Just Another Boy - Fred Weasley

12. Close

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Sofia had mixed feelings about letting Fred call her Serafina. While she could understand why he wanted to help her, she wasn't completely sure she wanted the help. Going by Sofia didn't bother her, and if she had to for the rest of her life then she would, so long as she never had to experience that pang in her heart every time she heard that name. Fred insisted it would help her feel better. Today she owed him dessert, which she assumed he would find some way to make sure they went alone. And then, she would have to hear him call her by her given name. Maybe she shouldn't have been so nervous about about a silly name, but she didn't want to feel the sting.

Sofia woke up in her bed, and slowly opened her eyes, squinting very hard from the sunlight bursting through her window. Her stomach grumbled desperately, and she propped herself up, sitting back against the wall and breathing out. It was time for breakfast. Sofia grumbled to herself, then threw her legs over the side of the bed. She brushed her teeth in the bathroom, combed her hair, and then went and made a huge breakfast for herself and the rest of the house.

George and Hermione were already awake, sitting at a table, chatting calmly. Hermione was telling George about the books she was reading, and George was trying to listen, but Sofia could tell he was getting a little restless and distracted. Sofia served them breakfast, and joined them at the table. She didn't even have time to say good morning before she was scooping her scrambled eggs into her mouth, and cramming her bagel in as soon as her eggs disappeared. The food got caught in her throat, slowly sliding down, and she grabbed for her orange juice, taking a large gulp so it would go down faster. As soon as it passed, she took a deep breath, and placed her fork down to take a moment. George and Hermione stared at her with confusion.

"Hungry?" George chuckled.

"You're going to choke, you need to eat slower, I tell you this all the time," Hermione said matter-of-factly, taking a small bite of her eggs, and chewing at a moderate pace.

Sofia cleared her throat and took a long pause, staring at the plate of food before going back in and trying not to shove it down her throat in one bite again. Fred came out of the living room with messy hair, tired eyes, and his pajama pants hanging low on his waist. Sofia stared a little longer than intended, her eyes lingering low on his abdomen before she shook her head and continued to eat breakfast. Fred made a plate for himself and set next to Sofia, sliding the chair closer to her. "Good morning, Sofie," Fred said with a flirty smirk.

"And George and Hermione," George added with a mouthful of sausage.

Hermione laughed softly, and gave Sofia a knowing look, raising her eyebrows slightly. Sofia rolled her eyes. Fred was such a hard person to understand. "Good morning, Fred," Sofia responded.

Fred gasped, drawing their three pairs of eyes. "You called me my name this morning, rather than Weasley. Be still my heart." He made a fake pouty face, and held his heart.

"I can only hope," Sofia teased him and grinned before biting into her toast.

Fred continued smiling as he ate, using his feet to play with Sofia beneath the table, tickling her legs, ignoring how she kicked his feet away. Sofia would never admit this to Fred, but she was extremely ticklish. Every time that he'd been touchy and put his hands somewhere on her abdomen or even on her legs, she'd been refraining from bursting out in laughter. She knew if he found out, he would hold it against her forever. And then he would make sure to tickle her every chance he got.

After breakfast, Sofia put on appropriate attire to go running, then went on her daily run. She was able to go much farther, and much faster today. It felt great, and it felt freeing. When Sofia returned to her home, she kicked her shoes off and sank to the cold floor, breathing heavy and smiling. The cold kitchen tiles pressed against her legs and the chill air from her home's fans hit her, cooling her body from summer's cruel temperatures.