obliviate ~ f.weasley.

2 . egypt

August 22nd, 1993

The Egyptian heat, landmarks and sights were nice, but, despite the fact it was pouring it down with rain, the air was thick with humidity, and they were crammed into creaky, run down rooms above a grotty pub - it was good to be home again.

Two red headed twins sat themselves at the table in the centre of the dining/drinking area, the only other occupant was another wizard opposite them, hidden behind a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"I wish you'd have told me my hair looked a mess before we got that bloody picture taken." George had leant closer to the front page and subconsciously ran a hand through his fringe. Fred nudged his brother, a discreet reminder that the stranger holding said paper was probably not deaf, and would also probably find his actions rather impolite.

"When did Delilah say she was getting here?" George sipped his butter beer, noticing his brother writing yet another letter addressed to their best friend.

"She didn't. Could be any day now." Fred continued to scribble away,

"I don't think she'll be days, she'll have missed us too much," George kicked back in his chair, balancing on two legs and cupping his hands behind his head, though difficult to relax with the stench of stale alcohol mixed with blood hanging heavy around them.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Georgieboy."

The newspaper was lowered to the table and there, with a shy but cheeky grin, sat the girl in question.

"Lilah!"

They had never spent so long apart in all the years of knowing each other, so their group hug felt just a little bit tighter, and much much more needed.

"You're never leaving me that long again!" They pulled away, Delilah placing a hand on either of their jaws and stroking their (now more predominantly) freckled cheeks.

"You look so different," George pinched a lock of her hair and waved it gently, emphasising how it had gotten even longer over the summer.

"It's a good different though!" Fred assured her, slapping George's hand away from her personal space, earning a soft giggle from the girl.

The twins were never one for noticing differences in appearance, but they seemed to pick up on the slightest of changes; she wore clothes that accentuated her newly developed hour glass figure, if they looked hard enough they were almost certain they could see make up, and she seemed to smile harder, wider, if that was possible.

"We've been in Egypt for a month and we've still managed to come back paler than you. Look'a that!" Fred rolled up his sleeve and compared forearms with her,

"I know...I spent a lot of time outside this summer." She shrugged nonchalantly, George tutting at her.

"and you're half French," he grumbled,

"Look at those little freckles," Fred poked her nose, cheeks and whatever else she failed to shield from him.

"Pack it in, Weasley, or I'll tell your mum that you're picking on me," She threatened, to which he backed away with his hands raised in defence.

"Naw, we did miss you loads, Lilah. I wish I could have snuck you into my suitcase." George pulled her into a one armed hug, pecking her hair.

"Me too, it was nice spending the summer with Remus and Caleb to be fair. Weren't allowed to go anywhere though." She muttered, staring down to her feet and folding her arms.

The posters were everywhere. Every shop down Diagon Alley, every pub, club, bar, and cafe
in Hogsmeade, on the front page of every paper. No matter how much Remus tried to reassure the children that the people were looking at the new scars on his face, Delilah and Caleb knew what they were gawking at.