InsaneJournal

Who: George Weasley and Eddie Carmichael
What: Getting a pint.
When: BACKDATED, early April.
Where: The Leaky Cauldron
Rating/Warnings: Minimal.



George ducked out of the shop before Percy was finished closing up--he’d been working on restocking some of their Wonder Witch line today, and the fumes had finally gotten to be too much. It meant he’d be a little early to the Leaky, but he wasn’t bothered. He and Fred were pretty much regulars there anyway, so he could certainly find someone to chat to while he waited for Eddie.

He found a seat at the bar, ordered a drink from Tom, and settled in to wait.

Ed was beat. He’d considered Spello-tape as an option for holding his eyes open the last hour in the office, but there was always the off-chance that the stacked bird from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes would come by, and he didn’t think she’d consider magical adhesive a cosmetic enhancement.

As was usually the case, his exhaustion dissipated swiftly upon leaving the Ministry. He’d promised to meet George for a drink - or three - and then perhaps find trouble enough to keep him up a second full night in a row.

Maybe the witches from the DMAC frequented the Leaky after hours, too.

George had struck up a conversation with one of the Fortescue employees he knew by sight, but he broke off when Eddie showed up, waving him over. “Pull the short straw for late shifts or something, mate? You look a bit rough.”

“And you smell like a fourth year girls’ dormitory,” Eddie retorted, taking the stool next to George. He raised his hand, acknowledging Tom, and a moment later a green glass bottle slid down the bar into his open palm.

“Fourth year girls have a lot of expendable cash, my friend. I spent the last four hours making every kind of pink and purple potion you can think of. Valentine’s Day was murder on my sinuses, at least that season’s done with.” He grinned. “Besides, it brings no small number of adult ladies into the shop, too, so smelling like flower vomit now and then is a small price to pay.”

“Too steep for me. And unnecessary.” Ed smirked before taking a drink, leaning one elbow against the bar without putting his back to the door of the pub. It was a habit he’d picked up from shadier establishments, but a good one in any locale.
“How is legitimate business, anyway?”

“Brilliant, actually. I mean--the shop’s doing great, although half the time it’s all we can do to keep up with demand. I kinda miss being able to just work on whatever I want whenever I feel like it, but gift horse, mouth, etc. Did I tell you Percy’s working for us now?” George had no such qualms about having his back to the door--or any other kind of situational awareness. He didn’t even notice the glare from the couple sitting on the other side as he drummed idly on the bartop, not one for sitting still if he could help it.

Eddie’s brows leapt as he took another swig.

“Really? That’s surprising. Did he agree before or after you removed the stick from up his arse?”

“Oh no, it’s still firmly lodged. Desperation can drive a man to many things. Even working in a joke shop when he can’t take a joke.” Although that wasn’t entirely fair. “He’s getting better, I think. But nobody wants to hear about Percy. What about you? How are things at the office? Is Dad driving you crazy?”

Grinning at the thought of Percy suffering the twin’s antics for a full workday, Eddie caught the eye of the woman scowling behind George’s back and winked. He ignored the bloke that was with her.

“Your dad…” Eddie just shook his head. He rather liked Arthur Weasley, though he was also terrified of becoming Arthur Weasley, which made for an interesting working relationship. “I’ve never met a man more fascinated by plugs. One of these days I’m going to leave a CPU on my desk and just watch.”

“Yeah, I know, he’s a nutter. It’s probably where Fred and I got all our tinkering instincts, though. I’m assuming that’s something with lots of plugs?” George hadn’t failed to notice the wink, though it wasn’t unusual for Ed. He craned around to see who it was aimed for, then rolled his eyes. “Don’t start a fight with anyone, I’ve got to drink here for the foreseeable future. That bloke looks like he’d hex you as soon as look at you.”

“When have I ever started a fight?” Eddie asked, feigning incredulity. “Besides, I’d return her in better spirits than she is now. He might even thank me.”

George snorted. “You’ve got one of those faces that people want to punch. It’s not your fault, you were born that way. Speaking of which...any lady friends keeping you busy? Or punching your face? Either way it’s bound to be a good story.”

“I do love a good sadist,” Eddie snorted, leaning against the bar. His dark eyes levelled on George’s face, twinkling with mischief. “But your sister’s still in school, so…”

“Oi!” George elbowed him sharply in the ribs, though truth be told he was trying not to laugh. “Don’t invite trouble, mate, she’s got six of us waiting in line to punch you before you even get close. Besides, she was trained in the fine art of troublemaking by me and Fred, you couldn’t half handle her.”

Grinning, Eddie took another swig of his beer, feeling his limbs warm and loosen. Ginny was fit, to be sure, but too much work.

“No argument here,” he replied. “But I still think she’d prefer to do the punching herself.”

“That’s because we taught her right. Well, and she’s a Weasley.” George was back to drumming, this time on the side of his mostly-empty glass. “But enough about my sister. Really. Surely there’s a few firecrackers in the Ministry up to your exacting standards?”

Ed quirked a brow.

“I’m flattered you believe I have standards.”

He did, of course. At least for anyone he hoped to do more than tumble. A shrug, however, was all Eddie was willing to concede on this point.

“In my limited experience, firecrackers seek employment elsewhere.”

“Two very fair points.” George frowned suddenly at his sleeve, plucking a tuft of purple fur off it. “Apropos of nothing, do you have any desire for a pygmy puffskein? Or five? The situation at the flat is officially out of control. Lee’s training them to attack, Percy’s trying to find foreign markets for them, I’m just trying to clear out the ones living in the shower. It’s a madhouse.”

“I do not want a Tribble, no, thank you. No.” The fact that the reference would be lost on George was of no consequence to Eddie, who feared he might find one in his pocket every single time he left the flat the twins shared with Lee.

“I was afraid you’d say that. Curry and Jellybaby will be so disappointed.” He wasn’t really trying, though...it wasn’t as if one or two puffs would even make a difference at this juncture.

Shaking his head, Eddie looked past George once more. The witch was alone now, the wizard who’d accompanied her visible on his way to the loo. He wasn’t the one winking this time.

Ed downed the last of his beer and stood up, clapping a hand on George’s shoulder.

“Duty calls, mate.”

George shook his head, laughing, and finished his own. “I’m getting out of here before he comes back. I wasn’t kidding about having to drink here in the future.” He got up and paid, giving Eddie a grin and a salute. “Good luck with that. Don’t owl me if you need bailed out, though.”