because i liked a boy • fred weasley

Chapter 18 - Saturday, November 2nd

The quidditch match is Gryffindor vs. Slytherin today.

Talia and I are walking alongside the majority of the school towards the pitch, everyone either sporting a red or green scarf. Most of Hufflepuff wears green to support the Slytherin's playing, but Talia's wearing a red knit beanie and I'm sporting a red and golden scarf.

I'm not exactly sure when Hufflepuff and Slytherin decided that they were going to be best friends, but it's more common for a Slytherin to be spotted in our common room than a Ravenclaw or a Gryffindor.

I hook one arm in Talia's and pull her closer to me. The cold air is burning my skin, no doubt making my nose and cheeks the same rouge color as the scarf.

"Do we want to sit in the center Gryffindor section today?" I ask Talia as we approach the stairs to the stands. Green and red banners alternate each section of seats.

"Yeah, why not," Talia says as she starts to lead me to the stairs that are in the middle of the pitch.

We climb the steep, wooden stairs behind the other students and find a spot in the front row. I move all the way in so that I stop at the next available seat. As I sit down, I recognize the girl sitting next to me as Hermione. I lean back a bit and catch a glimpse of golden hair that is an exact match to mine.

"Hi, Luna," I call over to her.

Hermione turns her head to see who said hello to her friend and smiles politely when she sees me. "Hi, Ellie."

"Hi, Hermione," I smile back and give her a side hug. Luna hasn't looked over at me yet. Hermione nudges her,  but gets no response.

"You here to watch Ron?" I ask Hermione.

"Yeah," her cheeks turn pink as she answers. I guess all of the Weasley boys have this effect on people.

I talk for only a minute more to the younger girl, and then turn back to Talia who was chatting with one of Nathan's friends in the row behind us.

"So I've been meaning to ask you," Talia says quietly. She turns her body so her knees are touching mine. "You and Fred?"

I shrug, "I mean, not really?"

When Talia and Nathan first started going out, Talia told me every little detail and what was going on between them. If Nathan complimented her, I knew. If Nathan and her hooked up, I knew how far. Talia was nothing less than eager to share everything. It's only right that I return her enthusiasm.

"We made out on the Astronomy Tower floor after the Halloween party," I tell Talia, even though she probably figured that out. "And then last night he came to the room when you were at the party and we made out-"

"I KNEW IT!" Talia shouted, immediately throwing a hand over her mouth.

"That's not all we did, but if you know then I guess I don't have to tell you," I tease her. I grin as she locks the imaginary chain against her lips.

I lean closer to her and whisper in her ear, "He fingered me until I came."

"WHAT!" Talia yells again.

"Aaaaaalright everybody," the speaker booms across the entire pitch. "What wonderful weather we have for today's match, huh?"

"Did you do anything for him?" Talia asks, obviously not over our conversation.

"No," I match her disbelief, "I asked if we were going to fuck and he was all not tonight."

"And here comes Slytherin!" A sea of green flies through the air. The players move until they're in their position.

"Why didn't you though? Was there a reason?"

"No, I have no idea," I pull my scarf closer to my body. Not moving is making me so much colder.

"-Gryffindor!"

Shouts erupt from everyone in our section. I turn to the field and see the Gryffindor team fly in the same fashion as the Slytherins. I can clearly make out Nathan, Harry, and Ron, but when it comes to Fred and George in their uniforms I'm lost.

The game goes as it typically does when the two roughest teams play each other. Body checks that will no doubt leave dark bruises. A hit that looks like a bone is cracked.

I know which Fred is when he gets side swept by the other team's beater. Lee, the boys friend who's announcing, says a profanity towards the player and makes a comment on how Fred's gonna need someone to hold his icepack for him later.

The game ends pretty quickly. Harry caught the snitch before Malfoy could, and Gryffindor won with a lead of 60.

The crowds trickle out of the stands, some going right back to the castle and some going onto the field to see the teams. Talia and I went for the field so that she could congratulate Nathan before we head back in.

We head in the direction where the team's circled, all of them talking to their friends animatedly. Slytherin made their departure quickly- not wanting to be seen after their loss.

"Babe!" Nathan calls from the side of the group. Talia squeals when she finds him and runs over. He drops his broom and equipment onto the ground and wraps his arms around her as she jumps up on him. They do their little cliché happy couple bit where they spin around and kiss.

I walk over and wait for them to stop. "Lovegood."

I turn and see the ginger that was in my bed last night, "Weasley."

Fred comes over to me and grins, "We're gonna try this one more time, okay? Otherwise, I'm gonna take this personally. Who did you come here to see?"

"Tall. Red hair. Mildly attractive. Do you know him?" I joke as I move a step closer, only leaving two feet between us.

"Must be George because I am definitely more than mildly attractive," Fred comes closer and wraps one arm around my shoulder. I admire how he looks with sweat soaked hair, and cheeks flushed from the cold air.

"Obviously," I give him a half hug, "Congrats on the win."

"Well I couldn't let the team lose knowing you were in the audience," Fred pulls back and winks.

"Are we sure that wasn't Harry that avoided the loss?"

Fred laughs and pulls me in with both arms this time, hugging me fully against his chest.

"Merlin, could you rub it in Angelina's face anymore?" Alicia groans from behind Fred. "Weren't you the one that just told Angelina that you don't think it's over yet? Way to flaunt your slut, Weasley. Real classy."

I force myself away from Fred. Does she have to be everywhere?

"Woah, hey. That's, one, not any of your business, and two, absolutely not true. Angelina and I have not spoken about getting back together, and even if we did, Ellie has nothing to do with us breaking up."

"No, you just somehow moved on that quickly? As if she wasn't on her knees for you a month ago," Alicia spits.

Fred doesn't say anything, and doesn't deny Alicia's words.

"Excuse me," I say after a minute of silence.

I, once again, walk away disappointed.