Darling • Fred Weasley x reader

Chapter forty nine

Fred's POV:

3 months later

The day trudges along as I watch the clock that's pinned against the wall, in boredom. The professor speaks about the N.E.W.T exams that are quickly approaching in a couple of months.

Soon enough, I exit the classroom, George trailing a few feet behind me as he slows his pace to meet up with Maddie who jogs down the corridor towards him. Their hands instantly connect and the brunette girl stands on her toes to peck my twin on the lips. Sadness unconsciously fills my expression as I gaze at the couple for a moment, catching George's eye on accident. I look away and continue walking forward, staring down at my feet.

"What's up with you Freddie? Awfully quiet in class today." George wraps his arm around my shoulder a few minutes later. I realize Maddie had vanished, probably taking the faster route to her class.

"Nothing, just tired." I mutter, not meeting his gaze.

"You must be tired often then...did something happen? You've been acting like this a lot. I'm worried about you, mate." He admits sincerely.

I finally meet his eyes and he knows exactly what I'm thinking. He nods and pulls me around the nearest corner to hide, avoiding the professors roaming the halls and escorting lost students to their classes. We head back to the Gryffindor dorms, George tossing his bag against the wall, beside the aged wood bench that sits beside the door unused.

He plops onto the edge of the bed, patting the vacant spot beside him, inviting me to sit.

"Talk to me." He invites and I sigh.

"I just feel guilty and maybe a bit envious." I admit, fiddling with my fingers after I take a seat, my back hunched.

"Of who?"

"You and Maddie." His expression reveals his surprise and confusion as he looks at me.

"Why? You have Y/n."

"I know, but that's the thing. I don't know if I want to anymore."

"What- you mean like, you want to break up with her?" He questions with furrowed concerned brows.

"No, of course not. I can't do that to either of us again, it did enough damage the last time."

"Then what's the problem?" I turn to face him, the words spewing from my lips.

"She's changed, I don't know how but she has. I'm sure of it because that isn't the girl I fell in love with two years ago. It's like she's a completely different person."

"In what ways, like she looks different or?"

"No no no, she's still stunning, of course. She's just- I don't know how to explain it. She has different opinions now, she barely laughs at my jokes anymore, she seems uninterested most of the time and other times I can't seem to get away from her." I sigh, closing my eyes and falling on my back, looking at the ceiling. George stays quiet as I slip off my promise ring, examining it in deep thought.

"It's like she went to sleep one night and flipped a switch to a whole new personality...I don't know, maybe we've both just changed with time. I guess I always just imagined the rest of my life with her and that we would be this perfect couple. I know it's not realistic, but with her, it seemed like it would be possible."

"I'm sorry, Freddie. I mean to be honest, she has been acting off for quite a while now, have you tried talking to her?" George suggests.

"Yeah, tried that. She just shakes it off and says that she 'doesn't like sappy conversations.' Since when?" I shake my head at the thought, the frustration leaving as soon as it came.