shake it off

vera robin mckinnon. twenty-nine. pureblood. gryffindor. seeker for the appleby arrows. ❝ but i keep cruising. can't stop, won't stop moving. it's like i got this music in my mind saying – it's gonna be alright . ❞

[frcdcrickhcycs]

“You can just call me the best partner, because I have every faith in your abilities to control this thing… maybe not at safe speeds, but I’m not worried about you crashing,” he said with easy confidence. Vera had proven time and time again that her instincts were sharp. Lethal when they needed to be. So when she told him to hold on tighter, he didn’t hesitate. Both arms wrapped firmly around her, his chin dipping against her shoulder as he murmured low in her ear, cheeky grin tugging at his mouth. “Thought you’d never ask.”

There wasn’t time for her reaction; Vera floored it immediately, and the jet ski surged forward with a roar. Water kicked up in sprays around them as they bounced across the waves, the thrill hitting like a rush straight to the chest. With Vera in charge, there was zero chance of boredom, only the question of whether he could keep up with her energy. He laughed, exhilarated, the sound nearly stolen by the wind. “I still can’t believe you’ve never done this before.”

[veramckinncn]

"I don't take your faith in me for granted– I'd hope you'd know that," Vera smiled, although her words were swallowed up by the roar of jet ski's motor. They zipped along the water, salt clinging to her hair as it lashed around in the wind. "Neither can I," she confessed, laughter continuously spilling from her lips as they continued the ride. "Although this was a bad idea because now I'm tempted to do this forever," she mentioned.

As she gained confidence on the jet ski, she began to steer them around in zig zags and impressive curves across the water. "Perhaps I'm in for a career change," she added half-jokingly, adrenaline pumping through her veins as she let the thrill of the ride consume her. "Were you planning on swapping at some point? It's gonna be hard to get me out from behind the steering wheel," she threw over her shoulder at him.

[frcdcrickhcycs]

🌊 - enjoy a swim/water sports activity

“You’re steering. I’m just here for the chaos,” Fred announced as he swung onto the back of the jet ski, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. His hands settled lightly at her waist, already bracing for whatever madness she was about to unleash.

“I’m just hoping they can keep up with us,” he added, knowing full well she’d floor it with the same reckless determination she showed on the Quidditch pitch. Salt air whipped around them, the water lapping impatiently at the sides of the machine, almost seeming to urge them into action.

“Just—do me a favor and avoid any low-flying birds, yeah?” His grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. “That’s not how I want to earn dinner tonight.”

@veramckinncn

[veramckinncn]

"It was a terrible idea to give me the permission to steer this thing," Vera told him, although there was a smile upon her features that spanned from ear to ear. The jet ski's motor rumbled as it waited to be revved, the two of them already bouncing slightly upon the water. "They can eat sea spray if they're going to choose to go so slow," she said in reply, her mind more focused on the open water ahead of them. Adrenaline pulsed through her as she braced herself for an increase in speed. "You might want to hold on tighter," she barely got out the warning before she'd gone for it and was zipping them across the waves at an insane velocity, wind slicing at their skin as Vera's smile only grew. "Holy shit! This is incredible," she exclaimed passionately, the shore disappearing behind them as she aimed for the wide open sea.

[burntogcther]

Veronica sighed, "I am, constantly. They have my personal mobile number. My dad's too but he's... not coping well with it all."

[veramckinncn]

"Let me know if there's anything I can do for you, yeah?" Vera asked, her expression laced with concern for the other. "You don't have to go through any of this alone."

[dailywomen]

MEGHANN FAHY photographed for Stylist Magazine (2025)

[freycmccdougcl]

Freya felt as though she’d lived through a lifetime of heartbreak in such a short time. Her childhood hadn’t been kind, and maybe that had set the bar too low, making her believe love had to be difficult to be real. That belief had drawn her, at first, to the wrong kind of man. The kind who put her in danger. The kind who’d forced her to lie to her siblings about her sudden disappearance, pretending she was off travelling, when in truth she’d had to go into hiding because of him.

And then came Damien.

Godric, he was the love of her life. That much she knew with a certainty she couldn’t quite explain. Even if their beginning had been hesitant due to her past trauma, he had proven time and time again that he was exactly who she needed, exactly when she needed him. But the universe hadn’t made it easy. Just when things had started to feel steady, she'd found out she was pregnant, only to lose the baby not long after. The grief hadn’t left her since.

She let out a breath before continuing, her voice quieter now, more reflective, soft in its appreciation for the people she'd kept in her life. The value she gave them was nothing short of a fortune. “You’re right,” she said gently, looking at Vera with unrivalled warmth in her swirling blue eyes. “Though I think of you as my soulmate… he’s my life mate.” Then came the question, soft, almost pleading for a positive response from whatver deity deemed her worth listening to. “And honestly, haven’t we been through enough to earn a little sunshine now?”

Vera’s shift into humour was a welcome relief, and Freya met it easily with a smile tugging at her lips. “Yes, there was definitely a lot of flirting,” she laughed. “But I still can’t believe you didn’t notice just how hard he was trying. He was practically sending smoke signals. Get out the Quidditch team and have them pull the banner to broadcast it and you still would have completely missed it.” She cheekily teased her friend before continuing. “And plenty of men don’t seem like the settling type until the right woman comes along. You were that woman, V. He’d have been a idiot not to.”

[veramckinncn]

"Oh, Freya," Vera whispered, her voice thick with emotion when her best friend deemed her her soulmate. She reached out, her hand finding Freya's, lacing their fingers together tightly. The unspoken history of pain and resilience hung in the air between them, a shared weight that only deepened their bond. She was forever grateful to have the woman back in her life, just wishing she hadn't had to endure so much, her heart aching at the thought of what Freya carried with her.

"You have, my darling. You have absolutely been through enough," Vera affirmed, her gaze unwavering, full of fierce loyalty and understanding. "You and Damien deserve nothing short of the best. Nobody should have to endure so much heartache in such little time– but you two especially are some of the least deserving of that," she added with a light shake of her head.

A smile touched Vera's lips at Freya's playful teasing. "Okay, okay, maybe he was a little obvious," she conceded with a soft laugh, squeezing Freya's hand that she still had a grip on. "But can you really blame me for being cautious? He had a notable track record after all. And anyway, a little chase never hurt anyone, right?" she winked cheekily. "But you're right, he would have been an idiot to let me go. And I'm pretty glad he wasn't. As much as I might've put him through to prove to me he meant that he wanted more for us, it was all so worth it in the end. I honestly, I couldn't imagine anyone else now. And it feels good to feel confident that that feeling is reciprocated."

She then paused, her expression remaining warm but turning more serious. "And you, my sweet Freya," Vera continued, her voice gentle but firm, "you were always the woman for Damien. You just both had to go through a bit of a maze to find each other. But look at you now. You deserve this, Freya. All of this good," Vera insisted passionately. "So what do you think is the first 'sunshine' moment you and Damien will get to celebrate once you're settled?" she then asked curiously, smoothly trying to turn the conversation lighter again.

[freycmccdougcl]

Freya let out a soft, thoughtful sigh—the kind that carried the weight of her memories and everything she and Damien had already been through. “I think we’ve just had such a whirlwind of unexpected turns,” she murmured, her gaze distant for a moment. “In some ways, I guess that pushed us to move faster than we might have expected.” Did she regret the pace of it all? Not even for a second. No one had ever made her feel as grounded or as certain as Damien did. With him, everything felt anchored and real. She had no doubts about where they were headed. Still, a change like this, something so significant, had a way of stirring up the unknown in people.

“You and Fred though,” she added gently, offering a small smile, “you’ve been steady from the very beginning. This feels like exactly the right move at exactly the right time." She encouraged.

[veramckinncn]

"I know. And as much as I hate when people say it– it's made the both of you and your bond together that much stronger. It was difficult but you both went through like all of the ultimate tests that only confirm your relationship is solid," Vera pointed out. "There is no doubt in the universe that the two of you were made for one another. I think it was going to be you guys in the end no matter what. It's some soulmates level shit," she insisted with a soft laugh but she truly meant it. She found it hard to imagine anyone being more perfect for her best friend than the man she was with now. Damien felt like the accumulation of all the things Freya had either said she wanted in a man or had loved the most about past partners. At least from her perspective and what she'd heard.

"I wouldn't say very beginning. We started off as friends that flirted an unhealthy amount," she chuckled, thinking back on all their past shenanigans. "And I will be the first to admit that I found it hard to imagine a world where I'd see Frederick Hayes settle down. Let alone with me," she pointed out with a fond laugh, clearly happier than ever that she'd been proven wrong in the end. "I love that you can plan and expect and make your mind up about things but there is always that chance of everything turning on its head and completely surprising you. That's this for me. And while it was unexpected at first, now nothing makes more sense than making this next step with him."

[freycmccdougcl]

"I just don't want to get too carried away." Freya admitted because she knew there was a possibility she'd get her hopes up if she started planning all this out and it deserved a conversation with Damien first to see where his head was at with the idea of them moving in together. It was something she needed to think about now because if Vera was moving out she needed to consider if she was going to get a new room mate or live on her own. "I'll have to talk to Damien about you moving out if only because I need to consider my next steps. I just hope he doesn't see it as me trying to force his hand because that's not my aim at all."

[veramckinncn]

"I also understand that," she sympathized with Freya, able to see where she was coming from with that. "I've got to say, I'm kind of surprised you two aren't the ones making this move before Fred and I," she confessed with a laugh. "I'm sure he won't see it that way though. The two of you are locked in for life, anyone can see that. It's only a matter of time you'd make the move– literally," Vera assured her best friend with a smile.

[freycmccdougcl]

"Maybe because it isn't something you have thought about with a partner until Fred?" Though perhaps it'd been considered with Joe before given how serious they had been together. "I'd always love your opinion. Look, whilst we like different things, we'd always give advice that works with those preferences. It doesn't have to be my favourite thing to tell you if it looks good or not." Freya spoke in soft amusement. "I'm tempted to copy you and do a pinterest board myself but I might be jumping a little ahead with that." She admitted, given that she and Damien hadn't even discussed moving in together. "I love a green garden so you know I'd always be out there. Maybe I could create a way to go to my creatures out there rather than how I enter currently." She mused, finding herself rather lost in that thought.

[veramckinncn]

"Definitely not to this degree," she considered with a nod. She'd had past relationships that were very serious, Joe being one of them, but Fred was now up there at the top in the hypothetical tier list. "I love that while we get along and enjoy a lot of the same things, we also have different tastes in other areas and that's what makes it interesting," Vera said with a nod. "Please copy me and do a Pinterest board! I'd love to see what you put together," she replied enthusiastically. "That would be so cool. I'm sure if anyone could figure out a way to make that work, it'd be you to be honest."

[frcdcrickhcycs]

"I think most would just call me stubborn." He answered in response, an amused smile playing over his lips. "Well, I am sure they will have a Christmas party and if they are accepting partners, you will be immediately invited." Not that she didn't already know that but sometimes it needed clarifying. "Babe, you've been doing all those grown up things for a while now, but I get what you mean. Actually owning somewhere is a big step and I suppose scary for a lot of people."

[veramckinncn]

"That too. But so am I so I can't talk," she laughed in return. "I'd be more offended if I wasn't," Vera stuck her chin forward childishly before scrunching her face to grin again. "Yeah, I know, I know. The only thing I've really owned was my broom and my biggest responsibility thus far has been River. I guess a house is the next logical step after all. And getting to do that with you is going to make it all worth it."

[freycmccdougcl]

Freya laughed softly at that. "There is something about creating all that with a person you love. It's pretty special." She admitted with a little nod of her head at the thought. "And as a witch, there is so much open to you." They weren't exactly limited by size, only cost. "You know I'll give you my opinion on things but I'll not be upset if you don't take them given we do have different tastes." Freya hummed at the thought of the back garden. "I will never forget reading A secret garden and I've always imagined having something like that if I could."

[veramckinncn]

"It really is. I never quite got it up until now," she admitted. "I know you won't. I mean the same will go for when you're decorating your own place– if you ask for my opinion in return that is," she shrugged. "That sounds so incredibly you. I feel like you'd have the most whimsical back garden," Vera commented with a warm smile. "I don't have a naturally green thumb so I'll just have to come over yours to enjoy all the beautiful greenery."

[frcdcrickhcycs]

"But if I want to then you can't really argue it can you." Fred pointed out with a smile. "Of course I'd considering doing that because things that are important to you are also important to me." He reminded Vera, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss affectionately to her knuckles. "Same. I can't wait to get the process going and really build our life together." He knew that Vera wasn't the type to do that easily so he was very lucky that she saw a long future with him.

[veramckinncn]

"You drive a hard bargain, Mister Hayes," she grinned back at him. She always felt lucky to have him in her life but moments like these only solidified that she'd won the lottery. "I know– if your job had more things like this you know I'd be there too, yeah?" Vera felt the need to mention, a soft giggle leaving her lips as he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "Me neither. It also feels so... grown up," she admitted with a laugh. "And I know we're both adults but there's things like getting a house that really make me feel that way."

[freycmccdougcl]

They were so used to sharing things at this point, she didn't even bat an eyelid when the phone was passed over to her. Flicking through the different things that Vera had in her mind, Freya couldn't help but smile. These are nice. I like the decor ideas." They both had put their stamp on this apartment so it was no surprise that she liked what Vera was thinking of here. "Are there any non-negotiables you have been thinking about?"

[veramckinncn]

"Never thought I'd be so invested in backsplash but here I am now, zooming in on pictures of kitchens and picking them apart in regards to what I want for my future home," Vera confessed with a snort. "Thank you though. I figured you'd like– but I still want to know everything nonetheless," she added. "Thankfully we both agreed on this but I insisted on a lot of outside space. For River, for entertaining– I want a nice garden or something. Fred was one hundred percent on board for it too."

[frcdcrickhcycs]

Fred never really realised how much something like that could mean to a person until Vera. She seemed to value how much he enjoyed being around those she was friends with and just worked with. The fact he was open to always going with her with very little complaint drew a bright smile to her face and it was worth it for that alone in his eyes. He couldn't understand partners who wouldn't want to do that for one another. "Count me in. If you give me enough advanced notice, I'll make sure to book it off if I am not off already."

[veramckinncn]

"Come on now– there's no need for you to be taking off work for these things," Vera insisted fondly. While the intention was beyond sweet, she didn't expect him to do these sorts of things. Besides, his work was far more important than these social events. "But it's sweet that you'd even consider doing something like that. I wouldn't ask that of you however," she said, reaching to cup his face. "I'm just excited to start viewing places now. It's going to be so much fun imagining the way everything is going to look."

[freycmccdougcl]

"It makes sense though, you two have been seeing each other for a while now." But equally, Vera was right that time had felt a little like it had stopped still. They were both ready for next steps but still happy to keep living as they were too, like they didn't quite want to give up this part of their lives. It'd been such a big part and they had come through so much, it was no surprise that they'd been holding on so hard. "A pinterest board already? You really are excited." Freya said with a soft laugh. "I'd love to see and help you bounce ideas around. It's exciting to do all this kind of stuff."

[veramckinncn]

"That's true. And even before then we've been close for years. It was only a matter of time," she nodded. "Yeah, I know right? It seems I just couldn't help myself," Vera laughed, pulling out her phone to hand it over to Freya. "Have a look. I'm sure you'll have your own opinions which honestly I would love to hear." She shifted to grab her glass and sip from it. "Please! It's so much more fun to share it with someone and while I know I need to run everything through Fred I want an outside opinion too. And there's nobody's I trust more than yours."

[frcdcrickhcycs]

"I never said that it was bad in the least." Fred responded with a little chuckle. He'd merely been pointing out just how much of a good deal he'd be getting out of that situation. "I like being your Trophy husband and performing well for you. I'm good at charming people, the female population in particular so if I can impress people you hang around with, I am always going to take that opportunity. Plus I get to show off that I bagged a real hottie who is mega talented too. So I'd say I don't mind being dragged out at all."

[veramckinncn]

"As far as I'm concerned you're the best trophy husband that there ever was," Vera insisted with a grin. She'd been beaming the whole time Fred had been speaking, glad to know that he enjoyed going out with her and how much she'd show him off and brag about him to her friends and peers. "We've got some Quidditch press and parties coming up too– I'm sure if you've not got work I can expect to you to join me?"

[freycmccdougcl]

"As you should be. If you weren't I would be concerned about you making that move with him." Freya told the girl with brushing her hand softly against Vera's arm. She did have to laugh when Vera assured her that it hadn't been something they had been debating for months without telling her. "I mean, that would be your prerogative if you had, I couldn't be upset with you for that but what I actually meant was, have you been thinking about it for a while because it seems like something you would both have talked about for a while before finally jumping in. But, I'd love to see what the pair of you are looking at. I know it's not my decision to pick of course but I can get second hand excitement too."

[veramckinncn]

"And fair enough. It's within your best friend duties to look out for things like that after all," she acknowledged with a laugh. "Whenever we talked about it it felt like one of those 'down the line' sort of things. Like it didn't feel so... close? If that makes any sense," Vera shrugged. "So when Fred brought it back up again one day it wasn't completely out of the blue but it still felt a little unexpected. I guess I forgot time hasn't been frozen– sometimes I feel like we're still those young girls fresh out of Hogwarts. But I'm so excited, I really am. And I know you would be for me too," Vera reached to squeeze Freya's hand. "Absolutely! I've got a Pinterest board already started of interiors and furniture and things like that– but we're making a shortlist of places we'd like to see. I'd love to share everything with you."

[frcdcrickhcycs]

"I think that'll be to my benefit if you do, beautiful." Fred told Vera with a smile on his lips because he could never complain when he got the opportunity to work her up and inevitably take her apart later on too. She was so unbelievably responsive and he loved every moment of it. "Is this you saying that I am your own personal Mr Darcy?" He teased lightly. "Maybe we should take me out and show me off more often then if that's the case."

[veramckinncn]

"And is that not a good thing?" she quirked a brow in reply. Vera was all about making sure they both got plenty of pleasure so she couldn't see things being to Fred's benefit as a bad thing. If anything it was thrilling for her in itself. "Do you feel like I don't take you out enough? And here I thought you might be getting sick of how much I like to drag you everywhere," Vera grinned back.