Bound Together (Fred Weasley)

Chapter 6 - The Secret

It had been nearly three months since Fred Weasley had returned.

Scarlet was ecstatic. They had spent most of that time together, hanging out in the woods, playing catch with Scar's dad, or kickball with Dom. It was the most fun she'd had in a long time.

One sunny Tuesday morning in April, Scarlet was outside waiting for Fred. He promised the day before that he would show her something.

It was a secret and she mustn't tell anybody.

Wondering what kind of secret it was, she looked around, quite anxious for him to show up.

This was how it was. He always came over to her house, but she could never go to his. He would always come up with a different excuse every time Scarlet would ask why. But she never minded. She liked having him over. He was her best friend.

What did bother her, was that his parents never drove him, he walked. Even though he said he lived some distance away, he still walked to and from her house every day. Once, Scarlet had tried to follow him, but he had rounded a corner and disappeared.

Shaken out of her thoughts by the sound of pounding feet behind her, Scarlet turned, and saw Fred running towards her, a big smile on his face. Scarlet grinned. A little ways behind him was George. He was never without his twin. Always together those two were. Scarlet didn't mind either. She liked George, and his family very much.

Running up to her, arms widespread, Fred hugged Scar. Picking her up and spinning her around.

"Ah! Fred!" Scar shrieked, giggling as he set her down. Smacking Fred on the arm, she hugged him back before George came up and hugged her from behind, creating a Scarlet sandwich.

"Haha I thought you two weren't coming for a moment. I was getting worried. You said ten, and it's ten fifteen." Scarlet crossed her arms and gave them a look. Lifting her eyebrows in question.

"Well Scarlet dear you see," Fred Started.

"We had to grab some.. Supplies for today." George finished.

"We are terribly sorry that we are late and that we made you worry." Fred grinned at her, "So, shall we go on to our fort then?"

Scar nodded.

Several weeks ago, on a dismal, rainy afternoon, Fred, George and Scarlet were bored out of their minds, laying in a circle on Scar's living room floor.

"We could play that mugg... That game- what was it? Oh yeah, Monopoly." George suggested, correcting himself. There was that strange word. Muggle. Scarlet didn't know what it was or what it meant, but she knew it wasn't bad. Whenever she asked about it, Fred and George just said that it was nothing.

"Nah. That game gets boring after awhile. And remember? You didn't like it." Scarlet reminded him.

"Oh yeah.."

They fell silent for a few minutes.

"How about we see if Dom wants to play kickball?" Fred voiced.

"Can't. He went over to his friends this morning." Scarlet sighed, "What are we to do then? Dom isn't home, Monopoly is boring, and it's gonna rain."

"How about you guys go build a fort in the woods?" Scar's dad walked into the living room, causing the kids to jump and quickly sit up.

"But dad, its gonna rain, and mom said she doesn't want us outside."

"Well, I say you can go outside, and you can go build a fort. I've got some old sheets," he held up a basket, "for you guys. This'll at least get you started. Boys, do you know how to use a hammer and nails at least?" He looked at the twins. They both nod. "Good. Now Scar can show you where the tool shed is. There might be some extra wood planks in there, you're welcome to use them. If you need help, just come ask me okay? Please be careful, and have fun." He handed the basket to Scarlet and walked out.

"Well, what do you guys say? Shall we go build a fort?" Scarlet turned to the boys, adventure shining bright in her eyes.

And with that, they set off into the woods with a wagon full of tools and wood; ready to build the best fort possible.

After finding the perfect spot in a clump of trees just a little ways from the old oak tree- the very same that Dom had fallen out of- they got to work. It was a slow and painful process, but little by little, they got it done and finished within a few short weeks.

Now, they were trekking through the woods, on their way to the fort. Once there, they climbed up and got settled.

"So, what did you guys want to tell me?" Scarlet asked, eager to hear what they had to say.

But they just chuckled, looking at each other and back at her. This frustrated her greatly, for she didn't like it when people kept secrets from her.

"Well are you guys gonna tell me or not?" Scarlet demanded, crossing her arms and huffing.

"All in due time Scar." Fred said, leaning back in his bean bag, crossing his arms behind his head and closing his eyes.

"I hate you."

Fred opened one eye just in time to see Scarlet stick out her tongue at him before looking away.

"You know you love me." Fred said, in a sing song voice, jumping up and tackling her, pinning her to the ground so she couldn't squirm away.

"Fred Weasley you let me go this instant!" Scar yelled, trying unsuccessfully to free herself.

"Not until you admit that you don't hate me."

"Never."

Fred grinned wickedly. Scar's eyes widened in fear.

"You've made your choice"

And with that, Fred started to tickle Scarlet, with George joining in. Soon the fort was filled with Scar's cheerful shrieking.

"I give up! I give up!" Scarlet gasped several minutes later, "I don't hate you Fred. Or you George."

The boys sit up, and Fred gets off her, holding out his hand and helping her up.

"That's more like it. Now," Fred paused dramatically, "it is time for the secret."

Scarlet's eyes light up. She sits down on her beanbag and the others follow suit.

"Okay Scarlet, listen up. This secret we are about to share with you, could get us into some serious trouble if anyone found out that we told you. Like, major major trouble." George said, suddenly quite serious. No joking smile on his face. This scared Scarlet just a little.

"Then why are you telling me?" Scarlet questioned, confused. If it was so bad that they would be in major trouble, then why bother telling her?

"Because," Fred said, "We like you and we know we can trust you."

This made Scarlet smile and feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Taking a deep breath, and looking to his brother, Fred blurts it out.

"We're wizards."