Rhapsody of a Veela

Part 6 - Garden Gnomes & Chamomile

Fred could sense you were nervous when you stepped out the car, him still insisting on carrying your stuff even though you had certainly assured him you could handle it yourself. As the rest got out too, you had a moment too look at your new surroundings a little closer. You looked up at the house, several stories high and magically held stable, with several smoking chimneys scattered around its many roofs. You thought it was brilliant.

The evening breeze felt warm on your skin, and the sun was about to completely vanish from the horizon. In the near distance you could hear the calming sound of wind chimes and the clucking from a chicken coop, and the air had the distinct smell of the cooking and preparing of a full-fledged feast. You grabbed Fred's available hand, and he creaked opened the wooden gate that lead into the small kitchen-garden in front of the entrance of the house.

"You're gonna be fine, I bet she'll absolutely adore you" he whispered encouragingly only for you to hear. You pulled an anxious smile as the door opened to reveal a short lady in a colourful patched apron, with bushy hair and who gestured her arms out as she saw her family safely return once again, and who then looked at you with a sort of bewildered look that quickly turned into a warm and motherly smile.

"How lovely to finally meet you y/n!" she exclaimed, and instantly pulled you into a welcoming hug. You felt your worries disappear by her approval of you by the side of her son. And were quickly whisked inside for a cup of tea, while she gestured for Fred to put your heavy trunk away at what would be your sleeping quarter. It seemed Mrs.Weasley hardly had time to greet the rest of her children, as her focus remained solely on you for the time being. Fred gave you a "What did I tell you?" sort of look before he went up a staircase followed by George.

So there you sat at a table surrounded by painted chairs of varied designs and appearances, taking in the kind hospitality you had never before encountered, anywhere else than at Hogwarts. But this was undoubtedly something else, it was an actual home with clear signs of having been shaped by the people that had always lived there. Whilst holding your hands around a china teacup of chamomile tea you looked around the room which to you were filled with all sorts of wonders. Flowers in every shape and colour, mismatched curtains and carpets on a well-used wooden floor. Trinkets such as Cuckoo Clocks with birds that seemed to come alive and moving paintings and pictures of peculiar looking characters and off strange places. Mrs. Weasley, you had concluded, was an utmost hospitable and caring woman.

As you finished your tea, Fred and the others finally came downstairs again for the dinner Mrs. Weasley had prepared. The whole house cozily creaking as all the siblings came down the stairs. The sight of everyone gathered around the table made you realise how much you had always desired a family of your own. After the long journey with the Hogwarts express you were very hungry and thankful for such a hearty meal. Looking over at Fred you took delight in noticing how much he must have missed his mothers cooking. You suppose nostalgia would always make some things different.

After dinner you went into the living room with Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and Harry while Mrs. Weasley prepared your deserts despite how full you all were. The living room was just as filled with curiosities as the kitchen and dining area, you felt truly fascinated by it all. Sitting their in the couch in front of the fireplace in Fred's arms you felt safe and drowsy yet again. The others were busy playing what you assumed were the bizarre equivalent of a card game in the Wizarding World. Exploding Snap they called it.

"This place Fred... it's just amazing" you said after finishing your second piece of Mrs. Weasleys's delicious Plum cake, he nodded in delightful agreement while trying to battle a whole Chocolate Frog inside his mouth. It was getting late and Mrs. Weasley appeared in the doorframe looking at all of you sitting there content and well feed.