Gasser: something that is extraordinarily pleasing or successful, especially a very funny joke

March 16, 1999

Ginny Weasley had gotten accustomed to many changed things in the last year – the new, smooth stone walls on the west half of the seventh floor, the angry, crimson scar that sometimes peeked over the collar of Harry's T-shirt, Ron and Hermione actually snogging behind the broom shed – but a frustrated, scowling George would never be one of them. She stood half-concealed in the shadow of the stairs, watching him bend over the kitchen table, which was cluttered with scraps of parchment, broken quills, springs, scattered screws, and a few rubber eyeballs.

George let out an irritated growl as whatever he was trying to make fell to pieces in his hands.

"This is pointless!" he burst out, seizing a rubber eyeball and flinging it across the room. There was a loud clang, a smash as the ball ricocheted off the kettle and into a flowerpot above the sink. As soon as the crimson petals of the plant landed in the soapy dishwater, a small eruption shook the kitchen, the faucet was blasted off, and water began spurting out of the pipe up at the ceiling.

"Perfect. Absolutely perfect," George muttered.

He reached for his wand, but the instant his fingers were around it, there was a loud ribbit. Next moment, a rubber frog dangled from George's hand. It revolved a few inches as he stared at it, taken aback, and the moment its protuberant eyes met his, a long pink tongue shot out and stuck to his forehead with a smack. Behind him, the sink continued to spurt out water and the sink began to smoke.

George blinked, a rare expression of not knowing what to do next crossing his face. And then he started to laugh. The sound was so rare these days that Ginny actually closed her eyes for a moment, a grin breaking out across her cheeks.

"What d'you think of my new product design?" she asked, sauntering into the kitchen.

George pulled the sticky frog tongue off his forehead and dropped the rubber amphibian on the table with another ribbit.

"Your design?" he asked, giving her an incredulous look.

Ginny smirked. George shook his head, sinking back in his chair.

"Whoever gave you permission to use magic out of school didn't know what they were setting on the world."

"Me? How about you, Mr. Charm-Everything-Within-Ten-Feet-of-Me?"

George cracked a grin that looked a bit rusty.

"What are you doing hanging 'round here, anyway?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously. "I thought you were supposed to be trying to stay in school now that your boyfriend's back in one piece again."

Ginny shrugged. "Technically. But there's nothing to do there with nearly everybody here. I can apparate now. And weren't you the one that told me nothing's against the rules until McGonagall tells you it is? Besides, I never thought I'd be saying this to you, but someone had to be around to stop you from taking things too seriously."

George glanced down at his scribbled note sheets and failed prototypes and his eyes grew dark again. Unwilling to see her brother disappear so quickly, Ginny grabbed the rubber frog and tossed it into his face. He caught it, looked down at it, and a low chuckle escaped his throat.

"Mind if I patent these?" he asked, looking up at her. "Might be the only merchandise we'll have in the shop for the grand reopening."

"How about I sell it to you for free merchandise for life," Ginny offered, putting on her best wagering expression (and growing up with six older brothers honed a good one).

"Keep me from being too serious, and you've got a deal," George said, grinning.

"You've got it," Ginny promised.

A/N: Alright, this took me a ridiculously long time to write. I had quite a lengthy draft going, but it sucked, so I started over and ended up with this. Really sorry I'm so far behind. It's funny. Despite the fact (or maybe because of it) I update all my other fics on the weekends, this story seems to get off track toward the end of the week. I'll try to catch up, but I've already spent too much time writing this tonight. :/ Review please! :) Also, idea goes out to kittikatlova for this one. :)