Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 84 - Dragon Therapy

*this chapter contains flashbacks of previous abuse*

I wake up, wrapped in a pair of arms.  Which isn't unusual, but these arms are different.  They are larger, stronger, and smell of dragon smoke.  I slowly sit up, waking my companion up in the process.  Light streams through the window, and Charlie yawns as he sits up next to me.

"How are you doing?"  He asks, his morning voice low.

"Better."  I mutter, wrapping my arms around myself.  I had completely freaked out last night.  

"Do you want to talk about it?"  He murmurs.  After a moment, I nod.

"How did you manage to calm me down?"  I look over at him.  His hair is all messy, and I smile.  I lean over a pull a leaf out.

"Strangely enough, you and young dragons are a lot alike."  He takes the leaf from my hand, twirling it in his long fingers.  "Except you didn't try to bite me."

"There's still time."  I roll my eyes.

"Don't tempt me with a good time."  He tucks the leaf behind me ear.

"I'm dating your brother.  Shut it."  I push his shoulder lightly.

"What did he do?"  He leans back on the bed, arms behind his head.

"I...  I don't know.  He was just telling me to sit.  And it reminded me..."

"Hazel Taylor, sit down now!"  He yells, shoving my shoulders so I fall onto my butt.  My elbow cracks against the hardwood floor, bringing tears to my eyes.  "Oh, now you're going to cry?  I thought witches were supposed to be tough."

"I'm sorry."  I say, voice trembling.

"Well, sorry doesn't fix stupidity!"  He roars, and I flinch.  "You just had to go flying on your new broom, and now look at you.  I'll probably have to take you to the doctor now, huh?  Do you know how much that costs?  Maybe I should just let you heal, and save my money.  Bit of a waste to spend it on someone who doesn't even try to be careful."

"I'm sorry."  I repeat again.

"I don't want you to be sorry!"  He yells, grabbing my by my ears and lifting me off the floor.  He slams me against the wall, my head cracking back on the plaster.  I blink a few times as my head spins.  "Go to your room.  I swear, if I see you before morning, your arm will be the least of your worries."

I take off running for the stairs without another word.  I shut the door behind me, not daring to lock it.  If he found it locked, I would be in so much more trouble.  Needing another barrier to help me feel safe, I climb into my closest, settling in the small space behind my shoes.  I had a blanket, pillow, and my teddy bear back here already.  I curl up in the tiny place in the darkness of the closet.  I cry as quietly as I can, because I know if he heard me, it would make him more angry.  Just two more weeks until I could start my first year at Hogwarts.  Two more weeks, and I would be safe.

"Hazel?"  Charlie touches my cheek and I startle back to the present.

"Sorry."  I notice my breathing is heavy again and I take a few deep breaths.  "It's like you said.  A trauma response.  There's a reason I live here and not with my own parents."

"I'm sorry, you went through that."  

"Thanks.  I need to go talk to Fred, don't I?"  I groan, dropping my face in my hands.

"No need to rush.  He can wait."

"Is he mad?"  I dare ask, terrified for the answer.

"No.  He's scared for you."

Fred is scared for me?  I don't quite understand.  

"But why?"  I frown, dropping my hands.

"Because he loves you."  Charlie says, and my lip part slightly in surprise.  

"He loves me?"  I stare at the man in shock.

"Yes!  Merlin, are you blind?  Last night, he was so scared.  He had half of the Order out looking for you!  He demanded I come all the way from Romania to help."

"But that doesn't mean he loves me."  I argue.

"No, but that fact that he said it does."

Suddenly there is nothing I need more in the world than Fred Weasley.  I jump off of the bed and out of the door.

"Fred!"  I yell, not caring what time it is, or what's going on.

"Hazel?"  His sleepy voice called from the living room.  I race down the steps and around the corner.  I slam into him as he is coming to find me as well.  I grab his face and kiss him hard, tear leaking from my eyes.  He wraps his arms around me so tightly that I can't breathe, but I don't care.

He loves me.

Butterflies burst in my stomach as I taste the both of our tears in the kiss.

Maybe, just maybe... I might be starting to fall for him too.

He pulls away just enough to look into my eyes.

"Are you okay?"  His voice his rough and his eyes are red.

"I am now." 

"What happened?  I'm so sorry.  I didn't mean to scare you.  Please forgive me."  He mutters, pulling me closer once more, burying my face in his chest.

"It's not your fault."  I promise, trying to talk through the fabric of his shirt.  "My dad just really screwed me up."

"I'll kill him.  Or hex him.  Would they put a muggle in Azkaban?"  Fred starts, his grip on me never loosening.

"Fred, if I never have to seen him again, that will be good enough for me."  I manage to squeeze out.  He realizes he's squishing me and lets up slightly.

"Then we won't invite him to our wedding then."  He jokes, grinning.

"That sound's perfect."  I blush, realizing I meant it.  Maybe I'm just caught up in the moment, but right now, I could picture myself marrying Fred.  Something flickers through his eyes, and I wonder if he can see it too.  The butterflies dance and float in my stomach as he looks at me.  

"Hazel, we need to talk."  He says, and the moment ends.

"What?"  I step back, confused.  We need to talk.  That's what you say to someone when you break up with them.  I don't understand.  "I'm sorry I freaked out yesterday.  I am.  Please Fred."

He leans back, brow scrunched.

"Don't leave me."

"Hazel!"  He bursts out laughing.  "I'm not breaking up with you."

"You're... you're not?"  I blush, feeling very embarrassed.  

"No.  Merlin, Hazel.  I just offered to kill your dad and not invite him to our wedding.  Pretty sure that's extremely far from breaking up behavior."  Fred kisses my forehead.

"But you said we need to talk."  I protest.

"Talk.  Not break up."

"Okay.  Let's talk then."  I say, sighing with relief.

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