DOROTHEA {fred weasley}

fifty six

Dorothea listened to Priscilla, Lilith and Leila obsessing over her ring for hours that night, counting down the time until she had agreed to meet Elvira in the kitchens to talk about their Valentine's days. The other girls told Dorothea how lucky she was, how jealous they were, and when she said that they could take Ezra from her, none of them knew she was joking. Her mother had sent an owl which was left on her bed, congratulating her officially on her engagement, Dorothea had set it on fire, her face set in a frown as she did so.

When the time finally came around to sneak out of the common room and down to the kitchens, Dorothea was relieved. She told the girls that she had patrol, and walked out of the common room with ease, no one batting an eye that she was leaving after curfew. The castle was empty, as it often was after Hogsmeade. She hid behind a statue to avoid Angelina and a fellow prefect on a patrol, but otherwise made it to the kitchens with very little stress.

Elvira was sat giggling with an elf when Dorothea walked in, her face lighting up. The elf bowed at Dorothea, muttering Madam Rosier, which made the witch frown a little. Once the small creature had bustled off to make tea, Dorothea smiled and asked her friend how her day had been.

Elvira shrugged, "it was just a normal day, really, since George and Lee were there. Nice though, as always. I'm not really bothered by Valentine's day anyway..." The witch's voice trailed off as she noticed the huge ring on Dorothea's finger. "Thea..."

"He ambushed me," the witch sniffed. "Got down on one bloody knee in the middle of Puddifoots. Ring is enchanted too, can't take it off, that's my mother's work."

"Oh, Thea." Elvira said sadly.

"We argued a little, but I always end up feeling guilty somehow."

"Guilty?"

"He's being forced the same as I am," the witch said, chewing her lip. "Into this marriage." Into other things too, she thought, but she couldn't mention the escapees were thanks to Ezra.

"I don't know, Dorothea. He seems far happier about it than you are, especially if he's getting down on one knee, buying you that."

Dorothea held her hand out in front of her and stared at the ring, "it's my mother's. I always wanted it when I was younger."

Elvira sighed and leant back into her chair, "awful day then?"

Dorothea signed and put her head in her hands, masking a faint smile.

She looked up at Elvira, an unreadable grin on her face, "if I tell you this, you cannot talk to Oliver about it."

"Okay," Elvira nodded, looking anxious.

"I met up with Fred after, he found me at the shrieking shack, was just sat there for some space, not sure how he found me."

It was Elvira's turn to smirk now, she'd heard all about the boys' marauders map that they borrowed from Harry weekly.

"Told me about a passage in there and I agreed to go back that way."

Elvira's smile widened, Fred was good for Dorothea, he'd keep her good.

"And... he kissed me. I'm not really sure how or why, we were talking about Ezra, he was saying he wants to help me-"

"Thea!" Elvira exclaimed, interrupting her friend.

"Yes?"

"You kissed Fred. Again."

"He kissed me this time, actually."

"Oh my God, Dorothea, I'm so happy." Elvira squealed.

"Well, it doesn't exactly mean anything."

Elvira shook her head, "no way, you had that excuse when you were drunk and needed a New Years Kiss, but not now. You can't use that excuse now."