Magical Mugwort

Sunlight was getting warm and golden as the sun sank in the west, casting long shadows through my flat. It was nothing special, pretty small, with a fair living room, small kitchen at the back, and a short hallway that led to the loo and the bedroom at the very back. There was also a small dining room in between the kitchen and the living room, although all I used it for was an extension of the living room. Nothing exciting. My living room had a beautiful fireplace across from the deep blue couch, leaving plenty of room for anyone to enter through the Floo Network.



I had kept my décor simple. I had a mirror hanging up opposite the front door so I could always detect anyone who meant me harm. Blues and golds were warm colors around the flat, from the couch and pillows, to the vases and near-art I had set up. Of course there were also the moving photos of my family and friends. Sometimes I wished that I could do more magic. It would be a real treat to be able to do half the things my family could do.



Glancing up at the clock, I saw it was nearing seven. Fred would likely be here soon and there were still a few things to take care of. I strode over to the mirror, finishing the touches on my makeup. First dates are always important. I had to look good. A small charm on my hair had made it sleek and full of body, tight curls hanging around my shoulders. I wore a black shirt with a ridiculously low scooped neckline, the fabric gathered in the middle, while the rest of the shirt was just loose enough. A pair of my best jeans that showed off my figure in the best way and a pair of heels completed my outfit. I checked my makeup, wanting to make sure I was at my best.



I heard the fire in the fireplace roar up and I turned. The green flames licked up near the top and then a figure stepped through. My brother Andrew appeared, wiping soot off him as the flames dwindled once again. He was sixteen and a fun guy, I had to admit. He had more of our Celtic heritage, his hair a brownish red that was constantly in need of a haircut, although I thought he looked just fine with the slightly longer look. He and I shared eyes, which meant he was quite popular with the girls.



“Hey, Andrew.”



He looked up. “What is it about the Floo that it has to be so damn messy? Hey, Maggie.” He raised an eyebrow and a shit eating grin came over his face. “What are you all tarted up for, dear sister?”



“For your information, I have a date tonight,” I replied. “That's why I called you over.”



“What, you want me to be your chaperone? Aren't you supposed to do that for me?”



I smirked. “I'm gonna have to, as many girls as you've met already,” I replied. “And don't think I won't. I don't want you going down any dirty paths.”



“Too late.”



I stared at him. “And just what the hell does that mean, Andy?”



He shrugged, moving around the couch to check out my place even though he'd been there a hundred times before. “Just that the girls like me, Mags. I like the girls. I'd never tell mom or dad this, but just to ease your mind, no, I haven't had sex yet. Done a lot else, but not that. Not yet.”



A sense of relief calmed me. Sure, he was sixteen, but he would always be my little brother and I had to look out for him. “Good. I know you've got your own life, but I'll be damned if you make huge mistakes.”



“I'm gonna make them at some point, Maggie. I'm just trying to be smart about it.”



I grabbed him in a quick hug. “That's my brother.”



“So what'd you need, anyway?” Andy asked. “If you've got a date, what you need me here for?”



It was actually incredibly embarrassing to ask any favors of my brother, and it only made it worse that this was for my date. Taking a quick breath, I looked him square in the eye. “Yes, I do have a date. I need you to do a Silencing Charm for me.”



He frowned for a second. “What do you need a Silencing...” All of a sudden he grinned broadly. “You dirty slut!”



I punched him on the shoulder. “Hey. Don't go calling me a slut. I prefer sexually liberated, thank you very much.”



He raised his hands in mock-supplication. “Don't think I haven't heard some of the rumors about you, you know. And you know what? That's just freaking disgusting. I so don't need to hear about my sister's sex life.”



Raising an eyebrow, I shrugged. “Well, you sure don't have to listen, and I'm not going to deny that I have a healthy life. I like men. What can I say?”



“So who is it tonight?”



I contemplated telling him. It wasn't something that I really wanted to discuss with him, but he was doing me a favor. Taking a dramatic sigh, I replied, “His name's Fred Weasley, if you must know.”



At that, Andrew paused. “Wait a minute. Weasley. Like from the joke company? Weasley's Wizard Wheezes?”



“The one and the same.”



At that he burst out laughing. “Oh my God! That's great! I use their stuff all the time! Remember the time that I used that--”



“Yes,” I interrupted pointedly and fixing him with a glare. “I remember all too well. Don't think I forget that shit.”



“Oh, you have to let me meet him,” Andrew said, enthusiasm lighting up his face. “Come on, just for a minute.”



“What? No! I don't need to introduce my date to my little brother. No way.”



“Oh, come on, Maggie!” Andrew begged. “You don't understand, I love these guys' stuff. Plus if he's banging you, maybe I can get some free stuff out of the deal.”



“Andrew Keegan Charleson!”



At that he winced, but the grin remained in place. “I'll make you a deal, then. I'll do the Silencing Charm for you if you let me meet him.”



“And I'll make you a deal. Do the Charm for me and get the hell out before I beat the living daylights out of you.”



At that point Andrew suddenly took on an air that was far too old and devious for his age. “Come on, Maggie. I'm not asking for anything unreasonable here.”



“Do the Charm for me or I'll let mom know about your little trysts with the Flemmings' daughters.”



His mouth gaped for a minute. “How do you know about that?”



Grinning wickedly, I answered, “Please. I'm older than you. I know all about your little secrets, man. I've done them myself.”



Of course my threat was pretty empty, and he knew it too, but it was fun to make nonetheless.



Taking a few steps around, Andrew gave me a look. “Maggie, please. I don't ask for a lot from you. Just let me meet him real quick and I'll be out of your hair. I promise.”



I eyed him closely, weighing my options. At last I said, “Fine. You do the Charm for me, you can meet Fred. But just for a minute!” I added. “We have our own evening planned and I don't need you tagging along.”



That made him laugh. “Tag along with you? Please, I have my own plans.” With a nod, he said, “Thats works for me. How long you want it to last for?”



I had to think for a minute. “Well, he's due over any time, and I don't know how long we'll be out. Just a few hours?”



Andrew scoffed. “Please. That's first year stuff.” He removed his wand from his pocket, said a few words, and I felt a nearly tangible shift as the spell fell into place. “There. Should last you at least two days.”



“Thanks, Andy.”



“No problem, sis.” He looked as if he were trying very hard not to laugh. At last he shook his head. “How is it you got almost no magical ability out of the family, huh? You'd be good at it, too.”



“I don't know, man, luck of the draw, I guess. Maybe I fucked up last lifetime and the gods aren't happy with me.”



Andy considered that. “Could be.”



The doorbell rang. I grinned, wondering what mischief would happen tonight. As I made my way towards the front door, Andy leaned up against the couch, trying to appear nonchalant. “Nothing embarrassing,” I warned him. “Or I'll make sure he comes up with some new hex just for you.”



“Maggie, would I embarrass you?”



I only fixed him with a final death glare and then opened the door. Fred stood just outside the door, his hair shiny. He wore black trousers and a button up shirt of deep red, a small G embroidered subtly at the collar. Gryffindor all the way. And he looked good. I felt my heart speed up just at the sight of him.



Fred grinned as he looked me over, his eyes twinkling with that signature look. “Look who's all dolled up now,” he greeted. “And looking better than ever, I might add.”



“Well, right back at you,” I replied with a smile. “Come on in.”



As Fred stepped inside, he looked around and his eyebrows rose. “Nice place,” he said. “I got to tell you, Maggie, I don't know how you make with all that Muggle transportation out there. It was a bloody nightmare trying to get here.”



“Why didn't you just Apparate here?”



“I did, but I had to take a look at what was all out there.” He shook his head. “Muggles and their lot. I can sort of understand why my dad is fascinated by it all, but give me a wand any day.”



I smiled wryly at him. “Yes, how on earth do we survive?”



My brother cleared his throat.



Fred looked over, a mock look of hurt on his face. “What's this, yet another young man vying for your time? Sweet Merlin, Maggie, aren't twins enough for you?”



Rolling my eyes, I sighed. “Hardly. Fred,” I glanced pointedly at my brother. “This is Andy, my brother. He'll be at Hogwarts this year. Andy, this is Fred, one half of the Weasley and Weasley Enterprise.”



“How's it going, mate?” Fred offered a grin and his hand.



Andy took it enthusiastically, but to his credit, he kept himself very much reigned in. “Good, how about yourself?”



Fred shrugged and flashed a grin at me. “Smashing. I have a date with your absolutely beautiful sister. Hope it's no trouble to you.”



“Are you kidding?” Andy replied. “You're one of the only guys she's dated that's acknowledged my existence. You're in.”



“That is not true and you know it, Andy,” I snapped. “Plenty of the guys I've dated have liked you. Hell, some of them even hung out with you more than they did me.”



“And that's a lie right there. They hung out with me when they weren't fu--”



I slapped him on the arm. “And that's five minutes! Thanks for coming by, Andy, we'll see you later.”



“Oh, come on, Maggie, just a minute.”



I leaned towards him and hissed, “We agreed you'd meet. That's it. Deal's a deal.”



Andy glared at me. He turned to Fred, the glare miraculously gone. “Anyway.”



Fred seemed wildly amused by the situation. “So how do you deal with having such a good-looking sister, mate?”



With a shrewd grin, Andy replied, “I cast memory charms on myself so I don't have to deal with the details of her personal life.”



A look came over Fred as he cast a glance at me. “Well, I don't want to contribute to your nightmares, so I would suggest we get a jump on that charm, eh?”



I slapped his arm. “Fred!”



He looked at me innocently. “What?”



Andy shrugged. “I could always hex you so you wind up with lobster claws for hands and buck teeth that keep growing.”



Laughing out loud, Fred grabbed my brother around the neck. “That's brilliant! You know, I think I may have some items that may be of use to you.”



“Man, I love your guys' products. My sister nearly got a Ton Tongue Toffee once. You guys got anything new coming out soon? School's starting soon, I'm going to need to stock up.”



Fred perked up at the mention of business. “Oh, yeah, mate, we got loads of stuff coming out soon. I think you'll particularly appreciate some of the newer items, geared towards students such as yourself to cause the most mischief at the least effort on your part.”



“Excellent. Can you send me a catalog?”



“Actually,” Fred took a moment and reached into his trouser pocket, pulling out a slightly folded stack of parchment. “I happen to have one of our trial catalogs right here. Go ahead and take it. If there's anything you want, I'll give you a twenty percent discount.”



Andy's eyes rounded as he took the parchment. “No shit,” he said. “Wow, that's real spiffing of you.”



Fred shrugged. “Hey, you're Maggie's family. Anything I can do to help provide some absentee mischief at Hogwarts is a day well spent.” He winked. “If you have any questions about that stuff, just send me an owl.”



Andy looked suitably impressed. “Fred, thanks a lot. I appreciate it.” He glanced over at me and caught the irritated expression on my face. “Hey, I better go. I bet mom and dad are expecting me for dinner.”



“Aw, so soon?” I dripped sarcasm. “Please, do feel free to impose any time, dear brother.”



“Don't worry, Mags. Next time you need a Silencing Charm done, just ask. Happy to do it for you.”



My mouth opened as I stared at him in shock. I couldn't even attempt looking at Fred at that moment. Andrew merely grinned like the little bastard he was, and quickly escaped via Floo before I could attack him. The little prick was SO lucky I couldn't hex him.