Muggle Magic – Chapter 16

A/N – Thanks for the reviews on Chapter 15 – I know that it was a little intense – but in a good way I hope. Not much to say now – just on with the story.

Chapter 16 – Fred

The Burrow was quiet, deathly quiet.

Fred lay on the small, threadbare sofa in the living room, staring at the dying embers of the fire. It was nearly four in the morning, and the household had only just gone to bed. They had sat for hours in the kitchen, but at last Ally had begun to doze off at the table and Molly decided it was time for everyone to get to bed.

George had returned to the small flat above their shop, and Ally was asleep in their old room – hence Fred sleeping on the sofa. Or rather trying to sleep.

He thought of Ally, upstairs in his old bed, and he felt guilty. He couldn't help it. He knew that if it weren't for him, Ally would be asleep in her own bed, her father in the room next door. She wouldn't have lost the last of her family, forced to leave behind everyone she knew and loved.

He loved her, but he had ruined her life. What kind of person did that to someone they loved? Put them in unimaginable danger, and never even warned them?

Of course, he knew that telling her wouldn't have changed anything. The Death Eaters would still have come. Her father would still have died. Perhaps it would have been better if he had walked away months ago – before he ever told her anything.

As he lay there in the semi-darkness he tried to imagine if he had. He couldn't do it. He couldn't picture his life without Ally in it. He wondered briefly how she had managed to steal his heart so completely, so quickly.

He sighed and shifted uncomfortably on the sofa. Sleep seemed pretty far away, despite the late hour.

In the stillness of the house he heard a sudden creak, and then another. He had just pushed himself up onto his elbows when the door of the living room creaked open.

"Fred?" Ally's voice was soft, trembling slightly.

Fred pointed his wand at the fireplace and the flames rose up slightly, casting a ruddy glow across Ally's tearstained face. She was dressed in one of his old t-shirts and a pair of what looked like his boxer shorts. He didn't think she'd ever looked more lovely.

He didn't need to say anything, he just opened his arms to her. She crossed the room quickly and climbed onto the sofa with him. There wasn't much room, but she crushed herself to his chest, tears spilling down her cheeks yet again.

"Oh, Ally," he murmured against her hair. He kissed her forehead, and then kissed away the tears on her cheeks. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tighter against him.

Some time close to dawn, they both fell asleep.

"Should we wake them?"

"Let them sleep a little longer…"

Fred heard the voices distantly, clouded by sleep. One of his arms was numb, but now he was awake he was sure it was going to turn into pins and needles fairly quickly. He couldn't move it though, tucked underneath Ally's shoulders the way it was. One of her legs was twisted through his, so he couldn't move them either.

He blinked and twisted his head slightly. Molly and Arthur were both stood in the doorway.

"You're awake," Arthur said in a whisper. "I'm just leaving for work…I'm going to explain everything to them…"

Fred nodded carefully, trying not to wake Ally. His father smiled and then kissed Molly on the cheek before disappearing down the corridor. Molly watched him go and then turned back to Fred.

"Let me know when she wakes up, and I'll cook some breakfast…"

Molly closed the door carefully behind her and Fred looked down at the girl in his arms. She looked incredibly peaceful. The pain that had been etched on her face the day before had been smoothed away by sleep.

He winced as his arm gave a particularly painful twitch and he shifted carefully, trying to slide his arm out without waking her.

She gave a little moan of dissatisfaction as he jostled her head and then her eyes flickered open.

"Morning," Fred murmured, even as he freed his arm and flexed it to get the blood flowing again.

She sat up, "Sorry…"

He laughed and kissed her softly. "I was trying not to wake you."

A weak smile flashed across her face. "You shouldn't have worried. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."

"I'm hardly complaining," he told her, pulling her back into his arms. "How are you feeling this morning?" He asked softly.

He felt her shrug, but she didn't speak.

"Ally…"

"I'm alright. I think. I just feel…empty…hollow…" She turned her head to look up at him and he saw tears in her eyes. "What happens now?"

He hesitated before he replied. "I really don't know. But I'm here for you, no matter what."

"No memory wiping?"

Fred heard the fearful note to her voice and tightened his grip. "No. I swear, I will never let them do that to you."

They were interrupted by a gentle tap on the door and then Molly pushed it open. "I heard voices. I've just put the bacon on to cook." She smiled gently at Ally. "I imagine you'd like a nice relaxing bath. I've put some towels in the bathroom and some of Ginny's clothes. You're a similar size, so they should fit you."

Ally smiled. "Thanks, Molly. You're being so good to me…"

"You're family now."

"Thanks, Mum."

Molly started slightly as Fred came up behind her in the kitchen and kissed her on the cheek.

"Whatever for?"

"For everything. I know this can't be easy for you and Dad. I know this isn't the perfect situation. And I know I've made a mess of things…"

Molly put her finger to Fred's lips. "Be quiet. You haven't made a mess of things. You fell in love. No one can blame you for that. And Ally is a wonderful girl. What happened yesterday was a terrible tragedy – but no one is to blame but You-Know-Who. We all know that." She turned back to the breakfast she was trying to cook. "Just take care of her, Fred. You're all she has now."

"And 'ow long will she be staying?" Fleur's voice was loud enough that it echoed up the stairs.

Fred had been sat with Ally in his old room, showing her some of his old school books, trying to distract her from thoughts of her father, but he looked up at the sound of Fleur's whining.

"Zis is bad enough that I must stay in Ginny's room – which zis the smallest in the house – but now we are to have yet another person living here!"

"Ignore her," Fred said quickly when he saw Ally frown.

"She's right though…I don't want to be a burden…"

"You're not a burden," Fred said firmly, even as Fleur continued complaining. "But I am going to have to go back to work in the next few days – George can't manage for long on his own – and I don't fancy leaving you here with only Mum and Fleur for company."

"I could always come with you, couldn't I?" Ally asked quietly. "Am I allowed in…what was it called again?"

"Diagon Alley. And yes, you're allowed." He hesitated for a moment. He couldn't quite picture Ally in Weasley Wizard Wheezes, or Diagon Alley, surrounded by witches and wizards, but perhaps that was what she needed. A proper distraction. Left alone in the Burrow all day she was only like to sink deeper into grief.

"Maybe it would be a good idea," he said thoughtfully.

A/N – Ok, this isn't a great chapter. I am not good at the sad stuff – so I can't make Ally mope around. Plus, I think Diagon Alley could serve as a nice distraction. Let me know what you think of this one!