Catch Me, I'm Falling | Fred Weasley

Chapter 28

"It's nice to be up here, you know," Olivia said, looking up at the stars. Fred had called her to meet him there, promising sweets, and Olivia found she couldn't refuse.

"Thought you could use a pick-me-up," Fred shrugged.

Olivia chuckled. "You weren't wrong." She'd been frustrated again recently. She just couldn't seem to find a solution to her problems, a way to save Fred. A beat of silence passed, broken as always by a jittery Fred, who seemed to sense the shift in atmosphere.

"Right, then. Chocolate frog?" There was something in his voice that Olivia couldn't quite decode. If George had been there, he would have known. He would have told Olivia that he is about to do something stupid.

"Don't mind if I do." Olivia was oblivious, seeing the chocolate and only the chocolate, desperate to satisfy her sweet tooth.

She leaned closer to grab the little box out of his hand, but Fred moved his arm higher, out of Olivia's reach, mischief flaring in his eyes. This time, Olivia recognized it.

"Hey!" she shrieked. Fred's entire body was shaking with laughter. Olivia reached out to snatch it again, but this time, Fred pulled it even further. A third time, Olivia practically jumped into his lap, certain that she would win this time. She did.

She grabbed hold of the box so that they were both holding on to it. But Olivia's momentum was too great, and she fell right onto Fred. Her left hand landed on his chest, stopping her from colliding completely, while her right still desperately clutched the box.

It was a compromising position, indeed. Their faces were mere inches apart, hands touching as they both held onto the box. Lighting seemed to strike, electricity running through them. Their eyes locked and everything around them seemed to fall away as if it was only Fred and Olivia, Olivia and Fred.

Fred did what any sane person would do, and pressed his lips to hers. But it wasn't one-sided, because Olivia kissed him right back. In fact, if you asked Olivia, she'd say it was her who kissed him first. The box dropped from their hands and opened as it hit the stone floor. The chocolate frog hopped away. Neither of them noticed.

Their hands were too busy exploring each other, bodies pressed close. They were mesmerized, locked in the moment. It was like a spell was pulling them together. They both wanted it. When they finally broke away, both were equally stunned.

"Bloody hell," Fred exhaled, chest rising and falling. Olivia swore softly, hand coming up to her lips.

"H-how?" she stuttered, mind short-circuiting.

"Didn't know you had that in you, Sparks," a grin stretched across Fred's features. Olivia, however, was already doubting herself, questioning what they'd just done.

She stood hastily. "I'm sorry. I never should have- I have to go." She ran for the stairs, but Fred knew her all too well. He was used to her running from her problems. He caught up to her in three strides.

A hand grabbed Olivia's elbow, spinning her around to face him. She let out an involuntary gasp.

"Now where do you think you're going?" Fred breathed.

"I-" Olivia was speechless, heart thundering in her chest.

Fred tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Words, darling." Her breath caught in her throat at the nickname.

"That was a mistake. We never should have done that," Olivia managed, biting her lip.

"But you liked it, didn't you?" Fred pushed.

"What?" 

"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it," Fred raised his eyebrows. Olivia couldn't get herself to lie, not to him.

"I- It doesn't matter. It was wrong," she answered.

"How is it wrong if you enjoyed it?" Fred questioned, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Because, Fred. You're... you. And I'm me. We're friends."

"Since when do friends do that?" Fred nodded his head in the direction of where they'd been just minutes before. Olivia was momentarily paralyzed as the desire buzzed in her veins.

"Fred," Olivia sighed.

"Do you want to kiss me Sparks?" Fred's eyes met hers. Olivia startled at the direct question.

"What?" she gasped. Fred leaned closer, left eyebrow raised.

"Fine, then. Do you want me to kiss you?" Olivia's mouth opened and closed like a fish, eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings as if they could erase the sight of Fred leaning over her. Olivia found that she couldn't lie.

"Yes," she breathed so quietly she could barely hear her own voice, but Fred heard it.

"Good answer," he grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her to him.

-

Olivia stumbled out of Fred's dorm with a flushed face and swollen lips. She'd just spent the better part of an hour making out with Fred. And the worst part? She'd liked it. She couldn't help but think that she was no better than the girls Fred entertained. Merlin's Beard, what had she gotten herself into?

She needed a distraction. Now. If she didn't get one, she'd drive herself mad. Olivia couldn't help but overthink. Her entire history with Fred was on replay in her mind.

She found that her feet led her to the library. Her happy place. Lucky for her, Phebe had overtaken the library, kicked out the librarian, and used the space to organize a game night for the first years and visiting young students. The tables were occupied by young wizards and witches playing wizard chess and exploding snap.

Phebe's eyes immediately snapped up when she noticed Olivia walk into the room. She strode over, exuding confidence despite her short height.

"Olivia. To what do I owe the pleasure?" she trilled.

"Hi Phebe. Just, um, wanted someone to talk to," Olivia answered. Phebe pulled Olivia behind a bookshelf.

"What's the matter? You look... distressed."

"Well, I- uh. There's this guy."

"Mhmm," Phebe hummed, eyes bright and listening intently, already too invested.

"We kissed. But it was wrong. We're wrong for each other. I- I just don't know what to do," Olivia stuttered.

"But do you like him?" Phebe raised her eyebrows a hair.

"I think so," Olivia whispered.

"Then date him in secret." Phebe was nonchalant.

Olivia did a double-take. "What?"

"A secret relationship. It's fun. Come on, I've done it before, you can do it, too," Phebe explained.

"How do I not know about this?" Olivia gave a mock expression of hurt. They'd known each other for a while, to the point where Olivia considered Phebe more of a sister than a friend.

Phebe let out the closest thing to a giggle Olivia had ever heard her make. "That's a story for another time."

"No, no, no. You have to tell me. For research. Who is this mystery boy?" Olivia pressed. A hint of red tinted Phebe's cheeks.

"I can't tell you. Not yet. But... he makes me happy."

"So it's worth it, then? A secret relationship?" Olivia asked, genuinely wanting an answer.

"I'd say so, yes."