Title: Empty Wallets, Full Hearts
Rating: PG-13
Summary: [sequel to Fred and George or Gred and Forge?] F/Ang, G/Alicia- who is Alicia's fiancé???? read to find out: )
Disclaimer: characters are JK Rowlings, plot mine... oh, and thanx to my sister for the idea of using "blackmail" in the first chapter : )
Author's Note: i switch back and forth with POVs in this one a lot, hope you guys don't mind too much...
thank you so much for your reviews!!! U GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! i'm trying so hard to keep posting chapters, but i've got a lot of homework- sorry! blame my teachers: )
Chapter 3: My fiancé?
3rd PERSON POV
"Good day, Mrs. Spinnet." The curly brown-haired woman looked up quickly.
"Oh, you startled me," she smiled seeing who it was, "Please, just call me Anita."
"If you can call me Leanne," the other lady with black hair replied. "I'm sorry I had to come to your office to discuss this with you, but this is rather important."
Anita Spinnet smiled. "Of course, the welfare of our children always come first."
"Exactly," Leanne nodded then sighed. "Are you sure your daughter and my son will get along fine? My boy can be.. well, can be just like a-a boy." They laughed.
"I'm sure they'll get along just fine," Anita simpered. "Alicia is very open-minded, and I'm glad we found another family who shares our views of marriage in the past."
"Yes," Leanne replied sadly, "Not many people still uphold the tradition of choosing your child's husband or wife. I just want my boy to be happy and not end up with some wild girl who.. well, let's just say my mother chose my husband for me and we ended up just fine."
"Yes, of course."
"I just wanted to make this betrothal official," Leanne continued. "When should your daughter and my son meet?"
"Well, I believe this weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend for the students at Hogwarts. Why don't we meet our children there and introduce them to each other?"
"Perfect!" exclaimed Leanne, standing up and stretching her hand out to Anita. "I'll see you on Saturday at the Three Broomsticks, then."
"One o'clock," Anita took her hand smiling with satisfaction.
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FRED's POV
"All right!" I called to the blurry figures zooming above me. "That's it for today!" I watched as Angelina pitched one last shot to the goal and Ron swerved to catch it. Harry had just come out from a dive to catch the snitch, and George was already beside me wrestling the last bludger to the ground.
"Geez, Fred, you work us almost as hard as Oliver!" Alicia grinned, flinging her broom over her shoulder after she landed.
"Get off my back! At least I don't wake you up at four thirty in the morning hollering about my last chance to win the cup!" I pointed out.
"Oh, no, of course you don't," George rolled his eyes, "After all, you only wake us up at five thirty, an extra hour really means a lot to us-"
"Oh, shut up." We turned to see the others land.
"If you keep playing like that, Ron, the cup will definitely have our names on them!" Katie exclaimed making Ron beam proudly.
"Ahhh, it runs in the family," I grinned, crossing my arms impressively.
"Hmmm, I bet you wouldn't be so cocky up in the air, trying to catch five of Angelina's throws in a row, now would you?" I turned to find Hermione smirking up at me.
"Hermione! Wha- what are you doing here?" Ron stumbled over his words for some reason. She raised an eyebrow, frowning thoughtfully.
"I am allowed to watch my best friends during Quidditch practice, aren't I?"
Ron blushed and muttered something that sounded like, "It's seven thirty.. you didn't have to come."
Hermione shrugged faintly, a hint of blush spreading across her cheeks. "I wanted to." I raised my eyebrow, catching George's eye. What an interesting response.
"B-but aren't you cold? It's- it's kinda chilly out- ...here-" he stripped out of his cloak and casually draped it over her shivering shoulders, unconsciously brushing her hair out from underneath.
I stared at him with my eyebrows raised, jaw dropped to the ground. He caught Harry's not so well hidden smirk and glared menacingly. Hermione looked surprised as well. No doubt she wasn't used to him being so gentleman-like. Not that she didn't look pleased as well.
"Er- thanks, Ron," she snuggled deeper in the folds of his cloak and smiled up at him as we made our way back up to the castle. Harry, Ron and Hermione walked a bit ahead of us; George and I made kissy-faces behind Hermione's back causing Ron to make a very rude gesture with his finger.
"George - Fred, don't tease him," Alicia reprimanded.
"Why not?" I looked incredulous, "That's what brothers are for! Besides, did you see what he did! He-"
"-probably learned it from you two," Angelina cut in grinning. I faked a shocked expression.
"Us? Fred and George Weasley? I'm disappointed in you, Angelina, I'd think you'd have more faith in us," I pouted. She didn't answer but looked at me with a bit of a smile on her face. I stared right back at her, hopefully. She blinked a few times, then averted her gaze as she realized what she was doing.
"Say, it's a Hogsmeade weekend, isn't it?" George asked, not noticing the small interlude between Angelina and I. "We'll need to go to Zonko's, Fred, we're out of dungbomb's and the Slytherins are starting to smell good."
"Are you two still going to set up a joke shop this summer?" Harry asked as we caught up with him. Ron and Hermione were still walking ahead of us.
"Of course," George answered, "Mum's still not too happy, but she's stopped badgering us about entering the Ministry. It's a nice change."
"Yeah, but now she's badgering us about helping Bill out in Egypt," I said.
"What are you three doing after you graduate," Harry turned to ask the girls beside us. Katie was the first to answer.
"I'm going to be an Obliviator with my brother," she said. "I'm suppose to get my training this summer. He says it's loads of fun, but I'm not sure I trust him. After all, he thought the NEWTS were fun," she made a face. "Barking mad..."
"Sounds like Percy," I grinned and turned to Alicia and Angelina, "What about you lot?"
"I'm not really sure," Angelina replied thoughtfully, "My mum wants me to take over her bookstore in Hogsmeade, my dad wants me to try out for the reserve spot on one of the British teams, and my brother wants me in the Ministry with him, but I don't think I'll be doing that. Maybe I'll be a medi-witch with my aunt, I've always been pretty good with magical healing."
Harry nodded. "How about you, Alicia?"
"Hmmm?" her head snapped up. "Oh, er- I-I know what I want to be, but I don't think I have much of a choice...."
"Why?"
"Oh, my mum and dad.. want me to do something else.." she finished off lamely. Harry caught her uncomfortable expression and let the subject drop. George looked pretty uneasy as well. I knew George has been doing a lot of thinking. I suspect he really loves Alicia but isn't ready for marriage; I can tell by his sideways glances that he doesn't want to lose her either way.
"What about you, Harry?" I said changing the subject, "Famous Quidditch star after Hogwarts?"
He shrugged his shoulders but grinning no doubt about it. "I dunno, I still have two years to think it over. We'll see." He paused for a moment, blinking past us. "Er- Angelina?" He pointed beyond her, and I narrowed my eyes dangerously. Davies. Roger Bloody Davies. He waved earnestly to Angelina who shot me a desperate glance but dutifully made her way to him. I stopped in my tracks, waiting to see what would happen. After a few moments of talking, Angelina joined us again looking very depressed.
"What did he say?" I demanded.
"He asked me if I wanted to go to Hogsmeade with him this afternoon," she replied dully. Harry jerked his head up in confusion.
"But-"
"You said yes of course," I cut him off.
"Of course," she said quietly.
"As it should be," I answered even more softly. Harry looked at us, eyebrows scrunched together as George and Alicia looked abashed. Katie avoided our eyes entirely.
Angelina looked at me with a strange expression. "Unfortunately."
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ALICIA's POV
"You have to what?!"
I sighed deeply. "George-"
"So it's official?!"
"George-"
"You're betrothed?!"
"SHHHHHHHHH!!" I clamped a hand over his mouth and looked around for an eavesdropper. But the hallway was clear. I turned to George, turning considerably red as he eyed me with an expression I couldn't recognize. I put my hand down slowly and he breathed out.
"Let me get this straight," he said more softly after a moment or two, "Your mum sent you a letter asking you to meet her at the Three Broomsticks where you will meet your - your - fiancé?" I nodded glumly. "Then I'm coming with you."
"What?!" I cried, "But- but-"
"Are you keeping your options open? Afraid you may like this guy enough -or -or find him more attractive, then go through with the wedding and all, is that why you don't want me there?" he demanded, hazel eyes raging into mine. I cringed, feeling as if he had slapped me in the face.
"No, of course not, George," I shook my head, lip trembling, "Y-you know I would n-never-" I felt my eyes well up suddenly. His furious stare melted away as he brought his arms around me, leading me to his chest. I buried my face into the front of his robes as he held me tightly.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, and I felt the soft pressure of his lips come down on top of my head. "I didn't mean what I said, I know you'd never do that, you're too sweet." I gave a small smile in spite of myself.
"Flatterer." My muffled voice was barely audible. I brought my head up and looked up at him. "Not that I mind," I kissed the hollow above his jaw and dropped my head on his chest again. Time had altered for an eternity in the seconds he held me close. It didn't matter where we were or who we were with; it was as close to heaven as I had ever been. I could feel his heart beat under my palm. Slow. Relaxed.
"I have to be at the Three Broomsticks at one," I murmured, "Come with me?"
"Already there."
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FRED'S POV
"Fred? What are you doing here?" Angelina looked puzzled as I entered the Transfiguration classroom and the door swished to a close behind me.
"Lee said he left his Transfiguration book in here and asked me to get it for him," I replied, confused as well.
She blinked. "Well, Katie told me Davies wanted to talk to me here," she shrugged, "I was hoping he was going to call off this afternoon."
"Ohhhh," I said, as comprehension dawned on me. I turned on my heel and reached for the doorknob. Figures. It was locked.
"Look," Angelina picked up a note from one of the desks.
Dear Fred and Angelina-
You guys owe us big time! It took me forever to find the door-locking charm. Lee's hopeless. Am not! This is Katie's idea by the way, thank her. ANYWAY- you two have an hour to do- well, we won't get into that. No one will know. Have fun!! -Lee and Katie
"We have the best friends, you know," Angelina looked up after reading the note aloud. It took me a while to process what she was saying. My brain was focusing on one fact: I was alone in the Transfiguration Room with Angelina. I walked over to her casually and she tensed visibly, head ducked down.
"I've missed you, you know," I murmured softly, tilting her chin up to look at me. It's been a while since I've kissed her- I missed the feeling of her smooth lips against mine.
"I've missed you, too," she murmured back, as I shyly wrapped my arms around her. For a while I just held her, running my hand along her back, enjoying the sweet smell of her hair pressed against my cheek. Then she tilted her head up and her lips met mine. I pried them open, hungrily, desperately as her fingers slid into my hair. I stopped moving my hands along her back and let them rest around her waist. Dizzily, I wavered and sank to the floor, cradling her against me. She looked up at me with dazed eyes and large smile on her face as she caressed my cheek lightly. Without another word, she dragged my head down to hers and we kissed, caressed, and nuzzled into bliss. Pure and wonderful bliss.
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ALICIA's POV
At one o'clock, we left the castle and towards the path that led to Hogsmeade. I was silent the whole way with millions of questions bombarding my chock-full brain. Who was it? Did my mum really mean for me to marry him? What will I do? Should I tell her about George? George felt for my hand and gripped it tightly, comfortingly.
It was much too soon when we approached the Three Broomsticks. With a deep breath, I let go of George's hand and opened the door. I glanced the room for my mum and found her at a nearby table talk with a black-haired woman cordially.
"I'll be right here," George muttered in my ear before sitting down at a table close by yet far enough not to look conspicuous. I cursed my feet which all of a sudden had turned into lead as I made my way slowly towards my mother.
"Ahhh, Alicia, dear, hello," Mum stood to give me a brief hug. "This is Leanne, your future mother-in-law, Leanne this is my daughter Alicia." The black-haired lady turned to smile warmly at me offering her hand. I took it shyly as I sat down next to them. I felt George's eyes against my back, but I didn't dare turn around.
"Nice to meet you," I said to her politely.
"Pleasure is mine," she answered as she looked past me at the door, "I apologize for my son's tardiness."
"Oh, that's fine," Mum smiled, "Boys will be boys." They chatted a little while and I tuned them out, tracing the checkered patterns of the table cloth with trembling fingers. Moments later-
"Oh! Here he is!" Leanne smiled getting up. I jerked my head up getting a sudden, sick feeling in my stomach. Oh, a perfect way to meet your so called 'fiancé', Alicia, vomit all over him! Mum dragged me up and I turned around slowly, praying desperately that this was all a joke. My jaw dropped open, my vocal chords turning into mush. He looked straight back at me with a horrified expression on his face, his mouth elongated into a big, round 'O'.
"Lee?"
"Alicia?"
"Oh my God," we murmured at the same time.
"Hmmm, so you do know each other, then?" Leanne i.e. Mrs. Jordan looked very pleased. She said something else, but I wasn't paying attention at all. Lee is my fiancé. Lee is my fiancé. LEE JORDAN IS MY FIANCÉ???!!!
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didn't think it'd be Lee, huh? : ) You can guess what's gonna happen... anyway- please Review! better than the last chapter? NO FLAMERS POR FAVOR, but constructive criticism is welcome : ) Thanx for reading, i'm working on the next chapter...