Disclaimer: The greatness of Harry Potter doesn't belong in my hands. I'm just one of the lucky millions or so who get to cause trouble to the characters.
Dedication: SullieBee. Thank you for wishing me a Happy b-day! I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations! ^.^
Also: Creative Touch because I can officially say after this chapter you may have your pure blood Slytherin bad boy—aka Draco Malfoy--all to yourself, I'm done abusing him! Lol Think of it as an early b-day gift! (Since yours is the next time I'm updating!) –thought you forgot that I promised that you could date Malfoy didn't ya? (Check your chapter 25 review for reference)
Fred sat behind the counter turning page after page of whatever the magazine was about. He wasn't even paying attention to what was in front of him. It had been two weeks since Chase had mysteriously died; George and Draco still refused to tell him what was going on. And life had been slow and quiet. Sure, Fred was helping his brother plan the wedding, but that was the only excitement that was going in his life.
Not even the shop was busy on Saturdays. That used to be their one of their busiest days of the week, and now it's only average. Fred hoped that business would pick up again soon. Other wise, they wouldn't have the money to open up shop anywhere else. Fred was really worried that their dream would be shot down and they'd have to go back and get normal boring jobs.
Looking up out the front window, he noticed that—even for it being one in the afternoon—the streets looked barren and deserted. Things were going down hill—not only for the Weasley Twins but also for a good portion of the Wizarding world and their businesses as well.
He turned his head back to look at the Pygmy Puffs. They were hopping all over the cage and making little squeaking noises. The bright colors made Fred's head spin a little. Rolling his eyes, he finally got up and walked over. A group of small children came into the shop while their parents took a look at the merchandise. As soon as the parents lost sight of their children, they began to poke and prod the little puffballs.
Sticking his fingers through the bars, he allowed them to come up and sniff his hands. When they realized who it was, they began to settle down and began to nibble on his fingers. Fred sat there staring around at George and his dream. To think, there was a chance that all of this could close down, lingered in the air.
An emerald green robe caught his attention, for a moment. His heart began to race as he thought back to when Pamela had bought that robe. Draco had insisted that she needed a suitable robe for any occasion. They had argued over it for a while, but finally decided on a very similar green robe that he had just seen.
But Fred knew that Pamela wouldn't come back to Diagon Alley. She was bound and determined never to look back. He could remember her walking out of the Auror's office and never once looking back at Fred or anyone else there.
"Cat got your tongue?" George joked, walking up to his brother. Fred glared at the look alike, and ignored him. Pamela's second semester brought some weird people into her life and one girl ended up calling her 'Kitty'. "Or maybe it's something else?"
"No, it's Pamela," answered Fred, running a hand through his hair. "It's always her. I can't believe she just walked away from me."
"She has every right to. I think she has a reason to be angry and upset with you still," George answered. He shrugged his shoulders and began to shuffle through invitation after invitation.
Fred laughed. Two months until one of the biggest weddings of the year, and he was still looking for invitations. Katie had left that part of the wedding up to George, saying that he should help in some way or form. This and the seating only remained. And George couldn't figure out seating until he had a reply from everyone. In this case, it was going to depend on a lot of Weasley's because Katie didn't have much family that she didn't want to invite. And she had specifically told George not to place Spencer—her older brother—next to any of George's siblings.
"Still having an invite problem?"
"I don't see one that screams me!" he said, throwing about six or seven in the trash. He moved back to the counter. The bell rang and a few people walked in and started to look. "Did you ever have this problem?"
"No, you know what happened to my plans," Fred snapped. "Now put those away."
A silver snake slithered in and floated towards the back. A Patronus looked at them and then slithered through the crack in the door and laid across one of their desks that they had placed back there. George ended up walking back there as Fred sat down and waited for the customers to check out.
As usual a few small children ran up to the Pygmy Puffs, and started to coo at them and poke and prod again. Finally, Fred had decided that it was best if he just sat down and waited for the shop to clear out before trying to calm the creatures down again.
George walked out from the back room as more customers began to file back in. Suddenly, their attention was drawn to the wanting and needs of the customers. Little words were exchanged, unless it was running back to get more of the products that were needed.
"Who was it from?" Fred was finally able to ask. They had both managed to stand and relax behind the counter for a little while.
"Malfoy," George answered. He sounded just as surprised as Fred felt. "He wanted to meet with either you or me. Said he didn't know how to handle the situation and this is something a best friend was able to handle. He'd be here in a little bit."
"What does that wanker want now?"
The bell rang and Fred soon got his answer. Standing in the middle of the first row of Skiving Snackboxes—blindfolded—was a girl with strawberry-blonde hair that fell a little bit past her shoulders. She wore that emerald green robe he had seen earlier, and slung over her shoulder was a maroon shoulder bag that had the word Catholic written on it.
Draco looked up and glared at the two Weasleys. It was clear that he didn't want to be here any more than they wanted to see him. Finally, with a flick of his wand the blue and green blindfold disappeared.
Pamela blinked her dusky blue eyes a few times before looking around. Fred's heart began to race and his mind was working in over time. No longer could he breathe nor could he think properly. The one girl he had ever loved was standing in the middle of his shop and she looked very happy to be there. Happy to see not only the shop, but the owners as well.
"Hello, Catholic Girl," George teased.
That's when Fred snapped to his senses. She was here to talk to one of them—she was the reason Draco was down here in the first place. There were rare times that the Wonder Ferret would take a step into Weasley Wizard Wheezes—and it was usually because of Pamela.
But she was smiling—smiling while looking straight at Fred. He had missed her—everything from her laugh and smile down to the way she would make him feel. He was ready to give up everything and make sacrifices for her. He loved this girl before him, and nothing was going to change that.
"Well, I'm glad to see you smiling again," Fred stated. He looked over at Draco—who was admiring one of the many Pygmy Puffs. "If I remember correctly, you told me that we could no longer be together. That and ignoring me half the time."
Her nose crinkled as a smile and a blush crossed her cheeks. In a matter of seconds her whole face—including her ears—were covered by this blush. She finally gave up the—probably losing—battle and ran straight into his arms. She muttered a couple of apologies before pulling away.
By now, a few customers were starting to stare. "Can we go somewhere private?" she asked, looking up at Fred. He nodded and motioned for her and Draco to follow them. As they were climbing up the stairs, she said, "I'm surprised you've opened me with open arms again."
Fred sighed, running his large hand through his hair. No reply was needed as he began to unlock the door to the flat. When inside, Fred locked the door and the trio made their way into the sitting area. He would always welcome her back into his life. But he was surprised when she had come back to him—especially all the pain he had caused her months ago.
"Malfoy said you were having friend problems?" Fred asked, as she curled up in Malfoy's arms. A twinge of jealousy hit in his gut, but he pushed it away—knowing that she was happy.
It didn't take long for Pamela to open up about her problems. She told him everything from beginning to end. So, once again it was someone who had accused her of something—again being a best friend. However, instead of accusing her of leaving everyone behind it was being accused of falling too deeply into magic and escaping reality.
She briefly mentioned how her math grade wasn't as high as it should have been. Pamela brushed her hair out of her face and began going off on how her Potions professor had helped her realize that she needed to seek a little extra help in venting.
Fred laughed, when Pamela stopped in the middle of her story and stared blankly at Draco for a moment. Her head was slightly tilted a little and she finally asked, "When did you…"
"While you were shopping for books. I decided to send over a Patronus," he answered, squeezing her hand.
Pamela shook her head and looked back at Fred who was standing. He figured that this called for drinks and he knew the perfect remedy for this kind of problem. "Draco took me shopping here," she finally confirmed. "It's not the same as talking it out with you, but I still love being here in Diagon Alley nonetheless."
Fred began to make his way into the kitchen. Waving his wand around, a tea kettle began to heat up. "It's not Kiva again is it?"
There was silence. And Fred wondered if she didn't know how to answer that. He also didn't know how much of her past that Draco actually knew. A smile crossed his face as he thought about how much Draco didn't know about the girl. It was great to be two steps ahead of the competition.
Pouring cups and adding the right mixes to each, he walked out holding the three mugs. He felt his heart break as he saw Pamela steal a quick kiss from the blond Malfoy. Maybe she didn't love him any more. Fred noticed that the ring he had given her was no longer on her left hand.
"Pamela doesn't like tea," Draco told him, as the three steaming cups were placed down.
Trying not to remain smug, Fred answered, "I know—and if I remember from any of the stories that Hermione had told me, neither do you."
"Hermione talked about me?"
"A little bit here and there."
He handed them the cups and noticed that Draco was a little bit in thought. Maybe that piece of information would get him to break up with Pamela. Fred was hoping that she'd just see her mistake and come back to him. The three of them sat in silent, all thinking with their own thoughts. There was a lot to be discussed and Pamela and Fred had a lot to catch up about.
But he wanted her to open up to him, and he'd wait until she was ready to talk about it—not pushing the matter like George would have. Finally, Fred broke the silence, "I won't rush you. But my offer still stands. If you need a place to stay, you are always welcome here."
"She can stay at the Manor," Draco snapped.
Fred clinched his hand and glared at Draco. So the Ferret really did know nothing after all. Pamela turned to Draco and said, "Two years ago—around my nineteenth birthday—Fred had offered me a place to stay, if I wanted to stay out in England. Then, like now, I was having friend trouble."
Fred sat there smugly as Draco turned his head downward. Once again, the Weasley was on top and it felt good to have a little more priority in someone's life—other than family. Fred laughed to himself. He was starting to sound like a spoiled child when it came to thinking about Pamela.
"I'm sorry," Draco apologized, looking directly at Fred. This came as a shock to the older man and he looked at Pamela who shrugged. But this didn't stop Draco's statement. "I didn't realize that you were still close to Pamela."
"Not a problem, Malfoy," Fred accepted. Surprise was written all over Pamela's face. "Old habits die hard, Mate. I know."
A little squeal escaped the only female's mouth and she blushed once again. Fred was more than confused as he stared at her. She shook her head and put the cup down. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. This is better than the time when I found out they were coming out with a live action Avatar: the Last Airbender movie!"
She was unbelievable!
She shrugged, before leaning back into the couch. "I suppose now is a better time than any to tell you two of what I plan on doing next semester." Draco kissed her head and squeezed her hand. A soft growl released from Fred's throat. He hoped that neither of the two magical beings in front of him had heard it.
Wanting some contact with the girl—because the hug just wasn't doing it—he poked her knee. "Go on."
"I've been saving money—on the side," she started. "And on the rare occasions I'm in London on a weekend, I've been looking at flats. I've finally found one and at the end of the semester, I'm going to move into a purely Wizarding Community. I'm then going to start work as an intern at the Ministry of Magic."
Fred looked at himself in the mirror. He was wearing a tux, that Harry had coaxed him into. Standing next to him was not only George, but Draco as well. Both wore tuxes as well. This was Pamela's last Homecoming, and even though she had gotten in a fight with the Malfoy heir, didn't mean he wasn't going to be part of this special night. But they stood there getting ready to walk down from the girl's dorm. They had decided that it was best to use Pamela's room to get ready after she had left. That way, she couldn't kill them.
They managed to navigate their way to the Student Center—where the dance was being held—and looked around for the girl in question. She wasn't hard to spot. She was wearing a black flowered print dress with her silver shoes and standing off to the side as the first song. Draco excused himself and swiftly swept the girl up into his arms.
Fred sighed and moved over to Hannah and bowed. She had long dark auburn hair that was curled as she wore a red dress. Next to her was the tall, fair skinned, brunette named Rachel and George was quick to ask her to dance. All three danced by each other.
A few times Fred was able to dance with Pamela, whether it be with a fast or a slow song, and he was just happy to spend one of the best nights of her life with her. She looked beautiful as usual, and while she was happy she looked ravishing. Soon, the three boys were standing at the snack table as the girls went upstairs. Draco and George seemed to be talking about something—hopefully a donation—while Fred was left to his own thoughts.
Looking up at the second floor, he noticed that she was standing off by herself. Another slow song picked up—as the night was winding down—and she began to dance by herself, probably pretending that it was Draco twirling her around. The boy in question was making his way up the stairs to the girl in question. Fred stood off to the side as the second to last song picked up—once again another slow song.
As Draco and Pamela danced, talking about something. Her eyes remained on Fred. Soon she was spun out of Draco's arms and into Fred's arms. He smiled at her gasped and swayed with her for a while, before Pamela pushed away walking back over to the edge of the second floor. Leaning on the banister, she relaxed.
He took two steps over to her and spun her around so she was facing him. "I've let you go once, I don't want to do it again," he said. His hand rushed to her left hand. She was once again wearing his ring. Fred's heart soared as he asked, "You still wear it?"
But the next words that came next made his heart soar even more. "I still love you," Pamela said. "I'm sorry."
He pulled her close as her body shook, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall. "No worry, love. I shall always forgive you—after all," he paused. "You'll always be my hero." She giggled and she pulled away from him, kissed his lips softy, and began to sway to the last song of the night.
George stood next to Draco staring at the newly reunited couple. "Why did you do it?"
"Because she doesn't love me. It won't ever work out—remember, the Phoenix is supposed to find the Light love. The two are never supposed to be more than friends. Sometimes, the Phoenix needs to find love too," came the Malfoy's heir reply.
"It hurts doesn't it?"
"It does, but in time it will fade," Draco went onto say. "But right now, the best thing I could ever do for her is give her back to the one person who can care for her. She's healed since the incidents." He was clearly talking about the time Fred had hit her and the second one that had happened a week ago. "They, George, need each other, more than I need her."
George patted Draco on the shoulder and the strange duo walked off, giving Fred and her a moment of privacy. Because they knew it would be short lived when Pamela came over for lunch the next day.
K15: Okay, so in case anyone is wondering I finished this before the end of March 15th!
Fred: Nearly forty-five minutes before.
Me: Yup! The chapter seemed rushed, but I seemed pleased with it.
Fred: I do too! I'm now back with Pamela.
Me: Now, I want to do a few cute little pieces with George planning the wedding—so that probably will be the next chapter.
Fred: And then the long awaited for wedding.
Me: Exactly! And then the epilogue. So it will probably be about 53 chapters.
Fred: But it's worth it right?
Me: Anyway, so the second incident that happened between Pamela's announcement and Homecoming is something I'm going to cover in the Malfoy files I think.
Fred: It sounds like a plan.
Me: Also—I don't remember if I mentioned this or not—I'm in the middle of rewriting this, so don't forget to check out for the rewrite that should be coming in the next few months.
Fred: Sometime after finals and graduation.
Me: Yeah. So, I hoped everyone had a good day. I know I did! It's not every day you have a b-day. But what would make a really good b-day gift is if you review! So, don't forget to do so. And I'll update again on the 25th, who knows maybe I'll give a hint to the epilogue in that chapter! Until next time. Later. K15
