The Unexpected

CHAPTER TEN: THE BROKEN PROMISE

AMERICAN HOSPITAL

Fred was leaning on the wall, watching his father sleep and at the same time, thinking of Angelina. He ran his hand through his hair and then sighed. `It´s the right thing to do---It´s the right thing to do---It´s the right thing to do---´ He closed his eyes, looking distressed. `If only I saw you sooner... Lorreana´s a nice girl... Why does she have to be so nice?! Why now, Angelina? Why now? It´s the right thing to do---It´s the right thing to do---It´s the right thing to do---Lorreana´s a nice lady and I´m going to have a pleasant life with her---It´s the right thing to do, Fred! It´s the right thing to do---´ Fred breathed deeply and then walked towards his father´s bed, shaking his head. He sat down on the chair, rested his face on his arms and then closed his eyes.

A FEW HOURS LATER.........

`Psst!´ said Mr. Weasley. `Wakie wakie!´ He rolled his eyes and then grabbed his wand. He conjured a balloon from Weasley Wizard Wheezes and then popped it. Fred finally woke up, looking startled. This made Mr. Weasley laugh. `My boy! It´s just me... Relax---´ He thought that Fred was angry.

`Dad!´ said Fred, grinning and reaching for his hand. `You´re awake! How are you feeling? We missed you! No more taxis from now on...´ Mr. Weasley pretended to look upset. `I made mum rest and she´s at the hotel right now with Bill and Fleur. She´s really worried about you, you know. Anyway, Mr. Malfoy woke up yesterday and he´s doing great! Have I told you that you broke your back and that you have to wear "Back Braces" for a few months? Mr. Malfoy´s thrilled about the Back braces! Wait, I´ll just call the nurse---´

`No!´ said Mr. Weasley. `I just want to talk with my son---You know what Muggle nurses and doctors are like, right? They are a bit annoying...´ Fred chuckled.

`I´m so glad that you are fine now, dad!´ said Fred, standing up. `Would you like to have some juice or water?´ Mr. Weasley nodded.

`Water, please, and thanks,´ said Mr. Weasley. `So, how´s everything?´ Fred looked at him.

`Fine,´ said Fred, assisting him with his water. `Ron and Hermione will be here soon. They were here yesterday. Charlie, George and Ginny are with Harry, Blaise and Draco. Everything´s okay, I guess---´ Mr. Weasley wanted to talk about something else first before talking about the real topic.

`So what about you?´ said Mr. Weasley. Fred frowned. `How are all your plans going so far?´

`Plans?What do you mean, dad?´ said Fred, placing the glass on the table. `Plans about?´

`Plans with Lorreana,´ Mr. Weasley said, before he could even stop himself and then continued, `and Angelina---now that she´s back---,´ since he already started it. He winced while Fred just looked at him, not sure of what he should say. Fred began to stutter.

`Dad,´ said Fred. `Do you really want to talk about this? I mean---´

`Yes.´ Fred walked towards the wall and then leaned on it.

`Well, fine then,´ said Fred, looking obliged. `The plans are the same with Lorreana and I - have - no - plans - with - Angelina---´

`So, you and Lorreana will get married when?´ Fred looked like he was being tortured.

`September of---this year and I´m definitely - er - looking forward to it, dad,´ said Fred, obliging himself to smile. `I´m so happy---I´m marrying Lorreana. She´s a very nice and proper lady---´ Fred sat down on a nearby couch and then buried his face in his hands. He looked at his father, who was feeling sorry for him, again and then smiled once more. `I´m - just - so - happy---I´ll just call the nurse, dad---´

`One last question, Fred,´ said Mr. Weasley, `and you can call all the nurses in this hospital---´ Fred smiled, awkwardly, and then nodded. `Why are you marrying Lorreana?´ Fred looked like he was being tortured again.

`What kind of question is that?´ said Fred, looking slightly annoyed. He sighed and then looked away. `What---what---why?´

`Just answer me, Fred. Why are you marrying Lorreana, son?´Fred looked bewildered. He was searching his mind for a good and proper answer to give his father.

`Well, she´s a very nice lady. I know that--that--she´s going to be there for me. What else? I know that she´s going to be a very good wife. She´s healthy which means that she´ll be able to give me children and raise them properly. She´s very sweet and I know that I will lead a pleasant and quiet life with her. She´s beautiful and smart---´

`What else Fred?´

`I gave you a lot of reasons already, dad.´

`Is that all, then? You didn´t forget anything?´ Fred thought for a second.

`That´s all. I think that I´ve said it all---I´m certain that I´ve said it all---´ Mr. Weasley nodded in agreement. `May I call the nurse now?´ But he was interrupted by his father again.

`When I asked your mother´s hand for marriage,´ said Mr. Weasley, closing his eyes, while Fred looked at him uncomfortably, `I was so nervous. She asked me why I´m asking her to marry me. She said, "Why me, Arthur? Why are you asking my hand for marriage?´´´ Fred looked at him uneasily.

`Would you like to know what I said?´ Fred didn´t say anything but Mr. Weasley continued talking, anyway. `I told her that I´m asking her hand for marriage because I just couldn´t imagine living life without her beside me.´ Fred looked away. `And then I said, "I love you, Molly. I´m in love with you, Molly." You forgot to say that---that´s the most important reason of all---You forgot to say that you love her---´

`I - er - love - her---´ said Fred with a pleading voice. `What are you trying to do? Dad?´

`Lorreana?´

`No! I mean, yes! Of course, it´s Lorreana.´ Mr. Weasley looked at him with a serious expression on his face.

`It won´t work, Fred.´

`Dad, please,´ said Fred, looking desperate. `Don´t do this to me. You are just making it worse. I -er - love - Lori and we are getting married on September. That´s my promise to her and I´m going to keep my word. I´m going to keep my word.´ =================================================

LORREANA NICHOLSON´S APARTMENT IN MAYFAIR, LONDON

`Hi,´ said Fred, smiling at the maid. `I would like to see Lori, please.´ The maid immediately let him in and then offered her something to drink.

`Sir Fred,´ said the maid. `Miss Lori will be with you in a few minutes. Please don´t hesitate to call me if you need something.´

`Thank you, Rita,´ said Fred while leaning on the couch. `I´ll be fine. Thanks again.´ The maid smiled and then left. After a few minutes, he felt someone sit on the couch and then hug him.

`Hello, honey,´ said Lorreana, kissing Fred, and then leaned on his shoulder. `I´m so glad that Mr. Weasley is fine.´ Fred opened his eyes and then looked at her, while pulling her closer.

`Hello. I´m also glad that he is fine,´ said Fred, kissing her hair. `Did you know that he didn´t want to leave the Muggle hospital? Mum wanted to bring him to a Wizarding hospital but dad insisted that he should stay there. He kept on chatting with all these Muggles and kept on touching those Mugglemachines! He particularly enjoyed playing with the emergency button---It sure did annoy the staff---´

`Your dad is so funny, Fred,´ said Lorreana, giggling. `Anyway, can you come with me?´

`Where?´ said Fred, looking uneasy. `What for?´

`You never ask me why before... Well, about our wedding,´ said Lorreana. `We still have to choose the foods that will be served and---´ Fred sighed and then stood up. He ran his hand through his hair and then leaned on the sliding glass door while Lorreana just watched him.

`Oh yeah?´ said Fred, looking outside.

`We also have to decide on the drinks that will be served and they also want to know the final head count of the visitors---They just wanted to make sure and get done with it----´

`Can´t you do it alone?´ said Fred, sighing and still looking at the window. `Do I really have to come?´

`Well, it´s just that I want to spend time with you. You have been really busy and I have been doing everything on my own---´ said Lorreana, walking towards him. Fred shrugged.

`Well, I can´t go with you. I have all these papers to sign and everything,´ said Fred, `I´m busy.´ Lorreana began to step back, looking hurt.

`Okay. I understand.´ she said, softly. She looked at him. `Is something wrong?´

`Nothing´s wrong,´ said Fred, looking at her. `What made you think that? It´s just that I have more important things to do, you know---´ Lorreana began to frown.

`Pardon me? More important things to do?´ she asked, raising her eyebrows. `More important things to do?´ Fred began to worry.

`It´s---´ said Fred immediately. `I´m just tired. I haven´t had enough sleep for the last week---´ He reached for Lorreana, who stepped back. `Lori---´ She just stared at him, looking very upset.

`Fred, I have been spending a lot of time for the preparation of this wedding---because for me it´s the - most - important - thing - on - earth---Why did you ask me to do this with you if we aren´t going to prepare for this together?´

`Lori,´ said Fred, looking very serious. `I´m sorry I said that---I´m just tired---´ but Lorreana interrupted him again.

`Are you having doubts?´ she asked.

`No, of course not,´ said Fred, shaking his head. `Are you?´

`No,´ said Lorreana, `all I ever wanted was to spend the rest of my life with you and have a family with you. Raise you children and---´

`That´s why we are getting married,´ said Fred, moving closer to her. But once again, she stepped back. `Lori---I said I´m sorry---´

`Why did you ask me to marry you, Fred?´ Fred began to look uneasy.

`Look, I´m sorry I dropped by. I thought that this was going to make you happy. Well, I was wrong. This wasn´t a very good idea. If you still want me to come, fine then. I´ll go, if that´s what you want. If you don´t, I´ll just go home and I´ll be back tomorrow.´ He looked at her frustrated face and then immediately walked towards the door when she failed to speak.

`Why did you ask me to marry you, Fred?´ she said, softly, walking towards him. `I want to know why---´ She went in front of Fred and then stared at him. Fred ran his hands through his hair and then looked away. But Lorreana made him face her. `Answer me, Fred.´ He started to look uncertain, searching for a good answer to say to her. After a few seconds of thinking, he spoke.

`Because,´ said Fred, holding her hand and looking down to her. `We get along really well. I also know that you are going to be a very good and responsible wife and mother, and I am certain that my life with you will be very pleasant.´ An awkward silence followed. Lorreana waited for a few seconds for him to say something, but he never did. She looked down and then walked away.

`Where are you going?´

`Very nice answer, Fred,´ said Lorreana, looking at him. `But I was kind of hoping that you´d marry me because---because---you are in love with me.´

`But I am,´ said Fred, quickly. `I am---´

`There are a million girls out there who can be a good wife and mother, and someone who can give you a pleasant life. I really thought that you being in love with me made me unique---the one.´ She bit her lip and then looked down. Fred walked towards her.

`Lori,´ said Fred, `We are going to get married on September. I asked you to marry me and I will keep my word. I will keep my promise---´

`So, it´s still Angelina,´ said Lorreana, now with watery eyes. Fred just looked at her, stunned.

`What are you saying?´ said Fred. `We are going to get married, Lori---´

`Fred,´ she said, taking his hand and then she smiled, wiping her tears away. `It´s not yet too late. You can still back out---There´s still time---´ Fred began to feel extremely bad. This girl helped him and look what he´s done to her. This girl did nothing but support him and look after him. He looked at her, who gave her an encouraging smile.

`I´m sorry,´ was all that he managed to say. `I didn´t mean to---I didn´t want this to happen---´ she began to cry once more and then looked at her hand. She took off the fine Platinum weave band ring, studded with round brilliant diamonds, and then handed it to Fred. `Lori, please---´ He wanted her to slap him or yell at him, but she did nothing. He wanted her to say that he´ll be sorry or that there will come a time when he will crawl into his knees and ask her back again, but she did nothing.

Once again, Lorreana smiled and then said, `Here´s the ring. You gave it to the wrong person---You placed it in the wrong finger...´ Fred just looked at the ring and then to Lorreana who, now, turned her back on Fred. He just watched as she walked away.

`Fred, you do understand that I won´t be able to see you for quite awhile, right?´ Fred didn´t say anything.

`I, of course, need some time to forget you---I´ll certainly miss your jokes,´ said Lorreana and then continued walking towards her bedroom. `Goodbye, Fred.´

`I´m sorry,´ was all that Fred managed to say. `I´m really sorry.´ ===========================================================

FRED´S BUILDING IN LONDON

`Good morning, sir,´ said his secretary, Morgan. `Everybody´s in the Conference room already.´ Fred just walked quickly. He wanted to Apparatebut he can´t since he hired some Muggles, as well. A few minutes later, he reached the Conference room. Everybody stood up.

`Sorry, sorry,´ said Fred, walking towards his usual chair. `Sorry I´m late---´

`It´s okay sir,´ said one of his employees, Eric. Fred just smiled, since he knew that it wasn´t okay. He made them wait for an hour. `They are so polite,´ he thought.

`Anyway,´ said Fred, opening the folder in front of him. `What is this meeting about again?´

`This meeting is regarding the building of Magic Island in Australia and Canada, sir,´ said one of his employees, Oscar. `We still have to discuss whether to build it in Sydney or Melbourne....´ Fred just looked at him as he continued talking. He did his best to listen to him, but his thoughts began traveling elsewhere....

After his break up with Lorreana, nobody really dared to talk to him about it, even George. Nobody said anything when he told them the news that the wedding was cancelled, which he thought was a good thing. He didn´t feel like talking about it, anyway. He felt really bad for breaking Lorreana´sheart and at the same time---relieved. Because, at least now, he only have to deal with one person---Angelina.

After that great night with her, which he intentionally destroyed by writing her a stupid letter, he never had a chance to have a decent conversation with her. After the break up with Lorreana, all he ever wanted to do was talk to her. But she didn´t let him, it´s either she´s tired or busy.

`Angelina,´ said Fred, holding her arm. `Please---´

`Don´t you touch me,´ said Angelina, who failed to look at him. She sounded angry, disgusted and strong but at the same time calm. He couldn´t blame her, of course; after all it was his entire fault. He told her that it was a mistake. `What a stupid thing to say,´ he thought. He immediately let go of her arm as Matilda took the children upstairs.

`Brian?´ she called. Brian immediately came to her. `Didn´t I tell you to tell him that he can see the children anytime he wants as long as I´m not here, which means that he has to leave before I get home?´ Fred looked at Brian, who didn´t know what to say.

`It´s not his fault,´ said Fred. `I---´

`I´m not talking to you,´ Angelina snapped.

`I just want to talk---´

`There´s nothing to talk about.´

`Please---´

`I´m tired.´

`Won´t you at least look at me?´

`No,´ said Angelina. `Please leave.´ Fred cursed under his breath and then sighed.

`Fine, I´m going.´

`Good.´ He walked towards the door, not saying anything, while Angelina just stood there, fighting back the tears. Once he was gone, she collapsed into Brian´s arms and then cried uncontrollably, mumbling, `I hate him.´

Fred began to look distressed. He ran his hand through his hair and then sighed. `I just have to talk to her.´

`Pardon me?´ said his secretary. `Coffee, sir?´ Fred, who snapped out his thoughts, smiled and then nodded.

`So what do you think, Mr. Weasley?´ said Oscar, who has been talking for a whole hour. Fred just stared at him blankly, since he had no idea what he just said.

`Would you mind explaining it again?´ he asked, grinning sheepishly. Oscar´s jaw dropped.

`Are you serious, sir?´

`I´m afraid so---´

`Of course,´ said Oscar and then began explaining everything again. After an hour, `So what do you think Mr. Weasley?´

`I think that your idea is excellent,´ said Fred, nodding. `Just give Morgan the papers that I have to sign, so that we can begin the project next month.´

`Thank you,´ said Oscar, grinning.

`By the way, Magic Island will be closed on July 8 because it´s my sons´ birthday.´

`Why bother closing it, sir?´ said Eric. `They do have VIP passes, right? We will loose a lot of money if we close it, even just for a day. Plus, the 8^th is a Sunday.´ Fred just snorted, standing up from his chair.

`I don´t care,´ he said, walking towards the door. `It´s my children´s birthday. I don´t want the park to be too crowded for them. I want the park to be exclusive to families and friends only.´

`The park is extraordinarily big, sir,´ added Savannah. Fred just looked at them all and then grinned.

`Good day my friends! See you all on my children´s birthday! Anyway, Lunchtime!´ ========================================================

Fred was waiting for Matilda and the children at Ice Cream Parlour at Harrods, their usual meeting place, while eating his ice cream. He glanced at his watch and then realized that they were thirty minutes late. He sighed. A few minutes later, he heard loud and extremely high pitched voices.

`Papa!Papa!´ the twins yelled, running to him and bouncing up and down. `Papa!´ Fred looked at them and began to smile.

`Hey!´ said Fred, pulling them into a tight hug. `I missed you! Why are you alone? Where´s Matilda?´

`I missed you!´ said the twins which made him smile. `Papa, mama´s here!´ Fred began to look around and he saw Angelina, who was standing not too far away and watching them. She saw him look at her and this made her swallow hard. She turned around and then immediately walked away.

`Angelina!´ said Fred, carrying Lynden and Phillip while catching up with Angelina. `Wait! Please!´ Angelina, however, failed to stop. She just continued on walking, but Fred followed her all the way to Lyn and Phil.

`Papa,´ said Lynden. `You said you will buy us ice cream---´

`And chocolate---´ said Phillip. `And balloons---´ Fred just looked at them and then nodded.

`Grace,´ said Fred to Lyn and Phil´s receptionist. `Would you mind looking after them? I just have to talk to Angelina---´

`No, not at all, Mr. Weasley,´ said Grace who gladly took Lynden and Phillip from him. Fred immediately walked away from them and then walked towards Angelina.

`Angelina,´ he said, grabbing her arm. `Can you please stop?´

`Not now. I´m busy,´ said Angelina, focusing her attention to her waitress. `Have you taken your break Jenna? Go ahead and take your break---´ Thewaitress nodded and then left.

`I just want to talk about---´

`There´s nothing to talk about,´ she snapped, now focusing her attention on the chairs and tables. Fred looked down.

`I just wanted to tell you that I closed Magic Island for their birthday and---´

`Why do you have to talk to me about this? You told them that you will be the one to organize their birthday party---Go ahead and close Magic Island, it´s yours. You can do anything that you wish with it---I don´t care---´ Fred looked away.

`Are you coming?´

`I don´t know,´ said Angelina. `Now, if you don´t mind I have more important things to do---Anyway, be sure to bring them home before 9:00pm.´ An awkward silence followed and then Fred left with Lyn and Phil, while Angelina watched them. She carefully massaged her temples and then walked towards her friend´s table.

`Ina,´ said Lady Maritoni. `What´s wrong?´ Angelina just rested her face on the table.

`Nothing,´ said Angelina. `I´m just tired---Toni?´

`Yeah?´

`Are you doing anything on Sunday? You know, on Lyn and Phil´s birthday?´

`I´m going to their birthday party, that´s what I´m going to do.´ Angelina smiled.

`Oh, good!´ said Angelina. `Thank you!´

`My Angelina!´ said Lady Maritoni. `Now I know why you gave in to Fred Weasley---´ Angelina rolled her eyes.

`I don´t want to talk about him,´ said Angelina. `I hate him---´

`Of course,´ said Lady Abby, rolling her eyes and looking at Lady Maritoni. `Of course, you do.´ Angelina just glared at her sister. A few minutes later, someone sat beside Angelina. It was Lady Gretchen. Lady Abby and Lady Maritoni frowned upon seeing her.

`Hello,´ said Lady Gretchen, fashionably. `How are you?´ Lady Abby immediately stood up.

`Fine thanks,´ said Lady Abby. `I would like to stay here but I really must go. Excuse me.´ She walked off while Angelina and Maritoni just looked at her.

`Hello, Gretchen,´ said Maritoni sourly. Gretchen has been a total headache for Angelina her entire life. Gretchen is a very attractive girl with very bad attitude that just makes people stay away from her. She was always putting Angelina down and criticizing her.

`So, is it true that your children, who are out of wedlock, will be celebrating their birthday at Magic Island?´ said Lady Gretchen. `You reserved the whole place? Your father mentioned it to my father. He also invited us.´ Lady Maritoni just rolled her eyes and was about to say something but Angelina stopped her.

`Yes, they will be celebrating their birthday there but I did not reserve the whole place---´

`You didn´t? You are going to make Lynden and Phillip fall in line? Poor children---Why don´t you reserve it? You are not bankrupt, are you?´

`No, of course not!´ said Lady Maritoni. Once again, Angelina made her calm down.

`No, their father reserved it for them---´

`Their father?´ she said, giggling. `Their father? They have no father---´

`What the hell?´ said Lady Maritoni. `What are you trying to say? Angelina got pregnant on her own?! You need a boy to get pregnant. Didn´t you know that? I thought you were smart----´

`Anyway,´ she continued, `I just wanted to let you know that I know the owner of Magic Island. If you told me that you have plans on reserving the place, I would have probably helped you.´ Lady Maritoni leaned forward and then laughed in her face.

`You know the owner?´ said Lady Maritoni. `So does---´ but Angelina made her stop and then smiled.

`What´s so funny about that? I´m beautiful and extremely wealthy---´

`So, Gretchen? Would it be so much to ask if I ask you to come to my children´s birthday? Please?´ Lady Gretchen snorted.

`Alright, I guess I could come. My father is very fond of your father, anyway---I don´t even know why---´