The Unexpected

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: FRED´S EFFORTS

OCTOBER

Fred looked around as he entered Tiffany´s and Co. and then took a deep breath. He walked over to the nearest glass table and then glanced at the beautiful necklaces that were displayed. A certain diamond and platinum necklace caught his eye and thought that Angelina would look rather nice in it. Besides, it is time for him to give her a finer necklace, right?

`Good morning. May I help you sir?´ said the lady, smiling at him. Fred looked up to her and then smiled.

`Good morning,´ said Fred, `this necklace is very nice. How much is it?´

`215,000 pounds, sir,´ said the lady after checking the price. Fred nodded.

`I´ll get it,´ he said immediately, looking around. `I would also like to see the most excellent, finest engagement ring that you have, please.´

`Of course,´ said the lady, `please follow me, sir.´ ==========================================================

THE NEXT DAY...

Fred looked nervously at the tiny box and then sighed, while walking towards Lyn and Phil. `Do you think she´ll say yes?´ he said, nervously. George just looked at him.

`Fred? What the hell are you talking about? Of course she will! I can´t even believe that it took you three months to ask her...´ he said, rolling his eyes.

`Well, I talked to her about it but she said that we should wait and---´ said Fred but he was interrupted by Lee.

`She´s just saying that,´ said Lee, `Trust me. You know girls. They say stuff that they don´t mean.´

`Trust me,´ said George, smiling at him. `She´ll be happy about this.´ Fred just looked at the both of them nervously. `Don´t look at me like that, Fred Weasley! For heaven´s sake! She´s making you nervous? A girl is making you nervous? Don´t make me laugh!´ After a few minutes of walking, they saw Angelina outside of Lyn and Phil and she was talking with her parents. Fred stopped walking and then gulped.

`What the hell,´ said Lee, pushing Fred. `Tell her, you chicken!´ Fred pushed Lee back, but George grabbed Fred´s arm and he was practically dragging her to Angelina. The Countess and Lord Johnson watched with a weird expression on their faces upon seeing Fred struggling from George and Lee´s grip.

`What´s the matter?´ said Angelina softly. She turned around. `Is something--´ George pushed Fred towards Angelina, which made Fred scowl. `What´s going on?´

`Ah, er,´ said Fred, wincing. He kissed her on the cheeks. `Hi, Angel. Sir, Ma´am, good morning.´

`Fred wants to tell you something, Angelina,´ said George, grinning. `Nice to see you Mr. Johnson and the beautiful, Mrs. Johnson!´ Mrs. Johnson smiled at this comment.

`Good morning,´ said Angelina´s parents. `Angelina, we better go inside. I´ll just see you later.´ Angelina´s gaze shifted from her parents to Fred.

`What´s going on?´ said Angelina, `What are you up to?´

`Nothing that you would not like,´ said George, raising his eyebrows up and down.

`Now George,´ said Lee, `We better leave them alone. I believe that they have to talk--´

`About what?´ said Angelina, narrowing her eyes. `For the last time, what are you up to? Fred?´ Fred rubbed the back of his neck and then blushed.

`We are just fooling around,´ said Fred, defensively which made Angelina frown.

`Tell her, you chicken!´ yelled George and Lee, which made Fred glare at them. `Fine!´Fred thought.

`Go away!´ said Fred. George and Lee grinned at each other and then walked away.

`What´s happening here?´ said Angelina. `Fred, what--are you breaking up with me?´ Fred´s eyes widened.

`No, no,´ said Fred, assuring her. `Absolutely not!´

`What do you have to tell me then? What are they talking about?´ Fred swallowed hard and then took a deep breath.

`Um, you see,´ said Fred, looking at her and wincing. `I´m not rushing you or something. It´s just that maybe, just maybe, you know.´

´Oh God, this is harder than I thought,´ Fred thought and then continued, `Well, you know that I love you and that I can´t live without you and--´

`What are you trying to say?´ she said, placing her hand on his face. `I love you, too.´

`Woohoo!´ yelled Draco, Harry, Ron and Blaise, who were walking towards them and smirking. `What´s happening here?´

`Oh, here comes four more!´ Fred thought, but he did his best to ignore their teasing. `Shut up will you?!´ All six men´s loud teasing was replaced by quiet laughter. Fred felt that he was going to disappear and he was also blushing like mad. `Angelina, I love you. I hope that this clear things up--´ He immediately handed Angelina the tiny box, kissed her on lips and then immediately walked away, looking down.

`What´s this for?´ said Angelina, opening the box and then gasped upon seeing the finest ring that she has ever seen in her entire life. George, Lee, Harry, Ron, Draco and Blaise watched closely. Her gaze shifted from the ring to Fred. She took out her wand, pointed it to Fred, who was now a few feet away, and then whispered, `Locomotor Mortis!´ A few seconds later, Fred fell on the ground. She saw him pick himself up and then started hopping towards George.

`You did this!´ he yelled and then hissed, `DO THE COUNTER-CURSE NOW!´

`No,´ said Angelina, `Fred, come here and don´t shout at them because I did it.´ Fred grumbled and then reluctantly hopped towards Angelina.

`Angelina,´ he whined, `I´ll understand if you don´t give me an answer now. You know that I´m willing to wait and that--´

`Aren´t you even going to place it in my finger? That´s the normal thing to do, you know--´ she said, handing the ring back to him.

`You mean, yes?´ said Fred, hiding his smile and excitement.

`How can I say yes? You haven´t even asked me the question yet---´ Fred grumbled and then sighed.

`Will you do the counter-curse? I can´t really do it properly if---´ but he was interrupted when Angelina did the counter-curse. Fred began stretching his legs and then said, `Now, that feels better.´ He looked at her and then took her hand. `Angelina Johnson, from the moment I saw you, there was something about you that caught my eye. I was 11 years old then so I was totally clueless. It took awhile for me to realize things. I didn´t know that you´re the one who will make me weak in the knees, my heart skip a beat and feel this. You know that I´ve been with many girls. All of them were short-term relationships. I´ve only begged one girl and that´s you Angelina. I have only been like this towards you. I just don´t know if I´ll make it without you again. You are my heart, Angelina. I know it sounds dumb but it´s the truth. With all the crazy things that I´ve done to you and that I put you through, you are still here. No one else can make me feel like you do. Angel, I promise you that my love for you will never change and that I´ll love you, faithfully, until I die. My love for you will never fade and it´s only meant for you. You are God´s answer to my prayers. I just know that what I´m feeling for you will last a lifetime. And I know that I´m ready to spend my life with you because I know that I´ll never love this way again.´ Angelina´s eyes began to water.

`Fred, that was---´ but she was interrupted by Fred.

`I´m in love with you, Angelina Johnson. Would you make me the luckiest man in the world by marrying me? Please marry me, Angelina.´ Angelina wiped away her tears and then looked as Fred placed the fine ring on her finger. Angelina hugged him, immediately, once Fred was done talking and placing the ring on her finger. Fred hugged her back and then whispered, `So? Is that a yes? Will you make me the luckiest man in the world?´

`Yes,´ she whispered and then pulled away from him, `What took you so long to do that?!´

`You told me that we should wait,´ said Fred, `I´ve wanted to ask you for a long time.´

`Well, why do you always listen to me, then?´ she asked, placing her arms around his neck.

`Because I love you,´ he said, leaning down to kiss her on the lips and raising his right hand with a "thumb´s up" gesture, which made George, Lee, Ron, Harry, Blaise and Draco cheer. ===========================================================

JUNE [FOLLOWING YEAR...]

THE WEDDING DAY

`God, Fred!´ George hissed as he smiled at the visitors. `Will you calm down? Stop--´

`What if she changed her mind and she doesn´t want to marry me anymore?´ said Fred faintly. `What if--´

`You know what, Fred, I thought that I knew you very well. But actually, I bloody don´t! I didn´t know that you are a psycho-paranoid man. You scare me--´ Fred just glared at him but was interrupted when the music started to play. He watched as everybody included in the Wedding March walked down the aisle, anxiously. He saw Lyn and Phil walked down the aisle and then winked at them as his children waved at him. After what seems like forever, the Wedding March played. The doors opened and then a silhouette of a very tall girl, escorted by her father, appeared. Fred started to arrange his bow tie and then took a deep breath, as Rachelle began throwing rose petals on the red carpet.

`You look good,´ said George, which made him smile. `You´ll be fine.´ Angelina started walking down the aisle slowly, looking very beautiful and radiant. She was wearing a very fine silk, long-sleeved, off-shoulder, peach wedding gown and veil, with the Johnson´s Tiara, and the diamond necklace that Fred gave her. Fred just watched patiently, looking mesmerized, as he waited for her down the aisle.

`Take good care of my daughter, Weasley,´ said Lord Johnson, upon reaching him. A tear fell from his eyes which caused Angelina to cry, as well. They hugged each other as Fred watched closely.

`I love you, papa,´ said Angelina and then pulled away. Fred handed her his hanky so that Angelina could wipe her tears away, which made Angelina smile.

`Congratulations,´ said Lord Johnson, shaking Fred´s hand as he gave Angelina´s hand to him.

`Thank you, sir, and I´ll take good care of her,´ Fred replied, politely. He looked at Angelina and then smiled at her, which caused her to smile as well. They started walking down the aisle and then he whispered, `I love you.´

`I love you, too.´

`Did you know that we are about to be bound together, forever? Until we die?´

`Of course I do, Fred.´

`I can´t wait to say I do,´ said Fred, looking at her and this comment made her chuckle.

`You never fail to make me laugh.´

`What? You think I´m joking? I´m not.´ Angelina smiled at him. They waited patiently as the ceremony came to an end.

`With the power bestowed upon me,´ said the Bishop, `I now pronounce you, Husband and Wife. Let us all welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Weasley.´ The crowd started to clap. `You may now kiss the bride.´ Fred grinned.

`Finally,´ said Fred. He raised Angelina´s veil and then placed his head inside it, which made all the people laugh. He leaned down and then kissed her. He pulled away after a few seconds and then grinned at her. He kissed her again, while he placed the veil at the back of Angelina´s head. `So, what now Mrs. Fred Weasley?´

`What,´ said Angelina, looking up to him.

`Tonight,´ said Fred, grinning mischievously.

`Oh, for heaven´s sake! We are inside the Church!´ She looked around and then gestured for Lynden and Phillip to come to them. `Come baby! Come and take pictures with mama and papa.´ ===========================================================

WEDDING RECEPTION

`Since Fred and Angelina are married already,´ said George, grinning mischievously and taking a sideways glance at Fred and Angelina. `I guess spilling the beans would sound really great! Fred was the ultimate "Playboy", while Angelina was the ultimate "Good Girl" and "Daddy´s Girl". This two people shared a very interesting love story. Love, drama, humour, you name it, they have it! Please allow me and Katie to give you a brief summary.´ George grinned at Fred. `When we were 11 years old, on board a train, I threw a water balloon towards Fred. He started to step backwards to catch it but bumped on Angelina, instead, which caused them to fall to the ground. Angelina got so angry because one of the balloons that Fred was holding popped and it got Angelina wet. Fred just laughed at her and that was the very first time that they ever laid eyes on each other. Angelina and I became friends right away. Fred and Angelina, however, hated each other. I swear, if stares could kill, they´d both be dead by now! Angelina called Fred, Midget Brent, while Fred called her, Bamboo Angelica.´ Everyone chuckled. `Not a good start, eh?! Anyway, Fred would later worship those bamboo legs.´

`That´s what would happen for the first two years every time they would see each other,´ said Katie, `In third year, though, just when Fred and George were becoming popular to girls, Angelina made it in our team which caused the two of them to spend more time with each other which resulted to more fights. Fred was still the same immature, obnoxious, noisy, hyperactive and funny boy who loved to play pranks on people, while Angelina was this very smart, shy but strong girl who stood up for herself. He drove her insane but she drove her insane as well. They were just the complete opposites of each other. They just loved to fight.´

`Angelina gave my brother a hard time. Most girls would blush or giggle every time he passes by. She was the only girl who treated him that way and it amazed him,´ said George.

`What are you doing here?´ said 14 year old Fred, trying to make a conversation.

`I don´t have time for a verbal volleyball right now,´ said Angelina, staring at her book, `go away and find someone else.´

`You are the one who has a very fragile temper.´

`I see you, Brent, that is why. What a very ugly name--´ Fred´s eyes narrowed.

`It´s ugly because it´s not Brent. It´s Fred, Angelica.´

`Oh my gosh!´ said Angelina in mock horror. `Your name is even uglier than I thought!´´

`You are right,´ said Fred, tiredly, `I better go.´

`In 5<sup>th</sup> year, things began to change. Fred was flirting with a bunch of girls, totally dismissing his date, when Angelina arrived in a black spaghetti strap sparkly dress that goes down to her knees during the Yule Ball, stealing Fred´s FULL attention.´ George began to chuckle. `I can still remember how he looked like. He was chatting and laughing with all these girls when Angelina arrived, looking "stunning", as how Fred would describe it. For Fred, Angelina always looks stunning. He looked at the door, blinked his eyes and then looked at her again. I just laughed my head off!´

`Excuse me,´ said Fred to all the girls and then immediately walked towards Angelina, trying to look as if he didn´t want to be there or he didn´t know that she was there. `Oi, Angelica! You are here?´

`Not you,´ said Angelina, sighing. `Well, obviously I´m here.´ Fred sighed, thinking of something to say.

`You look nice,´ was all that he could say, since it was the truth. Angelina looked at him and then frowned.

`Honestly,´ she said, looking up to him since he is now six feet and growing. `Is that all that you are going to say?´

`I´m kind of getting tired of all that,´ he said, shrugging. `Anyway, fancy a dance? I´m bored.´

`You are bored that´s why you are asking me?´ she asked.

`Look, if you don´t want to, just tell me.´

`I don´t want to dance. Not with you, thank you.´

`Fred felt that he has been slapped, when she said no. He´s not used to that word. But that didn´t stop him. It, believe it or not, amazed him more. Fred´s effort began to pay off, gradually...´ said Katie.

`That´s what you get for being a war freak,´ said George, pressing his bruise harder. `I pulled you off Flint but--´

`He went smashing into Angelina! I have never been that close to her! He´s not going to be that lucky--´ George and Lee stopped and looked at him. `What?!´

`Close to her?´ said Lee. `Close to her? You like her?´ Lee and George began to laugh.

`No! She´s a snob! She´s very difficult! Absolutely not! Shut up!´

`He did like her, but he´d rather die a million deaths than admit it though. Instead, Fred began to stalk her and made Angelina think that he was there by accident. One day...´

`What´s that?´ asked Fred, pretending to look bored and looking at the troubled Angelina.

`Oh, for heaven´s sake,´ said Angelina sighing, not looking up from her book. `I came here because you were at the library--´

`I asked "what´s that?"--´

`Fine,´ said Angelina, `It´s Arithmacy and--´

`Having trouble, eh? This is your lucky day. May I see?´

`Why?´ said Angelina, eyeing him suspiciously.

`Well, maybe I can solve the problem,´ Fred snapped, sitting beside her on the ground.

`You? Don´t make me laugh!´ Fred snatched the book from Angelina and then began reading the problem. A few seconds later, he began writing something down and then handed the book and paper to her, which made her frown. She began reading it and then gasped when he got the right answer. `How--did--you--get--this?´ Fred smiled and then explained it to her. `Thanks.´ Fred grinned at her.

`See how nice and peaceful it is when we don´t bite each other´s head off?´

`As much as I hate to say this--you are good.´ Fred laughed. `Please help me with number 14?´

`They became "study pals" since then,´ said George, `That´s when he started to act strange...´

`You seem so happy, mate! What happened?´ said George, looking at the dreamy and radiant face of his twin brother.

`Angelina and I talked today--no fights at all,´ said Fred, looking at Lee and George and grinning from ear to ear.

`And--´ said Lee, expecting something more. `And--´

`She smiled at me,´ said Fred, dreamily. `And said my name. It sounded so different hearing it from her--she said," Fred"´

`Then?´ said George, raising his eyebrows. `Then?´

`What?´ said Fred, shrugging.

`That´s all? You mean you are acting like that over--´ said Lee, looking at him as if he was a freak.

`And, I asked her if we could study and she said yes. Together.´

`STUDY?!!!!! What the hell?!´ said Lee, looking outraged.

`Fred? What the hell is going on with you?´ George said as he watched Fred arrange his books. `We DON´T study!´

`Well, I do now. Angelina and I are study pals,´ he said, proudly.

`Study pals? You are mad,´ Lee said.

`Look, you´ll understand me when you meet her. Who knows? You may even be worse than me!´

`Her? What the hell are you talking about?´ said George. Fred rolled his eyes.

`The girl that you bring home to your mum.´

`BRING HOME TO MUM?! You are mad! You aren´t even 16 yet!´ said George, faintly.

`Love knows no age.´

`What the hell? You are one sick man!´ Lee said.

`You´ll find her, but right now, I must go. I have to meet Percy and have him explain this problem to me. What would Angelina say if I wasn´t able to answer her question?´

`Go away Fred. You and Percy compliment each other so well,´ said George.

`After getting help from Fred, she immediately stormed into our dorm room to tell us about it.´ Katie looked at Fred. `Yes Fred, to tell us. Anyway, she told us that Fred was actually smart and that it was really nice of him to help her and everything. She also said that they will be studying again later that day. Alicia and I started to play with her.´

`You are?´ said Alicia, blinking her eyes at Katie, which made Angelina frown. `What a very lucky girl! The Weasley Twins are like one of the most popular boys in school!´

`Don´t tell anybody,´ started Katie, looking at Alicia then to Angelina, `but I have a huge crush on them.´ Angelina started to laugh.

`Don´t you think Fred is cute, Angelina?´ asked Alicia. `Most girls do--´ Angelina began to giggle.

`Well, he´s gorgeous alright, especially his smile. He also smells good! I like it when he just came from the shower, for example, after practice, when his hair is all messed up and wet--` said Angelina, blushing and giggling while Katie and Alicia just looked at each other. `But his attitude is appalling, though. Besides, we are only study pals--´

`Let me tell you something,´ said Alicia, `The Weasley Twins don´t study--´

`Lee and I thought that Angelina was just like the other girls to Fred but we were wrong. Fred pursued Angelina. He worked hard to get to where he is right now and I tell you, it wasn´t easy at all. Fred was declined by Angelina many times. But what can I say; my brother´s motto is "Get her or die trying" courtesy of our team captain before Fred, Oliver Wood. After all he was the worst playboy in our family, but he was very persistent. Followed by Bill, Charlie--´

`You are next to Bill, George!´ shouted Fred, which made everybody chuckle. George just made a face.

`Fine. Fred, Bill, Me, and then Charlie while Ron and Percy are the ultimate good boys and ideal boyfriends. Fred most probably said "I love you" to the majority of the female population of the school, appearing with a new girl in his arms every week or so. Fred would often be seen with a girl in some dark corner but being with Angelina made him appreciate places that are well lit. Fred was happy just to see her and talk to her. He loved to hold her hand and just looked at her when she´s studying. He respected her. Fred had to ask her 12 times before she agreed on a group date. After 7 or 8 group dates, she finally agreed to go on a one-on-one date with him. But she still had doubts about him.´

`Honestly, I couldn´t blame her,´ said Katie, `Fred was very temporary when it comes to girls. Everybody knew that they were together but they didn´t look like they´re together. Angelina totally ignored Fred. I kind of felt sorry for him but she was just being cautious. Angelina began hiding from him, avoiding him, and she wouldn´t even let him walk next to her! Most girls thought that she was insane for doing such an absurd thing to Fred, but Angelina didn´t care. Angelina was indeed his match. Fred looked like a total idiot and they broke up but reconciled the summer before 6^th year. Alicia and I had this talk with her and asked her to give Fred a chance. She was hesitant but she did anyways, slowly.´

`I however said something to Fred. He started ignoring her and then it did work. Angelina became thoughtful and sweeter towards my brother. Fred enjoyed the attention that he was getting from her that he continued on doing it. Yes, it was my fault that they broke up the 2<sup>nd</sup> time. Fred got angry with me for saying such an absurd thing to him, but I told him not to blame me because he went too far. Fortunately, they reconciled once again after a week or so. She left months after their reconciliation and then did not see each other until last year and here they are now. Married and with two beautiful children. There´s no question that they are meant for each other. To you Fred, I would like to say congratulations for you obtained such a great lady whom you love very much. All your hard work has been paid! And to you Angelina---Weasley, I salute you for having one of the greatest influences on my brother´s life. I wish you both a very happy life together! Good luck to you both and there are a lot of things in store for you--more children, perhaps!´ said George and then winked at them while the others laughed. `Angelina, just to warn you, I think Fred plans to have 20...´ Everybody laughed.