𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 29

"Nat, wake up," Fred whispered quietly, the girl not stirring beside him. She had fallen asleep next to him on the couch, her father the same on the armchair just metres away. The windows were still open, revealing a crescent moon, which glistened down on Natasha, illuminating her features.

It was officially Natasha's birthday, which meant the Trace had disappeared, and Natasha could do magic freely. She had been inducted into the Order last week, but now she was a full-fledged member, able to perform magic outside of school.

The Order was stopping by later today to wish her a happy birthday, but for now, Fred was the only one wanting her attention. He tried waking her again. "Baby?" he whispered, shaking her gently, and this time Natasha stirred, her eyes opening slightly.

"Freddie, what's wrong?" she asked sleepily, her wand tucked into her arms like a baby. He chuckled and stood up, allowing his still sleepy girlfriend to climb onto his back. She smiled and kissed his neck gently, bringing a flush to his cheeks.

"Where's the quietest place in this house Nat?" he asked timidly, and Natasha giggled softly, pointing to the staircase.

"Go to the attic. There's only my uncle's painting up there, I kind of threw grandma's one out of the window last week," she admitted, the memory still fresh in her mind. Sirius had grinned like a mad man when Natasha had told him and yelled out some rather colourful words to the painting.

Fred nodded and apparated the both of them to the attic, the feeling still funny in Natasha's stomach. She was taking her Apparition Test in a few days, so for the moment, Fred would do.

They landed just outside of the room that held Regulus' portrait, as Fred had never been in that part of the attic. Natasha slid off and whipping out her wand, transfigured a blanket into a sofa just big enough for the two of them.

"This feels amazing already," she said smiling, as the two flopped back on the couch. Fred returned her smile and put his hand in his back pocket, his fingers enclosing the small box. Natasha looked like a spirit in the light from the moon, and Fred unconsciously reached out to wind his finger around a strand of her hair.

"Freddie?" Natasha's voice snapped him from his thoughts. "You wanted us to be alone?"

"Oh, yes, uh," Fred stuttered, until Natasha grabbed his arm and squeezed it supportively, allowing him to continue on without hesitation. He took a deep breath, admiring Natasha.

"Natasha, we've been friends since we could talk, and I've been in love with you since first year, and I know we're young, but I intend to spend the rest of my life with you," he said, holding her hand, the one holding the box still behind his back.

Natasha teared up slightly and laughed as Fred brushed the stray tears away. He whipped out the box from behind his back and opened it slowly, revealing the dainty ring. It was just a simple rose gold ring, with a lily flower in the centre, adorned with small diamonds.

"Freddie!" Natasha gasped, staring at the ring. "I can't it's too pretty, plus isn't it illegal for us to be engaged?"

"Baby, this is a promise ring. It's a muggle tradition, but it's a promise from me to you that I'll love you forever, and I intend to replace that one day with a wedding band. And don't be silly, after George and I used Harry's winnings to buy that shop in Diagon Alley, I had some left over to buy this for you," Fred said, sliding the ring onto Natasha's finger.

She smiled and kissed Fred gently, trying to savour the feelings she had. Never had she felt so strongly about a person, and it was then she realised just how much she loved a man in front of her.

No longer was he the skinny red head who held her hand before her sorting, no, now he was the handsome young man who had captured her heart. Fred pulled Natasha into a hug and pressed his lips to her neck, whilst inhaling her intoxicating scent.

"I love you so much," he mumbled, and Natasha ran her fingers through his hair, glad for the cut he had gotten done a few days ago.

"And I love you so much Freddie," she whispered, the sleep coming back to her as her eyes drooped drowsily. She quickly summoned a pillow from the floor and lay it on the armrest of the chair, laying back on it so that Fred was on top, hugging her waist.

"Sleep tight my love," she said, kissing his head, before she drifted off to sleep, the moonlight outside illuminating the young couple.

~.~

"WHERE ARE THEY?!" Molly shrieked, as everyone awoke the next morning to celebrate Natasha's birthday. She had searched everywhere but the attic, and her shrieks had awoken Sirius and Remus, who weren't as concerned.

"Molly, I'm sure they're together somewhere, probably-"

Sirius' eyes widened as Remus trailed off, and he started running around just as frantic as Molly had been, but for an entirely different reason.

"I AM NOT BECOMING A GRANDFATHER YET, I SWEAR TO GODRIC FREDERICK I'LL HUNT YOU DOWN IF THOSE TROUSERS ARE EVEN AN INCH BELOW YOUR WAIST!" he cried frantically, searching the house, right until he got to the door of the attic.

"Princess? Trollface?" he asked, running his hands through his hair.

"I'll have you know; trolls are actually quite beautiful when its dark and you're blind," said Fred sleepily from the other side of the room. Natasha giggled, and Sirius apparated into the attic, closing his eyes just in case.

"Dad, why on earth are you closing your eyes?" Natasha asked curiously, and Sirius slowly opened them, to find Natasha and Fred lying on the floor, their arms full of food Natasha had summoned from the kitchen.

"Oh, my sweet child, how I missed you!" he cried, scooping her into his arms and swinging her around. Natasha groaned and reached for Fred, who shook his head, laughing. Sirius apparated with Natasha in his arms, and Fred followed, making sure to tuck Natasha's wand into his back pocket.

"NATASHA LILY WEAS- I MEAN BLACK! I EXPECT THIS FROM FRED, BUT YOU, MY SWEET CHILD!" George cried dramatically, imitating his mother as the father and daughter apparated into the kitchen. Remus chuckled and Natasha ran away from her father, into his arms.

"Happy birthday mini me," he said, kissing her head, and Sirius pulled her away from him, hugging her tighter.

"She's MY mini me Moony," he said, a grin breaking out onto his face.

"Dad," Natasha said, her voice muffled from his silk pyjamas. "I can't breathe."

Sirius loosened his arms and bit and looked at Natasha with pride in his eyes. "Happy 17th birthday darling," he said lovingly, and both Ginny and Hermione awed as his eyes glistened with tears.

"I'm so proud of you pumpkin, and to be able to spend this time with you brings the light back to my life," he whispered quietly into her ear, as Molly and Arthur set up the dining table.

Natasha smiled up at him and kissed his cheek, just as Fred slid his hand around her waist. "Shall we, my beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, amazing girlfriend?"

Natasha nodded, and put her hands in front of her, showing the promise ring to the room.

"Wait." George picked up her hand and inspected the ring, which was placed on her ring finger.

Sirius' face paled. "YOU GUYS GOT ENGAGED AND DIDN'T INVITE ME?!"