Hiraeth // Fred & George Weasley

Chapter 3

Days had passed, as it was now time for Gryffindor to battle against Slytherin in a good ol' game of Quidditch. Azure changed into her scarlet and gold uniform, tying her hair back in a ponytail before heading out. As she was almost out the door, she heard a familiar cry come from the showers. She piled herself to the shower and opened the curtain with ease. Sure enough there in the corner sat an already prepared Oliver, but he wasn't fully prepared. He was crying. 

Tears fled down his cheeks, his eyes red and puffy. His hands in fists, slowly tightening his grip as his knuckles began to turn white. His breath was scared and ragged, filled plenty with anxieties. Azure hated seeing him like this, he would sometimes have a panic attack before going out to play a game, and Azure was always the one who helped him get back up. She walked over to him, kneeling so they could be face-to-face. He was looking down, holding his gaze on the tile floor beneath him. Azure put a hand on his shoulder, and used the other to wipe the stream of tears off of his panicked face.

 "Ollie, I need you to look at me." She said breaking the wiry silence. "Please Ollie." Suddenly his dark eyes flicked up to hers, staring right at her. He looked afraid, his whole body shaking. "Oliver it's gonna be okay, I promise. Remember to breathe with me okay?" He shook his head up and down, slowly following her breaths. Their chests heaving at the same time as they each took a deep breath. 

He looked much more calmed down as he looked into her eyes, this feeling of not being alone was making him feel so much better. She sat down beside him, taking his hands into hers as she placed a soft kiss on his bare knuckles. He rested his head down on her shoulder. Holding the silence for a few seconds before he finally spoke, "Thank you Azure." His voice dripped with mellow tones. She looked back at him as a smile grew on her cheeks. "Of course Oliver, I'm always gonna be here for you. No matter what." She stated as she gave him a small peck on his delicate lips, warmth rushing over her from the kiss. 

Azure stood up, "Now let's go show those stupid Slytherins who the best Hogwarts Quidditch team really is!" She exclaimed, pride filling her bones as she held her hand down for him. At that he chuckled and took her hand in his, standing up. They walked over to the Quidditch pitch as students howled and cheered in the stands. Red and Green filling the crowd, as the students rooted for each of the teams. Oliver and Azure met up with the group, Oliver started on giving pointers and a pep talk before the game started. It was as if like nothing had happened, like he didn't just have a complete panic attack just a few minutes ago. In fact he looked quite thrilled. Katie nudged her elbow into Azure's side, taking her attention. 

"Why are you two so late, huh? You weren't snogging beforehand were you?" Katie whispered so that only Azure could hear. Azure turned her head and saw Katie's huge grimace spread across her face, her arms across her chest. 

"No! We were only talking about the game." Azure replied as smoothly as she could, as her cheeks turned crimson. Katie's eyebrows raised slightly, not believing a word Azure had said. 

"Whatever you say!" Katie teased, giving Azure a quick wink before turning her focus back on Wood. Oliver's rant went on for hours before finally the game was called to start. They all walked to the middle of the playing field, as well as the Slytherin team. "Psst! Azure!" A voice called from beside her. She turned to see a grinning Fred Weasley. 

"Good luck out there! And be careful!" He wished her, as his cheeks turned almost as red as his Quidditch uniform. She returned his grin with a loving smile of her own. "Thanks Freddie, you too!" She replied, turning her attention back to the game. Just like that the game started, broomsticks flying through the bitter icy air. Lee was commentating on the game as the players raced by, but none of them could really hear as they were too busy focusing on the match.