Obsidian & Bronze {Fred Weasley}

16. After a storm comes calm

A/N: This was one of my favorite chapters to write by far, I think it will become apparent why quite early on, regardless I really hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The once vibrant and crisp hues of burnt amber and heated scarlett now simply lost in the harsh breeze that winter brings. The trees standing naked, desperate for the buds of spring to transform an otherwise blank canvas into a vivid explosion of muted fuchsia and harsh rose, something worth marveling in.

And although I somewhat expected the beauty of the autumn sun to fade into one of icy blue, it remained golden all the while, its rays still emitting a subtle warmth and displaying the promise of distant summer.

November was now in full swing, December resting on the horizon, more specifically December 3rd now settling nicely within view. Although I hadn't yet deciphered the emotion I felt regarding that date, instead I had pretended I felt nothing at all, it was evidently a lot easier that way. It always was. For a short while.

I hadn't allowed myself to even consider Sirius's arrival, what it mean, how I felt, how Remus felt, I didnt think about any of it, not even when I was alone, and I certainly wasn't about to start, as I stood in the centre of the quidditch pitch in the hammering and brutal rain.

Oliver had decided today would be the "best opportunity" to get some practice in before Christmas break, although he hadn't quite planned for the harsh conditions and violent downpour that started not long after we entered the pitch.

"Seriously Oliver? We couldn't have done this at a time when the heavens hadn't decided to open?" I shouted over the vicious rainfall.

"Quidditch knows no boundaries, we play regardless of the conditions" Oliver chuckled loudly as he began to reach over a brown box and retrieve a ball from inside.

"Is he always like this?" I asked the twins who were standing either side of me, brooms in hand.

"Yep" They replied in unison with a bitter chuckle and a look I could only translate as 'you have no idea what you've got yourself in for'.

The winds had picked up considerably, their sounds becoming increasingly louder, and the harsh rain and brutal winds were showing no mercy. The water whipped through the air, slashing at anything it could, like shards of icy glass that were numbing my fingers and turning them blue.

Then suddenly, a painfully loud clap of thunder, followed by a streak of violently harsh lightning cut the air in two.

"It's too dangerous to fly" Oliver began as he motioned for the team to huddle in a circle, Ginny, Fred, George, Harry, Ron, and myself now focusing all our attention on Oli's voice, the sound of which muffled and muted slightly by the rain.

"I thought quidditch knows no boundaries?" George teased jokingly, as Oliver began to pack away the variety of balls, with Ron's help.

"If you want to fly in this Weasley be my guest" Oliver retorted in a huff, picking up the box and making his way off the pitch and towards the locker rooms.

"You know how he gets with quidditch, don't take it to heart Georgie, he'll cool down soon" Fred attempted to reassure his brother, as he noticed the disheartened expression wiped across George's face.

George gave a gentle nod and followed Ginny, Harry and Ron out of the violent conditions.

And as they slowly disappeared from view, a strong pair of hands found my waist and spun me to face them, the brutal downpour still crashing down.

Fred's smile suddenly distracted from the all consuming surroundings, his face now the only thing I could see, the only thing I wanted to see. He ran his hand through his rain soaked hair before shaking his head slightly like a drenched dog, his cheeks were flushed a beautiful shade of pink that only intensified his innocent expression.