because i liked a boy • fred weasley

Chapter 28 - Wednesday, December 25th

On Christmas morning as a little girl, I would wake up to Luna bouncing on my bed to make me get up. Mum would be standing at my door watching, grinning as she saw us together. Luna would always bring her Christmas stocking into my room, and we would show each other the things we got.

That started my obsession with chocolate frogs. Mum put them in my stocking every year. I had an entire collection of cards at one point, although I don't know where they are now.

Luna and I would go downstairs together. Mum always had breakfast ready for us, but we had to open our presents before or Mum was afraid Luna would choke on her food.

Well, it's Christmas morning. There is no stocking at the end of my bed. There is no Luna waking me up. There's no Mum.

I go downstairs, still in my pajamas, to make myself some tea. I expected the kitchen to be vacant, but there they were.

Luna and Xeno are having breakfast together, completely ignoring my presence.

I walk over to the cabinet for a mug and some tea leaves without a word. Neither of them stops eating whatever is in front of them; looks like a full English.

Just as I'm about to start brewing my tea, Xeno says, "Those are mine. You'll have to get your own."

"Happy Christmas," I scoff as I put the leaves back. I walk upstairs with a sting in my chest. How dare he speak to his child like that? Luna gets breakfast with our father and I get told to not touch his stuff? How sweet.

I don't leave my room until it's time to go to the Weasley's. Fred never told me what time to come, but I figured 4PM would be appropriate.

I put on a pair of black tights, a long black skirt, and a long red sleeve with my black boots. It's freezing out right now, only a light snowfall, so I put on my black winter coat and leave my house. The walk isn't terribly long; it only takes me 10 minutes to get there. It's definitely peaceful.

I see the Burrow and make my way through the garden and to the front door. I knock lightly on it, but I'm not too sure anyone actually heard it over the chaos that's going on inside. I knock a bit harder and wait for the door to swing open.

Molly Weasley swings open the door with a bright smile, "Ellie! Happy Christmas! Come in, come in. You must be freezing, my dear."

I smile back and nod, "It's sure is not warm out here."

"Go near the fire. I'll hang your coat up." Mrs. Weasley leads me inside further. I look around as we walk through, and see various members of the Weasley family. Ginny is with Ron in the living room looking through a snack box. Mr. Weasley is standing near the fire. Percy seems to have his nose in some paperwork. Bill, whom I haven't seen in maybe a decade, is sitting with a girl on another couch. Charlie seems to be missing, which was normal; I barely saw him even when we were younger.

These people definitely don't even know my name, but I spent a lot of time in the meadow between our houses wishing to have as big as a family as they do.

"Fred! George!" Mrs. Weasley yells up the million stairs. "Your friend is here!"

I giggle as I hear the muffled yells.

"Arthur and I got the two some gadget things for new jokes," Mrs. Weasley huffs, "Silly me, but that's what they wanted. They've barely left their room."

Thunderous footsteps sound down the stairway. I look over and see the two lanky gingers appear.

"Hello, boys," I greet them with a grin.

"Ellie!" George yells as he comes towards me with open arms. I walk towards him and embrace him.

I let go and see Fred waiting, unsure of what the right move for him is. I decide for him and go to hug him, "Freddie."

Fred shows me his boyish smile and wraps his arms around my shoulders. "Happy Christmas, love."

Fred brings me around to formally meet each member of his family. Bill ends up joking around with me and says, "You're that skinny little blonde girl that used to watch us in the garden, aren't you?"

I chuckle, "You forgot to add weird, but yes, that's me."

"Are we ready for dinner?" Mrs. Weasley asks us. We all gather into the kitchen and take a seat at the table. I sit between Ginny and Fred.

Dinner goes smoothly. Most of the Weasley's act interested in my life, besides Percy that is. Percy continued looking through his paperwork. But I learned about Ginny's infatuation with the Potter boy.

After everyone is done eating, I stay in the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley and help clean up the dishes. "Thank you again for letting me join you guys. My family doesn't really do this stuff anymore."

"Of course, dear," Mrs. Weasley says as she flicks her wand, causing the dishes to wash themselves. "You're welcome here anytime. Especially if you're putting up with Fred."

I blush and shake my head, "We're just friends."

Mrs. Weasley winks at me and says, "Sure."

The night unfortunately ends quickly. By the time it's nightfall, my cheeks hurt from how happy I was all night. Fred offered to walk me home, so I leave with him after thanking the rest of the family and wishing them goodnight. He grabs a bag on his way out.

"I could've walked myself," I bump my shoulder into Fred as we leave the garden gates.

"It's dark," Fred glances at me. "Plus, I wanted time alone."

I furrow my brows and look up at him, "Why so?"

Fred's face exposes the contemplation that's going on inside his head. His forehead creases as he thinks about what he's going to say.

"Say it," I whisper. We stop 5 minutes into the walk and stand across from each other. We search each other's eyes for the answers we've been begging for.

"I like you, Ellie," Fred finally lets out. "Fuck, El, I can't stop thinking about you."

"Fred, I told you in my room-"

"I know what you told me," Fred steps closer and takes my hands in his. "I don't care what everyone else thinks, and I know you do, but I cannot go another day not knowing how you feel about me."

"I told you I like you," I squeeze his hands.

"But not enough to be with me?"

I stay silent. I bite my lip to keep the overflow of emotion down. He doesn't say anything, just waits for me to respond.

When I don't speak, Fred reaches into the bag that he brought with him. "This is for you."

"Fred, I didn't get you anything," I look at him with guilt-laden eyes.

"Take it," Fred holds out a box to me.

I take it out of his hands and ask, "What is it?"

"If you open it, you'll find out."

I take the lid off of the box and look inside. "A blanket?"

Fred beams, "A picnic blanket."

My face flushes from the emotion covering me like a wave. It's a handmade blanket. It has both yellow and red yarn stitched together to make a beautiful pattern.

"It's so beautiful, Fred. Thank you!" I put the box on the ground and lay the blanket in it, then wrap my arms around him. I whisper to him, "This is the first Christmas present I've gotten in years."

Fred squeezes me close to his chest, "I'm glad you like it. I used Impervius so you don't have to worry about it being ruined or anything."

"You're incredible," I lean back and look at him. His nose is only inches away from mine.

"Be with me?" Fred requests.

I shut my eyes tight, "Fred."

"You don't have to say yes right now. You don't even have to tell me before we graduate. But just know, the only thing I'll be wishing for is you," Fred lays his forehead against mine.

I caress his face with my hand, "Goodnight, Fred. Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas, El."

I let go, and turn around with the box in hand to head to my house. I cover the last 5 minutes of the walk alone; my ankle itches for a flame the entire way there.