Fred had been giving me space all day but my conversation with Hermione was sticking in my head. There was so much misery lately and Fred was right, we were running out of chances since we were graduating this year and after that who knew what would happen. With a war brewing, there wouldn't be much time to try on new relationships. So decidedly the day after our date, after classes I walked over to where Fred was sitting on the couch. He was going over some papers which were undoubtedly product-related since both of the twins had lost a lot if interest in their studies lately.
I quietly sat beside him before putting my hand in his as non-chalantly as possible. Fred's shoulders tensed, but then he relaxed and instead he continued going over his notes. He didn't look at me but I could see the smile on his face. The reactions from everyone else around however us was a different story.
"Marnie and Fred are holding hands!" Alicia beamed excitedly.
"Oi, you lot have let Katie and Lee fumble around for years with their relationship, so why do we have to become the centre of attention?" Fred grumbled at our friends.
"Hey!" Lee exclaimed while Katie furiously blushed.
The rest all continued beaming but didn't say another word before they all went back to their homework and product making.
And this was all it took for Fred and I to start our relationship. Fred knew this was my way of answering his question and he seemed to not mind it being wordless. I felt excited and vowed to continue trying to accept this new life and relationship with as little guilt as possible.
George kept beaming but changed the subject before I could reprimand him for his stupid and suggestive grin.
"Hey Marnie, can you try these latest candies? I promise they won't make you vomit. You did say you would try out the next batch," George said, pulling out a box of purple candies.
"What are they?" I asked sceptically.
"Oh yea, that's a good idea Georgie. These ones are just prototypes for a flavour we're trying out," Fred added.
He gently pulled his hand from mine to tuck his notes back into his rucksack. George smiled and I could tell he wasn't trying to pull one over on me, especially with the reassurance from Fred. Maybe Hermione was right, I was one of only a few the twins didn't try and cross—except for maybe Ginny.
"They're wine flavoured, we wanted to introduce a line of alcohol flavoured candies for kids. They only mimic the flavour though and we just want to know if the flavour is any good," George explained.
"Alright, I'll give them a try," I replied, taking the box from George and setting them down beside me.
I decided to spend the afternoon reading through the Care of Magical Creatures book since Hagrid was back and I figured he would completely change the lesson plan. Everyone else was headed to either Divination or Ancient Runes. I was relieved not to have any of those electives and instead had a free afternoon. Fred smiled warmly at me before he followed everyone out of the common room.
Once everyone disappeared through the door I opened my book to start reading. As I read I lifted one of the candies from the box and popped it in my mouth. The taste was instant, very sweet but with a sharper taste— exactly like mulled wine. I was surprised with how much I liked the candies and decided to eat another one. I knew they would be an instant hit and figured I would give the twins a more thorough review if I ate a few more.
"Marnie—are those candies from Fred and George's prank collection?' Hermione came over, criticism dripping from her voice after I'd been sitting on the couch for a couple hours.
"They're not dangerous silly," I giggled, feeling weird since Hermione hadn't said anything worth laughing about.
I had noticed the feeling Fred gave me with his smile still warmed my body and made me feel giddy. It had actually prevented me from reading as much as I planned to this afternoon before my detention which was annoying.
"Are you alright Marnie?" Ron asked, looking at me with his eyebrows raised.
"You know Ron, you don't look anything like Fred or George," I replied to him before breaking out into more strange laughter.
"Erm—thanks?" Ron replied confused.
"What's so funny Marnie?" Harry asked, now coming into the common room as well.
He must have only been a few paces behind his two best friends when they returned from whatever class they had this afternoon.
"You're such a good brother Harry. You're always looking out for me. But you shouldn't worry so much, you're so grumpy little brother," I said to him with a large grin.
I then raised my hands to my cheeks since I realised they felt as if they were glowing under my hands.
"Marnie… are you drunk?" Hermione whispered feverishly before glaring back over at the box that only had a few candies left.
"So," Harry started in a glaring voice. "Those two idiots gave you a box of candies that made you drunk. And you have your detention in less than an hour with Umbridge!"
Harry was fuming, hands clenched and eyes glaring before his head whipped around the room. His eyes landed on the culprits as Fred and George coincidently came back from class and entered the common room.
"Harry, what's got you so heated?" Fred asked seeming less taken aback than those around him.
"You," Harry pointed his finger with a steely expression at Fred's chest. "Got my sister drunk. Right before she has to serve her detention with Umbridge of all people!"
Harry was livid, watching as both of the twins' expression turned to one of horror.
"Marnie, how many of those did you eat?" George asked in a panicked voice.
"Hmmm hmmm, most of them," I chuckled, smiling at the sudden appearance of my two best friends.
"Well… maybe one of you is my boyfriend now," I said out loud and felt as my cheeks heated up even more.
"Maybe this isn't the time to talk about that," Fred blushed furiously.
"Oh, hi guys!" I beamed, noticing Angelina, Alicia and Katie were now here with Lee.
"Hey Marnie, let's bring you upstairs," Angelina said, trying to coax her friend upstairs.
"Yea Hare, why don't you—" but Fred was cut off by Harry's steely glare.
"You two, you've done enough," Harry said angrily. "Hermione, please go up with Marnie and make sure she get's sobered up."
"Harry, we can manage—" but Angelina was also cut off by Harry who raised his hand to silence her.
"Please—go with them Hermione," Harry's order was absolute.
Hermione nodded, knowing there was no arguing with Harry when he was like this. Fred and George went off to the corner sulking, but the candies were already gone so they wouldn't get confiscated while Hermione and Ron were both preoccupied.
"Come here Marnie," Angelina guided me into the lavatory attached to our dorm.
She helped me out of my robes and handed them to Hermione who was standing beside her. Katie was starting the water in the shower. I could tell they were all annoyed and worried but my body wouldn't react accordingly. I still had a smile and felt really good. I knew I had felt like this before, like when I went and snogged Cedric in the Divination Tower.
"Bloody hell!" I shouted when Angelina pushed me into the running water still wearing my shirt and shirt. "It's freezing!"
"Well, we have to sober you up quick!" Angelina responded in an authoritative tone. "We don't have much choice."
Angelina stood at the exit of the shower and blocked my attempts to run out. She didn't move until she was thoroughly satisfied and I was a shivering mess.
"How do you feel Marnie?" Hermione asked as she handed me a towel.
"Like I'm about to catch my death, I'm probably going to end up with pneumonia," I grumbled before Alicia stepped forward and used another towel to dry my hair.
"Well, at least you're not giggling anymore. I swear, those two are complete idiots! And just when Fred finally started getting his act together for you," Angelina said in an annoyed tone.
"Well, they did say just to try one and I ended up eating most of the box," I replied, feeling self-conscious now that my mind was sobering.
"This is exactly the reason they shouldn't be testing them on students," Hermione fumed, putting on her prefect scowl.
"I offered Hermione, it's fine. I'm mostly worried over Harry, he's never going to accept Fred now," I said.
Hermione surprised me by chuckling. "Of course you're worried about that. Merlin, you and Harry are so similar. Don't worry so much about him, Harry just wants you to be happy, he'll come around. He get's on with Fred alright, so don't worry about him."
Angelina smiled at Hermione and the others looked less panicked now that I was seemingly back to normal.
"Let's just get you through the next few hours with Umbridge before you worry about Harry. Go get changed and we'll meet you downstairs," Angelina ordered.
I nodded and watched as all the others left, probably to go placate Harry and the others before I headed downstairs. However, everyone was already gone from the common room when I came down a few minutes later. I figured the girls must have convinced the boys to go down to dinner instead.
"Hare?" I heard a familiar voice call out.
I turned around and realised Fred was standing over in the corner and had went unnoticed when I entered from the staircase.
"Hey Fred," I said, feeling nervous as he approached looking anxious himself.
It was strange since I had never felt nervous around Fred before. This time however I was painfully aware of Fred's hands; one was running through his hair while the other hung at his side.
"I'm so sorry for the candies. George and I both tried them but we didn't try them in excess like you did, we had no idea you would get drunk," Fred fretted and I wondered if Harry had reamed him out some more.
"Don't worry about it, this is why you test the products right? And I thought you didn't put any alcohol in them anyway?" I asked, remembering what George had said when he left the candies with me.
"They're supposed to be harmless, but we realised the flavour we added must have fermented," Fred explained apologetically.
"Well, don't mind Harry's temper and I'm not upset. The cold shower was rather alarming but the girls did a good job, I'm definitely sober now," I shrugged, feeling self-conscious again that everyone was making this much of a fuss.
"Well, I'm glad you got sorted out," Fred said, flashing a grin now that also made me feel nervous and uncomfortable.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Fred asked cautiously, misinterpreting my reaction.
"Yea, I'm good," I replied before quickly stepping forward and brought my lips to his cheek.
I gently kissed his cheek before stepping back and then waving behind me as I exited the common room and headed towards Umbridge's office. Despite the fact that the next couple hours were most definitely consisting of Ministry sanctioned torture, I was feeling content and relaxed. I hadn't given Fred time to react since I was still feeling nervous acting as more than a best friend around him, but I was happy nonetheless.
When I arrived at Umbridge's office I knocked and promptly heard her call me inside. I opened the door and refrained from outwardly reacting to the amount of pink and cats in the room.
"Good evening Miss. O'Hara, please take a seat," she appraised me from her seat behind her desk.
The expression she gave me was expectant and she even looked pleased like she had lured her prey into a set trap just like she expected.
"I had thought my message sunk in already," Umbridge started in her calm voice while her gaze glanced down to my hand where there was a distinct scar, "but I was mistaken. Let's see how much we can get it to sink in this time."
Her stare was cunning and calculating as she waited for me to react to her double meaning, but I cleared any expression from my face. Instead, I walked over and sat down at the now familiar desk. I picked up her special quill and proceeded to write the same sentence as last time. It's not like I had forgotten since it was now tattooed in blood on my hand which I could use as reference anyways. It wasn't until five minutes to curfew that she finally dismissed me. My good mood was completely erased as I clenched my other fist in pain while blood ran from my reopened scars.
XX
The next day Fred walked me downstairs to breakfast. He had lost it last night when I returned with a bloodied hand but finally calmed down when I sat down beside him while I soaked my hand in Murtlap essence. I was surprised he quieted so easily until I felt him put his arm around my shoulder and we continued to sit in an easier silence.
As we descended the stairs headed towards the Great Hall my gaze turned to the corridor where I saw a group of Hufflepuffs walking. My gaze landed on Liam who was laughing with his friends and also had Natalie's hand in his. I watched as his laughter cut out as soon as his gaze landed on mine and travelled to my hand into Fred's.
"Hey Fred, save me a spot? I'll follow you in a minute," I said suddenly, feeling I wanted to sort this out with Liam before it spiralled out of control.
Fred noticed where I was staring and grunted in disapproval but obligingly let go of my hand.
"I'm only inside Hare, don't let them say anything cruel. They have no right to judge you," Fred said firmly.
I smiled and nodded, watching him enter the Great Hall as he looked back at me. I waved assuredly until he disappeared and then I turned towards Liam. Liam hadn't taken his eyes off of me and obligingly made an excuse to stay behind as well. Once he was alone I walked over towards him. He looked uneasy and I couldn't read his expression.
"So, you and a Weasley? I always told Cedric that they looked at you as more than a friend," Liam said in a flat tone.
"Well, just Fred I guess, George definitely doesn't like me that way," I replied, already feeling uneasy that Liam was judging me for moving on this quickly.
I was still feeling guilty and trying to follow Hermione's words as much as I could, but I still felt considerable doubt. Liam remained in an uncomfortable silence which only added to my nervousness.
"You know, when I was with Cedric I never thought of anyone else. The twins were always just my friends… I really loved him you know," I whispered, feeling my voice start to choke.
Liam sighed, running his hand behind his head. "Marnie, like I said, I'm still not in a place where we can be friends like before. But, I'm not going to judge you if you have found some way to be happy. It's not like I can't see the pain on your face when I catch you staring off in class. I know you're dealing with it just like the rest of us are trying. I mean it just seems impossible some days to even get out of bed. For Merlin's sake they even moved his fucking bed out of our dorm room so it wouldn't be a stark reminder, but it almost seems worse that he's being erased like that. I never doubted you when you went out with him, despite what I thought about your friends. So, don't feel like you have to justify yourself like this. He would want you to be happy, so that's what I want as well. Natalie has been a saint through all of this, I honestly don't know what I would have done without her. And you've really been alone in this, so if that Weasley can bring you some sanity, then that should be enough," Liam finished looking uncomfortable but I could tell he was being sincere.
"That—that means a lot coming from you," I replied quietly, not bringing myself to be able to look at him directly so I stared down at the floor.
"Right, well Natalie will be wondering where I am," Liam said before walking away towards the entrance.
I remained rooted in place where I took a deep breath before standing up straighter and headed into the Great Hall. Fred was already looking towards me when I walked in, probably because he had noticed Liam walk in before me. I smiled at Fred and it must have looked genuine since he smiled back. It was a huge relief to hear Liam condone my relationship since we were the only two who were still deeply rooted in the grieving process over Cedric.
Fred kept looking over at me all throughout breakfast but didn't ask about Liam. I didn't know what Fred must be thinking and I knew it must be difficult for him to date someone who's ex was only out of the picture because he had been killed. But, I kept a smile on my face since I did feel relieved and like I had more of a right to date Fred despite Liam's opinion being technically irrelevant.
"So, it'll be great having a girlfriend in the stands for our first game of the season!" Fred said with a grin after several minutes of sitting in silence.
I took his change of subject as his understanding that my talk with Liam was part of my own process to move on and Fred was accepting this without butting in.
"Yea, but I don't know if I can date a loser, so Gryffindor better win," I smirked back at him.
This seemed to lighten the atmosphere between us since my response incited our usual banter. Angelina and the others soon joined us and Angelina scowled that I would even suggest Gryffindor would lose. They were playing this weekend against Slytherin and that soon became the topic everyone was talking about while Fred moved to put his hand in mine as we finished our breakfast. I couldn't get over how relaxed I felt about my relationship changing with Fred, but I finally felt the world around me come more into focus since it crumbled last spring.