Falling Slowly (A Hogwarts Lovestory) - Fred Weasley Fanfiction

07 | Winter Wonderland

Winter had slowly displaced autumn at Hogwarts. I have been so busy keeping up with all the classes, since my little amount of spare time was now completely filled with Oliver and my other friends, that I hardly noticed how the weather changed.

The last few weeks before Christmas passed peacefully. Fred and I somehow had come to the unspoken deal of not spending too much time together in the same room, but after a few weeks he started nodding in my direction for a greeting again. I found myself happy about that and I hoped, whatever has been between us wouldn't matter anymore soon. His face showed up fewer and fewer in my mind from day to day as my relationship to Oliver continued.
In fact, I was pretty sure Angelina kept an eye on Fred lately. Good. I forced myself to be happy about that and, to my own surprise, it worked.

Oliver turned out to be the sweetest and most caring boyfriend you could imagine. He used to save me one of my favourite blueberry buttermilk cupcakes if I missed breakfast, borrowed me his Quidditch sweater if I forgot my cloak and got cold and he always kissed my forehead if he thought I said something funny or cute, which was quite often. I couldn't complain about anything indeed.

It was about two weeks before Christmas Eve, we were sitting at the fireplace in our common room all together, when Harry suddenly screamed and pressed his hands against his lightning scar.
"What is it?", Hermione asked him.
"I don't know", Harry mumbled, "something's wrong with my scar lately. I'm used to it hurting from time to time but it's happening more and more lately."
Everybody looked concerned including me. But what actually scared the hell out of me was that I felt something too, at the exact moment when Harry winced by pain. It was like a cold hard sting right beneath my heart, like someone stabbed me with an icicle. What the hell was that?
I must have looked frightened as hell because Oliver suddenly put his arms around me and whispered in my ear "Everything's fine, love. Harry will go to Madam Pomfrey tomorrow and get it checked, right? I'm sure it's nothing. But we should be sure of it before the next Quidditch game starts, we certainly don't want that to happen again during a match!"
Ron changed the subject and asked his brothers if they had seen a figure of his wizard chess set, but I saw in Hermiones eyes that she wasn't pleased by that answer either.

Fortunately this was the only weird incident that happened and I stopped worrying about it soon. What made me more nervous was the sudden need of getting my boyfriend a present for Christmas. Everything that was going on lately with Oliver (and Fred) has kept me from thinking about hardly anything else. So, in an act of despair, I asked George for help.
"Am I getting you right, Julie? You want me to go and buy Christmas presents for your boyfriend on my next trip to Hogsmeade?", he repeated sceptically at my request.
"I can offer you something in return, but you are my last hope. Please please please, Georgie, can you do that for me?", I tried to give him my most charming smile.
"Okay, I'll do it. But you owe me, Julie", he laughed.
I was relieved. He had become a true friend.
"Do you have anything particular in mind?", George asked.
I had to admit that didn't. I did not have the slightest idea what I could get my boyfriend for Christmas, even though I was rather creative with the other presents I planned for my friends.
The look on my face said everything and George didn't need to ask anymore questions.
"Fine", he sighed. "I will go tomorrow. I'm sure anything related to Quidditch will be suitable."

George secretely handed me over a bag the next day. I unpacked the limited edition of Quidditch Through the Ages of the bag and knew immediately that this was the perfect gift for Oliver. I wrapped it up in red and golden wrapping paper, pulled away my blanket and put it on the pile of other presents I had hidden under my bed. One present was wrapped up in shiny blue paper with golden stars. That was Ben's. I couldn't wait for him to open it, I was sure this was the best Christmas gift someone had ever made him.
I was really looking forward to a wonderful Christmas time this year. Or at least I thought I would.
I wish I had known better.

The day of Christmas Eve, after showing us how to decorate even the highest Christmas tree with the help of magic, Professor Flitwick ended his and therefore the last class before the holidays began. Exceptionally everyone was in a good mood.
I already said goodbye to Oliver, who left Hogwarts a day earlier as fifth graders had a different timetable.
Now I was on my way to the dormitory to get my trunks and to wish all those of my friends who stayed at Hogwarts during the holidays a Happy Christmas. This included Harry, Hermione and also all the Weasleys, since their parents were visiting their older brother Charlie in Romania this year.

On my way over to the Gryffindor common room, I passed by Professor McGonagall. I just opened my mouth to wish her a Happy Christmas as well, when I noticed a strange expression in her face.
"Miss Daniels", she said as I stopped. Her eyes were filled with sadness, I'd never seen such emotions in her otherwise sternly face.
"You need to attend the headmasters office. Immediately."
"But-", I stammered confusingly.
"Immediately.", she repeated. "Come with me, I will escort you on the way to Professor Dumbledore."
I didn't move. "I'm going to miss the train."
She just looked at me, still the same expression in her eyes, and slowly started moving in the direction of Dumbledore's office.
I didn't know what else to do but to follow her. I got more and more scared with every step.
Did something happen to Ben, I asked myself over and over again until McGonagall suddenly stopped in front of a massive golden door.
"Sherbet Lemon", she said and the massive entrance door opened.

Professor McGonagall left as soon as I entered the room.
"Please", I heard a soft, calm voice say. "Please, Miss Daniels, take a seat."
Dumbledore walked down the small stairway and showed me a chair next to his own desk.
I didn't move. I looked directly in the blue eyes of this old but wise men, gathered all my courage together and asked the only question wich answer I needed to hear.
"Did something happen to my brother, sir?"
Dumbledore looked at me as he was trying to search for something.
"Benjamin is alive and well", he said slowly.
"But I fear your foster father isn't. I am very, very sorry, Miss Daniels. My condolences."
He handed me over last weeks edition of the Bristol Post.

Two dead after fatal fire in Bristol's ghetto

I shortly skimmed through the article. There was no mentioning of a teenager.
"Where is Ben?", I whispered huskily.
"Social services took cake of him, I'm afraid", Dumbledore answered compassionately.
"NO!" I gasped for air. I was horrified.
"They can't do that to him again, he just got out of the system...", I stammered.
"I know, I know. But right now, I'm afraid, there's hardly anything that you or me or anyone else can do about it."
"But-"
"Julie", Dumbledore softly interrupted my stuttering. "As I heared, your friends are staying at Hogwarts over the christmas holidays as well? Why don't you go and join them? You will see, true friends can help us in the most hopeless and darkest situations."
How on earth could he seriously expect me to celebrate Christmas right now?
Without saying a word to that man, who I knew just wanted to comfort me, I stormed out of his office.

Winter Wonderland
The children are far too scared to go out and play
Winter Wonderland
It looks beautiful on a postcard, but it's bloody annoying after a day
I saw your face in a dream I had last night
- The Courteeners