Weasley Wizard Wheezes

A/N (Original from 2006): Well, here's my addition to increasing the amount of Fred and George fiction on the board as Metamuse requested on LJ. I reworked a series of Drabbles I had written about the Weasleys, pulled out the Twins ones and added to the general plot of them deciding to open a shop.

Since I like writing series of Drabbles, I'll probably do this more often. I find it a fun way to tell a story.

2013 Note: After posting the first section of Diagon Alley Drabbles, I found this gem hiding and decided to pull out the Weasley one and it's now in this chapter. The 3rd and 5th drabble are both also included in the Weasley Drabbles, but they fill out the arc and are also included here.

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“I’ve got it all set up.”

“It’s a shame that Mum doesn’t understand.”

“And she didn’t know I was gone?”

“Not at all. I managed quite a diversion to keep her occupied. Though, we might be in trouble later.”

“Small price to pay for success.”

“Indeed.” Raising a bottle of butterbeer, George said, “Here’s to Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.”

“Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.” After swallowing, Fred said, “The first batch will definitely be ready for the start of term. And I’ve arranged for owls to come at off hours.”

“Excellent. We’re bloody geniuses.”

“Shame that no one’s recognized that yet.”

“Very soon.”

********

Fred looked at the ledger. “Hey, George, look at this.”

“Wow! That’s pretty good.”

“Pretty good? That’s phenomenal. I think that Umbridge has helped sales.”

“Definitely. It’s time for a new shipping arrangement with sales are up. The off-hour owls won’t go unnoticed.”

“I think we can pick supplies up at the gate. No one knows the castle like us.”

“Very true. Thank goodness for the Room of Requirement. It’s a great storeroom.”

“I’m beginning to wish we hadn’t given the Map to Harry. We could really use it.”

“True, but we’re smarter than her, so it doesn’t really matter.”

********

“I can't stand being here under that toad.”

“I think this is a good time to test our new product.”

“I do believe you are right. We just need a good time to do it.”

“It'll make a grand exit won't it?”

“The best and I don't think we could ask for better publicity for our new shop.”

“Not at all. This will be the stuff of legends. Where do you think we should unleash it?”

“Somewhere with lots of traffic. We want to make her life difficult.”

“Most definitely. The opportunity will present itself when the time is right.”

********

“Here it is, 93 Diagon Alley!”

“This is it? It’s…it’s…”

“Ours. Imagine the possibility. Our shop.”

“We’ll be spending a lot of capital to make it useable.”

“But the location! We’re closer to the Leaky Cauldron than Gambol and Japes.”

“And we have name recognition…”

“Thanks to school. That’s the spirit. We’ll be a smashing success.”

“When will it be ready?”

“Early April. We’d best get back before they notice we’re gone. Forgive me?”

“Of course. You always had the better business mind.”

“I just overheard Dung mentioning it was available and had to act before someone else bought it.”

********

“How long before the Howler arrives?”

“I say four hours.”

“It'll be sooner. The Toad'll let her know right away.”

“But the owl has to find us.”

“Excellent point, though we are close to home.”

“We could go see her.”

“And risk that temper first hand? Let her calm down a day.”

“And we can get our books in order, show her this was a good idea.”

“When she sees the profit, she can't stay mad at us.”

“And she said we wouldn't amount to anything.”

“Who needed O.W.L.s, let alone N.E.W.T.s? Look at Percy.”

The two shared a laugh

******

"Sales are through the roof," George whispered to Fred as he checked the cash box.

"Much higher than we'd anticipated," agreed Fred.

"I think it's become of the coming storm. Everyone wants to laugh, to not forget how to have fun."

"After all, laughter is the best medicine."

"Too true." George paused. "How long do you think it will last?"

"Dunno. But as long as it does, we'll be here to lift their spirits."

"Skiving Snackboxes, back to school special, buy one, get one half off!" they shouted in unison to the large crowd of students in Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes.

*******

Fred flourished his wand, packing the last of the inventory and inspecting the now empty shop. "What now?"

"We need a place to hide," said George, knowing they were now targets. "But we aren't giving up."

"We never do. So where do we go?"

The twins shared a look for several seconds before inspiration struck. "Great-aunt Muriel's!" they shouted in unison.

"Won't she be surprised to see us," said George, lining the boxes up before the Floo.

"It'll do her some good to have some excitement," replied Fred jovially before opening the Floo connection.

"We'll be back better than ever."