Terrible pick-up lines save lives | G.W
Summary: Recently being hired as an employee at Weasleysโ Wizard Wheezes sure has its perks, but youโve never expected one of them to be catching the eye of a particular ginger haired boy you hadnโt expected to cross paths with. Who knew a terrible pick-up line and a series of awkward encounters would bloom into something new.ย
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Throughout the years, the joke shop has gone from a simple idea of the twins to becoming one of the top shops in the bustling streets of Diagon Alley. Some had said that it could easily put Zonkoโs out of business with how amazing their products are. People needed something new โ something more unpredictable, and the shop brought just exactly that.ย
Speaking of unpredictable, the twins didn't exactly expect their business to boom at such a large scale to what it is today. The shop would be packed with customers by noon. Mothers being dragged by their overly excited children, and some who just wanted to look for a good laugh on a tedious day.ย
Despite the success, it eventually became exhausting for the two. Having to juggle a large number of customers โ who sometimes become rude and impatient if they arenโt immediately attended to. Then theyโd have to arrange and restock the shelves, handle logistics, and even check if the finances add up. Merlin, by that point theyโd have to start inventing a prototype that would give them multiple hands like a limax just to manage their day to day operations. Theyโve had enough of it.ย
And that's where you come in.ย
You were assigned to work on arranging boxes, restocking shelves, and accommodating the customers if needed. The twins were relieved when they hired you โ now being able to breathe if they needed a break from all the ruckus in their shop. They still accommodated customers occasionally, but they were now more focused on handling the counter and logistics.
Your relationship with your bosses were far from ordinary employee-employer relationships. With their outgoing nature, and incredible talent in making (horrible) jokes about almost everything. Youโd say that it was more like working with your best mates as you navigate through all the havoc together.
Though if there was one thing that made working at Weasleysโ Wizard Wheezes hard โ other than the occasional stress from working of course โ was George. Despite being the quieter twin, he still carried that usual playful energy around. A quality that he and Fred shared, but when it came to you he was just slightly different.
It didn't take long for you to notice the way heโs been looking at you, and the small mannerisms heโd subconsciously do. Such as adjusting his tie, or fidgeting with his hands whenever he talked to you.ย
As much as youโd hate to admit it, youโd also found yourself charmed by the boy with tousled ginger hair and a brown suit. Youโve been assisting at the shop for nearly a year now, but the way you all interact with one another makes it seem like you guys have known each other for way longer than you had been working there. It made things a little more difficult for you to navigate if you were being honest.
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As you three were preparing to close the shop, George was beside you making conversation as you arranged a new batch of Wild Fire Whiz Bangs on a high shelf near the counter. The uneven, rickety step stool you stood on swayed as you moved the boxes of fireworks around.ย
As you were attempting to reach the far end of the shelf, you hadnโt noticed that your foot was already nearing the edge of the ladder's heel, making you slip. You let out a small yelp and squeezed your eyes shut as you braced yourself to either feel undesired bruising pain on your right side, or even twisting your ankle. Instead, you felt a strong grip of warm hands on either side of your waist.
โAre you alright?โ You felt Georgeโs soft whisper on your cheek, and the sound of his voice swiftly drifting right into your ear gave you goosebumps.ย
โUh-huhโฆโ You quietly muttered while nodding very quickly. Your heart was beating erratically โ you couldnโt tell if it was because of the adrenaline running in your body, or if it was because of the close proximity.
Georgeโs expression turns pensive. His eyes map out your face as neither of you spoke โ you swear youโd even seen him glance at your lips for a second before looking back into your eyes again. Unfortunately, the building tension between you two was broken by the sound of someone clearing their throat. You and George immediately turn your heads to the noise to see Fred standing a few meters from you.
โWell that was something. You two love birds gonna start moving, or am I going to have to spend the rest of the time closing the shop as a third wheel?โ
George removes his hands from your midsection, and yours leaves his shoulders. The loss of contact left you feeling disappointed, suddenly feeling the emptiness of where his warm hands and shoulders were just seconds ago.ย
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A similar incident had occurred weeks later where a small box of instant darkness powder had managed to open and spill on you while restocking โ covering you in dark soot. This circumstance had ended up in you having to borrow one of Georgesโ spare Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes shirts. The uniform was too oversized, nearly swallowing your frame. The fabric hanging down to just above your knees, but really you had no choice at that point.
George could hardly focus that day. Apart from looking adorable in the oversized shirt, you were wearing one of his shirts, making him feel like heโd just been hit by a confundus charm.ย
โOh youโre totally gone for her mate, you might just spend the rest of the day staring if I don't stop you. Just go and ask her out already.โ Fred quips, earning a small nudge from his brother.
โShut up.โ
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That night George was unable to sleep. He laid on his bed facing the ceiling as he replayed Fredโs words from earlier โ what if he were to ask you out? But what if you say no, or what if you suddenly quit the job because it becomes awkward and he won't ever see you again.ย
His mind raced with endless possibilities of what could go wrong, but then again he couldnโt miss the chance either. Could heโฆ?ย
It was getting harder each day to just pretend like he didnโt fancy you at all โ he had to make a move. He thought to himself how heโd go about it.
Roses were too common. Dropping a mysterious note would be too, wellโฆmysterious.ย
The thought lingered as he eventually fell asleep.
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The next day was just like any other ordinary day.ย
At least it was supposed to.ย
You had been inspecting a box of Canary creams when George suddenly came up behind you.ย
โThese boxes of Canary Creams just expired todayโฆa shame that weโll have to throw them away.โ You say as you hold a pack in your hand, scanning it.
โThat's unfortunate, well unlike a pack ofย Canary Creams, my love for you doesnโt expire.โย George suddenly blurts out.
Huh, what? Were you hearing him right?
George internally panics, surprised by his own actions. This was not how he had planned for this to go โ absolutely far from it.
You immediately turn your head to face him, your cheeks giving away how flustered you are from how pink they were.
George scrambles on his words, unable to escape at this point. โSorry. Merlin, I didn't mean thatโ I mean, I didโ It justโ Well, not really. No, I actually do, would you go out with me?โ He blurts out.
There was a short pause as both of you just looked at each other, broken when you suddenly scoff and giggle.
โYou know, for someone who owns the best joke shop in Diagon Alley. Renowned for how much chaos you and your brother have caused. You sure are terrible at pick-up lines.โ
He scrunches his eyebrows slightly offended by your remark โ was he about to get rejected?ย
โW-What?" his eyes blink.
โIt's a yes. And it's fine, I still find you handsomely charming anyway, idiot.โ you let out with a small giggle as you take the boxes of expired Canary Creams and walk past him with a small smirk on your face.ย
George stood there stunned as if he'd just gotten hit by a flying bludger to the face โ you had just said yes to him.ย
On your way to the back you pass by Fred who immediately notices the pink flush on your face, and his eyes land on George from across the room and approaches him.
โI'm assuming she said yes?โ Fred says, smacking his brothers back. George lets out an oof and composes himself.
โWent about it in the worst and most unprepared way possible. But surprisingly, she said yes.โ
โIt's just hard to resist that Weasley charm mate. Been hard watching this all unfold on the sideline yโknow.โ Fred says as he wraps his arm around his brother's shoulders.
George came home that day with a big smile on his face. Not only because work was finished, but he had a date to plan with the girl he hadn't expected to come into his life and say yes.
