1

A sudden bang roused Fred from his daydreaming, and he started, almost forgetting where he was. Taking his feet off the desk in front of him, he left his seat, and put down the clipboard on which he was meant to be writing down sales records. He moved towards the door which led to the back of the counter of the shop 'Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes', the shop he and his twin brother, George, owned, and noticed a young blonde haired boy glancing at him guiltily.

There was a broken box on the floor, and Fred recognized it as a box of Canary Creams, and sighed. It was always the Canary Creams, he thought to himself.

"Sorry mate, you're gonna have to pay for the damage." Fred said looking at the wreckage. "Three sickles by the looks of it. Come on, cough up."

The boy sighed and handed over the silver coins and muttered, "Sorry."

Fred took the coins, and then waved his wand at the mess. The Canary Cream mush piled itself into the box and Fred bent down and picked it up. The kid had disappeared out the door and Fred shrugged.

"Another mess?" George poked his head around the door from out the back.

"Yeah." Fred laughed, throwing the broken box into the bin. He took a seat behind the counter and watched the customer's browse the shelves. George came out and stood beside him.

"Ah.. Isn't this the life, dear brother?" he sighed grinning.

"Sure is," Fred replied, with an identical grin.

The shop's business had been booming since the twins had moved into its residence at Number 93 Diagon Alley after their colourful escape from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Owl-Order forms came by the dozens daily, mostly from the school itself, and the two Weasley's had even hired an assistant, Verity. She was, however, on her day off, as it was a Wednesday, and one of the quieter days of the week.

As noon came around, the shop became void of customers as they all went for lunch.

"Mind if I duck out for a bit, George?" Fred asked his brother, finishing his paperwork, though before his twin answered, Fred was already flashing him a cheesy grin as he left the shop.

Walking further along the street, it was obvious that the return of You-Know-Who had greatly affected the people of Diagon Alley. Shop windows and doors were boarded up, and small stalls had begun to pop up on the sides of the road. Their owners were selling all sorts of items; amulets, various items of jewelry and animals feet which were said to protect the wearer against evil, being He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Fred walked past them and made his was past the shops with their boarded up windows, towards the Leaky Cauldron, he had already scoped these stalls out and found them completely useless.

As he entered, he noticed that the pub was also empty, as he made his way up to the counter.

"What can I get you, Fred?" Tom, the innkeeper asked.

Fred was about to answer when a girl appeared right next to him and cut over him.

"Pumpkin Pie please, Tom. And hold the sauce, it burns my tongue." She smiled.

Tom nodded and set about making her meal. Fred looked at her and noted how shiny her brown hair was, and how wavy it was, in comparison to the dull inn around them. She turned to look at him and jumped, as if she was surprised to see him there. She looked at him curiously, then blushed a little and looked away. Fred grinned.

"Hello, the name's Fred." He stated, holding out his hand.

The girl smiled slowly and held her hand out and shook his.

"I know. Weasley, right? I'm Carly." She said in return.

"You know, eh? Fan of the Wheezes?" Fred smirked. "Ill get the same as her." He added to Tom as the innkeeper placed Carly's meal on the counter. He nodded at Fred and smirked, then busied himself with the food again.

"Well, of course, I mean, everyone who was at Hogwarts is." She replied softly, brushing her hear behind her ears.

"Wait a minute. You look familiar. Have I pranked you before?" Fred asked uncertainly.

"Um.." Carly dwindled off, staring at the red head. Fred noticed the green in her eyes. It was such a unique green, like nothing he had ever seen-

CLANK!

Tom dropped Fred's plate on the counter loudly, startling the two teenagers, and Fred paid for his meal, as did Carly, who was looking slightly embarrassed.

"Join me?" Fred grinned at her.

"Uh, sure!" Carly smiled.

The two of them picked up their meals and headed to one of the tables with two seats. Fred sat opposite Carly, and they both began to eat, talking between mouthfuls.

"Scho, whad were yoo saying befaw Tom inderubbded?" Fred asked, not bothering to chew and swallow before speaking.

"Oh, just that I know you from school." Carly giggled at him.

"Oh yah?" Fred asked, looking at her curiously. He knew he had seen her before somewhere.

"Yeah, we were in the same year..? In Gryffindor? I was the one you gave a Canary Cream to in the middle of the Great Hall.." Carly smirked, enjoying the look on Fred's face.

"Oh.. I'm so sorry." He said, "But, you understand, it was good for the business." He added laughing, and Carly joined in.

The two of them finished their meals and sat there, now talking about the return of You-Know-Who.

"So what do you think of these posters all over Diagon Alley?" Carly asked Fred, "Bit gloomy huh?"

"Oh, well I think most people know my views on them." Fred laughed.

"Why's that?" Carly asked and Fred looked at her strangely.

"Havn't you seen the posters on our windows?" he grinned, "Designed 'em myself."

"Oh.. I havn't been to your shop yet.." Carly confessed.

"What? Oh. Well. It's settled. You're coming with me then." Fred smirked at her, standing up.

"Oh, I have to meet my mother.. But I'll come tomorrow?" Carly asked him, smiling apologetically.

"Oh. Okay then, tomorrow it is." Fred smiled.

"So, Uh, Yeah.. See you." Carly said awkwardly.

"Yeah, bye." Fred replied, slightly disheartened to watch her leave.

She turned around at the door to the inn and waved at him, smiling. He returned the wave and she disappeared. Sighing, Fred made his way back to his shop, and couldn't help but smile.