original my beloved evelyn ~ fred weasley

.9 - christmas of 1993.

D E C E M B E R   1 9 9 3

The Weasley's woke up on the twenty fifth of December to a beautifully lit tree and wrapped gifts piled under. 

Ginny was the one to wake the family at five in the morning and led the tired bodies downstairs. They all had gotten the usual sweater that Molly made and just like his siblings he wore it for the day, extras for Harry and Hermione. They all opened gifts, some candy and hand-me downs from Charlie and Bill that Molly kept in boxes until they could fit someone else. After all of the celebrations led to late afternoon, Fred went right back up to his and George's bedroom which George found odd as they both tried to linger downstairs until dark. He followed his brother up the stairs and pushed the door open to see him holding something shiny and silver in his hand.

"What's that there, Freddie?" George asked loudly making Fred jump in surprise and almost drop the small, expensive looking item.

Fred huffing muttered "Knock next time." as he pushed his hair back as George entered the room and shut the door behind him.

"You didn't answer my question." George pointed out as Fred glared at his brother. 

George took matters of finding out what he held in his own hands and moved behind his brother, moving his arm under Fred's and quickly trying to snatch the object as Fred quickly turned around to face him. It fell to the floor with a clink and before Fred could grab it George had dropped to the floor and taken it. His grin widened. "It's a ring!"

George stared at the ring and admired its beauty as he stood to his feet. The silver band had small ovals around the front with three little diamond looking gems inside. In the middle the band branched out into two and held a beautiful mix of sage and emerald oval gem.

"How did you pay for this?" George asked Fred quickly, baffled.

Fred frowned, snatching the ring back from his twin and placing it into a small black ring box before shutting it and beginning to wrap a white ribbon around it. "I have an allowance you know."

George rolled his eyes. "You'd have to have everyone's allowance for three years to afford that."

"Fine, just shut up about it, yeah?" Fred glanced over his shoulder before taking a deep breath and swinging fully around. "I, um, well I nicked it... from somewhere."

"You stole it!" George shouted but Fred quickly shoved a hand over his mouth. George pushed it off and continued. "Who is it even for? I don't remember you falling head over heels for a girl." Fred stayed quiet as George's eyes flicker in a quick realization. "Malfoy?"

Fred put a finger to his lips. "Ginny would murder me if she found out."

"Malfoy'd murder you, not Ginny!" George asked in a loud whisper. "You complain about her all the time. She's a Slytherin too. And she doesn't even play Quidditch or seem to like it at all!"

Fred took a breath before trying to defend his feelings. "Even if she wanted to play she can't as we all know Slytherins don't allow any woman on the team. Besides, I don't care if she doesn't like it."

George hummed annoyingly and continued. "You always say Slytherin's are evil and disgraceful or some shit like that. She's a Slytherin if you hadn't noticed."

"Shut up." Fred rolled his eyes and whistled softly out of his open window before an old owl flew inside, slamming against the floor. "Ouch Errol." The owl perked up and Fred quickly but the box into a small brown bag before wrapping it around the owl's neck.

"Don't tell me your giving it as a Christmas present." George complained. "To her."

"It's a thank you for tutoring." Fred corrected as he put Errol onto his arm and walked over to the window. He threw his arm out and Errol began to fall to the ground but quickly flew back into the air and set off. "We need a new owl."

-

Back at the Malfoy Manor, Evelyn sat in her room with all of her gifts she had received that year.  Such as the official engagement papers and now knew the boy's last name and first initial. A. Burke. Evelyn glared at the parchment before sighing and turning to her stomach.

Evelyn let out a muffled scream into her pillow as something pecked at her window. She darted her eyes to the window and saw the small owl sitting awkwardly. In surprise, she tumbled off her bed and watched the owl from the floor for a moment. Evelyn then carefully walked over to the window and opened it. She bent down and took the bag from the owl's neck. The owl chirped and flew off, well it went down first before 

Evelyn sat back down onto her bed and stared at the brown bag. She wondered for a moment who it was from before opening it. She put a hand inside and took out the black ring box with the white ribbon around it. She undid the ribbon and tossed it aside before opening the box and gazing at the ring held inside. Evelyn didn't wait a moment and placed it delicately onto her ring finger, the ring from Tonk's on her pointer beside it. She admired it momentarily before looking back into the bag for a card which there gladly was. Quickly taking it out and unfolding the paper and reading to herself:

Dear Evelyn Malfoy,

This gift is a thank you from myself for tutoring me. You are the only reason I passed that god awful class. So, thanks I guess. It's a bit awkward writing to you but I felt the need to. I hope you like my gift and are having a good holiday. :)

Yours Truly,

Fred Weasley

Evelyn hid the card back in the bag with the box and ribbon and shoved it into a drawer with the ring still on her finger. A smile spread from her face.

'Yours Truly'.