Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or places you recognize. If you don't recognize it and go to check it and there's no proof, then assume its mine. But otherwise, the majority belongs to the ever amazing JK Rowling.

When I got to work a few days after my lunch with Angelina, I saw that Chloe wasn't there. George was walking around with his hands in his pockets. And Fred was ready to great me at the door. All in all a very peculiar morning.

"You know what I think?" he asked with a grin.

"I didn't even know you thought. So no, what do you think?"

"I think that we need to spend more time together," he propositioned.

"What? Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Well I wasn't expecting it. Especially this early in the morning. Is it reconnecting with Katie week or something?"

"No. I don't know. I wanted to talk to you about Chloe."

"Oh no. I want nothing to do with this. Just call me Australia."

"Australia?"

"When did you ever see them in a world war?"

"Fair point."

"Right."

"Right."

"Right, so this is awkward."

"Since when have we ever had awkward conversations?"

"Since you fell in love?" I sang.

"I did not fall in love."

"Now you're lying to me?"

"Yes. Yes I am."

"Fred!"

"What?"

I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'm going to get to work." I spun around to take my place at the counter (I was on cash register duty for the week) and I collided right into George. He fumbled with something in the air for a second before snatching it back and stuffing it into his pocket. I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Nothing, nothing."

"George?"

"Nothing." He smirked. "So Katie."

"So George."

"Right."

"Right."

"Why is today so awkward?" I shouted. No one answered me so I continued. "So what did you almost drop?"

"A box."

"And what was in said box?"

"I can't tell you."

I scoffed. "And why not?"

"I just can't. You'll find out sooner or later."

"But, George, you're pretty much my best friend."

"Could have fooled me."

"Funny."

I looked at him for a minute, a death glare in my eye. He didn't flinch or cower so I continued to go back to the register. Once I got there, the stupid clock chimed that it was nine o'clock.

"What the bloody hell is that?" one of the little men said.

"What do you mean 'what the bloody hell is that?' What do you think it is? It's the bloody clock, you twit!" the other little man said.

"I know it's the bloody clock. But what's it doing chiming at this hour?" the first one asked.

"Well, why don't you ask it?"

"Why don't you?"

"I don't want to!"

"I think you should!"

"You live in the bloody thing!"

"Why I oughta!"

They started wrestling around for a bit before I ignored them and turned to the cash register. I happened to glance out the window to see a very familiar looking person walking by the shop. Without a second thought, I ducked under the counter. Slowly, I looked over the edge of the counter. My Mum was staring sternly at the sign in the window. I ducked back down.

"This is not good," I said, going as close to inside the counter as I could. If I moved stuff around, I probably could have fit in there, but that wasn't going to happen. I was not about to attract attention to myself.

"What is not good?"

I screamed.

"Jesus, Fred!" I whispered, clutching the top of my head, which I bashed when he scared the hell out of me.

"What's not good?" he repeated.

"My mum is right outside the shop! What is she doing here?" I whispered, panic all across my face.

"That's your Mum?" Fred asked, astonished. He peered over the edge of the counter to get a better look.

"Yes! She doesn't know I work here! This is not good." Breathe, Katie. Breathe in through the nose, out through the mouth. In. Out. In. Out.

The bell to the shop jingled.

"Katie?" a voice called out to me, scaring me out of my skin.

With a sigh of relief, I relaxed. It was just Chloe. "Yeah?" I called back quietly not exactly sure if she could hear me and not willing to give up my hiding spot on the ground.

"A woman out there is looking for you. She claims to be your mum," Chloe said. I almost started hyperventilating. Sweet innocent Chloe has no idea what she had just done.

"And did you tell her that I was in here?" I asked, though the only person that could possibly hear me would be Fred.

"Katie?"

"Yeah?"

"I think she wants you to go out there?"

Slowly but carefully, I stood up. At first, when I saw her hard gaze meet my terrified one I cringed. I tried to straighten my back and walk out there with dignity but what I looked like was a puppy that needed to piddle.

"Katie," my mother growled in disappointment.

"Yes, Mum?" I asked. My hands were folded together as I looked down at my feet. If I looked innocent, maybe she won't feed me to the neighbor's dog, a poodle. A poodle that they dyed baby blue. A baby blue poodle. When Amy was little she thought it was cotton candy. They dye the poor thing once every three months.

"This does not look like a book shop, Katie," she said, her voice icy.

"Really, Mrs. Bell. I think it looks very much like a book shop." George appeared out of nowhere behind me. "As you can see in our window display, there's books on thousands of different spells and charms. And even potions." He nodded with enthusiasm.

"This was not the bookshop you said you worked in. This, in fact, is a joke shop," she said now glaring at George. Just look away, George. Just look away. He didn't hold her gaze for long before looking back at the shop.

"Yeah, I know but if you knew I worked here you'd have a cow and I-"

"You're damn right I'd have a cow. You're not supposed to take after your sister! You're supposed to do something reasonable with your life!"

"What do you mean reasonable? This is a steady job! Have you seen the gold these two make in a week?"

Flustered, my mother crossed her arms and stood her ground. "You're on restriction!"

"Restriction?" I asked, shocked. This woman is insane! "For getting myself a steady job- at the age of eighteen, mind you!- on my own?"

"For getting an irresponsible job! Why not a desk job?" I bet if we weren't in public, she'd be holding her hair in her fists.

"She works at the counter sometimes," George perked in.

"Shut up, George," I said, closing my eyes and counting to ten. But that never ever works.

"The counter? The counter? That's worse than working as an assistant in a cubicle! You could have risen to be the head of an office!"

"But I don't want to be head of an office! I want to work in a joke shop! With my friends!"

"Just like your sister, you are! Irresponsible. Not planning ahead. I should just be glad you didn't run off with a musician or a Quidditch player!" she said.

My stomach dropped as she said that. "Mum, wait-" But she had already apparated off. My arm hung limply in the air from where I tried to grab her arm so she wouldn't leave.

"You don't think she knows about Amy and David, do you?" I asked George, not turning to face him. My voice was soft, pathetic. If she found out about Amy, I don't know what I'll do. What would she do? Oh, God. If only Dad were here. He'd knock some sense into Mum. Hell, he would have found Amy dating a Quidditch player like David fantastic and the fact that I was working in a Quidditch shop making tons of money, amazing. Why can't Mum and me see eye to eye?

"I don't know," George said. I turned to face him only to find that he was grinning. "You're Mum's a feisty woman, isn't she?"

"Feisty?" I asked in disbelief. "Try neurotic."

We walked back into the shop, George still chucking.

"And she put you on restriction," he snickered.

"Shove off."

"Who's on restriction?" Fred asked, appearing at my left.

"Katie's Mum put her on restriction."

"Shove off," I said again, but grinned.

"Mind of a lion, that one," Fred said.

"Heart of a sparrow," George continued, his hands to his heart as he dreamily stared off into space. Fred and I looked at him for a second before laughing.

"Oh the time's when we used to be on restriction. Remember those days, George?" Fred asked faintly, going off into one of his own little memory.

"Ah yes. We'd get locked in separate broom cupboards-"

"-and use Ron as a messenger-"

"-but the prat would always mess up the messages-"

"-and then Mum would find out-"

"-because he'd tell her that we'd have a pet cat by the pond-"

"-instead of finding a rat that looked blond."

They both rolled their eyes.

"I can't believe she did that though. I'm eighteen. She can't put an eighteen year old on restriction!" I complained.

"You're Mum put you on restriction?" I heard Chloe ask from the other side of the shop in disbelief. "What for?" News travels fast.

"For having an 'irresponsible' job. Her word not mine," I said with a sigh. "This is ridiculous."

"Sounds it."

It's times like these when I think I need my own place. I mean, Fred and George have their flat over the shop. Chloe's got her flat in muggle London. Both Alicia and Angelina have their own places. Why can't I get my own flat? I really should start looking into that.

After about an hour of working, there was a tap on the window. I walked over to the door to fetch the owl (why it didn't go through the owl hatch, I don't know). It immediately hopped on my head and started pecking it, like a woodpecker. Which is obnoxious. I snatched the letter from its beak and gave it one of the crackers we keep behind the counter, for the owls or us.

I saw my sister's big loopy writing on the front. Katie Bell, it said with a stick figure next to my name with a huge smile on its face. I grinned to myself and tore open the letter.

Dear Katie,

I know this might be somewhat of a disappointment to you, but I've got some news. Remember, when we were little and we had our weddings planned out. You'd be my maid of honor and I'd be yours. My bridesmaid dresses would be violet, while yours would be green. You'd have the big poofy one with lots of lace (I was four, sue me) and mine would have a veil from here to mars.

Mum would always come in and tell us to stop playing pretend and to help her with the dishes but once we'd finish, we'd go right back to playing. You wanted to marry Ernie MacRen. Do you remember him? The nerdy little kid who lived next door to Aunt Fay? I wanted to marry Harold Grant, the boy we met at the park that one time. Do you remember him?

But I've learned that make pretend isn't always as fun as the real thing. Do you know why Katie?

Because I eloped. Well, David and I just eloped. I know what you're thinking. 'She's only known him for a few weeks! What is she doing?' But, to be honest Katie, I've never ever felt this way.

Right now we're in Peru. We left this morning while you and Mum were asleep (she doesn't know yet) and we'll be back tomorrow morning. No one will be the wiser. Sure, I'll tell Mum eventually and we can have a fake ceremony or something then but for now, I'm married and you have an international Quidditch star for a sister and a brother-in-law.

Don't worry; I had this gut feeling that what I was doing was right. But I've got to go, David is calling and we're going to go site seeing.

Love you. See you soon.

-Amy

P.s. David says hello and he said to tell you we saved you a piece of cake.

It took me about half a minute before I could breathe again. The shock died down a bit and I realized that there were tears streaming down my face. I saw my reflection in the window and saw a goofy grin and wet cheeks. I was crying from happiness. My sister is married. I had an international Quidditch star for a brother. Someone both my dorm mates and I dreamt about for years.

Of course, I wasn't invited, but I can't think of that right now. They did, however, save me cake, for which I was grateful.

"Katie?" I heard an astonished Chloe say from behind me. "Katie, are you crying?"

I nodded, not able to find my voice.

My sister, my best friend, got married! I have a brother-in-law. And I could possibly be an aunt soon! Auntie Katie. Aunt Kat. Little nephew Roger or niece Tabatha. Those were the names I chose for her kids when I was about five. She chose Thomas and Heather for mine.

"What's wrong?" she asked, snatching the letter out of my hand.

"Ernie MacRen?" Chloe asked in shock. She started to double over in laughter. I focused my eyes on her before wiping the joy tears away.

"What? What's so funny?" I asked, confused.

"Ernie MacRen." She gasped for breath. "He's…he's my cousin! You have a crush on my cousin?" Talk about ironic. I hate it sometimes when you never think you'll hear about something again and it horribly comes back to bite you in the butt. It's just… no.

"No he isn't!" I said with a sniffle, shocked. "He is not your cousin! I don't believe you!"

"He is! He's about seventeen now," Chloe said thoughtfully.

I groaned. "I was four!"

"That's a lie."

"I was!"

"I'm going to have to invite him over."

"I will kill you," I growled.

"Set you two up," she continued.

"Chloe, don't even…"

"And you'll go out on a date…"

"Oh, my God."

"And then you'll get married."

"Chloe…"

"And have a bunch of mini Ernie's."

"Gross!"

"And Katie's, of course."

"Oh, Jesus."

"And we'll be cousins!"

"Oh, my God, Chloe!"

"Who's going to be cousins?" Fred asked, walking into our conversation. They have a natural habit of coming in at the most random times.

Chloe flung an arm around my shoulder and said, "Katie and me of course!"

Fred had an amused smirk on her face. "How does that work?" he asked.

"She's going to marry my cousin Ernie! You've met him!"

"No, I met Frank. I've heard about Ernie, though. Amusing chap he is," Fred said.

"Was it Frank you met?" Chloe asked thoughtfully. My letter was still clutched in her right hand. I snatched it back and put it in my back pocket.

"Yes."

"Oh, well, I'm having Ernie come over soon to meet Katie so they can get married and we can be cousins. Is that okay with you?" Chloe asked Fred, her brown eyes big and innocent.

"Why sure," Fred said.

This started to gross me out so I turned to George who was walking out of the storage room.

"Hey, George. Guess what?" I said to him, cutting him off. I took the top box of his Grow A 'Stache (Put this on and you'll be a stallion!) and walked over to the shelf with the rest of the Grow a 'Stache's.

"What?" he asked, his face turning red and his breathing getting a bit heavy from carrying the boxes.

"My sister just got married!"

"What?" George asked, almost dropping the box on my foot. "I thought she was dating that Quidditch guy."

"Not any more." I grinned. "They're married. They eloped this morning. How fantastic is that?"

"Why weren't you in it?" George asked.

"Because I was sleeping, obviously."

George rolled his eyes. "Why'd they elope, then?"

"I think because they didn't want my Mum to know, which is ridiculous because she's going to find out eventually, like when Amy gets pregnant. But maybe then she'll just be relieved that she is married and having kids as apposed to not."

"Traditionalist, then?" I nodded. "Fun."

"It makes it ten times worse that she's an international Quidditch player, as well," I added.

"Why?"

"My Mum is…one for desk jobs, if you didn't notice. She doesn't think women should be flying around on brooms or, for that matter, working at joke shops."

"Well, if you recall, our Mum wasn't all that fathomed about us opening a joke shop either."

"You also broke out of Hogwarts to do so," I reminded him.

"Only because of Umbridge. One more day with her and I would have blown up the place." I gave him a skeptical look. "Fred and I had quite a few unconventional plans brewing up that year." He quietly went back into a thoughtful memory.

It was quiet for a couple of seconds before, "Katie, if I do something completely ridiculous, you'd tell me, right?"

I looked him in the eye seeing that he was serious. "Yeah, of course." I glanced back down at the boxes I was putting on the shelf. "Why?"

"Because I think I'm going to do something completely ridiculous."

I looked up at him to see that he was fidgeting with something in his pocket. After glancing at the pocket, I looked back at him.

He pulled out a small, black velvet box and opened it revealing a medium but classy sized diamond on a silver band. My eyes went wide and my jaw dropped.

"Alicia?" I squealed, looking at him then back at the ring multiple times before I thought I might pass out.

George rolled his eyes. "No, this girl Trixy I met the other night while I was out." My eyes went wider. "Yes, Alicia, you imbecile."

"When?"

"Well, I was going to do it in a couple of days. I mean, we've been dating for a couple years now and frankly I love her."

As much as that made me want to puke, it was still cute. "Oh, George, you're growing up!" I said, hugging him around the neck. I released him and jumped up and down. "You're getting married. Who else knows?"

He grinned at me. I did just give him my blessing of course. "Well, Fred obviously. He helped me pick out the ring." A few thoughts ran through my mind at that. Fred? Picking out a ring? With George? It's bound to explode neon green paint during the wedding. Those were just a few. "That's it. Just you, Fred, and me know for now."

"I'm honored. And excited! Do you think she'll say yes?" He visibly paled. "What am I saying? Of course she'll say yes!" I felt a rush of adrenaline. "Two wedding announcements in one day. Oh bloody hell…" I sat on the floor.

"Two?" George asked, stuffing the ring back in his pocket before sitting down next to me.

"My sister eloped this morning," I murmured.

"Well, congratulations!"

"Thanks?" We both laughed nervously at the over whelming of today.

"What are you two doing down there?" Chloe asked as she appeared around the shelves. "Lazy. Come on, it's rush hour."

And indeed it was. Children looked like they were sprouting out of the walls.

When I got home that night, my mom was in hysterics trying to figure out where Amy was. Evidentally she went to wake Amy up just to see that she was gone.

"She wasn't here this morning and so I just assumed she had practice. That coach of hers works her too hard. She should have went into banking…" Banking, hospital work, ministry jobs… She's so boring.

"Mum, I'm sure Amy's fine. Why don't we go out for dinner tonight? That way you won't have to cook and we can relax."

"But where could she possibly be? I bet she's with an irresponsible boy! Not one that works at the Ministry, of course not! Why would she do what her mother says. Probably a joke shop owner. Or a door-to-door salesman. When I get my hands on him, keeping her out all day without telling her mother, I'll strangle him!"

I suppressed a laugh, knowing full well that not only was Amy with David, but she eloped and they probably did a lot more than what my mum was currently thinking about. "It's alright, Mum," I said, trying to reassure her. "If you want, I'll owl her right now. Why don't you go get dressed? I'll buy you dinner. We'll go somewhere fancy!"

Slowly she made her way upstairs, muttering to herself the whole way, to change her clothes. I found some parchment and scribbled a quick note to Amy.

Amy,

Mum's in hysterics wondering where you are. You'd better get your ass back here soon and with a good excuse. She thinks you're with a door-to-door salesman. Have your excuse book ready. I'm taking her out to dinner now to cool her nerves. Hope you enjoyed yourself.

-Katie

P.s. Tell David thanks for the cake.

Just two days later, Alicia came to visit us in the shop. George took her aside. Chloe was tending to a customer and Fred and I exchanged knowing looks. He confronted me about it while George was restocking. Slowing and sneakily, we walked to the shelf over from where George and Alicia were standing. We pushed Grow Your Own Bogey Monster boxes over so that we could get a clear view of what was going on.

Alicia's back was to us and her head was cocked to the side. I grinned at Fred as George caught our eye. He seemed to be suppressing a grin as he got down on one knee. I squealed silently, but he was only tying his shoe. I was going to eat him for that later.

After the shoe was in a knot so tight, which I'm sure no one could get unknotted, even with magic, he stood up straight.

Chloe appeared in between Fred and I. She gave us a questioning look but we both shushed her and continued to peer through the peephole we made.

"Listen Alicia," George said. He had a cocky grin on his face and his hand in his pocket. "I know this may seem kind of sudden," I could see Alicia nodding as if she knew what he was talking about, "but you know I love you more than the world…" I motioned puking to Fred who grinned. Chloe gave me a weird look before we continued paying attention again.

"What are you trying to say?" Evidently she wasn't getting it. She was always book smart but she was one of those girls who lacked common sense.

George grinned. "What I'm trying to say…" He got down on one knee. It was so cute.

"George, you just tied your shoe." It took the concentration of all of us not to openly laugh right then and there. We stayed silent for George, but Alicia's going to be in for a ton of mockery once this is over with.

He laughed a bit and reached into his pocket. "I know. That's not why I'm down here. Alicia…" He opened the box and showed her the ring. "Alicia Abigail Spinnet, will you marry me?"

She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity before breaking out into a gigantic smile and screaming, "YES!" George jumped up with delight and hugged her, spinning her around.

Fred, Chloe, and I cat called and whistled. Alicia, after being released from George and putting the gorgeous ring on her ring finger, spun around to face us in shock.

"You saw that?" We all nodded with excitement before rushing over to their isle and hugging each of them in turn.

"And you didn't even pass out," I said to George, ruffling his hair before I moved to Alicia. "You're going to be a Weasley!" I poked her shoulder. She groaned before looking at George who was being clapped on the back by Fred.

"I think it might be worth it," Alicia said, not taking her eyes off of him. Once again, sickly, but cute.

I hugged her and then looked around only to see that no less than twenty people were watching our bash. "Wave to those who just witnessed your engagement," I said to her, smiling at the crowd. Alicia turned a good shade of pink but waved all the same.

"Engagement party at my flat after work!" Chloe shouted to anyone who was listening. Alicia and George looked at her, confused. She shrugged. "Spontaneity isn't always bad."

The rest of the day went by fast, the party one huge blur. Chloe's flat was already stocked for any party, any time, with more than enough fire whiskey to feed four of Madame Maxines horses and sweets galore. A few people who were in the shop at the time actually showed up at Chloe's house bearing gifts. One woman brought her three year old who wrapped her arms around Alicia's legs and wouldn't let go. Alicia picked the little girl up and gave her a sweet before sending her off on her way.

"Chloe, I can't believe you did this!" Alicia said to Chloe while the three of us were in the kitchen.

"It's no problem. I needed to get rid of a lot of this stuff anyway." She laughed. "It's unhealthy." We grinned. Chloe turned to talk to some of the guests who were in the living room.

"Have you seen Angelina yet?" I asked Alicia. We both scoped the room but did not see our normally party girl friend. Though I wasn't absolutely positive that she would come, seeing as this party was at Chloe's house. But it was in her friends honor, and that should mean more than personal hate to another.

We both silently made our way to the dining room to see George's head completely in a bucket filled with water and apples. Alicia laughed and rolled her eyes. I made a crack about how she was the one marrying him before we noticed a dark figure in the corner.

Once we caught it's eye, we moved over and discovered Angelina sulking, though she quickly regrouped when she saw that I was with Alicia. Angelina hugged her like any normal day but didn't have the normal energetic spark in her eyes. They were dull and she wouldn't take her gaze off of Fred.

By the time I got home that night, it was well after midnight and Mum and Amy were both apparently asleep. I shut the door quietly, left my shoes on the mat, and made my way to my room. When I flipped the light switch on, I saw Amy fast asleep on my bed. Curious, I walked over her and prodded her with my finger.

She rolled over and focused on me. "Oh, you're home." She looked at the clock. "What bloody took you so long?" I rolled my eyes and walked over to my dresser to get a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt.

"Sorry, Chloe threw Alicia and George an engagement party." I snapped my mouth shut quickly after I said this and didn't turn around to face her, but I could see in my mirror that she had a surly look on her face. Amy didn't get an engagement party or a bridal shower or a bachelorette party because she eloped and you just can't have those when its spontaneous like that.

Changing the subject, I continued. "What are you doing in here anyway?"

She stretched, yawned, and stood up. "I wanted to tell you that this Saturday, Ludo Bagman is hosting a party open to Quidditch players and their guests. I wanted to know if you wanted to go." There was a wicked glint in her eye. "Oliver Wood is rumored to be there. He wouldn't let old Bagman down by not showing up to his Quidditch party."

I have to admit, there was a flip flop in my stomach but it could have been all of the fire whiskey and pumpkin pasties I ate earlier. My face heated up and I knew I was a good crimson color but I didn't let her know. I kept staring into my dresser.

"Saturday you said?" I asked, finally turning around once I felt my face cool a couple hundred degrees. She nodded. Quickly I ran through my schedule in my head. "What time?" I wanted to get a new pair of jeans that day, pathetic excuse, I know. I could just do it on Sunday, but there was a sale in Hogsmade that day.

Amy thought quickly. "Probably around seven." That would give me enough time to get my jeans and still get ready.

"Alright, I'll go. It sounds like fun."

"And you don't want to miss out on your love," Amy added with a grin. I picked my pillow up off of the floor where it fell that morning when I woke up, and threw it at her. She dropped it on the floor and started walking out of the room. "Night Katie." I heard her laugh.

"Good night, Mrs. Kinsey." She turned around and smiled big. A question popped into my head. "Shouldn't you two be living together?"

She laughed. "We're working on that. Good night."

A/n: Alright folks. Here's chapter five. Sorry it took so long. We just moved and had to get everything settled and such. Then we started using a different hard drive and I needed to get all my stuff off of this one to that one. But then I broke that one so now we're using this one. I'm not good with computers, if you couldn't tell. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Review.

Thanks for reading.

-Siriusly Klutzy

Oh, there might be a lag in writing because of the book (super-squee) and the movie (squee!). They're both wicked close and I'll need to see it, read it, and then give my self time to regroup because it's an ending legacy.