Riptides (Fred Weasley Fan Fiction)

Chapter 17

Lyssie had a great time in Hogsmeade with Fred. First, they met outside the castle and walked to the town together. Lyssie's friends weren't happy with her joining a Weasley on the first trip to Hogsmeade this year, but she promised to find them at some point, so they let her go reluctantly.

When they got there, Fred invited her for a butter beer to The Hog's Head. Lyssie had no idea what he was talking about, but The Hog's Head turned out to be a small, snug pub, and butter beer was a sweet, tasty drink, nonalcoholic, to her surprise. As they entered the pub, it was crowded, but somehow, they managed to find a table for two, almost as if it appeared when they walked in. Lyssie saw other Slytherins follow them and take another table not too far away. She smiled at them to show that everything was all right.

Then, having finished their drinks, they went to Zonko's Joke Shop, because Fred claimed that he absolutely had to see what new products appeared this year. Lyssie rolled her eyes when he guided her into the shop, but in fact, she was really interested in all the items.

"I need to keep my eye on the competitors," he explained as they were looking at the displays.

She remembered Fred telling her about the shop he wanted to open with his twin brother one day. They wanted to sell joke items, just like at Zonko's, but better, as he would claim. Lyssie was sure that he would be able to make it in the business with his irresistible charisma.

"This shop used to fulfill our wildest dreams," Fred said as they walked out with two big boxes of Dungbombs. "However, now we can make way better stuff. I have to show you one day."

Later, Fred decided to take Lyssie to Honeydukes, which turned out to be the most amazing sweets shop she has ever seen. Inside, there were shelves upon shelves full of all kinds of candy. There were some items she knew already, like chocolates of various kinds, toffees, and ice cream, but she managed to notice some sweets she didn't recognize. They bought a box of Every Flavor Beans and two chocolate frogs.

"I want to show you something," Fred said when they were back in the street.

"What is it?" she asked curious.

As they were visiting all those fantastic shops, Lyssie felt just like she did the first time she went to Diagon Alley. She even saw some stores similar to the ones in the street in London.

"Let me surprise you, love."

They walked along the street, passing through crowds of Hogwarts students. Everyone was talking enthusiastically and discussing their recent purchases. They seemed really excited to finally take part in a first Hogsmeade trip that year, and so was Lyssie.

Fred turned to one of the narrow streets on their right, and Lyssie followed. They walked for a minute or so and reached a small church. It looked really old, but charming. It wasn't their final destination, however. They walked around it and got to a wooden fence with a small gate painted light blue. Fred opened it for Lyssie.

Now, she was able to see where they were going. Behind the gate, there was a path, which looked as if no one has used it for a while. A hundred meters or so from the gate stood an old house. It looked haunted, to say the least.

"Is it the place where you're going to murder me?" Lyssie asked jokingly. She trusted Fred, but she couldn't say that she was excited to get closer to the house.

"We have to wait and see," Fred responded and gave her a big smile.

They walked towards the house. From up close, it looked even scarier. It had wooden walls, which were falling apart. Some of the windows were broken and the wind was playing with the old, yellow curtains. Lyssie thought that they must have been white years ago.