Scratches (Fred Weasley)

(160) Certainty

"Fred," Florence half gasped, her eyes still fixated on the ring, "Fred I—"

"I know what you're going to say. We're too young, we're still building lives for ourselves but honestly I don't care about any of that. Yes, this might also be because you almost died, but Flo... I'm certain. I'm certain that I don't want anyone else." he said, still clutching the open velvet box, now in a sitting position.

"You don't even have to think about this as an engagement ring. I mean it is, but, you can think of it as a promise. A promise that I will marry you, and that I will be yours for as long as I'm alive. That I'll love you for as long as I'm alive. If you'll allow me to, that is..." he said solemnly, tears brimming in Florence's eyes, both of her hands clamped against her mouth, to express how absolutely speechless she was.

"Flo?" he asked again, after a few beats of silence, "No pressure, but, now would be a good time to say something..."

This made her laugh, swiping at the tears building in her eyes before cupping his face in her hands, leaning in to kiss him. "Yes, Fred. I'll wear it. A thousand times, yes."

Fred let out a nervous laugh, now crying himself. He shakily took the ring out of the foam, taking Florence's hand and slipping it onto her finger, before encircling her in a hug, "I might be the happiest person alive right now."

"We're tied for that spot, my love."

The last few hours of the day were spent in bliss, the two going out of the apartment to buy food at Diagon alley, as well as a gallon of ice cream from Florean Fortescue's. They had awoken George for supper, the three of them laughing and joking around in conversation, George catching the shimmer on Florence's finger, shooting his brother a look as if to tell him how happy he was for him. He saw it coming from a mile away. If George were going to be completely honest, he had seen this happening from the first time he saw his brother stare at Florence with so much love, that love now more intense than ever.

They all went to bed around a quarter to eleven, Florence and Fred quite excited to be spending their first night together in their room.

Fred had his lamp on still, facing Florence as he lay, a big smile etched on his face. He reached forward, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, "Have I ever told you how absolutely beautiful you are?"

"Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to hear it a few more times," she joked, Fred scooting closer towards her, Florence burrowing herself into his chest, his chin resting on the top of her head.

"Florence Weasley..." he breathed out, the sound of it making him giddy and anxious at the same time, "Has a nice ring to it..."

"Mhm," she murmured in agreement.

"You can keep your last name too, if you'd like," he suggested, "Or you can hyphenate, Price-Weasley."

"I have plenty of time to decide, my love." She pointed out, "Though I want to ask. What's our plan here? Are we going to tell people?"

Fred bit his lip, "I don't know, I didn't think about that... Do you think we should? I don't really know how our families are going to react."

"Oh god, I wonder how Sirius is gonna react," Florence groaned, already anticipating something severely and over the top dramatic. "I'm sure my mum would be fine with it," Fred added, "I mean she likes you."

"You think she'll approve of how young we're doing it?"

"She and my father got engaged around this age too, so probably." Fred revealed, "Plus its not like we're going to get married in a week or two. We'll wait until we find the right time."