Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Double The Trouble

The day of the double date finally arrived, and Fred was buzzing with energy as he, Adhara, Vera, and George headed toward Hogsmeade. He'd been planning and scheming all week, which made Adhara both excited and slightly wary. With Fred involved, there was always the chance of things going slightly... off-script.

"So, what's on the agenda, fearless leader?" George asked, smirking at his twin as they entered the cobbled streets of Hogsmeade.

Fred grinned, tapping the side of his nose with a wink. "All in good time, my dear brother. I promised a good time, and I shall deliver."

Adhara exchanged an amused glance with Vera. "If this ends in us being kicked out of the Three Broomsticks, I'm holding you personally responsible, Fred."

"Ah, Addy, where's your sense of adventure?" Fred replied, slipping an arm around her shoulders. "It'll be grand."

Their first stop was the Three Broomsticks, where Fred promptly ordered a round of butterbeer for everyone. The four of them settled into a cozy booth by the window, laughing as they recounted stories of Hogwarts pranks and mishaps.

"So, Adhara," George said with a grin, "any embarrassing stories about Fred you'd like to share?"

"Oh, plenty," Adhara replied, feigning a thoughtful expression as Fred gave her a look of mock horror. "Let's see... there was that one time in Potions when he—"

Fred quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. "Let's not bring up anything from Potions, shall we?"

Adhara raised an eyebrow, laughing as she pulled his hand away. "Fine, fine. I'll be kind."

"Thank you, Addy," Fred said with a sigh of relief, though he couldn't resist adding, "but maybe don't expect the same mercy in return."

As if on cue, Fred leaned over, conspiratorially whispering something to George. The next thing Adhara knew, the two twins were glancing between her and Vera with the unmistakable look of plotting.

"Uh-oh," Vera said, crossing her arms. "What are you two up to?"

"Oh, nothing," Fred replied with a mischievous grin. "Just thought we'd make things a little more interesting. George, I believe it's time for the infamous 'butterbeer chugging contest.'"

Adhara laughed, watching as the twins each grabbed a mug, determined to show off in front of the girls. They set off at a furious pace, downing their drinks as quickly as possible, only to splutter and cough halfway through as the fizz hit them.

George gasped, clutching his chest as he tried to regain his breath. "Blimey, I think my lungs are full of foam."

Fred, who wasn't faring much better, managed to let out a raspy laugh. "Victory is ours!" he declared weakly, raising his empty mug.

"Yeah, sure," Vera replied, unimpressed. "That was quite the spectacle."

Adhara couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Alright, you two. Maybe no more chugging contests."

As they left the Three Broomsticks, Fred glanced at Adhara with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Time for the next stop. Ever heard of the Great Honeydukes Race?"

Adhara narrowed her eyes. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

"Oh, it's simple," he explained. "First one to find and buy five different types of sweets wins."

The four of them dashed into Honeydukes, scattering as they hunted down their candies. Fred ran down the aisles like a man on a mission, grabbing random jars and packs, while George was busy testing samples, much to the exasperation of the shopkeeper.

Vera grabbed her selection quickly and met Adhara near the front, but when the girls finished, they found Fred and George still arguing over the best flavor of Fizzing Whizbees.

"It's clearly the cherry," Fred insisted, holding up a bright red pack.

"No way, lemon's way better!" George countered.

Adhara and Vera exchanged a glance and, stifling their laughter, decided to let the boys settle it on their own. Eventually, they gave up and bought both flavors, and Fred happily declared himself the "Great Honeydukes Champion."

After they left, Fred led them toward the lake, where they found a quiet spot and sprawled out on the grass, enjoying the crisp autumn air. Adhara leaned against Fred, watching as the sun dipped lower, casting warm hues over the grounds.

"So, this was actually a great date," Vera said, smiling contentedly.

"Oh, you say that now," Fred replied, grinning. "But there's one more thing. Care for a bit of a splash?"

Before anyone could ask what he meant, Fred was up and sprinting toward the lake, pulling off his shoes and socks. George, catching on immediately, followed suit, while Vera and Adhara exchanged looks of horror and amusement.

"Oh, no, no, no," Adhara said, shaking her head. "I am not going in there."

But Fred wasn't taking no for an answer. With a playful laugh, he came back and scooped her up into his arms, ignoring her protests. "Come on, Addy! You said you'd be adventurous!"

Adhara's laughter echoed across the grounds as he carried her, kicking and squealing, down to the lake's edge. "Fred Weasley, put me down right now!"

"Never!" he replied, grinning. He carried her right to the edge, giving her one last teasing grin before gently lowering her down beside the water—though he kept a firm grip on her, just in case she tried to run.

George and Vera, now sitting nearby, laughed and clapped as Fred leaned down, giving Adhara a playful, water-drenched kiss. "See? Not so bad, right?"

She rolled her eyes, though she couldn't hide her smile. "You're impossible, Fred."

"And yet you still like me," he replied, winking.

Adhara grinned, threading her fingers through his. "Oh, more than like."

They settled by the lake, joking and laughing until the sun dipped below the horizon. With the warm glow fading and their laughter filling the air, it was a date none of them would ever forget.