"Hakuna Matata, it means no worries for the rest of your days."
-Timon and Pumbaa (The Lion King)
"So how are things with Dean?" Scarlett asked Ginny. It was a week later and the two girls were sitting across from each other in the Leaky Cauldron, having made plans to get lunch before heading over to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
"Fine," Ginny answered. "Great, actually. I like him a lot."
"Good," Scarlett grinned. "I'm glad you're happy."
Ginny smiled. "How's Justin?"
Scarlett's smile faded slightly. "I haven't really spoken to him much. We've been writing and he knows I've been busy, but I also might be pulling away slightly because I know a break up is coming."
"I'm guessing you told him the news, though? That St. Mungo's got back to you and as of Monday morning, you'll officially be a Healer in training?"
Scarlett smiled. "I sent a letter to both him and Erica as soon as I found out. I also told him that Erica and I found a flat and we're supposed to move in on Sunday—two days from now. So, I mean, I really have been busy and I have been keeping him updated, but I just haven't actually seen him."
"Do you want to see him?"
"Yes and no. Like I said, I'm kind of pulling away because I know what I have to do and it's making me so nervous. Obviously I like being around him, but the next time I see him will most likely be the day I break up with him."
Ginny smiled comfortingly. "It'll be okay. Just think that you'll be able to focus on Fred more!"
"Ginny, not this again!" Scarlett groaned as they finished their food and headed for the door.
"Yes, this again. I really think you and Fred could fall in love if you tried. Or even if you didn't try. I would feel so much better after you two get married knowing that my sister-in-law and my brother love each other. It would be so much easier."
"Trust me, I know," Scarlett sighed. Suddenly, the shop they were looking for came into view and even seeing it from halfway down the road caused the two girls to stop short.
"Oh my," Ginny said with a laugh.
"It's so…bright," Scarlett managed to breathe out.
"Yeah, compared to what this rest of this area is turning into, it's great," Ginny said, glancing at Ollivander's and Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlor, both of which had been boarded up recently, their owners gone missing.
Scarlett shivered slightly. Diagon Alley was starting to look creepier and creepier with every passing day and it was most definitely going to get worse before it got any better. "Come on," she said, leading the way towards the end of the alley—more specifically, number ninety-three.
"I'm sure Fred and George will be surprised," Ginny said. "They don't know we're coming."
Scarlett smiled. "Good thing they like surprises, then."
The two girls stopped at the front of the shop and gazed at the display windows in shock and awe.
"Why are you worrying about You-Know-Who," Ginny read off of a brightly glowing purple and yellow sign, "when you should be worrying about You-No-Poo—the constipation sensation that's gripping the nation."
Scarlett took a deep breath and shook her head, her eyes wide. "I think I need a moment to even process this."
"Don't tell me you're surprised," Ginny smirked. "Honestly, did you really expect anything less?"
"No, but just finally seeing it….I always knew it would be something like this, but…." She trailed off again and laughed, stepping forward to press her face to the glass. "It's real," she whispered. "They really did it. And look at how crowded it is inside!"
Ginny smiled and walked forward, pulling open the door. "Let's add to the commotion, shall we?"
Scarlett grinned back and walked inside, taking in the numerous shelves and displays. She let out a low whistle. "Wow."
"It's great," Ginny sighed. "Come on." She eagerly grabbed Scarlett's arm and pulled her around the brightly colored, noisy, and crowded shop.
"Look, they really do sell Muggle prank items!" Ginny said excitedly, pointing to a section of shelving. "Just like the stuff Fred gave you for Christmas!"
Scarlett smiled, running her hand over the Muggle playing cards, displayed on one of the shelves.
"Hey, think fast," Ginny said. She tossed a rubber snake at Scarlett, causing her to squeal, flail her arms and step back into a display, which wobbled dangerously for a second before becoming still.
"Oi, careful of the displays! You break it, you buy it!" a voice yelled from behind her.
Scarlett turned to see Fred marching towards her, wearing magenta robes that clashed terribly with his hair. When he recognized her, he stopped short and stared at her, looking surprised, but glad to see her.
"Hi, Fred," she said, feeling suddenly nervous standing in front of him again.
"Scar, hi!" Fred's face cracked into a grin. "You're really here! You came to see me!"
"Not you, Fred, the shop. Obviously," Scarlett teased.
"Shut up," Fred muttered, lightly pushing her shoulder. Scarlett lightly shoved him back.
Ginny cleared her throat. "Sibling neglect over here!"
"Ginny!" Fred exclaimed. He grabbed her in a tight hug. "George and I weren't expecting family to come visit until just before school started."
"Scarlett offered to take me."
"You didn't force her?" Fred asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No!"
"She didn't force you?" Fred leaned towards Scarlett and lowered his voice.
"I didn't!" Ginny insisted, still picking up on what Fred said.
"She didn't," Scarlett said, shaking her head.
Ginny stuck her tongue out at Fred. He mirrored the gesture before ruffling her hair.
"Anyway, Ron's jealous," Ginny said, smirking. "He's been begging to come see the shop since school got out."
"Ah, well, it looks as if ickle Ronniekins is going to have to wait," Fred shrugged. "Would you girls like a tour?"
"That would be great," Scarlett said.
Fred led the two girls around practically the entire shop, giving them an amazing tour considering how noisy and crowded it was.
"There's one last thing I want you to see," he told Scarlett, grinning.
"What is it?" she asked, glancing at Ginny, who was inching further and further away down the shelves and smirking.
"Come on." Fred grabbed Scarlett's arm and pulled her towards the middle of the shop, to a large display she hadn't seen yet. "Look familiar?" he asked.
"The fortune cookie you sent me for my birthday!"
"I told you it was our newest product."
"I know, but…you're actually selling them!"
"Yeah, that's typically what products are for," Fred said with a laugh. "Anyway, as I'm sure you've guessed, the fortunes inside are meant to be funny. George and I came up with a bunch to make the cookies we're selling now and whenever we think of a new fortune, we'll add it so there's less of a chance of repetition."
"Genius," Scarlett whispered.
"Now, I can't take all the credit," Fred said modestly.
"No?" Scarlett raised an eyebrow curiously as she tried to fight back a smirk.
"No, you see, Chinese restaurants began distributing these before George and I did."
"Jerk!" Scarlett cried, giving him another small shove. Fred laughed and they smiled at each other before Scarlett spoke again. "I have news for you."
"Yeah?"
She nodded. "As you must know, Dumbledore's headmaster at Hogwarts again. The second he came back, I went to talk to him. He checked my file and discovered that Umbridge did change my grade after all."
"That toad!" Fred exclaimed. "So what happened? Did Dumbledore fix it?"
Scarlett nodded, biting her lip to contain her happiness. "I delivered my paperwork to St. Mungo's early last week. Two days ago, they sent me a letter. They want to hire me! I start training on Monday!"
Fred's mouth dropped open and he blinked at her.
"Close your mouth, Fred. One might think this has come as a shock," Scarlett said, imitating Umbridge.
"Really?" Fred asked, ignoring Scarlett's latest statement. "You did it? You're in training?"
"Starting Monday," Scarlett grinned.
Fred let out a whoop and hugged her, spinning her around. "Congratulations! You did it! I knew you would! I just knew you would!"
Scarlett giggled as he set her down. "Thanks," she said.
"Oh, is this Angelina?" a pleasant voice asked from behind them.
Scarlett quickly turned to see a woman with shoulder length blonde hair and green eyes standing there wearing a smile and the same magenta robes as Fred.
"No, I'm—well, I'm just-," Scarlett awkwardly stuttered out as her face turned red.
"This is Scarlett," Fred said. "Scarlett, this is Verity. She's our assistant." He leaned in and whispered against Scarlett's ear, "The position could have been yours if you hadn't passed it up."
Scarlett smiled and looked up at him. "I couldn't put Verity out of a job, could I?" she whispered. She turned back to Verity. "Nice to meet you," she said.
"Oh, so, you're Scarlett. The one who gave Fred the fortune cookie inspiration. Sorry for mistaking you for Angelina. It's just that I haven't met her yet and I've been anxious to meet the girl who actually likes this guy romantically." Verity wrinkled her nose before smiling to show she was teasing.
"Yeah, well, I must being doing something right," Fred shrugged, smiling.
"Or completely wrong and Angelina's delusional," Scarlett added.
"Yeah, let's go with that one," Verity said, giggling. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Scarlett. I'd better get back to work before the line at the register gets too long."
"I'm guessing you didn't tell her about the vow?" Scarlett whispered as Verity walked away.
"No. I have no reason to tell her. She'll find out eventually, though. Your name just came up in conversation when we were creating the fortune cookies."
"And Angelina hasn't been here yet?" Scarlett asked in surprise, running her hand along the shelf next to her almost awkwardly.
"No," Fred said. "She did only just get out of school a few weeks ago, same as you."
"Yeah, but I thought she'd come here the second she could."
"I don't think she's had a moment yet. That's all. She's been trying to set up tryouts for certain Quidditch teams. I told you how she wanted to play professionally. Anyway, we've been writing and I told her that one of these days we'd go out to dinner and I'd bring her back here after."
"But the shop will be closed already."
"Exactly. I can't spend adequate time with my girlfriend when I'm so busy."
"You're spending time with me right now. Or are you planning on getting rid of me soon so you can get back to work?"
"Of course not," Fred grinned. He shrugged and glanced around. "And we're not too busy."
"Not too busy?" Scarlett repeated in disbelief.
"We've been busier, believe it or not."
"Oddly enough, I can believe it. How do you even do it?" Scarlett laughed.
"George and I love it, actually," Fred said as he and Scarlett walked towards the back of the shop. "We love when it's really busy the most because it really lets us know that people like it here and that it was worth everything that went into opening this place."
"What's not to like about it?" Scarlett asked. "Everything is so…you. And so unbelievably perfect."
"Why, thank you," Fred said. He bowed dramatically and picked up her hand, making sure it was the unscarred one, before giving it a kiss.
Scarlett turned a light shade of pink, but she did her best to hide it. "Seriously, this place is great. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Actually, I want you to come back another day after we close so I can show you something."
"What might that be?" Scarlett asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You'll see when I show it to you," Fred grinned. "Promise we'll keep in touch and plan a day for you to come back?"
"Of course. I'm curious now," Scarlett replied.
"As you should be."
Scarlett giggled. "So, how is it living on your own?"
Fred shrugged. "It's great, but at the same time, an adjustment. I mean, George and I have to actually do our own laundry for once."
"Oh, no," Scarlett groaned dramatically. "Don't tell me you have to cook your own meals, too!"
"You're quite mean when you want to be, aren't you?" Fred smirked as Scarlett laughed.
"Well, I was only asking how you liked having your own place because Erica and I are moving into our own flat on Sunday. But if the worst thing about being on your own is cooking and laundry, then I think we're all set. See, we know how to do those things."
"You're asking for it." Fred tried to hold back his laughter as he punched his fist into his hand.
"You'd beat up a girl?" Scarlett asked sweetly.
Fred smirked. "If you buy some merchandise and help me earn more money, maybe I'll let you off easy."
"If you're letting money go to your head like that, I'd rather you beat me up," Scarlett retaliated. "I don't want to marry a miser."
"Well, if you're so smart about living on your own, maybe you'll just have to give me and George a few lessons."
"Watch your attitude or I won't do anything for you at all and you'll be cooking and cleaning on your own forever."
"Not forever. Only until we get married. Then you'll do it for me."
"Oh, so now you're a sexist miser."
"No, just sexy," he teased, emphasizing the 'y' sound.
"That's cute that you think so. But that did just remind me that you're also bigheaded. You're a bigheaded, sexist miser." Scarlett tried her best not to laugh.
"And you're mean."
"That's all you've got?" Scarlett teased.
"I'm not going to stand here and argue with you," Fred said. "I'm going to be the bigger person."
"The bigger headed person, you mean."
"You're pretty good at this whole dishing out insults thing, aren't you?" Fred asked.
"I try," she said, "but it's all in good fun, as I'm sure you know."
"Lucky for you, I do," Fred smirked. He pulled aside the curtain they were standing next to and gestured for Scarlett to go inside first
Scarlett stepped inside the room and looked around. It was obviously a workroom, with a cluttered wooden table in the middle and various shelves and counter space around the perimeter that were covered with old textbooks, papers, vials, cauldrons—basically everything needed for inventing. George was standing at the table, his palms on the wood and his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows—his magenta robes lay discarded on a chair—as he frowned down at the cauldron in front of him.
"Hey, Georgie, we have a visitor," Fred said.
George looked up. "Scarlett! What are you doing here?"
"Visiting, of course."
"She got hired at St. Mungo's," Fred grinned. "Turns out she was never failing Umbridge's class after all. Just like we thought."
"That's great, Scar!" George grinned. "I guess we won't need an Extendable Ear costume after all."
Scarlett snorted. "You never needed one in the first place."
Fred looked over at what George was doing, peering into the cauldron and sniffing it. He wrinkled his nose. "Needs more powdered unicorn horn, I think."
"You're right," George agreed.
"Ginny's here," Fred said, casually leaning against the table.
"She is?" George asked.
Fred nodded. "Yeah, Scar brought her."
"I'd better go find her, then, and say hello."
"No need." The curtain in the doorway flew open to reveal Ginny. "I saw Fred and Scarlett come back here," she explained, going over to hug George.
"How are you?" he asked. "How's the family?"
"Fine, everyone's fine," Ginny said, walking around and examining the shelves. "Bill brought Phlegm over for dinner for the past two weekends in a row. I'll bet you're sorry you missed it." She rolled her eyes. "Mum says she wants you there for the next time he brings her so Fleur can have a chance to 'meet the whole family'."
"We know Fleur," George said, stirring the cauldron.
"Yes, but have you ever talked to her?"
"Well, no," George added.
Ginny nodded. "That's what I thought. She's bloody annoying, I'm warning you. It's more than the hair tossing, prancing lunatic she was during the tournament. Now, besides all that, it's always France this and France that. She's always talking about France. It's like she wants to make us feel like we're not good enough because we're not French and we don't live in France. She also seems to have a complaint for everything."
"You're one to talk," Fred smirked.
"I do not complain about everything!" Ginny protested. "I'm only complaining about Fleur because she's annoying and I've actually had to put up with her."
"Sorry, but Fleur?" Scarlett asked. "As in Fleur Delacour the Triwizard Champion?"
"Yeah, you don't know?" Fred asked.
"Know what?" Scarlett said, raising an eyebrow and waiting for an explanation.
"Blimey, I can't believe we all forgot to mention it. Fleur and Bill have been dating for nearly a year now. Obviously, he never brought her over for dinner because we were at Grimmauld Place and they were both busy with work. Fleur took a job at Gringott's to-,"
"Eemprove 'er Eengleesh," Ginny, George and Fred said together.
"That's how they officially met," Fred continued. "Anyway, two weeks ago, Bill apparently brought her home for the first time, and last week he brought her over again." Fred glanced at George. "Want to bet on a third week in a row? Five Sickles says she's back next weekend."
"You're on," George replied.
"I've been writing to Fred and George to keep them updated," Ginny explained to Scarlett. "We think Bill wants to ask her to marry him. We're expecting the announcement any day now."
"This way Mum gets to experience at least one proper engagement, eh?" George smirked, nudging Fred.
Fred smirked back. "Yeah, but if Mum was counting on the two of us to do anything properly, then she's bonkers."
Scarlett looked down at the ground and dug the toe of her shoe into the floor. Fred must have noticed, because when she glanced up, his smirk had faded.
"Aw, come on, don't be mad," he said.
"Is your mother really upset that this vow happened? Does she think I messed up her chances for a real daughter-in-law?"
Fred and George glanced at each other. "You look pretty real to me, Scar," George said.
"Yeah," Fred added, reaching out and patting the top of Scarlett's head. "Definitely not a figment of our imaginations."
"Fred, I'm serious," Scarlett said, brushing his hand away. "Is she upset that things didn't happen more naturally for you?"
"Scar, no, George was just kidding. Our mum didn't say anything to us that would put that idea in his head."
"Yeah, I was just being a jerk," George said.
"Mum likes you," Fred assured her. "Loves you, actually. The last time we saw her, she went on for a bit about how polite you were over the summer and the Christmas holidays and how you didn't complain about not being in the Order. And how you didn't feel the need to use magic every two seconds. She basically loves that you're not us." He gestured to himself and George.
"But I guess she doesn't know you as well as she thinks she does," George said with a smirk. "She doesn't know how devious you really are."
Scarlett snorted in response, but didn't say anything.
"You need to stop feeling like such a burden," Ginny piped up, almost bluntly. "What's done is done. You and Fred made the vow and there's nothing anyone can do about it. Even if Mum hated it, she couldn't do anything. And, oddly enough, I think it's Fleur she doesn't like."
"Really? Why?" Scarlett asked, raising her eyebrows.
Ginny shrugged. "Same reasons I don't care for her, I guess. And the fact that she thinks that Bill's not ready to get married just yet. She thinks if they get engaged, they'll be rushing into things."
"What are Fred and I doing, then?" Scarlett asked, feeling terribly all over again. "We're younger than Bill and Fleur and still somewhere in the process of getting completely reacquainted. Technically, we're almost in the same spot as they are."
"Well, you were told in enough time, but you already know my opinion on how exactly you should be using it," Ginny shrugged. "Besides, you two used to know each other when you were little. Bill and Fleur just met last year for the first time."
"I can only imagine what your mother's saying about me," Scarlett sighed.
"I told you—good things," Fred said. "She likes you and doesn't blame either one of us for what happened. I'll admit, I think she sides with Ginny and Erica on the whole falling in love thing, though, but she won't really say it. That's kind of why George and I haven't gone over for dinner the past few weeks. I'm afraid each time will be the time."
"What do you mean?"
"She might go into full blown lecture mode and just let it all out. See, before, she would ask me sporadically about Angelina and my answer was and still is the same. Yes, Mum, she's still my girlfriend."
"She doesn't like Angelina?"
"It's not that. It's just, like I said, she agrees with Ginny and Erica. She wants me and you to fall in love."
"If three people are on you two to fall in love, it's worth trying to take the advice," Ginny said.
"We can't force ourselves," Fred answered.
"That's why I said try. But are you trying? I don't think so."
Fred shook his head. "I'm beginning to regret your decision to bring her here, Scar."
Scarlett didn't smile. She was really beginning to feel that breaking up with Justin as soon as possible was the right thing to do. It would seem to be a step in the right direction for everyone else, and as far as morals went, it was also probably a step in the right direction. But that didn't change the fact that Fred was still with Angelina and it didn't look as if he was going to break up with her any time soon.
"Scar, it'll be okay, we'll get through it," Fred said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We'll just take it one day at a time." Using his other hand, he gently forced her to look at him. "Okay?"
Scarlett smiled slightly and nodded. "Okay." Something in Fred's voice made her believe him. Despite all of her worrying, she believed that if they did what Fred said and took things one day at a time, everything really would be okay. He made it sound so incredibly easy, and that was exactly what Scarlett needed.
A/N: It's good to have Fred finally back in the story. And he'll obviously be around a lot more now that Scarlett's out of school. As far as the breakup with Justin...it's coming, I swear. I feel terrible for making everyone wait so long, but there's one more major thing that's going to happen before the breakup and I'm not going to say anything else. *zips lips* Plus, the wait will make the breakup much better when it does happen. Right? Hopefully?
Thanks for reading and thanks for all the feedback!