Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 80

Chapter 80: A Chance Encounter

Adhara walked briskly down the corridor of the Ministry of Magic, her heels clicking on the polished stone floor. The Ministry was bustling as usual, a mix of witches and wizards hurrying through the maze of offices and hallways. The hum of activity was oddly comforting, a rhythm she had grown accustomed to over the years. Her focus was on the pile of paperwork waiting for her in her office—nothing too exciting, but it kept her busy.

As she rounded a corner, she spotted a familiar face in the distance, someone she hadn't expected to see here of all places. Fred Weasley.

Adhara felt a sharp, involuntary twinge in her chest, but she quickly steeled herself.

Fred stood a few steps away, his face a mixture of boredom and impatience as he shuffled through a stack of papers. Adhara kept her pace steady, pretending she hadn't noticed him, but as she drew closer, Fred glanced up. The moment their eyes met, Fred rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in any kind of acknowledgment.

The slight stung more than she cared to admit.

Adhara's jaw tightened as she fought the urge to let her frustration show. She wasn't going to let him get under her skin—after all, it had been his choice to ignore her in the past, not the other way around.

She continued walking, her gaze fixed ahead. But before she could pass by completely, a voice called out, cutting through the tension.

"Adhara!"

She stopped mid-step and turned to find Molly Weasley hurrying toward her, a wide, welcoming smile spreading across her face.

Molly, ever the warm, kind-hearted soul, seemed genuinely delighted to see her.

"Goodness, Adhara, it's been ages!" Molly said, her arms open in a gesture that made Adhara's heart tighten with both warmth and surprise. "How are you? It's so nice to see you again!"

Adhara hesitated for a moment, but Molly's sincere smile and friendly demeanor made her feel, for the first time in a long while, like maybe there was a place for her here again. She returned the smile, albeit a little reserved.

"I'm doing well, Molly. It's good to see you, too."

Molly's eyes twinkled. "Well, it's wonderful to see you here. I'm just so glad you're doing alright."

Fred, who had been standing silently beside Molly, glanced briefly at Adhara before turning his attention back to the papers in his hands. His expression was indifferent, as if she wasn't standing right there. He didn't even offer a greeting, let alone a smile.

Adhara's chest tightened at the sight. She had expected something—anything—but instead, Fred ignored her completely. She forced herself to focus on Molly, who, thankfully, was paying her no mind.

"I was just telling Fred here that we're having a little family gathering at the Burrow next week," Molly continued, her enthusiasm undeterred by Fred's coolness. "Arthur and I are celebrating our anniversary, and it would be so lovely if you could come by. It's been too long since we had a chance to catch up properly!"

Adhara blinked in surprise. She hadn't been expecting such an invitation, especially not after everything.

Molly caught the look in her eyes and quickly added, "Of course, it's entirely up to you, dear. But the whole family would love to see you again. You've always been so dear to us."

Fred, still reading through the paperwork in his hands, muttered something under his breath. It was clear he wasn't thrilled by the idea of an invitation to the Burrow, let alone one extended to Adhara. Molly, however, seemed not to notice.

Adhara opened her mouth to respond, but Fred's disinterested tone cut her off before she could speak.

"You sure you want me there, Mum?" Fred said dryly, not bothering to look up from his papers. "Might make things a little...awkward, don't you think?"

Adhara's stomach dropped at the words. She felt the sting of his indifference, and although his voice was casual, the implication was clear. He wasn't thrilled by the idea of having her at the Burrow, let alone being in the same room as her after everything that had happened.

Molly's eyes softened with understanding, and she placed a gentle hand on Fred's arm. "Fred, I know things have been difficult, but we can't let the past stand in the way of healing. The whole family has missed you, Adhara, and it's time we all move forward. Your presence would mean so much."

Fred sighed and shook his head, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going. "Well, I suppose we'll see, won't we?"

Adhara was left standing there, the conversation falling flat in the space between them. She had thought maybe, just maybe, Fred's reaction would be different—more positive, more welcoming. But instead, his words cut through her with the same coldness she had felt before. It was clear that whatever had once been between them, that connection they had shared, was gone.

Molly, ever the optimist, gave Adhara a bright smile. "Don't worry about him, dear. Fred will come around. I'm sure of it."

Adhara nodded, forcing a smile of her own. "Thank you, Molly. I'll think about it."

Molly waved cheerfully as she turned to leave, and Fred followed her, still not looking at Adhara. They walked down the corridor without another word, and Adhara couldn't help but watch them go, her emotions in turmoil.

As she stood there, her mind wandered back to the dinner she had shared with Fred, George, and Vera just recently. It had been a tentative, quiet affair—awkward at first, but somehow, they had managed to exchange pleasantries. But now, the thought of facing the entire Weasley family was daunting. She hadn't seen them all together in years, not since she'd left, and now the weight of the truth hanging over her made everything feel so much more complicated. Everyone knew now. The reason she had left. The reason she had disappeared from Fred's life without explanation. The reason she had hurt them all so much.

Molly's invitation tugged at her, but Fred's coldness made it hard to know what to do. Would he want her there, knowing everything now? Would the rest of the Weasley family welcome her with open arms—or would they resent her for her silence?

The questions swirled in her mind, unanswered and overwhelming. The prospect of seeing the whole Weasley clan again left her with a sense of dread, but at the same time, she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to be there. That maybe, just maybe, this could be a step toward finding some peace with them.

For now, all she could do was focus on her work and keep moving forward. But in the back of her mind, she knew one thing for sure—seeing Fred again had stirred something within her, something she wasn't ready to confront.