| Disclaimer: I don’t own anything, as usual. All characters, except Carrie, belong to JKR. The song belongs to the ‘Immaculate Fools’. Dedicated to my muse, Squin. Check out her fics! I felt in the mood for a little F/A fluff. So here it is! The Prince. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You looked in from the ocean I looked out from the shore Curious and Captive I knocked upon your door * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fred stood on the doorstep, his hand held just above the doorbell, deciding whether or not to push. Fortunately he was spared the decision as the door opened at that moment. Angelina Johnson’s dark face appeared, shocked. “Fred!” “Hi Angelina.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You stood aside You let me in Your house was warm and dry You gave me things I did not need These things I’ll leave behind * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * He sat on the clean sofa. She stared at him, shock registering all over her face. “How are you?” He asked, nervously. “I’m good. Great. You?” “Been better. Been worse, too. Normally when Snape caught George and I in his private potions cupboard.” “Why are you here?” That, he hadn’t been expecting. “To see you.” “But why? You ran away, in the middle of the night. Only a note, explaining.” “I went with Harry, Ron, Hermione and George. We had to go.” “To fight you-know-who. I know. That’s what the note said.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Save a Prince for her Save a tear for me And let her Prince be everything That I could never be Save a Prince for her A Prince for her * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “You just left! You left me there!” she suddenly screamed. Fred stood up and she started to hit his chest. “Angelina!” “Why did you do it? We were supposed to… We were going to…” “Get married. I know.” Fred finished. Angelina was sobbing. He looked down at her. “I’m sorry, Angel. I had to go.” “And you couldn’t have told me?” “I-I…” But he was interrupted by the front door opening. “We’re home!” Came a cheerful voice. Fred looked around as Roger Davies came into the room with a small child. They all froze. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * If you survive your perfection I’ll hold on to mine I’ll be faithful to our beauty The healing comes in time * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “Fred Weasley.” Roger said, shock in his voice. “Roger… hi.” Fred replied. Angelina moved towards Roger. He kissed her cheek. Fred stared, aghast until the little girl pulled on his trouser leg. “Who are you?” “I’m Fred. Who are you?” “She’s my daughter.” Angelina said, picking her up. The girl beamed at him. “I’m Carrie! With an -ie and not a -y.” she said, obviously proud of having remembered this speech. Roger looked at Angelina. “I’ll put the kettle on.” He said, disappearing into the kitchen. Carrie followed him. Fred stared after them. “You’re… married?” “No. But Roger and I are dating.” “Cute kid.” “I’m glad you think so. She’s yours.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hold me like a mountain Hold me like dust The things I want are out of reach But reach for them I must * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fred’s jaw dropped. “M-mine?” “Yes. If you’d stuck around you’d know that.” Angelina said coldly. Fred scratched his face and said, “How old-” “Five.” “Five… you were pregnant when I left.” “Yes. I was going to tell you, but then you decided to clear off.” “Angelina, I had to! I was needed!” “And it would have mattered if you’d stayed six hours to tell me you were going?” “Angel…” “Don’t call me that anymore. You just decide to waltz back into my life, five years on and expect me to be waiting for you?” “No! God, no!” Fred protested. “Then what did you want?” “To make sure you were ok.” “I’m fine. You can go now.” She turned away. He seized her arm. “Angelina, please! I wanted to stay! And I wish I had! You have no idea what it was like out there!” “I don’t care!” “George died!” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Save a Prince for her Save a tear for me And let her Prince be everything That I could never be Save a Prince for her A Prince for her * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * She turned to him. Fred squeezed his eyes to hold back tears and whispered. “You-know-who killed him.” “Oh my god. George…” “I’ve got nothing left. My family have moved away, and I don’t know where. Ron is searching for them now. Harry’s gone to Hogwarts to see Dumbledore. And all I had was an address for you. I didn’t know what I was going to find here today but I came anyway, because I still love you like I did the day I left, maybe more.” “Fred, I have a new life now. I work for the ministry. Hermione’s got a room upstairs. Roger lives just around the corner. Carrie started school this year. I’m not going to give it all up because you suddenly come back.” “I don’t want you to give it up.” “Then go.” She whispered. Fred stared at her, then turned away. As he went into he hall Roger appeared. Fred looked at him. “Look after her. Be the prince. Sweep her off her feet. And never let her go.” “I will. I swear it.” Roger said, with a nod in his direction. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You looked in from the ocean While I looked out from the shore Curious and Captive I knocked upon your door * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (Several months later) Fred flicked the television channels, trying to find a decent program. He loved his days off. Suddenly there was a banging at the door. He sighed and, grumbling, opened it. “This had better be worth me missing the start of Neighbours.” He said. Angelina stood in the doorway, Carrie clutching her leg, and sucking her thumb. Angelina’s eyes were bloodshot. “Angelina.” “Can we come in?” “Sure.” Carrie looked around the apartment and, spotting a toy train, started to play happily. “Angelina, what’s wrong?” “Roger left. We’ve been fighting for ages now. He said… such awful things, Fred! I can’t afford the house anymore, not without his input. Hermione’s got nowhere to go, and neither have we. I just don’t know what to do.” she sank into the chair. Fred looked down at her and knelt to look at her face. “It’s ok.” “It’s not! Carrie needs somewhere to stay! Can she… can she stay here tonight?” Fred straightened and looked down at her. “No.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You stood aside You let me in Your house was warm and dry You gave me things I did not need These things I’ll leave behind * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “What?” “You’re going back to your house. And I’m coming with you. I’ve been looking for a new place for ages, and your place was huge. I’m sure you’ve got a spare bedroom, and I can help pay the mortgage.” “Fred-” “Hey, it’s Davies’ fault. He swore that he’d be your prince. He turned out to be fake. So I’m here to sweep you off your feet, and down onto my valiant steed. Then we shall ride away into the sunset and live happily ever after.” “You don’t get out much, do you?” “Not really. I’m on hold from the ministry.” Fred smiled at her and turned to Carrie. “Come on. We’re going home.” “Yes, uncle Fred.” “Uncle Fred?” “That’s what she calls people. Uncle or Auntie.” Angelina explained. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Save a Prince for her Save a tear for me And let her Prince be everything That I could never be Save a Prince for her Save a tear for me And let that Prince be everything That I could never be Save a Prince for her A Prince for her * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (A year later.) “Fred, I’m home!” Angelina called, putting her suitcase on the table. “I’m in the kitchen.” He called. Carrie was sitting at the table, eating tea. Angelina kissed her and asked, “How was your day?” “Very good. I learned how to spell Extraordinary today!” “Go on then.” Angelina sat down opposite her daughter. “E-X-T-R-A-O-R-D-I-N-A-R-Y!” “Very good!” “And Uncle Fred, said that that was what you were, Mum!” “Did he?” Fred blushed and turned away. Angelina smiled and said, “Go and watch TV, Carrie.” As she skipped away Fred turned to her. “Angel, I didn’t-” “It’s fine. After all, you’re my knight in shining armour! I expect a few compliments now and then.” “Oh, in which case you are wonderful, beautiful, gorgeous, sweet, kind, funny, caring-” “Um, yeah, that’s grovelling, not complimenting.” “You’re worth every word.” “I know.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Save a prince… Save a prince for her Save a prince… * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * (Two years later.) “Fred, I need a word.” Angelina said. Fred looked up from snakes and ladders. Carrie quickly moved her piece five squares while he wasn’t looking. “What is it?” “Carrie, can you leave us alone for a minute?” “Yes, Mum.” She trotted into the kitchen. Angelina sank onto the floor and looked at Fred. “What’s wrong?” “Fred… oh, god. Fred…” Words failed her. She took his hand and pressed it against her stomach. He looked down at it, then up at her. “You’re hungry?” “What? No, I’m pregnant!” “Oh, pregnant. What a minute! Pregnant?” “Yes.” “As if in the baby in stomach pregnant?” “Yes.” “As if in, little person, inside there?” “Yes.” “As if in-” “Fred!” “Sorry. This is… this is…” Angelina closed her eyes. “This is fantastic!” “What?” She looked at him in surprise. He was beaming. “You’re ok with it?” “Of course I am!” “But, we’re not even married.” “We weren’t married when you had Carrie. What’s the difference? We’ll get married! We’re going to have a family!” “You really mean it?” “Of course! This is great! God, I love you!” Angelina collapsed into happy tears. Fred hugged her and she whispered. “My Prince.” “I’m here whenever you need me.” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Save a prince… Save a prince for her Save a prince… Save a prince for her Save a prince… Save a tear for me * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Well? I just love this song! |