Summer

Fred grinned maliciously. It was his favourite time of year. The sun was shining, the bird were out, and most importantly…

No school.

Even as a business man who no longer had to worry about homework and OWL's, that was always one of the best times of year for him. All those kids who were not in school and had nothing to do? They would come on down to the joke store he owned with his brother George. The new business they'd opened was already very popular, thanks to students having to find ways to survive Umbridge back at Hogwarts last year. He and his brother had laughed when they sent back letters of her demise.

That had been about a year ago, yet business was still booming. The schoolyear was just finishing, which meant more customers.

Just as Fred finished restocking the shelf with love potions, he heard the familiar sound of a loud honk. Most people preferred a bell when a customer opened the front doors, but that was just so dull. Besides, honks got your attention more than some tiny bell. "Fred, you got that?" He heard his brother call over the display of a teacher with pink clothes being carried away by two centaurs. That had been a story Fred wished he'd been able to see with his own eyes.

"Sure thing!" he called back. He had to dodge around a few kids who had started playing with their toys and created a 'complete darkness' veil around themselves as he jumped over to the door. It was probably Ginny and Harry. The two of them came around a lot to see how business was doing. Harry's last visit hadn't been so pleasant when George and Fred found the two of them having some 'quality time' at a café across the street. Both of them had decided Ginny had dated much worse…but still decided that they weren't going to make things any easier for Harry. He wanted to date their sister? He'd have to earn it.

In no time at all he was by the front displays, and went searching for the customers. It was always important to make a good impression in front of new customers, and Fred and George always prided themselves in being memorable. Most of the time it was repeat customers, but it never hurt to go and check.

As his eyes surveyed the area, he spotted a pair of heads that he knew he hadn't seen in his store before. Two girls, maybe in Harry's year or a year younger, were looking at the set of fake wands. They wore the Hogwarts uniform though Fred hadn't seen them before. One girl with light brown hair tied into a pony tail had the ravenclaw crest on her chest. The other girl had long blond hair with a pair of black square glasses and a Gryffindor symbol on the front. The girl from Gryffindor looked fascinated, while the other girl checked her watch nervously.

"Don't you think we should be looking for our school books BEFORE we look in the joke shop? We can come back later…Melany, Marina, Natasha and Sofia will be waiting for us at the leaky cauldron soon…" But the other girl just shook her head.

"Raven, we've got TONS of time. Besides, how do you expect me to go to the school year without a few tricks up my sleeve?" The other girl shook her head, but didn't pursue the topic. While most customers just came in out of curiosity, he admired one who came specifically for tricks to bring to school.

Both girls looked up as Fred walked over. "Hello there, Fred weasley, store owner at your service. How can I help you lovely girls this evening?" The girl from ravenclaw named Raven, go figure, tried to say that they were just looking around. But the other girl gave an almost devilish grin. Oh Fred was going to like her.

"Yeah, hi. I'm looking for something I can use on my brother," Raven stared at her.

"Katrina!"

"I mean, my teachers."

"KATRINA!"

"What? Would you rather me lie?" Raven rolled her eyes but couldn't come up with an argument. Fred watched the exchange while biting his lip to keep from laughing. Katrina smirked and shook her head. "Fine. How about I need a reason to ditch classes. Is that better?"

"Not when you shouldn't be ditching classes it isn't," Raven grumbled under her breath.

"Sometimes taking a break or two is good for you," Fred interjected, catching both their attention. "If you are looking for some school supplies, I'd suggest some of our best sellers." Raven raised a single eyebrow skeptically. Katrina on the other hand looked overjoyed.

"Can they get me out of class?"

Fred grinned. "There would be no point if they couldn't."

"Lead the way!"

In no time at all Fred had shown Katrina nearly all of the displays, bringing a reluctantly curious Raven along for the ride. Fred showed Katrina how to use the shoes that walked on walls, some of the 'chocolates' that really made a tongue grow longer and the quills that would never write anything. She had gathered a bag full of stuff by the time he brought them over to the sculptures. They both laughed at the display of Umbridge being carried away. "If I'd made it, I would have made the centaurs actually move, and have Umbridge trying to escape desperately." When she noticed Fred looking at her she shrugged. "I just really like making sculptures. That's just how I'd do it if I got the chance."

"You an artist then?"

"Yeah, I'd say so," Katrina shrugged.

Raven laughed at her bored response. "She's an amazing artist! The best in our year!" Katrina mumbled something about not being that good, but Raven just told her not to be so modest. Fred considered her for a moment. Neither he nor his brothers weren't so much as 'artists' as the ones who destroyed the art. Chaos was their form of art, but making the art wasn't either of their areas of expertise. George had been saying they should hire someone to come in and help decorate the place properly, but Fred had never really liked any of the artists they'd brought in. None of them had the 'troublemaking' spirit. It only took a few minutes with the girl to realize she definitely fit the bill.

"You know…If you want, my brother and I are looking to hire a sculptor to help us decorate the store properly. If you wanted to, you could bring in some art to show us what you can do and maybe you could be that designer." Katrina stared at him in surprise.

"What, seriously?"

"I'm hardly ever serious, but today I plead guilty." He decided to take her beaming smile as a yes.

About an hour later they finally found themselves over in the 'girls' section. Fred laughed when both the girls shuddered at all the pink around them. Raven glanced curiously at the pink bottles that held the centre display. "Are these potions? What kind are they?" She sniffed at one curiously. "That smells like raspberries and raindrops."

"These," he reached around her to take a bottle and hold it out for them both to see. "Are love potions. Good for about 24 hours, with no medical side effects and an added antidote in case of regrets. You got anyone special you'd like to use this on Raven?"

Raven's face turned a bright shade of red. "N-no," She stuttered, turning from the display when Katrina hid her laughter. Embarrassed, Raven mumbled some excuse about going back to see the 'eternal darkness' display before hurrying away. Fred and Katrina were left alone temporarily.

Before he could really think about it, he snatched Katrina's hand from her side. "Here," He placed the small potion that had been in his hand in hers. "It's on the house."

"Um…sure…what for?" Katrina asked, torn between bewilderment and curiosity.

Fred smirked despite his inner turmoil. She's right. What for? Why'd you give this stranger a free product? George is going to want details. But he didn't have details. He really didn't know. "Oh, er…you never know when you'll need one of these. Besides, I get the feeling that I'm putting it in good hands." Still holding her hand he forced her hand to close around it. "Promise to use it to cause trouble?"

"Deal!" Katrina grinned, pocketing the small vial. "I'll make sure all my favourite couples get together. Whether they want to or not!" Other people may have been afraid of that talk. But Fred just grinned in anticipation.

Eventually they found Raven reading some books on 'how to poison but not kill,' then the three headed over to the cash desk. George raised his eyebrow at his brother when she said that the potion was on the house. Raven also gave her friend an odd look, but didn't say anything. It was one of those looks that girls gave that said, we-are-talking-about-this-later. When she thought the boys weren't looking Katrina stuck her tongue out at her. "How about you come by sometime next week to see if you can do the job?" Katrina nodded, happily sliding her new tools into her bag.

"Sounds great. I'll see you later then!" The girl followed her friend out the door, and Fred watched her walk down the street over to the bookstore to meet their friends. It took him a moment to notice that his brother was patiently waiting for him to turn around.

"A love potion on the house, hmmmmm?" George teased his brother. Fred laughed, refusing to be bothered by his brothers probing.

"She likes mischief, I'm just helping her out."

George nodded, but it was added with a dubious expression. "Uh-huh. I'm guessing we're going to be seeing her a lot more this summer, aren't we?" Fred was surprised at how excited he was about this realization.

Summer was definitely the best time of year.

Happy birthday my friend! Hope you liked it!