Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 68 - Winter Worries

The game against the Wasps is my first loss since being on the team.  Vivian broke both of her arms five minutes into the game, and the rest went downhill. 

I sit in the stands long after the match is over and everyone else has gone home.  My nose runs from the cold, and I wipe it with the tissue in my hand. 

It's been weeks since the prophecy, but I am still stuck on what to do.  I can't just follow them around.  It would have been a lot easier if George and I were still together.  I would be around them all the time, able to protect which ever one the prophecy is about.  Instead I am frantically trying to piece together friendships with them. 

Mia had suggested during our shopping trip that I pretend to forgive George and get back together with him.  That way I had an easy in, giving me a reason to be around all the time.  But I shot that down fast.  I'm not that type of person.  And even if I was, I am not that good of an actress.

I don't know how long I sit there, blankly staring at the gray clouds above. It must be a while though because the deep shadows of evening start to darken the pitch. With a sigh, I stand up, both knees cracking, causing me to grimace. I slowly make my way down the many steps and exit the arena. I stand outside the gate, trying to decide where to go.

After much deliberation, I opt to go to Sugarplum's Sweet Shop. They have specialty hot chocolates for the cold months, and that sounds pretty good right now. I pop up in Diagon Alley, my boots crunching in the dirty snow. I take the few steps to the store's door and pull it open. A blast of warm air and the smell of cinnamon and chocolate greets me.

I head to the confection counter to order my beverage as well as a cinnamon bun.  There's a man in line in front of me and I wait behind him as he places his order.  When he's done, he steps to the side and it's my turn. 

"Oh, hey Hazel."  The man in front of my who I now see is Fred smiles at me.  His head is covered by a winter hat, most likely made be his mother.  His cheeks and nose are all pink from the cold.

"Hello."  I am a bit surprised to run into him here.

"How was your game?"  He asks, and I shrug.

"It wasn't great.  Captain went down pretty early on.  We weren't able to recover."

"That's rough.  Is she alright?"  Fred steps forward and takes his coffee from the girl behind the counter.

"She will be.  She's more worried about the team's standings than her arms."

"Arms?  Plural?"  Fred's eyebrows shoot up as he takes a sip of his beverage.

"Yeah, she crashed and broke both arms."  I wince at the memory.  It wasn't pretty.  She had kept yelling to let her play, but there was no way that she could.

"Merlin, that had to have hurt."  Fred mutters, shaking his head.

"Hot chocolate and cinnamon bun for Hazel?"  The counter girl holds out my order.  I quickly take it, thanking her and dropping a tip in the jar.

Fred and I head outside the shop into the cold street.

"Wanna come back to the shop and hang out for a bit?  You look like you could use some cheering."  Fred offers, holding out his free arm for me.

"Why not?"  I take it, letting him lead me down the street to the brightly lit windows of his shop.  We head inside where George is closing up for the night.  

"Hey, Hazel."  He smiles awkwardly and I return the gesture.

"Hello."

"Hazel and I are going to head upstairs.  Let me know if you need any help with closing."  Fred tells his brother, making his way tot he stairs.