Confident | Fred Weasley

Chapter 126 | Open

Diagon Alley was busier than Fred had seen it in a long while. A crowd had gathered around Weasley Wizard Wheezes, hundreds of voices reverberating between the narrow lane. There was some familiar faces; his family, fiancée, and friends. Staring out at them all, a grin spread across his face.

George was beside him, adorned in a matching pair of fresh, magenta robes. He clutched a comically large pair of gilded scissors, a sized-up pair of his wife's sewing scissors. They to cut the purple ribbon stretched across their sparkling doorway.

"Ready?" Fred nudged his brother lightly, grabbing his attention, "Reckon this is as big as the crowd's getting."

George nodded, smiling, "Yeah, let's do it."

Together, they pointed their wands at their throats, amplifying their voices so that even those at the back could hear.

"Welcome!" They announced in unison, and the crowd settled into hushed excitement.

"After an incredibly difficult year," Fred began, "where Death Eaters raided our shop, and forced us into hiding‐"

"-We are excited to announce the official re-opening of our business: Weasley Wizard Wheezes!" George continued, gesturing to the vibrant, eyesore of a building behind him.

The crowd cheered. At the front of the crowd, Fred spotted Sarah amongst a huddle of his redheaded family, clapping jovially. The sight of her filled Fred with such warmth that it took a moment for him to continue.

"So, spend all your money in our humble shop," Fred continued, "And make sure you get up to all sorts of mischief!"

Together, Fred and George cut the purple ribbon, and the crowd went up in a roaring cheer. With a discreet flick of his wand, Fred made the double doors swing open. Like a tide coming in to shore, the crowd rushed through the door, encouraged by Fred and George's boisterous shouts.

In no time, the shop was as busy as it had been when they first opened years ago. It was impossible to get close to the shelves as there were so many people glued to them. The WonderWitch section, glowing neon pink and cerulean, was hidden behind a wall of tittering, teenage girls. A queue to the tills had began, snaking around the walls of the building. Even more people thundered up and down the platform staircases, the metal rattling under their excited footsteps.

"Merlin, look at this place," Sarah appeared, squeezing in beside him near the till. She gazed around at the bustling shop, her eyes shining, "I've missed this."

Fred wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer, "Yeah, me too."

Sarah mirrored his stance, wrapping her arm around his waist and leaning her head on his shoulder. Together, they took in the chaos around them. It was the calmest Fred had been all morning. When he was younger, he had always wanted to be in the centre of things, to be the bringer of chaos. Now, he sometimes liked to step aside for a moment, and watch as it happened from a distance.

"Thanks for all your help," Fred said, tearing his eyes away from the vision of colour and movement towards his fiancée. "We couldn't have done it without you."

Sarah huffed a laugh, "Yes, you could have. Maybe not as quick, but..."

She trailed off, and Fred shook his head.

"Play coy all you want," Fred said, squeezing her shoulders, "George and I know how important you are here."

He glanced at her, and noted the bashful smile spreading across her face. That was enough for Fred.

"Sarah?"

Kingsley's low rumble made the couple jump. They withdrew from one another to twist around. Kingsley stood in deep burgundy robes, a small smile gracing his face.