Speak Now sequel: Leave Me Behind (Fred Weasley Fic)

Love and Loss

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{edited}

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Outside of the dream my skin still seemed to boil. The heat made sweat pour off my body and struggled to soak into my already sweat saturated sheets. It was winter, a week from Christmas, and though I should be covered in goosebumps and shivering, my body burned. The pain was unbearable and I could see nothing but fire. In an instant the smoke from the fire began to suffocate me, and it was only when I stopped breathing did I wake from my terror.

"Princess? What's wrong?" A cool voice tried to soothe me from the dark, calling out to me- beckoning me. The bedroom was pitch black, like it always was, and his voice called out to me, calm and alluring, reeling me in like it always did. Jack fumbled around for the bedside table light, and the sudden burst of light shocked image of fire through me again, making me flinch. I shook the bad dream off and sat up, where Jack pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. "What's wrong, baby?" He cooed again,

"Nothing... just a bad dream." I whispered, and it was only when I tried to speak did I realize how dry my throat was. I coughed and wiggled out of his arms, treading lightly to his bathroom. It was exactly a week ago when the night terror that woke the residents of The Burrow possessed me, and after sneaking off to work the next day despite Mr and Mrs Weasley forbidding me, Mrs Weasley ground me for 'an entire week!' To which I simply nodded with a smile and told her 'fair enough'. I didn't think I'd ever smile while being grounded, but it was the very first time it had happened to me, and I knew that I was being grounded because I had parental figures who genuinely cared about my wellbeing. At the end of my week long grounding, Mrs Weasley found herself feeling guilty, to which I told her not to, but she didn't listen and instead granted me a sleepover at Jack's.

I turned back to smile at Jack, his shirt the only thing clinging to my sweaty body, and I then closed the door. My feet darted to the sink and I grossly wrapped my mouth around the faucet, turning the tap and filling my mouth with ice cold water. I remained hunched over the sink for who knows how long, just gulping down water in desperation. Finally, I used the bottom of Jack's shirt to clear the water droplets around my mouth away, and I stared long and hard at my reflection. I felt stuck in my position, feet glued to the floor, my own eyes boaring into my reflections, and the sudden frantic rattle of the door handle made my heart leap and a small squeak of fear escaped my mouth.

"Are you okay in there?! Open the door!" Jack's rushed voice called, and as to not upset him I opened the door and smiled weakly up at him. "What's wrong with you?" His voice was almost harsh as he asked the question and I swallowed hard, unsure I wanted to tell him about the crazy dreams that had started 2 years ago on my 14th birthday, and had grown more intense and frequent since my most recent 16th.

"Sorry, I'm just feeling off lately..." I replied meekly, staring up at him through my lashes, and he tucked a piece of hair behind me ear, pouting in a way that felt almost sarcastic.

"Will you tell me about it?" He asked and I just shook my head shyly, scared that my silent answer would make him angry. "Hmm..." He moaned, and I studied him carefully as a smirk made its way across his face. "What if I take care of you? Will you tell me?" He teased, quickly clasping my neck in his strong and powerful hands. I giggled as his head ducked down and nibbled at my jaw, making my knees feel fuzzy. Jack dropped down beside me and suddenly threw me over his shoulder, and I was laughing. For just this moment I was okay, as Jack carried me to the bed and threw me down, jumping on top of me- rendering me powerless. "I love you," he stated, after just a month and a half of officially 'dating', and his dark eyes penetrated my soul as he awaited my reply. I smiled up at him, and for a moment I hesitated.