They landed with a stumble in the courtyard of the Leaky Cauldron the lead to Diagon Alley. She had just assumed that Fred would want to go back to his flat, but now she thought about it she felt a blush creep into her cheeks. They hadn't had chance to speak yet, he might hate her for all she knows.

"I suppose I'll lead the way seeing as you've probably forgotten it you've been gone that long," Fred quipped, suddenly very annoyed as it sunk just how easy it would have been for her to come home. A few seconds; that's all it would have taken her, but instead she had been gallivanting around France, whilst he was home worried out of his mind.

Fred lead them up to Diagon Alley, to one of the only stores that didn't look to be struggling or shut down.

She had to say, she was incredibly impressed by it. As they had walked up the alley she'd been taken aback by how many shops were boarded up, yet theirs looked well kept and very well stocked, as though it was ready for another busy day. The inside of the shop was also very impressive, with rows upon rows of all sorts of products, everything bright, colourful and everything the outside world wasn't anymore. She wanted to tell Fred how impressed and proud she was, but after his snide comment in the court yard, she didn't feel it was the moment.

He was still clearly angry and wasn't in the mood for such the came up the stairs and through the front door, Ella saw George and Angelina (who'd been sat at the kitchen table) jump at slam of the door as Fred flung it open. She once again felt her cheeks flush in embarrassment as she saw her friends' eyes widen in surprise at the sight of her. Had they all really believed she'd never come back? But then again, she didn't even know if she'd have ever come back if Fred hadn't bumped into kitchen was a warm and inviting room. It reminded her of a less chaotic version of the burrow, with its slanted roof and mismatched furniture. The kitchen units were all wooden units that were painted a baby blue with a warm stone coloured surface. Plates and crockery were stack haphazardly on the wall shelves and the table was a small oak table, with four mismatched chairs pulled around it; one oak with lime green legs, another all a dark ochre, another a light shade of ochre with a bright orange cushioned seat and the final chair was an antique white with faded pink flower painted decoratively up the legs. Nothing in their kitchen matched, but it was so charming and friendly that it was the type of place that could only be home to one of the Weasley.

The four of them all sort of just stood there, frozen. Angelina was the first to move.

"Ella!" She said warmly, but clearly trying not to be too enthusiastic. "It's so lovely to see you. George and I were just on our way out but we'll catch up tomorrow or something," She smiled, hugging her best friend tightly. She was clearly relieved that Ella was back and okay, even if she was lying about already being on their way out. Angelina was in sweatpants, she clearly hadn't planned on leaving the flat again that evening but she knew that Fred and Ella needed time to talk things over without being , grabbed hers and George's jackets, before grabbing George himself, and dragged him out the door. They were probably going to visit the burrow and let the rest of the Weasleys know that the prodigal girlfriend was back door shut behind them, the slam rang across out the deathly silence.

When Ella found the courage to look up, she saw Fred's eye's boring into her, making her squirm uneasily. She'd gone away to try and find herself, that fierceness, fearless streak again, but in truth she'd returned more of a coward than ever. In hindsight, leaving in the first place was a cowardly move. But if running away was cowardly then maybe she'd be always been a coward and just not realised it.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Fred spoke, his voice sounding cold and harsh, dragging her out of her own self-pity.

"I...err...what do you...er...what do you want to know?" She stammered, curing herself for sounding so sketchy and flighty. For sounding as though with one wrong move from Fred, she'd apparate away again. Just like that.

"Well let's start with the beginning and with why?" He said, his icy façade cracking, revealing enough of a glimpse of how distraught he'd been when she'd left so that it nearly broke Ella's heart. No, this wasn't about her. This was about Fred and doing whatever she could to make it up to him. Once again, she'd fucked things up royally and it was time for her to take responsibility for once and repair the damage she'd done.

"I guess I was just overwhelmed," She stammered, realising how pathetic she sounded, but proceeded with more conviction, "So much had gone wrong for me here and losing Sirius was just the final straw. I felt like I'd lost so much of myself and needed to get it back. But when I couldn't find that in the Lake District, and with France being where I grew up, it felt like a good place to start,"

She needed him to come around. Now she was back in the same room as him she didn't know how she'd ever left. It suddenly dawned on her. The reason she couldn't find herself on her travels was because she'd left half of herself behind when she left without Fred. She would have vomited two years ago at the thought of something that sounded so cheesy but it was true. She didn't know how to be herself without him anymore. But then again she'd only truly discovered herself when she came to Hogwarts and met him. He was her other half; he was her better half.

"Okay," he nodded with an eerie calmness. Where was all the anger, the shouting and screaming that lead to them having hot, angry sex and then make up sex before they'd fall into each others' arms lovingly and live happily ever after? Maybe they'd both just grown up. "But why did you stay away for so long? I understand going away for a week or two to get some head space, but why go away for nearly four months?" He asked.

"I didn't know how to come back," She said simply, earning her a puzzled look from Fred. Of course she knew how, she'd just got them both back and it only took a matter of seconds, but before he could interject, Ella explained herself, "After I left England, I realised no one knew where I was and I wanted it to stay that way, at least for a week or so. But, then a week became a month and I was scared of your - well everyone's - reaction if I just waltzed back home like nothing had happened, so I stayed longer. But staying longer only made me more scared of coming back and then it dawned on me; I wouldn't even know where to go back to anymore. Where I'd call home. And so it became a vicious circle," She sighed, realising how pathetic it all sounded.

"But what I don't understand is why you couldn't at least get in touch to say you were okay," he said, his tone rising now, "did you even think about how worried I might be. It's a dark world out there Elle! I listened to that bloody radio every fucking day," He said emphasising every syllable as though they were a word in their own right, "Every day I sat and listened to all the casualty reports, just to check you weren't dead! Did you even think about that?! I was out of my mind with worry!" He slammed his hands down on the table, springing up from his seat.

"I didn't," She admitted with a heavy heart, "I didn't think Fred and I'm so, so sorry," She pleaded, a single tear rolling down her cheek as she willed herself not to shed anymore. He was right. She hadn't spared a thought for what her departure might have done to him and those she loved. She couldn't even begin to imagine how she'd feel if the roles were revered. Quite simply, she was mortified that she'd been such a prick without even realising it.

Fred just looked at hers, his eyes boring into hers, looking set yet relieved; furious yet happier than she'd seen him for a long time. The atmosphere around them was humming with electricity, neither dared speak or move.

Eventually, Fred sighed and opened his arms out, engulfing Ella in a hug. "I really have missed you," He sighed into her hair, kissing her on top of the head.

Ella, beaming from ear to ear, hugged him back, tilting her head upwards to kiss him properly. She reached up for his lips, suddenly desperately hungry to feel his touch. But just as they were about to kiss, Fred stopped, their mouths hovering just centimetres from each others.

"Ever leave like that again and that's it," He whispered, not threateningly, but it was a definite warning, "The pain of thinking I've lost you is too much and I've already gone through it too much. I can't do it again. Next time you take off with no warning, or decide breaking up is easier than dealing with whatever's going on; it will be the end. I can't take anymore heart break," He sighed, and for the first time ever, Ella genuinely believed Fred was about to cry.

But she never got chance to see if he was as before she had chance to respond, their lips crashed together desperately, hungrily, eagerly. Their bodies ached for each touch, each brush of skin. Before either of them consciously realised what they were doing, they had made their way to the bedroom, their lips never parting other than to discard another item of clothing, making a trail behind them from the kitchen.

"I need you," Ella panted as Fred pushed her onto the bed.

"Shh," He hushed her, showering her naked body with kisses all over, before making his way to the clitoris. She was so desperate for him, it only took a few expert movements of Fred's tongue before she was writhing in sheer ecstasy.

After what felt like hours of the same intense carnal pleasure and bliss, the fell to the bed, each of them trying to catch their breath.

"Wow," Fred panted with a smirk on his face.

"Wow indeed."

~~~~~~~~C~~~~~~~

Neither of them woke until about 11am the next morning. They'd really needed a long rest after the events of the previous day. Eventually, Ella dragged herself to the kitchen, her makeup from the night before still smudged under her eyes. She was surprised to sea George in there, making a cup of tea, rather than working in the shop.

"Morning," She said in a cheery voice. After last night, there wasn't much that could ruin her great mood. For the first time in a while, she really felt as though everything was going to be fine.

But to her surprise, George just grunted at her, took his cup of tea and went back to slump onto the sofa in the adjoining living room, which was decorated equally as mismatched as the kitchen. Ella just shrugged it off. Maybe becoming a business owner hadn't made him anymore of a morning person than he was when he was a student.

Ella set to making bacon sandwiches for her and Fred - who had probably dozed back to sleep by now - not long before Angelina wandered in, looking as composed and ready for the day as ever. Ella had always envied what a morning person she was. People who could get up early and actually function in a morning must be so much more productive.

"Morning Elle," Angelina grinned, hugging her friend from behind, happy to for the four of them to all be living together.

"Morning," Ella replied, "Who's manning the shop today?" She asked, the question of why they were all up here suddenly dawning on her.

"It's a sunday. The shop is closed on a sunday," Ang shrugged and smiled, putting the kettle back to boil, "Want a cuppa?"

"Oo, yes please," Ella replied, before continuing, "So in that case, what are your plans for the day?" She asked tentatively.

"Nothing much, I suppose I can take a day off from job hunting," She sighed.

"Oh shit yeah, how did you do in your NEWTs?" Ella exclaimed, having completely forgotten the results during her summer of traveling.

"I got two Os and an E," Angelina beamed.

"OH MY GOD!" Ella squealed in delight. "That's amazing Ang, I knew you could do it," She gushed, before dread pitted in the bottom of her stomach. Oh shit, what about her NEWT in DADA.

"Talking of results," Angelina grinned, pealing herself away from Ella's excitable clutch, she moved over to a draw and pulled out an envelope, "this came for you when you were...away," She said hesitantly, tiptoeing around the situation, not sure as to whether it was still a sore subject.

Ella took it with shaking hands and nervously opened it. Please be good, please be good, she muttered to herself. As she opened it she gave a little squeal.

"Well?" Angelina asked expectantly, knowing it couldn't be that bad looking at her friend's face.

"I got an O," Ella said, smiling her broad ear to ear smile. She genuinely couldn't believe how well things were falling into place and kicked herself even more for staying away for so long. She could have lost all this. Her friends, her family, her boyfriend and her future. Although her grade didn't matter too much to her. She already knew she was going to work in the joke shop with the twins. After all, her and Harry were the twins' benefactors.

"That's amazing!" Angelina, repeated the squealing and hugging process, earning them a scowl from George.

"Girls," He chuntered, causing Angelina to grab the nearest kitchen roll and throw it at the back of his head.

"So what were you about to propose for us to do today?" Angelina prompted, remembering what had lead them to this conversation topic.

"Oh yeah," Ella laughed at how easily side-tracked they were. God it felt good to be back with her best friend, "Well how do you fancy a little shopping? All my clothes are back in France. I had to leave in sort of a rush," She said, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment.

"Er, HELL YES!" Angelina yelled with a giggle.

The two were too wrapped up in talking about where they'd go first, that they forgot all about the bacon until George piped up.

"What the fuck is that smell"? He grunted from where he was sat.

"FUCK!" Ella cursed as she turned to see her bacon black and quite frankly, lucky not to be on fire. Oh well, a girly breakfast out it would be then.

~~~~~~~~~C~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, Ella came out her bedroom, dressed in her jeans from the day before, a backless long-sleeved black top she'd borrowed from Angelina. She'd also borrowed some eyeliner, mascara and light red lipstick from Angelina. Ella's hair fell down to just above her waist, in light brown tousled curls.

"Ang," She called, knocking on hers and George's bedroom door.

George came to the door and opened it with a stern glare.

"She's just in the toilet," he said monotonously.

Ella just looked at him quizzically for a moment. She couldn't tell if he was just in a bad mood or whether this was personal, but he'd definitely been less the friendly to her since she'd returned.

"Okay," Ella said slowly, not wanting to cause more drama since she'd only just arrived from her massive fuck up of a summer. But she knew she just had to get it out in the open, "Er, George," She said hesitantly before he had chance to close the door in her face.

"What?" He snapped.

Okay, the boy definitely had a problem with her.

"Is everything okay? I mean, like, are we okay?"

George just looked her up and down for a moment sizing her up.

"Well that depends," He said bluntly.

"On what?"

"On whether you're going to abandon my brother again and leave him a total wreck?" He said raising a single eyebrow, causing Ella to blush. She was still absolutely mortified about running away. In hind sight, it had been such a stupid move. She'd just caused one hundred problems that wouldn't have arisen if she'd just stayed and like a normal person supported those around her in through a hard time, and allow them to the same for her.

"I promise. I can't believe I did it in the first place and then became too ashamed to come back. But George," She said seriously, looking him dead in the eyes, "I love your twin more than life itself and I promise with all my heart that I will never be the cause of his pain again," She said confidently and she meant it.

"Well in that case," He said with a pause, although Ella could have sworn she said a hint of the famous Weasley twin smirk, "welcome back and make yourself at home here. What's ours is yours and I can't wait to live and work with you Ella," He said with a smile, giving her a big hug.

"Thanks George," Ella said as they hugged and she really meant it. She had such amazing friends and had nearly lost them, not for the first, because of her own ignorance.

"He really loves you, you know," George said as he released Ella, "He was an absolute mess once you'd disappeared from the Lake District,"

"I know," Ella said, feeling the blush creep to her cheeks again, "And I love him. If you don't mind me asking, how did he find me in France?"

George just smiled and motioned a zip closing across his lips.

"Let's just say it was magic."

~~~~~~~~~C~~~~~~~~~

"So we've got you six new jumpers, four pairs of shoes, ten tops, seven pairs of jeans, some new underwear, new makeup, ten new t-shirts, four new dresses and some sexy lingerie for all that sex that kept me up last night," Angelina winked teasingly, "We done yet? I'm exhausted," she laughed, not sure she'd ever been so tired after shopping. Ella had shopped ruthlessly.

They were currently wandering down a very crowded Oxford Street in muggle London. They'd already shopped and conquered Selfridges, Covent Garden, Bond Street, Regent Street and Camden market. Less familiar with muggle London than Ella, Angelina had no idea how expansive the city way as dearly hoped that they'd done all the shopping possible. A darker part of her mind had been hoping Ella's card would get declined for the best of the previous hour, but apparently Ella had anticpated the cost well when they'd visited Gringotts at the start of their trip.

"Not quite yet," Ella smiled impishly, "I don't know about you but I need go sit down and have a coffee," to which Angelina agreed hastily and the pair found a little independent coffee shop off of one of the side streets.

When she sat down, Angelina reckoned she'd never been so thankful for a seat, nor had her legs ever hurt so much without doing a sport. Wizards were clearly just made to apparate, rather than walk. Yes that was it, walking was for muggles. She may still be incredibly fit from her quidditch, she just didn't have the stamina for shopping. From now on she'd agree when Ella stated that proper shopping was a sport, rather than laugh at her, she thought to herself.

"So Ang," Ella said, as the waiter brought Ella her cappuccino and Angelina her black Americano, "how's the job hunt going?"

"Shit," Angelina said bluntly, "We're on the brink of a war and no one's in a rush to hire. To be quite honest, all I want to do is go pro in quidditch and I'm sure you can apprieciate there's not an awful lot of those jobs flying around at the minute - if you pardon the pun," She joked terribly, causing Ella to snort, sending her coffee straight up and out her nose, which in turn reduced the two girls into fits of laughter.

When they finally recomposed themselves, it was Angelina that managed to speak without laughing first, "So what are you going to do now? You going back to Hogwarts?"

"No, I don't think so," Ella shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant.

"How come?" Angelina asked, surprised that Ella wasn't planning on going back as soon as possible. She was so clever, focused and driven. She was the kind of student that thrived of work and doing well.

"I'm not, you know, it just didn't feel right. You lot had all left and at the end of the day, a war's coming and soon and who cares about exam results when its going to be bedlam out there," Ella shrugged again. All of a sudden exams felt so unimportant, "Who knows how long we'll have before the war really starts. I want to spend every minute with the people I love most," excluding Harry obviously. It would be amazing to see him more, but c'est la vie.

Angelina sighed. As much as she wished she wasn't, she knew her friend was right. They were on a brink of a war and who knew how many of them would survive.

They continued to catch up in the little coffee shop until it started to go dark, until Angelina said out of the blue,

"How are you? You seem really happy,"

"I am happy. I feel as though everything's falling into place and you know what? I feel ready for this war."

~~~~~~~~~C~~~~~~~~~

A/N:

Annnnnd, that's a wrap guys! But don't worry guys, the sequel will be out shortly! You can find it on my page and it's called 'Where the Sun Goes Down'. I hope you've all enjoyed this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Please keep reviewing and get behind the sequel as well as you have this one. Love you all

xoxo - C