I didn't really like England. My first impression was bleak and rainy. Very wet. So very cold and quite unwelcoming. Then I got to Diagon Alley and my impression changed yet again (like really England. Pick a theme and stay with it). The wizarding community was bustling and bright. It looked as though someone had grabbed the sun and stuffed it into a couple streets. It was beautiful.
A little back-round knowledge on me. I'm from Maryland where it is almost always sunny (hint hint England. Step it up). My pen-pal from England was named Cedric Diggory and he had been working on persuading me to come and do my last two years of schooling at Hogwarts. After 3 years of this I had conceded, partially because I had heard rumours that something big was about to happen.
After admitting defeat, Cedric had launched into a very long letter, full of description about Hogwarts. I didn't really understand the houses. Like what the fuck is a Hufflepuff? Cedric had carefully explained the traits of each house and I had my heart set on Ravenclaw. It was a huge blow when a tall and disapproving women arrived at my doorstep and handed me a letter, before Apparating on the spot. I had opened the letter and emblazoned on the parchment was a lion. Gryffindor. The supposed loud-mouth and trickster kids all went to Gryffindor. Why, oh dear fates, have you cursed me with this treachery?
So anyway as I was walking through Diagon Alley, heading towards what looked to be the bank (Cedric had sent me an overhead map view of the place) I literally ran into someone. Tall and lanky, with fiery orange hair. He must have been 6 feet and my 5 foot 4" height (which I was rather proud of) was dwarfed in comparison. My head barely reached his chest and I had to crane my head to see his smile.
"I think I've fallen for you." I said, jokingly.
"Ah. Yes, I do tend to have that effect on people." The tall guy replied
He helped steady me before offering a wide hand. "Fred Weasley. And you are?"
"Melody Clark." I looked up into his eyes and the colors seemed to swirl like kaleidoscopes.
"You must be new because I have never had the opportunity to lay my eyes on such a lovely girl."
I widened my eyes mockingly. "You sir, are correct. Your eyes have never been laid upon me because I am from America."
"That would explain the accent."
"What accent? I don't have an accent. You Brits do!" I commented, highly affronted.
"Say, are you here alone? Because if you are, we can show you around."
"Who is this we?" I asked.
"My twin."
"What!? There are two of you?"
"Yep. The more the merrier I say."
"Well it depends. Is your twin a jerk and a womanizer like you?" I laughed.
"You betcha."
"Okay! You must take me to this fine womanizing jerk!" I linked my arm through Fred's, groaning as he had to crouch to accommodate my smaller frame.
"It would be easier if I could just piggy-back you." Fred dropped my arm and looked at me questioningly.
"Fine. Piggy-back away," I paused "As long as you aren't using this as an excuse to have my breasts pushed against your back."
"The thought never occurred to me." Fred argued, although his tone suggested otherwise. He kneeled and I clambered on.
"This experience is a little strange for me," I commented as we rode through the crowded streets.
"Not for me. Also you are light! Do you eat?"
"Yes! Of course I eat. How rude." I smacked his head and he swayed with the force of my blow.
"Careful or I might drop you." He cautioned.
"Oh no! Please don't! If I fall from this height, I'll break every bone in my body."
"Right you are" Fred said, rather cheerfully.
We continued on until we arrived at an ice cream shop. I let out an excited yelp and bounced on Fred's shoulders. "Ice cream!" I shouted "You have the best meeting places EVER!"
I struggled off his shoulders and ran up to the man at the counter and placed my order. I walked over to Fred and his jaw dropped as her took in the dessert I was carrying.
"Is that 5scoops of mint chunk?"
"With Oreo crumbles, chocolate frogs, and sour gummy worms." I added
"Can I-?" Fred asked pleadingly.
"I came prepared," I said as I unearthed a spoon and handed it to him.
"You were right."
"Yes I usually am. But what about this time?"
"You do eat!" Fred's eyes were wide in amazement. I just shoveled another huge mouthful into my face, my eyes rolling in pleasure.
"Hell yah I eat. This ice cream practically was calling to me!"
We continued to stuff our faces until another tall guy with orange hair approached the table. I looked up and burst out in laughter. Fred's mouth was coated in ice cream, forming a spectacular mustache and beard. He turned around as the other guy started sniggering.
"Laugh all you want," Fred said, indignantly at the look-alike orange haired guy"I remember Ron's sixth birthday party. Well let's suffice to say that you loved it."
"Yes I did. It was wonderful. So rich and creamy- "
"Let us not journey through your affairs with various pastries." I piped up.
The other guy looked at me. "Ah… I like her." He then got down on one knee, as though proposing. "My dear and fine lady, may I have the honour of escorting you around Diagon Alley?"
Fred shoved him. "Hey! I already promised my eternal servitude. She has to go with me."
"Tell me your name and I'll chose my favorite twin." I said, rather decisively.
"George" "Fred" The twins said simultaneously "Weasley!" They chorused.
"Okay I got none of that. I know your names are Fred and George but which is which?"
The twin that had an ice-cream mustache gestured to himself. "I'm Fred," then pointing to the other twin "And that's George"
"Hm. I can't pick favorites so… whoever offers to give me a piggy-back first will escort me around this quaint village."
There was a rush as the two twins grappled at each other, bashing heads and basically causing mayhem. Finally, Fred (who still had an ice-cream beard, although it was half gone due to a well-placed blow from George) elbowed his brother out of the way and flung me into his arms bridal-style. I couldn't stop laughing as he raced away from George, pushing through the crowds. He set me down after a couple minutes and I turned around to face him. He had gone pale and I followed his eyes in time to see an angry red headed women storming towards him. She was very pretty and looked to be very friendly usually. She was a bit heavyset and if smoke could have been pouring from her ears it would have. Her resemblance to the twins was scary.
"So do we run or…?"
"There's no point. We're doomed." Fred honestly. He totally believed his words.
"Is that your mother?"
"Yes" he whispered in terror.
The women was fast approaching. She seemed to notice me and her face became friendlier. "FRED WEASLEY! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? 16 AND YOU"RE STILL ACTING LIKE A CHILD! WHAT IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN HURT? Oh hello dear. Who might you be?"
"Melody Clark." My smile was a bit stale because damn that women was scary.
"Nice to meet you Melody. I hope my sons haven't disturbed you."
"No they've been wonderful."
She looked at me skeptically "Really?"
"Yes. They seem very friendly."
"Hey! I'm right here!" Fred chimed in.
"OH BUSTER I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU!"
"Hey! I was protecting Melody!"
"From who?" The women inquired, looking concerned.
"George." The other twin took that moment to appear.
"Hey Freddie! I see you have swept our damsel off her feet!
"Yah a bit." Fred looked a bit sheepish
"Nice to meet you dear. I'm Molly Weasley."
"Nice to meet you too Mrs. Weasley." I offered a hand
"Please call me Molly." She bypassed my hand and went for a hug. I went along with it because what can I say? I'm a hugger.
"I don't get a hug?" Fred looked hopeful.
"No." I waited for a bit. "But your twin does." George gathered me in his arms and squeezed me.
"I thought you didn't pick favorites."
"I don't. George picked me."
"Right you are miss." George said.
"Please don't encourage them" Mrs. Weasley pleaded
"Sorry Molly." I apologized.
"Say Mum. Can we show Melody around? She needs to go to Gringotts." Fred asked
"Fine. But stay together."
I linked arms with the twins and skipped through the streets. Then I got an idea.
"WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD! THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ. WE HEAR HE IS A WHIZ OF A WHIZ IF EVER, OH EVER A WHIZ THERE WAS!" I bellowed. The twins looked at me before joining in on the song and together me and the Weasley twins pranced through the streets of Diagon Alley.