apples and scented candles • h.potter ✓

• nineteen •

As soon as they entered the kitchen, Harry was pulled into a tight hug by Molly Weasley.

"Oh, Harry, what took you so long? We have all been waiting for you."

He smiled and hugged her back. "I'm sorry, I got – uh – caught up."

"No matter," she pulled back and smiled at him. "Come on in. There's loads of food here, help yourself." Just then, she noticed Corben, who was lingering nervously behind him. "And who is this young man?" she asked with a smile.

"He's Corben," answered Harry. When Molly looked at him questioningly, he clarified, "Zabini. Corben Zabini." He turned to him. "Corben, this is Molly. Ron's Mum."

But it seemed like no one could hear what he was saying, even though a hush has fallen over the kitchen. Molly stared at Corben, arms paused halfway in the air, like she was just about to hug him. Behind her, Arthur stood with a look of disbelief in his eyes, and Percy had a suspicious look on his face. Only George and Ginny, who were on the other end of the kitchen, seemed unbothered by the new piece of information as they continued to eat something from a bowl lying in front of them.

Surprisingly, it was Ron who spoke up.

"What are you all staring at? Let them in, I bet they're hungry."

Molly quickly shook out of her trance and finished the hug she had paused earlier. Harry watched with a suppressed smile as Corben remained somewhat stiff in her hold, and when she pulled away, looked like he had swallowed a stone. "I'm sorry. Please do come in. We will introduce ourselves later. Have something to eat first."

When Corben looked too embarrassed to move, Harry held his arm and led him inside. Percy and Audrey were at the table, eating pudding, and Harry took his seat beside the former, gesturing for Corben to sit beside him. He said hi to Audrey, shook his hand with Percy and finally turned to Corben.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yes," he nodded his head. "Of course."

Molly got busy with piling their plates with food. Corben made an attempt to protest when he saw just how much food she was giving, but Harry gave a small laugh. "She won't listen. You have to eat all of them."

"But I'm not hungry," he said weakly. Harry had the sudden urge to laugh when he saw the look of pure apprehension on his face.

"You will be, when you start eating. Molly is a tremendous cook."

The kitchen got busy once again. To Harry's relief, everyone decided to stop staring at Corben, although Molly asked them a few questions such as where they had met and what job Corben had. Noticing how uncomfortable Corben looked, he decided to keep him distracted by telling him about the Weasley family. Gathering their food, he pulled Corben to one corner of the kitchen, from where they had a clear view of everyone else present there.

"You have met George of course," he began. "He owns the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. And Ron. That's Percy over there. He works in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. You will be seeing a lot of him at the Ministry when you become an Auror, along with Arthur, over there. Audrey is Percy's girlfriend – also works in the Ministry. And that, of course, is Ginny."

Harry paused then, unable to decide how best to describe her to Corben.

"She is beautiful," said Corben before he was able to come to a decision.

"She is," Harry agreed. "She is an excellent Quidditch player, and is trying out for the Holyhead Harpies. She is … way out of my league." He ended the sentence with a short laughter.