E I G H T Y - S I X

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Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was already packed with customers by the time Adeline finished taking inventory in the stock room and began helping in the store. Before she did, Adeline fixed her purple and orange hair ribbons in the glass reflection of the mirror that was behind the register. As she did, George gave her one final kiss on the top of the head before jumping into the crowd of customers.

At the fireworks display, Adeline saw Harry looking through the packages of elaborate fireworks. "Found a new way to terrorize Snape this year?"

Harry turned to her and laughed. "Partly," He admitted. "But Sirius loves the fireworks, especially now that he lives in a space where he can actually use them. I told him I'd pick some up for him."

"Well I know George and Fred's favorites and I certainly have mine, so if you want I can give you some recommendations to narrow it down."

"What are your favorites?"

"I think the Gryffindor fireworks could be quite fun for a Quidditch game," Adeline pointed out. "Or, if you have the same mindset as the twins, then an epic prank on the Slytherin dorm."

The gleam in Harry's eyes after that suggestion reminded Adeline of how George would get when he would get a new prank idea. "I think I'm going to have to pick up several of these," Harry commented to himself as he began going through the firework display again, picking up a few packs of the Gryffindor-themed fireworks as he did.

On the staircase, Adeline could see Ron holding a few joke products as he looked up at Fred and George, who were standing on the second floor landing, and asked, "How much for these?"

"Five galleons."

"How much for me?"

"Five galleons."

"But I'm your brother!"

Fred and George glanced at each other then back at Ron. "Ten Galleons!"

As the twins walked off to help other customers, Adeline gestured for Ron to come over to the register she was working. "Your brothers' are being menaces. You don't need to pay for it, I'll cover it for you."

Ron grinned in delight, but he still asked, "Are you sure?"

"I get anything I want for free – perks of being a worker and dating the co-founder. I haven't needed to really use that privilege before today, but I feel like I can make an exception. You're not getting too much, anyways."

"Didn't you and Harry also give your Triwizard Winnings to help Fred and George start the joke shop too?"

Adeline shrugged. "Another reason I can give it to you."

"Merlin, I'm so glad George met you," Ron sighed as he placed the Skiving Snackboxes and a few other small products on the counter. "The only times he doesn't tease me is when you're with him because you give him 'that look'."

"Glad to be of service."

Over the noise of the store, Adeline could hear Harry  shout for Ron to check something out, and Ron was quick to try and find him. She turned her head and saw Hermione and Ginny in the WonderWitch section, and she began to make her way over to the girls.

As she approached, she could see George staring at an annoyed Ginny with his signature teasing smile as she heard Fred loudly ask his little sister, "Have you or have you not been dating Dean Thomas?"

"Leave Ginny alone, you two," Adeline interjected loudly, shooing the twins away as she stepped in between them. As she looked up at Ginny, who was glaring at her brothers' retreating figures, she couldn't help but remark, "I hope you really are dating Dean Thomas. He's sweet. But you can honestly date whoever you'd like – it doesn't even matter." 

Ginny was still annoyed at her brothers, but she visibly relaxed at Adeline's words. "They've always been idiots," she said with a scowl. "All of my brothers are too invested in whatever guy I'm seeing."

"I'm pretty sure it's their attempt at being overprotective. Still annoying, but maybe an explanation," Adeline said. "Although, Fred's certainly one to talk considering what he got up to at Hogwarts."

Ginny nodded in agreement and exclaimed, "See! My point exactly!"

As Ginny let out a huff of annoyance, Hermione couldn't help but notice the small frown on Adeline's face as she stared down the display of love potions. "Do you not like these?" She asked.

"This is the one product I'll never agree with..." Adeline grumbled. "I think this is the most dangerous product here."

"Really?" Ginny questioned. "Because Harry was just telling me about coming out of this dark back room with all these crazy defensive items..."

Adeline shook her head. "I don't agree with these damn love potions," she repeated. "There's nothing innocent about it. They can either be a really cruel prank or lead to something much worse."

The sound of a familiar voice calling Adeline's name interrupted her thoughts and comments on the line of love potions. "Oh, Adeline!"

Adeline beamed as Mrs. Weasley gave her a hug, and she then reached over to pinch Adeline's cheeks. "Mrs. Weasley!" She greeted happily. "How are you enjoying the shop?"

"You know, I was furious with Fred and George when they dropped out of Hogwarts the way they did," Mrs. Weasley admitted. "But I have to say, they've done quite well for themselves! I think I could get lost and spend most of the day in here."

"It'd nice to have an escape from Fleur," Ginny muttered under her breath, but Adeline was quick to pick up on it.

Adeline frowned. "You don't like Fleur?"

"Well it's not that we don't like her," Mrs. Weasley was quick to respond. "I just think her and Bill haven't known each other for too long and that they're rushing into it. Sometimes I wish I was planning yours and George's wedding right now instead–"

Adeline nearly dropped the Skiving Snackbox Ginny wanted to purchase, and her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. "Mrs. Weasley, George and I are barely out of Hogwarts," she barely managed to respond.

Despite this, Mrs. Weasley still sounded determined as she pointed out, "Well, you two have certainly been together a lot longer than Fleur and Bill."

"We are also significantly younger than Fleur and Bill. We've barely even talked about marriage anyways," Adeline retorted. "Besides, I'm excited for Bill and Fleur. I was helping Fleur with some planning just the other day."

Ginny blinked in shock. "You and Fleur are friends?"

"Since the Triwizard Tournament! We kind of bonded over being the female champions, and we kept exchanging letters once it was over. She's really wonderful."

Adeline could see Molly Weasley's and Ginny's unease and hesitancy as clear as day. "I know a lot of people think it, but Fleur's got a huge heart," She continued. "When she cares about someone, she cares about them deeply. And trust me when I say this, she's so in love with Bill it's like he put her under veela charm. I'm really excited they're getting married. They just seem like a really good fit for each other."

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Near the back of the joke shop sat the office. It had two desks in it, but there was only one that was being used at the moment. George's desk was stacked high with pieces of parchment paper that were carefully organized into specific piles. George could comprehend the numbers in a way that Fred couldn't, so he had taken over making sure the budget was balanced, the orders were correct, and the joke shop was still making money.

He would often work late into the evening, so Adeline showing up with a cup of tea was a frequent sight. George had taken off the dark purple suit jacket and waistcoat, leaving him in just a purple button-down with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. The cufflinks Adeline had given him the Christmas before sat on a dish at the edge of his desk that he had gotten specifically to store them.

After she rested the cup of tea on the desk, Adeline kissed his cheek and let her lips linger there for a moment. His red hair was sticking up in every direction, as if he had been running his fingers through it for a while now. "Hey," George said with a tired smile, gesturing for Adeline to come closer to him. "You've always been good with numbers. Mind taking a second look?"

Adeline nodded and took the pieces of parchment paper out of his hands and carefully looked it over for a minute before saying, "Perfect as always. They're all good to be signed off." Adeline pulled up a chair next to him as she grabbed another stack of parchment paper that was clipped together. "Let me get some of these owl order slips organized while you finish that up."

"Thanks, angel," He said. "But, you know you don't have to come down here and help me out while I'm taking care of all of this, right?"

"And how many times did you come to the library when I was there?" When George didn't respond, Adeline smiled. "Exactly. Let me return the favor."

"You should never feel like you have to."

"But what if I want to?"

"I'm moving on from this conversation because we're going in circles at this point," George said with a laugh. "How was the rest of my family?"

"Well...your mum asked when we were getting married. But other than that, everything was completely fine!"

George choked on his tea. "Mum did what?"

"Your mum said that she would rather be helping us wedding plan right now," Adeline continued, and George's eyes widened even more. "It is kind of nice to know that your parents like me so much they already want us to get married. I've always worried that your family wouldn't like me."

"It's baffling to me that there's actually people out there who would dislike you."

"George, were you not around for the past year?" Adeline joked. "Frankly, you shouldn't be baffled."

George shook his head. "You're the most wonderful person I've ever met. Everyone should love you. Though, I doubt someone loves you as much as I love you."

Laughing, Adeline leaned over to kiss him on the forehead. "Thanks sweetheart," She responded. Then, her cheeks began to heat up as she braved asking, "I mean...the thought of us getting married one day doesn't sound so bad, right?"

Adeline was hesitant on asking this, a small part of her being absolutely terrified that she had said too much. That George wasn't sure if he would want to be with Adeline for the rest of his life. But, she felt the relief flood through her body when George immediately said, "Merlin, Addie, you have no idea how badly I want to marry you."

To George, the thought of spending the rest of his life with Adeline by his side brought George more comfort than he could even describe. He wanted to have kids and grow old with Adeline. He knew deep down that Adeline was the one for him, and there wouldn't be anyone else out there that could make him feel the way Adeline does.

"I want to get married to you one day too," Adeline responded with a smile. "But...we're just too young right now. I don't think I'm ready for that quite yet."

"We are too young to get married," George agreed, although there was a small part of him that if Adeline had even hinted she was ready for marriage, he would already be waiting for her at the alter.

After a few seconds of silence, George piped up and said with his signature joking smile, "Also, not sure if I want to marry someone who gives Ron free merchandise."

"You gave Ginny free products! Why are you always so hard on Ron, anyways?"

"Because it's Ron!"

"You're being overdramatic."

"I am being perfectly dramatic about the situation."

"Oh, I'm sure I can find a way to make it up to you." When George was still pouting, Adeline leaned over to kiss him for a few seconds. When she pulled away, she quietly sang, "Love you, George..."

"You're lucky I love you too," He mumbled quietly, but Adeline could see him fighting back a smile as he leaned in to press his lips against hers once more.

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a/n:

hi guys !!

i changed up the plot a lil to have mrs weasley + ginny still be a little bit apprehensive towards fleur at first, but not be terrible to her like they were in the books bc i Hated that (and ik adeline would too). just a lil explanation for that !!

also, this semester has kicking my butt to high heaven, but that's okay !! i will work things out !! it'll be okay in the end (i hope lol)

i hope you all enjoyed this chapter and have a lovely day !! i'll see you at the next update !!

- g ♡