Chapter 1
You know that phrase The Quiet Before the Storm, it perfectly describes the Burrow before the hustle and bustle of setting up for their family reunions. Mrs. Weasley was preparing all of the food while all of her kids, and their husbands and wives, were putting up the tables and chairs in the Garden. This wasn't an ordinary family reunion because Fleur, Bill's wife, had taken it upon herself to invite her family. Everyone was very excited to have them over for dinner, especially Fred.
Ever since Ginny and Harry's wedding, he had had a thing for Gabrielle Delacour. It must be the Veela in her blood that made her so beautiful to him. No one knew, and no one was ever going to know. He had to keep it to himself, or he would be harped on every bloody day by his twin brother George. It was Gabrielle for Merlin's sake. How could he even possibly think of being with her? Or holding her in his arms? Or even placing his lips against hers? Those soft, pale lips. Fred thought to himself while using magic to help him place the cream colored silk table cloth onto the table. No! Stop, it can't ever happen, stop fooling yourself! Fred had to shake his head a few times to fully get the image of her face out of his mind.
An hour had now passed and everything was prepared for the arrival of the Delacours. The Weasley's, with Angelina, Harry and Hermione, all stood around the garden glancing off into the near field where the Portkey was supposed to show up. Everyone in the family kept gazing off hoping to see them, but they didn't show. "The'y shood be her' soon." Fleur's soft voice was heard around the garden right when Ginny's arm rose with her pointer finer out. "They're here!" Ginny said while squeezing Harry's hand.
Until this moment Fred had never been nervous in his life. His heart was beating at a firebolt's pace, and it was hard for him to breathe. She definitely has some Veela in her. Fred was basically yelling at himself to stop these feelings of lust, but he couldn't. He hadn't even seen her yet but he knew she was there, at the Burrow, with him. The whole family was practically running to greet the Delacours, but Fred was just walking behind them, not really wanting to see her.
Once they got to the Gabrielle, Monsieur, and Apolline Delacour they all took turns hugging each other. Fred was waiting for his turn to hug and then she was there, coming out of a hug from Ron, Gabrielle Delacour. Her hair was platinum blond, the length was just past her shoulder blades, and there was a slight wave to it. Those big blue eyes of hers drew Fred in like a moth to the flame. Gabrielle had a soft smile, and with every step she took closer to Fred, his heart pounded harder and harder until she was right in front of him. He coughed to moisten his dry throat, "Hey Gabby, long time no see." He smiled at her, not wanting anything to look out of the ordinary. Then Fred wrapped his arms around her, embracing her in one of his famous hugs. She had grown up so much, and she had gotten even more beautiful.
The rest of the night seemed to go by fast for Fred, but that was probably due to the fact that Gabby was sitting right across from him. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, but every time she looked up at him he would always look down at his plate and scarf down a few mouthfuls, which caused her to laugh. Maybe she does like me? Fred questioned this to himself every time he heard her soft laugh directed at him. Did she, or didn't she? Somehow he would find out, he was determined.
After everyone was done eating Mr. and Mrs. Weasley got up and started talking to Mr. and Mrs. Delacour, leaving the happily married couples to talk to each other. This also meant that Fred and Gabby were left alone to talk to each other was much easier than Fred had ever expected. They talked about everything from their jobs, to their personal lives, and everything in between. From the sounds of it though, Gabrielle was currently single and just waiting for the right guy to come and sweep her off of her feet. This was his time to shine and he was going to do his damn best at trying to impress her, but it all has to start somewhere.
"Follow me Gab." He said while tilting his head to the side real quick motioning her to come around the side of the Burrow where no one could see them. She followed without any struggle and she looked rather happy to be behind the house with him. Now or never mate, Fred thought to himself. "You're 22 now, right?" he said with a smile as he stepped closer to her. "Yes, I am and you're 30, is that right?" She smiled and looked into Fred eyes. He then slid the palm of his hand onto her cheek; his fingers brushed the back of her ear as he placed one light and gentle kiss on her delicate lips.