Breaking Protocol {Percy Weasley}

Chapter Twenty-Four

"I told you it wasn't going to be hard, Charlie." Bill said, but Charlie just rolled his eyes.

"You better let me go or I'll--"

"You'll what, Freddie?" Bill teased.

"I'll--"

"BOYS!" Came a booming voice from the end of the hall. Mrs. Weasley came stomping towards them. "Is this how you welcome our guests?" She asked, resting her hands on her hips. Charlie and Bill released the twins, ruffling their hair. "Come along you two." Mrs. Weasley said, gesturing to Clara and her friend. "I have tea ready in the kitchen for you."

"No tea for us?" Asked Charlie with a pouty look on his face. Mrs. Weasley gave her son a look before turning to lead the way for Clara and Michelle.

"Aren't we considered guests too?" Charlie asked, turning to his brother.

"It's not like we took time off our busy lives to come here." Bill said, smirking.

"Yeah. I could have been working." Charlie huffed.

"Or sleeping." Bill added. Charlie smacked his brother in the arm, laughing.

Michelle was laughing as they entered the kitchen. "This place is brilliant." She was saying, and Clara had to agree with her friend. As the two took a seat at the kitchen counter where two cups of steaming tea were waiting for them, Clara watched as Mrs. Weasley directed a brush to scrub a plate clean with her wand.

"I hope my boys are treating you well." Mrs. Weasley said as she moved on to the next dirty dishes. Clara and Michelle exchanged a look.

"Oh yes. George is a fantastic friend." Michelle blushed.

Clara stayed quiet.

"That's lovely--" The sound of knocking at the front door startled Mrs. Weasley and she jumped, tucking her wand away. "Excuse me." She whispered. "FRED. FRED WEASLEY SHE'S HERE. COME DOWN HERE!" Mrs. Weasley bellowed as she shuffled out of the kitchen.

Michelle laughed as footsteps thundered down the stairs, the front door soon swinging open and the sound of Mrs. Weasley's sweet voice filled the front entrance.

George stumbled into the kitchen suddenly, casting a glare over his shoulder as Bill and Charlie followed in soon after.

"Sorry." Bill apologies, grinning. "My hand slipped."

"I'll show you what's it's like for my hand to slip--"

"Or." Charlie piped up, interrupting the two. "You can go over and say hello to your beautiful girlfriend." He suggested. It was Clara's turn to laugh as both George and Michelle's face reddened.

Bill grinned mischievously as he strode over towards the two girls.

"Hello ladies." Bill smirked, flashing a charming smile. Clara nearly choked on her tea as Michelle giggled at the attention Bill Weasley was giving them. She gave Michelle a look, almost the same look George was giving his brother.

"He wasn't talking to you, William." George growled, crossing his arms over his chest. Bill only chuckled.

"I take it you're Michelle?" Bill asked, turning to the girl. Michelle nodded. "George you never said she was this pretty."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" George groaned.

"Not everyone." Charlie said, raising his hand in the air. Bill rolled his eyes before turning to face Clara.

"And you must be Clara Delaunay." Bill said, leaning against the counter. Clara swallowed a mouthful of tea before nodding.

"Oui." She said with an uncertain look.

"Oh she is French!" Charlie observed, walking over to stand beside his brother. George found his way to Michelle's side, wrapping his arm protectively around her.

"Yes indeed." Bill muttered, still watching the girl. Clara shifted awkwardly in her seat as the two men watched her intensely. She wondered where Percy was, and why he had abandoned her.

"Tell me, how did Percy manage to get a hold of you?" Bill asked.

"More so, how did he manage to keep you?" Charlie added.

"I think the real question here," George began. "is how she manages to tolerate Percy's boring...ness." Michelle elbowed George in the side, shooting a look his way.

Clara was stripped of her words as she stared the three brothers. She frowned, about to defend Percy when a voice beat her to it.

"Enough." Clara turned to see Percy standing in the entrance of the kitchen, Ginny hovering behind him.

"Percy!" Bill greeted, smiling. "My dear brother, how nice of you to join us." Percy just gave Bill a look, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I was told to come down here. Apparently mum has a surprised."

"Well of course I do!" Came Mrs. Weasley's voice as she came in sight. "It's Christmas day, is it not? Now where is that father of yours. He should be here soon..."

Following after Mrs. Weasley came a smiling Fred, and behind Fred was a rather petite girl with unruly dirty blonde hair.

"Everyone. This is Amelia." Fred announced, all eyes falling on her. She was a pretty girl, Clara thought, hiding behind large, thick glasses. Fred seemed mesmerized as he gently guided her into the kitchen with his hand placed on her lower back.

"Bonjour Amelia." Clara greeted, the others saying their hellos afterwards. Mrs. Weasley nearly jumped again as the front door swung open.

Who Clara assumed was Mr. Weasley hurriedly pulled off his boots a coat by the front door. "Sorry I'm late Molly, dear!" He called.

"Everyone in the family room!" Mrs. Weasley ordered. "I've got presents for you all."

"Three Knuts says mum made us maroon jumpers again this year." George whispered to Fred.