Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 59

Chapter 59: A Warm Welcome

As Adhara stepped through the familiar door of the Burrow, the warm and inviting atmosphere enveloped her like a comforting embrace. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of herbs from the garden outside. She smiled, letting the sense of home wash over her, grateful for the escape it provided from the harsh realities of her life.

"Adhara! You're back!" Molly Weasley's cheerful voice rang out from the kitchen, drawing her attention. The matriarch bustled towards her, arms wide open.

"Hi, Mrs. Weasley!" Adhara exclaimed, her heart lifting at the sight of Molly's warm smile. She stepped forward, and Molly enveloped her in a heartfelt hug that felt like a safe haven.

"Look at you, dear! You're positively glowing," Molly said, stepping back to assess her. "How was your day at the Ministry?"

Adhara hesitated, her thoughts momentarily flickering back to the ominous conversation with her father. "It was good, busy as usual," she replied, forcing a smile. The last thing she wanted was to burden Molly with her worries, especially when everyone here was so happy and welcoming.

Before Molly could press for more details, Adhara was swept off her feet as Fred Weasley burst into the room, his usual exuberance lighting up the space. He scooped her up in his arms, twirling her around in a circle. "Look who's finally home!" he exclaimed, a bright smile on his face.

"Fred! Put me down!" she laughed, though her heart fluttered at the affection he showed her. He obliged, gently placing her back on her feet but leaning in for a quick kiss that sent warmth spreading through her.

"Sorry for stealing you from your work," he said, grinning. "How was your day? Did you manage to impress all the stuffy Ministry folks?"

"Just another day of filing and meetings," she said nonchalantly, avoiding his eyes. She could feel his gaze searching her face for any signs of distress, but she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to share the heaviness weighing on her heart.

"Nonchalant? That's not like you, Addy. What's going on?" he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

"Really, Fred, it was just a regular day," she insisted, hoping to deflect his worry. "I promise."

"Alright, if you say so," he said, though the unease in his voice lingered. He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "But if you need to talk, I'm always here, you know."

Adhara nodded, appreciating his concern. "I know. Thanks, Fred." She wanted to tell him about her father's threats, but fear held her back. The last thing she wanted was to drag him into her family's troubles. She couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt because of her.

They made their way into the cozy living room, where the rest of the Weasley family was gathered, a lively mix of chatter and laughter filling the air. Ron and Hermione were discussing something animatedly, while Ginny was curled up with a book, glancing up occasionally to join in on the conversation.

"Hey, Adhara!" Ron called out, waving her over. "You missed another round of Exploding Snap. I actually won this time!"

"Impressive, Ron," she teased, walking over to join them. "I'm sure the world is shaking in fear of your growing Exploding Snap prowess."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile. "It's great to see you, Adhara. How's the Ministry treating you?"

"It's keeping me busy, but I like it," she replied, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over her. It was easy to forget her troubles when surrounded by the warmth of the Weasley family.

As dinner was served, Adhara found herself seated between Fred and Ginny, the conversation flowing easily around the table. They laughed and shared stories, but Adhara's mind was half on the present and half on the looming threat of her father.

Molly served up generous portions of food, her maternal instinct evident in every dish she placed in front of them. "Eat up, everyone! You need your strength," she insisted, beaming at her family.

Adhara took a bite, relishing the comfort food. It felt like a balm for her frayed nerves, and she savored every mouthful. Yet, in the back of her mind, she couldn't shake the weight of her father's threats.

After dinner, they settled into the living room, the fire crackling softly in the hearth. Fred and Adhara curled up together on the couch, his arm wrapped around her shoulder as she leaned into him. It was a simple moment, but it felt profound—like a small piece of happiness in a world that sometimes felt overwhelming.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" Ginny suggested, flipping through a stack of DVDs.

"Sure, sounds good," Fred replied, squeezing Adhara gently.

As the movie started, Adhara found herself caught between the comfort of Fred's presence and the nagging fear about her father's threats. She glanced at Fred, who was engrossed in the film, his expressions shifting from laughter to suspense. A part of her longed to share her worries with him, but she couldn't bring herself to shatter the peace of the moment.

Instead, she nestled closer into him, inhaling the familiar scent of him—ginger and something warm and inviting. For now, she wanted to hold on to this feeling of safety, of being home.

As the credits rolled and the night wore on, Fred turned to her, his eyes searching her face. "You sure you're alright?" he asked softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, just a long day," she said, meeting his gaze with a reassuring smile.

"Okay, but remember, I'm here if you need anything," he reiterated, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Adhara felt a surge of gratitude mixed with guilt. She wanted to confide in him, to share the weight of her father's threats, but the fear of putting him in danger kept her silent. Instead, she forced herself to enjoy the evening, cherishing the laughter and love that surrounded her.

After a few more rounds of laughter and conversation, the family began to disperse, the comforting din of their voices slowly fading into the background. Fred took her hand, leading her outside for some fresh air.

"Want to go for a walk?" he suggested, his eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

"Sure," Adhara agreed, grateful for the chance to escape the confines of the house for a moment.

They walked hand in hand, the cool night air refreshing against her skin. As they strolled through the garden, illuminated by the soft glow of the moon, Adhara couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. The Burrow was a sanctuary, a place where she felt truly herself, away from the suffocating expectations of her family.

"Do you ever think about the future?" Fred asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Adhara glanced at him, taken aback by the sudden seriousness in his tone. "Sometimes. Why?"

He shrugged, a hint of uncertainty in his gaze. "I don't know. I just... I want to make sure we're building something together."

Adhara felt her heart flutter at the implications behind his words, but the reality of her father's threats loomed like a dark cloud in her mind. "We are," she replied softly, squeezing his hand. "I promise."

As they walked under the stars, Adhara held onto that promise, determined to protect the love they had built against the storm that threatened to tear it apart.