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Chapter 16.

Smoke cigars and drink tequila.

"I just don't understand what I'm meant to do," Erin groaned into her hands a week later. "I need to improve my Potions grade but I can't do it with Snape breathing down my neck."

"It does feel like a hurricane sometimes," agreed Lara. "With how big his nose is and all."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

"How am I supposed to get an 'O'?" she hissed, slamming her hands down onto the table. Lara jumped in shock and almost spilled her pumpkin juice into her lap. "How, Lara, how?"

"Maybe you should ask Stan for help," Lara said. "I know he's on track for an 'O'. Even Snape can't deny he has talent."

"I didn't even think about that," mumbled Erin. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you're panicking."

"Growing up is stressful."

"Wait until Healer school," Lara smirked and Erin gave her an annoyed glare. "Sorry, sorry—listen, Erin. You're one of the smartest people I know and you'll make a great Healer. Even if you don't get an 'O', you can do a foundation course at St Mungo's and work your way up."

Erin let out a small sigh. "Yeah, I suppose."

"Not that you'll need the foundation course. You'll get an 'O', I know you will…I'll confund the examiner."

"Thanks," Erin's lips stretched into a grin. Letting out a long breath, she shook her head and said, "Let's talk about something positive—what do you want to do for your birthday?"

"Smoke cigars and drink tequila."

"That can be arranged—"

"I was joking," Lara chuckled, shrugging as she put her elbows into the table. "I dunno, what do you think?"

Erin pursed her lips in thought, giving Lara a breather and a moment to take a drink. She'd awoken this-morning to find Erin curled up in the foetal position, muttering about N.E.W.T.S. and hooked-nose Professors. Fiona was in the background, screaming about Erin waking her up and ruining her LIFE YOU STUPID PRATT—this was when Lara got up, dressed and dragged Erin to breakfast. She didn't want to be in the middle of another dorm fight; the last one had ended with no eyebrows for Alexa, pink hair for Fiona and scratches across Erin's neck.

The seventh year Gryffindor girls weren't the only ones that were frazzled. Tensions were running high across the whole year, for all genders and houses. The Career's Advice interviews hadn't gone well; most people were told to shape up and work harder, others were blatantly told they'd set their ambitions too high. Only a handful of students had actually had a good interview, among them Lara and Stan, the latter of whom was told if he didn't become a Potioneer, McGonagall would personally hunt him down and take him to the Ministry herself.

Erin had been one of those told to put her head down and focus. She needed an 'O' in Potions and was currently on track for an 'E', and her Herbology grade was at an 'A' and needed to be an 'E'. Professor Sprout agreed to help her improve, but Snape was a different story entirely. When Erin had gone to ask for his help, she'd barely been able to look at him before she spluttered something about the weather and ran out, anxious under his irritated glare. The Slytherin's were the only ones that dared to ask for his help and even then the Professor seemed reluctant, so the other houses didn't have a chance.

Lara felt a little guilty; her friends were all upset and worried about their futures, and Lara was deciding between two—an Auror or a Magizoologist, she still hadn't made up her mind.

"Good morning!" a voice chirped just as Erin opened her mouth to speak. George sat heavily beside Erin, a giant smile on his face. Fred was walking around the table to sit next to Lara. "How are you pretty ladies today?"

"Such a charmer," Erin said, rolling her eyes. "We were—"

"Erin was having a breakdown about her future," Lara interrupted swiftly, throwing Fred a welcoming smile as he sat down. "And I was telling her how amazing she is—how about you guys?"

"Just woke up," answered Fred, reaching for the bacon. "And now I need food."

"Actually," Erin said and threw Lara a half-hearted scowl. "We were talking about Lara's birthday. Do you guys have any ideas?"

"Birthday?" George squeaked through a mouthful of food. "When'b you birbbday?"

Lara's nose scrunched as food went flying everywhere. "29th of April."

"NEXT WEEK—"

George began to choke on his food, turning bright red in the process. Erin reached over to smack him on the back as Fred turned to Lara, seemingly unconcerned about his twin, and said, "You haven't mentioned anything."

"Well, I'm over seventeen now, aren't I? Birthday's aren't important anymore," Lara shrugged, glancing worriedly towards George. "Georgie, are you okay—"

"All birthdays are important!" said Fred indignantly.

"Eighteen is actually a really big birthday in the muggle world," Erin nodded, rubbing George's back like she was trying to burp a baby. "It's when you can legally drink and vote. It's like turning seventeen in the wizard world."

"Exactly! We'll channel our inner muggle, won't we, George?" Fred turned to his brother, who gave him a thumbs up as he tried to catch his breath. "George is on board. So what're we thinking? Paragliding off the Astronomy Tower? Camping in the Forbidden Forest? Picnic with the Giant Squid?"

"Ooooh, the picnic sounds fun—"

"Absolutely not," Erin snapped and Lara pouted. "I know you say he's harmless, but he's still a Giant Squid and I don't want to be anywhere near him. How about a picnic beside the Black Lake? As in, on the bank?"

"Okay," Lara agreed. "Sounds good—"

"You two work on the picnic," Fred motioned between George and Erin. "And I'll work on getting her a meeting with squidy."

Lara grinned dreamily, then quickly caught herself and grabbed her goblet to take a drink. Ever since her and Fred's conversation in the common room, she'd found herself acting like a gooey schoolgirl around him. Everything he said made her insides jolt and sometimes she'd catch herself staring at him from afar, her heart hammering in her chest and butterflies in her stomach. More than a few times, she'd been so busy paying attention to him that she tripped over her own feet or dropped her books.

It was getting a little ridiculous. Plus, if she didn't stop soon, people were going to catch on…if they hadn't already. Amanda kept giving her a smirk that made Lara feel entirely uncomfortable, like she knew something Lara didn't. And even now, Erin was staring at her confusedly, as if she didn't quite understand why Lara was so jittery.

"Anyway, we best be off," Fred announced, pushing himself up.

George leapt to his feet, nodding. "Good idea, mate."

"Where are you going?" asked Lara.

"To plan your present," they answered together, identical grins on their faces.

They walked away, already muttering hurriedly to each other, and Lara stared after them…or, rather, stared after Fred, who looked positively delicious in his dark jeans and his 'HE DID IT' t-shirt—

"Ooohh," Erin hummed suddenly, breaking Lara from her daze. "Now I get it."

"Get what?"

"Why you're being weirder than usual," grinned Erin. "You like Fred."

Lara spluttered indignantly, but she could feel her whole face heating up. "I—I don't—he's not—"

"Wow, you've got it bad."

"I don't…" Lara cleared her throat awkwardly and reached for her goblet—which she promptly knocked over. "Oh bugger—"

Erin simply picked her wand from her pocket and waved it. The pumpkin juice swiftly cleared from the table and the goblet sat upright again, as if nothing had ever happened. "Don't even deny it," continued Erin without pause. "You just checked out his arse for the world to see."

"God, I know," Lara put her head into her hands. "I feel like an idiot. I'm acting like I did with David. There's honestly something seriously wrong with me."

Erin was quiet for so long, Lara looked up from her hands. Her best friend was chewing on her bottom lip, a smile threatening to burst across her face as she stared at Lara with an overcome expression. "I can't believe you admitted it," Erin beamed, smacking a hand to her mouth. "I've been waiting for this moment for months—oh God, I could cry—"

"Don't be an idiot," grumbled Lara embarrassedly. "And I honestly didn't fancy him until, like, last week. Did you know he and Angelina didn't kiss or anything at the ball?"

"Yeah, they went as friends. Angie told me," Erin nodded. "She said they called it a 'mate date'."

"I thought they'd gone together…like they'd snogged at the ball and decided they were better as friends—"

"Oh, God, no. Angelina doesn't see him like that," there was a pause before Erin continued, "So you found out he and Angelina didn't snog, and now you fancy him?"

"Well, I…I guess so, yeah. I couldn't like someone that my friend has gone out with, you know? It would be weird. Imagine if Angie started dating David."

"Girl code."

Lara nodded agreeably. "Exactly. But now I know they only see each other as friends…"

"You're acting like a banshee on speed."

"Eloquently put."

"Angelina would be over the bloody moon if you and Fred got together," Erin grinned excitedly. "As, may I say, would everyone else."

"This isn't a rom-com, Erin—"

"Hey, some good people have a lot invested in this. Don't ruin it!"

"What do you mean people are invested—"

"Nothing to concern you about," said Erin, waving her hand flippantly. "Why don't you go for it? Just go up and be all I think your arse is fit and snog him senseless—"

"Because I'm not Amanda," Lara responded, huffing slightly. "I don't have the confidence to do that. The very thought makes me want to be sick."

"But—"

"Plus," Lara interrupted her friend before she could go off on a tirade. "Don't you think we've been friends for too long now? Telling him I like him might just make it really awkward."

"It could," nodded Erin, a smirk playing on her lips, "If he wasn't totally into you, too. Which he is."

"Do you think?"

"That boy has wanted to shag you since you snogged at the party."

"Erin!"

"Well, he has. He wants to do other shit like take you on dates or whatever, too, but ultimately…"

Lara couldn't help the grin on her face. "He wants to ravage me in a broom cupboard."

"And everywhere else."

"That's good," Lara whispered, glancing towards the doors where Fred had disappeared, her stomach churning. "'cause I kind of want to ravage him, too."

The happy squeal Erin let out could only be described as deafening.

...

On the morning of her birthday, Lara was awoken by something soft hitting her in the face. She shot up into sitting position, hastily grabbing whatever the thing was before it fell onto the floor.

"Happy birthday!" screamed Erin as Lara looked down, realising the offending object was, in fact, a wrapped present. "You're getting old, mate."

"Thanks," Lara croaked. "Great start to the day."

"Open it!"

Lara grinned tiredly as Erin jumped onto her bed, eagerly watching as Lara ripped open the paper. Inside the parcel was a long, thick scarf with a checked red and cream pattern. Lara grabbed the material and rubbed it against her face; it was possibly the softest thing she'd ever felt.

"It's made of magically altered soft material or something, so I knew you'd love it," Erin smiled.

"It's so fluffy."

"Like hugging a puppy," Erin agreed, reaching for the presents at the end of Lara's bed. "Here, open these, too. I'll help."

She had more presents than Christmas, as her grandparents and extended family had sent little things along with some money. Her parents had bought a variety of clothes, including flowy skirts and pretty dresses that her mam had probably picked out. Walter had gotten her a pink Polaroid camera and some empty films, with a little note that said, this is so you'll actually take pictures and show mam, 'cause she's doing my bloody head in complaining about you ignoring her. Oh, and happy birthday, little dude.

While Erin played with the camera, Lara got washed and dressed. As she tugged on her boots, a sharp light suddenly flashed throughout the room.

"I wanted to have a go," Erin shrugged unapologetically, taking the film from the camera and wafting it through the air. "You looked good, don't worry."

"It must be the most boring photo ever—"

"I'll use it at your funeral," chirped Erin, leaping to her feet. "Let's go before Amanda accuses me of hogging you."

The girls left the dorm together, inspecting the camera and the photograph, laughing as Lara took a picture of Erin sneezing. Entering the Great Hall, Lara froze when a rendition of the 'Happy Birthday Song' began to bounce off the walls.

"Happy birthday dear Laaaarrrrraaaaaa,

Happy birthday to you!" the group finished, clapping and whooping as Lara hurried over, her face redder than the tomatoes on the table.

"Thanks guys," she grinned at the sixth and seventh years, and the few younger students who had loyally joined in. Lara's closest friends rushed over to give her hugs and hand over presents. "Lee, you sounded particularly melodious."

Lee, who had been singing extremely loud and screech-like, grinned proudly. "Cheers, Culpepper."

"This is from Katie, too," Angelina said as she threw over her and Alicia's present. "We went thirds."

Awkwardly catching the small package, Lara nodded in thanks towards the fifth year, who was a little ways down the table with her friend, Leanne. As Katie beamed in reply, Lara ripped off the paper, opened the small box and found a silver necklace with a large circular pendant hanging off the chain. On the pendant was an intricate drawing of a lions face.

"We were going to get an owl necklace," said Alicia, resting her arms on Angelina's shoulders. "But we figured that was too Ravenclaw, so we looked for a lion, instead."

"The Ravenclaw animal is an eagle," Amanda sighed despondently.

"They're both birds."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "On that note—here, Lara. Happy birthday!"

She had, of course, gotten Lara a book, though it was on animals and different varieties of plants. Just as Lara thanked the girls, the boys began handing over their presents, which was mostly sweets and chocolate. The twins, to everyone's surprise, handed over a tiny, messily wrapped package. Just as Lara was about to pull off the lid, George spoke;

"They're to go with the ring."

"Thought it made sense considering you never take the bloody thing off," smirked Fred, glancing down at the ring on Lara's right middle finger.

The small box held a pair of silver, heart-shaped earrings. Once again, Lara felt slightly overcome with emotion as she picked the jewellery up with her fingers, delicately placing the studs in her earlobes. "You guys are the best at presents," she said, slightly choked-up. "All of you, that is. Everything's brilliant. Thank you."

"That's not even the best bit," George grinned, twisting around to grab something from the floor. Turning back, he slammed a wicker basket down onto the table and cried, "Picnic food!"

"We had to go to the kitchens to get it," Erin beamed. "I met the most delightful little house elf. Dobby, I think his name was. He loves George 'cause Ron gave him a jumper."

"His new one, too," muttered George to Fred. "Best not tell mum."

Fred nodded. "She'll go spare—hey, Jordan, hands off the basket!"

Lee snatched his hand away from the food with a sheepish grin. As the boys bickered amongst themselves, Lara ate some breakfast and allowed Angelina to have a go of her camera. She took two pictures—one of Alicia and Katie, another of Lara and Erin—before the group decided to head for the Black Lake. Lara walked arm-in-arm with Amanda, filling her in on what presents she'd received from her family.

Down by the river bank, several groups of friends were already hanging out, their heads angled towards the slightly cloudy sky, their bare feet curling in the grass. Lara and her friends sat together in a huddle; Erin began to make a daisy chain, and Lara picked up her camera and snapped a picture of Fred staring out onto the Black Lake.

"You looked like you were thinking. I had to get a picture of the rare phenomenon," Lara teased, grabbing the printed picture from the top of the camera.

"Cheeky bugger," he rolled towards her, peering at the photo with his chin on her shoulder. "I bet I look dashing."

The photo slowly developed, showing a side profile of Fred as he stared upon the open water. In the shimmering light of the sun, his hair appeared almost illuminous, and the freckles on his face popped against his creamy skin. He did, as he assumed, look rather good.

"Your hair looks very ginger," murmured Lara.

"Carrot top, as Angelina likes to call me," Fred grinned widely. "I'll let you keep that photo so you can draw hearts around my face and sleep next to it."

Lara laughed, tucking the picture into her bag. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

"I couldn't get you a meeting with the squid, by the way," Fred said. "I tried to entice him out with toast and cheese, but he was having none of it. Apparently it isn't warm enough for him to come out yet."

"I'll get him eventually. It's my mission to stroke his tentacle before I graduate."

"Well, isn't that an innuendo."

"You're disgusting."

"I'm not that one that wants to feel up the giant squid."

Lara rolled her eyes as Fred flopped to the ground, his arms behind his head and a grin on his face. "Don't be so annoying," she prodded him in the thigh, which only served to hurt her finger. "I forget you're a beater."

"Until you touch my amazing muscles, you mean."

She prodded him again, just for good measure.

For the rest of the day, Lara hung out with friends, treaded in the shallows of the water and ate from the picnic basket, which was mostly just chocolate cake and ham sandwiches. It began to get cold around four, so everyone headed inside to wait around for dinner in the Great Hall. By the time Lara got back to the Gryffindor common room, it was turning dark and the fire was crackling, basking everything in a warm, golden glow.

"You guys are never gunna survive seventh year," Stan grinned towards the sixth years. "If Angelina doesn't have a breakdown, I'll eat Lee's socks."

"If Fred and George get any N.E.W.T.S., I'll join you," sniggered Alicia.

"Hey!" yelped George. "We got three O.W.L.S., didn't we, Fred?"

Fred nodded enthusiastically. "Sure did, George."

"I also call offence on the breakdown comment," Angelina piped up. "I was rather calm in fifth year—"

Several incredulous snorts resounded from the sixth years.

"I was!" Angelina cried, glaring at them all.

"Oh yeah, you didn't tear your bedsheet in half the morning before your Charms exam, not at all," commented Alicia.

"And you didn't hex me when I asked you to pass the toast on the morning of the DADA exam," George grinned.

Lee also looked amused. "Nor did you whack me with a book because my 'heavy breathing' was annoying you."

Angelina smacked her lips together slowly. "Yes, well." She cleared her throat. "That's neither here nor there."

Lara laughed along with the rest of the group and Fred reached over, gently touching her elbow. When she looked at him, he motioned his head towards the window at the back, near a bookcase and a portrait of an old wizard with a pointy hat. Lara instantly got up and followed him, glancing towards the others over her shoulder; they were still talking heartily, paying no attention to the parting duo.

Fred led her over to the window, where he leant against the windowsill with Lara stood in front of him. "I got you another present," he grinned slightly, reaching into his pocket. "This ones just from me."

Lara barely had time to blink before he threw the object into the air. It exploded loudly above her head (the fact that Lara didn't even flinch was very telling to her changed character) and produced a pink heart, the sparkles fluttering down onto Lara's hair and shoulders.

"Like our first date," she smirked, looking back to Fred.

"Our fake date in which I nearly gave you a heart attack and then almost snapped your ankle."

"It was an eventful day."

"You enjoyed it."

"I really did," Lara agreed, chuckling. "Better than any real date I've been on."

Fred smiled at her. It was one of his classic goofy smiles, where he looked unbelievably happy and mischievous all at once. There was something about it that made Lara step forward, their knees knocking together. Fred easily straightened, standing at full height, and Lara had to go on her tip-toes as she got closer, her hands reaching for Fred's face and pulling it down towards hers.

Their lips met in sweet, sweet harmony and Lara could have sighed in relief, because Fred didn't even attempt to push her away. Instead, he grabbed her waist in his large hands, pulling her flush against him as she moved her lips vigorously against his. She knew she was being overly enthusiastic, but she couldn't help it; her body was practically humming with energy, desperate to feel every inch of him, desperate to have him as close as possible.

Plus, it wasn't like Fred was complaining. He responded keenly, burrowing one hand into her long hair, pulling her forward until their legs wrapped around each other. He was just as good as before, if not better—this time she really, really wanted it. This time, she wasn't thinking about David, about making him jealous or trying to get him to see her as more than a friend. This time, it was just them—just Fred, and it was perfect.

"Not that I don't support this development," George's voice sounded from behind them. "But why do you always have to snog at parties? In front of me?"

Lara pulled away, though she didn't loosen her hold on Fred (she couldn't when he was staring down at her the way he was).

"It's more fun that way," Fred called back, his lips quirking.

"Yeah," Lara said with a smile. "We like making you watch."

"Kinky," chirped Lee. "I like it."

"Boys," Alicia snapped irritably. "Leave them alone, for Merlin's sake."

"Do you know how long I've waited for this?" snapped Erin. "Don't ruin it."

"Too late," Lara grumbled, and Fred snorted in agreement. "To be fair, we do chose the worst times to have our moments."

"You mean, you didn't dream of being snogged in the common room in front of all your friends?"

"Strangely, no, I didn't. Although, technically, I snogged you, so I'm not going to complain."

Fred winked at her. "Animal magnetism, that is."

"Not that again," Lara mumbled, rolling her eyes as she pulled back her hands. "That's not a thing."

"It's totally a thing."

"It is not—"

"George!" Fred cried, and George stopped pulling kissy faces at Lee to look at his brother. "Animal magnetism—what is it?"

"It's what Lara's got for you, mate."

Fred turned to Lara with a smug look.

In that moment, Lara realised something; dating Fred also meant indirectly dating George, because it would always be Fred and George, with or without girls on the scene. She could even imagine him coming on dates with them, if he was bored enough, and she could see her and Fred snuggled on the couch, George leaping over and sitting in-between them like an underappreciated puppy. He would complain he didn't get enough attention now they were together, Fred would take the piss but also secretly feel guilty, and Lara would roll her eyes at them both because, Merlin, she did not sign up for this.

And she couldn't wait for it, for all of it, because it meant she belonged, it meant she got two Weasley boys, and, really, a girl couldn't ask for more.

So...they kissed! What did you guys think?

Just wanted to stop and say I got some really really lovely reviews last chapter and I think you guys are the best. I really appreciate you taking the time to leave something, it makes writer's block much easier to handle. So far, pretty much everyone wants a one-shot where Fred lives, so that's probably going to happen...obviously not for a while yet, but still! I've got it in the plans! Also-over a 100 favourites! Whoop!

Big shout-out to Pamela Hutchins because i'm so giddy she pointed out that she liked that McGonagall didn't help David! I love it when you guys notice things like that, makes my day. Also to Ally141523 because she's homesick and I know how horrible that can be. I'm so glad this story made you smile a bit. Hope this chapter does the same!