Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Match and the Wager

The crisp autumn air buzzed with excitement as students filled the stands of the Quidditch pitch, eagerly anticipating the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Adhara Malfoy stood among the sea of green and silver-clad Slytherins, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and dread. This match was more than just a game; it was a battleground for pride, especially for her brother Draco, who had made a foolish wager with Fred Weasley.

"Are you ready for this?" Vera asked, her eyes bright with excitement. "I mean, everyone's talking about how Fred's been training extra hard this year."

Adhara shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I'm not worried about Fred. It's Draco who needs to win."

"Oh, come on! You know Fred's a brilliant player. He's got this cheeky confidence that drives your brother crazy," Vera teased, a smile dancing on her lips.

"I just hope Draco doesn't make a fool of himself," Adhara said, scanning the pitch for her brother. She found him warming up with the Slytherin team, his face set in determination. The stakes were high, and she could feel the tension in the air.

The referee's whistle pierced the atmosphere, and the match began. Both teams took to the skies, the Quaffle flying between players as they darted and dodged, the Bludgers whizzing dangerously close. Adhara watched as Fred, as a Beater, expertly swatted a Bludger away from his teammates, showcasing his impressive skills.

"Look at him go!" Vera exclaimed, nudging Adhara. "He's really in his element."

Adhara tried to hide her begrudging admiration. "He's good, but it doesn't mean Draco can't outplay him."

The match progressed and the tension mounted. Fred and Draco were locked in a fierce rivalry, each trying to outdo the other at every turn. The Gryffindor stands erupted in cheers each time Fred made a brilliant play, and Adhara could see the frustration etched on Draco's face.

"Come on, Draco! Get your head in the game!" Adhara shouted, her voice blending with the chants of the Slytherin supporters.

But as the minutes ticked by, it became clear that Fred was really in his element, darting around the pitch with a confidence that seemed to irritate Draco even more. With each goal scored by Gryffindor, Adhara felt her anxiety rise.

Draco was struggling, and it was painful to watch. He was still looking for the snitch that was nowhere in sight.

"Ugh, this is unbearable!" Adhara muttered, gripping the edge of her seat.

"Maybe your brother should've thought twice before making that bet," Vera said, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"I swear, if he loses to that idiot, I'll never hear the end of it," Adhara groaned, watching as Draco flew after Fred, his focus solely on his rival rather than the game itself.

As the match approached its climax, Fred's team was ahead by a significant margin. With only a few minutes left, Draco's frustration reached a boiling point. He pushed himself harder, darting around the pitch like a comet, his eyes fixed on the Golden Snitch.

"Come on, Draco! Just catch it!" Adhara shouted, her heart racing as she clutched Vera's arm.

But just as it seemed Draco might have a chance, Fred swooped in with a daring maneuver which blocked Draco. Fred's teammate took advantage of that and scored another goal for Gryffindor. The crowd roared, and Adhara's stomach sank.

Draco was visibly fuming, his expression a mixture of anger and determination. "I can't believe this," he muttered under his breath as he tried to regain his composure. He had lost sight of the snitch, again.

The final seconds of the match ticked away, and the Gryffindor Seeker spotted the Golden Snitch, hurtling toward it with all his might. Adhara's heart pounded in her chest as she held her breath, hoping against hope that Draco would see it too.

But before he could react, the Gryffindor Seeker reached out, grasping the Snitch with a triumphant cheer. The whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, and the Gryffindor team erupted into celebration, Fred at the center of it all, beaming with pride.

Adhara felt a mix of disappointment and disbelief as Draco landed, his face a mask of frustration. "I can't believe I lost," he said through gritted teeth, marching over to where Fred was celebrating.

"Looks like I won, Malfoy!" Fred shouted, his voice bright and teasing. "Time to pay up!"

Draco shot him a glare. "You think this is funny?"

"I think it's absolutely hilarious," Fred replied, grinning. "And you owe me a date with your sister!"

"Fred, can you not make this any more embarrassing?" Adhara snapped, her cheeks flushing as she stepped forward.

"Oh, come on! A deal's a deal!" Fred said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're going to love it, Addy!"

"Don't call me that!" Adhara shot back, frustration boiling over.

Draco, still fuming, stepped in. "You think you can just waltz in and take her out? She's not some prize to be won, Weasley."

Fred shrugged, unfazed by Draco's protectiveness. "I'm just trying to show her a good time. Can't a guy take a girl out without the overbearing brotherly advice?"

"Overbearing? I'm protecting my sister from a complete moron!" Draco retorted, his expression fierce.

Adhara felt the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. "Enough, both of you! I can make my own decisions!"

"See?" Fred said, turning to Adhara with a playful wink. "She wants to go out with me."

"Only because I don't want to hear you gloat about your stupid victory," Adhara shot back, crossing her arms.

"Hey, I'm not the one who bet against me," Fred replied, his grin unyielding.

Adhara took a deep breath, knowing this was going to be a long, complicated year ahead. "Fine. I'll go out with you. But it'll be low-key, and you have to promise not to embarrass me."

"Yes! You won't regret it!" Fred exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

Draco's eyes widened in disbelief. "Addy, think this through! He's just going to make a fool of you!"

"Like I need you to remind me of that!" Adhara shot back, her heart racing with a mix of annoyance and thrill.

As the Gryffindor team celebrated around them, Adhara felt a strange sense of exhilaration. Perhaps this year would be filled with unexpected twists, and Fred Weasley might just turn out to be more than she expected.

When they walked away from the pitch, Fred was still brimming with excitement, while Draco glared daggers at him. Adhara couldn't help but feel that she was stepping into a whirlwind, and despite her apprehension, a spark of excitement bubbled within her.