George
“What are you doing?” Ron asked as he came to a stop, standing directly in front of George.
“Bollocks forgot the ‘notice me not’. Alright, nosey, if you must know, I’m spying,” George whispered with no shame in his voice. He poked his head back in the crack of the door to make sure no one had spotted them.
“Spying on who?”
“C’mere, you numpty,” George said with a dramatic sigh and pushed his brother away from the door roughly. “How are you planning on being an Auror with that big mouth of yours, ever heard of covert?”
“I’m not on a bloody mission, I’m just trying to get a cup of tea. Now why are you blocking the kitchen door and who are you spying on? I thought it was just Fred, Hermione, and Luna’s kids in there. Oh, don't tell me, you aren’t really stupid enough to prank Hermione are you? She’ll kill you.”
“No, the cheeky witch made Fred and I sign some ridiculous contract after getting pissed one night. I won't go into detail about what happened when I forgot the next day. That Marietta girl from school got off easy, I tell you. Anyway, you dolt, I’m spying on Fred and Hermione together. Even you aren't thick enough to not notice how mad they are for each other.”
“I reckon it's none of my business… what was that?’
A loud crash had come from the kitchen and both men made a silent, though violent, dash to the door. After a bit of pushing they finally were able to peek through the door. They looked in shock as the normally pristine kitchen was covered in a fine layer of white dust.
In the centre of the room was little Lena. She was looking around with wide eyes and her thumb stuck firmly in her mouth. The girl took in a shuddering breath before letting out a heartbreaking wail.
“It was an accident, she didn't mean it!” Matthew said at once coming to stand in front of Lena.
All George knew about the kids was that they weren’t able to live with their parents anymore, he didn't know the specifics, just that they had a rough go of it at home with their dad. Probably for the accidental magic all kids do before they know any better. Without thinking, he moved to open the door, to tell the kid no one was in trouble, but Ron stopped him.
“Wait, look,” Ron mouthed, nodding to where Fred and Hermione were already doing just that.
“Of course it was, kiddo,” Fred said.
He had kneeled to Matthew’s level and put his hands on the boy’s shoulders, moving him gently so Hermione could get to Lena. Hermione scooped up the crying girl and held her, bouncing slightly, as she murmured in her ear.
“That’s a good girl, yes, no need for tears, it's alright,” Hermione continued as she sat in the middle of the floor with Lena in her lap. “We’ve all had a bit of magic pop out of us at times. No fretting.”
“Too true,” Fred said, sitting next to the girls and patting his lap for Matthew to sit as well. The boy looked a bit sceptical until his older sister sat down with them. “Would you believe I accidentally turned my little brother’s teddy bear into a spider?”
“Right, accidentally,” Ron whispered sarcastically from below George’s head.
George rolled his eyes and pushed his knee into Ron’s back.
“It was an accident!” Fred said indignantly to Hermione. “He broke my broom, I didn't mean to do it but I got angry and the bear just changed. I was only five years old.”
“It’s a bit difficult when we have big feelings, isn't it?” Hermione asked Lena.
Lena, who still hadn't spoken just nodded her head.
“That’s right, love. Were you just feeling frustrated?” Fred asked.
Another nod.
“Well, that’s okay. It’s just a bit of flour. No harm done,” Hermione said then turned toward the counter. “Cordelia, would you give us a hand and cast a scourgify?”
“But we aren’t permitted to do magic outside of Hogwarts,” Cordy replied, looking taken aback.
Fred snorted, turning his head and attempting to make it sound like a cough.
“Yes, well, seeing as you are the oldest one here, and I am permitting you, I think this once will be okay.”
“If you say so,” Cordelia sniffed, then cast the charm.
Hermione and Fred moved around the room helping the children clean up all the flour.
“Gotta admit, they’ll make excellent parents,” George said as he and Ron moved away from the door.
“They are a good team,” Ron admitted. “But if they aren’t ready to get together, that’s not our business.”
“That’s where you're wrong, little brother. I think Fred would have asked her ages ago if it weren't for you.”
“Me? What have I got to do with anything?”
“Reckon he thinks it's bad form, going for one’s younger brother’s ex-girlfriend.”
“That’s just barmy. We dated, if you can even call it that, for about six weeks.”
“I agree, and told him so. It might mean more coming from you though.”
“You've both lost the plot.” Ron shook his head and walked back toward the stairs.