Annalise

Chapter 18

**Annalise's POV**

"Happy Valentine's Day!" Fred bounces onto my bed, waking me. I sit up, my heart racing and lightly smack his arm.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I say. He kisses me lightly and presses a small package into my hands. I peel the paper away and see a small jewellery box.

"You're not proposing, are you?" I ask, raising my eyebrows at him. He laughs.

"No, when I do, it will be extraordinary," he says.

"When?" I grin at him.

"Just open it," he says, his cheeks a little pink. I open the box and find a gorgeous pair of emerald earrings.

"Oh, Fred, they're beautiful," I gasp, "thank you!"

"Nothing on you," he says, kissing me on the cheek. I hand him his present and put the earrings on.

"I love it," he says, pulling me onto his lap and kissing me. I wind my arms around his neck, kissing him hard. One of his hands starts to stray, tugging at the bottom of my shirt.

"BREAKFAST!"

We both jump, bumping heads, then laugh.

"We'd better go," I say, checking the time, "don't want to be late for work."

"I'll meet you downstairs," Fred says, kissing me quickly.

I start getting dressed when an owl taps on my window. I open it and let the owl in. It's a big snowy owl, not one of the Hogwarts owls, I don't recognise it. It drops a letter on the desk and fluffs its feathers out. I pick up the envelope and peel it open. Inside is a handmade card with a pressed flower on the front.

Dear Annalise,

Roses are red,

Yellow is the sun,

I hope someday I'll be,

Your Chosen One.

- Harry

I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh. The owl hoots at me, somewhat reproachfully. I hold my arm out and she hops onto it.

"Let's get you something to eat," I say, "you can stay until tonight, if you want."

She hoots less reproachfully and I carry her downstairs into the kitchen where she makes herself at home with Errol.

"Fred, can I talk to you for a second?" I ask. He steps out into the hall with me.

"Uh, Harry knows we're back together, right?"

"I guess, why?"

I hand him the note, watching as he scans it. He bursts out laughing.

"George!" he calls, "you have to see this."

"Don't," I say halfheartedly. George springs on the note and joins in Fred's laughter.

"I'm framing it!" he cries, wiping tears from his eyes.

"What am I supposed to do?" I ask, snatching the card off them, "it's so bad! Oh my god, so, so bad!"

"Send one back," Fred says immediately, "Violets are blue, roses are red, I'm sorry Harry, but I'm banging Fred."

I can't help laughing.

"You're really not helping!" I protest.

"White is the sheep, brown is the yak, sorry Harry, I don't like you back," George chants.