The Return

24| It Worked Didn't It

Claudia's POV

Just as I'm about to open the door to the Weasleys' chambers I'm stopped by the sound of familiar footsteps. Normally, listening to the sound of footsteps isn't a hobby of mine, but when I've trained my hears for the past twenty-two years to know when a particular person is coming, you know their footsteps.

"I see you were invited too." I say to my twin. He nods and looks nervous. I jerk my head toward the door. "What to tell the person whom you shared a womb with, why your so buddy buddy with my boyfriend's brother?"

"Not really." I glare at him and he sighs. "Fine." Cash looks at me with a look on his face that says, 'are you really making me do this?' Before speaking. "Fred Weasley and I are a thing.

I squeal. Really, I couldn't help it. My brother love life is  few and far between. Any news at all, is good news.

"I knew it. Well, Charlie and I knew it, but I still knew it." Cash chuckles and I leap into his arms for a hug, just as the door swings open.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Charlie asks looking at me, then surveying the hallway. Slowly the other Weasleys peak their heads out. "I saw a spider?"

Charlie raises an eyebrow, as Ron backs me up. "I hate spiders. Eight legs of death."

"Why does that sound like a question?"

"It doesn't. I saw a spider."

Charlie smirks. "Then why are you so happy?" I give him an exasperated look. "Because Cash killed it, of course." Charlie looks at my a moment longer. I know he can tell I'm lying, but still, he turns away after sending me a silent promise that he will find out later.

When we step in the door, Fred looks between the two of us with a knowing smile. I wink at him and give him a thumbs up when backs are turned.

"I like what you've done with the place." I tell Mrs. Weasley when we have all sat. "Are you okay dear? With us living in your father's old chambers I mean?"

I look at Cash and silently we agree. "Of course, Mrs. Weasley. I wouldn't want anyone else to have it." Harry scoff but I ignore him. Tonight is not about Harry Potter, not matter how much he might want it to be.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Ginny smack Harry in the back of the head. I try not to laugh, but when I fail, and snicker, he glares at me.

Charlie grabs my hand under the table.

When everyone has full plates and has begun eating, Mrs. Weasley speaks. "I hear we have a couple announcements to take care of tonight. Who is first?" Charlie looks at me, still holding my hand.

"I'm pretty sure Claudia knows everyone's secrets tonight. Why doesn't she decide who goes first." I smile from behind my glass of lemons tea.

"Well, there are three of us, and some are pretty big news." I resist a wink at Fleur. "So why don't we go first since almost everyone already knows. Its really just a formality at this point."

Charlie raises our intertwined hands above the table and we look at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "Mom and dad, Claudia is my girlfriend." Molly smiles, "It's about time you brought someone home. I'm not exactly getting any younger and I do want grandkids sometime in the near future."

I choke on leftover tea in my mouth and Charlie shoots me an apologetic smile. Just for that I'm making her wait another round to hear that she is a grandmother.

"Your turn, brother dearest." The table is silent for a moment. Unsure what to do. "Merlin. I meant Cash."

Fred laughs at the obvious tension and mimics Charlie and I. Cash and Fred raise their hands as Fred speaks. "I know this might come as a shock to...alot of you, but I'm gay, and Cash is my boyfriend."

Charlie and I watch their reactions as we had already known, but Fred seems most interested in George's reaction.

George looks at his twin and grins at him. "Well I for one, thinks its fantastic. Welcome to the family, Cash!"

When everyone seems to come to an agreement that Fred is still the same person that he was, I rest my free elbow on the table. "So," I look at Fred and Cash. "How does it feel to be a twin, dating a twin?" Cash rolls his eyes playfully while I switch my attention to Fleur.

"Take it away Mrs. Weasley." I say, and lucky nobody asked which one, because I didn't want to have to wait a moment longer.

Fleur starts to stand, but Bill beats her to it. "Are they in your bag?" He asks when she gives him a grateful smile. "Yes, and I appreciate it, but I can still do things on my own."

Bill hands Fleur the bag, ignoring her comment. After a moment Fleur looks up with a smiling face. "Join us in welcoming to the world, baby number one of the Weasley family."

Molly Weasley screams and jumps out of her seat. "Your not kidding? George and Fred, have nothing to do with this?"

"No, mom." Bill laughs. "Your going to be a grandma."

"I'm going to be a grandma." She turns to ber teary eyed husband. "Arther, we're going to be grandparents." Molly hugs Bill's first and then make her way over to Fleur talking her in a hug as soon as she stands.

Ginny punches Harry in the arm. "Come on Potter where's your game? They beat us. Now I owe Ron twenty gallons."

Harry rolls his eyes and looks at me like, 'can you believe this' before remembering that he is supposed to be mad at me and scowling.

"You bet on who was going to have a baby first?" Molly says incredulously. "Mom." Bill stops her. "Just go with it. You don't want to know half the stuff we made bets on when your back was turned."

"Speaking of which," Arthor says, "Fred and George, you still owe me thirty gallons. I won that bet and you know it."

Molly looks between her husband and children. "What bet?"

"I bet that Ginny dating Dean Thomas would make Harry come to his senses. They bet that he was smart enough on his own."

Harry looks at his fiance. "Wait. You dated him to get to me?"

"It worked didn't it?"

"Congratulations, mate." Draco pats Bill on the back when everyone has stood. Ron is the only person who remains at the table, stuffing his face.