Playing It Safe {Fred Weasley x Reader}

{15}

-- Edited --

F/C= Favorite Color

When I awoke, I didn't know where I was. I blinked a few times, my breathing getting quicker as I looked around. 

"Shhh, you're safe love." 

I felt a hand on my shoulder as I looked to the chair beside my bed to see a familiar face. Fred. My memories came rushing back to me. Saying yes to both Fred and Oliver's Yule Ball invitations, telling both of them I can't go but not being able to say why, screaming and throwing things at Fred before I cried in his arms...Oh Merlin, what was I to do now?! 

My breathing slowed and I leaned back in the bed, my head suddenly spinning. The Hospital Wing. Of course, that's where I was. Fred put his hand on my shoulder. 

"I'm worried about you." His voice was laced with genuine concern, his eyes swimming with hints of fear.

"Don't be. Please. I'm fine, Fred." I say with a shake of my head. I was fine. Right before I passed out, I told him I was going to the ball. And I was. I wouldn't let anything get in the way of that. I pushed myself up and swung my legs over the side of the bed before Fred pushed me back down gently.

"Uhm, that's not happening." He said briskly. I glared at him.

"Fred! Let me up, I'm fine." I protested, but he pushed me back down.

"No way. Y/N this isn't funny anymore. What are you hiding from me?" His voice was so serious, so unlike him, that it made me want to cry. "George said he saw you in the Hospital Wing a bit ago. Is that true? Were you in here?"

I couldn't respond. Not when his eyes were looking at me like that. I couldn't have him look at me like that all the time, which was sure to happen if he knew.

"Fred, I'm fine. Let me up." I say coolly, trying to get up once more only to have him push me down again.

"Y/N, what is going on?" His voice cracked on the last word. Oh Fred, if only I could tell you everything. I rolled to the other side of the bed and hopped up, wobbling a little as I stood. But I then walked to the curtain, folding it to make room for me to leave. 

"Y/N stop!" I could hear him jumping up from his seat, preparing to run after me. But I didn't stop walking. I left the Hospital Wing, hiding around the corner until Fred came out, looking for me. He headed down the hall to continue his search. I sighed, putting my hand to my dizzy head and slid to the floor. 

-{o}-

It was the day of the ball and everyone all day couldn't stop talking.  Boys asking girls at the last minute, older students helping the 4th years pick out dresses, and nervous kids lining the halls, waiting for classes to be over. By the time I put my dress on, which I had Katie buy for me in Hogsmeade, I was already done with this stupid Ball. But I had to go. I had to prove to myself that my sickness didn't control me. I stared at the dress in the mirror, running my hand over the silky material. It was F/C, with a heart-shaped neckline and a skirt that touched the floor. The top had an intricate design woven into it, making it absolutely stunning. Katie did a good job. I was running a bit late, doing my hair before I grab my shoes and rushed out the portrait hole. 

I was glad I'd finally convinced Ollie to go to the ball and not stay with me. Tonight, I needed to do this. And dealing with Fred and Oliver were not on my list. I passed a few wanderers in the corridors, rushing towards the Great Hall that was now turned into a ball room. My breathing started to get heavy, so I slowed down a bit, getting sharp pains in my head and side. I shook my head. Not today cancer.

I made it to the stairs, where I slipped on my shoes and walked down into the crowd of people waiting to be let in. Oliver spotted me first. I sighed internally and put dealing with Oliver back on my list begrudgingly.

"Y/N!" He rushed towards me, pushing past people in a frantic manner, like he was chasing after the Golden Snitch. When he reached me, he took my hands. 

"What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't come?" He sounded so confused. I felt so terrible. 

"I..." After one look into his chocolate brown eyes, I decided I had to at least tell a half-truth. "I couldn't. I mean, I'm not supposed to be here." I take a nervous breath, glancing around us. "Please don't ask why. Just know that I'm really sorry for saying I couldn't come and then coming anyways. It was a last-minute decision, and I don't know if it's the right one, but here I am."

He held my hands tighter, looking at me with a concerned expression. 

"It's okay, you don't have to explain. What matters is you're here now. We can go together now." He gives me a soft smile, offering his arm to me.

Oh. Yeah. He probably still thinks we are going together. I only told him I couldn't go with him, not that I wouldn't. I debated internally what to do as he stared down at me with his soft eyes and small smile. With a silent sigh, I took his arm.

And that's when I saw Fred walking away out of the corner of my eye.

Oh, my goodness. I finally updated. 

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