Muggle Magic – Chapter Seven

A/N – Wow, I haven't updated this for ages! Or at least it feels that way. So I hope I haven't lost all my gorgeous readers! And I officially love all my reviewers – you guys are the best.

Oh yeah – and I don't own any of these characters. I owe JK big time for creating them!

Chapter Seven – Ally

The darkness of the cinema was making Ally feel just a tiny bit uncomfortable. The film hadn't started yet, and the adverts weren't enough to keep her attention away from the little of Fred's face she could see.

Did he know what an amazing profile he had? With that strong, straight nose, and those soft lips? And did he also know just how funny he was to watch? He seemed to find the simplest of adverts intriguing and fascinating. He hadn't looked away from the screen once.

"Do you want some popcorn?" Ally lent in close to his ear, shaking the bag slightly.

He glanced down and a look of indecision crossed his face. He looked almost panicked. It was only popcorn – it wasn't like she was offering him some weird concoction.

"Sure," He dipped his hand into the bag and popped a couple of kernels into his mouth. For a moment he simply chewed and then his eyes widened and he threw the rest of his handful into his mouth.

It's like he's never even tried popcorn before. Ally shook of that thought. Of course he'd eaten popcorn before, everyone's eaten popcorn.

She shrugged to herself and settled deeper into her chair as the lights dipped even lower and the opening of the Return of the King started. Ally had been looking forward to seeing the film for months, so it took her a moment to notice that Fred was shaking, as though he was laughing. She glanced back at the screen – how could he be laughing at this moment? This was Gandalf at his very best.

She tried to forget about it, but other things kept intruding on her concentration. Like the fact that Fred had shifted in his seat so that his shoulder was pressed against hers. The feel of him being so close, so that she could even smell his aftershave, was incredibly distracting. And then when he freed his arm slightly so that he could twist his fingers through hers, she felt like she was struggling to breath.

The rest of the film passed in a complete blur. Ally wasn't even sure how it ended, all she was aware of was that the lights were coming up and Fred was moving and stretching.

She scrambled to her feet and followed him out of the theatre and into the lobby. He was grinning like a little kid.

"That was amazing! Funny, but amazing."

She frowned at him slightly. "I don't think Lord of the Rings is supposed to be funny."

"But that wizard, what was his name, Gandalf…he was funny. Kinda makes me think of Dumbledore though."

Ally blinked and at the same moment Fred coughed and looked away. "Who's Dumbledore?"

"My…um…no one…"

Ally continued to stare at him blankly and he ran a hand through his hair. "So, are you hungry?"

Feeling that he was trying to change the subject Ally considered forcing the issue, but she knew it wouldn't do her any good. She had long adjusted to the fact that Fred was a little odd. But she liked odd.

"Starving!"

He laughed at the eager tone to her voice and linked his arm through hers as they stepped out of the cinema and into the cold night air. "Where is good to eat?"

"Pizza Hut?"

There was that now familiar blank look in his eyes for a moment and then he nodded down at her. "Sure thing."

As they crossed the road and started down the high street towards the Pizza Hut Ally couldn't help trying to make some excuse for Fred's behaviour. Maybe his family were just really old fashioned and didn't do fast food? Maybe he hadn't been allowed to go to the cinema as a kid? Or maybe they were aliens from another planet?!

Oddly enough, the alien idea appealed to her most.

Once they were seated and their order taken Ally glanced up to see Fred watching her carefully.

"What?"

He shrugged, "Nothing much, just thinking about how beautiful you look tonight."

Ally blushed heavily and laughed. "Shut up."

His laugh made her stomach do summersaults.

"But you are! Fine…let's talk about something else. Tell me about your family."

Ally shifted uncomfortably in her chair. This wasn't something she wanted to discuss. "Not much to tell really. My mum - well she died when I was two – so I don't really remember her. My dad says I look a lot like her though."

"I'm so sorry." Fred did sound sorry, and he was watching her with sympathetic eyes.

"Don't be. Really. I was too young to really understand it. Besides, my dad was the best when I was growing up. I never really felt like I was missing out or anything. But now…"

"He's not well is he?"

She shook her head, refusing to meet Fred's eyes. Not wanting to see the pity there. "He had a heart attack last year. He was in hospital for months, had all these operations. He's a different person now."

Finally lifting her eyes Ally was surprised that there was no real pity in Fred's eyes, only a warm understanding look. He gave her a soft smile and reached across to take her hand.

"You really are an incredible person Ally. I just wish…" He swallowed suddenly and forced a smile. "Anyway – where is this food. I'm starved."

You just wish what? Ally wanted to beg him to tell her what he was thinking, but she didn't. She smiled back and was quite glad when the waitress interrupted them.

A/N – ok, so there you go – an update. Not as good an update as I would have liked but it's getting it moving again! So what does Fred wish? You'll have to wait and see!