Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except Tammie and Melinda and any "new" characters.
Note: SiobhanPhelps-I will continue to shout out at you until you say stop. You are amazing and I'm glad you're liking it for real. I will be the first person commenting when you write a story. I hope. =) As long as I have one reviewer I know I've done something right, so it's another chapter for you (and anyone else reading-don't be shy, comment, I'll love it). More tomorrow, that's where things start to get exciting.
A Prankster's Shop
"Okay, air" I said as I dodged another kiss from Fred who rolled his eyes and went to go in for another kiss but thankfully Ginny popped into the room.
"You busy?" she asked me as I twisted out of Fred's grip and got up.
"Not anymore" I said following her to her room. "What's up? How are you?" I asked as she nodded.
"Good, happy now that you're here, Fred's been quite bored without you and that shop" she started with a shake of the head. I replied with a blank look. "You know about the shop, right?" she asked me but I slowly shook my head.
"The twins, they want to buy a shop, you know, in Diagon Alley, make candies and tricks and stuff like that, a joke shop" she explained.
"A joke shop?" I asked questionably as she nodded. "Huh, I just thought they liked causing mischief, I didn't know they wanted to make a career out of it" I said as she nodded. "I didn't know you could…" I added.
"We thought they liked the sound of the explosions" she said with a shrug as I shook my head and leaned against the door frame.
"Well, at least that explains why Mrs. Weasley seems angrier than usual with them" I told her.
"Yeah, you should've seen her when she found out they were trying putting money toward the shop. I think she thinks you're going to stop him and then Melinda will get a hold on George" she said as I laughed.
"What makes her think we don't encourage them?" I asked, this time Ginny laughed and then sighed as she pulled my bag onto an empty cot.
"He's missed you you know," she said as I shifted a bit. "The last two years have been weird for him you know, a lot of feelings he hasn't had before. Now they're all just, there. You've brought out a lot of good in him, but I think he's also scared" she said as I cleared my throat.
"It's natural to be scared for someone, that's part of the reason I did what I did third year, I was scared of losing Fred" I told her.
"No, I mean, I think he's scared of having all those feelings. Do you know he used to hook up with random girls?" she started. I shifted on my feet again. I didn't want to know who else Fred had been with, but I assumed he had been with a lot of girls; he wasn't bad looking and, well, he liked girls. "But it's serious with you. I'm not saying you're the first serious girlfriend he's had, you're just the first one he's seriously considered feeling things toward and I think that scares him" she explained as I shifted again. It might have scared Fred but it scared me more. "Just, be gentle this year, I know last year with the competition things got messy and then everything third year with Oliver and—"
"Don't worry, I scared too Ginny" I told her as she nodded, smiled and started out of the room.
"Tamms, you up here?" I heard Melinda's voice ask.
"Yeah, Ginny's room" I called back.
"Come here, Fred said you wanted to talk to us" she said. I stiffened for a minute. I didn't think Fred would be that willing to tell so quickly, but it meant I could get it out of the way.
"Coming" I said as I turned around and went down to the twins's room where Fred was sitting on his bed and George and Melissa on the other bed.
"Oy George, get out" Fred said kicking the end of the bed.
"It's okay, maybe he should hear this too" I said.
"Alright…" Fred said with some hesitance.
"Earlier this summer, I started getting these bad headaches" I started. "But…it's not a headache, in fact, I feel relatively okay when it happens." I paused to look at my hands, I never thought I'd be explaining this to my friends. "I had one earlier today, a headache, but, now I don't think they're headaches. I think they're visions" I said, my words quick.
"Like in Divitions?" George asked wrinkling his nose.
"Yeah, but, real" I said. "I don't need a crystal ball or anything" I told them.
"But, wait, how do you know they're real" Melinda asked.
"Because I had one about a week ago of us coming here and eating cookies" I explained and though that did nothing to prove my case I knew it wasn't the most likely scenario. "You were wearing that you looked just as flushed when you came back down. I asked Fred where you were and then I figured it out and Fred said to be happy" I told them as Melinda flickered pink. "And I am happy for you" I added with a light smile.
"And anyway, I figured I'd tell because it's more dramatic than I thought visions would be, so if I faint again, don't worry, it's just a vision" I told them as I saw Fred roll his eyes out of the corner of my eye.
"So what was the one you had today?" George asked.
"First night at Hogwarts, before or after the sorting hat. We were clapping and looking at the staff table" I told them.
"Any particular reason?" Melinda asked but I shrugged.
"I dunno, I couldn't see who everyone was looking at" I explained as George and Melinda gave me weird looks. "I only saw this girl, honey blonde hair, pretty, but wicked looking. Slytherin house, I could've sworn she was looking at me" I told them.
"Maybe you only see people you know" George suggested.
"I didn't know the girl" I reminded them.
"Are you sure? Not even in passing?" Melinda asked.
"Where would I have seen someone like that?" I asked her sarcastically.
"It's not like Draco's mum isn't trying to find a pretty girl for her pretty son" she replied stiffly.
"I haven't seen her before and Draco hasn't mentioned her, he hasn't mentioned any girls" I told her with a slight glare.
"Okay, okay, so you don't know her, fine, but, if you see her, you have to tell us Tammie" George said as I nodded. "Anything else?" he asked.
"Blue eyes" Fred said looking at me.
"Right, there were these pair of blue eyes. I don't know who they were connected to, but they were so blue" I said recalling the eyes, slightly getting lost.
"Let me guess, no idea who they belong to?" George asked.
"Not a clue" I replied. "We should tell the others too" I suggested as the three of them nodded. "Do any of you have any ideas?" I asked.
"Keep track of them, let us know, don't be stupid" Melinda said.
"That's it?" Fred asked making a face at her.
"They're in her mind, their visions, it's not like we wave a wand and make them go away. And it's not like it's hurting her. This could be helpful" Melinda said as I nodded, seeing Melinda's point of view. "I'll tell the others" Melinda said getting up and starting for the stairs.
"Hey," I called after her as she turned around in the hallway. "Thanks" I said with a light smile as she nodded, smiled back and then went down the stairs.
We chatted a bit longer, until the stars came up. Melinda didn't come back, I could only guess she was with Hermione discussing classes. She was better at mingling than I was, I thought as I made myself comfortable in Fred's bed.
"So what's this forbidden shop I heard about?" I asked with a smirk.
"Ron or Ginny?" George asked waving his wand to make O's in the air.
"Why?" I asked but he shrugged.
"Do you like the idea?" Fred asked putting my bare feet on his lap.
"I think it could bring in a lot of revenue, but you have to be mindful of how serious the pranks could get" I told them. "What are some of your ideas?" I asked as George gave his brother a devilish smile.
"Ideas, you hear that Freddie? Your girlfriend still thinks we're in the idea phase" he said glancing over at me.
"Poor Tammie, I thought you knew me better than that" he said shaking head. "But we can't show you anything today, mum has confiscated most of our stuff, but I'll be sure to show you when we're off shopping" he said.
"What in the name of Merlin are you doing awake?" we all turned to see an angry Mrs. Weasley staring at us.
"Oh, we got a bit caught up in chit chat" I stammered sliding off the bed.
"Well go on, say goodnight and be off" she said pointing to the door.
"Night then" George said giving me a hug.
"I'll walk you to your room" Fred said as I held back a giggle.
"Yes, because it's so far away" I teased as he shrugged as we reached Ginny's room. "Night" I said as he smiled, looking at me a bit longer than usual, his expression a bit different than when I previously looked at him.
"Sleep well" he said as he pulled me closer and kissed me. I felt myself relax. Every time I was around him, every time I kissed him I wondered how I spent any time with Oliver. Lee, sure, I understood that, I liked that, he was kind of similar to Fred. But, at the same time, he wasn't Fred. I thought as we pulled away, a lopsided grin on Fred's face even though I knew I had that same look on my face.
"You too" I told him as he nodded. We only separated because Melinda had cleared her throat from in the room.
"Night Fred" she said humorously as she hugged him and then pulled me inside where Hermione and Ginny were both smiling at me.
"Shut up" I said to them but couldn't hid my smile as I grabbed my clothes to change in the bathroom and then came back in, Ginny the first breaking out laughing as I crawled into bed. "I said shut it" I said but it didn't stop her laughing.
"Tammie, Melinda told us about the visions. Make sure you be careful, you don't want to end up…" she trailed off to look over at Melinda who had been making weird faces and making her hair stand up. I figured she was trying to look like Professor Trelawney. I saw Hermione twist her face, trying not to laugh but in the end she gave up and started giggling with the rest of us.
"I've missed you guys" I said as I laid on my back staring up at the ceiling.
"Mmmm" Ginny replied though I knew she was barely awake, as were the rest of them. I looked at them in the dark, though I could make out any of their outlines. Though I did enjoy some of my time with Draco, it was nice to be here again, I thought as I faded to sleep.
"Come on! Up, up! All of you!" Even though Mrs. Weasley was shouting I couldn't help but smile, being in this house was not only relaxing but it made me feel like I belonged. I quickly got up and made the bed, then went into the bathroom. When I returned Melinda was just waking up. "Lazy bum" I joked as I sat on the bed to put my shoes on.
"I'm just not a freak like you and wake up after getting practically no sleep." I gave her my widest smile as she shook her head, quickly made her bed and then headed off to the bathroom. It took her longer than I expected but that was because everyone was starting to stir and the two bathrooms they had were simply not enough for the whole house, let alone guests.
Once downstairs we quickly ate; bacon eggs, sausage, scones, fruits and some orange juice. It always surprised me how Mrs. Weasley prepared as much as she did so quickly. It surprised me even more how quickly we were able to finish it all off. Even I had seconds of as much as I could. "Alright, let's go" she said walking over to the fireplace, picking up her pot of floo powder.
As soon as I heard the noise my stomach filled with excitement. Other than Hogwarts and the Weasley's; Diagon Alley was one of my favorite places in the Wizarding World. Everything about the place excited me, the items, the clothing, the supplies, the bank Gringotts. Things I needed, things I wanted, things I had no need for once so ever but wanted anyway. I stepped outside and watched in awe at the people who passed. Some older folks, some teenagers, even little children holding tight to their parents. "Hey" I heard Fred whisper as he wrapped his arms around me. "See that spot right there?" he asked pointing to an older looking building. I had never really noticed it before, I wasn't even sure what it sold, but it didn't seem to be drawing in many customers.
"Yeah, what it is?" I asked as I leaned back against him.
"They sell cakes, but they're different kinds and ingredients for cakes and pies and things like that. Treats…but it's gone a bit out of fashion" he explained resting his chin on my head.
"Well that's a shame" I replied still wondering why he cared.
"George and I spoke to the owner, he said we could buy it from him…you see, we've been saving our money, we just about have enough…" he said. I knew his ears were turning pink; he hated talking about his bank account.
"I can—"
"No, you're having absolutely nothing to do with the money. If you want, you can help, you know, test out stuff" he said with a laugh, kissing my head. I quickly shook my head, anything made by Fred or George was dangerous, I wasn't sure how I felt about the two of them making a business of it.
"What are you going to call it?" I asked turning around to face him.
"Weasley Wizarding Wheezes. We want my head right there, you know, like an oversized version of it" he said still looking at the shop.
"I don't know why you keep thinking it's going to be your head up there" George said walking over to join us. "Clearly it needs the handsome brother up there, but I supposed since it's a joke shop it would make sense to have your funny looking face up there" George said shaking his head at Fred.
"Oy! Maybe you should look in a mirror!" Fred joked back.
"I think you're both funny looking." We turned to see Lee Jordan walking toward us. "What do you think Tamm" he asked nodding at me. I didn't answer but gave ran over to give him a hug, it didn't bother me, nor did Lee seem to mind, I only hoped it didn't bother Fred.
"How are you?" I asked as we pulled apart. He nodded and then looked at the twins, mainly Fred, as if making sure the interaction was okay. Since breaking it off with Lee Jordan he had, thankfully, become one of my best guy friends and I was even more thankful he was Fred's best mate—still.
"I'm swell, how was summer, shacked up with this one were you?" he asked nudging Fred, trying to show he had no resentment toward him.
"No, I was actually at the Manor, it was bloody boring" I explained. "Are you gonna join these two?" I asked motioning to the shop.
"Have to, who else is gonna keep them in check?" I smiled as George made a light swing at Lee's arm. "I should get going though, mum's probably looking for me. I left her by the bank, see you lot on the train" Lee said walking over to give me another hug. "It's good to you two back together, honestly" he whispered. "Always thought that, but c'mon, who didn't" he added with a smile and wink before turning and walking toward Gringotts.
We waited until Lee Jordan disappeared around the corner before heading we turned to head to Flourish and Blotts to get our books. "So I reckon your mum isn't too happy with you two wanting to make a shop and all, is she?" I asked as we neared the bookstore. Neither of them answered but they had grins on their faces which only meant Ginny was right but the twins had found some way around it, the thought made me shudder a little.
"Yeah well, it's not like we're going to listen to her when she says we can't" Fred said as he placed his hand in mine.
"Yeah, can't go around always listening to her, what kind of people would be if we followed the rules and listened to our elders?" George asked.
"You'd be like Percy" I said with a small smirk.
"And what a bore that would be!" both of them said in unison. I shook my head and walked inside, spotting a few students from class, a few girls I recognized as Hufflepuffs while some others were definitely Ravenclaws.
"I love the smell of books…" I said, trying to keep my voice low but judging by Fred's squeezing of my hand I knew he at least heard me. I walked pass a few students, I didn't know them by name but they must have knew Melinda, they looked like they were in our year, a few nodded in my direction, knowing I was friends with Melinda and meant them no harm. As I neared the G's I felt my shoulder bump into someone else's shoulder. Not hard, but enough to notice.
"Sorry" I said. I had only just looked up when my words caught. It was the girl from the vision; right there. Her long flowing honey blonde hair, her heart shaped face, her twisted smile and near perfect figure.
"It's okay," she started as she did the once over, sticking out her hand. "I'm Courtney" she said cheerfully, but also in some other tone I couldn't quite place. "You must be Tammie Allen" she said, her smile looking a little more sinister as I nodded and shook her hand.
