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Chapter 10: A gift beyond her wildest dreams
"Happy Christmas, you lazy bug!" Hermione called out cheerfully.
"Happy Christmas," Serena laughed as she pulled on her light green sweater.
"Your present is under the tree," Hermione said excitedly as she hurried down the staircase. Serena pulled her long blonde hair into a quick ponytail and finished getting dressed. She took in one long, calming gulp of oxygen before finally making her way down to the common room.
"Happy Christmas!" Harry shouted as Serena came down the stairs. She giggled and tossed her lithe arms around his neck.
"Happy Christmas, Harry," she said quietly, leaning her head against his warm, familiar shoulder.
"Here's your present, by the way." He released her and pulled a small, silver box out of his jeans pocket.
"Oh!" Serena's entire face lit up. "Harry, you didn't have to do that. Thank you. Yours is under the tree."
"Yeah, I opened it," Harry grinned brightly. "It's great." Serena smiled back, happy to know she'd done well choosing Harry's gift: a leather wand case with the Gryffindor colors running in stripes down the side.
"I thought it could keep your wand safe during the tasks."
"Definitely," Harry grinned, leaning down to kiss her lightly on the cheek. "See you at the feast?"
"Yeah, see you!" Serena waved at his retreating figure. But before she could make her way to the tall, gangly redhead that was staring at her from across the room, Hermione bounded into view.
"I got our presents," she said excitedly. "Mum and Dad sent you a big one. Come on, let's open them!"
"Uh, sure," Serena sighed, tearing her gaze away from Fred. She and Hermione plopped down on the couch next to Katie.
"Open this one," Hermione pointed to the large parcel her parents had sent Serena. Serena quickly tore the wrapping paper off the gift, her heart thumping wildly at the possibility of what it could be.
"Blimey!" Ron exclaimed from across the room. "It's a Firebolt!" Serena's entire body hummed as she ran her hand along the smooth wood of the broomstick. Everyone began to crowd around her, all shouting at once.
"Just like Harry's!"
"Now we've got two Firebolts on our team! We'll be unstoppable next year!"
"Come on, Serena, take it for a spin!" George clasped his hand onto Serena's arm. She grinned at her friends and hurried outside, giggling at the stomping sounds of feet that followed her. The moment her feet hit the ice-cold snow, she lifted her leg over the broom, kicked off of the ground and zoomed into the sky.
"Atta girl, Serena!" Katie Bell shouted. Serena laughed at the emotion that was filling her body. It was the same ridiculous feeling she got whenever she and Fred touched. One of pure joy. The feeling she could do anything.
She landed back on the ground a few moments later. A few people from the crowd gazed at her broomstick for awhile longer, but most headed inside, complaining of the cold. Serena was freezing, but she refused to leave just yet.
"What's it like?" a gentle voice asked. She warmed up all the way to her toes at the sound of the voice. Her navy eyes lifted to meet his own.
"Amazing, Fred," she grinned.
"Mind if I give it a fly?" he questioned.
"Not at all." Serena brushed the snow off of her blue jeans and handed him the Firebolt. Their hands brushed slightly as he took it.
"Oh- sorry," Fred murmured as he pulled his arm away. He quickly mounted the broomstick and lifted his feet off the ground. But instead of flying forward, he zoomed backwards, forcing Serena to slip on the back of the Firebolt.
"Hey!" she exclaimed. "Fred, what're you going to-" With a wicked grin, Fred flew forwards at full speed. Serena yelped, throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face in his back.
"Why are you so terrified of flying?" he laughed.
"I'm not terrified of flying," she answered defensively, glancing up from his back. "I'm terrified of your flying skills."
"Understandable," he admitted with a defeated chuckle. Serena stared out at the lake before her, admiring the bright pink shade the sky was turning.
"Isn't it lovely?" she breathed, tightening her grasp on his waist as he began to float towards the ground. He stepped off of the broom and held his hand out to her. She hesitantly took it and jumped down, still gazing at the iced-over water in front of her.
"Let's go visit Hagrid," Fred said suddenly.
"What?" Serena turned to face him, her smooth brow crinkling in confusion.
"It'll be fun. I'll race you!" He took off without another word.
"No fair!" she shrieked as she chased after him.
"It's completely fair," he shouted over his shoulder.
"Well, I still won't be outdone by some redhead loser of a sixth year. Even if you did cheat."
"That hurts, Serena," Fred grinned. Serena rolled her eyes and prepared to reply, but her mouth was filled with snow. Everything was a bright shade of white. It took her a moment to realize she'd tripped and landed face-down in the snow.
"Ow," she grumbled to herself.
"Serena, are you alright?" Fred's frantic voice reached her ears. He shook her shoulder gently. "Say something." At that moment, her navy-colored eyes snapped open and she grabbed his arm to pull him down into the snow.
"Gotcha!" She laughed hysterically and jumped to her feet, leaving him behind. Fred was on his feet and chasing after her within the next second. With a mighty leap, he grabbed Serena by the waist and pulled her down into the snow with him. She pulled herself up and pinned him down to the snow by his arms.
"I win," she said breathlessly.
"I suppose you do," Fred smiled meekly. "But what do you win, exactly?
Serena couldn't speak. She couldn't breathe. Their faces were much too close together. She noticed strange things she never had before, like the way his eyes were almost grey or the random freckles that had appeared along his nose and cheeks. She forced herself to her feet and brushed the snow off of her clothes. With shaking legs, she began to walk towards Hagrid's hut.
"Where are you going?" Fred asked, puzzled.
"Hagrid's," she answered, turning to face him. "I thought that we were going to visit?"
"Oh-" He quickly stood up and followed after her. "Right, Hagrid's house."
"Wait a second." Serena stepped closer towards him, fighting the smile that was making its way onto her face. "You were never planning to go to Hagrid's at all, were you?"
"No. Not really." Fred closed the space between them and gently pressed his lips against hers.
"I was wondering when you'd do that," she murmured as he pulled away. He let out a chuckle and brushed back a strand of blonde hair that had escaped her ponytail.
"You've no idea how long I've wanted to." As Fred kissed her again, Serena realized that there was no need to say anything else.
He understood perfectly.
…
"Happy new year!" Serena laughed, tossing her arms around Harry's neck.
"You too," he mumbled in response. Her smile faded as he half-heartedly hugged her back. Harry had been in a bad mood for days now and had offered no explanation why.
"Excuse me for a bit, will you?" She pulled away and ruffled his black hair. "I'm off to find my boyfriend." Her entire body tingled when she said the word. Boyfriend.
"Yeah," Harry sighed. "See you." Serena kissed him lightly on the cheek and twisted around to find Fred. Instead she came face to face with Ronald Weasley.
"You look like a mess," she spat.
"I deserved that," Ron winced. Serena pushed passed him, still not ready to forgive him for what he'd done to Hermione. He caught her arm and pulled her back. "Wait. Serena, I'm sorry." Serena closed her blue eyes and fought back her smile.
"For?"
"Being a jerk. Being a jealous jerk." He stared at his toes. Serena rolled her eyes, turned around and hugged him tightly.
"Forgiven," she whispered. They parted and he kissed her delicately on the cheek.
"Well, go on, then," he grinned. "Snog my brother for the rest of the night. I promise to be good."
"Happy new year!" she laughed, hurrying towards the familiar figure that waited by the fireplace.
"Where've you been?" Fred exclaimed as Serena ran into his open arms.
"Crazy," she giggled, snuggling into his shoulder.
"Not a long trip."
"That wasn't nice."
"I'm right there with you, don't worry,"
"Just shut up and kiss me." Serena rolled her eyes and tightened her grasp around his neck. Fred complied without any argument.
January passed in the blink of an eye. And then it was February and finally March. Before Serena knew it, the day of the third task was on her doorstep. She sighed from her spot beside Harry and glanced up at the bright blue sky.
"I wonder what the next task is," she murmured.
"Who knows?" Hermione shrugged, glancing in Harry's direction. "Maybe it has something to do with the egg?"
"Really?" Harry glanced up. "I had no idea. I suppose Viktor's already figured it out." Serena counted the leaves on the tree above her head while Hermione blushed and blabbed on about how Viktor was a 'physical being'.
She'd counted exactly thirty-seven leaves when a familiar voice shouted, "Hey, Potter!" Cedric Diggory came into view, waving excitedly at Harry. Serena's cheeks turned a crimson shade and she turned her head away, embarrassed. She hadn't spoken to Cedric since she and Fred had first kissed, aside from an occasional, "Hi," or "Excuse me" when he'd 'accidentally' bump into her in the hallway.
"Cedric," Harry greeted the other boy. Cedric waved his hand again, as though signaling for Harry to come closer. Giving Hermione and Serena a shrug, Harry walked off.
"How are things?" Hermione questioned once Harry was gone.
"Lovely," Serena grinned back. "You?"
"Lovely," Hermione giggled, watching Harry as he disappeared from sight. "Well, I suppose we should head back to the common room."
"Yeah," Serena agreed. As she made her way up the hill to the castle, she secretly hoped she'd catch a glimpse of Harry. But he was already gone.
…
"Hey, you," Fred greeted Serena as she entered the Gryffindor common room.
"Hey, stranger," she replied. He grinned and patted the couch next to him, as though beckoning her to come over. She flopped onto the couch beside him, moving closer as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. Hermione had made an excuse to 'go to the nurse' before they'd made it into the common room. Serena knew she was off to see Viktor, but Hermione was much too shy to explain that. She'd never admit it, not even to her best friend.
Serena's worries melted away as Fred squeezed her shoulders and leaned over to kiss the top of her head. "How was your day?" he asked brightly.
"Great," she laughed softly, snuggling against him. "And yours?"
"Hideously boring," he mumbled into her blonde hair. "Enough about me, why don't you explain why you're so stressed out?" She groaned and opened her blue eyes. How did he always know?
"Nothing."
"You're a horrible liar, Serena."
"Harry," she admitted. Fred's body stiffened at the name. "The second task is coming up and he still has no clue what the golden egg is about…"
"Scratch that." Serena shot up to find a soaking wet Harry, nearly collapsing under the large pile of books in his arms.
"Harry!" she exclaimed, jumping out of Fred's arms. "Wh-"
"Merpeople," Harry stuttered. "Serena, are there Merpeople in Black Lake?"
"Possibly," Serena replied after a pause. "What's going on?"
"The egg, it sang to me," Harry blurted out quickly. Fred and Serena glanced uncertainly at each other. "No, I mean, the hint was in the egg. I held it underwater and it sang to me."
"What did it say?" Serena led Harry to the couch where Fred sat.
"Come seek us where our voices sound. We cannot sing above the ground. An hour long you'll have to look to recover what we took." Harry recited. Serena's eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Okay, come seek us where our voices sound," she slowly repeated. "Obviously the Black Lake, because they said 'we cannot sing above the ground'. Which means they're underwater, like your clue."
"An hour long you'll have to look," Harry groaned.
"That could pose a few problems," Serena winced.
"A few problems?!" Harry spat back. "Serena, when was the last time you held your breath underwater for an hour?"
"Okay, okay, sorry!" Serena held up palm to silence him. "Listen, we'll figure this out. You, Hermione, Ron and I; we'll get through it together." She reached over and squeezed Harry's hand. "Okay?"
"Kay," Harry muttered. Serena noticed Fred was abnormally silent. She released Harry's hand and turned to the redhead. He was staring off into the fireplace, as though his mind had gone blank.
"Are you alright?" she asked him softly. He nodded and turned back around to face them. Serena leaned her blonde head back against his chest and looked at Harry uncertainly. "Really though, Harry. We'll do this together. Just like the old days." Harry's green eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, someone interrupted.
"Figure what out?" The group looked up to find Ron and Hermione in the doorway.
"Just how he's going to stay underwater for an hour," Serena replied casually.
"WHAT?!" Hermione screeched. Serena let out a groan and closed her eyes. "We have to get to the library! We have to start planning, the task is tomorrow-" Suddenly Mad-Eye Moody walked into the room and cleared his throat.
"Sorry to interrupt this scholar session, but Professor McGonagall wishes to see you," he explained. "Not you, Potter, just Granger, Weasley, and Abney. Er, Ron Weasley," he added, glancing at Fred.
"But the second task is only hours away!" Serena cried.
"Exactly," Moody smirked. "Presumably Potter is well-prepared and ready for the challenge. He could probably do with a good night's sleep." Serena, Ron, and Hermione all slowly walked out of the common room. Serena glanced back at Fred.
"Night," she mouthed. He smiled back.
"Sleep tight," he whispered. She kissed her fingertips and blew it to him, giggling as he caught his heart and stumbled backwards, as though overcome with emotion. Waving one last time, she hurried to catch up with her friends.
"What d'you suppose this is about?" Ron questioned.
"I dunno," Serena replied after a moment. "But I'm not sure if I like it."