
"We're getting married."
The room erupted into roars as Molly Weasley burst into tears. She hugged her son tightly and sobbed about "losing another little boy." Mr. Weasley finally had to pull her away from Fred so he could offer his son congratulations. The room had become a cacophony of noise as everyone hugged the happy couple and expressed their good wishes towards them. Finally, everyone managed to calm down enough to return to their seats.
"This day couldn't get any better," Mrs. Weasley sighed, dabbing the corners of her eyes with her napkin.
A small smile played across Penelope's lips and she stood up. Percy looked at her questioningly.
"I was going to wait until later," she said softly, "but I suppose now is as good a time as any."
There was another hush.
"I saw the doctor again yesterday," she continued, "We're having twins."
Percy's fork clattered to the table.
"Twins?" he murmured weakly, his eyes moving from his wife's stomach to Fred and George.
There was a pause and then a thud as Percy fell from his chair to the floor.