Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Surprise Revelations

A crisp, sunny morning greeted Hogwarts as Adhara and Fred relaxed near the lake, savoring the calmness that had returned after a whirlwind of drama. Adhara felt a weight lifted, knowing she and Fred had sorted things out. It was just the two of them now, with nothing lurking in the background, and she was grateful for every stolen moment.

Just as Adhara was about to make a playful comment on the way Fred had lazily sprawled himself on the grass, Vera and George walked up together, both looking slightly tense but with excitement shimmering in their eyes. Vera, Adhara's best friend and fellow Slytherin, seemed to be glowing, and George kept throwing her glances filled with unmistakable affection. Adhara, noting their linked hands, grinned.

"Oh, you two," she teased, unable to resist.

Fred, lounging at her side, finally took notice of their joined hands. "Wait, what's this then?" he asked, his eyebrows raised as he sat up, clearly curious.

George and Vera exchanged a quick look, the kind that said they were about to share something big. George cleared his throat and shifted his stance a bit nervously, but his smile stayed firmly in place. "Well... we actually wanted to tell you both," he began, glancing between Fred and Adhara, "that Vera and I... well, we're together."

For a split second, Adhara's eyes widened in surprise as if just knowing for the first time, but then she broke into a delighted grin, clapping her hands together. "Vera! That's amazing! I had no idea!" She leaned over, hugging Vera with a giddy laugh.

Vera chuckled, blushing slightly. "Yeah, we wanted to keep it quiet until we figured it all out."

Fred, who had been smiling, suddenly looked at Adhara, a look of realization dawning. "Hold on a second... Addy, you already knew, didn't you?" His gaze shifted between her and Vera, a playful accusation in his eyes.

Adhara froze for a moment, realizing she had been caught. "Well, yes, but it's not what you think! I only found out by accident..."

Fred gasped dramatically, crossing his arms and giving her an exaggerated pout. "My own girlfriend, keeping secrets from me. Betrayal of the highest order!"

Adhara laughed, nudging him lightly. "Oh, stop it. I was respecting their privacy."

Fred kept up his act, looking to George with mock disappointment. "You two couldn't have just come out and told me, huh?"

George grinned, throwing an arm around Fred's shoulders. "Oh, come on, mate. We wanted to be sure before we went around announcing it, especially to you."

Fred scoffed, trying to maintain his mock offense. "I'm truly offended. Do you think I'd make a big deal out of this?"

"Actually, yes, that's exactly what we thought," Vera teased, folding her arms as she looked at him with a knowing smirk.

Adhara leaned against Fred, stifling a laugh. "Well, for the record, I think it's sweet that they wanted to keep it a little secret for a while."

Fred finally gave in, his exaggerated pout fading into a genuine smile as he pulled Adhara closer. "Alright, alright, I guess I'll forgive you this time, Addy," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately.

She rolled her eyes, swatting his hand away with a smile. "How very generous of you."

George and Vera shared a relieved laugh, clearly happy that the news had been received without much teasing—at least from Adhara. "Well, now that it's out, no more sneaking around," George added, looking more relaxed.

Fred's mischievous grin returned as he looked between the two. "Actually, now that it's all out in the open, I think this calls for a proper celebration. What do you say to a double date?"

Vera's eyes sparkled, and she nodded. "That sounds perfect. What did you have in mind?"

"Oh, you know Fred," Adhara replied with a grin. "It'll be something ridiculously over-the-top, won't it?"

Fred leaned in close to Adhara, his hand tracing a line across her shoulder as he whispered, "Only the best for you, Addy."

George chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Honestly, watching you two is like watching some romantic comedy. And now I guess Vera and I are getting roped into it."

"Oh, don't pretend you're not looking forward to it," Vera teased, nudging him lightly.

They spent the rest of the morning by the lake, laughing and teasing each other, the weight of secrets and misunderstandings gone. Adhara felt happier than she'd been in a long time; Fred's arm draped around her felt natural, like it had always belonged there, and the way he looked at her made her heart race in the best possible way.

Before long, they made plans for their double date, much to Fred's delight. "We'll start at the Three Broomsticks," he said with a twinkle in his eye, "and then maybe a little stroll by Honeydukes. I have some, ah, treats in mind."

George grinned, shaking his head at his twin. "If this ends in you trying to prank someone, don't blame me when you get smacked by Madam Rosmerta."

"Oh, I have other plans," Fred replied with a sly grin, winking at Adhara. "Only the best for our lovely girlfriends, right, George?"

Adhara shook her head, laughter bubbling out of her. "Alright, alright, just don't get us all banned from Hogsmeade."

Fred pulled her close, whispering so only she could hear, "No promises, Addy. But whatever happens, we're in it together."