Disclaimer - Nothing you recognise belongs to me, it's all JK's, i only own Liv and her family.
amazing chapter image by Marzipan @ tda
Chapter 2
4 years later…
“Morning Sky,” I entered my little bookstore and found Sky already behind the counter, a book under her nose.
“Hi Liv, good weekend?” She glanced up from her book to give me a quick smile before returning to it.
“Same as always, yours?”
“Great, thanks.”
I nodded and headed straight into my office, hanging my coat and scarf on the antique stand behind the door and sank into my chair. The relief I felt at being back at work was unbelievable. And it clearly described how great my life was outside of work. I wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, only having a couple of close friends but it was my own choice. Ever since I broke up with Teddy, I had hidden away from everyone because we shared all of our friends and I was worried they would all hate me so before they even had the chance to, I disappeared.
So, 4 years later, I could count on one hand the friends I had left but I was content. I was happy being alone, at first it was a shock, going from being surrounded by many people to maybe one or two every other week. The only solace I had found was in my books and that’s what I put my time and effort into. I was now a serious book editor, as well as a bookshop owner and I was pretty proud of myself, as were my parents. Well, my father anyway. Mother always had a look of disappointment in her eyes when she looked at me but with time, I had learned to deal with it without taking it to heart too much.
I snapped out of my thoughts and put my attention onto the manuscript in front of me, a new novel for me to read over. I could only hope that it was semi decent, considering the last 3 I had looked at. One was about a tomato that lived in a magical greenhouse, the next about an old man who couldn’t get out of bed and the third was about a muggle who was prophesised to save the world from an evil leader…all of them were ridiculous and I had nearly cried with boredom reading them. Opening the first page, I glanced at the contents and was just about to turn the page when the small, fancy envelope caught my eye. Reaching over my desk, I grabbed it with the tips of my fingers and examined it as I brought it towards me.
My name was written elegantly in fancy script on the front of the cream, embroidered envelope. I slowly turned it around and as soon as I saw the seal, I dropped it like it had burned my hand. It was the Weasley seal, it was unmistakeable in Wizarding World, they were after all one of the most famous wizarding families.
It landed on the floor and I hesitated before I picked it up. I didn’t want to open it, having a strong feeling that it was something I didn’t want to see but my curiosity was more powerful than my willpower, a huge flaw in my personality. I opened the dainty envelope carefully and pulled out the card that was inside. What I saw on the front made my stomach tighten and my heart pound. It was Teddy and Victoire, laughing and kissing on the moving photograph. They looked happy; they looked in love. I tore my eyes away and tried to compose myself. ‘I brought this on myself’ was what I told myself constantly and this was one of those times where that really had meaning. Taking a deep breath, I looked back to the card and opened it. It was a wedding invitation, which I already knew deep down but it still hurt to see it written down on paper that they were officially getting married.
To
Miss Olivia Harris and Guest
We would like to invite you to the wedding of
Mr Ted Remus Lupin and Mademoiselle Victoire Apolline Delacour - Weasley
On the 15th of December, 2025
Please R.S.V.P by either owl or pop in by floo.
We hope to see you there,
Mr and Mrs Weasley.
I don’t know how long I had been staring at the card but it must have been a while because I hadn’t even noticed Rose coming into my office, red faced and breathing heavily.
“I see you’ve gotten your invitation then?” It was more an observation than a question, “I’m sorry, I tried to get here to tell you before but I guess I was too late. Are you okay Liv?”
I nodded and smiled at Rose. “I’m fine, honestly. This was what I wanted, remember? Surprised it took them 4 years but I’m happy for them, they seem really happy together.”
“Bullshit.” Rose didn’t swear very often and when she did, it meant she was either, angry, passionate or didn’t believe a word I said. My bet was on the latter. “Look, this is me you’re talking to and I know you very well so stop lying to me and tell me the truth. Are you okay?”
I didn’t answer her and she knew instantly that I was upset about it. “Oh Liv,” She walked over to me to give me a hug, which I gratefully received before pulling away. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. Talking about it wasn’t going to help me and it wouldn’t change the situation. Rose knew I still loved Teddy and there was nothing more to be said.
“Will you be going to the wedding?”
Was I going to go the wedding? It would be rude of me to turn down the invitation of Bill and Fleur but then it would seem strange me going to the wedding of my ex boyfriend-who-I-broke-up-with-because-the-media-wanted-him-to-be-with-his-now-fiancée. It would be awkward and forced and people within minutes would be able to sense something wrong. I didn’t know whether staying away would be the best option.
“If you don’t go, Uncle Bill will be the first one around to ask why not. You know he loves you like you’re a Weasley.”
I laughed. She was right, if I didn’t show up or replied with a ‘no’, he would be the first one around trying to persuade me to come and he wouldn’t give up until he did.
“I honestly don’t know what to do.” I shook my head and held it in my hands. 4 years had passed and just as I was finally getting on with my life, this messes everything up and I am back to square one again.
“I think we should go and visit mum, she’ll know what to do.” I nodded and stood up. Hermione Weasley wasn’t known as the brightest witch of her age for nothing and she had enough advice to give to the whole world twice over. Standing up, I grabbed my coat and scarf, putting them on before letting Rose lead me out of the office and into the main shop.
“Sky, I’m popping out, I don’t know what time I will be back but it will be before closing, I promise.”
“Okie doke, have fun.”
I smiled at the brown haired teenager and myself and Rose quickly disapparated to the Weasley home, hoping to find Hermione.
***
“Mum?” Rose called out the moment we stepped foot in the house. I politely took off my coat and shoes and sat down in the living room.
“Rosie, is that you?”
“Yes mum, we need to talk to you, Liv is here with me,” Rose took her coat off and flung her bag on top of the kitchen table.
“I’ll be down in a minute and move that bag off my kitchen table before I hex you, young lady.” Rose looked sheepishly as she took her bag off the table and I couldn’t help but laugh. Rose was lucky growing up here, my childhood wasn’t filled with laughter, not while I was at home anyway. I enjoyed Hogwarts because it was the only time I could be myself. My house was just a place I stayed until I could go back to Hogwarts.
A few minutes later, Hermione walked into the living room and I stood to give her a hug. “Hello Hermione.” I had long stopped calling her Mrs Weasley, seeing as she did not want to be confused with her mother-in-law, who she was most definitely not like in any way, shape or form, according to Hermione, herself.
“Hello Liv, it’s been a while, how have you been?”
Before I could answer her, Rose stepped in.
“She got the invitation to the wedding.”
Hermione looked to Rose then to me before pursing her lips. “Let me go and put the kettle on.”
Once we all had a cup of tea in our hands, the conversation started, much to my displeasure.
“So, how do you feel about the wedding?”
“I don’t know, Hermione. One minute I think I’m happy then the next, I hate it all even though I knew it was coming eventually. My brain can’t decide how to feel at the moment.”
Hermione smiled. “I’d say it was your heart rather than your brain that is causing you problems, dear.”
I shrugged. “Maybe so but it needs to get used to the idea, especially if I end up going to the wedding. Do you think it’s a good idea to go?”
Hermione pursed her lips again before answering me. “Yes, I do. I think that if you go, you might find closure to what you’re feeling. You left without so much of a mention and I think because you didn’t have the closure of ending the relationship properly, you are always going to have feelings for him. By going, you might be able to move on.” She took a sip of her tea. “But it’s entirely up to you, my dear.”
“I think you should go.” I looked to Rose, eyebrow raised.
“And why should I go?”
Rose smiled at me and I rolled my eyes. She wanted me to do something for her.
“Because I can’t go with Scorpius because I am a bridesmaid so I need to be with the usher most of the night so I was thinking he could go with you? You get along well and it means you would have a date.”
“A date who isn’t mine! I’ll look like a sad sap if I turn up with your boyfriend.”
“Ahhhh, that’s the thing, not everyone knows I am in a relationship with him.”
I stared at Rose, wide eyed. They had been together for about 3 years, how could no one know?
“How? You’ve been together for years! How have you managed to keep that quiet?” Rose raised her eyebrow and I frowned. “What’s that look for?”
“I learnt from the best, my dear.” It took me a minute to catch on but once I did, I smiled and laughed.
“Well I’m glad I have taught you at least one thing, even if it was unintentional. Why couldn’t you have learned how not to get a hangover or how to wash clothes? They would have been more fruitful for later life.”
“I pick and choose my lessons and that was one I took a great interest in.” Rolling my eyes, I took a sip of the warming tea and closed my eyes. “So, will you go? Please.”
“Fine, I shall ruin my reputation and allow people to think that I am with Scorpius Malfoy, if the night wasn’t already going to be a disaster, this will ensure that I won’t get out unscathed. Your grandmother is going to lecture me, I can see it now.”
Hermione rolled her eyes. “Oh ignore that old busybody, she’ll let it go once she sees who James is bringing to the wedding.” Hermione loved her mother-in-law but sometimes she could e over bearing and there had been a few fights which ended up with Molly in tears and Hermione having to grovel just to keep the piece because Ron wasn’t man enough to do it himself.
“Oooh, you have gossip. Who is he bringing?” Rose loved gossip, she might have been a clever witch and a borderline nerd but she loved a good gossip once in a while. She would make a great old lady in the future, I could imagine her sitting at the bus stop, chatting no doubt to me about what the young ones were up to and who was dating who.
“Marigold Parkinson.” I burst out laughing just as Rose spat out the mouthful of tea that she had just taken. This was bound to cause some issues on the day. Mrs Weasley would have a heart attack.
“No way, how has Uncle Harry taken that news?”
“Not very well but he is always supporting inter house relations so he can hardly say anything. In all honesty, I think James is doing it to wind Harry up, you know what he is like.”
I nodded in agreement. James Sirius Potter was as troublesome as the men he was named after and I think Harry regretted the name from the first day James went to Hogwarts and he received an owl to say James had been given detention in the very first hour; a new Hogwarts record.
“Well then, I definitely need to go just to see how that goes down.”
***
The three of us laughed for a while before I realised I had to get back to the shop.
“Are you sure you can’t stay for tea?”
I shook my head, regrettably. Hermione’s food was absolutely amazing.
“I’m sorry, I told Sky I would be back before closing so she could go home. I will see what time it is after I close up and if it’s not too late, I will come back. I will let you or Rose know.” Hermione smiled at me and gave me a hug.
“Okay, it was nice to see you dear. You should come around more often, you’re always welcome.”
I nodded and pulled away.
“Thank you.” I turned to Rose and hugged her quickly. “I will speak to you later, okay?” She nodded and I took a handful of floo powder and stood in front of the fireplace.
“The Curiosity Bookshop!”
Finding myself back in my office, I walked into the shop to see Sky in the exact same position I had left her in.
“Hey Sky, you can go now.”
She looked up and smiled.
“Thank you,” She turned to leave, her bag already on her shoulder but she stopped before she reached for the handle, the book she was reading still in her hand. “Can I?”
“Take it, just bring it back when you’re done.” She did this every night she worked.
“Thank you, see you on Saturday.”
I waved goodbye and went to the door, turning the open sign to closed. Hearing nothing but the ticking of the grandfather clock that stood in the corner of the room, I sighed in delight and went back into my office, collapsing into my chair. Eyeing the manuscript, I picked it up reluctantly and decided I should do a little work, even if I only got through a chapter or two.
Completely engrossed in the book, it was only when I heard the shop door open and close that I glanced at the time. 9pm. Shit, I hadn’t spoken to either Rose or Hermione. Scrawling a quick letter apologising, I gave it to my owl, Lizzie and went to investigate who had walked into my shop.
“Whoever you are, we’re closed. You should come back tomorrow, we open at 9am.”
I could see a figure but they did not speak. Gripping my wand in my hand, I spoke again.
“Will you please leave or I will hex you, I am pretty good shot and imaginative.” The figure chuckled and I froze. There was only one person who laughed like that, a laugh that could make me smile even if I was in the foulest of moods.
Teddy
“Teddy, is that you?” Instead of answering, the figure stepped forward and I saw the familiar blue eyes in the glare of the candlelight. “What are you doing here?”
“I needed to see you.” I heard the slur in his words and realised he was drunk. Sighing, I put down my wand and walked towards him.
“You’re drunk, Teddy. You should go home, let me get some floo powder and I will get you back.”
“No,” His words rang out in the empty room and I stopped in my place. Turning to face him again, I cocked my head to the side, taking him in. He looked good, his hair was shorter and the freckles on his face were more defined, as if he had been in the sun. It suited him well. And he looked like he had filled out a little. The rest of him though was dishevelled and wonky.
“Why not, Teddy?”
“Because I want to see you, not her!” The way he spat the last word of his sentence had me in shock a little but I realised that it was the drink talking, not him.
“Okay Teddy, but you shouldn’t be here, the shop is shut.”
“You weren’t at home so I came here instead.”
I nodded and rubbed a hand over my face. “Okay, well you need to sleep this off before you back home or Victoire will hex you into oblivion, she never did like fire whiskey.” I quickly grabbed my coat, scarf and bag and led Teddy out of the shop, locking up before grabbing his hand and disapparating to my flat.
We stumbled as we appeared in the living room and I just managed to get him onto the sofa before he collapsed on the floor. He was asleep within seconds and I smiled at him before shaking my head. I grabbed the bin and put it in front of him before turning the light off, drawing the curtains and heading to my room. Closing the door quietly, I sat down on the bed and felt like screaming.
What was I doing? Teddy shouldn’t have been here, it was a bad idea and in the morning it would be even worse. We hadn’t seen each other in 4 years and now here he was, asleep, drunk on my sofa. And I stupidly led him here. Deciding to deal with the consequences in the morning, I crawled into bed, not even bothering to get changed and I feel asleep almost instantaneously, into a shallow, disturbed sleep, with blue eyes clouding my mind, listening to the rain pour outside my bedroom window.
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