Photograph | fred weasley x fem reader

Chapter Fourteen: Christmas Eve

You blinked hard, squeezing your eyes shut as you hurried through the castle's corridors, making your way toward your dorm room. Hot tears blurred your vision, and with each step, your heart seemed to sink further into your chest. Thankfully, the halls were empty. With everyone in third year and above still in Hogsmeade, the castle was quiet—a rare, welcome relief. At least for the rest of the afternoon, you could be alone, free to untangle the strange, horrible knot of emotions twisting inside you and come to terms with Maria... and everything else.

You blinked back the tears until you reached your room, where you peeled off your scarf, coat, and boots, and changed into the cosiest clothes you owned. 

You grabbed the thick quilt off your bed and wrapped it around your shoulders, cocooning yourself in its warmth. Curling up in a plush armchair, you sniffled quietly. A few gentle tears slipped down your cheeks as deep sighs escaped your lips. You vaguely recalled someone once saying that the more you push away feelings, the stronger they come back. It must've been true. You'd been ignoring any feelings for Fred for almost a year now. But you couldn't push them away anymore. Maria's words had brought them back to the surface, and now they were rising up from the pit of your stomach, through your aching chest, and spilling over into tears. You knew you had to sit with them, to face the one truth you never thought you'd have to admit to yourself. 

Felis eventually made an appearance, his furry head poking around the door as though he was looking for you. He must have noticed your scent, stronger than the trail it would have left this morning. His huge eyes quickly found you and his tail swished happily. He silently padded over to you and leaped up onto your lap. He licked your hand and nuzzled his hand into your palm, somehow able to comfort you without words. You smiled sadly at him and brushed through his fur. 

There was no denying it anymore—you had feelings for Fred. Unexplored, uncertain, but undeniably real. There was something about him, something in his crooked smile or the way his deep brown eyes crinkled when he laughed that felt far more important to you than you'd ever let yourself admit. And as much as you wanted to blame Maria, you knew deep down that your frustration wasn't really with her. 

The winter sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long golden shadows across the room. You sat for hours with Felis curled up on your lap, breathing deeply, letting the weight of your realisation settle over you. You liked Fred.  

That was going to take some getting used to, but you refused to let it ruin your friendship. After all, you told yourself firmly, your friendship with him mattered far more than some fleeting crush. Because that's all it was, wasn't it? A little crush. It would pass. 

When Selene and Ishani finally returned to the castle, you greeted them with a small, tired smile. Without a word, they each wrapped their arms around you, pulling you into a tight, comforting hug. No questions, no pity—just warmth and understanding. It was exactly what you needed.

You'd be fine. You refused to let the sting of this silly crush ruin your bond with with your best friend. And, most of all, you wouldn't let him suspect a thing. This was yours and Felis' little secret. 

The winter air rolled through the grounds of Hogwarts, crisp and sharp, carrying with it a sense of simplicity that felt almost real. For a while, life returned to the way it used to be. Almost every day, you found yourself sprinting through the corridors, breathless with laughter over the latest wacky prank you and the twins had pulled. You enchanted toilet seats, sabotaged cauldrons, and made Peeves cackle with delight at your mischief.

You studied hard with Ishani and Selene, tackling every test thrown your way with ease. In the early hours of the morning, long before the sun had fully risen, you trained for Quidditch on a pitch shrouded in cold mist, flying freely through the chilled November air. Evenings were spent sneaking into the Gryffindor common room, plaiting Ginny's hair, painting her nails, or curling up with Hermione and whatever book she was currently obsessed with. You threw yourself into school, into your friends, into anything and everything that could keep the lingering heartache at bay.