Thank you so much for the reviews! I know I've been forever, but school was killing me so I haven't had time to write but I'm back for the time being! :)
Chapter 9; Fred
School continued without much event. The anticipation of the mysterious Triwizard guests were all that kept most students awake in class. Fred had a different reason though. That reason was his Advanced History of Magic class. Although it was the most mind-numbing class Hogwarts had to offer, Evelyn was enrolled. Which was just enough to make Fred skip on his way to class every Tuesday, Thursday, and every other Saturday.
"Hey you." Evelyn jumped. She had obviously just gotten back from the Quidditch Pitch, her hair was a mess and her cheeks were glowing, and her books were flying everywhere in her rush to get to class on time. Fred grinned before he snatched her books from her and continued towards the classroom.
"Fred! You don't have to do that," He felt her catch up to him, he could hear the smile in her voice. "I can carry my own books."
"Oh I know that, deary, you forget I've watched you play Quidditch. Speaking of, have you heard about your tryout results yet?" As they turned the corner, Fred missed the blush that rose in Evelyn's cheek at the word 'deary'.
"Um, no not yet. Roger says he'll let me know by tonight though! So I'll let you know?" Fred laughed before he swooped down and whispered in her ear, his breath on her neck, he couldn't help but notice the goosebumps that erupted on her pale skin.
"We both know you're a given choice, Roger would be a bloody idiot to not recruit you." He began to pull away despite his urge to smell her hair and kiss her slender neck. Good Merlin what was wrong with him? Evelyn was blushing furiously, much to Fred's joy, and was obviously trying to find a retort. Fred smirked and sauntered into the classroom. Evelyn scurried after him and sat in her usual seat to Fred's right.
Like two love-sick ten year-olds, the class time was spent throwing side-way glances and slight blushes between the two. Poor Binns, the poor old ghost just wanted to teach History of Magic, not watch young adults act like a pair of silly love-struck birds.
By the time class had ended Fred's nerves were bouncing off the walls of his stomach and he was starving. He glanced at Evelyn as she packed up her things. Was she purposefully going slow? Fred chewed his lip, trying to think of the right approach, would she think I'm daft if I asked her to lunch. He sighed. I'm a pathetic wanker. Can't even ask out a pretty girl. He must have sighed quite loudly as Evelyn suddenly looked at him, eyebrows creased.
"Something wrong? You need me to move?" She quickly backed away from her seat as Fred mentally slapped himself,
NO! I uh- I mean no, you're totally fine. I was actually wondering if...well if maybe you'd like to erm-" Fred struggled to find the words as he rubbed his neck, feet shifting in his awkwardness. He could feel the crimson rising in his cheeks. "HavelunchattheGryffindortabl ewithme?" He said his proposal in a rush, the words tripping over themselves. Evelyn's eyes crinkled as she smiled. Fred squeezed his eyes shut, bloody, bloody idiot of an oaf! And then,
"Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm hardly fluent in fast talk, but what I got is you asking me to lunch with the Gryffindor table. Is that right?" He peeked at her through his lashes, she was blushing, but smiley hugely. Fred let out a sigh of relief.
"Uh- yes that was what I was asking, sorry about the fast- Oof!" He was cut off as Evelyn's arms wrapped around him as she hugged him.
"I would love to have lunch with you guys!" Beaming she pulled away, all too soon, before grabbing Fred's wrist as she began to drag him out of class. "Hurry, I'm starved!"
"So, Hermione mentioned you were home schooled." Evelyn nearly choked on her pumpkin juice. She looked at Fred in shock,
"Wh-what? Hermione...OH! Oh yes, sorry. Yes, my grandfather taught me everything up until now." She nodded in a distracted way. Fred studied her, rather taken aback by her reaction.
"If you'd rather not talk about it, I understand. I just want to get to know you better..." He turned his attention back to his meal before he could see her face at his obvious affection. She chuckled,
"Of course, I'm sorry I'm so socially awkward!" She laughed and Fred nudged her laughing too.
"Well so long as you're good at Quidditch, all I care about." He winked at her as she blushed, still giggling.
"What if we play twenty questions?" Fred frowned and Evelyn quickly explained,
"We ask each other twenty questions, you can play it as a guessing game or, in our case, a get to know you game." Fred grinned at the mention of 'our', downed his pumpkin juice and turned to face her, an evil glint in his eye. Her bright blue eyes widened in surprise and he stared her down.
"Challenge accepted." He grinned wickedly, "I'll go first. So, Evelyn Winters, do you live up to your name and have an aversion to winter?" Evelyn threw back her head and cackled. When she looked at him, Fred felt the breath rush out of his chest. Her eyes sparkling, hair falling over her face, cheeks pink, she looked absolutely gorgeous. He fought the urge to push her hair back with all his might as he smiled back at her.
"Of all, ALL the questions you could have asked, you go with that?" Fred nodded, "Very well, so be it. Yes, I adore winter. The frost, the snow, the cozy fires, the hot chocolate, I love it all. Now, my turn, what is your favorite hobby?"
Fred leant back against the table, eyes narrowed, lips pursed as he thought. He drummed his fingers together before holding one up, flourishing it about the air,
"Well, Quidditch is most definitely up there, however, I would have to say my favorite hobby would have to be jokes." Evelyn cocked her head, opening her mouth to speak before Fred placed a finger over her lips. He tried to ignore the shock of electricity that zapped through him and ignored the thought why is her skin so cold? Instead he began to explain.
"You'll find this out soon enough, but I'd rather you hear it from me. You see, George and I, we have a bit of a reputation. Call it what you like, rule-breaker, trickster, up-to-no-good-meddling-kids, geniuses," He threw in a wink, "We prefer the terms prankster and/or jokester. We are the height of humorism my dear, and we are bloody good at it. In fact, we're hoping to open our own joke shop!"
"That's brilliant!" Evelyn's eyes lit up right as a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders. She shrieked and spun around to face George. Fred frowned at his twin, for just a moment, before matching his grin. George sat down right in between the two, ignoring Fred's quiet growl. He smiled silkily at Evelyn, who looked completely bewildered,
"It's more than just brilliant, Evelyn. It's the greatest idea the two of us have ever had. Right Freddie boy?" He turned to his twin who nodded vivaciously,
"It'll be the turn of the century - "
"The next big thing - "
"And the best part - "
"The absolute cherry on top - "
"Is we'll be bloody rich enough to take over the world!" The two finished together in unison, arms around each other as they looked expectantly at Evelyn. Her eyebrows were raised, yet a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She nodded slowly, as though processing the news before she stood. She stood in front of the boys, leaned down and placed one hand on each of their shoulders. She looked at them both, eyes lingering a fraction of a second longer on Fred. Fred tried to not make to much of this, but his heart was pounding against his chest.
"You're right, I don't know what I was thinking. It's not just brilliant, it's bloody brilliant, fantastic even. And I want in." Her eyes slid back to Fred's, who was positively beaming at her. He, couldn't control it anymore, springing out of his seat, he wrapped his arms around Evelyn, swinging her in the air. The sweet spell of lavender filled his senses as he held her against him. He took one last whiff of her hair before he turned to George,
"Looks like we got ourselves an investor." George smirked at Fred, shooting him the warning look that he was about to embarrass him. Fred tried to stare him down but it was not use.
"Indeed, and it looks like you've got yourself a little crush. Oh, did I say little?" George began to saunter away, grinning as the two blushing individuals, "I meant HUGE!" At this he cackled and sprinted out of the Great Hall. Fred's jaw dropped. His twin was capable of a lot, he knew that, but seriously! Evelyn had only known him a few days, she had to be totally creeped out.
He barely managed to glance at Evelyn. Her pale cheeks were now bright red, her mouth slightly open in shock, but at the same time she was fighting a grin. Wait. Fred thought, She couldn't possibly...feel the same- He stopped the thought before it completely formed. But all the signs were there, she was even biting her lower lip to stop the smile and was looking at her feet. Fred felt his heart give way as he looked at her. Oh for Merlin's sake! It's like I'm already bloody in love with her!. At this Fred thought back to George, wondering if he had perhaps ruined Fred's non-existent love life for good.
"I'll kill him." At this Evelyn's head shot up, her smile gone, her eyes piercing into his. He stared back at her, caught off guard by her sudden change. She studied him for a moment before smiling again. She began to walk away, calling over her shoulder,
"Only kill him it it's not true, cause then he's made a fool of us all." She sauntered out of the Great Hall, Fred practically melted into the Gryffindor table, an incredulous grin spread across his face.
She likes me!