"Geez," Harry muttered under his breath as he witnessed the sight of Diagon Alley. It was wrecked. Savaged of any happiness it once held before.
"Look at this place..." Hermione gasped in awe, horrified by the sight she fell upon next. "Oh no! Everyone got their wands from Ollivander's..."
All four of you glumly gazed at the singed sight of the burnt remains of the shop, left as rubble.
"Come on," Ron began, not wanting to see this sight anymore and pursued his direction toward the twin's joke shop. The bright colourful sight was refreshing to the eye as colour burst out from inside of the shop, objects whizzing pass the ears with a frazzle for sound.
"It's amazing!" Hermione awed, more cheerfully this time.
"Fred reckons people need a laugh these days." Ron responded. "He's probably right. Although, don't tell him I said that."
You and Harry exchanged small smiles with each other before following behind Hermione and Ron. As soon as your first foot rested inside of the shop it sent goosebumps all over your body, heightening your brighter side and spreading a wide smile across your face. Your eyes glistened and reflected the excitement that bounced from every inch of the shop, the back of your neck pulling back to gaze at the never-ending shelves filled with remarkable and extraordinary inventions created by the twins.
You hadn't seen the twins for quite some time since they left Hogwarts. You didn't expect to feel so lonely without them. Missing Fred as well, was the worse. Yes of course you missed George too, but Fred had a slightly higher ranking. Ginny had also slipped into the crowd and greeted you with one of the tightest hugs you have ever received.
"Fiona! I've missed you so much!"
"Y-yeah, uh...Ginny...air!" You gasped a little as she released you swiftly, her face sketched with an apologetic expression.
"Oh, sorry."
"It's fine." You smiled, not annoyed by the bone crushing hug, but very glad to see her too.
"Have you seen the twins yet? Oh how smug they look! Well, they should be really. Look at what they have finally achieved! The amount of times they went on and on about this joke shop." The two of you laughed as you chatted for a short while before being dragged around to nose at the different wonderful and wacky creations.
"I've never had a puking pastel." You stated, examining the colourful box packaging. "And I don't want to, thanks!" You laughed as Ginny tried to shove a sample through your lips. She pouted mockingly before settling the sample back to where it was previously, wiping her fingers on her jeans to rid of any trace of the puking pastel. Just in case.
"What is this?" Hermione pondered, carefully picking up a very pink bottle that seemed to glow. It was small, and in the subtle shape of a heart. Ginny also picked up a bottle between her fingertips, intrigued by the luring glow.
"I think it's-"
"Hellooo, ladies," Two familiar voices greeted from above, noticing the interest in the love potion. The tips of your ears seemed to prick up immediately to the welcoming sound of those voices, the corners of your mouth spreading wider than they have in such a long time. All three of you turned at the same time, your heads tilting backwards to allow your eyes access to the sight. There stood leaning against the stairs were Fred and George. Their grins haven't changed at all.
"Yeah, they really do work!" George exclaimed, noticing the looks the two of them received from you three.
"Although, I'm hoping you won't be getting one Fi-Fi. There's no need for you to-" Fred's words were halted suddenly by you leaping up the stairs and throwing your arms around him hugging him tightly, as if squeezing all of the lost time into one hug. Fred laughed as he was taken back by this action. Luckily he was leant against the barrier of the staircase, so neither of you fell.
You could feel your eyes begin to sting as tears prickled beneath your eyelids, soon beginning to fall slowly down your cheeks.
"Hey, hey. Why are you crying?" Fred asked softly, quickly wiping away your tears with his thumb gently. You sniffed and reluctantly withdrew yourself to give a little distance between the two of you so you could look up at him. A bright smile wiped across your face once more, the tears almost gone already.
"Nothing. I just missed you, Fred." Fred smiled and dipped down to kiss you briefly, and then once more on the cheek.
"Not as much as me." He smiled, hugging you again before curling his arm around you, keeping you close to him.
"Huh, I wonder what would happen if I slipped in a love potion-"
"Don't you even think about it, George!" Fred laughed, mockingly shoving his brother in the side. Although, he secretly thought that to be a bit upsetting, he didn't see the need to show it, it was only a joke after all.
"I'm only kidding!" George defended, laughing also. His eyes then diverted down to his younger sister who rolled her eyes at them. "Little sis, aren't you currently dating Dean?"
Her face dropped a little. Ginny then screwed up her face a bit before brushing the comment off.
"It's none of your business." She placed the love potion back upon its stand before breaking her way through the thick crowd of customers, trying to get away from the conversation.
Everyone's eyes then fell upon you, curious as to why she seemed so uptight about the subject. Defensively you huffed and raised your hands.
"I don't know anything."
"Don't lie, Fi. We all know that you're the first one that Ginny goes to about everything." George chuckled, trying to peel some information from you.
"Well...I," You stuttered, trying to think up of an excuse before failing and giving up. "I can't say anything. It's personal. That and why would I tell you two of all people?!" You laughed.
"Oh, so I suppose Hermione knows as well?"
"Yes." Both you and Hermione said together, exchanging small smiles at each other, finding this amusing.
Everyone began to wonder the shop for the last five minutes before having to leave, so you decided to remain with Fred.
"So," he began. "Have you almost finished preparing yourself for the biggest contract of your life?" You raised an eyebrow and nudged him in the stomach.
"Wow. So romantic."
"I'm kidding!" He laughed in response, kissing the top of your head. He smiled down at you genuinely. "I bet mum is frantic about getting everything done in time."
You nodded.
"A little. Although she is loving every minute of it." You smiled gratefully, thinking about how much Mrs Weasley has done for you. And not just for the wedding, but since the very first day you met she treated you like a second daughter, and she felt like a second mother. Mr Weasley felt like a second father too.
"I bet she is." Fred nodded, smiling to himself about how his mother can hustle and bustle over every little detail, and how everything must be absolutely perfect. "So, how much longer do we have to wait?"
You smiled up at Fred warmly, you haven't been this content for months. Your voice was soft yet excited, quiet as you responded your answer.
"Two months."