Unreal

Chp 100.5 Through the Pages

Fred and I made our way over, our steps casual but—if Ginny's smirk was anything to go by—definitely suspicious.

"Well, look at you two," Ginny said the second we got close, leaning back with an exaggerated squint. "Can't walk anywhere without holding hands now, can you?"

Fred just chuckled as we sat down, completely unbothered, while I tried not to roll my eyes too hard.

Ron frowned, fork in mid-air. "Wait—how are you already together at this hour? Did you just... sleep in the common room or something?"

Hermione's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I think Aeris was glowing this morning."

I could feel my cheeks heating before Fred even opened his mouth.
"Maybe I know why," he said lightly, that wicked little glint in his eyes.

I kicked his shin under the table—not hard, just enough to make him laugh and pretend to wince.

"Alright, alright," he surrendered, still grinning as he reached for the serving platters. Without a word, he began piling food onto two plates—fluffy scrambled eggs, thick slices of toast dripping with butter, a spoonful of baked beans, and a handful of fresh strawberries.

When he set the plate in front of me, he placed the fork and spoon neatly beside it, as if it was some grand gesture.

I loved it.
Every bit of it.

I took a bite of the eggs—soft, buttery, and still warm—while the conversation at the table shifted. Harry was saying something about how apparently one of the Weird Sisters was spotted in Hogsmeade this morning, which immediately set everyone off into a chaotic debate over whether they should go check it out or not.

Somewhere in the middle of Angelina and Ron arguing about queues, Fred leaned closer, his hand brushing my hair back from my face. The casualness of it nearly did me in. His fingers lingered just enough to send my pulse tripping over itself before he murmured, "Eat up, will you? You've got to keep your strength after last night."

I was too flustered to respond, but when he pulled back, I caught the smallest flicker in George's eyes.

It was the kind of look you give a shop window when something you always thought might be yours is now displayed in someone else's hands—beautiful, but no longer meant for you.

He said nothing, just reached for the marmalade.

•••••

After breakfast — and a thoroughly unnecessary debate between Angelina and Ron about whether queues in Hogsmeade even counted as "real" queues — the group finally agreed to check out the rumor about the Weird Sisters playing in the village. Plans were made to meet in the courtyard in ten minutes, which apparently gave everyone just enough time to split off for "important errands," like fetching scarves or finding "the lucky socks for celebrity encounters." Not that ten minutes was anywhere near enough, considering the walk in Hogwarts alone could feel like crossing a small country.

Fred, of course, seemed convinced that walking twenty feet without him would result in my immediate disappearance.

"I'll be fine," I told him for the third time, my smile betraying that I wasn't actually annoyed. "I promise I won't get lost between here and Ravenclaw Tower."

He gave me a look like I'd just suggested I go cliff diving without a broom. "Might as well let me come—"

"Fred," I cut in, nudging his arm, "go get changed."

He hesitated, still hovering, like letting me walk alone might cause him physical pain. But finally, with a mock put-upon sigh, he relented, ruffling my hair before heading in the opposite direction.