Found AIAOY 4

Chapter 9

"We've really got to go."  Fred said with a sigh, the time to get to dinner looming over them.  "I don't want to either."

"I'm so sick of being itchy."  Rebecca said as she stood up, slipping her shoes back on and wishing the Room of Requirement didn't let time pass.  

"What?"

Rebecca looked over her shoulder at Fred, finding him looking at her as if he had no idea what she could be talking about.  "You know, itchy?  Before it gets cold-cold and your elbows and knees itch so much.  That doesn't happen to you?"

Fred had never heard of such a thing.  "Is your skin dry?"

"Or course it's bloody dry."  Rebecca shook her head.  "How do you think they would've gotten wet, I've been with you this entire time."

"No, that's not-Can I see them?"  Fred abandoned trying to explain what he meant before he'd even really started, sensing that it would be a battle he would lose no matter what.  "Here, hold on."  Fred held her wrist and pushed her sleeves up over her elbows, running his fingers over the skin gently.

"Careful!"  Rebecca's arm twitched under his fingers despite his soft brush.  "It hurts."

"That's because you've scratched them sore.  Your skin is dry, love."  Fred turned to the table the tea had been on and wished for lotion to be in the drawer.  So focused on focusing, only Rebecca seemed to have heard that he'd called her 'love.'  

"I always thought it was just something that happened."  Rebecca said with a small voice, feeling stupid in the way she did when there was something everyone else in the world seemed to just know.  

"It's alright."  Fred put an application of lotion into his hand and pocketed the tube to give to Rebecca later.  "I bet this will make it better though."  Rebecca avoided eye contact, unable to deny that it did feel better.  "I've decided..."  Fred said, ignoring Rebecca reaching for the lotion and pushing her back towards the couch.  He slapped away her hands as she tried to roll up the pant legs that he wasn't, speaking on.  "Why don't we stay here forever?"

"Forever?"  Rebecca echoed, not denying that the idea sounded appealing enough.  "I guess we'd miss Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"Oh, never mind then."  Fred chuckled.  "Can't do that."  He rubbed the little lotion left in between his hands and offered one to her, pulling her back to her feet.  "Does that feel better?"

"Very much."  Rebecca answered, grateful that the only one in the room making her feel inadequate was herself.  Talking about Hogsmeade had only reminded her that she hadn't done any work on their pranks in weeks.  "I'm sorry I've been such little help--I heard you and George talking about final ingredients that we need to-"

"Don't be absurd."  Fred said shocked.  "George and I both know that you're working to get Harry ready."  They were both quiet for a moment before Fred felt that Rebecca had something she needed to purge.  "Any clue as to what the first event will be?"

Rebecca shook her head, reaching for her bag that Fred pulled out of her reach and swung over his shoulder.  "Not a one.  I've told him I could look like I did at the Cup, but he's forbidden it."

Fred grinned.  "Yes, because you always, always do what you're commanded."  He shrugged, growing a little more serious.  "I don't think he's wrong, but 'forbidden' is probably a step too far.  All the same, probably for the best he convinced you not to.  The first trial should be the easiest, I would think."

Rebecca walked to the exit, looking back at the little slice of peace they had enjoyed.  "You think it was alright then, that I didn't?  That he'll be okay?"