I stood in front of my fireplace, trying to work up the courage to step through. Today, I am having dinner at the Burrow. Today, Fred is introducing me to his family as his girlfriend. It feels so weird, almost having gone through this with George back at the end of August. Of course that dinner had been ruined by him cheating.
I glance at the clock. I am already three minutes late. But every time I go to toss the floo powder, I chicken out.
"Hazel, just suck it up and do it!" I snap at myself, gaining the attention of my beloved owl. He hoots at me, and if I didn't know better, I would think he was scoffing. "Shut it, Owlexander! I will do it. I just need another minute."
He looks skeptical, but turns away, minding his own business.
"Alright." I whisper to myself. "Three, two, one!"
On one, I step into the hearth, tossing the powder down at my feet.
"The Burrow!" I call, closing my eyes tightly. I feel my feet land on the familiar stones and open my eyes. I step out into the Burrow, greeted by a fairly quiet house. It feels strange for the house not to be full of teens running about.
I make my way to the dining room where I find everyone. Remus and Tonks are both here, as well as both Fred and George. Kingsley sits next to Remus, and Arthur sits at the head of the table. I pause in the doorway, not having expected so many Order members to be present. And especially not expecting George.
"Hey!" Fred breaks into a smile when he notices me, quickly standing. I notice George does too, but he quickly sits when he realizes that it's not his job anymore. "I'm glad you came."
Fred leans in and kisses my cheek lightly, innocently. My cheeks redden when I hear Tonks snort.
"Come sit with me." Fred laces our fingers together and pulls me down to where he had been sitting. I sink into the chair beside him and tuck my fingers under my thighs. Tonks meets my eyes and raises an eyebrow. I give her a tight lipped smile in return.
Molly Weasley hurries into the room, carrying a large tray of food and setting it on the table.
"Oh, there you are Hazel dear! I'm so happy you're here." The woman gave me a big smile before wrapping her arms around my head and giving me a very motherly hug.
"Um, mum. I have something I'd like to tell you." Fred tells her quietly.
"What is it George?" She asks, and I cringe.
"I'm Fred." He corrects her.
"Oh, sorry dear. I just get all mixed up sometimes." She fusses, fixing his hair a bit.
"It's fine, mum. Just an important distinction for what I'm about to tell you." He sounds so serious that Molly's fussing stops.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, mum." He assures her. "I just wanted to let you know, that Hazel, is now my girlfriend."
"Your what?" She glances over at me. I give her a weak smile.
"Girlfriend." Fred repeats. The woman takes a deep breath.
"Well, okay then. But you better treat her better than George did." She shoots a glare at her other son, who shrinks in his seat. "And Hazel dear, you let me know if he pulls anything."
"Yes, ma'am." Both Fred and I say in unison.
"Well then." Molly wipes her hands on her apron, looking a bit flustered by the news. "Let's dig in, everyone."
***
"I think it went quite well." Fred says.
We're laying in my bed, bodies pressed together. My back is tucked against his front, and I snuggle in.
"Yeah, as well as it could have." I lace our fingers together, looking at the hands that just roamed my body.
"And now, I have all the excuses to be in your bed." He murmurs, kissing the side of my neck. I just hum, letting my eyes fall closed. It feels so nice to be in his arms again. As much as I hated to admit, I missed this. I missed the twinkle in his eyes before he kissed me. I missed the way he whispered my name against my lips. I missed.... Well, you know.
I blush as I feel that particular thing I missed start pressing against my back. His fingers trace my side, sending a shiver through me. He stops at my hip and gently grips me.
"I need to leave soon. I told George I'd open the store." His hand vanishes from my hip, followed by the rest of his body.
"Hey!" I protest, suddenly feeling cold in the absence of his warm body.
"So sorry, but I can't be late. He's probably already mad at me for dating his girl." Fred winks, pulling on his boxers.
"I am not his girl." I frown.
"Not anymore. You're mine." His eyes darken, and I bite my lip.
"Prove it."
"Oh, Hazel." He chuckles, climbing back on top of the bed, hovering over me. "I already did."
One of his fingers gently traces along my neck, where I realize now, he must have marked me.
"Oh." I whisper, lost in the depth of his sparkling brown eyes.
"I'll see you tonight." He places a slow kiss on my lips, his tongue teasing me ever so slightly before pulling away. My eyes follow him as he quickly dresses in his clothes from the night before. I grab my robe and follow him to the living room. He gives me one more quick peck, and then heads out the door. I sigh softly as I watch him walk away, down the hall. More specifically, I watch his butt as he walks down the hall.
Inside the apartment, my alarm goes off, and I duck back inside. I have to get ready for practice. It's going to be rough between the cold, the fact that I slept three hours last night, and my aching thighs. I pull out my coffee grounds from the cabinet and set to work. At least I can make myself a decent breakfast, before I go.
After wolfing down some eggs, sausages, and toast, I grab my clothes and head to the bathroom. I need a hot shower to feel clean after last night. I shrug off my robe and catch a glance in the mirror. Fred definitely left his mark. A row of deep brown love bites start behind my ear and past my collar bone. I decide to wear a turtle neck under my uniform. I could do without the teasing comments from Martin and Alex today.
The shower makes me feel better, and I quickly dress, tying my damp hair into a tight braid. I grab my broom and equipment bag, and apparate to the pitch. I'm actually a few minutes early. I head over to the locker rooms, but pause before I get there. One of the Chasers, Reva Wills, is sitting on one of the benches, face in her hands. I can't be sure, but I think she might be crying.
Should I talk to her? Check and see if she's okay?
I hesitate for a moment, before approaching.
"Hi, are you okay?" I ask softly, sitting beside her. She sniffs loudly, confirming that she had been crying.
"Yes." She mumbles. "Actually, No."
"What happened?" I place an arm around her shoulders, attempting to provide some comfort.
"My parents are missing." She says, the let's out a loud sob. My arm around her tightens, and I envelop her in a full hug.
"I'm so sorry." I whisper, holding her as she cries. I don't ask. I don't need to. Muggle disappearances had started happening again. And the ministry couldn't cover it up like they used to. They tried, but news of what happened last summer at the department of ministries had spread. As the rest of the team arrives and hears the news, they gather in support around their teammate. No one tries to initiate practice. Today we mourn, remembering the parents that came to every game, not fully understanding what was happening, but supporting their girl anyway.
Snow starts to fall in giant, gentle flakes, as if the sky herself mourns with us.
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Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape
FanfictionHazel Taylor is in her seventh year at Hogwarts. Things with Voldemort are escalating, and Umbridge is not helping anything. She's just trying to survive the year and make it through her Newts. But things don't exactly go as planned for this Huff...
