I Caught Myself- Chapter ten
Fred's POV:
I froze. The words "I'm gay" echoed in my head for what felt like a century but could only have been for a couple of seconds.
"You're...you're gay?" I asked, disbelieving.
George had always been lucky with the ladies and seemed to enjoy their attention.
He just nodded.
I thought about this for a second. And then I got angry. Very angry. It must have shown on my face because George let out a low, regretful moan and took a few steps back.
"Fred...I-I'm so s-sorry. I don't blame you if you want away from me because -"
But that was enough for me to hear. I took three long strides to get to him and put my hand on his arm and one cupping his chin.
"You went quiet on me for all this time because you were scared to tell me that you are into lads and not women?" I gave a small chuckle.
George ducked his head away and refused to look at me.
"George, mate, I don't give a damn what way you swing. If it makes you happy then it makes me happy," I said gently, tilting his head back up to see me.
George's large, brown eyes filled with tears and he sniffled. I didn't care just how soft and girly we appeared in that moment because he's my brother and he's been suffering, so right now he needs all the love he can get.
"You...you really, really d-don't mind?" he asked, clearly embarrassed.
"What is there to mind, George? Who cares? It's no big deal! Honestly, the rest of the family will be fine with it," I said in an assuring voice.
George's tears spilled over and I wiped them away quickly with my thumb, showing him that I am perfectly okay with his lifestyle choice.
"Thank you, Freddie," he whispered, giving me a hug.
"Nothing to thank me for, Georgie," I replied, hugging him back.
Hermione's POV:
After a very long heart-to-heart with Ginny, - who had apologised profusely - I had decided that it's time to tell her about Fred.
"Ginny," I said, breaking the peaceful silence we'd been lying in for the past half hour.
"Hmm," she replied tiredly.
"I'm sorry I gave you such a grilling about going to Harry's room last night."
"Hermione we've been through this," she said, sitting up to look at me, "It's alright."
"I know we have but I shouldn't have been such a hypocrite," I said slyly.
"Hypocrite? How were you a hypocrite?"
I just couldn't shut up any longer.
"I spent the night in Fred's room!" I squealed excitedly.
"You what? Oh Hermione, I know you've been after him all summer! How did it go," she asked, sitting up straighter.
"Well he invited me in and then we were talking for a while and then he asked me to spend the night and I said yes. So we climbed under the covers and -"
"Wait, you two didn't..." she tailed off, giving me 'The Look'.
"What? No, no, of course not! Anyway, we got under the covers and we were cuddling and just as we were about to fall asleep he asked me to be his girlfriend."
"Oh Hermione, that's so sweet," Ginny squealed, leaning over and giving me a hug.
"I like him so much though," I said, staring at a family photo Ginny had on her beside table. I could pick Fred out instantly.
"And he likes you too. I've seen the way he looks at you," she said knowingly.
I smiled. I could always rely on Ginny.
Bill's POV:
I felt horrible for letting my baby girl down. I knew that she'd understand but I had a plan to make it up to her.
"How do you think the twins are getting on up there. Fred took off pretty fast," Harry said, tapping his fingers on the table and watching the door.
"They'll probably be killing each other," I replied unconcernedly and flicked through my paper.
A peaceful silence filled the room as Harry polished his broomstick and I read The Prophet. A moment later though, Ginny and Hermione came in all giggly and broke my peacefulness.
"Hello Weasley girls," I smirked.
"Hermione's not a Weasley, idiot," Ginny said, sticking her tongue out childishly.
"Maybe in a few years she will be, judging by what I heard today," I retorted.
"What do you mean?" Hermione panicked.
"Fred just told us that you're his girlfriend," Harry told them, grinning at me.
"Oh," Hermione blushed.
Harry got up and gave her a hug and congratulated her, while Ginny sat down beside me, resting her head on my shoulder.
"Hey, I never did tell you how much I like your hair, did I?" I laughed.
"Shove off," she complained half-heartedly.
Harry sat down at the head of the table on one side, Hermione at the other head of the table, leaving the two gaps in front of Ginny and me.
"Where are the twins?" voiced Hermione.
"Here," they said, snapping into the room.
We all jumped and cursed at them, complaining about the noise it makes when they Apparate.
"Georgie boy has something to tell you all," Fred smiled, sitting down beside him.
Suddenly George blushed and looked down, mumbling something to Fred about being too scared.
"Come on George, they'll be fine with it, I swear," Fred comforted.
George looked up and took a deep breath.
"I'm gay."
Nobody at the table reacted.
"Congratulations mate," I said, shaking his hand.
"George, I'm so happy that you've come out and can feel like you can talk to us all again. It really isn't a big deal," Hermione babbled, getting up to give him a hug.
"Whatever makes you happy," Harry smiled, and shook his hand.
"Oh George," Ginny said tearfully.
She got up and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck like a baby would do.
"I've missed you so much."
"There, there, little Gin, it's okay now," George whispered, patting her on the back.
Everyone started half laughing half crying and Ginny remained in George's arms.
"What's all this fuss about?" came Dad's voice, as he wiped his feet on the mat.
We all looked to each other and left the room, leaving George to tell Dad.
Mr Weasley's POV:
"I think you may need to sit down for this, Dad," George muttered.
"Son, what is it?" I asked softly as I sat down beside him.
"I don't want to tell you. It's too hard without Fred."
"George, you can tell me absolutely anything," I told him honestly.
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"I'm gay."
I got a shock. I didn't see it coming, I really didn't. Judging by the amount of female attention he gets, I never would've guessed.
"Oh George, is that what has been bothering you all this time? Too scared to come out and tell us that you don't like women?"
He nodded.
"Son, nobody thinks anything less of you, I promise. It's natural and nothing to be ashamed of."
"Promise?"
"Yes! I promise!"
George and I hugged for a long while before we gave up and went into the sitting room with everyone else.
"Four days to go, then it'll be goodbye for quite a while," Fred commented. Looking around at the others, I saw that Fred's statement must've had a double meaning because they all looked ever so slightly petrified.
"Scary," replied Ginny, resting her head on Harry's shoulder.
It was hard for me to see my daughter growing up so fast, being interested in make up and clothes and worst of all, boys. I always heard who Ginny's latest partner was from Ron who never stopped complaining about it. I must admit, I'm glad that this one is Harry. I trust that boy completely and I know Ginny has been smitten with him since they met six years ago. I really do think it could last between them. I wouldn't mind him being my son-in-law.
"Where's Mum?"
"She's at the Ministry seeing what they can do for Ron."
"Do you know when she'll be back?"
"Ginny, I don't know dear."
She sighed and got up, making her way upstairs.
"I'm going for a nap," she called down carelessly.
"Is she okay?" Fred said, turning to Hermione.
"She seemed fine when I spoke to her this morning. Maybe I should go ask her," and she followed Ginny upstairs.
I flipped over on the sofa and put my feet up. The dim light and the heat from the fire mixed with the paper and the comfort of the sofa made me fall asleep and I didn't resurface until dinner time.
Harry's POV:
I trudged upstairs, bored out of my mind. Usually when I'm at The Burrow Fred, George, Ginny, Ron and I play Quidditch but because of all the drama that's been going on lately, there hasn't been much time for fun stuff like that.
I got into my room, flopped down on the bed and opened the letter that Lupin sent me not too long ago. I read it over again,
Dear Harry, I just heard the news about Charlie Weasley. I hope that you are all okay and that Molly and Arthur can get through this. I also want to make sure you're coping after the passing of Sirius ( Which we are all taking badly ) and I want you to know that even though you don't have your father, mother or godfather anymore, you knew me before Sirius and you can come to me in times of need.
Kind regards, Remus Lupin.
It was good to know that I still had someone outside the Weasleys that cared about me. I took out some parchment and a quill and began to write back.
Dear Professor Lupin, thank you for the kind words, it means a lot to me. Mr and Mrs Weasley have decided to keep the spell on Charlie running, although you probably know that by now. I'm coping all right but I still miss him, a lot actually. There isn't a day gone by that I've not thought about how much I miss him and wish he's still here. I remember the first time we met and you saved me from dementors. Remember it like it was yesterday, actually. I know you're always there for me. What's new with you?
Hope you're doing well, Harry.
I folded the letter up after giving it a quick look over then tied it to Hedwig's leg.
"Could you take this to Remus Lupin please," I patted her affectionately and opened the window, watching her fly away into the distance until she was no more than a little black dot.
Almost immediately after I sent the owl, there was a knock on my door. I walked over, opened the door and started to look round to see who it was, but before I could, Ginny came hurtling in and threw herself onto my bed and began to sob uncontrollably.
Good Godric...Hormones.
"Gin, what's up?" I said, sitting beside her and gently turning her around so she was sitting in my lap.
"I don't know what to do," she cried louder.
"You don't know what to do about what, sweetheart?" I enquired, rubbing small circles on the base of her back.
"Dean."
For the love of God, she's not still worried about that idiot.
"Well why don't we owl him? All you two done was argue, Ginny, and he wasn't making you happy."
"But I don't know if I want to leave him," Ginny whispered.
Suddenly, my heart stopped. Has she been using me? Has she only been with me because Dean can't see what goes on in The Burrow?
"Thank you Ginny," I said more confidently than I felt.
She looked up at me, puzzled, and wiped the long, black mascara trails that her tears had been leaving.
"W-what do you mean?"
"You don't know if you want to leave him or not? So what was I, Ginny? Something to keep you occupied while your boyfriend was away? A summer project? Thanks for letting me know before we go on The Plan. At least I know where we stand now."
And with that, I stormed out of my own room, leaving her sitting on my bed and calling my name desperately. I was too angry to feel bad yet. She had just broken my heart. I thought she was better than that.
Ginny's POV:
I cried louder and harder than ever before, rocking back and fourth, trying to ease the pain. It had slipped out, purely unintentional. I love Harry more than I've ever loved any boy - except my brothers - and I honestly thought he knew that.
I suppose it is my fault, so it serves me right. I just want him back. After I'd said it, I hoped he hadn't noticed, so I stayed quiet but...
I ran out of Harry's room in the hope of finding him. I looked in every bedroom and bathroom and broom cupboard there was, but when I went into the kitchen to go through the back door, Mum called me to help with dinner.
"Ginny dear, have you been crying?" she asked, taking in my puffy, red eyes.
"No Mum, of course not."
"You look as if you -"
"Well I've not! Okay?" I yelled.
"Don't you dare use that tone of voice with me, Ginevra Weasley!"
I sighed and rolled my eyes. I wouldn't have used that tone of voice with you if you would've just dropped the damned subject.
"Sorry Mum."
"That's alright darling."
We cooked in silence for a full fifteen minutes, my eyes filling with tears every time I thought of Harry. Every time I heard a noise, I got my hopes up and looked around for him, but every time it was just Crookshanks playing with a butterbeer cork I'd given her last night.
"George seems considerably lighter," Mum commented.
"Yeah, that's because he told us," I said, looking at Mum like she's stupid.
"Told us what? He hasn't told me anything," she exclaimed, crossing her arms over her chest, looking outraged.
"Wait, what? He's told everyone else."
"Told everyone else what? Ginny, you better tell me," she warned, narrowing her eyes.
"It's not really my place to say anything," I said with a smirk. I turned and skipped out of the kitchen, glad to get out of the work.
Fred's POV:
I've got my brother back. My heart filled with joy at the thought of finally having him back to his old self. Oh dear Merlin that's cheesy.
I looked through my desk for the notebook I'd been putting my ideas in for the joke shop George and I were planning to open once we finished school. It had grown old and tatty with bits of leather falling off here and there and ink stains all over it. It's a wonder it isn't in bits yet. I flicked through the pages until I got to where I had started writing them down myself because George and I weren't talking.
It pained me to think that George was alone through all of this. I thought he would've known better than to shut himself down and coward away from us all. I could've helped him, been there for him. But he didn't let me. I shook my head, mentally cursing myself for being to sappy and started to run to George's room to show him some of my ideas.
Just as I opened the door, I heard Mum's angry voice fill the house.
"George Weasley, get down here right now!"
George paled considerably and looked at me.
"Fred," he said, starting to breathe heavily.
I could tell he was about to have a panic attack. He used to get them a lot when we were younger, especially when it came to bed time.
When George and I were younger, our family couldn't tell the difference. Hell, for the first three or four years, we didn't know who was who. We just knew that one of us was Fred and the other George, and the one that wasn't Fred was George. One day, we decided who was who, just the two of us. Our family still couldn't tell the difference, but it was enough for us. We couldn't bear to be separated. We done everything together. He had a fear of falling out of the bed, so we pushed our beds together and I would anchor him in the middle, crushing his fears. When people started to say we were too old for that and needed to change our beds, George would panic, the old fear of falling resurfacing. I knew how to deal with it though. I would sit with him and hold his hand and wipe away the tears while instructing him to breath in and out. So that's what I do now.
"Come on, Georgie, big deep breaths, in and out, like we done when we were little, remember?"
He nodded.
"Fred, she'll make me leave. She won't want me."
"George, she's our mum. She is a pain in the arse sometimes but she loves us. No matter what. and you know it."
"But -"
"No, no buts. I'll take you down."
"George! I'm waiting for you," Mum screeched.
"Just coming, Mum," I called down.
We went down together and I dropped him off at the kitchen. Once I gave him a quick pep talk, I decided to go see Hermione.
I knocked on her door and within seconds she was there, looking troubled and tired.
"Hey Fred," she said, stifling a yawn.
"'Mione, what's up?" I asked, grinning as I saw her blush at the nickname. She's so cute when she blushes.
"Nothing, I'm just having a chat with Ginny."
I frowned and slipped through the door, ignoring her protests about me coming in.
"Ginny, why are you crying?" I demanded, sitting beside her.
"Fred, piss off."
"Wow, who made you into a bombarda curse?"
"Very funny."
"Seriously though, why are you crying?" I asked, looking between Ginny and Hermione.
That just made Ginny cry harder. I looked at Hermione, a little alarmed and she mouthed 'Harry' at me.
Potter. I will kill that idiotic git.
Author's Note: Hey everyone!
TENTH CHAPTER! AHHHH!
Thank you for all the support, I can't believe it's came this far!
I had total writers block when I was writing this...not ideal! I got a little help with this chapter, not much, just some corrections here and there. I'm sorry I made Ginny and Harry fight :( For those who are here for the Fremione, I'm sorry there wasn't nearly enough of that in this chapter! I really want to start the other story but I'm determined to finish this one.
So what did you think of the reactions from the Weasleys, Hermione and Harry about George's secret? I'd say two or three more chapters and they'll be out on The Plan! Anyone looking forward to it? I don't know how I'm going to feel about writing it. Why don't you guys add me on Pottermore? PatronusCastle12062.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes too!
Feed Jim Bob please!
-Beth x