Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Summer, 1992: Gnomes

Yawning and grumbling, the Weasleys slouched outside with Harry and Bambi in tow to the large beautiful garden.

"Muggles have garden gnomes too, you know," Harry explained as they crossed the lawn.

Bambi laughed, "Those aren't gnomes... they're-"

"Like fat little Santa Clauses with fishing rods," Ron interjected.

"Exactly, thanks, Ron" Bambi nodded.

There was a violent scuffling sound, and the flower bush they were standing near shuddered. Ron scooped down, sending a hand flying into the leaves, and out popped the small knobby gnome. "This is a gnome."

"Gerroff me! Gerroff me!" Squealed the gnome as he kicked and thrashed his arms around.

Harry didn't bother trying to hide his face of disgust.

Ron explained to Harry the logistics of de-gnoming as George, Fred, and Bambi all watched, leaning against each other slightly, as a momentary way to rest their tired heads.

Ron chucked the small gnome up into the sky and it fell with a dull thud in the field past the hedge.

Bambi clapped politely and Ron bowed. Harry stared, a somewhat sympathetic and unsure expression crossing his face.

"Pitiful," Said Fred, "I bet I can get mine beyond that stump!"

"Oh, is that a challenge?" George chimed in, rolling up his sleeves theatrically.

Bambi grinned. "I want in too."

"Famous last words," Fred said, handing her a gnome that was trying to bite his finger.

Bambi took the gnome, holding it at arm's length. "Alright, you little gremlin, let's see how far you can fly." She spun around and launched the gnome with all her might. It sailed through the air, landing just short of the stump.

"Beginner's luck," Fred teased. "Watch and learn."

Fred grabbed another gnome and spun it around in a wide arc before releasing it. The gnome flew high and far, landing just past the stump he had pointed out earlier.

"Beat that!" Fred exclaimed triumphantly.

George was next, taking his time to find a particularly feisty gnome. He gave it a good spin and hurled it into the air. The gnome soared over the hedge, disappearing from sight.

"Impressive," Harry admitted, starting to see the fun in the bizarre activity as he perfectly tossed the gnome, setting it sailing across the sky.

"Think we should make it a sport at Hogwarts?" Fred suggested, smirking.

"De-gnoming club, anyone?" George added.

Bambi laughed, brushing dirt from her hands. "I think I'll stick to Quidditch for now. But this is definitely... interesting."

From behind them, the front door slammed.

"He's back!" George chucked the gnome he was holding, "Dad's home!"

They all hurried through the garden and back into the house.

Mr. Weasley sat slumped sleepily in a kitchen chair, his glasses resting in his hand on the table. "What a night," He mumbled, groping for the teacup Mrs. Weasley set in front of him earlier without opening his eyes. "Nine raids. Nine! And old Mundungus Fletcher tried to put a hex on me when I had my back turned..." He took a long slow gulp of his tea and sighed.

"Find anything, Dad?" Fred asked eagerly.

"All I got were a few shrinking door keys and a biting kettle," Mr Weasley yawned. "There was some pretty nasty stuff that wasn't my department though. Mortgage was taken away for questioning about some extremely odd ferrets, but that's the Committee on Experimental Charms, thank goodness..."