Not A Coincidence (Fred Weasley)

Ch 22: Walls Come Crashing Down

Dear Mum and Dad,

Easter is just a month away and I was wondering if Fred and George could stay over. Please respond ASAP, can't wait to see you soon!

Love Chelsea

Alright, now all I need to do is find Willow. She tends to wander, a very curious owl.
I walk in to the Common Room to find Fred.

"Hey." Fred walks over from the couch.

"What are you doing up this early?" I kiss his cheek.

"Bored of sleep."

"Bored of sleep?!" I gasp, slapping the back of my hand against his forehead. "No fever, delusional perhaps?" I say to myself. Fred watches me surprised, I smirk at him.

"You goose." He taps my nose, I swat his hand away, only causing his smile to grow. Loves teasing me this one, loves it more when I retaliate. "What are you doing up this early?"

I hold up the letter and Fred nods in understanding. "Want to walk with me?"

...

"So what's the plans for today?" I ask as we climb the steps to the owlery. I look about but to no avail I can't seem to find Willow.

"I was thinking we could go down to the Quidditch Pitch." I look at him.

I haven't been down to the pitch since my accident, I haven't seen a broom since my accident and I certainly haven't heard of Alicia since my accident.

I turn my attention back to the owls. "Willow." I call out, something perches on my shoulder. "Hello beautiful." I scratch under her chin and place the letter in her beak. "Time for a trip home."

"Chelsea, you can't ignore it. You were born for Quidditch." Fred says once Willow's flown off in to the distance and is only a small blip amongst the sunrise.

"Fred, you don't understand. I can't, I-... I'm not doing this." I walk out of the owlery with Fred right behind me.

"Why are you so afraid?"

"Because I got knocked off my broom by a psycho bitch who has some crazy obsession with injuring others who get in her way! I fell Fred... I nearly died, I lost my memory, I-" I wipe away the tears in the ducts of my eyes. "I forgot about you. And I don't want to have to go through that again."

"Chelse-" He says as I walk back in to the castle. "Chelsea." He grabs my arm as we make our way in to the Entrance Hall.

"What Fred? What could you possibly say right now!?" I wail. "What could you do?"

"You just have trust me." He says softly.

"I do! I do. But-"

"But you don't."

He doesn't understand.

"You spend your whole life not trusting others, sure you put on a brave face but deep down you don't. You put up a wall and don't let others in! You think that others think badly of you so you put on this attitude, this mask, so that others can't see the fear in your eyes. It isn't just about the Quidditch Pitch, you've been scared your whole life and you need to stop!" He shouts. A flock of perching birds nearby flies off.

I stare at him, appalled. He-

"Chelsea, I didn't mean that." Fred says hastily. "Please... forget what I said." He reaches out his hand, but I step back.

"But you said it. And it's all true. I am scared." I knit my brows together, tears clinging to my cheeks. "I am scared because I feel if people get to know me they won't like me! I continuously think others judge me and I can't stop it, I can-can't sto-top it! That's why I'm sc-scared to go back t-to Quidditch, if I get ba-back on a broo-om and-and freak, ot-othe-ers will ju-udge me an-nd I can't h-elf t-that!" I sob, I feel like a wall that I have built up over many years has just come crumbling down. Like my secrets have been spilled for all to see.

Crumpling to the ground, I feel Fred's arms around me in quicksnap. He picks me up as I continue to silently cry and walks off.

"Wher-where are w-we going-g?" I sob quietly. Fred doesn't answer.

I look around, we're back in the Common Room. Fred places me on the couch before walking off. Where... Is he going? He disappears up the stairs to the boys dormitories, only to return a minute later with his arms chockers full of objects.

I pull my knees up under my chin as he wraps me up like a burrito in cozy blankets, that Molly obviously knitted because they're so soft and awesome looking. Fred places a squishy pillow in my arms as he sits down next to me on the couch, wrapping his arms around me.

"You are an amazing person, Chelsea. You're beautiful, awesome, fun, creative, excitable, enthusiastic and a great person. You always see the best in others and bring the best out in us. No-one is judging you, you don't need to be afraid." He says softly, giving me a squeeze. "If you ever do feel afraid, let your compass guide you home."

My compass, my compass. My home, Fred... Fred is my home, I can't imagine what I'd do if I lost him. But I do lose him, and I don't know how to stop it.

"Hey. I love you, and that's all that matters." Fred whispers in to my hair. "It's going to be alright, just promise me that whenever you feel this way you'll tell me, or show me. I don't like it when you're hurting, so please.. Don't bottle up these emotions." He sniffles.

I look up at him, tears glistening in my eyes. "I promise."

...

Quick! Quick!

I gallop up the stairs to the boys dormitory.

Quick! Quick!

Which bed is his again? I see red hair poking out from the two beds at the back.

"Trial and error." I say as I rip back the covers of the left bed. "Morning Sunshine." I sing out as I spot my Freddie.

"It's still dark, go back to bed." He mumbles in to his pillow. It's dark because the curtains are closed you dag.

I rip them open then climb up on to his bed, jumping from his to George's. "Happy Birthday my two lovelies." I sing out. George groans.

"Fred, put your girlfriend back in her box. It's only 7!" He grumbles. "Isn't this your death hour, you're not the morning person."

"Yeah, well it's a very special day." I say jumping off George's bed and pulling away his covers, flinging them back. "APRIL FOOL'S DAY!" I squeal.

Fred wraps his bare arms around me from behind and flops on to the bed. "Hush you, or you'll wake the others." He chuckles as I turn around facing him.

"They've already vacated the room, they're downstairs." Fred looks at me curiously. "I reminded them it was April Fools Day, so they got up early."

"Haha, smart I guess."

"I know." I say, flipping my short hair. "Alright, time to get up, let's go prank some First Years." I suggest, going to stand up but Fred has his grip around my waist.

"Noooo, you must stay with me." He whines, flopping back on to the bed.

"Fred." I laugh. "Fredddddddd."

"No."

"Fine then, no presents." I sigh, rolling over on to the bed.

"Presents?" Fred and George echo, still the same boys, even if they're a year older now.