✧LESTRANGE AND WEASLEY DUO✧

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Romulus Lestrange had sighed in utter relief when he had emerged from his final practical, he was finished. And before he could properly relish in the chance of being done, either Weasley twin had hooked their arms into his and began dragging him off towards the Gryffindor tower.

"Oi! This isn't the bloody time you two, sod off!" He grumbled, and the two redheads had simply laughed.

"You see Rom—"
"—We've been told by a certain someone—"
"—That you could use a break, mate. Come and join the big boys." Romulus grumbled as they had managed to get up to the fifth-year dorm room. He hadn't realized Imara had joined their walk, or Monty.

"Traitors." He said with a glare and Imara's arms had crossed over one another. "Nonsense, you've been a hermit these last two weeks. Now drink this and shut up." He hadn't been prepared to be given a butterbeer, though he hummed in recognition of the warmth it brought to his stomach.

From there, the rest had begun slowly getting drunker as the day had come to an end. However a feast of snacks had managed to appear in the room, and everyone was too far gone to question it—Not long after that, the three Ravenclaws had fallen asleep scattered around the room, however, Romulus didn't know he felt in seeing Imara in bed with Fred.

Even if he was surely given a Wesley knitted blanket and a pillow in addition to his sleeping bag.

Instead, he decided it was far too early to deal with something in that regard. Especially with the massive headache he has already sporting. Granted, it could be worse.

Not that he's experienced anything nearly as rough, though he could potentially make the claim that it was just as bad the headaches one could get after brewing.

His mouth had felt dry, and sure he had wanted to return back to sleep—It wasn't worth it, nor was it to miss the rest of the day sleeping it away.

Throwing over the blanket he received a nudge, and when he looked up he caught George half awake and offering the other half of a hangover tonic. He chugged the rest and sighed in relief to be blessed with such a quick effecting potion.

"Wanna get something to eat?" He dwelled, and George had taken one look to his twin and nodded quickly. It really didn't matter that they were still in their school robes, but the two had taken the route off to the grand hall, knowing that after OWLS and NEWTS that there was always food in the hall now that school was nearing its final days for the semester.

"So...My brother and your sister, you alright with all that?" Romulus turned to George and shrugged his shoulders.
"Yeah, Imara's responsible and Fred knows better than to hurt her. I was waiting for when it'll finally happen." He said with a playful grin and George nodded with an equally excited smile. "So you'll help me with—"
"No pranking. Gods, do you want to start a war?" It had been an entirely wrong question to say to one-half of the pranksters, and he shook off the last comment before picking up the pace.

"Luna...What on earth are you doing?" Romulus questioned as he caught the Ravenclaw looking around the hall in confusion, only making him narrow his graze. "Oh, hello Romulus. I'm looking for a few of my things, I've been missing a great deal of my belongings."
Lovegood had smiled at his offer to help, and offered another to the Weasly twin off behind him. "No, it's alright. It's good fun having a scavenger hunt. Besides, I have a few days until we're set to leave."
"What is it exactly you're missing?" It was clear she hadn't lost these items on purpose, and instead, it was the student body being toxic and bullying the innocent Ravenclaw.

Making Romulus and George frown.

However she had skipped away before the two older years could manage to get a proper story. "Bit odd that one is." It earned George a rather harsh shove, and he whined in retaliation.

"Oi, I'm just saying Looney Lovegood has—"
"Don't call her that." The bloke said with gritted teeth and as he began to walk away, George picked up the pace. "I take it you fancy her?"

"Shut it, George."

"Blyme, this is brilliant! Well? Why don't you tell her!"

"Firstly, I've barely looked up from a book these past few weeks to even consider anything else but studying...But when was I going to announce these feelings this entire year when the issue with Black lurking about?" Romulus had a decent excuse but George had disregarded them all.

"She seems fond of you."

"I would hope so, there's about eight people in this damn school that is kind to her. And among them it's all my siblings." The Weasley had found himself losing his grin, not because Romulus couldn't put his faith in admitting his little fancyment outright, but because the young Ravenclaw was at the teasing of others. Even if it didn't hurt her visibly, it was still awful to insinuate that people had made a game of hiding her things.

"Having any bets on to who it might be?" George dwelled, and Romulus nodded his head. "Cara probably knows, or can give a guess...Why? Have something in mind?" The grin nearly caused him to shiver. There was nothing worse than a trickster motivated by revenge.

"Have something in mind? I always have the next great idea, the better question is if you want to join in or not." Romulus' eyes had tinkered back and forth to the possibility, it didn't make much sense to prank them when he could simply deduct house points.

"Oh come now mate, relax a bit. We're going home in two days, besides, Fred's been off with Imara lately and I've got an itch to settle. What do you say?" That had certainly been an offer, and one that couldn't be so easily dismissed.

And Romulus had regretted his sudden burst of being impulsive in saying yes before he had properly managed to go through his options. Before he knew it, he had been invited to the Gryffindor table and gone through a rundown to the many possibilities.

"You know, it never struck me as nerve-wracking unitl now. You put Loki to shame with these options, remind me to never get on your bad side."

"Nah Rom, we've been mates since the train ride. That's a tighter bond then—Well, I would say Fred but we shared a womb."

"Funny, we've never gotten peace from them until now." The two had laughed in their own little world and continued to plot and scheme.

After confirming his suspicions of who the target is with Cara, George had found the benefit of having a future potion's master at the disposal when he too was motivated to prank. "Next year, might have a job for you Rom." He issued in holding up the beautifully crafted potion in his hands.

"Not now mate, and I'll need an inquiry for a business proposal."

"How about we call it even for an aid for this brilliant idea I've given to you? And besides, Imara's already said she'd help in the future." While Romulus had a higher reach than making prank potions, he saw the excitement of the twin's prank shop and evidently, Romulus thought it could be an enjoyable hobby besides crafting and studying.

"We'll see—Look, they're coming now. Are you ready?" The Marauder's map had been one of the many things George had been thankful in knowing hadn't been completely lost to his use, but Romulus admitted it was him to keep an eye on the rest of his siblings.

With a mirrored nod, the two had started talking without hesitation on the summer work that was assigned—And it had been all too easy to pass the group, though in the midst of it all, Romulus had poured the better parts of the potion to the stone floor beside them and George flicked his wand to enlighten the sparks.

"Three—"

"—Two."

"One—"

"Zero." It came up in a blaze of glory, as both Imara and Romulus had introduced to the pranksters of America's poppers. Small packets that you throw to the ground and it enacts a pop, and this nearly imitated that right alongside sparklers.

The shock of the initial pop had caused them to scream in surprise, but following that it had started to bounce and forth off the walls and threaten to go onto their clothes if not careful.

But Romulus had made sure it wouldn't be actually flammable or hot to the touch, he wasn't out to physically harm anyone.

But the thought of getting burned was enough of a scare, and with having started at the beginning of the hall truly managed to box them in.

And George's laughter had reigned throughout the hall and Romulus couldn't help but join in. "Lestrange! Lestrange, you have to help us!" They called out and Romulus tilted his head with a smile.

"Oh is that so? Weren't you among the lot that called my family murderers and didn't deserve an ounce of fresh air?" It was hitting two birds with one stone. "But that's not why we're here today, is it George?"

"Don't think so Romulus. We don't like it when friends of ours are bullied." He said with the same faked accent as he prowled forward with Romulus and smirked at one another.

Besides Fred, George could feel equally at ease with and in tune with Romulus.

"Leave Luna Lovegood and her things alone or else we'll step up the heat, understood?" They ushered their agreements and promises, and thus the two pranksters had waved away the sparks and flames before George settled it with a wink.

"Pleasure doing business with you lot, and remember that promise! We're keeping an eye on you." The stoic expression had remained as the four had run off into the opposite direction and surely didn't stop for minutes on end.

Once they were out of view, either had started to laugh again at the pure horror that was invoked over a simple potion.

"Alright alright, I'll think about it—But Snape's promised me a position next semester, don't know how much free time that'll give me to—"
"Anything would be great! You're a creative genius when it comes to a cauldron. I can only imagine what your mother's made in the past for the fun of it." Romulus was tempted to ask if it weren't for the following questions that would spark up.

The two decided that for the last few days of the semester they would humor the idea of possibilities, though Romulus had caught sight of both Ronan and Draco walking down the hall and discussing something rather harsh and he offered a wave.

It is returned by either offered that everything was alright between them both, especially if Malfoy had reciprocated.

"What's up Malfoy's arse?"

"Probably Quidditch, those two can't go that long without arguing or conversing about it. Good thing too, otherwise mum would be devastated over that owl with our cousin." George didn't understand why it was worrying, but the family tree was far too wide for him to understand it now.

"Oh, dad's trying to get tickets to the tournament this summer, you going?" Romulus had to think about what sport he was referring to for a moment, since he was a part of a few different fandoms but then it all boiled down to one.

"Not sure, we've been the last few tournaments but mum hasn't said anything as of yet. You think Bulgaria will manage to qualify? Think they need about two more wins..." And thus, for the first time in a given while, Romulus was allowed to relax and enjoy a full day at Hogwarts without the pressing concern of his academic stature.

With Sirius' brilliant escape, the five Lestranges had managed to board the Hogwarts Express a little more light-hearted than when they rode during September and the Holidays that fell in between. Of course, that didn't mean that their mother knew the details, that would surely come later.

But for now, Romulus took the sight in his father awaiting at their usual spot at the pillar, and his flat expression elated in seeing the group start wheeling forward their trunks and lugging their pets forward.

But Lori couldn't hold back, having placed down her cat carrier and trunk to hurry into her father's hold. "I missed you papa!" And it earned the children a beautiful laugh.

"Oh my little Lori! Nearly a second year, goddess, you're making me feel old darling." He said kissing the top of her head and incasing Cara into his side as well. "And fourth year...fuck, I'm not prepared for the two of you to graduate." He said pointing off to both Imara and Romulus as they neared the group hug.

"Believe me dad, I'll gladly hold off on my NEWTS exams. I need a nap." Imara said with a groan and her hair had started to lose the colorful tint at the bottom.

Speaking just how exhausted she is.

"Romulus, Ronan? Everything alright this last semester?" He question and either of his sons nodded in response. "Right then, let's get going before your mother claims I'm keeping you from her." Cara had watched her father fuss over hers and Lori's trunks before finally starting the long haul into dragging them off and away towards the exit.

The line of Lestrange had caused a bit of a stir throughout the platform's visitors, but Cara had caught the final sights of Harry and waved forward off towards him. Making a small scribble motion and sure enough, the Potter boy nodded.

Only for Romulus to lock his arm through hers and resume their walk, made things much easier for him to make sure all that none of his siblings had gotten lost.

"Why didn't mum come?" Lori asked up to her father, and he simply chuckled. "That's a good question love, I guess we'll find out soon." He said with a wink, and Imara turned off to her twin brother with a knowing glint in her eyes.

Of course, mother would decide to plot a celebration.

Rabastan had stepped into the fireplace with Lori and her cat carrier before returning and aided the rest of his children to make do with the fact that his eldest weren't able to apparent just yet.

He was sure to faint once they returned home with their license.

Upon entering the fireplace, Romulus eyes had spotted his mother doing a mental count of everyone in the room and only smiled once she was satisfied that it was enough.

An excited squeal erupted and she rushed over to give every one of her beautiful little munchkins a kiss to the cheek. Even with Ronan groaned and Romulus attempted to move away, she had suckered them back with a reminder that she was their mother and the least they could do was give her a kiss.

Yet Lori was settled on a hug, after being away for so long, it took a toll on the youngest.

"Alright darlings, let's get everything upstairs and unwind...Did you two want to take a nap?" Aurora questioned looking towards her twins, and they were rather surprised with the offer. And that hadn't gone unnoticed by Rabastan at all.

"Perhaps they aren't burnt out after all, love." Aurora had turned to her two birds and pitched Imara's cheek. "No, they are. It's alright, there'll be leftovers from lunch when you wake up. No worries about the trunks—But this only counts for OWLS and NEWTS." She said, sternly enough and the rest had made their way up the stairs with the elves at the ready.

"You think mum knows already?... About Sirius I mean?" Imara questioned and Romulus could only drag his hands down the likes of his face. "Damn, for a minute there I almost forgot I had to talk to her about that. Thanks Imara."
"For ruining your first moment of peace? You're welcome, I'll see you at lunch." She said, taking Sterling's carrier and hurrying up the steps to join the family, and Romulus hadn't bothered to contain Odin much longer. Taking it upon himself to cradle his feline friend in his arms and forget the rest of his belongings downstairs.

His mum gave him permission to be lazy and he was surely going to take it.

However, what had started as an hour nap, lasted right near eleven at night when Imara came knocking at the door. Everyone had gone to bed now and the instance of missing both lunch and dinner had caused the twins to venture down by themselves for leftovers.

They were more than hungry, and he was thankful that Imara had woken up in general. Otherwise he had any doubt that there would be a chance that he would wake up on his own.

"Slow down you two, goddess you'll choke before I'm able to hear how it all went this semester!" Whether their mother was alerted by a house-elf was beyond them, but she had taken their father's seat between them and poured herself a steaming cup of tea, her smiling never having gone done.

"And? Was it as difficult as you thought it would be?" She questioned, and Romulus nearly groaned while Imara was fighting the urge to choke out loud and decided to keep it muffled.

It was safe to say that this entire year would only open how difficult things would be in the near future.

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Date Posted: 10/02/2021

Time: 11:10

Words: 2990