SPARKS FLY | fred weasley x oc |

chapter 16 - floo powder

"Melanie, we're going to be late!" Dad hollered up the stairs. I looked at the various outfits hovering around my room. I'm not supposed to use magic outside of school but they can't exactly expel me for a simple floating charm that I don't even use my wand for and only use when I'm in total privacy...right?

"The clothes are not going to change if you keep staring at them." I whipped my head to see Mom in the doorway. I quickly flick my wrist and watch the clothes fold themselves into my trunk.

"Hello? Closed door means you knock." I scoff as I click the latches shut.

"That rule doesn't apply to me, I'm your mother."

"I'm just worried I'll forget something."

"You're always worried you'll forget something and then you never do."

"And you've never had to ship me anything, so you're welcome." I quickly push the last few small things into a backpack and sling it over my shoulders. Mom waved a hand and my luggage floated along behind us as we descended the stairs. "You can't be late when using floo, Dad."

"Okay, well I told Arthur we'd be there before dinner."

"Unless we're eating the early bird special I think we'll be okay, honey." Mom joked as she and I glanced at the clock. It was only four.

"Can we just go?" He glared at us. "Let's do the luggage first." They both arranged the luggage in a pile, Dad apparating it away with a snap. "Here." He mumbled as he held the bowl of grayish-green powder, Mom and I each taking a handful as we stepped into the large fireplace.

"The Burrow?" Mom looked at me.

"The Burrow." I confirmed loudly as I threw the powder at my feet and was sucked upwards. I know that it technically happens instantaneously, but I've always hated the feeling of being stretched and zapped as I go through the Floo network.

"Melanie!" I hear a high pitched voice say behind the cloud of soot. I cough and wave away the haze to reveal Ginny excitedly standing next to my family's luggage.

"Ginny!" I say raspily. She pulls me onto an old rug and begins brushing the soot off me. "I'm making a mess."

"That's what the rug is for, silly." She chuckles. "We're used to the powder." My parents are quick behind me, landing with a loud thud.

"Boys, I swear, I will make you scrub every corner of this house with your toothbrushes if you don't stop it this instant!" I hear Molly bellow from the kitchen. I smile at Ginny before sneaking around the corner towards her voice.

"Sorry for the noise, Molly. I'll make sure to land softer next time." She instantly turns to me with a huge smile on her face.

"Melanie, dear!" She pulls me into a hug. "Is it really four o'clock already? I feel like my day just started."

"We would've been here sooner, but someone took longer to pack her trunk." Dad said as he followed me.

"Someone was trying to make sure you didn't have to ship me anything." I sassed. "Where is everyone?"

"Arthur and Percy should be here soon, had to go into the Ministry." Molly said as she continued preparing dinner. "Ron was out in the garden dealing with the gnomes. The twins are upstairs, making a racket as usual." I glanced at my parents, both of them nodding me along.

"Their room is at the very top." Ginny said as I passed her on the couch. I felt my cheeks get warm.

"Bold of you to assume."

"It's not an assumption if it's a fact." She retorted without looking up from the page. I rolled my eyes and bit back a smile as I began the ascent. It felt like more of a ladder, the steep and narrow steps creaking under my weight. Each landing was barely big enough for one or two people to stand in front of a new door, all different colors. I quickly matched the colors to the same as their sweaters from Christmas; burgundy for Ron, purple for Ginny, and finally a chaotic splatter of green and yellow for the twins. I held my breath. Why am I not breathing? I exhaled deeply and closed my eyes for a second. Don't be nervous, it's just them. A crash suddenly came from inside and then they started arguing. I quietly turned the knob and pushed the door open. They're standing face to face, screaming, and I can't help but laugh.