Except For You ~ {Fred Weasley}

Chapter 35

I wake up, blinking away the sunlight. I throw off my covers and step over to the dresser. My clothes for the day are neatly folded on top. Everything else has been packed into my trunk.
Today I was going back to Hogwarts. It was my sixth year. But after the Quidditch World Cup, after the little muggle girl, after the death eaters and the Dark Mark, I had a pit in my stomach. A feeling of dread. Something bad was going to happen. I knew it. Something bad happened every year since Harry came, poor kid. But... This was something different. The feeling reminded me of the glint in the death eater's eyes when he watched the muggles in the air.
I shake my head and pick up the clothes, stepping out into the hall to go to the bathroom. Cedric steps out at the same time. He spots me and immediately turns back into his room.
I want to call out to him, a simple good morning, but my voice fails me. I had cut off everyone since the night of the World Cup. I don't want to talk to anyone about it, but I know if I talk they'll ask me. And then I'll break down about it again. I don't want to break down.
I quickly get dressed into my skirt, blouse and sweater, padding back to my room softly.
A letter from the ministry lays unopened on my bed. It wasn't there when I left, but it was bound to happen soon. I used magic out of Hogwarts when I was underage. Hopefully they were just going to let me off with a warning.
I pick it up and slip my finger under the seal. Surprisingly, I wasn't shaking. I always thought that if I got a letter from the ministry, I was in some deep shit. And I hated being in trouble. Maybe my boyfriend was rubbing off on me.

I scream. Instantly, there are three sets of footsteps. Cedric, Mr Diggory and Miss Ampelli burst into the room.
"What? What happened? What's wrong?" Cedric rambles, his eyes wide. I look up from the letter with a grin and the two men lower their wands. Miss Ampelli lowers her fists.
"Look!" I squeal, handing Cedric the letter. His parents look over his shoulder to read it.
"Miss y/n Mathias, because of your magic in the battle at the Quidditch World Cup you have been offered an apprenticeship underneath any course of your choice once you graduate Hogwarts? We recognise your magical talent and abilities and hope to see you flourishing to your full potential soon?" Cedric's voice gets louder as he reads and he stares at me in shock, his jaw dropped. "y/n this is... Well, this is amazing!"
"I know! I thought I was in trouble but they said they would dismiss it because of the life or death situation!" I squeal again and Ced hugs me. I hug Miss Ampelli and shake Mr Diggory's hand. "I have to tell Fred!"
Cedric's eyes flicker to the clock on the wall. "It's barely five in the morning, he probably isn't even up," he tries to reason. I shrug, grabbing my jacket and pulling my boots on.
"I'll be back before we have to leave for the train!" I call, running down the stairs two at a time and my letter in hand.

Fred's pov:

It's five twenty in the morning. Who the hell is knocking on our door?
I groan, getting up and pulling a shirt on. I kick George's bed and start walking down the stairs. I immediately wake up fully when I hear her voice.
"... I was wondering if I could talk to Fred."
"Oh, well he's probably-"
I cut my mother off by bursting into the kitchen to take in my beautiful girlfriend. She had a grin on with sparkles in her eyes, and an official looking letter in her hands. Her smile brightens when she sees me.
"You'll never believe it," she says, stepping forward and handing me the letter. I lower it enough so Mom can read it too. A grin overtakes my face as I read the letter.
"Only my girlfriend can break a law and get offered a job before she even graduates." I look at her with a grin and she jumps into my arms. I hug her tightly, kissing her head.
She breaks away and gets pulled into a hug by my Mom. y/n gratefully returns it. Mom turns to me.
"Why can't you be more like her, huh?"
"Hey, I break rules all the time!"
"But you get in trouble," y/n adds.
"Whose side are you on woman?" I say, gasping.
"Mrs Weasley's," she answers easily, shrugging. I fake offense while she grins deviously. "Well, I'll get out of your hair and get back before the Diggory's come knocking the door down."
"Are you sure? You can stay if you want." y/n thinks for a moment.
"Well... I already have all my things packed. And I can help you with anything. I don't have anything better to do."
"Yes!" I pump the air and pull her in, kissing her forehead. She scrunches up her face with a smile. Today is going to be great.

y/n's pov:

I did not expect the invite to stay, but I'm glad Mrs Weasley did extend it out to me. Mrs Weasley makes me call her Molly, which is sweet.
"Hey, Molly?"
"Yes dear?"
"Is there anything I can help you with? I feel weird just watching you."
She shakes her head. "No, no, no. You're a guest!"
I roll my eyes, standing up and moving around the kitchen as if I'd been here before. I grab some bananas and peel them, throwing the peel into the compost bin. I set the fruit onto a chopping board and start slicing discs.
"You really don't have to do that dear," Molly mumbles, scowling slightly.
"It's alright, Molly. I like helping. Doing chores runs in my blood." I wink at her before returning to the fruit.
Five minutes ago the entire house had woken up and started scurrying around to make sure they were packed. It was fun watching the chaos, but also kind of infuriating.
"Why didn't they pack the night before?" I ask Molly, starting on some kettles for tea.
"I tell them every year." She sighs, magically flipping another pancake.
"Has anyone seen my red sweater?" Ginny calls out. My eyes flicker to the piles of clothes that have colour coded on the couch. I did that fifteen minutes ago.
"Couch, Ginny." She rushes to the piles and grabs her sweater.
"Thanks y/n!" She calls, running two steps out of my sight before running back. "y/n? What are you doing here?"
"I keep asking myself that. Go pack, breakfast is almost ready!" Ginny nods with a grin, dashing into her room. Hermione runs into the kitchen.
"Mini me!" I exclaim, wiping my hands off to go hug her. She hugs me back. "You'll never believe this 'Mione," I add, turning back to the dishes in the sink. Molly continues to scowl at me, then at Hermione when she starts helping.
"What?" She asks, seeming more confused than I've ever seen her.
"You know how I kinda broke the law the other day?" She nods, still confused. "I got a letter this morning, with, one, a full pardon. And two... an offer for an apprenticeship spot under any course as soon as I graduate from Hogwarts!" Hermione squeals, throwing her arms around my neck.
"You what?" A shocked but happy voice says behind me. I turn and grin at Mr Weasley. "Well, I never. That is indeed quite peculiar."
"And not right." Percy adds as he waltzes into the kitchen. "You could have died, you broke a law and then you got a job offer?"
Molly scowls at me. "I didn't hear anything about almost dying?" My eyes shoot to my shoes.
"Well, I mean, it was a battle with full grown wizards who knew a thing or two more than me about curses." I glance at her. I don't know why, but I know feel guilty for endangering myself. "I was thinking about the muggles."
"The muggles? What muggles?" Everyone looks away from her gaze. I move to the kettles, putting tea leaves into the now boiled water. "Arthur, what did you not tell me?" Mr Weasley and I make eye contact.
"I'm going to go help Fred," I say, dusting my hands off and walking out of the kitchen.
"I'll check on Harry," Hermione mumbles, walking after me.
I glance at her as we climb the stairs. "You don't want to talk about her, huh?"
I shake my head. "I really don't." I step onto the platform and Hermione points down the hall.
"Fred's room," she explains, starting up more steps. I smile at her and start down the hall, poking my head into the room.
George and Fred rush around the room, trying to stuff as much as they can into their trunks. I lean against the door frame with a smile, waiting for either of them to notice me.
"Do you know where my ties went?" George asks as he shuffles through drawers.
"Are they by the door with your brother's girlfriend?" I speak up, grinning when the twins spin to me.
"Hey, we're the ones who sneak up on people!" George protests as he moves to hug me.
"You little brat!" Fred adds, pulling me to him. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"About the ties or about being by the door?" I ask, moving to his trunk.
"Both!" He laughs, following me.
"You know, if you fold your clothes you can fit them in better."
"Yeah, but who has the time for that?" He asks with a grin. I roll my eyes, grab a shirt and fold it neatly.
"You would have more time if you packed the night before," I respond, taking another shirt.
"You sound like Hermione!" He groans, picking up a pair of pants and folding them.
"I think you forget that she's mini me."
"Right, right." He rolls his eyes and I chuckle, shaking my head.
We just finish folding Fred and George's clothes when Molly calls us down for breakfast. I close their trunks and they look surprised that they didn't have to sit on the lids to get them to shut.
"You know what?" Fred says, slinging his arm over my shoulders. "Maybe you are a good girlfriend."
I scoff, rolling my eyes as he laughs. "You know you love me."
"Yes, I do." He grins and kisses my head.

-------------------------------------------
I added Fred's pov in this chapter to even it out from the last one. :)