Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 33

Chapter 33: The Heart of the Burrow

The evening air was crisp as Adhara and Fred stood on the porch of the Burrow, the warm glow of the windows illuminating their faces. Inside, laughter and conversation echoed, creating an inviting ambiance that made Adhara feel like she was part of something special. She had heard stories about the Weasley home, but nothing could compare to the reality of being here, surrounded by the chaos and warmth of Fred's family.

"Are you ready for this?" Fred asked, glancing toward the door, his excitement barely contained. "Mum's probably starting on her famous chocolate cake, and you won't want to miss it."

Adhara grinned, her mouth watering at the thought. "Is it really that good?"

"Good? It's legendary," he replied, raising an eyebrow playfully. "The kind of cake that could make a Muggle forget their diet for a month."

With a shared laugh, they stepped inside, where the tantalizing aroma of baked goods enveloped them. The kitchen was alive with activity—Molly Weasley was bustling about, her arms laden with a tower of cake slices, while Ron and Ginny argued good-naturedly over who would get the last piece of the delicious dessert.

"Fred! Adhara! You made it back just in time!" Molly called, her eyes sparkling with delight as she spotted them.

"Thanks, Mum!" Fred replied, taking a seat at the table next to Adhara. He slid a slice of the cake in front of her, watching as her eyes widened in appreciation.

Adhara took a bite, and her taste buds were immediately enveloped in rich chocolate. "Wow, this is amazing! You weren't kidding!"

Molly beamed, taking a seat next to them. "I'm so glad you like it! Fred always had a sweet tooth, but you'll find he has competition with Ron."

"Hey, it's not my fault I enjoy good food," Ron said, stuffing his mouth with cake. "Besides, who wouldn't?"

As the family continued their light-hearted banter, Adhara felt a growing sense of belonging. She found herself laughing along with them, sharing stories, and even teasing Fred about his childhood antics, which only made him roll his eyes in mock embarrassment.

At one point, Ginny leaned over and whispered to Adhara, "So, how are you finding your stay at the Burrow? It's a bit chaotic, isn't it?"

Adhara chuckled, nodding. "A little, but it feels nice. I've never really experienced anything like this before."

"Welcome to the Weasley family," Ginny said with a wink. "It's a wild ride, but we wouldn't have it any other way."

After dessert, the family migrated to the living room, where the fireplace crackled warmly. Fred slipped his arm around Adhara's shoulders, pulling her closer as they settled onto the couch.

"So, what's next on the agenda?" he asked, glancing around the room.

"Movie night!" Molly declared, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We'll watch one of the old wizarding films! They're always a hit."

Adhara couldn't help but smile at the thought. She was looking forward to cozying up with Fred and enjoying the warmth of the Weasley family. As the movie played, Adhara found herself laughing at the silly antics of the characters on screen, feeling completely at ease.

Fred leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I'm really glad you came over. It's nice having you here."

She turned her head to meet his gaze, feeling the familiar flutter in her stomach. "I'm glad too. I didn't realize how much I needed this."