Between the Cracks // 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

43. Don't You Dare Help With Anything

Looong chapter

Chapter 43: Don't You Dare Help With Anything

Fred exited his room moments later, approaching Leigh and George, who had once again plopped down on the couch, with a stack of pamphlets. Upon closer inspection Leigh realised that they weren't just any pamphlets – they were restaurant menus.

"Since my lovely brother doesn't support me cooking." He dropped the pamphlets onto Leigh's lap while delivering a feign angry look towards George, who snickered.

"Believe me, Leigh, you'll thank me."

Fred sat down next to her, gesturing to the heap of pamphlets in front of her. "Guests chose."

"Uh." Her gaze hovered over the pile. "Oh, I don't know."

They didn't let her splutter for long. Fred quickly reached out towards the pile. "Alright, let's see."

He picked up a menu from her lap, let his eyes skim over it. "Hm, this is a great one, about 10 minutes walking distance from Diagon Alley. Indian – incredible garlic naan. One of the best I've ever had."

"They do a great palak paneer," George butted in, prompting Fred to nod in agreement.

"Mhm they do, true." He reached for another. "Burgers. Decent. Have had better." He threw it to the side, reaching for yet another. "Mexicannnnn," he dragged out. George leaned over to take a look.

"Don't think I've tried that," George spoke.

"It's quite good. Have had some great meals from them," Fred nodded to himself, and Leigh fought the urge to let out a chuckle.

"How come you know of so many takeaway places?" She asked curiously, suppressing a grin.

"A lot of staying late working alone and not bothering to cook," Fred replied, gaze still trained on the menu in front of him.

"Or being too shit at cooking," George coughed out inconspicuously, words ignored by his twin.

Fred held a menu up in the air. "A good old-fashioned pizza? Always a safe bet."

Leigh nodded, shrugging her shoulders casually. "Let's go for that then."

After the three of them had agreed, Fred stood up from the couch and said he'd be back in 15, leaving George and Leigh alone once again as the familiar cracking sound filled the flat.

Leigh shook her head. "I don't understand how you two keep doing that."

"Apparating?"

She nodded with a hum. "I mean I can do it, but I'd rather not," she mumbled as she neared a cabinet, reaching up to grab three plates. She knew just as much as anyone else that you didn't really need plates for pizza, but she was desperate to help with something nonetheless.

"We've been able to avoid the nausea, I suppose," George spoke. "Or we've done it so much throughout the years that we're immune."

She shrugged, reaching for some glasses next. "Probably. I feel like I'm gonna hurl every single time."

He chuckled. "Remind me to never apparate with you then."

She looked back at him in agreement. "Probably a good idea. You usually apparate everywhere? When you go home and stuff too?"

"Yeah. I mean we occasionally do floo network but apparition is just easier, isn't it?"

"Mm."

Her gaze moved from the table, now adorned by plates and glasses, to the cabinet, trying to figure out what else to do.