Fred sighed, Hermoine and George had insisted he come along to the pub tonight. They claimed it was so they could all relax after the hectic first week of school shopping in Diagon Alley this year. The first week was always a mad dash, parents and students arriving in droves to get their supplies early, afraid the stores would run out of something they required. While Weasley Wizard Wheezes didn't carry any required school supplies for Hogwarts, it had become nearly a must for everyone to stop in at some point on their shopping trip. Fred and George had to hire an additional three temporary workers last summer, and this year as well. Hermione had also agreed to help them out on the logistical side, helping them brew potions and perform the necessary charms certain products required.
Hermione had brought up the idea to the twins on Wednesday, and they had both agreed, knowing they would need to unwind. It wasn't until Thursday when she casually mentioned she had invited her two friends from America. George lit up immediately, they had already met Millie, a hot pink, pixie cut girl who's shy personality complimented Georges so well that they clicked nearly on the spot. Fred had nothing against the girl, she had a pretty face, what he had seen of it when she glanced up from the floor. But shy people bored him, he didn't have the patience to work through the shyness to get to know them usually. Hermione had also informed them when they met Millie that she had an identical twin sister. From the way she and George glanced at each other he could tell they had intentions of matchmaking.
Fred sighed again, glancing at his watch. Every attempt his friends or family had tried to make to pair him up had crashed and burnt in the past. George knew him well enough not to try to set anything up, but the rest of his family relied too heavily on his jokester traits when suggesting girls for him. Make no mistake, the war hadn't taken away his prankster tendencies, but his personality didn't just end there. He was passionate about travel and research, something he didn't often get pegged for. The girls that came his way(whether set up by well wishers, or that sought him out themselves) often lost interest when they found he had more depth than they expected. He quickly lost interest in others when they realized he wasn't looking for arm candy to support.
He took a swig of his beer, scanning the crowd again for pink hair. He had an internal bet going as to what color hair Millies twin would have. Millie had pink, so it was either that or blue he had decided. Suddenly he spotted them, the pink pixie and Hermiones bushy brown head bobbed through the crowd towards where he and George stood. He didn't see another bright outcrop of hair however, sipping pensively at his drink again. Perhaps her twin had opted to stay in, even shyer than Millie? The two girls stepped out of the crowd and George immediately pulled out a stool, guiding Millie to it and waving down the bartender. Fred could practically feel the heat coming off her cheeks. Hermione came up to him and he passed her the glass of chardonnay he had snagged for her when she had left to gather her friends. "So, your friend decide she couldn't handle the pub tonight?
Hermione winced. "Not quite, she came along, however she found someone she knew... or at least I think she knew...in the crowd. She said she would make her way over to us." He raised his eyebrows. He had apparently misjudged this girl, wouldn't be too shy if she had already found someone in the crowd. He pulled out Hermiones stool next to Millies, and leaned on the bar to join in the groups conversational.
~.~.~
Approximately fifteen minutes later, his head snapped up after he spotted a figure exiting the crowd from the corner of his eye. A chestnut curled witch strode toward him and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Her icy blue eyes caught his for a moment then glanced to the side as Hermione turned her way, smiling. "Belles! There you are! How was your... friend?" Plump red lips curled upward into what he could only describe as a devilish grin.
"He was more of an acquaintance really. I remember why now, he had as much personality as a slug." She rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the rest of the group, glancing toward George and Millie leaning close, then towards Fred. Grin still in place, she extended a delicate hand his way, his eyes locking with hers.
"Seeing as you aren't connected to my sister at the hip, you must be Fred. I'm Belles, nice to meet you." He quickly snapped out of the near trance she had put him in, shaking her hand and grinning as well.
"That I am. Pleasure is all mine. Can I get you a drink?" He gestured to the bartender again.
"Sex on the Beach would be great!" Hermione snorted, nearly spewing her wine out of her nose. His eyebrows rose, and he conveyed her order to the bartender. When he passed the drink to her, their fingers brushed again, and he noted how soft her fingers were. He couldn't help but wonder if the rest of her skin was as soft.