Muggle Magic – Chapter 10

A/N – Ok, so don't hate me for not updating sooner! Life has been just a little manic. But I am updating now, so hopefully this will be ok. Thank you as usual to my gorgeous reviewers. You guys are great!

Chapter 10 – Fred.

He watched her carefully, waiting for some kind of reaction. Her gaze was fixed on the building in the little valley beneath them. He saw her eyes take in the crooked frame, the cauldrons stacked by the back door, and the jumble of muggle junk by the garage.

"Ally?" He said finally when she didn't seem about to speak.

"This is your home?" Her voice was very quiet, and there was a tiny tremble.

"This is home." He wasn't sure what she was waiting for. Perhaps he'd been an idiot to apparate her there. But having finally told her the truth he'd been too impatient to walk. "Do you want to go down?"

Ally seemed to hesitate. "Will anyone be there?"

"My mum. My dad will still be at work…"

He felt Ally's fingers suddenly twist into his and then she nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

Fred sighed in relief and started leading her down the path.

*

The back door was unlocked and Fred filed a mental note to have a word with Molly. Things were too dangerous to be that lax about security. He tried to keep any concern out of his expression however. Ally had enough to deal with, without him telling her about Voldemort as well.

"Mum?" Fred called out as he closed the door behind them. "Anyone home?"

"Fred?" Molly's voice echoed down the stairs. "What are you doing home?"

"Can you come down?" He turned away from the stairs to find Ally staring at the books stacked on the mantelpiece. He watched her lips forming the words as she read the titles on the spines, and her eyes widening in surprise.

"Are these for real?" She asked, but she didn't wait for his reply, her attention had already been riveted by a clock on the wall. She watched as a small golden hand with Fred's name engraved on it thunked into the 'home' position. She stared at it for a moment and then she was distracted by a frying pan washing itself in the sink.

There was a clatter of footsteps on the stairs and Molly swung into view. She was wearing a pair of faded robes and a flowery apron, with her wand stuck out of the pocket.

"Fred!" She pulled him into a bone crushing hug. He was always a little surprised by how strong she was. Letting him go, he stumbled back a pace and then smiled. She opened her mouth to say something when her eyes fell on Ally and she shut it again with a snap.

Ally was stood so close behind him that he could feel her pressed against his back. He glanced quickly round at her wide-eyed expression and then back at Molly. The danger signs were there, the narrowing of the eyes and the thoughtful pursing of the lips.

"Mum, I…"

"You must be Fred's young lady friend," Molly said suddenly, pushing Fred aside and tugging Ally forward by the arm. "We've been waiting to meet you. Sit down. Let me make some tea…"

Fred stared at Molly in undisguised shock. "What…you…I…" He couldn't form coherent sentences.

Ally meanwhile had been pushed into a chair at the kitchen table and was looking at him for help.

Molly tutted loudly. "Honestly, Fred. What kind of mother do you think I am? I knew you were hiding something from us. But I must confess, it was your father who worked out that it must be a girl."

"I wasn't really hiding her…"

He suddenly realised that Ally was smiling, for the first time since he had told her the truth. Molly noticed that he was distracted and she laughed, tapping her wand on the kettle and it boiled quickly.

He saw Ally's eyes flick to the wand in Molly's hand. "So…so you're a wizard too?"

The kettle tumbled out of Molly's hand and crashed to the ground.

"SHE'S A MUGGLE!"

Molly's screech shook the rafters and Fred winced and fought down the desire to put his hands over Ally's ears. Meanwhile he noticed Ally bristling.

"What did you call me?"

Molly ignored her and advanced on Fred, her wand pointed at his chest. "You got yourself involved with a Muggle? Now? With everything that's going on? Isn't our family enough of a target? What where you thinking? What possessed you to make such a terrible choice?"

"It was hardly a choice," Fred protested, speaking over Ally's continued muttering. "You don't choose who you fall in love with. Mum, please…"

Molly's expression softened. "Love? Oh Fred." She sunk wearily into a chair and flicked her wand at the kettle which set about making the tea for them. She sighed across the table at Ally who was still glowering. "I'm sorry, dear. I don't even know your name."

"Ally…" She swallowed hard and glanced at Fred for reassurance.

Fred sat beside her and took her hand. "I guess I should make the official introductions. Mum, this is Alison Masters. Ally, this is my mum, Molly Weasley."

The two women in Fred's life smiled at each other hesitantly and then Ally turned to him.

"What's a muggle? It didn't sound too complimentary."

"Oh, no. It's not a bad word," Molly said hurriedly as a tray drifted over to the table with tea cups and biscuits on it. "It's just what we call those with out any magic. Fred is a wizard, women are witches, those born to an all magic family that don't have magic are squibs, and those born to muggle families who have magic are muggle-born…it's all very simple really."

Ally snorted with either amusement or disbelief, Fred wasn't sure which.

"So…" Ally's voice still sounded uncertain. "The whole family…you're all…"

"Magic?" Molly smiled and nodded. "Oh yes. We're all magic…"

Suddenly the door swung open with a bang and a girl swept in from the garden. She was dressed immaculately and she tossed back her sheet of silvery blond hair.

When she spoke it was with a thick French accent.

"I hate zis country. It is so cold all the time! Who is zis girl? Why is she here?"

Fred stared at his brothers fiancée in disgust. This was not the introduction to his family that he had in mind.

A/N – Ok, so I can't do the French thing. I hope you all like this. It's not very long, but should update again soon.