One Year Later
"The pictures turned out so nice." Ginny said, watching Astoria flip through the album.
"That's because everyone else looks nice. I'm the only one with that caveman glare and my eyes are almost always closed." Jade said, trying to feed Scorpius.
"Score, it's a broom shaped spoon! I'd die to eat out of it, why won't you?!" Jade asked.
"No." Scorpius said, pushing the spoon away from his face.
"Don't you have the same spoon you use at home?" Ginny asked.
"It's a bloody broom!" Jade said.
"Buddy." Scorpius grinned.
"I know you have Slytherin parents but there's no need to follow in their evil footsteps." Jade said.
"Oh please, you know you love Draco." Astoria winked, knocking Ginny's arm with her elbow. Jade paused and turned around slowly.
"Ass, don't even start with that. I'm not even joking." Jade said. Astoria and Ginny snorted. "I sometimes hate you two. You both encourage Malfoy to do this to me. You both find it funny and he takes the joke too far. Every single picture we took, he had to make a sex joke out of me! Ruined my day." Jade said, turning back to Scorpius.
"You look fine you idiot. My husband just has a thing for blondes, what can I say?" Astoria shrugged.
"Your husband is a pain in my arse." Jade said.
The door opened and Draco walked, tossing his keys and wand on the hallway counter.
"Well if it isn't Weasley, my wife and my lover. How are you darling?" Draco asked.
"What have I ever done to you? Why can't you leave me alone?" Jade asked.
"Honestly I think those two have more fun than I do, watching you squirm. I'd say change your friends." He said, leaning over and giving Astoria a kiss.
"I have to get going. Fred's coming over for dinner to meet my parents for the first time. I'm so nervous and excited!" Jade said, lifting Scorpius up from his high chair.
"Wasn't Longbottom and I mean the ugly, fat one-"
"Watch it." Jade warned.
"No I wasn't talking about you sweetheart. I was talking about Neville, is it?" he asked, seeing Jade roll her eyes and walk to the kitchen. He turned to Ginny who looked disgusted.
"You're an arse and if you get raped by a troll, I won't help you." Astoria said.
"I'm so glad we're married. I still can't believe you included that in your vow." Draco said, playing with her hair.
"I had to. I know your mother hates me but when we're old and senile, we get to look back at that and think how fun-loving we were." Astoria said.
"And psychotic." Ginny added.
"All righty! Scorpius is fed and cleaned but needs changing. Here Malfoy, saved the best for last!" Jade said, handing Scorpius over to Draco.
"He smells like dragon dung. Didn't I tell you to wash yourself before touching my son?" Draco asked.
"That's not what your father said last night. I've got to go, bye everyone!" Jade said.
"Floo us immediately to let us know how it goes! If Dad bounces Fred out of a window floo me immediately!" Astoria said.
"Don't jinx it; he just might if Fred promises not to bring any of his practical jokes along." Jade said.
"Yeah of course, that's like asking Longbottom to bring his brain along. Your boyfriend nearly burned down my Manor." Draco said.
"If you weren't my best friend's husband, I wouldn't have given a damn, oh wait…still don't!" Jade smiled, leaving. Draco turned around, smirking.
"Feisty that one." He said.
"Hey Dad." Jade said, walking into the living room. Algie looked surprised, seeing Jade walk in from the front door.
"When did you come downstairs?" Algie asked.
"Huh?" Jade asked.
"Didn't I just see you…no, I didn't." Algie said, looking troubled. He took a seat on his chair and tried to smile at Jade.
"Are you okay Dad? Is there something wrong?" Jade asked, kneeling down to her father's level. Algie gave her a short smile, unable to fully conceal his burden.
"Old age, sweetheart. I'm starting to forget things." Algie said. Jade took her father's hand, turning it in hers.
"That's a little hard to believe, you don't look a day over sixteen." Jade said. Algie chuckled deeply, ruffling the top of her hair.
"When did you get so cheeky with your father? Buttering me up for the arse who's about to walk in?" he asked seeing Jade gasp.
"Dad! He's a guest, you promised to be nice to him!" Jade said. Algie sighed.
"I can promise as much as I want but I cannot guarantee to be nice to my replacement. With the only sweet and precious baby girl who I've taken care of for the past eighteen years, I can't help but feel the need to dangle him off a cliff." Algie said.
"Fred could never replace you and he won't dare to either but he's one of the sweetest and nicest people I know. We love each other deeply and I would never introduce him to you and Mum if I had any doubts about him." Jade said.
"That's very sweet dear but what if he's boring and I don't like him?" Algie asked.
"If I like him, you'll like him too and trust me when I say this but you two have more in common with each other than I will ever have with him." Jade said, getting up.
"I'll be the judge of that!" Algie said as Jade walked into the kitchen.
"Hey Mum." Jade said.
"Hello dear, how was school?" Enid asked pleasantly, checking on the roast lamb. Jade giggled.
"It's summer Mum, I don't go back to Healing school until August, remember?" Jade asked.
Enid stopped and turned around, furrowing her eyebrows.
"You're not even out of Hogwarts yet, when did you get into Healing school?" Enid asked.
"What?" Jade asked.
"What?" Enid asked. The doorbell rang and Enid gasped.
"That must be him! Quickly! Answer the door!" Enid said.
Jade ran out of the kitchen, seeing her father slowly getting up from his seat.
"It's all right Dad, stay seated! I'll get the door." Jade said, opening the door to see Fred standing there with a wine bottle in one hand and his hand outstretched to practice shaking hands. Jade pushed him back and closed the door behind him.
"Hello there vixen-"
"Mouth closed! Take it off!" Jade said, pointing to his cloak. Fred grinned and wagged his eyebrows.
"Right here, right now? On your front steps?" he asked.
"Hurry up! Give me your cloak!" Jade hissed.
"But babe-"
Jade reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out a bright green megaphone.
"I know this isn't the worst of it. Hand over your cloak!" she said.
Fred scowled, shrugging his cloak off and handing it to Jade.
"Empty your pockets and I swear Fred if I check and find something in there, I'll send you back home." Jade sighed.
Fred threw his head back as he emptied his pockets.
"Why couldn't I fall for a Dementor? They have more fun than you!" Fred whined.
"Ssh! My parents are in there, are you crazy?" Jade asked.
"I'm sure they know by now that I'm your boyfriend. You don't have to-"
"Pull your sleeves up!" Jade said.
"Jade don't be ridi-"
"Try me."
Fred yanked up his sleeves in frustration and Jade ripped off the fake jumping cockroaches off his arms.
"Ow!" Fred hissed.
"I swear Fred, a child won't give me more grief in my entire life than you've given me in five minutes. Shoes." Jade said, seeing him smirk and kick off his shoes.
"I warned you not to bring any of this with you. You're trying to make an impression on my parents love." Jade said.
"No you said 'don't bring any of your pranks and jokes' but you didn't say anything about George's." Fred said.
"Am I dating you or your brother?" Jade asked.
"I don't know, you've been giving these funny looks toward my brother these days." He said, looking down as she tossed the objects he had taped to his legs.
"Merlin's two wrinkly balls, I have hair on my legs!" Fred said when Jade ripped out a giant firework from his leg.
"Should have thought about that before using tape. I hope I got everything." Jade breathed, looking him up and down.
"Yes, you did. Are you satisfied?" Fred asked.
"Not quite, no. Underwear." Jade nodded, towards his front.
"You've got to be joking." Fred said.
"My parents are standing inside, wondering what's taking so long. Before they open the door to see your hand in your crotch, pulling out whatever crazy piece of work it is you have stuffed in your knickers, you have to be joking to think that I am." Jade said seriously.
"This is humiliating! I never get to have fun!" Fred said, pulling out a live moving arm that had been bloodied and gashed.
"Oh I didn't put an extra hand down there for that, just that if it moved, you'll think it was for you." Fred said.
"I…am not even going to ask." Jade said slowly. Fred zipped up his pants and buttoned it.
"Okay, I'm satisfied." Jade said.
"Are you sure?" Fred asked, raising his eyebrow.
"Why? Is there a leg up your arse that I should know about?" Jade asked.
"See I had a feeling that I shouldn't in case you were planning to make an unannounced visit there." Fred said. Jade smiled, touching his hair.
"You look handsome and you even cut your hair." Jade said. He was wearing a white button down shirt and khaki pants.
"I take it you like it?" he asked, hugging her.
"I really like it." She said, kissing him.
"Does it make you want to apparate in your room and do the deed three times?" Fred asked. Jade smiled, breaking away from him.
"Four. Five if I'm not dead by then." Jade said, pushing the door open, grinning to see Fred's mouth hanging open and his eyes bulging.
"Come in, welcome to our home. Mum, Dad, meet Fred. Fred, meet Mum and Dad." Jade said getting out of their way.
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Longbottom. Wow if Jade would have told me how pretty you were, I would have worn something nicer." Fred said.
Enid giggled madly and looked at Algie who looked like he was given a slug to swallow.
"Dad, shake Fred's hand." Jade said softly.
"Hello sir. I've heard a lot about you." Fred said, shaking Algie's hand.
"Have you? What exactly have you heard?" Algie asked, crushing Fred's hand.
"Ah, eh, nice, eh, aoww-some-"
"Dad!" Jade whispered, hitting his arm. Algie let go of Fred's hand.
"Well I hope they're good things!" Algie said as Fred rubbed his hand.
"Okay sure." Fred said cautiously, slowly stepping behind Jade.
"Are you hungry dear?" Enid asked.
"Starving actually." Fred said.
"Jade, show Fred to the washroom." Enid said.
"Sure. Follow me." Jade said, going upstairs. Algie watched Fred follow Jade upstairs.
"I don't think I like him." Algie told Enid.
"Of course you wouldn't dear." Enid said.
"Which one's your room?" Fred whispered, pushing Jade's door open. He walked into the small room, looking around.
"Smells like you, looks clean, your bed takes up your entire room, why would you need such a big bed to yourself?" Fred asked, pointing to Jade's bed.
"I don't know! I like my room, what are you doing?" Jade asked, seeing him check outside for her father. He quickly jumped into the bed and bounced around, grinning.
"So this is where you fantasized about me." He whispered, looking around. Jade smiled, crossing her arms and watching him roll over to his side to open the bedside drawers.
"Where's your diary and all my love letters?" Fred asked.
"You'd have to find them yourself. Come on, we have to go downstairs. If my parents see you here, it'll just be awkward." Jade said.
"I wish I can spend the night here and just look through everything. Especially that underwear drawer." Fred whispered. He spotted a poster of Victor Krum alongside a few male athletes and entertainers.
"Ough, I've had that before we even started dating." Jade said.
"Krum's been here before me, great!" Fred said incredulously.
"Well if it makes you feel any better, I never introduced him to my parents as my wonderful boyfriend." Jade said, brushing his hair to the side with her fingers. Fred smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I don't think your father likes me very much." Fred said.
"If you had a daughter and she bought a man home, compared to my father, he seems to be treating you extremely generously." Jade said. Fred grinned.
"That's true. That little bugger would have a portable swamp in his arse before he would get to the doorbell." Fred said.
"Look at you, already making plans to drive our children's potential spouses away." Jade said. Fred only looked up at her, smiling.
"You want to have children with me?" Fred asked gently.
Jade could see how vulnerable Fred looked at the moment and must have felt. He was either considering their future positively or already panicking.
"Of course. Is there someone else I should have children with?" Jade asked.
Fred didn't smile. The way he was looking at her, her comment was sure to blow over his head.
"It's a joke, love." Jade said, touching his face.
"The children part?" he squawked.
"Uh no, the someone else-forget it. We have to go downstairs." Jade said.
"Right um, well let me use the rest room and I'll see you downstairs." Fred said, getting up.
"Sure. Are you okay?" Jade asked seeing Fred rub his chin with his other hand on his hip.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why? Do I look weird?" Fred asked. Jade wanted to tell him he was acting strange but knowing him, he would have clammed up and would have been awkward at the dinner table.
"You're fine. I'll see you downstairs." Jade said.
She leaned over and kissed him, smiled and left. Fred shut off Jade's bedroom lights and walked into the bathroom. He closed the door behind him and took a deep breath, unbuttoning his top buttons and airing out his collar. He paced around the bathroom and took a seat on the toilet. There was only one person that he needed to talk to and he wasn't even here. George was off somewhere in the Caribbean with Angelina to enjoy a romantic getaway. Right now, Fred didn't think he could join everyone else at the dinner table. He had been begging, moaning and bothering Jade to introduce him to her parents but had it been too soon? Fred always thought about his future with Jade but being in her house, meeting her parents and her talk of children suddenly made everything all too real. He was growing anxious by the second. He looked at the window, thinking if he should just go. He got up and walked towards the window but stopped himself.
"Jade's gonna be so pissed." Fred said.
He knew he couldn't embarrass her in front of her parents after what he made her go through to invite him to her house. Leaving like this will make a bad impression on her parents even when he decided it would be the right time to marry her and have kids.
"Plus old Algie might kick my kids when I'm not watching. Nope, I'm going to go downstairs and say that I have family things. Oh Jade's gonna be so pissed." Fred groaned. He opened the door, hearing someone sobbing downstairs.
"Oh this is terrible! I made roast chicken not lamb! Who switched it?" Enid asked.
"Mum, you made lamb. We bought it this morning." Jade said. Enid sobbed harder.
"We never went to the grocery today! I don't remember going to the grocery!" Enid cried.
"Mum, what's going on? Earlier today, you said I was still in Hogwarts." Jade said.
"But you're not. You said you were in Healing school." Enid said. Jade gave her Mum a small squeeze and redirected her towards a chair.
"I think you need to take a break and relax. You've been so stressed about this dinner and it's okay Mum. You did an amazing job." Jade said seeing Enid shake her head.
"But the chicken and lamb, I mixed them up and-"
"It's okay Mum, it happens. People forget, mix things up, it happens. I'll go make some sandwiches." Jade said.
"Does Fred like lamb?" Enid asked.
"I haven't seen Fred not like anything he can put in his mouth. I think we're fine." Jade said.
"Enid, are you all right sweetheart?" Algie asked, consoling her. Jade looked up to see Fred still standing at the staircase and smiled.
"Mum had a small mix up and she's worried that she ruined the entire dinner for you." Jade said seeing Fred come down the stairs and shake his head.
"Of course not. I like sandwiches. I think you should take a seat Mrs. Longbottom and I'll help Jade whip something up." Fred said.
"Oh dear but you're not supposed to-"
"I'll try not to burn anything, I promise!" Fred said.
Enid smiled, looking at Fred walking into the kitchen, helping Jade preparing food.
"He's such a sweet boy." Enid said, feeling Algie's hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure he is but…how long has Jade known him for to trust him?" Algie asked.
"He's Ginny's brother. One of the Weasley twins." Enid said seeing Algie nod.
"You mean the ones with the joke shop?" he asked seeing Enid giggle.
"It seems like your daughter has found someone like her father. The fun hearted type." Enid said. They sat still, watching Jade put an arm around Fred, smiling as he helped toast the bread.
"You've been really quiet." Jade said, seeing Fred look up from slicing tomatoes.
"Really? I didn't notice." He said, going back.
"Are you feeling comfortable? I hope what happened with my Mum-"
"It's not your Mum. It's not your Mum at all." Fred said.
"Then?" Jade asked. Fred sighed, trying to ignore Jade's question.
"Dinner is served! Would you both like me to open the wine bottle?" Fred asked, leaving the kitchen and setting down the sandwiches on the table.
"Yes please." Enid said.
"All right! Open yourself up!" Fred said, hitting the wine bottle with a spoon.
The bottle rose from the table and the cork exploded out of its mouth, creating a faux firework. Enid and Algie jumped in their seats, from the distraction and the wine poured upwards, creating a fountain, finally pouring into the glasses.
"Well would you look at that?" Enid asked, looking fascinated.
"Well I never!" Algie thundered, getting up. Jade froze and Fred stumbled backwards, fearing his life. Everyone stared at Algie who was red faced.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have-" Fred started but Algie burst into laughter. The way everyone stared at him caused him to laugh harder and clap his hands.
"Boy I've seen magic my entire life but that was truly brilliant! Only a genius can make something as impressive as that! Talk about drinking parties! If wine served itself that way, can you imagine how fast you could get people drunk?" Algie asked. Fred cracked a smile and looked at Jade who looked bewildered.
"Being drunk should be entertainment, is what I would say." Fred said. Algie laughed harder and clapped Fred's shoulder.
"What else do you have on you? I'd like to see more!" Algie said.
"Oh yes please! We'd like to see everything from your joke shop!" Enid said. Fred frowned.
"See, I knew you both would have loved it but before I stepped through the door, Jade took everything I had and kept them outside. She just didn't know that the wine bottle was rigged, did you?" Fred asked, winking at Jade.
"Good one." Jade said her arms crossed against her chest, trying to suppress a smile.
"Why would you take away such talent and entertainment?! Bring the boy's things at once!" Algie said.
"Okay…" Jade said slowly as Fred described a few of his jokes and pranks.
The entire evening, Jade sat back and watched Fred demonstrate each and every single prank he bought and surprisingly enough, her parents couldn't be any more enthralled and overjoyed. They were like schoolchildren, wide eyed and curious whenever Fred would present a new object in front of them.
After a few hours, Fred said his goodbyes to Enid and Algie and Jade walked him outside.
"See what happens when you start trusting this good looking guy right here?" Fred asked, jerking both of his thumbs at himself.
"I have to admit, I was wrong." Jade said seeing Fred grin.
"Say I'm the best." Fred sang. Jade sighed.
"You're the best." Jade said.
"Say I'm the best you ever had." Fred said.
"What does that have to do with anything at all?" Jade asked.
"Say it!"
"Ough…you're the best I ever had." Jade said.
"I love it when you do that, now kiss me." Fred said, getting closer to her. Jade kissed him, feeling him gently pick her up.
"Love you Fred." Jade said gently.
"Love you too." He said, kissing her again.
"It's a good thing you're back. I thought I lost you in there. You didn't tell me what was bothering you." Jade said.
"Are we still on that? I was just nervous, wondering how I'll impress your parents." Fred said.
"Are you sure? I'm pretty certain it was the children talk that got you nervous." Jade said.
"Why do you have to know? Why is it so important for you to know? I got a little nervous and got over it. I'm perfectly fine." Fred said.
"I'm only trying to help Fred." Jade said, letting go of him.
"No, you're making it worse! I was completely fine but now I'm thinking about it all over again and it's making me feel like I really don't want to do this." Fred said.
"Do what?" Jade asked.
"Marriage! Kids! I'm never going to be single again. I don't think I'm ready for that right now." Fred said.
"You don't have to be! Who said you had to be?" Jade asked.
"How about we don't get married?" Fred asked.
"We don't have to get married now-"
"No I don't mean now, I mean, ever." Fred asked.
"That's impossible." Jade said.
"Why? People do it everywhere." Fred said. Jade punched his shoulder.
"I'm not going to be your fucking girlfriend for the rest of your life you git! I want my parents to see my wedding and children before they're dead!" Jade yelled.
"Your parents look like they'll die any hour! How is it-" Jade shoved him as hard as she could.
"You really know how to ruin a perfect evening. I did what you wanted me to do and introduced you to my parents! Do you understand how hard it was for me?! Now you're backpedaling? How is that fair?" Jade asked.
"Look I didn't mean to sound like a jerk-"
"Yeah I know, you can't help it. Well that makes you a fucking retard." Jade spat.
"Jade would you just-"
"Just leave and don't contact me for a few days." Jade said.
"Look if I'm not ready, what do you want me to do?" Fred asked.
"Stay single. I know I won't." Jade said.
"Oh yeah? Do you think Krum would marry you?" Fred mocked.
"Fuck off." Jade said.
"Oh Krum, your bald head and stupid Bulgarian accent lights my Snitch on fire! Please give me a big marriage and stupid bald kids with thick accents in an impossibly short amount of time!" Fred said in a high pitched voice.
"Angelina, would you come be my fake girlfriend while I try to make Jade jealous by staying single all my entire life! I don't need anyone; I just need my rubber chicken and fireworks to grow old to until I hit an age where I terribly regret all my life choices and watch Jade and Krum grow old together with their stupid bald kids and their stupid Bulgarian accents!" Jade mocked back.
"At least your kids turn out bald and stupid." Fred muttered. Jade sighed.
"I don't want bald stupid babies with Bulgarian accents. With a head like his, how would I possibly push him out?" Jade asked seeing Fred chuckle. Jade smiled back.
"Why get that when I could have the cutest freckled red heads causing chaos at every waking second of my life?" Jade asked.
"Yeah they'd most definitely be gorgeous if they came from me." Fred said, taking a step toward Jade.
"But you want to be single right? Nah it's okay, you're free. I'll give Cormac a ring, see if he's still single and-" Jade smiled against Fred's lips.
A few weeks later, Jade walked around The Magic Neep, with a basket on her arm. She inspected a few vegetables and packed them into her basket, walking around and checking off on her mental checklist.
"No, it's not a toy; it's just a funny looking bottle with mustard in it." Someone said.
Jade looked up seeing Draco walking around with Scorpius strapped to his chest, pushing a grocery cart. Scorpius threw his head back, kicked and cried with his hand outstretched towards the mustard bottle. Jade laughed, walking towards them.
"I knew I shouldn't have left my camera at home." Jade said seeing Draco look at her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Shopping for dinner tonight." Jade said. Draco smirked.
"I thought you did that in a jungle." He said.
"Very funny. Hey handsome." Jade said, touching Scorpius's feet. Scorpius turned and gasped.
"Toy! Toy! Toy!" he screeched, pointing towards the bottle.
"Ough, he's been screaming for that thing for twenty minutes now." Draco said.
"Then give the bottle to him!" Jade said, putting her basket in Draco's shopping cart. Draco unstrapped Scorpius's carrier and Jade pulled him out, carrying him herself.
"No! None of us like mustard. It's a waste of money." Draco said.
"Oh because you have so little of it." Jade said.
"You're spoiling him by giving into what he wants. He's not going to appreciate that mustard bottle for long. He'll only toss it to the side as soon as he gets home." Draco said.
"Aw Malfoy, you're so grown! Since when did you become so concerned about spoiling your child?" Jade asked.
"Now I'm convinced you fancy me, otherwise you wouldn't provoke me into flirting your brains out." Draco said.
"Oh Malfoy stop, I didn't mean it like that." Jade said horrified, seeing him smile.
"Arse." Jade said, handing the bottle to Scorpius.
"You're paying for that." Draco said.
"I don't mind at all." Jade said.
"How have you been? You and Weasley still growing strong?" Draco asked seeing Jade chuckle.
"Yeah pretty strong. I've been okay I guess, really busy." Jade said, walking along with him.
"Healing school?" he asked seeing her nod.
"I'm getting my robe tomorrow. Only a few more months and I start interning to become a Healer." Jade said.
"And another two years to graduate from Healing school?" he asked seeing her nod.
"That does seem busy." He said.
"Fred got so excited with the news of my robe ceremony tomorrow that he's having a small party at the Burrow. You're coming right? He told Ass about it ages before he told me." Jade said.
"I tried hard to fight against my crazy wife but you obviously know who won that argument." He said.
"Ha, don't feel bad, you're not the only one." Jade said seeing Draco shrug.
"Yeah I guess I have to come since there's something about a proposal and how much time they spent designing a…you did NOT know this did you?" Draco asked. Jade stared at Draco, stunned.
"A proposal? Ring? Fred?" Jade asked.
"Hmm, I should owl my mother and tell her I love her and will miss her when Astoria kills me." Draco said calmly.
"Fred's going to propose to me? Tomorrow? At the party?" Jade asked. Her eyes were wide and she stood rigid, blocking everyone's way.
"You look crazier than you usually do. I think you should sit down." Draco said, looking around.
"What else did Ass tell you?" Jade asked.
"I think it's best not to ask me anything anymore. I'm in enough trouble as it is." Draco said.
"I feel so overwhelmed. I don't even know what to do. Fred's going to propose to me?" Jade asked. Draco winced when he started to see her crying. She giggled and looked at Scorpius who mirrored his father's expression.
In an hour, Astoria was sitting across Draco, glaring at him with her arms crossed. Jade was smiling and crying into her ice cream, occasionally giving Scorpius a bite. Draco was trying to look around, trying not to meet eyes with Astoria.
"Let go of it Ass. He didn't mean to tell me." Jade said.
"He did it on purpose." Astoria said.
"Did not! I swear it slipped! Anyways, I thought she knew." Draco said.
"Look, whatever happened, happened. It was a mistake and I found out. I'm just going to pretend that I didn't know and I'll be just as shocked as I was when I found out today." Jade said.
"Ough! No! It's not the same! And you're one of the worst actors I've ever seen. Remember when Filch asked 'What are yeh doing here matey?'" Astoria asked in a rough voice. Her expression changed, imitating Jade in a high pitched voice.
"Oh..er…I…oh Mrs. Norris, have you taken a bath today?" Astoria asked. Jade gave her a disgusted look.
"First of all, Filch isn't a pirate and I asked if she started grooming herself because her fur looked outstanding!" Jade said, turning to Draco who raised his eyebrow.
"Jade, a proposal has to be the most perfect and unforgettable moment of a girl's life. Now, every time you think about it, all you'll remember is finding out at the Magic Neep and Draco Malfoy!" Astoria said.
"Yeah that does sound a little depressing." Jade said.
"Hey!" Draco started but Astoria shot him a look.
"Ass, I don't care about a proposal gone wrong. The only person that's going to get down on their knee is Fred, not Draco or anyone else. I'm going to be engaged to be married to Fred, that's all that I care about." Jade said.
"I guess you're right. I can't believe you're getting engaged!" Astoria said, hugging Jade tightly.
Draco watched them squeal and cry, blabbering about their future and how their children would fall in love with each other, get married and have their grandchildren.
"You can't let Fred know. Not even the smallest. Usually I don't care about him but it would just kill him after all that work on designing your ring!" Astoria said.
"How does the ring look like?" Jade asked.
"You'll have to see it and say for yourself." Astoria said.
After the robe ceremony the day after, Jade met with her family and the Weasley's. Everyone clapped, seeing Jade walk towards them in her lime green robe.
"Congratulations!" Ginny yelled, jumping on Jade.
"Thanks Gin! Where's Ass?" Jade asked.
"Ass got a little tied up with some family stuff but she's coming for the party later on." Ginny said. Jade nodded, seeing Neville handing her a bouquet and hugging her.
"Congratulations Jade! You're halfway into becoming a Healer. Jade, this is Hannah, I'm sure you remember each other." Neville said. Jade shook hands with Hannah.
"Nice to meet you Hannah. Thanks for coming!" Jade said.
"Nice to meet you too! Congratulations!" Hannah said.
"Everyone's got so many bouquets!" Jade said.
"Have I got a bouquet for you!" Fred winked. Jade smiled, putting her arms around him.
"It's getting crowded with students and their families. We should go back to the Burrow, right?" Molly asked Enid who nodded in agreement.
"I'm glad you came, this is one of the most important days of my life." Jade said feeling Fred squeeze her hands and smile.
"Critical." He said, kissing her.
Jade and Fred apparated to the Burrow, already finding everyone in the backyard, meeting the rest of the Weasley's.
"You brothers and sister in laws are here?" Jade asked.
"Uh yeah, it's kind of an excuse to get everyone together. Hey Luna." Fred said seeing Luna walk up to them, smiling serenely.
"Hello Fred. It was very nice of you to invite me to Jade's graduation party. Congratulations Jade, I heard in order to become a Healer, you were needed to give the Ministry a sample of your brain so they would have to examine the threshold of the knowledge and sensitivity you have. How did that go?" Luna asked seriously.
Jade slowly looked at Fred and back and Luna.
"I'm not sure they do that." Jade said.
"The government has completed a biopsy of your brain without your consent or knowledge then. This is very terrible." Luna said.
"No I just think that they don't do that in general. Not to anyone who wants to become a Healer." Jade said.
"Curious." Luna said softly, looking at Jade inquisitively.
"Right well, I think I'm going to take you up to my room to write a letter to the Ministry." Fred said, taking Jade's hand.
"Bye Luna!" Jade waved seeing Luna smile and wave back.
"Hey where are you two going?" Ginny asked, stopping in front of them.
"We're going to do the Unmentionable." Fred said.
"Ew! Why now? There are people here and in the house!" Ginny said.
"We'll lock the door and soundproof everything." Fred said, trying to move.
"Okay well Ass said she needs to be picked up because she can't apparate." Ginny said.
"Why not?" Fred asked.
"She hasn't been feeling well ever since this morning. I told her not to come if she can't but you know her. Hell bent on coming today since it's so special and all." Ginny said looking at Fred who flashed his eyes at her. Ginny looked at Jade who kept a straight face.
"Make sure you pick her up soon!" Ginny said before leaving.
"Maybe I should go with you." Jade said seeing Fred shake his head as he guided her up the stairs.
"I'll take the Ford Anglia in case she really can't apparate with me. I can't be responsible if she splinches on our way here." Fred said. They walked into Fred and George's old room, looking around the same room where they broke up.
"Remember-"
"Clear as day." Fred said. Jade laughed.
"I'm glad that we've been through so much to come around and meeting our way back here. I'm so happy to have you in my life Fred." Jade said hugging him closely.
"Even after all the things I put you through?" he asked, running his hands through her hair.
"Fred what you put me through is something only you can do…and I'd rather it be you than anyone else in the world." Jade said.
"Hey." Fred said softly, pulling her head back.
"I loved you for a very long time now and I plan on loving you for the rest of my life. Maybe there were many times when I just pissed you off but ultimately, my goal in life is to keep you happy. Hopefully you can forgive me for all the things I've done wrong and we can start a new chapter in our lives today?" Fred asked seeing Jade nod.
"I love you Fred." Jade said. "I love you too Jade." He said. They stood there for a moment before kissing each other gently on the lips and moving against the walls, slowly taking off their clothes.
"Your brother and best friend are having sex upstairs." Harry said, sitting next to Ginny who furrowed her eyebrows.
"I went upstairs to use the bathroom and heard them." Harry said. Ginny shook her head, drinking from her cup.
"Liars. They said they'd be soundproofing the room." Ginny said.
They saw Jade and Fred walk out of the house, hand in hand. Fred said something to Jade and kissed her before leaving to the front of the house.
"Is he going to pick Astoria up?" Ginny asked Jade who nodded.
"With the Ford Anglia because of the whole splinching thing if he can't apparate properly." Jade said.
"Damn, he hasn't driven the Anglia in years. I hope he's careful driving her back otherwise she'll just vomit all over the car." Ginny said.
"How long does it take?" Jade asked.
"Well it's a car. It should take about ten or twenty minutes. Depending on the evening traffic." Harry said laughing to himself.
Jade and Ginny stared at him. Harry stopped laughing.
"Because no one drives in the sky, excuse me, I'm going to get a drink." Harry said, leaving. Jade and Ginny stifled a giggle, seeing Harry join Ron.
"Ginny, Jade dear, you both should get something to eat. Where's Fred?" Molly asked.
"He went to pick Astoria up. Let's go get something to eat Jade." Ginny said, getting up.
"It's been an hour Gin. Does it really take that long coming back with a car?" Jade asked.
"It really shouldn't. I don't know what's going on. Hopefully they'll-what's an Auror doing here?" Ginny asked.
They saw Harry and Ron greeting the Auror who shook their hands and nodded. He said something quickly, leaving Harry and Ron stunned.
"What?! What are you talking about?" Ron asked.
"What's going on?" Jade asked. The Auror spotted Arthur standing next to Jade and Ginny, walking up to him.
"Mr. Weasley, your son Fred Weasley has been in an accident. I am afraid to inform you that your son has passed away and his passenger Mrs. Astoria Malfoy has been critically injured and is currently in a muggle hospital under surgery." The Auror said.
Harry watched Ginny and Jade stare at the Auror, dumbfounded. There was never an easy way to break news like this to a family and watching the cause of their devastation consuming their entire life and future was just as hard.
"You can't be serious." Ginny said.
"This is obviously some kind of joke. Astoria and Fred probably planned this." Jade said shaking her head.
"I'm afraid not. It was a light blue Ford Anglia-"
"STOP IT! JUST STOP IT! THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ginny screamed.
Harry could see Ginny trying to control her emotions but the news of her brother's death and her best friend hanging on to her life caused her to break into a sob. She cut through everyone and walked out of the house. Harry followed her out, seeing her sobbing into her hands. He placed his arms around her and pulled her in, feeling him burying her head into his chest sobbing as hard as she could. Shortly after, everyone flooded the muggle hospital, waiting outside of Astoria's emergency surgical room. Ginny was consoling a distraught Jade outside of the room where Fred's body was kept. An Auror walked up to them, holding out a small black box.
"This is what we found in his pocket." He said, handing it to Ginny.
Jade was on the floor, her head against the wall, too devastated to care. Ginny wiped her tears and opened the box to see the light purple diamond ring formed in the shape of a single hyacinth with a gold band. Ginny had seen the ring on so many occasions and versions. Fred brought a sketch that he made with a jeweler to Astoria and Ginny before finalizing it.
"Why a hya-what the fuck is it called again?" Astoria asked, turning the picture.
"Hyacinth. I can't tell you, it's an inside secret between me and Jade." Fred said. Ginny smirked.
"Uh you mean the time when you punched her in the face and gave her these flowers to say you're sorry?" Ginny asked. Fred grew red.
"I did NOT punch my girlfriend in the face!" Fred said.
"And how sure are you that she'll say yes?" Astoria asked before Fred snatched the sketch and left.
Ginny took Jade's hand, slipping the ring into it. Jade looked up, seeing the ring in her hands. She turned it slowly, inspecting it quietly.
"It's your engagement ring." Ginny said.
"What am I going to do with it?" Jade asked, placing it against her chest and resting her head back against the wall. Ginny sat next to her, placing her head on her shoulder.
"Astoria's still in surgery." Ginny wept. She heard Jade shudder from crying.
"The Healers don't think she'll make it Jade." Ginny cried harder.
"No." Jade said, shaking her head. "No!" Jade got up, pulling Ginny up.
"Gin no! They can't do this. They can't…" Jade cried, turning around.
Astoria's family and Draco's parents were in the waiting room, watching Draco pace back and forth in front of the emergency surgical room.
"This wouldn't have happened if she wasn't involved with the two of you! Filthy mudblood loving family and that irresponsible git!" Daphne spat.
"That's enough Daphne." Mr. Greengrass ordered. Daphne shot her father a look.
"Talk a walk and clear your head Daphne." Mrs. Greengrass said.
"I'd rather stay." Daphne said, taking a seat in front of her parents.
"I apologize on her behalf-"
"You don't have to." Ginny said. Mrs. Greengrass tried to smile but immediately dabbed her eyes.
"She would be furious to know if her friends were spoken to that way." She said.
"She never spoke about the two of you more than anything else during Hogwarts. From what I saw every time I met you girls, you were very courteous and tolerant of us despite our own behavior and thoughts of you." Mrs. Greengrass squeaked.
"This was no one's fault. I feel terribly sorry for the loss of your brother and your fiancé. It must feel terrible already, especially with Astoria's condition."
The surgeon walked out of the room, meeting with Draco and the rest of the family.
"Astoria's heart failed due to the blood loss. We tried our best to stop the bleeding but the damage was too severe. I'm very sorry."
