Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Wasted

Adhara was completely drunk, far beyond what she had intended. The alcohol had slipped past her defenses quicker than she expected, her mind spinning with every drink. It had been a long time since she'd let herself reach this state, but tonight, she welcomed it. She had too many memories she didn't want to face, too much history with Fred, too much left unsaid. The alcohol was a temporary escape, one that blurred the sharp edges of the life she had walked away from.

Her colleagues watched with growing concern, exchanging glances as Adhara swayed slightly on her barstool. They knew her well enough to recognize when she was on the edge of losing control. And tonight, it seemed like the edge had already been crossed. As much as they wanted to help, there was only one person they could think of who could manage this situation—Draco.

He had already graduated. He wasn't involved in the Ministry, and he had no interest in the type of work Adhara was thriving in. Instead, after leaving Hogwarts, he had carved out a life for himself in a completely different world. He had built a successful business selling tailored suits—fine, bespoke wizarding attire that quickly gained popularity across Europe. His reputation grew with every design, and Draco became known for his craftsmanship, tailoring suits for some of the wealthiest and most influential wizards in the world.

Adhara had always known about Draco's business. Even from a distance, she kept track of his success, though she didn't engage with it as much as she might have. She'd always thought it was strange, even unconventional, but Draco had made it work—much to their father's reluctant approval. Lucius Malfoy had never quite embraced Draco's choice, but over time, he had come to accept that his son's business wasn't as "unworthy" as he initially thought.

Still, Adhara couldn't help but feel a little envious. Draco had made a name for himself, in a completely different field, while she had struggled to carve her own path, weighed down by her past decisions. But no matter how much time passed, she knew one thing for sure—if she ever found herself in a mess, Draco was the one person who would always come through.

So, with no other options, her colleagues had called him.

Draco didn't hesitate. He hadn't expected to get a call like this, but when it came, he knew what he had to do. Despite everything, Adhara was still his sister. They hadn't spoken much in recent years—her choice, not his—but family was family. When he arrived, he didn't waste time. He found her sitting at the bar, her face flushed, her movements slow and uncoordinated.

"You've had enough, Adhara," Draco said, his voice low but not unkind. He could tell she was far past the point of self-control, and the concern he felt for her was tangible. He had seen her struggle before, but this was different. This wasn't just a bad night—it was a sign of something deeper.

Adhara blinked at him, her gaze unfocused. "Draco..." she mumbled, trying to lift her glass to her lips.

With a soft sigh, Draco carefully helped her to her feet, steadying her with a hand on her arm.

"Come on," he said gently. "We're going to my place."

Adhara didn't argue. She allowed him to guide her out of the bar, the cool London night air hitting her as they stepped outside. The city felt like a foreign place to her now, even though it had once been her home. She hadn't realized how much she'd distanced herself from it, how much she'd distanced herself from everything—her family, her past, even the city that had once felt like everything to her.

Draco didn't speak much as they walked through the quiet streets. He simply kept a steady pace, occasionally glancing at her to make sure she was still with him. He didn't press her for answers about what was going on with her life, about why she had come to this point. He knew better than to ask.

They reached Draco's flat—a small but comfortable place in a quieter part of London. It wasn't luxurious by any means, but it was his own. And in that moment, it felt like a sanctuary.

Adhara collapsed onto the couch when they entered, still dizzy from the alcohol, her mind clouded with confusion. Draco didn't say anything right away. He grabbed a glass of water and handed it to her, waiting until she took it before he spoke again.

"Why didn't you tell me you were here?" Draco asked softly, his voice steady but laced with a touch of disbelief. He stood in the doorway of the modest flat, his eyes scanning Adhara, who was slumped on the couch, clearly more drunk than he had expected.

He hadn't heard from her in over three years, and now here she was—back in London, staying just a few months for cases.

Adhara didn't immediately respond, her eyes dull and unfocused as she tried to steady herself. Her fingers gripped the glass in her hand like a lifeline. After a long pause, she spoke, her words thick with the alcohol. "I didn't want to... I didn't think you'd want to see me," she mumbled, the weight of the words sinking in. "I thought it would be easier this way... just to keep things... simple."

Draco's brows furrowed slightly, the frustration in his voice betraying his concern. "Simple?" He shook his head, his gaze softening. "Adhara, we're family. You think I wouldn't want to see you, especially after all this time? After everything?"

She turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting his for the first time that evening. The look in her eyes was heavy with things unspoken—the years of distance between them, the unresolved pain she still carried. She had tried to build a life without him, without the Malfoys, but now, here she was, her fragile walls crumbling.

"I didn't want you to see me like this," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm just... I don't know anymore, Draco. I thought I could keep it together. But I can't."

Draco knelt beside her, sitting down with her in the quiet, dimly lit room. "You don't have to keep it together for me, Adhara," he said gently, his voice almost comforting. "You don't need to be perfect. You don't need to do anything. Just... let me help. I'm not some stranger; I'm your brother."

For a long moment, Adhara didn't speak. She just stared at her hands, twisting the empty glass in her lap. The words felt stuck in her throat, the confession of how lost she felt, how much she had missed him, how much she had missed England. She hadn't realized how much she had been avoiding him—avoiding everything—until this very moment. But the thought of seeing him after so long, knowing how much had changed, was overwhelming.

"You didn't even tell me you were back in town," Draco added, his tone softening. "You could've stayed here. We could've had dinner, caught up. But instead, you get yourself this drunk..." He sighed, not in anger, but in frustration, the helplessness evident in his voice.

"I didn't think you'd want to deal with it," Adhara muttered, shaking her head slightly. "I thought it would be easier if I just did my job, got through the cases, and left. But now..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of it too much to bear.

Draco didn't press her. He just reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder in a silent show of support. "You don't have to hide, Adhara. You don't need to pretend. You're allowed to fall apart sometimes. It's okay."

Her eyes flickered to him, and for the first time that evening, she allowed herself to take in the calmness in his gaze. There was no judgment, no anger. Just an open acceptance that she didn't realize she needed until now.

Draco smiled softly, squeezing her shoulder gently. "We're not here to judge each other for failing, Adhara. We're family. No matter what happens, I'm still here. You don't have to carry everything alone."

The air between them settled, and for the first time in a long while, Adhara didn't feel so isolated. She had been hiding from so many things—the choices she made, the life she left behind—but in that moment, sitting there with Draco, it felt like maybe she didn't need to hide anymore.

"You can stay here as long as you need," Draco said quietly, his voice steady. "I don't care how long you're in London. If you need to talk, I'm here. No pretending. Just us."

Adhara nodded slowly, the weight in her chest easing slightly. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something new. A way forward. A way back to herself.

For now, though, it was enough to simply be with her brother, letting the silence settle around them, the only sound the quiet ticking of a clock in the corner of the room.