A/N: I know that this was originally meant to be a one shot, but i've decided to lengthen it to three chapters. Hope you like it.
Nineteen-year-old Katie Bell was speeding down a deserted highway in the middle of the country in her old beater muggle car. It was New Year's Eve and she'd left the flat in which she lived with Alicia, located in a poorer part of London, for no other reason than to be by herself when the New Year began. Alicia had a boyfriend over, and they had invited several of their friends from the university, but Katie couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness and had left the party early. She had at first considered going to her parents' house, but rejected the idea when she realized that they would be with their friends and would consequently be intaking large amounts of vodka. Never pleasant. Instead, she had ended up here, driving down a road and headed for nowhere in particular. Three hours to midnight.
It had taken her a while to realize where she was going. She had simply got into the car and left, randomly taking little backroads before she realized that she was inadvertently heading to the place where she had spent so many of her summers—The Weasley home. Once a place of happiness, it now filled her with the greatest dread and foreboding. Fred lived there.
Well, in all truth, he hadn't lived there for coming up on two years. He lived in the apartment over the shop he ran with George. George had moved out around a year and a half ago when he'd married Angelina and now lived in a decent sized home a few miles outside of town. Katie kept in contact with Angelina, but had not seen George since he left school. George reminded her too much of Fred in general. In fact, it was really necessary to keep the whole family at bay.
Fred had been Katie's boyfriend back at school. Things had been getting shaky the last year they were there, and the night Fred told Katie he was leaving had dissolved it completely. She simply couldn't understand why he would leave so near to graduating Hogwarts. It seemed to her a desperate, immature plea for attention, and she had told him so. But deep down, she had been hurt. He couldn't stay there—not even for her. He had never written, never came after her—nothing. She had only seen him once since then. About a week after the twins left, Katie had managed to sneak out of the castle and down to the shop where they were just beginning business. They had simply stared at each other for a couple of moments before Fred began to walk toward her, when George had come out unexpectedly, yelling for his brother's help in the kitchen and she'd fled. It was things like that that convinced her it hadn't been meant to be.
And now she was driving up and down Highway 18, passing and repassing the little dirt road that led up to the Burrow, trying to push to annual invitation to the Weasley's New Year party that was sitting somewhere in the back of her car out of her mind. Two and a half hours to midnight.
"Oh, bollocks," Katie said as she swung her car around and began speeding down the dirt road. She had no idea why she was going there, especially since it was against here best judgment. The family would be surprised to see her. It wasn't as though they had actually expected her to arrive. It was more of a courtesy invite, one that she got for being Fred's old girlfriend and a friend and quidditch mate of George's. Oh, and his wife's, too. Anyway, they knew she lived with Alicia and they knew her parents had parties every year. She hadn't been to the Weasley's in almost two years. Still, though, she drove on. She had no idea what to expect about what would meet her there.
Katie pulled up alongside the tall, unstable looking house and stared up at it. She could hear the laughter and smell Molly's cooking as both floated through the dark night. She closed her eyes and could remember so many of the summers she had spent there; before school had ended, before Umbridge had driven the twins away, before Angelina had gone and married George, before the looming threat of Lord Voldemort had engulfed them all, before Dumbledore had been murdered, and before she and Fred had cut things off for the final time. Why had things changed? And yet, she reminded herself, even then things hadn't been the best. When she and Fred weren't fighting, there was argument looming somewhere closely by. She'd cried on Angelina's shoulder so many times in that house. But there had still been happy times, too, she told herself before her cynical side could take over. She could still clearly remember the sweet reconciling between them after they both admitted they were pig-headed and stupid. She remembered staying up into the late hours of the night, her head on his chest as they lay out in the backyard, gazing up at the stars. She didn't think he ever particularly enjoyed it, but it was enough to know he did it because she wanted to. She sighed. Even amid these horrible times, they were still in there, managing to find something to laugh at and be happy about. The Burrow really hadn't changed; she had.
Katie swore and started up her car again. "I don't belong here anymore," she muttered, and was about to swing out onto the driveway before a red head popped up right beside her window, yanked open the door, and dragged her out.
"Ouch! Ginny!" Katie said, rubbing the spot on her head that had been thrust into the ceiling on the way out of her still running car. Katie leaned back in and turned it off. "What are you doing?"
"Welcoming you!" Ginny said, enthusiastically. "I knew you'd come; Mum and Dad and George said no, but I knew you'd be here."
"Actually, I was just passing through," Katie said stupidly, looking out at the dead end that ended with the Burrow.
"Rubbish," Ginny said, climbing into Katie's car again and shoving her purse and keys in her hands before locking and shutting the door. "Come on in, there's loads of people. And Fred's here." She grinned in such a way that made Katie's face turn on fire.
"No, really, Ginny, I didn't realize how late it was. I really need to be getting back to my parent's for the New Year."
"Don't be an idiot, you've got two and a half hours," Ginny said, "And you'd much better spend it with us."
Katie sighed and, very uncomfortable with the prospect of facing the whole Weasley clan after an elapsed absence of almost two years, allowed Ginny to drag her into the house.
A burst of warm air rushed through the open door, and Katie hung back as Ginny unbuttoned her coat and cheerfully announced, "Hey, you lot! Look what I've found outside!" She grabbed Katie by the wrist and whisked her into the living room, slamming out the cold air behind them.
"Er—hi," Katie said, gazing into the packed living room.
The effect was immediate. Everyone stared. The only person who made a move toward friendliness was Angelina, who lifted a bewildered hand in greeting. She was sitting next to George on the love seat looking very puzzled to see her there. On the longer couch was Bill, his wife Fleur, and old Professor Lupin seated next to woman Katie had been introduced to once as Tonks. Charlie was sitting next to Ron, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter at the dining table, their game of cards lying unforgotten. Arthur Weasley was on the opposite end of the smaller couch as Fred, whose mouth was open just a little.
"Well, everyone, I've just pulled the mince pies out of the oven and—" Molly Weasley, bustling out of the kitchen, stopped short when she came upon Katie standing in the middle of a very silent living room.
"Dear me," she said, recovering herself. "Well, Katie, darling, how are you?? We certainly didn't expect that—but of course you're always welcome. How are your parents, love?"
"Well, I was actually on my way to drop in at there party, I just thought I'd stop and say…hi."
"And I told her it was rubbish," Ginny said, being as forward as usual. "It's ridiculous to drive that far tonight. She might as well stay with us. Right, Mum?"
"Of course, you must stay, dear. Merlin knows it's been too long since you've been here. We've certainly missed you. Some of us more than others." Her eyes lingered on Fred whom Katie noticed was staring steadfastedly at the carpet. "Why don't you have a seat? There's one over here, right next to Fred."
Katie blanched before Ginny said, "Mum, I was sitting there." Molly gave her a look and she quickly recovered, moving over to sit down at the table next to Charlie.
"See?" said Molly. "All open."
Katie felt all the awkwardness of the moment and shook her head and came up with a quick lie. "Really," she said. "I've got to go. I promised I'd be there for the New Year and Mum would be terribly disappointed."
"Well," said Molly, a little sadly, "If you're absolutely certain—"
"I am," Katie said firmly. "I've really got to be—"
"No!" Fred said suddenly. All of the eyes in the room turned to him. He shifted a little in a very uncharacteristic manner. "I mean, you've only just gotten here. At least stay for dessert."
Katie looked at him, trying to read into what he was thinking, but all she could see were his green eyes, looking very earnestly at her.
"Please," he said, in such a way that Katie had no room to argue. She slowly unwound her scarf and placed her hat and coat on a peg, moving over to where Fred sat.
"Hi," she said softly.
"Hey."
"So, Kates, what are you doing these days?" Charlie asked, breaking up the tension.
"I'm actually working for the Daily Prophet," Katie replied. "I'm a special correspondent with—"
"Oh, not that horrid rag of a paper, really?" Molly said, shocked, setting down the pies and preparing the table for her guests.
"Mum," George said firmly, "It's not that bad anymore. Remember, they've accepted the news that You-Know-Who is back?"
"Yes, well, they didn't at first—"
"Before Katie worked there," finished Arthur. "Is that paying well, Katie?"
"Er—well, yes, I suppose so; I mean, I'm affording everything in my flat with Alicia and—"
"How is Alicia?" Angelina interrupted. "I've really been meaning to ask you that. Why don't you come sit by me for pie?"
"Alright," Katie said, confused.
The table was a buzz with Fleur talking consistently about herself, Tonks spilling things left and right, and Ginny's loud comments on the state of everything. Laughter and chatter were so loud it was possible for Angelina to hiss to Katie "What are you doing here??" without Fred at her left being able to hear.
"I honestly don't know," Katie replied. "I just sort of—ended up here…"
"It doesn't have anything to do with him, has it?"
She sighed. "I really don't know, Ange. I'm not sure why I'm here at all."
"He's really changed, you know. Hasn't dated a soul since you. George has told me. You're all he ever thinks about."
"Thanks, Ange," Katie said quietly, ending the conversation.
"So, Katie, have you had any boyfriends since old Freddy boy, here, eh?" Bill asked cheerfully. Katie turned bright red as Fred choked on a piece of pie.
"That's—not very interesting," Katie said, "I'm sure there's other things that—"
"No, really, darling, don't be shy," Molly said. "It's alright that you haven't had a date. Your mum's told me. Fred hasn't either."
Katie felt extremely uncomfortable with this conversation in such close proximity to Fred as she was. There was only one way to get out of here.
"Sorry, must use the loo," she said quickly, and escaped to the toilet. She slid down the back of the door and covered her face in her hands. "What am I doing here?" she groaned. "This was over. A long time ago. I'll just have to go out there and be myself, that's all. Everything's exactly the same. I'm still a family friend. Just not…his."
Katie sighed, recovered herself, and went back out into the living room. A radio program from Molly's favorite "singing sorceress", Celestina Warbeck was warbling in the background and people were now milling about the room in the traditional Weasley style. Nothing seemed too unusual now. Katie smiled. This was what she knew. She headed over toward Angelina and George before she tripped over something and sprawled onto the ground.
"Ow," she groaned, rolling over to stare up at Fred. "You never grow up, do you?"
Seemingly relieved that his tension-breaker had worked, he offered his hand and pulled her up off of the floor. "Nope, not really," he said, handing her a cup of tea.
Katie smiled as she took it.
"Still as fond of Celestina Warbeck as you used to be?" he asked.
Katie gave him a look.
"Right. Well, Mum's taste never falters."
"Apparently not. So…how's—er—everybody been?"
"Well," he said, smiling, "Mum and Dad are still Mum and Dad. Odd, and a little forward, in case you'd forgotten."
"Wish I had."
"And Bill's been married to Fleur for about a year now. You missed the wedding."
"I didn't like Fleur."
"Was that all, Katie?"
She looked away and he seemed to sense his mistake. "Er—right. And Charlie, well, he's still out in Romania now and then, working with dragons and trying to impress the local girls and not succeeding."
"I see he's lost one of his eyebrows."
"Yeah, that's why."
Katie laughed.
"And Percy's still…"
"How's Ron?" Katie interrupted, sensing the dark mood that had come over Fred.
"Good. Still a bit of a git. Hasn't managed to hook up with Hermione yet."
"Hmm. Think they'll snog at midnight?"
"Only if we're lucky. Oh, and Ginny and Harry are trying to work things out, I think. It's been rough because—"
"Yeah."
There was silence. "Fred, how is everyone still happy here? When the world is so…bad?"
He shrugged. "You've got to look for the good, Katie. Otherwise you're bogged down with too much of the world and that will really scar you."
They held eye contact for a while before Katie began to move away.
"Katie, what happened?" Fred said, suddenly.
She turned around. "What?"
"What happened? To us. Where did you go?"
"You've known where I've been, Fred. You just never came after me."
"Was I supposed to? You left."
"I left?? Fred, don't start. You left me, remember?"
"Because you said you didn't love me anymore."
Katie sighed, frustrated. "I never said that."
"Yes, you did. I asked if you loved me and you said, 'Do you have to ask?'"
"And you thought that meant no?"
"What was I supposed to think?!"
"Right now, you're supposed to think you're a git," Katie said angrily. "You never cared enough to fight for me."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Fred, just…no. No. I can't have you in my life anymore. I left you behind a long time ago."
"Is that why you're here tonight then?"
Katie stopped, and looked down.
"Don't tell me you're over me, Katie. You're not. I know you're not. You think I don't care about you; I care enough to keep tabs on you and I know you haven't been on a date since we split up. I knew it before Mum did. So don't tell me that you've left me behind. Don't tell me you're here to see Gin, or Mum, or Angelina, or anyone else. You know why you're here."
"Oh, so now you're going to be telling me why I do what I do? You're just that smart? You have no idea why I live the way I do, Fred, or why I do the things I do. If you knew me so well, you'd have known that you should have behaved yourself when we were dating to keep me here. I'm going."
And so Katie walked briskly over to the door, pulled on her things, and grabbed her keys.
"Sorry, Molly, I've got to go," she said, pushing the door open. "I'll be late to Mum and Dad's."
"Don't be ridiculous, darling, it's starting to snow. I wouldn't have you out there for anything. Your parents would never forgive me if something happened to you."
"I'm a good driver," Katie said, tugging on her hat.
"I'd feel more safe if Fred drove her," Arthur put in.
"Yes, Fred, go with Katie. You can apparate home."
"Why can't she apparate there?" Charlie asked curiously.
"Because she never passed the test," Fred said quickly, looking stonily at her. "And I'm not driving."
"Don't be ridiculous, Fred," Molly said. "Drive Katie to her parents."
"I won't."
"He doesn't need to," Katie said, "I'm quite capable of doing it myself."
"I think you'd better listen to her, Mum," Ginny said. "They don't need that kind of sexual tension in the car."
"GINNY!" Everyone shouted at once.
"Fred, I'm telling you to go," Arthur said firmly.
"I'm twenty years old!"
"And you're still acting like a git," Bill said. "Just drive her. You'll be back in no time."
Katie had had it. "Look," she said, "I appreciate the concern. I really do. But I'm driving by myself."
"Katie," Molly said. "I've just spoken through the floo to your parents. They want Fred to drive you as well."
"Sweet Merlin," Katie said, throwing up her hands. "Is the entire world against me?"
She thrust the keys at Fred and slammed the door behind her.
"Thanks for ruining my New Year, you lot," Fred said glumly, opening the door and following her out into the cold.