Chapter 15- New Beginnings

Ending the term without Fred and George was hard; but worth it when she graduated Hogwarts with high marks and a shining recommendation from McGonagall. Molly almost squeezed the life out of Melody when she showed the woman her marks. "Oh my goodness, I'm so proud of you! What will you end up doing dear?" The matriarch asked eagerly.

"I'm not sure, I haven't thought about it much." Melody admitted. Hermionie and Ginny giggled as Melody blushed at the admittance.

"Plenty of time to think about it now that you're home." Molly smiled, kissing Melody's head gently. A 'woosh' sounded and Melody knew that Fred and George had apparated to the Burrow from their store.

"One more day and we'll be opening!" George announced excitedly. They had been working around the clock to set up their shop and it looked brilliant. Even Melody managed to spare some time to help them set up the shelves and stock.

"How could we forget? You've been talking about it for weeks now." Ron groaned.

"Hey, be nice to your brother; when they're rich you'll be sorry you weren't." Hermionie chided him. Ron rolled his eyes and stuffed a pastry in his mouth. "You do need to think about your future Mel, jobs go quick these days." She whispered to her friend who groaned.

"Are we talking about Melody's future?" Fred asked, kissing Melody gently and giving his mum a hug. "You don't want to be a stay at home wife while the husband runs his joke shop?" He joked, winking at Mel.

"You tell me you love me four months ago and now it's a marriage talk? Easy Weasley." Melody laughed. "Besides, I'll go crazy being cooped up in that flat above the store. I am independent afterall." Melody puffed out her chest with a smile.

"Of course you are; still would be nice coming home to someone other than that brother of mine." Fred whispered.

"Hey! I'm right here." George called out with a frown. "Will we see you all at the grand opening tomorrow?" He asked the room and they all agreed.

"Care to have a sneak peek?" Fred whispered to Mel. "We haven't had a lot of alone time since you got home."

"Did someone miss me?" Melody winked.

"You have no idea!" George interrupted them. "Always moaning about it." George groaned. Fred shot him a glare but offered his hand to Mel, who took it eagerly.

They apparated to the shop and a large smile spread on Mel's face. The large shop was stock full of products and candies from every corner. "All this will be animated obviously for tomorrow." Fred pointed out.

"It's bright already without all the magic. It looks amazing. I'm so proud of you." Melody smiled, hugging her boyfriend tightly. "You're going to be so successful; we all need a bit of light nowadays."

Fred let her wander the store for awhile while he bucked up enough courage to tell her the real reason he asked to be alone with her. He had left school and opened up this joke shop, survived his mothers' wrath of anger, and this one question terrified him. "Mel?" He finally asked. She turned to him expectedly. "I know I was joking about the husband/wife thing earlier." He started carefully.

"Obviously." Melody laughed, approaching him.

"I wasn't joking about coming home to someone though." Fred admitted. He fiddled with a silver key in his hand and held it out to Melody. "Will you move in with me?" Melody smiled at him and took the key from his hand.

"I'd love to." Fred smiled at her and enveloped Mel in a hug. Fred grasped Melody's waist and placed a deep kiss on her lips. She responded eagerly and felt her tongue dance with his. "I've missed you." She moaned into his lips.

"I've missed you." Fred replied, pulling Melody into his arms and carrying her to the counter top. "I feel like I should take you to the room." He moaned into her kisses.

"Or right here works." Melody suggested, unbuttoning Fred's shirt eagerly.

"This is why I love you." Fred laughed as he pulled Mel's shirt over her head. His kisses were hot and drove Mel crazy as she dug her nails into Fred's back. He thrust into her; feeling how tight she was. It had been some months since their last intimate moment and both were hungry for each other. "Merlin, I can get used to this every day."

"Bit presumptuous of you, love." Mel moaned into Fred's shoulder as he continued his thrusting. "Maybe you're not far off." She groaned as she felt herself tightening around him. She bit lip to keep her noise down but Fred pulled her lip away with his teeth.

"I want to hear you."

"Everyone else doesn't." Melody breathed, her eyes rolling back with pleasure. She was losing the endurance fight and Fred knew it. He increased his speed and captured Mel's lips with his in one last searing kiss before she released herself; Fred following close behind her. They stood there trying to catch their breaths before Fred gathered the discarded clothing.

"Does this little flat have a shower?" Melody finally asked, her eyebrow arched.

"Of course it does…?" Fred answered, realizing her train of thought. "We just finished, you want more?"

"I'll make some dinner and give you a moment to... recharge and then we can shower; is all I'm saying." Melody smirked and ran upstairs.

"This girl will be the death of me." Fred smiled but followed after her.

The next day, the store was bustling with patrons. Melody was running around stocking shelf after shelf while Fred and George welcomed everyone in. "I'm not even the owner here!" She called out to the two of them.

"You're doing a fine job sweetheart!" Fred winked at her and earned a growl from her.

"We did it Freddie." George hugged his brother quickly and continued helping guests.

The day flew by and happy patrons left with bags of goodies. George had bought a firewhiskey bottle for the occasion and poured a glass for Fred and Melody who sat on the checkout counter. "Everything hurts." Melody mumbled, rubbing her shoulders.

"I'm sure not just from the store opening." Fred winked at her as she smacked him lightly.

"Please tell me you didn't christen the store…?" George groaned into his glass.

"Of course not." Fred and Melody answered in unison.

"Gross." George whispered as Fred and Melody laughed at his disgusted frown.

"Here's to a great first day!" Fred toasted with his brother and girlfriend. "Cheers!"

Melody could get used to a life like this, but she knew she needed her own thing; her own space. Living and working with your boyfriend could only spell disaster and she didn't want to lose this happiness she fought so hard to find.