Disclaimer: I own nothing familiar from the HP Universe.
Here's another chapter to any and all of my readers and hopefully this will mean more reviews. This story has a few more chapters and the M rated addition that I mentioned will be posted on its own after the chapter it would have been part of is posted. ~ Vivi
Chapter Twenty
George stood in the doorway of the workroom of the Hogsmeade store for a moment before he realised that it was Tuesday and which Fred always took off because Natalie had that day off and Cece always spent Tuesdays upstairs working on potions. He hadn't heard from either of the pair and wanted to know how the 'talk' between the two of them went. He headed upstairs. He frowned when he saw the potion ingredients spread on the table. A chill swept through him. If anything happened to Cece, Fred would kill him. He turned towards the living area to find Cece curled up with Fred. George stared blankly at the pair before meeting his twin's eyes. Fred put a finger to his lips before putting his arm back around the sleeping brunette. George gave a quick nod and headed back down into the store. He grinned widely at Lee as his friend came in through the front door.
"Oi, George, what a surprise to see you here. Where's Cece at? I need a spot of advice."
"She's upstairs, but you'll have to do without her help."
"Tough potion?"
"She cuddling with Fred at the moment and I don't think he'd be please to see you."
"And Natalie?"
George frowned. "I don't know."
"George, he better not hurt her." Lee's eyes flashed.
"Isn't a glorious morning?" Ginny asked as she came to a stop with the boys.
"Okay, I'll bite? Why is it glorious?" George asked.
"I was over with Harry helping Hermione planning out Saturdays lunch and Ron came in from work announcing that Fred finally saw the light and broke it off with Natalie."
"Where did Ron get this information?"
"From Fred himself. Ron stopped by at Cece's and said he caught Fred snogging Cece."
"And George found the pair cuddling upstairs a few moments ago but that doesn't mean that Fred actually broke it off with the snake."
"It does because Fred told Ron that he wasn't the type to start a relationship with Cece, while already in one."
"Oi, George, I'm going to take sleepyhead home." Fred announced as he joined the group by the counter. He beamed at them all. "Ce really needs to pace herself. She thinks she has to do everything herself. I'm sure she'll be in tomorrow for her shift, but she needs a bit of sleep."
"I'm not leaving." Cece gave Fred a dark look, while stifling a yawn. "I am scheduled to work today and so, I'm going to work. I'd appreciate it if you'd allow me to work on my potions without interrupting me."
"Yes, Ce, you falling asleep on me was exactly what I was going for."
George, Ginny, and Lee looked at the pair and were surprised when Cece snorted. "I know exactly what you were going for."
Fred grinned largely at her and kissed her nose. "Love you." At this all three watchers gapped. The entire time that Fred had been with Natalie and as close as they had been to possibly becoming engaged, he had never mentioned the 'l' word, but he seemed quite comfortable with it at the moment.
"That's cheating." He raised his brow at her, causing her to flush. "And I love you, too." She pressed a light kiss to Fred's lips and headed back towards the stairs.
"I suppose if she is going to work today that I might as well stay down here and get some stuff done. George, you do the schedules, when's Cece's day off?"
"She likes to float and take different days for different reasons. This week it's Saturday." George replied eyeing his twin.
"I'll take that day off, too." Fred announced, beaming towards his two siblings and friend.
"Something you need to tell us, Fred?"
"I'm seeing Cece."
Ginny squealed and hugged Fred before leaving the group and Lee congratulated his friend on having improved dramatically in his taste before heading up to grill Cece for advice about his own relationship. George followed his twin into the workroom.
"Love?"
"I know." Fred shook his head. "It just seems so natural. And I love her, I do, George. I love that she's always tripping and that she's such a great mum. I don't want to loose her." He stared towards the wall without seeing a thing. "I told her I loved her and I wasn't worried about if I should or not, I just knew that I had to tell her. And do you know what's amazing, she loves me. I was thinking about how Natalie always tried to get me to propose to her and how that scared me, but I can see that with Cece. Not right now but later on."
"That's great, Fred." George grinned.
"What's great for Fred?" Sirius stood in the doorway.
Fred answered without acknowledging who it was that was asking. "Cece loves me!" He sat on the stool and began scribbling down on a piece of parchment. "I think I'm going to go to the flower shop there in Diagon Alley and get her some flowers, but not roses because she really doesn't like them, maybe something bright and yellow."
Sirius seemed to understand that Fred was making very little sense to anyone at the moment. "She likes wild flowers and mums, especially the big full ones."
Fred grinned towards the man. "Thanks." He continued beaming as he apparated from the spot.
"Well, that's interesting." Sirius said leaning against the doorway.
"Before you start worrying, he has known about Cece being Iliana, but oddly enough he's been slightly infatuated with her since fifth year."
"What?"
"Lee was the one to figure it out. I don't think that Fred knew that we had noticed, but every time this quiet little Hufflepuff was anywhere nearby, Fred's attention was gone from everything else. It started at the end of fifth year. He finally confessed that it was during OWLs that he noticed her reading by the lake."
Sirius smiled until he remembered Fred's dark haired witch. "What about..."
"Fred broke it off with Natalie before he started up with Cece. He really loves her."
"She loves him too. I mean I knew they were meant for each other I just hoped that Fred would see the light. I mean after she went into the past to save his life." Sirius trailed off at the look on George's face.
"She did tell him..."
"I don't know if she told him, but I sure as hell haven't heard about this."
"She's going to kill me and considering how well she passed as Snivillus's cousin, it's going to be inventive." Sirius groaned.
George looked thoughtful. "I had wondered why Cece would show up in the past like she did. I just never connected it with Fred. You mean that Fred died and that's why she went back but he would have died when Cece was in her sixth year..."
"That's magic, George. It never makes much sense. I mean by her going back she saved more than just Fred."
George looked at Sirius. "She saved you." Sirius nodded. "She cast that charm that kept you in the house."
"And she's the reason I have Peony." He smiled. "I don't know what else changed but I think she's utterly amazing for the simple fact that she didn't fall apart even with having to be away from Maddie. Cece said she woke up at home after disappearing from St. Mungos. She thought it was a dream until she found her wand and an owl entered her kitchen."
"Cece told you why she turned up back then?"
"No, she left the book Dumbledore had given her. Since I had nothing better to do I read it and it simply clicked."
"That makes sense. The last thing Cece would want is for Fred or any of the rest of us to feel like we're in her debt for what she's done." George announced.
"You know I think you're right. It would be really hard for her to accept that Fred loved her because of who she is instead of what she's done."
"I think this is something we should just keep quiet about."
"You know I think you're right." Sirius nodded. "You're not that bad, kid."
"Thanks, old man. Are you here for a reason?"
"Oh, yeah, Jamie wants to know if Maddie can stay the night on Friday. She was very excited that Peony and Cece made an exception to the weeknight sleep-overs. I want to warn Cece about that. And truthfully, I was a bit worried when Cece showed up and asked if we'd keep Maddie."
"I'm not sure if they did anything if you're asking. Ron seemed to have walked in on them before it got that far."
"That would be Ron for you."
George nodded and smiled.
"Sirius! Whatcha doing here?" Cece asked as she set down a rack of perfectly capped vials and gave the dark-haired wizard a hug.
George watched the woman his twin loved with a new appreciation. He could only figure out that whatever she did to save Fred's life had to do with Percy because she disappeared almost as soon as Percy rejoined the family. She noticed him and the way he was watching her when she finished chatting with Sirius.
"George, did I do something?"
"Listen, Cece, I want to let you know that Sirius told me about why you went back." She paled. "We both agree that there is no reason for anyone but us three to know what you did. We know that it would not only make you uncomfortable but you would always worry about why Fred was with you."
"So, that's it?"
He was relieved to see she looked like she was getting her colour back. "Yeah, mind you, I don't think you could ever suppose what it means to me and if mum ever gets her knickers in a twist, we could tell her."
She let out a laugh. "No, thank you."
"Are you ready for Saturday?"
"Actually, I'm very worried. What if your parents don't like me?"
"Are you Natalie?"
"No."
"Well, then you should do fine. Charlie's coming home for a visit that's why we're getting together at Ron and Hermione's on Saturday and the Burrow on Sunday."
"I know that everyone likes me so far but..."
"Charlie will love that you played quidditch. After Lee mentioned it I remembered you. You were a voracious little thing. Percy will be speechless because Fred's dating you and you were a prefect and are incredibly smart. Mum will love the fact that you love to cook and the scores you made on your OWLs and NEWTs and that you love kids, in her mind that means more grandchildren. Dad will love the fact that not only are you a muggle but that you lived as one and know tons about 'em." He grinned. "You already have everyone else eating out of your hand and there is the fact that you are not Natalie and remember that no matter what anyone else thinks of you Fred loves you."
"That I do." Fred announced from the doorway. "And why must Ce remember that?"
"She's nervous about meeting the rest of the family."
"They'll love you."
Ron & Hermione's, Saturday...
"She hates me." Cece moaned as she swept Lily up into the air causing the baby to giggle loudly.
"No, she doesn't." Ginny replied. Hermione and Katie nodded in agreement.
Of course, it didn't look all that good but then again Molly hadn't been told that Fred was in love with the brunette or that the rest of the family had already accepted her as one of their own due to all the good qualities. All that Molly knew was that the woman was a single mother who worked for her sons and was trying to wheedle her way into the family. None of the four women noticed Molly watching them and listening to their conversation.
"Oh, yes, she does, doesn't she, Lily?" She moved the little girl again causing her to giggle. "Oh, no, you don't. I've got your number, kid. You're just going for the hair." Cece paused, cradling Lily on her hip. "Is Maddie and the girls inside still?"
"I think so."
"Madeline Elizabeth, get down here right this instant,young lady. And bring Jamie, Andie, and Val with you."
Hermione looked slightly panicked. "What were they doing?"
"How did you do that?" Ginny asked at the same time.
"Easy, the four of them are only quiet when up to no good and my purse wide is open, something I would never do in a house with little ones in it. I'll bet you that those four girls will be sporting eyeshadow, lipstick, blush, and if Maddie had her way she'll have a line of eyeliner under her eyes that would do an American football player proud on gameday." No sooner had she finished than the four girls appeared covered in make-up with Maddie holding the bag.
Katie snickered before actually laughing which caused Ginny to grin as well as Hermione. The four looked hopeful until they saw Cece. Molly was actually quite impressed as the woman handed the baby to Ginny. "Maddie, you've just lost the movie that we were going to see tonight. You've been told many times to stay out of my make-up."
"Yes, Momma." The girl hung her head and then looked up looking like her mother was killing her. "But I promised Fred that I'd show him the best way to fix movie popcorn."
Ginny laughed at this, but Cece sent her a look. "You'll just have to show him some other time." Molly's eyes narrowed. Was the woman such a shoddy mother that she would even shove her child off onto Fred? She turned away from them with a shake of her head.
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