That Bludger had managed to crack her rib but with a potion from Madam Pomfrey and a healing spell, Alex was no longer in pain and ran back to the Gryffindor common room. Everyone was setting up for the biggest party Gryffindor had ever seen. Rumors were going around about how the other houses would be having their own parties as well, except for Slytherin, of course.
She ran all the way up to her dorm and quickly showered, having sweat more than she ever did during that match. After getting out, she dried her hair before changing into a long sleeve grey t-shirt and some light jeans with Converse. She let her hair fall down her back in its natural waves before going downstairs to where the party was in full swing.
Everyone was dancing and cheering, the Quidditch Cup was on a mantel by the fireplace, music was playing, and drinks were flowing. Alex immediately grabbed a butterbeer before finding Ron, Harry, and Hermione enjoying their own drinks in a corner, still in disbelief over the game.
"You did it, Harry!" Alex exclaimed as she hugged him for the fiftieth time since the game ended, it felt like. "You best Malfoy and in front of the whole school!"
"And you were amazing out there as well!" Hermione told her with a laugh.
"Yeah, you showed those Slytherins!" Ron added with a laugh.
Alex waved off their compliments with a goofy smile before deciding to head over to the dance floor. She found Angelina and Alicia, who began to twirl her around as they were joined by Fred and George. Alex felt Fred grab her hand, twirling her out and pulling her back into his chest, causing them both to laugh. Neither one of them pulled away as they continued to dance, even just beginning to sway as they looked into the other's eyes.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" He asked, leaning in close to her ear so only she could hear him.
Lightly biting her lip because of nerves, Alex nodded, allowing Fred to take her hand and lead her out of the craziness in the common room. George and Hermione noticed the two leave and sent hopeful looks in the direction, just praying they would talk or do something.
As soon as they were out and walking down the corridor, Alex realized that Fred had yet to let go of her hand, but she didn't want to pull away, liking the feeling way too much. His hand was much larger than hers and very warm as their fingers were interlocked.
"How are your ribs?" He asked finally.
"They're okay," she reassured with a squeeze to his hand. "You actually ended up cracking one, but I'm okay."
Fred groaned, letting go of her hand as he leaned against the wall. "I'm so sorry," he told her for the millionth time that day.
Alex laughed as she stood next to him. "Fred, it's okay!" She gushed. "That's just the game we play, okay?"
"I know," Fred told her. "But I should've anticipated the move and aimed more carefully."
"Hey," she nudged his shoulder. "I'm okay, see?" She then flapped her arms wildly while jumping up and down, which made Fred laugh. "See, full range of motion and everything."
"Okay, if you say so," he told her with a laugh. "Now, c'mon! I brought you along for a mission!"
He grabbed her hand and began to drag her down the hallway. Her brow furrowed in confusion as they ran until Alex recognized where exactly they were headed.
"Fancy paying Filch a visit, did we?" She laughed.
"Just thought he could use some cheer from our win," he responded with a wink as they come up to the corridor his office was in.
Fred knelt down by a statue down the hall and could see the door to Filch's office was open ajar. His plan was too perfect. Alex crouched down next to him, watching as he pulled a dungbomb from his pocket.
"Want to do the honors?" He whispered, hearing Filch moving about in his office.
Alex shrugged. "Why not?" She responded. "I'm in such a good mood after our win."
She took the dungbomb and edged closer down the corridor with Fred right behind her, mimicking her movement as she seemed to be very silent with how she moved. Taking a deep breath, Alex chucked the dungbomb like it was. Quaffle, allowing it to land directly in his office.
The sound of his screams and Mrs. Norris' startled hissing immediately caused Fred to grab Alex's hand as the two of them began to run back down the corridor, hearing Filch's voice yelling for them. Fred didn't slow down and pulled her down the endless corridors left and right, nearly causing Alex to trip over her feet had he not been holding her hand.
After about five minutes of running, Alex's lungs were desperately begging her to stop as they couldn't keep up with the physical exertion for much longer. Her legs were not that far behind either.
"Fred, stop!" She yelled. "My lungs can't take it anymore! Just leave me for the wolves! Go on without me!"
"Just a little further!" He yelled over his shoulder. "Now, stop screaming or he'll know which way we're headed!"
Finally stopping, Alex barely had time to register that they had stopped in front of tapestry, which Fred quickly pulled aside, revealing a small alcove behind it. He stepped in and before Alex had the chance to question, he yanked her hand and pulled her into it as well. With a sound of surprise leaving her, she stumbled in to see him let the tapestry fall into place as she rested her hands on her knees, trying to regulate her breathing.
"I really need to stop questioning your knowledge when it comes to this school," she gasped as quietly as she could. "Was this on that Marauder's Map you gave to Harry?"
"No," Fred told her, taking a few deep breaths himself. "I actually found this myself just before Christmas break."
Alex shook her head, running her fingers through her hair as her breathing returned to normal. Fred's chest heaved a little as he, too, regulated his breathing but he now noticed how close they were in the enclosed space.
Despite how dark it was, Fred could still make out the way Alex's hair fell over her shoulders and the way her eyes flickered to him every other moment as if she was, too, realizing how close they were. She took a small step back, trying to put a little space between them.
After a minute of hearing nothing, Alex looked to Fred. "Should we head back?" She asked quietly. "I don't think he saw which way we were headed."
"No," Fred whispered back. "I know he saw us head this way, he's just waiting for us to reveal our hiding spot - Hey!"
Alex had nearly stepped out of alcove, which almost compromised their hiding place and reveal it to Filch, who was probably waiting just down the corridor. Fred grabbed her waist at the last second and pulled her right into his chest, which made her gasp lightly. She could only pray he didn't feel the rise of goosebumps to her skin as his hands managed to grab where her shirt had ridden up and exposed her lower stomach slightly.
"Careful," he mumbled, suddenly realizing they were way closer than before now.
"I know you're here somewhere, Weasley!" Filch's voice suddenly sounded just right by the alcove, making them both jump.
Alex covered Fred's mouth with her hand to keep him from laughing because it would just be in Fred Weasley's nature to laugh at such a critical moment. He bit his lip to keep his laugh in as Filch's mumbling quieted down as he walked down the corridor, still looking for them. Alex sent him a warning glare, knowing if he started laughing, she would be at risk for laughing too.
As soon as he was far enough away, Alex slowly pulled her hand from Fred's mouth, trying to not think about how soft his lips felt on her palm. Then he burst into laughter with her doing the same. His hands were still resting on her hips and he registered how warm his hands were against her cold skin.
Slowly, his fingers began to run along the cold skin, causing a gasp to leave her lips as she glanced down at his hands before looking back up at him. The feeling she had told him about all those months ago after their almost first kiss came to her and suddenly, her stomach erupted with excitement over what could happen.
Fred's hand slowly slid up her hip before making it to her face, gently caressing her cheek. Alex's eyes widened at the action, but she made no move to pull away.
"Fred," she whispered, though she didn't know what she could say in that moment. All she knew was that she wanted this.
"Don't," he breathed, his other hand leaving her hips to caress the back of her neck.
Not wanting to risk interruption, which had happened way too many times before, Fred's head ducked down quickly and pressed his lips against hers. Alex jumped slightly in surprise before the shock subsided and she found her hands grabbing his wrists to steady herself for a moment as the realization washed over her.
She was kissing Fred Weasley
The feeling of his lips on hers made her mind go fuzzy as they moved against hers. Her stomach did somersaults and her legs felt weak the longer their lips moved in sync. Slowly, her hands went to travel up around his neck to pull him closer as one of his hands travelled down to press into her lower back and the other remained caressing the back of her neck carefully.
However, it felt like as soon as the kiss had started, Fred pulled away abruptly, a startled look on his face as he looked down at Alex. Her lips were slightly swollen, her hair was slightly disheveled, her eyes were wide with surprise, and her chest heaved slightly from the exertion of the kiss.
Without another word, Fred pushed the tapestry aside and walked out without waiting for her to follow. He willed himself not to look back as his heart beat loudly in his chest the farther he got away. He just kissed Alexandria Selwyn, one of his best friends. Had he just ruined everything? Yes, she kissed him back but was it a heat of the moment type situation? Did she like him back as well? Fred was too nervous to ask and opted for just running from the problem.
Back in the alcove, Alex looked at the spot where Fred had just left, tears brimming in her eyes. He had kissed her, he had given Alex her real first kiss and then just left so abruptly. Was she that bad at it? Did he suddenly realize that it was a mistake? Did he not feel the spark that she felt?
She didn't know.
☽
Alex didn't know how long she had sat in the alcove for as she cried before she decided to head back to the Gryffindor common room. Making sure Filch wasn't around, she made her way down the corridor before finally reaching the entrance.
The party was still going when she got back but she was in no mood to party, especially when she spotted Fred on the dance floor here some unrecognizable fifth year girl. They were very clearly flirting and that just hurt Alex more that he must've just wanted to get her first kiss out of her before running off to the next girl.
"Hey!" Hermione exclaimed when saw Alex had entered again wanting to ask what had happened with Fred, but her smile dropped when she saw the dry tears streaks on her face and her gaze on him. "What happened?"
Alex watched as the girl Fred danced with wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, which made her stomach turnover. She could only shake her head, feeling more tears beginning to brim in her eyes.
"I'm gonna turn in early, have fun," was all she said before running to the entrance of the dorms.
Unfortunately, that meant having to walk past where Fred and mystery girl were dancing. Alex kept her head down but she made the mistake of looking up making eye contact with Fred, who looked ready to walk to her but she bolted. Her feet took her at record speed up the stairs and into her dorm before she collapsed onto the bed while sobbing.
She didn't even know why she was upset. Yes, she and Fred had kissed but it wasn't like that automatically meant they were together or anything. He was at perfect liberty to dance with whomever he liked, but the way he kissed her, he must've felt what she had felt. But judging by how quickly he jumped to the next girl, evidently not. Perhaps, Alex was just another notch in his belt.
☽
Just in case you needed a little angst to start your weekend. I will try to update again before the weekend is over, but if not, beginning of next week.... Enjoy muahahahahaha!
Also, the scene where they kiss was inspired by mahduhlyn who I asked for help with! I changed it a little but the idea was all her!
Don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT!
Love you guys!
-Squid☽