A/N: This is something I'm trying out, it's probably going to be rare but it's here, a little bouncing around for backstory and flashbacks. See you at the end to recap. ;) also be warned this is almost 7k words, we kinda got a lot here to unpack but I couldn't keep it all together.

Magnolia followed alongside Fred as they got closer to the latch under Honeydukes. She hooked her arm with Fred's, something they had done many times before. She could take a little control, she thought, it wasn't the first move, more like a little mapping out to the first big move. Each encounter between the two had felt calculated, it had become obvious that when they got together they still walked on eggshells around the other.

Magnolia wouldn't stand another minute without Fred being her friend, but she was trying her best to keep herself in check. Just because the two had forgiven each other and were working on moving on, it didn't change that they still had two other people who had grown interested in them. Magnolia wondered if Katie only started liking because she wasn't around. Liam had only liked her for her looks.

"You can go up first," Magnolia suggested, standing at the bottom of the ladder while Fred checked for people on the other side of the map. If anyone were to decide to

"Ladies first, since I know you just wanna check out my ass while I climb up," He grinned, teasing me.

Magnolia rolled her eyes, "How do I know that's not why you're telling me to go first?" She retorted.

Fred's cheeks flushed, he didn't expect that from her. She smirked making her way up the ladder, pushing the door open, and slipping into Honeydukes discreetly as she shrunk her body out of sight. It wasn't often that staff came to this room during business hours, but if they had, Fred and Magnolia would've been caught red-handed so they needed to move kind of fast.

Over the years, Magnolia got better at making a quick getaway. She could only take so many shortcuts, so she had to be quick, too. Fred followed up behind her, taking her hand helping him up the final rungs of the ladder. Brushing the dust from his shoulders, Fred reached a hand up dusting the dirt from Magnolia's coat. She looked up at him with her bright eyes, the blue got heavier in her eyes with every birthday. Fred loved that they kept changing, same as Magnolia's confidence as the years passed.

Even in dim lighting, her eyes could catch any light perfectly. Fred liked that her eyes held all of her expressions. They'd sparkle just a little brighter when she talked about the things she loved, when she was frustrated they'd grow darker. And when she looked up at him, he swore they were as bright as the sun. But that would've been stupid, she ran away after he kissed her cheek. They still hadn't talked about that, she could make the move but he couldn't.

Magnolia affected Fred that he wasn't prepared for. He had gone into the Leaky Cauldron expecting to see his best friend after a long summer, but when he saw Magnolia, he wasn't looking at his best friend anymore. He saw a girl he might like if she could give him the chance. For a moment last summer he thought there might've been something there but Magnolia was right, they just needed to sleep. The stars were planting ideas in his head.

The letters he had started writing and rewriting all summer seemed to haunt him. Magnolia would never know what she did to him that night, and part of him wanted nothing more than to change that.

That day was engraved in his head as the day everything had changed. The way he felt for Magnolia had changed. Fred recalled looking around the room, trying to find her. Ron heard from Harry that Magnolia was staying with Juniper. The number of times he began writing letters to her just to scrap them before he got past the words, I miss you.

"Don't go breaking your neck trying to look for her," George had quipped, unfolding a newspaper, reading the latest update on the search for Sirius Black.

Fred scanned his eyes over the crowd again, hoping to catch a glimpse of her dark hair. He forced his attention away, she'd make her way around eventually. She wasn't here to meet them at all, but the hope of her excitement to see him was still there weighing in at Fred's head. All summer he worried that Magnolia was with James, in the way he hoped to be with her. He should've just written the bloody letter, he cursed himself. They'd been so close last summer, who knows how much closer they could have gotten without any contact from him.

Fred lifted his head again, hoping to find her before she found him. Just so he could try and figure out what she might be thinking when she saw him again. He let out a quiet sigh returning to the paper again before he felt George tug on his jacket.

"Mate, you'll wanna see this," George grinned, Fred looked up, feeling his heart hiccup, "Maggie's gotten kind of fit…" He trailed, watching her across the room."

"Don't say that," Fred scolded, "She looks different," He added with a stutter.

Godric, she looked incredible. Fred had thought to himself. George had got the first look and the first hug. Moving to his feet, he reached out for her, pulling Magnolia into a hug first. They held onto each other, taking in the reunion. Magnolia and George were just as close as Fred and Magnolia had been as friends, but that was the end of it for them. There was a more brotherly playfulness to their interactions, he squirmed a little more when the smaller girl screwed with him. Similar to an elephant and a mouse. A large thing that can't quite figure out the smaller thing, therefore concerning them.

"You've gotten taller and added metal to your face, what a surprise!" George teased as he pulled away.

"And you've actually learned personal hygiene, what a surprise." Magnolia retorted dryly, reaching up to ruffle his longer hair. He swatted at her, annoyed by her quick teasing gesture.

Fred felt like he had waited long enough, opening his arms to steal Magnolia away from his brother. She fell into his arms like it was the most important hug of her life. She clutched to his coat as Fred nuzzled his face into her hair. She always smelled so sweet like candy almost, all the years milling about Honeydukes couldn't have prepared him to take in her sweetness. Even the way she felt was different, Fred noticed. They'd both done growing up the other hadn't prepared for. As they held onto each other like there hadn't been anyone else, a part of him never wanted it to end.

Juniper coughed behind them, causing them to break apart. "Good to see you, boys. Surprised to see the Egyptians didn't lock you in a pyramid." She joked.

Fred couldn't get the way she had looked out of his head. It was like the first time seeing her all over again. He had grown up knowing family usually looked similar, he had an identical twin. He had never seen a mother and daughter look like matching replicas of the other. Magnolia and her mother were like spitting images of the other. As Magnolia got older, her mother's beauty caught up with her. Her eyes held the attention of the world. He just wanted to know her better than he did before.

Fred knew when he saw Magnolia after their summer apart, he had to ask her for some alone time. He wanted reassurance that he wasn't crazy for how he'd been feeling. Hogsmeade was the perfect place, with enough students to melt into and slip away.

Fred grabbed Magnolia's hand, now that they were both dust-free.

"Let's get going," He pushed a smile to his lips, he only half mapped out their day.

He was sort of hoping to let the day just take them, so they could be a little spontaneous. Something Magnolia could use a little of. Not to mention the fact he scrapped the original plan he had after hearing of her kiss with James. Fred hadn't planned to be jealous but when they got back he felt like something more had happened between her and the Muggle boy. Not to mention Liam lingering around.

••••••

September:

"June was saying that they hung out at the end of the summer. Said he'd stay over sometimes too," Lee explained, walking behind Fred and George from the common room.

"As her boyfriend?" Fred's voice echoed in concern.

"No nimrod as her friend, didn't you hear her say Willow had been staying with her while her parents were away?" George thumped Fred's head, "You're just jealous because that's now another person who's got to kiss Mags before you did." He laughed teasing the older twin.

Fred shook his head, waving the two away, "Whatever, I'm not jealous." He huffed.

"Then my hair is not red and you're not my twin brother," George quipped.

"Shut up, George," Fred rolled his eyes, pushing past him and Lee.

George and Lee shared a knowing look as they made their way into the Great Hall. The three took their regular place at the Gryffindor table, getting a head start on stuffing themselves for breakfast. Fred watched Magnolia walk in, she had her hair pulled out of her face, showing off her features.

He admired her high cheekbones, the way her eyes caught what light shined through the stained glass around them. Her lips always hinted at a smile as she spoke with everyone, even when they'd been someone she disliked. Fred noticed how her skin was bare of any blemishes or marks, it was flawless. Godric she was perfect, he had thought, mindlessly filling his mouth with food as he watched her sit down across the room from him. It felt like she couldn't get further away.

Why didn't he just join her? Right, because she was dodging him, he reminded himself. Liam leaned closer to her, looking at Magnolia with hungry eyes. His hazel eyes scanned her body like she was fresh meat, and he was ravenous. It made Fred's stomach curdle, she wasn't something to be leered at.

Fred watched as Magnolia forced a stiff smile at his words before turning to George, "What do you think he wants?" He questioned.

George bit back a grin knowingly, "Who?"

"Liam, what's that git want with Maggie?" He clarified.

George chuckled, "Stealing your girl probably, told you that you'd need to turn on the charm. Maggie's got more suitors as the years go by."

Fred scoffed with a roll of his eyes, "She's not my girl," He argued, "Liam's not a suitor, he's an asshole."

"Are you sure about that? I saw her dodge your little kiss. She must not like you then," George teased, "And she's hung out with Liam before, they're in the same house, he probably sees her more than you do,"

Fred was unaware of his brother's tricks. George planned to silently get in his head about Maggie being disinterested, slow things down so he could make his money back. While Roxy had been doing the opposite and tried pushing them together. The older twin and the dark-haired girl fall into a hole of their own emotional confusion.

"I wouldn't doubt if he's liked her since her little thing with Cedric, too." George chuckled.

"Shut up," Fred dismissed his brother, "I just don't like him." Fred glared over at Liam.

"Do you think Maggie likes his hair?" George asked with a grin, "We all know he likes his hair, that's why he's always fucking with it, but do you think Maggie likes it, too? She liked Cedric's hair, too. Maybe that's why you wanted to grow your hair out?" He was so teasing, knowing exactly what to say to make Fred upset.

Fred had to have the idea for this himself. Suggesting a prank on Liam would be reckless, but George had money on Fred and Magnolia, so knocking out obstacles would benefit him in a way.

Fred got a bad idea in his head, "Perhaps we could take care of it for him, he's looking a little dull," A smirk painted itself to Fred's lips.

He and George had tampered with shampoo before, the prefect bathroom was much easier to get into than the Hufflepuff common room, and it wouldn't have been the first time they'd sabotaged shampoo either. George laughed excitedly. He liked when Fred got mad with the boys in Magnolia's life because it gave him a chance to prank the same guys that annoyed him on the quidditch pitch, and seeing his brother jealous was funny enough.

George knew more than anyone did about Fred's feelings for Magnolia. However, he knew his brother was quite possibly one of the most stubborn people on the planet as well. To admit his feelings for a girl he was falling in love with would've been too weak of a move. Fred had to protect his ever-growing image.

George noticed how girls were looking at them differently but Fred was mildly clueless thinking his humor was what was keeping the girls giggling. But they'd both had their attention set on two people only.

Fred looked across the room trying to steal another look at Magnolia. She had her hand stretched across the table consoling Roxy about something. He loved how compassionate she was. Even when Roxy and Juniper had done things that weren't exactly things friends did like spill secrets, she still gave them a chance. Even after Fred had screwed up she gave him another chance.

Fred stood up from the table, making a quick joke that made the table chorus in laughter. George caught on that he was trying to distract himself. Angelina gave George an odd look at Fred's sudden change in mood. He shrugged, playing it off.

Last term, while Fred had made one of his many attempts to sneak into the infirmary and catch a glimpse at Magnolia, George began spending some of his time sneaking away to see Angelina.

They'd bonded over a lot of things over the years. Aside from his growing intrigue in her and hers in him, quidditch was something they both enjoyed and took quite seriously, and she was amazing at charms. When Fred snuck off to see Magnolia. George was developing a crush, but for now, that'd be his little secret.

"We should start getting stuff together soon if we're going to really screw with Liam," Fred patted George's back, snagging him back from his thoughts.

George gave his brother a quick nod before slipping Angelina a note on his way by, telling her to meet up this afternoon. The girl gave him a quick nod in reply as he slipped from the Great Hall with his determined brother.

••••••

As classes began the dread of going to classes resumed. Katie hooked her arm with Fred's as he walked out from his first solo class. Fred and George only had a few classes apart and Katie seemed to have caught him on the way from his.

"Hey, do you think you could walk me to class?" She asked him with begging eyes.

Fred looked down at the girl clutched to his arm, another poor idea sparking in his head. Liam had been following Magnolia to all her classes, then coming to class and bragging about how she was all over him. It was disgusting, Fred thought. Magnolia wasn't that type of girl, she barely talked to Liam before now, Fred knew that. Though when he did see them together she seemed to entertain him to some degree. And he seemed to be around her constantly. It was worse than the feeling Fred got thinking about James, at least Magnolia had tried diminishing his worries by saying they'd decided to stay friends but she didn't even say if there was more than just a single kiss.

Why does Maggie have to make me feel like this? He was cursing himself.

He was a little jealous of the time Liam had been able to steal from Magnolia. Katie was his friend and they'd gotten closer from being teammates but that was as far it went for him. Though he had noticed she laughed a little louder when he was talking, and how she'd sit a little closer this year than she had last. It was becoming clear that she was interested.

He wondered if Magnolia would react the same as he did with James and how he was beginning to feel with Liam trailing around her now. Maybe he'd know he wasn't reading too much into everything. He thought back to their final night at The Leaky Cauldron, they'd stayed up all night talking about the world.

Fred could've sworn she looked at him differently and he wasn't imagining. But then she just skipped out on him. As soon as classes picked back up she went fully bookworm mode and disappeared, all from the few times she passed through with Roxy, Liam close was behind. He didn't trust himself to be nice.

"Sure," He pushed up a smile, escorting her to her class.

It wasn't far from her next class and he knew Magnolia would be there because Katie had the same class as her. Maybe he could steal her away before she slipped into class and they could talk. He missed her, and it'd only been a few weeks, how much longer could this go?

"I like how your hair has grown out, Freddie," Katie complimented, reaching up to push it away from his forehead as they stood outside her classroom.

He thanked her, pushing her hand away politely. Katie reeled her hand back, "Do you think Oliver's got any more early practices planned? I'm kind of tired of being up at dawn every day," she groaned.

"He's kind of a git sometimes, but that's what competition does to some people," He shrugged with a cheeky smile, "It makes you stupid,"

Fred stood beside Katie Bell wearing an easy smile as she blushed at every word he spoke to her, fiddling with a piece of hair as she giggled along. She playfully shoved him away, like what he said was the funniest thing she'd ever heard. Fred forced a light laugh at her action, looking past her for Magnolia.

She wasn't one to be late for class, that's odd, he thought, "I should probably start heading to my next class," Fred suggested.

"Leaving so soon? I guess I'll see you at dinner then," Katie pushed up a smile despite the tone in her voice changing. She turned on her heel, flipping her brown hair over her shoulder and making her way into her Charms classroom.

Fred nodded in brief agreement, trudging down to his next class. Maybe George had caught up with her. She can take care of herself. Fred kept hoping their paths would cross in the following days but it wasn't happening aside from the times he had to stare from across the Great Hall.

Magnolia couldn't have wanted to see him for a reason. George was probably right, Liam was an asshole but maybe that was Maggie's type. That meant he had a better chance with her, Fred thought to himself. I'm just her friend.

••••••

Katie caught up beside Fred, tugging on his arm, "You ready for practice? The Hufflepuff team should be leaving the pitch soon," She asked.

"As ready as I can be for another exhausting practice. We've barely had time for anything else lately," Fred rolled his eyes, trudging ahead towards the Quidditch Pitch.

George peered around his brother at the shorter girl beside him. She mused happily about how important it was that they practice a lot if they're going to win this year for Oliver's sake.

Katie was wrecking their plans, George had thought. Roxy hadn't really scared George but she did intimidate a little, not that he'd ever admitted as much. Roxy was blunt and straightforward when she wasn't pleased with someone, it was a shock when she shoved him against the brick with her clear threat. George needed to steal a minute away from Fred to ask him what was going on with him and Magnolia. The dark-haired girl changed the subject just as quickly as Fred was brought up. It was odd to see Katie walking beside Fred and not Magnolia, considering how things had gone on the train and at the Leaky Cauldron, George was under the impression things would finally change between them. Their friends wouldn't be subjected to pretending around each other. Everyone seemed to know that they liked each other but them.

Katie gave Fred a brief awkward side hug before running to catch up with Angelina slipping into their common room. They caught up with Alicia as she came out of her dorm.

"Do you think Maggie will be with them today?" George asked, glancing at Fred to gauge his reaction to her name, "Watching their practice?"

"It's not like she wants to talk to me anyway," He muttered in reply, "She'd be down there for Roxy, not me,"

"How do you know? Have you even attempted talking to her?" George quizzed annoyed. He knew Fred just as much as Magnolia had made no effort to talk.

Magnolia was supposed to be dragged to practice with Roxy, she claimed it would be the perfect way to relax a little and not focus on schoolwork that she was ahead on anyways, in reality, Roxy and George knew the practice schedule and knew that Fred and Magnolia would have to cross paths here.

Without the bet between Roxy in mind, he knew she was right about Magnolia. Maggie was different these days, excelling in her classes, sure, but it was obvious that she was upset. George was still worried about her feelings at the end of the day, no money in the world could change that. Magnolia and George had a sibling-like bonding, he loved her the same way he did Ginny. He wanted to protect her just as much as Roxy had.

In addition to the increase of practice, the long way around to a few of Magnolia's classes, and sneaking in the time he could with Angelina, George was overloaded, to say the least. His patience was wearing a little thin and he wanted to go back to taking shortcuts.

The two red-headed boys skipped up the steps to their dorms to grab their practice equipment.

"I don't know, every time I see her, he's around," Fred said through gritted teeth, "He just annoys me and it feels awkward with her."

Liam was in their year. He wasn't always the bane of Fred's existence. He was kind of skinny, that was until he spent the last several summers playing Muggle Rugby. He'd become actual competition against Fred and George on the Quidditch pitch. He was bulking up to make up for his height, Fred laughed to himself.

"He's a stalker, Mate! Let's be honest here, you're just afraid to talk to Maggie," George inferred bluntly, "And I think that's exactly why you've let Katie latch onto you. Don't get me wrong, Katie is cute, and she's nice but come on, you talked about Maggie all summer, and then when you got back you had this master plan, what happened to all of that?"

Fred had to admit his brother was right, lugging his equipment on, "I don't know, I'll figure something out." He shrugged.

George shook his head but stayed quiet. He couldn't make these decisions for Fred, he'd grown exhausted enough. As they made their way to the pitch, they continued to stay quiet between each other. Angelina, Alicia, and Katie walked beside them carrying on their own conversation as if the boys hadn't been upset with one another.

Some things were better left unsaid, but George was fed up. He was watching Fred's actions screw up far too many things. Magnolia was protective when it came to her feelings, so she hid away. The twins walked beside each other in silence pretending they were fine.

Cedric walked ahead of the Hufflepuff quidditch team, leaving the pitch after their practice. Magnolia hadn't come. Roxy glared as she passed Fred, giving George a brief smile with a shrug, shifting her attention away as they passed. Their plan didn't work today.

The rest of the team, doddle tiredly behind them. As the rest of the chasers came in tow, all that had remained were Liam, the other beater, and their keeper.

George caught up with Angelina, Alicia, and Katie joining in their conversation, as Fred fell behind. He might not have been ready to talk to Magnolia, he could at least tell Liam to leave her alone. It didn't take very long for Liam to trickle out from their tent.

"Mate, you don't get it. Have you seen her lately? Maggie is fucking fit. I bet she's a proper shag too," Liam grinned as he nudged at his teammate. Who shook his head with a smirk.

Fred's ear perked up, turning his head to listen closer, "She needed help to the infirmary, as the gentleman I am, I took her. She was all over me and her ti-"

Fred saw red, he shoved Liam before he could finish his sentence. He felt sick, Magnolia didn't deserve to be talked about like that. He knew Liam had bad intentions; he just never anticipated that he'd be bragging about it.

"What the fuck was that, Weasley?" Liam groaned, from the ground.

"Don't talk about Maggie like that," Fred warned, grabbing Liam's collar.

"Didn't know you had dibs," Liam laughed, taunting Fred, "I can respect the honor around dibs,"

Fred tightened his grip around his collar and bent down staring into Liam's eyes, "Just leave her alone, or this is going to end much worse for you next time I hear about it," Fred let go of Liam, letting his back hit the grass beneath him again.

The Hufflepuff boy raised his hands defensively as he tried to pick himself back up and escape before Fred changed his mind. When he turned around, George stood outside the Gryffindor tent, with a knowing grin.

"What?" He questioned defensively.

"I knew it," George responded laughing, "You are jealous!"

Fred pushed him in the tent following behind him, "Fine just shut up, I'll talk to her. But I've got no idea where to find her," he sighed.

"I know where she'll probably be before dinner if you want to try and track her down," George revealed, "She's been hiding out in the courtyard every day this last week,"

Fred nodded. He had no clue what exactly he should say but he had to put an end to this. He'd already let her birthday come and pass, giving her the time she so obviously wanted. There was no better time than the present, he told himself. He missed his best friend.

Juniper sat between Lee and George that evening at dinner, talking about how funny it was when Katie singed her hair in potions earlier that week. She didn't seem to mind the girl sitting nearby whatsoever, as she giggled about it. Time hadn't been a friend to Fred in recent days. He knew where to find Magnolia but it seemed she was always just a little bit out of reach.

This was worse than the time she was upset at him for spying. The look in her eyes crushed him. she hadn't given him any explanation this time, he was completely lost on where they stood. Seeing as she seemed to just be hiding, Fred assumed he screwed up again. He had to get over himself and just talk to her first, this was going to be more work than he thought.

••••••

Present:

Magnolia's POV:

"You haven't got some master plan to bring me out here to murder me right?" I questioned, climbing over thick branches that covered the path. Fred chuckled in response, shaking his head.

After trailing in and out of the shops of Hogsmeade, Fred and I walked, linked around each other, our hands tucked away in our pockets. Taking in the changing of the season as November teased its nose. I think I loved this time of year best. Taking in the crunching leaves, the breezes that pushed away the summer heat, and the richness in the trees as they turned to gold and crimson.

Outside it got colder but inside where I was most comfortable, was so warm. The baking was exceptional this time of year, the cafe always had the best fresh-baked bread, along with delectable pumpkin scones. While I spent the evenings with Mum filling the oven with pumpkin pie. Eating spiced cake with Elliot at the bookstore. It was nice to take it all in with someone who brought a similar feeling. The Burrow smelled like fall, and so did Fred. The spiced scent mixed with fireworks, and wood brought the feeling of fall.

He reminded me of all the best pieces of my favorite season.

"Absolutely not, I'm smart enough to not do it here," He joked. Fred guided us away from the path, towards the lake.

I sighed, "That's only half relieving,"

He unlinked our arms, stepping over a large log. Fred stretched his hand out to me, taking mine to help me over without tripping. I knew it was a good day to wear these jeans. I climbed over better than I had thought I could, pausing to brush the damp bark from my jeans.

"Just come on," He pulled me along, I skipped behind doing my best to keep up.

There was a lookout point where you could see the school in the distance. Each of its towers stands upright and tall. The astronomy tower standing above it all. I always found the school beautiful but it looked even better from here.

"Damn," I mused, sitting on the ground, letting my feet dangle over the edge.

"I know right, I thought you might like it here," Fred agreed sitting beside me. His arm slinked around my shoulder, holding me under his arm.

The sound of the wind rustling fallen leaves filled the silence between us. I took in the richness in the leaves despite the grey tones of the skies. Fred's body was warm on mine as he held me, I let my head rest on his chest. Listening to his heartbeat, steady and thick. Bu-Bump, Bu-Bump,Bu-Bump.

"I still feel really silly for getting jealous about Katie," I admitted.

"So you were jealous?" Fred teased.

I could feel his laugh through his chest. I was falling in love with the sound of his laugh. And I could listen to it for the rest of the time.

"Shush," I shushed him, he chuckled again.

Fred tugged me closer, our hips meeting, and our knees brushing.

"How much of a date is this?" I finally asked, feeling as his arm dropped from my shoulder, his hand trailed to my waist, slipping under my open coat, drawing shapes along my sweater.

"How much of a date do you want it to be?" Fred asked, his heartbeat picked up, Bu-bu-bump, Bu-bu-bump, Bu-by-bump.

This felt foreign to me, "I don't know, you were the one who asked me here." I pulled away with a shrug.

"We'll see how this thing ends tonight and then we can decide how much of a date it is later," Fred smirked, looking off at the castle again.

"You're never gonna give me a clear answer to anything are you?" I questioned.

Fred's grin got wider, "Where's the fun in that? Not everything you do has to have a thought-out plan, sometimes friends can just want to take their other friends on dates, some things can be better without labels."

I guess I'd be without another clear answer from Fred. Just tell him how you feel, you coward, My thoughts taunted me. I moved back to his side, focusing on the shapes he drew along my side. I could pretend for a little while and at least enjoy this moment alone. I could sit here forever in the comfortable silence.

••••••

Meanwhile:

"George, have you seen them?" Roxy barked, leaving Honeydukes after her third time around the shop.

He shook his head, "No luck, I tried Zonko's too and nothing,"

George looked around sweeping over the eyes of all of his classmates as they milled around the village searching for Magnolia and Fred. He noticed that even Juniper and Lee had disappeared.

"Where'd the other two go?" George questioned Roxy.

She shrugged in defeat, "Guess we've lost them too," Roxy groaned, doing a sweep over faces of her own, "This is is stupid, at this point we might as well start making bets about when they'll actually just date. Regular kisses aside, they're probably snogging right now and I'm missing out on being right and having my proof."

"Not so fast, you said she'd have to kiss him by New Year. You get nothing if Fred still kisses her first," George made a point.

"We've gotta find them and put a stop to this. At least stretch the inevitable at this point. They've made up, now we just have to make sure they make their next moves when convenient for us, right?" Roxy questioned, "Like when it's gonna work out for us?"

Making a bet on the pair was one thing but to interfere all for the sake of being right was something else.

"I'm not sure if this is a good idea," George began, which earned an arched brow from Roxy, as she waited for him to continue, "But I know you're going to interfere anyway…" He sighed.

"Alright then let's go find them, so I can make sure I win," Roxy grinned triumphantly, she hooked her arm with George, "I just don't have a clue where they'd even be."

George clapped his hands together as he remembered something, "I know where they are!" He exclaimed.

••••••

Magnolia leaned her head against Fred's shoulder, admiring his jawline. Listening as he mumbled out another story about the plans he and George were starting to make. He was sure there needed to be a product to skip classes, something that made it convincing enough to have a quick getaway. Something that people wanted to eat enough to risk the short-lived illnesses attached. And once the user had made their escape, gulp down the other piece working as a quick antidote so you could skip in peace. It was obvious to her that he'd put a lot of thought into something that seemed sort of foolish yet brilliant at the same time.

"I did have something I wanted to do, but only if you want to," Fred changed the subject for a moment.

Magnolia pulled away, looking into Fred's eyes. His hand came up pushing a rogue hair behind her ear, the chills returning down her skin. She wasn't imagining this, she thought to herself. Fred leaned closer, his hand still rested along her jaw. His eyes shifted to her lips before his tongue swiped over his, leaning closer. Magnolia felt the waves in her stomach turn into a storm as she waited for him to make the move.

"Go on," She urged him quietly.

This was it, she thought, he was finally going to kiss her. She hadn't acted irrationally for anything. Magnolia wanted this more than anything. She closed her eyes, waiting for his lips to touch hers. She wasn't breaking the bounds, of the rules she gave herself.

There was a loud crack of branches behind them, causing them to break apart. Magnolia turned her head, catching a head of blonde hair crouching behind a thick stump, Roxy was far taller than she remembered at times as she barely hid out of sight. George crouched beside her, even less hidden than the blonde beside him.

Turning her head back she groaned, scooting out of Fred's grasp, "It appears we've got a pair of peeping Toms. Maybe we should start heading back before dinner," She suggested.

Fred peered around her, spotting his brother, and the blonde shoving at each other as Roxy mumbled out vague threats. He sighed, pinching between his eyes annoyed. Fred made it to his feet first, helping Magnolia from the ground.

She brushed the dirt from her clothes, stuffing her hands into her pockets. Fred walked right up to where the pair was hiding in plain sight, Roxy even wore a powder blue coat and thought she'd be hidden enough out of sight. Magnolia stuck behind, as he made his way over to them.

"What's got you two stalking us?" He questioned, glaring down at them.

"We were heading back for dinner, and I tripped," Roxy lied poorly.

Fred bent down staring at her, "You don't need to lie about following us. We're on our way back now, thanks to you," He hissed at Roxy.

She raised her hands defensively, "I was just curious,"

Fred looked past her at George who just shrugged, "I was dragged along?" He made up as if it were a question.

"Well thank you both, there's no way I'm gonna be able to kiss her now," He thumped George's forehead and glared at Roxy.

"Ouch!" George groaned.

"Now you can see yourselves off, go bug Juniper and Lee," Fred warned through grit teeth before joining Magnolia's side again.

George rubbed at the spot on his head, causing Roxy to roll her eyes. Leaving with a quiet huff. George took the message following behind her to save himself from another threat. He should've just made plans with Angie, he thought to himself.

Magnolia gave Fred a look of confusion, "What was that?" She pondered.

"Peeping Toms like you said. Let's go, I've got one more surprise back in the kitchens, so we should head back now," Fred suggested.

"A surprise? How intriguing," Magnolia grinned teasingly.

The pair linked arms and began their long walk to the school. Enjoying the final hours of the October chill.

Magnolia's POV:

"I'll see you in the kitchen after dinner then?" I asked as Fred left me at my common room door.

He nodded, unable to wipe the grin from his lips. I leaned up, wrapping my arms around his neck, "Today's been incredible, Freddie." I thanked him.

His arms laced around my waist hugging against me tightly. It made my heart feel like it stuttered. His hands reached up for mine as we pulled apart.

"I'd do anything to see you smile these days," He smiled down at me while he played with my hands, "Dress up in your Halloween best tonight, I've spent a little time putting something together myself. And Juniper already spoiled that you've upgraded the plain cat ears this year and I look forward to seeing them,"

I couldn't tell Juniper anything. Part of me felt like the red horns at the bottom of my trunk would be distasteful considering we had a maniac running around. Though Halloween was always my favorite time of year.

"You seem to always be three steps ahead of me," I joked. Fred chuckled, pressing a kiss to my forehead before turning on his heel.

"You'll like this surprise!" He called out as he disappeared around the corner.

I felt giddy, a much closer almost kiss this time. Things felt better like I was doing the right thing for once. I wasn't as scared either, not like I felt with Cedric or James, nerves were a warning reaction. Being alone with Fred made me nervous, but once I felt his skin against mine, all the nerves melted away. It felt easy.

I bit back a grin slipping into my common room. My feet felt like they were carrying me in a flawless waltz back to my room. My heart felt light, the excitement outweighed any anxiety I was having. The only weighing at all was the burden of Roxy and George crashing the moment. I'd expect this from Juniper and Lee but not those two.

Something told me they were scheming on their own. Though I didn't have proof, they both seemed overly involved in asking questions about Fred and me. Fred even noticed the increase in questions about us from his brother and said Roxy had approached him the other day.

I had to shove the thought of them away, they could focus on their nonsense elsewhere, away from me. I was going to ignore them and try focusing on the progress. I dug through my entire trunk pulling the red petite horns from the bottom. I grabbed my red long sleeve along with a red plaid skirt Willow gave me. It wasn't anything super special but it was festive enough considering I was really the only one that dressed up, guess it wasn't that popular here. I didn't care anymore, it was something I enjoyed.

Hogsmeade had gone so wonderfully. We went the entire day without getting into any trouble, aside from dodging Katie and Liam on a few occasions. Things with Fred felt normal again, better even. I had no complaints and now I was celebrating my favorite minor holiday with Fred. Things felt right again, there couldn't have been that much that could go wrong.

A/N: Things are heating up but also not. Roxy and George are platonic soulmates, I'm sorry. I just wanted to put it out there for those who don't know I am on TikTok, where I post about upcoming updates and will pass along a few other messages, as well as a few other small edits. I hope everyone is staying healthy and enjoying the story! 3