Love In The Shadows | Fred Weasley x OC

Chapter 104

Chapter 104: The Fire of Resolve

Fred's world had shattered into a thousand burning shards the moment he heard of Adhara's kidnapping. The news had come in fragments—a hurried message from an Auror, frantic whispers among the Weasleys, and the crushing realization that the Malfoys had not only taken her but had locked her away. For hours after that chaotic night, Fred had barely slept, haunted by the memory of Adhara's tear-streaked face as she was dragged away, and by the echo of her desperate cry of "Fred, please!" Every heartbeat now fueled his resolve: he would rescue her, no matter the cost.

In the early hours of dawn, with rain still drenching the earth, Fred emerged from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. His eyes, red-rimmed from sleepless torment, burned with determination. He had already sent urgent messages to every Auror he trusted—friends who knew his heart, who understood that the Malfoys' cruelty had to be met with swift justice. The responses had come quickly: a small, elite team was gathering, ready to storm Malfoy Manor and rescue Adhara.

Fred's plan was simple yet perilous. He would lead the Aurors through the manor's secret service entrance—a rarely used door he had learned about from years of quiet observation. With the storm still raging outside, the cover of darkness was on his side. Every step he took was measured, his wand clutched tightly, his mind a turbulent mix of love and fury.

As he arrived at the hidden door, his heart pounded so fiercely he was sure it would shatter his ribs. Muttering a disarming charm under his breath, he watched the lock yield and slipped inside. The corridors of Malfoy Manor, once filled with opulence, now loomed as a cold fortress of oppression—each ornate hallway a reminder of the power his family had long wielded over others. But tonight, that power was crumbling.

Fred's mind replayed every moment of that chaotic night—the rush of fleeing flames, the desperate screams, and, most hauntingly, Adhara's tearful cry of "Fred, please!" With every memory, his resolve grew stronger: he would not let them win.

In a narrow, dim corridor at the end of a twisting passage, Fred found the heavy iron door that was said to guard her. His heart clenched as he raised his wand and cast a potent unlocking charm. The door swung open to reveal a small cell, its interior dark and cold. There, slumped against the damp stone wall, was Adhara. Her face, streaked with tears and dirt, was the very image of despair, yet her eyes still held a spark of defiance.

"Addy," Fred whispered, his voice thick with emotion as he rushed inside and knelt beside her. Gently, he brushed away the grime and tears from her cheeks, his touch soft and caring. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other—the silent language of love and sorrow passing between them.

"I'm here now," he murmured, his voice raw with emotion. "I'm not letting them keep you."

Adhara's eyes widened with fragile hope as she struggled to speak. "Fred... I was so scared."

Before Fred could reassure her further, the sound of hurried footsteps and clashing spells echoed down the corridor. The Malfoys would not let her escape without a fight. Fred helped her to her feet, wrapping his arm protectively around her waist. "Come on," he urged, "we have to get out before they regroup."

As they emerged into the corridor, chaos reigned. Aurors under Fred's command were already moving swiftly, casting silencing charms and non-lethal spells to subdue the enforcers. In the fray, Fred's sharp eyes caught a familiar figure at the far end of the hall. Draco Malfoy—his expression a tortured mix of conflict and sorrow—stood partially hidden in the shadows, watching the unfolding rescue with a heaviness in his gaze. Draco had long been caught between the tyranny of his father and the truth of what was right; now, witnessing his sister's rescue, he could no longer hide his conflicted feelings.