A/N EastEnders is a registered trademark of the BBC. The Blue Door Bistro Restaurant is a real place in Covent Garden…there I think I've covered all my bases.
Sorry it has been awhile since I last updated, but I'm graduating from college on Saturday so with final exams and all, things have been pretty hectic around here. I know I promised a double posting, but the next chapter simply is not ready yet. Sorry I also realized that I made a canon mistake but not having the Verity character around earlier in my own plot line so please forgive me on that score. Anyways, hope you enjoy and a big thank you to those of you that have left reviews and added me to your favorites list. I really appreciate it. Always--LadyWave
Chapter 5 Hoping for a Future
They took their oaths in the second week of December that year, in an induction ceremony that saw many of their graduating class joining up. Even Alicia had been motivated to become a member. As of yet they hadn't really seen any action, but had been assigned various roles. Lee had a place with propaganda, trying to get the word out that Voldemort was back and that every magical family should be prepared. The twins were supposed to be working on new charms, potions, or spells; anything that could help the Order. Angelina, herself, was put in charge of running through scenarios and battle plans. Yet, their ordinary lives continued as well. The shop was thriving and they had taken on two new employees, Verity and Bernard.
It was March 1, 1997 and Angelina had decided to take her mother out to luncheon.
"Mum?"
Angelina called into the foyer of her childhood home in Muggle London. Her mother's non-magical status was seen as a wonderful challenge to her pureblood father. Colin Johnson wooed and pursued Tessa Broussard ferociously, resulting in a 24 year marriage and of course Angelina Eleanor. Her fingertips grazed the polished oak table full of family photos and stopped on an antique sterling frame that was surprisingly empty.
"That one is for you my dear." Her mother's voice floated down from above. "I saw it while I was out shopping with the girls the other day."
"I thought you already had my graduation picture framed."
"We did that's in the parlor. I'm talking about your wedding picture."
"MUM!"
"Tut, girl I'm just being prepared. Now what brings you to this side of town, you aren't doing anything else dangerous are you?" The last time Angelina had been home was to announce that she was joining the Order, it broke her heart to hear the way her mother's voice changed full of inherent worry. While Tessa understood and interacted with the magical world frequently, the fact that she was utterly impotent in protecting her only child had never been something she could quite come to grips with.
"No, I just thought I would drop in and take my favorite mum to lunch."
"Fred's not with you?"
"He and George are out looking at properties in Hogsmeade, there's a rumor that Zonko's might be up for sale. Dad around?"
"No dahlin,' as he says just because war is on the brink doesn't mean an end to quidditch. He's working out the Beaters this weekend. You should go down next weekend though."
"Why?"
"He's working out the Chasers."
"Mum, we've discussed this."
"Well, you can't blame a mother for trying and at least I'm not as bad as your father. Let me grab my coat and we'll be on our way. I do hope the place is in walking distance…"
For as long as she could remember, her mother had hated side-along apparition. Her father refused to put the house on the floo network, so family travel had always been a bit complicated. Not that she could blame her mum, side-along did have the ability to make even the most-accomplished wizard sick to their stomach.
Soon enough mother and daughter were making their way towards the Blue Door Bistro in Covent Garden, once seated however Tessa could not help but pester her only child about her future. It bothered both Tessa and Colin that Angelina was spending all her time in the joke shop. With Angie's grades she could have done about anything and even her father believed that she would have made a decent quidditch player, but with all the opportunities open to her with her mind, Johnson name and talent, and even her mother's good looks, Angie worked in a minimum-wage job that seemed to afford her no future.
"Angelina, your father and I are simply concerned is all."
"I understand that and I've told you both that I don't plan on staying at the shop forever." Her mother had that stern look about her, a face that Angie mimicked well when Fred was concerned. "It's just temporary until the rest of the world gets its act together."
"My dear, I understand that things are uncertain but that is certainly no excuse to put your own life on hold."
"But I'm not, I'm enjoying myself. I'm learning things, meeting different people. To be honest, I practically run that store now, what with the twins always in the back working on new products. I directly supervise two employees; the store is turning over the highest profits it has seen in months.
"That's wonderful, but it isn't your profit. You don't have any ownership claim…"
"I thought you and dad said that I did not have to be concerned about my income."
"As our only child and sole beneficiary of course not, but that is not an excuse for you to free-ride Angelina."
"Mum, I refuse to work at the ministry right now because I don't believe in the people who run it, and I'll have you know that I decided to keep in-shape in preparation for trying out next season. I just needed a break you know, are year off to try enjoy what I have now."
"Hmmm, so what is going on between you and Fred?"
"We're fine, he's not happy with me joining to the Order, but he'll get over it."
"That's my girl….and in other areas." Angie knew full-well what her mother was saying but wanted the satisfaction of hearing her formulate the words.
"You know…has he figured out how to break your father's ward yet."
"No, Fred and I are not sleeping together. I'm just not ready yet."
"As your mother I'm happy to hear it….as a woman with some experience may I ask if this has presented any problems?" Tessa had always made it a point of fact to make sure that her daughter could talk to her about anything.
"I can tell he's frustrated….but I'm afraid he'll turn out like George."
"Even though they are twins, they aren't the same person Lina." Her mother reached across the table to cover Angie's hand with her own in a sign of tacit understanding.
"I'd kill him if he ever cheated on me."
"Honey, you'd have to beat your father to it….you feel that strongly about him do you?"
"I love him…I know I'm young, but it just feels so right. I feel like I've always loved him since the day he yanked one of my braids our first year. Is that wrong?"
"I made your father chase me for months because I could, I wanted to make sure he was in it for the long haul, and we haven't spent a day apart for almost 25 years but you make damn sure that he loves you more than you love him. Otherwise he'll break your heart."
As they tucked into their meal, conversation turned towards more trivial matters: her parents' plans for their holiday to the Caribbean and the greenhouse her mother wanted to build. She dropped her mum back at home, staying around long enough to visit with her father as well before returning to Diagon Alley. She found the flat empty which was surprising, since the twins should have been home hours ago. Angie figured they probably went up to Hogwarts to visit with Ron and Ginny, since it was the youngest Weasley male's birthday. She settled in on the couch to watch an EastEnders Marathon on the telly she had brought from home.
"Well what do you think?"
"I think the old man has lost his mind."
"He's old; I can't believe he wants that much money though."
"Do we have it?"
"Angie says we do."
"Let's go get a pint before we make any drastic decisions, I hear Madame Rosemerta has found a way to make her breasts seem larger…" lecherous George was practically drooling.
"As if that were even possible."
The ginger-haired twosome grabbed a table at the Three Broomsticks, ordering butterbeers for old time's sake and a couple of pints of the local brew. Since it wasn't a Hogsmeade weekend the place was bit quiet.
"Damn, George look around, not exactly a thriving community. We could lose a lot of money on this."
"You're not seeing the bigger picture twin; it's an investment that could pay dividends in the future."
"There are a lot of 'ifs' in that future George. You saw what Ginny wrote, Hogsmeade weekends being cancelled left and right and possibly for good. That's why the old man wants to sell and that offering price has to be inflated, he wants us to bargain."
"Well what about the mail-order system. That's keeps us in the Hogwarts' market."
"Yeah but Angelina says we're losing money on it….oh bugger! I'm a complete shite!" Fred slammed down his drink.
"What are you on about?"
"We can do both."
"Both?"
"Its like you said, it would be an amazing investment. We'll buy Zonko's now, but just hold on to the property. I mean it may be a sizeable amount of money now but a lot less then it would be after the war….
"Right…we make it a distribution center, run the mail-order system from there, save money on postage and travel…"
"And when the war is over, we'll make it the second store." The finished in unison, in true twin fashion
"Damn fine idea Forge."
"Couldn't have said it better myself Gred…oh wait a minute….I did say it better." He ended with a chuckle; the two of them always had the ability to find a silver lining in every situation. "So I think we are ready to make Mr. Hoekstra an offer."
"Not so fast twin…Mr. Hoekstra can wait a few more minutes; we have more important things to discuss." George repositioned himself, leaning it to ask what appeared to be a difficult question. "What exactly is going on between you and Angelina?"
"What the hell is this?"
"Fred it has been almost a year since you two started dating, I know you two aren't shagging…"
"She isn't ready." Fred's answer was rushed as if he had been having this argument inside his head for weeks.
"Do you have someone on the side?"
"Merlin George what kind of guy do you think I am?
"Well I know you aren't a virgin..."
"Look….I love Angelina and I'm willing to wait until she's ready. I mean don't get me wrong, having her across the hall is driving me insane but I'm not like you, you wanker."
George raised his arms in self-defense and laughed. He knew that eventually Angelina Johnson would no longer be a complement to their party of two but be the one to take Fred away. They had been made for each other, while George had been amazed at the ceiling in the Great Hall and wondering how it worked; Fred was more interested pulling Angelina's hair out of her head. They had classes together, played quidditch together, and now it was three of them in that flat. It was only a matter of time, George only wondered how soon.
"I suppose we should take Ickle Ronniekins his birthday present now." Fred offered George his coat from the rack, and they prepared to head up the hill towards their old school loaded down with products from their own shelves to give to their only younger brother…
A series of intense loud rapping noises jerked Angelina from the telly-induced coma she was experiencing on the couch. The clock read 1:30am and it appeared that the boys still weren't back from Hogsmeade. The damn noise continued as Angie realized that it was an owl and upon further inspection a school owl from Hogwarts. Angie felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as she read a hastily scrawled note from George:
Angie,
Something has happened to Ron, he was poisoned and we don't know why or by whom. Fred and I are gonna stay up here with mum and dad for a bit, but he's starting to lose it….he needs you Angie, come as quick as you can!
George
Angelina had dissapparated before the parchment had fallen to the floor and soon found herself in front of the tall wrought iron gates that guarded the entry path up to the school. She ran the rest of the way to the front door and once inside apparated to the hospital wing…
"Look OUT!!" Her quidditch skills served her well as she had no more than a second to duck out of the way as a statue shattered to pieces as it connected with a wall.
"What in the hell?" Angie practically screamed as the scene in front of her focused. There stood Fred flushed and panting as the actual thrower, Harry Potter was sitting by the wall his head in hands and Hermione Granger was beside him, mechanically rubbing his back her own face drawn and pale.
No sooner had Angelina blinked a second time that Fred had taken her up into his arms, crushing her to him.
"I'm so glad you're here" his voice was muffled against her forehead.
"Baby I'm so sorry, whatever you need I'm here" her voice was soothing, trying to tame the rage she could feel welling up inside of him.
"I swear to Merlin, the Weasley name is cursed. First Ginny, then dad, and now Ron."
"He's going to be fine" she craned her neck beyond his shoulders to get Harry and Hermione's attention "You guys hear me; he's going to be fine." Her tone at least got Harry's attention.
"Aye captain" he answered.
Just then the doors to the hospital wing opened up and out walked Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, George and Ginny. They all appeared to have the same expression of grave concern.
"Madame Pomfrey is going to keep him overnight, but they say he's going to be alright." Molly was able to say before she fell crying into Arthur's embrace.
"I think everyone should head home and to bed…'allo Angelina didn't see you there." Arthur said. "George why don't you help me with your mother, Ginny Hermione and Harry back up to Gryffindor tower with you lot and Angelina darling will you make sure Fred gets home alright?"
"Yes Sir Mr. Weasley."
"Oh posh dear call him Arthur." Molly said as she blew her nose into her handkerchief.
As everyone went their separate ways, Angelina turned her attention back to Fred who was being uncharacteristically quiet. When he made for the entrance hall, she silently followed him. His steps were deliberate; his otherwise youthful jauntiness was gone. He pushed his way into the front lawns of the school, trudging down the path.
"Fred!"
He continued on…
"Fred!...Sweet Merlin would you slow down! I'm not going to chase you through Hogsmeade." Just as she caught up to him, he stopped so that she slammed straight into the brick wall that was his chest.
He stared at her, his expression blank and unforgiving. "I never said you had to chase me."
"C'mon Fred don't be like that…its ok to hurt for your brother. It's ok to be mad, to feel completely hopeless…"
"Things can't go on like this Angie; if they aren't safe at Hogwarts…it shouldn't be like this for them or us for that matter."
She hugged him to her, leaning her head on his chest. "Oh, I choose to believe that there will be a time when it won't be, when we will all be free to go about our lives. When I can go back to quidditch and you and George will be on the cover of Gringott's Quarterly for being the most successful businessmen in Great Britain. It's going to happen Fred; you just have to have hope."
"It's hard…"
"Stuff and nonsense you do it everyday."
"Hunh?"
"You make it a point to invest in your future everyday. You keep making new products, expanding the shop, I mean that's what your were doing today, keeping an eye on your future."
"I don't think we're buying Zonko's."
"What? Wait, before you answer that lets get home yeah?"
They apparated back home to Diagon Alley, where Angelina continued the conversation without missing a beat.
"So what's this about you guys not buying Zonko's?"
"Well Hogsmeade visits are cancelled, George thinks it is pointless to pick the place up now."
"I still say it will be a good investment."
"I mean we were thinking that too….I mean then with everything that happened tonight, on the kid's birthday for goodness sake." Fred had taken to pacing in front of the hearth, while Angelina watched him with patient understanding.
"Are Bill and Fleur still getting married?"
"Of course."
"Well then there is your answer. You have the money, buy the place now. If people are still getting married and having children there is no reason for you to stop working on making items to make those children happy."
"Speaking of said wedding, do you want to go? You know as my date."
"Well I figured me being your girlfriend and all that I would kind of have to."
"Ha-ha, some girls get all particular about family events, especially weddings."
"Hi my name is Angelina Johnson, I was sure we had met previously." Her sarcastic tone did not go unnoticed by Fred, who realized quite belatedly that attributing such characteristics to her would not be seen in the greatest of light.
"You know what I mean Angie." He sat down on the sofa next to her, wrapped his arm around her as he wont to do from time to time.
"I know and of course I would love to go to the wedding."
He kissed her forehead. "Well I'm glad that's settled."
As they sat there in companionable silence, Fred noted the way that they fit together so easily. He simply could not tell where he stopped and she started, there was something about this girl that made her so special and endearing, and maybe one day…"
"It's going to be alright…I need to hear you say those words Fred."
"It's going to be alright." He whispered into her ear. "I just wish I had your rosy outlook on everything."
"C'mon let's go to bed, I have to spend another morning teaching Verity how to use the cash machine again….I swear George hired her just so he could drool all day, she lacks basic common sense."
"I think you're being too hard on her."
"Well I don't think that's your brain doing the thinking." She flashed her eyes down towards his nether regions, flipping him a smirk.
"Oh you are so not getting away with that!!" He chased her down the hallway, her giggling laughter music to his ears.
4 months later…
It was making him restless, this interminable period of waiting. They hadn't been called to the scene that day at Hogwarts when Dumbledore was killed, and Bill was bitten by Fenrir Greyback. It made Fred itch with vengeance, but today was for smiles and happiness; one last episode where they would all be together before the fatal battle that was sure to come. His thoughts of blood and glory were sidetracked by the ever enticing sent of gardenia that his girlfriend was wearing. Angelina looked beautiful, almost radiant, as she hung on every word that came from the Ministry official's mouth. She was wearing a simple white dress the made her seem ethereal to him, with the pearl necklace he had given her for Christmas, it wasn't worth much but she never took it off.
As the minister continued to dictate the sacred binding oath to Bill and Fleur, he took hold of Angelina's hand as he surveyed the rest of the guests gathered in the backyard of his childhood home. Unable to pick a girl who wouldn't read too much into being asked to a family occasion, George had asked Alicia Spinnet to be his date. Fred knew it had pricked his dear twin's pride, for it was Alicia setting him in his proper place in their fifth year that spurred the "Love 'em and Leave 'em" streak George had been on for the past three years. Harry and Ginny were sitting together, as were Ron and Hermione….some things finally going right. Charlie was on-leave from Romania, and even that sniveling weasel Percy had condescended to grace them all with his and his equally stuck-up girlfriend Penelope Clearwater's presence. His mother was crying, while his father patiently transfigured another handkerchief for her. He wondered how his family, the undaunted Weasley clan that had already survived so much, would survive this war. The delegations from both the Order and Hogwarts were strong with such notables as Professor McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Tonks, and Mad-Eye Moody, would they all be back to celebrate after Voldemort and the Death Eaters were gone…
Loud cheers and clapping interrupted his reverie as Bill heartily kissed Fleur as the minister introduced Mr. and Mrs. William Weasley. Everyone then moved into the tent that was set up in the yard for the reception. Angelina and he were placed at the table with George, Alicia, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione. He noted the expressions of his companions. Harry looked prepared to do battle then and there, Ginny was pissed off. Ron and Hermione were doing their best not to jump on top of each other then and there…
"What's going on with you lot?" Leave it to George to break an uneasy silence.
"Maybe they just want to be quiet…people do that George."
"Alicia I didn't bring you here to nag at me all day."
"No you just brought me here because I'm the only respectable girl you could find."
"Amen to that sister." Angelina added which caused everyone at the table to laugh. Leave it to his girl to find some way to break the tension. His girl…he mused. Never had he been so possessive of something before. Growing up poor meant that everyone had to share, but not her. Angelina was his and only his. He loved her and she loved him, with so many things uncertain in everyone's life, he was always sure about that one simple fact. It was high-time he let the entire world know.
"Angie?"
"Yeah…"
"Come dance with me."
"Fred it's a slow song." Her voice was doubtful, she knew how pointless he believed slow-dancing to be, but today was different. He wanted her warm body to sway against his, the precious silk of dress to swirl about her pretty legs as he twirled her. Showing her off to his friends and family as his, making her smile in the exclusive way she reserved just for him. He rose to his feet and held out his hand.
"My lady?" She answered by stepping into his arms. As they danced, he guided her with confidence and he could tell that she was genuinely surprised.
"Have you been taking lessons?"
"This is natural talent, can't you tell?" Her laughter again, he wanted to hear that laughter for the rest of his life.
"Do you love me?" He asked.
"Of course" she answered without hesitation.
"You know I love you."
"Never doubted it for a second." She smiled at him as spun her out and then back into him. As the music came to slow end and he moved to dip her, he asked one final question.
"Will you marry me?" For a second the entire world stopped. It was just Fred and Angelina out there on that dance floor, he was refusing to pull her back up until she answered him, which she did the best way she knew how.
"Alright then." No sooner had she said the words then Fred let out a loud "HUZZAH!" He left a laughing Angelina on the floor and ran up to the center of the raised dais where the wedding party was seated.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I could have your attention for just one second. I know that that today is supposed to be all about Bill and Fleur but I just asked Miss Angelina Eleanor Johnson to marry me and the silly chit agreed to it!" Resounding cheers exploded from the guests as the girls rushed to congratulate his Angel, her eyes locked with his. It was a look that bespoke love and promises; he would always remember the way she looked in that exact moment. He may not be able to give her everything she deserved or an engagement ring for quite some time, but Angelina was his….Voldemort be damned!