Magnolia POV:
I may have made a terrible mistake by admitting to the kiss with Liam. I didn't want Roxy thinking the love bites were from him any more than I did with Fred, it made my stomach turn at the thought of letting Liam that close. This could end well or badly for me, but I'd rather not find out at all. I should've kept deflecting the question.
Deciding to move forward from the argument with Roxy knowing her mother wasn't the most accepting, I sort of understood the outburst. I had almost been bragging without knowing how she might've felt. Roxy didn't get the same luxury I did with a mother who'd love me no matter what, it'd say a lot about Mum's character if she had cared, considering her best friend, Grant was gay.
My love life was a bet to her and George still, she didn't deserve to know that Fred and I had kissed. Plus, neither one of them was going to be winning any money. Fred had kissed me first, check there goes Roxy's money, and it was long before next year, so there goes George's. I know Roxy well enough by now to know she was terribly competitive and she didn't enjoy losing or being wrong either for that matter. I just lied to her face to save her the trouble. Why hadn't George said anything when he found out?
I made my way up the moving stairs, I waited at the top of one flight waiting for it to connect again before marching up the final row of steps to the portrait just as it opened to a small flood of students spilling from the common room on their way down to the train. I caught sight of ginger hair and squeezed past the crowd gripping the Twins both by their coats. I was still trying to figure out what I was going to say to the pair so I kept quiet as I dragged them behind me to the bottom of the stairs. This wasn't a discussion I wanted to have in front of the rest of the Gryffindor house.
"Well good morning to you, too, Magnolia. I'm doing so great this morning, thank you for asking," George pipes up as I pull them to a stop.
"Not now, George. I know about the bet you had with Roxy," I turned to him with a pointed look. He shrank back avoiding my eye as I turned to Fred, "Did you know about this?"
Fred shook his head quickly, "This is the first I'm hearing of it." He turned to George with a pointed look of his own. George shrank again if at all possible, "Care to explain?"
George stood up, stepping back a step worried his explanation may end poorly for him, which it might but he didn't need to know that yet, "I am so glad that you and Roxy are better now," George attempts with a gulp, "In short yes, we may have had a bet on the two of you. This was before I saw how happy you guys are, and it's kind of cute seeing Fred all gooey like dough. I guess, I kind of stopped caring when I lost right away because you guys seemed like you were actually in a great spot with each other." He explained, looking between us almost fondly.
"It wasn't like I had thought you two would actually do something this quickly, Fred's barely just admitted how much he fan-" Fred's hand clamped over George's mouth before he could say anything else.
I rolled my eyes, turning to grab something from my bag. I have to go back to my dorm for my bag. "Shit." I cursed under my breath, Fred glanced back at me with a look of concern, "I forgot my bag in my room because I was running away from Roxy's interrogation." I sighed.
"We can go back, I'm sure it's not that big of a deal, didn't June just come back to the same thing?" George asked.
"No I can't, not until she's gone," I argued, turning to Fred with a pointed look, "Someone had to pretend he was a Hoover, and now she knows that much, she could see the charm fading." I huffed quietly, zipping my coat up to cover my neck as best as I could.
"What's a Hoover?" George questioned quietly to himself, before looking to Fred for a clue.
"It's a vacuum. Muggles use it to clean, it sucks up dirt and other tiny things that are on the ground that is too hard to get with a broom," I briefly explained.
"What's that gotta do with your interrogation from Roxy?" George asked, tilting his head at the question, trying to find a connection.
Fred stared back just as confused, silent as his brother questioned me. With a sigh, I began telling the story of my first hickie.
"When I was a kid, my mum took me to the neighbor's house across the street, and she had a nice one. Well, I took the hose attachment to my arm while it was on," I told the story in hopes it'd give Fred enough of a clue without George knowing about the hickie Fred left when we'd nearly gotten caught by Roxy and June, "Well, when I took it off my arm it had this nasty purple mark. If it's that confusing, try asking your dad about it, " I suggested turning to Fred, hoping he picked up the hint, "Mum was livid asking who left love bites on my arm."
It was like I could see the cogs in their brains moving as I glared at Fred. He bit the inside of his cheek as he was thinking, half avoiding my eyes. George on the other hand stared back at me with a look of obvious confusion, trying to grasp the relevance of my story in the first place.
Fred's gaze finally dropped to my neck, "Oh!" He finally pieced together, "I get it now, um, we should go get your bag then, " He confirmed, understanding now.
George looked between us in confusion, "What is happening now?" He raised a brow.
I ignored him, pulling away from the twins, I had to get my bag before I missed the train. I'm sure this concealment charm had all but worn off, hiding it beneath my coat until I could get my bag and quickly attempt covering it the Muggle way with makeup like I'd seen Willow do before. The charm lasted a few days which was better than healing the normal way. Note to self, Fred isn't allowed to do that again, I'm not sure I want to have to mind covering up more evidence than I was.
Fred and George followed behind me back down to my common room. George continued to ask for clarification on the situation.
"For your own good mate, just don't worry about it," Fred chuckled, he was getting that cocky feeling again, I twisted back glaring at him again. Fred smirked back with a wink.
I shook my head, turning ahead again. He picked up his step, meeting me at my side, "It's not like she'll figure out it was me," Fred whispered.
"That's what you think, she can see through me like glass sometimes," I sighed quietly, "Besides I told her I kissed Liam to keep her off my ass about you."
George shuddered as he caught up with us, "He's so awful," He grumbled, "Why'd you do that?"
I snickered, hiding my grin behind my hand, "Another one of my mistakes, I suppose," I had to shrug, with a light smile. It wasn't a secret anymore that I didn't have the best judgment at times.
Fred's cheek began to tinge pink, I looped my pinky with his as it fell loose at his side but he slipped it away, shoving his hand in his pocket, tucking it away from mine. That's new. I felt a pang in my chest, tucking my own hands away.
We got to the common room in silence, my fingers picking at the side of my thumbs while George began planning pranks and traps to set while most of the people were away for Christmas. Roxy and Juniper had already walked down to the courtyard with a good chunk of the other Hufflepuffs by the time we looked back around. I was able to slip back into the dorm without any trouble, making my way back with my bag and Roxy's gift tucked inside. I still knew what was inside but knowing she had tried to put the effort into wrapping it as carefully as she did, it should be protected.
I noticed someone still sitting at the fireplace. Most of the Hufflepuffs went home for the Holidays so it was rare seeing someone lingering. I couldn't see their face as they stared off at the fireplace intently.
"Hope you have a good holiday!" I called out politely, I might not have known who it was but they deserved this much.
"Is that you Maggie?" I heard Liam's voice, his face barely turned so I could finally recognize him.
I nod, "Yeah, you're not going home for the holiday this year?" I questioned moving closer.
I wasn't as nervous around Liam anymore, the minor moment of any attraction was demolished when Fred kissed me the same night. He wasn't as intimidating, maybe that was due to my brain becoming muddled with Fred.
He shook his head, "No, Mum and Dad decided that their golden boy needed some more time away," Liam let out a weak chuckle as he turned to get a better look at me, "You know they treat Hogwarts like a reformation school? They don't even care about the magic side," He almost sounded like he was in disbelief, "They're both muggles so they think I'm some kind of freak sometimes,"
He was smiling but his eyes were hazy and puffy like he'd been crying. I placed a hand on his shoulder as he sat up higher. Liam was just another scrap piece that ended up in Hufflepuff, just like I'd felt at times. The feeling of not being enough for either life I was living. I knew we weren't a house of idiots like everyone thought but I was starting to think we were a house of misfits. His eyes softened again as he glanced down at my hand.
"I'm sorry to hear that, I hope that you can still try to have a good holiday while you're here at least." I attempted, "They're going to grow old one day wishing they had spent this holiday with you, even if they don't realize it yet, they'll come to regret it one day." I squeezed at his shoulder comfortingly, going to turn away as he went to stop my hand.
"I'm sorry for being an asshole all the time," He apologized, forcing a small smile, his dimple peaking out, "It can be hard knowing you're an outcast to most of the people you meet, I'm too magic for my family and too Muggle for Hogwarts."
"I get the feeling." I affirmed, "If it's any consolation at all, I know how you feel. You're lucky you've got Cedric and Ernie, just like I've got the Twins and the girls. They're the only people who make me feel normal sometimes," I admit with a light laugh.
"If you haven't figured it out yet, Fred has got it bad for you," Liam added, shaking his head,
I bit at my lip fighting a blush, even Liam had opinions on Fred and me, "How can you tell? I muttered.
"I see the way he looks at you, and I've been a victim a time or two of his jealousy," Liam smirked, "Not to mention, I saw you guys sneaking out of the Muggle Studies classroom the other day." He finally revealed. My skin went cold and the blush was gone.
What the fuck? "How'd you know it's Fred and not George?"
"Because you just confirmed it when you started blushing at the mention of his name, you did the same thing when you liked Cedric, too," Liam grinned, "Plus, I know for a fact, the other one has been sneaking around with Angelina Johnson for months now."
Angelina and George, so that was his secret friend. Being caught was put aside for a moment as I tried to wrap my head around George sneaking around with a secret girl of his own. No wonder why George didn't care enough about Fred and me. Maybe I could talk to Roxy.
"You can't say anything about me and Fred," I sputtered finally, "I'll tell everyone you're a bloody liar." I quickly added as a warning with a pointed finger at his throat.
Liam shook his head, his grin unfazed, "You don't have to worry about me exposing your little hook-ups, but you might wanna tell the Dirt Devil to watch his love bite placement." He pointed to my neck.
My anxiety of Liam's exposure was fading with his joke as he sighed leaning his head into the couch again. I adjusted my coat again, hoping to cover the spot.
"I made a vacuum joke, too, I called him a Hoover!" I laughed awkwardly, my eyes fell to the clock, "Um I've got to go before I'm late, but you can write to me while I'm on holiday if you need to." I offered politely.
Liam gave me a nod, glancing back at the fireplace again, "Thanks, I'm just mad at my parents right now, I won't bother you. Have a good holiday though, you deserve it. You're a good person, Maggie." He mumbled.
"You too, Liam," I replied politely, leaning over the edge of the couch pressing a delicate kiss to his cheek, "Thank you for keeping my secret."
His cheeks perked up, exposing his dimples again, giving me an easy nod, "Don't kill me when I ask you to return the favor one day," He chuckled.
I nodded in agreement, waving Liam goodbye a final time before slipping back into the hallway. The twins stood beside each other whispering between themselves when I finally left the common room.
"Took you long enough, did you get lost in your own common room?" George teased, nudging at my shoulder.
I forced a laugh, rolling my eyes, "I was telling someone goodbye," I shrugged.
"Who do you have to say goodbye to?" Fred questioned quickly.
"I can have other friends than just you guys," I argued.
The Twins looked at each other before turning back to me laughing between themselves.
"What's so funny?"
I hated that they could just look at the other and just know what they were thinking.
Fred looped his arm around my shoulder, tucking me into his side as we made our way out of the school, finally heading to Hogsmeade, "We know you've got other friends, but they're already at the station," He teased.
I shoved him off me, annoyed, I scowled at him, "If you must know, I was saying goodbye to Liam."
Fred's grin dropped, slinking his arm back to his side.
"He's stuck here and his parents seem a little horrid, so just try to be nice to him while you're all here," I asked politely, Fred groaned, glancing at George who shook his head.
"No free passes for Christmas pranks, he's collateral damage at best," George argued.
I didn't want to come off like I was asking too much for him to be nice but I was feeling bad for Liam.
"Please, just try to leave him alone for me," I looked up to Fred with pleading eyes and a small pout, "What happened to you being good until Christmas, Freddie?"
Fred sighed, "December 26th, he better prepare for the worst prank of his life." He shook his head, "And I'm doing this only because you asked."
I rolled my eyes, feeling myself melt into his side again, his arm snaking around me again, "I'd also like to mention he gave me some delightful info on you, Georgie." I glanced over to George.
His grin faltered, "And what kind of info would that be?" George asked with a teasing tone.
"How's Angie been?" I questioned, giving him a knowing look.
George scoffed, shaking his head, "I knew that shithead saw us," He grumbled, before he huffed, "She's good." His lips were tight like he was keeping himself from spilling more.
It seemed to be Fred's turn to give us a confused look, how come George didn't even tell Fred about them? "There's nothing else you wanna share? What kind of lip gloss does she wear, since you're an expert on a girl's lip product?" I smirked, "Is it true Angie likes cherry flavored?"
"I wouldn't know," George fumbled, his cheeks turning pinker with every statement I made, "What are you hinting at, Lancaster?"
I shrugged casually, tugging Fred's hand pulling him behind me, "I'm not hinting anything unless you're hiding something to be hinted at, Georgie?" I teased.
George shook his head, pointing back towards the school, "He said something to you back there, didn't he?"
I shrugged again, I wanted George to admit it for himself, "Well is there something to say?" I replied with a smirk.
George groaned, annoyed, pulling ahead of Fred and me. He ignored my teasing.
Fred watched silently between George and me, "Am I missing something?" He finally questioned.
George glanced between Fred and me before sighing, "Your girlfriend is nosy, I liked it better when she was just our friend and you hadn't snogged her," George squinted his eyes at me with a glare but there was still a hint of a smile on his lips, "I might be kind of seeing Angelina but we haven't made much of a big deal of it."
"Is that who you've been sneaking off to?" Fred laughed at George's confession ignoring that George just called me his girlfriend.
George quickly shrugged with a blush, "I guess, you two can't talk though. Look at what you've got going on," He argued, "You can't even figure out a real name for yourselves."
"We're just Maggie and Fred," I replied with a chuckle, glancing at Fred hoping he might argue my statement.
I liked him, and the way I felt when I was with him. Though I hadn't completely figured out if I had that glow I saw my mum get with Elliot or even when Roxy talks about Felicity but I figured out that I at least liked him a whole lot. Only a second had passed but it felt like a year of silence as I kept hoping he might decide to put a name. I didn't have enough trust in myself to be the one to call him my boyfriend, I wanted him to make the decision.
Fred chuckled, glancing down catching my eye, with a wink he shrugged, "Good ol' Freddie and Maggie." He agreed.
That kind of hurt. I forced a smile, shifting my gaze at the village that was almost in our reach. I felt that pang in my chest again, ignoring George as he tried defending himself again. I didn't like this new feeling but the weight of Fred's hand in mine was the only thing keeping me from losing it.
Why tell me you don't want to keep me a secret then avoid the question when your own brother asks? I wondered what Fred could be thinking right now, did the realization of how dumb this is finally strike into his head? I didn't want to waste my time hoping he'd feel the same. Maybe I was like the girls he'd kissed before, I knew I wasn't the first, but I still hoped I could maybe be the last.
"I don't have to explain myself if you two are just going to ignore me." George groaned as he cut me off from my reeling thoughts.
I glanced at George as he brought his hand up and thumped along the back of Fred's head, "You could at least pretend you were listening," He sighed annoyed.
"We can talk about it later," Fred swats his hand away, dropping mine, "Why don't you run off to find her now, so I can say my own goodbyes without your nosy ass to eavesdrop," He shooed George away.
I had to be reading too much into this. Nothing bad was going to happen. Fred liked me, I think. He laced our fingers together, waiting for George to start walking ahead of us. We were running out of time quicker and quickly as I noticed the flood of students piling on the train.
Snowflakes came down around slowly and carefully, as they gently fell to the blanket of snow at our feet. Fred gave me a small smile as soon as George had gone out of earshot, he was still nearby but it was the closest to alone we'd get so I had to be grateful to have this much.
"I wish I could say goodbye like I did last night," Fred chuckled, "That way you won't forget about me." He added with a grin, licking his bottom lip.
I shook my head like I'd be able to forget him, "Freddie, you know that's not possible," I laughed.
The easy feeling washed over me as Fred pulled me into a tight hug. This was good, it felt so good, all the flurries in my stomach kept me warm from the snow. I inhaled the smell of cinnamon from his clothes, along with the scent of fireworks that usually lingered on his hands. He was always so warm and had a way of making me feel the same way. I nestled my face into his chest, trying to get closer, as I wrapped my arms around him tighter.
"I don't want you to go," He mumbled against my hair.
"I'll be home before you know it," I reassured him.
He sighed, "Not quick enough." Fred pressed a kiss against my hair before pulling away.
Fred and I stared back at each other, our hands joining again, "I wanna give you my gift before you go," He dug around his pocket pulling out a small unwrapped box, "I didn't get a chance to wrap it, I'm not as good as you or George even. I tried drawing a few things but I figured what was inside was probably good enough it wouldn't matter." He joked, quickly passing it off.
I looked down at the small box, my eyes glazing over the small lopsided hearts and oddly formed snowflakes he'd attempted to draw. It wasn't much bigger than the box that held the necklace they gifted me last year.
My gaze shifted back up to Fred as he nodded back urging me to open it now, "Are you sure I shouldn't wait?" I hesitated.
I hadn't got Fred anything yet and he was so insistent and giving it to me now. I knew the Weasley family didn't have a whole lot of spare money lying around to purchase extravagant gifts and I still hadn't asked how Fred and George even had enough money to give me a Sapphire necklace. I didn't like knowing they spent all this money on me. I wasn't that special, after all.
"I'm sure, now open it so I can see your reaction," He urged with a smile.
I looked back down, lifting the lid carefully. I was partially sure he was going to prank me somehow for a quick laugh. I wouldn't put it past him for a second.
Under the lid was a small piece of dark blue tissue paper, underneath that was a pair of aged silver-toned hair pins with intricate stars adding decorations to the originally plain pins. They had small gemstones that added sparkle to the metal.
"They're not as nice as what I got you last year," Fred explained as I picked a pin up to look at it better, "I mean what George and I got you," He corrected with a sheepish smile like I couldn't tell he had picked it out.
I chuckled, "I knew it was you when I opened the box, Freddie. These are beautiful, just like the necklace you gave me."
"I know how much you like the stars, so I wanted you to be able to have them with you all the time," He smiled.
I closed the box, closing the pins off protectively into my coat pocket. Taking a quick look to make sure the coast was clear, I wrapped my arms around Fred as best as I could with the bulky coats we both wore. Through his smile, Fred dipped his head down quickly pressing his lips to mine.
"I don't wanna ever stop doing that," He grinned against my lips, causing my cheeks to warm up, "Do you think after Christmas we could start to tell-"
Fred was cut short by George jogging back towards us, waving us towards the station, "Come on! She's going to miss the train!" He called out through cupped hands.
Fred groaned, pulling away, his hands dropping from my waist, "Try to have a good holiday, just stay as far from mistletoe as you can. I don't wanna think of anyone else kissing you ever again,"
Fred had a way of making me feel so reassured that he felt similar to how I did, "You don't have to worry about that this time," I returned with a smile, "Don't forget to keep your promise either!" I reminded him.
Hooking our pinkies, Fred tugged me over to where George was waiting for us. The train was almost full aside from a few people like myself that had gotten wrapped up in a string of overdue goodbyes.
George slinked his arm over my shoulder pulling me into a quick side hug, "Fred's stolen away all the time for me to say goodbye," He teased with a grin, "I don't even get to tease you about the sappy speech he was going to tell you." He laughed.
Fred punched his shoulder annoyed, shutting George up.
"He's allowed to have a long goodbye but that doesn't mean you're off the hook about Angie. I wanna know everything!" I insisted, he rolled his eyes ruffling through my hair, tangling it with his fingers like I'd seen him do to Ginny before.
I gave the twins a final wave goodbye before rushing to catch the train as the horn signaled time was officially running out. as I glanced back to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything I'd need for the Holidays, the Twins wearing cheeky smiles blew dramatic kisses in my direction. Shaking my head I climbed up the last step, I went to find where Roxy and Juniper had settled.
With each step further on the train, I began to wonder what it was that Fred wanted to ask. I settled for pushing it to the back of my head, I'd finally get to see my mum after nearly four months. I missed her so much, the time we spent apart was stretching with every year that passed. I was losing more and more time with her than I had really realized until now. We went from being dependent on the other for any social life and now she had Elliot and Willow, along with a job she actually enjoyed. While I was here learning about this expansive side of my life I didn't know anything about four years ago, and at least five people in my life that I'd do anything for. We'd both grown a lot in the span of a few years, it was good but felt surreal.
I finally found where Roxy and Juniper had settled, taking an empty window seat across from Juniper, beside Roxy. Glancing out the window I noticed the twins waving at us from the station with wide grins. Juniper waved back while Roxy leaned over my lap and gave them each the finger.
She sank back with a wicked grin on her, the train pulled away soon after as she chuckled to herself.
"Why'd you do that?" I questioned, twisting back towards her.
Roxy shrugged, "They probably deserve it, knowing them, they're plotting something bad for while we're gone. Consider an early reaction to whatever we'll be dealing with later on."
"She's got a fair point, Lee said it didn't look good whatever he had seen of their planning," June confirmed.
I sighed, trying to get comfortable in my seat, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
••••••
Magnolia gave Juniper a tight hug before she ran to meet her parents. Leaving Magnolia and Roxy to say their own goodbyes, this was the first hug they had shared since their fight. To Magnolia, it had the slightest feeling of mending a broken vase, fragile like the other would crack. Roxy glanced over her shoulder, noticing her mother glaring back with a pointed look. Magnolia pulled away first, noticing the anger on Roxy's mother's face.
She half considered telling the woman off but knew how that would likely end and chose against it.
"Just try to read away the holiday, I used to do that, and it helps when there are people around making you feel horrible," Magnolia said reassuringly as she squeezed against her shoulder, "I've got one thing to tell you now that Juniper is gone, but you can't get upset and I'm telling you and it will be the end of it, you can't say anything more than okay."
Roxy nodded hesitantly, "I'm a little scared but go on,"
"There may be something with Fred and me, but we don't have a title and it's being kept secret between us and George. And since George knows, it seems only fair that you know too." Magnolia confessed.
Roxy's mouth gaped open but she quickly shut her lips again, when Magnolia returned with a pointed look. Roxy forced a nod, "Okay," her voice was more of a squeak.
"I will tell you more when I'm ready," Magnolia affirmed.
Roxy forced another nod, "Okay, I will be patient."
Magnolia looked off, noticing Roxy's mother waiting impatiently, "I should let you go, your mum doesn't look very pleased," She sighed.
Roxy looked off in that direction, sighing heavily before tugging her bag up her arm, "You're probably right, and you were right about her being a bitch."
Magnolia choked in a laugh, watching as Roxy walked off to meet with her mother. Magnolia searched the station, exiting the platform to find her own mother and Elliot hugged together excitedly with a bouquet of red roses. She felt like the flowers at her homecoming were becoming a tradition. She got a skip in her step, which quickly turned into a jog as her mother began to close the distance, moving to meet Magnolia halfway. They crashed into each other's arms comfortably. Magnolia gripped her mother's coat, taking in every aspect of her as if it was decades since they'd seen each other.
"I've missed you so much," Magnolia whispered, breathlessly.
"You've gotten so tall," Her mother inspected her face with a grin, "I barely recognize you these days." She teased.
Magnolia laughed, nuzzling her face deeper in her mum's neck. She was home once again. Magnolia was gripped into another welcome hug from Elliot as the two finally met back with him. He handed the bouquet to Magnolia pressing an affectionate kiss to her forehead, hugging her tightly.
"Willow said she's got a girl's night planned for you two tonight, said it was her welcome home and Christmas gift to you." Elizabeth explained as they piled in the car, "Don't worry it's at the Cottage, she's there now setting up."
Magnolia was just grateful to be home, she didn't care what the terms were. She never realized how much she missed until she actually got home again, even if she knew she'd be itching to be back at Hogwarts as soon as Christmas Day passed.
"Sounds exciting, how've you been feeling?" Magnolia questioned, regarding her last letter.
Elizabeth glanced at Elliot from the passenger seat, before smiling, "Just hunky-dory now," She chirped.
Magnolia noticed a change in her behavior but was hoping to blame it on her mum's personality that could be a bit odd at times. From the stories the girl had heard, her mother used to be quite the feisty one, which could have explained baby Magnolia coming along not long before Elizabeth's 17th birthday.
Magnolia nodded, looking out to the car window watching as they inched closer to home. She was so excited for the warm embrace the Cottage brought.
When they arrived back home, Willow stood outside in her big winter coat, the same exuberant one she wore the previous year on Christmas Eve, in a pair of ripped-up tights and her thick boots. Her hair had a bright magenta hue to it, and her hand shook as she brought up a cigarette to her lips in the winter air.
Good to see her back to her normal self, Magnolia thought with a grin as they pulled up.
"Thank God you're finally here! I've been out here waiting for twenty bloody minutes, I nearly froze my arse off!" Willow cursed as Magnolia ushered out of the car.
Without giving Magnolia a chance, Willow took a long final draw off her cigarette before putting it out in the snow, shoving the butt back in her empty box from inside her coat pocket, and tucked the girl under her arm pulling her inside.
"We've got a lovely, grown-up girls night planned. Your mum will be the special guest later on in the evening but first, we're doing makeovers, then I've planned for pizza to be delivered, then Elliot will be banished for the evening, and your mum will join us for a movie night complete with popcorn and sparkling cider!" Willow explained happily as she guided Magnolia up the stairs.
Magnolia began to notice the brightly colored decorations they scattered about the house. String lights wrapped up the banisters on the stairs illuminating the staircase. Unfamiliar pictures from her childhood that she could barely remember were now covering the walls. It was like her mum had found albums Magnolia had never seen before. It gave new life to the walls. It was always so strange coming home to do much change.
"Just wait until you see what Liz got you for your room!" Willow cheered, shoving Magnolia's door open, "You're going to love it!" She squealed.
Magnolia was hesitant as Willow urged her forward, she unzipped her coat, peeling it off her shoulders as she walked up the few steps into her room. The room looked the same from what Magnolia could tell. As she glanced over the room she noticed a record player set up across from her bed, it had her favorite Queen album on display behind it, and beneath the shelves were a few more records that she was unable to read.
"Isn't it just the coolest? She picked the music, and I found the record player second-hand." Willow explained joining Magnolia at her side.
"Why'd she decide to get this for me?" Magnolia questioned crouching down to look at the other records.
"She thought you would enjoy it, and I told her it's what I would've wanted at fifteen, too." Willow smiled, she bent down, lifting Heart's Dreamboat Annie from the shelf, "This record right here changed my life," She mused taking the record from its cover, placing it carefully on the player.
The beginning guitar chord began to play, the music tipping through the air, Willow nodded her head, letting the music carry her along.
"Magic Man is the best fucking track on the album, too." Willow hummed before the first verse began, she swayed along to the music.
Magnolia sat on the floor listening to the lyrics. She almost wanted to laugh, somehow the song sort of reminded her of Fred.
"But try to understand, try to understand. Try, try, try to understand, I'm a magic man." Willow sang along with a grin, pointing down at Magnolia. She tugged her to her feet.
Forcing Magnolia to dance along with her Willow sang loudly, encouraging Magnolia to join with a grin.
They danced along, singing together, as Magnolia moved to grab her hairbrush using it as a microphone as she stood on her covers finally loosening up and joining Willow in this serenade.
"Try, try, try to understand…." Willow sang.
"He's a magic man!" Magnolia sang happily, jumping from her bed laughing as she went.
"What's on your neck?!" Willow gasped as the song played out to nothing.
Magnolia's hand came up to her neck, immediately covering the spot Fred left, "Nothing!" She yelped.
Willow pried her hand away, snickering as she looked at the love bite, "Well, well, what happened there?" She questioned teasingly.
"Nothing, and you can't tell Mum what you think you saw either," the younger girl quickly argued.
"I'll help you cover it up but I'm going to get an explanation eventually for my services, now sit," Willow instructed Magnolia.
Magnolia nodded, sitting in front of Willow as she dumped her makeup bag on the floor in between them. She gulped the lump in her throat, and Willow got to work covering the love bite before Elizabeth ever noticed.
A/N: Hello Friends! Hope all my American readers had a good Thanksgiving and if you aren't American I hope you still had a wonderful Thursday! Sorry for the delay in the chapter, I was in a good flow and then got slammed at work and lost all inspiration for the time being. Finally got a good rhythm again and here we are! Kind of a filler chapter but more will be out soon as long as I don't hit another wall. I've been writing this fic for almost a year now and we're only halfway through wow! Playlist Coming soon!