How It Started

Chapter 35 - Fred Weasley

The shop had been going through a quiet faze to say at the least, we had people come in here and there but mostly it was deserted. That was to be expected and it was often like this, around the same time each year. Everyone was back at school and the adults had no use for buying jokes, if not for presents. George and I still made ourselves useful by supply the shelves and sorted out things to help with the reconstruction of our family's house.

Just as I predicted the family, for the meantime at least were staying at Bills house, I had only been there once as I had recalled and it was nice enough. It was on the beach and the cottage itself was well built and gave a homey feel, which is what it's purpose was I suppose.

I spent a lot of my summer break with Lina, after all we had made it offical only a short while ago. But she was back to Hogwarts now while I remained doing my own thing.

"Freddie can you please come help" George yelled out from the store room, which caused me to bring my mind back into reality. I walked on over to where his voice was coming from and I found him ruffling through a box of our old possessions.

We had been staying in a makeshift room in the upstairs compartment of the shop, away from the costumers and stock of course, it was easy enough and gave us all the space we wanted. George was still hunched over the box and was throwing things from behind, I had to doge a flying book before I finally asked what it was he was doing, more specifically what he was looking for.

"Mum claimed she gave us dads watch, we she did but I can't seen to find it dad needs it for his new role in the muggle department" George sighed still looking through the box.

I knew exactly what watch her was talking about, dad had gotten it when a muggle busker had handed it to him in our third year of Hogwarts. Dad was overly pleased with it and I was sure it wanted to bring it in, purely to show what other differences the muggle world was to ours. I also happened to know where the watch was. I swiftly left the storage room and went to the front desk where the register was. I had watched George place the watch into the first draw, he claimed it would be a good spot where he wouldn't forget where it was, I guess he was eating his words now.

Sure enough as I opened the draw I saw the watch in plain sight, I carefully picked it up and carried in back to George, who was now sitting on the floor next to the pile of stuff he had torn through.

"Is this what you're looking for?" I asked purely in a sarcastic way, making fun of his previous looking state
"YES, thank goodness" George said standing and practically bowing at me. I laughed at this gesture.

Lina and I had been sending frequent letters to each other, which also meant that I was getting a lot of information about the others from the school. Like for instance how Ron had broken up with Lavender which apparently meant Hermione was now talking to him again.

It was obvious to everyone that they liked each other and I still didn't know why Ron wouldn't just admit it, in fact George and I had placed bets on how many years it would take for Ron to say anything, that is unless the quick approaching War wouldn't interfere.

Ginny and Neville were still together and were going quite strong, Harry and Vesper had finally shared their first kiss which was a relief it was about time. My letters weren't nearly as interesting as the Hogwarts drama or the classes she was taking, but I still enjoyed writing them and of course receiving hers. Well mostly all of my letters.

There was one letter I wrote which recalled the events I had seen on my way to the shop. That morning I had seen Draco Malfoy walking with his father and sister Vesper, at first I thought nothing of it until I saw two more unnoticeable figures join them as they ducked into a side passage way. I didn't follow them of course, but the most suspicious thing about the whole occurrence was that before they went I saw Draco look behind him making sure they weren't seen.

Vesper had said nothing about the occurrence to Lina, although in one very distressed letter she thought something was going on with the Malfoy family, something bad and something to do with the death eaters. I assumed she was just paranoid but after seeing whatever it was they were doing that morning I wasn't too sure.

"Well I'll be off I'm meeting Lina at the leaky cauldron" I said to George, although I knew he already was aware of my leaving, we had been planning to meet up for a while. I was early of course and she would have to make her way from school but as it was a Friday and we didn't have many customers I thought it would be just as easy to make my way there.

I let George in charge of the shop, which wasn't that big of a deal, sometimes he treated the shop almost like a child, it was scary how proud of it he was. At first I was going to use flew powder to make my way there, although I didn't want to be too early so instead I decided on the more civil approach of catching a bus. The walk to the bus stop was short and I didn't have to walk far, although the trip itself would take over an hour so I happily stared out the window alone with my thoughts.