I Am Lacerta - Reposted for the Watty Awards 2011

I Am Lacerta Chapter 36

I was sipping my way to the bottom of the glass, when a flash of ginger caught my eye. I looked up and saw Fred standing in front of me. He smiled shyly, but I ignored this and him as I grabbed another butterbeer and walked to an empty table at the back of the tavern. He followed behind me like a lost puppy. I put down the drinks and turned to him. He smiled at me again and said:

"You came."

"Sit." I said and pointed at the chair, opposite the one I sat down onto. His smile fell immediately as he heard my tone of voice.

"Baby, look-" he said, but I cut him off by pointing at the chair again. He sat down and tried to talk again, but I cut him off by saying:

"No, you look, Fred. You cheated on me - a fact we both know. Do you realise how long it took to learn to trust you. I can honestly say that you're probably one of the first people I ever fully trusted with my life - I'm not a very trusting girl. I've grown up looking over my shoulder, trying to protect my back and my front from harm, because I trust barely anyone. But I felt safe with you, I generally did Fred. When I first saw you and Angelina I thought you were your brother - THAT's how much I trust you. But when I realised you were you, well.. it broke my heart. I don't know what to do Fred - my heart's telling me to forgive you, but every scrap of sense in my body is screaming at me for being such an idiot. You know that I  need to concentrate alot for my .. er, career and I have no time for a broken heart - it takes up too much of my thoughts. I can't just cut you out of my life Fred-" his face lit up at my words "-but I don't know if I can trust you again. D'you see my problem?" I asked quietly.

Fred took a deep breath before he continued. "Lacy, I'm never going to stop loving you, no matter what you decide - just know that. And I'm never going to stop regretting my actions that day as long as I live. I can't bear it that I've ruined everything -  I'm honestly elated that you're not ignoring me. I know I'll never really understand what you mean when you say that you never trusted anyone - nearly everyone I've ever met I could trust. Being a Gryffindor is a complete different world from being a Slytherin for that reason exactely. Lacerta, if you ask for time - I'd give you forever. If you wanted repayment, I'd work my ass 24/7 to get you back. I'd do anything for you Lacy - I'd trust you with my life. If you told me it was safe to swallow poison, I'd drink it down in one. I know you're mad - with very good reason - but I just want you to know how much I love you. So.. what do you say?" he asked nervously, holding his hand open in front of me to hold.

I was silent for a few seconds, before I reached out, and closed his hand.

"Fred, I'm not going to trust you just like that." I said snapping my fingers. "But.. I'm going to give you a second chance. I just want you to know that this is the first chance I've ever given to anybody, so you'd better not screw me over. I'm not saying that we're getting back together though - we'll just be friends for the time being,'k? It takes time to build up trust." I explained and he nodded happily.

Fred was grinning now. "Thank God! La, you will not regret this! Rosmerta-" he said turning to the barmaid. "-two more butterbeers please!"

Madam Rosmerta smirked. "Why don't you get the waitress here to get them for you." she asked. Fred turned to me in surprise and I shrugged.

"How d'you think I was paying the rent, hm?" 

"I had no idea you lived here!" he said indignantly. "I thought coupl- I mean friends told eachother things like this!"

I had obviously noticed that he was about to say "couples", but I deftly ignored him and said:

"In fairness, last time I saw you I was going to tell you.." I trailed off.

"That reminds me - how the hell did you get into our carriage? It's been bugging you for days now.. the door was completely closed" he asked and my face fell into a stony glare.