A/N: Thank you to everyone who read my first chapter! I hope you all enjoy this one. If you all have any suggestions, constructive criticism, comments, or questions, feel free to review! :D
"Where's your new best friend?" Fred asked George one evening as they continued their work on the Puking Pastilles.
Fred had gotten used to Charley Rook's presence around the Burrow. Ever since George had met her, he had invited her over nearly everyday, and if George hadn't then Ginny had. It wasn't that Fred didn't like Charley, he just wished George didn't like her. When she was around he was utterly distracted, leaving Fred to do most of the work on their experiments.
Naturally it had come as a surprise to Fred when Charley hadn't shown up to the Burrow once that day. "Her mum asked her to stay home today." George shrugged.
"What a shame." Fred said sarcastically. George laughed and shook his head. He knew Fred better than anyone. It was clear that Fred didn't like Charley. He just didn't understand why.
"Blimey Fred, I can tell you really enjoy having her around." George said grinning.
"I wouldn't mind so much if you know, she actually went home once in a while." Fred replied concentrating on the piece of candy in front of him.
"She does go home Fred." George sighed, exasperated, "Look, maybe you could try, oh I dunno, talking to her?"
"Nah, everyone else in the family's got that covered." Fred shook his head.
It was the truth, nearly all the Weasley's, sans Percy and Fred, couldn't get enough of Charley Rook. George couldn't get enough of her, he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. Fred knew that George probably had feelings for her, whether George realized it or not Fred didn't know.
In the absence of Hermione, Ginny found a new friend in Charley. Ginny and Charley often snuck off to Ginny's room to have "girl talk". They got on famously, despite Ginny being three years younger than Charley. Ron found Charley hilarious. They made jokes at each other constantly. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley thought Charley was absolutely charming, and Mrs. Weasley often let Charley help her cook meals.
It seemed that Fred and Percy were the only ones who didn't enjoy Charley being around all the time. The fact that Fred and Percy shared an opinion on something drove Fred up the wall.
"Alright Fred, but I don't think she's going anywhere." George sighed.
"You know, we're gonna have to put these bad boys on hold." Fred said pushing the pastille away from him and leaning back in his chair. He needed to change the subject, even when Charley wasn't around, she still monopolized George's thoughts.
"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. We'll have to finish them once we're at school." George nodded.
"At least we've got the ton-tongue toffees." Fred grinned. It had taken them nearly half a year to finish their trick sweet. They had finally finished it right before school ended, but they hadn't yet had a chance to test it on someone.
"We still need to run a final test on someone."
"Maybe Charley can finally be of some use." Fred smiled maliciously.
"You're so funny." George shook his head with a laugh.
"Well what's your brilliant idea then?"
"Perce?"
"Ha, and get murdered by Mum?" Fred scoffed. George knew Fred was right, their mother would surely side with Percy. They had no chance against her wrath mixed with Percy the Prodigy's.
"Well what about Bill or Charlie? They'll be here soon." George suggested.
Fred considered for a moment then said, "Far too smart to be tricked by us. At least Bill is, Charlie's quick though, he'll catch on."
"Catch on to what little brother?" came a voice from the twins' bedroom door.
Fred and George spun around quickly to find their elder brothers, Bill and Charlie, standing in the doorway.
"Oi! It's called a knock." Fred said with laugh. Both twins stood and shook the hand of their brothers.
"Does Mum know you two are here?" George asked.
"Yeah, we just apperated. She told us to put our things away and get ready for dinner." Bill replied, tossing his bag onto Fred's bed.
"So, enlighten us, what were you two scheming up just now?" asked Charlie as he took George's bed and casually lay down atop it.
The twins shared a glance. Fred knew Bill and Charlie were good for keeping secrets, but if their mother found out, they were sure to be dead. She had already found their order forms earlier this summer and had yelled at them until she was literally blue in the face. If she found out they were planning on testing one of their products right under her nose, Fred knew he and George might not make it out alive.
"Why Charlie we have no idea what you're talking about." Fred said innocently.
"Yes brother, such strange things you say." said George following Fred's lead.
"Tell us about the dragons!" Fred clapped his hands together. He and George both pulled up their chairs in front of Charlie, and beamed at him eagerly. Charlie glanced over the twins to Bill, who merely laughed and shrugged.
"Alright, well, the dragons-" Charlie began. slowly
"Bored!" Fred cut Charlie off instantly.
"So terribly boring." George nodded fervently to Fred.
"We'll just grab our stuff and be out of your way then." Fred said as he and George danced around the room grabbing their essentials.
"See you for dinner!" Fred said strutting out of the room.
"Toodles!" said George closing the door behind him.
Charlie looked at Bill, who was laughing and shaking his head.
"What in bloody hell just happened?" Charlie asked.
"Fred and George, that's what." Bill laughed.
Fred and George walked up the stairs into Ron's bedroom and chucked their stuff on two of the four beds that had been crammed into the small room.
"That was close." Fred grinned at his twin.
"What was close?" Ron asked from his bed.
"Nothing." George said brushing off his brother.
"Oh, well, Dad and I are going to get Harry tomorrow evening." said Ron.
"Thank you for sharing Ronald." Fred said narrowing his eyes at his brother.
"I'm just saying." Ron shrugged.
George shook his head at Fred, clearly at a loss for why Ron would find the need to tell them his plans for the following day. Fred laughed, then an idea struck him, quite suddenly and with without much warning, which was of course exactly how he liked his ideas. He was going to have to be careful about how he presented his idea, however. He had to wait for the opportune moment, if his mum found out, he and George would surely be punished.
"Say Ron," Fred said slyly.
"Yeah?" Ron asked looking at his brother cautiously. He knew that voice all too well, Fred wanted something.
"George and I were wondering if you think you and Dad could use us in picking up Harry." said Fred.
"We were?" George asked. Fred shot a glance at George. "Ah yes we were." George said quickly.
"Er, I dunno, you'd have to ask Dad. Why?" asked Ron.
"Sick of being stuck in the house all day." George shrugged. He may not have known what Fred was playing at, but he knew it was best to play along.
"Mum's been on our case since she found our order forms." Fred added.
"No more than usual." Ron grinned.
"Shut it." Fred shot.
"Boys dinner is ready!" came Mrs. Weasley's voice from downstairs. Ron hopped off his bed and out of the room before either Fred and George had comprehended what their mother had said.
"What was that about?" George asked Fred as they lingered behind.
` "I was thinking, we need someone to test our newest product on correct?" Fred asked.
"Well yeah, but if we wanted to test it on Harry we could just wait until he was actually at the Burrow." George replied.
"Not Harry!" Fred exclaimed.
George looked at his twin, not understanding what Fred was trying to tell him. Why on Earth would he want to go to pick up Harry from those awful muggles? Then comprehension dawned on him.
"The muggles!" George gasped excitedly.
"Precisely." Fred grinned mischievously.
"The kid, what's his name?" asked George.
"Dudley. He's the one." Fred replied.
The twins laughed at their brilliance. There were still a few kinks in their plan to work out. Like how they were going to convince their parents to agree to them going and how they were going to get Dudley to eat their candy.
"Fred! George! Dinner!" Mrs. Weasley shouted again.
"We'll work this out tonight." Fred said as they walked down the stairs.
"After Ron's asleep." George agreed.
Fred was happy. George was back, focusing on things of much greater importance than Charley Rook. Tomorrow was sure to be a good day.