Eleanor & Fred

“George, we’ve another customer!” I called, standing behind the counter. “He wants to see the back room!”

George appeared from behind me and grinned at the young boy. “Right this way, sir,” he stated, escorting the boy out of the bustling crowd and into the dark, quiet room I knew held the craziest of the twins’ inventions.

“Thank you, and come again,” I said, smiling at the customer that I had been helping. She returned my smile and skipped off happily. I helped a few more customers before the rush finally ended and I was able to breathe. Hogwarts students were sent home due to Voldemort’s appearance at the Ministry, but that hadn’t stopped them or their families from spending their days out and about in Diagon Alley. We’d been busy nearly ever day and were beginning to see many repeat customers.

I leaned with my back against the checkout counter, listening to Fred and George discussing something in the storage room. I found the smile that had been forced all day slowly slipping away. It had only been two weeks since Sirius’ death. I had managed to keep myself distracted most days, but every once in a while I found my mind wandering to that frightful night at the Ministry.

What saddened me the most was the fact that Sirius spent so much of his life unable to fully live it, trapped because of a false accusation. I was grateful that I knew him and he had been a part of my life. If I learned anything from him it was that you should never take life for granted; every opportunity should be seized.

I reached a hand up and pulled my glasses off, wiping at the single tear that had managed to escape. It was the first tear that I’d cried since we’d left the ministry and it felt oddly relieving.

“You okay?”

I looked up to see Fred standing a foot away. I nodded, surprised as a few more tears slid down my face. Fred frowned, stepped forward, and wrapped me in a warm embrace. In a matter of seconds, all of the walls that I’d built up came falling down. Everything that I’d been holding in spilled out.

I cried for a few minutes, only stopping when I heard someone speaking.

“Excuse me…? I’d like to buy this…”

Fred and I turned to see an embarrassed-looking boy of about our age, and I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I’m sure the boy thought I was crazy; face full of tears and a smile on my face.

Fred helped the customer while I wiped my face clean, feeling oddly relaxed.

Fred pulled me into his arms once more, and I smiled at him. “It’s certainly been a crazy year, hasn’t it?”

“It has,” I agreed. “And I do wish I could have seen Umbridge’s face when you and George left Hogwarts. I’ll bet it was priceless.”

“Indeed, it was,” He smiled. He leaned forward and placed a small kiss on my lips. “I love you, Ellie.”

“I love you too, Fred.” He kissed me passionately, and we only pulled apart when we heard a strange, gagging noise.

A few feet away stood George, smirking. “Gross,” he grinned.

“Aw, come on mate,” Fred replied, matching his grin. He held out one of his arms toward George. “There’s room for you too!”

“Oh goody.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I found myself being squished between two Weasley boys.

This would be my life, at least for a while. Working at the store, learning to deal with Sirius’ passing, and spending my time with George, a great friend, and Fred, the boy that I’d unexpectedly fallen so madly in love with.

It could have been better, as it always can be, but it definitely could have been worse.