It's Nice To Have A Friend

1) The Knock That Changed Everything

"Dude, is this literally all you own?" Fred chuckled as he looked at the two big backpacks that FP was carrying with him. One was slung over his shoulder, the other he had in his hand.

"No, I left everything in my kingdom's palace next to my crown. Of course this is everything." FP said sarcastically, but cracked a smile when Fred laughed.

"I'm at rock bottom, Freddie. Without you I'd be on the streets." FP said, a blush of embarrassment on his cheeks.

He wasn't proud of it, but ever since high school he had never managed to settle anywhere. Paying rent was hard when he couldn't keep a job and got himself into jail for the most silly things over and over again. If it wasn't for Fred asking him to move in, basically saving him form life on the streets, he would be doing far worse.

"You're lucky I needed a roommate." Fred smiled.

If he had to live with anyone, he would think of FP immediately. They had been best friends as long as he could remember. It would make both of them feel less lonely and lost.

They sat down on the new furniture, that only had been there ever since Fred had gotten the key to his new apartment, barely a week ago. There wasn't much yet, but they would make it their own soon enough.

"How are you holding up, with... you know." FP shifted a little uncomfortably on the couch, not being sure how to bring up the situation.

"My ex-girlfriends being together? You can say it." Fred said, knowing perfectly well what he meant.

Two months ago, Mary had unexpectedly broken up with Fred. But she didn't just leave him, she told him she liked women and women only, and had started to date Hermione, his other ex-girlfriend.

It had come as a total surprise that the only two women he had ever loved turned out to be lesbians. He was happy for them, he really was, but it was safe to say he was struggling. So, when Fred moved out, Hermione moved in.

"Well, yeah. It doesn't seem like a bright idea to move in across the hall from them. A few weeks ago you still lived on the other side. Must be tough." FP said sympathetically.

He understood that Fred needed a place, and this apartment was free. But if it was right thing to do, is what he really wondered about. It must bring up his heartbreak over and over again.

"You're the one who I just bailed out of jail, and you are telling me what is smart and what isn't?" Fred arched his eyebrow, almost a little defensive.

"Fair enough." FP decided to shut up about it.

Fred sighed. He realized FP meant well, he was only concerned.

"I am fine, FP. Honestly. I'm just glad that they can be who they are now. I'd rather go through heartbreak for them to be finally happy, than be stuck in something that isn't real without ever knowing." Fred said softly.

He was having a hard time, but if this is what he had to sacrifice for two of his favorite people finally getting to be themselves, it was worth it.

"That's very mature of you to say." FP gave him a small smile.

"I love them both dearly, I wouldn't want to lose them as my friends. So I think I'll be fine living here. Besides, it was the only place available that I can pay for on my own." Fred said, which played a big part in why he chose to live here.

"I swear to you, as soon as I have a job I'll start paying rent." FP promised, already feeling guilty of profiting of his friend.

"That's okay, bud." Fred patted his shoulder.

"Can I ask you one thing?" He blushed a little, almost as if he was ashamed of the question that lingered on his lips. FP nodded.

"Did you know about Hermione and Mary?" Fred asked, slightly nervous.

"I knew about Hermione, yeah... she told me a little while ago." FP confessed quietly. He never had secrets for Fred, but this hadn't been his place to tell.

"But Mary was a surprise for me too." He added, which was the truth.

"They do look very happy." FP said, as he thought of how carefree they looked when they could finally be openly affectionate with one another.

"I've known Mione since we could walk, and I can tell you... something changed. She has some bright light in her eyes that wasn't there before." He smiled a little to himself.

"So, as your friend I know that it sucks to have your heart crushed, but this was really good for her." He told him, as carefully as he possibly could.

"I know, I know." Fred gave him a weak smile.

"Do you mind if I go over there for a little while? I promised Mione." FP said, gesturing to their front door.

"Sure, I'll come with you. Mary said she baked the chocolate-strawberry cake I love so much, as a housewarming present." Fred wanted to see his friends too, hoping to get back to a normal situation between them as soon as possible.

"All the more reason to hurry the hell up." FP chuckled and they got off the couch, to make their way across the hall to the other apartment.

Hermione immediately looked up from her work when she heard the door open. When she saw her best friend, she basically ran over to him.

"FP! You're here already! I heard you were arrested?" She looked up at him with her brown eyes filled with worry.

"Yeah, but this one bailed me out. I owe him big time." FP placed his hand on Fred's shoulder and smiled.

"We've talked about this. I can help you, money isn't an issue." Hermione said, hoping that he would finally take her offer.

"Thank you, but I'm fine... so far." He gave her a weak smile. The last thing he wanted was to be even further in her debt.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay. What did you do this time?" She wondered, trying not to judge yet.

"Tried to steal gas..." FP admitted sheepishly.

"You have the wildest adventures, don't you? Let me give you some cake, it will make you feel better." Mary grinned and made her way over to the kitchen, where the cake was cooling down.

"Ah god, I missed you Mary. Bring in a hug." FP opened his arms for her, and she chuckled when he hugged her tightly.

"Come on Little Mouse, you're still pouting." FP turned to Hermione, who still seemed to be very concerned.

"I worry about you, FP. You're laughing, but I don't think you getting your ass into jail is funny." She said sternly, making sure FP knew that she was seriously worried.

"I'll go look for a real job, promise." He said, hoping that it would be enough for her to see that he meant it. She believed him, for now.

"How are you guys getting settled?" Mary gestured for them to sit on the couch, and handed all of them a piece of the chocolate-strawberry cake she had promised.

"This one only has two backpacks. It will take ten minutes to unpack for him." Fred laughed, finding it amusing.

"I was done last week, fortunately. It misses a personal touch, but that will come soon enough." He said, smiling a little.

"By the way, amazing cake! I hope you don't mind I stop by more often to get some of this." He took another bite, already not getting enough of it.

"You are always welcome, Fred." Mary grinned, feeling happy and relieved that he still wanted to come over at their place, and wasn't to hurt to see them.

There was a knock on the door that made all four of their heads turn. Hermione got op to open it, before turning to Mary.

"Did you expect anyone?" She asked, since their best friends were already there. Mary shook her head, being curious about their visitor now too.

Hermione shrugged her shoulders and swiftly opened the door, being met with the teary blue eyes of the girl with long messy brown curls, in an expensive virgin white wedding dress.

"Alice?"