#theo needs a better parental figure than the prototype

[lavendersartistry]

So one of the fans of the AU @eclipsewarrior101 made a idea some time ago about how Theodore's soul wouldn't be able to stay at rest so it possessed a mini CatNap.

At first I didn't think of it and was like: "Yeah, that'd be a cool thing someone within the fandom did." and my dumb self watched videos of brown cats and I couldn't stop thinking about the idea so now I'm like:

So "Theodore's soul possessing a mini CatNap" is now canon to Matron in the Playhouse. This idea was made by @eclipsewarrior101 so please check them out.

Feel free to ask about this, because I'm thinking about this a lot now.

[official-weasley]

Love, William (Bill Weasley x OC) - Chapter 2

WARNINGS: bad parenting, Bill being awkward, Fred, George and Charlie being the best siblings 🤭

Chapter 2 - Bill's Surprise

“Did you pack your books?”

“What books?” Theodora asked her mother, puzzled.

“For school.” Mrs. Cork sighed.

“Why would I need my school books for the summer?” Theodora frowned. “I am coming back home before the school year starts.”

“It wouldn’t hurt you to revise a little.” Mrs. Cork crossed her arms on her chest.

“Mum, I’m doing fine at school.” Theodora tried hard not to roll her eyes.

She got 6 O.W.L.s in her fifth year and she passed all her classes with better marks than she expected and her mother was still nagging her. She is comparing her youngest to her eldest too much. Theodora’s brother was the best in his year in every class and he’s getting a promotion at work.

Theodora has been home for 14 days and it’s all her mother talks about. Theodora found out about the promotion before anyone else because Eric wrote to her the second he got the news.

As much as she’s happy for him, that much her mother is getting on her nerves for it. She might be 17 but Mrs. Cork still acts as if she’s 11 and is hoping Theodora might follow her brother’s footsteps or at least go back to her dream when she was a second-year – becoming a Curse Breaker.

Theodora still remembers the conversation she had with her mother last year when she told her that she is not joining Eric in America nor going to work for the Wizarding Bank. She was mustering the courage to tell her she changed her mind for a week before sitting her down and to say that her mother was disappointed in her decision was an understatement.

Theodora knew she isn’t going to support her new career choice but she didn’t care. She found her passion and she is going to follow it. Dad did the same – an inspired Magizoologist trying to write a book about all magical creatures in Asia. And what did her mother do when he told her about his journey? She filed for divorce instead of supporting him.

The only thing Theodora and Eric have of their dad now is his monthly letters and a few pictures per year as their mother doesn't even allow him to visit.

Theodora used to ask herself why Eric didn’t take an Auror job here in England. Why go all the way across the Atlantic? Now that she saw her mother in her true form – being alone with her ever since Eric finished school – she understood that he wanted to be as far away from her as possible.

“You can always do better.” Mrs. Cork pursed her lips, watching her daughter’s every move while she was putting clothes in her trunk.

“I’ll take the books if it’ll make you happy.” Theodora tried her hardest to keep her voice casual.

The last thing she needed was for her mother to change her mind and her being stuck in this house with her because of it.

“Molly will write to me every week to let me know how you are behaving. You be nice while you’re there and don’t you dare step out of line.” Mrs. Cork raised her voice.

“Ok, mum.” Theodora bowed her head.

She couldn’t wait to spend the Summer at the Burrow with her best friends and their siblings. Mrs. Weasley is strict but at least she is a loving mum.

Theodora didn’t even bother to wait and see if her mother is going to hug her. She took the trunk outside, took her jacket off the hanger just in case there would be a chilly summer night, and turned to the door where her mother stood, her arms still crossed on her chest.

If Theodora didn’t know any better, she would say that she was judging her. She hated how her mother watched her every movement and thanked Godric – for what seemed the tenth time this morning – that the twins convinced her to spend the summer at the Burrow.

“Well, bye.” Theodora waved awkwardly, not knowing what else to do.

Her mother gave a small nod and after a sigh, Theodora apparated to her summer destination.

—

“What’s wrong?”

The second Theodora appeared in front of the Burrow the twins came out of the house. She was half an hour late and they have been looking through the window, awaiting her arrival.

Fred took her trunk without even asking, taking it inside, while George stayed behind, his hand on her shoulder, waiting for her to answer his question.

“Thank you.” Was all she said, pulling George into a tight hug.

At first, it seemed like a good idea but when she felt her eyes burn, ready to release the tears, she quickly pulled away. She didn’t want to cry in front of him.

She only did so once, when she broke up with her boyfriend last year, and the second a tear ran down her cheek, Fred and George had their wands ready, prepared to hex the hell out of the boy who broke her heart.

“That bad, huh?” George put his hands on her shoulders and lowered his head to look her in the eyes.

“You have no idea.” Theodora shook her head. “She’s insane. No wonder dad left.”

“Whoa, what happened?” Fred said from the doorway. “Did she give you a hard time again?” He frowned.

Theodora only nodded. She wasn’t sure she was strong enough to talk about it.

“Come on, let’s get you in. Mum just made lemonade and we can talk about it in our room.” Fred grinned, trying to lighten the mood.

He swung his hand, inviting her inside. The second she stepped through the door, she started to feel better. The whole house smelled like roast beef and baked potatoes. If her mother allowed her, she would be here all the time and probably only go home when Eric would come to visit from America.

“Theodora, dear. Welcome back!” Before she could take another step Molly welcomed her with one of her famous embraces. “Arthur and I were just discussing this morning when was the last time you were here.”

“The summer after our second year.” Theodora smiled widely.

Mrs. Weasley made her feel so welcomed that she already felt better.

“She was only here once, mum,” Fred added.

“You have to come more often, dear. You might just be the only person to keep these two in line.” Mrs. Weasley put her hands on her hips and looked at the twins.

Theodora giggled upon seeing the irritated expression on Fred and George’s faces.

“Where’s your trunk?” Their mum asked after looking for it on the floor.

“I already took it to our room,” Fred answered for her.

“Your room?” Molly frowned. “Don’t even think about it! Theodora will stay with Ginny.”

“Oh, come on, mum!” George whined. “You know we’re only friends. We’re just going to work,” he bit his tongue at the last second as he forgot that their mum had no idea what the trio had in store for this summer, “on stuff.”

“You know the rules, George.” Molly raised her voice. “She is sleeping in Ginny’s room and that’s final.” With that, she turned on her heel and returned to the kitchen.

“Don’t worry, we’ll sneak you in our room when she goes to sleep,” Fred whispered to Theodora, making her giggle.

Before she could even ask where the others are, she was dragged into the twins’ room.

“We have about three hours before supper and we need your help.” George sat on the floor.

Theodora was surprised he found a spot that wasn’t covered with their products, prototypes, wrappers, or parts.

“What’s on your mind?” Theodora pushed a big box with Boxing Telescopes away so she could sit down next to George.

“We have been trying for days to make the Screaming Yo-yo stop screaming.” Fred sighed and opened the drawer of his desk.

“Isn’t that the point?” Theodora chuckled.

“The yo-yo is supposed to scream when you release it but stop once it’s wrapped up again,” George explained.

“Didn’t we already fix this?” Theodora tried to remember.

They have been working and developing so many new products over the past year that some of them have been a blur for Theodora. She remembers all too well getting punched by one of those telescopes in the box. She remembers how happy they were when their Smoke Pastille finally had the right thickness of the smoke.

With Arthur’s help, without him even knowing about it, they perfected the Electric Shock Shake and she could swear the yo-yo already gave them trouble.

“We fixed the fact that it doesn’t fall apart once you roll it up and down twice.” Fred rubbed his chin.

“But now it doesn’t stop screaming even if one puts it down.” George frowned, now holding one in his hand.

“Can we do a timed Silencing Charm?” Theodora thought out loud.

“Explain,” the twins said together, sitting closer to her.

“Well, we want the yo-yo only to scream once unrolled, right?” They both nodded. “So all we would have to do is put a Silencing Charm on it in a way that it mutes the screaming when the string rolls back up.”

Theodora didn’t know what to make of their faces. Fred was staring at her, his eyes wide open. George’s eyes switched between her and the yo-yo in his hand, forgetting how to close his mouth.

“That’s brilliant.” The twins said in unison.

“So you know how to do it?” Theodora sounded impressed.

“Nah,” George swung his hand, “we’ll ask Bill after dinner. He’s good with Charms.”

“Let me try.” Theodora took the yo-yo out of George’s hand.

She would rather spend an entire night trying to fix the product on her own than work with Bill on it. She knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate enough around him to pull anything off.

Theodora has been nervous for days now, knowing Bill is coming home. She hated feeling this way but she couldn’t help it either. She kept wondering how Bill looks like now and if he is as sweet as she remembers him being.

Last night, before coming here, she couldn’t stop thinking about him and she tried figuring out why was she so hooked on the eldest Weasley. Was it because he looked so cool in his leather jacket or because he was a Curse Breaker? Was it because he was cute or simply because he was so much older than her?

No matter how much she tried beating her head around it, she couldn’t figure it out, which only made her more nervous.

—

“Blimey, Theo, you did it!” George gasped when they tried spinning the yo-yo for what seemed like the 100th time.

Their ears were hurting and their eyes were burning not taking a break since they started. After trying the Silencing Charm more times they could count and casting it on different parts of the yo-yo, Theodora’s last attempt did the trick.

“Dinner!” They heard Molly shout from downstairs.

Theodora put her hands over her face, trying to close her eyes for a few seconds. She didn’t want to come down looking like a mummy.

“Race you downstairs!” George laughed and hastily opened the door.

“Child,” Fred said with a smile on his face and ran after his brother.

Theodora did the same and they pushed each other on their way down, all trying to get to the kitchen first. Because of Fred’s hand over his face, George didn’t see Theodora move in front of him and he stumbled across her leg and started rolling down the stairs.

Panicking, he grabbed his brother by the shirt and pulled him with him. Fred didn’t want to be the only one falling so he put his hand around Theodora and they landed at the bottom of the stairs as if a bowling ball hit the pins.

One look at one another and they all started laughing. They tried getting up but their legs were somehow tangled and instead of trying harder they only laughed louder.

“Idiots.” A familiar voice made Theodora look up.

“Charlie!” She exclaimed.

Charlie who was leaning on a pillar next to the stairs pushed himself away, took a step closer, and offered Theodora a hand to help her get up.

“I will ask you again, why are you friends with these two?” He asked, pointing at the twins.

“They grew on me.” Theodora shrugged her shoulders playfully before giving Charlie a hug.

“I missed you, Theo. When are you coming to visit me in Romania?” Charlie grinned.

“Back off, Charlie, she’s our friend.” Fred teased his older brother.

“Hi.” The four of them turned around to see Bill standing in the doorway.

Theodora’s heart started beating faster. All her hope that her silly crush on Bill ended was diminished within seconds. She has been mentally preparing to see Bill again, but she was not ready at all for what she was looking at.

Bill’s hair was in a loose ponytail, gracefully falling over his shoulder. He had a fang earring and his left eyebrow was halved. He was wearing a different leather jacket then she remembered, along with black jeans, and were those leather boots?

She opened her mouth to say something but with her heart in her throat she couldn’t even sigh.

“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Bill said politely.

His gentle smile weakened her knees and suddenly the idea of spending the entire summer alone with her mother didn’t seem that bad. How will she be able to be around him for 2 whole months? She knew herself too well to know she won’t have the strength to do it.

Bill took a step toward her and offered his hand to shake. Theodora shook her head, trying to focus but got confused. Did Bill not remember her?

Her heart sank. Even if she wanted to she couldn’t deny that if that was the case, it hurt. She might not have been at the Burrow for years but is she that unmemorable?

Her palms were sweaty due to how nervous she was, so she wiped them in her jeans before extending her hand at Bill, not knowing what else to do. It’s better she goes along with it, pretending that she doesn’t know who he is either than making a fool out of herself by mocking him how he doesn’t remember her.

Before their hands could come together into a handshake, Fred put his fingers around her wrist, taking her hand away.

“Bill, have you fallen off a pyramid? Don’t you remember Theo?” He looked at his eldest brother with a raised brow.

“Theodora?” Bill sounded astounded.

He blinked at her a few times, his eyes scanning her from head to toe.

Theodora looked at the other three Weasley brothers, not knowing what to do or say. Charlie was biting his lip, red in the face trying hard not to burst out laughing. Fred slammed his hand against his forehead and George’s eyes were filling with tears as he too, was trying to keep his mouth closed. If she was completely honest, she had no idea what exactly was happening.

“Hey.” She waved awkwardly at Bill.

“You...you’ve changed,” Bill mumbled, still completely awestruck, realizing the girl he is looking at isn’t 13 anymore.

“Thanks.” Theodora couldn’t get rid of the puzzled expression on her face.

“I...I mean...you...you’re all grown up.” Bill breathed.

He was acting as if it was strange that she is now taller, more developed and her hair is longer. Bill couldn’t believe how much she changed. She was barely a teenager when he last saw her and he remembers how passionate she was about Curse Breaking asking him different questions for days.

He loved answering every single one of them because she reminded him so much of Charlie when he was talking about dragons.

This hairdo was better than the bangs and the bob she had back then. She was cuter with longer hair, beautiful even. Bill tried to remember if she was really the same age as his two younger brothers. Standing next to them, she looked at least two years older than them. She wasn’t a girl anymore, she was a grown-up woman.

Charlie and the twins couldn’t hold in the laughter anymore and were now standing behind Theodora gasping for air. They couldn’t believe Bill didn’t recognize her. The last time Charlie saw her was also that summer that she stayed over but he didn’t have trouble remembering who she was.

“Are you going to say you recognized her at once?” Bill rolled his eyes, annoyed that they were making fun out of him.

“Yes! I don’t know what you were looking at.” Charlie came closer to Bill and put his arm around his shoulder.

“I...” Bill’s jaw dropped, scanning Theodora with his eyes again. “Oh, shut up.”

“I can’t believe you actually wanted to introduce yourself to her.” Fred was clutching at his stomach, still laughing.

“And you used your special charming smile on her too!” George added.

“I did not!” Bill tried defending himself, his face red as a tomato.

“Oh, you totally did.” Charlie joined in on the teasing.

Bill shook his shoulders, making Charlie’s arm fall off them. Why did he decide to spend half of his summer at home was beyond him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you, Theodora.” He turned to her, looking embarrassed.

“It’s okay.” She chuckled. “It happens.”

She still didn’t know what to think of it. It can’t be a good thing that he didn’t remember her at all. But then again why should she care, Bill was too cool and too old for her anyway. She is just being silly.

“How did you know who she was?” Bill turned to Charlie.

“She joined the Quidditch team when I was in my seventh year. One of the best Chasers I had a chance to play with.” He grinned at Theodora.

That compliment meant a lot to her. Even though she didn’t plan to pursue Quidditch professionally she still loved the sport and she couldn’t wait for the tournament.

“Oh, Charlie that reminds me...” This was her chance to stir the conversation in a different direction. This whole fiasco has been awkward enough as it was, she didn’t want to be reminded once more that Bill was completely clueless about who she was. “...I apologize for not answering your last letter. I knew you were going to be at the Burrow.”

“No problem, Theo.” Charlie swung his hand, letting her know she shouldn’t worry about it.

“You two send each other letters?” Fred and George said together. “You didn’t tell them?” Charlie giggled.

This was all too amusing to him and just reminded him more how much he missed hanging out with his siblings.

“I thought you knew.” Theodora frowned at the twins. “I open all his letters in front of you every time.”

“You sign your name as Charles when you write to her?” Fred chortled.

“You’re the one who came up with the fire-breathing toffees?” George’s mouth fell open.

They knew all about Theodora’s letters to Charles but since their older brother always signed the letters to them as Charlie, they thought Theodora either had an uncle or a pen pal with the same name.

Bill was the big brother, the one they were supposed to fear, the one who was in charge when mum and dad weren’t home, the one who got mad at them. Charlie was the big brother that secretly sneaked cookies into their room even when mum said that they ate too many already. He was the brother that lied for them when he was still a Prefect at school and never deducted any points because of their shenanigans.

The second George connected the dots, remembering when Theodora gave them the brilliant idea about the fire-breathing toffees and she said that Charlie came up with them, he was beyond surprised.

“Honestly,” George turned his head to his twin, “we should’ve figured that one out.”

Fred simply shrugged in reply. It didn’t matter. Their brother came up with one of the best products they’ve made in months and he kept their idea — of opening a joke shop once they finish school — from mum.

Besides, the twins knew how much talking to Charlie meant to Theodora. Her brother was often on missions, where the letters couldn’t reach him so she was lucky if she got a letter or two per month. Corresponding with Charlie on a weekly basis made her miss her brother less and if that made their best friend’s day better they are willing to share their sibling with her.

“Are you still playing?” Bill turned to Theodora the second they sat down at the table.

“Yeah and hopefully next year as well.” Theodora grinned, happy to see Bill expressing interest in her.

“You should have seen her, Charlie!” Fred said with his mouth full.

“She scored half of the goals at the last game!” George added.

“You showed talent from the start and I was happy I decided to put you on the team,” Charlie said proudly.

“Are you going to play Quidditch after school or are you still interested in Curse Breaking?” Bill asked.

Theodora didn’t know in which direction to turn. She was still blushing from the compliment Charlie gave her but she wanted to talk to Bill more than anyone.

“Why are you asking, William?” Fred said in a mocking voice before Theodora could answer.

“Want her all for yourself in Egypt, huh?” George joined in.

The twins started laughing, George almost suffocating on a piece of potato, when Charlie started whistling and winking at his older brother. Theodora tried not to giggle.

This was all too amusing to her and she couldn’t help but wish that their entire summer would be like this. Hopefully, not teasing Bill as much as he was rather uncomfortable – sitting next to her – but them being together and having fun. This was just what she needed after spending 14 days alone with her mother.

“Can’t I even ask her a question without you being gits?” Bill ran a hand over his face, ready to leave the kitchen.

“Sit back down, William, and eat your dinner.” Molly pointed a fork at her eldest and with a sigh, he sat back down.

“Are you kids excited about the Weasley Quidditch Tournament?” Bill has never been so grateful for his father to speak during dinner.

“Yes!” The twins jumped in their seats.

“Charlie will be our Seeker,” Fred said proudly.

“We’re the Beaters.” George followed.

“Well, Theo has to be one of our Chasers. There’s no arguing about that.” Charlie grinned at Theodora.

“Will you allow Ginny to play, mum?” George turned to his mother, making puppy eyes.

“I suppose so.” Molly sighed. “We’ll all be there to watch, so it’s fine.”

Everyone turned to Ginny, who was quietly playing with a piece of meat on her plate. She looked up when she heard her mum say that she could play and her cheeks turned scarlet. She couldn’t believe it! She’ll be allowed to play at the tournament? Along with all of her brothers?

She started shaking in her seat as Charlie, who was sitting next to her, put his arm around her, giggling to see how excited his little sister was.

“So, Ron’s going to be the Keeper then?” Mr. Weasley questioned.

“Of course, who else!” Ron lifted his head proudly.

Most of the times the Weasley siblings were playing Quidditch in their backyard, Ron played as a Keeper and he was getting rather good at it too. Of course, he couldn’t deny that if Theodora was on the opposite team he would feel too intimidated to play.

He attended most friendly matches and every cup game since his friend Harry made the team and he saw how amazing Theodora is with scoring goals. The Gryffindor team wouldn’t have won the cup this year if it wasn’t for her.

“Brilliant, we just need one more Chaser.” Fred clapped his hands together.

“Are you playing?” Theodora turned to Bill.

“Of course!” Bill blurted out.

He wasn’t planning on it but seeing how excited Theodora was, asking him if he will be on their team, he wanted to join at once. He was a bit rusty and hasn’t used a broom in a long time – exploring tombs and pyramids doesn’t exactly need flying experience.

Suddenly, he was very grateful for coming home earlier and not just for the game as he initially planned. He could use some flying lessons from Charlie and a few hours of practice. Hopefully, Theodora won’t be around while he embarrasses himself on the broom.

But on the second hand, why should he care what she thinks of him?

“Are you sure you’ll be able to play?” Charlie whispered to Bill.

“Yeah, why not?” Bill leaned to him.

“Will you be able to play alongside Theo if you already can’t take your eyes off her?”

At those words, Bill turned his head to his brother, frowning. Charlie winked at him and nodded his head at Theodora.

“Oh, bugger off, will you,” Bill muttered, trying not to look at her again, but no matter how hard he tried, his eyes kept escaping to her for the rest of the evening.