...I Promise...
I nod my thanks and scan my schedule as she begins scolding Lee and the twins for their exam marks. They pout as we walk to class and Alicia pushes me and Angelina ahead whispering "If you pay them attention their behavior will get worse." I enter the classroom with a smile but it quickly fades as I realize we have Umbridge's class first. Fred pulls me into a seat next to him. I pull out my book and start reading. "You've already memorized it." Alicia scoffs. "And so have you. Do you really think she's here to teach us properly?" I frown.
Fred nudges me and I turn to him. "Are you going to be, ok?" he mouths. I nod. I'm rereading the book when Umbridge walks in. She makes a few remarks then tells everyone to begin reading chapter one of our books. I give Alicia a gentle but easily understood nudge. She rolls her eyes and begins reading. "Ah, you must be the famous Seren Potter!" Umbridge 'giggles' when she gets to me. I keep reading. "You're the one who fell asleep during my introduction last night. Shame! Someone should have taught you manners." she huffs quite upset I'm doing what she told me to.
"Well, I suppose being Seren Potter who was able to use great power to help stop He Who Must Not Be Named must make you quite popular and fill your head with lies like being able to shoot the Dark Mark out of the sky." she smirks raising my sleeves and prodding my scars. I still continue reading. "These serve as a reminder that your family was able to stop He Who Must Not Be Named. And yet, your brother keeps saying he's back. You should teach him some manners." she smiles digging her thick fingers into my arm. I don't even flinch and I don't even react when I start bleeding.
Umbridge gasps in 'shock' when she realizes what she's done. "You know professor, if you're going to talk about other's manners you should at least be able to say the name Voldemort. Now if you don't mind, I'm trying to study like you told us to. You're interrupting my learning." I tug my sleeves down and go back to reading. She stands there obviously flustered. I begin writing the answers to the questions on the board 12 times like she told us to.
When I'm done, I take it to her desk. "When you are done you may leave." she notifies the class. I make sure to get some drops of my red, blue, and black blood all over her desk before going back to my seat and cleaning up my things. Fred puts a hand on my knee. "I'm going to the Hospital Wing. I'll meet you in the common room." I whisper while Umbridge is distracted by something outside. He nods and I kiss his cheek before getting up.
Madam Pomfrey lets out a shocked gasp when I come in. I groan internally when I see Snape and McGonagall are there too. "What happened? You've only been in class for an hour Miss Potter!" McGonagall exclaims. I give them the simplified version of what happened and raise my sleeve. Madam Pomfrey looks livid. She turns to McGonagall and raise a finger. "I know Poppy. I'll tell Albus. For now, fix Miss Potter up." McGonagall strides from the room. I avoid Snape's eyes and look out the window.
I sit down when Madam Pomfrey tells me to. "Have you told your parents yet?" she asks suddenly. "Umm, I'm working on it. It's not easy to tell them anything. They're so worried about Harry. Fred keeps telling me to but I haven't told my parents anything honestly since I was seven. You saw how worried they were about Harry after he came back from the graveyard. I couldn't possibly add on to that stress." I sigh. She smacks the top of my head. "Do you think it's your parents only job to worry? No! They keep you safe and well cared for. I must say I agree with Fred. You need to tell them and soon. The calming potion won't work for much longer. Then you're really going to be in trouble." she warns.
I nod in understanding. "I don't want you to be in here for any more coughing fits this year." she frowns dabbing more medicine on my arm. I smile and bite my lip. When she's done, she sits back and nods. My arm is back to 'normal' and my scars are smaller after all the blood I lost. I thank her and hurry up to the common room. I spy Fred and George on the couch whispering while everyone works on their homework. I sneak over and hug them around their necks. "Whoa, what happened to you?" George gasps.
"Madam Pomfrey gave me a small relaxer in my calming potion so she could heal my arm without hurting me. I feel REALLY good right now!" I giggle and ruffle George's hair. He widens his eyes and raises his eyebrows at Fred. I run my fingers through George's hair grab a handful and twist my wrist locking my grip. I pull him closer. "You should really be more considerate of Angelina. She worries about you so much you idiot." I scold over his cries of pain. He smacks my hand fighting to get out of my iron grip.
Fred hops over the couch and tries to loosen my hold. "You know Madam Pomfrey agrees with you." I pout as he releases my hand from George's hair. He scoops me up and sits back down as the portrait hole opens and people come in from their classes. "She thinks I should tell me family my medicine stopped working. But how do I tell my parents I've been lying to them about my health status for the last decade?" I sigh and put my head on his shoulder. He frowns and I play with his tie. "She said the calming potion won't work for much longer. Then I'm really going to be in trouble." I whisper.
Fred watches me with sad eyes. "I told you to tell them." he reminds me. I pout and roll my eyes. "She already scolded me and so did McGonagall and Snape. There's no need for you to join in on the fun." I huff. He kisses the top of my head and rubs my arm. "But we're both right. You know that, don't you?" he whispers. I nod and kiss his cheek. I readjust so I'm comfortable. "Sleep off that relaxer." he whispers. I put my head on his shoulder and fall asleep.
An hour later Fred lays me on the couch. I open my eyes and he smiles. "I have to go. I have class." he whispers brushing my hair out of my eyes. I nod and play with his tie. "When's your next class?" he asks. "In an hour. I'll see you at lunch." I yawn. "Thanks Lee." Fred reaches over me and takes something. I close my eyes and fluff my pillow. Fred covers me with a blanket Mrs. Weasley made. "I really don't want to go. She looks so cute when she's sleeping." Fred sighs. "Seren, can you get him to get a move on before we're late?" George groans. I open my eyes and pout. Fred instantly gathers his things. I hold out my hands. He gives me a hug and I smile. "Do you remember that day when we were supposed to go to my garden and we..." I purposefully trail off as I feel Fred blush. "Have fun in class. I'll see you in a few hours." I wave as the boys leave guiding a partially fried Fred with them.
I lay back down and manage to get a nice little nap in before my next class. I skip down the steps to lunch and find Fred waiting for me. I hurry straight into his arms. He laughs and I lead him to where are friends are already eating. I listen as Alicia rants about her homework load from just two classes. Fred puts a hand on my knee and puts his head on my shoulder. I run my fingers through his hair and he puts his arm around my waist pouting like a baby. "Spoiled brat." I scoff. He kisses my cheek and turns back to listen to George.
I take an early bath after my last class and change into my pajamas. I make my way to Fred's dorm and sit on his bed. Everyone's at dinner and I have at least an hour. I crawl under the covers and fall asleep. I wake when Fred runs in. I sit up sleepily and he hurries over with an apologetic smile. "You were up here the whole time pretty girl?" he whispers kissing me softly. I nod. He pats the pillow and I lie back down. He walks around changing for bed. He crawls in behind me and wraps an arm around me pulling me to him.
"I want to stay like this forever." he sighs. I roll over and wrap my arms around him. "I love you too." I murmur. "I love you more. I want to spend all day for eternity just like this. I want you to wake up in my arms every day. I want to make love to you whenever I can. I want to kiss you from the moment the sun rises until it sets." he whispers. I roll my eyes but a shiver runs down my spine at his words. "Why? Because I love you. I love every single thing about you. From your hair to your feet. You're absolutely perfect. Ugh, and don't get me started on this wonderful body of yours. You just fit in my arms so perfectly!" he groans rubbing circles on my back.
Luckily, it's dark so he can't see just how bad my blush is and I snuggle into his chest. "I want to marry you. I really want to marry you." he sighs. I try to control my breathing and he lifts my chin so I'm looking at him. "You'd marry me if I asked, wouldn't you?" he mumbles. "In a heartbeat." I kiss him. He smiles into the kiss. We stay that close our lips touching and just looking into each other's eyes. He puts my leg over his waist and rolls onto his back. When he's done the pillow is under his head more and he has me using his arm as support. I open my mouth to complain but he pulls the covers higher and begins humming.
"I think it was in our first year." he whispers suddenly. I blink at him in confusion. "After I witnessed your coughing incident. I realized I don't want to live without you. I want to be with you and only you forever. I want our kids to look just like you. You're the only one for me darling." he brushes my hair back staring into my eyes. I melt instantly. Cupping his face, I pull him into a long sweet kiss. He looks slightly kiss drunk when we separate. I fall asleep with a smile as he plays with a strand of my hair.
I wake to find the place where he was cold. I sit up pouting and look around. I see three figures huddled together on George's bed. "Yes Seren?" Fred asks looking over. I shake my head and fall back asleep. When I wake the second time Fred is poking me. I groan and tug the covers over my head. "Time for breakfast." he chuckles. "I don't have a class for two hours. I'll see you in charms." I groan putting the pillow over my head. He leaves with George and Lee laughing.
I emerge with 30 minutes before my first class starts. I hurry to my dorm and get dressed and grab my bag. I throw my hair into a loose low ponytail as I walk. Angelina smirks as I approach. "You should've seen Fred last night. Where's Seren? Where's Seren?! Then he ran up the stairs when a first year told him he saw you earlier. Then he came back down after you were asleep and went on and on about how adorable you were for three hours." she scoffs. "How are you and George doing these days? No more fighting, right?" I ask desperate to change the subject.
She shoots me a look as we take our seats. I hold my hands up apologetically and she rolls her eyes. I put my head on her shoulder and whine quietly. "Oh, stop it. I need to look over Quidditch tactics." she laughs. "Ooh, pick the difficult ones!" I smile. "Why?" she frowns. "So, dummies one and two are too tired to irritate us, obviously." I shrug. She bursts out laughing and it takes a while for us to calm back down. "Before I know it George and Lee will be dragging you and Alicia up too. The other two invite their girlfriends on the weekend." I mutter. She smacks the back of my head.
Pouting I walk into Fred's arms. "Aww, why are you pouting?" he sighs. "Angelina's been hitting me for the past two hours." I whine. I feel him shake with suppressed laughter. "You're laughing at me!" I whine and try to get out of his hold. He holds me tighter full on laughing now. "I see the relaxer still hasn't worn off yet. You're acting like the time you accidentally drank some of your dad's Firewhiskey." he chuckles. Angelina scoffs and walks into the classroom.
Fred leans against a wall and lifts my chin so I'm looking at him. "Pouty Seren has returned. Hungry?" he wonders. I shake my head. "Just how much relaxer did Madam Pomfrey use?" he frowns examining my eyes. "A cup or two. I was kind of out of it." I murmur putting my head on his chest. "You need a half a cup or less." he mumbles rubbing my back. I roll my eyes but stay in his arms. "But I have to admit, I kind of like it when you're like this. Even if you're pouting." he whispers. "But you were laughing at me!" I whine.
"Ah, you really need to sleep a bit more but it's only the first week." he frowns. I lightly hit my head on his chest while I pout. "Come on, class starts in a few minutes." he leads me inside. I open my book and try to pay attention but the medicine has a very strong effect on me and I give up after five minutes. I roll my head to side to side as Flitwick and Fred whisper next to me. When Flitwick walks away Fred begins to rub my back. I turn to him with a sad pout. He kisses my cheek and slides some medicine to me. I stare at the small bag then unopen it. It has a note from Madam Pomfrey telling me to take one a day to help me focus until the relaxer wears off.
I pop one of the pills in mouth and wait for it to take effect. But when it does, boy does it take effect. I bolt up and begin studying. Alicia watches in shock as I blaze through my work then sit there practically vibrating with energy. "Should I take one?" I hear her ask herself. Lee and George shake their heads shock plain as day on their faces. Fred slides the medicine out of my hand warily and puts it in his bag. "You know you only need half the dose. Silly girl." he tuts. I flip through my book ignoring him and study as many spells as I can.
By the end of the lesson my classmates go the long way around me and my friends eye me warily as they help Flitwick clean up the mess I made. I pout and roll around on the floor. I'd been trying out so many spells that Fred tied me up 'for my own good' and sat me in the corner. I pout and try to sit up but it's hard to do when you're tied up. Fred unties me when they're done cleaning and puts me on his back. I hide my face in the crook of his neck. "Maybe a quarter of the dose next time Seren." he whispers tiredly. "You smell nice." I whisper. He laughs and shakes his head as he hurries to catch up with the others.
I eat my lunch quietly my fellow seventh years from every house shooting wary looks at me every now and then. "Aww, don't be ashamed. News just travels very fast." Fred teases. I dip my head lower. "You're giving me a headache." I mutter pushing my food around my plate. He hums in thought then leans over and kisses my cheek. "What about now?" he smirks. I slowly turn to look at him. He smiles and tucks my hair behind my ear. "You still have to eat Seren." he mouths.
I scoop up a huge portion of my food and stuff it in his mouth. "Ah, my head feels slightly better now." I gasp as he stares at me in shock. George and Lee turn away snickering. Fred hits his chest as he tries to swallow the food. I hum softly to myself as I finish my food and get to my feet. Fred grabs my hand as I start to walk out. "What?!" I whine. "You hurt me!" Fred huffs. "I've never known food to hurt someone. I take that back. I've seen food 'hurt' someone but I have a feeling Hermione was the brains behind that operation." I turn and smile at Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The three choke and begin coughing. I ruffle Fred's hair then leave.
I'm studying in the library when Fred wraps his arms around me. I hum softly as he kisses my neck. "Feeling better?" he whispers. "A bit. The relaxer is really starting to wear off now and the other medicine is ebbing away too." I mumble. "That's good. You'll probably sleep really well tonight." he chuckles. "I love you." I whisper. He frowns and turns me to him. "What's going on in that head of yours hunh?" he whispers looking into my eyes. "Nothing. I just wanted to say it." I murmur. He kisses me softly taking my breath away.
I wander down to the Quidditch stadium with the rest of the school. It's the first game but everyone is still super hyper. I yawn sleepily having being kept up by the rest of my fellow Gryffindor seventh years the night before. Beyle Williams and Crystal James had started off the night with spot on Umbridge impersonations. Their boyfriends Donovan Wilkes and Cayden Smith arrived late after a detention with Snape. Now they're dragging me to the game with less than an hour of sleep.
My teasing prediction that Lee and George would pull Angelina and Alicia into our weekend sleepovers came true. "Maybe I should ask Fred for a bit of that pep medicine." I yawn again. "No!" Cayden, Crystal, Beyle, and Donovan snap warily. Pouting I sit in between the two couples, Beyle and Donovan to my right and Cayden and Crystal to my left. "You have to at least attend the first game." Crystal nudges me.
The game goes fine and they play well but as everyone is getting ready to leave Malfoy provokes Harry. "Shit!" I gasp making my way through the stands to the pitch. I make it just in time to hear Malfoy start in on Mrs. Weasley. I jump in between Harry, Fred, and George. "Don't do it. He's just being a sore loser." I frown. "Hit me if you're going to do it. Hit me then!" Malfoy drawls behind me. Harry moves forward and I put a hand on his shoulder. Angelina comes over to help and drags George away by his collar.
"Don't stoop to his level Harry." I murmur. "He said mum and dad should have died." Harry growls glaring at Malfoy. "Harry, don't stoop to his level. He just lost the game." I whisper. Harry groans and starts to walk away. "That's right Pottah! Listen to your sister like the good little boy you are. Don't worry, when the Dark Lord returns, we'll give your family a nice little send off to the afterlife and you can join them after the Dark Lord's made an example out of you. Then we'll send the Weasley's and their fat ass mother..." Draco doesn't finish.
Even though I told the boys not to act rashly, I have nothing to lose. I whirl around before either of them can stop me and punch Malfoy in the face so hard he goes bouncing across the pitch and crashing into his teammates that were just walking over. "Damn!" Lee yells into the mic laughing. "That was extremely reckless Seren." Fred whispers wrapping an arm around me and leading me off the field with Harry hurrying after us staring at me in disbelief.
"My hand hurts." I whimper staring at my reddening hand. George high fives me as we walk over. "Where'd you learn to punch like that?" George chuckles. "I saw Hermione punch Draco a few years ago. I just mimicked her." I confess. Fred tuts and examines my hand. "I didn't even give you any pep medicine and you still managed to knock out an entire team." he frowns looking across the pitch at the Slytherin team getting up groggily. I wince as he presses lightly at my hand.
"I don't know whether to joke about this, laugh, praise you, or scold you." he pinches my cheek. He takes my uninjured hand and leads me to the changing room. I sit on a bench while he rummages around in the office for the first aid kit. He returns and kneels in front of me while he wraps my hand. "Silly girl. You know that was absolutely reckless and you did it anyways." he scolds. "Because I don't have anything to lose. You, George, and Harry love this game so much. If you'd fought or even harmed him an anyway, you'd be kicked off the team by Umbridge. She was in the stands watching you three and waiting for you to hit him. I saw her gloating toad face." I wince as he applies an ice pack to my hand.
"Wow, you really love me." Fred whispers tucking my hair behind my ears. "I wouldn't take it that far Weasley." I scoff and look away but I'm blushing slightly. "After all that we've been through and done, you wouldn't take it that far? First day of classes, that thing you whispered to me, that's not taking it too far?" he smirks. My blush darkens considerably and he kisses my cheek. "Thought so." he smirks. I go to the office and put the kit away grumbling and glaring at Fred while he changes.
I sit and pout in the corner when I'm done. He scoops me up and carries me back to the castle when he's done changing. "You're so mean." I pout into the crook of his neck. "Yeah, yeah, I know." he laughs. I continue mumbling as he carries me up the stairs. "There you two are. Wow she is pouting?" Cayden chuckles. "Yep!" Fred laughs. our friends laugh too and I crack a small smile. We go back to the boys' dorm and spend the day talking and joking around.
Fred pokes my cheek waking me in the morning. I groan and knock his hand away. "Aren't you hungry?" he asks with a smile. I sit up and hold my arms out. "I'm pretty sure you have two working feet but ok." he picks me up. I kiss his cheek and rest my head on his shoulder. I hum softly until I smell food. Then I hop out of his arms and bolt for the Great Hall. I slide in next to Alicia and start eating. "How'd you get down here faster than Fred." she mumbles.
"She smelled food and ran, actually ran!" Fred laughs sitting down. I ignore my friends laughter grab a slice of toast. "Aww, are you upset now? Don't be." Fred kisses my cheek. "If you keep that up, she'll break up with you again." Lee warns. "No, she won't. Even if she does, she already said she'd marry me if I asked her to." Fred brags. Like a record scratch, our friends drop their cutlery and gawk.
I blush and eat faster so I can escape the questions building up. I stuff a waffle into Fred's mouth cutting off his boasting. He turns to me slightly hurt. "I take it back. I won't do it. Harry and Ginny have a better chance of getting together than we have of getting married." I shiver and turn back to my food. George and Lee snicker and Cayden and Donovan turn away shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "Seren! You can't take it back, you can't. That's not fair." Fred whines.
Before I can say anything the Slytherin team comes limping in and when they see me, they flinch and hobble quickly to their table. "Wow, you really did a number on them." Angelina smirks. I frown and rub my hand. "My hand still hurts. How was Hermione not in pain when she punched Draco?" I wonder. Down the table Ron and Harry choke on their food and Hermione blushes. "What are you talking about?" Hermione squeaks. "In your third year, I saw you punch Draco. That's what I based my punch off of. How were you not in pain?" I pout.
Ron starts laughing and Harry nudges him. Hermione is too flustered to answer so I return to my breakfast with a frown. Fred puts his head on my shoulder and pinches my waist. "Seren, mum sent you this. She wants to know where the rest of your medicine is." Elin murmurs holding up a letter. I groan internally as Fred sits up. "It's in my trunk." I shrug ignoring Fred's curious gaze. "Why? That's a whole year's worth." Elin wonders. "To see if Madam Pomfrey can make it taste better." I reply making Alicia laugh.
"Oh, ok. Mum said she can't find your old clothes either." Elin sighs taking some fruit from my plate. "I left it that way so she wouldn't get uncomfortable and rearrange my room again and since when are you her messenger pigeon? Give me the letter, I'll reply myself." I sigh. Everyone at the Gryffindor table gasps in shock. "Oh, I am not that bad." I blush scribbling a quick reply. "Yes, yes you are. You are that bad." my friends mutter.
"There you are Ms. Potter! I would like a word with you about yesterday's behavior on the Quidditch pitch." Umbridge smiles sounding absolutely delighted. I keep writing. "I am talking to you Ms. Potter. The polite thing to do is to reply quickly." she snaps. "Elin, she's talking to you, answer her." I murmur. "NO, she's not!" Elin shudders and gags. "Well, there are two Misses Potters here, so which one of us do you think she talking to?" I pout up at Elin. "You're Mrs. Weasley." Fred whispers in my ear making me blush. I turn and smack his arm.
"Seren Potter I am talking to you. As your professor..." she trails off as I begin to gag. "I am so VERY sorry but I don't, never will, and never plan to count YOU as one of MY professors. You see those men and women up there. They got here because they were chosen by the Headmasters. You're only here because the Ministry wants to keep a close eye on Dumbledore and meddle in Hogwarts affairs even though it's really none of their concern and there's nothing to report. Quirrell was more of a professor than you. Even poor Lockhart who was his own jinx was more of a professor than you. You do not even rank." I smile.
The entire hall has gone silent. "I beg your pardon!" Umbridge gasps now glaring at me. "Beg, beg, and beg. It won't get you anywhere. Now if you don't mind, you're ruining everyone's breakfast by being a bitch. Leap away young toad." I whisper the last part so only my friends can hear. I get to my feet and nod politely to the professors at the head table before exiting the hall. As soon as I round the corner Umbridge begins complaining for McGonagall to do something but she's drowned out by laughing students.
I hear footsteps behind me as I approach the Owlry steps and see Umbridge doubled over and panting. "I will have your... respect. I demand... it!" she gasps pointing a grubby little finger at me. I blink at her amazed she was able to get over here so fast. I turn and start up the steps. She grabs my wrist and snatches my letter. She crumples it as she tries to read it and starts scanning it. Before I can reach her Fred snatches the letter from her and steps between us forcing her to let my arm go.
"What bad behavior! What kind of example are you setting for us young students?" he tuts. She stammers and looks around trying to see where he popped out of. Fred leads me up to the Owlry and to an available owl. I scribble a small note at the bottom of my letter: Our mail is being intercepted and read. No contact.
I tie the letter and send the owl off. Then I send another owl off the opposite way with my replies for jobs. Fred watches my every move with a blank look. "Yes?" I ask without turning around. "Why are you applying to jobs you haven't taken any classes for? You know you're just going to get rejected, right?" he sighs. "That's the entire point." I smile and head down the stairs. Fred is hot on my heels and I stop and turn to him. "I'm not ready to work yet. This is just to get my parents off my back for right now." I confess.
He searches my eyes for a minute then sighs. "Come on. What are we doing today?" he asks as we walk down the hall hand in hand. "I'm still sleepy." I yawn making him smile. "Well then you should get some more sleep then." he chuckles pulling me closer and putting his arm around me. As soon as we get to his dorm, he's kissing me. I hum softly as he walks me back to his bed and we fall onto it. I curl up next to him and sigh contentedly.
We lie there for an hour just cuddling when Cayden walks in and Fred shushes him. "She's asleep." Fred hisses. "We're all going down to the lake for the day." Cayden whispers walking around quietly. Because of our positioning it must look like I'm really asleep. I snuggle into Fred's chest and he chuckles. "I think we're going to be up here all day. Someone's tired from snapping at Umbridge. We'll see you guys at dinner." Fred waves as Cayden closes the door.
"Time to go to sleep with the future Mrs. Weasley." Fred smiles tugging the covers higher. I smack his chest and he laughs. "You said you would. Please don't take it back Seren. I love you. I really love you." Fred whispers kissing the top of my head. "I won't take it back. I promise. Fred sighs and rubs my arms. "I got accepted." I whisper. He freezes and I look up at him. "When? When are you leaving?" he chokes the words out. "I'm not telling you. You'll follow me. I know you will. I can't have that. I got accepted a month ago. They'll be sending me medicine and then when I'm ready I'll go. It's only a few years and I'll be back." I promise.