Beauty and the Beast (Remus Lupin)

35.

Rose had woken up before everyone else after another dreadful night of sleep. Hermione would be going over but not until later. She walked down just in time to see the sun rise through the kitchen window.

A smile grew on her face as she poured a cup of coffee and walked out to get a better view in person. The sky was clear of clouds as it changed from black to orange. The wind was steady and brought a cool draft. Unlike last summer with the scorching heat, it felt nice and cool this time.

She sat down on the ground and watched the sun peak up. There was just something about the warm liquid going down as the chilled air breezed by her. But the thought of Tonks and Remus filled the back of her mind.

There was a sudden popping noise but she thought nothing of it. After all, Fred and George's room still had a few of their old things.

"Lovely isn't it?" Fred asked sitting down next to her.

She jumped at the sight and some of her coffee had spilled over, "Fred!"

"Mum told us you've been having some rough nights." George sat on her other side.

Rose didn't know where to begin. How does she tell them about Sirius, or Remus, or about how now after seeing them she doesn't want them to leave her side again.

"Yeah, mum said that you could use some cheering up." Fred said.

"Want to be the first to go to our shop?" George asked.

"We thought we could show you around before we opened." Fred took her coffee and took a sip.

"You can keep that..." She said.

"Well, what do you say?" George asked.

"I guess we can take a little trip." Rose smiled.

"Ready, Fred?" George turned to his brother.

"Ready, George." Fred held out his hand for Rose. She took it and they had apparated to their shop in Diagon Ally.

For Rose, it was like walking side of the twins' heads.

"Want some U•No•Poo?" Fred asked as he held out a jar with green candy inside.

"Do I want what?" Rose looked down at it.

"It makes you constipated. Hence the name." George said, "you got 12 O.W.L.s., do we really need to explain something this simple."

"Love potion?" Fred held out a small heart shaped bottle.

"No...and I'm never drinking anything you give me now..." Rose laughed, "is that Umbridge?" Rose pointed to an ugly little doll trying to walk across a line.

"Of course!" The twins said.

"When do you open?" Rose asked examining the display of their extendable ears.

"In 2 hours." Fred said.

"So, what's going on?" George asked.

Rose turned around to face them, "nothing much..."

"Not what mum told us." Fred said.

"You know, you can tell us anything. We can be serious when we want to be. You didn't kill someone did you?" George asked.

"We can't help you bury the body but could offer some suggestions." Fred added.

Rose laughed, "no. I'm fine in the category."

"So what's bothering you then?"

"Why do you assume that something's bothering me?"

"Ro, Sirius died...and ever since then you've been..protective...." George tried to say it without making her uncomfortable, "we understand it of course, but it's better to talk about things like this."