obliviate ~ f.weasley.

19 . fate

"Did you know I was going to the Quidditch World Cup with you?"

"Good afternoon to you too, Lilah. Yeah I'm great thanks, how about you?" Delilah smacked George's arm with the back of her hand, naturally eliciting a melodramatic reaction from the young man.

Fred sat up on the end of his bed, taking her hands in his own and pulling her to stand between his thighs, "of course we knew, we thought you did too."

"Yeah did you think we were gonna leave you here while we went?"

She felt the colour rise to her cheeks, feeling rather embarrassed after George's remark, "thought I'd be back at Remus'..."

"You're not just a pretty face around here y'know - we do love you." He pecked her knuckles, Delilah leaning in to press a kiss to his lips.

"Get a room." George retched,

"You're just jealous, little bro." Fred wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body to his chest, his twin scoffing rather loudly.

"Little bro," George echoed, "I'm about five minutes younger than you."

"Which means I'm five minutes wiser. Don't sweat it though," Fred grinned, "you came second to the best."

•••

"What am I to say? What am I to do? " Lupin hunched over his hot mug of coffee, appearing as haggard as ever after another restless night in his werewolf form.

"She's a teenage girl, Remus. Space and time is the best remedy." Arthur assured him, Molly wordlessly agreeing with her husband.

"And what if it's not? What if this is how our relationship is now? Between the kids and I," His eyes had a shimmer to them, his words becoming croaky and broken, "what if they hate me forever?"

Molly and Arthur could do anything together; advice givers, carers, the most loyal people you could ever have the fortune to meet, but they couldn't predict the future.

His digits combed through his knotted hair, coming to rest at the nape of his neck, finger tips tracing along the fresh scab of a new addition to his collection of claw marks.

"We don't hate you."

Her voice was meek and delicate; she had had restless nights too. In physical appearance, she was as fit as a fiddle, but the pent up angst and sadness had clouded her bright iris'.

"We hate what you said. And we hate what you did."

His hands were clasped together in a pleading gesture, ready to beg for forgiveness he knew he didn't deserve. He abandoned his chair as he stood on trembling legs, the ache in his chest distracting him from the pain he was experiencing in his limbs.

"I could never hate you. Not after everything you've done for us."

He couldn't restrain himself any longer, trapping her in his embrace and vowing to never let her slip away again. Remus was grateful Delilah had taken the reigns in reconciling their relationship, as he felt although he couldn't speak without being reduced to tears. He was emotionally, mentally and physically drained, and he was incredibly grateful that she appreciated that regardless of what her personal feelings were towards him after he had made so little of her and Caleb.

"But no more fighting and bickering, okay?" She pulled back to look at his face, "I don't want us to be walking on egg shells around each other anymore."

He trusted himself to utter a few words,

"Yes. I'd like that very much."

They caught up over a cup of tea and a scone, though little had changed since they had spoken. His transitions were hitting harder than ever, and their lack of presence when he was back in human form was taking it's toll on him, as Delilah and Caleb would be there, every morning, with a freshly cooked English breakfast, a pot of tea, and a chocolate bar. Delilah explained that she had only been prepared to confront him as she was in relatively high spirits after finding out she was attending the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasley's, otherwise she wouldn't have found the energy to drag herself to the kitchen where she had heard Remus' voice and would have left the conversation for another day.

They now understood that Remus had not only been serving as a caregiver, someone to put a roof over their heads and provide them with hot meals, however he was there to protect them, and in return (despite the fact it took a heated debate and a temporary eviction for Remus to realise it) they managed to save him.

•••

Delilah was practically rolling on the floor in a fit of giggles, Ginny clutched her stomach as she wheezed with laughter, while Hermione threw her head on the back of the couch while the tears of joy streamed down her face.

"I can not believe he would do something like that!" Ginny managed to compose herself, though Delilah and Hermione were still struggling to catch their breaths.

"Who can't believe who would do something like what?"

Their girl time was short lived, as four freshly showered boys amalgamated into the lounge, their curiosity clearly getting the better of them. Harry and Ron sat beside Hermione on the couch, George on the spare one seater, and Fred stood right above Delilah's head, quirking a brow as she raised a hand.

"Help me, I'm weak." Her other hand rested on her ribs where that divine ache pulsated.

"Tell me what you were talking about and I'll consider it." Fred bartered, Delilah's hand flopping down to the floor with a groan.

"What's said between the girls, stays between the girls." Delilah repeated the oath she was reminded of every occasion she was with Hermione and Ginny. The inner gentleman in Fred could not stand to see his beloved girlfriend laying on the solid wooden floor, so (with a heavy sigh and a smirk on his lips) he offered out his hand. The other boys had surrendered, too hungry to put up a good fight as they and the girls went to the kitchen to finish off the left overs.

"You know I'll get it out of you one way or another, love."

He tugged her up to her feet, Delilah pressing her forehead against his, "I doubt that."

The second she kissed his lips was the same second he let go of his cocky facade, and melted into a ball of warm putty in her hands.

It worked every time without failure, primarily because Fred didn't fight or resist the feeling it gave him; he took great pleasure in showcasing his ego and parading around with his hard exterior to disguise him, however he truly cherished the moments where Delilah would reduce him to this soft, mellow demeanour, and didn't hesitate to drop his act if it meant she would be tracing patterns on his bare back and whispering sweet nothings in his ear while he fell asleep on her chest that night.

"I love you." He reminded her, eyes flickering to her lips as they turned up at each corner.

"I love you too."