Chapter14, okay so that last chapter was none too great, I dunno, but I have decided that the first story in my little trilogy will be coming to an end in a chapter near you, probably only 3 more chapter after this one, then I'll take a little break and start the next story which will be more based on Harry, Ron and Hermione. Should be fun. SO anyways here we go.

Birds that can't fly

Chapter14: Nothing Wagered

Fred felt the familiar rush of joy as his feet left the ground, the uncommonly strong wind whipped through his hair, for a moment he forgot he was on a broomstick, it was as though he was flying all on his own. He closed his eyes for half a second, to savour the sensation. But all to soon Fred remembered where he was and opened his eyes. Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw, the last game of the year. The Quidditch championships.

He scanned the pitch with alert eyes, nothing escaped his gaze. His team mates and opponents whizzed by him. Bludger heading for Alicia, Fred sped off like lightning, managing to hit the bludger away just moments from hitting Alicia's face.

"Thanks Fred!" she called grateful while flying off in the direction of the goal posts.

Fred turned and saw George hit a bludger towards Cho. It was expertly done. Fred smiled wryly, his brother could have played for England. Fred flew slightly higher above the team hitting a away to oncoming bludgers as he went, Fred had learned from Harry, it was easier to take everything in from above.

"Point Gryffindor!!!!!!!" Shouted lee from the ground far far below. A mass of red in the stands below erupted in jubilation. While on the other side of the pitch the Raven claws along with the slytherins booed loudly.

Bludger, smack. Bludger, smack. Bludger, smack. Although he looked relaxed on his broom, Fred was uncannily uptight. He flexed his jaw muscles so much that they ached. And yet it was better than doing nothing at all. Focus Focus Focus. Bludger, smack.

There she was. Sitting so still in the stands that he couldn't help but pick her out. Charlotte, who had months ago retreated to her state of perpetual calmness sat looking intently up at the players. Not that he cared, Fred had long ago pushed aside his feelings for her, or was it that he'd simply buried them so deep down in his heart that they were too hard to find?

"Are you coming to the game?"

She shrugged "I haven't decided yet. Perhaps, if there isn't to much work for me to do....."

"Still no word from Snape?"

"No still no word from professor Snape."

"You must be worried about him."

She shrugged again. " Professor Snape is a smart man, he can handle himself. He knows what he is doing."

"Still, you must be a little worried what with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named back again. It's not a very safe world out there anymore."

"It isn't safe anywhere anymore Fred."

He stood silently for a moment watching her intently, he loved the way the fire caught those odd colours in her hair. He loved her smell, and the way she sat in the big leather chair. He loved the way her robes were never wrinkled. He loved the way she smiled, although it had been so long since he had seen that, He wondered momentarily if she had forgotten how.

"Fred!!" Bludger, smack. "Watch it! Focus!" Yelled George from far away. Fred nodded absently.

He would have moved heaven and earth to see her smile. He would have brought down the stars just to have her look at him the way she used to.

Fred sped towards Katie, SMACK! The bludger flew at Cho again. Ravenclaw was up by 15 points.

He would have died at happy man if she would kiss him just once more, like she had that night in the library. He hated how she stared at him from cold dead eyes. He hated the person she had become.

"Fred!" SMACK! The bludger flew off to hit a Ravenclaw seeker in the arm. " Nice move!"

But still, he knew there was something different inside her. if only she would trust him enough to confide in him. Once more Fred pushed these painful feelings away from him. He didn't want to feel anything for her anymore.

SMACK! Just inches away from Harry that time. The score had evened out, still no sign of the golden snitch.

"You should think about coming to the game, it's always fun."

"Maybe." she said softly. Gracefully she turned to go.

"Fred!" Too late. The bludger ploughed right into Freds right eye. The force of the blow knocked him from his broomstick. He felt himself falling very quickly. People flew by him in a mad confused flurry of activity. For the second time in his life Fred knew he was going to die.

"Ufffffffffff!" he hit something, or something caught him, because all of a sudden he didn't feel himself falling at such an alarming rate anymore. It had slowed to a casual drop, as though he were in an elevator. He felt strong arms around him. And as though it had come out of his fondest dreams a voice whispered in his ear.

"It's alright Fred."

Charlotte. He felt his feet contact the ground, a little too roughly, his knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground. Charlotte continued to hold him. All the deadness had left her eyes. Fred kneeled and embraced her.

"Charlotte,.............thank you........"

"Shhhhh" she quieted him. Charlotte gazed into his eyes. "It's alright Fred, you're alright."

Fred heard a voice announcing Ravenclaw the winner. A roar erupted from the stands. But Neither Fred or Charlotte heard it. Everything was silent but for the beating of their own hearts. Forgetting the throbbing pain in his head and ignoring the people around him Fred pulled Charlotte in and kissed her. A kiss like the first one, true loves kiss. He felt her kiss him back, it was so pure and all consuming that both of them nearly forgot who and where they were. All there was in that moment was that kiss.

Fred felt Charlotte jerk slightly. And Charlotte felt something break inside her. Unwillingly she pulled away and let out a cry of anguish. She sank down to the ground her breathing erratic and her eyes watering. Fear struck panic in Freds heart. He held gently as people thronged about them. The sound was beginning to come back, the din of the crowd became a roar, but still he listened.

Charlottes eyes began to close, but she smiled weakly and whispered in his ear. "Miserere Mei Dues." Charlotte Fainted dead away.