¡! ❞ FRED WEASLEY ❞
{the one with the mistletoe}

"I have been looking forward to meeting you!" Molly approached you with open arms. "The boys couldn't stop talking about you." Her arms wrapped around you for a tight hug.
     "Couldn't they?" you smirked, arching an eyebrow at them. The twins whistled as they looked everywhere except in your direction.
     "I'm Molly," she smiled, pulling away from the hug. Molly Weasley was a plump, red-haired witch, and mother of seven. Six sons and one daughter. Fred and George always wanted you to visit the Burrow with them and you always declined ... However, the twins aren't known for giving up.
Six years earlier, you were sorted in Gryffindor, just like them. Conversation was easy with them and the pranks ... were even easier. Especially on Argus Filch.

''Meet the rest of us,'' Fred had said, grabbing your hand. Seeing the whole family gave you a shudder down your spine. You knew Ron and Ginny, but the whole Weasley family?
     ''Pleasure to meet you,'' Arthur smiled and turned to his sons. ''Now, I get why they are always talking about you.'' A heat crept up your neck while you shook his hand. ''Dad,'' Fred said with embarrassment.
     ''Hi, I'm Bill,'' the oldest introduced himself. ''And I'm Charlie, hi.'' 
     ''It is a true pleasure meeting you,'' you said before Ginny entered the living room. She ran up to you and tackled you in a hug. ''Hello, Ginny,'' you grunted with a laugh, causing the others to laugh as well.
     ''Hey!''

''George, do me a favor and go with Ginny,'' Molly questions, looking at her son.
     ''He is not George, I am,'' Fred scoffs. Molly sighs with disappointment. ''I'm sorry Geroge,'' she sighs, however, George moves toward Ginny.
     ''Only joking, I am George,'' he says before charging through the wall with Ginny. Molly couldn't help but roll her eyes. Fred sends a wink in your direction and a sly smirk plays his lips. They both loved pranks so bloody much.
     ''Ron, Harry, Hermione. Hurry!'' Molly urges, sending them off through the wall. Molly takes a glance in your direction before running into the wall. You and Fred are the only ones left. He looks down at you, extending his hand.
     ''May I have this run with you, mi lady?'' Fred questions. A laugh ripples from your throat as you clasp your hand in his. ''Always, Freddie.'' Your fingers entangle before you run toward the wall between Platform 9 and Platform 10. You are met by loads of wizards who have the same purpose as you do. Attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

''Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts,'' Professor Dumbledore opens the evening. ''I present to you our newest teacher for Deference Against the Dark Arts, Professor Dolores Umbridge!'' All eyes turn to the woman in pink attire and several students clap their hands. The headmaster continues his usual but he is rudely interrupted by a cough. He abruptly stops talking and glances over his shoulder, his eyes meeting those of Dolores. She rises from her seat and walks up to him.
     You lean closer toward Fred, whispering: ''Giantic bitch vibes.'' Fred fails to suppress a snort and it is the only sound echoing through the Great Hall. He clasps his hand to his mouth, causing you to snort. Dolores glances in your direction before starting her little, boring talk which seemed to go on for ages. After her speech, Albus officially opened the feast.
     ''Finally.''

''Mimbulus Mimbletonia,'' you speak to the portrait. The Fat Lady swings open, showing the doorway to the Gryffindor Common Room. Once you walk inside, you are welcomed by the roaring fire, stuffed armchair, and the great view from the windows. The dormitories are reached by climbing the winding mahogany staircase, decorated with crimson and gold. Four posters are covered with thick scarlet blankets and are embroidered with gold.
     ''I missed this,'' you mutter, inhaling the familiar scent of the Common Room. Fred lets himself fall into one of the chairs, agreeing with you. His brother occupies the other chair, just before you want to sit there. He gestures in Fred's direction, implying that you sit on his lap. If looks could kill, George would have been dead.
"Freddie, you wouldn't mind if y/n sat on your lap, right?" George smirks, obviously enjoying the situation. "I can sit on the armrest," you say, quickly taking place on the armrest of Fred's chair. He scowls but leaves you be.

Months later, you barge into the Great Hall with strides. Fred glances aside to see you approaching. "Y/N is angry," Fred warns, causing his brother to look up as well.
     "All is well, sweetheart," Fred tries to calm you. You sit down, not feeling calm at all.
     "The bloody bitch gave me detention," you hiss, your hands running through your hair. "The bloody bitch gave me detention, for what? For bumping into her," you continue. "Okay, she fell to the floor, but I can't help it I bumped into her or she into me." Both Fred and George watched you rattle on until you were finished.
     "That seems a bit unreasonable for sure," George says, taking a bite of a sandwich. "When?" Fred asks. "Tonight," you grumble. "So, I can't watch your practice, sorry."

You enter the classroom and head to her office. "Come in," she speaks before you could knock. Her office is pink. Her office is bloody pink, decorated with cat pictures. Bloody hell. She gestures for you to sit next to her.
     "What do I need to do?"
     "Penal rules," she answers, with a small annoying chuckle. As you reach for your bag, she stops you.
     "Oh, you don't need ink. Here, use mine," she says sweetly and gives you an extraordinary quill. "What do I have to write?" you ask, still annoyed.
     "I watch where I'm going," she quotes. You suppress an urge to roll your eyes and start writing. While you did, a stinging feeling emerged from your hand. Your eyes avert from the paper to your hand.

I watch where I'm going

It's engraved into your hand and it stung like hell. "How many times?" you grit through your teeth. She leans in closer, her eyes meeting yours. "As many as it will take for you to understand the message."
Bitch.

After what felt like hours, you are on your way back to the Gryffindor Tower. Silently praying you don't run into any prefects or professors. The sound of your boots echoes through the corridors but you freeze as you hear another pair of boots.
     Silence.
     You dare to breathe out, but the next moment a bright light illuminates the corridor. Your eyes narrow at the sudden light.
     "And why is a Gryffindor student out of bed outside curfew?" That voice belongs to one professor in this castle. The one you are willing to avoid.
     "I had detention," you speak, slowly getting used to the light. Your eyes meet Severus' dark eyes, which is nothing but a cold gaze. "Professor Umbridge's." Something seems to shift in his posture.
     "Very well," he says and gestures you to walk. You simply obey his demand and walk toward the Gryffindor Tower. However, he walks with you. This night couldn't get any weirder.
     "What detention did she give you?" "Penal rules," you reply, not particularly wanting to tell you the engraving into your flesh part. "Let me see your hand." What in bloody hell? You show him your hand, causing him to sigh.
     "What I thought," he mutters, almost inaudible to me. He then instructs me to visit Madam Pomfrey in the morning and walks off.

As confused as you were, you entered the common room, heading straight to the dormitory. Until a figure on the couch stopped you. You stalk closer, noticing it is Fred. As you crouch down, you lay a hand on his cheek. "Why aren't you in bed," you whisper. Your touch stirs him awake, his sleepy eyes meeting yours.
"Where were you?" he asks sleepily. "I was concerned." The corners of your mouth curve into a faint smile, caressing his cheek with his thumb. "Her detention is different than the other professors." He presses the heels of his palms to his eyes, forcing him to wake.
     "Her detention will be literally engraved in your skin," you continue. Fred wiggled aside, making room for you to lay down. Which you did and showed him your hand. Fred audibly gasps at the sight of your hand.
     "But this is serious," he gasps. "Child abuse."
     "Even Professor Snape was surprised," you tell. "Snape?" he questions. "It's a long story," you yawn.
"I have time," he implies, wrapping his arms around you. You try to wiggle out of his grip, but he is too strong for you.
"Well, alright. She had me writing penal rules with this quill of hers, not mine — Fred hides his face into your nape — and it engraved in my hand. It stung like hell. The more I had to write, the more it pained me." Your gaze is fixed on the dying fire, not noticing Fred's tensed jaw. "And then?" he implies.
"I returned to the common room, but Snape intercepted me. I gave him my honest reason and he walked me back to the tower, instructing me to visit Madam Pomfrey in the morning." You glance over your shoulder, noticing a surprised expression.
"Snape? Returning a Gryffindor to their common room?" he questions, but you think of it otherwise. "I think he despises her more than us," you reason. "Besides, I'm not his worst student." Fred scrunches his nose and sticks out his tongue.

Time passed by in silence. The fire had died and your eyes began to feel heavy. You wanted to make your way to the dormitory, but Fred's grip only tightened.
"Don't leave," he mutters. You glance over your shoulder to see frowning lines on his forehead. "Okay," you whisper. "I will stay." You comfortably sink into his arms and close your eyes, drifting off to sleep.
     The house elves have put a blanket on you two before cleaning the common room

Christmas break is for most students a joyful time. Most students leave Hogwarts to celebrate Christmas with their families. But not Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Luna, Neville, Draco, some other students and the teachers. Luckily for everyone, Umbridge left for the Ministry.
On Christmas Day, you all gathered in the common room to see a bunch of presents underneath the tree. Ginny passes you one, wanting you to open it. You pull out a knitted sweater with the first letter of your surname.
"I see mom has knitted you a sweater as well," Fred laughs, showing him as well.
"That is very sweet of her, I'll send her an owl this afternoon to thank her," you say. You observed the sweater while all eyes were directed at Fred.
"I am starving now, though," Ron whines, earning a hit from Hermione on his shoulder. "Ow."

After breakfast, you wrote a small thank you letter to Molly. You snatch your cloak on the way out, wrapping it around your shoulders. You step outside, only noticing it was snowing.
You step inside the owl post, looking around for an owl to send off. "Hello, there," you greet softly, carefully petting the white owl. She lifts her small paw, waiting for me to attach the letter.
"For Molly Weasley," you whisper and the owl takes off. You watch the animal fly off before you head to exit. When you go around the corner, you bump into something. Or someone.
"My, my, my," Fred chuckles, his hands securing around your waist. Your hands travel to his chest before looking him in the eyes. "Hi, Fred," you smile. You took notice of something, something small. Fred's noticed your attention and followed your gaze.
"Mistletoe," he says, averting his eyes from the plant.
"Do you kiss?" he questions.
"Only if I'm asked properly," you answer, staring in his eyes. "May I be the lucky man to kiss you?" he questions, slightly leaning in. Your eyes dart to his lips and back to his eyes.
"Yes." Fred closes the remaining distance between our faces and his lips touch mine. His grip around my waist tightens, pulling you closer to him. You pull away to catch a breath.
"I have been wanting to do that, for at least a year," Fred smiles. He is smiling from ear to ear.
"Was it worth the wait?" you question, meeting his gaze.
"Absolutely," he smiles. He cups your cheek and presses his lips on yours once again.

Extended Scene

Fred Weasley

"George, I don't know what to do!" I stressed. I paced back and forth, my hands gripping my hair.
"Just tell her," George suggested. My eyes snapped toward him, looking at him as if he were a madman.
"Just tell her? It takes one moment to ruin a friendship," I panicked. I couldn't just tell her, no. I remembered the moment I had a conversation with her. The light in her eyes, the sound of her laugh, the elegance in her movements. Simply mesmerizing.
"You gotta do something," George said, "before someone else will."

After breakfast, I made my way to the owl post. I knew she would come by soon, so I hid myself with the cloak borrowed from Harry. I just waited until I saw her.
"It is now or never," I whisper. I head to the owl post and then she bumps into me. I looked her in the eyes and I knew, this is the person I wish to grow old with.