Diving Into You | Fred Weasley

34 | Into the Maze

A/N: As you've probably noticed, I've changed the title of this book from 'Thalassa' to what it is now! This chapter's a long one. ✊🏼

"Did you two have to go at it that much!?" Hermione asked worriedly. Naia and Harry were laughing softly to themselves.

The pair came out of the training room that day satisfied with the practice they had. Harry had a large gash where some ice cut him on his forearm. Naia was leaning on Fred as they made their way to the hospital wing. Harry had hit her with a blasting curse that sent her flying to the other end of the room.

"How's your head, love?" Fred asked in concern. He was close to hexing Potter when he blasted her off too far, but understood Naia was probably used to this, having trained with her mum and Dumbledore most of her life. Still, wasn't a pleasant sight to see your girlfriend flying and crashing across the room. He'd been acting even more protective over her ever since that night in the common room. Seeing her like that- so vulnerable under him seemed to awaken a part of him that grew with each passing day. The moment they shared then was so intimate, he never experienced anything like it. It was like he wanted to keep her close at all times, growing a new form of attachment.

He always found his way to be beside her, making sure she ate enough during meals, and always carried her books. He loved feeling like he was needed, and for him- being there for her as a protective and caring presence was something he relished in.

"I'm fine, Freddie. Just a little bump is all," Naia soothed. "You ought to remember that one, Harry. Didn't cut you up too bad did I?"

"No, I'm fine," Harry laughed, clutching his bleeding arm. "Now Sirius can't say anything about us not taking this seriously."

They entered the hospital wing, and Madame Pomfrey looked at the two in shock. "What's happened?!" she asked, fussing over them and preparing supplies.

"Just training for the third task," Harry told her. She looked at his arm horrified. "You look like you've just taken on that Horntail again!"

"Guess you could say that..." Fred said, taking a seat next to Naia and gently putting the ice pack on her head as Madame Pomfrey handed her a healing potion.

"You kids did this to yourselves?! Are you out of your bloody mind!" Pomfrey shook her head. "And here I thought I'd be spared from more Potter and Vance shenanigans-"

"What?" Harry asked curiously.

"Oh, you two are just like your parents. Reckless, always in here for some stupid reason-"

Harry and Naia beamed at each other cheekily.

She was currently sat in the library reading more about Sirens. Cedric was seated next to her on one of the couches, his head in a combat spellbook. She told him about Fred and herself, and although he was still not over what Fred had done to her, he told her he was happy that she was happy. Cedric understood her feelings for Weasley and accepted them for what they were. Nothing he could do now, especially just seeing how the pair were together this past week.

He told her that things have been going well with Cho, and they just started dating. She even told him about their Siren suspicions. "Ced, you've never felt a certain way for me only when I'm with you, right?" Naia asked curiously.

Cedric coughed, caught off-guard by her question, "Erm, I thought you already knew how I felt about you before..."

"No no, I mean, when you aren't in the same room as me... do you feel any different?" she asked. "Like I don't know... feelings change?"

"What, that you're my friend? No, none of the sort," Cedric smiled. "If you're worried that the only reason why I've gotten close to you is because of this siren mumbo jumbo, you can forget it. Maybe at the start, yes... but after that, nothing changes. I still see you the same way whether I'm with you or not."