Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Catching Up

The first day back at Hogwarts had been a whirlwind of excitement, and Adhara found herself grateful for the familiar surroundings that offered comfort and stability. After the feast, the students returned to their respective common rooms, laughter echoing through the corridors. Adhara felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing that she could finally unwind with her best friend.

As they settled into a cozy nook in the Slytherin common room, Adhara watched as Vera fluffed up a cushion before plopping down beside, "It feels like forever since I've seen you," Vera said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Adhara chuckled, feeling a wave of warmth spread through her. "I know! It's so good to be back, even if the holiday was... complicated."

"Complicated? Oh, you have to spill! What happened during the break?" Vera leaned in closer, her curiosity evident.

Adhara hesitated for a moment, recalling the tension at home and the unexpected moments with Fred. "Well, you know how it is with my parents. They had a lot of plans for me after Hogwarts—the whole pureblood arrangement," she began, her voice tinged with frustration.

Vera frowned, her expression sympathetic. "Ugh, that sounds exhausting. Did they pressure you about it?"

Vera indeed came from a pureblood family, but the Sterlings held a more open-minded view than most. They cared about maintaining the purity of their bloodline but didn't harbor prejudice against other families, avoiding terms like "blood traitor." Compared to the Malfoys, they were notably more tolerant and reasonable.

Still, their values weren't without boundaries—Vera's aunt, who married a half-blood, was disowned, resulting in Vera having a Hufflepuff cousin. Despite the family's subtle expectations, Vera never felt the pressure of an arranged marriage, enjoying a sense of freedom rarely afforded to others in her circle.

"Constantly," Adhara replied, crossing her arms. "It was like every meal turned into a discussion about my future. They even had a few suitors in mind. I just—ugh!" She let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair. "It's maddening. I feel like I have no say in my own life."

Vera nodded, her brow furrowing in understanding. "That's so unfair, Adhara. You deserve to make your own choices. Did you say anything to them?"

"I told my mother," Adhara murmured, leaning back into the plush sofa with a weary sigh. "But every time I tried to talk to Father, he just brushed me off, like I was a child who couldn't possibly know her own mind. They both think I'm too young, that I don't understand what's best for me." She paused, frustration flickering across her face. "It's just... so exhausting, having to constantly prove myself to them."

"Well," Vera began, pulling a small package from her bag, "here's your present for both your birthday and Christmas. I couldn't send a letter or anything—our owl got injured, and we were practically stuck in the mountains." She stood up, handing the gift to Adhara with an apologetic smile.

"And here I was, thinking you'd forgotten about me." Adhara grinned, accepting the present with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Vera."

As she unwrapped it, Adhara's eyes lit up—it was a newly published book on preparing for a career in the Wizengamot, a role she dreamed of in the Ministry of Magic. She had stacks of similar books, but this was the latest edition, one she hadn't been able to find yet.

"You really do know me too well," Adhara said, hugging the book to her chest, her smile warm and genuine. Vera's own face softened, pleased to have chosen something so perfect.

"Did you have any fun at least?" Vera asked, her voice lightening.

Adhara leaned back while recalling her moments with Fred. "Fred and I exchanged a few letters... well, he sent a lot of letters, actually. And he made sure to wish me a happy birthday."

Vera's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really? So, what were you two talking about?"

Adhara felt her cheeks warm as she shook her head quickly. "Uh... I don't know, really. Probably a bit of everything. He just sent letters every day, keeping me updated on all sorts of things."

"Sounds pretty sweet to me," Vera teased, nudging her playfully. "Come on, there must be more. What else happened?"

Vera raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto her face. "Are you sure you're not falling for him?"

Adhara rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "Of course not! It's just... he's fun to be around. He makes everything feel less serious."

Adhara leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What about you? How was your break?"

Vera's face lit up as she recalled her holiday. "Oh, it was fantastic! I spent most of it with my parents, and we visited some of my mum's family up in the mountains. It was so nice to reconnect with everyone."

She laughed softly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "They live in a really secluded spot, almost cut off from everything. It felt like stepping into a different world. There wasn't much to do without magic, so we got creative—long hikes, fireside stories, and nights spent stargazing. It was... simpler, but honestly refreshing."

Adhara smiled, letting herself be drawn into Vera's memories. "That sounds perfect. Maybe a bit more peaceful than the kind of holiday I had. What did you do there?"

"We went ice skating for the first time. I fell so many times, but it was hilarious. My uncle even tried to teach me how to properly skate," Vera said, laughter bubbling up as she reminisced.

"Well, I'm sure you were entertaining to watch," Adhara said, grinning.

Just then, the door to the common room opened, and a group of students walked in, laughing and teasing each other. Adhara's attention was drawn to Draco, who entered with a smile, clearly in high spirits.

"Look who decided to join us!" he called out, waving to his sister and Vera. "You're not hiding away in here, are you?"

"Not at all! Just catching up on the holiday," Vera replied, a smile on her face.

"Careful, you might miss the next great adventure," Draco said, plopping down on the nearby couch. He glanced at Adhara with a raised eyebrow. "And what were you two gossiping about?"

"Just how miserable our family is," Adhara shot back, unable to suppress a smirk.

Draco smirked, shaking his head. "At least we're back at Hogwarts where we can escape all that."

"Right?" Vera chimed in. "I'm ready for some serious fun!"

Adhara felt a surge of contentment wash over her. It was good to be back, surrounded by friends who understood her struggles and who were just as eager for a little adventure.