AN- Well, my dear readers, once again I have left you at a crucial point of the story. This time, however, it was not my fault. I was away on holidays without internet access, and now I'm home for a week, so I'm posting this now.
I wasn't just lazing around while I was away though. I write this chapter and the next chapter, and as you night notice this chapter is the longest one so far.
In this chapter are letters between Fred and Angelina, and it was weird to write them, but I tried to feel how they would be feeling if I was apart from someone I loved. I hope you like them.
I would like to thank all of you who reviewed the last chapter. I'm glad you all liked it so much.
Now, I need a name for a character in the next chapter, and I was wondering if the fiftieth review that I get would like to choose the name. So, if you think that you are the fiftieth reviewer of this story, leave your email and I will write to you as soon as I can.
That's all for now, so I'll let you get to the story. Thanks a lot, and remember to review!
Tidal Waves
I'll keep my eyes patiently focussed on you
Number 93 Diagon Alley was prime real estate in the Wizarding shopping district. Tucked in between a bookshop and a clothing store, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was bound to attract a huge number of passer by.
It had been a week and a half since the Weasley twins had left Hogwarts and their scholastic careers behind. Unlike others before them who had left school early, they did not spend their time lazing about eating Chocolate Frogs. No, Fred and George were definitely very busy.
The twins first stop a f ter leaving Hogwarts fo good had been the Burrow. Their parents were not home at the time, but it wasn't pure coincidence. A letter from a restaurant in Hogsmeade had arrived that said that Molly and Arthur Weasley had won a dinner for two. The dinner that the couple had won was only for one specific evening. Luck had it that the evening just so happened to be the very evening that the twins were arriving at the Burrow.
Once inside the Burrow, Fred and George went up the stairs to their room. The room looked more like a warehouse than a bedroom. Boxes and crates were piled almost to the ceiling all around the room and papers with lists of products littered the floor.
A thin layer of dust lay over everything, but it wasn't a testament to Molly's cleaning abilities. The twins had grown tired of their mum coming into their room to "clean" and end up getting rid of their carefully developed products. As a result Fred and George had invented locking spell that prevented people from getting into the room. Even those who knew the most advanced unlocking spells would be hard put to break through the charm. It certainly did it's job.
Once inside the twins began shrinking the boxes and crates placing them inside a trunk. When that was finished they shrunk their furniture as well and placed it in a second trunk. These trunks were then charmed to be weightless and strapped to the back of their brooms. With all that done they flew off to their newly acquired premises.
xoxox
Currently, the twins were busy putting the finishing touches on the shop. The walls had been painted orange, and all the shelves were stained dark brown. All of the joke items were sorted and packaged appropriately. A large amount of time had been spent trying to get everything priced, and the wide variety of products hadn't exactly helped.
Then, on a Saturday afternoon, George stood up from the box that he had been looking through, looked round at his brother, and announced, "Done!"
Fred looked back at him "Done, you say? Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure, brother dearest. Here, look at this list." George handed his twin a long roll of parchment with various things written on it. Fred unfurled it and started going down the list, checking off various things.
"Paint the shop, check ... program the cash register, check ... find the disappearing quills, check ..." And it went on and on.
After reading through the entire list and proclaiming it all finished, Fred turned to his brother and said, "Well, it looks like we've forgotten to do something important."
"What!" said George, grabbing back the list and looking it over frantically. "We've finished everything on the list and more."
"You see, Twin Right, we have forgotten to write to our girlfriends. I believe that by now they have noticed this, because a few minuted ago, while I was up in our flat, a school owl flew in with two letters and one of them happens to be for you. And unless I am very much mistaken, Alicia's handwriting is on the envelope" Fred said with a grin.
George's whole face brightened up. "Where is it? Give it to me!"
Fred just laughed. "It's up on your bed." George sped upstairs.
When his twin had left Fred sat down on a nearby box and pulled out the letter from Angelina. With shaking hands, he opened the envelope.
Dear Fred,
Wow, it's been a week and a half since you left, and though it has felt like an eternity. Every day I have been hoping that a letter would come from you, but one hasn't arrived. I guess that you have been very busy getting your store ready, so I decided to take the initiative and write to you now. Anyways, I needed someone to talk to.
As you probably know, the final Quidditch game is next week. As captain, I'm in charge of making sure that we win, but without you, or George, or Harry, I doubt we have a chance. I suppose the team's only saving grace is your sister, Ginny, who is a great seeker. Ron might also be helpful, if he can get his head around it, but you know how the Slytherins are. If they have anything to say about it, Ron will definitely be off his form.
I'm sure that I've told you this before, but all I want is to be a good captain and keep the Quidditch Cup where it belongs. I kind of have a fear of failure. I think that when I had you with me, I was always able to tell myself that you didn't care wether or not I was a failure. Now though, it's really hard.
I never realized how much I need you until now, when you aren't here. It's strange really because in the evenings, I sit down with Katie, Alicia, and Lee, and I'm still half expecting you to come down the stairs or through the portrait hole.
The school is so quiet without you. I think the school almost needs official pranksters to keep it standing. Things have kind of collapsed into chaos. Everyone is using your Snackboxes to get out of classes, and throwing dungbombs every where. See, event he school needs you, not just me.
A ravenclaw boy came up to me the other day between classes, and started flirting with me. I didn't really know what to do, because he is a nice guy, if a bit thick, but definitely not you. So as soon as I got to my next classroom, I fled into the room with a quick "S'later."
I don't even know why I'm telling you this, because I love you, and you know that. Or at least I hope you do by now. "Wink, wink."
Anyways, I can't wait to see you again, and I'm counting the days until school is over. Wish me luck on the Quidditch match.
Love,
Angelina xoxoxo
"Hunh," breathed Fred. He quickly re-read the missive, and then set it down on the floor in front of him. He rubbed his eyes with the heals of his hands, trying to ignore the feeling of longing that was building up inside of him.
The truth was, hi missed Angelina more than he had every missed anyone or anything in his life. She was his other half, and just thinking of what she was going through hurt him. Her telling him about that Ravenclaw made him angry. Well, not angry, he just wanted to punch the guy's face in.
Angelina's mention of their last two days together, no matter how offhand it was brought back pictures of those nights. It made him miss her even more. If that was at all possible.
After a few moments of thought, Fred shook his head to clear it and then stood up and, letter in hand, walked into the shop's office. He sat down at his desk and pulled out a sheet of parchment. Dipping a quill in some ink, he began to write.
Dear Angie,
Your letter came just as George and I finished getting the shop ready to open, si it was kind of like a reward for my hard work. I'm sure George feels the same about Alicia's letter – it was smart of you two to send them together.
Before I say anything else, I want to apologize for not writing straight away. I know that it isn't really much of an excuse, but George and I have been working twenty hour days for the last little while. You couldn't imagine all of the things that have to be done before opening a shop! It's insane!
I'll get on with the letter now.
Angie, what you said about the days seeming like eternity ... Well it's the same for me, except I have this ace inside me that won't go away. I need you so bad, and every day I'm wishing that I was there with you.
However, I'm not and I can't. I need to be here at the shop and you need to be at Hogwarts. That's how it has to be for now. Besides, it's only for another month or so.
But getting back to the stuff in your letter.
Merlin, you must be worried about the Quidditch Cup! I mean, if Wood was as paranoid as he was when we had a really good team, you must be well-nigh insane with the lot that you have to put up with. At least little Ginny has some chance of catching the snitch because for some reason – that I am obviously not privy to – she is really good.
You really shouldn't worry about it though. I'm sure the team will do their best, although those two beaters' best might be aiming their clubs within three feet of the bludgers. I'm sure that you and Alicia and Kates will do awesome though, as always. Ron. Well, I'm not even going to go there for fear of jinxing him.
All Quidditch aside, you shouldn't be afraid of failure. I'm honoured to know that I helped you with that, but I really think that it is all in your head. Before you start glaring because you think I'm calling you insane, stop. I'm just saying that tif you think that you will do well, you will. You are an amazing woman, Angie. Don't you forget that. Plus I love you, so that has to count for something.
As for that idiot Ravenclaw. If he bugs you again, I will be straight up to the school and will beat him to a pulp. What kind of guy hits on girls that already have a boyfriend! Slimy ones, that's who!
I'm sorry, but it makes me kind of angry. I know it's stupid, but I can't really help it.
Well, I'm kind of out of things to say, and I still have a few things left to do around the shop before we can open to the public, so I'll wrap up this letter.
Babe, I love you more than life itself, and I cannot wait until we are together again. Good lick on the Quidditch match and tell Ginny that I am very proud of her. And tell that Ravenclaw that you are attached.
Love,
Fred xoxoxo
PS - I think this is the longest letter that I have ever written. I guess I really do love you!
PPS - You had better write me about the match. I want to know everything.
PPPS - Thinking of the next night that we will spend together when you get home. wink
Fred placed his letter in an envelope and went up the back stairs to his and George's flat that was above the shop. Once inside the small apartment, Fred took a left through the sitting room and down a small hallway to the room he shared with his twin. The room was of decent size and there was space enough for two double beds.
George was lying on his bed, reading through his letter. Finishing it, he placed it on the bed beside him and looked up noticing that Fred had entered the room.
"Well," said George, "it looks as though I still have myself a girlfriend!"
"Yes, I too fin myself in the same dire situation. We are incredibly lucky you know," said Fred with a laugh. The twins often joked about their girlfriends being annoying, but both knew that they loved them with all of their hearts.
"Nah, it's not luck," grinned George. "I put it down to our amazing good looks and super twin power."
Fred laughed. "That super twin power sure comes in handy, doesn't it?"
"That it does, Twin Left."
"Well, enough of the chit-chat. Hurry up and write back to your snogging partner, so that we can send these letters off together."
"Aye, aye, Captain!" saluted George. He stood up from his bed and started to walk out of the room.
"And make it snappy, George. Don't write 'I love you' a gazillion times. Say something intelligent. I know it might be hard to do so, but just do your best."
George reached down and picked up a trainer and then chucked it at his brother.
xoxox
The next letters arrived a week later. At the time Fred and George were closing up their shop for the day. In the four days since the shop had been opened, the twins had already had more customers than they could have imagined in their wildest dreams.
On the day in question, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes had drawn in the largest number of customers yet. It was also that day that the largest number of owl orders had come in for their products – more specifically Skiving Snackboxes – from students at Hogwarts.
Fred was working behind the shop's counter, organizing the money so that it could be easily deposited at Gringotts. Suddenly a large black owl flew into the room through the special owl port that had been installed. The owl flew to where Fred was sitting and dropped two letters on the counter. Hooting shrilly, the owl wheeled around and flew back out the way it had come in.
Thinking that another mail order had arrived, Fred turned over one of the envelopes to check if it was addressed to the store. Seeing his own name written in a very familiar script, Fred's heart began to beat faster.
Finding the other letter addressed to George in similarly familiar writing, Fred went up stairs to the flat calling George's name as he went.
When at last Fred found his twin he hastily shoved the letter from Alicia into George's hands and walked into the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. Hastily, he opened the letter.
Dear Fred,
Guess what!
WE WON THE QUIDDITCH CUP!
Can you believe it? I know I cant!
Let me start from the beginning.
The game started quite badly for us, and your brother wasn't looking at all promising. He was letting in very easy shots, but all of a sudden, something happened. He became excellent.
Ron was saving everything that came at him and that allowed us chasers to rack up the score against Ravenclaw. Before anyone knew it, Ginny was in a dive after the snitch!
I know you said that the game would go fine, but I couldn't really believe it until now. And with me as captain, I feel so proud of the entire team, even those two beaters. Even they did fairly well. I think one of them might have actually sent a bludger at the opposite team!
After the game I was walking up to Gryffindor tower when the annoying Ravenclaw boy that I was telling you about caught up to me. (I was walking pretty fast because there was a party going on. You know me and parties ...) Yeah, so we were walking along and I was trying to think of a way to ditch him, when he asked me to ditch you and go out with him.
I think you will like what I did next.
I slapped him in the face. Hard.
Then I told him that I would never leave you because I was happily in love with you. Then I said that he was either incredibly stupid or impossibly arrogant to think that I would ever even consider dating him.
Merlin, some people are thick!
So, I thought you would be pleased to know that idiot boy is no longer an issue.
Fred, I'm sure that you already know this, because I've said similar things a million times before, but I'll say it a million times more. I love you so much that I cannot even begin to imagine life without you. You are my everything, and I could never leave you or be with anyone else, no matter how long we were apart. I just want you to know that.
On a happy note, only about a month left until I get to see you again. I can't wait.
That's all for now.
Love,
Angelina xxoo
PS - That was a long letter. I'm touched, and very proud of you.
PPS - Yeah thinking about it too.
Fred placed the letter down with a grin. His girl had won the Quidditch cup! How awesome what that! Very awesome was the answer. The was so proud of her. Especially about the idiot Ravenclaw. She had slapped him! Fred still wanted to punch the guy, but what his girlfriend had done was good enough.
Just then the bedroom door flew open. In raced George yelling, "They won the Cup! Gryffindor won the Cup!"
"Yeah, I know," said Fred. "Angie just wrote me. Isn't it great?"
"It sure is. I'm so proud of the girls. And Ginny. And maybe Ron too."
"D'you think that we can finally admit that we are related to him?"
"I think we could. Anyways, I'm going to go write back and I suggest you do the same."
George turned around and left the room. Fred pulled out a piece of parchment.
Dear Angelina,
That is so great that you guys won the Cup! George and I are so proud of you guys! Just between the two of us, we are even considering admitting that we are related to Ronnikins. That is how proud we are.
I am especially proud of you, Captain Angelina. See, even if you doubted yourself, I was sure enough for the both of us.
And as for that Ravenclaw, well, you are a Goddess! You did a bloody brilliant job on him. If I was into doing happy dances, I would be doing one at the moment. You slapped him! That was just awesome!
Now that business has been taken care of I have some news of my own for once!
Okay. I never got around to telling you what happened when mum found out about George and I leaving school. Here is the story.
Two days after we left Hogwarts, he heard a knock on the door of our shop. Thinking it was one of our suppliers that was supposed to come calling that day, we rushed to the door. What we found, however, was an incredibly furious mum.
George was the one who opened the door for her, and in she rushed, grabbing us both by the ear.
"What's all this?" she cried, looking accusingly at the both of us. "Why aren't you at school?"
"Well, you see," started George, trying to be tactful, but you know me, Angie. I can't be tactful to save my life.
"Okay," I said. "Here are the facts. One. We hate Umbridge and not that she is in charge of the school, Hogwarts has lost any appeal that it once had. Two. We don't need NEWTs to do that we want to do. Three. We already had the money to start up the joke shop so we did. That, in short, is why we are here." George nodded in agreement.
Mum looked thunderstruck. She stared at up for a few moments then glanced around the half-painted shop. At long last she nodded our head. Wh had her okay! She gave us both a huge hug and then invited us to dinner that night. We immediately accepted because neither of us had gotten the hang of cooking yet.
Yeah, so that's the story of mum finding out. I thought it went rather well, don't you?
George just came in and told me to hurry up. My god, he must write quickly. Okay, well I'll wrap up now.
Babe, I miss you so much. I'm completely lost without you by my side. I have a picture of you by my bed, and when I look at it I want nothing more than to be with you, and to hold you tight and never let you go.
Just in case you are wondering, I would never even look at another girl, ever. My eyes are patiently focussed on you, and when you get back, you had better be able to spend the night away from home, because I have plans.
Big plans.
And I kind of need you for them.
Love always,
Fred xoxoxo