Submitted for The Houses Competition Forum - Round 8
House: Ravenclaw
Subject: Ancient Runes (Stand-in)
Category: Drabble
Prompt: [Dialogue] Why do you keep lying to me?
Word count: 1,000
Warnings: Canon Divergence
Fairly matched
Hermione sighed at the sight in front of her. She loved her husband, and their little girl was the living proof that she did indeed love Fred, but sometimes, he could be so annoyingly insensitive. Especially when George was involved.
"Not that I don't find this super adorable, but what in Merlin's name are you two doing with my daughter?" Hermione asked.
"Mi, don't say that! Look how adorable Ava is!" Fred said, getting up from the couch and coming over to stand next to her. "Look at the smile on her face!"
Hermione couldn't deny it. Ava giggled at the faces George made at her and she looked to be having so much fun. The problem Hermione had was with the clothes that Fred dressed their daughter in.
"Yeah, I know that Ava seems to be having fun, but why does she look like a pumpkin?" Hermione asked incredulously, turning to Fred. "Oliver and Percy's Halloween party is soon, and no matter what you say, she isn't going as a pumpkin."
"Why not? She's my adorable pumpkin," George said, kissing Ava's cheek and making her giggle. "Yes, you're my little pumpkin, aren't you?"
Hermione's lips couldn't help but twitch as she gazed at the scene in front of her. Fred didn't miss the way her lips turned up in a smile, and he decided to use that to his advantage.
"I saw you smiling, love."
"No, I'm not," Hermione quickly replied.
"Why do you keep lying to me? You know Ava is having a great time with her godfather… Besides, she's the most beautiful pumpkin I've ever laid my eyes on." Fred was always more sickly sweet with Ava than with anyone else, even with herself, but Hermione's heart never failed to melt at the love she saw in his eyes. "She's ready to go trick-or-treating."
Hermione wasn't sure about his words, and she made that very clear. "She's the most adorable pumpkin, yes, I'll agree." By the excited look on Fred's face, Hermione knew he was secretly cheering that she agreed with him. But Hermione had to continue, "but I won't let my daughter leave the house dressed as a pumpkin."
"Why not? I got her the costume," George complained from the couch, pouting in Hermione's direction. He didn't realise that Ava's lower lip jutted out in an expression so similar to George's that Hermione had to muffle her laughter. "She looks amazing, and you're jealous that you can't be like her."
"Yes, George, keep telling yourself that," Hermione said, walking over to them and picking Ava up, who gave her mother a toothy smile. "Ava is amazing no matter what, but she isn't going to be a pumpkin for Halloween."
Hermione entered Ava's room and left the two redheads pouting behind her. George turned to complain to Fred, but his twin only gave him a shrug.
"I wouldn't argue with Hermione if I were you. She was completely chill when you barged into the flat when Ava was born, and she never mentioned anything about it."
"It's because I'm her favourite..." At Fred's pointed look, George finished his sentence, "...brother-in-law. Everyone knows that I'm her favourite; that's why I'm Ava's godfather and she's named after me."
"Of course, Georgie, if that makes you sleep at night," Fred said, patting George on the shoulder while he tried to hide his laughter. "Mi, George and I are going to change into our costumes, all right?"
"All right, I'm almost finished with Ava and I'll change into mine," Hermione replied from Ava's room. "We can leave when I'm finished here."
Fred and George didn't waste time in putting on their costumes—they had tried to buy the couple's dragon costume they had seen in the store, but the thought of being threatened with farts and one of them complaining all the time had changed their minds. Fred decided to go as a pirate while George dressed up as Legolas.
"Why did you choose to be an elf out of all the costumes the store had?" Fred asked, watching his twin put on the pointed ears that had come with the costume.
"Why wouldn't I be an elf? This costume is awesome. You're just jealous that I found this before you." George did the mature thing and poked his tongue at his twin, who only rolled his eyes. "Did you find out what Mione's costume was?"
"Not a clue," Fred said, putting on the pirate hat. "I just hope that she doesn't complain about my costume choice."
"Why would I complain when your costume is a perfect match to mine?" Hermione said suddenly from behind them. "Georgie, I love your costume!"
"Thank you, 'Mione!" George threw a wink towards Fred who just stared back. "And look at this, Ava and I match!"
Hermione just laughed at the delighted look on George's face; she had changed Ava's pumpkin costume for the fairy one that she had purchased a few weeks ago.
"That's what got you excited?" Hermione asked, eyeing her husband with a look that he knew all too well. "You look handsome, Freddie."
"You too, Mi, and what a sexy pirate you make," Fred said, walking up to her and kissing her.
"All right, stop right there! I won't let you two corrupt my goddaughter!" George grabbed Ava from Hermione's arms. "C'mon, pumpkin, let's go dazzle everyone at the party and show everyone why I'm the favourite uncle."
George winked at the couple and flooed with Ava to Percy and Oliver's cottage, leaving Fred and Hermione alone.
"What do you think about us ditching the party and having one of our own?" Fred asked, nibbling on Hermione's neck lightly.
"If you think I'm going to miss Ava's first Halloween party, you're sorely mistaken." Hermione turned to look at his face. "But we can always let George babysit and come home sooner."
"I love you," Fred said, kissing Hermione again. "Let's go then. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can come back."
