Chapter 30
Isabelle walks into Triple W, with tear filled eyes and is immediately embraced by her Uncle Fred. Though not completely the same, it is close to being held by her father.
Fred and Angie were woken by George's owl in the middle of the night. Right away, he told his brother to focus on his wife and her recovery. He can't imagine having to make such a decision. Of course, Fred would come to the same conclusion, his wife's welfare is the most important.
"You're mother is the strongest woman I know, Belle. She'll be back to rights before you know it." He tells his niece while rubbing her back. "Now, let's get some work done. Aunt Angie and I will drop off the books for both stores tonight. I heard through the grapevine that you have a date tonight with Malfoy Jr."
"Yes, Uncle Nosy. I do have a date with Scorpius tonight. I'm looking forward to it, but at the same time, I'm worried about Mum."
"You let your dad worry about Hermione. He's good at it. He's had many years of practice." Fred assures Isabelle.
The day is normal for Triple W. It's loud, blindingly colorful and full of people as always. Towards the end of the day. Uncle Harry comes in to help out in the vacuum of the second Weasley being gone.
It is in this atmosphere, that Richard Corner walks into the Triple W. He is mostly there because it is his turn to buy the fireworks, but seeing who the cashier is, he hangs around.
This may be his chance to get in Isabelle's good graces. Rick has heard of many of their year group's guys vying for a chance with Isabelle Weasley. This is not something that sits well with Rick, not having the best. Overnight, when the news of their break up was confirmed, Isabelle became the top girl of their year. His good friend, Robert Finnegan, said that everyone is after her because she is a total package; smart, compassionate, hard working, beautiful. "And everyone knows that Fred and Angelina Weasley don't have any children, so she is the only heir of those two stores. Who wouldn't want to have an in like that?"
Rick had never thought of that before. As the only child of the twins, she would inherit the shop as well as the comic shop. Rick plasters on his best "come hither" smile and steps up to the desk.
"Welcome to Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes. Did you find everything you were looking for today? We are running a special on Skiving Snack boxes today. If you buy three, you will get two free." Isabelle rattles off the greeting, while ringing the items through, without looking up. She had seen Rick in the line and decided to treat him as any other customer.
"Thank you, I did and no thank you on the special. Isabelle, I'm going crazy without you, Babe." Rick panders, now that he has her attention. He just needs to say one right thing and he'll have another chance or so he thinks.
The old Isabelle would have caved by now, but the new Belle was stronger, self assured and knew what she wanted from her guy. Rick Corner was lacking in every criteria category.
"That will be 27 galleons, Mr. Corner." She bags the fireworks and collects his coins, then she turns to the next person. By the fifth, Rick decides to take the bag to his friends and come back to pick her up. He can see that he needs to try harder or someone will have his first prize girlfriend.
Isabelle shakes her head at his back as he leaves. "Good riddance." She mutters and finishes checking people out in her line. "Well, this will make for a good story tonight."
When he returns to the joke shop, Rick sees that Isabelle is no longer at the checkout desk. In her place is James (Pain In the Ass) Potter. The Savior's son was always trying to break he and Issy up. Rick thought he wanted her, but she never showed any interest.
Finally, Issy comes out from the back room. James looks over and whistles. "Looking good, Cuz. Have fun tonight." He calls as the girl almost skips out the door.
Rick follows Isabelle. She walks up the Alley to the Leaky. He catches up to her finally. "Issy, what did the Potter dick mean by have fun tonight?" He asks as they walk through the pub and out to the muggle world.
"James is not a dick! He meant that I have a date tonight. Now please, I need to go home. My parents wanted to hear about my day before I go out." She starts walking faster, pissed that he thinks if he was falsely caring and interested in her, that she would take him back.
Rick keeps up. "Isabelle, I'm sorry. Very sorry that I made you feel so low. I've learned my lesson. I know you are the best thing in my life. I want you back, I need you back. Please, say you will at least think about it. I'm going to Bobby's tonight. I hope I'll see you there. You've always loved going with me." He walks closer to her and tries to pull her into his arms. It sends shivers of revulsion down her spine.
Belle steps back and shakes her head. Her curls swing around her head and start sparking like her mother. "Again, you are totally wrong about me, Richard." She returns.
"Stop calling me that! You never called me Richard." He demands. Isabelle shakes her head and hails a taxi to go home. Rick sticks his nose up and watches her ride away from him in the car. She doesn't even turn back once.
He has got to find a way to get her back.