Chapter 13 Unfounded Memories…

'Dear Diary, It's been two years… no one really knows what happened to Max Carlton… they said he was killed and I was just there holding a knife and a gun. Good thing the jury was in favor of me saying that I was just trying to protect myself. But the thing is… I don't remember me killing him. The doctors examined me and said there's no drug effect on me. It was still a mystery.

Maybe I was blinded by the death of my dad that I made it. Yes, that must be it. After the trial, it's good to be back here and to spend Christmas at St. Ottery Cathpole Village. This was my hometown; this is where my mum died. I have to stay here because of the property itself.

I gotta go now, do printings at the print shop… nice chatting with you diary

Sincerely, Asheara…

Asheara flipped closed her diary. She's been writing to it ever since her trial. She felt she ought to confide to someone. A diary was a nice idea. Asheara grabbed her coat, and went outside her house. It was raining with snow; she has to print those Christmas cards. Only two days then it will be Christmas and she hasn't been able to get those printed because of heavy work load. Though she's just 19, she was hired as an assistant clothes designer.

The village shops were crowded with people doing their last minute shopping. Asheara smiled, they were so lucky that they can spend their time with families, friends and love ones. Love ones… does she even have one?

She reached the printing shop. Inside were at least two male customers of same height and the lady who owns the printing shop. Asheara peered at the window and observed, they were laughing. The lady spotted Asheara and waved to come in. The other customers turned to see the newcomer.

"Hey Ash! What's up?" The lady asked.

"Fine, uhm have you got the cards printed Dane?" Asheara asked, not minding the two customers.

"Oh yeah, it was finished but, we couldn't give it to you till tomorrow." Dane said. "Pete wants to add some finishing touch with it. Why can't you give him a chance, after all you're both single" One of the customers made a sound and Asheara sighed.

"For the last time, I would say no." Asheara said. Then another sound was made by the customer that Asheara turned at the customers. She just realized that they were twins, red hair, freckly face and same height. One of them looked at Asheara intimately while the other one was shocked.

"Oh yeah, these are Fred and George. They were doing some card tricks a while ago" Dane said smiling.

"I see" Asheara said. She turned to the twins and held her hand. "I'm Asheara Lee"

"George Weasley" George said shaking her hand.

"Fredric Weasley" Fred said and shook her hand. Asheara felt something odd… her heart gave a few skips as she held his hand. His deep grey eyes told her, she knew him by chance.

"Pleased… to meet you" Asheara said quietly. "Have we met before?"

"Err… no" Fred said looking at her.

"I see, nice meeting you anyway." Asheara said and turned to Dane. "I'll be back tomorrow at the same time. Hope I'll get those cards" Asheara said smiling.

"Okay, bye" Dane said. Fred's eyes followed her… His heart was beating fast but pain was not leaving him. George thumped Fred's back.

"Don't tell me…" George said.

"No… I'll not" Fred said. Then, George turned to Dane.

"So, where were we?" George grinned and Dane giggled.

The next day come. Fred and George were on their room; Fred was dressing to get to town. George was grinning at him

"You're going to see her… aren't you?" George said.

"Yeah, why?" Fred said defensively.

"Nothing, let me come with you" George said. "I've enjoyed flirting with that girl.

"Git" Fred muttered and George laughed.

Both of them were heading to the kitchen for something to eat. They had permission from their mother earlier. As they were closing to the kitchen, they could hear conversations.

"…Yeah, well, passing over Fred's left buttock —"

"I beg your pardon?" said Fred's voice as the twins entered the kitchen. "Aaah, George, look at this. They're using knives and everything. Bless them."

"I'll be seventeen in two and a bit months' time," said Ron grumpily, "and then I'll be

able to do it by magic!"

"But meanwhile," said George, sitting down at the kitchen table and putting his feet up

On it, "we can enjoy watching you demonstrate the correct use of a — whoops-a-daisy!"

"You made me do that!" said Ron angrily, sucking his cut thumb. "You wait, when I'm

seventeen —"

"I'm sure you'll dazzle us all with hitherto unsuspected magical skills," yawned Fred.

"And speaking of hitherto unsuspected skills, Ronald," said George, "what is this we

hear from Ginny about you and a young lady called — unless our information is faulty —

Lavender Brown?"

Ron turned a little pink, but did not look displeased as he turned back to the sprouts. "Mind your own business."

"What a snappy retort," said Fred. "I really don't know how you think of them. No,

what we wanted to know was... how did it happen?"

"What d'you mean?"

"Did she have an accident or something?"

"What?"

"Well, how did she sustain such extensive brain damage? Careful, now!" Mrs. Weasley entered the room just in time to see Ron throw the sprout knife at Fred, who had turned it into a paper airplane with one lazy flick of his wand,

"Ron!" she said furiously. "Don't you ever let me see you throwing knives again!"

"I wont," said Ron, "let you see," he added under his breath, as he turned back to the sprout mountain.

"Fred, George, I'm sorry, dears, but Remus is arriving tonight, so Bill will have to squeeze in with you two."

"No problem," said George.

"Then, as Charlie isn't coming home, that just leaves Harry and Ron in the attic, and if Fleur shares with Ginny —" "— that'll make Ginny's Christmas —" muttered Fred. "—everyone should be comfortable. Well, they'll have a bed, anyway," said Mrs. Weasley, sounding slightly harassed.

"Percy definitely not showing his ugly face, then?" asked Fred. Mrs. Weasley turned away before she answered. "No, he's busy, I expect, at the Ministry."

"Or he's the world's biggest prat," said Fred, as Mrs. Weasley left the kitchen. "Well, let's get going, then, George."

"What are you two up to?" asked Ron. "Cant you help us with these sprouts? You could just use your wand and then we'll be free too!"

"No, I don't think we can do that," said Fred seriously. "It's very character-building stuff, learning to peel sprouts without magic, makes you appreciate how difficult it is for Muggles and Squibs —" "— and if you want people to help you, Ron," added George, throwing the paper airplane at him, "I wouldn't chuck knives at them. Just a little hint. We're off to the village, there's a very pretty girl working in the paper shop who thinks my card tricks are something marvelous. . , almost like real magic. ..."

So, Fred and George went out grinning at each other. They apparated to the alley nearest to the paper shop. Fred and George peeked at the shop, Asheara was there probably waiting for her orders. George gestured to Fred to go in, but Fred shook his head. But George was making some non-verbal urge to Fred that he should go in there and talk to Asheara. Yet again, Fred simply shook his head but he was eyeing at Asheara with some look of longing ness. George gave an audible intake of Breath that was loud enough to make anyone to turn around.

Asheara turned her head and saw no one at the door. She walked to the entrance to look if someone was there.

"Ash, here's your order" Dane said. Asheara turned and took the order.

"Thanks Dane, happy holidays" Asheara said

"Happy holidays" Dane greeted back as Asheara left the shop.