Chapter Two

Christine Adams locked her door as she left the shop to go for lunch. She had had a busy morning, especially with that young red headed man. She could have sworn he'd never gone to see a movie before. As she was walking to the café that she liked to frequent for lunch, she saw a most unusual shop. She'd never noticed it there last time she'd walked by. She read the sign. Weasely's Wheezes. That was the name of the young man who had visited her store.

Just out of curiosity, she entered. She found herself surrounded with the most bizarre assortment of joke items she had ever seen. She picked up a jar that looked innocent. On the label it said, sneeze powder. It looked just like talc. She smiled. So this was what he'd meant. When he said joke shop. There were all kinds of items. Jelly beans of the most unusual flavor. On one of the counters was an assortment of earrings that promised to turn the ears of who ever wore them blue.

She turned about to go out the door when she saw him. "Oh hello Fred." George smiled. He loved playing this game. "I'm not Fred. He's Fred!" Christine turned around and there he was. 'Twins!' She thought. What next.

Fred came over to her and shook her hand. "Nice to see you again. What brings you here?" Christine liked his smile. "I was just headed over for some lunch when I passed by your shop. I was curious." Fred grinned. "So did you see anything you like?" Christine blushed. "Actually I do."

Fred was startled. Could this young lady be insinuating what he thought she was? He was flattered. And interested. "Listen! I have yet to have my lunch either. Would you do me the honor of keeping me company for lunch?" He held his breath. Christine shyly accepted his offer, and with a wave to his brother George, Fred left with Christine.

They chose a nice pub close by. Fred asked Christine how she had gotten into the business. "My father left it to me when he retired. It originally belonged to him and my uncle, but he bought him out when my uncle had a small heart attack. I enjoy it. I can make my own hours." Christine scrutinized Fred. "Now tell me. What ever inspired you and your brother to open a joke shop?" Fred laughed. "The generosity of a good friend, and an unstoppable need to make people laugh. Actually, we own several of them. This is the only one in the area though. We even have one in Canada."

Christine was amazed. "You must be very good at it then. The business that is." Fred smiled. He liked Christine. So what if she was a muggle. There were lots of good muggle people around. He decided then and there to make sure that he saw her again. "Christine. I enjoyed having lunch with you very much. I'd like to get to know you better. Would you consent to go out with me again in the future? Say Saturday, for dinner?" Fred held his breath. He didn't have to hold it very long. Christine smiled. "Only if you promise to let me take you to a movie before dinner. There is one playing at the theater I've been dying to see." Fred agreed. They exchanged phone numbers and each went back to work.

George laughed at the silly grin on his brother's face. He'd seen that look on his fathers face to know what it meant.