I would've had this done sooner, but my computer crapped out on me and deleted what I had DX So I had to do a rushed one before I lost my mind. Sorry if it's crappy! I love you kids.

A Broken Encounter

Balisk smiled as one of the house elves in the kitchen struck up conversation with him. They talked about their jobs (only positive things, of course, as Balisk didn't want to scare the poor guy) and the other elves. He focus on cutting some vegetables while he went on and on about the new wave of "Free Elves" and how they were a disgrace to the elf name.

"But really, what self-respecting house elf requests payment? It's disgusting is what it is!"

Balisk smiled and nodded, laughing a bit under his breath.

"I mean, for humans it's different. You have to go home and buy things. What expenses does a house elf have? We don't buy clothes or food, so what are you supposed to buy?"

"I think Dobby spends his earnings on socks and hats," He replied. The elf shrugged.

"That's Dobby for you…"

"Oh, hello young master!"

Balisk tensed when he heard a female elf exclaim from across the kitchen. She clapped her hands and asked if the person needed anything. Much to his horror, an all-too-familiar voice replied.

"Yeah, could I get some—Who're you?" The last part, he knew for sure, was directed at him. Balisk pulled his hood, which had already been up, further around his face. "I'm serious. Who are you?"

"Is it any of your bloody business? No." Balisk consciously deepened his voice when a certain ginger-haired twin leaned in to get a better look at his face.

"Francis!" The elf he'd been speaking to gasped. "That is no way to speak to a student!"

"Sorry," Balisk muttered.

Fred sniffed, "What sort of name is Francis?"

"It's bloody French—what sort do you think it is?" Balisk hissed, making sure the elves were out of earshot.

"You're awfully rude to be working around house elves. You an Azkaban-escapee or something?"

Balisk reacted without thinking. Before he knew what he'd done, his fist was clenched and Fred had a sharp red mark on his face and his mouth was bleeding.

"If I wanted your goddamned opinion I would ask for it you ginger freak!" He yelled, not masking his voice or anger and not noticing Fred's look of realization as he heard this.

Fred sputtered for a moment, caught between rage and relief.

"I-uh—th-…Balisk?"

Balisk and Fred and all the elves froze. Balisk's jaw slacked and he felt his stomach drop.

"W-Who's Balisk? That some sort of snake or something?" Balisk stuttered, trying his best to keep his voice disguised even though he knew he'd already exposed himself.

"You're Balisk you bloody twit," Fred growled, obviously not entertained by Balisk's façade. "Now how about you come with me and you can explain just where the fuck you've been."

Balisk found himself being dragged—rather roughly, he might add—by the arm out of the kitchens and down the steps to the school entrance before going out onto the grounds and finally stopping behind the Quidditch locker rooms.

Fred crossed his arms and raised a red eyebrow.

"I…uh…" Balisk shuffled his feet.

"What the hell Balisk?" Fred yelled, making Balisk flinch slightly. "You disappear for nearly two bloody years then you show back up and you're a fucking kitchen worker? What the hell have you been doing all this time?"

"I've been running, Fred," Balisk whispered. "I went to live with Simone and her family, but then…I know you saw it in the papers, so I won't bother to repeat it. Then I traveled for a while after that and tried to get settled somewhere…Then I ended up back in England and I just…This is the only place I knew I could go."

"Why didn't you come back home?" Fred asked, his voice absolutely miserable. "Do you have any idea how much we missed you? Mum cried for a month non-stop. Even after that, she could barely focus on anything."

"I would've had to leave anyway, Fred. Dad was gonna kick me out."

"Why would he do that?"

Balisk bit his lip, "My father. It's…He's Voldemort, Freddie," Balisk fell to his knees and cried. "He was going to find me! He found me once, and his stupid followers killed my brother. I couldn't let that happen to you! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I caused that…I just wanted…I just…"

"You wanted us to be safe," Fred whispered.

"Yes," Balisk nodded miserably. "I know how much I hurt you. It hurt me too, Fred, knowing I'd left and if I went back he'd find me and kill all of you…I hated myself, but I couldn't go back."

Fred collapsed next to Balisk, stroking his hair and pulling him against his chest.

"Shh, it's okay," Fred soothed. "It's okay, it's okay. I'm sorry I hadn't thought of that…I didn't know. It's okay, Balisk."

Balisk wrapped his arms around Fred's waist and rested against him, sniffling like a child and whimpering to himself. He'd forgotten how nice it felt to have this sort of comfort—Simone had tried her best to substitute the feeling, but she'd never be Molly or George or Fred.

"I'm so sorry Freddie," Balisk said into Fred's jacket.

"I know, Balisk, I know."

"I missed you a lot, you know," Balisk said. "I wanted to say goodbye, but I wasn't thinking that night."

"It's really okay, Balisk. I understand." Fred leaned down and kissed Balisk's forehead.

Balisk looked up and into Fred's eyes, "Freddie…"

Judging by the look in Fred's eyes, Balisk wasn't entirely sure who had leaned forward first or if it had been a total accident. The only thing he knew for sure was that their lips were now pressed together and neither of them were moving.

Balisk gasped and pulled away, surprised by their actions.

"I'm sorry," Both of them said at the same time. Balisk laughed slightly and Fred gave a nervous chuckle.

"I guess we should…" Fred stuttered.

"I need to get back to the kitchen," Balisk breathed. He scattered to stand and, with one last look back at Fred, he headed back towards the castle.

"I swear Balisk," Fred whispered, knowing the other boy couldn't hear him. "He'll never touch you. I'll make sure of it."

*OWARI*

Did I mention that this was the last chapter?

Yeah, there's this then the third and final installation, which I plan to make a one-shot. Then I might do a couple of side stories to fill in some of the time skips if it feels right :D

To all those who wanted Fred and Balisk to shack up—congrats.

To those who voted anyone else…Sorry for your hard luck.

For those who are disappointed but didn't vote: I FEEL NO SYMPATHY. LEAVE MY SIGHT.

Thank children!~