Summers at The Burrow - Fred Weasley

Chapter Fifty-three - The Triwizard Tournament

the events at that occurred at the world cup had not left my mind and the note i had gotten did not leave either. i was yet to tell anyone what i really saw on that note or what i believed was actually happening that night and the secret was weighing on me heavily. it was quite difficult to hide the fact that i was not sleeping because i was sharing a room with two people and i had dark circles around my eyes that were impossible not to notice even with concealer.

the first of September had arrived and with that we all made our way to kings cross station and onto platform 9 3/4. i was exhausted most of the time these days so no one was surprised to find that as soon as i found myself a compartment with the twins i laid down and just stared into space. Fred and George knew what was going on but new better than to ask about it as i would not tell them. 

i was still eating but mixed with the lack of sleep it pretty much took all my energy to move from place to place and to eat. the only times i could actually get a few hours was when Fred would sit down with me on the sofa in the Burrow and allow me to fall asleep in his arms as it was the only thing that made me feel safe. once we said our goodbyes the train began moving and we settled into the compartment. 

"come here." Fred said gently with open arms as i cuddled up close to him. i was asleep in nearly an instant and Fred held me the entire train ride as i slept through the entire thing. the only time i awoke was when we all had to change into uniform. once we were all dressed in our robes i returned to the compartment and ate some of the snacks they saved for me. we would be feasting soon but i needed to eat something now because my stomach sounded like it was about to turn itself inside out.

when we finally sat down at the long Gryffindor table we watched the sorting and then were able to dig into a proper meal. i had a little bit of everything including a piece of Cherry pie which i discovered did not taste nearly as good as apple cinnamon pie did. 

"while I've got the attention of the many new and returning students here at Hogwarts i would like to make an announcement that i am sure you have heard a semblance of already. this year we have the honor of hosting the Triwizard tournament!" Dumbledore announced effectively silencing the room and then making them erupt in cheers once again.

Dumbledore may have said a few words after that but we did not hear them over the continuous cheers from all the students. eventually we were dismissed to the common rooms and i walked with the boys down the halls following the new prefects who we did not care to associate ourselves with seeing as they probably new us well enough already. 

as we were walking i felt a hand slip into mine and i smiled slightly as Fred grinned at me. my stomach exploded with butterflies as he squeezed my hand gently. the feeling of his warm hand holding mine with our fingers intertwined was enough to make me feel like i was on another planet. what used to be feelings of tiredness had turned into feelings of anticipation as we continued to hold hands as we walked with everyone else up the stairs and down the many halls we had to go through to reach the portrait.

"Are you two dating?" a small student who looked to be in their second year questioned.

"no." i replied with a laugh but stopped as soon as i felt breath along my neck.

"we could, though." Fred said and i went red in the face.

"what do you mean?" i asked trying to maintain a calm state.

"go on a date with me. a real one." he said still keeping his voice down even though it would be hard to hear his whispers over all the chatter.

"alright." i said as i exhaled. i would have liked to give a better reaction but i was to stunned to speak. Fred Weasley had just asked me on a real date. I've known him since we were eleven and yet i never expected this to become of us.