Weasley Charm | Fred Weasley

Chapter 3-6: A Gentleman's Fancy

"I thought I might find you here," Lupin's voice filled the air.

Delaney placed the picture of her mom she used as a bookmark in her book, looking up at him with a smile, "Well, you did say I could use the space if I wanted to. Today, I wanted to."

Lupin looked around his office, his eyes catching on each innate detail he added to the space. The office wasn't big, but the bookshelves he added made it feel larger than it was. He had several candles lined up on his desk that helped to cast a welcoming glow to the space. The addition of the bookshelves and candles was the exact reason Delaney seemed to love it.

"And I am glad you're using it. But I need you to come with me."

Delaney's brows furrowed, as far as she knew there wasn't a school event today. It was a typical Sunday. Well, the Sunday before Christmas. Whoever was celebrating Christmas with their parents this year left yesterday. "Am I in trouble?"

A chuckle passed Lupin's mouth, "No, unless there is a reason for you to be."

"No, of course not," Delaney grinned at Lupin's pointed stare.

"Good, I'd hoped you wouldn't get in tons of trouble during your time here. Oh, but that is beside the point," a smile formed on his face. "I am taking you to Hogsmeade. So get up, put on your scarf and whatever else you may need. We will leave as soon as you are ready."

"But there's not a school-sanctioned visit today," her brows furrowed.

"Correct, but I am a professor. I can bend the rules a little bit. Now hurry, we are spending the day together."

A smile pulled at Delaney's lips as she stood, excited for the day ahead of her.

Just as Lupin said after Delaney put a thicker coat over her jumper and the rest of her cold weather get-up, including a knitted hat and scarf, the pair were on their way. The walk to the village felt longer than it had before, probably due to how cold it was. But Delaney did not mind. She missed when she and Lupin could go and do whatever they wanted. He was the best father figure she could ask for. He was the only person she had.

"I suspect the bookstore is the first place you'd like to visit?" Lupin asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow even though he already knew the answer to that.

A happy twirl spread through Delaney. She loved browsing the bookstore, even if she did not need more books. "Don't act as though you are not the reason I love books."

Lupin chuckled, "Yes, very well. I suppose I am partly to blame."

The smell of books old and new met Delaney's nose when they entered. She couldn't wait to browse the numerous shelves. She'd been so excited to visit the store during the first Hogsmeade visit with her friends, but they hadn't made it over there.

Delaney could spend hours in the store but she kept her visit short. She limited herself to one book since Christmas was coming up and she knew Lupin would buy her some. Even though she insisted on paying for the muggle book herself, Lupin paid for hers and one of his own. That pattern followed them through Honeydukes and Zonkos.

After looking through the main shops in the village, they walked over to the Three Broomsticks for dinner. Delaney was positively starving by the time she placed her order. She sipped slowly on the Butterbeer Lupin bought her until her holiday dinner was brought to the table. The flavor of the roasted meat and glazed carrots burst on her tongue the moment it entered her mouth, earning a soft hum of appreciation.

"So," Lupin began, shoving a spoonful of his stew into his mouth before continuing. "How has third year been treating you?"

"It's been well. Although I wish I did not have to worry about family circumstances so much this year. But, other than that it is good. It is much better than hiding from a basilisk, I must admit," Delaney said the last part with a chuckle. It was true though, she hated the pit of anxiety that constantly sat in her stomach, making her worry she would be petrified after every turn. Although, a different pit of anxiety floated in her stomach this year.

Lupin's face softened in understanding, "I wish you did not have to deal with all of this. I know it is not easy. Especially since you are so young."

Delaney grabbed his hand, squeezing gently, "You do not need to worry about me."

"It is my job to worry about you. I raised you after..." he said with a matter-of-fact stare.

"And you did a great job," Delaney smiled, believing every word she said. She knew how much Lupin sacrificed after her mother died and her father left. She saw his appreciative grin grow. "Now, tell me how different it is to be back here as a professor and not a meddlesome student."

Lupin chuckled, starting a tale from his days at Hogwarts with Delaney and Harry's parents. They slipped into comfortable conversation, enjoying each other's company on their own as they do during the summer. Lupin always listened and was always there when she needed him.

A smile ghosted Delaney's lips when she entered the common room later that night, bags from the day's excursions in tow.

"Well, well, well, sneaking out of the castle are we?" Fred's voice teased. Delaney found him lounging lazily on one of the soft sofas. He smirked at the bags in her hands.

Delaney lifted the bags in her hands with a grin of her own, "Oh, these? Who says I snuck out to get them?"

"Well, you certainly didn't get permission to leave the castle. George and I already tried," he countered, placing his hands behind his head.

The urge to mess with him started to grow in Delaney. "Who said I needed permission?"

Amusement flashed on Fred's face, "My, my, Delaney McKinnon, a rule breaker. Who would've thought Hermione Granger's best friend would be so apt to break the rules."

"Who said I broke any rules at all? Who says I don't have a rich gentleman giving me gifts at my beck and call?" Delaney teased, parting Fred with a wink.

She found herself fighting a giggle at the look on his face before she departed him. Half horror, half amusement. Oh honestly, if he truly believed she had charmed the liking of a boy enough for him to buy her endless gifts at fourteen bhe had to be just as dim-witted as Ron. She would never let herself rely on a man like that. But that still didn't stop the amusement flooding through her.