GHOST OF YOU || Fred Weasley

• CHAPTER FIFTY •

»»» LAVENDER lurched forward. Fred opened his eyes just in time to grab her and prevent her from falling to the ground. He held her body in his arms.

"Is it really you?" The question tumbled out of her mouth, despite her sensing Merlin's presence vanish. With the blood loss and possible ink poisoning, she had to be sure.

Fred nodded. "It's me Lav. He's not in me anymore. I don't know how I'm supposed to prove it to you," he rambled on, causing a brief smile to flirt with her lips.

"What have you done?" He whispered, his face damp with hot tears. Lavender gazed into his eyes, smiling when his hand paused a fraction away from her face. She leant into his palm, closing the gap between them and let out a shaky exhale. 

"I did what needed to be done," she replied, her body suddenly weak without the rush of adrenaline running through her veins. "Remember what you said about living under a tyrant? I'm counting on you to stick to your word." She pressed her hand against the open wound on his neck, stomach twisting at how pale he had become. It was easy enough to inflict harm upon herself when she knew Merlin was possessing his body, but now to see him suffer the consequences was almost too unbearable.

"The Apprentice stole something from him. Find it and use it as leverage," she continued, her gaze hardening as she struggled to remain conscious. "Fight and defeat him, Fred."

Fred frowned. "Stop that, we have another chance, there's still time. You can fight him with me," he said in a tone that coaxed a smile and nod from her.

His gaze travelled down her body, taking in the sight of her injury, before meeting her eyes once more, heavy and unguarded. "About what he said Lav -"

Lavender groaned in his arms, eyes sparkling with moisture. She hushed him softly, but Fred shook his head. Once the first tear had broken free, the rest followed in an unstoppable stream.

"No, I have to say this," he said, his voice cracking. He glanced upwards, blinking furiously before tilting his head down again. "What he said wasn't true, at all. It's the opposite really," he mumbled.

"Please, don't," she interrupted him, her free hand brushed across his lips as her fingers travelled up his damp cheek to weave themselves in his hair. "Not like this. Tell me properly when I see you again," she said, clarifying her meaning. He shut his eyes to hide his disappointment. Warmth spread through her body at his confession, the heat of desire rushing to her face. "But for the record," she added in a small voice, her lips twitching when his gaze darted up again. "Me too."

"There has to be another way," he urged into the silence that followed. "We can find Mary, get her to do a deal to get you out of this. Or maybe we should try and find the Gatekeeper again. What if I went through the Veil? Maybe that could help," he rambled, his voice failing him multiple times, yet he couldn't care less. His eyes widened suddenly. "There's a choice, Lavender. That's what Mary kept telling me to remind you. You always have a choice."

Lavender didn't reply, letting the silence fill in her answer, for she was far too cowardly to admit that whilst there may have been another path she could have chosen, it was not meant to be. At least, not if she wanted Fred to survive.

"I can't lose you Lav." He stroked her hair, his own breath becoming more raspy and difficult.

"Selfish and narcissistic, remember?" She replied causing Fred to scoff. 

Lavender blinked, her eyelids becoming heavier. She knew she had to call Merlin, every part of her intended to, but she also planned on selfishly using every last moment with Fred. If by some miracle, she was able to hold onto it, then she wanted to ensure she had enough material.