Photograph | fred weasley x fem reader

Chapter Twenty- Four: The Astronomy Tower

Dad,

I'm sending Errol with your Christmas present today, just in case there's owl traffic and he gets delayed. I hope you like it! I found it in Hogsmeade and just knew you had to have it.

I miss you. Remember not to give Pebbles any mince pies. He's a cat, Dad, it's bad for them. I can't wait until I get to see you again for Christmas. Maybe next year?

Dad, you know you don't have to work two jobs any more, yeah? If you left cleaning Finnleston's, you'd have Christmas off and I could come home. If money is still tight without me around, I'll exchange some of my galleons next time I'm in Diagon Alley.

Anyway. Merry Christmas.

A bushel and a peck. I love you.

Y/N x

You reread your letter with a sigh, the bitter, snowy wind nipping at your exposed pink nose. The Owlery was quiet at this time, with most students having picked up their owls and stowing them safely away in their cages, ready to board the Hogwarts Express to head home for the holidays.

You folded up the parchment and slipped it carefully inside a thick envelope, sticking it shut with a quick wave of your wand. You double checked that the golden pocket watch was wrapped up safely in bubble wrap and its glittery red wrapping paper before tying it onto Errol's leg.

"Fly safely, 'Rol," you whispered to the bird, giving him a quick kiss on his feathery head. He hooted in response, his old, black eyes blinking up at you.

You watched him fluff his wings and then leap into the air, the strong wind blowing him a little sideways. You leaned against the dark stone wall, your eyes on Errol until he disappeared behind the snow-capped hills and dusted trees, hoping that your Dad's Christmas present would reach him safely.

You pulled your coat around you and re-looped your scarf around your neck, trying to encase a little warmth before you left the sheltered tower and half-walked, half-skated down the slippery stone steps.

"Surely there's got to be a hand-warming charm," you muttered to yourself as you pushed against the wind.

Snowflakes stuck to your skin and your hair as you traipsed through the grounds, passing Hagrid's smoke-emitting hut. You waved to Hagrid as he busied about in his pumpkin patch, seemingly using some sort of product to protect the soil from the Winter.

"All righ' Y/N?" Hagrid boomed, his large cheeks a bright red behind his unruly beard. You nodded and smiled and carefully headed up the slope towards the Castle.

Your brown boots crunched against the frozen grass, the sound reminiscent of so many Christmases spent with your father and the Weasleys. Your heart tugged as the soft wave of nostalgia dampened your thoughts. This was your first Christmas alone.

"Are you sure you're not coming?" Ginny asked, looking up at you with a frown. She threw her arms around you and hugged you tightly. She nestled her head against your chest, her bobbled hat tickling your chin. You chuckled and patted the back of her head.

"Christmas won't be the same without you," George agreed, lugging his trunk through the Gryffindor common room, the bottom of it scraping against an old rug.

"It's not too late to change your mind. Mum and Dad would love to have you," Fred echoed, following his brother with his own case.

"I'm sure, guys. Thanks, though," you said gently, smiling as reassuringly as you could.

"What are you gonna do about it?" Selene had asked you gently, about a week or two earlier. It had been about midnight when you'd crawled into her bed. You hadn't slept much at all, your mind foggier than the weather outside. You'd felt as though someone had used a very strong Confundus charm on you. Selene, whose sleep schedule was worse than yours, had still been awake. The two of you curled up in a nest of blankets, leaning up against the headboard, chatting in hushed whispers as not to wake Ishani.