𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐝'𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 ||𝐅.𝐖. 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐅𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧||

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❓Mystery Maiden❓
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Fred stood at the entrance of a vacant store on the streets of Hogsmeade, occasionally observing the reflections on the glass windows. They reflected the aureate hues of the sunrise that painted the skies. He tapped his foot incessantly, his eyes wandering about in search of George. He had been anticipating his twin's arrival for almost fifteen minutes, and was growing vexed with each passing second.

"Where's that bloke?"

"Right here, mate," George tapped his shoulder, having just appeared a split second earlier. Fred shook his head, disappointed.

"Finally, you'd think that apparition spells got you places in seconds."

"Angie was a bit unwell this morning, I was just escorting her to St Mungo's Hospital."

"Oh blimey," Fred softened with concern for his sister-in-law, "what happened? Is she alright now?"

"Yeah, the healer prescribed some potions that should do the trick."

"Oh, alright," he gestured with a head tilt towards their store, "off we go, then."

They both strolled in, examining the interior. They had finally achieved their big dream — opening up their shop in the very core of their childhood in Hogsmeade. The shelves were decorated with dust, frosted with cobwebs at its corners, and topped with a few dead bugs. Nevertheless, they envisioned an intricate interior for the pallid place, akin to its sister outlet.

George raised his eyebrows as he flicked his wand, activating a sweeping broom in the corner. "I hope we can measure up to Zonko's. We invested a lot of galleons to expand our spaces here."

"Hogsmeade's a prime location, the students would fancy it," Fred was confident in his claim, pacing around the store with his hands on his waist. "We really did it, George."

"It's really bizarre..." George commented, sighing. "And to think..."

He stopped himself, sending a sideways glance towards Fred. Fred met his vision, immediately picking up on his anticipated words. As twins, deciphering each other's incomplete sentences were always a breeze. Fred's exhaled a sigh as his shoulders slumped, and assumed an apathetic expression.

"We wouldn't be this big without her," Fred finished George's sentence, glossing over it, "I'm fine, really. Let's split our roles between here and Diagon Alley."

George was taken aback by his sudden suggestion. "You mean..."

"Makes sense, doesn't it? You could manage the one at Diagon Alley, I could keep an eye on things here at Hogsmeade."

"But... We've always worked together," George refuted with a frown, "I thought we'd hire someone to manage Diagon Alley instead."

"That's absurd," Fred rebutted with a scrunched nose, "why would we need any new hires? It's our business."

"I— I know, Fred, but..." George paused, gathering his thoughts. "Are you certain you could manage on your own?"

Fred scoffed with his nose in the air, taking umbrage to his challenging claim.

"Of course, I'm Fred Weasley."