Chapter 5/Visitors, Mistletoe, and Questions

Weeks turned into months and before I knew it, it was Christmas. I had spent my spare time, while I was not reading, knitting scarves for Fred, George, and Aunt Muriel. I had considered not giving Aunt Muriel anything, but since she was letting us stay in her house it seemed rude not to. I also made scarves for the rest of the Weasleys, minus Percy whom I hadn't seen or heard from in over three years (not that he was much of a friend anyway), and Fleur. I had worked very hard on them, not having much else to do, and was quite pleased with them.

I hadn't seen Fred and George for a week other than them coming down for meals. I wondered what they were doing up there all the time. Sometimes I thought I heard something like a radio but whenever I knocked, the sound disappeared and when I went in, Fred and George were working on their orders as usual. I thought this was strange behavior but tried not to dwell on it.

Two days before Christmas Eve, I managed to get them outside to play in the newly fallen snow. For the first time in a long time I began to have fun. We built snowmen, had snowball fights, I even let them talk me into bewitching a few snowballs to chase Aunt Muriel when she came outside to cover her flowers.

When we came inside shivering and wet, I made us some hot cocoa since Aunt Muriel was too furious to do it herself. I apologized for Fred and George and myself, but she didn't seem to think I meant it. Fred and George sniggering in their cups didn't help either. Just then an owl came flying through and dropped a letter on the table. We reached for it at the same time but Aunt Muriel swooped down and snatched it up before any of us three could grab it.

"Well, it seems like that Nymphadora girl is bringing Ginevra over on Christmas Eve. She wants us to temporarily undo the protective charms for three minutes at six o' clock in the evening. They'll Apparate in and then we can put up the charms again. She says that if they're not here in those three minutes to forget about it. Humph, I'm not sure that's a very good idea. What with You-Know-Who's follows at large. Oh, it says here that You-Know-Who's real name has been Tabooed. Saying it stops the protective charms." She looked over the letter at us. "Let that be a warning to you. I don't see how that Harry Potter could have ever used his name."

Fred, George, and I exchanged looks. I spoke up tentatively as Muriel folded the letter and placed it back on the table.

"So, are we going to let Tonks and Ginny in?"

Aunt Muriel pursed her lips. Fred and George widened their eyes in pleading looks; I bit my lip to keep from laughing at how ridiculous they looked. I crossed my fingers.

She gave a curt nod. "Provided you don't turn this visit into a rowdy party. Young adults are so inconsiderate these days. I'm a hundred and seven you know and I am not up to rowdy parties."

Fred and George leaped from the table. Grabbing Aunt Muriel and spinning her around, kissing her withered cheeks.

"Thank you Aunt Muriel!"

"You won't hear a thing!"

"Boy, visitors!"

"For the first time in four and a half months!"

She rapped them across the legs with her walking stick. "Settle down Fredrick. You too George. I'm a hundred and seven, don't you forget!"

They let her go and she shuffled away. Fred and George grabbed me and began dancing me around the kitchen. I laughed. I had grown tired of the same company for almost five months also. Seeing Ginny and Tonks would be a breath of fresh air. Having another girl my age around the house would be nice too.

I quickly began to decorate the house for Ginny and Tonks's arrival. We hadn't even gotten a Christmas tree up yet. I enlisted the twin's help but after bringing in a tree, they began using the ornaments as objects to throw at each other. I kicked them out of the sitting room and they went whooping and leaping up the stairs to their room while Aunt Muriel yelled about the noise. I shook my head hopelessly, but a smile played on my lips as I turned back to the ornaments. Using the Levitation Charm I was able to decorate the room fairly quickly.

When I was done I sat down in the armchair and admired my work. I had to admit everything looked really nice. Tinsel draped the branches of the tree like crystal icicles. Red and white ornaments were placed in alternating patterns and the glittered in the light of the real candles that I placed strategically throughout the tree. Lanterns bobbed near the ceiling and cranberries ran in loops along the walls.

Fred and George bounded into the room and skidded to a stop. George, who was behind Fred, bumped rather roughly into his older twin and Fred went flying forward. I jumped up to catch him. He landed heavily in my arms and sent me crashing to the ground with him on top of me.

"Oof," I said.

"Hey there," Fred said brightly.

His face was inches from mine and he was grinning widely. I gave a little laugh, pushing him off me so that he rolled to the side. I sat up, rubbing the back of my head. Fred was still smiling at me and George now had a grin to match his twin's. He flopped down on the ground beside us. It was a tight fit but we managed it. We turned onto our stomachs and stared at the tree.

"Nice job," George said appreciatively.

"It would look nicer if we put some of our own ornaments on it," Fred said with a twinkle in his eye.

I shook my head vigorously. "No way. I don't want anything that'll blow up my perfect decorations."

"Oh." The twins looked despondent.

I snickered. Silence fell and we stared into the glittering lights. I felt my eyelids get heavy.

"You look tired," George stated cheerfully.

I growled at him softly, too sleepy to retort. Fred shifted.

"I'm not carrying you this time," he said.

I struggled to stand, the twins helped me up. I thanked the sleepily before stumbling off to bed. The last thing I saw in my mind's eye before I fell asleep was the grin on Fred's face when he fell on top of me.

00000

Christmas Eve came sooner than I thought it would. I hopped from one foot to the other in excitement as we waited for Tonks and Ginny. Fred, George, and Aunt Muriel stood beside me. Two minutes passed before I heard the familiar loud crack that comes with Apparating. I gave a squeal and jumped on Ginny as soon as I saw her. She hugged me back and we squealed together for a while. Fred and George edged away from us. I ignored them.

"Wotcher," Tonks grinned at us. I turned to her and she stepped towards me . . . only to trip over the rug and fall on her face in front of us. I couldn't help but laugh as I helped her up. Fred and George laughed also and so did Tonks once I had her right side up.

"That was a graceful entrance," she said cheerfully.

"Come into the sitting room and have some hot cocoa." I said hastily, noticing Aunt Muriel's expression and wanting to get them out of her way quickly. Fred and George took their wet things and then we all went into the sitting room. Ginny and Tonks gasped in admiration when they saw my decorations. I grinned.

"Like it?" I asked.

Ginny grinned at me. "Love it," she said.

I sat on the sofa between Ginny and Tonks while Fred and George sat in the armchairs. Aunt Muriel grumbled about young adult's being inconsiderate before going off to get the cocoa herself. I turned to Ginny.

"So, what's going on at Hogwarts?"

She grimaced. "Well, Snape's the Headmaster now, and these two frauds named Carrow are now teachers. I'm convinced that they're Death Eaters."

I grimaced as well. "Oh Ginny! Are you doing okay? How are Neville and Luna?"

She nodded. "They're okay."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good I guess," I smiled weakly.

"Could one of you young people possibly help me? I'm a hundred and seven you know, and not as strong as I used to be." Aunt Muriel's voice called from the kitchen.

Tonks stood up quickly. "I'll help!"

But as she stood, one of her arms that she was flinging back to help her stand knocked over a vase. It toppled to the ground and she stared at it horrified.

"I'm so sorry!" She gasped.

Fred and George laughed. "Well, it seems you've beat me again, Fred," George handed his twin a handful of Knuts.

"What's this all about?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at them.

"I bet George that Tonks would break something in the first five minutes she was here. George said ten. It's been four minutes so . . ."

I had to laugh despite myself. It helped that Tonks laughed as well. I stood up.

"I'll help Aunt Muriel," I said. I turned to the twins who were still laughing. "Either of you want to help me?" I asked.

Fred stood. "I guess I will," he grinned.

He followed me out the door and into the kitchen where Aunt Muriel stood, tapping her foot impatiently. She pointed to the cups and croaked, "Those there, and be careful!" Before she shuffled up to her room. "Don't let it get too rowdy, Fredrick, you hear?"

"Yes, Aunt Muriel!" He called, winking at me. I stifled a giggle.

Picking up two cups I watched as Fred picked up another two and we made our way back into the sitting room. I handed Ginny and Tonks theirs while Fred handed George one and me the other. I nodded towards the kitchen.

"I'll get that last one," I said.

"No, let me," Fred insisted.

We ended up in the middle of the doorway. I set my cup down at a nearby table. "No really, I'll do it," I said.

"No, I will," Fred said.

Before our disagreement could heighten, Ginny suddenly cried out in glee, "Hey, look up you guys!"

Fred and I glanced up and I held back a groan. A branch of mistletoe hung right above our heads. George started laughing and Tonks's lips twitched. Ginny was grinning from ear to ear.

"I don't know how that got there," I said, placing my hands on my hips.

"Go on Fred," Ginny urged, "kiss her!"

I sighed and looked up at Fred. I shrugged. "Might as well get it over with," I said.

He grinned playfully and grabbed my arm. I let out a small yelp of surprise as he dipped me down until my hair almost brushed the floor. I laughed but then I caught the expression in Fred's eyes. Something was different there. I knew I had seen that expression before but I couldn't place it. My breath caught in my throat for some strange reason as Fred leaned in to kiss me.

That was the first new thing I learned about Fred that evening. His kisses were nothing like Malfoy's. Draco Malfoy always kissed me aggressively, like he wanted to control me. It usually ended up with me being breathless from the force and fierceness of it. Fred's kiss was not a thing like that.

His lips brushed against mine and pressed softly, delicately, like one would kiss a rose. When he pulled away a split second later, I found that I was breathless, not from aggressiveness, but from sweetness. Fred set me right side up and I stood staring at him, my mouth open slightly in shock. I hadn't noticed the room had grown silent.

"I'll get the cup," Fred said with finality. I could only nod.

I picked up my cocoa and went to sit next in my spot between the girls. George was looking at me shrewdly and Ginny was still grinning. Tonks patted me on the back and I almost lost my grip on my cup. Fred came back and conversation began around me. I could only stare at Fred.

I was suddenly very confused. I kept telling myself that it was just because of mistletoe. I rubbed my ring finger on my left hand. One thing I knew for sure, Malfoy had never looked at me like that. That was the look I sometimes caught Ron giving Hermione. That was the look I saw Tonks give to Lupin. That was the look Mum had always given Dad. And, I realized with a start, that was the look I had always wanted Cedric to give to me.

000000

I was outside sitting on the back steps when Fred approached me. Ginny and Tonks had already gone to bed in the room I had to share with them. George was who knows where. I had come outside to look at the stars and think about what had happened under the mistletoe. Fred sat down beside me and also looked up at the sky.

"You know, all children in the Black family were named after stars," Fred stated.

I glanced at him. "And I needed to know that because . . . ?"

Fred shrugged, grinning. "I just thought you'd enjoy that interesting tidbit. Explains why Malfoy named his kid Draco. I mean what kind of a name is . . ." He trailed of when he saw my expression. He sighed loudly, blowing out air in a huff.

I sighed also. "Look, why does my marrying Draco bother you so much? You seem to be taking it harder than George. I think he's accepted it now. But you always look so sour when I mention him. Why? And please answer in a way that is not an insult. That's all I hear out of you about Malfoy, insults."

Fred was silent for a moment. He reached down and lifted a handful of snow, watching as it began to melt slowly in his palm. I waited patiently, my lips, ears, and nose growing cold in the chilly weather.

"Can I ask you something?" Fred asked, unusually serious.

"Sure," I said, surprised.

"How do you know Malfoy is the one for you?" He turned and looked into my eyes.

I hesitated. "I'm in love with him." I said finally.

Fred threw aside the melted snow impatiently. "You've said that before, we get it. You're in love with him." He made quotation marks with his fingers on the words "in love."

"I am!" I said defiantly.

Fred waved his hand as if dismissing my words. "But do you love him?"

"I just said—"

"I know what you just said!" Fred was getting frustrated, I could tell. I shut my mouth. "Angela, there's a difference between being in love and just love."

I gave him a skeptical look. That was the first time he'd called me "Angela." I only let the twins call me "Angie" since I assumed they would never call me anything else.

"There is!" he insisted. "What happens when you're with Malfoy for a long period of time?"

"We fight," I admitted grudgingly.

"And how do those fights end?"

I sighed. "With me slapping him and running off."

"Does that sound like a good marriage relationship?"

I didn't answer but stared stubbornly at the ground, refusing to let his words get to me.

"Has Malfoy ever given you the impression that he wants anything other than a physical relationship?"

I didn't speak. Fred went on heatedly.

"Being 'in love' gives you all the mushy feelings sure, but that's not what's going to get you through the rough patches of your marriage."

"Oh so you're the expert now, eh?" I asked nastily. "You've never even had a girlfriend, Fred. What gives you the right to talk to me about the difference between being 'in love' and 'love'?"

Fred's jaw line grew tight. I instantly regretted what I said. I placed my hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry, Fred," I said. "That didn't come out well."

He grinned slightly. "Just let me ask one more question," he said, taking my hands in his.

"What?" I asked hesitantly.

"Would Malfoy die for you?"

I froze, my mind whirring. Of course Malfoy would die for me. . . . Wouldn't he? I suddenly wasn't so sure. Malfoy was a coward, I could admit that. But if he loved me, he would die for me. Right?

"Yes . . ." I said slowly, hesitantly.

Fred dropped my hands. "Well, that was convincing," he said sarcastically. He stood. I stood also, grabbing his sleeve.

"Fred," I said. He stopped but didn't turn to look at me. "Fred, please. My head is spinning because of all the things that happened today. Don't hate me for marrying Malfoy, please?"

Fred slowly turned, his lip twitching. "I could never hate you, Angie."

I relaxed. "Good." I smiled.

He suddenly grinned devilishly. I had hardly enough time to brace myself before he tackled me into the snow. I yelped as we rolled over and over, each struggling to get on top and stay there. I almost pinned him but he got his leg around my waist and flipped me over. I struggled but he was simply taller and stronger than me.

He ended up on top but I was laughing to hard to care. He was grinning widely.

"Give up?"

I spit snow out of my mouth. I considered being defiant, but the snow was seeping through my clothes and I was all wet and shivering.

"Okay, I give up," my teeth were chattering. "You win. Let me up."

For a split second I suddenly noticed how close his face was to mine. I started to blush before I could stop myself. He got up and held his hand out to help me up. I ignored it and stood without assistance. I was soaked and Fred noticed my trembling. He looked remorseful.

"Sorry, guess we shouldn't have done that in the snow."

I grinned at him, albeit it was a quaky grin. "No, it was fun."

He was still standing very close. I felt my cheeks flush and scolded myself harshly. I was in love with Malfoy. What was I doing blushing over Fred Weasley? Was it about the kiss? I had to stop thinking about it. I was getting married to Draco for goodness sake. I couldn't go around blushing because of a stupid kiss under the mistletoe. I had to stop acting like a school girl with a crush. I was an adult with a fiancée. And I had to remember that.

I stumbled back into the house with Fred at my heels. He offered to make me some hot cocoa but I sent him to bed. All I wanted to do was take a hot bath and then go to sleep in my warm bed under my warm covers.

I had forgotten about Ginny and Tonks. Ginny was sleeping on the bed; Tonks was curled up on the floor. I crawled over Ginny, careful not to wake her, and settled down beside her.

"Goodnight, Mrs. Weasley," Ginny murmured to me.

"Goodnight," I muttered, turning over sleepily.

Wait . . . what?

There's your Tonks, Sweet.Sweet.Ice.Cream. :-D

Reveiws make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. :-P