A Chance Encounter | Fred Weasley

Chapter 16

"Michael you tuck in your shirt this instant!" Clara shouted down the stairwell as Michael raced away from her.

She had no time for his shenanigans that day. It wasn't the smartest idea on her part, but Clara had volunteered to help get the girls and the bride get ready for the wedding.

And make sure her brothers were ready.

And help Mrs. Weasley make food for the wedding.

And clean up afterwards.

Between trying to make sure Michael wasn't untucking his shirt for the eighth time and trying to tame Hermione's curls, Clara was sure she was close to losing her mind.

Roman stood at the bottom of the stairs with his arms folded, Michael nearly running full force into him.

"Put on your tie and tuck in your shirt," he told his brother.

Michael groaned as he pulled the loose tie from his pocket and popped his collar.

"There's a good lad," Roman teased, ruffling Michael's hair.

"Clara!" Molly called upstairs.

"Yes, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Are you nearly ready to help with the food?"

Clara sighed as she finished the last touches on Hermione's hair.

"Go, Clara. Mum needs you more right now," Ginny encouraged as she finished Fleur's make up. "I can handle it from here."

She shot Ginny a look of thanks as she made her way out the door.

With a pop, Clara apparated downstairs in the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley. They started to put food out into the tent area while the rest of the Weasley men helped set up the chairs for their incoming guests.

"Clara, is that what you're wearing to the wedding?" Fred asked, eyeing Clara's t-shirt and jeans. Her hair was put up into a messy bun with several stray hairs falling out onto her shoulders. She had been up at some ungodly hour with his mum to start the day.

"It's gha-a-astly," George teased, promptly feeling a balled up napkin get thrown at his head.

"I'll be ready in due time," Clara clarified, straightening out a display. She looked at it with accomplishment, then turned to the twins. "Fred, why is it your tie is never tied when it needs to be?"

He shrugged. "Care to assist me?"

George rolled his eyes as he darted inside, hoping to steal a tart or two without his mother noticing.

Clara walked over, reaching up and tying Fred's tie.

"You alright?" he asked, noting the exhaustion on Clara's face.

"Have you ever tried to get a bride, two women, a brother, and food ready for a wedding in one day? It's a nightmare," she commented, pushing the knot of Fred's tie up so that it would tighten. She folded his collar down, then smoothed out his vest.

He held her elbows, forcing Clara to leave her hands resting on his chest.

"Still planning to be my date tonight?"

Clara smiled. "I never stand up a date."

Fred smiled, but not before he heard his mother shouting from the kitchen.

"GEORGE WEASLEY, YOU GET OUT OF THIS KITCHEN RIGHT NOW!"

Clara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her face scrunching up in annoyance. "He burnt something. I know he burnt something."