𝙷𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚢 𝙿𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜

𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚠 - 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚕

summary: Fred Weasley was definitely good at one thing, and that was pulling people out of their shell, and when he takes a particular liking to you, will he manage to do the same?

You were so bloody quiet. Annoyingly so. Endearingly, annoyingly so. It drove Fred insane. He could remember the first time he realised he fancied you. At first, it felt so juvenile. Just a mere third year noticing a quiet girl in his potions class, eyes glued to her textbook as she scribbled down notes like her life depended on it. George had teased him mercilessly that day, but he barely even took notice of his brothers jesting, his ears yearned to hear your voice. But that was the thing, you barely spoke. In nearly every way you were polar opposites. Fred was loud and rowdy, you were reserved and you calculated every single word you did speak, which wasn't very many.

Watching from afar, Fred took a deep breath. You tucked a piece of hair behind your ear, your eyes scanning the book that rested in your palms. He had planned today to try converse with you, or at the very least get you to laugh. He was good at making people laugh, it was one of the things he prided himself on, and he was sure your laugh would top them all.

Taking a deep breath, Fred took big strides towards you. He was a sixth year now this should be a piece of cake. You were currently tucked away in the far corner of the library, clearly trying to get some alone time. Thoughts raced around Fred's head as he got closer and closer, what if you just got up and left? Or worse finally did speak but said something along the lines of piss off Weasley.

Finally standing opposite you, Fred cleared his throat to try and grab your attention. The noise startled you so much, that you literally leapt out of your seat and landed on the floor. His eyes widened as he instantly crouched down muttering several, almost inaudible apologies. If he wasn't so caught up in trying to help you back into your seat, Fred would notice how just by seeing his face your eyes had lit up like the moon.

"Again I'm so sorry... I just um... wondered what you were reading..." he poorly lied, rubbing the back of his neck with a weak nervous grin.

"Lord of the flies..." you quietly muttered. In fact, if Fred wasn't completely devoted to hearing you, he probably wouldn't have even made out the words you whispered.

"Oh, nice... nice..."

An extremely awkward silence followed as you did everything to not look up at his wide brown eyes full of longing.

"You're in my potions class aren't you?" Fred questioned knowing the answer already, but struggling to let go of the conversation made it the first logical thing that fell to his lips.

A small nod and your eyes met. It seemed something shifted then, the nerves that were clear in your furrowed brow seemed to melt away as you retained eye contact and decided to speak. This was unusual.

"Yes... yes, I am... don't you sit beside Adrien pucey?" You asked softly.

"Yes god don't remind me..."

Another awkward silence... but then the most beautiful sound Fred had ever heard. Your laugh. It wasn't just a little giggle, it was hearty and could almost resemble a cackle. It was perfect. Fred sensed embarrassment as you cut yourself off after a few seconds, your brain sending waves of hot shame all down your body.

"Sorry I... sorry I should get going-" you stumbled over your words and grabbed your bag attempting to pack away your things as quickly as possible, your eyes remaining glued to the floor.

"NO...Uh... I mean no please don't apologise... you don't have anything to apologise for..." Fred exclaimed, his pale freckled cheeks staining a nice pink shade.

Yet again you looked up at him and that crease between your eyebrows that made you look permanently worried smoothed out again. Confidence arose in Fred as he realised whenever you'd look at him, like really look into his eyes, all of the anxiety that seemed to trouble you washed away like the black lake's calm ripples.