Like Father (and Uncle), Like Son (and Nephew) (Freddie)

[Deleted]

Ever since Freddie had graduated and been about the shop with his dad, George had felt like he was running things with his brother again. Freddie was a big help, and George felt he knew the business just as well as George did. Granted, Freddie was a bit different from the original Fred Weasley, but George loved his son and again felt the boy knew how to help run a joke shop as good as any.

There was only one thing that needed to be done. One thing that would make this happy little father and son picture right. And George was going to take care of that today. Having an employee look for Freddie and send him up to George's funhouse of an office, complete with an array of sight gags and magical toys, George awaited in said office with some huge news for the young man. Today, the boy who had only been beloved son and dedicated employee to George was going to get two new titles... Partner and Co-Owner.

George had lost sleep thinking it over the night before, but he now knew it was right decision. When Roxy graduated, she would no doubt join in the fun of running things as well, but for now Freddie was the ideal man for the job.

FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY

[FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY]

Freddie hadn't jumped right on ship to joining his father in the family business, but he'd made the choice during his seventh year at Hogwarts. It wasn't an easy decision to make as he had never really taken to jokes and pranks as his father had. He was intelligent and liked the analytical side of everything. It was what made him who he was. He was going to try and figure everything he could about this business that he could and make it completely to its potential. Sure they were the place to go nowadays, but they still didn't have a location in Hogsmeade, instead Zonko's the old holder of that title sat where it had always been. Freddie would have loved to see his father's shop on the map no matter who you were or where you were from. That was what he was good at.

Instead of taking work right up at the shop upon graduation he barkept at the Leaky Cauldron, while the rest of his family had gone of to the United States to have fun in Florida, doing Disney World or something. Grandpa Arthur had essentially planned the whole thing. That was the cool thing about being a part of the Weasley family, they got to experience so many things that wizards born in the wizarding world would never get to experience. After his father had come back he told him that he would like to join the business, it meant a great deal that his father agreed, not that he hadn't thought he wouldn't.

Freddie had worked hard since coming to work for his father's shop. He kept his eyes on everything and really loved doing inventory. Some people might have thought that as weird but it was something he loved. Maybe sometimes his mind did run a little too analytical. And now he was sitting in the backroom and making sure that they would have everything they needed. He was approached by one of his co-workers to go upstairs to his father's office. He looked at his clipboard and finished writing a few more numbers before hanging it up on the wall and making his way to his father's office.

The office always amused Freddie, ever since he was a tiny boy. It was like having Santa Claus as your father, the most magical of things were in the office. He gave a gentle knock on the door of his father's office before opening the door and coming in. ”You wanted to see me?” he asked. His brown eyes scanned the office and the light in his eyes he always got when he came into the office came back. There were things that were in this shop that he'd probably torn apart to learn about more than anything else. This was the place that the son of George Weasley belonged even if he hadn't been a cast of his father.

Words: 488
Tagged: @george
Notes:

[Deleted]

George turned in his seat when Freddie came in and asked if he wanted to see him.

"Nah," he said. "I just wanted you to run up those stairs to the office. You haven't been getting enough exercise." He then smirked at his son. "Of course I wanted to see you, Freddie. Have a seat, but be careful. I put an exploding whoopie cushion in one of those chairs in case the Minister of Magic visited, and I've forgotten which one it is." George was joking of course, but it never hurt to keep Freddie on his toes. And besides, Freddie probably could tell by now when he was joking.

"Anyway, what I brought you all the way in here for was to let you know that I've decided you should do something significant and meaningful with your life. But then I thought things over a bit more and decided you should run this place with me as co-owner." George then pulled out two bottles of iced Butterbeer. "I'll hope you accept because otherwise I would have wasted the galleons on this high quality Butterbeer. It's even better than the kind I buy for all the employees at Christmas... don't tell them that though."

FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY

[FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY]

Freddie looked at his father as he turned in his seat. ”Nah. I just wanted you to run up those stairs to the office. You haven't been getting enough exercise.” Freddie chuckled at his father's words as he then proceeded to tell him to to take a seat and that there was an exploding whoopie cushion in one of the chair. ”You'll never grow up will you Dad?” he asked with a grin as he took a seat. He loved his father's humor but he couldn't help but make a poke at his father. ”I feel bad for the minister though if that's your opinion of him,” he grinned. He still half expected a whoopie cushion to go off as he had sat down.

He stared at his father as he waited for him to tell him why he actually asked him up here to the office. ”Anyways, what I brought you all the way in here for was to let you know that I've decided you should do something significant and meaningful with your life. But then I thought things over a bit more and decided you should run this place with me as co-owner.” Two bottles of Butterbeer were pulled out. ”I'll hope you accept because otherwise I would have wasted the galleons on this high quality Butterbeer. It's even better than the kind I buy for all the employees at Christmas... don't tell them that though.” Freddie leaned over and grabbed one of the bottles from his father. ”You say this as though this place isn't meaningful,” he told his father with a smile, ”but of course I accept. I couldn't turn down an offer like that. As long as I still have bedroom rights at home,” he grinned. He hadn't moved out quite yet. He'd been saving up so he could but for now he still lived with his parents. He held up the glass so his father could chime in celebration.

He was ecstatic that his father offered him to be his partner. Once again a Fred and George Weasley would be running this place. Unfortunately Freddie did not have the same charm as his father and his late uncle. But he was going to do his best. ”I do see what you're trying to do though, you don't want me to finish doing inventory,” he grinned as he went to take a sip of the Butterbeer.

Words: 403
Tagged: @george
Notes:

[Deleted]

George shrugged when Freddie asked if he would ever grow up.

"I don't suppose I will," he said. "I never attended the Hogwarts class that taught you how to do that."

George smiled about the Minister.

"Eh Malfoy's alright now, but how often can one say they took the mickey out of the Minister of Magic?" said George.

George rolled his eyes a bit when Freddie said George acted as if this place wasn't meaningful.

"And here I thought you appreciated my sarcasm by now," he joked. He then smiled when Freddie accepted though, a very genuine smile. But he had to joke again when Freddie asked about bedroom rights. "No deal. You're asking far too much there. But seriously, son, I know you're going to be a great partner. I mean you grew up in this bloody shop and you know it in and out... mostly in since we don't sell anything outside."

George touched glasses with him and sipped the Butterbeer.

"Bloody hell," he said. "Should have stuck with the usual brand. Oh well, we'll have a proper party to celebrate."

George smiled when Freddie joked about not doing inventory.

"Ugh... don't remind me," he said. "You and I are both stuck with that job, you know? Even owners don't get out of that one."

FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY

[FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY]

Freddie grinned as his father said that he didn't think he would grow up. There was not a Hogwarts class that offered to teach people how to grow up. ”Guess it's a good thing I take after Mum then,” he chuckled. The funny thing was that he took after his dad. He was able to poke fun right back at his dad and that he was good at.

”Eh Malfoy's alright now, but how often can one say they took the mickey out of the Minister of Magic.” ”Scorp isn't half bad either,” he said, ”but yes, that would be hilarious, seeing Draco Malfoy jump from his bottom exploding. A devious mind you got Dad.” He grinned. Maybe sometimes he also took too much after his mother. But he was a good mix of the couple.

”And here I thought you appreciated my sarcasm by now.” ”Sarcasm, sometimes you too good at it,” he told him with a grin. Sarcasm was never his strong suit. Maybe it was the logical side of his mind. But he knew his father knew that. But he did know how to read his father, most of the time. Sometimes he wasn't as sure of it as he could be.

”No deal. You're asking far too much there. But seriously, son, I know you're going to be a great partner. I mean you grew up in this bloody shop and you know it in and out... mostly in since we don't sell anything outside.” Freddie grinned wide. ”You apparently don't remember the time I scaled the wall up to the roof do you? I do know this place inside and out. As for my room, I guess I'll be moving into the back room here then,” he told him with a chuckle. ”I'll need your help to make room for a bed.” Freddie had learned everything about this shop. It was crazy that he'd grown up in a place like this but he wasn't as interested in the jokes that it sold. The way this place worked, now that was what he was interested.

The taste of the Butterbeer wasn't the normal taste. ”It's not bad Dad,” he told him with a chuckle. Maybe they enjoyed the non-expensive stuff. ”We can celebrate with Mum tonight,” he smiled softly. As far as inventory he knew that was one thing his father hated. ”Don't worry, I enjoy it, the numbers, it's how to keep the shop running and if we want to expand at some point, learning those numbers to a tee is the key to it,” he looked at his father. He'd wished that his father had expanded a long time ago but now was a good time to bring it up. That was a goal and he was sure that his father wanted the same thing.

Words: 472
Tagged: @george
Notes:

[Deleted]

George loved his mock evil scheme on pulling a prank on Malfoy. Of course he was wise enough to not even dare to do that to Malfoy or any Minister of Magic. And of course the exploding whoopie cushion was non-existent in the chairs. Merlin forbid his wife should visit him and sit down on something like that.

"It's a good thing Scorpius isn't half bad," he said. "News has been going around the family that he's going to marry your cousin Rose soon. The Malfoys and The Weasleys connected. Never saw that one coming way back when. Though I doubt dad and Lucius Malfoy will be sitting by each other and joking about at the wedding." Though that would be a magnificent sight.

George then smirked about the time Freddie scaled the wall.

"I remember that well, and thought it was the silliest thing I ever saw," he said. "And then your Uncle Ron dropped by and proved me wrong."

George smiled. He took every crack at Ron he could get.

"We'll get you set up, no worries," he said. "You know you're always welcomed to stay with us. Because if you go, I'll have to deal with your mum's crying. My heart can't bloody take that."

George nodded at the idea of celebrating with Angelina.

"We'll have the fanciest dinner money can buy- burgers and chips at the Leaky Cauldron!" said George. Though they would go some place nice. Angelina would smack him on the head if he suggested that.

George was glad he loved the job of inventory.

"Well I hate inventory, so I think you and I are going to get along well as partners," he said. "You take care of the business end and I'll be the eye candy for the customers, one ear and all."

FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY

[FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY]

Freddie smiled as his father seemed to find pulling a prank on Draco Malfoy quite hilarious. Maybe that would be funny, but then again Freddie had really never had too many encounters with the older Malfoy. His father then spoke about how it was a good thing that Scorpius wasn't half bad. Then the news of Rose and Scorp getting married. ”Yes, I've heard, kind of wish I'd found a girl that I could have settled with by the time I left Hogwarts,” he said. He was happy for Rose, they'd grown up together, of course he was happy for his cousin. He laughed about what his father said about Lucius and his grandfather. ”Yes, well that's what happens when you come from a family who cares about silly things like blood purism,” he said shaking his head. Freddie was one of those people who would stand up for what he believed in and he wouldn't keep it to himself at all, something he didn't really show off. He'd like to be a little unexpected if he did.

”I remember that well, and thought it was the silliest thing I ever saw. And then your Uncle Ron dropped by and proved me wrong.” Freddie laughed when his father had spoke of his uncle. Uncle Ron was a pretty cool guy, but still Freddie wished that Uncle Fred had been around, maybe then he'd get everything a little more. He just wished he'd known the man he was named after. ”Well I'm glad I can't be sillier than Uncle Ron,” he said shaking his head.

”I know I am, and Mum wouldn't cry, besides I'd be around all the time, you know free dinner and what not, I think I'd be rather helpless without someone else to live with, I should meet someone who can make me dinner like Mum can,” he told his father. Then his father suggested they have a fancy dinner at the Leaky Cauldron. ”Blimey Dad, Mum would kill you for that, but it still sounds absolutely delicious,” he smiled softly.

”Yes and when the ladies find out you have two children, they'll be all over you,” he told George. ”I just really enjoy numbers, we'll be perfectly fine as partners. Did you and Uncle Fred ever think about expanding?” he asked his dad. He hated bringing up Fred but he wanted to make sure he wasn't going to ruin the dream of his father and his uncle Fred, that wouldn't be fair.

Words: 417
Tagged: @george
Notes:

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George smiled when Freddie said he wished he had found a girl at Hogwarts before he graduated.

"Yes you bloody well should have," he said. "Look at ya, you're an old man now. You don't stand a chance any more." George then chuckled. "Cheer up, son. You're a handsome businessman now. The ladies like to flock to us lot... well you anyway. Your mother would kill me if that were to happen."

George nodded about Lucius.

"Blasted Purebloods!" he said. "Just who do they think they a... oh wait..." He then smirked at Freddie.

George then nodded about Ron.

"We shouldn't pick on your Uncle... he could arrest us now, you know?" said George, still after all the years finding it funny that Ron was an Auror. "To think, he'll be a grandfather whenever Rose and Scorpius have their first bundle of joy."

(Note: Not sure if George knows Rose is pregnant yet, so being vague there.)

George then raised an eyebrow at Freddie.

"Your mum's been letting you eat for free all these years?" he asked. "Bloody hell... I've been cheated having to split the bill for the groceries."

George grinned about Angelina getting upset if George suggested burgers and chips.

"No worries, you and I both know she's going to want us to go to one of those jacket and bowtie places," he said. "We'll make the most of it though."

George was proud of his son with the "two children" line. Freddie was getting it.

"We discussed expansion now and then," he said. George then looked a bit sad. "Unfortunately, we never got to go through with it. After Fred passed on, I don't know... I just decided to stick with Diagon Alley." He then looked at Freddie. "Why? What are you thinking?"

FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY

[FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY]

”Yes you bloody well should have. Look at ya, you're an old man now. You don't stand a chance anymore. Cheer up, son. You're a handsome businessman now. The ladies like to flock to us lot... well you anyways. Your mother would kill me if that were to happen.” ”Bloody hell Dad, way to make me feel old and decrepit,” he told his father with a grin. ”And I know, it's just one of those things that goes through your head, especially when one of your family members is planning on getting married,” he told him.

Freddie snorted a bit when his father started going off about purebloods. ”Yes Dad, you are one, but you whole lot, you're pompous and everything, bet you think you're better than me as well,” he grinned. He reached down and dug into his pocket found a few sweets that he went to eat a bit of it. A little warm it was but it wasn't bad at all. ”He'll arrest you, not me,” he said with a chuckle, ”I'm his good little nephew, you're his evil older brother.” Freddie listened as his father mentioned rugrats coming to Rose and Scorp. There'd been a slight rumor about such a thing that had passed his ears but that wasn't something that was his to share if it even was true. ”Yes, well I'm sure they'll wait until they are married before they have any pattering feet in their abode,” he said. He didn't really like talking about that much.

Freddie laughed even harder when his father feigned shock at the fact that he's been eating for free all these years. ”Well yes, but to be fair you put me to work when I was a kid for free labor here in the shop, it's where I learned numbers and learned to love them, so I dunno if I've really been getting food for free in that case, but I'm surprised that Mum even pitches in money for groceries than that you don't pay for it all,” he chuckled as he took a few pokes at his father.

”She'll be joking herself if she thinks she'll get me in a bowtie, she'll have to pin me down to the ground to put it on me, the jacket I can do though,” he told him with a laugh. Ugh... ties and bowties were just terrible inventions.

”We discussed expansion now and then. Unfortunately we never got to go through with it. After Fred passed on, I don't know... I just decided to stick with Diagon Alley. Why? What are you thinking?” Freddie frowned that he made his father sad. ”I'm sorry for bringing it up, and I dunno, possible expansions, but those numbers I love, those are key to this and so is inventory so I'll need to key it down to a science before I have anything definite in my mind,” he told his father with a smile, ”let me figure it out and bring it back up to you later?” he asked.

Words: 507
Tagged: @george
Notes: I snorted when Fred said the things with purebloods.

[Deleted]

"Well best you wait around for the right one," said George. "Fred and I were quite popular with the ladies in school, but I held out until I met you mother. Some say that was the first time I made a wise decision."

George then shook his head as Freddie joked about George thinking he was better than his son.

"Never," he said. "I call you and Roxy my pride and joy. I bloody envy you two. Makes me want to invent a decent youth potion."

George had to agree about him getting arrested first.

"You would have to go and obey your mum all these years, wouldn't you?" he asked. "And that Quidditch money she earns has to go somewhere. I use mine to spoil her and you two. And what do you have against bowties?"

George smiled at his brilliant son, who he was indeed very, very proud of.

"I look forward to it," he said. "Maybe it is time to pop up a few stores, maybe even give Zonko's in Hogsmeade some competition." George was a former Quidditch Player. He could definitely handle some competition. "You know, I think I've found the right partner." He walked over to shake his son's hand, but hugged him instead. "The best bloody partner a man could ask for."

FREDDIE LEEO WEASLEY