Summary: you make your way from Hogwarts down to the lake for your date with Fred
Warning: swearing, this ones actually pretty cute
A/N: again, characters are aged up in this and assumed to be in their early 20s. Sorry this took so long to make I’ve been so busy cause of work and I’m in a musical and living situation stuff. Hope y’all enjoy BYE
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Your black Mary Janes quietly clicked against the stone floor as you slipped down the common room stairs and through the castle, excitement electrifying your skin like it always did whenever you snuck around. Your thick, soft hair warmed your neck as you stepped outside into the slightly cold, damp night, the grass brushing against your ruffled white socks as you strutted toward the lake.
Your face grew pinker with every step as you thought about what Fred might be planning, not worried in the slightest, because if he did anything even remotely upsetting, he wouldn’t be coming back from the lake. That was for damn sure. He knew better.
Maybe flowers?
A picnic, perhaps?
OR MORE CHOCOLATE FROGS OF MY FUCK-
You wondered if he would smell the same as he did when he had you pressed against him before, his hand, softer than any silk you’d ever slept on, resting gently on your thigh. The memory made your chest simmer.
You finally spotted Fred standing by the water, his ginger hair glowing like a flame in the darkest of night, guiding you forward. His thick sweater draped over his body like a statue’s robe. Had his shoulders always been that broad?
Fred’s eyes glittered when he noticed you.
“Well hey, trouble,” he said with a cheeky grin.
“Who, me?” You smiled, feigning innocence.
“Yes, you. Almost as much as me,” he smirked, raising his brows.
“I don’t think anyone could be as much of a pain as you, Weasel,” you shot back.
“Oh, so I’m Weasel now?” He chuckled, widening his eyes in mock disbelief.
“Yes! …But I like weasels. They’re very cute,” you whispered, shrugging and looking away with a tiny smile.
“Oh, I’m cute, yeah?” His hands slid to your sides, pulling you closer. His nose hovered just shy of yours as he towered over you teasingly, strands of his hair brushing your cheeks.
Your hands instinctively moved to his shoulders as you tried to pull back, giggling. “Oh, Merlin, you’re so easy, Freddie!”
You placed your hand against his jaw to push him away, but he wasn’t offended in the slightest. The fact that you were touching him at all felt like heaven. He leaned into your grip despite how firm it was.
“Ugh, how could I not be?” he hummed, resting his hands on your hips. “Ah, I have a surprise for you.”
He pulled away and waved a finger, walking closer to the lake.
“Oh, I can’t wait to see this,” you said, hands on your hips and eyebrow raised.
“C’mer,” he murmured, motioning you over.
You stepped beside him, eyes scanning the water. Suddenly, he pulled out his wand, and with a bright swish, a firework shot into the sky, bursting into a blazing orange constellation of stars. They twisted and transformed into hearts, animals, and all your favorite things.
You stared in awe as the glowing display filled the night.
Finally, words formed across the sky in bright pink:
Will you be my girlfriend?
More fireworks exploded around the message.
You were speechless.
No one had ever done anything like this for you. It was always just a walk, an awkward invitation to someone’s common room , sometimes nothing at all. Always dull. Always forgettable.
But this?
This was effort. Thought. Care.
It almost made you sick.
“I hope the answer is… absolutely, and that I’m the coolest, most talented wizard ever?” he said, looking away, failing miserably at hiding his nerves.
You beamed up at him. “Yes. Yes, I would like that.”
Fred’s head snapped back toward you, his mouth falling open slightly, pure disbelief painted across his face.
Truthfully, he had been crushing on you all year. He’d find excuses to linger in hallways just to see you, only to chicken out every time. You were kinda scary, but the curve of your lips, your big brown eyes when you pouted over a book, your sly, clever smile… he was hopelessly gone.
You covered your face, laughing softly. “Stop staring, it’s RUDE!”
Fred immediately wrapped his arms around you, pressing close to your cheek. “Whaaat? Why would I ever do that, sweetness?”
You groaned in embarrassment as he slid one hand behind your neck, gently guiding your face toward his.
“Please,” he whispered. “You’re too pretty. I can’t not look at you.”
He began peppering your cheeks with quick kisses, making you laugh harder. Eventually, you dropped your hands in defeat, body pressed against his, breath shaky from giggling.
Fred looked down at you like he’d just found his future. Slowly, he moved his hand from your neck to cup your cheek, and without warning, he kissed you deeply.
You slid your hands from his chest up to his shoulders, pulling him closer.
When he finally pulled back, breathless and smiling, he rested his forehead against your shoulder.
Summary: Fred quickly finds out that you’re not as much of a perfect prefect as you make yourself out to be, and it enamors him.
Warning: swearing, mentions of alcohol.
A/N: aged up, you and Fred are assumed to be early 20s in this. this story is again pretty much a self insert, so I will be writing in terms of what I look like but if enough people want me to change it to be looks neutral I will!! (so yes I’m hyping myself in this story idc)
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If anyone could come close to the definition of perfection, it was you—
well, at least that’s what you thought about yourself.
In terms of beauty, you were nothing short of godlike.
Your thick, curly hair bounced with grace as you walked, as if you’d stolen it from a lion itself.
Freckles danced across your cheeks and arms like galaxies.
Your adoring chocolate eyes, those same eyes that narrowed beneath your sharp brows could send any student into cardiac arrest, if you meant them to.
Your personality reflected this too.
You were one of the most beloved prefects.
In front of teachers, you were ruthless. Anyone who dared to cause trouble got no mercy.
But the moment their backs were turned?
With a cheeky glance, you pulled strings. Especially for your fellow Slytherins.
After all, if no one was getting hurt, what’s the harm in bending a rule or two?
You were the saving grace, and no one dared to let that slip.
Unauthorized magic? “Don’t make me have to come and fix something if this goes wrong.” Parties? “Get me a two-six and I won’t say a word.” Mess with one of your classmates? 50 points gone. Just like that. Of course, you often got something in return, an unfinished essay, a sweet from Hogsmeade, but more often than not, it was the satisfaction of keeping everyone happy.
Unfortunately for you, Fred Weasley caught wind of this.
He leaned against the cold stone wall, listening to your peculiar conversation with two nervous fifth-year Gryffindors just around the corner.
“Sneaking into Snape’s potion closet? That doesn’t look suspicious at all.” You beamed at them, your hands on your hips, a soft smile tugging at your lips.
The students looked damn near petrified.
“This better be for something good.”
One finally broke, rambling: “We just needed to make Felix Felicis! I have a test and I know I’m going to bomb it terribly! We promise we were going to put the rest back after—”
You raised a finger, silencing him. Reaching into your bag, you slowly pulled out your own Felix Felicis.
“Well… if everything is put back. And if I also have a few chocolate frogs on my bedside tomorrow…then I don’t think I’ve seen anything, have I?”
Their expressions shifted to relief, then amazement. One slowly took the potion with a grin.“Yeah..yeah! We can do that!”
You winked and turned to walk away, robes swishing behind you.
“Didn’t take you as the lenient type, (Y/L/N).”
You gasped, stumbling back. Fred Weasley stood against the wall, arms crossed, grin smug. You slapped him lightly on the arm for startling you.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. And what exactly are you doing down here, Weasley?”You stepped closer, your perfume drifting between you, eyes narrowed like you were ready to hex him.
“Catching the school’s most vicious prefect covering up some trouble, apparently,”he teased. “Not the first time, I’m guessing?”
You huffed, rolling your eyes. “Okay, maybe I bend a rule or two. So what?It keeps everyone happy and my image clean. Everyone loves me for it.”
Fred leaned down, his lips near your ear, voice low and warm. His breath sent a shiver down your spine.
“Oh, I know they do. And they’ll keep loving you—if you can get me into Snape’s office.” You jerked back.
“Freddie—no, NO! Do you know how many times I’ve covered for your brother and his careless friends? Plenty. I’ve done enough for you Weasleys!”
You shoved him lightly, poking a finger into his chest, now pinning him against the wall. Your body flushed with his, your voice rising in panic and frustration.
He chuckled at this “Oh, so I’m Freddie now?”
You could not believe this angling, specky little cunt. After all you’d done. And this was what you got? An ultimatum?
Absolutely not.
You grabbed his tie, pulling him down so your face was inches from his “You will keep what you’ve learned tonight to your vile, smelly, bastard self, or I swear to Merlin, Weasley, you will be dead and buried by morning.”
Fred raised his hands in surrender, smirking as he placed them gently on your waist “Alright—whatever you say, love.”
You stared at him a moment longer, cheeks burning, breath quick. Then, collecting yourself, you stepped back and smoothed your robe.
“Glad I made myself clear.”You turned, marching off. “And don’t call me that!” you added, finger pointed at him as you fled.
The next morning, you sat comfortably beside your friends at breakfast.
The smell of pancakes and bacon filled the air, making your stomach rumble.
Just as you reached for your fork, an owl swooped down,
dropping a small box of chocolate frogs, your favorite, along with a note.
You opened it slowly.
“From Fred, vile, smelly, bastard, Weasley.”
You snorted, shaking your head. Before you could look around, Fred Weasley appeared beside you, causing you jump back yet again.
“Merlin! Would you quit that?” you hissed, smacking his arm“What’s this for?”He sat beside you, casually placing a warm hand on your thigh.
“Well, since someone so graciously kept a certain teacher out of their office,I figured there needed to be some kind of thank you. Especially when that someone was so adamantly against it.”His voice dropped into a teasing whisper, eyes wide, like a puppy begging for scraps.
You tried to ignore the way your cheeks heated under his gaze.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you said, smiling “I simply had tea with my favorite teacher. Whatever anyone did while he was away had nothing to do with me.” Fred giggled, cheeks pink “Of course not. Could never imagine such a perfect, pretty prefect doing anything of the sort.”
You giggled too, leaning just a little closer. His scent, a mix of fireworks and warm sugar was dizzying.
“I wouldn’t suppose such a perfect, gorgeous girl would like to go to the lake with me tonight? Maybe see some of the trouble I’ve cooked up?”
You turned your head, meeting his eyes. Those warm brown eyes that sparkled with mischief and affection. You smiled.
“Well… I have to see the trouble to put a stop to it, don’t I?”
Fred grinned so wide it nearly split his face. He stood from the table, placing a hand on your head, ruffling your curls.
“I’ll see you tonight then, gorgeous.”He winked, walking off, Leaving you behind, a flustered, blushing, and a not-so-perfect mess.
Summary: Y/n was sick of being chased by Miles Brown and decides to take drastic measure kissing Fred Weasley in the middle of the quidditch field, when this isn't convincing enough Fred offers her a mutually beneficial deal, what consequences can fake dating Fred Weasley really bring?
Warnings: kissing, angst, cute behavior
Word count: 10.1k (started writing and couldn't stop apparently)
(Not my GIF :))
Having basically grown up alongside the Wealseys wasn’t always easy- half the time it led to injuries, arguments and being covered in dirt, howevergbfv it did also mean buckets of laugher, inside jokes and always knowing you had someone that cared.
Your parents both worked at the ministry of magic in different departments, your father an aura and your mother near the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They both enjoyed working alongside Arthur Weasley, your parents met Molly and Arthur whilst they were all still at Hogwarts and stayed close since.
This was indeed ideal when they were both busy whizzing around running the wizarding world, and you were half living at the burrow. Most of the summer was spent helping out Molly in the mornings, playing quidditch in the afternoon and evenings filled either playing board games with all the kids in the house or trying to find some peace with Hermione and Ginny in her room.
Now however the chill was starting to creep into the world, leaves were starting to give signs that winter was upon as we boarded in early October. Hermoine, Ginny and I were stood in the Gryffindor stand watching the first quidditch game of the year, Gryffindor against Hufflepuff. As of forty-five minutes into the game we were winning by about 125 points.
“He was asking about you again,” Hermione’s voice finds me, and I find myself dying a little more inside, hand covering my eyes.
“I actually cannot even stand to think about him right now, can we just enjoy the game?” I begged genuinely. If I had to think about Miles Brown again, I would explode. Hermonie just gave me a sympathetic smile and faced back towards the field.
We won!
Harry caught the snitch so swiftly the other team didn’t stand a chance. The twins high fived so hard that George nearly fell off his wand as the cheers in the stand erupted. The excitement in the air palpable, a huge smile found its way onto my face. We all hugged before running down to the congratulate the team.
It wasn’t long before Fred just couldn’t help but strike a nerve. He had always been like this, had to be right all the time. It was enough that his penchant for mischievous and alluring energy already attracted everyone’s attention, he needed more.
“Oh God here they go again,” Ron said rolling his eyes, before pulling Harry towards the changing rooms. Ginny shot me a smile before saying she needs to ask professor McGonagle something before she got back to the castle and pulled Hermione away.
“You were distracted,” I stated simply crossing my arms.
“I was not,”
“You could’ve prevented that one score if you’d haven’t been too busy look around the stands, don’t worry Freddie your whole little fan club was there,” I say before turning to his brother, “George, can you tell him I’m right,”.
“Quite frankly I just want a hot shower and to not listen to you guys bickering,” he said with a fake smile and walked off in the direction of changing rooms as Fred tapped him hand on my head a few times.
“There, there simmer that temper down quidditch expert,”
Exasperated with his actions you continued to bicker about who was right, of course it was you but the boy was too proud to admit it, but deep inside you knew he knew you were right. Yet, him admitting it would give just the perfect amount of satisfaction.
That’s when you saw him, Miles Brown, 6th year Gryffindor, same year as the twins, coming straight towards you.
“Oh for fu-” you murmured to yourself.
“What was that Y/n?” Fred put a hand against his ear leaning towards me mockingly, “I’m right? I knew you’d come to that conclusion, you’re smart after all” the smirk painted on his face made what I was about to do so much worse the cheeky git.
“Y/n!” Miles’ voice boomed as he neared.
Fred went to turn his head towards the noise, but I took a deep breath whilst simultaneously reaching my hands to his neck and pulling him towards me, crashing my lips into his.
For a second he didn’t move, frozen. Then the next second his hands snaked around my waist, his bat and broom long forgotten, dropped onto the floor of the quidditch pitch. His lips moving against mine in ease.
Then I was pulling away from him, eyes immediately shooting back to where Miles stood, now frozen, quickly turning to go when I spotted him staring, he ran a hand through his hair as he sped up.
“Look that was hot and what not but if you’re in love with me you could have just-” Fred started saying, now too running a hand through his hair, a sly grin on his face.
“Shut it,” I said punching him in the arm, hard.
A small ‘ouch’ escaped him as he immediately went to soothe the spot. How could he forget that I did in fact learn to fight from him.
“Miles Brown bothering you?” he asked, his gaze following mine.
I sighed, my fingers running laps over my nape, the wind started picking up, “He’s a lovely guy don’t get me wrong, but he is not my type at all, and he just won’t get the hint,”
“And you thought this would help?” he asked and then very quickly added “Not that I mind I know everyone wants a chance to kiss me,” as if he was running out of air.
I rolled my eyes at him, “Tone the charm down Weasley, your fan club is waiting back at the castle,” I said, then with some guilt, “I just had to take an extreme measure, I’ve verbally rejected the guy three times since we started term, a month ago,”. That’s not even considering the many times in the last couple of weeks last semester.
I had been trying, really hard, to be nice, to let him down gently, and whilst this was a push it was better than me finally losing my shit and frustratingly screaming it at him, no?
“Ouch. For him this time,” he conveys picking his belongings off the floor, “that’s what you get when you have no class,” he shrugs his shoulders.
“And you think you have class?” I ask with mocking concern.
He looks back offended, “I am very charming.”
“Yeah whatever, never bring this up again or I’ll tell the whole school about that one time you-”
Before I could even finish the sentence he interrupted, “You’re telling me you’re not going to kiss me again, and here I was counting down the minutes,” he thought he was being funny, but he wasn’t.
“Never happening again,” I stated seriously, “and go shower, you stink,” I added pulling a face, he pulled one right back.
“You’re welcome by the way!” he shouts as I start ambling back up towards the castle.
“Thanks for being useful for once!” I called back without turning, I could imagine him lifting up his middle finger up at my back.
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The next evening, I was sat in the library hiding away in the very corner near the restricted area, Pince, the librarian, trusted me for some reason to not do anything stupid. I had five essays due in beginning of next week and so far have done half of one, having missed my study session with Hermoine to escape Miles. That girl was my personal coach, everything would get done in the designated time she assigned. I didn’t need her help with the content, I knew how to do it but my tendency to get distracted was phenomenal.
However, my peace was interrupted. I heard footsteps approaching and a shadow forming as the person’s frame neared. I knew who it was before looking up. Fred came over twisting the chair beside mine, so the back faced me, he sat down bracing both his arms as he leaned close.
“Your plan didn’t work quite as well as you wanted it huh?” his voice was gloating. Miles spent most the day talking to all my girl friends trying to figure out what the kiss between Fred and I meant and if he would still be able to ask me to be his date to the Yule Ball. I wanted to mentally smack my head against a table.
“What does he think it was? Some kind of freak accident that we were snogging in the middle of the quidditch field?” I could hear the agitation in my voice, which I knew meant Fred was about to challenge everything I was saying.
“I mean it kinda was” Fred said, “Okay keep those dagger eyes away from me woman,” he raised his hands as if in surrender.
I threw my head back closing my eye, squishing them shut as much as possible.
“Hoping that it was all a dream and when you open your eyes it won’t be true?” Fred kept talking, he always did, unfortunately this time he was right.
“Look I’ll make you a deal,” he introduces the idea, “I’ll be your fake boyfriend, so he leaves you alone,” he explains putting the offer on the table.
A million different reasons for him to do this shot through my mind and none were good, was he planning on embarrassing me somehow? Was he just doing this so he could have the gloating right for the rest of our lives, so he could make sure I would never be free of the thought?
“You just want to kiss me again admit it,” I prompted.
He laughed out loud harshly, “Your kissinf was passable at best, I on the other hand have never received a bad review” he retorted smugly.
“Whatever, what do you get out of this?” I asked cleverly.
“You’re not the only one with admirers right,” he said righteously, “I’m sick of all of the girls in the years below chasing behind me like I’m some kind of puppy,”
“You’re not cute enough for that,”
“You’ve literally seen the amount of girls that try to get with me,” he exclaimed sassily. This was weirdly true, I know most girls always fall for the class clown, it wasn’t like Fred was even trying, he was just going about his life as he would if there wasn’t goggling girls all around, because this is exactly how he acted at the burrow too.
“I meant to be a puppy, I love puppies, you are nowhere near cute enough to be compared to one,”. Fred was not bad looking, and he was funny- sometimes, but I could never admit that to him out loud, someone had to humble him or his head would be too big to get through any door.
“Okay whatever, I tried to help you,” he said going to stand up.
“Wait,” I took a hold his arm and pulled him back to sitting down, “This is a bad idea right?” I asked already knowing the answer.
Fred’s head turned sideways, his fiery hair sitting just right, “I thrive on bad ideas and excel in bad situations,” he boasted.
Eyes squinting I turned to face him, “Not something to be proud of,”
“This could be fun anyways,” he says, “we’re practically just pranking the entire school. Fools.” He says with his usual pre-prank glow, “Don’t be so serious, you’re much more fun when you’re up to no good,” he continued. He was right this could be really fun, to mess with everyone, and maybe get myself someone I actually want to go to the ball with.
“We tell no one,” he says winking then looking towards me expectantly, I dug my teeth in my bottom lip, “Let’s do it,” I agreed.
“Great, see you around fake girlfriend,” he said getting up and kissing my check before walking away.
I shook my head, this was going to either work out excellently or be absolutely awful. I then proceeded to focus on the homework returning to the dormitories no earlier than one in the morning only having completed two and a half essays.
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I wasn’t sure how we were going to break into this new pattern, especially in front of our friends, but it was stupid thinking Fred wouldn’t come up with some kind of theatrics to make a scene. Sitting in the great hall for breakfast with Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Harry when the Weasley’s owl flew down in front of me dropping a small box.
Confusion wasn’t just painted on my face but all of ours. Miles also looked eagerly from a couple of seats down.
As soon as he realised what it was, a box of expensive looking chocolates, Ron reached for the box, “Stupid owl can’t even deliver mail to the right person,” Ron cursed.
“Wait!” Hermione exclaimed seeing the bottom of the box, a note was stuck there in questionable handwriting.
‘Y/n, the biggest pain in the ass, but a great kisser’
I could feel my entire face turning red as Hermione read it out, I bit the inside of my cheeks. I was going to kill Fred Weasley it was confirmed.
With an even more confused face and also slight disgust Ron passed the box to me, Ginny and Hermione next to me were gushing having been asked by Miles if a certain rumour was true but did not have the time to ask me last night.
I opened the box to find an assortment of chocolates in the shape of hearts.
Then a hand from behind was grabbing one, I turned around to see Fred plopping it into his mouth, “What?” he said after he swallowed, “I did pay for these I deserve at least one,” he argued. Immediately Harry and Ron’s faces look mortified, more than when they saw the note, Hermione and Ginny trying to hide smiles.
Fred kissed my cheek and sat down next to me reaching for the bread and butter. “Since we share DNA does that mean I also technically paid for them so also get one?” George asked as he sat down opposite Fred.
“Hang on a second are you trying to tell me that you two have…” Ron started as if his brain was lagging behind.
“From the note seems more than once,” Ginny egged on.
I realise all of the sudden that I was in a state of shock and had no spoken since the mysterious package had arrived at the table.
“You sure knew how to break the news,” I said sounding borderline sarcastic.
“Just wanted everyone to know how great of a kisser you are and that unfortunately they will not get to experience it,” he said just a tad too loud to make sure Miles could hear.
Whilst slightly awkward everyone seemed to settle into their own conversations, Miles looked over every couple of minutes, until it was time to head to first lesson.
“What the hell was that?” I whispered to Fred as he settled him arm around my shoulder, we headed towards the exit of the great hall.
“I’m being a good fake boyfriend,” he said, “Was actually gonna kiss you but thought Ron might yack over the food,” he laughed.
I just looked up at him, somehow, I never realised how much taller than me Fred actually was, I was like the perfect height for him to lean against me.
“Take it down a notch or no one is going to believe this real, no one acts like this,” I said.
“You’ve never seen Fred Weasley in a relationship so you don’t know what I act like,” he said in a matter of fact, “right I’ve got potions see you later,” he said normal volume again kissing the top of my head before messing up my hair with his hand and heading the other way.
I turned to see Hermione looking at me expectantly, Harry and Ron had already walked ahead, I took a deep breath to prepare myself for a series of questions.
“So why did I not know about this?” she asked pointedly.
I revert to the story Fred and I decided on, “Uh, it’s very fresh, you knew we talked more towards the end of the summer but it wasn’t anything like that until the other week when I came down to the common room cause I couldn’t sleep and he was there working on something for the shop,” I explained.
“Let me guess you guys had a row and then finally had this super romantic kiss?” she asked hopefully, who knew Hermione was such a hopeless romantic.
I shook my head slightly, “sure something like that,” I conveyed, she waited for me to continue, “We sat on the sofa when he said he’d do something stupid and I of course said he wouldn’t and he said I had to give him something if he did… and then he did it,” I said, “then he kissed me and you know,” I trailed off.
It felt awful lying to her, she was my number one friend and has been since we started at Hogwarts but this was for the greater good I had to believe that. My mental wellbeing was on the line, I don’t know how much longer I could’ve coped with Miles chasing me around. At first Hermione and I thought it was sweet but not anymore, now he was like a pest, and he made sure to be everywhere.
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A couple of days later we were all gathered in the common room on Saturday afternoon getting on with our own stuff and just chatting. Fred was sat in one corner of the sofa, having spotted Miles he pulled me down next to him, pulling my legs over his lap, running his fingers over them.
Hermione and I started discussing the homework for arithmancy whilst Fred, George and Lee were talking about the next quidditch game and the strategy against Ravenclaw who seemed to have a basically all new team.
“This is sickening, when will it stop,” Ron burst out pointing to Fred and I
Fred chuckled, “Listen Ron, if you ever actually manage to get a girl interested, you’ll understand,” he said and then added in a whisper “you’ll never want to get your hands off her,”
I smacked his arm but it only made him and his friends laugh more.
“Please tell me you won’t be doing this at the house too,” Ron pleaded. With the look in his eyes I wanted to reassure him that it was going to be fine, we would only be keeping this up long enough to get to the Yuke ball, that everything would return to normal at the burrow.
“Shut up Ron, mum is so excited,” Ginny perked up from where she was sat with her boyfriend at one of the tables.
Brilliant, I did not know Molly knew about this, it was silly thinking Ginny wouldn’t let her know, what the hell were we going to say to her when we were through with this plan. Ginny had confided in me two years ago that her mum was secretly hoping I’d end up with one of her sons, ideally one of the ones that has some sort of life plan. It seemed silly to us then as I pretend yacked making us both giggle, and it still seemed silly now, however I did have to admit the two oldest Weasley brothers were not bad looking, damn the age gap.
We then played a couple rounds of card games, Mr Weasley recently acquired some muggle playing cards and Hermione taught us a couple of games, I actually quite liked the fact that they were much more boring and less destructive than games like wizard chess.
At some point two giggly girls from our year came walking past, “Hi Fred, hi George,” they said in unison waving their fingers at the twins.
“I’m here too girls,” Lee added as they had already passed.
Fred looked at me smugly, “Told you,”, so I elbowed him and gave him a wide, toothy grin as if it were an accident.
“Don’t be jealous love,” he said getting really close to me face, eyes shifting to my lips then back to his cards.
A couple of minutes later we watched Miles walk out of the room his head hung low.
Fred and I separated a little without it seeming too suspicious, Ron actually ended up winning most of the different games, a proud look on his face, his most favourite was ‘Go Fish’ which we all thought was a rather strange name for a card game, this made Harry and Hermione giggle. Fred, George and Lee suggested we create a magical version of the game with actual enchanted fish.
Not long later we were all making our way down to dinner, everyone seemed light-hearted and thankful that Hermione had planned a schedule for us to divide and complete our homework on Friday and Sunday so we could have a chill day today.
It was on the way back from dinner that he approached, Ginny, Hermione and I were talking about the latest edition of the Daily Prophet that once again managed to make up something ridiculous about Harry.
“Y/n hey,” he said fiddling with his hands, I looked up to meet his eyes green eyes, “I was wondering if you fancied a walk around the lake, I heard there’s loads of fireflies out recently,”.
I turned to look at my friends but seemingly Ginny had disappeared, Hermione looked sympathetic and turned around to talk to Harry and Ron. Brilliant. Thanks for the help girlies I thought to myself sarcastically.
“I was also meaning to ask, I know Fred isn’t a serious type of guy, and I can totally understand the pull towards him, he’s tall, funny, plays quidditch and from what I hear good at all kissing stuff” he stated “but I think we both know it’s not going to last,” he was walking alongside me, “I just think maybe you shouldn’t waste your time on something temporary when I’m here for the long-run,” he scratched his messy, blonde hair at this statement.
I shake my head at the absolute audacity, “You think I’m with Fred for what? Just so I can hook with him or something?” I couldn’t even believe that words that were coming out of my mouth. Part of me was offended, if I actually wanted to just snog with Fred Weasley I was good enough friends with him to just do it and not have to put a label on it. Not that I would. And not that I would ever just hook up with someone like a friends with benefits situation but still the point stands.
A panic strikes his features, “No no no, I didn’t mean that as an insult to you,” he quickly said.
“Brown I would appreciate it if you stopped discussing mine and Y/n’s sex life that’s a bit weird mate,” Fred said approaching laying an arm around my shoulder and kissing me, “but to satisfy your curiosity,” he starts after pulling away, “it’s fucking amazing- still I was the one begging for her to be with me not the other way around so get your facts straight,” he continues as we walked ahead.
“Stupid git,” Fred murmured when he was out of earshot, I just let out a laugh.
“How did you know I needed rescuing,”
“Ginny” he replied quickly looking down at me. Okay, I am no longer angry at her for abandoning me, “Merlin that guy is really non stop huh,”.
“But you’ve seriously got to stop telling people about our amazing intimacy life or I’ll have more guys like Miles chasing me, not that I’d blame them but-” I continued. Fred took the hand from around my shoulder to ruffle my hair and push my head away.
“George, Lee and I are gonna test some new fireworks later behind the lake if you wanna come,” he asked, he knew I loved fireworks, and whilst muggle ones were impressive wizard ones could not be beat, “get the others to come along too if you want,”. So that evening we snuck out from the common room wrapped up in warmer clothing. Even Hermione had a good time whilst breaking the rules.
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A couple of weeks later Fred and I were coming back from Hogsmeade where we went on a totally romantic date that definitely wasn’t us being the biggest idiots and inconveniences ever, starting at the joke shop Fred ‘accidently’ set something off that caused the entire shop to smell like an old rotting shoe and ending at Three Broomsticks getting butter beer and sitting at the back making up fake stories about people.
As we stepped into the common room all the usual candles were lit, it having already been dark outside, the room only had a couple people in it. One hand was holding onto Fred’s the other holding a bag of sweets.
“Miles is here,” Fred whispered back to me, I had forgotten about him today, I looked around the room inconspicuously, he was sat at a desk reading some textbook.
I turned to watch Fred taking the bag out of my hand and putting it on the windowsill as he stepped closer to me, both hands on my waist, guiding me backward until I was against a doorframe. I smirked up at him shaking my head, I knew exactly what he was doing, and he was unfortunately pretty smooth about it which infuriated me further.
“He’s watching,” Fred whispered lowering his head to my ear, I turned to look but Fred’s other hand turned to stop my face turning.
“Can I kiss you?” he whispered against my neck, the question made something in my stomach twist, unconsciously I turned my head slightly to give him more space whilst I nodded.
Fred’s lips brushed across the skin on my neck as he laid a simple kiss there, then another on my jaw, then one of his hands glided to my face getting me to face him. Then he was kissing me on the lips. It was nothing like the kiss on the field nor the time Brown was monologing at me in the corridor, not hurried, it was calm. Which was a word I never associated with the Weasley boy.
After a couple of minutes, he pulled away and rested his head back in the gap between my neck and shoulder. I lifted my hand to run my fingers up and down his nape. It felt awfully intimate; my brain wasn’t sure how to react even though my body seemed to know exactly.
When he took a step away and grabbed the bag of sweets, we moved towards the staircases which led to the dormitories.
“Weirdo,” Fred said messing up my hair instead of a goodnight.
“Idiot,” I say in reply and hurry up the stairs.
As much as I hated to admit it Fred Weasley was a good kisser, he seemed to know precisely what to do and exactly when to do it, and his hands fit on my waist just right. Ew what was I even thinking about. Then I reminded myself that I was allowed to enjoy it, yes he was an annoying little shit but it’s not like any of this was real.
I stepped into the bedroom to find Ginny and Hermione sat together on one bed and our three other roommates; they seemed to have been gossiping.
“Did you just make out with Fred Weasley in the common room Y/n Y/s/n,” Hermione asked shamelessly. I opened my mouth in shock.
“How did you-?”
“Not even denying it,” One of our other roommates pointed out.
“I was just trying to get my book that I left downstairs, but it would have meant I had to walk past what seemed like quite a passionate snog,” Ginny said.
“Was it with tongue?” Another roommate asked, I just flopped on my bed and didn’t answer any of their questions, after ten minutes they realised they weren’t getting anything else out of me.
After I had gotten into pyjamas and to bed I tired to get to sleep but something kept me twisting and turning. Yes, Fred Weasley had never been in a relationship during his time at Hogwarts, but I heard he’d made out with a couple of girls and he was clearly good and confident doing so, so why hadn’t he gotten into a relationship, and if he did was this actually how he’d behave because it seemed too good to be true.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
It was actually happening, the Gryffindor common room was going to be holding another party, I’m still not quite sure what the reason for this one was, it started as a late celebration for their first win of the season, then they added it was because we were currently winning at house points then another reason was added and to me it seemed like everyone just wanted to party screw any reasoning.
The evening was going reasonably well, everyone was having fun, music was playing, drinks were being passed around, Hermione doing her best to make sure everyone under below 5th year was only drinking pumpkin juice. People were laughing and talking, it felt good, the atmosphere fun.
I had barely seen Fred all night as Miles didn’t have seemed to show to the party so we were both doing our own thing and it was weird I became so used to him being glued to me side these last couple of weeks. I was stood talking to Micheal who was in 7th year, he was good looking and smart and I could totally see myself going to the ball with him, we had been talking for a while but when the conversation was coming to an end, I was subconsciously searching the crowd for the red head.
I finally found him leaning against the fire, and there was a girl next to him twirling a piece of black hair around her finger. She was in the year between Fred and me.
“You know Fred I can see that Y/n is hot and cold with you like all the time, you deserve better than that, somehow who appreciates every part of you, not dimming your flame and passion,” she then continued to rest her hand on his arm.
Something about it just ticked me off, maybe it was because I actually had to fulfil my part of the deal and rescue him.
I set my eyes on the target and started moving towards them. With full credit to Fred, he was trying to get her off politely without ruining the vibe of the room.
“Do you wanna get out of here?” she said in a lower voice, she batted her eyelashes up at him. Seriously the audacity of some people, did she not know that he has a girlfriend or was she just a bad girl’s girl? Okay- fake girlfriend, but still she didn’t know that fact.
She didn’t move her arm as I approached, I couldn’t tell what Fred was thinking either, I just let out an obnoxious cough, then she turned towards me.
“Excuse me,” I say brushing her hand off him, and instantly wrapping mine around his neck pulling him down towards me, kissing him, deeply like that day in the common room, right in front of her face. I feel his hands grab hold of my waist, his nails digging in, holding tight.
Loud cheers erupted around us, I knew they would, but it was still awful.
“Damn,” Lee said as he patted both Fred’s shoulder like a proper bro.
Fred had a giant grin across his face, and were his cheeks turning slightly pink?
The girl look mortified.
“What were you saying about passion?” I asked her mockingly, she turned bright red, everyone was still watching the interaction, she quickly walked out the common room.
“Okay everyone mind your own business,” George exclaimed giving Fred a fist bump and going to get another drink. It was moments like this that I wondered whether George and Lee knew, I know we agreed not to tell anyone but George was his twin.
Still a fair amount of eyes stayed lingering on us so he grabbed my hand a pulled me towards the staircase which separated the girls and boys’ dormitories, Merlin it’s like he actually wanted to propel the rumours.
He stopped halfway up the stairs looking back towards me, now he was even taller, so much so that he sat down on the stairs before speaking, “What was that?” he asks, was he impressed? Was that pride in his eyes?
“I’m your knight in shining armour duh,”
A smirk appeared on his face.
“Don’t get too excited I was just holding up my part of the deal,” I reinforced.
“You might want to tone it down or no one’s going to believe this, no one acts like that,” he repeated my words back at me. I threw him a side eye, “you mad at other people than me might be my new favourite thing though,” he chuckled.
I wanted to give the same talk back as he did, but I have in fact been in two relationships since starting at Hogwarts four years ago and in neither was I particularly outgoing or so bold. Both of those guys were smart and kind but both of them failed to bring out that kind of joy, none of them made me giggle so much I couldn’t breathe or make my heart race like I imagined someone made for me would.
“It’s like come on though, have some common decency, like yeah this may not be real but come on to the world it is, how bad of a person do you have to be to flirt with someone else’s man when they’re literally in the room with you,” I find myself ranting.
“So I’m your man,” Fred teased laying both his hands on my waist, I was stood between his legs look directly at his face, never had I realised just how many freckles he had, suddenly the air seemed to become very still.
“You know they’re definitely thinking we’re sleeping with each other right now,” I say to break the tension.
Either his eyes seemed to darken a little or my sight was going funny from standing in near darkness, “Thought you’d never ask my rooms is right there,” he teased.
I shook my head at him, and suddenly the weight of his hands on me was heavier, without my consent my eyes looked towards his lips before shooting back to his eyes the moment I realised what was happening.
Fred and I stood there just talking for what must have been the best of an hour making fun of that girl and the others who seemed to have no boundaries. This just showed how ridiculous this whole thing was, such a weird pairing. Then the next week of planned pranks him and George sorted supplies for and which teacher would get the most mad.
When I made it back to the common room, the party still mostly going on downstairs, Hermione and Ginny were both sat on Hermione’s bed chatting to each other in their pyjamas, it’s as if they were having meeting without me every couple of days. Their heads both turned to me as I walked through the door and they tried to contain their eager faces and questions.
“Do you know what? Weirdly I always had a feeling you two would end up together,” Ginny said with a small smile playing on her lips.
Did they actually think this? After we’ve witnesses how many people found this unbelievable the last couple of weeks. Still Ginny and Hermion didn’t know this was all fake, were they just being nice or were they genuinely rooting for Fred and I behind my back all along, the thought disturbing.
“Mom is really excited to have you at the Burrow for Christmas,” Ginny says then her face falls, “though she has been referring to you as her ‘perfect future daughter in law,’ it’s kind of scary,”
“She’s happy he finally got his act together,” Hemione added,
“Wait you’ve also been exchanging letters with Mrs Weasley, what is this some gossip circle?” I ask, “feeling low-key excluded guys,” they both shot looks at me and I nod, yep, something told me I would not want to be involved in these letters.
After Ginny had left and I got in bed, covers up to my ears my mind started running laps, what did Hermione and Mrs Weasley mean by finally got his act together, it’s not like Fred liked me or was planning on ever making an actual move. Then a sort of dull pain struck. A reminder that this was not real, that it was going to end, that all the pet names, and hugs and kisses were for show. It wasn’t like I was feeling anything towards him, or was I?
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
It was as if the universe was poised against me, later the next week in potions Snape decided we were going to mix Amortentia. Someone explain why the hell the most cold, heartless professor in this school was suddenly feeling all sentimental and gooey.
To no one’s surprise there was only a couple successful attempts, Hermione’s being one, Snape sighed and told the class to sperate themselves out between the successful potions and each get a smell.
The second I stepped up to the cauldron I thought I could throw up, and not because the smell was bad, no, in fact it was familiar and I was quite fond of it.
Fireworks, trees and something ever slightly sweet.
Fred Weasley.
That’s what I could smell and all of a sudden my heart was in overdrive, beating too fast for its own good.
Hermione looked at me hopefully from her place behind me in line, so I gave her a kind smile in hopes she wouldn’t pester.
It happened, the absolute unthinkable, I had gotten feelings of some sort for Fred Weasley, out of all the people on this earth. How the hell was I attracted to him, when did this happen.
I stepped to the side watching as the brown-haired girl moved up a step and leaned forwards slightly, her face scrunched for a moment as she tried to figure out what it was, then something clicked, but I could not tell if the reaction was positive or negative.
“This is stupid,” she muttered on the way back to the common room.
“This is coming from the girl who worships anything to do with magic, a sad day has fallen upon us,” I lowered my head in feign mourning.
“Did you get Fred?” she asked, “I completely forgot to ask the whole stupid task had me distracted,”.
“I what?” said his familiar voice as we stepped through the painting.
“We made Amortentia in potions,” Hemione said simply before heading straight towards the girl’s dorm tower, I don’t know what she smelt in the cauldron, but it seemed like she wanted to hide.
“Ah,” he said coming closer, “And you were graced with my very manly smell huh?” he winked at me before pulling me into a hug, his chin atop my head.
Without even trying the very same smell that came from the cauldron enveloped me. There were a couple of students in the common room. I closed my eyes for a second.
Then we were in motion, Fred was walking towards the sofa never letting go of me in the process. He sat down on one side and pulled me next to him, our legs were pressed against each other, and it shouldn’t have got my heart racing as much as it did considering we have literally made out in front of the whole of Gryffindor tower.
“I was thinking,” he said reaching over to the table next to the sofa and passing me something rolled up.
As I took I from him our hands brushed, I unrolled it to see the surname ‘Weasley’ spelled out on the back. His quidditch sweater.
“Maybe you could wear it to the game tomorrow,” he sounded apprehensive but excited, how could I not agree? I looked around at all the other students and took it into my arms, Fred’s hand on my knee, his fingers soothing.
“Thank you,” I whispered before kissing his cheek and getting up the sofa and rushing up to the dorm before he could see how much I was blushing.
When I got up to the room Hermione was shooting curious eyes towards me, “Ooo you’re wearing his surname now,” she prompts, “sounds serious”
“He wants me to wear it to the game tomorrow, I’m going to look like an idiot,” I said putting the sweater in front of myself and starting in the mirror.
The other girls in the dorm disagreed very vocally saying it was so cute, and how they wanted a boyfriend like Fred. I tried to calm them down before heading to dinner.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Upon our return to the common room Fred dragged me back towards the sofa, this has somehow become our spot, the trio all headed to the library in the search of something. George and Lee went upstairs to work on some homework, so it was just Fred and I and a few other students. I wanted to escape to the room too, Miles wasn’t here, neither were our friends so there was no need to pretend, but before I could suggest the notion of going to bed early Fred spoke “I got that book from the library that you wanted to read,” he conveyed passing it to me as we settled into our usual position. He then reached for something that looked like sketches and said it was something for their next product. I turned around and leaned my back against him stretching out my feet across the rest of the sofa.
I don’t know how long we were there but by the time I ripped my eyes away from the page I realised how dark it had gotten outside, the only light being the candles and the roaring fire. Then something else clicked into place, Fred was running his fingers through my hair, my head on his lap. I don’t know how we ended up like this but he looked like he dozing off slightly, eyes closed, head leaning against the back of the sofa.
“You should get to sleep it’s an important game tomorrow,” I croaked out, this got his attention, he opened his eyes and smiled at me.
“I didn’t want to distract you, that book got you good you weirdo,” he teased, I rolled my eyes as I lifted my body up giving it a proper stretch.
As I started heading towards the two stairway that separated the girls and boys’ dorms, I felt arms wrap around my middle, Fred’s head settling in the curve of my shoulder. If he moved even a slight bit, his lips would brush against my neck.
Without thinking I retorted “there’s no one here you don’t need to pretend to be all lovey dovey,” I let out a laugh, he froze for a moment and pulled away, the sudden cold not pleasant.
“Right,” he said stiffly and started walking up his stairs.
“Night Weasley,” I said and waited, he didn’t say it back, didn’t turn around, then at the last minute “Night Y/s/n” and then he was gone. The interaction left me feeling sour.
Against all odds and reasoning I ended up in bed still holding onto the sweater, it too had that smell that I couldn’t seem to escape, nor wanted to apparently according to my body.
Merlin this was bad. This had to end, and soon. If Fred knew this, he would just burst out laughing, I could hear the snide comments already.
I pulled it closer now that my mind was analysing his weird behaviour upon separation, he looked exhausted, he probably forgot for a moment to look around before choosing how to act because he was so sleepy. Everything would be fine in the morning.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Morning came too early and I felt as though I hadn’t slept a wink. I avoided speaking to anyone before breakfast, Fred, George and Lee were sat with their other friends this morning and coming to think of it was probably the first time this has happened since we began this whole ruse.
“Finally, the honeymoon period is over,” Ron said stuffing his face, “Ouch,” he yelled and I saw that Hermione has kicked him under the table.
“Are you okay?” she whispered next to me and I explained that I didn’t sleep well, must be stressed about the upcoming potions test, she looked at me one more time and then laid her head on my shoulder. I tried to get some food into my system but my throat was dry.
After breakfast the two quidditch teams ran to get to the pitch to change and get ready whilst we headed back up to the common room to grab some layers before heading out into the cold. I couldn’t help but sigh when I saw the dreaded sweater waiting for me. It’s not like everyone didn’t already know but with the feeling that Fred was annoyed with me for some reason, and that I seemed to be feeling more for him than intended, I didn’t know if I should wear it.
“Come on Y/n Ginny is waiting downstairs we want to grab good seats,” Hermione hurried me, I threw the sweater over myself and grabbed some earmuffs and gloves.
We sat in exactly our favourite area, cheering as our team came out, it was windy which would definitely throw a spanner in the game but the boys had been complaining about how many extra practises they’ve been getting in with the weather was changing, but their captain was correct, it would help them out today.
“Did you guys argue? Fred looks distracted and… sad,” Ginny said, the last word coming out as a mixture of surprise and confusion. I had to agree with her there, I have never seen Fred with this little life and sparkle to him, especially when playing quidditch.
I pretended not to hear her and cheer as the game continued instead, though I could see the looked passed between her and Hermione.
It was a tough game, the teams were basically head-to-head until Harry managed to grab the snitch after an hour. Cheers erupted across the stands, the team gathered, hugging and high fiving each other. I watched Fred quickly say something to George before rushing to the changing rooms.
I bit into my bottom lip and turn to the girls telling them I’d see them later before heading to the exterior doors of the changing rooms. Head leaning against the wall watching all the guys leaving, congratulating them as they went by. George and Lee were the second to last to leave, I said hello to them and they smiled sympathetically.
Then Fred came out, running a hand through his wet hair, he stopped abruptly when he saw me.
“I’m sorry if I did something to annoy you,” I said, it came out faster weaker than I expected, never did I ever think I would be apologising to this boy and actually meaning it but I just wanted his smile to reappear.
He looked down at the sweater I was wearing, and he rolled his eyes smiling.
“It’s not fair how much better it looks on you,” he threw his arm around my shoulders, and we made our way back up to the castle. He started ranting about going to grab butter beer next weekend at Hogsmeade. It was a comfortable conversation as if the last couple hours of weird behaviour didn’t happen, he had probably just been stressed about the game.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
That evening Fred kissed me goodnight as I headed to bed early, it was warm and it make my stomach flutter with butterflies as he brought my body close to his. Pulling away from him I waved everyone goodnight and made my way up.
I laid in bed with my eyes closed for what felt like hours, I heard each of my roommates returning to the room, getting ready for bed, and falling asleep whilst I was still twisting and turning. I could feel the restlessness in my every single one of my bones. I could not get another night of horrible sleep, or there a lack of sleep at all.
Swinging my legs over the side of my bed and throwing on a jumper I made my way down to the common room hoping to get some alone time, that maybe a change of scenery could help me think. Think about how Fred and I were going to end this, how we would go back to normal, and how it needed to happen fast, it was getting out of hand.
Unfortunately, the world did have something against me because there he was sat in his usual spot, as I stepped onto the floor a board creaked, his head snapped towards me.
“Hey you,” he said softly, and something in me cracked, finally like a dam giving in, water flooding everywhere, my eyes stinging, “come here,” he continued patting the seat right next to him.
“I think we’ve done it,” I said weakly, he looked back at me confused, brows raised. I took one step forward and a deep breath, “Miles has left me alone and he has a date for the ball, your little fan club seems to favour George and Harry now, we need to stop this,” I stated looking directly into his eyes, mesmerised, as if I could not look away even as I watched something shift in his eyes.
“This has gone too far Fred, it’s been fun, but it’s time to return to reality,”
“It’s been fun,” he scoffed
“Yes, fun, you said yourself that’s what you said it would be, one big prank on everyone with mutual benefits,” I reminded him. I didn’t even want to think about what Molly would say when she finds out we’ve ‘broken up’.
“Are you serious right now?” his voice was hoarse as he stood up, I didn’t know where these emotions were coming from.
I just nodded.
“The Yule ball is next week,” he stated, I could hear the frustration in his voice. Was he angry that I didn’t leave him enough time to find a date.
“As much as I hate to admit this, if you ask any of the girls I’m sure they’d say yes, even if they already have a date,” I conveyed with somewhat of a smile, trying to be helpful even though every part of my heart was crushing like a delicate glass ornament brashly thrown.
He ran his both his hands over his face, then through his hair, “You know what,” he sighed and ran his tongue over his lips, brows furrowing as if he was struggling to appoint together words, “Screw this,” he called out and marched towards the stairs up to the boys rooms.
The minute he was out of sight it’s like my knees gave out, the bubble that was building up in my chest burst, the tears running down my face as I leaned on the sofa to keep myself steady. I just let myself cry at how pathetic I must have looked, how stupid I felt, this whole thing was so dumb.
After managing to calm myself down, hand digging into my side to forceful myself to get it together I snuck back to my room grabbing Fred’s quidditch sweater and the series of handwritten notes he gave me these last 3 months and crept to leave them before his door. For a moment I let me head rest against it, hoping to hear his voice. But it was all silence.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
The next days were bleak, the twins sat at the opposite side of the table for breakfast every day, Fred was never around in the common room, and he would not meet my eyes even in passing. Everyone quickly caught on that something was off, though they seemed to know it was better than to poke at it.
Life had become awfully quiet without Fred’s noisy self around, his boisterous laugher and the feel of his always warm hands. Mostly I seemed to miss the bickering, that was our dynamic our whole lives, even before this mess.
When it hit Ginny and Hermione that this wasn’t just a falling out, that our ‘relationship’ was through, on Saturday night they made it their mission to just chill in our bedroom and do things to get my mind off it, talking about Hogsmeade tomorrow and plans for the winter holidays.
Noticing me trying to make an effort Ginny pulled me close, “Whatever he did to mess it up I’m sure he’s very sorry, you know he’s stubborn, but I’m sure he’ll fix it,” Ginny said as I leaned into her, she brushed her hands through my hair.
How could I tell them he didn’t do anything wrong, that he actually had been quite the perfect boyfriend. I felt silly now to mourn to something that wasn’t real, that I had been stupid enough to fall for someone who took nothing seriously.
The next morning, I opted to stay in the castle under the pretence of not feeling well and not wanting to make it worse before the ball and considering I already had a dress it was fine. Even though I really did not want to go to the ball, seeing Fred with someone else would just push me over the edge. Particularly because he was not speaking to me.
The day of the ball arrived fast, I hadn’t heard whether Fred had secured himself a date or not and with the impending doom of going home for Christmas tomorrow everything was filled with a mixture of doom and excitement.
Ginny and Hermione looked beautiful and as we headed down, they met both their dates, Harry and Ron even looked impressed at their looks, I elbowed them both with a laughter, Merlin they were both clueless as they watched the two get pulled towards the dance floor by their partners.
I followed behind them into the great hall which was decorated grandly with smaller tables surrounding the outer layer of the room and the large glowing dance floor in the middle. Dim candles lit the room just enough for shadows to dance across the walls, snow covered Christmas trees and floating snowflakes glimmered.
After a brief introduction and welcome to the ball from Professor McGonagle and Professor Dumbledore a soft upbeat melody started to play, couple cuddled up close on the floor, even some of the professors.
I couldn’t help but look for him among the sea of students, Hermione looked enchanted, Ginny was giggling at something Neville had said and Ron kept stepping on his partners feet. George beside him dancing with his partner poking fun at his poor younger brother. But the one Weasley I both really wanted to see and also did not want to see was nowhere to be found.
Then as if my wish was a command I saw him sitting by himself on the opposite side of the room, he didn’t look angry or excited to cause some trouble, he looked sad. Then his eyes caught mine, we stared at each other for a second before he stormed out through the side entrance.
My feet were working against my will; I pushed past people as I rushed to follow him.
He was stood outside leaning against one of the stone pillar looing out into the courtyard.
“What do you want?” he asked harshly before even turning around.
I took the hit, I couldn’t stand this coldness between us, I could feel my lips pointing downwards, the only way we could move past this is if everything was laid out on the table.
“You’re going to laugh at me for what I’m about to say,” I said feebly, I couldn’t take this energy anymore, he turned with his brows up waiting for me to speak, “I think somewhere, at some point during these last few months I actually started to feel something for you and it really scared me,” I started, his face didn’t change, “and I knew that you’d find it ridiculous I mean,” I pointed to myself, “I started finding it hard to be away from you and your touch and the jealously would eat me alive whenever I would see you with another girl because I had to remind myself that what was going on between us wasn’t real and that you could flirt and touch and make any girls laugh and blush,” all the words tumbled out of my mouth and I couldn’t stop them.
“Y/n” he whispered.
“I knew we couldn’t try to move from this unless everything was said and out there, so we know where we stand instead of shutting each other out,” I said just about ready to sink into the floor and disappear.
“It wasn’t fake to me,” he said, I lifted my gaze from the floor, he was still stood in the same place as if the delicate air around us would shatter if he so much as moved. My heart began racing, what was he saying? “Yes I wanted to help get Miles Brown off your back but the only thing that was in it for me was the chance to make you see me as an option, that I wasn’t just a stupid family friend who knows how to do nothing but cause trouble,” he said.
“I’m in love with you. Every part of you,” he said. It was paralyzing that the man in front of me, who could not take a single thing seriously was stood in front of me completely still, raw and real, it was unnerving “but what were the chances that you’d go for me when there are so many more ‘sensible’ options with their grades and lives sorted out,”. He echoed some of his mother’s words, that I deserved someone organised, ready for the real world.
I ran forwards and wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him into a tight hug, he pulled me close, every single part of our bodies touching, out breaths uneven.
“I would choose arguing with you every day over anything and anyone else always,” the words escaped my lips in a hurried tone. This boy aways pushed every single one of my buttons but he was also the one who pushed me to be my best.
He pulled away just enough to kiss me, it was hot and desperate and real. Pulling away it suddenly everything was worth it for that glimmer that sparkled in his eyes.
“Is this why you never dated anyone here at Hogwarts because you’ve just been so obsessed with me for years?” I asked looking at him.
“Yeah whatever,” he rolls his eyes.
I let a smile slide onto my face, “You know why none of my relationships worked out?” I ask and he nods curiously, “I don’t think I ever laugh as much as I do with you, never argued with anyone as much and never felt so appreciated for being the way I am,”
“So what I’m hearing is they were all boring, I’m amazing, and you’ve also been in love with me for years but in denial,” he boasts, and I just kiss him, tugging the hair at his nape with my hand, earning a satisfied sound.
After pulling away he said “Thank Merlin now my mother isn’t going to kill me,” he blew out a breath as if it were a close one.
I smack his arm playfully, “I see, that’s why you did this, to avoid hearing an earful from your mother,” I challenge him.
He just kissed me again, “I can’t believe we could have been doing this for years,” he kissed me again.
“So, what do we do know?” I asked.
“We have plenty of catching up to do,” he said smoothly changing the subject before turning me around, so my back hit the cold stone column and kissing me again.
He then told me that at that very first quidditch match of the year he was trying to find me in the stand, that’s why he was distracted, I knew I was right.
Since the feeling were pretty much always real it didn’t make sense to tell anyone about the deal, we were just together. Maybe this was all a bad idea but right now it felt pretty amazing.