A/N: Sorry it took forever to update. I've been waiting for the new book to come out and I wanted to make sure I didn't accidentally include any spoilers! We're safe here, but… well, that's another chapter… Hope you enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Getting to Know You

"Mum? Are you home? Hello!" Fred called from the Weasleys' kitchen. He had just apparated to his childhood home after closing up the joke shop. George had gone back to their apartment.

Mrs. Weasley came bustling into the kitchen. "Hello, Fred dear!" she greeted him, kissing him on the cheek. "Where's George? I thought you weren't coming until later."

Fred sat down at the table. "Well… I was wondering if… well, could we do dinner tomorrow? I've got a date."

Mrs. Weasley had been pouring him a glass of pumpkin juice, and was now staring at her son as the juice continued to flow over the rim of the glass. She startled and scolded herself as the liquid soaked her shoe. Fred chuckled and waved his wand, cleaning up the mess.

"Did you just say you have a date?" Mrs. Weasley asked, watching the grin spread over his face.

Fred nodded. "Yes, Mum. A Date. With a girl."

Mrs. Weasley sat across from her son, looking confused. "When did this happen?"

"When did what happen?" asked Ginny as she entered the kitchen. "What'd you blow up now?"

Fred glared at her. "I didn't blow anything up!"

Mrs. Weasley tousled his hair. "Fred has a date!" She said the last word like it was some sort of special award. Both Ginny and Fred rolled their eyes.

"But I don't remember you saying anything about having a girlfriend, Fred," Ginny told him.

"She's not a girlfriend," Fred explained. "We just met this afternoon."

Mrs. Weasley looked disapprovingly at her son. "Fred Weasley, you're going on a date with a girl you just met?"

"So?" Fred and Ginny said in unison.

"But, dear, you're supposed to get to know someone before you go on a date with her…" Mrs. Weasley said pointedly.

Fred frowned. "Mum, I thought the point of dating was how you get to know someone."

Ginny giggled. "I think it's great, Fred. About time too."

Fred snapped his head around so fast he cricked his neck. "OW! What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ginny shrugged. "Well, after you and Angelina broke up we were wondering if you'd ever go out with anyone again."

Mrs. Weasley held Fred back from pouncing on his baby sister. "Fred! Ginny! Now, that's enough!" As an afterthought she added, "She does have a point, Fred dear. After the way that girl broke your heart…"

Fred lifted his hands in frustration. "Mum! That was a long time ago! It just didn't work out between me and Angelina – too many differences."

"Yeah, she decided she liked Oliver Wood better…" Ginny mumbled.

Fred glared at Ginny. She smiled sweetly at her brother, batting her eyelashes.

"Well, who is this new girl? Surely you have a name at least?" Mrs. Weasley asked, trying to break the tension.

Fred grinned. "Aralyn."

"What's she like?" Ginny asked.

Fred's grin deepened. "She looks like a Veela, but with dark hair," he said dreamily. "And she's clever too. Likes to read…"

Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat. "And where does this… Aralyn live?"

Fred dug the bit of parchment out of his pocket and passed it across the table to his mum. She looked it over, raising an eyebrow.

"And she's a witch?" she asked him.

Fred nodded. "Yes, of course. I met her at Fortescue's. Why?"

Mrs. Weasley handed the parchment back to him. "Because that is a Muggle neighborhood," she said pointing to the address.

Fred stared at the parchment.

Mrs. Weasley stood and kissed to top of his head. "Well, dear, you should go get ready for your date… I'll see you and George tomorrow."

He nodded and gave her a quick hug before leaving.

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x0x0x0x0x

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Aralyn stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her. She made her way to her room and began to dig through her wardrobe for something to hear. After a moment, she chose a black dress and started searching for her shoes.

"You're not going to wear that, are you?" Calli said, crossing the room.

Aralyn looked at her, surprised. "Why not?"

Calli shook her head. "Never wear the little black dress on a first date," she said, putting the dress back in the wardrobe and rummaging through the rest of the clothes.

Aralyn shrugged and walked over to her drawers, digging out her undergarments and slipping them on. She sat down on the bed and began raking her fingers through her hair.

Calli emerged from the wardrobe a moment later holding a pair of cropped trousers and a sleeveless shirt. "Here…" she said, throwing the items on Aralyn's bed. "Put that little camisole on under the shirt. It'll look cute. You know, the one with the lacy edge."

Aralyn saluted her. "Yes, sir! Anything else, sir?"

Calli giggled. "You should pull your hair up too. Show off your neck," she said with a wink.

Aralyn's cheeks grew pink and she bent low over the drawer as the rummaged for the camisole.

The girls chatted while Aralyn dressed and finished getting ready. After much deliberation, Aralyn finally decided to pull her hair up.

"Oh, no! He'll be here any minute!" Aralyn fretted, looking at the clock. It was five minutes before seven, and she was growing more and more nervous.

"Relax, Are…alyn. Calm down before you hyperventilate," Calli said, amused.

Knock, knock, knock…

Aralyn's hand froze, holding her lipstick in front of her face.

Calli patted her best friend's shoulder. "I'll get the door, shall I?" she said, winking, and swept from the room.

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x0x0x0x0x

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Fred stood in the street, looking up at the numbers on the building towering in front of him. Yeah, this is it… He climbed the stairs leading up to the door, clutching a bouquet of flowers in his hand. As he reached the door, he took a deep breath and went in.

Wondering through the hallway, he searched for Aralyn's flat, finding it at the end of the corridor. Well, here we go… He knocked on the door. A moment later it swung open.

"Hello there," said a petite blonde Fred didn't recognize. "Come on in, Fred. I'm Calli – Aralyn's roommate." She looked him over. The girl's got good taste, I'll give her that…

Fred smiled weakly and stepped though the threshold.

"Come, sit down," Calli called him into the living room. "Aralyn'll be down in a minute."

Fred walked into the room and sat down on the sofa. "Nice place," he said, looking around. He recalled a few of the Muggle contraptions his dad had told him about – a television, a telephone, plugs…

Calli watched him with interest. "So, Aralyn tells me you're a twin," she said casually.

Fred nodded, turning his attention on her. "Yeah. Aralyn didn't mention having a roommate, though."

"From what I heard, neither of you said much at all," Calli replied easily. "I'm impressed. Apparently, so is Aralyn."

Fred quirked another smile in response.

Calli leaned forward and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing her throat.

Looking up, Fred noticed Aralyn standing in the doorway and grinned. She was looking intently at her best friend. He stood up and walked over to her, handing her the flowers.

"Hi."

"Hi," Aralyn said shyly. "Thank you – they're lovely."

"They pale in comparison," Fred told her, looking at her approvingly. Aralyn blushed while Calli raised an eyebrow.

"Let me just put these in some water…" Aralyn said, turning toward the kitchen.

Calli stood in the doorway with her arms folded across her chest. "Not bad, Fred…"

Fred grinned. He thought the flowers were a nice gesture. He'd never given a girl flowers before. A little cliché, perhaps, but a nice gesture nonetheless.

Aralyn returned to the room, looking curiously at her best friend and her new date.

Fred stepped forward and gestured toward the door. "Ready?"

She nodded. "Ready."

He opened the door and guided Aralyn through with his hand on the small of her back. As they stood in the hall, Calli poked her head out of the doorway and winked.

"Have fun, you two!"

"Don't worry," Fred said, winking back at Calli, "I'll have her home early."

Calli chuckled. "Better not!" This made Aralyn blush fiercely and Fred laugh.

"So," Aralyn began. "Where to?"

Fred smiled and led her out of the building. "Hungry?"

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x0x0x0x0x

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They sat at a small table in a quaint little restaurant. Fred watched in amusement as Aralyn slid her finger along the rim of her glass.

"So," he said, finally breaking the silence, "you didn't mention that you live in a Muggle neighborhood."

Aralyn's finger stilled. "Does it matter?"

"No, not at all. It's just… a bit unusual, that's all," Fred replied. "I mean most witches and wizards don't live in a predominately Muggle neighborhood." He was hoping he didn't offend her.

Aralyn smiled, much to his relief. "Well, it's a bit complicated. You see, I don't just live near Muggles, I live with one."

Fred's jaw dropped in surprise. "Your roommate? Calli's a Muggle?"

Aralyn nodded. "Before attending wizarding school, my parents thought it best for me to attend a Muggle school. My mother said it had something to do with being 'well rounded.' That's where I met Calli. We've been best friends since we were seven years old," she explained.

Fred considered this for a moment. "What school did you say you attended?"

"I didn't," she answered. Fred cocked and eyebrow so she continued, "I attended a school in America, actually. Calli and I moved here after we graduated – about three years ago."

Fred smiled and nodded. "I wondered why I hadn't seen you before. So that makes you what? About 20? 21?"

Aralyn gave a small laugh. "Pretty courageous to be asking a girl her age, aren't you? Yeah, I'm 21," she said, laughing again as Fred grinned.

Their desserts were set in front of them and Fred inclined his head in thanks to the waiter then turned his eyes back on Aralyn.

"So…" Aralyn began, sampling the dessert in front of her. "I think it's only fair for you to tell me your age now…"

"I'm uh… I'm 22," Fred croaked, studying the way her lips moved.

Aralyn raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?"

Fred cleared his throat and nodded, bringing his gaze to her eyes. "Yeah. I'm sure. 22." He could feel his ears getting warm and hoped she didn't notice.

They finished their desserts and left the restaurant, deciding to take a walk through the town. Fred found it rather easy to talk with Aralyn. She was clever, funny, and seemed to enjoy his company as well. Truth be told, the more they talked, the more comfortable Aralyn felt around him too.

They walked side-by-side; the smell of honeysuckle wafted through the air and the moon shone brightly in the clear sky. Eager to get to know each other better, they began playing the "favorite things" game, laughing at each other's answers.

"Okay, my turn…" Fred said, laughing. "Favorite article of clothing?"

Aralyn thought for a moment. "Socks," she said, mirroring his laugh. "You?"

"Anything with pockets," Fred said with a chuckle. "Makes it easier to hide my and George's… experiments."

Aralyn snorted. "Remind me to never reach into any of your pockets then."

"And just what would you be doing inside my pockets anyway?" Fred teased. Aralyn swatted at him playfully, making him laugh even more. "Alright! I'm joking! Just joking!"

"Favorite color?" She moved away and sat down on a garden wall. Fred smirked and ran after her.

"You know, I've never really thought about that one," Fred answered, sitting down next to her. "I guess it would be red. You?"

"I'd have to say red's beginning to grow on me, too…" she said, tousling his hair.

Fred grinned and took hold of her hand, kissing it. A slight blush crept over Aralyn's cheeks, and she gave a nervous laugh. Fred eased closer to her and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

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x0x0x0x0x

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Fred apparated into the kitchen, not at all surprised that his brother accosted him.

"It went well?" George asked eagerly.

Fred grinned and put an arm around his brother's shoulder. "We're going out again on Friday."

George grinned back. "So she's willing to put up with you for one more day, then? What did you do? You didn't slip her one of those new candies, did you?"

Fred swatted George on the back of his head and laughed. "No!"

"So, tell me the details!" George demanded, following his brother down the hallway to his bedroom.

Fred smirked and shut the door in George's face. Being his twin, however, Fred knew that wouldn't deter George in the least. As predicted, George swung the door open and bounded into the room.

"C'mon, Fred, details! Give me details!"

Fred just shook his head. "We need to get you a girl, mate."

George leaned forward in interest. "Got anyone in mind? Does Aralyn have a sister?"

"No," Fred said slowly, taking off his shirt. "But she does have a roommate." He grinned wickedly.

George sprang on him, knocking both of them onto Fred's bed. "Why would you hold out on me with such pertinent information?"

Fred laughed and pushed his brother off. "Okay, calm down before you mess on my blankets," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Aralyn has a really cute roommate. But don't get your hopes up – I don't even know if she's available. Only…"

George bounded off the bed and stood before Fred, waiting anxiously. "Only what?"

Fred shook his head and, grinning, made his way to the bathroom where he began to get ready for bed. He knew this answer or, rather, the lack of one would get George riled up.

"Fred!" George whined. "Tell me – what's the catch? You said she's cute… Is she stupid? Does she have bad breath? What?"

"Shsamggl," Fred muttered.

George promptly began to pound on his twin, knowing that Fred was only slurring his words to irritate him. Fred laughed and pulled away.

"Alright! Alright! She's a Muggle," he answered at last.

George stopped mid-swing and blinked. "A what?"

"A Muggle. No magic. M-U-G-G-L-E, Muggle."

George leaned against the sink. "So does that mean–"

Fred shook his head. "No, Aralyn's a witch. They met when they were young – her parents put her in a Muggle school. Been best friends ever since."

"So, does Aralyn's friend know she's a witch?" George asked.

The thought had never crossed Fred's mind – until now. He shrugged. "Dunno. I guess she'd have to, wouldn't she? I mean, it's tough hiding the fact that you have abilities someone else doesn't, right? That's why there are so many laws."

"Then how is it possible?" George asked simply.

Fred shrugged again. "Good question."

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x0x0x0x0x

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Aralyn walked into her flat and quietly closed the door behind her. Not because it was late and she thought Calli was asleep – though it was – but because she preferred not to be disturbed with questions that she knew were waiting for her. The longer she could hold Calli off, the longer she could replay the date in her mind.

"So?" Calli's voice broke into her thoughts.

So much for savoring the moment. Aralyn brushed past Calli and casually made her way upstairs to her bedroom. "So what?"

"How did it go?" Calli asked, following her in to the room and flopping down on the bed. "Did he kiss you?"

Aralyn slanted her friend a look. "Calli, why are you convinced that every date has to turn into a snogging session?"

Calli grinned. "I say if you both have lips, use 'em! So no kissing then?"

"No," Aralyn answered indignantly. "Fred was a perfect gentleman."

"You're staring to sound like my mother," Calli said, shaking her head sadly.

Aralyn sighed. "He kissed my hand and my cheek. Happy?"

Calli made a face. "Are you sure he's normal? I mean, look at you, Are! Any normal guy wouldn't be able to keep his hands off you!"

"Then I'm happy Fred's in with the elite. And stop calling me 'Are!'"

"With a face and a body like his, Aralyn, I'm surprised you could contain yourself."

Aralyn had just walked into the bathroom, but snapped her head around as Calli spoke. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you blind? Do you not realize just how sexy Fred is?" Calli said, gesturing wildly. "If I were going out with him, I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off him!"

"You can't keep your hands off any man, Calli. Sexy or otherwise. And we're not going out – we just had one date," Aralyn said, turning back to the mirror to wash her face.

Calli pouted. "I have very high standards when it comes to men, thank you! I can't help it if all the men here are so good-looking!" She sat down on the edge of the bathtub. "So that's it? No more dates with the gentleman?"

Aralyn couldn't hide her grin – even behind the washcloth.

"I knew it! I knew you would go out with Fred again!" Calli said, giggling.

Aralyn looked up. "What makes you so sure?"

"Because," Calli began, retreating to Aralyn's bedroom. "If you didn't agree to go out with him again, then I would have."

Laughing, Aralyn rolled her eyes and followed.