Secrets Only Trouble Knows - George Weasley

36 - Lay All Your Love On Me

At last I was sat in a carriage on the Hogwarts Express, barreling through the hills of Scotland, with my brother Jasper and the Weasley twins.

As we fast approached Kings Cross station in London, I felt more and more relieved, like weights were being lifted from my shoulders. For two whole weeks I didn't have to think about schoolwork or the Chamber of Secrets. I would be able to relax again, with my family and friends, and celebrate a glorious time of year in the comfort of my own home.

When evening arrived and we'd eventually pulled into the station, I wasted no time collecting my belongings and hurrying onto the platform. I was eager to catch sight of Mum. It took some looking, but soon I spotted her conversing with Callie's parents and older sister Alana.

"Mum!" I exclaimed.

At the sound of my voice, she excused herself and met me halfway with her arms wide open.

"Nova! Oh, it's so good to see you, darling!"

I dropped my things in favor of enveloping her in a much needed hug. As she clutched me tightly to her chest, her blonde hair pooling into my face, I inhaled the sweet smell of her perfume and all of the scents of home I'd been longing for.

"I missed you," she sighed happily. "And you!"

She drew Jasper in too as he and the other boys caught up with us.

"Hey, Mum," he smiled.

She let go of the both of us and turned to the twins.

"Nice to see you again, Mrs. Pierce," Fred and George chorused in greeting.

"It's really my pleasure," Mum beamed brightly, taking them into her embrace. They were caught off guard at first, but gradually sunk into her, smiling. "I can't believe I'll have two sets of twins to share the holiday with this year! My heart is so full. I think we'll have so much fun together." She took a step back, hands on her hips. "Now, how was the train ride? Any trouble?"

"None whatsoever," I shook my head. "I'm just so glad to be through with term."

"I imagine," Mum nodded. "Well, have you got everything? Said goodbye to all your friends?"

"Ready when you are," replied Jasper.

"Then enough dallying," she said. "I say we make it home before it gets too dark and get the party going! I've got a nice batch of tomato sauce simmering on the stove right now for spaghetti and meatballs as we speak. Thank Merlin for magic, right? Don't have to worry about keeping an eye on it!"

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I didn't realize just how much I'd missed my mother's cooking until we'd arrived at the cottage and the aroma of her infamous tomato sauce flooded my nose, as promised. On instinct, my stomach growled. Though Hogwarts provided some of the best meals I'd ever had, nothing compared to Mum's cooking. You simply couldn't beat homemade anything.

"Drop off your bags, dears, and get comfortable!" Mum called as she hurried off into the kitchen to check on the sauce. "Then you can sit in here and tell me all about what's happened this semester! Mmm— delicious— but where's the salt...?"