August 23rd - LATE

[gredisfred]

Fred bounded into the kitchen. He was smiling hugely and hummed the tune to a particularly raunchy song as he grabbed wine, glasses, cheese, crackers, some grapes, and a container of peanut butter. He got nearly to the door when he remembered one more thing and cast a spell to make the rest of the things float. He then rummaged for a dishrag and

Comments

[reservekeeper]

Mr. Weasley looked harmless enough. And he complimented his wife and she rolled her eyes but smiled and blushed a bit. It was quite sweet, actually. He didn't hug Fred as hard as Mrs. Weasley had and Oliver was afraid for a moment he was going to hug him as well. He was relieved when the other man held out his hand.

"It's nice to meet you too, sir," Oliver said, remembering to look into his eyes as he shook his hand. "Fred's told me so much about you both."

[twisting_npc]

The boy had spine, and a good grip. "Call me Arthur," he said, letting go and gesturing toward the table. "Pull up a chair at the table and make yourself at home. We're not formal around here. Any friend of Fred's is a friend of ours."

He smiled at his wife and jerked his head at Fred. "Molly, do you need any help?"

[gredisfred]

Fred walked over and put a hand on Oliver's back, guiding him to the table and smiling. His look said, See, it's alright, I told you. "Yeah Mum, do you need help?"

[twisting_npc]

"No, thank you dear," she said to Fred, "I happen to know how you help," as she nodded Arthur toward the bread. It needed to be buttered. "You both sit down and tell me how you've been. You never said how George is doing." She poured the stew into the cauldron and set the flame to heat it up and then went to get plates and cups for them. "I'm glad you've finally brought Oliver by to see us." She patted Oliver's shoulder as she went by.

[reservekeeper]

Oliver watched, amazed that Fred's dad was helping in the kitchen. That never happened at his house either. He took his seat beside Fred, keeping his hand in his and smiling at Mrs. Weasley as she patted his shoulder. "I'm glad to be here, thank you."

[twisting_npc]

"Yes, how is George? And Oliver, are we ever going to see another Quidditch game? We'll have to start routing for your team, now. Although I doubt you can get Ron out of orange. He does love his canons." Arthur butter the bread and looked to his wife for further instructions. "Smelling wonderful as always Molly."

[gredisfred]

Fred squeezed Oliver's hand back, taking his own seat and letting their legs touch under the table. "Now Mum, I haven't blown up anything in this kitchen in, well, it must have been months at least," he said, grinning at her. "George is good. Still having trouble dragging him out of the workroom, but Katie seems to be having better luck."

[twisting_npc]

"That's lovely dear. I'm so glad you've both found someone." The stew was beginning to steam. "Arthur, please take the bread to the table and hand me the plates." She waited until he'd brought them and began ladelling out the stew. "You do see that scorch mark on the table, don't you Oliver? That's from that one right there," she said, nodding toward Fred. "And there's even a scorch mark on the ceiling right over there, but I don't want to know how they managed that. I never asked."

[reservekeeper]

"Hopefully soon, sir," he said, watching all the activity around him. "We're still practicing hard. Once things settle down again, we'll be back at it. And I'd love for you to come to the matches. I'll be glad to get you tickets."

He looked at the scorch mark and grinned at Fred before looking at the ceiling where she was pointing. "I can imagine he was a handful, Mrs. Weasley."

[gredisfred]

"I was a model child. In fact, it's been said at times that I was two." Fred smiled at his Mum. "Just a bit high spirited," he said, in a matter of fact voice.

Looking at his father he jerked his head toward Oliver. "He's brilliant, Dad, absolutely brilliant."

[twisting_npc]

"Spirited? Boisterous. Downright dangerous in fact, but he was occasionally delightful," Arthur said, winking at Oliver. He took the plates from Molly and took one each to Fred and Oliver, then went back for the other two, kissing his wife again as he did so.

"Well son," he said at last, reaching over to pat Oliver's hand, "it looks like you have at least one fan." He smiled at the boy. "Dig in. It'd be a shame to let Molly's cooking go to waste."

[reservekeeper]

Oliver grinned at Mr. Weasley. "He's biased, sir," he said, nudging Fred in the ribs and picking up his fork. "We have a strong team. We are hoping to go all the way this year."

He took a bite, nearly moaning. "It's very good, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you."

[twisting_npc]

"So polite," Molly said, approvingly. "I do hope he rubs off on you and your brother, dear," she teased Fred as she took her seat. "I'm so glad you stopped by. I miss having you in the house, believe it or not."

[gredisfred]

Fred grinned at Oliver, tempted to tell her just how much, and how often, Oliver had rubbed off on him. "I miss being here, Mum. Miss the food almost as much as the company." He took a huge bite, and then spoke with his mouth full. "As to da ma'ners, no n'ed."

[reservekeeper]

Oliver glanced at him and sniggered, hoping his nerves wouldn't come out in all out laughter. He smiled and took another bite of his stew. It really was fantastic.

[twisting_npc]

Molly rolled her eyes again. "Don't talk with your mouth full." She turned to Oliver. "I did actually teach him manners, dear. What you see before you is of his own doing."