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Magical Mugwort	By : Marjay2127 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 10391 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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*The usual rhetoric: not my property nor any source of income. And thanks for all the kind reviews... I hope you're enjoying!*

I didn't think we'd ever get going, after the way the day had started. What with Lee's sudden appearance and two twins who could not hide their satisfied smirks, I had the nagging feeling that they were out to give me a run for my money in the innuendo department. I was this close to asking them if we could bail on dinner with the family, but I also had a strangely intense desire to see them again.

I just wasn't quite convinced that we could keep our good deeds to ourselves. When I broached the concern with the twins, they both scoffed, indignant at my lack of faith in their acting abilities.

“We've played innocent from the time we were toddlers,” said Fred as we prepared to leave.

“And Mum never believes a word of it,” George put in.

“That's why it's usually better if we act guilty and give her a good story,” Fred said, helping me with my coat.

I raised an eyebrow. “And that really works?”

“She doesn't expect much else from us.”

Fred gave me a wicked smile. “Now as for you,” he began, fastening up his own coat. “I'm sure you'll be tempted to go on about how much you enjoy our company, but I should warn you--”

“--There's some things a mother doesn't want to hear,” they said.

I rolled my eyes. “Please. I'm an expect at that sort of misdirection.”

They shared a look and a grin. “An expert, George. Do you hear that?”

“I would agree with that, Fred.”

George leaned in and nipped at my neck, while Fred took my hands in his and slid them around his neck, pulling me close. I gasped, then smiled as I took bundles of Fred's hair in my hands as George continued to playfully nip at me.

“You two...”

“Yes?” they chorused.

I closed my eyes for a moment, once again enjoying the new sensations of being sandwiched between them. If I let them, I could definitely be persuaded into another triple feature. Fred's hair was tickling my face, and George's breath was warm on my neck.

“All right, if we don't go now, we're never going, and your mother's already antsy enough.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

I clung to George's hand as he turned, and squeezed my eyes shut as the dizzying, nauseating sensations gripped me. When my feet hit the ground, I stumbled yet again, and had to rely on George to keep me upright.

“Not so good on your feet today, are you, sweets?”

I pinned George with an exasperated look. “Well, it takes time to recover since I'm so good on my back.”

Both twins burst out in laughter. I took the opportunity to stand upright and begin walking towards the Burrow. I had to concentrate to get past the chickens in the yard and not let the heels of my shoes sink in the damp ground.

“Ah, that's our Maggie,” boasted Fred, moving ahead. “Always looking on the bright side of things.”

“Can't help it if the bright side is the truth.” I shrugged with a smile.

“Hear this, Gred? Sounds like someone thinks she's got some talents.”

“I do, Forge. But I find it difficult to argue with her on that.”

Fred studied me for a few moments as we entered the yard. “Don't know, think I might require some further study.”

My eyebrows flew upwards. “What, I haven't educated you enough yet?”

He leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “It's one area of study I'll be happy to do homework for every night.”

I giggled. “And you call me insatiable,” I muttered.

George cast me a wicked look and said in a low voice, “Maybe that's one more thing you've taught us.”

He pushed open the front door. “Mum, we're here!” he called out.

I took a moment to take in my surroundings. Nothing had changed since I'd been here last, and I liked it that way. It still felt like just the sort of home everyone should have. Warm and cozy, I wanted to grab an afghan and curl up on the couch.

As we shrugged out of our coats, Mrs. Weasley came hurrying in from the living room. “Oh, there you are!” she said with a smile. “Nearly late as usual, boys.”

“We had a busy day, mum,” protested Fred as she kissed them both on the cheek.

“Busy making trouble, whatever you were doing, I'm sure,” she retorted, and then turned to me, a bright smile on her face. “Maggie, dear! I'm so pleased you could come back out.”

As she approached, I was surprised when she gave me a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. “Hello, Mrs. Weasley. How are you?”

“Oh, keeping the cauldron brewing as always,” she replied. “I hope my boys haven't been giving you a rough time.”

“Look at this,” smirked George, moving towards the table and the plate of cookies that were sitting there. “Our own mother assumes we're indelicate with all matters.”

Mrs. Weasley swatted a tea towel at him. “If you hadn't proven that you've done just that over all your lives, then maybe I wouldn't have to keep after you.”

I laughed. “No, they've been just kind to me. Keeping me appraised on their latest works for their shop.”

She nodded, casting scrutinizing looks at each of her sons. “I admit, I'm pleasantly surprised by the way they seem to have put together their store. It was quite a shock when we realized they had their own premises, although they still won't tell us how they came about them.”

They rolled their eyes in tandem.

“Yes, I've seen their shop,” I said. “It's quite impressive.”

Fred grabbed a cookie, leaning against the table. “Oh, it's all right. Apt to get disorganized at times, though. You never know when there's like to be some destruction to the place,” he said, giving me a look. I pursed my lips to keep from laughing.

“Don't be modest. It's a great shop. I've seen how popular you are with the kids,” I said.

Mrs. Weasley waved her wand, and a tray of teacups came flying over. I watched with delight as the bowl of sugar and tea kettle came next. “Be that as it may, Fred, George...” she implored. “Must you really make things like that U-No-Poo?”

They both laughed, and I couldn't help joining them. “Ah, mum, that's one of our top sellers!” proclaimed George.

“But, really! I think it's in rather poor taste, considering.”

I took a seat at the table, and each twin sat beside me. Fred chuckled. “Mum, poor taste is our bread and butter.”

As each one reached in for another cookie, Mrs. Weasley swatted their hands. “All right, that's enough, you two. You don't want to spoil your appetites.”

“I don't think anything can do that,” I commented, taking a delicate bite of my cookie.

I raised an eyebrow at the wicked looks that Fred and George were giving me. I couldn't help but feel my heart beat a little harder, as if I could see exactly where their minds were going. After all, I knew where my mind was going, and it was quite a happy place.

“Why, Maggie, what are you implying?” asked Fred innocently.

“Simply that you two are capable of eating a person out of house and home and not blinking an eye,” I replied coolly.

“Merlin knows that's true,” muttered Mrs. Weasley, scanning her counter top.

George shook his head subtly, still watching me with merriment dancing in his eyes. “We tend to pay back what we owe in one form or other,” he said.

“Oh, really.” Mrs. Weasley raised an eyebrow. “Well, if that's the case then you can help me out right now. As it happens, I'm nearly out of flour and turnips.”

“The real tragedy is that she discovered that she's nearly out,” Fred murmured to me. I snorted.

“Boys.” Mrs. Weasley stood up and turned to face us. “I need you two to run down to the village to pick some more up for me so I can finish dinner.”

Fred and George looked at one another, then looked at me. “How'd you get caught unprepared, mum?” George demanded. “You were so insistent we bring Maggie down, I'd have thought you'd been planning this for ages.”

“Yeah,” Fred piped up. “Without seven children under your feet, you've really no excuse.”

“And you've really no excuse for talking to me that way,” she glared, though there wasn't much heat to it. “Even the best of us can misjudge what we've got on hand. So I'd much appreciate it if you two could pull yourselves together, and pop down there. The sooner you get back, the sooner we can eat. The shops will be closing soon, so I need you to chivy along.”

As Mrs. Weasley marched over to one of her cupboards and pulled out a few bills, George asked, “What about Maggie? I don't think she wants to march down to the village, not in those shoes.”

I glanced up at Mrs. Weasley, and just like that I could read her intentions. I nearly laughed out loud. “Actually,” I spoke up, “I think I'd rather stay here and help your mum out. I feel terrible, making her go to so much trouble, I should really help peel potatoes or something.”

“Mum could prep a feast by herself,” Fred commented.

“Hey. That's not the point. The point is, your mother asked you to do something. Don't you think you should do it?” I raised my eyebrows.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mrs. Weasley's satisfied expression. Fred and George exchanged a sly glance.

“All right, I understand. If you're so anxious to be rid of us already, then we'll leave you to it,” said Fred.

“I feel positively unwanted, don't you, Fred?”

“Utterly abandoned.”

“All right, all right, that's enough from you two,” said Mrs. Weasley. As she handed the boys some money, she said, “Now hurry up. Just buy what we need. And no experimenting in the village!” she added sternly. “Remember, we have a guest waiting.”

“Yes, hurry back,” I smiled. “I'm sure your mum's got some fabulous stories about you that she's willing to share. I'm sure you'd like to be back to defend yourselves.”

The twins exchanged a glance. I could tell they were plotting something. Smiling back at me, George said, “Oh, we'll be back shortly. I'm sure you've got stories of your own.”

“And we wouldn't want to miss those,” grinned Fred.

Each one gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Behave yourselves,” I whispered.

Their response was to chuckle evilly.

Once the boys had shut the door, I leaned forward and smiled up at Mrs. Weasley. “So what would you like me to help you with, Mrs. Weasley?”

The bushy-headed witch smiled, and waved her wand, making the kettle pour tea into two cups and pushing the plate of cookies between us. “Oh,” she said, “I think we'll be all right for a bit before we start on the rest.”

I laughed out loud. “That was a brilliant way to get the twins out of the house. Well done, Mrs. Weasley.”

Mrs. Weasley sighed, reaching for a cookie. “If only it had worked more often when they were growing up. At least now I can reasonably trust they won't go doing anything completely foolish in the village. Not like when they were younger. We could barely walk outside the house without one or the other trying to cause a stir that would make the muggles notice. Arthur should be joining us shortly. He had to work late tonight.”

I reached for a cookie as well; double chocolate. Oh, my. It took everything I had not to moan.

“But enough of that, my dear. I was afraid that my boys might have frightened you off. They can be more than a handful, and that's the truth.”

Taking a sip of tea, I shook my head. “No, they haven't run me away. Things have been very busy in my life, and there wasn't much time to do anything else.”

“I trust things are well?”

“Oh, just fine, thanks.”

Mrs. Weasley watched me carefully as she sipped her own tea. “And are they behaving themselves at all?” she asked. “I know those two. They're quite apt to bring their friends into some of their mischief.”

It took all my willpower not to choke on the cookie I was eating. I kept my face neutral and discarded the answers that popped to mind immediately. At last I said, “I would imagine they behave themselves as well as they ever do. I can honestly say that they make me laugh more than anyone I've ever met, which is something I appreciate.”

“Yes, that's been something quite common for them, and for many of the girls they've seen,” she commented.

Uh-oh. She was fishing. I was going to have to tread fairly lightly.

“I'm sure that's quite an angle for them,” I mused. “Most ladies do love a good laugh. Honestly, I was at their shop, and a whole gaggle of them were working up the nerve to approach them. In fact, George tells me that more than one have tried to turn their love potions against them.”

Mrs. Weasley sighed. “And that's the problem with some of their products. I keep telling them, they're too dangerous! If you had a chance to look at their room, the walls are covered with gunpowder explosions, and more than once I've been up to my elbows in doxie droppings or beetle shells.”

“I take it they started their works when they were young?”

“Oh, yes. Ever since I can remember, they've taken things apart or put things together just to see what would happen. The larger the explosion, the better. And they've always taken it upon themselves to pick on their brothers and sister. Poor Ron, bless him, has had quite a few rather disturbing experiences thanks to them.”

That explained quite a bit. Since Ron was the youngest brother, that had to leave him open to friendly fire from all angles. Ginny as the only girl, I knew, was afforded some protection due to that fact. Not that it would stop the twins if they had something really good up their sleeves.

"I must confess, I worry about what they're going to do with the rest of their lives," sighed Mrs. Weasley. "Everything has always been a joke to them, from the moment they were born. It's been nearly impossible for them to understand the meaning of responsibilities."

"I don't know," I said gently. "From what I've seen, they seem to take their shop seriously enough. They're certainly turning a profit, and they're doing what they love."

She nodded sipping her tea. "And that is something I'm grateful for. That's one thing a mother wants to see, is her children doing something they enjoy when it's possible.

I smiled. "You must be proud of them."

Leaning towards me with a conspiratorial smile, she said, "Oh, I am. Of course I'll be even more proud when they decide to bring home some girls to settle down with." She sighed dramatically. "I realize they're still young, but I confess I'm rather anxious to have grandchildren."

It took a great amount of effort to keep from shifting or laughing or freezing. I knew Mrs. Weasley was watching me carefully, even when it appeared her gaze was elsewhere. Boy, was she fishing. Girls, she'd said. What on Earth would she say if she knew that her boys were being debauched by an older woman?

"Kids really are something, huh."

"They're the most miraculous gifts, even if they make you want to wring their necks at times." She chuckled. "I suppose that's why I've never minded all their friends coming over. I love having a full house, Maggie. It's always a challenge, and there's always the love to go around. Some of these children need it so much, like Harry."

"You've got a very big heart, Mrs. Weasley. I admire that."

"You have a brother, is that right?"

I nodded. "Yes. Andrew. He started his sixth year at Hogwarts this year. Apparently he gets along with your boys very well."

"As well as you?"

I nearly choked on my tea. "Well," I shrugged, "it can't be as well as I do, as no one can compare to a woman."

Mrs. Weasley laughed. "Right you are, my dear. Just remember that all men need a firm hand now and again, especially Fred and George."

She was the best kind of mom: caring, feisty, loving and totally concerned about her sons. I couldn't help but smile.

"You know something, Mrs. Weasley? The twins are exceedingly lucky to have you as their mother."

Her expression softened, and she gave me a warm smile. "Thank you, my dear. And from the way my boys look at you, I can tell they're lucky to have you in their lives."

She really had a way about her. It made me smile.

I was about to say how much I enjoyed coming out, when Mrs. Weasley paused, holding up a hand. “Just a moment, dear,” she said, gazing at the door.

I frowned, watching as she stalked towards the front door, her gaze narrowed. Intrigued, I watched as she started looking near the edge of the door. All of a sudden, she reached down and grabbed something off the floor.

“Boys!” she yelled. “Get in here at once!”

A moment later the door opened and the twins came in, each one huddled up against the cold, each one carrying a bag and rubbing their ears.

“Ouch, mum, do you have to yell?” demanded Fred.

She glared at them, holding up what appeared to be a pink, fleshy thing. I thought it looked vaguely ear-shaped. “Eavesdropping again? You know this is unacceptable behavior, especially when we have guests!”

Unabashed, George and Fred exchanged a look, then glanced at me. “Oh, Maggie doesn't mind, do you?” said Fred.

I frowned, still peering at the object in Mrs. Weasley's hand. “What is that?”

George held up a couple of strings. “Extendable Ears, one of our very greatest products. Allows you to--”

“Poke your noses in where they don't belong,” snapped Mrs. Weasley, snatching up the strings and marching off with the lot. “Honestly, if you two had put half your energy into your studies at school, you could have--”

“--gotten many more O.W.L.S,” chorused the twins, rolling their eyes as if this was a topic rehashed extremely often.

“Besides, I thought you're already proud of us, mum,” grinned Fred.

Mrs. Weasley glared at them. “I'd be more proud if you could just control yourselves for one afternoon.”

I giggled. I couldn't help it. Even as she glared at the twins, who didn't look the slightest bit remorseful, I could see that deep love she had as a mother, and that she wouldn't trade them for the world. They really were lucky.

"All right, mum, I hope you're happy," said George, removing his scarf. "We nearly froze our ears off out there picking up this lot."

As he set the bag on the table, Mrs. Weasley raised an eyebrow. "Why yes, as a matter of fact, I am happy. And you should be too, as now I can finish dinner. Unless you'd like to take over the cooking for the night."

“Mum, you know we could never equal your talents at the cauldron,” said George, leaning in to give her a quick squeeze around the shoulders.

I snorted. The flattery approach: it worked every time, obviously, as Mrs. Weasley pinched him in the side but stopped her glaring.

Hanging up his coat, Fred gave me and his mother a suspicious look. "You two getting on all right, then?" he asked. "Mum giving you plenty of background on us, how we're more troublesome than a niffler in a jewelry shop?"

I smiled up at him. With his naturally fair skin, the pink cheeks and pink nose from the cold reminded me of how he looked in other situations. I felt the sudden urge to take his hand and rest my cheek in it, but that would not go over so well. “Well, I hardly need your mother to tell me that, you know,” I teased. “It's no big secret that you're both troublesome.”

George rubbed his hands together. “Fine way to leave this. We bring her out here on our mother's request, and all she does is take the mickey out of us.”

“Fine way to say thanks for our troubles,” added Fred.

Mrs. Weasley said, “Now, boys, it might be different if you were able to control yourselves a bit more.”

George grinned, coming up to my side. “Ah, but where's the fun in that? Maggie likes us just how we are.”

I shrugged nonchalantly, standing up. “I suppose there's a certain charm about you both.”

“Must be, luv, otherwise you'd have stopped coming around ages ago.”

As I opened my mouth to retort, Fred reached for my waist. Ice cold fingers snuck under the bottom of my shirt, and I jumped half a foot with a shriek. “Oh, my freaking lord!”

Both he and George laughed as I struggled to get free; Fred merely held on tighter. “Come on, then, Maggie,” he said cheerfully. “It's just part of our charm!”

I squirmed around until I was able to reach around to pinch him in the sides where I knew he was ticklish. Fred jumped, and I was able to pull out of his grasp. Glancing at George quickly, who was far too close for comfort, I pointed a finger at him. “Don't you get any ideas either,” I warned, shivering. “You two can keep those cold hands to yourselves, thank you very much.”

“Come on, Maggie, we'll show you dad's shed and all his mad Muggle things,” suggested George. “Maybe you can help explain what they are.”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Now you want to know about Muggle things? I have no idea what your dad has collected.”

“Well, all the better for you to let us know, that way we can hold something over our dad,” he said.

I grinned and shook my head. Looking from one to the other, I couldn't shake the feeling that they were just trying to get me alone. If that was the case, it wasn't as if I couldn't feel the little ball of desire that was coiling inside of me, subtly whispering in my head that I could have their hands on me in no time. I had no idea if Mrs. Weasley could see it, but I could see the way that mischievous look in their eyes was turning.

Glancing over at Mrs. Weasley, who was now directing pots and pans with her wand, I said, “Actually, I think I'd like to stay here and help your mum with dinner.”

The surprised looks on the twins' faces was enough to make Mrs. Weasley look up. “Oh, no, dear, you go on,” she said. “I've got plenty to do here.”

“No, Mrs. Weasley, I'd love to help. I get to see these two quite a bit, anyway. I'm sure they can find something to do while we do this.”

Mrs. Weasley now looked surprised, but it was a pleased look all the same. “All right, then. If you like, why don't you come help me chop the vegetables?”

“Great!”

As she handed me an apron, I looked over at the boys. They were looking a little unsettled. “So what are we supposed to do then?” asked George.

I gave them a look. “Why don't you try not giving your mother a hard time for at least a small amount of time?” I suggested.

Mrs. Weasley chuckled. “My dear, I stopped asking for miracles a long time ago.”
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Magical Mugwort