Muggle Magic – Chapter Nine

A/N – Ok – so I was going to try and keep this as close to the books as possible (and there is never any other mention of the muggle girl) but so many reviewers have asked me if Ally is going to meet Fred's family – and I have to admit – it could be fun. So – this is officially now going slightly AU – I'm going to stick as close to the books as I can – and it shouldn't be too difficult because for most of DH we've got no idea what the Weasley's were up to.

Oh, and I know that the last chapter was mostly fluff – but it was fun to write. I promise, I'll try to keep away from excess fluff in future! We're jumping a little ahead here – because I always intended on speeding through some of their relationship. We haven't missed a lot – they've been to the cinema a lot, kissed…a lot, and that's about it! I hope that no one minds – but tell me in the reviews.

Chapter Nine – Ally – One month later.

Ally rolled over for the thousandth time that night, her eyes settling on the digital read out on her alarm clock. 4.46 AM.

She groaned and rolled back onto her back. She should be fast asleep. She had to open the shop at 7.30, and she hadn't slept at all.

I blame Fred. She thought to herself as she stared at the cracks in the ceiling.

They had been together now for a month – one glorious, unbelievable month – but it seemed like all of that was going to change. In the darkness she seemed to see his face. He was wearing the same expression he'd been wearing that day in the shop – a mixture of frustration and pain. She remembered his voice.

"Ally, I think we need to talk…properly. Just the two of us."

He had sounded so serious, and Ally had a terrible feeling that she knew what was coming. He'd been acting funny for days. Edgy and nervous. And more than anything else, very uncomfortable. Like he really didn't want to be there.

Ally rolled over again, chewing down on her lower lip as she felt tears sting the corners of her eyes. Was she too boring? Was that it? They did the same thing all the time, the cinema or hanging out at the shop, maybe he was getting bored.

She groaned and closed her eyes, trying not to think about it.

When morning finally came Ally rose feeling heavy headed and groggy. She showered and dressed in a sort of daze and was on her way down the street towards the centre of the village before she had properly woken up.

It might have been the sleepiness that stopped her noticing the figure stood by the shop door until she was nearly there. Her step faltered. It wasn't fully light yet, and she felt a little stab of fear.

"Ally?"

Fred's voice made her heart start beating again and she hurried forward.

"What are you doing here so early?" She asked as she unlocked the door and switched on the lights. Turning she caught sight of Fred's face for the first time. He looked as though he'd had as little sleep as she had. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his eyes themselves were bloodshot.

"I thought I'd come over before I started work – I figured it would be quiet enough for us to talk."

Ally swallowed hard. "Right. Yes. You wanted to talk." She fiddled with the strap on her bag and then flung it behind the counter. She sucked in a deep breath and turned to face him – ready for anything.

His eyes flicked once to her face and then he looked away – focusing on the dark street beyond the windows. He sighed a few times and then finally opened his mouth.

"Look, Ally. It's been great. You and me. But…"

"But?" Ally groaned. "I knew there was going to be a 'but'." She moved to stand directly in front of him.

He finally looked back at her and she was surprised by the fear in his eyes. Fear? What could he possibly be frightened of? Was he worried that she was going to flip out and attack him when he broke up with her.

"But…I can't keep seeing you. It's too dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Despite her promise to stay in control, Ally heard her voice go up an octave. "How can seeing me be dangerous?"

"You don't understand. You can't understand. You don't know anything…"

Ally's eyebrow shot up. "I don't know anything? That's a bit harsh…"

Fred ignored her. "There are things about my life…things about me, that you don't know…"

"Like what? Are you a criminal?"

He shook his head.

"In Witness Protection?"

Fred had no idea what that meant so he simply shook his head again.

"A terrorist?"

"No, Ally. It's nothing like that…"

She stared at him for a long moment. "Then just tell me. Whatever it is, it can't be that bad. Then if I know, I can make the decision about whether or not it's too dangerous."

Silence descended over the shop, and for a moment Ally wondered if Fred had stopped breathing, he seemed so still.

"Ally. I'm a wizard."

It started as a snort, then a giggle, then Ally was doubled up with laughter. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was gasping for breath.

"Oh, Fred…"

She finally managed to look up at him through her laughter and she noticed that he was frowning, looking quite annoyed. The laughter died away slowly.

"You…you're actually serious aren't you?" Ally took a step away, and then another. What were you supposed to do in these situations? Call an ambulance? If she could get him to a hospital then he could be sectioned, be treated by a psychiatrist…

Fred's expression grew even more pained as she backed away. "Ally, I am serious. But I'm not crazy. I swear…I'm a wizard….I can do magic…"

Ally's fingers fumbled for the phone just as Fred pulled something out of a pocket. It looked like a twig, a short piece of wood, worn smooth by his hands perhaps. He flicked it oddly and the phone under her hand gave a sudden squeak and scampered away.

"Simple transfiguration," he said calmly. He took a step forward and then stopped as Ally backed right into the wall. Suddenly he looked hurt and upset. "You're frightened of me? Ally, you don't…please don't."

Of course I'm frightened of you. The thought was loud in her head, but Ally couldn't bring herself to say it. Yes, she had been frightened of him. Frightened of not knowing exactly what he was capable of. But when he looked at her like that, she didn't think he would ever hurt her.

She stepped away from the wall and his face lit up. He held out one hand to her, and his lips twitched up into his familiar crooked grin.

"Do you trust me?"

"I…I honestly don't know…"

He wiggled his fingers. "If you trust me, then take my hand…I want to show you something…"

Ally chewed her lip for a second and then placed her hand in his. He grinned and suddenly pulled her close, tight against his chest, and then he seemed to twist away.

Sudden choking, impenetrable darkness surrounded them. Ally screamed, or at least she thought she did, but there didn't seem to be any sound around her. The next instant the world reappeared, but they weren't in the shop any longer. They were on the top of a small hill and below them was the most bizarre looking house Ally had ever seen.

"Where are we?"

Fred beamed at her. "This – this is home."

A/N – Ok – so I don't know about this chapter – I think it might really, really suck. Let me know!