Aftermath | Fred Weasley

07. Complications

Mid-October I got an owl from Mr. Ollivander asking me to come to the workshop at my earliest convenience. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but I'd love to have my wand back. I was getting ready for work when I got the message, so I would have to stop by on my lunch break. In the two weeks since I found Fred at the bar, I'd been spending a little extra time getting put together in the mornings. No particular reason, of course.

Today's outfit consisted of a black pleated mini skirt paired with sheer tights, a long sleeve white shirt, and a cropped black button-up v-neck sweater vest. I was thankful most of my closet consisted of black, white, or neutral colors because the magenta uniform wouldn't go with much else. I threw on my black faux leather platform boots, checked my mascara, and headed off to work.

"It's not fair!" I heard Ron shouting the second I walked in. "Asteria," he shouts as soon as he sees me walk in.

"I don't want to be a part of this," I grumble.

"Oi, do you get a discount here?" he asks.

"Good morning to you too Ron, it's lovely seeing you as well. Why yes this is a new necklace thanks for noticing," I answer pushing past him and the twins so I could get to the back to leave my stuff.

"Yes or no?"

"Yes I do," I answer. The twins, Ron, and Harry all piled in the staff room with me.

"So everyone here gets things for free or at a discount but me!"

"She works here Ronnie of course she gets a discount," George rolls his eyes.

"But I'm your brother!"

"Well unfortunately that doesn't pay the bills," Fred responds.

"Harry isn't even related to you two and he gets things for free!"

"This shop wouldn't exist without his start-up money," George explains.

"And mum and dad? They get things for free!"

"We wouldn't exist without them." Fred grinned clearly enjoying messing with Ron. "Now if you're done, Ria, George, and I have work to do. Honestly, you should consider yourself lucky we let you in before opening."

"Ria?" Ron questioned looking between me and Fred, a grin slowly appearing on his face. "That's new."

"No, you just don't pay attention," Harry piped up. "He's been calling her that for a few weeks now."

"A few weeks?" he sounded amused. "Interesting."

"Not really Ronnie, it's just a nickname," I answered emphasizing his name.

"Well can I call you that?"

"No," Fred and I both say in unison.

Harry and Ron hung around annoying the twins and me for a few hours before heading back home, the burrow is what they called it. The entire time they were there, Ron kept poking fun at me and Fred. He would make little comments like "when are you bringing her home to mum?" and "Asteria looks so beautiful today, doesn't she Freddie?". The only reason Ron stopped was that Fred threatened to tell Hermione he was calling other girls beautiful. I was thankful I'd put blush on that morning, no one would be able to tell what was makeup and what was natural.

Ron wasn't wrong though, the past two weeks had been interesting. Fred had always been on the flirty side but he was like that with everyone. Ever since the night at the bar though, it seems like he's been more focused on flirting with me. At first, I thought he was just being extra nice. He'd woken me up a few nights by knocking on my door to help him with nightmares, so I assumed the kindness was just as thanks. But after a while even I couldn't deny that it wasn't just him being nice, it was flirting.