(Eng) Weasleys, Pranks and other Curses

31

Ginny was still holding the fabric of my dress between her fingers and didn't let go until Molly slapped her hand, when finally the last two Weasleys joined us.

"Sorry, the ties wouldn't do what they were supposed to," Fred laughed, dashing down the stairs.

I spun around, already ready to laugh as well because the word tie coming out of Fred's mouth alone was hilarious, but I was left breathless.

George stepped onto the stairs behind his brother and I felt like the prince in one of those terribly cheesy movies when the princess comes down the stairs breathtakingly beautiful. The dark blue jacket with the silver buttons fit so perfectly that I suddenly understood why Molly had become skeptical. It looked like it had been tailored for him.

Fred was wearing a very similar outfit, but in the typical Gryffindor red.

Ron almost spit in his punch. "Who are you and what have you done to my brothers!"

I still hadn't been able to take my eyes off George. The way he scratched his head in embarrassment, his wild hair ruining the perfect impression just a tiny bit. But really just a teeny tiny bit. His father proudly patted him on the back and his mother was torn between pride and her prejudices.

Bill nudged me with his shoulder. "Your eyes are about to fall out of your head."

"I didn't pay for this!", I squealed way too high.

"I know," Bill laughed, "They both asked me where I got the clothes I needed for business."

"I still think that's your good influence." Ginny joined us. She looked quite enchanting in her knee length dress. I had been extra cautious about my wardrobe, but looking around now, I didn't have to.

Hermione's dress reached below the knee and was a real eye-catcher in light blue. Bill always looked good when he put his mind to it anyway, and Maddie was so beautiful that a stranger would think at first glance that she lived here and not me.

"Is this too much?" she asked shyly, tugging at her freshly coiffed curls.

"Not at all!" both Ginny and I confirmed in sync.

But before we could talk any further, Mistel rang her little bell. "Ladies, gentlemen, please take your seats," she announced very solemnly, and the feast began.

There was soup and small appetizers, followed by fish and meat with different kinds of bread until the actual roast was served.

"I should have bought this dress a size bigger," Maddie grumbled next to me, rubbing her belly.

"Doesn't that lace up?" cooed Fred, and I guessed what was coming next but didn't reach his shin under the table in time. "I bet good Ricky would help you right out. Ouch- ouch- ouch, hey!" Apparently I wasn't the only one who had kicked at him under the table. "What kind of behavior is that!" But his eyes twinkled. Fred Weasley was still Fred Weasley. Whether in a worn cape or expensive suit.

People continued to jokingly throw minor vulgarities at each other throughout dessert until even the last Weasley was too full. Ice cream and cakes and sweets from the various countries we had traveled through were still piled on the table when at last Bill and the twins also gave up and dropped back in their chairs.

The food disappeared from the table and piled up on a small buffet a little ways off. "In case anyone is starving," I laughed, gesturing to everyone where they would find supplies for the rest of the night.

"You could call that an attack!" complained Bill, only half-jokingly. "Who's going to eat all that."

"You dear." I patted his stomach and he groaned in horror.

"Would anyone like some more wine?" Mistle came scurrying out of the kitchen before Turnip or Lemon could stop her. "Or should we start the gift-giving?" She was so excited that everyone at the table laughed. Some louder, others had the decency to lower their heads or at least put their hands over their mouths.

After a brief pause for digestion, we finally rose to the big tree. At first we tried to maintain an order and structure, but with so many excited and sometimes tipsy Weasleys, it was absolutely hopeless.

I had distributed most of my gifts and finally Maddie spotted the card I had used as a bookmark. It was a date and the address of a little cafe in Hogsmead. Richard hadn't had the heart to ask Maddie for a date, so I had unceremoniously done it for them both.

Now only George was missing, who kept conspicuously far away from me, no matter where I moved. He hadn't really let on anything, but perhaps the kiss had been more unpleasant for him than I had assumed? Or maybe he just didn't have a present for me. I had actually told everybody here that I didn't want any presents, but of course I had gotten a sweater from Mrs. Weasley anyway.

If George didn't want his gift, I wouldn't force it on him either. I would give it to Mistle later so she could bring it to him.

Just to have something to do, I went to the little stereo under the stairs. From here, music could be played throughout the apartment.

I was searching for an appropriate Christmas song when I noticed someone behind me.

"Merry Christmas." George had stepped into the shadow of the stairs behind me. In his hand he held a square box in the same blue as his suit.

"Oh. You really didn't have to get me anything," I tried to avoid the odd sentiment. He had made a conspicuous point of avoiding me before. So why had he followed me here now?

"I wanted to, though. Here. Open it up."

Unsure, I accepted his gift and loosened the little bow. He did have an eye for detail. But when I opened the box, I couldn't believe my eyes. "It's beautiful," I breathed at the sight of the delicate necklace with the tiny star pendant.

"Come on, let me put it on you."

I couldn't help but think that he had also put the other necklace on me, still hanging around my neck. Twice, in fact, when you got right down to it. So it shouldn't have been a big deal when I pulled my hair aside and turned my back to him.

But his fingers lingered on my skin for a moment too long, and immediately I felt so dizzy that I would have preferred to run away as goosebumps crept across my neck. He had to see these things. He was too observant not to notice.

"Camille." His breath tickled my skin.

"It's okay." I took a step forward, turning back to him to end the strange moment, but George just pointed above us. One of Mistletoe's many branches hung directly over us.

"I owe you one." And then George Weasley leaned down to me, his hand still on my neck, and put his lips to mine so gently I almost missed it. "Merry Christmas," he breathed as he left me speechless.