Forever and always, until the end (Fred Weasley&Anertha Diggory) WattyAwards2013

Tri-wizard tournament third task

written 7/6/2013

The third task

The third task came around so quickly after the second, Fred and Anertha didn't have time to sort themselves out after the fallout of the second task. Anertha hadn't spoken to Fred in 2 weeks. It was driving him insane. The pair resorted to arguments the minute they saw each other, the tension between them was starting to affect poor George. 'Please Fred. Just do what she wants. Seriously, how hard is it to just be supportive?' 'I didn't sign up for the supportive grown up stuff when I got with her.' 'Well that is growing up brother. What did you think was gonna happen?' Fred scowled. 'Not this. I can't handle her mood swings. Maybe she was right; perhaps I do wish she was at the bottom of the lake. I wouldn't have to deal with her then.' Fred noticed George's eyes open wide in shock followed by fear. Fred felt a pit form in his stomach. 'She's behind me isn't she?' He asked George. George nodded slowly. 'If that's how you feel Fred, maybe you and I are done.' Came her unusually harsh tone. Fred turned to face a livid Anertha. Angelina stood at her side. Fred reached out for Anertha's wrist. 'I didn't mean it.' He didn't dare say another word. He felt her go rigid beneath him. He looked up at her face to find it hard as stone, her eyes empty and distant until a flash of fiery anger filled them. He let go immediately, recoiled back to where his brother stood. George tugged at Fred and pulled him away, out of Anertha's sight. Fred felt his heart break, despite the recent fights, he always had hope they would make it through. Had he just lost her? The red mist that had descended over her receded. She focused her eyes and saw Angelina mouthing something at her. 'Anertha?' She finally heard when she came back to life. She crumpled to the ground and began to cry uncontrollably, she was completely weighed down with emotions. She felt Angelina cradle her. She never meant to start a war with Fred; she just saw red whenever she saw him now. All she wanted was for them to go back to the way they were. She blamed this tournament for everything. She was a mess. She was juggling hate, stress, worry, sadness and love all in one go. She got her breathing under control and just sat in Ange's arms quietly. 'You'll be ok An. Love makes us all crazy and there's a fine line between love and hate.' Anertha didn't hate Fred; she hated how he couldn't grow up for her. Not that it mattered now, she was pretty sure they were over. A week later Fred and Anertha were more distant than ever. If they caught each other's gaze Fred's eyes would turn dark and he would turn away so no one could spot his eyes fill up, only George saw this, to which he would gently pat his brother's back. Anertha's eyes would fill with anger and flicker to sadness when he wasn't looking, she would walk away with a tear escaping her lids. The third task was now upon them. Anertha met up with Cedric and Amos before it all kicked off. 'It's almost over. After we can go celebrate in Hogsmeade.' Cedric smiled when he saw the familiar worried face his sister had been sporting all year. She nodded in agreement as she held her brother close. 'Good luck Ced. I'm proud of you.' Cedric kissed her hard on the cheek. He gave her one last half smile before turning away with their father out of the tunnel onto the field. 'Butterbeers are on you!' She called after him before he was too far away. Cedric turned and answered 'Well of course.' He mouthed 'love you' to which she did the same before he had his back to her again. She waited at the entrance to the tunnel. She stared at the bush Cedric had just disappeared through. She was willing him to walk back through it. Her father stood beside her for a short while. 'You should've put your name in that cup too.' Anertha sighed. 'Here we go again.' She thought. 'Why? Is that the only way to get your approval? Risk my life? Who knows dad maybe one day I will die risking my life to make you proud!' Her father frowned at her. 'Don't be ridiculous Anertha. Now go and find your friends.' He left her and found Mr Weasley in the stands. As she watched them talking she wondered if they knew about her and Fred yet. She scanned the stands and found him, looking at her, their gazes lingered before they abruptly looked away. She stepped into the shadows. Since their break up she couldn't deal with seeing him. She still needed him. It was an eternity but finally something was happening. She heard cheers but they were drowned out by a scream. Anertha ran out of the shadows and looked onto the field. Her heart stopped. Shattered within her. She felt as though she had just died inside. 'NOOOOOOOOOO!' She screamed as she ran to the body of her dead twin. 'NOOO CEDRIC! WAKE UP! SOMEONE HELP ME!' She broke down, she could hardly breathe, her insides contorted within her, her fingers scratched at Cedric's clothing aimlessly, tears flowing fast onto his chest, covering his face. 'You can't leave me.' She cried as she clung to him. 'I love you, come back...I love you.' She squeaked. 'DAD!' She called desperately. Seeing her heart breaking was killing him. He pushed through the crowd towards her. Her father reached her first. Pushing her out of the way to get to his son. His heart shattered as his daughter's did. Amos pushed Anertha away from the body, 'move Anertha.' He said as he fell to the ground. Anertha stood, face tear-soaked, she looked around and found Fred right there. 'Fred.' She cried. He knew in that moment she needed him. He took a step towards her, arms open wide to her. She flew into his arms and he cradled her, holding her tight. She buried her face into his shoulder and cried harder than ever. Fred held her steady, stroking her back and kissing her head. George joined them and hugged Anertha from behind, wanting to support her too and help his brother. Anertha found George's hand and grasped it. She needed them both right now. She found herself in Dumbledore's office. Not sure how she got there. Fred was with her, hand tight around hers. He had walked her there on the headmaster's orders. Amos and himself soon joined them. 'Dad.' Anertha stood. She was embraced by her father. He kissed her. 'Where is he?' She asked. 'Being...taken care of.' Anertha cried again. 'Come on, Cedric wouldn't want you crying. He'd say something like...You're too beautiful to ruin your face by crying...He loved you very much. As do I. You are never to leave me the way he did.' He held her close again. Dumbledore waited for them to settle again. 'It is Anertha's decision to stay here or she may leave and go home with you.' The headmaster said after about ten minutes. Anertha didn't want to go home. She looked to Fred then her father. 'Stay.' Her father answered for her. 'You will have better support here -' He looked to Fred. '-than at home with me and your mother.' He looked to the floor. 'Mum.' She sighed. Amos was yet to tell her about her son's death. Anertha agreed it was best to stay. She walked slowly, empty, back to the common room. Fred by her side. As he should be. When they entered all eyes fell upon her, full of tears and pity. Anertha wanted so badly to be invisible right now. She could feel anger building within her. She did not want to hear 'sorry for your loss.' Ever. 'Fred.' She whispered. Fred stood tall. 'Right clear out. The lot of you. She doesn't need you staring at her. Anyone who doesn't disappear within the next minute will have me and George to deal with.' At this George stood up and nodded. They had never seen the room empty so quickly. Anertha sat down on the sofa. George kissed her lightly on the head before departing for bed. Fred and Anertha were alone for the first time in weeks, sat side by side on the couch, the fire roaring in front of them. 'Thank you.' She whispered, her voice hoarse from screaming. Fred took her hand. 'You don't need to say thank you. I would have done it anyway. I couldn't bear seeing your heart break, your world shattering. If it had been George you would have been there for me.' Before Fred knew it, he was going off on a long speech. 'I have been an idiot this year. You needed me and I backed away like a child because I didn't want to grow up. I should have been there for you, maybe we wouldn't have gotten to this stage. Losing you was the worst feeling I have ever felt. I need you back. I want to look after you, help you through this. I promise you I will be supportive from now on, because I love you and I'm just sorry it has taken me this long to be honest with you and I'm sorry I have done this now of all times.' Anertha looked up at him. Fred seemed unaware of the words he had just said. 'You love me?' She asked shocked. That was the first time he had said those words to her. Fred took both her hands in his. 'Yes. I love you.' Anertha reached forward and kissed him lightly. 'I love you as well.' They looked deep into each other's eyes. They kissed passionately. George smiled in the shadows of the stairwell before making his way to the dorms. Anertha whispered 'I forgive you.' Before they kissed again. A part of her heart healed but she had a long road ahead of her but she knew she had Fred to take that road with her.