Just A Bet ● Fred Weasley × Reader ●

39 - EEEEEEE!

Ginny giggled when I held up a silver metallic ornament and made a silly face in the reflection. For a while, we were entirely distracted from the tree, only making faces. Even Bill, the curse-breaking goofball he is, joined in on the silliness. First by jabbing his fingers between my ribs, making me squeal and squirm. 

Finally, after the joyfulness went on the downward slope, Bill looked me right in the eyes and said, "We need to get a divorce." 

I paused. A divorce? He never asks for a divorce. Usually he just tears up the tissues with 'divorce' sloppily written in my messy scrawl. Now he actually wants one?

"Why?"

Well... A, I think I'm making someone jealous. And B, I have a girlfriend." He grinned proudly. 

I completely ignore part A, instead, the biggest smile spread across my face. "A girlfriend?!?! Finally! Who's the girl? Tell me, tell me, tell meeee!" I draped myself dramatically across his lap, but he shoved me to the floor. At least it was carpeted. 

He let out a boisterous chuckle, something rarely heard from the now stone cold curse-breaker. "Alright, alright. Just... don't freak out!" 

"Tell meeeeeee!' I started clawing at his pant leg like a deranged zombie. 

"Fleur Delacour."

"WHAT!?"  The force of my own shock sent me back to the ground. "Fleur!? Like the triwizard- How- what..." 

"Yep. Met at the ministry. You know." He put his hands behind his head. So that's where the twins got that from... Then he was gone by the beckoning of a bandaged Arthur. 

Very bandaged... He's lucky to be alive, actually. If it weren't for Harry dreaming of him being attacked... or whatever the weird kid does, then he very well may be dead. I was glad to have him back from the hospital. 

Then Molly hollered from the kitchen. "Ginny! y/n! Are you two done with the tree?!" 

That's when Ginny and I locked eyes and panic ensued. We both jumped, I from the floor, her from the sofa, and we all but speedran the tree decorating. Tinsel, bulbs, lights, and everything. All that was left was to top it with the star, but Molly said to wait, I suppose. 

After a few very fast-paced minutes, the tree was done. 

"Done!" Ginny and I called back in unison. 

Molly clapped her hands and scurried into the living room, flour covered apron still on from backing something that smelt mouth-watering. "Good. Everyone! Into the living room!"

She helped Arthur from the last step and brought him into the living room. Harry, Ron, and Hermione practically shoved each other out of the way. Bill and Charlie walked in one after the other. Then the twins aparated in with a loud popping sound.

"Time to put the star on the tree." Molly rummaged through a box before pulling out a beautiful golden ten pointed star. She then walked over to Fred, handing it over, but not without having to examine their F and G sweaters first. "It's your turn this year to put it on the tree, dear."

Fred took the star and walked excitedly to the tree. Using his height, he reached for the top of the tree, but he hesitated. Slowly, he lowered his arm and stared at the topper, then the tree where the last few inches at the top were undecorated because Ginny nor I could reach. His lips pursed and he let out a long breath through his nose as if contemplating. He ran his thumb over the golden sheen of the star, then looked at his Mum.

"Actually..." he began, then turned to me with a soft expression. He walked up to me, took my hands with gentle yet rough fingers that made my breath catch and gave me the star. "I think that if anyone should crown the tree, it's you, y/n."

I was practically frozen in place. Me? Crown the tree? I can't even reach...

As if reading my thoughts, Fred added, "Here. I'll help." He took my wrist and pulled me up slowly. 

Sparing only a glance at everyone else, Arthur looked proud despite his raging black-eye, Ginny looked happily shocked, Ron looked... well, Ron looked like that any time Fred and I were even in the same room as one another, George looked like he'd just won a massive bet, and Molly looked like she was about to cry. 

Finally, after an eternity of Fred's hand on mine, I got to the tree. It was tall. Like three whole meters tall. (nine feet for all my Americans) There was no way I was reaching that. 

But then Fred leaned down and spoke in a voice so low that even I could hardly hear it. "I'll lift you. Just put any point of the star at the top, it'll balance itself. Do you trust me?"

With a gulp that I prayed he couldn't hear, I nodded. 

"Good. Three, two..." 

In classic Fred fashion, he didn't get to one before his hands were around my waist and hoisting me up. At some point between four seconds ago and now, I ended up perched delicately on his shoulder, his hands dangerous on my thighs, supporting me. 

"There you go, Love. Now you just put the star on the top-" 

I cut him off. 

"I know where it goes." 

He laughed and shut his mouth. Slowly, with shaking hands, I reached with the star in one hand. My other hand was on his head, messing up his hair, but it stabilized me a bit, so it worked. Like a magnet, when the golden star was close enough to the top of the tree, it latched on to it with a ting sound. It balanced precariously on a single point, not falling, not swaying, simply unmoving. Like it was always meant to be there. 

I looked down at Fred, who was looking up at me the best he could through his messy orange hair. It also didn't help that my hand was on his head either, so I took it off and he looked all the way up with that same stupid lopsided grin that makes my heart hammer in its cage every single damn time. 

"Merry Christmas, y/n."

"Merry Christmas, Fred." 

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A/N - Ah! Fred is so fine! Omg! Also, the way he just gives her the star! I just- Ugh! They're so cute! I can't! I love him so much you don't understaaaand!!!

Okay, okay. I haven't done a health check in a while. How is everyone? Okay? Not okay? If the answer is not okay, then that it totally fine! It is normal for someone to not feel their best. Just know that better days are coming. From personal experience, what I say is true. It does get better. In the meantime, please feel free to forget or rant or do whatever you like with this paragraph. This is a safe space. Any hatred toward anyone will be deleted. Thank you.