Disclaimer: I still don't own them. 'Cept for Jenny. I own her.
iv. Surprises
George made me take a break. He said I looked stressed and tired, so he sent me to the backroom so I could have a cup of tea. But I'm not in the backroom. I'm outside, smoking the rest of my pack for the day. I've been smoking a lot ever since I left Hogwarts.
We started our business, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, in Diagon Alley. Merlin, our own business. And a successful one at that. But why do I feel like something is still missing?
Lee and Alicia work at the store, too (they insist that it's just temporary though). Alicia's here because she's George's pregnant fiancé (that's right! I'm gonna be an uncle!) and Lee's here because he helps with the inventions. Katie's still at Hogwarts.
We left Hogwarts a year ago. I can still remember that day perfectly. It was absolutely wonderful. We left right in front of that Umbridge pig! The look on her face was priceless! It was our last offense against Filch, and even though he witnessed us 'disobeying', he couldn't do anything to punish us. It was glorious. I felt so exhilarated, it felt like my heart would just burst out of my ribcage.
Right before we took off though, I made eye contact with Angelina. She looked proud, proud that George and I actually had the guts to leave. But at the same time, she looked so sad. Her face, her beautiful flawless face, was glistening with tears. I hesitated, I suddenly didn't want to leave. But she gave a small nod, telling me that it would be alright. I smiled at her and mouthed "I love you", and I kicked off.
I spotted Peeves from across the hall. I instructed him to give Umbridge hell. Then I added in a whisper, "Just make sure Angelina doesn't get hurt in the process." He saluted us, much to my surprise. Then we rode off, leaving the castle and my Angel behind.
That felt like eons ago. Angel and I kept in touch. After she left Hogwarts, she got a job offer from America, so she had to move right away. We sent each other letters every week. But recently, the letters became more conversational and not filled with love like when we first started writing to each other.
I was about to light another cigarette when the door flew open.
"There you are! I thought you were in the backroom. Honestly Fred, you should quit that Muggle habit. I hear it's bad for your lungs and that it could kill you. Just don't do it around Alicia," George was pointing at the stick dangling from my mouth.
"What do you want, George? I thought I was on break?" I lit the cigarette anyway.
"You are. There's just someone here to see you." And with that, he retreated back into the store.
Someone's here to see me? Could it be her? I mean, she did say in her letters that she would stop by, she just never said when. But then again, it could be someone else.
I stubbed out my cigarette against the wall and straightened my robes (Why did George pick magenta? It's gross). I ran a hand through my messy hair (I never bothered with brushing it) and followed George into the store.
My eyes focused on my friends gathered around someone. Alicia was laughing and gesturing at her bulging belly. Then I heard her unique laugh. Merlin, it felt like everyone in the room just disappeared.
I rushed forward, pushing Lee and George away. I was grinning like a madman, and she was smiling back. There she was, a goddess in jeans and a tee-shirt. I held my arms out wide and she ran to me, catching me in a bear hug. I held her tight and spun her around, laughing out loud. My first real laugh since forever. I was so happy, I felt like crying.
She kissed my cheek and looked up at me, "Hey there, stranger."
"Hey," I had my hands on her waist, afraid that if I let her go, she'd be gone forever. Merlin, she didn't change a bit. Same wide smile, same bright eyes. She did get rid of the braids though. Now its sleek and straightened. Beautiful. "I didn't think you'd come today!"
"I felt like surprising you. So, how are you, Fred?"
"I'm brilliant! I feel great now that I've seen you! Oh Angel, I missed you so much!" I hugged her again. Then the bell on the front door rang.
I looked up and saw her approaching. Oh no. She walked up to Lee, who was helping a customer reach a package of quills. She seemed to ask him something. No. Oh no oh no oh no oh no. Lee pointed at us. Oh NO! I was still holding onto Angelina when she made her way towards us. I quickly straightened up and let go of Angel.
"Fred! Hey baby! Are you ready for lunch?" She gave me a hug and a peck on the cheek. Oh Merlin, no. I looked at Angelina, she was looking at me weird, confusion in her eyes.
"In a minute, Jenny. Um…" how am I supposed to do this? "Jenny, this is Angelina. She's a… er… a school friend. Angelina, this is Jenny. A… a friend."
They looked at each other for what seemed like the longest time. Jenny then offered her right hand, smiling that brilliant winning smile of hers.
"Pleasure to meet you, Angelina. Can I call you Angie for short?" Angel gingerly shook Jenny's hand.
"Um… I guess... you could..."
"That's great! Hey, Fred and I are about to go to lunch. Would you like to come with us?"
"I really don't think I should…"
"Great! I'll go change the reservations. They only booked a table for two. You would love this restaurant. Hold on, ok?" She smiled, "Just meet me there, Fred. See you in a bit, Angie!" She pivoted on her heel and walked out the front door, waving goodbye to George, who heard the whole conversation.
George looked at me, and sensing that something was going on, took a step forward.
"Who was she?" Angelina asked. She didn't sound mad, more like amused.
George looked at Angel then back at me. Realizing that I could handle this by myself, he made up an excuse about helping Alicia with the Pygmy Puffs. Good boy, George.
"Um, maybe we should go in the backroom for awhile." I gestured towards the back and she nodded.
I made her sit down on the couch, and I offered her tea. She declined, so I fixed myself some. After a long awkward silence, she asked her question again. I almost choked on my drink.
"Well. She's Jenny…"
"I got that. What's she to you?"
"We're… we're dating," I whispered. She looked hurt. But she quickly replaced her frown with a brilliant smile that didn't quite match her eyes.
"Oh. That's great, Fred. She seems… nice. Is she famous? Because she looks famous."
"She is. She is nice. Um, no. Not in the wizarding world. Her father's a Muggle. Some CEO, whatever that is."
"Hm, explains her expensive clothes then. For how long?"
"What?"
"How long have you two been dating?" She started picking at the loose thread on the couch.
"Um… about three months. She was a customer."
"Oh. And you just asked her out?" Angelina was starting to sound irritated now. Not good.
"Well, no. George kind of set us up."
"George! I will beat him into a bloody…"
"Don't blame him though! I shouldn't have gone out with her."
"Well, why did you, then?" She stood up, her fists clenched.
"Because I thought I would never see you again!"
"But we wrote to each other every week. Why didn't you write about her?"
"I didn't want you to know. I thought that if I told you, you wouldn't want to see me again."
"That's rubbish, Fred, and you know it."
"I'm sorry, Angel."
She tugged at her shirt. "Let's go. You wouldn't want to keep Jenny waiting."
She pulled back the curtain separating the backroom from the rest of the store aggressively.
Oh Merlin, I'm gonna have to kill George for getting me into this. 'Oh you should date her Fred! She looks nice!' Bullshit.
I took off my robes so I was just wearing jeans and a shirt. I left the room, and scanned the store for Angel. She was with Alicia, who was stroking Angie's back and looking sympathetic.
"You tell her 'bout Jenny, then?" George asked me from behind the register.
"Yup. Obviously, she isn't taking it very well," I stared daggers at the Man Formerly Known as My Twin Brother.
"I can see that."
"I shouldn't have taken your lousy advice! 'Date someone! Get over Angelina! Merlin knows she's probably found some hot American!'" I looked down at my watch, "I have to go meet Jenny now. I'll kill you later."
"Have fun, Freddy! Play nice!" he waved, a big annoying grin pasted on his face.
This will be a very long day.