In the Era of a Legend :: (Closed to LadyShalott) :: WARNING: 18+ content

I stuck my tongue out at George jokingly as he laughed, but laughed as well, putting my hands on my hips in a bratty-manner and smiled as he spoke to Fredward, listening intently.

"I know, I know..." Fred murmured, sighing, "I don't want her to be with that jerk. Far. Far from it. But I just..." he sighed, closing his eyes, "I'm going to wait. At least a bit longer. I don't want to walk into it and her ending up not liking me, and then things getting awkward. I just..."

"It's understandable, my son," I spoke, walking up closer to the group, "But hey, come on; you have your amazing mother Ravenclaw to give you the wisdom and courage to do it," I grinned, thinking of the game that had come out in '86 that I used to play all the time, "And you have your amazing father Gryffindor to give you the courage and power as well! You also have us to beat you silly if you start to be awkward and shy," I added on, smiling innocently.

"I'm still wondering how your analogy of you guys being my parents would work out, when I'm older than you and George is my TWIN brother," Fred spoke, a laugh in his eyes at his sentence.

"...We don't question the ways of Maria. We just kinda go with it. We ALSO don't question why Maria speaks of herself in third person. We just go with that too."

"Meow" Fred looked down, feeling the cat paw at his pants leg; giving off a sigh and bending down, picking Alice up and holding her, "I suppose you guys are right..." he murmured, sighing, "I'm just... Gonna wait it out... A bit longer."

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Marcus nodded thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing in thought, "And he didn't do anything, right?" he questioned, feeling slightly overprotective of the girl, as usual. "Because you know I'm not... Fond of you being alone with him, so if he tried anything; I need to know."

He listened to her as she spoke, nodding in agreement about the tea shop, and about hanging out with one of their kind, "It's always good to be around someone like you, isn't it?" he spoke, "The Ravenclaws aren't ALL so bad, but the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs are farthest away from Slytherin's as they can be," he murmured, his eyes narrowing at the near-empty coffee cup, "I enjoy talking to you, too," he added on, looking back up at her with a soft gaze.

"I don't want you turning into someone I used to know..."

He raised an eyebrow at her words, rather confused about this, "Someone you used to know?" he questioned, knowing that if it was anyone else, he wouldn't give a damn, "What are you talking about, Jolie?"

"Everything alright over here, dears?" the shrill of the lady came squeaking again, stopping at their table to check up on them.

"Yes... Everythings fine," he spoke; his eye twitching in irritation.

"Alrighty, dears! If you need anything, just ring!" she spoke with a great smile, "And you two are an adorable couple, might I say!" she finished before immediately rushing off to check on another couple; a slight blush on Marcus's cheeks at her comment.

"Yes. Magic! Magical magic of the magic-ist!" I joked, smiling slightly as I walked up beside George, smiling at Fred encouragingly, "Don't worry, dear. It'll all work out, and we won't tell her. Listen to your brother, though. He's smarticles!" I laughed slightly, giving off a grin when Fred managed a small laugh too.

"Thank you, you two," he spoke; looking to the window of Puddifoot's once more before turning his attention to the kitten in his arms, petting her, "And thank you too, Alice," he laughed slightly, then looked back at us.

"Ahhh, you don't have to thank us. We're your parents, we're supposed to be here and give you awesome advice!" I joked, laughing, grinning with a slight blush when George laced his arm with mine, then laughed as he skipped off, dragging Fred and I with him until he stopped at Honeydukes.

"You're right, she hasn't seen it, has she?" Fred grinned at me, an eyebrow raised, "This is a problem, Maria!" Fred exclaimed, laughing slightly, watching as George moved to open the doors.

"Is it?" I questioned, tilting my head to the side as George opened the door, "It's just a- Holy shite, that's a lot of candy," I spoke, cutting myself off at the sight of the store, "I feel like a kid in a candy store now! Which is very accurate, but still!" I spoke, walking in, then turned to the two with my hands on my hips, "Masters! You are the genius's in all of Hogsmeade! What must I go to first?"

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Marcus nodded, listening to her intently, nodding at the appropriate moments, "You know..." he started, grabbing her other hand with his free hand, "I'm not going to change. I promise you that, if nothing else, Alexandria," he started, "And I'm not going to quit talking to you. You know I like you, and you know that you're mine. I'm not going to give you up that easily," he added on, looking to the window, seeing the trio gone, "He... He may not appreciate you like I do," he spoke, looking back to her, "He may not leave you. But he will never... Never be able to compare to what I'd do for you," he added on; his face pink, not used to being so... So... Mushy.

"I'm not... Not going to abandon you, okay?" he added on, sitting up straight and moving one of his hands out of hers, taking his hand out of hers, his face still pink, "I have to ask, though..." he murmured, "What will it take? What can I do to win you over, completely?" he spoke, his eyes showing that he genuinely cared about this, "Because I honestly don't know," he murmured, aware of his out-of-characterness. Dammit, this girl... What the hell is she doing to him?

I let out a laugh when they twirled me around, grinning at the chaotic twins; laughing with a blush when George dragged me towards the chocolates, walking along with him willingly, "Yes! The chocolates!" Fred laughed, walking along behind us, trying to keep a space that was fast enough to keep up, but slow enough that he wouldn't drop Alice.

"Okay, okay!" I laughed slightly, stopping in front of the bowl, grabbing a couple of the sample pieces, "White... Milk... Dark! Here we are," I grinned, picking out the flavor, my attention going immediately to Lee when I heard his voice, a grin crossing my lips, "Lee! Hi!" I spoke, giving him a one-armed hug before taking my position beside George again.

"Hey Lee," Fred grinned, nodding to his friend, then laughed in unison with me when Lee pulled out the camera, a blush appearing on my cheeks out of embarrassment.

"Me? On camera?" I spoke, pouting, hiding behind George, "I feel like like I'm a celebrity, and you're the paparazzi! I'm not a celebrity!" I let out a laugh.

"Come on, Maria!" Fred laughed, moving me out from behind his brother, "Reign in front of the camera!" he grinned; making me stick my tongue out at him.

"Cruel Weasley. Cruel!" I spoke; blushing still, but unwrapped the small candy in my hand and took a bite of it, "...Holy shite that's good." I murmured, wide eyes.

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Marcus nodded slowly, listening to her talk, looking at her, her eyes, "I'm... trying. For you," he spoke, giving off a sigh, "We just... Don't... Get along. Your friends and I," he added on, "I'll be nice... But I don't know if I can be friends with them, like you are," he told her, "But I'll try. If it means I can win your heart, I'll try," he murmured, taking a final sip of his coffee before nodding to her, "What do you say we get out of here? Do anything you want," he questioned, tilting his head to the side.

"Unless you want to stay here a little longer. It's up to you," he added on, "But I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't enjoy the shrills and squeaks over there," he spoke in a hushed whisper, nodding back to where the girl that was waiting on them, "So, what do you say? What do you want to do? I'm giving you the decision," he spoke with a small smile- then it proceeded to fall, just a little bit, "Unless you want to go see what they're up to.. I... Uh... I'm willing... For you," he said, pulling his wallet out of his pocket, to pay.

"Alright, okay," Marcus let out a sigh, placing a couple galleons on the table and walking with Alexandria out of the store; tensing up when she slipped her hand into his, a light blush crossing his features, but he smirked anyways, gripping her hand tightly, walking silently through the streets with Alexandria until they spotted the pink haired girl and the twins in Honeydukes; walking in with her, noting the raised eyebrows of George, whom was the first to notice them come in.

"Good isn't it?" Fred grinned to me, and I nodded; looking up to George with a grin on my face- falling when I saw him looking elsewhere, turning to see here he was looking- only to see Alexandria... And Marcus.... Holding hands; I couldn't help my eyes wide drastically, my lips parting in shock at the sight; my gaze immediately going to Fred, who had already seen, and had an unreadable expression on his face.

"Yeah- uh. Very good!" I spoke, changing the topic, nodding to the two; my eyes telling Alexandria that we'd talk later, "Nice- Uh.. Nice for you two to join us! Fancy seeing you here... Oh look! Chocolate!" I exclaimed suddenly, turning back around and shuffling through the bowl again; finding a sample of Orange filled dark chocolate, and the same with Raspberry; pulling the pieces out; not failing to hear the snap of the picture; Fred didn't fail either, his eyes narrowing slightly at Marcus when Alexandria moved closer to him for the picture; jealousy raging in his teenage hormonal head.

"Why are you avoiding the Milk and white chocolate?" Fred spoke up after a moment, turning to me; his expression still unreadable.

"Because dark is the best ever!" I spoke to the boy, moving closer to him, "Don'tcha know there hey?" I spoke; putting emphasis on my Irish accent, trying to get him to crack a small smile; sighing when it failed.

Marcus smirked to himself, still, pride over his step over Fred's, but continued following Alexandria when she walked closer to the group.

"Huh?" I spoke, turning to the two; then nodded, slightly hurriedly, "Yeah! Yeah. Good candy is good. You know. Back in MY day... What am I talking about? There is no my day! Well, yes there is. Back in MY day, we never had good candy like this! All we had was muggle-osities! Of muggles, and guns, and muggles, and and and... Did I mention that good candy is good? I think I did, didn't I Fred, George?"

"You're rambling, Maria," Lee spoke up, laughing a slight bit, causing a bright red blush to form on my cheeks.

"Shut up," I pouted, turning back around away from them.

"So..." Fred murmured, deciding to speak up to them, finally, but still very tense, "Uh... Alice... Found us, earlier," he nodded to the cat in his arms, walking up to Alexandria, "I... Figured she would want you, so, here," he added on, handing the cat to the girl before back away to his original position, "Are you having fun today, Alexandria?" he asked.

Marcus's smirk fell when Andri let go of his hand; but instead of showing it, he merely shoved his hands in his pockets, still awkwardly silent, "Psh, weight, shmate," I spoke, nodding to the back, trying a couple pieces more of chocolate, grinning at the tastes, "I can just walk it all of later, climb the Hogwarts stairs a few times," I laughed, then picked out one candy bar of the three flavors I liked the most, mentally calculating the price.

"I remember that," I spoke, grinning to Alexandria, "I swear, I've never been so chatted off the ear so much until the day the first acne mark appeared, huh?" I laughed, "And then you forced my mum's blemish foundation that she made off of me, didn't you?" I laughed again, sticking my tongue out at her jokingly, "I still don't think you ever gave it back, either," I added on as an afterthought, laughing with Lee and again at Alexandria's sarcastic laugh, "Eh. Gotta let me make my mistakes, right?" I laughed, my gaze going to Fred and George as George nudged his brother and pointed at his own eye; giving off a sigh in unison with the irritated twin; but turned to George and Lee, "Say, masters, any other special sugary items I should definitely grab?"

"Huh?" Fred murmured, blinking at Andri, before offering a small smile, trying to keep himself calm, "Yeah. I'm fine," he spoke, turning to face the whole group, his eyes narrowing slightly at Marcus- who narrowed his in return, before going back to Andri's gaze, "Honest. I'm fine. We may want to start heading back to the Castle soon, though. Too long out here, and we could end up spending all of our money," he let out a small, awkward laugh.

"You lot might," Marcus spoke, obviously trying to keep his voice from being condescending, "But I can take care of Jolie fine. If you guys want to go, she and I can-"

"No! No.. That's okay," Fred spoke quickly, "If Alex wants to stay longer, I'm happy to keep her company, you know!" he spoke, slightly hurriedly, "I'm her best friend, aside from Maria, so it's only fitting we hang out," he added on, his tone slightly defensive.

Marcus shrugged, his hands still in his pockets, "Doesn't mean that I won't, though," he spoke; offering a slight smirk-ish smile at the girl; much to Fred's annoyance and irritation with his family's financial status. "What would I be if I wasn't able to get you something?" he added on, knowing full well he was irritating Fred even more.

I laughed when Lee and George were about to drag me off somewhere, blinking when Alexandria suggested going somewhere- and upon seeing the rising, invisible flames between Marcus and Fred, I quickly nodded, "Sure!" I smiled, then reached into my skirt-pocket, pulling out two galleons and handing them and the candy-bars to George, "There. You payed for Lianne for me; but I'm not letting you get anything else, kay?" I spoke, nodding to the Marionette that I was still holding, then giving George a hug; Lee a quick one-armed hug and then walked over to Alexandria and Marcus and Fred, giving the twin the same kind of hug I gave Lee, "Let's go, then!" I spoke, grabbing her arm and dashing out of there immediately; giving a great sigh of relief when we were out of the awkwardness in the building.

"...That was totally awkward," I murmured, smiling to myself as I let my arm drop, looking to her, "Where'd you want to go, then?" I questioned, tilting my head, "I think George and I passed a clothing store earlier, on the way to Zonko's. Do you want to go there? Clothes are always fun. Fun fun fun fun fun," I repeated to myself, giving off an awkward laugh before sighing.

"I like the color yellow," I spoke, letting a grin cross my lips as I followed her, "And as you know my taste in clothes well, I might just end up loving it, too," I shrugged, smiling; walking into the store behind her, laughing and sticking my tongue out at her when she spoke about not taking no for an answer; stopping upon seeing the dress; quickly rushing up to it passed her. "This is so pretty!" I exclaimed, grabbing one of the ones that was hanging up near the manniquin, "The fabrics so soft, too. And warm. And it's so... So... Pretty!" I let out as mall squeal, grinning at the yellow dress with blue outlining; then biting my lip.

"I don't know how flattering it would be on me, though," I added on, "I mean, a skirt and shirt is one thing; but... The last dress I wore was when I was nine; and that wasn't a specifically happy occasion," I spoke, hanging the dress back up, "So it doesn't really count," I let out a small, awkward laugh, "Besides, I don't want you spending your money on me, anyways," I stuck my tongue out at her, "You may be rich compared to my atrociously cheap and poorish financienty.... Well, you may be rich in general, but that's not the point!" I let out a small laugh, "We should find you something cute though. You know. Something you can impress Fred with."

"....The acne cream was free. It was from my mother," I spoke, blinking, pouting, "You need not do this for me, you crazy simpleton!" sticking my tongue out at her when she ruffled my hair, immediately going to fix it as I followed her, arms crossed childishly, following her until she stopped walking.

"...Shut up, Andri," I spoke, "I'm your bestest female friend ever on the face of the entirety. Quit being a crazy simpleton. I know you have feelings for that blasted ginger; may not be obvious to him, but it's not shocking," I told her, following her into the skirt isle. "Why do you think Flint doesn't want you around him so much? It's a bit obvious, isn't it?" I questioned, tilting my head to the side, giving off a sigh, "Speaking of Flint... What the hell? I know you're friends... But what the hell?" I added on, leaning against the isle, letting off a smile at the skirt.

"I think it's perfect for you," I spoke, letting out a small laugh, then spotting some misplaced items on the row of skirts behind her, pulling out an unopened pair of flowery fishnet tights and a fishnet shirt with swirls, "This would look awesome with it, too!" I added on, holding them out to her.

"Alexandria..." I murmured with a sigh, rubbing my temples.

This was brilliant.
We got Fred to admit that he liked Andri. And Andri to admit that she likes Fred. But damn their stubbornness.

"Look," I started, "Marcus may feel for you. He may care for you a lot. But can you honestly say that you'll ever like him as much as you do Fred? Andri; I know you're scared of heart break, but come onnn," I groaned, "You see how George acts around me. And you see how Fred acts around you. It's different. George... It's obvious that all I was, am... Will be to him is a sister. But how on earth does that explain how affectionate Fred's been towards you the past week? Listen, Andri..." I sighed, "I don't know for sure if he feels the same," I lied, "But do you honestly think that his rage towards Marcus is because of being an over-protective brother? Because I'm a sister to George, and he isn't as near defensive with Cormac as Fred is Marcus," I added on, shaking my head.

"Just... Think on it, okay? I don't think you should give up on Fred. Not yet, okay?" I decided on, offering a small smile, "You don't have to tell him you like him right now. But I don't think you should give up yet, no matter what Flint says. Listen to me, I'm the Ravenclaw here. I'm the smart one." I finished, then turned to the wall of skirts, giving off another sigh, then turned back to Andri, smiling at her.

"Anyways! Let's find you a shirt, shall we?" I spoke, clapping my hands together before blinking, "Also, by the way, you guys are going to have to cope without me tomorrow," I spoke, smiling, "Cormac and I have to study for Herbology, as since we were late due to that monstrosity of a broom needing to be put up, he and I were partnered together. That, and since I'm hanging out with you guys all day today, I promised I would hang with him tomorrow."

I let out a laugh at her words, shaking my head, "I thought you already were a crazy cat lady," I joked, smiling as I followed her as she went to the shirts, then shrugged, "Alright. Don't torture him TOO much, okay?" I laughed slightly, then gave off a dramatic sigh, "I'm kinda iffy about the others reactions when I tell I'm hanging out with Cormac, though," I murmured, "George thinks that he wants something from me, and no doubt the others think that too," I gave off another dramatic sigh, shaking my head.

"That's perfect with it," I spoke when she pulled out the shirt, smiling, then the smile fell when she said that it was time to leave and followed her to the register; taking the bag after sticking my tongue out at her, "Just be happy I have boots I can wear with this. I'm sure as hell not letting you buy me shoes next week," I laughed, following her out of the store, waving once we saw the trio walk out of Zonko's towards us, laughing at George's comment.

"Maybe?" Fred spoke, smiling slightly, feeling better that Marcus wasn't there and since he saw them holding hands.

"She bought me a dress!" I exclaimed, pointing to Andri after I moved the back to the hand that was holding the Marionette, pouting as I looked to George. "Against my will, might I add!"

"A dress?" Fred gasped jokingly, blinking, "I wasn't aware that you wore dresses! I think we need to see this now, don't we, George?"

"I haven't since I was nine. And no! You do not!" I pouted, "George! Ground our children!"

"Whoa- Children?" Lee interrupted, laughing, "When did this happen?" he questioned.

"Since Fred and Andri decided to be mean to me," I laughed. "And don't ask how it works. It's magic. Doesn't need an explanation." I stuck my tongue out at him then smiled as Andri spoke again, laughing after Lee responded to her.

"Indeed we do," Fred laughed, shaking his head, walking towards beside Andri, "Anyways! Shall we go to the castle, then?"

"Yes. Yes we shall," I spoke, grinning as the five of us started on our back to the castle, me walking inbetween Lee and George, Fred and Andri a little ways ahead. Sighing, I moved closer to George, "They're bloody impossible, those two," I whispered to him, making sure no one but he could hear before going back to my original position, laughing slightly to myself.

"Niet!" I laughed, "Lee's the awesome uncle. You and Fred are the children!" I corrected, grinning, "Blergh," I laughed again, "And yes. It is weird. But you do not question the ways of Maria! Just like how you do not question why she speaks in third person!" I added on, laughing still.

Fred laughed as well, shaking his head at my insanity, but didn't say anything, just walking beside Andri; tensing slightly when she questioned him about his awkwardness in Honeydukes, "I uh..." he murmured, looking away, a blush forming on his cheeks, "I don't... I don't want you with Flint," he spoke cautiously, trying not to give anything away. "You might... Be friends. But he's not right for you..." he stuttered, his blush becoming more intense, "I don't want you to go with him, and him ending up breaking your heart, because he decides he's too good for you, which is quite the opposite, or because he does something stupid. You're worth more than him."

"Yeah," I nodded to George, sighing when Lee asked me what was going on between them; grabbing both of their hands and making them slow stride with me until the other two were a good bit away from us; letting my hands fall to my side again when we were far enough behind that they wouldn't be able to hear our conversation, unless we were shouting, "Basically," I started, "Both of them have a great, immense fancy for the other. Both of them have admitted this. But they're also both too stubborn and afraid of rejection that they refuse to tell the other," I explained in a dramatic, irritated voice.

"So, I have a plan then," I added on, smiling at the two, "Will you guys help me create a great plan to get them together? I managed to convince Andri to not give up on Fredward just yet, and hopefully now they'll be looking for the signs that the other likes them, and notice them. But that's not enough. We need a great scheme to push it. So, my amazing prankers, willing to help me in this plan of doom?"

Fred's face heated up when she grabbed his hand, but he smiled and laughed slightly, lacing his fingers with hers, looking at her as she spoke about Marcus, biting his lip. "Something you may not catch?" he repeated, "You never told me you liked someone," he whispered; a slight bit of obvious dread falling into his expression, "Who is it? Is it anyone I know?" he quickly asked, his breath quickening slightly, obviously going over every possibility in his head, "Is it Wood? What about Lee? Or George? It's not Percy, is it? Please tell me it's not Percy," he spoke quickly, taking a deep breath to calm himself, his grip on her hand tightening. "He's not right for you, Alex. Flint's not... He's not..." Fred stuttered, closing his eyes tightly. "It's not right, Alex... It's not right, you and him."

"Hm..." I murmured, "I'm not entirely...." I trailed off, my eyes widening; making sure I had the back and marionette steady, I quickly grabbed their hands, "I've got it! Come on!" I spoke, immediately running on the path; passing Fred and Andri- calling that we'll see them later tonight before continuing running towards the Castle.

"....What the?" Fred blinked, eyes slightly wide at the trio skimming passed them, looking to Andri with an confused expression and a slight laugh. "Any idea what that was about?"

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"I have an idea. But I need my sketchbook," I explained in a rushed hurry as we ran on- quickly making it to the castle at our pace; slowing down slightly once we made it inside before dragging them up a few flights of stairs to the statue by the entrance to the Ravenclaw room; quickly answering the riddle and bringing them inside and to my dorm- glad to see that no one else was there yet, letting go of their hands and placing the Marionette and the bag holding the dress gently on the floor before falling to my knees beside my bed, reaching under and pulling out the said sketchbook, flipping through until I made it to Cisteria.

"Him!" I spoke, showing the picture to Lee and George, "The great Halloween prank!" I added on, flipping through the sketchbook again, trying to find a picture, "We could push them together, gradually, encourage it by the little things, such as leaving them alone together, or casually teasing them, maybe. To the bigger things; such as telling them two horror stories mixed together, on the scariest night of the year," I spoke, stopping at a picture with a grin, showing them.

Two children; twins, both blonde and back to back with their hands laced together- the boy with his eyes closed as if he was trying not to cry, but with a smile on his lips that showed great happiness- the girl, her bluegreen eyes open showing that happiness, but her lips showing the trembling of being about to cry. The scenery around them was a graveyard- with tornatic clouds forming in the relatively bright sky above. In front of the boy was a character shrouded in complete black, the only thing scene was a skeleton hand pointing at him with a red rose that looked as if it was bleeding black. And in front of the girl was shadows that looked as if they were slowly etching towards her to engulf her; a red figure reflected in her eyes.

"Cisteria, Death and the Shadow. Two stories crossed in one; and with the twistedness of them both; with little pushes along the way, and with the live reinactments of it, we can get them together. What do you guys say?"