Flames Of Love

A Fred Love Story

Part Eleven

Renewal

"You … really missed me George?" I managed to say in an airy whisper. He nodded slowly and for the first time in weeks he looked me in the eyes. "I thought you hated me … Not that I could blame you, it was a stupid mistake to hide our relationship. But George I want you to know I have really missed you, you are my best friend no matter what." I said again in a ramble trying hard to make him see how sorry I was.

He placed a gentle hand on my face running his thumb along my jawline his hands rough against my soft skin. "Its funny I haven't seen you so unput together since are first year. I think it just makes you look even more beautiful." George said his finger pushing my glasses back up my nose. He was standing very close now and I felt a blush rising on my cheeks as his touches became less like a friend and more like a lover.

"George p-please stop. I love you but .. not in that way." I said softly taking his hand in both of mine and removing it from my face. "You are my best friend I cant live without you but we just cant be together this way." I said still holding his hand in mine. It was strange how a hand the exact same as Fred's couldn't send that same electrifying tingle coursing through my veins.

He let out a frustrated sigh that sounded almost like a growl. "I don't understand it! Why him Elli why Fred! What makes him so much more different from me, am I just not good enough for you?" he asked a mix of anger and depression hidden in his voice. His words felt like he was stabbing me right in the heart and making me me watch the bleeding. How could he possibly think that I thought he wasn't good enough?

"George it was never anything like that. I am not sure what it is that makes Fred so different from you but … when we touch I get shivers in my spine. His smile makes my insides feel like they are full of butterflies and when he says my name my heart melts. I cant explain it George its … its love and love doesn't always make sense." I said a dreamy look coming across my eyes as I laid a hand over my heart breathlessly as I imagined each and every feeling Fred gave me.

His eyes clouded over with obvious hurt and when he opened his mouth I expected him to yell but instead his voice was gentle as he said "I know exactly the feeling you're talking about Elli. Its the same feeling I get when ever I am around you. Yet when I saw you with Fred it felt like my heart had just broken into so many pieces that I just couldn't pick them all up. I acted so harshly towards both of you out of anger without even stopping to think what it must feel like for you... Can you forgive me Ell?"

My heart ached again as he told me the feeling he had for me out loud yet it also warmed as the thought of having my best friend back whispered through my mind. Without thinking I pulled him into a tight hug, my hands twisting into the fabric of his robes as I whispered in his ear "George I was never angry, I just wanted you back in my life so bad." Without missing a beat he traced his hands down my sides coming to rest on my hips, as I was about to say something he quickly thought better of it and instead wrapped his arms around my middle.

I couldn't hep but smile, could it possibly be he might actually just slightly be accepting out situation? "I cant say I am completely happy with this Ell, I do still love you but … Love does work in strange ways so who am I to get in the middle of your happiness?" he said holding me out at arms length. My eyes widened at his words and I felt happy tears start to well up in my eyes. If I could have Fred be my boyfriend and have my best friend by my side then maybe, just maybe the horrible time we are living in wouldn't be so bad …

"George I may not love you like I do Fred but I want you to know that you made my life two times brighter and happier now that I have you back, best friend." I said with a smile hooking my arm through his. He gave me a small sad smile back and together we walked off to the common room together.

As we entered I saw our friends waiting anxiously and there heads snapped to look at us. As they saw us happily walking together they all let out a sigh as if they had been holding there breath for a long time. My eyes lit up as I saw Fred and I turned to look at George who reluctantly nodded and let go of my arm. I beamed a large smile at him before I rushed into Fred's waiting arms, the feeling of his arms tight around me even better knowing I didn't have to hide it from anybody.

"So um is everything back to normal now, well us as normal as it can be at least?" I heard Ron ask nervously from somewhere over to the side and I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. In my state of depression I hadn't even noticed that my friends were really worried about my relationship with George and I suddenly felt a warm lighthearted feeling sweep over my whole body. It seemed that with both of my boys by my side yet again everything was suddenly a litter bit funnier and a little bit happier.

"Yes everything is back to what we can consider normal Ron." I smiled finally pulling away from my embrace with Fred. "Also I really want to apologize to all of you … I didn't realize it at the time but you guys were really worried about me and you all tried your best to cheer me up. It may not have seemed like it but it helped. Thank you." I said gazing fondly at each of them in turn, trying my best to make them realize they all meant so much to me.

I sat in the commons room for about an hour, curled up on the couch leaning into Fred's arms and my feet resting on George when suddenly a loud yawn swept over me. I was so high on my joy that I hadn't even realized how tired I was from the week of restless nights. I stood up stretching with my arms above my head and said sleepily "Well today has been filled with lots of emotional turmoil and has completely tired me out. I think I am going to head to bed early. Good night everyone!" I said giving a kiss to Fred and everyone else a hug before dragging myself to my room.

After changing into something a bit more comfortable I snuggled underneath my nice warm blankets and buried my head into sweet smelling pillows with a smile. After the week of nothing but a broken heart this joy inside me lulled me to sleep with promises of happy dreams.