Magnolia's POV:
I turned back to the sunflowers, allowing Willow to lead Mum away. Each yellow petal was bright and inviting, it was like having a bouquet of tiny suns. They were one of my favorites. I liked that they didn't have a strong scent as most flowers did, they didn't need to because their appearance was inviting enough.
I heard the shop bell rangas the front door opened, "What brings you in?" The florist at the counter called out.
"I was hoping to get a half dozen pink roses," My stomach dropped hearing his voice, glancing over my shoulder, and there James was.
This was the first time I'd seen him since I got home. I managed to go an entire month without actually seeing him, anytime I saw a boy even vaguely resembling him, I'd duck out. My fingers nervously played at the sapphire pendant on my necklace, while craning my neck to find my mum or Willow. I didn't want to move too quickly and catch his attention.
I thought maybe if I tiptoed across the shop, he might not see me. The thought however was stupid because the shop was only really large enough to hold the five or six currently milling around. Yet the aisles had failed me in hiding me behind its blind spots.
"Maggie?" James called out.
"Shit," I cursed under my breath, here goes nothing, I straightened my posture and turned around to face James. His hand clutched the half dozen of blush pink roses.
"Hey, how's it going?" I asked awkwardly.
"It's been good, I've been meaning to catch up with you," He smiled, leaning against the counter coolly, "About Christmas Eve-"
"Let me stop you there! It was a mistake, we were full of Christmas joy and there was mistletoe," I interrupted.
James let out a sigh of relief, "Thank God, you said it,"
Ouch, that hurts a little, "Excuse me?" I arched my brow.
"Do you want to step outside?" James offered.
I still couldn't see Mum or Willow, so I agreed to follow James outside. We walked beside each other down to the bench a few storefronts down, he offered me to take my seat first. My hands played with the hem of my flannel tied around my waist, waiting for James to say something.
"I like you, but I don't think you like that. Don't get me wrong, it was a good kiss but it wasn't…" James finally spoke, but he was struggling to put his thoughts into words.
"It wasn't right," I finished, the kiss wasn't right.
We'd be kidding ourselves if we said it was a good idea for us to kiss.
I was terrified that I'd be letting him down when we finally talked about our kiss. Though we both knew it wasn't right, there's supposed to be a pull when you know when the moment is right.
"Yeah. I want us to still be friends. I really like spending time with you," He responded, his hand dropping the roses beside my hand on the bench, "The kiss just wasn't right for us,"
"I think we could work something out," I nodded, I nudged his shoulder with mine teasingly, "It was a good kiss?" I smirked.
James chuckled and shook his head, "You're as bad as my sister," He scoffed.
I turned to him, noticing his cheeks quickly tinting pink, "You didn't answer my question," I teased.
"Yes," He admitted with another shake of his head, standing up again, "Now let's go find your mum,"
"Willow's here too," I reminded. He groaned, lugging behind me back towards the floral shop.
We walked back to the floral shop and met back up with my mum and Willow.
When we split up that evening, Mum and I finally got a chance to talk about their trip to Europe, laying down ground rules for my time with Willow.
House Rules:
No Boys (James doesn't count)
No parties
Not like her set of ground rules were all that wrong, but it seemed that the rules were for Willow, not me. I nodded in agreement before I wrote out a list of requests I had for her while she was in Europe.
Mag's List of Requests:
A good picture of the Eiffel Tower, and all the other points of interest.
A call and a postcard from every stop.
Have the absolute best time!
Mum nodded, reaching her hand out to shake on it. Elliot sat beside us watching the entire exchange in amusement, "What have I got myself into?" He laughed, leaning over to press a kiss to Mum's forehead affectionately.
Elliot got up from the table to go to the kitchen.
"And there's one request for you too!" I called behind him, he peeked his head back out, "You are required to bring her back in one piece or I will murder you even if you are my step-dad." I warned him with a pointed finger. I was only partially joking, he was going to be the only other person with her and she had to come back.
He grinned and gave me an affirmative nod, "Whatever you say, Boss," He winked, slipping back into the kitchen.
Mum shook her head, "I'm going to start getting to bed, another jam-packed day tomorrow," She yawned.
I nodded, "I should go up too," I agreed, standing up from the table.
Mum went to the kitchen taking my empty dessert plate. I had made a few sample size cakes to test for the wedding. It was the thing I felt confident offering to do for them. There was vanilla and chocolate, a red velvet because it was one of Mum's favorites, and Elliot of course wanted the closest thing to a snickerdoodle in cake form, which meant a spiced cake, all topped with a light vanilla buttercream frosting.
I was feeling so much lighter since talking to James. It was so silly that I had been so anxious for him to just agree with me. Things were going to be perfect in a few days when Mum and Elliot tie the knot. All the stress that had been stacking up was finally melting away. I could relax and enjoy the summer.
Climbing up the last step and opening my door, I find Persephone, Juniper's owl curled up by the window with a letter tucked beneath her claw. Perking up when she notices me, I dig through my nightstand for my hidden stash of crackers. I break off a little bit, placing it next to her while taking the letter.
Maggie,
I've been quite busy with Demi, which is why I'm only writing to you now. I wanted to check in, how's the summer holiday been doing you so far? Demi and the rest of us have been getting everything ready for her move. It's weird to see her go, but I guess it's what just happens when you're siblings grow up.
Anyway, I want to know what's happened with the James situation, and have you heard from the twins? Lee and I have been writing a lot, so don't waste time getting back so Persephone is back, but Lee said they're having a great time so far. Not that he's heard all that much aside from a single short letter right after they got there. And wedding planning also, how's that been going?
Best Wishes,
June.
This was the first I'd heard from anyone this summer, not that I've had much time myself to write either or an owl to send them for that matter. I quickly pulled a piece of paper from my notebook, I did my best to explain to James and told her how wedding planning was going and about Mum and Elliot's trip. I didn't mention not hearing from the twins, I didn't ask to hear from them but I suppose I hoped they might think of sending something, or at least Fred might.
I tried to not think negatively about what Juniper had pointed out. I missed both of them but it felt kind of shitty, knowing they thought of Lee first even though I'd spent the last summer with them. I couldn't make it feel like a big deal, I sent Persephone out that night with my response. The twins had to be busy and they were so far, I doubt it was easy to write anyways.
As I got ready for bed, I braided my hair back away from my face. I left the window open enough to keep allowing the summer air to flow in. I stared up at the artificial constellations above my head, wishing I was looking up at the real thing. I had to calm my thoughts, and just sleep. At times it felt like I'd never get another moment of being stress-free.
I sank my head into my pillow more, pulling my covers up higher. Maybe if I stared up at the ceiling long enough the fake star would turn into real ones behind my eyelids. My mind wandered back to last summer when I found myself outside the Burrow with Fred. If we didn't need to get up in the morning I would've stayed out there all night, beside him.
One Week Later:
Mum stepped out of her room looking happier than I'd ever seen her before. Willow had curled Mum's hair and pinned it away from her face. Mum's cheeks were a light peach hue, and complemented nicely against her cheeks. She was gorgeous, and I felt my heart swell as she looked back at her reflection, glowing.
"How do I look?" She asked shyly as Willow cheered beside her.
"Liz, you're a stunner and Elliot is one lucky man," Willow reassured, adjusting the baby's breath tucked in Mum's dark hair.
"Mum, you look amazing, trust me." I agreed.
"I can't wait for the day I'm standing beside you, seeing you in your wedding gown," Mum sniffled, I reached over to wipe away a tear before it could wreck her makeup,
Mum chuckled, holding onto my hand, "I'm so lucky to have you," She mumbled.
Mum was two seconds from breaking down in tears, I could see her eyes get glassy with tears. I had to distract her, I was not about to re-do what already took Willow what felt like hours. I scrunched up my face making an ugly sneer.
"Now why'd you have to go on and make that ugly face?" She groaned disappointedly.
"I could tell you about to start crying and I wasn't having that," I replied casually.
Willow shook her head beside us, "You Lancaster women are an odd pair,"
Mum and I shrugged at the same time, earning a snort from Willow, and another disapproving frown, before rushing us down the stairs.
August:
"You're sure Mum won't be too mad?" I asked, staring down at my nose.
Willow sat in front of me holding a thick needle and a small carrot, "Trust me, this is a cute piercing, easy to heal. And your mum won't even notice it," She encouraged, "She'll see your ears first and not even notice the nose ring,"
I took a deep breath, I had to agree, I'd been talking about how much I like her nose ring since I noticed the gold hoop. Willow had been staying in the guest room for less than two days before she came out of the guest bathroom with her hair bleached on the ends and then dyed a faint purple over top.
James sat beside me, holding my hand in silent support, "Okay, the ears were one thing but do you really think Willow and a sewing needle is how you want your first real piercing?" He asked.
Willow gave him a pointed look, "Hush and let her make the decision,"
"Go on then, before I change my mind. Just do it quickly," I scrunch my face slightly. James shook his head but let me tighten the grip I had on his hand.
Willow smirked and leaned forward holding my chin in her hand. She stuffed the end of the carrot up my nose before using a pen to mark her spot and lining the needle up.
"Now exhale when you feel me push it in," She instructed.
I did my best to give her a thumbs up in acknowledgment. My hands were shaking but I had waited long enough for the earrings, and Willow was offering to do both now. Why not add a nose ring too? I was craving some sort of adrenaline and this was the easiest thing I could get. I missed the chaos I had grown kind of used to. I hadn't got the chance to enjoy a carefree summer growing up, where I could explore outside and just feel young.
Losing time makes your age feel so much older. I'd just woke up one day 3 months closer to being fifteen and had no idea how I even got there. I was looking for any type of distraction from the thought of going back to school. I was always losing time, never getting a real chance to catch up and spend my time efficiently. I wasn't ready to face the conflicting feelings for Fred either, and this was an easy distraction.
"1…2…3…"Willow counted down before pushing the needle through my nose, my eyes instantly welled up in tears.
"Fuck!" I cursed feeling the tight pop of cartilage as the needle went through my nose.
I closed my eyes waiting for the pain to subside. The pain wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated and faded quickly, but Willow fumbled, threading the ring through my nose, making my eyes well up again. My nose was by far worse than my ears. But I was able to fall asleep easily enough the next few nights.
I may have overcompensated though by sleeping stiffly on my back. I woke up with a kink in my neck. I tried leaning my head around to stretch it out but I felt stiff all morning.
Persephone pecked at my window around noon, I let her in and let her rest her wings perched in the window. Willow had gone down to work at the bookstore. It wasn't too busy down there so I got to stay home today.
While Mum and Elliot were gone I had gone to the store to help with what I could. I'd help put books away and restock the bags and things at the register. Elliot made sure there were no new crazy releases or anything too hard for Willow to manage on her own. Everything had been going perfectly, and at night she and I'd come home to play board games and talk like girls do.
I told Willow about my friends and how I missed the twins. Willow was always willing to listen and offer the advice she could. It was like having a big sister, I liked the feeling. Not that Mum and I couldn't talk about the same things but it was different talking about fuzzy feelings with someone closer to your age.
The summer was running out quicker and quicker since the wedding. They'd seen Paris and were heading to Germany next, then onto Italy. I was expecting a call from Germany any day now.
I opened the letter from Juniper,
Mags,
You'll never believe it, now I'm being sent to the Leaky Cauldron to stay until the term starts. I understand that Demi's first week in America is a big deal, but this is simply unfair! I leave soon, so I know it's probably a stretch but I'd appreciate the company. Mum and Dad said they'd pay for a bigger room so you can come, too if you want. It'd be like Christmas again.
I hope to hear from you soon, no rush but I've just gotta have an answer by the 20th.
Best regards,
June.
It would give Willow a chance to return to her life again, and I missed everyone anyway. I missed the little boost of excitement I felt being surrounded by magic. Hopefully Mum would call soon but I had no idea how far they were from their next destination.
Persephone left that night without my response but returned a few times over the next few days as I waited for the call from Mum and Elliot.
Willow stood at the front door thanking the pizza delivery guy, while James moved his monopoly game piece forward past go. Behind us some movie Willow turned on played in the background. I didn't have much time left to give Juniper a response and I began to feel guilty about not getting back to her quickly. Not like I had much choice.
James and I went back to hanging out more often, finding ourselves reading underneath the large oak tree I always overlooked in my window. There was less anxiety around showing interest in his boring friends. His muggle problems were genuinely minuscule compared to what I'd already dealt with.
The phone in the kitchen went as Willow set the pizza down. She reached for it easily, lifting it to her ear, "Hello?"
"Oh thank God it's you! Maggie's been jumping to grab the phone every time it rings. Let me grab her," I heard Willow say. It had to be Mum.
She peeked her head out, "Babes, it's your Mum," Willow confirmed.
I abandoned the game with James moving to grab the phone from Willow quickly, "Hello Mum," I greeted.
"Hello Darling, we've just got to our hotel in Germany. How are things?" Mum's voice was sort of muffled and gargled through the phone, so there must have been a poor connection.
"Things are good, Juniper has invited me to stay with her for the last week before this term starts. She said her parents said it was okay, it's up to you. It'd make things easier for Willow, ya know?" I suggested. It was true that me going away would save Willow from an awkward departure at Kings Cross on the 1st.
"I guess if her parents are alright with it, I don't see why not. It would make things easier when you leave for school. I love you, just be safe and I want you to write as soon as you get to school," Mum requested,
"Of course, Mum. Thank you, I love you too, be safe too," I replied, confirming her wishes.
"Let me talk to Willow now,"
I passed the phone to Willow, leaving them to have their private conversation. Although Mum was disappointed when I didn't tell her everything that happened the last term at first, I did what I could to make sure she didn't have to worry about me. I promised to stay out of trouble and write more often.
••••••
It took some intense planning to figure out how I'd make it to The Leaky Cauldron. But I remembered the flat upstairs from the book store still had been connected to the Floo network. I had June send me a small bag of powder. Willow was in the back office when I snuck upstairs. I wrote her a little note saying I caught my cab while she was in the back and that we were behind schedule for our check-in, so I had to leave without a better goodbye.
It took nearly all morning for me to stuff my bags into the tiny fireplace. It wasn't like I could use magic without consequence to make it any easier. And I had to be as quiet as I could so Willow didn't come up to check if someone was inside. I didn't have a spare key into the flat but I had watched the twins pick locks enough times to figure it out. After all, they stole my Bobby pins half the time.
Juniper was waiting near the fireplace when I arrived later that day. Her upper lip was covered in butterbeer as she scrambled to meet me.
"Thank Godric you're finally here!" She let out a sigh of relief, crushing me in a tight hug.
I barely got a chance to stumble out before she was helping with my trunk, she dragged my trunk behind her as she showed me the way up to her room.
"I've been all alone for nearly two weeks now and I'm absolutely bored. I can't wait to get out of this crummy inn and maybe get a good night's sleep in my own bed." She groaned.
"I will not lie to you, I'm lonely too. As much of a pain in my arse as Demi always is, I miss her so much already." Juniper admitted adding while dropping my trunk beside hers.
"You saved me, so I'm just as happy to get away," I replied with a sigh as I sat down on the bed.
"Wonderboy is here, I saw him down in the lobby last night," Juniper told me as she began changing out of her pajamas for the day, "Maybe he's heard from little Ronald,"
Juniper and I spent the entire day tucked by the fireplace properly catching up without any distractions or annoying pests to interrupt. I showed her the pictures I had got of Mum and me on the wedding day and the photo of Elliot pinching my cheeks teasingly while making a funny face of his own. I saved my favorite for last, the one where we looked like a normal family. I was tucked between them with big grins on all our faces.
She showed the pictures Demi had sent of her and her flatmate in America. Her flatmate was a short, curvy girl with dark brown hair and big doe green eyes. June said she liked to be called Aster. She was an oddball from what Demi had written in her first letter but seemed polite enough.
•••••
Harry and I didn't know each other all that well. We kept crossing paths over the last few days. Eventually, he began to sit with us for meals and went and got our supplies from Diagon Alley together with Juniper and me. When Juniper would go off to bed, I'd stay downstairs for a little while longer keeping Harry company. He was a little lackluster for someone who was meant to be a celebrity of sorts. To be honest, he was like every other 13-year-old boy I knew, kind of annoying. That didn't mean he wasn't kind or sort of funny for that matter, he was pretty good company and it made sense why Ron was his friend.
"Trust me if you like someone, you'll just know." I told Harry simply, we sat by the fire watching the sparks fly up in quick spurts as the wood burned in the fireplace."I'm no expert by any means but I'm older so I've got that wisdom," I quickly added.
His cheeks tinged pink, "What makes you so sure?" He argued,
"I'm just sure. They give you this look and it makes your stomach flutter up and it's not what they're saying, it's how it's said." I explained, Fred's grin flashed through my mind, "You feel almost weightless or something. You'll just know when you like someone. It's hard to put into words," I added with a shrug. I felt like I was the last person who should be giving this kind of advice, but he asked for it.
"You know they get back tomorrow," Harry recalled, changing the subject. "It'll be good to see Ron after the summer I had."
I gave Harry a limp side hug, resting my head on his shoulder, "You'll be okay, kid." I reassured him, "He'll be excited to see you, I'm sure,"
I pushed myself to talk to Harry more after hearing he was here all alone. He wasn't one of the lucky ones with easy home life, I knew he wasn't here completely at will. It was just the better of two shitty situations. While I'd been here, I was getting more in the habit of staying up later, and often Harry and I would sit beside each other keeping silent company while we read from our own books. The occasional deeper conversation slipped in as he looked for advice from an outside perspective as he called it.
I glanced off at the Wanted posters plastered across the walls, looking for a wizard by the name of Sirius Black. He was a long-haired, scruffy man with wild eyes and nasty teeth boring from his head. I hadn't known much else aside from the information I'd gathered from eavesdropping on conversations around the inn. He was the first prisoner to escape Azkaban and he was a man who betrayed his friends and family. To have no loyalty to family was one thing but it was another thing to betray friends. Mum had always told me to value chosen family and friends, Grant was all she had until they grew apart. I hadn't got a chance to get to know him but I remembered him from a few pictures Mum had shown me over the summer.
"We should probably get to bed, it's already late enough." I pat his knee, pushing myself up from the bench.
Juniper had gone up about an hour ago, she was likely already sleeping in the center of the bed. Half of the nights I'd stayed here with her, I've had to roll her back over to her side of the bed when I finally joined her. I'd come to the conclusion she was a wildly unaware sleeper, from the bed hogging to her habit of snoring loudly and waking herself up when her breath caught just right. Sharing a dorm should have made this easier because I was already familiar with her sleeping habits, but I didn't anticipate this bad while sharing a bed. I don't know how I managed it last December. It was my own fault, I'd waited just a bit too long to answer to set us up with a double.
"You're probably right, what am I getting worried about anyway?" He chuckled lightly, pushing his glasses up, "Not like there are any girls I've got my eye on anyway,"
"G'night, Harry." I waved him off before walking up to the room.
He gave me a weak wave before he stared back into the fire, "Goodnight, Maggie," He mumbled.
••••••
I woke up before Juniper the next morning despite crawling into bed late. I quickly got dressed meeting Harry just outside the room to greet the Weasleys when they arrived. I felt jittery and almost nervous for them to get back. This was one of the longest I've gone without seeing Fred and George or hearing anything from them at all for that matter.
"Have you heard anything about what time they might be getting here?" I asked as I chewed at the corner of my nail.
"No, Ron just said it was today." He shook his head.
Harry and I sat downstairs most of the morning, sharing a pumpkin pasty and a cauldron cake, sipping at the warm butterbeers I bought us. I brought a book along hoping to use it to pass time but I had my eyes shifting between the clock and front door for far too long. Juniper joined us just before lunch.
"How long have you two been waiting for them?" She asked as she sat down across from me.
I craned my neck around to get a look at the clock, "Four hours." I mumbled. I couldn't believe we'd been waiting for them that long.
"Good grief, what's wrong with you two?" She laughed.
"I miss my friends, I have other friends you know?" I retorted, "I'm allowed to miss them," I shrugged.
Juniper grinned, shaking her head. Her eyes shifted past me, her jaw slacked a little as she stared off. I waved my hand in front of her eyes trying to break eye contact and get her attention back. I snapped my fingers in front of her eyes.
"What's your deal?" I asked, "It's like you've seen a ghost or something," I teased with a smirk.
"Just turn around," She suggested, a smirk replacing her shock, "It's better if you just look yourself,"
I gave her an odd look, turning my head to the door. I saw Percy first, his curls were tight and well maintained. Molly and Arthur close behind with Ginny in a scramble to keep everyone together. Fred and George came in behind Ginny, the three laughing together. The twins had grown a few more inches and were filling out more. It was an odd sight to see either of them looking so…fit.
Juniper quickly pulled me from the benches, tearing my attention away before I could get a better look at what else had changed. I tried to crane my neck back to get a better glimpse. June shoved me into a hidden booth, tucked out of the light.
Squeezing in close beside me, "When did they get fit?" She asked, staring off at Fred and George. "They've grown taller and gotten hot all in just three months, how unfair." She muttered, "Shit, do you think it's happened to Lee, too?" A cheeky grin forming on her lips.
I glanced back over as Fred looked in our direction, my eyes drifting across his face, he looked so much older and it'd only been three months. I chewed at my fingernail nervously. His shoulders were broader and he had lost all the baby fat in his cheeks, making him look leaner. He was much fitter, there was no point in denying it to myself. I felt flutters in the pit of my stomach and could feel my cheek warm up. I was cursing my body's reaction.
"I don't fucking know," I mumbled around my finger.
"Godric, do you need help wiping up the drool?" Juniper quickly teased moving aside from her shock.
I pinched her arm, "Shut up," I retorted.
George hadn't lost as much baby fat to his cheeks yet, so they still had a softness to them. It just gave another indicator at which twin was who. I never understood how people couldn't tell the difference. After I'd met them, I quickly learned what it was that made them different. George's nose was a little crooked from improper healing after trying to fix broken bones on his own. Fred had more freckles across his nose, and his hair fell just a little bit more to the right than George's hair and stuck out more. Not to mention the differences in their personalities.
The way they walked even held more confidence. You could catch George with an even skip in his step, with Fred's he walked with more intent overall. But side by side they looked like a mirrored pair. They'd just grown into much more mature versions of themselves. All I'd done was get another haircut and a few measly piercings. My finger reached up to adjust the ring in my nose a little.
"I'm sorry to inform you but you're probably gonna have to work a little hard to get over that crush now," Juniper informed faux sympathetically.
"It wasn't a…" I trailed off as I watched Fred and George.
The twins sat down at the table, ordering a few butterbeers. Fred glanced around the room, scanning the faces before turning back to the paper George held between them. I wonder if he was looking for me, but how would he have known unless Harry told him.
"A crush…" I mumbled again.
Harry quickly stole their attention away, as I watched Hermione join them with Ron. The five of them huddled together chatting before Arthur swept Harry away. Leaving Hermione and Ron to continue arguing about her cat and that nasty rat he carried around.
"You should make your grand entrance, I think Freddie's looking for you." She nudged teasingly, "Wait." She stopped me from moving.
She picked at my hair, brushing her fingers through the knots and she tweaked at my eyebrows. Her hands quickly moved, adjusting my tank top and pushing my flannel from one shoulder. She reached forward one last time moving the clasp of my necklace to the back again.
"There, it's not the best but it's better." Juniper nudged me away.
I pulled my flannel back up, covering my shoulder again. George noticed me first, getting up from the table. His arms wrapped around me in a tight bear hug around my frame. Although it wasn't as noticeable, George had put on muscle, his grip had gotten tighter around me. He had the same spiced smell to his clothes that the rest of the Weasleys seemed to have, mixed with fireworks and a hint of pine, making him smell like fresh air.
"You've gotten taller and added metal to your face, what a surprise!" He teased as he pulled away.
"And you've actually learned personal hygiene, what a surprise." I retorted dryly, reaching up to ruffle his longer hair. He swatted at me, annoyed by me.
Fred shoved George out of the way, his arms opening for a hug. I fell into his arms, my stomach fluttering as they wrapped their way around me. My cheeks pressed to Fred's chest I could hear his heart thumping rapidly. The rich smell of cinnamon and the familiar smell of the Burrow they all shared. I wrapped my arms around his waist tighter, his arms cinching tighter in response around me. The feeling of coming home filled my chest again. Fred's hands rubbed along my spine as he held on like I was going to disappear. I never want this to end.
Juniper coughed behind us, I pulled away folding my arms around myself, "Good to see you, boys. Surprised to see the Egyptians didn't lock you in a pyramid." She joked.
I withdrew into Juniper's side letting her take over the conversation. We soon sat down at a table in the corner, Fred sat across from me, his hands tapped their way across the tabletop to mine. George seemed to take over talking for their half while June took over for us. I felt Fred's fingers dance around mine hesitantly before hooking his pinky finger with mine.
"How was your summer?" Fred leaned over whispering, while George and Juniper loudly argued between themselves.
"It was fine, Mum and Elliot are almost to Italy, should be home soon though." I kept it short, I felt so jittery I didn't trust my voice.
After two months of trying to distract myself from thinking about him. Spending most of my downtime with Willow, if I wasn't working at the store. I had to be honest with myself, I was one of those girls who falls for her best friend who likely has no interest. There were days that I felt I'd never get the best of both worlds I was a part of now. In the end, I'd probably have to choose magic or a normal life. I'd ruin everything if I let my feelings for Fred exist further than theory.
"I like what you've done with your hair. And the nose ring by the way." He added with a quick smile pointing to his nose, before joining the banter between Juniper and George.
I lifted my hand to my hair, tucking the hair behind my ears. He noticed that I started parting it differently after Willow trimmed my hair, and it's lighter than my natural shade from all the time in the sun. Juniper shot me a pointed look as I felt a foot strike my shin, I assumed it was Juniper's. As I tried to do it back my foot slipped kicking Fred's shin.
"What was that for?" He winced, leaning down to rub at his shin.
Juniper bit back her laughter, gulping down butterbeer roughly.
"Sorry, my, uh, foot slipped," I mumbled, pinching Juniper under the table. My other hand tapped against my glass of butterbeer nervously, hoping I'd think of something to say.
"Anyways, how was Egypt?" Juniper finally asked, saving me from further embarrassment.
"It was wicked, Fred, you gotta tell them about how we almost locked Percy in a pyramid," George nudged at Fred.
Fred chuckled to himself before he went into his story. He always had to set the scene perfectly when he recalled a prank. It was like he was romanticizing his own life. I was always compelled to sit and listen to them every time, even if I was there for it, it was like I saw it through his eyes. He saw the way things unfolded so differently.
My eyes drifted to his biceps as he told his story, his muscles flexing under his shirt. I had to stop this, I scolded myself. I chewed the inside of my cheek.
"What would you have done if you'd actually managed to pull it off?" Juniper asked with a dry laugh.
George shrugged with a grin, "Guess we hadn't really thought that far ahead."
She shook her head, "You two are mad, I'll never understand how Lee spends time with you oafs."
"Lee's part of the brains here." Fred quipped back, "Probably couldn't have thought of it without him!"
"I'm sure he is." Juniper rolled her eyes.
"When have you been talking to him?" George asked with a knowing look.
"None of your business, you've got nothing to worry about Georgie." Juniper teased with a small smile, rolling her eyes, "I'm not stealing your boyfriend away,"
They began to go back and forth, arguing about absolute nonsense. Meanwhile, Fred sat across from me with his hand tapping at the table beside mine as it rested by my nearly empty butterbeer. Our hooked pinkies were hidden behind my mug.
"Have you made any plans for the first trip to Hogsmeade of the year?" Fred strikes up casually, finally moving his fingers between mine further than just the link between our little fingers.
I shrugged taking a sip at my butterbeer, "I don't know, guess I hadn't made any plans yet. Why do you ask?"
Fred shrugged, "Just wondering." He smirked, wiping at nothing on his lips, "Maybe keep it open," He suggested.
I realized what he's signaling and I brought my hand up quickly wiping the foam from my upper lip. My cheeks felt flush and burned hot. I hadn't blushed like this in so long, I tried to pretend I wasn't rapidly filling with embarrassment.
"What did you have in mind? Preplanning our detentions in advance to save time?" I laughed, shaking my head.
Fred shrugged with a small grin, "I'm still cooking up a few ideas, so I guess you'll just have to wait and see,"
Was he flirting with me? I glanced at Juniper who was still bantering with George, they were so caught up in their own thing to even notice what was going on. I pushed a smile to my lips, tipping back the last of my butterbeer. This whole getting over my crush on Fred thing wasn't going too well so far. He wasn't doing much help either.
A/N: EEEK! I love a little good friendly flirtation ;) This is one of my favorite chapters so far, so I really hope you enjoy it! Thank you for all the support so far, this fic is my baby and I'm so thankful there are people out there enjoying it!
Shi3