Muggle Magic – Chapter 11

A/N – Wow, you all must really hate me for not updating sooner. Life really has been manic, and I wasn't a hundred percent where I was going next with this. But it's all good. New chapter and I'll try and be quicker.

Chapter 11 – Ally

Ally stared at the girl in the doorway with undisguised awe. She was easily the most gorgeous girl she had ever seen. Her hair literally shone and her skin seemed to glow. But her perfect face was twisted with disgust as Fred made the introduction.

"And iz zis wise? A muggle at this time? With everything that iz happening?"

Ally felt herself bristle again. Even though Molly had said that 'Muggle' wasn't derogatory, it certainly sounded that way when this Fleur girl said it. At the back of Ally's mind, behind the anger though, a small voice pointed out that it was the second time that someone had talked about current events with a tinge of fear. Ally filed it away with the intention of asking Fred about it later.

She forced a smile onto her face. "It's a pleasure to meet you…"

Fleur simply sneered and turned to Molly. "I hope zat zis does not mean I vill be expected to share my room?"

Molly opened her mouth and then shut it again, glancing curiously at Fred. Ally also turned towards him, surprised that his family would even expect that she might be staying with them.

"No, Ally isn't staying here…I've set up enough protection around her home…I did want to talk to Dad though, to make sure that I wasn't breaking any laws…"

Again Ally felt a tingle of fear. Why did she need protection around her home? What possible danger could she be in?

Fred must have noticed something in her expression because he reached out to squeeze her hand as Fleur flounced out of the kitchen.

"That girl…" Molly growled as she topped up Ally's teacup. "What your brother sees in her…" She shook herself and smiled down at Ally. "So…how long have you known about us, dear?"

Ally glanced at her watch. "About an hour. If that."

"Oh dear…this must be very confusing for you…"

"Just a little," Ally replied with a faint smile. "I always knew Fred was a little…different...but…"

Molly's expression suddenly grew stern. "And does it change anything?"

Ally was taken back by the question – it was a question she had been trying not to answer even to herself. She frowned, hesitating. Did it change anything? Her eyes flicked towards Fred. He was staring resolutely at the opposite wall, his jaw clenched tightly. She realised with a start that he was expecting her to say yes. But as she looked at him, as she took in his stubble covered jaw, his full, soft lips, and the long lashes that brushed against his cheeks when he blinked, she was forced to consider it. She pictured the mischievous smile that would appear on his face when he was in a playful mood, which was almost always. She thought about how he always seemed to know the right thing to say to make her smile even when she was feeling really low. And the answer came to her, of course it was…

"No. No, it doesn't change a thing. I don't care about the magic stuff, he's still my Fred…"

Still staring at the wall Fred's lips curved up into a huge grin, but it was Molly who gave a kind of sob and flung her arms around Ally's neck.

"Oh, you dear, sweet girl!"

Ally patted Molly's back awkwardly and smiled at Fred over her shoulder. He grinned back, but made no move to help her.

*

"So…this is my room…" Fred pushed open the door and stepped aside to let Ally enter.

They had finally escaped Molly by Fred telling her that he had promised Ally a tour of the house. It didn't take long, it wasn't a very big house.

Ally loved it. She loved the funny little nooks and crannies, the worn but comfy sofas in the living room, the huge fireplaces, and even the mirror in the hall way that shouted after them to 'smarten up' as they headed to the stairs.

Now she stood in the middle of Fred's room between the two beds and surrounded by boxes. Bright sunlight shone through the window, making the dust motes dance.

"So…why does it look like a store room?"

Fred chuckled. "Ah yes. Well most of this is stock for the shop…stuff we're not sure about selling yet…"

"The shop?" Ally suddenly laughed. Of course, she realised now that he had certainly lied to her about what he and his brother did for a living. Oddly enough, she found she didn't mind. "So, what exactly is it that you sell?"

"Magic tricks," he replied with grin. "Proper ones. Not what you Muggles think of as magic tricks." He reached into a box and drew out a few things to show her.

Ally watched with amazement as he demonstrated how the Patented Daydream Charm worked, laughed at the Reusable Hangman, and giggled when he explained about the love potions they also made.

At last they sunk down onto Fred's old bed, scooting back so that they could lean their backs against the walls. They didn't speak for a long moment. They just sat, shoulders touching, watching as the sunlight crept down the wall, whilst Ally tried to decide which of the hundred questions chasing round her head she was going to ask first.

"Why does everyone keep mentioning the 'everything that's going on'? And why do they seem so scared when they do?"

Ally noticed Fred stiffen slightly, and his fingers tightened around hers.

"It's nothing for you to worry about. It's not important…"

"It seems pretty important," she protested. "Your Mum seemed fairly angry that you had gotten involved with me now rather than any other time…"

He twisted towards her, using his free hand to stroke her cheek. He lent forward and kissed her. There was an odd sort of intensity to his kiss, an urgency and Ally responded to it. His hand trailed down her neck and shoulder to tug her tightly against him.

A few minutes later when they finally broke apart, both a little breathless, Ally glared at him accusingly.

"Distracting me is not allowed."

He grinned, flashing her the dimples she loved so much. "Yes it is. Come on…there must be something else you want to ask me…I will explain it all to you, just not now."

She pouted slightly and then gave in. "Alright. Have it your way." She pursed her lips as she decided which of the other questions she would ask first. "You told me you went to boarding school…but you didn't really did you…?"

"We did. Just not the kind of boarding school you're thinking of. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's in the north somewhere, completely invisible to Muggles of course. Whilst you were taught Muggle subjects, I studied things like Transfiguration, Charms and Potions." He grimaced slightly. "Well, actually, studied probably isn't the right word. I was never particularly academically minded…"

"Why am I not surprised?" Ally replied with a laugh. "So what did you enjoy at school?"

"Quidditch!"

"Qui…what?"

He laughed. "It's a sport. The most popular sport in the Wizarding world. Played on broomsticks…"

"You really fly on broomsticks?"

Fred nodded enthusiastically and was half way off the bed. "Yeah! Come on…I'll take you flying…"

Ally yanked him back onto the bed. "Lets take things slowly. I don't think I'm quite ready for broomsticks and…"

She didn't get the chance to finish her sentence as Molly's voice echoed up the stairs.

"Fred! Your father is home!"

Fred groaned and rolled his eyes. "Brace yourself…my dad is going to be really pleased to me you…"

A/N – so next chapter – meeting Arthur Weasley! I know this is kinda slow going at the moment, but I'm trying to slowly let Ally find out more and more about Fred's world. Warning – we are going to get progressively AU with this. But I am going to stick as close as I can.

Hope you enjoy.