44 Chapter 2 - The Burrow (1/2)
CRASH!
”What in Merlin's name?!” A shout sounded as Vincent came tumbling out of the fireplace. He managed to right himself up during the roll, only to crash against a table, making him fall to the ground.
Vincent coughed, having inhaled some of the smoke in his travel.
”I...Floo travel sucks,” Vincent muttered as he sat up to some chuckles.
”First time travelling by Floo Powder eh?” He sat up to see two red heads grinning down on him as Arnya wheeled her way over to his side.
One of them had long hair tied up in a short ponytail. Hanging off his ear was a fang of sorts. The other was shorter in comparison, being more stocky and muscular. Scars and bruises could be seen on his face, and his short sleeves did nothing to hide the numerous burns and scratches on his arms.
The one with long hair got out of his chair and offered a hand. ”You alright there?”
”Yeah, thanks,” Vincent patted some dust off his arms before grabbing hold of the hand. He was pulled to his feet and taking note of how tall the man was, being a good head taller than he was.
Looking around, he took note that the Weasley's fireplace was in the same room as their large kitchen filled with various mismatched items, different types of chairs, knives, dishes and even the windows were all different, having odd markings and such. On one wall, it had a clock that had, instead of numbers, several looking notices or alerts of sorts like You're Late, Tea Time, and Get Up. What caught his attention the most were the dishes that were washing themselves. He felt interested in it for what combination of spells were used and what else it could be used for. Not to mention how handy it would be.
”Name's Bill, this here's Charlie,” Bill Weasley pointed to the other redhead who grinned as he held up a hand in greeting.
”Sup,” Vincent couldn't help but grin at Charlie Weasley's casual greeting. ”That was some entrance you made there, rather spectacular in fact.”
”Wasn't intending it to be,” Vincent held out a hand to which Charlie shook. ”Vincent Wong, and I'm not sure if Arnya introduced herself.”
”Ah, we were about to ask when you came rolling in,” Charlie nodded to Arnya. He paused before taking another look at Vincent. ”Vincent...Ah, blimey...your the muggle that Ron adducted!”
”Unknowingly in his defence,” Vincent gave a wry smile as Bill chuckled.
”It's amazing you were allowed to stay at Hogwarts,” Bill said thoughtfully. ”A single memory charm would have done the trick.”
”Doubt it,” Bill snorted, ”the Ministry's full of pureblooded old fools to let that happen.”
Vincent couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the way the two were talking about the Ministry. Then again, Vincent hardly knows anyone else from the Ministry other than Mr Fudge, Weasley, and Malfoy.
”Mr Malfoy would most definitely be against it,” Vincent thought. He then heard footsteps from the next room. ”Is that your mother? I should probably go greet her.”
”No worries...” Bill glanced at the fireplace as Vincent exited the room. ”Wonder what's taking the rest so long.”
Vincent wheeled Arnya through around the corner to to find a short, plump, kind looking woman. Mrs. Weasley scurrying around, and cleaning things up from the floor using both magic and her bare hands. After throwing several socks on in a basket, she finally noticed them.
”Vincent! Arnya!” Mrs Weasley scurried up to them as she surprised the two of them with a hug. ”It's wonderful to see you both here...My word, I take it that was your first Floo travel by how dusty you are?”
Vincent was taken aback by the sudden kindness the woman showed. He was sure that he and Mrs. Weasley was not particularly close due to the lack of contact, unlike Harry who had visited and stayed over a couple of years back. So he was surprised at the warm greeting she gave him as she hugged Arnya.
”Um...It's good to see you too Mrs. Weasley,” Vincent gave an awkward bow of the head as Mrs. Weasley laughed. ”Thank you for having us.”
”Oh, what a polite young man,” she smiled as she looked properly at the boy. ”No need to feel to nervous. Just settle down and treat this house as if it were your own.”
Vincent gave a small smile as Mrs. Weasley waved her wand at the basket of clothes, making it zoom towards the backyard. ”I'm sorry you had to see that, Fred and George, those two leave things lying around everywhere.”
She then turned to Arnya and knelt down so that her eyes levelled with hers. ”Arnya dear, how are you?”
”...Very well thank you,” Arnya replied after some thought.
Mrs. Weasley nodded as she stood up. ”Now, can I get you two anything? Water? Biscuits?”
Before Vincent could reply with anything, a wooshing sound echoed from the kitchen, quickly followed by three more.
”Oh their back are they?” Mrs. Weasley noted as Fred and George's laughter echoed from the kitchen, making her raise an eyebrow. ”Now what trouble did they cause this time?”
Two more wooshing sounds came from the kitchen before a rather angry voice sounded. ”Now what did you two give that poor boy?! His tongue had grown several feet! Had I not interfered in time...!”
”But dad, we just 'dropped' it,” Fred's, or was it George's, voice answered. ”Besides the little git deserves it right Harry?”
”Whether or not he deserves it is not the question here,” Mr. Weasley huffed angrily. ”Just wait till your mother hears about this...”
”Tell me what?” Mrs. Weasley raised a brow as she entered the kitchen, making everyone fall silent. She spotted Harry and smile at him. ”Hello Harry, dear.”
Her eyes then widened slightly at the sight of Sirius before tearing up slightly. ”Sirius Black, I've read the newspaper. I'm sorry for all that you went through.”
Sirius waved it off with some discomfort. ”Over and done with, don't worry about it. And please, call me Sirius.”
”Call me Molly,” Mrs. Weasley shook hands with the man before remembering her husband. She turned back to Mr. Weasley. ”Tell me what, Arthur?”
Vincent a tap on his shoulder and turned to see two girls, a bushy brown haired one and a small red head.
”Hermione, Ginny,” He grinned at the two of them as did they.
”What's happening?” Hermione asked Vincent who shrugged.
”Something about Fred and George's joke on Harry's cousin or something I think,” Vincent said thoughtfully.
”...anything to do with Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes—”