Dine and Dash
Minka wiped her hands for a fifth time on her bathroom towel, feeling the clamminess in her hands immediately return. George was due to pick her up soon, and she couldn't help but feel completely unprepared.
She wore a deep blue halter dress and had put her hair in loose waves. She didn't bother with any jewelry and decided on low heels, unsure of where exactly they were going. She hoped at least for a dinner because she was starving.
She shoved her hands under the cooling water of the faucet, hoping it could help with her sweaty palms. It helped…for a few minutes.
She eventually found herself pacing in her family room, wondering if this was a good idea. It was her first date in a while, and she didn't know if she was ready. She couldn't tell George yet about why she was so nervous about this, it was much too heavy of a conversation for a first date. Maybe if she kept it light and happy, she could get through it unscathed. She decided to treat it like the other times they hung out. It would be casual and friendly, nothing more.
Her pacing was interrupted by a light knock on her door. She walked over as steadily as she could, not wanting him to hear the frantic clacking of her heels from the other side of the door. She opened the door to find George leaning against her doorframe.
She took in his silk purple suit-relieved to see he was dressed up as well-glowing in vibrant contrast to his flaming hair. His usual grin spread across his face as he looked her up and down as well.
"You look fantastic, Minka."
"Thank you, so do you." Her voice cracked once and she quickly cleared her throat. She had seen him in suits before, but tonight felt different. His smile gave her heart an extra jump start, and his casual attitude only made her more nervous.
She took his arm and they headed down to the front of the building.
"So where exactly are we going?"
"Well-" He was interrupted by a loud squeal from an owl. It came swooping down and landed on George's shoulder, nibbling at his ear. It stuck it's little leg out, a bound up letter attached. He pulled it off and read through the note. His eyes suddenly closed, a deep sigh-or possibly a growl-escaping in his frustration.
"What? What's wrong?"
"My mum." He replied without opening his eyes. "I sent her a letter telling her I wasn't going to the family dinner tonight, and she just sent a very angry letter back telling me I have to."
"Well, be thankful it wasn't a howler." George finally opened his eyes and shook his head. The owl gave a large nip at George's ear, causing him to curse.
"You're on mum's side too huh?" The owl gave a loud hoot in response. It nuzzled his cheek before it took off into the night. There was a moment of silence at George contemplated his choices. Minka decided to make it for him.
"Well, let's go. We wouldn't want to miss dinner." George looked at her as if she said they are going to dine with Voldemort.
"You want to go to my family's house?"
"Why not? Free meal, free wine, and embarrassing stories about you." Minka poked George on the nose, his expression of shock never wavering from his face. It finally subsided, turning into what looked like sadness and then defeat.
"Okay, okay. But once dessert is done, so is this visit."
"Deal." Minka held out her hand and George took it, pulling her close. Her heart skipped a beat for a moment, then realizing he was pulling her close so they could apparate.
They dropped onto an open cornfield, crickets singing loud and in unison all around them. Minka turned around a couple times.
"You killing me first?"
George grinned widely and grabbed her hand, leading her through the field.
"Not yet. Although don't tempt me for making me go to this dinner." A very tall, oddly stacked looking house came into view, lights were on through the various floors.
"It's adorable." Minka whispered.
"You say that now."
She rolled her eyes, ignoring his negativity. When they reached the front door, George gave a quick knock. A commotion seemed to be going on behind the door until finally it flung open with such speed, Minka took a step back.
She looked down a bit to see a short plump looking woman. Her hair was as fiery red as George's. Her curls seemed wild and ready to break out of her the tight bun she had wrestled them into. Her face went from a pure happiness to stunted shock.
"George…" She said, staring at Minka.
"Mum, this is Minka. Minka, this is my mum Molly."
"It's nice to meet you." Minka smiled, holding out her hand.
"Merlin's stars, it's lovely to meet you!" Molly ignored Minka's hand and pulled her in for a tight hug. "George, why didn't you tell me you were bringing a date!? Not that it's any trouble." She pulled away and put her hands on Minka's cheeks.
Minka looked over Molly to see a few more people approaching them, all with flaming red hair.
"Now Molly, let her breathe." The oldest of them put his hand on her shoulder. "I'm Arthur, George's father." Minka shook his hand, his expression warm and kind. "These are my sons, Ron and Charlie." The other two nodded, giving her space after Molly's embrace.
"Well come in! Come in!" Molly grabbed Minka's hand and pulled her into the house.
"Mum, please." George called after them, seeming slightly irritated. Minka was lead into a room full of more people with flaming red hair, and some not. She recognized one face quite well among them. His dark tousled hair was unforgettable, as well as the scar underneath it.
"Minka, these are my other sons Percy and Bill, Bill's wife Fleur, my daughter Ginny and her husband Harry, and Ron's wife Hermione. Everyone, this is Minka, George's date." She squeezed Minka's hand in delight as she addressed the room. The group all seemed to smile in unison and shook her hand.
She was swept across the room for a while, engaging in different conversations and getting to know his family. She kept her eye out once and a while to see George being a little stand offish talking to one of his brothers.
It was finally time for dinner and she was placed beside Ginny and Ron. George sat across from her. Minka winked at him from across the table, letting him know she was perfectly fine.
"So, Minka, how long have you been seeing George?" Molly asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Oh," Minka swallowed the giant bite of potatoes she had just stuffed in her mouth. "This was actually, um-"
"This was our first date, but there was a change of plan." George waved his utensils a little, indicating that this dinner was the change.
"And I'm glad we came." Minka reassured. "We could not have gotten a better meal anywhere else." Molly flushed a little red, smiling to herself.
"How did you two meet?" Bill asked. "Usually George doesn't give too good of a first impression."
"Well, he certainly uphold to that. My store is located across the way from his. And a few of his customers decided to throw some of his merchandise at me, which may or may not have the capability of burning my skin off. And I went into his store to yell at him."
"And she couldn't help but be captivated for my wit and charm." He raised a playful eyebrow at her.
"Oh I'm so sure." Minka retorted with a sarcastic smile. "No, George is just lucky I'm forgiving and didn't sue him."
"He doesn't usually get so lucky." Ron chimed in.
"Sounds like love at first sight to me!" Molly burst out. Minka's smile dropped and she felt her face flush.
"Mom." George said, annoyance in his tone. Arthur quickly changed the subject, causing everyone to go off into conversations in smaller groups.
Minka was stuck in thinking about what Molly said. She felt old heartache spring up into her out of reflex, hoping to avoid this very problem.
"I love your dress." Ginny said, snapping her out of her moment.
"Oh, thank you."
They finished dinner without another awkward moment and went onto dessert. A quittitch game eventually broke out outside. Minka attempted to play, trying her hardest to keep up with their competitive vibe. She managed to help her team-Ginny, Harry and Ron-win one game.
She sat on the side with Ginny during one of the games, recouping from the many hits and blows from her game. Ginny, handed her an ice pack to put on her arm.
"Sorry, we've all sort of been on a school team at one point or another."
"That's alright, it was fun."
"Well, I am impressed on how well you kept up."
Minka watched as George took next round, and was an exceptional beater.
"So, Minka's Dream Catchers. I heard all about them. They sound wonderful." Ginny turned her eyes to Harry, who was talking to Hermione. "I might stop by and get one. Maybe give it to Harry as a present. He has so many nightmares. After everything that's happened…" Minka put a comforting hand on Ginny's shoulder.
"Come by anytime. We'll find the perfect one for him, and you."
"I guess I can't hide that I get them too. I'm sure George told you all about what happened. It goes without saying he's been the most affected by it in our family."
Minka looked over at George, he seemed so content and happy. She caught a glimpse of his mangled ear for a moment.
"I don't think I've seen him smile this much since it happened."
Minka was about to ask Ginny what had happened when there was a giant thud. Bill had come tumbling down from his broom. Everyone rushed over to see him. They all stood over him, but he was already laughing it off.
"I'm fine, don't worry." He reassured Fleur as she checked him over head to toe.
"Alright, that's enough; I don't want any broken limbs tonight." Molly warned, sending everyone inside. Minka and George watched as everyone crowded back into the house, them staying out on the field.
"Well, so much for skipping out once dessert was done." Minka said quietly to him. He looked down for a moment, laughing quietly.
"Yeah, yeah well, I wouldn't want to pull you away from all your new best friends."
"Your family is amazing George." She looked up into his eyes. "I can see where you get it from." Her words sunk in for a moment and she quickly added "I mean your happiness. Not that you're not amazing-I mean…"
George closed the small space between them and kissed her softly and quickly. He stroked her cheek with his thumb.
"You're pretty amazing too." He whispered to her. He leaned in to kiss her again.
"Ahem!" They pulled away quickly to see Ron standing at the back door of the house. "Ginny and Harry are leaving!" He called out to them.
George wrapped an arm around Minka.
"I guess I should get you home too. We both have work in the morning." They went to say their goodbyes to everyone. As George said goodbye to Molly, there seemed to be tears in her eyes.
"Please don't wait so long for the next visit." She said softly to him.
"I'll be here for this Christmas, mum. Promise." He hugged her tightly and then grabbed Minka's hand. "Let's go before the goodbyes start all over again."
…..
Minka opened the front door to her apartment building.
"Do you want to come in for a bit?" She asked, turning back to George.
One of his eyebrows rose.
"No, not like that. I meant for tea or something. No! I mean-not something but-"
He kissed her again, softly and cautiously. He pulled away the slightest bit.
"If you plan to do that whenever I ramble on absently, you're going to be doing that quite often."
"I don't mind." He whispered back, and leaned in kissing her again. They kissed slowly and carefully for a little while. Her arms reached around his neck, his around her waist.
After a while, a small noise escaped George's lips, sending shivers down Minka's spine. She pulled away quickly and took a step back.
"Okay, I think that's enough for tonight." She tried to hide her shallow breathing. He, however, embraced his every quick breath.
"Right. We'll take it slow." He held out his hand. "Goodnight Minka." She took his hand and shook it.
"Goodnight George."
Their hands dropped and Minka stepped into her building. That was the first night since she invented them that she didn't use her Dream Catcher to sleep.