How It Started

Chapter 27 - Fred Weasley

It had been weeks since I wrote the letter to Selina, although the letter was short and my hand writing was quite bad I was still surprised to not get a reply back. George and I had been working at the shop non-stop since it was first opened, I mean we had nothing better to do anyway. Ever since our departure from Hogwarts, due to rebelling against Umbridge and forcing her out, George and I had found interests in other ways. We were of age so were still allowed to practice magic outside of school despite us not officially graduating.

We had bought a shop located in Diagon Alley and named it after ourselves of course, Weasleys' Wizard Weezes, a joke shop which surprisingly is quite high in demand. Over the weeks leading up to Christmas the shop was busier than ever. We had sold completely out of Whiz-Bangs, and wizarding fireworks odd choice for the holiday considering. I wondered to the back store room, to see if I could spot any more to place back onto the shelves, as I glanced around looking, it became very apparent that we had in fact fully ran out.
"George tell Verity that we will have to order more Whiz - Bangs" I said walking out of the room, as I looked up I realised Verity, our shop assistant was not in the store
"Where's Verity?" I asked George, still looking around trying to see her. He glanced up at me before writing something down, then he spoke.
"Fred you need to relax, it's a week before Christmas, I told her to take her holiday leave" he murmured still jotting down things onto his note pad, as I approached him I realised he was creating a shopping list, the last addition being Whiz-Bangs. I sighed, of course.
"Did you write to mum back about us attending the Christmas party?" I asked, my mind immediately thinking of our knit sweaters, I suppose I'll have to find my one from last year to wear.

"Yes I did oh and I invited Selina too, Ron said he was going to invite Harry and Hermione so I'm figuring Vesper will also be there, although I'm fairly sure Hermione isn't coming anymore something about a girl named lavender, so I figured I would invite Selina she is after all she's your friend" he said mocking the word "friend" with air quotes, i elbowed him.

I had heard all about the troubles of Ron and Hermione the past couple of months from the occasional letter from Ginny, speaking of she seemed to be happy in a relationship with Neville of all people, I would assume he would also be coming. Ginny had said that Ron had gotten a girlfriend, Lavender Brown, why she had agreed I have no idea. But her agreeing apparently set of an argument because Ron was so oblivious to the fact that hermione liked him. It was a whole drama which I was glad enough to not be apart of.

"Did... she respond?" I carefully choose my words as I responded, I met George's face he was smirking
"As a matter of fact yes, she said she would be delighted, gave her a reason to avoid the Smiths house or something" George responded with, I nodded trying not to show my growing smile.

The week leading up to the Christmas party, I was nervous for a reason which I wouldn't care to admit. Eventually it was time to gather our stuff and head towards the burrow. George and I used flu powder to get to our family house, compared to the train ride, Ron and who ever else was coming would be on right now.

The journey was quick and easy and George and I managed to get to the house in one piece, minus a few speckles of ash in my hair. As soon as we arrived, our Mother greeted us.
"Fred, George how lovely it is to see you both" she said, slightly suffocating us both as she pulled us into a tight hug.
With a round of welcomes towards the family, our quite large family at that I was finally ready to put my stuff away. I placed my gifts under the tree, just like always and headed upstairs, George following slightly behind towards our usual bedroom.

"Wow missed being here all the time" George said as we got inside, just like I did he placed his suitcase onto his bed. I nodded and started rummaging around until I found my sweater, it was hideous and slightly itchy but mum was awfully proud of it so I placed it on. I glanced out of the window, it was already dark, I guess we had arrived slightly later than expected, I saw a group of figures walking up to the Burrow as well. I immediately spun around as I heard the door bell ring.
"Looks like they arrived" George said laughing
"Great observations" I responded before walking out the door, I could hear my mum and dad greeting the lot of people who arrived.

As I made my way down the stairs I saw Harry and Vesper with interlocked arms, Ron who seemed annoyed for whatever reason, Ginny standing next to a very red Neville, and Selina standing slightly back from the rest of the group, slightly uncomfortable I could tell. I watched as they all came inside and my mother gave each of them a large hug.
"How lovely to see you all!!!" She exclaimed overly excited
"Happy Holidays Molly, thank you for having us" Selina said quite a lot less excited. I smiled and waved as I made eye contact, she did the same. After another long round of greetings the group had finally escaped my mum.

I walked up to Selina.
"Hi Lina haven't seen you around the shop for a while" I joked, she smiled before responding
"Nice to see you too Freddie"
"How's school been?" I asked trying to make light conversation, although I guess she caught on
"School really? Same, same, everyone's been on edge I think, not as fun as working at the shop" she was about to say something else before she spotted George
"George Hi, thanks so much for inviting me, I have to admit the train ride here was awful" she said laughing. I sighed walking away towards Ron, I didn't get far before someone tapped my shoulder.
"You're not already trying to avoid me are you?" Selina said jokingly
"I could never" I joked back
"Nice sweater" She said, her eyes glancing at the sweater, I could feel my face getting slightly warmer
"Oh this old thing" I replied, smirking

Maybe this Christmas wouldn't be so bad?