*Content Warning:* Some underaged heated natured activities occurring here. Underaged drinking and mild drug use (Marijuana; please only use it if you are in a legal recreational area and are of legal age please! Same goes for alcohol too, please only use if you are of age!) The story is rated T for a reason so keep that in mind moving forward. There'll be content warnings when things get hotter than mild but not quite spicy, you know? If I've missed anything that should have a content warning please reach out and I will add one! Thank you!
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Magnolia's POV:
Fred had finally done what I'd been hoping he'd finally do for months now. My head felt lighter, this time it felt right. It wasn't a weak decision or an awkward first encounter. He'd cut me off mid-ramble about making yet another mistake and he does this. I was putty in his hands now.
All it took was one kiss and I knew I was a goner.
My hands reached up for Fred's hair, pulling him back down again without a word. His hands pulling at my waist, our lips smashed against the other. I felt drunk off his kiss. Our lips moved against each other as Fred moved, pressing my back against the wall, his hands moving back up to hold my face, deepening the kiss even more. My finger tugged at his red hair holding him as close as I could, he moved a hand from my face down to my hips holding them against the wall.
I never wanted this to end. I let temptation take over. This was the best I've ever felt during a kiss. There were sparks and red, hot feelings in every movement. Everything felt right for once like I wasn't just waiting for the feeling.
Fred's tongue teased my bottom lip. This was happening so quickly but I'd been waiting for this, I couldn't stop myself. He reached down, squeezing my bum in a quick move, moving back to my hips. I let out a muffled squeak in surprise against his lips, as they parted his tongue slips between my lips, his tongue tangling with mine. I let him take the lead, I'd never snogged anyone before, I was feeling timid now. I had no idea what made either one of us finally cross over like this but I wasn't going to stop now.
Fred pushes me against the wall again, his lips moving from mine down to my neck hungrily leaving wet kisses along the way. I felt my breath hitch as the air hit the trail down my neck, I tangled my fingers in his hair tighter. He kissed softly along my jaw back up to my lips again.
Smiling against my lips, Fred pulled away first letting out a deep breath, while my chest was left heaving as I stared back in his honey-toned eyes. They were full of desire, as he rubbed his thumb across my cheek softly. Our foreheads pressed together.
"What was that for?" I finally questioned, taking a deep breath, breaking the silence.
"I just felt like I needed to do something before I made the mistake of letting you go, again," He admitted, pulling back some, giving us some space again.
I smirked, "It had nothing to do with the kiss I gave Liam in the common room?"
Fred rolled his eyes with a scoff, "M'Not jealous about you and Liam. He doesn't get to see this side of you,"
I shook my head with a dopey smile, "Good, you don't need to be." I pressed my lips to his exposed collar bones.
I could feel him chuckle in his chest as my lipstick left a small print on his collar. My lips felt numb and my brain was mush. Fred's lips were a brain scrambler. I felt nervous now, I wanted to kiss him again.
"But I was a better kisser, right?" He asked quickly.
I shoved him playfully, "Yes, it was just a peck with him and it was to keep him from pestering me worse than he already does. I wasn't trying," I fought a blush, "This is the first time I've snogged anyone before," I confessed quietly looking at our shoes.
Fred used the hand that was placed on my hips to balance himself in front of me, my back still pressed against the wall, his face dipped down, "You're a good kisser if it makes you feel any better. It doesn't have to be our only time either," He mumbled against my exposed collarbone before pressing a fluttering kiss against my bare skin. "If you wanted."
Fred hadn't quite lost his confidence from our previous kiss, grinning as he noticed the goosebumps forming on my skin. His fingers brushed along my skin lightly touching the raised skin, with a smirk.
"I don't want it to be," I pulled him in using the collar of his shirt, using my toes to press my lips against his again.
Kissing felt more natural with Fred. This felt how it was meant to, it felt better than any other kiss I'd had before.
He smiled against my lips, "Where does this leave us?" He mumbled.
I pulled back, taking a deep breath, "I like you, like really like you, Fred, but I don't want this to ruin our friendship. If something happens and we break up, I don't know if I'm ready to stop being your friend over it," I admit truthfully.
"We're still going to be friends no matter what, you mean too much to me. And you should be friends with the person you like, can you imagine how boring that'd be?" He chuckled, he hadn't taken his eyes away from mine, his thumb softly padding along my cheek, "We can be anything you want to, I just want you, Maggie,"
Fred was making my brain feel like mush, "What about Liam? I just kissed him like half an hour ago, I didn't give him much time to process." I reminded him, "Or Katie? She still likes you, Fred."
Fred huffed, pulling away, "Let them be interested in us all they want."
"You know we could just do this in secret." He suggested, "Not like our friends need the satisfaction either, you and I deal with their pestering enough. Tell me your fight with Roxy didn't have something to do with me." He gave me a knowing look.
Roxy and I had never fought like this, a healthy bit of banter and teasing but not like this. Those times had usually been about Fred and George, or Cedric, or any boy I'd talk to for that matter. I knew the Twins and Lee had heard, she and Juniper weren't necessarily the quietest people I knew. I was getting the feeling she and George had other intentions when they crashed and our Hogsmeade date. I had noticed them whispering between each other more and more often.
I sighed looking down at our shoes, "It might have, but I don't really want to talk about it right now."
"All the more reason to keep this private for us. You can't tell me when we ate up in the astronomy tower by ourselves, it wasn't one of the most peaceful meals you've had here," Fred remembered, I looked up to catch his smile as he watched me.
"But when has one, Fred Weasley, gone looking for a peaceful night?" I quipped.
Fred shrugged with a dopey smile, "When I found out that you liked them." He grinned, "And I like you, so I wanna do the things you like."
"So how's this party going to go then?" I questioned, the common room probably filling up and George was probably already there waiting for us.
"How about this, we make our appearances and if the party starts to suck, we can sneak out and go somewhere else?" Fred suggested, his finger pulling along my belt loop, tugging me close again.
I nod in agreement, "Well we'll have to get going then to see how lame this party is or not,"
Fred smiled, leaning forward to press a quick kiss on my lips again, it was good every time. My hands lifted to adjust his shirt collar again. Shit, my lipstick. I tried rubbing the dark wine color from his shirt collar, hoping the blue could hide the stain. I didn't notice it too much. Then I noticed the red tint to his lips, maybe he could play it off someway.
"I hope it's the worst one I've ever been to," Fred joked as he pulled away again, lacing our fingers together.
••••••
Magnolia wiped around her lips, hopefully, there wouldn't be another mark from her lipstick. Fred began to lead the way to her common room, the smile hadn't faded from his lips. And he had a fucking skip in his step, what a cocky asshole. Magnolia hated to admit it but his confidence was hot. She had envied how confident he and George were, blushing at the slightest bit of attention. Aside from the time she slapped Sam Nott, that was well provoked in her opinion.
They were getting closer to the common room and Magnolia could already notice a slight flood of students into the common room. It was clear that more than just Hufflepuff and Gryffindor would be attending as she had thought. Magnolia glanced up at Fred, so much for a secret. He was looking over some people's heads, using that to his advantage, leading the pair forward. At least no one had cared to even notice them, slipping through to the opening to Magnolia's common room.
Cedric is probably seething right now, Liam's going to get his ass kicked for sure.
"Looks like word got out about this little shindig," Fred chuckled.
Magnolia nodded, knocking along the barrels, "Let's get this over with sooner so we can leave," She quickly replied as they slipped into the common room.
Magnolia scanned over the faces of the current residents that filled the common room. It had definitely stretched past just the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students as she noticed Sam and Helena among the crowd. Juniper and Roxy lean over the upper level watching below at the party, it felt weird being without them, Roxy should've been nicer, Magnolia had thought. Cho and Cedric had found themselves in a corner, sipping at red plastic cups. A sea of red cups caught my eyes, guess George didn't need those party favors.
"I'm going to go find George, I'll find you in a little while," Fred whispers into her ear so she could hear over the music, his hand ghosting on her waist before he slipped into the crowd of faces.
Magnolia began to notice the grind of people's bodies as they all danced in a flood. It was different from the way she pictured parties when Demi and Willow had told me about them. She had a hard time finding the remnants of the common room under all the new bodies filling the room.
Magnolia wondered how the younger years were sleeping with this much loud music. Perhaps someone had been smart enough to put silencing charms on their doors as well, she knows Demi usually took care of their room.
"Hey! You came back!" Magnolia hears Liam's voice from behind her as his arm slinks around her shoulder like they're old pals.
Maybe it was a mistake kissing him, there was always some sort of difficulty with Liam.
"Yes, I have." She nodded politely.
He guided Magnolia towards a table near the fireplace full of stacked cups and various bottles. Handing her one of the empty cups he turned to face her with a cheeky grin, "What's your poison, Maggie?"
"I guess, I'll drink that," She hesitantly pointed at one of the unmarked ornate bottles. Liam grinned, pouring a hefty amount into her cup.
"Would have pegged you as a butterbeer kind of girl, but fire whiskey is fun too," He chuckled, taking an encouraging drink from his cup.
Magnolia stared down at the amber liquid, taking a whiff, she tried to hold back her shock at the spice as it curled up her nose. She tipped it back, holding her breath slightly so she wouldn't have to smell it as it burned down her throat. Magnolia had prepared for the worst. Willow allowed her to try one glass of wine over the summer. Magnolia barely felt fuzzy for half an hour and went to sleep right after because she got too sleepy to stay up any later. She had to promise that her mum would never find out. Now she was adding to the list, so much for being more open with Mum.
"Damn," Liam grinned again, "Took it like a champ!"
Magnolia rolled her eyes, hopefully, that fuzzy feeling would come back soon. Just like she was hoping Fred would come back, too. Magnolia began to recognize the songs playing, her head bobbed along smoothly, feeling the airiness in her chest.
Magnolia noticed Fred had been caught in conversation with Katie as she gripped along his bicep with a flirty smile. He nodded along to her comments with a polite smile, glancing around the room, looking for someone. He had picked up his own drink, tipping it back. She had cornered him, in a common room he'd never been in before.
"Do you wanna dance?" Liam questioned, noticing as her head still bobbed along to the music while she stared off at Fred.
Magnolia forced her attention back to Liam in front of her, "I don't see why not, just keep your hands on my waist," She warned, setting the empty cup down.
He smirked, "I can be a gentleman sometimes,"
I should've had another drink. Maybe I could sneak another one in real quick.
"What if we did another shot?" Magnolia suggested quickly, pausing at the table, glancing at the bottle of fire whiskey again.
Liam laughed with a nod, pouring another round. With a clink, they both tipped their cups back taking a rough gulp. This was hitting quicker than the wine. She noticed her lipstick imprint left on the cup as she set it back down. Fred's shirt collar.
"The dance floor is calling us," Liam said with a drunken grin as he stepped towards the other dancing students.
Magnolia glanced above at the balcony again, Juniper had abandoned her post while Roxy remained staring down with tired eyes as she made eye contact with her. Her lips opened with a mumbled, I'm sorry. Magnolia never had a fight like that with anyone or said anything that harsh before, she wanted things to get better but it wouldn't be tonight, not after how she made her feel. The alcohol was teasing Magnolia, telling her to tell Roxy off in front of everyone so she felt how she did, but Magnolia knew better.
So she forced her eyes back down to Liam's, pretending like she didn't want to be somewhere else as his hands craned around her waist. Magnolia heard a familiar chuckle behind her as George bumped into her shoulder.
She turned around quickly, clutching around his neck, pulling him into a hug, "You're saving me, please get me out of this," Magnolia begged with a whisper.
George laughed again, shaking his head, "You're lucky, I was looking for you and Fred specifically." He replied.
She fell back to the balls of her feet, looping her arm around George like he was her protector, "I'm gonna snag her away for a bit, Mate." George waved to Liam, leaving him quiet as he sighed.
"I'm so thankful for you, Georgie." Magnolia slurred, the alcohol was beginning to thicken her tongue.
"Looks like you've gotten your night started," He chuckled.
"Trust me, Georgie, you've got no idea," Magnolia giggled was a hazy grin.
George found Fred snagging him away from Katie easily as she turned around to chat with Alicia and Angelina. It was like the perfect trio was back together again, Magnolia had missed these times. Even if she had just snogged Fred before getting here.
God, I had felt tipsier. Fire whiskey was much stronger than wine. Lesson learned. Fred linked his arm with Magnolia's on her other side as they walked past Katie and Alicia.
"Your cheeks are really pink, did you have something to drink?" Fred asked, glancing down at Magnolia.
She nodded with a smile, "Couple shots of fire whiskey with Liam, nothing too serious, Freddie," She puckered her lips at him, with a light giggle.
He bit at his lip, Liam. Fred should've just told Magnolia how she was making him feel. The kiss had made a lot of little things make sense for Fred. He had been well aware of how guys looked at Magnolia, she wasn't meant to be leered at like that. The world, wanting what he had so bad, terrified Fred. It was easier if he didn't have her, not all the way.
"Right," Fred forced a smile. Why couldn't I just tell her the truth?
George tugged Magnolia's arm up the stairs, they were heading towards where Roxy had been. Magnolia felt her stomach twist, more judgmental comments were probably waiting for her, she worried. She slowed down as they got closer, falling behind George, her feet stumbled on the lip at the top of the stairs.
Fred caught her from falling, "Careful, Mags. Not sure you need any of what George has," He chuckled. Magnolia gave an airy chuckle feeling her cheeks heat up.
Once on solid ground, Magnolia took a deep breath, she could pretend Roxy wasn't up here. George made himself comfortable on a chair sat in front of the fireplace that was on the upper level. Magnolia liked to read here, it was always quiet and peaceful. Now it was full of unusual faces and easy flowing music, so it was odd for to her see it in this light. Fred sat down at the other end leaving the center cushion for Magnolia.
George dug out from his shirt pocket a couple of green-tinged hand-rolled joints. Magnolia thought they'd looked somewhat familiar but she had never expected to see Fred and George on the other side of one. Willow had been a different story, she sat on the roof and smoked a spliff once a week, Magnolia remembered how happy and relaxed Willow was after smoking one.
Magnolia was already checking off boxes for firsts tonight, what was one more, she had thought. Fred took the other joint placing it between his lips, flicking his wand up to light it before tucking it away again. He leaned his head back taking a deep inhale, holding it in for a moment before exhaling. Magnolia watched as his lips puckered around the end again, taking another hit before passing it to her.
"It's okay if you don't want to, just pass it to George," Fred told her, noticing as she hesitated accepting it.
She shook her head, "I just don't really know how to,"
Fred smirked, "Just put it between your lips and take a breath in," He instructed her.
Magnolia nodded, "Now only hold it for little, then blow out. And if you have to cough it's okay," He smiled.
She placed the joint between her lips, mimicking the actions she'd seen Willow do a dozen times. Her chest constricted as she exhaled choking on the smoke. Magnolia coughed a little sitting up higher.
Magnolia went in for another hit feeling a little more confident, she exhaled this time without coughing, passing it to George. Her head slumped on Fred's shoulder as she felt the substances mixed in her head. His hand rested along the top of her knee, lazily drawing along them, as he leaned forward to the joint from George again.
Magnolia sat up, taking a single hit before passing it to George. She closed her eyes, letting the music lull her comfortably into the couch farther. She could hear the twins laughing about whatever had been said. Magnolia was faded, maybe I should've thought this through, I don't think we'll be getting that night alone, she thought in her hazy mind.
"Mind if I have some?" Roxy's voice jolted Magnolia back.
Her eyes flew open, sitting up. Fred noticing the change in her mood reeled his hand back. George shrugged, passing the joint to Roxy. Magnolia found herself staring off at Roxy as she took a hit. The blonde girl took a seat on the ground, joining the circle as Lee and Juniper noticed as well.
"We could play a game! Like truth or dare!" Juniper suggested with a grin.
George shrugged, while Lee agreed with a nod. Roxy quickly joined in as a few other people came to join the brewing games.
Magnolia couldn't help it. These people were supposed to be her friends and she was displaced with half of them. She didn't feel like their friend right now. A game of truth or dare would've been dumb, the only thing that it could do was plummet Magnolia's self-esteem further. The liquid confidence flowing through everyone would encourage loose lips.
"I'm gonna be right back," Magnolia blurted, standing up quickly giving herself a head rush, nearly falling into the couch again. I was ready to leave now.
Fred helped balance her on her feet again, "Where are you going?" He was concerned.
"Getting some fresh air," Magnolia quickly excused doing her best to getaway.
The common room just kept filling up as more students trickled in to join the party. Magnolia tried to ignore the flush on her cheeks or the dizzy feeling in her head. The room was spinning and she just needed to get out of here.
The anxiety was settling in as she thought about Professor Sprout coming down to do bed checks and finding this. Magnolia would've rather been caught sneaking out to avoid the party, even if she indulged a little bit too much before her escape. Magnolia stumbled through the common room door, she didn't really have a place in mind, just someplace she could get fresh air.
"Maggie, wait up!" She turned around to see Fred jogging towards her, "I'll come with you,"
Magnolia wasn't sure if it was their kiss or her drunken state but she felt herself slipping deeper every time they got a moment alone. His eyes traced over her face, doing a quick look around checking to see if they were alone before dipping down to press a kiss to her lips.
"You seemed to be enjoying the party, why leave now?" Magnolia asked, pulling back from the kiss.
"I'd rather spend the time with you instead, no one's going to notice us gone anyways. We should take advantage of it now," Fred laced his fingers between Magnolia's, "Come on, we'll make that trip up the astronomy tower now,"
Magnolia nodded, she felt like she was sobering up as she melted into Fred's touch. Fred liked that he didn't have to hide the little flutters anymore, he could let the grin slip past his lips when he looked at Magnolia. He wasn't sure how he'd describe the way Magnolia made him feel, besides stating that it simply felt like it made sense, which a lot of things in Fred and Magnolia's lives did not.
Magnolia was grinning foolishly beside Fred, holding tightly on the arm that held her hand, steadying herself as they made their way to the astronomy tower. So perhaps she wasn't as sober as had thought.
Fred chuckled as she stumbled at the bottom step of the tower, "You need help there, Darling," He asked.
"No!" She quipped, moving her empty hand to the railing, "Just forgot about the step, I'm fine."
"Note to self; Drunk Maggie and stairs are not good friends." Fred teased, falling a step behind her to make sure she didn't trip again.
"M'Not drunk. Tipsy and a little high maybe," Magnolia argued, twisting around a little too quickly, falling back into Fred, again.
"Yes, I'm sure," He chuckled, shaking his head, moving his hand from hers, placing it on the small of her back gently helping her up the remaining steps.
The night breeze was chilling in the November air. Fred and Magnolia moved towards the railing, standing in the same place just a few weeks ago, in a much different place with each other than before. He stood behind keeping Magnolia from falling. Her head fell back into his chest, listening to the thump of his heart as she stared off at the stars.
"You wanna know something ironic?" Magnolia questioned breaking the peaceful silence.
"What's that?" Fred chuckled.
"I have this affliction for the stars," She began.
"I've noticed." He chuckled again, lacing his arms around her waist more.
"And I've got two middle names pertaining to the stars, I'd say that's pretty ironic. At least to me, it is," Magnolia giggled.
"You've got two middle names?" He questioned.
"I've never told you about this?" Magnolia turned her head to look back up at Fred. He shook his head wearing a faint smile, as he looked back down at her hazy eyes, "Aurora Celeste, guess Mum likes me having a big name. I don't know," she explained with a shrug.
"Magnolia Aurora Celeste Lancaster?" Fred repeated, he chuckled looking off at the sky again, "You weren't kidding. My full name's pretty long too."
"You haven't got your mum's maiden name too. That's only my full name with just my mum's last name, I've got that lovely donor of a father who ran off." Magnolia forced crudely.
She let her head rest against Fred's chest again, taking his lead and looking out at the sky again. Dark clouds began to roll in slowly bringing a thicker chill with it. Magnolia could smell the rain in the air, her arms hugging along Fred's holding him closer to block out the chill.
"Do you wonder about him?" Fred finally questioned, his curiosity getting the best of him.
Magnolia hated to admit but she wondered about him all the time. She began to notice in recent years her mother's description of him seemed blurred as she began to forget him. Magnolia hadn't even got a name still, not that she needed one. It wasn't like she was going to search for him, he wanted to be gone from her life, so she had to let him. That didn't mean the curiosity hadn't gotten to her also. Finding old photographs her mum couldn't remember who took, half of them appearing half empty as she stood posed alone in the center. It was all bizarre, so of course, she had wondered.
"Of course I have, but he didn't want me. Hence the entire single mother thing, growing up as a muggle," She admits, "I wish I knew what he looked like sometimes but I don't need that to survive, I've got my mum and Elliot has almost always been there for me even before him and Mum got married."
"There's probably always going to be a part of me that wonders about that other half of my history but I try to tell myself that it was all for good reason, not that he just didn't want to responsibility of Mum and me. They were young when they met, it's not like they were meant for forever. They had enough love to make me, I guess." Magnolia added.
"Well, he's an idiot for not wanting to be around to see you become who you are now. He'll never get to see what a perfect girl you are." Fred sighed, resting his head on the top of Magnolia's holding her closer.
The night slipped away as the pair fell into their comfortable silence. Magnolia focused on the thud of Fred's heart ignoring the pulsing growing in her temple, letting her eyelids closer, taking in the moment. It was brewing into one of those perfect moments, Magnolia and Fred, alone to be themselves. It was just easy for them to melt together. Eventually, they sobered up, and Magnolia had hoped the party would be over so they walked back to the Hufflepuff common room. The small flood of students outside had dwindled. There were students stump along couches snoring as the music died down to nothing. It had died out before it'd been crashed, good for them.
Fred's fingers laced between Magnolia's as they entered the common room, the other people left had been too partied out to notice them, "Nice I got to finally see the common room, no thanks to you," Fred teased, taking a better look around now that it had emptied since earlier.
"I never said I would help you in here, I'm just glad you and your brother gave up before you got another vinegar bath." Magnolia quipped.
Fred blushed, "Couldn't give you another opportunity to be right about something and tease me,"
Magnolia rolled her eyes, "Like you haven't been teasing me for years now."
"But it's fun teasing you," He smirked, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to Magnolia's lips, pinching at her bum as he did so.
"Hey!" She squealed swatting his hand away, "You said secret remember?"
"That I did, that can make this teasing thing more fun." Fred smirked, "You're cute when you make that face."
Magnolia paused her hand as she went to stop Fred's wrist from reaching down again, with a cheeky grin on her lips that she couldn't hide, accompanied by a vicious blush on her cheeks.
Fred pressed another quick kiss to her lips, "I'll see you later, try to get some sleep,"
He pointed to a pile of discarded cups beside Juniper asleep in Lee's lap as he was slumped against the edge of the couch where Roxy was passed out, a cup still in hand, "And good luck with them in the morning." Fred added, with a sympathetic smile.
Magnolia nodded, turning towards the dorms. Fred lingered his hand in hers for a moment, before pressing his lips to her knuckles and turning to the door.
The night of ups and downs of the night played over again in her head as she made her way to the empty dorm. Time had passed differently tonight, she thought. Her growing lists of firsts, getting knocked down by several lines just from a single Quidditch win. Magnolia lay in bed, waiting for sleep as she tried wrapping her head around her life. It was hard enough grasping magic, now there were friendships, and almost relationships to hold on to. She couldn't completely take her mind off her father either, the man she never knew, and she might never know. A nameless and faceless figure in her mind. Perhaps, the day would come when she could at least get a name, a piece of finality to her family tree was all it would be.
A/N: Fred and Maggie eeek! I love them so much, my little babies. I have made a few little edits of Maggie and Fred on my Tik Tok if you haven't seen those yet and want to, just pop over strawberrycake98._ and give 'em a watch Also, what do we think of the Roxy and Maggie fight? Roxy has gotten a wee bit mean.