Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley

[chapter 57]

Almost

The wind drifted softly across the top of the Astronomy Tower.

The lantern beside the picnic basket flickered gently, casting warm gold light over the blankets and the scattered remains of their late night feast.

Neither of them spoke.

After the accidental almost kiss, the quiet felt different now, charged, but not uncomfortable.

Callidora leaned back onto her hands, letting the breeze move through her hair. Somewhere below them the grounds of Hogwarts Castle were dark and peaceful.

Fred tried very hard to look normal.

Inside his head, however, was absolute catastrophe.

You absolute idiot.

She kissed you.

Well, almost kissed you.

Corner of the mouth counts, doesn't it?

Stop thinking about it.

He rubbed the back of his neck and stared up at the stars like they personally owed him answers.

Next to him, Calli sighed contentedly.

"This is nice."

Fred cleared his throat.

"Yeah."

Another comfortable silence settled between them.

Then Calli shifted slightly.

Fred felt her lean gently against him and then her head rested on his shoulder.

Fred stopped breathing.

His brain completely shut down.

His heart began beating so loudly he was convinced she could hear it.

She's leaning on you.

Act normal.

This is normal.

This is not normal.

Fred stared very intensely at the sky like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

Calli didn't seem to notice his internal meltdown.

She just relaxed there, her head resting comfortably against him.

Fred could feel the faint warmth of her through his jumper.

And suddenly every thought he'd been avoiding for months crashed into him all at once.

He'd liked her for a while.

All year, really.

Maybe longer.

Watching Quidditch with her.

Inventing things with her.

Seeing the way she argued with teachers without even realizing she was doing it.

Seeing her stand up to people spreading rumors.

Seeing how brilliant she was.

And then, Cedric.

Fred's jaw tightened slightly.

But that was over now.

They'd decided to stay friends.

Which meant... Fred swallowed.

Now or never.

He looked down slightly at Calli.