Enchanted [Fred Weasley]

Seventy-Seven

Fred sat next to Grace at the Ravenclaw table. She bit into her apple and closed her journal before acknowledging him.

"Hello, Fred." She greeted.

"Hello, Grace."

"Can I help you with anything?"

"George and I have this business idea. We'd like your opinion on it." Fred held out the paper for Grace. She took the paper and began analyzing the idea. Finally, she spoke.

"This might be the stupidest thing you two have thought of." She said.

"What do you mean?" He asked. He took back he paper and looked over it again.

"Punching telescopes? You really think that's the safest thing, do you? What if a little toddler was in the store and picked it up. I don't think the parents would be very pleased if their child got a black eye."

"We would keep them on the top shelf." Fred said as he folded his arms.

"Freddie, good thought put into it. Yet, it's not the safest thing. Oh, and you should probably shower again. You smell strongly of gunpowder."

"We were up late working on something."

"I'm guessing it involves gunpowder?"

"Yes." Grace laughed. "Do you not like the smell?"

"Hey, I never said I didn't like it. Not everyone will though."

"If you like it I might as well leave it." Grace chuckled.

"You two can put this in the shop if you want. It might not be the best idea though." Grace planted a kiss on his cheek on walked out of the Great Hall, the apple still in her hand.

• • •

Grace sat outside under a tree later that day. She wrote in her journal as she embraced the silence. William spotted her and sat next to her.

"Grace, how did you know you loved Fred?" Grace, startled by the question, looked taken back.

"I never said I love him." She stated.

"You two don't have to say it for everyone to know! It's pretty obvious." Grace closed her journal and stared at William.

"Why do you ask such a thing?" William didn't reply which gave Grace the answer. "You love someone, don't you?" William looked away.

"Maybe." Grace thought about the question before answering.

"I know I...." Grace started, but trailed off.

"Loved him?" William finished. Grace nodded.

"Yeah, I knew it when I realized he came along and changed the meaning of the word for me. I knew it because every time I look at him there's something else I find to love."

"You're dating Fred, he has an identical twin. How did you know you fancied Fred and not George?" Grace pursed her lips.

"I just knew."

"Grace, this person fancies me. I was told they did. Yet I can't bring myself to face the reality that I could be with them. I walk away from it. Then I come back.....then I walk away again."

"If it's real then you can't walk away forever, William."

"I know, but I'm scared of what happens when I walk into it."

"That's an adventure you can only experience if you walk into it."

"I don't want to fall in love Grace, I can't fall in love." Grace chuckled.

"You can't tell your heart what to do. It was only a few months after Lewis I began to fall for Fred. I told my heart no because I wasn't ready. It was though, I thought I wasn't. My heart was ready to love again and it did. I couldn't control that."

"So, you think it's time for me to walk into this. Even if turns out a disaster?"

"If you don't walk into it you'll never know if it was the best idea of your life or the worst."

"Fair enough."

"Who is it the little William fancies?"

"Little! I'm taller than you."

"'Most are, William."

"I guess that's true. You are pretty tiny."

"Just means I'm great at hide-and-seek."

"Well, I'll see you later Grace." William stood up and began to walk away, but Grace didn't let him off that easy.

"William! Get back here." William sighed and walked back.

"Yes?"

"Is it that Harper girl?"

"No, not her. She was more of a crush. I didn't fancy her after the Yule Ball."

"Why?" William shrugged.

"Just didn't fancy her anymore."

"Who is it then?" William hesitated. It took all his courage for him to admit it. He took in a deep breath and told her.

"Leo O'Brian."