⁺⤾·˚.⃗.[ᴘɪᴄɴɪᴄs, ᴘʀᴀɴᴋs, & ᴘʀᴏᴍɪsᴇs]𑁍ࠜೄ ˊˎ
﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋﹋

Town Square
Village of Ottery St Catchpole
- Devon, England
( August, 1995. )

𝓣he August sun beat down relentlessly, the heat shimmering off the cobblestone streets as Olympia and Cassie made their way into town. The village of Ottery St Catchpole was alive with summer activity—shopkeepers chatting outside their doors, children running barefoot in the square, and the scent of fresh bread wafting from the bakery.

Olympia shielded her eyes from the sun with one hand while tugging at her light sundress with the other. "Of course, Seraphina chooses the hottest day of the year for a meet-up," she muttered, though there was a playful smile on her face.

Cassie, walking beside her in denim shorts and a breezy top, grinned. "You act like you're not excited to see her."

"I am," Olympia admitted, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "But I'm also regretting not bringing a sunhat."

"You'd look ridiculous," Cassie teased. "Now hurry up before we melt out here."

As they approached the small café near the square, Olympia immediately spotted Seraphina sitting gracefully at an outdoor table shaded by a large umbrella. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she waved when she saw them, her kind smile as radiant as ever.

"There you are!" Seraphina called, standing to greet them. She looked effortlessly chic in a light linen dress and oversized sunglasses. "I was starting to think the sun had claimed you."

"Almost," Olympia said with a laugh as Seraphina embraced her warmly. "It's like an oven out here."

"An oven," Cassie agreed, fanning herself dramatically before leaning in for her own hug. "You look amazing, as always. Do you have a secret to not melting in this heat?"

Seraphina laughed softly, sitting back down and gesturing for them to join her. "Hydration, shade, and an absurd amount of charm."

"Sounds about right," Olympia quipped as she and Cassie slid into the seats across from her.

The three of them chatted as the waiter came by, taking their orders for iced lattes and a selection of light pastries. The café was bustling, the clinking of dishes and low hum of conversation filling the warm air. Seraphina, as always, was a calming presence, her intelligent and thoughtful nature shining through in every question she asked and every laugh she shared.

"So," Seraphina began as she stirred her latte delicately, her dark eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What have you two been up to this summer? Any adventures worth sharing?"

Olympia hesitated, her cheeks warming slightly as memories of recent chaos involving George and Fred flashed through her mind. "It's been... eventful," she said vaguely, taking a sip of her latte.

Cassie snorted. "That's an understatement. You wouldn't believe some of the things that have happened."

"Really?" Seraphina asked, intrigued. "Do tell."

Olympia shot her sister a warning look. "Nothing worth mentioning. Just the usual summer nonsense."

She held back to urge to reveal that only a few days ago Fred had turned himself into a bloody cat.

Cassie smirked but decided to let it go—for now.

After finishing their iced lattes and pastries, the three of them lingered at the café for a bit longer, enjoying the shade and catching up. Seraphina regaled them with stories of her family's travels, her graceful manner making even the dullest Ministry event sound fascinating.

Eventually, Olympia glanced at her watch and stood, brushing crumbs from her dress. "We should probably get going. The Weasleys' picnic is starting soon, and we've been invited."

Seraphina's expression brightened. "A Weasley family picnic? That sounds delightful."

"Not just the Weasley's, the Prewett's too. The whole lot of em" Cassie nodded. "It's always fun—and a little chaotic. You're going to love it."

With Seraphina in tow, they made their way toward the Burrow, the heat of the day beginning to ease as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The walk was filled with laughter and easy conversation, the kind of lightheartedness that only close friends could share. By the time they reached the Weasleys' property, the sound of cheerful voices and the smell of delicious food greeted them, promising a perfect summer evening.

"So..." she began, her tone light and teasing. "How's George?"

Olympia's cheeks turned pink instantly, but she couldn't help the soft smile that spread across her face. "He's alright," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of fondness.

Seraphina's smile widened. "Still keeping it a secret from your parents?"

Olympia nodded, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Mhm. So no jokes, no comments. The last thing I need is for Dad to start noticing anything."

Seraphina chuckled softly, her tone warm. "Olympia, I'm not an idiot. I won't say anything." She paused, her expression turning playful. "But I reserve the right to tease you in private."

Cassie, walking ahead of them, turned around with a mischievous grin. "Oh, you've got bigger things to worry about than Dad. You should be worried about George. He's not exactly the most... subtle."

Olympia rolled her eyes but laughed. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Cass. But he's been plenty subtle thank you very much."

Cassie shrugged, but her grin didn't fade. "Just saying. Oh, speaking of the boys, I'm a little worried about what we're about to walk into."

Seraphina glanced at her, intrigued. "Why?"

Cassie smirked. "Molly cut their hair this morning, and we haven't seen them yet."

Olympia's eyes widened slightly as she nodded in agreement. "They haven't had a proper haircut since third year," she said, stifling a laugh. "They probably couldn't even see half the time with how long it's gotten."

Seraphina's laughter rang out, light and melodic. "They needed it," she said, adjusting her bag as she walked. "Honestly, they looked like they were stuck in the sixties."

The three girls dissolved into laughter, the idea of Molly taking scissors to the mischievous twins sparking their imaginations.

"Knowing Molly," Olympia said between giggles, "she probably gave them something practical. George is going to hate it."

Cassie snorted. "Fred will make a big deal out of it just to make her feel bad. You know he'll use it as leverage for extra pie or something."

Seraphina wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still laughing softly. "If they walk out with matching bowl cuts, I'm never letting them live it down."

"Neither will I," Olympia said with a grin, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread for what awaited them at the picnic. "Let's just hope it's not too embarrassing."

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "You're just saying that because you're snogging him." She teased.

Their laughter carried on the breeze as they continued down the road, the Burrow coming into view in the distance, alive with voices and the warm bustle of a summer picnic.

As Olympia, Cassie, and Seraphina approached the Weasley family picnic, the lively scene came into view. The sprawling yard around the Burrow was packed with people, the bright red hair of the Weasley clan unmistakable, dotting the green expanse like fiery little stars. Laughter and chatter filled the air, and the tantalizing smell of Molly's cooking wafted on the breeze. Tables were piled high with food, children darted around playing games, and a group of older cousins were magically juggling flaming balls for entertainment.

"Wow," Seraphina murmured, taking it all in. "This is... impressive. I didn't realize there were quite so many of them."

Cassie snorted. "Welcome to a Weasley gathering. It's like a red-headed invasion."

Olympia chuckled but found her gaze scanning the crowd instinctively. It didn't take long to spot Fred and George, standing near one of the tables, laughing loudly with a group of cousins. And—thank Merlin—their haircuts actually looked... amazing. Gone were the unruly, overgrown manes they'd been sporting since third year. Instead, their hair was neatly trimmed, styled just enough to show off their cheekbones and jawlines. It was the kind of cut that managed to be both effortlessly cool and polished.

"They look..." Olympia began, struggling to find the words.

"Incredible," Cassie finished for her, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, I'll admit it. Molly knows what she's doing."

Seraphina tilted her head, her lips curving into a soft smile. "I think it suits them. Though I imagine they gave her grief the entire time."

"Probably," Olympia said with a laugh, her cheeks warming slightly as George caught sight of them and nudged Fred. The twins immediately broke into grins and started toward them.

"Seraphina!" Fred called out, arms wide open as he reached her first. He pulled her into a bear hug, lifting her slightly off the ground before setting her down. "What are you doing here? Thought you'd be stuck at some Ministry soirée."

"Mum wanted to experience 'rural charm'," Seraphina said with a soft laugh as she smoothed her dress. "I couldn't resist joining the chaos."

George was next, wrapping Seraphina in a warm hug. "It's good to see you. Mum's going to be thrilled you're here—you'll be her excuse to brag."

"Brag?" Cassie interjected, crossing her arms and smirking. "What's she going to brag about? Your haircuts?"

Fred and George immediately ran their hands through their freshly trimmed hair in unison, striking identical poses.

"What do you think?" Fred asked, waggling his eyebrows. "We clean up well, don't we?"

"Very dashing," Seraphina said, her tone teasing but kind. "I hardly recognized you."

Olympia rolled her eyes but smiled. "Don't let it go to your heads. You're already insufferable."

George grinned at her, his eyes sparkling. "Admit it, Ols. You love it."

Her cheeks flushed, but she brushed past him toward the table. "Let's just find a seat before you two start showing off even more."

Fred and George laughed as they followed the girls into the crowd, weaving through the sea of redheads to find an open spot near the food. The chaos of the Weasley-Prewett family swirled around them—children's laughter, cousins playfully teasing each other, and Arthur and Molly holding court near the head of the table.

Seraphina looked around, her smile softening. "This feels... wonderful," she said quietly.

Fred, overhearing, slung an arm around her shoulder. "Welcome to the madhouse. Hope you're ready for a lot of food and even more chaos."

"I think I can handle it," Seraphina replied, her laughter joining the symphony of voices as the picnic unfolded.

As the group settled in near one of the long picnic tables, a loud, boisterous voice rang out over the hum of conversation. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the troublemakers themselves!"

They turned just in time to see Bilius Weasley, Arthur's older brother, waltzing toward them. His flaming red hair was streaked with gray, and his shirt was slightly askew, evidence of a few too many drinks already. Despite his disheveled appearance, his grin was wide, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Uncle Bilius," Fred said with a mock bow. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"The pleasure," Bilius declared grandly, swaying slightly as he approached, "is all mine, my boy! And might I say, you've outdone yourselves with those haircuts." He reached out, ruffling Fred's freshly styled hair with one hand while patting George on the cheek with the other. "You look like you could charm the robes off a banshee!"

"High praise coming from you, Uncle," George replied, smirking as he tried to dodge the overly affectionate pats.

Bilius's attention shifted, his sharp, albeit slightly unfocused, gaze landing on the girls. "Ah, and who do we have here?" He gestured grandly toward Seraphina, Olympia, and Cassie. "More of your mischief-making crew, I presume?"

Fred grinned. "Uncle Bilius, meet Seraphina, Cassie, and Olympia."

Seraphina, ever the epitome of grace, smiled politely and extended a hand. "It's lovely to meet you, sir."

"I know these two." He pointed to Olympia and Cassie. Bilius took her hand and bowed dramatically, nearly toppling over in the process. "Lovely to meet you, my dear. And please, call me Bilius. I'm far too charming to be called 'sir.'"

Cassie snorted, whispering to Olympia, "He's definitely had more than a few."

Olympia bit back a laugh as Bilius turned his attention to her. "And you," he said, pointing a slightly wobbly finger. "You've got the look of someone who keeps these two," he gestured to Fred and George, "in line. Or at least tries to."

"Tries being the operative word," Olympia replied dryly, earning a laugh from George.

"Well, good luck with that," Bilius said, clapping her on the shoulder. "It's a losing battle, but someone's got to do it."

Fred leaned toward Seraphina, grinning. "He's fun, isn't he?"

Seraphina chuckled softly. "He's certainly... lively."

Bilius, hearing this, threw an arm around her shoulders and leaned in conspiratorially. "Lively is just a nice way of saying eccentric, isn't it? But I'll take it. Better than being boring!"

"Agreed," Seraphina replied, laughing as she gently pried herself from his grasp.

"Right then," Bilius said, straightening up—or trying to. "Time for me to find some more whiskey and maybe a partner for a dance! You lot behave—or don't!" He winked exaggeratedly and stumbled off toward the drink table, humming a tune only he seemed to know.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Cassie leaned forward, grinning. "Does he always show up like this?"

Fred shrugged. "It's his signature move."

George smirked. "He's harmless, though. Just don't let him challenge you to a duel after his fifth drink."

"I'll keep that in mind," Seraphina said with a laugh, shaking her head as they all watched Bilius attempt to teach some younger cousins how to juggle butterbeer bottles.

As the Harrington family approached the bustling Weasley picnic, Cassie and Olympia practically ran to meet their brothers, their excitement bubbling over. Achilles caught Cassie mid-jump as she threw her arms around him, spinning her slightly before setting her down.

"Miss me already, Cass?" he teased, ruffling her hair.

Cassie swatted his hand away, laughing. "Always. You two have been working too much."

Atlas, his signature easy grin in place, pulled Olympia into a quick hug. "You're not going soft on us, are you, Ols?"

"Never," Olympia shot back, smirking. "You're the one who's been hiding in a lab all summer."

"Fair enough," Atlas replied, chuckling.

"Atlas! Achilles!" Fred called out, opening his arms dramatically.

The twins and the brothers met with enthusiastic hugs, laughing as they clapped each other on the backs.

"Good to see you two," Atlas said, stepping back to survey his old friends. "Still causing trouble, I assume?"

"Always," George replied with a smirk. "We wouldn't want to disappoint."

Achilles glanced around, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "Bill and Charlie here?"

Fred nodded. "Yep. Probably by the drinks with Uncle Bilius. You know how it is."

Achilles grinned, nodding his head. "Good. I'll go catch up with them. Try not to burn the place down while I'm gone."

"Can't make any promises," George called after him as Achilles headed toward the drinks table.

Atlas, still standing with the group, crossed his arms casually. He chewed on the inner part of his cheek, as if tossing an idea over in his head before he finally asked. "What about Percy? He around?"

George shook his head. "Nope. Avoids family reunions like the plague. He probably picked up an extra shift at the Ministry just so he didn't have to come."

Olympia turned to Atlas, her expression softening. "Have you two been in touch since... you know, everything from last month?"

Atlas shrugged, his grin faltering slightly. "Not really. I've been busy—Quirk and I are working on something big."

Cassie tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Care to share?"

"Would if I could," Atlas said with a wink, his grin returning.

Before anyone could press him further, Atlas turned to Fred and George, his tone suddenly teasing. "Alright, let's get to the real question. Do you have any hot cousins?"

Fred blinked, caught off guard. "I feel like we shouldn't answer that."

George leaned slightly toward Olympia, his grin widening. "Did you know your brother was such a flirt?"

"Unfortunately," Olympia replied with a sigh, though her lips twitched into a smile.

Atlas held up his hands in mock innocence. "Come on, guys. Just tell me where I can find a pretty redhead to flirt with."

Fred laughed, shaking his head. "You're on your own, mate. Good luck."

"You're no help at all," Atlas said with mock indignation, though his grin didn't falter as he scanned the crowd for potential prospects.

Olympia rolled her eyes but smiled fondly. "Don't embarrass yourself, Atlas."

"Me? Never," Atlas replied smoothly, already making his way toward the nearest group of Weasley-Prewett female cousins.

Cassie raised her brows, muttering something under her breath as Atlas confidently strolled off in search of potential red-headed company.

Olympia turned to her sister. "What?"

Cassie sighed, shaking her head. "Atlas is just being stupid."

Fred shrugged, grinning. "Hey, he's single. Give the man a break."

Cassie crossed her arms, her tone sharpening. "Somewhat single."

Seraphina, standing nearby, tilted her head in curiosity. "Somewhat?"

George raised an eyebrow, glancing at Cassie. "Thought he and Judeth were done for good."

"They were," Cassie replied with a small frown. "But, you know, she lives in London, and last week when I was visiting her, Atlas was there too. He was hanging out with us, and I could've sworn there was still something between them."

Olympia leaned in slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Is that so?"

Cassie sighed again, her tone reluctant. "I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but they seemed like they were... something again. And then he kissed her."

Fred blinked, his interest clearly piqued. "Wait, wait. Back up. He kissed her? Elaborate."

Cassie rubbed the back of her neck, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. "They were laughing and talking like old times, and it felt... normal. But then he kissed her, and she kissed him back. I don't know I just... I've got a bad feeling about it. It feels like he's giving her the wrong idea. Like he's bored or something and doesn't know what he wants."

Olympia's brows furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "That doesn't sound like Atlas."

Cassie shrugged. "I don't think he's doing it intentionally. I just don't want Judeth to get hurt if he's not serious, you know? She's a good person. She doesn't deserve to be strung along."

George exchanged a glance with Fred, who gave a small nod of agreement. "That's... messy," George said, his tone careful. "Think someone should talk to him about it?"

Cassie frowned, unsure. "Maybe. I just don't know if he'd even listen. You know how Atlas is—he does what he wants, and he doesn't always think it through."

Seraphina, ever composed, stepped in. "Perhaps he's unsure himself. It's not uncommon to revisit old relationships, especially if there's unresolved emotion. But if he's not clear about his intentions, it might be worth having a conversation with him."

Olympia nodded slowly, her mind already racing. "Maybe I'll talk to him later. When he's not... flirting with every girl his age in sight."

Fred laughed, breaking some of the tension. "Good luck with that. He's already in full charm mode. You might have to wait your turn."

Cassie rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, we'll see."

The group fell into a brief silence, the energy shifting back to the lively picnic around them. But Olympia's thoughts lingered on what Cassie had said, her concern for her brother bubbling just beneath the surface.

As the group settled into a quieter corner of the picnic, they pulled Seraphina into the fold, catching up as the chaos of the larger Weasley clan unfolded around them. A soft breeze rustled the trees, carrying the scents of Molly's cooking and fresh summer air.

Fred leaned back in his chair, balancing precariously on two legs, and grinned at Seraphina. "So, how's your summer been, Sera? Any exciting Ministry drama to share? Or are all the adults still arguing over how to arrange the chairs at their parties?"

Seraphina laughed softly, tucking a strand of her sleek black hair behind her ear. "Not far off, honestly. My mother's been hosting more events than I can count, and I've had the pleasure of attending most of them. It's like a never-ending cycle of small talk and charmed hors d'oeuvres."

Cassie winced sympathetically. "Sounds exhausting. I'd lose it after the second one."

"Believe me, it's a skill," Seraphina replied with a smile. "You learn how to appear interested while mentally cataloging escape routes."

Fred snorted, rocking his chair forward. "Sounds like you're due for some fun, then. Good thing you're here."

"Exactly," George added, resting his elbow on the table and flashing Seraphina a grin. "We'll make sure you get plenty of chaos to balance all that bore-ish elegance."

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Oh, I don't doubt it. You two have always been very... consistent in that department."

"Consistent? I'll take that as a compliment," Fred said with a dramatic bow from his seat.

Olympia laughed, leaning forward slightly. "And how's your dad? Still doing that project for the Department of International Magical Cooperation?"

"Yes," Seraphina said, her tone softening slightly. "He's been traveling a lot for it, which means I've had to take on more of the... social responsibilities at home. But he's excited about the work, so I can't really complain."

Fred shot George a look, smirking. "Social responsibilities, eh? Sounds fancy. Do you get to wear those really big hats everyone in the Daily Prophet photos always has?"

"Only for very formal occasions," Seraphina replied with a deadpan expression that quickly melted into laughter. "But no, it's mostly a lot of polite smiling and pretending to remember who's related to whom."

"Don't worry," George quipped. "We can help you practice. Fred, remind me—are we related to Aunt Muriel by blood or just through sheer willpower?"

Fred burst out laughing. "I think sheer willpower. No one in their right mind would want to claim her by choice."

The group dissolved into laughter, with Cassie shaking her head at the twins' antics.

As the laughter subsided, Olympia turned to Seraphina, her tone more curious. "What about you, though? You're always handling things for everyone else—what do you want to do with your summer?"

Seraphina hesitated for a moment, her smile turning a bit wistful. "Honestly? I just want a bit of peace. And maybe a few good conversations with friends, like this."

"Well, you've come to the right place," Olympia said warmly, glancing at the others.

Fred leaned forward, grinning. "Stick with us, Sera. Peace isn't exactly our specialty, but good conversations? That we can do."

George smirked, adding, "And maybe a little chaos for balance."

Seraphina laughed again, her shoulders relaxing as she leaned into the moment, the chatter around them fading into the background. For a while, the group simply enjoyed each other's company, trading jokes and stories, the bonds of their friendship as strong as ever.

A few hours later the warm glow of dusk painted the Burrow and its surrounding fields in hues of gold and purple as the Weasley-Prewett family picnic began to mellow. Laughter from the gathering floated gently through the summer air, blending with the hum of cicadas and the occasional crackle from the fire pit where Arthur and Molly's older relatives now congregated.

Fred and George were locked in a playful argument over who had managed to eat the most of Molly's legendary treacle tarts when their uncle, Bilius, suddenly materialized behind them like a rogue specter. His hair was disheveled, his cheeks flushed from too much drink, and his grin was as lopsided as ever.

"Oi, you two!" Bilius bellowed, slinging an arm over each twin. He wobbled dramatically, nearly taking both of them down with him. "There's my favorite pair of troublemakers."

Fred, ever the quicker of the two, steadied them all while George shot their uncle a wary glance. "Uncle Bilius," Fred greeted, grinning despite the older man's questionable balance. "What's the occasion this time?"

"The occasion," Bilius declared grandly, reaching into the folds of his shirt, "is this." He produced a nearly full bottle of single malt whiskey and thrust it into Fred's hands.

Fred blinked at the unexpected offering. "Uh, thanks?"

"Finish it for me," Bilius slurred, standing straighter—or at least attempting to. "Found a lady here I'm not related to, so... you know how it goes."

With that cryptic proclamation, Bilius wobbled off in the direction of a woman standing by the drinks table—one of Molly's old school friends who looked vaguely alarmed at his approach.

The group stood in stunned silence, staring after him.

Olympia was the first to break the quiet. "If your mum catches us with that—"

"She won't," George interrupted, already unscrewing the bottle's cap with a cheeky grin. "She's six glasses of wine deep."

Fred nodded in agreement. "Yeah. This is her one night a year to let loose. She's not going to worry about us."

"Your mum, maybe," Olympia said, eyeing the bottle warily. "But what about your dad?"

George shrugged, smirking. "Different story. Which is why we're taking this elsewhere."

Fred held up the bottle like a trophy. "Who's in?"

Olympia and Cassie exchanged a long glance. Cassie was the first to crack, a grin spreading across her face. "Oh, why not? We can't let you two have all the fun."

Seraphina, ever composed, folded her arms but smiled. "This seems like the kind of chaos I'm here for."

Olympia sighed, shaking her head but already following. "Fine. But if we get caught, it's on you."

"Isn't it always?" George quipped, leading the way as the group slipped away from the main gathering. "And when have we ever actually got caught?"

They wound their way through the sprawling Burrow property, weaving between trees and stepping carefully to avoid drawing attention. As the main yard faded into the distance, they reached the edge of the field where a large oak tree stood, its sprawling branches creating a secluded haven. Fireflies danced in the grass, their soft glow adding to the magic of the moment.

"This'll do," Fred declared, plopping down against the tree's massive trunk and unscrewing the bottle. George dropped to the ground beside him, pulling out a handful of mismatched cups he'd swiped on the way.

"Cheers to Uncle Bilius," Fred said, pouring a generous amount into each cup and passing them around.

"Cheers to him being an absolute legend," George added, raising his cup with dramatic flair.

"Cheers to us not getting caught," Olympia muttered as she clinked her cup with Cassie's and took a cautious sip. The whiskey burned as it went down, but the warmth it left behind wasn't unpleasant.

"Cheers to that," Cassie echoed, grinning as she took a bigger sip than Olympia dared.

The group quickly fell into a rhythm, passing the bottle around and sharing laughter as the whiskey loosened their inhibitions. Seraphina, ever elegant even in chaos, took small sips but joined in as Fred and George launched into exaggerated impressions of their Uncle Bilius.

Fred puffed out his chest, slurring his words dramatically. "Found a lady here I'm not related to, so... you know how it goes!"

George staggered in a perfect imitation of their uncle, nearly tripping over his own feet as the group erupted into laughter.

Olympia leaned back against the tree, her cup in hand, watching as Cassie and Seraphina took turns trying to out-toast each other with increasingly absurd declarations.

"To single malt whiskey—proof that the Scots are brilliant," Seraphina said, raising her cup with a wry smile.

Cassie snorted. "To Uncle Bilius, for having more confidence than the rest of us combined."

"To us," George chimed in, holding his cup aloft. "For being far too attractive to get in trouble tonight."

"Don't push your luck, George," Olympia warned, though she couldn't suppress her smile as he slid down next to her.

"I never do," he said with a wink, leaning closer until their shoulders brushed.

Fred, meanwhile, leaned back on the grass, the nearly empty bottle in hand. "Best picnic ever," he declared, his voice dreamy as he stared up at the sky.

"Until your mum finds out," Olympia muttered, earning a chorus of laughter.

The group spent the next hour trading stories, sharing jokes, and basking in the quiet camaraderie under the oak tree as the fireflies continued to glow and the whiskey slowly disappeared. The chaos of the picnic faded into the background, leaving only the sound of their laughter and the soft rustling of leaves in the summer breeze.

As the laughter under the oak tree began to mellow, the whiskey bottle now empty and discarded nearby, George nudged Olympia gently with his elbow. His eyes sparkled mischievously, but there was a softness in his voice when he said, "Fancy a walk?"

Olympia raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a small smile. "A walk? That's suspiciously vague, George."

"Not suspicious," he replied, standing and offering her his hand. "Just a little... private."

Cassie and Fred were still bickering playfully over who could hold their drink better, and Seraphina was leaning back against the tree, her laugh ringing softly in the evening air. No one paid much attention as Olympia allowed George to pull her to her feet.

"Fine," she said, brushing off her dress. "But if we get caught sneaking off—"

"We won't," George interrupted, grinning as he led her away from the group. "You're with me. I'm an expert in stealth."

Olympia snorted. "You're an expert in trouble, more like."

"I prefer 'adventure,'" he quipped, his hand brushing hers as they walked.

The two wandered further from the oak tree, following the gentle slope of the field until the noise from the picnic was just a faint hum in the background.

As the hum of laughter and chatter from the Weasley picnic faded behind them, George led Olympia further into the fields surrounding the Burrow. The dusk had deepened into a rich navy, and the stars were scattered across the sky like shimmering diamonds. Fireflies danced lazily over the tall grass, their soft glow casting fleeting halos of light.

"Are we just wandering into the abyss, or do you actually have a destination in mind?" Olympia asked, her tone playful but curious.

George glanced over his shoulder, his signature grin tugging at his lips. "You doubt me?"

"Constantly," she shot back, though a smile played on her lips.

"Fair enough," he said with a laugh, slowing to a stop. He gestured toward a small hill just ahead. "Up there. Best view of the stars, promise."

Olympia rolled her eyes but followed him up the gentle slope, her dress brushing against the grass as they climbed. At the top, the world seemed to stretch endlessly around them, the sky vast and breathtaking. George plopped down on the cool grass with all the grace of someone who couldn't care less about appearances, patting the spot beside him.

"This is what you dragged me out here for?" Olympia teased as she laid down next to him.

George propped himself up on his elbow, his grin never fading. "What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're something, that's for sure."

The two sat quietly for a moment, the only sounds the gentle rustling of the grass and the distant hum of the party. The stars above were impossibly bright, their light reflecting in Olympia's eyes as she gazed upward.

George turned his head slightly, studying her profile. "So," he said, breaking the silence. "What's your favorite constellation?"

"Orion," she answered without hesitation, her gaze still fixed on the sky.

"Figures," George said, smirking.

She raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It's bold," he explained, turning to fully face her. "Serious. A hunter. Very... you."

She gave him a skeptical look but smiled. "Okay, your turn. What's yours?"

"The Pleiades," he said, pointing to a cluster of faint stars near the horizon. "The Seven Sisters."

Olympia tilted her head, intrigued. "That's not what I would've guessed."

George shrugged, his voice softening. "They're easy to miss if you're not paying attention. But once you see them, you can't help but notice how beautiful they are."

Olympia's cheeks warmed, and she turned her gaze back to the stars to hide the growing flush on her face. "That's... unexpectedly poetic of you."

"Don't sound so surprised," George said, leaning a little closer. "I have my moments."

She laughed, the sound light and genuine, and turned to meet his gaze. "I'll give you that."

Their eyes met, and the air between them shifted. His grin softened into something gentler, his hand brushing hers as it rested in the grass. Slowly, he leaned in.

When his lips met hers, it was soft at first, tentative. Her breath caught, and then she leaned into him, her fingers lightly brushing the back of his neck. The kiss deepened, his hand finding its way to her waist as hers threaded into his hair. The world around them faded away—there were no fireflies, no distant laughter, no summer breeze. Just them.

As they kissed, George gently eased her back onto the grass, his hand still resting at her waist, the other lightly brushing her cheek. Olympia's heart raced, her pulse thrumming in her ears as the kiss grew more passionate. She clung to him, losing herself in the moment, the warmth of his touch making her feel like the world had stopped spinning.

But then, as if driven by something deeper, George suddenly pulled back just enough to look at her. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his eyes searching hers. The words tumbled out before he could stop them.

"I love you."

Olympia froze, her eyes wide as her mind struggled to catch up with what he'd just said. The raw emotion in his voice sent a shiver through her, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

"I—" George stammered, suddenly looking panicked. "I didn't mean to just blurt it out like that. I mean, I do love you, but—"

She silenced him with a kiss, her hands framing his face as her lips curved into a soft smile against his. When she pulled back, her voice was barely above a whisper. "I love you too."

Relief and joy flooded George's face, and his grin returned, wide and genuine. He pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes alight with happiness. "Merlin, you don't know how good it feels to hear you say that."

She laughed softly, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "You're full of surprises tonight."

"And you wouldn't have me any other way," he replied, his voice warm as he laced his fingers with hers.

They lay back together, her head resting on his shoulder as his arm wrapped around her, holding her close. The stars above them twinkled brightly, and the world felt impossibly still and perfect. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the two of them under the infinite sky.