The familiar sensation of Floo travel ended a moment later and I stumbled out of the green flames into the Burrow's living room.
Before I could properly regain my balance, a voice called out from somewhere deeper inside the house.
"Fred! George!"
The tone alone was enough to make me wince in sympathy.
A moment later Mrs. Weasley emerged from the kitchen, clearly prepared to deliver a lecture that had probably been building all day.
The moment her eyes landed on me, however, her expression changed completely.
The irritation vanished as though it had never existed.
A warm smile appeared on her face instead.
"Ah, Alastair, dear. You're finally here."
She immediately walked over and pulled me into a hug before I could react.
"It's good to see you again."
"It's good to see you too, Mrs. Weasley."
Her eyes briefly narrowed as she looked past me toward the fireplace.
"Fred and George left so early this morning."
I rubbed the back of my neck.
"That might be my fault. I took them on a tour of London."
Mrs. Weasley snorted.
"Oh, stop that. There's no need to cover for them."
Her smile became knowing.
"I've been their mother for Eleven years. I know exactly what they're like."
I had no argument against that.
A moment later the fireplace behind me erupted with green flames.
"Speak of the devils."
"Or angels."
"Mostly angels."
Fred and George stepped out of the Floo one after the other carrying enough bags to make it immediately obvious they had been shopping.
Mrs. Weasley's eyes moved from the twins.
To the bags.
Then back to the twins.
The smile disappeared.
The twins froze.
Years of experience had clearly taught them to recognize danger.
"Hello, Mum."
"We brought souvenirs."
"We also brought Alastair back safely."
"Which should count for something."
Mrs. Weasley crossed her arms.
The twins immediately took a step backward.
"You left before breakfast."
"Technically we left after breakfast."
"We just had breakfast earlier."
Mrs. Weasley stared at them.
While Mrs. Weasley continued her interrogation of the twins, I quietly took a step backward.
Then another.
And another.
Years of experience dealing with angry mothers—well, one angry mother—had taught me that the safest place during such events was somewhere else.
As I retreated toward the staircase, I noticed two small heads peeking through the railing.
Both were watching the scene below with poorly concealed amusement.
The moment they noticed me looking at them, they ducked behind the railing.
Unfortunately for them, they were not nearly as stealthy as they believed.
I climbed the stairs and stopped beside them.
"Hello, Ginny. Ron."
The two froze.
Then Ron grinned.
"It's the chocolate guy."
I blinked.
Of all the titles I had earned in this life, that was certainly one of them.
Beside him, Ginny nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah. Those candies were really good."
She looked slightly accusatory afterward.
"I asked Dad where to buy more, but he said they aren't sold in Diagon Alley."
I chuckled.
"That's because they're from the Muggle world."
Both children's eyes widened.
"We brought more."
Immediately, their attention sharpened.
"Different kinds too."
I pointed toward the carry bags currently hanging from Fred and George's arms.
"They're in there."
Ron looked tempted.
Very tempted.
Then his eyes shifted toward his mother.
Who was still questioning the twins.
The temptation immediately lost to survival instincts.
"No."
He shook his head firmly.
"I don't want them anymore."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't?"
"Nope."
His gaze remained fixed on Mrs. Weasley.
"If I go down there now, Mum will scold me too."
A very reasonable conclusion.
Ginny, however, had inherited far more courage than her brother.
And was a jewel in everyone's eyes.
"I'll go."
Before either of us could stop her, she skipped down the stairs and marched directly into the danger zone.
"Fred!"
Both twins looked up.
"Where's my candy?"
She stretched out her hand expectantly.
The twins stared at her.
Then at Mrs. Weasley.
Then back at Ginny.
Suddenly, identical grins appeared on their faces.
An opportunity had presented itself.
And Fred and George Weasley never ignored opportunities.
'There it is.'
'Salvation.'
Before Mrs. Weasley could react, both twins grabbed Ginny and hurried toward the sofas.
The bags were dropped onto the floor and immediately opened.
Within seconds, colorful wrappers, chocolate bars, gummy sweets, and various other treats were being displayed for Ginny's inspection.
Ron lasted approximately three seconds.
Then he abandoned the staircase and sprinted toward them.
Traitorous little brother instincts proving stronger than self-preservation.
I watched the scene unfold with amusement.
Mrs. Weasley simply shook her head.
Years of experience had clearly taught her that some battles were not worth fighting.
Eventually she turned toward me.
Unlike the look she gave the twins, the one she gave me was warm.
Maternal.
Dangerously maternal.
"Come along, dear."
I immediately became suspicious.
"Mrs. Weasley?"
She walked over and gently dusted off my shoulder as though I had somehow become dirty during Floo travel.
"You've become thinner since the last time I saw you."
I opened my mouth to argue.
Unfortunately, I had already learned that arguing with Molly Weasley on matters involving food was a losing battle.
"I'm perfectly fine."
"Nonsense."
She took hold of my shoulder and began steering me toward the kitchen.
"You work too much."
I looked toward the twins.
Neither offered assistance.
In fact, both looked relieved that someone else had become the target.
Traitors.
All of them.
"Mrs. Weasley, I already had lunch."
"I'm sure you did."
Her tone made it clear she didn't believe me.
"Now come along and let me fix you something proper."
Realizing resistance was futile, I allowed myself to be guided toward the kitchen.
Behind me, I could hear the twins enthusiastically introducing Muggle candy to Ron and Ginny.
For once, I was grateful their attention was focused elsewhere.
Because at that moment I had a feeling that Molly Weasley was every bit as terrifying as Ted Tonks had been earlier that week.
Just in a completely different way.