Flames Of Love

A Fred Love Story

Part Ten

Emptiness

I lay in my bed with the dawns light washing over me and my kitten Dawn purring away on my chest. Yet even the warmth of the sun and my cat couldn't fill the cold emptiness inside me. It had been a weak since George had found out about Fred and I, and I was starting to think that my heart would never be whole again.

As the hours passed the sunlight grew more intense and I could hear the sounds of my room mates getting ready for their day. I know I should get up too but I just don't have the strength to. My curtains are ripped open but I don't look figuring its just my room mate Lora asking if I can use a straightening charm on her hair again. I am surprised though when I feel someone sit by my side so I look to see my sister sitting their with both sadness and determination in her eyes.

"Elli you need to get up now or you will miss first period. Today you have charms, your favorite." Hermione cooed gently trying her best to get me out of bed. I simply turned on my side, forgetting Dawn is there and only remember when I hear her hiss. "Well I know mum and dad tell us no sweets for breakfast but … I happen to have a bar of chocolate here that I don't plan on eating. Do you want it?" she asked in a sing song voice trying to bribe me to get out of bed.

I took in a deep breath and let it out with a sigh, not even my favorite sugary treat could manage to break me out of this spell of depression. "Elli come on you have to snap out of it! I know how hurt you must be but refusing to do anything but stay in bed isn't going to bring George back. Your not the sister I remember because the Elli I know wouldn't take this laying down. She would fight to bring back her best friend." Hermione said in a low voice but she couldn't hide the anger behind her words.

I knew that she hated seeing me like this and normally I would be fighting it but this time I … I just couldn't. It felt like my heart was ripped from my chest and I was being forced to watch it beat in front of me. I loved Fred and was glad that we were together but now that I had lost George in the mix I couldn't help but wonder if it was really worth it. I heard her let out an almost growl like sound until she finally whispered "What would Fred think if he saw you like this?" Then as if she had hit the button to wake me up, I swung my feet over the edge of the bed gritting my teeth.

"Fine I will get up but only so Fred wont worry about me. Just do me a favor and don't tell him how you usually find me OK? He is suspicious enough now that we don't hang out everyday it would crush him to know that I am keeping how hurt I am away from him." I said slipping out of my night clothes and into my robes. As I sat in front of the mirror pulling my hair back into a careless ponytail I saw her nod with a sad look still lingering in her eyes.

I rushed through my usual morning routine, skipping a lot of my beauty potions and spells since I wasn't in the mood to look cute. Then finally I put on my glasses, skipping my contacts, and grabbed my bag on my way to breakfast. I took a seat next to Fred giving him a quick kiss before letting him go back to his glare contest with his brother. I let out a sigh and nibbled on his toast.

"Fred please do you really have to glare at George like that. He may be mad at us but he is still your brother and my best friend." I said quietly almost not sure if he had heard me or not. Finally he entwined his fingers in mine and pulled away from the silent argument with George. I gave his hand a squeeze thanking him and laid my head on his shoulder trying hard to not see the hurt in my friends eyes.

Finally after what seemed an eternity in the great hall the bell rung signaling first period. A small relieve to what I was sure was going to be a painful day with every single class with Fred and George. But at least I could enjoy my time submerging myself in new spells and charms … wow I was really sounding like my sister at the moment. Then again I always did find myself returning back to my natural instinct to bury myself in a book when I was upset.

I took my now normal seat between Lee and Fred sneaking glances at George from around Lee's dreadlocks. I was only snapped out of my one sided peek a boo game when I felt someone poke me in the side. I put on a fake smile and turned to face Fred who was looking at me with puppy dog eyes begging me to help him with this difficult spell.

"The spell turning against you again? Or is your wand on strike this week?" I asked with a smirk recalling some of his more outrageous excuses for nearly failing the class. He put a hand to his heart and went on about how I didn't really care and never believed him and all the same guilt trip tricks until I finally laughed placing a finger to his lips. "Enough of the excuses when have I ever let you down before? Here let me show you." I said with a small genuine smile creeping its way onto my lips.

The class went by in a semi happy blur with my helping Fred and the common playful hair pulling from Lee. Yet I still missed the jokes and warm smile that I often got from George when we would work together in class. Then pulling me from my hazy day dream world where everything was perfect again was the bell telling us it was time to head to my least favorite class … Defense Against the Dark Arts. Huh its funny how one toad can mess up your whole love for a subject.

I sank into my chair honestly thinking about taking a puking pastille but all was interrupted when suddenly I heard everyone in the room go "ew" in unison. I turned and saw that George was doubled over in his chair bringing up what looked like everything he had ever ate. Without even thinking I rushed to his side brushing the hair out of his face and feeling for a fever. I could hear Umbridge in the background barking orders about cleaning up the mess but all that I had on my mind was my determination to get him to the hospital wing.

So without even asking I helped him stand, not even caring about the mess on my robes or the shouts of protest from a lot of people in the room. As soon as we were safe and sound out of the dungeons I couldn't help but put on a smile as I slipped him the second half of the candy. In that instant the puking stopped and I cleaned off my robes with a swish of my wand. I swept the bangs from my eyes and placed a hand on my hip saying "What do you think you were doing trying to skip class like that? I know its boring but still we need to be there. And I know you aren't exactly happy with me right now but … avoiding me by using a product we made together? That really hurts"

His liquid brown eyes darted down to his feet but he didn't respond. Then as I was about to cry he said "I miss you Elli. I just wanted to spend a little time with you. I knew you would rush to my aid, its the type of person you are, and even if it was just for a few minutes I wanted to be close to you again." I was froze to the spot, could this possibly be the moment I got my best friend back?