Chapter 11

After they snuck out of the common room, Fred took out his wand and whispered, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" and the map came to life in front of them. The two stopped to examine which pathway they should take. "Where would you like to go?" He asked her, looking down at her as she examined the map.

"Can we go to my spot that I like near the astronomy tower?" Her eyes lit up and she looked up hopefully at Fred.

It was a long way up there and they had to constantly be checking the map for Mrs. Norris or Filch but Fred agreed. He wanted to make Natalie happy and he knew that was her favorite part of Hogwarts. Her spot, as she liked to call it, was a secret nook in the astronomy tower that gave you a crystal-clear view of the nights sky without being seen by the other people from the outside. It was a perfect spot to have some privacy and she normally liked to escape there to study and read.

After a half an hour, they ended up in the spot and squeezed in. "Jeez I don't think I've been up here since our 3rd year." He laughed and sat down on the stone bench that was built into the nook on the far wall.

"I used to come up here about once a week, but it's been a while…" She trailed off getting distracted with how beautiful the night sky looked. She tried to remember all the constellations from Astronomy class and just was in absolute awe at the beauty of the stars in the night sky. "Isn't it beautiful, Fred?" she asked breathlessly.

"Yea…" He responded dreamily. When Natalie turned around, he wasn't looking at the sky but instead of looking at her. "You're absolutely glowing, Natalie. The starry night really brings out the silver in your eyes."

Her heart skipped a bit as she realized how close they were in the small nook. It used to seem like it was so large, in their first year, Natalie, George, Fred, and Lee were all able to fit in. Now that they were 5th years, Fred and Natalie hardly fit. "Thanks, Freddie." She smiled softly and felt her face get flushed.

He smiled softly at her and began to lean closer to her face. She caught her breath as their lips touched each other's. He wrapped his long arms around her body pulling her closer towards him. She was intoxicated by the interesting smell that was Fred Weasley. The cinnamon, vanilla, and gun smoke from firework pranks filled her brain like a love potion taking over.

When he pulled away he laughed quietly. "I've been waiting a long time to do that, Natalie…" He twirled a blonde strand of hair around his long finger while avoiding her stare. "I hope you don't mind…"

Before he could continue Natalie pulled his head down to her height and kissed him again. This time he was more excited since he knew that she was interested in it and he sat them down on the bench against the wall so that Natalie didn't have to crane her neck for them to kiss.

As they were kissing, she couldn't help but notice that Quidditch had helped him turn from a boy into a strong, dare she say, man. He was lean but strong from being a beater. She felt very safe inside his strong arms. She could have spent hours there.

Her world was spinning around when Fred pulled away. "Shh… do you hear that?"

Natalie froze. There were foot steps outside.

Fred pulled out the map and used the light coming into the secret Nook to look at who was out in the corridor. "Crap." He whispered.

Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall must've been doing rounds. That would be just great if they caught two people from each other their houses snogging in a secret compartment. The two students held their breath as the professors walked by. "I know your concern, Professor Snape. Regarding Sirirus Black I stand with Dumbledore's judgement. I do not believe that anyone inside Hogwarts would want to aid him."

"Surely, Minerva you have to see that there is some suspicious behavior going on."

"You are letting hatred blind you Severus. You are no longer that student at Hogwarts. You must remember that."

Fred and Natalie looked at each other with confused eyes. Who would Snape think would consider aiding Sirius Black, the deranged murderer, into the castle? Especially with all of the dementors flying outside of the castle grounds waiting to swoop in and take away the happiness of the person they were hunting for.

They didn't bring it up until the Professors had passed their nook. "We have to go." Natalie whispered disappointment filled her voice.

"I'm not going anywhere you know after tonight. No need to get all sad on me." Fred joked and kissed her forehead.

"I wish tonight never ended…"

"Me too, Nat. Me too…" Fred held her hand and held the map with one as they ran to their dorms. He dropped her off at the Slytherin dormitory and kissed her once more before whispering in her ear, "Goodnight, Natalie. I really enjoyed tonight, and I know I'll see you in my dreams tonight."

Her world began to spin again as he ran off. She was so disoriented she almost forgot the Slytherin password. When she managed to get into her pajamas and into bed she laid down and put her fingertips on her lips remembering the tingling and soaring sensation that just took over her body as she kissed Fred.