Episkey (Fred Weasley Story)

Burn

Without noticing Christmas came. The most joyful, warm and cherished holiday of all in my opinion. I loved everything about Christmas... even the smells. Seeing how my house was decorated I couldn't help but wonder if the Burrow was even more. I could only imagine how many warm colours were making the place heat up with happiness, or how Molly probably baked and prepared traditional and tasty dinner. I did want to go and see everything, but since it was a family holiday I had to spend it with mine. And by that it meant everyone was invited.
Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents... they all came together, which only meant that all peace and silence were vanished. The house exploded with joyful screams, laughers and talks.
The men gathered in the living room, while the women went to the kitchen to start preparing the dinner. My youngest cousins, who were twin boys, joined the living room as well to play some car games. As for me, I went to my room with Caitlyn and Rose. They were around my age and since I was the oldest among my cousins I was like their guru. And since they were girls, I was basically their boys problem solver or adviser. Not that I minded it, I was actually flattered by the fact they trusted me and searched for my advices, but I never thought I was capable of giving good ones.
Caitlyn was just telling us about her relationship problems, when my dad called from downstairs that someone was at the door for me. The three of us exchanged looks and they giggled in union following me outside the room. It was probably because they thought it was Fred and they were very curious to see him, not that dad said it was him at the door, but I did think it was him as well.
Unfortunately, it wasn't Fred. It was my boss, waiting at the door, holding a red box with golden ribbon. We exchanged smiles, while my cousins were standing at the staircase whispering things to each other. I couldn't help but smirk at their behavior, it somehow made me feel like I was back in school. I won't lie I missed these times, all the goof moments.
"Hello, Mr. Dawson." I teased, knowing he hated it when I addressed him so formal.
"T-This is for you." The self-confident man I knew turned into one very unsure of his actions boy. It was sort of adorable, but I didn't understand why.
"Thank you, William." I took the box from his hands and gave him a bright smile, it seemed to ease him up and his scared eyes turned into the bold ones. "I am sorry, but I wasn't prepared for this." I chuckled and eyed the present.
"It's alright, I just saw it and it reminded me for some odd reason of you."
"Well... thank you." I thanked one more time as I began to feel my cheeks heating up.
"Although, there is something I would be very happy to have from you as a gift." My puzzled look made him let out a laugh and he lowered his back forward so his eyes met mine within a brief moment, before moving his head closer to my cheek. Our skins barely touching while his lips whispered. "I would like to be able to hear my first name from your mouth more often." My eyes opened widely as I let out a shaking breath escape my mouth.
"Do you think you can give me that pleasure?" He asked as he pulled away and looked down at me with smiling eyes. I managed to answer with a nod, still unsure of what just happened. "Alright then, I will leave now, enjoy the holidays."
"Thank you, you too." My hand slowly waved as he walked away.
Turning around caused my cousins to scream in union. They both rushed down to me and jumped up and down.
"Open it, Paige!"
"My! Your boyfriend is a hottie!" Hearing that my eyes turned to Caitlyn's with cold expression.
"He's my boss, not my boyfriend." I was somehow tickled by the way they exploded with enthusiasm over someone they didn't even know.
"S-Sorry..." Shaking off the moment we went back to my room and returned to our girl talks. But my mind was focused on what was inside the box, of course the reason why I didn't open it wasn't because I was fair child who opened the presents at Christmas, it was simply because of my cousins.
Soon dinner time came and we were all gathered at the table. It was amazing to have everyone's company tonight. The way we teased, or told funny stories, or shared old memories, it was just one of these moments we all cherish the most.
Mother was just serving the apple pie when the doorbell rang and since I was the one sitting on the unlucky spot, as my family called it because it was the nearest to the corridor, I went to open the door.
The moment I saw the dirty ashed face, with tears rolling down, my happy expression changed into serious and concerned one.
"Fred? What happened?" His eyes only allowed more tears to fall as he pulled me in a hug.
I began to hush him and caress his head whispering to him to calm down, but nothing helped.
"Fred?" I pulled away and cupped his face with my hands, causing him to look at me. "Tell me what's wrong, you're making me think of things I fear to speak out."
"The Burrow..." He sobbed while I pulled him inside the house and closed the front door. "We were attacked..." My eyes widened and my heartbeat started to race.
"What?!" I couldn't think of a question that asked for everything I wanted to know.
"Death eaters-"
"Is someone hurt?" I sharply asked cutting him off.
"N-No."
"Then everything is alright." The words came out softly, but they were not greeted nicely.
"No it's not, Daniels!" I stiffed at his sharp and angry response. "Our home is burned down." His hands were balled in fists as his teeth were clenching by the anger inside of him.
"I am sure everything will be alright, Fred." I tried to comfort him, but I knew I wasn't helping at all. I didn't really know what to do, I was never in such position. "D-Do you want to stay here tonight?" He answered with a nod and when we were sure he was alright we joined the rest in the dining room.
I was amazed how he pulled out a smile the moment he walked inside the room. The way he was able of joking and laughing for the rest of the night. He was so strong... more than I ever thought he could be. I felt happy for some odd reason, because I realized that ever since I knew him I was allowed to enter his world, he never wore the smiling mask in front of me, he allowed me to see him in other light, a light that I gladly accepted.