Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Lion and the Snake

The chatter in the Great Hall buzzed with a lively energy as students settled into their tables, exchanging stories of summer adventures and speculating about the upcoming school year. For seventh-year students, like Adhara Malfoy, it was the final chapter in their Hogwarts journey—a time to prepare for their futures and, if they were wise, stay focused on their studies.

But as Adhara glanced over the Slytherin table, something, or rather someone, caught her eye, throwing off her usual calm composure.

Fred Weasley.

To her mounting frustration, the Gryffindor troublemaker's eyes were fixed on her with that familiar, mischievous grin plastered on his face. His gaze was intense and unwavering, as if he had all the time in the world to make her squirm. She turned away sharply, hoping to avoid any interaction, but the damage was done; the table of Slytherins had noticed, and they immediately began whispering and giggling amongst themselves.

It had been the same ever since their fourth year, when Fred had, out of nowhere, developed a very public crush on her. No matter how many times she ignored him, he didn't seem to get the hint. Gryffindors. Stubborn, foolish Gryffindors. She should have been used to it by now. But the attention—and Fred's endless persistence—never failed to get under her skin.

"Someone's looking your way again," Vera Sterling, her best friend and a fellow Slytherin, smirked, nudging her with an elbow.

Adhara rolled her eyes. "If he thinks he can annoy me into falling for him, he's going to be disappointed."

Vera snickered, glancing at the Gryffindor table where Fred now leaned back, casually chatting with his twin brother, George, who looked as though he was holding back laughter. Both of them were well-known pranksters, with the distinct ability to attract attention wherever they went. Adhara had always prided herself on her resilience, her ability to ignore anyone who wasn't worth her time. But Fred seemed to take her resistance as a challenge.

"You've got to admit," Vera said, her voice playful, "he's got a certain... energy about him."

"Annoying," Adhara corrected. "I'd call it annoying."

Across the hall, Fred made a show of giving her a friendly wink, his grin widening as he noticed her flustered reaction. It was exactly the sort of attention she despised. Slytherins valued subtlety and refinement, not... whatever this was.

As breakfast went on, Adhara tried to immerse herself in conversation with her friends and ignore the constant glances from the Gryffindor table. But her temper was wearing thin, and the whispers of "Fred and Adhara" echoing down the table didn't help matters.

Finally, the morning's chatter was interrupted by the arrival of Dumbledore, who stood at the podium with his usual calm authority. The hall fell silent as he began his opening remarks, welcoming students and reminding everyone of the importance of their final year at Hogwarts. Adhara focused her attention on Dumbledore's speech, relieved to have a distraction from the relentless Weasley.

She reminded herself that this year, above all, was crucial. She had high goals for herself, plans that would bring her respect within the wizarding world and her family. Allowing a Gryffindor—any Gryffindor—to interfere with that would be foolish.

But as she glanced down the table, her eyes caught Draco's, her younger brother, who gave her a supportive nod as if reading her mind. He, too, was no fan of Fred Weasley. Draco had spent years attempting to shield her from Fred's relentless teasing, sometimes even confronting him outright. But Fred had never cared much about Draco's warnings.

Adhara tried not to think too much of it. Her family had expectations, and being distracted by a Gryffindor prankster—especially one from the Weasley family—wasn't an option.

"Maybe if you just talked to him, he'd get over it," Vera whispered, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"I'd rather hex him into oblivion," Adhara muttered darkly. "If he has any sense, he'll keep his distance this year."

But as soon as breakfast ended, it became clear that Fred had no intention of doing any such thing. As the students poured out of the Great Hall and headed for their classes, he maneuvered his way toward her, weaving through the crowd with his trademark self-confidence. She could almost hear the collective gasps and murmurs from her fellow Slytherins as Fred boldly intercepted her path, a playful smile dancing on his face.

"Adhara," he greeted, his voice all charm and mischief. "How was your summer? Missed me?"

"About as much as I'd miss a Blast-Ended Skrewt infestation," she replied coolly, crossing her arms. "What do you want, Weasley?"

He shrugged, unfazed. "Just to say hi. And to see if you've come to your senses over the summer." He grinned, eyes twinkling. "It's our last year, after all. Thought you might be ready to admit there's something between us."

"There's nothing between us," Adhara replied, her tone icy. "And if you keep following me around like this, there will be a hex."

Fred placed a hand over his heart in mock distress. "So harsh, Malfoy. I was hoping you might be softer this year."

"Not for you," she retorted.

For a brief moment, Fred's playful smile softened, and he looked at her with a sincerity she hadn't expected. It was enough to make her pause, but she quickly shook off the feeling, unwilling to let him get to her.

Before she could brush past him, Draco appeared, stepping protectively between them. "Is he bothering you again, Adhara?" he asked, casting Fred a look of disdain.

Fred simply chuckled. "Relax, Malfoy. I was just saying hi. No need to send out the big guns."

Draco's expression hardened. "You'll keep your distance from her if you know what's good for you, Weasley."

But Fred didn't back down. Instead, he shot Adhara a daring smile. "Just trying to make her last year memorable, Malfoy. Can you blame me?"

Draco's jaw clenched, but Adhara placed a hand on his arm. "It's fine, Draco," she said, her voice steady. "He's not worth the trouble."

She turned away, pulling her brother with her, but not before catching Fred's amused expression out of the corner of her eye. He was clearly enjoying the whole situation, and that infuriated her even more.

As she walked to her first class, she silently vowed that she wouldn't let Fred Weasley interfere with her plans. She had her priorities, and a Gryffindor prankster was nowhere on that list. Yet, deep down, she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that he wasn't about to let her off that easily.

And as she glanced back one last time, catching his bright red hair and self-assured grin among the crowd, she knew it was going to be a long year.