Unreal

Chp 100.5 Through the Pages

The first thing I felt was warmth. Not the kind from the blankets, but from the steady weight draped over my waist and the slow, even breaths tickling the back of my neck. The dorm was still dim, morning light spilling in from the tall windows in soft streaks of gold, making the dust motes drift lazily in the air. Everything smelled faintly like cedarwood and laundry soap... and Fred.

I blinked blearily, eyes adjusting, only to realize I was tucked against his chest, his arm snug around me like he'd claimed me in his sleep. His hair was a messy halo of red against the pillow, his freckles softer in the pale light, and his lips—slightly parted—were curved in that faint, unconscious smirk he always seemed to wear.

For a moment, I forgot where we were. Forgot about time. Then my gaze flicked to the clock on the wall.

"Oh no."

It was already late. Well past the normal time students would be heading to breakfast. My heart gave a little panic thump. The thought of the two of us walking out of the Ravenclaw common room together—rumors would explode faster than Filch could say "detention."

I shifted, about to slip away, but then it hit me. Not the clock, not the panic—
The memory.

Flashes of last night bloomed in my head all at once: the closeness, the heat, the way he'd looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered. My face went hot in an instant.

Fred stirred, his arm tightening before he cracked one eye open and gave me that grin—sleepy, crooked, devastating.
"Morning, gorgeous," he mumbled, voice rough and low, like gravel wrapped in velvet.

"G-good morning," I managed, sitting up far too quickly, hoping distance might hide my expression. "It's late, Fred."

He stretched lazily, like a cat who had absolutely no intention of moving. "Late? You say that like it's a bad thing. Personally, I think you're just looking for an excuse to kick me out of bed."

I rolled my eyes, but my pulse was still racing. "We need to get breakfast. And not... y'know... cause a spectacle on the way there."

Fred finally sat up, ruffling his hair into even more of a mess. "Oh, right, heaven forbid people think we enjoy each other's company," he teased, standing to pull on his pants with infuriating calm.

I busied myself fixing my hair and straightening my clothes, refusing to glance at him even though I could feel his smirk burning into the back of my head. Once I was presentable enough, I crossed my arms. "Ready?"

Fred didn't answer—he was too busy sauntering over and swinging the door open with a little bow. "After you, love. Wouldn't want to fuel the rumors without a proper chivalrous exit."

I shot him a look, but the corner of my mouth betrayed me, twitching upward.

And just like that, we stepped out into the hall, the world ready to notice.

We stepped into the girls' dorm hallway, and I kept my voice low as we walked.
"So here's the plan—you go out first. Walk out immediately. Don't look at anyone. Just walk normal."

That earned me a laugh, deep and amused.
"Merlin, you make it sound like we're robbing Gringotts."

"Fred." I shot him a look.

"Alright, alright." His grin only widened.

"Just do it."

Instead of agreeing, he leaned in close, the scent of his cologne still clinging faintly to him, and caught my hand in his.
"Let them talk," he said, his voice dropping to something both smug and soft. "I want them to know you're mine."