As Night Falls (Third Book in the Things Not Seen Series) *Completed*

Chapter 13

Aria walked down the corridor with her mind racing. There was so much to do to get ready for the wedding and she wasn't sure how she'd ever be able to get it done. She walked past the Forbidden Forest to reach Hagrid's Hut for Care of Magical Creatures. She heard a rustling in the bushes and paused for a moment. After a moment she decided that it was just the wind and continued down her path. She heard the rustling again and this time she saw someone flash past in the brush.

She stopped and walked over to one of the bushes. Cho Chang walked past and looked at Aria.

"Coming to class?"

"Ya. Sorry I thought I saw.... nevermind. I'm probably just imagining things. Let's go."

Cho and Aria walked off down to join the rest of the class. As they continued on their way, Aria looked over her shoulder as if half suspecting that there was something....or someone following her. They reached the class just as it began to start. Once again, there was a noise behind Aria and this time she walked towards it. She peered into the bushes and reached her hand through it to pull it out of the way. She felt pressure on her wrist and found herself on the other side of the bush.

Fred stood before her and she looked up at him with a confused expression. Fred thrusted his hand before her to help her up and she scrambled backwards out of his way.

"Come on. I'm not going to hurt you."

"What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you."

"You can't get me back."

"It's not about that. It's about Anastasia."

"What did you do to my sister?"

"Why do you always expect that I've done something?"

"I don't. I expect that of Christina. However, you haven't been very trustworthy lately."

"Aria, I know what I did was wrong and I know that I don't deserve your forgiveness but the point is, I love Anastasia and I need your permission to be with her."

"You don't need my permission. You certainly didn't with Angelina."

"Just let it go Aria! I love Anastasia and I need your forgiveness to be with her."

"Fred, I loved you and you let me down. I can't see that happen to my sister. She's sensitive and she can't deal with things like this. I just....."

"Aria, she's my whole world and I just don't think I could live without her. She's everything to me and I love her."

"And I believe you but Fred I can't stand to see her hurt."

"Aria I've changed."

"And I believe you but Fred I just can't do this."

"All I want is for you to forgive me."

"And I have forgiven you already but you have to promise me one thing."

"Anything. What is it?"

"My one request is that you leave my sister out of this."

Aria...."

"No Fred! I'm talking now! If you want my forgiveness, you have to leave her out of this."

"I can't do that Aria. She means more to me than anything in the whole world."

"Then I'm afraid I can't help you."

"But Aria...."

"You know where I stand Fred. I can't just bend the rules for you. Not after what you did to me. You've lost my trust. I'm sorry but the truth is, you should go back to The Burrow because there's no future for you here with Anastasia."

Aria turned to walk away and Fred grabbed her arm. "I can't just give up on Anastasia. I would do anything for her and I will never hurt her." Aria turned to face him and a tear streamed down her face. "I've been through this Fred. I only wish that your promises would actually follow through. I'm sorry I truly am but I can't let you hurt my sister like you hurt me."