No Tricks (George Weasley x OC)

Chapter 4

Oli sighed as she looked up at the sunlit ceiling while thoughts of the inauguration the previous night flooded her mind. The curiosity of her neighbors, motivated either by admiration or caution, had amused her. The last question, however, had briefly sent a chill down her spine. She hoped that any sign of her discomfort had successfully been hidden by a sip from the glass she was holding. Thankfully, her answer had satisfied the guests and everyone had left soon after.

Only George had remained. Kind, handsome George. He had been welcoming to Oli ever since her arrival, showing genuine interest in her and her wellbeing. She smiled, reminiscing about the bread trade that had occurred almost as soon as they had met. But would he be the same once he found out she could not wave a wand around like everyone else? That she was barely more than a regular Muggle? Her throat tightened.

Pulling her out of her torpor, the doorbell rang through the building. Groaning, Oli pushed the bedsheets aside and clumsily put on her slippers, rushing down the stairs and jumping down the last few steps. Through the glass, she recognised familiar red hair, causing her to pause in her tracks. Clearing her throat, she hastily combed her hair with her fingers and looked down to check that she was presentable. An old pajama would have to do.

Taking in a breath of fresh air, she swiftly opened the door while smiling brightly: "Good morning!"

"Hello, dear!" a lady with flaming red hair responded.

Next to her, a gentleman with a matching shade extended his hand: "Arthur Weasley."

He was the one she had mistaken for George through the textured window.

Brows furrowed, Oli nevertheless shook the offered hand: "Oli Tillers."

"We know, darling, George told us all about you," the lady said, leaving Oli mouth agape.

"Pardon?" she asked, blinking slowly and suddenly feeling all too underdressed.

"I'm Molly, we're Fred and George's parents," she explained as if that was not clear yet.

"Uh, yes," Oli licked her lips, "Erm, to what do I-", cleared her throat, "What can I do for you?"

"Well, you see, Fred told us how his brother lent you some bread when you moved in," Molly began, "and because you were so kind as to buy him a new one, we came to bring you this."

Oli was handed a heavy paper bag. Peeking inside, she immediately noticed a considerable amount of food.

"Mrs. Weasley, I can't accept it. What I did was the polite thing to do, really, nothing else."

"Nonsense!" Molly counter-argued. "Many wouldn't have been so thoughtful as you!"

"Mrs. Weasley, please, this is all too much."

"No, I only put a few things together. Don't fret!"

At a loss for words, Oli looked down at the parcel once more, before meeting their gaze again: "Can I offer you some tea perhaps?"

"That would be lovely," Arthur nodded with a kind smile. Oli could see from whom George had inherited his.

Walking into the shop, Oli put the bag down on the small table by the couch and lifted the blinds. The morning sun painted the emerald green of the walls in warm tones and bounced off the gold accents.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Oli pointed at the couch. "I will be back in a second."

Walking upstairs with the paper bag, she sighed deeply as she reached the top floor. While the water came to a boil, Oli emptied its contents into the fridge and cupboards. Balancing a tray with cups, a teapot and the necessary complements, and, now wrapped in a robe, she cautiously came back down.

Sitting in a chair opposite Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Oli poured all of them a cup.

"Fred told us you moved in recently, yes?" Molly asked.

"Yes," Oli nodded, "Only a week ago. The inauguration was yesterday, in fact. Tomorrow will be the first day where the shop will be open to the public."

"Congratulations!" Molly cheered.

"You are a tattoo artist George says?" Arthur wondered then.

"I am. It is a skill I learned through my Muggle side of the family."

Arthur's eyebrows shot up.

"Are you very knowledgeable on Muggle culture?"

Smiling behind her cup, Oli nodded silently.

"I was practically raised by one, really."

Arthur turned to his wife, a smile gracing his features.

"If I may in that case: what is the function of a rubber duck?"

Furrowing her brows, Oli did not have the chance to ponder the question that the doorbell rang again.

Excusing herself, she stood up and welcomed another redhead.

"Good morning," Oli greeted him.

"Hi," George answered, but averted his eyes immediately after. "My parents are here, aren't they?"

Chuckling, she nodded and motioned for him to enter.

"Hey," he greeted his parents, eyebrows shot up.

"Awww George!" Molly stood up to hug him.

Oli smiled at the interaction even if she could tell George was moderately annoyed at his parents.

"What are you doing here?" he asked them.

"Your mother wanted to thank your neighbor here for being so kind," Arthur explained.

"Well now that you've done so, how about we leave Oli alone? I'm sure she still has a lot of things to do today."

"Could we help with anything, dear?" Molly asked.

Oli chuckled once more and waved her hands in front of her: "No, thank you. I am going to rest a lot today."

"Would you like to come over for lunch?"

Noticing George's panicked gaze, Oli returned to his mother: "Perhaps another time. But thank you for the offer."

"Very well," Molly agreed with a smile.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley thanked her for the tea as George gently nudged them towards the exit. Bidding her farewell, they crossed the street over to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Just before entering the shop, they turned around once more and waved her goodbye.

After making sure they were inside, George looked back to Oli and leaned by the door.

"I'm sorry about this," he started..

"Don't be. Your parents were lovely."

He chuckled and stared down at his shoes.

"It's just that they can be a lot."

"Really?" she asked ironically.

Breathing out another laugh, he met her gaze. George licked his lips as his eyes traveled back and forth between the store and her.

"We're having our family lunch in the shop today," he explained. "That's why my parents are already here."

Oli merely nodded understandingly.

George cleared his throat before continuing: "Once we're done... Would you like to share that bottle of wine?"

Smiling, she looked away but nodded nonetheless.

"I'd love that."