gold rush // f.w.

chapter three

My eyes fluttered opened and I saw three familiar faces staring down at me.

Fred, George and Mrs. Weasley all smiled at me and I smiled back. I don't really remember what had happened or how we got back to the Burrow.

In a soft whisper Molly spoke to me, "Madeline, dear, I'm so glad you're awake!" She grabbed my arm and I winced in pain as she helped me sit up on the sofa.

"What happened?" I asked and Fred and George both looked as if they were about to cry.

"We thought we lost you mate." George said, almost silently. Tears were now streaming down Fred's face and he took my hand.

"Why? What happened guys?" I asked, concerned about their distress.

"It was the most courageous thing, what you did." George continued, "You saved Freddie from being crushed last night when Death Eaters attacked the campsite."

Fred sobbed a bit and wiped his eyes, "You got trapped under a burning tent. You could've died trying to help me Mads, I don't know why'd you do that." Fred said, looking at me with such a concerned look, I don't even think I've ever seen him like this.

The twins relaying what happened back to me was helping me to remember running away with them. I remember the figure in the distance and pushing Fred out of the way.

"You guys are my best friends! I would do anything to protect you." I squeeze Fred's hand and he smiles a small smile to me.

"A true Gryffindor." Molly says sweetly.

"Okay, but next time don't! You gave us an awful fright!" George exclaimed and Molly shook her head.

"Boys, let Madeline rest up! Honey, I'll brew you something to make the muscle aches die down. You stay right there and don't move a muscle." Molly waves a finger at me as she heads to her kitchen.

George gives my leg a pat before he goes off into another room but Fred stays.

"Madeline, I am so sorry." He starts and I shush him.

"Fred seriously. Nothing to be sorry about! I would've been devastated if you were to get hurt! You know me, I'll always take one for the team." I say and he shakes his head and chuckles a bit.

"There is none like you Longbottom."

His words stayed with me and rang in my head. They gave me a warm feeling inside and Fred usually was always a main source of my comfort but this was different.

There was something about the way that his expression looked, the way that he was holding onto my hand, as if losing me would've been the end of him.

I cared very deeply for all of the Weasleys. These people were my family. However, looking at Fred and the way the sunlight glistened on his tear-stained cheeks, my heart began to race.

I never have thought twice about having romantic feelings for either of the twins, although people at school really got a kick out of talking about us. But, the way that butterflies were forming in my stomach while I studied his features was quite alarming to me.

I took a sharp breath in, forcing myself to break eye contact as Molly entered with my tea. I dropped Fred's hand and took the cup from her, smiling.

"Thank you so much Molly. I don't know what any of us would do without you." I say.

She kisses my forehead and rubs my back before leaving again.

Fred was still looking at me and I could feel his eyes on me as I spoke to his mother.