More Than That

Chapter 39

Fred, George, Ginny, Ron, and Arthur all stepped outside of the family car and looked up at their home. Fred didn't have more than a second to take in the house that he hadn't seen in a few months before Molly was opening the door and running outside to greet them all.

She somehow wrapped them all in a big hug at the same time, saying, "Oh, I missed you, you silly kids," as she did.

"Do I smell cookies from all the way out here?" Fred asked once they pulled away.

Molly smiled at them and nodded. "That you do. I made enough to feed an army. Now grab your bags and quit loitering out here."

They all rolled their eyes and did as they were told, grabbing their light bags and carrying them inside.

"Bloody hell, you weren't kidding," Ron said with wide eyes once they walked in the door and saw the countertop that was covered in cookies.

"Yes, well, I'm sure they won't go to waste. Not with all you kids back in the house for the whole week," Molly said dismissively.

Ginny shot Fred a look that was part amused and part warning. So maybe he hadn't told his mom that he'd be leaving early, only two days after he and George's birthday. He rolled his eyes and shook his head at Ginny, hoping to convey to her not to worry.

After the kids all dragged their bags up the stairs and into their respective rooms they moved to sit at the counter in front of their Mum, gorging on cookies while she made even more.

"Oi, Mum, you remember Sage, right?" Ginny asked their Mum, yet while aiming her eyes at Fred with a raised eyebrow. Fred immediately glared at her once the words were out of her mouth.

"Of course I remember her, darling. She's your best friend," Molly dismissed while checking on a batch of cookies. "You really should bring her around more, she's such a sweet girl from what I can remember."

All the kids couldn't help but laugh at that, leading Fred to shoot each and every one of them a glare. Molly turned around and shot them all a questioning eyebrow, her eyes searching over each of her kids for an answer.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty of her soon," Ginny said mysteriously. Fred wanted to shove the cookie in her hand down her throat.

"What do you mean?" Molly asked.

"Well-" Ginny started.

"Gin," Fred warned before she could continue, holding up his hand with a sigh. He knew that he wasn't going to get out of explaining this one. "Mum, you like Sage, right?".

"Of course. She's a perfectly nice girl. Why? What's going on?".

He sighed again. "Well, we um, we're kind of dating."

Molly was silent for a long moment. A much too long moment. It felt like everyone in the room was holding their breath, including Arthur (who had been silent throughout the entire conversation.) Fred winced as the silence continued, and he winced even harder when he saw the angry expression take over his mother's face.

"Fredrick Giddeon Weasley!" She shouted. "You're dating your little sister's best friend?! I raised you better than that, boy!" She scolded, which was the last thing Fred assumed she'd be mad at. "Did you even think about Ginny? How this could affect her? Did you-"

"Mum," Ginny chuckled, interrupting her. "It's fine, really. They're like all in love and stuff. It's quite cute, really."

Molly sighed and ran a hand over her face as if the conversation was causing her great distress. "Fine, okay. She really is a nice girl, Fred. I'm happy as long as you're happy."