Pureblood expectations get to your head as you are forced away from the boy that you love.
Warnings: bad relationship with parents, a little angsty — but I promise a happy ending!
Word Count: 1.5 k
A/N: This one is quite old. It has been edited, but I cannot promise the usual quality. Enjoy!
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The sky above the castle was gloomy as clouds swept the grounds. The first and second years chatted about, not a care in the world as they prepared to enjoy the puddles outside. You, however, wished the rainfall would invade the castle, praying it would storm and ruin the letters that rest peacefully in your dorm room.
You frowned from your place at the Slytherin table, where you sat for the first time in months. You could feel the eyes burning holes in your head, but you were quick to ignore them, deciding that the porridge before you needed an extra few stirs.
You couldn't look up from your plate. Because you knew that if you did, you were bound to break. Fred Weasley always had that effect on you. One look from him and you were putty in his hands. But you couldn't cave and join him at the Gryffindor table today — no matter how badly your heart may have wanted to.
Six months ago, things would have been different. You would have worn your emerald robes with pride, not once paying the fiery redhead an ounce of attention. But in all fairness, six months ago you wouldn't have formed your own opinions — wouldn't have seen a future outside of the one you were promised to. Fred did that to you; he showed you a world where you could dream for yourself, promising to be there every step of the way.
But family arrangements weren't meant to be broken. According to your sacred tradition, pure blood was meant to remain pure. And mixing with blood traitors did not count.
You had sobbed all night long, but by sunrise, it was still crystal clear that there was nothing you could do. They wanted you to marry a wealthy pureblood of their choice, not the goofy ginger you had fallen in love with. But their letters had managed to scare you into submission, just as they had hoped it would.
Fred sat at the opposite end of the hall, attempting to meet your gaze with his. It didn't work, of course, but it sent his mind spiralling with worry. He knew things would never be easy for the two of you. Even though your parents were a pair of wealthy snobs, he could never ask you to abandon them. They were your family, after all. But you felt torn and guilty for dreaming of a life with him — a life where you were happy. And he hated the effect they had on you.
There was nothing he loved more than hearing you talk about your dreams. It brought a smile to his face every time you would sit down and snuggle close, eager to tell him about the plans you had for your life after Hogwarts. He was proud to be the person you opened up to.
But at the end of every one of your daring ideas, he would watch with a frown as reality hit, causing your lovable smile to slip at the realization that none of it was possible for you.
So now, watching from the Gryffindor table as you played with your breakfast, he wondered if your parents had managed to diffuse the spark that he adored so much.
He watched as you abruptly stood from your seat, immediately rushing to follow after you as you trudged through the hall. He ignored the protests of a few disapproving Gryffindors.
It was no secret that many didn't approve of your relationship. It left an ache in his heart every time he thought about it. Because he had once been just like them — had once believed that every Slytherin was just as prissy and privileged as the Malfoys. But when he had found you sobbing in the corridors one fateful day months ago, he had gotten to know you — the real you — and just so happened to fall in love with the girl that he met.
And just like that day six months ago, his heart broke at the shell of a girl found before him. You leaned against the wall, hands trembling as tears blurred your vision.
Racing to your side, he was quick to pull you into his embrace, growing teary-eyed himself at the weak sobs that left your lips. He didn't know what had caused the dreaded sound, but he wanted to plummet whatever it might be.
"Shh, it's okay, darling," his shaky voice spoke, cradling you against his chest. "It's Freddie, love. I've got you."
Yet, as his arms caged you protectively into your favourite warmth and smell, he was confused to see you shaking your head from beneath him, your tired arms attempting to push him away.
He didn't understand what was wrong. Whenever he had found you in this state, you were always attracted to his touch — craving his comfort even more during times like these. But this time, he found you trying your hardest to stay away from him, no matter how badly you wished to give in.
He carefully removed his arms from your waist, respecting your choice despite his sadness towards it. Instead, he took your hands gingerly into his own.
He watched with glossy eyes as your kissable lips trembled. Tear after tear streamed down rosy cheeks, no longer raised as they typically were when around him. But he couldn't meet your eyes. Just as he had tried to do during breakfast, you kept your gaze fixed on your shoes.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" he whispered, gently tilting your chin towards him. He was quick to tuck a strand of hair away from your face, as it was now wet with tears and clung to the damp skin of your cheek.
"I don't like seeing my girl sad. How can I make you feel better?"
You wanted so badly to accept his hug. But you couldn't. Allowing him to comfort you would only make your sudden news even more difficult to accept. And you knew that your sweet ginger didn't deserve this.
"There's nothing you can do, Freddie." It came out as a whisper, as though you hoped he hadn't heard. But his furrowed brows confirmed that he did, wordlessly urging you to continue.
"My parents, they know about us. And they want me to be with someone else."
Fred's eyes grew watery at the thought of losing you. He knew that your parents were harsh, but he never thought they would do such a thing. How could they? Did they not know that he loved you more than anything else in the world? Did they not know how unhappy you would be without him?
At that moment, he realized that he had to be the one to stand up for you. He had to be the one to protect you, just as he always promised himself that he would. If your parents didn't show you the love that you deserved, he would be more than happy to fill their places.
"What do you want, darling?" he wondered, taking your hand in his as your eyes filled with sympathy.
"Of course I want to be with you, Freddie. I just — they're my family. What am I supposed to do?"
"You can stay with me." There was a sudden spark of hope in his eyes.
"My mum will love you, I know she will," he started, smiling weakly as your cheeks tinged red. "And you can stay with us over the Christmas holidays — or for every holiday for that matter. And you can share a room with me and Georgie! And you won't ever go a day without hearing how much I love you."
His smile continued to widen with every new idea, and you couldn't help but smile along with him. Even during the saddest of times, he found a way to make everything better.
"Is it really a crime to be with the person that you love?" he smirked, wiping a lingering tear with the pad of his thumb.
You sniffled, causing Fred's smile to falter for a moment, "According to my parents it is."
"Forget about your family, forget about the awful git they've chosen for you, and be with me," he spoke tenderly, lacing your fingers together while peering into your eyes. "What do you say, lovely?"
There was a moment of silence as Fred watched the gears turn in your head. He could hear his heartbeat filling the quiet air, and was sure you could hear it too.
"Okay," you smiled, happy tears now welling in your eyes. Fred's worries immediately slipped away.
And with no further ado, his smile was clashing with yours, small giggles erupting between you two as he spun you around in his arms.
And there it was against — that spark he missed so much. Neither one of you was worried for the future, no longer fearing what others would think. Because you knew that as long as you had each other, everything would be okay.
"Thank you for choosing me," you mumbled, feeling as though a weight was lifted from your shoulders as you melted into his embrace.
"I always will," he assured, pressing a kiss to your forehead. "I'm incomplete without you, love."