Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 52

Chapter 52: New Paths and Old Ties

Adhara sat at the well-loved kitchen table in the Burrow, her Ministry application materials laid out before her. The familiar sight of her own handwriting on official parchment—a first step toward her dream of joining the Wizengamot—filled her with both pride and anxiety. She wanted to make a difference in the magical world, and every line she'd written felt like a promise to herself.

Fred entered the room, his hair sticking out wildly, fingers stained with ink and a grin spreading across his face. He plopped down across from her, peering at her papers with an exaggerated look of awe.

"Look at you," he teased, leaning back in his chair. "Miss Malfoy, future Wizengamot member."

She laughed, reaching out to swat his arm. "And what about you, Mr. Weasley? The future joke shop proprietor."

"Right you are!" he said, pride lighting up his eyes. "George and I were at it early this morning, you know. I reckon by this time next year, we'll be ready to open. Though between us, he's the business brain."

Adhara looked at him fondly, her hand finding his. "You'll be great," she said, smiling. "I can't think of anyone more suited for it."

Fred's expression softened, and he squeezed her hand. "Same goes for you. The Ministry needs someone who cares about people, Addy. You're going to be a force for change there, just you wait."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Apparition outside, and soon Vera entered, bundled up in her cloak and grinning widely. She set her cloak aside and greeted Adhara with a hug, making Adhara feel the warmth of her presence after months apart. It had been so long since Adhara had seen her, and here in the Burrow, it felt like everything was as it should be.

"Vera!" Adhara exclaimed, pulling back with a bright smile. "It's so good to see you."

"George's been pacing around all morning waiting for you, Vera," Fred chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Can't have him pulling a muscle, now, can we?"

Vera rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed. She shot Fred a playful glare. "Leave it to you to make everything dramatic, Fred."

They laughed, and at that moment, George walked in, freezing briefly when he saw Vera. His face broke into a wide grin, and he strode over to her, pulling her into a kiss that made Fred and Adhara look away, chuckling. When they finally parted, George joined them at the table, his hand still wrapped around Vera's.

"So, Adhara," George said, looking at her with a teasing grin, "how's the whole Ministry thing going?"

Adhara glanced down at the stack of papers, feeling both excited and slightly nervous. "It's... a lot," she admitted. "The Wizengamot's application process is rigorous, but I'm hoping to make it through."

Vera's face lit up with admiration. "You'll be brilliant, Addy. Imagine—our very own friend on the Wizengamot!"

Fred leaned back in his chair, smirking. "So, if we ever get into trouble, we'll have an inside connection, right?"

She gave him a mock stern look. "That all depends. But try to keep the pranks in the joke shop."

George snorted, and Vera laughed, squeezing Adhara's shoulder. "You're going to make a real difference, Addy," she said warmly. "I know you will."

Adhara felt a surge of gratitude toward her friends. Here, in the Burrow, surrounded by warmth and laughter, she felt an acceptance she hadn't felt in so long. Since she left the Manor, her parents had made no effort to reach out to her, and while Draco's letters kept her connected to her family, they were always cautious, carefully worded. He'd update her on the goings-on at the Manor, and she could tell he missed her, though he didn't say so directly. It hurt, the silence from her parents, but with Fred's steady support and her friends' encouragement, she was beginning to move forward.

As the afternoon wore on, the conversation turned lighthearted, with George and Fred sharing updates about the joke shop, filling the room with laughter. Vera listened with an amused smile, occasionally nudging George when he veered off-topic. Adhara watched her friends, warmed by their easy banter, but a pang of sadness twisted in her chest when she thought of her family.

Noticing her thoughtful silence, Vera touched her arm gently. "Adhara, any word from your parents?" she asked softly.

Adhara looked down, swallowing hard. "No. Just letters from Draco."

Fred's hand found hers, squeezing gently, and she felt the warmth of his presence settle over her. "Addy," he said softly, his eyes serious, "they're the ones missing out. You've got us, and we're not going anywhere."

Adhara's heart swelled with gratitude, and she managed a smile. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you all."

George, sensing the need for a shift in mood, leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "So, Adhara, any plans to celebrate when you get into the Wizengamot? Because the Burrow's the perfect spot for a proper party."

Adhara chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I still have to get in."

"Of course you will," Vera said confidently. "You're one of the smartest people I know, Adhara. They'd be lucky to have you."

The conversation shifted to dreams and aspirations, each of them sharing hopes for the future. As Fred and George discussed new prank ideas, Vera glanced at Adhara with a warm smile. "I'm proud of you, you know. We all are."

Adhara felt a swell of emotion as she met her friend's gaze. "Thank you, Vera. That means a lot."

The evening continued, laughter and shared memories filling the Burrow. Outside, rain began to patter against the windows, but the warmth and joy within the room were undiminished. Adhara felt a deep contentment settle over her, and the sorrow of her family's silence faded, replaced by the steady support of her friends.

As the night wore on, Fred walked her upstairs to the room she'd been staying in, his hand wrapped warmly around hers. They paused at her door, and he looked at her with a soft smile. "You know, Addy," he murmured, "I'm proud of you too. Watching you chase after your dreams... it's incredible."

Her heart fluttered, and she leaned into him, resting her forehead against his. "I don't think I could do it without you," she whispered. "You've given me more courage than you know."

They stood there, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence, the patter of rain a soft backdrop to their quiet moment. In the Burrow, in the heart of this makeshift family, Adhara found something she'd never known she needed—a place to be herself, dreams and fears and all.