Chapter 2: Magically Livable
A week had passed since Ellie moved in with the twins. She was working for them with Verity in Weasley Wizard's Wheezes. The twins had offered her the job when her lack of funds became her major obstacle.
Ellie had been severely confused by her feelings for George the entire time. She noticed things that made her hopeful of him returning the same feelings. He would volunteer to help out where ever she happened to be working in the shop. George even seemed more interested in learning about her, no matter how evasive she tried to be.
Neither of the twins had mentioned anything about the Order and Ellie couldn't deny that she felt anxious. But she hid it the best she could. She knew for certain that they couldn't trust her. She suspected they were biding their time, looking for a glimpse of a Dark Mark or a meeting between her and some shady characters.
Everything had fallen into something of a routine, wake up, get dressed, and cook breakfast for the twins. Work until two in the afternoon, eat lunch, and go back down until eight. Ellie was working every chance she got, for the twins had offered her a loan but she refused. So everything was going in a tedious, predictable manner until one night.
"Eleanor! You dare embarrass me in front of the Dark Lord! Foolish girl, this is the end of your disgraceful behavior," my father screamed. He was beyond furious. He drew his wand and pointed it at my heart. "You are no daughter of mine," he whispered cruelly. I knew what was coming, I thought quickly and mustered up all my strength. I wandlessly stunned him before locking him in a broom cupboard. I ran to my room packing a bag carelessly and grabbing my wand. With a stroke of brilliance, I rummaged in my father's drawers for the hundred galleons he always kept. A noisy explosion from downstairs signaled my father's wakening. I stormed out the back door, running to the end of our property before finally apparating away.
Ellie awoke with a start, sitting up quickly she slammed into one of the twins. Her head in one hand and her shoulder in the other, Ellie glared at George, "Good morning to you too George." He grinned sheepishly at her from the floor, his own forehead clutched tightly.
"How can you tell us apart?" Fred asked from the door.
"Why are you holding your shoulder?" George asked at the same time.
"That's not creepy at all," she said sarcastically. They both shrugged as if to say it's just something that happens, often. "I am holding my shoulder because it hurts, as does my head, thank you."
"What about Fred's question?" George prodded, after she didn't answer.
Blushing, Ellie answered, "George's eyes are a brighter blue." That was only one of the two reasons she had, truthfully. The other was very embarrassing to say the least. When she looked at George her stomach instantly filled with butterflies and she had the urge to grin like an idiot. She had noticed the difference over the last few days, although it was more obvious when he was just sprung on her so early in the morning.
"Then why are you blushing?" George asked.
"Why does your shoulder hurt?" Fred asked, again at the same time.
"No more questions!" Ellie shouted. "I'm going to take a shower!" She grabbed some clothes from her bag before sprinting to the bathroom. Quickly locking the door, she slid down to sit on the floor. The reason she wouldn't answer why she had blushed was obvious. But the reason why her shoulder hurt was a secret between herself and Remus Lupin. Honestly, he had done more than just give her advice. He had probably saved her life. With one last look at the ominous scar on her shoulder, Ellie got into the shower.
She stepped into the kitchen a half hour later feeling refreshed and ready to get to work on her shop. Upon her entrance, however, she realized the twins were making themselves scarce. Walking back to her room, she could hear whispering from inside.
"Hurry up, she'll be back soon!" one of the twins whispered urgently.
"Sorry, I don't even know what we're looking for, Fred!" George argued at a similar volume. "We shouldn't even be doing this!"
"It's the only way we can find out whether she's trustworthy," Fred told him exasperatedly. "You're just worried she'll be mad at you, lover boy." Lover boy? Ellie thought to herself, what does Fred mean by that?
"I resent that!" George shouted. Ellie took this as her cue.
"Well, I resent you guys not trusting me." She put her stuff back in her bag before picking up Ajax and his basket. "Goodbye," she said coldly. Without another glance, she made her way back to her own shop. She walked up to her so called flat and put her stuff down. "Ugh, Ajax, I'm a git aren't I? They have every reason to not trust me!" With one last sigh, she made her way to Flourish and Blotts.
"Excuse me," she addressed the elderly woman behind the counter politely. "I need a couple books on architectural and home remodeling spells. Where could I find them?" With a pleasant smile, the woman pointed to a shelf near the shop's window. "Thank you." Ellie walked over to the shelf, scanning the various titles. From the corner of her eye, she saw a George enter the shop. Even at a glance her stomach started flipping. She quickly hid behind a shelf. He walked up to the woman and asked her a question. To Ellie's horror, the woman pointed to the spot where Ellie had been directed.
Thinking quickly she changed her appearance. She was now a young, blonde boy. Walking to the door, someone tapped on the shoulder. Already knowing whom it was, she turned to meet the amused grin of George Weasley. "Hello, have you seen a young red haired girl? Tall, skinny, and very pretty?"
Blushing immensely, although entirely pleased, she answered, "Can't say that I have."
George's grin grew as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "You still sound the same Ellie."
"Damn," she sighed dejectedly. She returned her appearance to its previous state before looking up at George, for he was still considerably taller. Without thinking, she launched at him. "Can you forgive me?" she murmured quietly into his chest.
"Well I don't know," he started, jokingly. "It's a tad hard to forgive you for my and my brother's foolishness and our prat-like prying. It'll take some thinking on my part." Getting more serious, he asked, "Can you forgive us?" She nodded against him immediately.
They just stood there in the doorway for several more minutes before someone cleared their throat. Both looked up to see a highly amused Fred smirking at them. "Thanks so much for letting me know you found her, dear brother. But if you love birds don't mind, you're blocking traffic." Blushing madly, Ellie let go of George, but he kept his arm around her waist.
"Oops," George said, not sounding at all sorry. "But, I was enjoying not having to share her. You will be happy to know she's forgiven us though." Fred smiled at Ellie before walking over to her and picking her up. She screamed, but he paid no notice.
"She's mine now," he teased his brother.
"We'll see about that," George called after him. Pulling out his wand, he wordlessly levitated Ellie to him. "I win."
"As fun as this has been," Ellie said sarcastically. "May I get down?" George nodded and set her on her feet. "Now come on, I need books." Returning to the section she had been searching in, Ellie pulled out three promising books.
With a raised eyebrow, George asked skeptically, "Architecture Spells For the Unspecialized Witch? Making What You Need Out Of Stuff You Don't: The Economical Way of Remodeling? Magically Livable: A Guide to Stuff You Need to Make Your Space Livable Magically? I'm guessing your starting work on your flat?" Ellie grinned at him and nodded. She was determined to make her flat livable before opening her shop.
"And you guys are going to help!"
Deciding Verity could handle the shop on a Thursday, they followed Ellie out the door. An hour later they returned to Ellie's shop with a bag full of various things in vast quantities. Ellie set to work almost immediately.
The first step was to separate the large space into rooms. She divided it into two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, a library, and a room to make her sweets. She also added a storage room to the shop downstairs.
Removing several pieces of rubbish from the bag, Ellie set to work. When she was finally done over three hours later, her flat was just what she had pictured. Her room was a very light blue, but her furniture and such were light grey. It was very peaceful, lit mostly by candles. The second bedroom looked just like her room at the twins' flat except with two beds.
Two armchairs and a couch, all situated around a cozy fireplace, occupied her living room. It was very reminiscent of the Hogwarts' common rooms. Her kitchen was simple, having the basic tools for cooking. It was a colorful orange color, giving it a very happy feel.
The library was a small square room with wall-to-wall bookcases. They were even on the back of the door. Although, the only space currently occupied was by the three books Ellie had purchased that morning.
Ellie's workroom was her pride and joy. The walls were charmed to look like a bright, sunny day. There was a sun and clouds that floated across the walls. At night, a full moon and hundreds of stars still brightly lit the room. The floor felt like soft grass. In the middle were three large tables. Four cauldrons for potion making occupied one. Another was empty but would be used for the other steps of making Ellie's products. The last table was empty except for a large leather book. On the cover it read, 'Ellie's Books of Wondrous Ideas'.
"So is that your idea book?" Fred asked as they sat exhaustedly in her living room.
"Yeah, it was sort of a good luck gift from Professor Lupin."
"So does he know you got a shop?"
"No, I hadn't seen him in about a week when I met Florean Jr. in The Three Broomsticks. It was a chance I kind of had to jump on. I had to pay him half the money to my name right on the spot and it was only a tenth. I have three months to get him the rest. Four hundred and fifty galleons is a lot of money."
"So you have about one hundred galleons now?" George asked. Ellie nodded sadly. "Well if you need help, you've got us." Fred nodded in agreement.
"Thanks guys. That means a lot, but I've already said I can't accept it."
"It's getting late, George. We better go," Fred said as it was nearing eleven,
"You guys could stay here," Ellie suggested shyly. "That's sort of what the extra room is for."
"Well, Fred, as gentlemen, we can't very well leave this damsel to fend for herself, can we?"
"No George, it would be ghastly for out reputation as dashing, noble, heroes to crumble due to one careless decision to leave a young lady alone. We really have no choice in staying." With a wave of his wand, he and George were both in matching, plaid pajamas; one bore an F and the other a G.
"You're so very considerate," Ellie teased. "And plaid most definitely suits you."
They smirked before saying in unison, "Everything suits us, love."
Ellie rolled her eyes before saying, "Well, I'm off to bed. If you need anything, you can get it yourself." She gave each twin a kiss on the cheek "That's for helping me out today and yesterday too."
Before she closed her door she distinctly heard one say, "See, I told you she loves us."
"Well, of course she does, we're just too adorable," the other replied. Ellie laughed at the duo before crawling, exhausted into bed.
A/N: So there is chapter two! Hope you enjoy, please please review!
