Chapter Fourteen: A Perfect Match

The day after the ball was a lazy one for everyone. It had to be almost noon when I'd woken up alone on the common room couch. The snow that had built up on the window ledge indicated I had slept through a fairly large storm, making me wonder what else I had missed. Sitting up on the comfy red sofa caused something to fall off of me. Curious as to what it could be, I held the piece of clothing up in front of me to examine it. It took about a second to recognize that the navy blue, knit sweater with a golden 'F' on the front belonged to Fred. Where was he anyway? Or anyone else for that matter...

"Sara!" I flipped around in my seat to find Neville still in his pajamas, beaming at me.

"Morning, Neville."

"How'd you sleep?" His grin did not leave his face. "Tired, were you?"

I didn't even realize that I was still in my dress from the previous evening. "Oh!" I chuckled. "Yeah. I was exhausted. Hey, how was your night with Ginny?"

"Pretty good." He shrugged. "I mean, it was fun and all, but nothing extraordinary happened. Which reminds me. I saw you with Fred last night – congratulations, mate!" With a pat on the back, Neville sat on the couch next to me.

I could only laugh and blush at his comment. "Yeah, thanks."

"What happened with Fred and Sara last night?" came Katie's voice from behind Neville and I.

"They kissed."

"Finally!"

"What d'you mean 'finally'?!" I asked, my voice a little louder than I'd have hoped.

Katie gigled, shaking her ponytails up and down. "Honestly, Sara. You two have been flirty for ages."

"He was joking around with me, and I was playing along!"

"Yeah, alright."

"Really!"

"Sara, you're so naive."

"Sara," I heard George's voice pop into the conversation next to Katie; as I refused to look her in the eye. "Fred's fancied you since that day at the World Cup." As if my face couldn't get any redder.

"But he said he didn't ask the girl he wanted to the ball because she fancied someone else."

"Yeah, mate. You fancied Cedric." George whispered his last arguement in my ear to ensure its secrecy. My eyes went wide. I had no time to respond, for Fred was making his way into the common room.

"Good morning, beautiful." He smiled with such a radiance that only proved he'd had a good time at the ball, as well. Without having to think about it, I jumped off the sofa, ran towards his voice and gave him a tight hug.

"Thanks for the sweater."

"No problem." He beamed and kissed my forehead. "Hey, I've got an idea." Fred knelt down in front of me and held both my hands in both of his own. "How about you and I spend the day together." Apparently he took my bright smile as a 'yes', because he kept talking. "Good. Bundle up, it's cold outside."

Without wasting any time, I quickly made my way to the dormitory to change. Excitement flooded me as memories from the ball came rushing back. He kissed me! Nothing could've been better than how I felt right at that moment. I changed into my dark purple sweater, new winter cloak, gloves and Fred's hat that he'd allowed me to keep.

Upon returning to the common room, I noticed Neville had curled up in an armchair and was reading a book on Herbology, and George and Katie had disappeared from view. Fred waited patiently on the sofa, but since he couldn't see me coming, I decided to sneak up on him in true Weasley twin fashion.

I tiptoed behind him quietly and cupped my hands over his eyes. "Guess who!"

"Um, Ronnikins?"

Letting go of his eyes, I jumped in his line of vision. "No, it's me!"



"I know, Sara. I'm joking. Ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's go." He stood from the couch, smirked and grabbed my hand to lead me outside.

Fred's soft hand in my own, showing me down the stairs didn't seem as comforting as it had the many times we'd held hands before. After that kiss, holding his hand made my heart jump into my throat.

"Nice robes." He said, fnially slowing down so I was able to catch up and walk next to him.

"Oh thanks. Christmas gift."

"Er, Sara?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad we can have today just to ourselves... After last night I was afraid things would get awkward between us." Fred's eyes were pointed at the ground in shame as we walked down a deserted corridor.

"Why would things get awkward?" My cheeks turned a deep shade of red. "I mean, I like you."

"Yeah?" That beautiful smile came to his face once more, along with the sparkle in his eye. "Well I wasn't sure. I thought you'd fancied Cedric."

"I did. I guess since he turned me down, I really took into consideration what you told me."

"What was that?"

"If he can't see how amazing I am, he's not worth it."

"Well, I think you're amazing."

How else could I have responded to that comment than turning a bright shade of red that would have complimented last night's gown nicely. Luckily, he continued because I was at a loss for words.

"And that makes me worth it?"

"Oh shut up!"

Fred could tell I was getting uncomfortable because he decided to change the subject. "It's snowed a lot since this morning, I can't wait until you see the kind of snow we get here."

"I did live in Canada, you know." I shook my head disapprovingly in his direction. "We got loads of snow there."

"Nothing compared to here."

We'd reached the giant oak doors to the castle, and he pushed them open with ease. The layer of white, fluffy condensation on the previously luscious earth had to be three feet deep. There were no footprints, regardless of the fact that peple had been out and about for hours now. "It's amazing!" I couldn't believe how the scene seemed to sparkle under the sunlight.

"Told you." Fred pulled out his wand and flicked it at the hidden path in front of him, causing the snow to jump out of our way as we walked towards the lake.

"Have you ever been skating before?"

"I don't think you understood me the first time. I'm Canadian."

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." That's when that red-haired boy in front of me pulled his backpack off his shoulder, which I had just noticed was present and extracted two pairs of simple black skates. "Here, sit down by the tree, I'll tie up your skates."

I did as I was told and allowed Fred to tie up the bladed boots on my feet. He was very gentle. It reminded me of the time I was ignorant to the little things like that which he'd done for me. "Thanks."

"Come on, let's go."

We stood on the thick ice of the lake's surface and after a shakey start – for it had been years since I practied – we were gliding smoothly along the ice. I'd felt like I was floating on a cloud. Sliding gracefully on the lake, surrounded by white frosting and with Fred's hand in mine, life could not get any better.

It only took one little slip for me to lose my balance and slam into the ice beneath me.

"Ow!" I grunted as my rear end throbbed with pain. Fred's hand had been lost from mine as he also tumbled to the ground.



"You okay?" he asked, brushing the snow from his knees and trying to stand up. Upon getting back to his feet, Fred's eyes grew wide and I didn't understand why until I felt the ice cracking right under the place I had fallen. I tried to move, but my left ankle flashed with a white hot pain.

"Ow!" I screamed again.

"Sara!" Fred ran towards me but as his comforting hand reached out for mine, the lake had already swallowed me whole. Any sound previously surrounding me had been muffled and the water was so cold it burned my skin. Opeing my mouth to scream would only cause more pain. My mind was racing a mile a minute. Where did Fred go? Just then, a giant hand clasped my figure in its grip and clung me to the warm body it belonged to.

"What happened 'ere, Fred?"

"The ice broke when she fell, I tried to grab her but she was too far down..." Whoever had been carrying me started to move.

"'Ere, I'll take 'er to the hospital wing for ya."

"Thanks, Hagrid." The voice that was Fred waivered and sounded as though he would cry.

"Is she okay?" Katie. That was definitely Katie. That meant...

"Course she's not." George. Those four warm voices were the last I heard before blacking out completely.

"Please, wake up..."

"Maybe this will be like that movie where the boy falls in the freezing water and goes deaf..."

"What are you talking about, Hermione?"

"Nevermind."

"She'd better not go deaf..."

"Sara, please wake up."

"I'm not deaf." I finally spoke up, "I've been listening to you talking for a few minutes." Upon opening my eyes, I saw Fred by my side with Lizzy, Hermione and George. I also noticed that Cedric sat in a corner alone and only seemed to perk up when I spoke. Fred squeezed my hand in both of his.

"Sara, I'm so sorry."

"Fred, you didn't do anything."

"I know. I should have."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Sara, Pomfrey says you just need some meds." Lizzy explained. "We just wanted to make sure you woke up alright."

"What's wrong with me?"

"You had a broken ankle... that was fixed with a wave of a wand. But you did fall in freezing water, so you'll need some Pepper-Up Potion." Hermione smiled and then added, "You should be in your own bed tonight."

That's when an anxious Madam Pomfrey bustled into the room. "Okay, you've seen her wake up! Everybody out!"

As if it was ritual, they all said goodbye and shuffled out of sight. Only one familiar face stayed in their place, sitting hunched over in a chair and looking at the ground.

"Take this." The old witch handed me a glass of brightly-coloured liquid and glared at me until I downed the whole thing. Without a word, she yanked the cup from my weak hand and went back to her office. Finally, he spoke.

"Sara..." his hazel eyes still were focused on the stone floor. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." My voice was positive and he pulled his chair to my bedside. Cedric's eyes met mine.

"I feel horrible."

"What, why?"

"...Did you have fun at the ball last night?"

Was that only last night? "Loads."

"Oh good. I uh, I feel horrible I didn't ask you." There was a pause.

"...But why?" That was so awkward... "I mean, we're just friends."



"We are. I know. But I know you fancied me."

"Oh." Great. Red cheeks again.

"And I led you on. And I know I made you cry... You're my best friend. I didn't want to hurt you."

"Listen. Don't worry about it. Things worked out the way they were supposed to. Fred kissed me last night."

"Finally!" A smile cracked on his face at last.

"Did everyone know about this?!" I laughed.

"Basically. You two are a perfect match." Cedric grinned, and for the first time I looked at him as though he was my brother.

"Can I ask you something?" I decided it was now or never.

"Sure."

"What does Cho think of me?" If I were Cho, I would probably not like the girl who's had a long-time crush on my boyfriend; that's the last thing I needed – to not be allowed to see Cedric.

"She likes you."

"Does she, or are you just saying that?"

"Why would I about that? She likes you." Looking deep into his caramel eyes, I knew he was being serious.

I nodded slowly as if careful not to get too dizzy and smiled like I couldn't hold it in. "So Mr. Champion, have you figured out the egg yet?"

"Uh, not exactly."

We talked far into the night, laughingand smiling at our past and contemplating the future. It felt tight. Cedric and I were meant to have this king of relationship – the kind where nothing else matters because you'll always be there for one another. Best friends. This must be what it feels like. The later we talked, the more I came to realize that Hermione was wrong. I would not be sleeping in my own bed that night.