Chapter 3: Final Curtain
*****
The last guest had finally been ushered from the theater. George, Charlie and Brad had stayed unobtrusively in the background while the ladies said their goodbyes. As Ginny closed and locked the front doors, Katie gave a loud yell and picked a startled Alinora up off her feet and swung her around.
"We're done! It's over, we can sleep late again and relax and goof off! I can play Quidditch for a while!"
Katie finally released Ali, who sunk to the floor, laughing hysterically, and ran over to hug a grinning Brad around the neck. Whispering a quiet phrase, Ali ended the charm on her clothing and gave a sigh of relief as the skin tight dress was replaced with a pair of black pants and a long, black jumper, which looked a lot like the ones that Mrs. Weasley made for the family each Christmas. Her hair was pulled into a high ponytail that piled up beneath her as she lowered herself back onto the carpet and stared up at the ceiling, smiling happily.
She sat back up again quickly and smiled around at the guys, "Oh yeah, and it's really great to see you all too. Sorry we didn't say it sooner. We were a bit distracted though." Laughter greeted her words, along with a comment to the effect of 'what else is new?' Ali stuck out her tongue at Charlie, who had made the comment, before collapsing back down onto the floor.
She heard someone settle down beside her, but was too relaxed to move. Her view of the ceiling was blocked by a mass of red hair as George leaned over to kiss her forehead.
"See anything exciting up there?" he teased.
Alinora started to reply in kind when her roving glance noticed something perched on an upper rafter. "I think I do." she said, slowly rising up from the ground. George helped her up and watched curiously as she walked around the room, still staring upwards. The others had stopped their conversations as well to see what was going on.
Finally, Alinora got into a good position to confirm what she'd thought she'd seen while laying on the floor. There, in the rafters above, was a small, brown owl. "Artemus?" she called softly, catching the attention of the owl. It hooted softly and flew down to perch on a near by chair. He had a note attached to his leg which Ali was quick to remove. "Katie, could you go grab my bag- I've got some owl treats packed in there. And get some water too!" she called out as Katie and Brad ran backstage.
They soon returned, followed by a floating trail of all their packed possessions. Ali gave Artemus some treats and set the water down near by so he could drink, then opened the letter.
Ali-
I'm sorry Anna and I couldn't be there tonight to support you guys, but I'm sure you've had a calmer time of it than we have. The babies have arrived! Did you notice the plural form? I blame it completely on our association with the Weasley's, but my wonderful wife has tonight given birth to our twins- a boy and a girl.
We're still… discussing what their names are. I'll let you know when negotiations end, though I'm hoping that'll be done soon- and before you visit. You will be coming tomorrow to meet your God children, right??? Now that Anna's stopped yelling at me (and I won't tell you what she said as I'm afraid to find out where she picked up some of those phrases) she seems quite happy, though how we'll deal with TWO… Feel free to bring pointers from Molly when you visit.
I'm being called, so I'll close this out now. I'll instruct Arte not to disturb your performance and we hope to see you ALL very soon.
Love,
Colin
"They had twins?!?" Katie started to laugh. "Oh dear, how does he always manage to get himself into stuff like that?"
Alinora was still studying the letter, grinning rather foolishly, when she felt an arm going around her waist. Leaning in to place her head on George's chest, she heard his chest rumble as he chuckled.
"Well, are you going to reply? Artemus looks eager to be off home."
Ali shook herself slightly and grinned up at him, "Yeah that would be a good idea, wouldn't it?" She rummaged through her pack and pulled out a pen to jot down a quick note back to Colin.
Brother dear-
We're all very happy for you and Anna- give her and the little ones our love.
Of course, I'll be visiting tomorrow! As will the rest, I expect, though let us know if Anna would prefer less company.
If you find you need help in negotiating your peace treaty with Anna, let me know and I'll send Brad to help you out, as he is the expert, but I figure you won't need any help there.
See you soon!
Love,
Alinora
She reattached the parchment to Artemus' leg and he was quick to fly off through an opening in the roof.
Alinora let out a happy sigh of contentment and turned to wrap her arms around George. "This has been a good day!"
At her words, Brad and Charlie turned to stare at her as if she'd just lost her mind, but the others only laughed. Ginny, who'd been quietly talking to Charlie, walked over and gave Alinora, and by extension George, a hug.
"Yes, I would have to agree, it has a truly amazing day!" She paused for a moment before drawing back, "So, what do you say we get this place straightened up and get out of here so we can celebrate it? Humm?"
"I think sounds like an amazing idea!"
"Don't be a smartarse Brad- that's Fred and George's job, remember?" Katie said, lightly taping him on the head.
"Hey, I resemble that remark!" George said indignantly, before grinning over at Katie and Brad. "Besides, if I were to say something like that I would use the word 'smashing' which is so much more appropriate, in any situation!"
They were all in high spirits as they finished setting the theater to rights and making sure that the girls had all of their belongings. They'd sent most of their possessions back to their apartment after arriving in town that morning and had only kept what they'd need for their stay with the Weasleys. If they decided they needed anything else, it was only a short hop to their place in Hogsmeade.
Finally, they could find nothing else to take care of. Everything was back where it belonged and spotless, as they'd promised it would be.
"Time to be going?" Charlie asked, glancing around the room. "I'm sure Mum's wondering what's keeping us. I do hope Dad hasn't mentioned anything about tonight yet; though if he had, I think she would've come and collected us all in person!"
"Arthur won't say anything prematurely, but that doesn't mean she won't hear from someone else." Brad commented as he collected the bags Katie was pointing out to him as hers. "We'll meet you all there." and then he and Katie were gone.
"Come on Charlie, the sooner we get home, the sooner Mum will get over us being back. Harry's game should be over by now too, right?" Passing Charlie the heavier of her two bags, she gave Ali and George a cheerful wave before she too Disapparated. Charlie sighed deeply, shaking his head, and disappeared.
Alone in the empty theater, George and Alinora stood in silence with their arms wrapped around each other.
"I'm glad you're back." George's grip tighten for a moment before relaxing so he could draw back slightly and look down and the petite woman he was holding.
The usual mischief was missing from her expression as she studied him in return. "I'm happy to be back. I've missed you. Living from visit to visit isn't much fun, even for a very good cause. I'm glad we will all be able to relax and catch up on all the events that have been going on in each other's lives. Bloody hell, we almost missed Fred and Angelina's wedding last year because Moody needed us to go to Austria! And we were all in the wedding!! What a mess…" Alinora started laughing, remembering the problems they'd had in trying to get back in time so the wedding would occur without any problems. "I'm tired of it. I want to try having a normal, peaceful life for a while and spend as much time with you as I possibly can. I think we've all earned that."
He nodded in agreement before leaning down to kiss her. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing rather heavily. "We'd better… be heading out. I know Mum has something planned for this evening and we shouldn't miss it. This everything you need?" he asked, gesturing at the bags on the ground around their feet.
She smirked up at him, not bothering to look down, "Yep, this is everything I need."
He smiled and kissed her on the nose as he bent to pick up her stuff. With one last look around, Ali ended the charm providing the lights for the room and then they were gone as well.
