𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, fred weasley

˗ˋ 29

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
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-: sixth year :-

── IN WHICH THE NIGHT PROGRESSES

. . .

The Weird Sisters had appeared on a small raised stage - and Fred had expected to have to introduce Elodie to the group, but it seemed that she already knew, from the way she turned to him, smiling brightly at him and clapping her hands excitedly.

"Come on - we need to dance." Elodie said, getting up and pulling Fred with her. Viktor and Cedric had already gotten up, Harry still sitting. 

The Weird Sisters struck up a low, mournful tune. Fred and Elodie expertly danced around the well-lit area, every so often catching one of their friend's eyes and smiles erupting on their faces. It was clear that they worked well together - there seemed to be some chemistry between them that only made their dance together better.

Other couples joined them on the dance floor after a minute or so, and Elodie was sure she had spun around George and Angelina at some point. The slow song came to an end, and a much quicker one came on, Elodie and Fred smiling as they began to dance to it.

A few songs later and the girl was pulling Fred off of the dance floor, saying something about a drink. "You have so much energy." She said, slightly out of breath from the many fast-paced songs.

"Do try and keep up next time." Fred said dryly, Elodie meeting his eyes and laughing, comfortably slipping into the space next to him, his arm snaking around her waist. "Let's get a drink." He said, carefully steering them around the crowd. 

They managed to get to the table of drinks and food without any problems, Elodie pouring them two cups full of the shimmery purple drink, and Fred led them back over to the tables, where George and Angelina were sat.

"Planning on making the night a little more exciting?" George asked, Elodie looking confused before seeing him bringing out a small bottle, the unmistakable colour of firewhiskey. 

"Oh Merlin please." She said, holding out her cup, George tipping out a portion of the alcohol into her drink. "What?" She asked, seeing the other three staring at her. "I don't know how many more dances I can do sober. My heels are starting hurt."

The night went on, her and Fred going from having firewhiskey mixed with the juice to just pure alcohol. They knew it was a bad idea, especially with so many teachers around, but it just made it more fun. 

"One last dance? Then we'll go for a walk." Fred suggested, leading Elodie back out to the dance floor. The night had progressed, and they were sure it was getting closer and closer to midnight - with all the dancing and firewhiskey they had lost track of time. 

It was one of those more popular songs of the Weird Sisters, rather than the traditional songs they were playing for the ballroom dancing. Elodie had long discarded her heels, and her and Fred danced under the blue light.

They were in a little world of their own, not being able to take their eyes of each other. A hand stayed on Elodie's waist at all times, following the pattern she swayed to the beat. Fred's hair - so much longer than it used to be - fell in his eyes, being pulled out of the way with a simple move of his free hand. 

The song came to an end, and laughing, the pair took each other's hands, exiting the dance floor. Surprisingly, Elodie's heels were still sat where she had left them, and she pulled her wand out the place she had kept it (the waist band of her skirt), magicking them back to the carriage. 

"So my kiss. Are there any boundaries?" Fred asked, pulling Elodie up the staircase that led to the painting-covered hall of the moving stairs. Whilst Elodie was rather confused by all the moving around, Fred seemed to know exactly where he were taking her, leading her up staircases and through an archway near the top.

"I wouldn't say so - got any plans?" Elodie replied, and Fred only smirked. "Is it going to be like in the owlery, because if so-"

"You want it?" Fred interrupted and Elodie turned pink. "I saw how you got flustered, El. And if that's the case, I'm sure I can sort something out for you."

"If you want to.." Elodie's voice was slightly quiet, and Fred smirked even more, leading her up a spiralling staircase, that seemed to go on for ages.

But with the alcohol and the excitement, it didn't bother the teens. They arrived at the top of the tower and Elodie gasped. They were up the astronomy tower, and despite it being rather cold, it was a spectacular sight.

Snow fell around them in the most elegant manner, and Fred tugged off his dress cloak, pulling it over her shoulders. He paused for a moment, before reaching down and searching through the pockeets, pulling out a small bottle, once again. 

"My last one." He winked, taking the cork out and taking a sip, making a face as the burning liquid travelled down his throat. He offered it to the girl, watching as she took it and took a small sip, her face scrunching before she handed it back. 

Fred moved closer to the edge, next to one of the pillars. He sat down, leaning against it and watched as Elodie began to sat down beside him, and right at the last minute, he tugged her onto his lap. 

"Hi there." He winked, and Elodie laughed, before carefully rearranging his skirts. "Ellie." Fred said, getting an idea of just how he would get that kiss. She didn't reply at first, and even when he repeated her name, she didn't.

She knew what she was doing, and Fred smirked. "So, why did we come up here?" Elodie asked, blinking innocently. Fred shook his head, hand reaching up and catching her chin once more.

"You ask so, so many questions." He said, and Elodie's eyes widened as she heard just how low his voice got. And perhaps it was the alcohol - no it was far too cold for it not to be the firewhiskey  - that Elodie began to feel rather hot and flustered.

"I do?" She squeaked, eyes wide. And in her moment of vulnerablity, her french accent slipped back into her words. Fred almost audibly groaned, looking up at the girl, smiling as she tucked his hair behind his ears, pulling it out of his face.

Fred had initially thought he was going to be going with something more similar to the occurence in the owlery, but in that moment, any plan flew out of his mind. 

"Ellie." He said gently, and Elodie's eyes flickered from his hair to meet his. And without saying anything else, he sat up a big, leaning up to kiss her.

It was soft, breathtaking. Nothing like he planned it do be.

But it was alright, he didn't need it to be.

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