Recovered Ivory [1]

Three

"Now, what did you want to talk to me about so urgently?" Fred asked, tossing me an apple as we sat below a tree. He was in a good mood, but I knew my next words would break him out of that.

"Fred, I like you a lot," I began, and he smiled broadly. "I don't know if it's a silly school girl fantasy, but I do see this going becoming something great and something that will last forever."

"I do too," he assured, smiling at me. "Now, what has you so fidgety?"

"I want to tell you who my uncle is," I whispered, hoping he hadn't heard me, but he had.

"Why is that so important?"

"Because he knows that I'm dating you and he's on a war path."

"So who is he?" Fred asked, taking a bite out of his apple looking so carefree.

I watched his face for a few moments before speaking. "Severus Snape."

He froze in taking the next bite of his apple and looked at me. "Professor Snape?" I nodded, looking away, suddenly scared he would stalk off. "Does anyone else know?"

"Your parents and all of the staff," I answered, truthfully, wrapping my arms around my knees and pulling them close. I risked a glance at his face and was startled to see him smiling. "Why are you smiling?"

"He's got it out for me because I'm dating you?" I nodded again. "Oh, this will be fun."

"Fred?"

"I have been proving my potion skills to Snape since first year. I'm probably one of the only Weasleys he doesn't hate. He actually enjoys my crazy potion ideas," he explained, grinning at me. "I don't think he can stay mad at me for very long."

"Fred, I'm basically his little girl," I explained, watching his smiling face with wonder. "You're two years older then me and you're possibly taking me from him."

"I got this, Ivy," he said, sending me a smile and taking a bite out of his apple. "Just trust me on this one."

"My name's not Ivy," I whispered, and he glanced at me, his worried expression returning.

"Who are you parents?" He seemed to realize that was what I was actually worried about telling him.

"My mother was Severus' twin sister," I explained, taking the easier step first. "I look a lot like her." He made the continue motion with his hand, and I gulped. I hadn't wanted to tell him everything, but I couldn't lie now. "My father was best friends with Harry's parents, and apparently Professor Lupin." I stopped talking, feeling a rock settle in my stomach.

"Ivy, you can tell me anything."

"My name is Ivory...Black," I said, my last name coming out after a longer  pause then I wanted. I felt tears welling in my eyes and spilling over and going down my cheeks.

Fred didn't say anything, he just pulled me close to him and held me. I wrapped my arms around him, realizing I had been worried I wouldn't be able to hold him like this again. I was so happy to have him still holding me, to even be happy to be around me. We stayed like that for a few minutes until my tears seemed to dry up.

"I don't care about any of that, Ivy," he whispered, kissing the top of my head. "I fell in love with who you are, not who your parents are."