LILAC (Fred Weasley)

Chapter 45

Jean hears a knock on the door and slowly put the book down. Her stomach was wilding and she cannot wait to devour her take out. When she opens the door, she stops in her tracks. This isn't the delivery guy standing in front of her.

"James, what are you doing here?"

"Always a pleasure seeing you too, dear cousin."

Jean lets go a sigh and musters her younger cousin. Something has brought him here and even after years of adulthood, he still has this mischievous look on him. When she was younger, she would curse this look on him, because it usually meant trouble. Looking at the man now, she still does. She taps her fingers impatiently on the door, raising an eyebrow at James.

"I heard Teddy was here last night?"

"Didn't take long for these news to make its rounds." Jean is actually impressed. She thought it would take at least a week before the whole Clan would know about it.

"To be fair, Victorie came over today and she was mad. Teddy will have a hard time making it up to her."

I nod, knowing fully well how petty Victorie can be. I hoped my letter would calm the wind before it turns into a huge storm. My stomach growls, I place my hand in front of my belly. There is something he needs and I am waiting until he spits it out. He plays oblivious and continuous to smile at me.

"How are you doing?"

"James what do you want?"

"Can't I just check on you. Why is that such a surprise? And honestly woman, to let a visitor stand in front of your door for so long, is not very friendly. It's rather chilly out here." He pretends to shiver.

"I will only let you inside, once you told me why you are really here. You are like my Dad, and he always had a bigger picture in mind. So spill."

Actually it was her mother's diary that showed it to her so directly how her father was. She realizes now, how smart her father had been and some of his characteristics were directly placed upon James.

Suddenly another man turns around the corner, my take out in his hands.

"Jean Weasley?"

"Yeah that's me. Thank you for-"

"Thanks mate, I gladly take it", James grabs the food from him and looks at me: "Great I was feeling hungry anyway. You seem to be able to turn it around as a host." He pushes himself past Jean and she lets him. He has her food in his hands after all.

"You could at least pay him", Jean shouts after him. "Just a second, only grapping my wallet real quick."

The woman walks back to the man, who waits patiently, gives him the money and a tip and thanks him. When she closes the door behind her, James already puts out some plates and the food. She knows it will be a long evening and has to play along, if she wants to find out what James really wants.

They talked over dinner and drank some wine. It felt surprisingly nice to talk with her cousin.

"So, I heard that Caroline might get promoted?" Jean puts away the plates with a flick of her wand and looks at James.

"Yes you heard right," James grins all over his face. His girlfriend Caroline works in the ministry of magic in the sport department. "She works really hard and does next to it a great job with the kids, she deserves it."

"Great to hear, that her hard work pays off." Something Jean couldn't yet say about her work department, but she doesn't give up hope.

"Well yeah because of that-" James starts. And Jean immediately knows, that now he finally spills why he is here. "Caroline and I want to celebrate her getting promoted over a nice dinner and a night out and-"

"No. No I am not taking care of your children. Nu-uh. I rather jump of a cliff."

"And I was not about to ask that but ouch. Who hurt you Jean?" He places a hand over his chest, mockingly shocked. "I wouldn't let my kids be near you, I am smart enough for that. Hey!" He laughs when Jean hits him with a dishcloth.

"Then what do you want?"

"You see, Caroline has this work colleague, who got promoted as well and he is a bit lonely, doesn't have a special someone on his side and it would be nice, you know, to go on a double date, getting to meet someone new."

Jean stares at him. "And who do you think will the fourth person be in your grand plan?"

"Oh come on please. It would do you good. You need to get outside this flat apart from work. To meet someone new, maybe go on some new adventures. You can't let the boringness win."

"Since when are you able to decide about that?"

"Jean..."

"No thank you. I am fine with being where I am right now."

"Are you really? Or is it just comfortable not to change anything? When we were younger you dared to dream bigger."

"James, you fail to realize that we aren't young anymore. We are not who we were twenty years ago. Life changes."

"That's the good thing. It changes. So you can and get to change it. Come on, give it a try. Just this one date, how bad can that be? You can always decide to go home."

She stares at him, tired of having to argue him. "Fine, but just this one date."

"Great, Friday seven pm. In the new French restaurant."

"Wait, wouldn't you have to ask this guy first?"

James grins at the woman in front of him and stands up. "Well wouldn't you look at the time. I need to get home. It's late. Thanks for the dinner."

"James. Don't tell me you already made the plans without me actually knowing?"

He grabs his stuff and walks to the door. "You know, you knows that really. Let's just say, you are very pleased to meet him."

He opens the door. "James Sirius! Stop this instant!"

"Love you, have a nice evening." With that he closes the door and apparates home. Jean lets go a frustrated groan. What has she got herself into now?