Don't question why she needs to be so free

She'll tell you it's the only way to be

"Ruby Tuesday"

- Rolling Stones

OoOoO

Chapter Three: Free Bird


He, of all people, had to be here... of all places. She just pursed her lips and began to ready her instruments. And then, the show began.

After a few covers it was time for their break. Some other bands performed here, too, they weren't the only ones. She dreaded the fact that she had to come out of the backstage. If she stayed there one more minute she might pass out from the heat, and besides, she didn't want to witness some groupies snogging the daylights out of any band members. But still, she didn't want to get out. He was out there. Why was he here anyways?

Sucking on a breath, which she eventually choked out, she stepped out the painted red door into the bar. As always, some drunks were arguing with each other, and some even tried to hit on her. Luckily they were too drunk for her to be able to slip away.

She made it to the lonely stool in the corner and sat there quickly before someone could take her place. Pattie came with her favorite drink in hand, already prepared. She muttered a 'thanks' before sipping her drink quietly. The man who sat on her left side turned to her and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could even utter a word, she held up her hand and told him she was not interested.

The man scoffed at her bitchy attitude and stood abruptly, already regretting it since he was a bit tipsy; he swayed slightly and walked away. It was a matter of seconds before the man came back and sat again on the chair. She thought maybe he forgot something - or maybe he was persistent on getting her attention - but, when she heard his voice, she stiffened for a moment. She sighed in resignation. This ginger was more persistent than the other hobo.

"Who would have ever thought..." he drawled in, "to find you here. Fate has crossed our paths again. I didn't know you could play guitar, lest be in a band."

"Well, isn't life full of surprises?" she bit back sarcastically. It seemed to be her only weapon against him.

"Indeed," he looked around the place before settling his gaze back to her. She was staring straight ahead of her, at the wall with a poster of a triangle with a rainbow. Odd, he thought.

"How did you find me?" she now turned to him, her voice demanding.

"That fella, I think his name was Callum, from the cafe."

"I'll have to talk to him later," she inwardly cursed at her coworker. "Well..." she said, while getting up from the stool, the Margarita she was drinking was now empty. "It was not nice seeing you again, but I have to go."

"Aw, come now... I can buy you another drink," he frowned. He was actually enjoying this... this conversation, if you can call it that. Of all, this one seemed to be the nicest one.

"No, thanks," she was walking away now, he noticed a group of people on a corner. He figured they were her band mates.

"She can be tough, but she's really sweet," came a gruff voice in front of him. "When she wants to."

"Really?" he asked, finding this new information a bit interesting.

"My name's Pattie," she held out her hand, "nice to meet you."

"Fred," he shook her hand. "But why does she put up a wall, then?" he genuinely asked. This seemed a little weird. Something had to happen to her if she acted warily towards him, or anyone.

"Oh, you know... It's just what a heart break does to ya," she shrugged. Clearly, this woman didn't give a shit if Ruby wanted her to share her personal problems. "He seemed like a nice fella, but looks could be so deceiving."

"Uh, who?"

"You don't know him. He sometimes plays here with his gang of idiots; he's in a band, too."

"I see..." he wondered how this guy looked. She didn't look like the type to fall for 'the player', but then again, maybe she fell for the wrong guy and now that's why she's so cold. Maybe.

"But keep trying, will ya?" she brought him out of his thoughts. "I keep tellin' her not to give up on love, ya know? You're young... night is young, you should have fun, eh?

"I'll keep that in mind," he said as he stood up and left the Muggle money on the table. "Thanks."

He left and walked over to a dark and isolated alley before apparating into his shop. The light in the top window announced that George was still up, packing. He had spent the past days helping his twin pack his things into boxes. They didn't have much stuff, but once they noticed all of the things they kept stuffing either under their beds, or in their closets, made him realize he should swipe this flat clean.

When he opened the door to their room, he saw George sitting cross-legged on the floor, from what it looks like, he was holding open a photo album. His eyebrows furrowed as he walked over to his twin and sat next to him on the dusty floor.

"What's that you got, mate?" he asked George.

"An old family album. Look," he said, pointing a finger on a (moving) picture of them. It was the two of them dressed in their Quidditch uniform, about in their 3rd year at Hogwarts.

"Yeah, I look quite sexy," he grinned. George only tutted annoyingly before turning the page.

"Do you remember this? The Yule Ball?"

Fred scoffed, "how could I not? It was the most embarrassing moment for our dear Ronnie, of course I'll never let him live it down."

"You got that right," he said while flipping on some more pages. "Mind if I take this with me?"

"Not at all. You can have it," he said thoughtfully. He was staring at the wooden floor.

George closed the album and placed it inside an open box next to him. "Mind telling me what happened?"

"About?" he tore his gaze away from the floor, looking back at his other half.

"Well, for one, you seem awfully quiet. And second, you are quite thoughtful. You are actually thinking!"

"Nothing, really. This bar was okay, though... Maybe I'll go back tomorrow," he yawned. He stood up and stretched. He walked over to his wardrobe and took out his sleeping pants.

"Did you see her?" George stood up, too, dusting his denims. "The cafe girl," he said when his brother gave him a confused look. "I know you went to look for her."

"Fine. Yes, I went to look for her," he finally admitted. "She plays in a band. I never saw that one coming..."

"Yeah, well, she's got that tough look, you know. What do they call it? Ah, yes, punk."

"Hmm..." was all he replied before closing the bathroom door and getting ready for a shower. A punk.


After that night's performance, she went back to her apartment. Her mood was dropping from infuriated to sorrow. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt as though she left something back at the bar. She thought maybe it was the alcohol in her system, making her feel lost, but she wasn't sure.

The night was actually going alright. After the ginger, of course. She was having fun one moment, and the next, she was sitting in a corner, drinking another Margarita. She felt... lonely.

Instead of going to sleep instantly, like she's used to, she got out her guitar and started playing the blues. Slowly filling the hole in her aching heart and feeding her soul. Music really made her world a little lighter. But she needed something else...

Something needed to fill that hole in her life. That piece of puzzle that she lost a long ago.

"Maybe I should get a pet," she whispered to herself. She did this often, since she was a loner. "Maybe I should go to sleep now," she said as she placed her only friend back into its place. She went to her bed and fell asleep instantly.

The next day was a lovely Saturday. The sky was sunny, but it wasn't hot unlike yesterday. She thought it best to go to the university today. She was studying the arts, something she completely lost herself into, but not as much as music. Though both were in the same category. She showered, ate a lame breakfast, and got her stuff ready to go.

The painting she has been creating the past weeks was almost at its last touches. She thought it still needed more time, but her mentor said it was looking pretty good. Mr. Watts was the Professor, he was a very nice man, probably around his fifties. He had the grey hair pulled into a tiny bun and his goatee looked very stylish. He has helped her with many wise quotes and advises. He seemed to understand when the world couldn't listen.

After finishing with the portrait, she drove back home. If home was meant to be a cold, lonely place, then she didn't want one. Her flat seemed colder than ever. Or maybe it was just her. She took a much needed nap, for she had a night show of some Beatles' covers.


When she awoke at 7 pm, she made herself some dinner and showered afterwards. She got her crimson tights on, a golden blouse, and her golden booties. She got her guitar and headed for her work.

The place looked the same, nothing unusual, except the fact that her new 'friend' was sitting in the spot he was before, next to hers. She sighed heavily. She just walked straight over to the backstage and waited there. Her mates weren't there yet. It looks like she was quite early.

Alas, the arrived and began the show. Tonight, the place was filled more with older people. Mod-rockers of the sixties. The Fab Four's loyal fans. The lads will never go out of style no matter what. Times are changing, but their music still lives on.

When their shift ended, she headed over to the other side of the bar, where the pool tables were at. The restrooms were near, so she escaped into them. She didn't know why, but her heart was hammering a bit too fast. She didn't know why. Once she walked out of there, she smashed into someone's chest. A very hard chest, she thought. When she looked up she had to suppress an eye roll.

"There you are, love. I was looking for you," he smirked at her flustered face. "You can't hide from me."

"Is that so?" she arched an eyebrow. "Just watch me," she said before getting back into the women's restroom. She knew this was childish, but she really didn't want to deal with him now. Not ever.

Three knocks came from outside. She knew it was him, but she still hadn't moved. Another knock came. Nothing.

"If you don't come out I'm gonna burst inside, I don't care if the girls scream at me," she heard him speak through the door. "You know I'll do it! I will drag you out if I have to."

She muttered a curse under her breath before coming out. The lights outside the restrooms were very low, so she could only make out half of his face. Even in the dark his eyes shone in mischief. She gave him the 'once over' before looking back into his eyes. She wondered if she stared at him far too long, for he was smirking down at her, a knowing look across his facial features.

"Enjoying the view?"

"Are you a bit cocky?" she retorted. She just wanted to wipe that stupid smug look on his face that she hated so much.

"Aren't you a bit bitchy?" by the look on her face he could see she was taken aback. That was all he could see before her fist came in contact with his nose. His vision blurred in a matter of seconds; after seeing mixed colors behind his eyelids, he opened his eyes and instantly his hands came in contact with his broken nose. He was about to retort some insulting comment, but she wasn't there anymore.

He began to look for her, but she was completely out of his sight. He muttered a few obscenities before walking into the men's restroom. No one was there, luckily, so he stood in front of a broken mirror and inspected his nose. From the looks of it, it was indeed broken. She had a bloody iron fist, he thought in irritation. He performed a healing spell and cleaned himself afterwards.

When he stepped out he thought about apologizing. He didn't want to, but he knew he had to. She was in all of her right to feel offended... insulted. But the punch was still uncalled for. She could have just slapped him, but no! She had to punch him right in the nose.

He thought it was best to leave now. Some men who were standing by the pool tables were arguing, in a few minutes they will be starting a fight. As he was walking down the path outside he caught her slim figure next to a muscle car. She was getting her things inside of it. He walked over to her and, at the sound of his footsteps, she looked up.

"What do you want? Another punch?" she crossed her arms in front of her chest. Her defiant look was just so tempting.

"Calm down," he held his hands up in surrender. "I came here to... to apologize for being a git."

Her eyebrows furrowed and for a second, her facade of a tough girl faltered. She looked really confused, so he continued. "Although, you should be apologizing to me."

She scoffed loudly and her facade was on again. "You deserved it! And I don't forgive you, so you can turn back t-"

"Let me buy you a drink," he cut her off. It looked like she was pondering on his suggestion, and he was right because she nodded slowly.

"Alright. I'll accept your drink. But just one."

"Brilliant," he grinned, "after you."

They walked back inside the pub and sat on a table for two near the entrance. Another band was playing on stage and she started bobbing her head to the rhythm. He came back with two drinks and sat in front of her. She slowly took a hold of her drink and eyed him suspiciously. Surely, she didn't think he might have placed a pill in there, would he? After the first sip, she placed it back and waited.

"Tell me something about yourself," he broke the silence.

"Um... What do you want to know?" she gave him a rather funny look, but she was willing to answer his dumb questions.

"For a start, where are you from?"

"It doesn't matter where I come from. I am from anywhere."

"Anywhere?" he said incredulously. He tried to guess if this was just another sarcastic answer, or if she was genuinely saying that because she felt it.

"Yes. And you?"

"From a little village called Ottery St Catchpole. What about your family?"

"I live alone," she replied, her eyes darkened at the mention of them.

"Yes, but... I mean, how many siblings do you have or..." he trailed off.

"It's just my parents and one sister. She's older than me. And what about yours?"

"Well," he started, "my two parents and my six brothers and one little sister."

The look on her face was priceless. Her mouth hung open in awe and shock. "I feel bad for your little sister. Now, I don't know your other brothers besides your twin, but just with you she has more than enough..."

"I can't help it. I'm loveable," he grinned. She just rolled her eyes. "You're the only person who doesn't like me, and I don't know why," he joked.

"Ha. Wonder why..."

They stayed silent for a moment. Each of them submerged in their own thoughts. She was thinking about her life, her career, her job, and her relationships. Whereas, he was thinking finding a way to get her to tell him something more personal. Looking back at her, he watched her as she was biting on her lower lip; lost in thought. Right now, she looked fragile, unlike her fiery self. He actually liked this, when she wasn't being sarcastic and defensive. Like they were actually friends and not some old, arguing couple.

Her eyes met his and he felt a tugging in the pit of his stomach. He swallowed hard before clearing his throat. She blinked a few times before looking away from him. Her cheeks turned a bit pinkish, though it was dark inside, he was able to see them. It made him smile. She finished her drink and stood up.

"Thank you for the drink. It was nice talking with you, but I got to go now."

"Are you actually admitting you enjoyed my company?" he smirked.

"Don't push it," she glared. "Well, bye bye."

He stood up and walked her out. She was about to protest, but he told her it was safer if he walked her to her car, saying something about being a gentleman. Before she could close the door he stopped her.

"Will you come tomorrow?"

"No. Not tomorrow, why?"

"Can I... uh, see you tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.

"Mm... maybe. I don't know," was all she said before closing the car.

He knew that was a 'no', but he didn't care. At least they made progress. He knew she didn't work tomorrow at the cafe - thanks to her buddy Callum - so he wondered where would she be. He didn't want to appear as a stalker, but he wanted to know where she lived. Just in case...

Even if he asked, he knew she wouldn't tell him. She seemed like an independent woman. A free bird, always going with the wind. He wondered if he was the same. George was gonna get married, Ron was already married, Ginny too, Bill and Percy also. That only left him and Charlie. Out of the two, he knew Charlie would never marry.

As he watched her car disappear in the highway, he walked back to the alley.