Chapter Four

Inevitable Shenanigans

June 1996

Florian Fourtescue of Fourtescue’s Ice Cream Parlour got in touch with me for a possible collaboration, asking me to meet him at his parlor the day after I met with the Weasleys. I thought up a couple of potential ideas to bring up but Mr. Fourtescue had previously mentioned in his letter that he had some ideas he was excited to share with me. 

I open the cream-colored door of his ice cream parlor to the scents of delicious smells of sweets. My mouth waters as I look at all the different ice cream flavors. Looking at the butterbeer flavor is quite tempting… 

“Ms. Patil,” Mr. Fourtescue calls with a bright smile on his face.

“Hello, Mr. Fourtescue. How are you?” I smile back, stepping up to him to shake hands.

“I'm doing great, thank you for asking. And you?”

“Quite well, thank you. You said you had a couple of ideas you’d like to share with me in a possible collaboration. I have to tell you I’m very excited to hear them,” smiling again bashfully.

“Ah, yes of course. Follow me, we can have a seat in my office." He leads me to the back of the store behind the counter. I follow him through the door and have a seat in front of his desk. 

He sits behind his desk and begins discussing his idea of incorporating some of my ingredients and potions into his store. I bring up a couple ice cream flavors that are commonly found in my culture, exclaiming how delicious they are. 

“This collaboration will be quite a hit. The usage of mango kulfi along with the specialty serving dish will be well sought after.” Mr. Fortescue smiles brightly. 

“What do you think of adding some extra fruit on top such as; small mango slices, pistachios, and possibly some sort of light fruit syrup?” I ask as I watch his reaction. 

“That would be amazing and certainly something I would want to try right now!” He laughs. 

We go over some of the details and decide it would be best for Mr. Fortescue to come up with a financial plan for the quantity of ingredients needed and prices. I decided to take on marketing the ice cream and setting up a sort of customer deal to entice people. Perhaps a deal like; if you buy Mango Kulfi ice cream then you get a couple galleons off the total price when shopping at my store or vice versa. 

Mr. Fortescue and I shake hands, grinning like children. We say our goodbyes and I take leave. Passing by the stores in Diagon Alley I begin people-watching. I see families pulling each other this way and that way to show each other items. Couple talking while strolling down the path, hand in hand. I arrive at my shop and head inside. 

This week has been very productive and I feel a sense of relief wash over me. I think of my father and feel pride in myself. I will prove to him that I have made the right decision in the course of my future. I only wonder if he’ll ever come to see what I’ve created with my own money and skills. 

I tidy up the shop before heading to my loft. I enter my home and kick my shoes off to the side along with my other pairs of scattered shoes. Going into the kitchen I follow my new routine and make a cup of tea with a spoonful of honey. 

Looking down at the counter I see one of my muggle pens. George’s comment from last night circled through my head once more. He definitely remembered. I had grabbed the juggle pens out of habit because they are easier to use in all honesty, but perhaps subconsciously I hadn’t just grabbed them. Maybe I wanted to see if he remembered that memory as well as I did. 

“He has become more handsome and even taller since the last time I saw him,” I think and begin to feel that same warmth spread through me once more. 

I shake that thought away and take a sip on my tea only to realize it had gone a bit cold. “These thoughts need to stop immediately,” I sigh as I heat up my tea with my wand. 

❇❇❇

The next day I woke up to the sound of tapping on glass. I open my eyes to see a familiar owl. Getting up from bed and allowing the bird entry to my home only to have my owl start hooting excitedly. The owl flies in to rest on Kali’s cage as both owls hoot happily at each other. I untie the letter attached to the Carrow Twins' bird and feed him a small treat. 

Adi,

My sweet love,

O’ how I miss thy presence when you are not near, 

My heart aches with… longing… I don’t care for this joke anymore.

Are you busy tonight? If not, let's get absolutely smashed. I know it’s a weekday but Flora and I had a family event the other night and are in dire need of some fun. 

With love, 

Your favorite twins 

Rolling my eyes at Hestia’s dramatics I quickly write a reply stating, 

You’re on. Three Broomsticks at 9. Firewhisky only; that is if you think you’re bold enough.

I tie the letter onto their owl and send him off after a couple extra treats. 

I get dressed and make some breakfast only to realize what time it is. I take my breakfast down to the shop to eat so I am not late for the day. Most of the morning and afternoon pass in a blur of helping customers, taking specialty orders, and packing away some ingredients for this evening's meeting with the Weasley twins. 

Before finishing the day, a woman with black and platinum blonde hair enters the store. I watch her as she browses through the store looking at various items and ingredients. She sees what she’s looking for and comes to the counter with her very few items. Her face is aristocratic and extremely familiar. 

Malfoy. I think to myself. 

“Good afternoon, have you found everything you were looking for?” I smile as I start counting up the total. 

“Yes, I have.” She hesitates. “May I ask you something in confidence?”

I look up as her eyes bore into my own and nod slowly. 

“Do you have any potions that will sustain a hair color for a longer period? This blonde coloration is beginning to weaken the health of my hair.” 

I stare at her for a moment, dumbfounded. Looking from the dark hair in contrast to the platinum blonde. I genuinely thought that was natural, Narcissa Malfoy. 

“I don’t believe I do at the moment, but I can concoct a solution to this… if you would like.” I hand her a notebook and specialty quill to write down her contact information. I looked up at her once more, “If you fill this paper out I can contact you within a week to remedy this.” 

She nods once and writes down her information in the most elegant handwriting I have ever seen. I tell her the total of the items to which she pays. As she departs I wish her a good evening and begin to lock up the shop a bit early for the night. 

Once inside my loft, I peek at the clock. It reads 4:58 in the evening. I need to eat quickly to have enough time for my meeting with the Weasleys so I opt for some cereal and a banana. Making sure I have what I need from my loft, I run back down to the shop and grab my bag of ingredients and potions we might need for tonight.

Locking the door behind me, I walk up the path towards the Weasley twins’ joke shop. I breathe a sigh thinking about how hot today is and how heavy this bag weighs on my shoulder. Luckily, our shops aren’t that far from each other. 

The joke shop stands out so vibrantly against the average-looking stores. I pause in my trek as I watch the mechanical statue reveal the rabbit hidden in his hat. Baffled by the genius marketing they’ve done to stand out, I walk towards the giant red-headed statue. 

A smile graces my face as I look in through the window. All joyous as laughter shines brightly from within. I open the door and hear a chime signaling a patron to the owners. Looking around the store it is bedecked in various inventions and colorful packaging. The store is colored in vibrant shades of orange and purple. Mini fireworks go off along with the sounds of old-school car horns, booms, and shrieks of laughter.

“Would you like a tour?”

I turn to see Fred in his purple and orange suit. I try to casually look around to see if George will be joining us soon however I see him talking to a customer. Turning my gaze back to Fred I give a nod and follow his lead. 

“You both have such a wide array of products. I’m stunned at all you’ve created,” I smile looking at all around me.

“Thanks, it was a lot of work but worth every second,” he pauses, “If you’d like-”

“Excuse me, could you tell me if this is safe for my eight-year-old to have?” a customer interrupts.

“Yes, of course. One moment please,” he turns to me and points at a side door near the back of the store, “you can put your bag in that room over there,  it’s unlocked so you can also set up your supplies if you’d like. I’ll be back soon.” He turns away and follows the customer to discuss the age rating of the product. 

I make my way through the crowd, weaving around running children, parents, and alike. Opening the door to the room, I realize this is their workshop. Seeing a bit of free space on the table I move forward, placing my bag on the floor and displaying my stuff on the small section. Once I finish with that I take a look around the small room. There are papers and pieces of inventions littered all over the place; on tables, chairs, shelves, and the floor. I pick up a piece of paper titled Pranks for Parents?; I chuckle at some of the ideas and side comments about the plausibility of such products.

“Excuse me, Miss, your Slytherin is showing.” I jump as George’s voice draws. I feel my cheeks tint boldly with color as embarrassment courses through me. I turn around, putting on my best poker face.

“You’re the one who left precious notes lying about for anyone to see. I simply was doing as I was told; waiting here for the both of you,” I challenge, lifting my head defiantly. A grin begins to bloom across his face and I start to feel cornered.

“You always do as you're told, is that it?” My cheeks tint again.

A pop sound ricocheted from within the room following a shatter then complete darkness. A gasp escapes me as I whip out my wand. 

“Lumos!” George and I call out. Light fills the room from our wands and we’re able to see once again. I look at George who is already looking at me, checking that I'm okay. I think I see his cheeks start to redden but he turns and calls out, “Accio lightbulb!” and quickly opens the door.

A bulb flies through the room as he catches it mid-air. He walks towards the middle of the room and tries to look at the damage. 

“Could you join me over here, please? I need your light,” he looks over at me as I walk to stand beside him.

“Be careful,” I say before he touches the broken bulb.  

“I will. Come closer and hold that light steady.” I do as I'm told and I'm reminded of what he had said earlier. I watch him unscrew the broken lightbulb and begin putting the new one in one-handed. I trace his arms to his shoulders and finally settle my gaze on his side profile. I always knew people thought he was good-looking but Salizar, when did he become so attractive to me? 

He turns to look down at me, feeling my eyes on him. Feeling a shiver run down my spine as he gazes into my eyes, flicking down to my lips for a moment and back up.

“Bloody hell, why’s it so dark in here?” Fred calls. I jump back as George turns back to the light giving it one more twist. Light floods the room once again and a broom catches my peripheral vision. I walk over to grab it and start sweeping the glass on the floor. 

“Something popped off one of the designs and hit the light. I had to get another lightbulb to fix it,” George shrugs as he walks to the trash to throw out the broken bulb.

“Oh, I see. Personally, I would've just cast the repairing charm,” I feel myself and George freeze. Fred turns towards my stuff on the table, looking at all the different items I brought with me. 

“Well, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to work,” Fred calls over his shoulder.