Future Nostalgia / Harry Potter Fanfic

The Boggart

"His badge," said Fred, with the air of getting the worst over quickly. "His lovely shiny new prefect's badge."

Fred's words took a minute to penetrate Mrs. Weasley's preoccupation about pajamas.

"His...but...Ron, you're not...?"

Ron held up his badge.

Mrs. Weasley let out a shriek just like Hermione's.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe it! Oh, Ron, how wonderful! A prefect! That's everyone in the family!"

That had to hurt.

"What are Fred and I, next-door neighbors?" said George indignantly, as his mother pushed him aside and flung his arms around her youngest son.

"Wait until your father hears! Ron, I'm so proud of you, what wonderful news, you could end up Head Boy just like Bill and Percy, it's the first step!" Oh, what a thing to happen in the middle of all this worry, I'm just thrilled, oh Ronnie-"

Fred and George were both making retching noises behind her back but Mrs. Weasley did not notice; arms tight around Ron's neck, she was kissing him all over his face, which had turned a brighter scarlet than his badge.

"Mum...don't...Mum, get a grip," he muttered, trying to push her away.

She let go of him and said breathlessly, "Well, what will it be? We gave Percy an owl, but you've already got one, of course."

"W-what do you mean?" said Ron, looking as though he did not dare believe his ears.

"You've got to have a reward for this!" said Mrs. Weasley fondly. "How about a nice new set of dress robes?"

"Aspen's given him some and we've already bought him some," said Fred sourly, who looked as though he sincerely regretted this generosity.

"Or a new cauldron, Charlie's old one's rusting through, or a new rat, you always like Scabbers-"

"Mum," said Ron hopefully, "can I have a new broom?"

Mrs. Weasley's face fell slightly, broomsticks were expensive.

"Not a really good one!" Ron hastened to add. "Just-just a new one for a change..."

Mrs. Weasley hesitated, then smiled.

"Of course you can...Well, I'd better be going if I've got a broom to buy too. I'll see you all later...Little Ronnie, a prefect!"

She gave Ron yet another kiss on the cheek, sniffed loudly, and bustled from the room.

Fred and George exchanged looks.

"You don't mind if we don't kiss you, do you, Ron?" said Fred in a falsely anxious voice.

"We would curtsy, if you like," said George.

"Oh, shut up," said Ron, scowling at them.

"Or what?" said Red, an evil grin spreading across his face. "Going to put us in detention?"

"I'd love to see him try," sniggered George. "Sienna's Head Girl, good luck!" Despite teasing his brother for being prefect, he spoke of Sienna in a highly proud voice.

"He could if you don't watch out!" said Hermione angrily, at which Fred and George burst out laughing and Ron muttered, "Drop it, Hermione."

"We're going to have to watch our step, George," said Fred, pretending to tremble, "with these two on our case..."

They already knew Estella would be the lax version of Hermione.

"Yeah, it looks like our law-breaking days are finally over," said George, shaking his head.