Golden (FRED WEASLEY)

Chapter 8

Fred comes out of the portrait, and leans against the wall beside me. I can feel him staring me down but I keep my gaze on the floor in silence.

"You know, calling me pretty and dancing with me doesn't fix anything," I utter, playing with the hem on my sweater.

"Anything?" He repeats, raising his eyebrows.

"Well, maybe a little, but I'm still mad at you. Why is it so hard for you to just apologize?"

"It isn't hard for me to apologize, I don't know what you're talking about," He laughs, and I roll my eyes, "you do that a lot. Rolling your eyes."

"It's hard not to when I'm with someone so annoying. Also, I can't think of a time you ever said sorry to me. Why?" I wonder out loud, and he slides down the wall and sits down.

"I guess you're right. I don't really know why myself. I hate admitting I'm wrong. And in my mind, sorry is like saying you're wrong and made a mistake."

"Fred, people aren't going to forgive you if you never apologize. I know it's hard to say you were wrong, but you have to do it sometimes," I reply, squeezing his hand as I sit beside him.

"I'm sorry," He says, and I smile, "oh, before I forget I also got you something."

My cheeks burn bright red as he hands me a little box. I open it, and inside there is a small ring, shining golden in the light.

I pull it out of the box, holding it careful as if with one wrong move it could shatter. I slide it onto my finger, and it fits perfectly.

"Wow, it's beautiful, thank you Fred."

"Anything for the princess, now wanna go back in? I have an amazing story to tell the group, and it's almost curfew." I laugh, and nod as we walk back into the room.

George's POV:

I had always looked at Sofia like a little sister. Even though she is the same age as us, just a couple months older, we've always been protective of her.

When we first met her she seemed so fragile and small, one wrong step or word could cause her to break. Obviously that wouldn't happen, seeing that she's made of skin and bones and not porcelain. We always knew she was going to become stronger and less frail, but it happened so suddenly.

At least, I had always thought we looked at her like a baby sister. But seeing Fred dance with her tonight told me he didn't think of her that way anymore. And to be honest, it was weird.

The way they danced around the room was so weird to watch. Fred kept switching between a romantic slow dance and some jumpy style. I don't think Sofia had a care in the world as long as she was by his side.

It was quite funny to watch, actually. Fred TOWERS over Sofia, and when I say towers, I mean it. He was basically just dragging her along as he danced.

They were so oblivious to the other people in the room. I don't think they even noticed the two girls whispering, but I did.

"What are you two talking about?" I ask, pushing my head in between theirs from my spot behind them, "the two lovebirds I assume."

"Yeah, it's so....weird seeing them like that," Jocelyn says, looking over at the pair as Fred spins her over and over again while she laughs.

"But also weirdly adorable," Maya chimes in, giggling.

The song ends as Fred dips her, and then they stay like that for a beat, as the room falls silent. He pulls her upright and the second both of her feet are back on the floor she leaves. As she rushes by us, I can tell she's extremely freaked out.

Fred looks at the three of us, and Jocelyn and Maya both try not to laugh. He looks over towards me, and mouths what did I do? I shrug my shoulders, and gesture towards the hall.

Understanding what to do, he rushes after her out the hallway, patting my back as he leaves. I don't know what's goin to happen with those two, but I know it's going to be painful to watch. Because even though Sofia isn't as small and fragile anymore, we still have to protect her. And even though Fred is my brother, I won't hesitate to hurt him if he hurts Sofia.

this is one of my favorite chapters ever. I love George's view on the scene from the last chapter. If any of you guys are trying to shift realities like me, i just wanted to say you will shift and you can do it !! xoxo
written-october 16th
753 words