Invitation Only ~ Fred Weasley

FORTYEIGHT

She opened her eyes wide and stared into Fred's brown eyes. She tried to comprehend what he had just said.

"I've loved you for more than two years, Vi, and I never stopped and I won't ever stop." He whispered and they kept looking into each other's eyes, still their foreheads touching.

"It's you, Vi. It's always been you. I want to be with you for the rest of my life." He said and Viola let out a relieved chuckle.

"We're only 20, Fred." She whispered warmly, but her cheeks were warm underneath his hand.

"We have all the time in the world." He answered and lifted his head and placed a kiss on her forehead. His lips lingered against her skin and Viola slowly nodded.

"I'll do it properly, I promise, but this-" he said and placed a kiss on her lips. "Brings hope."

"You're right." She said and chuckled wholeheartedly as Fred ended their kiss. "I just wish Sirius was here to give me his blessing." Fred said sadly.

"You already have it." Viola responded and Fred's smile grew. She laid herself down by Fred's side as comfortable as she could and rested her head on his chests. The sound of his heartbeat and his breathing was the greatest comfort.

"So where do you wanna go?" Fred asked gently and stroked her hair.

"What do you mean?" Viola asked.

"Well, you said you wanted to go somewhere after this. So where?"

"Hmm, I dunno actually. Somewhere private." She answered and started rubbing Fred's chest with her thumb.

"Fancy a camping trip?" Fred asked and Viola chuckled in response. "Bill has one of those expanding tents we can borrow."

"Yeah, I think I would love that." She said quietly and smiled to herself.

"It's a deal then." Fred said and lifted his free hand. He had his fist clothes except for his outstretched pinky. Viola chuckled and laced her pinky around his.

"Pinky promise never gets old." Fred said and pulled her hand up to kiss it.

They stayed like that. Just talking about what they were going to do after the battle. After it was all over. It brought her immense comfort to be talking about something so innocent as a camping trip. After a little while George joined them. To make them laugh, he laid himself on Fred's other side and rested his head on Fred's chest as well.

"I'm always the third wheel, I want cuddles too, you know." George said and pouted. Viola laughed and grabbed George's hand. Together they laid on Fred's chest and talked innocently about their shop. Fred promised George that he wouldn't move out for the time being, but that they would probably gain a 3rd roommate. George had no problem with that, and Viola was relieved to know that she had a home after this. A home with two of those she loved most in the world.

But then, as everything seemed hopeful, someone noted that the hour had passed. Time was up and still no sight of Harry. Both Viola and George got up and so did Fred. He ignored his mother's orders to lie down and started limping away with the crowd. They were all headed outside to the courtyard. Viola walked in between Fred and George. Fred held her one hand and laced his fingers in between hers. When Viola looked up at George's fearful face, she reached down and grabbed his hand. He tugged it and they began walking outside.

Once outside, they saw another crowd coming from the other end of the courtyard. With Voldemort leading them. This was the first time she had ever laid eyes on him and disgust filled her body when she noticed the snake-like features. The way he looked, the way he moved. But the worst part was... He was smiling.