Muggle Magic – Chapter Eight

A/N – So here we are again. Another update. They are a bit slow coming – for which I really apologise.

I should warn people, I am trying to keep this as close to canon as possible – which for now is fine – but once we get into DH territory it's going to be a bit difficult – I might not be able to bring myself to stick with the canon ending of that book! We shall see.

So – on with the story.

Chapter Eight – Fred

"And then we had pizza!" Fred spun on the spot grinning at George. His twin was slumped on the couch in their small flat watching him with amused eyes. "You'd really like pizza!"

"Apparently I'd like pretty much everything."

Fred shrugged. "Muggles have some pretty good stuff. I was a bit worried about the popcorn at first – but it was actually really nice."

George's expression changed slightly and he sat forward. "So, the big question is, are you going out again?"

"Hell yes!"

*

God, she's beautiful. I just wish she wasn't a muggle…

Ally was stood in the shop doorway as he crossed the common towards her. Her silky hair was clipped back from her face, but little tendrils had escaped to frame her cheeks. Her hazel eyes were sparkling as she caught sight of him, and the dimples appeared in her cheeks as she smiled.

"Hey you."

He grinned back at her. "Hey yourself." He hesitated for a fraction of a second and then dropped a soft kiss on her upturned cheek.

She blushed and backed into the shop. "Did you have a good time last night?" She asked as she scooted back behind the counter.

Fred lent his elbows on the stack of papers there and nodded. "You know I did. Are you working all day today?"

A slight grimace crossed her face. "I work all day everyday."

"Can you not even close for an hour? An emergency?"

She must have caught something in the sly tone of his voice because she cocked one eyebrow at him. "Maybe…for an emergency."

Fred nodded happily. "Right then. Emergency time it is!" He grabbed her bag and coat from the stool behind the counter, snatched the door keys off the shelf and turned back to look at her.

The gormless look actually suits her.

"Are you going to stand there with your mouth open all day?"

She blinked and shut her mouth with a snap. "What exactly is going on here?"

"It's a surprise. It won't be the same if I told you. Now come on."

She frowned at him for a moment and he did his best to keep his expression carefully neutral. She was silent for so long that Fred was starting to think she was going to say no. Perhaps he shouldn't have tried to surprise her – not everyone likes surprises.

Suddenly she grabbed her coat out of his arms and pulled it on, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She took the keys out of his hand, flipped the sign on the door to 'closed' and followed him out onto the street.

"So where are we going?"

"Surprise, remember!"

*

They had been walking for nearly half an hour in the small wood just outside of the village. Fred could hear Ally muttering beside him about mud and leaves, and he got the feeling she wasn't really an outdoor kind of person.

"Not far now."

"Fred…" There was a warning note in Ally's voice, like she was running out of patience.

He forestalled any complaint by reaching back and grabbing her hand. He turned to face her, one hand behind his back holding his wand. "I was thinking about a second date…and I wanted it to be something…different…"

Ally laughed. "Everything with you is 'different'."

He rolled his eyes at that. She really had no idea how different he was. Behind him he was moving his wand in complicated little flicks and twists.

"So…" He thought about telling her what to expect, but decided the surprise was probably better. He stepped backwards, pulling her between a cluster of close growing branches.

He purposefully kept his eyes on her, so he saw her eyes widen in surprise and delight. He saw the dimples appear as she laughed in disbelief. And he turned around.

There was a small clearing in front of them. In the very centre was what looked like an old fashioned gazebo, wrought iron, with climbing roses twisting through the metal. Cushions and pillows were scattered on a large rug, and a huge picnic basket sat in the middle.

"How did you…" Ally shook her head. "No, don't answer that. I don't want to know. You are…amazing…did you know that?"

Fred felt his heart swell. "Come on." He tugged her under the shelter of the gazebo and flopped down onto the cushions, pulling her down with him. "Now…are you hungry?"

*

"Enough!" Ally held up her hands. "I honestly can't eat anything else! I'm stuffed."

Fred grinned and put down the strawberry he had been holding out to her. "Sure?"

She nodded vehemently. "Sure!" She groaned and lay back on the cushions, one hand pressed to her stomach. "How do you eat so much?"

He lay down next to her, his fingers stroking the back of her other hand. "Years of practice. Mum likes to cook."

"What's she like?"

Fred noticed the slightly wistful tone to her voice and rolled onto his side so that he could look at her. She was staring up at the roses, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

"My mum? Loud. She shouts a lot! Not in a bad way – but she wants the best for all of us – and me and George were always such trouble-makers."

Ally smiled. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me."

"Dad is the opposite. He almost never shouts. But he's enthusiastic about everything…his job, his hobbies…"

"What does he do?"

Fred was pleased that Ally wasn't looking at him. It meant she didn't see him grimace. "He…um…he works for the government."

Ally's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "MI6 or something?"

Fred had no idea what that meant so he ignored it. He'd realised that was the easiest way. Generally Ally would get bored waiting for an answer and just ask him another question.

"What about siblings? I know there's George," She said after a moment.

"Six of them – seven including me."

Ally's eyes flicked towards him, her lips twisting up into a smile. "Seven of you?!"

"George, obviously, then I have one younger brother, Ron, and a younger sister Ginny. Then the other way there is Percy, Charlie and Bill."

A giggle escaped her lips. "Five brothers, huh? Makes me wonder if maybe I got the right one."

Fred laughed and poked her in the side. She giggled again and rolled onto her side. The move brought her closer to him, practically nose to nose. She closed her eyes slightly, eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks. Her lips were parted slightly, her lip gloss glistening slightly.

Fred felt his breath catch in his throat as she opened her eyes again. The gold flecks were even more obvious this close up.

"Fred." His name came out as a whisper. Then her eyes sparkled and the dimples appeared. "Are you going to kiss me?"

She really is utterly perfect.

He smiled back at her and rested one hand against her hip, drawing her closer to him. He could have sworn he could feel her heart beating as he ducked his head and brushed his lips against hers.

Her lips parted against his and he pulled her even tighter against his chest, the kiss deepening, until neither of them was aware of anything but each other.

A/N – Oh I love the soppy stuff! This chapter is a bit rambling – but it moves on the relationship. The question is, will Ally ever get to meet Fred's family…