A/N from Ashliegh: Hey, guys! This is the final chapter! O.o Can you believe it? Before I talk a little about this chapter I just wanted to say thank you to each and everyone of you who reviewed! You really do not know how much it means to me! For any of you who follow my own fics, I'm the type of person who writes one-shots, and this being my first chaptered fic, I feel really blessed to have all of you reading it! So thanks SO much! =)
And just to let you guys know, there are some Michelle Branch lyrics through out this chapter, but it's not a songfic. Cassi and I just felt that some of the lyrics really went with the story line, so we put them in there. Just thought I should let you guys know so there wasn't any confusion! Because I'm sure most of you see my penname and automatically think "Songfic" Haha. ^_~
A/N from Cassgrl087: Hey everybody!!! I want to thank all of ya'll for reading & reviewing cause you know its veryyy appreciated! This story was a really good excuse for not doing homework. Then again, who needs an excuse? Not me. I'm just sayin… But anyway, thanks a lot for those reviews! Keep 'em coming!
Disclaimer: All HP related stuff belongs to JKR. And the song "Finding Your Way Back" belongs to Michelle Branch.
NOTE: Text in bold are lyrics to Michelle Branch's Finding Your Way Back, Text in italics are flash backs.
Chapter 9
I used to get away with so much
Now I can't get away
I even thought that it was simple
To say the things I wanted to say
And you told me everything I wanted to hear
And you sold me
Now I don't know how I should feel
I should know me
And baby, you would think I knew better.
Angelina apparated into the house to see Katie taking off her jacket.
"Well, hello Angelina, " She said with a knowing smile, "You are positively glowing!" She exclaimed, " What happened?"
"Well," Angelina started slowly, " Fred and I made up," She then proceeded to tell her best friend all the juicy details about what had happened in the alley.
"I knew it! I knew it was only a matter of time before you two fell madly in love again!" Katie exclaimed as they both giggled.
-----------------------------------
After Angelina had left, Fred turned back to his brother, who was standing at the counter.
"I'm impressed," George said to him, "and I'm glad you're back to normal. It was getting quite depressing around here," He said as Fred laughed, "I mean it," George continued, " It was all fighting. Now you and Angelina are back to your old selves. It's just like Hogwarts,"
"Yeah, I remember," Fred said, reminiscing, "We were like the three musketeers,"
"The three amigos," George added, laughing.
*Flashback*
Fred, George and Angelina were in Advanced Potions during their 6th year. Fred and George were taking it to help them improve on their candies and products for their joke shop, and Angelina was taking it because she just loved to brew things.
However, they hated Snape just as much as the next Gryffindor. So of course, they liked to cause mischief.
"Now, you take the wart of a toad..." Snape said as he turned around to grab it. At the same time, Fred lifted his wand and levitated the next ingredient, unicorn mucus, and very quietly lowered it to the floor.
"As I was saying, you take the wart of a toad, and you add it into the potion, mixing very quickly," Snape continued, moving his arm vigorously as he stirred the liquid in his cauldron.
Angelina picked up where Fred left off and tipped the mucus over onto the floor. Snape was still stirring and stepped into the liquid, slipping and falling onto the floor. Fred and George hastily turned their laughing into coughing fits as Angelina innocently asked if he was all right. Snape stood up and the room quieted immediately. He had unicorn mucus all over him and in his hair. Just then, it was time for classes to change, so they were all in hall before he could take points from Gryffindor.
*End Flashback*
-------------------------
"Good Lord," Katie sighed, sitting in the easy chair by the fire, "I feel so old," Angelina laughed, she was on the ground, looking through one of the photo boxes and drinking some hot cocoa.
"Why's that?" She asked.
"I remember in Hogwarts when you and Fred first started dating. It was in 5th year, remember? You guys were so cute,"
"Yeah, I remember, too," Angelina said, staring off into the distance.
*Flashback*
It was a stormy night and Katie, Angelina, Fred, George, Lee Jordan, and Alicia Spinnet were sitting in the Common Room. It was late so no one else was there.
"So, Katie, what are we doing tomorrow?" Lee asked, raising his eyebrows, trying his best to be cool.
"Nothing! We are not dating!" Katie exclaimed while everyone else laughed.
"Aw, c'mon, Katie! You'll have to warm up to me sooner or later!" He insisted. Fred nudged Angelina in the ribs. Angelina looked at Fred and giggled. They were sitting together on the couch with Katie and Alicia on the other side and Lee and George in the armchairs.
"Well, everyone, I best be off to bed. We have a History of Magic exam tomorrow," Katie said, eager to get to sleep.
"Right," Alicia sighed gloomily, "Me, too,"
"You coming, Angelina?" Katie asked.
"No. Not quite yet," she said, stretching out her legs.
"Can we walk you?" Lee and George asked in unison as they jumped up. The girls rolled their eyes and started walking away but George and Lee followed them anyway. Angelina laughed and pulled her knees to her chest.
"Cold?" Fred asked.
"A bit," She replied quietly.
Suddenly she became aware of how close they were to each other. She looked up at him and smiled slightly, her head steadily moving closer to his. Their lips touched rather softly and Fred touched her chin, pulling her closer into him. Just then, the door burst open and George and Lee fell onto the ground. They were obviously spying through the keyhole. Fred and Angelina blushed profusely.
*End Flashback*
"I was so embarrassed that night!" Angelina exclaimed. Katie just shook her head and laughed,
"I know you were! You were blushing for a whole bloody week!" She said.
"Oh...I remember this night," Angelina said softly, staring at a photo.
It was a picture of she and Fred that somehow got mixed up with old school forms. Fred and Angelina were both in their Quidditch uniforms. They had their arms wrapped around each other and Fred was kissing her on the cheek. Angelina sighed.
*Flashback*
It was towards the end of their 5th year and the Gryffindor Quidditch team had just beaten Slytherin under pouring rain and harsh weather. They were so excited. After the game, the team immediately ran out of the pitch to celebrate, not taking the time to change. Fred ran up behind Angelina and wrapped his arms around her waist. She turned around, squealing.
"Can you believe it?" She exclaimed. "We were so good out there!"
"You were so good out there," He said to her. She slapped him playfully on the arm.
"Stop! We all did well," She said, watching as George dashed by, jumping and hollering.
"Congratulations to us!" Angelina shouted at him. He waved his fists in the air in response.
She looked back at Fred, laughing. She put her arms around his neck, ready to give him a congratulations kiss but Katie jumped out of nowhere with a camera.
"You two are so cute! Smile!" She said, taking a picture as Fred kissed Angelina on the cheek.
*End Flashback*
--------------------------------
Back at the joke shop Fred and George were laughing and talking in the backroom. The front doors were locked and everything was taken care of, but they just didn't want to go home just yet.
"We had such good times in Hogwarts," George said. Fred raised his eyebrows. "Well, for the most part anyway," George added.
"For the most part," Fred agreed.
"I'm glad we have this store so our legacy can continue," George said, in a dramatic voice, but being serious nonetheless.
"True," Fred replied, looking around the store.
"And I'm glad that you and Angelina are finally back together," George said to his twin, who rolled his eyes.
"George, we're not really back together," Fred reminded him.
"Well, I know, but give her some time," George shrugged, "She was crazy for you then and she's crazy for you now. Just like you,"
"What?"
"You were crazy for her then and your crazy for her now," George said simply.
"Did you have anything else to do at Hogwarts besides monitor my love life?" Fred asked.
"Yea, like you could even call it a love life," George laughed sarcastically, "It was more like a flavor of the week life,"
"Oy, I had a few serious girlfriends!" Fred said, trying to defend himself.
"Name one," George challenged.
"An-"
"Besides Angelina," George smirked, giving Fred a triumphant look.
Fred then stopped and started to think. He sat there for a few moments in deep thought. Finally giving up he said, "Get lost, George,"
George laughed and the twins finally packed up and went home. Over the next few weeks, the atmosphere in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was more pleasant. Fred and Angelina constantly joked around while working, and since they weren't fighting as much, George actually stayed around sometimes.
Also over these two weeks Angelina began feeling better about herself and started getting over Oliver. She held no hard feelings against her former Quidditch obsessed boyfriend, they had been friends for years, and she didn't want something as dumb as a break up ruin that.
The next week, on Monday, Fred and George were sitting in the back room talking. Angelina had left about a half an hour ago, and as usual, Fred and George didn't want to go home yet.
They were talking about Quidditch, their favorite subject, and George was about to comment on the Chudley Cannons, but stopped when he heard a small tap tap from across the room. He looked up and saw a small blur bouncing outside around the window. He automatically recognized the blur as his brother Ron's owl, Pig.
Fred noticed Pig from across the room as well. He sat back and put his feet on a near by box.
"It's your turn to deal with that bloody owl," Fred said, "I had to get Ron's letter from him last time,"
George sighed and got out of his chair. Ron was now in his 7th year and he wrote to Fred and George frequently. Ron's letters were usually filled with information about the Quidditch season, complaints on teachers, and what he, Harry and Hermione had been up to.
Fred and George liked getting Ron's letters, he was their brother after all, but Ron's owl was unbelievable. Pig would snap your hand playfully, yet hard, he would fly through your hair and around your head before giving you the letter, making you reach for it in any which direction.
George opened the window and Pig darted in, flying laps around the top of the room. George just stood there, looking at it.
"Oy! Come down here you stupid owl!" George said. Pig flew down to him and started flying around his head. George attempted to grab the owl in his palm, missing a few times, but finally succeeding.
"Well you did better then I did," Fred laughed. George then took the letter from Pig, and not bothering to give him anything, he threw him back out of the window.
"Come back later," George called after him, slamming the window close.
"All right, let's see what Ickle Ronnikiens has to say this week," Fred said as George sat down.
George opened the letter that was labeled "Fred and George" and unfolded it. He started reading Ron's letter out loud. It read,
Dear Fred and George,
How are you two? I hope you guys are well. I'm doing pretty good here. I'm just writing you guys a quick letter before I have Quidditch practice. Harry makes us practice at least 3 times a week. Which is good compared to the way Angelina used to drill us. But she was a brilliant captain, mind you.
Anyway, I wanted to let you guys know that there's a Hogsmead trip this weekend. Bit of a short notice, but I thought it would be nice to see you two again. Harry and Hermione want to see you guys too, they haven't seen you in a while either.
And for the record, a lot of the students here are always asking me if I could bring any of your products or order forms to school. So if you guys decide to come this weekend, bring some of your stuff, you'll definitely sell out.
Write back soon. Oh, and Ginny sends her love.
Love,
Ron
"This is it, Fred," George said, when he finished reading the letter.
"What is what?" he asked, puzzled.
"Hogsmead," George said, looking at his twin, "We'll go to Hogsmead this weekend, and you can bring Angelina,"
Fred looked at his brother, knowing what he was inclining. He thought for a moment, it had been almost near a month since Oliver and Angelina broke up, and he had been waiting for the right moment to ask her out.
"You don't think it's too soon, then?" he asked.
"Absolutely not," George shook his head.
"All right then," said Fred, making up his mind, "I'll ask her to come with us,"
"When?" George asked. He knew Fred would put this off.
"Wednesday," he said, "Not tomorrow because, well, just because,"
George chuckled at his brother. He always loved seeing him either frightened or nervous. It was a part of that odd sibling amusement.
What If I said what I was thinking?
What if it says too much?
When everybody's got a reason
I feel like giving up
On Wednesday night Fred, George, and Angelina were closing up the shop and talking. George was sweeping the floors, Angelina was putting items back in their proper place, and Fred was counting out the registers. The grandfather clock rang as it turned to 8 O'clock.
"It's 8 o'clock already?" Angelina pondered out loud, straightening up the last couple of items, "George, I've got everything back in place, do you think I can leave?"
"Yea, sure," George said, looking up at her.
"Hold on," Fred called from the counter, "Why do you always ask George what to do? I own half of this store too, mind you."
"Me? Take orders from you?" Angelina asked. George looked at her and she looked at him.
"Yeah right," They said in unison.
"What do you mean 'yeah right'? I'm serious!" Fred said, laughing, "You never say, "Fred, can I go home now?" "Fred do you need me to clean up?" It's always George, George, George!"
"Are you jealous of your twin, Fred?" Angelina asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Well, no," he shrugged, "I was just curious; that's all,"
"Sure," George said, rolling his eyes.
"It's simple, Fred," Angelina said, "I'm surprised you don't remember,"
"Remember what?"
"Back at Hogwarts, when I used to help you and George set up those order forms? And when I helped you mix the potions?"
"Yes, I remember. So what?" He scoffed.
"Well, I didn't take orders from you then, so why start now?" She said simply, "You're too soft and George knows how to boss people around,"
"Aye, I give up," Fred said, going back to counting the coins.
Angelina and George both laughed, and Fred couldn't help but laugh along. Angelina then walked to the backroom to get her coat and she headed back to the front doors. She reached for the handle but stopped as George cleared his throat.
"Oy, Fred, why don't you walk Angelina home? It's dark out tonight and I don't think she should walk alone,"
"Walk?" Fred asked, confused, " But she always apparates,"
"Actually, I do feel like walking tonight," Angelina said slowly, eyeing George, "Er, Fred, do you mind?" she asked politely.
George cleared his throat more loudly then before, looking at Fred. Fred finally took the hint and said,
"Right, right. Sure Ill walk you home, Angie," he said closing the register, "Just let me go get my coat,"
"Is this your way of trying to get me and Fred together?" Angelina asked, a little amused. She was used to George trying to set her up, he did all the time at Hogwarts.
"Maybe," George replied, busying himself with some various things on a shelf. Angelina shook her head, smiling.
"All right," Fred said, coming out of the back room, pulling on his coat. He then held the door open for Angelina.
"Thanks," she said, smiling at him, "Bye, George!"
"Bye!" He called back. Angelina walked out of the store and before Fred left George added, "Ask her,"
Fred gave him a puzzled look, "Tonight?"
"Yes," he nodded, "why not?"
Fred shrugged and hurried out of the store to catch up to Angelina. He fell in step with her and she looked at him.
"Thanks for walking me home," she started, as they continued walking, "I appreciate it,"
"It's no problem," he shrugged, smiling, "I'm glad I could do it,"
"Really, I do appreciate it," she said softly, "Ever since Oliver and I called it quits you've really been there for me,"
"Like I said, It's no problem, really," He looked sideways at her, smiling.
"You're always making me laugh," she continued, "And I'm glad that I have great friends like you and George and Katie,"
"I've always been there for you, Angel, so naturally, I'd be here now," He said seriously. 'And forever,' he thought.
They then arrived in front of Katie's apartment. They stood in front of the door, Fred looking at his feet, and Angelina looking around.
"Er, well, thanks again," she said, staring into his eyes.
"Your welcome," he said, looking up at her.
"Well, goodnight," she said quietly. She began to turn away.
"Ange?" Fred asked, causing her to turn around. "Um, I was wondering, well,"
"What is it?" She asked, concern in her eyes.
"Well, Ron owled us the other day, and he mentioned that they had a Hogsmeade trip this weekend. And I thought it would be nice if I went up there to pay him Hermione and Harry a visit," he took a deep breath and rubbed the back of his neck, " And I was wondering if you wanted to come with me,"
"Fred-"
"You don't have to," he said quickly, "because if you're still not over Wood, I understand. I just thought Ron would be happy to see you. You were the one who placed him on the Quidditch team after all,"
"Fred," she stopped him, smiling, "I'd love to," She breathed.
"Really?" He grinned.
"Of course," she beamed at him, "and Oliver," She began, "I'm over him. Thanks to you," She said sweetly, taking his hand. Fred began to blush. He smiled at her.
"I know we're going to have a lot of fun this weekend," He assured her, "I heard their Quidditch team is really good this year,"
"I don't care about the Quidditch," She said, smiling, "Ok, well, maybe a little. But this weekend, all I care about you and me," She said softly. He squeezed her hand.
"I know, me too," He agreed.
Angelina wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. Fred was a little shocked at first but he eventually held her tightly, treasuring the moment. Angelina put her head on his shoulder, thinking about how this weekend would be just like when they were at school.
When they pulled away, Fred told her that'd he'd probably have to get back.
"Yeah," Angelina agreed. " I'll see you tomorrow,"
"Bright and early," Fred said, smiling. He turned away but Angelina grabbed his forearm, pulling him back. He looked at her, eyebrows raised, but she pulled him quickly into a kiss.
They pulled apart, smiling at each other.
"Good night," Angelina said, walking inside the house.
"Sweet dreams," Fred replied. Angelina stepped inside the house and leaned against the door, closing her eyes. She'd finally found her way back.
I'm finding my way back to you
And everything I used to be
And waiting is all that I can do
Until you find your way back to me
THE END
A/N (from Ashliegh)- Well! There you have it! THE END! I really hope you guys liked this! And like I've said so many times before, THANK YOU to each and every one of you guys who read and review! And even those of you who read and didn't review, thanks for reading! =) Please leave us a final review! Hopefully I'll be back with another piece of F/A sometime soon...we'll have to see! ^_~ Thanks again!!