Muggle Magic – 6

A/N – Ok, apologies to those who have been reading this. Christmas and New Year got in the way of updates. But I am back now! Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter.

Hope you enjoy this new update.

Chapter 6 – Fred

"Can I help you?"

Fred glanced up from the pile of books growing around him. The manager of Flourish and Blotts was looking down at him with a polite frown. Fred was currently sat on the floor in the Muggle section of the book shop, books strewn around him. He had run his fingers through his hair so many times that it was standing on end.

"Oh…no…I just…"

"Are you looking for something particular?"

Fred gave up. "I need a book on Muggles. The best book you have. A book that might explain exactly what a sinima is…"

"I think you mean a Cinema," the manager replied with a sigh, plucking the book Fred was holding out of his hands. "I think I have just the thing." He stepped over the piles of books and, muscles straining, pulled a paving slab sized book from the bottom shelf. He dropped it into Fred's arms. "The Complete Guide to Muggles'. Of course, it isn't entirely complete, but it has a huge glossary of terms, and a very useful chapter on how to speak like them. Though why anyone would want to, I can't imagine."

Fred climbed awkwardly to his feet, the book clutched in his arms. "I'll take it."

*

An hour later he was sat in on the floor in front of the fire in the little flat he shared with George. The book was open in front of him, and if possible he looked even more confused than before.

"So…they have this big 'screen', where there are moving pictures which talk…and they tell a pretend story…"

George shrugged from his seat on the couch. "Don't ask me. Muggles do a lot of funny things. I mean, what was that thing you came across earlier? The Playing Station…"

"I think it was PlayStation actually," Fred corrected, not looking away from the book. "It says they go to this Cinema for entertainment. There are even different categories of 'films'. Action, comedy, romance, fantasy…" He finally looked up at George. "How do I know which kind I want to see?"

"I think you stick with what you know, brother dearest. Comedy. Definitely comedy."

"It says as well that they buy Pop Corn and something called 'cokes'. How much money am I going to need?"

George frowned, "Well, I'd take at least a few hundred of those muggle 'pounds'."

Fred was nodding absently. Then he straightened his shoulders. "I can do this. It'll be fine. After all, what can go wrong."

*

"Don't wave it around!" Ally grabbed Fred's arm and he glanced down at her in surprise.

They were stood in the line at the Cinema waiting to buy tickets, and Fred had just pulled out his money ready to pay.

"I mean…how much money have you got there? What are you doing just walking around with all that money in your pocket?"

Fred shrugged. "It's only three hundred. Is…is that a lot?"

He caught the way Ally was staring at him and came to the conclusion himself that to her at least it was more than a lot.

"Right…of course it's a lot. I mean…" He shoved most of it back into the pocket of his jeans, giving Ally a weak grin. "It's nearly our turn."

Ally turned away from him, glancing towards the little ticket booths. Fred followed her gaze and was once again entranced by the huge board above the booths. It was clearly run on eclectric. His father would have loved it. Writing was moving across it, listing the names of the different films and the times they were going to be showing.

"What do we want to see?" Ally asked him over her shoulder. "I mean…I know most guys hate rom-coms."

Fred panicked. Rom-coms? They weren't on the list of types of film. What exactly was a rom-com? "I…well I don't mind…"

"Or there's the latest Lord of the Rings film – if you're into wizards and elves and things…"

Fred felt like his heart had stopped beating. "Wizards?" Relax, he told himself firmly. The book said Muggles had a lot of made up books and stories about magic.

Ally had suddenly smiled though, "You want to watch that? I've been wanting to see it for ages…but only…only if you want…"

"Sure. Sounds good." Fred nodded quickly. How could he possibly refuse anything when she smiled at him like that.

An even bigger smile lit up her face, and as they stepped closer to the ticket booth, he felt her hand brush his, and her fingers slipped into his.

He smiled. A perfect fit.

A/N – Ok, so not a great chapter, but at least it is an update! I want to do the actual film from Ally's point of view. Mostly because I want her to see Fred's reaction. Anyway. Hope you enjoy. Reviews welcome!