Moon and Stars

fourteen

The group ate the meal alongside some elderflower wine, chatting amongst each other. Aurora was quieter than usual, her mind racing with memories of her meet up with Angelina.

She decided not to tell the others, thinking it would only cause more drama. Aurora was just going to do her best to avoid her at all costs, and hope that George won't get hurt. It may be a selfish decision, but she was final.

Molly and Arthur had sent a letter saying they'd be returning tomorrow, two days before Ginny and Hermione returned to Hogwarts. Everyone was pretty tired from such a boring day, so they parted ways to separate bedrooms, but Ron stayed on the couch so he wouldn't have to take the stairs quite yet.

Before Aurora closed her door behind her, Fred placed his hand on the knob, preventing her from shutting it all the way. She turned back around and met eyes with the tall redhead, who looked down at her with a concerned expression on his face.

"Hey, Aura, can we talk?" He whispers, and she nodded at him, letting him come into the room. She took a seat at her desk, brushing through her hair, while he sat at the edge of the bed, his elbows on his knees.

"What's going on tonight?" He asks, making her turn towards him.

"Pardon?" She asks, and he lets out a sigh.

"I can read you, Aurora, and I can tell something's bothering you. I'm not the brightest, but I'd like to help you if I can." He says softly, and she smiles at him.

She didn't want to drop the bomb that Angelina is threatening her life, but he could tell something was getting to her. Of course, that wasn't the only thing getting to her; Fred was running through her mind.

"Fire, pastries, and a fresh quidditch field." She said, making Fred furrow his eyebrows.

"Come again?" He asks, and she sets down her brush, standing up and going to stand in front of him, her arms lazily crossed over her chest.

"That's what I smelled when you held the amortentia. Fire, pastries, and a fresh quidditch field." She repeated, and she could see the wheels begin to turn in Fred's head, when his eyes dropped to the floor.

"I smelled you, Fred." She blurted out, making his eyes meet hers. A smile crept onto his face, and he intertwined his hands, fiddling with his thumbs.

"You smelled me." He repeated, making a small smile form on Aurora's lips.

"I did." She responded, and he stood up in front of her, the height difference making her bend her neck to look up at him.

"Brilliant news, Aura, I smelled you, as well." He whispered, pulling her in for a hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he placed a hand on the back of her head, kissing the top. She pulled away and looked up at him, and he let his hands rest on her waist.

"What does this mean...?" She asks, looking up into his light brown eyes. His calm, happy expression didn't falter, and he tilted his head to the side as he spoke to her.

"I want to see where this goes, you and I." He replied, making Aurora's brows furrow slightly.

"What about the family, or Harry, or Hermione, or-" She starts, but is cut off by Fred putting his hand on the side of her face.

"We can talk to them, if you'd like. Everyone you mentioned loves you deeply, and I think they'd be happy for you, for us." He says, and Aurora's heart melts in her chest. She was so accustomed to Fred's goofy, boyish side, that when she's introduced to the soft, romantic side, she can't help the butterflies that burst in her chest.

"So you really want to do this?" She asked, smiling up at him.

"I do. Aurora McGonagall, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" He asks, biting his lip in anticipation.