Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters.
Note: I know, I know, I'm a terrible person, but it was great. I love surprises/the unexpected. I also love the additional reviewers, the story is basically made by my reviewers so big pat on the backs for you guys. As for any other engagments...my lips are sealed. Happy reading!
More Hellos
"Tammie, what a pleasure to see you, I thought you were going to be taking care of your shopping tomorrow" Mrs. Malfoy said in an all-to-causal tone. I gave her a helpless smile and shook my head. "Well maybe you can finish things up with Draco while Lucius and I find you a nice birthday present." Before I could disagree she was already motioning Draco closer.
"No thanks" I told her as Mr. Malfoy came over to us.
"Don't be rude Tammie, please, introduce us" he said still looking coldly at Houston. I looked at him too but he didn't seem terribly concerned with either Malfoy adults or surprisingly Draco who was finally standing next to me.
"Uh" I started looking around at the Malfoys and then back to Houston. "This is my friend Houston Hicks, he's Melinda's—" I cut off, surely Draco knew who Houston was, the only remaining people were the Malfoys.
"I'm Melinda's boyfriend" Houston said as Mrs. Malfoy let out an obnoxious laugh until she realized Draco was practically glaring at us, figuring it was true and therefore not funny.
"The muggle we've heard about?" Mr. Malfoy asked looking at Draco who nodded. I glanced at Houston who seemed to be holding up well.
"Tammie, I'm surprised you're out in public with him" Mrs. Malfoy said. "Well, we should be going, I'm afraid I've already shown bad manners, I don't want to make matters worse" she said before nodding at her husband.
"Draco" he called as they started to walk off.
"I'm staying a moment" he replied though he didn't turn around to face his parents. Mr. Malfoy nodded and continued on, Mrs. Malfoy stayed, but only for a minute longer before following.
"Do you have to stay?" I asked a sour mood.
"You've been ignoring me otherwise" he countered as I grumbled.
"For good reason Draco, you're not exactly…" I trailed off as Houston continued looking from one of us to the other.
"Where's Melinda?" Draco asked.
"I dunno, with the other Weasleys" I said as Draco huffed.
"Why would you stick around with him?" Draco asked in a sort of whisper as he nodded for me to move to a corner.
"Houston, you okay, I'll be right back" I told him as I followed Draco to a little corner but was able to still see Houston. "You know, you think your parents wouldn't get so bent out of shape with me hanging out with Houston, I mean, I'm still with Fred" I reminded him as Draco huffed again.
"Your shame has no limits" he said sarcastically as he crossed his arms over his chest. "So, what's the deal with him?" he asked nodding at Houston.
"Melinda's boyfriend, we've already said that" I said, not willing to bring out the truth. I didn't need Draco to instantly blast Houston away.
"I don't get it, him? Why him?" he asked as we both glanced over at Houston. "I mean, I know, why but, I just…I thought maybe she'd see it my way, she'd think about it, she'd know I want her. I really thought I meant something to her. I know she was trying to protect me, but, I don't need protection—"
"Stop, Draco, just, stop. Please" I said not really able to take it. "It's over, you…you have to let it go, she's moved on" I explained as Draco shook his head.
"I refuse to believe that" he replied quickly.
"Draco—"
"Tammie, everyone else is coming back" Houston interrupted walking over toward me but stopping a little distance away.
"You should go" I told Draco but he remained where he was. "Please leave" I repeated but he still stood there. "Listen, if you don't like surprises, if you want to keep your ego intact I suggest you leave" I told him but still, he stood.
"I'm fine right here, I haven't seen Fred in a while anyway, it would be good to say hi" he said trying to sound casual.
"When have you even cared that Fred existed? Draco, c'mon, I don't want any trouble" I have begged.
"No one is causing any" Draco replied, his tone still causal and then turned to Houston who looked between annoyed and aloof. "I must say Houston" Draco started as Houston came to full attention. "It's nice to finally meet the boyfriend" he said as Houston slowly nodded, not sure if he should take it as a compliment.
"Done? Can you go now?" I asked but it was too late, even from the distance, I could heard the joyful laughing and joking of Fred's voice, I could only assume he was talking to George.
"Tammie, hey Tamm!" Fred called as he moved closer, stopping at the sight but instead of helping he smiled widely. "Hey Draco, met Houston?" he asked as I mentally punched him.
"Yeah" Draco replied bitterly as Fred ignored him and turned back to me, clapping his hands together.
"So, Tammie, do you know who the best man is gonna be at the wedding?" he asked all too knowingly. Did he not know what a terrible mess he was making? I wondered with slight anger.
"Bloody hell, really Fred? Really? Now we have to have that talk? What about later?" I asked as he shrugged.
"What best man?" Draco interrupted as George came over. "What wedding?" he asked truly looking confused.
"My wedding" Fred said sarcastically but from Draco's reddening highly embarrassed expression I doubt he knew it was a joke.
"He's kidding" I reassured Draco but Fred waved me off.
"Anyway, best man?" Fred asked again.
"What about Draco?" George asked in an 'I'm trying to cause problems' type of tone as he glanced over at Houston. "What do you say buddy?"
"I don't know, might be a little awkward, even for Melinda" Fred replied with a light laugh as I felt myself mentally strangling the twins.
"Well, it would make sense if I was best man at Tammie's wedding, I am her cousin after all" Draco replied with a huff, clearly not catching Fred was being sarcastic before. "What does Houston have to do with any of this anyway? Why would he be the best man?" Draco asked, still huffy.
"I think they're joking" Houston told him as I shot a glare in Houston's direction, trying to get him to shut up.
"So there's no wedding?" Draco asked, slightly relieved.
"Not between Tammie and Fred" George replied just when I thought they were going to let it go.
"There you are!" Melinda said appearing at of nowhere, her tone humorous until she realized Draco was among the group. "Oh hey Draco, fancy seeing you here, lovely weather eh? Okay, bye" she said cheerfully as she started to walk away but I grabbed her arm.
"Not that easy" I whispered.
"How bad so far?" she whispered back.
"Well, either you share the big news or the twins do" I answered.
"Melinda, are Tammie and Fred getting married?" Draco asked as I glared at him as Melinda shook his head.
"Do you see a ring dumbass?" I asked holding up my finger.
"Wrong finger Tam" Fred mumbled as I shook my head and then held up my right finger.
"Wasn't an accident" I replied as he merely winked at me.
"Oh, I mean, well, it's not like it hasn't be talked about it" Draco said, his face going red again. I looked at Fred waiting for him to make some sarcastic joke back but he only seemed to stiffen a bit.
"Great, now we're all feeling uncomfortable, happy George?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm good" he replied as all of us glared at him.
"We should go" I said again, Melinda nodding her head.
"Fine" Draco said to my great surprise. "Melinda," he paused to hold out his hand. "No hard feelings," he added as Melinda blinked a few times but came to her senses and went to shake his hand. "I'm glad you're…" he trailed off as he glanced down at her hand. She tried to pull away upon realizing what happened but Draco seemed to have a firm grip as he stared at the beautiful two stoned diamond ring.
"Draco" I said as he finally let go.
"I didn't realize such a commitment could made in such a short time" Draco replied dryly.
"Draco" I hissed but he shook his head.
"Congratulations and good luck to you" he said with a low bow and a snotty tone. "Obviously she does better when there's no effort to be made" he added as I shook my head, already knowing he was going to say something hurtful.
"Sometimes it's about the love, not the effort" Houston replied as I watched Melinda's expression begging him to shut up.
"Whatever helps you sleep" Draco mumbled back as he turned and started to walk away but stopped and glance over his shoulder. "Tammie, should I give Matt warning you're thinking about running to him? You know, since we're doing the opposite of what the Fates suggested" he called as I grabbed Fred's arm.
"Don't engage him, he's just pissed" I mumbled.
"He's rude" Melinda hissed back as we watched Draco walk off.
"He's hurt" I corrected as we started moving toward Weasley Wizard Wheezes.
"So?" Melinda said coldly with a shrug.
"So, don't you think you could've handled that better? I mean, you practically told the guy he stands no chance" I reminded her.
"It wouldn't have mattered how I said it, he would've been hurt regardless. I love Houston, I'm going to be with Houston, there's nothing else to that, you have to accept it" she said as she hurried up toward George who was now joined by Ginny. I glared after her but Fred's nudge diverted my attention.
"Had you walked away when I said…" I stared as I turned on him.
"I know, I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to escalate like that" he said sounding truly apologetic.
"Yes, because Draco never lets things escalate" I said sarcastically. "What did he mean about talks?" I asked thinking back to the point in the conversation where Fred got tense and Draco turned red for a second time.
"I'm sure you'll eventually figure it out" Fred said as he took my hand.
"And I suppose you wouldn't just outright tell me?" I asked with a little smirk, feeling the easiness of the conversation again.
"Nah, too easy" he replied as I rolled my eyes.
"Here we are!" George said as we stopped in front of a big shop, a red headed figure ontop of the shop making hat tricks.
"Whoa…" Houston said as he looked at the shop in awe. "This is all yours?" he asked as the twins grinned ear to ear and nodded.
"Oy, what are you doing here!" a loud but cheerful voice asked coming out of the shop. "I come out for my break and see you, I told you I could handle things just fine" she continued cheerfully. I knew that voice to be Savannah, she was one of the sales associates, I assumed they asked her to join since Abby's unfortunate and untimely death. I shook off the thought, I wouldn't think about that now.
"Hey" I said with a wave as she ran over to hug me, nearly bombarding into me. "You're supposed to be keeping him distracted" she pretended to whisper.
"Oh, she has been, don't worry" Fred replied as I felt myself warm. "We just wanted to show Houston, Melinda's fiancée the place" Fred continued as he nodded at Houston who waved at her.
"Houston, it's a pleasure to meet you" she said shaking his hand but I couldn't place her tone. "So, I suppose this means we can finally have that double—triple—date?" she said wiggling her eyes.
"Triple?" Melinda asked. I slapped my hand to my forehead, I had forgotten to tell her George and Savannah were back together.
"Yeah, me and this guy" Savannah said all smiles as she swung her arm around George who wrapped his arm around her waist. "Tammie's taught him a valuable lesson on love. But really, he knew he was coming back to me" she said giving George a little nudge as he rolled his eyes but smiled away.
"Isn't there a rule about dating co-workers?" Melinda asked though I swore I detected some annoyance in her tone.
"Well, yeah, but, he's the owner" Savannah replied not at all phased by Melinda's tone as she winked at us. I opened my mouth to say something but caught Savannah's quick expression of surprise and excitement. There was only one person I knew that could bring about that reaction, even to girls who were in committed relationships. I turned around, sure enough to see Matt.
"Tammie" he said in a quiet, balanced tone as I nodded, trying to keep my own balance and tone even.
"Hey Matt" I managed to say casually, but knowing I was anything but casual and calm about seeing him.
"Alright Huey, mind if I call you Huey? Anyway, c'mon, let's take a look at this marvelous wonderland" she said nodding toward the doors. "Melinda, twins, you should come too" she as Melinda and George slowly followed her but Fred remained by my side.
"Fred" Matt said with a little nod as Fred made no effort to respond.
"Fredrick, come on, I'll burn down the place if you don't" Savannah sing songed as Fred half glared at her. "They're talking, she loves you, stop with the ego, come on" she said as Fred finally unrooted himself and went ahead inside.
