The Unexpected

CHAPTER TWELVE: PRICELESS

Angelina Johnson´s Home In Kensington, London

`Sir Fr---´ said Matilda, once Fred stopped the car, but was interrupted by Fred.

`Matilda,´ said Fred, looking at her. `Please don´t call me "Sir". Fred is fine, you know---It´s more convenient---I know you are trained to do those things but I was kind of hoping that you could make an exception with me?´ Matilda just smiled politely and then sighed.

`Fr--ed, Lynden and Phillip are sleeping. I´ll call Brian and Leonora so that they can help us carry them and their things, especially these huge teddy bears and magical stuffed toys.´ Fred smiled and then nodded. A few minutes later, Brian opened the door and then came out with Leonora. Fred carried both Lynden and Phillip in his arms, while the other three carried his children´s things. They all went upstairs.

`This way sir,´ said Brian, opening the door of Angelina´s bedroom. Fred smiled and then went in.

`Thanks and please put their things in their room but leave the yellow stuffed bear and green stuffed car here,´ said Fred, while putting his children to bed. `They wanted to sleep with them.´ Leonora handed him both huge toys and then left.

`Brian and Matilda, I think that I can manage. You may now leave. Thanks.´ Brian and Matilda nodded and then left. Fred placed the bear beside Lynden and the car beside Phillip and then covered them with blankets. He walked towards the chair near the glass door that leads to the terrace and then sat. He ran his hand through the long blue floral curtain and then slowly peeped on the curtains and there was his Angel, sitting beside the pool with her feet dipped in the water. His heart started to skip a beat, but he has to talk to her. He immediately stood up, ignoring the butterflies in his stomach, and then kissed his children goodnight.=============================

`The bloody prat,´ Angelina thought, fighting back the tears. `He probably wants me to prepare the food for his bloody wedding... which means that he probably wants me to go to his wedding---How insensitive can he get?! He shouldn´t invite me---´ She started to move her feet in circular motion and then bit her lip, when tears started to fall.

`He is getting married---MARRIED!´ She immediately wiped the tears on her face with her sweatshirt when she heard someone clear his throat. She knew who it was but she didn´t dare look at him, instead she ignored him. Fred sighed after clearing his throat for a million times.

`Angelina,´ said Fred with a pleading voice, `please talk to me.´ Angelina crossed her arms on her chest and then looked away.

`What do you want?´ she said, bitterly. Fred swallowed hard. He opened his mouth a million times but would close them again, just as soon as he opens them. He just didn´t know what to say.

`I´m sorry,´ said Fred. `I´m really sorry.´ Angelina stood up and then walked towards him with a furious look on her face. `I´m so---´ but she was interrupted when Angelina slapped him, solid, in the face. Fred looked stunned and hurt at the same time, but he didn´t do anything. He just looked back at her again.

`Not as sorry as I am,´ said Angelina, wiping the tears that just fell from her eyes. `You have no idea how bad and low and dirty you made me feel. I felt abandoned and used and---´

`But---´

`SHUT UP when I´m talking,´ said Angelina with forced calmness. `I felt like a bloody---whore! Once you are done doing your manly thing to me, you just leave me a note? A note that says that you are getting married and that it´s a mistake?! Where does that put me?´ Fred didn´t know what to say.

`Angelina,´ said Fred, desperately. `I´m really sorry---´

`Is that all that you can say?´

`I--I--I love you, Angelina and---´ Angelina just looked at him with a more furious look and before he knew it, he has been slapped again---hard in the face. Fred swallowed and then looked at her again. `I totally deserved that---´

`You definitely do,´ said Angelina.

`If it will make you feel any better,´ said Fred, taking her hand and raising it with the same level as his face. `You can slap me some more---Go ahead, you won´t hear anything from me.´ Angelina looked at her hand and then to Fred, and then she began to cry.

`If you are going to invite me to your wedding,´ she said, walking away. `I´m sorry but I can´t come---´

`But---´

`But if you want me to prepare the food for your wedding, don´t worry, I´ll do it. I´ll give your wedding the best food that I could ever create, but I won´t be there to serve it.´

`What are you saying?´ said Fred walking quickly towards her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

`Good luck Fred,´ said Angelina, turning around to face him, still crying. `I really hope that you lead a happy life with Lorreana.´ Fred just looked at her with a confused expression. `Please promise me that you´ll never forget the fact that you have Lynden and Phillip---that you have other children other than the ones that you´ll be having with her---´ Angelina forced a smile and then left. Fred just watched as she slowly walked towards the door and then disappeared.

`But,´ said Fred to himself, `I´m not getting married---unless it´s with you.´===========================================================

THE NEXT DAY.....

Fred Weasley´s Apartment In Knightsbridge, London

`Holy shit!´ said Draco, sitting across Fred on the table. `What the hell happened? Who---´

`Shut up, Draco Malfoy,´ said Ron, glaring at him. `Leave him alone.´

`I´m not talking to you, Ronald Weasley,´ he snapped. `Hermione?!Your husband is bothering me!´

`Stop it you two!´ said Blaise while Harry just sighed. `Mione´s not here.´

`So?´ said Lee. `So? You got into some fight or something?´

`Too many games you played Fred,´ said Percy, looking at the bruise on Fred´s cheeks. `One of the relative´s of your Ex´s I guess---You better watch out, Malfoy.´ Draco, however, just rolled his eyes.

`It was Angelina,´ said Fred. Harry nearly choked while Blaisespit his juice out of his mouth.

`Pardon me,´ said Harry. `She did what?´

`This,´ said Fred, showing his cheeks.

`Whoah!´ said Ron, while the others just bit their lips to keep themselves from laughing.

`It´s not funny,´ said Fred, looking ashamed, desperate, and sad.

`So, she didn´t talk to you?´ said Harry.

`Well, we did talk but, you know,´ said Fred, `I wasn´t able to---´

`Say what you are supposed to say,´ Percy finished. Fred just shrugged.

`This needs drastic action,´ said Draco.

`She´s being too stubborn,´ said Blaise.

`Let´s go,´ said Ron, standing up. But Fred grabbed his arm before he could even walk away.

`What the hell are you going to do?´ hissed Fred. `She absolutely hates me! Don´t you dare do anything stupid! I´ll talk to her!´ But Ron just ignored him and continued walking, followed by Harry, Draco and Blaise.

`Little brother,´ said Percy, placing an arm around his shoulders. `I suggest that you write whatever it is that you think that Angelina should know. Considering that this is to be led by Ron, you will talk to Angelina in a day or two.´ Fred looked at Percy in horror and then immediately ran after Ron and his friends, which made Lee and Percy laugh.

`God,´ said Lee, chuckling. `He is funny when he´s all scared!´ ===========================================================

`Hey mate,´ said Draco, walking towards Lyn and Phil. `I have to be out of here by noon, I have practice at 2:00pm.´

`We will be really quick,´ said Ron, walking briskly.

`You mean we will just tell her and then *zoom* we are out?´ said Blaise.

`No,´ said Harry. `We will tell her indirectly, you know what I mean right?´

`Procrastinate,´ said Draco with a smirk.

`Well, just a little,´ said Harry, moving his eyebrows up and down. `To excite her---´

`Oh,´ said Blaise. `We are here!´ Harry and Blaiseopened the door while Ron and Draco, who were obviously annoyed, smiled a little for the paparazzi and then immediately went inside.

`Hey,´ said Draco to Lady Abby, Lady Maritoni, Katie and Alicia. `Mind if we men join you?´

`Men,´ said Alicia, sarcastically, which made Katie laugh.

`I can´t believe it,´ said Katie. `I´m obviously pregnant and four gorgeous guys are coming onto us!´ Everybody laughed.

`How can we say no to that offer,´ said Lady Abby. `Look around, everybody envies us now. We have Ferrari Boy, R. L. Boy, Hero and RichieRich here.´

`No strings attached okay,´ said Lady Maritoni. They all laughed as the four boys sat down. They were talking mostly about current events in both Muggle and Wizarding World. But Harry suddenly said something off topic, when Angelina walked by their table.

`Hey,´ said Harry. `Can you believe it? After all those preparations, they just called it off?´ The four ladies became both intrigued and annoyed by the sudden shift of topic.

`What the---´ said Alicia but was interrupted when Ron suddenly made a face, which made her go along. `Oh yes. I definitely agree with you. After all those preparations, they just called it off, just like that!´ She sounded both unsure and loud.

`I know,´ said Katie, looking at Ron, since she have no idea on what they were talking about. `What a waste.´

`What´s the waste?´ asked Angelina, who stopped to join the conversation. Draco just shrugged while thinking, `It worked!´ `What´s wrong?´

`Oh, it´s not really that important,´ said Draco. `You go ahead and go back to what you were just doing---´ Alicia, Katie, Lady Abby and Lady Maritoni frowned. Angelina looked at the women in the table and then shrugged. She was about to walk away when Harry spoke, which made her face them once again.

`Anyway,´ said Harry. `They have been friends for a long time and they started dating January of this year. He popped the question after a few months, since they have been friends for almost four years.´ Alicia and Katie looked at each other and then raised their eyebrows. They, now, know what Harry and his friends are up to. However, Lady Maritoni and Lady Abby are still clueless.

`I know,´ said Katie. `The girl was really nice. I liked her a lot. I really thought that they were going to end up together.´

`Well, they should have,´ said Alicia, `but a certain someone---well you know what I´m talking about.´

`Apparently, some old girlfriend showed up,´ said Blaise, which made Angelina´s eyebrows crinkle, `which threw everything off place.´

`Well, at least he saw her before they tied the knot,´ said Ron. `That´s the least that he can do, you know. It´s better that he broke her heart now than later---It won´t work anyway, since he is in love with someone else...´

`Poor girl,´ said Angelina, looking pitiful. `What a very stupid man...´ Draco winced at the comment and then looked at Harry.

`Who´s in love with someone else?´ asked Lady Maritoni.

`Fred,´ said Ron, casually. Angelina was now looking at him with an indescribable expression on her face. `Don´t you have anything to do, Angelina? I thought---´

`No,´ said Angelina, now sitting beside Lady Maritoni. `I´m just resting right now. Anyway?´

`What anyway?´ asked Ron, while thinking, `She fell for it!´ `Are you sure that you are not busy? It´s not really that important you see.´ Angelina bit her lip and then sighed. She also looked a bit tense and impatient.

`I won´t be sitting here if I´m busy,´ said Angelina and then smiled.

`It´s just about Fred,´ said Ron. `It´s not really that important, right?´

`Well, yes, of course,´ said Angelina, ignoring the teasing looks on her girlfriends´ faces.

`I thought so,´ said Ron, shrugging.

`Ron, if you want me to go away, just tell me okay,´ said Angelina, standing up.

`What made you think that?´ said Ron, casually, and then glared at Dracowho kicked him on the shin. `Anyway, fine, will you continue for me Draco?´ and then kicked him on the shin as well.

`My pleasure, Ron,´ said Draco and then kicked him, but Ron kicked him back. `Ouch!´ He kicked him again. Angelina just rolled her eyes.

`Stop kicking each other,´ said Angelina. `One of you just kicked me.´

`Yeah,´ said Harry. `If you two don´t stop, I´ll kick you both all the way to America.´

`Ohh,´ said Draco. `He´s going to kick us Ron, all the way to America.´

`We are so scared,´ said Ron. Harry just rolled his eyes.

`Anyway,´ said Blaise, `Let me continue. Where are we again?´

`Fred,´ said Angelina, with all ears on Blaise.

`Oh yeah,´ Blaise continued, `well, his wedding with Lorreana has been cancelled. Draco, will you hand me the salt? Thanks. Oh, and pepper!´

`Why?´

`What do you care?´ said Lady Maritoni, which made Angelina glare at her. `Fine, I´ll shut my mouth.´

`What do you mean why?´ said Blaise. `Hasn´t Fred told you yet?´

`Hello?´ said Lady Maritoni. `She has been ignoring him for---´ but Angelina, once again, glared at her. `I´m not talking from now on! ZIP!´

`Tell me what?´

`Harry, Draco and Ron,´ said Blaise, `I don´t like to delay important matters. Slytherins believe that important matters should be said, immediately. Angelina, the man isn´t going to marry Lorreanabecause he saw---´

`He saw you, Angelina,´ said Katie. `Angelina, the man is crazy over you. I´m your friend. I won´t lie to you.´ Angelina looked rather shocked and she didn´t know what to say, either. `They were just being reasonable. Fred was friends with Lori for a long time and that was the last thing that he would ever do to her, hurt her. Everything was planned. He didn´t want to break it off, but they had to. It was the least thing that they could do to each other.´

`You have no idea what he went through when you left,´ said Alicia. `George tells me everything, you know. I also once over heard them talking.´

`Did you know that he once said that he would have given all the money in his Gringotts account just to see you sooner? Just to see you before he even asked Lorreana?´ said Ron. `The lady has been nothing but nice to him. Fred thought that he will never ever see you again. He thought that Lori was closest to you, of all the girls that he dated and she was actually, so he asked her. He thought he loved her. Everything was perfect, until he saw you again.´

`One time,´ said Harry, `I remember Fred saying that he just wants to find someone like you and then maybe he´ll settle down and that was Lori.´

`There was a girl that he dated who broke up with him because he kept comparing her to you,´ said Blaise. `Actually, a bunch of them did for the same reasons.´

`Every single girl that he dated after you left,´ said Draco,`resembles you at some point, even Gretchen. That was his requirement, you know.´

`It has always been you, Angelina,´ said Harry, `I just thought that you should know.´ An odd silence followed.

`Draco,´ said Ron, breaking the silence. `It´s twelve. We have to get going.´ Draconodded.

`Do yourself a favour, Angelina,´ said Draco, standing up. `Just talk to him. Bye.´ Harry and Ron followed him immediately, giving her an encouraging smile.

`By the way, Angelina,´ said Blaise, wincing. `You gave him two bruises, one on each cheek. Bye.´ He immediately walked towards his friends who were waiting for him at the door.

`Gosh,´ said Lady Maritoni, `You love him. He loves you. Why aren´t you two together? I´m going to shut my mouth now!´=================================

AFTERNOON

Angelina was staring at the clock hanging over the door of her restaurant. It was three o´clock. Lynden and Phillip already left with Matilda, to meet Fred at Ice Cream Parlour at Harrods. She has been walking back and forth and it was making the head of her sister spin.

`Ina,´ said Lady Abby. `Just go and talk to him and stop doing that.´ Angelina started fidgeting.

`What are you talking about?´ said Angelina, looking very tense. `I don´t know what you mean---´

`I surrender, Ina,´ said Lady Abby, throwing her hands in the air. `Your pride is too high for me to handle.´ Angelina just ignored her sister´s remark, and began walking back and forth again, as her sister watched her again.

`Please God,´ Angelina thought, closing her eyes. `Please, just give me a sign. Any sign will do, please. Please. Please. Should I talk to him? Please...Please...Please...´ She opened her eyes and then looked at the clock once more. Suddenly, she heard her sister say something.

`Ina,´ said Lady Abby. `Isn´t that Lyn´s bag? Or is it Phil´s?´ Angelina immediately turned around, and then looked at the red backpack on the table as if it was a very precious gift from God. She looked at her sister and then to Lady Maritoni, grinning.

`I have to give this to Lyn,´ said Angelina, who made her friend and sister raise their eyebrows. `I better hurry up. Bye.´ She immediately walked off thinking, `THANK YOU GOD!´

`Of course,´ said Lady Maritoni, `You have to give the bag to Lyn. Of course.´===========================================================

ICE CREAM PARLOUR AT HARROD´S

`Thanks Matilda,´ said Fred, as he hugged his children. `You want to---´ But was interrupted when Lynden crawled on his lap.

`Papa?´ said Lynden, placing his little hand on Fred´s cheek. `What´s wrong?´

`You hurt yourself?´ said Phillip, crawling onto Fred´s lap and placing his hand on Fred´s cheek. `You have two.´ Fred just held their little hands and then smiled.

`This is nothing,´ said Fred. `It´s just some mark. It will go away, you know.´

`Fred,´ said Matilda. `Angelina wants to take them shopping tomorrow, which means that they won´t be able to meet you.´ Fred just swallowed.

`Of course,´ said Fred, ruffling his twin´s hair and forcing a smile. `Anyway, I´ll just bring them around 8:00pm. Would you like to eat ice cream with---´ but was interrupted when Lynden and Phillip struggled from him.

`Mama! Mama!´ yelled the twins, running towards their mother, excitedly. `We are going to eat aythcream!´ Fred became frozen in his chair, while Matilda winced. He swallowed hard.

`Hey,´ said Angelina, hiding her nervousness and leaning down to kiss their foreheads. She looked at Lynden. `And you. You forgot to bring your bag. You know that you can´t leave home without them.´ Matilda immediately walked towards her and then took the bag.

`I have mine,´ said Phillip, `It´s with Matilda.´ Angelina just smiled at them.

`Matilda,´ said Angelina, `does he still need you?´

`Ah, no,´ said Fred, with his lips shaking and still not turning around to face her. `No---´

`Alright then,´ said Angelina, turning around. `Let´s go Matilda.´ Matilda handed Fred the children´s bags and then immediately followed Angelina.

`Come on, Fred,´ she thought while walking off. `Please follow me. Please. Please follow me. You just have to follow me. Why did I walk away? I hate myself! Please Fred. Follow me.´

`A-A-An-gel-Angelina,´ said Fred, nervously. He began to stand up and walked towards her. `Please--talk--to--me.´ Angelina stopped walking, thinking, `YES!!!!!Thank you!´ It took Angelina a few minutes before turning around to face Fred. She was smiling from ear to ear and she didn´t want him to see that she was smiling.

`Alright,´ she said, finally turning around. Matilda immediately took Lynden and Phillip´s hands, leading them to a nearby table. `What is it that you want to talk about?´

`Um,´ said Fred, taking a piece of paper from his pocket, while Angelina just watched with an odd expression on her face. `I listed everything that I must say to you.´

`Just tell me,´ said Angelina, `I´m in a hurry.´ Fred swallowed hard and then licked his lips.

`Angelina, first I just wanted to let you know that I am very sorry and,´ said Fred, quickly with his lips shaking and taking a quick glance at the paper every second. Angelina looked rather amazed at the scene. `I am not getting married to Lorreana, which means that I don´t want you to prepare the foods for our wedding. There will be no wedding and---´ Fred looked really nervous and then frowned upon seeing the odd grin on Angelina´s face. He continued, anyway. `And, I still love you, Angelina. I never stopped. I´m in love with you. Only you.I also want you to know that I won´t get married...unless it´s you I´m marrying. I love you. I really do.´ Angelina wanted to just jump on him and kiss him right then and there, but she stopped herself.

`I know,´ said Angelina, staring at Fred´s face, who looked like a ripe tomato.

`You what?´

`I know that you are not getting married.´

`You--you--do?´ Angelina began to smile.

`Yes and I´m sorry about the bruises. I was really upset. You hurt me, you know. You hurt me really bad.´

`I´m sorry. But I just want to let you know that I´m willing to start from scratch to win your love once again. We could start with all the courtship? But please tell me that I won´t be wasting my time. I´m willing to do anything.´ Angelina smiled.

`Fred,´ said Angelina, grinning which made Fred grin as well. She shook her head and then looked at him again. `You always know what to say, huh?´ Fred laughed.

`Not really,´ said Fred, `I wrote everything down, remember? I´m---´ but he was interrupted when Angelina immediately grabbed the back of his neck with her hands, which caused him to lean closer to her, and then kissed him right on the lips. A few seconds later, she pulled away leaving Fred looking very dreamy. He immediately snapped out of dreamland. `Ah, what was that?´

`A kiss,´ said Angelina, blushing. She couldn´t believe that she did that. `Well, it´s just that---´ but Fred interrupted her by placing his palms on her face and kissing her once again. A few seconds later, he pulled away leaving Angelina with a dreamy look on her face.

`Now, that´s a kiss,´ said Fred. `So?´

`So?´

`Fancy a dinner with me tonight?´ said Fred, leaning closer to kiss Angelina again.

`Yes,´ said Angelina, in between their kisses. `I´d love to go to dinner with you later.´

`Good,´ said Fred, in between their kisses. Angelina placed her hand on his cheeks which made him twitch. `Aw...´

`Sorry,´ said Angelina, rubbing his cheeks softly. `It´s big. I´m sorry about the bruises...´

`It´s okay,´ said Fred, leaning closer once again to kiss her. `It was worth it. You are here now. You could give me all the bruises in the world and you´ll never ever hear a word from me. Promise.´This made Angelina chuckle and kiss him again. But a few seconds later, they were interrupted by two high-pitched voices.

`Um, mama? Papa?´ said the twins, smiling at the scene because their parents are talking once again. `What are you doing?´ This made Fred and Angelina jump back and then immediately turned around.

`Ah, nothing,´ said Fred, with a wide grin on his face. `So, shall we?´

`Where are we going?´ asked the twins.

`Anywhere you want to go,´ said Fred.

`Toys!´ yelled the twins.

`Alright then,´ said Fred. `Toys, here we come!´ He looked at Angelina and then offered his hand. `Shall we?´

`Okay,´ said Angelina giving her hand. They walked off looking very contented, holding each others hand while Angelina held Lynden´s hand and Fred held Phillip´s hand.

`Fred, you should have seen your face awhile ago,´ said Angelina, looking up to him and giggling. `It was priceless.´ Fred rolled his eyes.

`No, this is priceless,´ said Fred, as he leaned down to kiss her for the 1000000^th time that hour.