DOROTHEA {fred weasley}

sixty

Fred and George returned to 12 Grimmauld Place a lot less ecstatic as they had been leaving school, both dreading the reactions of Molly Weasley when they got inside. It was easy, when they were being cheered by all of their friends - no, all of Hogwarts, to be immensely optimistic about their futures, but having to face their mother? That was a completely different story. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black greeted them at the door, both giving the young men a wink, congratulating them on the prank, speaking with great admiration, any previous tension between Sirius and the twins vanishing. Then, they saw Bill and Charlie, their elder siblings, who were both doubled over in laughter as Fred retold the story, but were also quick to inform them that they were fucked.

The twins heard Molly Weasley before they saw her, storming down the stairs, accidentally knocking a portrait off the wall in her rage. The twins, their brothers, Sirius and Remus gathered in the kitchen as Molly flew in in a fit of rage, followed by Arthur who looked utterly disappointed, his head hanging low.

"Two more months!" Molly was screeching. "You couldn't have lasted two bloody months!"

"We'd have failed NEWTs anyway!" Fred protested. 

"Yeah, we did no work all year!" George added, "it would have just been a complete waste of time!"

Remus Lupin stifled a laugh, he had taught the boys in their fifth years and that wasn't hard to believe at all. 

"Is that meant to make us feel better?"Arthur asked wearily, his head in his hands.

"Mum, if you'd just-"

"No! You are grounded, for life!"

"We're adults, mum," Fred said slowly. "This is what we want."

"How will you get a job?" The woman asked, collapsing into a chair with her head in her hands, looking awfully stressed and upset.

"We've got a job," George replied.

Molly looked up a little, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and Fred smiled.

"We got the shop, mum," he said, keys dangling from his forefinger. "Paid the deposit on it last week."

Arthur's eyes lit up a little and Sirius Black let out a low, impressed whistle, meeting Remus Lupin's eye with a grin. 

"Thanks to Harry, that is," George said, acknowledging Sirius, who beamed at the mention of his Godson's generosity.

"You got it?" She repeated, staring at her eighteen year old sons in shock.

"And we have enough money from selling products for the last two years for a year's rent," Fred said warily, eyeing his parents.

"You're moving out?" Arthur asked.

"Er- at some point- would be easier to live nearer Diagon Alley- plus- will free up some room around here, we'll come back all the time, obviously. You're not getting rid of us that easily, ha-"

Molly didn't let Fred say another word, suddenly, her arms were around both twins, kissing their faces repeatedly, wiping tears from her face.

"I even reckon you've beaten the marauders, here," Sirius said cheerfully, "whaddya reckon, Moony?"

Remus Lupin grinned and nodded, "a prank shop. Incredible, truly."

"Well, as long as life doesn't get in the way first, we want to be as much help as we can, to the order," spoke George.

Bill Weasley grinned proudly at his younger brother and ruffled his hair, "when did you get so grown up?"

"I reckon people need cheering up anyway," Charlie said, "sounds amazing, lads. We'll help put the shop together however we can."