stardust ⋮ george weasley

eighty-six :

E I G H T Y - S I X

⋮✰⋮

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was already packed with customers by the time Adeline finished taking inventory in the stock room and began helping in the store. Before she did, Adeline fixed her purple and orange hair ribbons in the glass reflection of the mirror that was behind the register. As she did, George gave her one final kiss on the top of the head before jumping into the crowd of customers.

At the fireworks display, Adeline saw Harry looking through the packages of elaborate fireworks. "Found a new way to terrorize Snape this year?"

Harry turned to her and laughed. "Partly," He admitted. "But Sirius loves the fireworks, especially now that he lives in a space where he can actually use them. I told him I'd pick some up for him."

"Well I know George and Fred's favorites and I certainly have mine, so if you want I can give you some recommendations to narrow it down."

"What are your favorites?"

"I think the Gryffindor fireworks could be quite fun for a Quidditch game," Adeline pointed out. "Or, if you have the same mindset as the twins, then an epic prank on the Slytherin dorm."

The gleam in Harry's eyes after that suggestion reminded Adeline of how George would get when he would get a new prank idea. "I think I'm going to have to pick up several of these," Harry commented to himself as he began going through the firework display again, picking up a few packs of the Gryffindor-themed fireworks as he did.

On the staircase, Adeline could see Ron holding a few joke products as he looked up at Fred and George, who were standing on the second floor landing, and asked, "How much for these?"

"Five galleons."

"How much for me?"

"Five galleons."

"But I'm your brother!"

Fred and George glanced at each other then back at Ron. "Ten Galleons!"

As the twins walked off to help other customers, Adeline gestured for Ron to come over to the register she was working. "Your brothers' are being menaces. You don't need to pay for it, I'll cover it for you."

Ron grinned in delight, but he still asked, "Are you sure?"

"I get anything I want for free – perks of being a worker and dating the co-founder. I haven't needed to really use that privilege before today, but I feel like I can make an exception. You're not getting too much, anyways."

"Didn't you and Harry also give your Triwizard Winnings to help Fred and George start the joke shop too?"

Adeline shrugged. "Another reason I can give it to you."

"Merlin, I'm so glad George met you," Ron sighed as he placed the Skiving Snackboxes and a few other small products on the counter. "The only times he doesn't tease me is when you're with him because you give him 'that look'."

"Glad to be of service."

Over the noise of the store, Adeline could hear Harry  shout for Ron to check something out, and Ron was quick to try and find him. She turned her head and saw Hermione and Ginny in the WonderWitch section, and she began to make her way over to the girls.

As she approached, she could see George staring at an annoyed Ginny with his signature teasing smile as she heard Fred loudly ask his little sister, "Have you or have you not been dating Dean Thomas?"