Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 71

Chapter 71: You

Adhara Malfoy sat in the living room of Draco's flat, sipping her tea as the soft patter of rain against the window was the only sound that accompanied her thoughts. Sundays were typically her respite, a break from the responsibilities of her work. Draco was away attending meetings for his business, and she was left to her own devices, her mind lingering on the fractured pieces of her life.

She missed her mother but didn't feel ready to mend the distance between them. The only family Adhara could truly count on was Draco. Despite their differences, he had always been there for her.

When her colleague Emma suggested they meet up, Adhara agreed without hesitation. Diagon Alley, with its chaotic blend of shops and magical energy, was the perfect setting to unwind. Adhara knew Emma wouldn't mind the spontaneous adventure—it wasn't like her to turn down an afternoon of wandering.

The two women strolled through the cobbled streets, passing familiar shops that had evolved with time. The air buzzed with the low hum of excited chatter, and a sense of nostalgia swept over Adhara as they made their way through the busy lanes. It had been years since she'd last been here, and she hadn't expected to feel so displaced by the vibrant life around her.

When Emma suddenly stopped in front of a brightly colored shop, her face lit up. "Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes!" she exclaimed. "This place is famous, isn't it? Let's go inside."

Adhara's heart skipped a beat at the name. She froze, knowing exactly what shop this was—Fred Weasley's pride and joy. It wasn't just any shop to her; it was a place filled with memories of her past, a past she'd buried so deep.

She had been sure Emma wouldn't want to go inside. Emma had always seemed indifferent to the Weasley twins' antics, and Adhara was certain that Emma wasn't exactly a fan of their eccentric brand of humor. Emma was more reserved in her preferences, and the loud, boisterous nature of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes had never seemed to align with her personality. That's why Adhara had been so calm. She figured it was one of those things Emma wouldn't mind skipping—after all, there were so many other shops to explore.

But of course, she was wrong.

Emma, always eager for new experiences, grinned widely and entered the shop without another thought. Adhara hesitated, her mind racing. The thought of seeing Fred again after so many years, of stepping back into a space that held so much of her heart, was overwhelming. But before she could talk herself out of it, Emma had already tugged her inside.

The moment she stepped into the shop, the air seemed to crackle with a mix of magic and nostalgia, the scent of enchanted wax and new jokes filling her senses. The shop was as vibrant as ever—shelves overflowing with quirky items, enchanted products zipping playfully through the air, and laughter echoing like a warm embrace from every corner. Fred's infectious energy was woven into the very fabric of the place. For a fleeting moment, Adhara considered turning back, overwhelmed by the flood of memories, but then she saw him.

Fred Weasley stood behind the counter, engaged in a lively conversation with a customer. His signature grin was still there, but it had softened and matured with time. His hair had grown slightly longer, and the lines on his face spoke of the years he'd lived—hard-earned wisdom and joy from a life well-lived.

Adhara's gaze drifted around the shop, and a wave of bittersweet joy washed over her. The shop was thriving, a testament to Fred's success, and it made her heart swell with happiness for him. Framed photos adorned the walls, capturing the milestones of a life full of love and laughter—there was a picture of George and Vera's wedding day, a day she had desperately wanted to attend but couldn't.

An emergency at the Ministry had kept her away, but more than that, she hadn't wanted to disturb the beautiful life they had built. She smiled at the memory, her heart both full and aching. Seeing Fred so content, surrounded by friends and family, made her heart lighter, yet heavier, all at once. Adhara's eyebrows furrowed as she noticed a photo of Fred in front of a big house. Unlike the other pictures where he was always grinning, this one was different. He wasn't smiling—just standing there, staring at the camera with an unreadable expression.

She was happy for him, truly, but it felt like she was a world away from the person he had become. And just as she made up her mind to slip out unnoticed, the weight of his gaze told her it was already too late—Fred had already seen her.

"Addy?" Fred's voice broke through the noise, his tone a mix of disbelief and surprise.

Adhara's breath caught in her throat. Her name on his lips sent a shock through her chest. Three years had passed, but the way he looked at her still felt like a heavy weight. She had spent all this time pretending she had moved on, but standing here, in this shop, it was clear she never truly had.

"Fred," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Fred stepped out from behind the counter, and as he moved toward her, it felt like time had stopped. Adhara's heart pounded in her chest, and her palms grew clammy. He came to a stop in front of her, his eyes searching hers, waiting for an answer she wasn't sure she could give.

"It's been a while," Fred said quietly, his voice more vulnerable than she had ever heard it.

"Three years," Adhara replied, the words thick with emotion.

Fred studied her for a moment, his gaze flickering with a thousand questions. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"I didn't think I'd be here," she responded, though the words felt empty, considering how much she had wanted to avoid this moment.

Emma, who had been perusing a shelf nearby, caught the quiet tension between them and quickly moved to another part of the shop. Fred's gaze never left Adhara, and the air between them was thick with unspoken history.

"Why did you leave?" Fred asked after a moment, his voice barely audible, yet filled with years of confusion. "You just... disappeared."

Adhara swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat. She could see the hurt in his eyes, and the guilt she'd been carrying for so long threatened to consume her. "It was complicated," she said, though she knew those words would never be enough.

Fred shook his head. "Complicated?" His voice was tinged with frustration. "That's all you've got? After everything?"

She took a deep breath, struggling to hold back tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered, the pain of the past three years hitting her all at once. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Fred's expression softened, but the pain was still there. "You did though, Adhara," he said quietly. "I don't even know why. And I don't think I ever will."

Adhara's heart cracked at the sound of those words. She had never been able to explain herself—not to Fred, not to anyone. The truth was buried too deep, and even now, she wasn't sure she could say it. She wasn't sure it would matter.

"I should go," Adhara said, her voice barely a whisper.

Fred didn't stop her. "Take care of yourself, Adhara."

And with that, she walked away. Emma rejoined her outside, looking at her with concern but saying nothing. As they made their way down the street, Adhara felt a heaviness settle in her chest. She had loved Fred. She always would. But some things were simply too complicated to fix, and some wounds, no matter how much time passed, never truly healed.