the_debt_of_time

Charlie wrapped his arms around his stomach as though suffering from starvation
and let out a pitiful sniff. "We're ever so hungry."
You have got to be shitting me, Mia thought, stifling her laughter.
She knelt down in front of them and frowned. "Orphans, you say? How awful.
Perhaps I could help you find a new family," she suggested and watched with a glint in her
eyes as both Bill and Charlie seemed to see the flaw in their plan.
"I see you've both a lovely shade of red hair, perhaps that kind-looking ginger witch
over there with the three other children would like to adopt you," she said, gesturing to
Molly who was haggling over the price of what sounded like some imported Muggle sweets
from America.
"Oh, no, ma'am, she seems quite awful," Bill insisted.
Charlie nodded emphatically, his tiny hand clinging to Bill's shirt. "Terrible, really."
"Looks like a right wicked one, she does," Bill added emphatically.
Mia wanted to burst into laughter at the way they finished one another's sentences,
much like their younger brothers would do one day in the future. She wondered if Ginny,
had she been a boy, would have been closer to Ron like each set of brothers—save for
Percy—was.
"Tell you what? Even though I know you're lying little monsters, I'll give you a few
coins on one condition."
"Really?" Bill asked, looking shocked.
Charlie stared suspiciously at Mia. "That worked?"
"Hardly," Mia replied, rolling her eyes. "But it is Christmas after all. Here." She
reached into her pocket and pulled out a small stack of Sickles, handing them over to Bill,
who eyed the coins greedily. "It's enough for three liquorice wands."
"Or one box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans."
"Three liquorice wands," Mia insisted, pursing her lips in disapproval. "Give one to
that little brother of yours―" She gestured to Percy, knowing that it was rare for him to get
any type of special treatment from his brothers. "—and also promise to behave yourselves
for the rest of the day. Your mum looks a bit tired, and good little wizards take care of
their mums, right?"
Charlie shrugged as though the thought had never occurred to him. "I guess."