Dahlia and Rapier • Fred Weasley

1. A visit

"Bedelia, my dear! Welcome!" Mrs. Weasley's smile brightened the entrance to the Burrow, when she opened the wooden door. "Come inside, I've just made some tea."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley, I thought I visit you, as nobody's home, and you're usually at home, so I reckoned..."

"No worries, Bedelia," Mrs. Weasley warmly stopped my typical overexplaining. "Come whenever you want, I always tell you that."

I smiled awkwardly. Even though we have known each other since my childhood, I was never quite used to such kindness and always felt I needed a proper reason to visit. Burrow always felt cozy, just as home should feel, that's why I really enjoyed being there. I followed Mrs. Weasley to the cramped, yet homely living room, and sunk into a big sofa.

"So, how is your father?" Mrs. Weasley asked cheerfully, while flicking a wand towards the teapot and two porcelain cups. "Didn't hear from him for a while."

"He's rather busy at the Ministry," I caught the levitating cup and felt the pleasant warmth touching my fingers. "Some centaurs've gone quite wild in the Highlands."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and her face turned worried, "Oh, he has a taugh job, doesn't he? Always some creatures causing trouble..."

"Called us, mommy?" Fred and George materialised suddenly, jumping from stairs just to the living room.

Mrs. Weasley gasped with exasperation, and I also cringed a bit, but twins were usually appearing the least expected.

"Boys! Don't you dare frighten our guest!" She must have noticed my sudden move. I smiled awkwardly, as I was quite used to boys sudden feats and pranks.

"Mom, she is used to it, calm down!" Boys laughed and sat on my both sides, George on the left, and Fred on the right. Fred flicked with his wand for two other cups, and looked curiously on me and his mother.

"So, what were you discussing today?" He asked, pretending to be a very polite, young gentleman, with his proper cup of tea.

"Your mum ask-" I started, but was interrupted by a snort of laughter from both of the boys, who then immediately acted as if nothing had happened. I instantly knew what they had in mind, those immature morons. I tried to ignore them and went on. "Your mum asked about my father, that's it, I've just came in."

"Yes, and we wanted to enjoy a cup of tea TOGETHER." Annoyed Mrs. Weasley added.

The boys pulled exaggeratedly sorrowful faces, clearly messing with us.

"But mum!" George cried. " We just wanted to spent some time with you two, we haven't seen Delia for a while!"

"I literally was here yesterday."

"We are joking, play along!" Fred hissed to my ear. "Why are you so mean?!"

"It is my turn to talk to Bedelia, but you can sit with us, if you won't act as five-year-olds." Mrs. Weasley sighed and sipped some tea, while looking at her sons with raised eyebrows.

Boys took that seriously and really wanted to behave this time, but I still couldn't believe they wanted to make one of the "your mum" jokes in front of their own mother. This one was so overused by them that I was very well aware every time they used it. However, much of the time, I was in a bit of bother when it comes to when they were actually serious or not. I didn't get some jokes or wasn't sure if they were ironic at certain times. But I grew fond of their playfulness, as I myself had problems with using humour. The twins' presence made me less awkward in situations when I didn't simply get something right. Because they didn't care if I understood their jokes or not, we just enjoyed our company for years.

"So, Bedelia, you can stay for dinner." Mrs. Weasley finished her cup of tea and smiled kindly at me. "I will be making shepherd's pie with Ginny, I know you always like it."

"Sure! Thank you, I can help too! And, oh, I can make a dessert, maybe some raspberry muffins. I can find some in my garden." I got very excited as I loved baking, especially as a way to express my gratitude and affection.

"That would be..." Mrs. Weasley started, but was interrupted by the twins: "BRILLIANT! WE CAN HELP TOO MUM!"

"Oh, Bedelia, you have such a great influence on them, I am so happy you're friends." Mrs. Weasley smiled and then added: "You should come everyday, maybe then they would finally clean their rooms too! Did you do that, by the way, as I asked you?" She crossed her arms on her chest, while standing up from the armchair and looking suspiciously at her sons.

"Well..." Fred stuttered.

"Actually, we'd better..." George mumbled.

Mrs. Weasley sighed again, "As I thought, off you go! Now!"

The boys sprung from the sofa,saluted dramatically, and then ran towards the stairs.

"Maybe I should go with them." I wondered, while placing my empty cup on the table. 

"I was about to say the same, dear." She fondled my arms with care. "Their room will be clear as a crystal, when they feel the pressure. At least I hope so..." She added and turned to the kitchen, glancing on the clock with the spoons. "Oh, by the way, Ginny is playing quidditch with Ron and Harry, and Hermione is coming in two days."

"Thank you, and thank you for the tea and for the warm welcome and..."

"I know, Bedelia, you're most welcome here anytime!"

~*~

I knocked on the doors to the twins' room and was immediately pulled inside by Fred's long hand. He closed the door after me and grinned proudly, while presenting, together with George, their beautifully (according to them, obviously) cleaned room.

The room was shaped as a rectangle, on which opposite shorter sides there were two unmade beds with two identical desks between them. Above one of them there was a round window and some quidditch posters. The desks were cluttered, as always, and I noticed even more boxes than the last time I was here, that were scattered on the floor alongiside various prank-related stuff.

"Did you clean it already?" I looked around and couldn't help to wonder if they even started.

"Well yes... " George started.

"But actually no." Fred finished, at least he was honest. "Because we have more important things to do." He sat on his bed on the left side on the room and invited me to to the same with a gesture.

"Which is to introduce you to our amazing plan." George sat on the Fred's desk chair in front of us.

"But we'll go and pick some raspberries, right?" I asked straightforwardly, while stretching my legs on Fred's bed.

"Yes, of course, Delia, we love your muffins." Fred nodded eagerly. "But on our way you need to teach us about plants."

"And herbology." Added George.

"Precisely." Concluded Fred. They both looked at me with determination in their eyer and pure want to achieve their plan.

"So you include me in your plan?" I asked a bit confused. I've always felt close to them, but when it came to their pranks, they usually didn't share their secrets with anyone else, so it felt rather unusual.

"But of course!" They replied simultaneously. "It is high time you put your talents into good use!"