Meeting the Parents

Time seemed to fly by, which isn't weird with how busy she kept herself, with school, the game, the shop... the twins. Christmas was just around the corner, and she made a decision for Fred to meet her parents, since she had met all of his family and they were officially together for almost seven months now. So, they were bound to meet in two weeks, a few days after Christmas. Because the Weasley family loved to celebrate it, but she and her family didn't since Addie. Speaking of Addie, she hasn't tried to contact her or anyone else since her day in the hospital. She was afraid that she would get stuck again even though she wanted to let Harry contact his parents or Sirius. She wasn't the only one worried though, the whole red-headed family didn't want her to try again, afraid she might get stuck. But even though she felt scared, she knew she had to learn how to use it. So, after the holidays she will try again, with Harry by her side, probably Fred too. She knew Fred wouldn't let her go in alone, not after last time.

Her time off from school during break was filled with time she worked on her game most of the day, while she went to the shop for the afternoon rush. The shop was crazy! People buying last minute gifts or fireworks, that were selling like hot cakes. Thank God the boys had put in much time the past months to get enough fireworks because they saw their stock shrink by the minute. And when Hermione was done with reviewing homework, she came in to help too.

"It's going to be quiet for at least an hour, I'll be back soon as possible." Fred leaned over the counter and kissed her.

"Where are you going?"

"Not everyone buys their Christmas presents months in advance." He chuckled, putting on his coat.

"First of all, have you seen the size of your family." She grinned as she readjusted his warm hat. "Besides now I don't have to run across the city, hoping to find a good present."

Fred stuck out his tongue to her, before he turned to his brother. "Oi, Georgie! Ready?"

"Nope." Leah and George said together as George descended the stairs. Fred looked confused between them as George stopped next to Leah, resting his arm over her shoulder.

"I went shopping with Leah last month. I got everything already." George grinned.

"What? What about our crazy yearly last-minute Christmas shopping?"

George shrugged. "Leah asked me to come with her, when you were sick and being doted on my mum. And I needed her help with Hermione's present."

"Betrayed!" He cried out, letting his head fall on the counter, knocking his fist on it. "Betrayed not only by my own twin, but by my own girl."

"Drama queen." Leah said after she and George had rolled their eyes. "I asked you to come multiple times over the weeks, it's your own fault."

Fred lifted his head with a pouting lip before he narrowed his eyes at her. "Now you don't get a present."

"I've already got everything I need." Leah said honestly as she took his hand in hers. And she noticed George was going to object, so she pulled her arm his waist pulling him close. In the corner of her eyes, she saw that smug grin appear, while Fred's eyes never wavered from her. "Go do your shopping, love." She leaned forward and kissed him slowly. "Before the place is packed again."

"Right." He said with a pensive look. "Love you."

Before Leah had a change to react, George gave his brother a sloppy kiss on the cheek. "Love you too."

"Gross." Fred huffed a laugh, wiping his cheeks as he left the shop.

After Leah and Harry had spent the afternoon at the Grimmauld place painting rooms, she came back home to a fully decorated house. A large Christmas tree with garlands, lights and ornaments stood near the window. The walls, the table, the fireplace... everything was covered in decorations. Three stockings hung above the fireplace, all of their names beautiful knitted on the white fluffy rim. When she stepped further into the house as she took off her shoes, she heard Christmas music filling the house. The dinner table was already set, and she heard one of the twins hum in the kitchen. Seeing Fred there instead of George in an apron, nearly send her into an early grave.

"What are you doing?" She whispered as she tip-toed behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Fuck's sake!" He clutched at his heart, turning in her embrace. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

"I'm sorry." She said, not sounding sorry at all, with her wide grin. "Kiss and make up?"

"You know me so well." He grinned and swooped down, capturing her lips in a sensual kiss. "And to answer your question." He said as he pulled away. "I'm cooking."

"You don't cook." She pointed out.

"Well, I want to impress your parents. George left me a detailed list." He reached for a piece of paper behind him. And indeed, George had listed everything, step by step, telling Fred what to do and more importantly what not to do. She gave her best pout as she looked up to him. "What's wrong?"

"You never cook for me."

"I do other things for you." He smiled seductively. But he knew she was right, he had never cooked for her, not that he didn't want to, but because he was afraid he might poison her. He's been getting secret cooking lessons from his mum, Hermione too jumped in when she had chance. So, neither George nor Leah knew. And they wanted to keep it that way until they could at least cook five meals without any help, no luck so far.

"Want to show me then?" She bit her lip and looked up at him with her round blue eyes, her hand coming from his waist and up to the nape of his neck. She heard him growl in response, but just when he was about to capture her lips, she stepped back. Now it was Fred who gave her a pouting look. "My parents arrive any minute now. So, -" She looked over Fred's shoulder. "- finish dinner and I'll freshen up." She gave chaste kiss and hopped up the stairs.

"Oh, hide your broom and your wand." Leah said as she nervously paced in the living room.

"Leah, love." Fred smiled as he stopped her by the shoulders. "Every magical trace is hidden. And unless your parents get snooping in the cupboards upstairs, we're good."

"But-" She started to get nervous again, but Fred shuts her up as he placed his lips over hers, drawing her in. Damn that boy knew exactly how to shut her up, or how to get her relaxed. She leaned into the kiss and her hand immediately went to his hair. And when she gave it a pull, their lips parted, and the kiss deepened. How long they stood there? She didn't know, but what she did know is that they only parted when the bell rang.

Fred took her hand tightly in his as they walked to the front door. "You got this." He winked before she opened the door.

"Hi mum, dad." She smiled at her parents and hugged them both. Her mum was the same height as Leah, but with blonde hair that just reached her shoulders. Her dad was just a smidge taller than Fred with dark brown long hair. While his wife was neatly dressed, probably coming from work, her dad was dressed like one of the hippies he saw in a movie, he had watched with Leah. "This is Fred. Fred these are my parents Oscar and Deirdre."

"Nice to meet you, Mr and Mrs. Derijker." Fred put on his charming smile.

"None of that son, Oscar is the name." The man grinned and clapped his shoulder as he let himself in.

"Oh okay." He mused as he watched the man walk in and turned back to the women. "Uhm."

"Mrs. Derijker is fine." Her face serious and Fred gulped. Shit!

"Mum." Leah chuckled.

"I'm just testing him." A smile spread over her face. "Deirdre is fine." She chuckled as she passed him. Leah saw his tense shoulders slump and let out a breath of relief. She took his hand in hers as they followed them to the living room.

"I thought you were good with parents." Leah teased. Fred opened his mouth to retort but shut it quickly when he saw they entered the living room.

"The place looks amazing, sweety." Her mum smiled as she took in every cranny.

"The boys did all the decorations actually. I just came home to this."

"Still... you kept a lot of your Nan's stuff but really made it your home. I'm so proud of you."

"Why don't you all sit down for dinner, and I'll bring the food out."

"Do you want any help?" Leah asked, putting her hand on his arm.

"No, I'll be right out." He took the hand that rested on his arm and placed a gentle kiss on it before he made his way to the kitchen. He could just hear her mum say.

"He's cute."

The dinner went well, despite not being able to talk about the muggle world or the exact details of their work. They just mentioned Fred and George owned their own shop and that Leah started working at a boarding school. Leah didn't know why she was nervous, from the moment they stepped into the house they talked and laughed with Fred over everything. Fred's natural charm certainly helped, but still... her past boyfriends never gotten a real approval of her parents as laid back they may seem. The other boys could be real charming too, but they always pulled back from them, but not with Fred. They seemed to hang onto every word he uttered, every motion he made regarding her. Like putting a lock of hair behind her ear, or gently rubbing his thumb over her hand.

When Fred served desert in the living room, they hear keys jingle and being rammed into the door before they heard several curse words muttering on the other side. Leah chuckled, while her parents looked confused, and walked to the front door.

"Having trouble, Georgie?" She grinned wide as she opened the door. George was still bent over, key in hand. He pursed his lips and stuffed the key in his pocket and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"I've never used a key to this house before." He whispered in her ear. "But I couldn't use the floo now, could I?"

"Thank you for trying." Her grin turned into an honest smile. "Ready to meet my folks?"

"Let's go, milady." He locked his arm with hers and they walked back to the other three. "Good evening. My name is George. I hope Fred didn't poison you with his cooking?" He grinned as they shook hands.

"We're all alive and well." Leah's father grinned. "I'm Oscar, this is my wife, Deirde."

George stepped back and stood next to his twin, and her parents eyes flickered between the two. It went silent as Leah's parents watched the identical twins in front of them. Leah went over and sat on the coffee table in front of her parents.

"Mum, dad? Are you okay?" She whispered and the twins looked unsure but curious at the family.

"Yeah, it's just... you and Addie." Her mum's voice said with a tremble.

"I know." She squeezed their hands.

"I'm sorry Fred, George. We didn't..." Oscar shook his head.

"No, it's quite alright. Why don't we have a drink." George suggested. "Wine?" He asked and when her parents nodded, he disappeared in the kitchen.

Her parents stayed with her for another hour before they decided to get back home. All in all, the night ended well, and when the car drove off into the night, the three of them fell back on the couch, letting out a breath of relief.

"I didn't know it would be so hard to keep it from them." Leah said as she rubbed her temples.

"You did great, love." He kissed the top of her head. "But more importantly, they love me."

"I think they like me better." George grinned and thus began the shoving each other and Leah quickly scrambled out of her seat between them as she knew they would get rough.