Between the Cracks // 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

42. If Only We Could Use Magic

Chapter 42: If Only We Could Use Magic

Leigh remained downstairs, putting up the last of the decorations, while Fred had returned upstairs after cladding the branches with a variety of ornaments. Most of the interior decorations were now up. Some big ones were yet to be placed out, as well as the outside decorations, but all in all Fred was happy with their work so far, and now, standing at the top of the stairs looking out over the shop, he felt his chest swell with a cosy warmth. He couldn't help it – he had always considered Christmas to be a cosy time. Leigh being in the midst of the shop, surrounded by ornaments, velvet bows and shiny hanging globes, only added to it.

She seemed as if in her own little world as she stood downstairs in the middle of the shop floor, humming a tune, perhaps a muggle Christmas tune, as she looked down into a box, hair falling down in front of her face before she guided it back behind her ear with the swift movement of a hand.

Her cheeks were rosy. Maybe because she was warm but was trying to fight it, not wanting to discard Fred's sweater just yet.

She had agreed to stay over. The answer immediately filled Fred with some form of relief, much to his own surprise.

Still out of sight, Fred grinned to himself as he slipped his hand into his pocket, his fingers meeting the solid surface of his wand. He fished it out before grasping it in his hand, pointing it in Leigh's direction, mumbling a spell under his breath. Slowly, white crystals started to make their way down from the ceiling, whirling through the air in gracious patterns before meeting their fate upon the floor of the shop. Or in some cases, upon Leigh's form; her hair which laid carelessly over her shoulders, the massive sweater cladding her upper body, her hands, exposed only when the sleeves weren't hanging down covering them.

Fred watched as Leigh started taking note of the falling snow, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked up towards the ceiling. One by one they singled down around her, some landing softly in her hair, others landing upon her outstretched palm. She observed it for a second, saw it melting on her skin, before directing her gaze towards the ceiling again, eyes wide with adoration and hair full of gleaming snowflakes.

Fred couldn't help but lean against the doorframe at the top of the stairs, a small soft smile unknowingly making its way onto his face. If someone took a shot of her like this and put it up on a wall, Fred would undoubtedly be convinced it was a piece of art.

Something pulled inside his chest at the view. Maybe it was the innocent wonder on her face as she let her gaze trace the falling crystals, such a sharp juxtaposition to the dark and heavy expression it bore only hours before.

"Fred!"

The sound of her voice caught his attention, and he realised she was as now looking up at him, shoulders slumped and a smile grazing her lips.

Grinning, still leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms, he shrugged innocently. "What?"

"You know exactly what," she spoke, crossing her own arms.

"Me? I really don't," he mused. He felt like annoying her, and tilted his wrist holding the wand slightly, watching as the snowfall grew heavier, big clumps of snow sinking down into her hair and melting against the exposed skin of her hands and face.

"Fred," Leigh warned, attempting to churn out a grumpy expression, only fuelling Fred's growing smirk. She took a step to the side, groaning under her breath as she realised the weather seemed to follow her.

"Huh? What did you say? I can't hear you over this massive snowstorm ravaging through the shop for some reason." He pointed a finger towards his ear, shrugging again as he took a few steps down the stairs.