- CHAPTER THIRTEEN -

Close Encounters

After my talk with George, I convinced myself not to think about Fred. I realized I could deny anything if I put my mind to it. Therefore, I put as much effort as I possibly could into forgetting about Fred and the fact that he fancied me. I had already decided that it would be for the best to not date him, even if I happened to feel the same way (which I didn't by the way). Nothing good could ever come from dating my best friend. What if something went wrong? Who knows how it could end.

Being stubborn, I kept to my rules and decided not to allow myself to think about Fred and the potential feelings that lingered between us. George was becoming frustrated by my behaviour and was constantly attempting to get me to talk about the situation. Stupid blighter. When would he give it up?

I guess it was mostly my fault. After our last conversation, George surely thought he had gotten through to me. On some level it might have been true, but I had my mind set. I was comfortable with the way things were. Fred was just going to have to put his feelings aside so things could remain normal between us. There was no need to go changing a situation that was already working out fine.

It was a week after the start of term, and Slytherin had played Ravenclaw in a Quidditch match in which Slytherin had won narrowly. This was good news for Gryffindor (as Wood told us). We would move up to second place if we could beat Ravenclaw too. Unfortunately, it also meant that Oliver was even more determined to kick things into high-gear. He increased practices to five times a week, leaving very little time for school work.

Fortunately for the twins, I had managed to find time amongst my busy schedule to teach them the Transfiguration spell they had been having difficulty with. That meant they got away without having to write an essay for McGonagall.

Being our fifth year at Hogwarts, the group of us had also begun revising for our OWLs. Even Fred and George had been sticking their noses into a book or two when they could find a spare moment. I was doing fairly well in most of my classes. Transfiguration was my strongest, followed by Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms. My marks in Care of Magical Creatures were also good, but that was only due to the fact that Hagrid's classes composed merely of looking after Flobberworms. My Herbology and Muggle Studies marks were decent, but I was struggling with Potions, Astronomy and History of Magic (which I almost always fell asleep in).

"Can I copy your notes from Potions class?"

I looked up from my homework to see Fred standing in front of me holding his books, parchment and quill.

I scrunched up my face in consideration. "How is it you and George manage to do so much better than me in Potions, and yet neither of you take notes?" I asked as I pushed my work toward him to copy.

He shrugged, taking a seat down next to me on the sofa. "We're just gifted I guess. Plus, you take notes for us, so we don't have to."

He grinned cheekily at me as he began to scribble down a copy of my notes in shorthand.

"Oh, and thanks for that by the way," he said offhandedly.

"Mhm…"I replied, scratching down what was certainly the wrong answer for my Muggle Studies essay. "How else do Muggles travel, aside from buses?" I asked.

Fred shrugged. "Trains, cars," he said. "I've heard Dad talk about aery-planes."

"Right," I said thoughtfully. I hoped Professor Burbage wouldn't be too picky on spelling as I flipped through my book for references.

"You pay too much attention in Potions," Fred announced, staring down at my notes.

"It doesn't help me any," I pointed out. "If it weren't for you and George I'd be failing."

"That's true. Maybe I should stop coming to your assistance. It might be fun to watch you fail miserably at something."

I rolled my eyes at him.

"You're annoying," I told him.

"As are you."

"What am I going to get as repayment for putting up with you for all of these years?" I asked. "Surely I deserve some kind of reward."

"Like what?" he asked, his quill still scribbling furiously on the parchment. "A kiss from a devilishly handsome young Gryffindor?"

He wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively as a cheeky grin spread across his lips.

"Oh, why, is Oliver here?" I asked looking around the room casually. I wasn't going to let him get the satisfaction of seeing how much the thought of him kissing me flustered me.

His grin faded. He rolled his eyes and turned back to his notes muttering something I didn't quite catch.

I, in turn, refocused my attention on the tedious essay in front of me… only, I was finding extremely difficult to concentrate with Fred so close to me.

The room was extremely quiet, and I could hear nothing but the scratch of Fred's quill, the crackling of the fire and the slow, deep intake of Fred's steady breathing. I found myself unable to even look at the homework in front of me, but instead allowed my eyes to wander over to where Fred's left hand was resting on the table very close to mine. Turning my head ever so slightly to the right I could see the way the sweater he was wearing was hugging close to his body, almost as if it were just a little too small. I could also see the bright blue of his eyes as they focused on the paper in front of him.

Damn, I needed to get a hold of myself. Surely this wasn't healthy.

I tried to shake myself of the feelings that were creeping up on me, but found my mind wandering back to what George had said to me the other day…

"If you like him you have to risk it."

I scrunched up my face, pondering that sentence. Why? Why did I have to risk it? Maybe I don't like taking risks. What if something went wrong and nothing is ever the same again? How do I know we won't end messily and never speak again?

I bit the end of my quill in frustration and stared blankly at the parchment in front of me. There was no way I was going to get any of it finished tonight.

"Hey, want to go down to the kitchens?" Fred asked, looking up from my Potions note.

"You're finished already?" I asked, snapping out of my thoughts, only to find myself dazzled by the crystal clear blue of his eyes. I needed to get a grip.

"I write quickly," Fred replied, handing my notes back to me.

I took the parchment and tucked it back into my bag slowly, biting down on my lip hard as I did.

"You ok?" Fred asked. His voice sounded concerned, and the look of worry in his eyes made my heart flutter involuntarily.

I cleared my throat loudly. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I don't know…you seem kind of out of it today."

"Well I'm fine, but thanks for the concern," I lied.

"So, kitchens?" he asked, standing up and holding his hand out to me.

I paused for a minute, feeling extremely hesitant. Heading off to the kitchens alone with Fred certainly wouldn't help me in my quest to squash any existing feelings I may (but probably didn't) have for him. Then again, not going would clue him in that something was definitely wrong with me. I didn't want him to be suspicious of my actions. That might lead to some uncomfortable questions.

"Jules?" he asked, the worry once again present in his tone.

I quickly stifled my hesitation and took his hand, trying my best not to pay attention to how nice the contact felt.

Fred smiled and led me out of the common room toward the kitchens. We walked in complete silence. I wasn't sure why he wasn't speaking, but I knew why I wasn't. The silence that surrounded us wasn't the usual comfortable silence I normally shared with either of the twins. This was infinitely more frightening. This silence was awkward and nervous, and I didn't care for it much at all.

Fortunately, I didn't have to fight very hard to try and break the awkward tension between Fred and I, as we were interrupted at that point by George running to catch up to us.

"Hey!" he yelled, immediately catching our attention.

Fred and I turned around half-heartedly to greet him. I dropped Fred's hand instinctively. There was really nothing to hide, but I didn't want George to pester me further.

"I'm coming with you," he said, seemingly taking no notice of the hand holding.

"Ok," Fred and I answered unconcerned.

The walk continued quietly, neither Fred nor I speaking. George, however, felt the need to yet again voice his concern for my relationship with Fred.

"And how's my favourite Fred-obsessed best friend?" he whispered in my ear so that only I could hear him.

I glared at him, and then turned away.

"I'm good thanks," I said simply, ignoring his remark.

"So you admit you're Fred obsessed?" George asked smugly.

"The only thing I will admit to is having a complete moron as a best friend."

"Ooh, harsh."

"Shut up George," I said angrily, "You know this whole thing really isn't any of your business."

"How is it not my business?" he asked incredulously, "We're talking about my best friend and my twin brother here."

"No we're not, because there's nothing to talk about," I said. "We've been through it all already."

"So you're still not going to admit you like him?" George asked.

"I don't like him," I replied sternly under my breath. Fred didn't seem to notice the conversation. He looked as though he were deep in thought.

"Of course you don't," George said sarcastically. "You know you can tell me if you do."

"I don't, George."

"You do realize you're stupid," he said, "I can see right through you."

"The fact that I'm stupid is not relevant here."

"It certainly is relevant," he disagreed.

I pinched his arm and he let out a squeal of pain. I laughed.

Fred snapped out of whatever trance he was in and gave us both confused looks.

"What are you two talking about?" he asked with a thoroughly puzzled look on his face.

"Nothing," I answered quickly, seeing as George had opened his mouth to provide his own (and certainly more damaging) answer.

"Well next time would you mind including me, I feel like an idiot over here," he said.

I gave him a weak smile but said nothing as the entrance to the kitchens came into view.

As soon as the three of us had entered the room, three house elves ran up to us with their ears flapping and arms open in a welcoming gesture. As usual, Fred and George requested enough food to feed a small family. The house elves ran off happily to fetch their meals as we took our seats in our usual stools.

"I think it would be lovely to include Fred in our conversation," George said smugly as we settled ourselves down.

I glared at him. "I don't think Fred needs to be bothered by your idiocy, George."

"I think he'd enjoy it," George countered. Fred looked on in confusion.

"Why do you care so much anyway?" I grumbled, shooting daggers at him with my eyes.

"Why do I care about what?" he asked, playing stupid.

I rolled my eyes at him and refused to answer.

"Well I'm finding this all extremely annoying, especially since I know I'm right. I wish you would just fess up and let me have my glory," he answered.

"Either you two include me in your conversation, or stop talking please!" Fred said becoming frustrated.

"We'll stop, sorry," I said smiling sweetly. I sent a warning glance to George so he wouldn't bring it up again. He grinned at me, and I hoped that meant he'd keep his mouth shut.

I cleared my throat, deciding to change the topic. "Do you need to copy my Potions notes too?" I asked George.

"Ah Juliet," he said. "You know me too well."

I smirked at him.

"You've become fairly predictable," I said. "You have been my best friend for nearly five years now."

"So I'm your best friend?" he asked.

I smirked. "Sure."

"Even more than Fred?"

I smiled. "Don't tell him I said so, but yes."

I heard an annoyed sigh coming from behind me and turned around to see Fred jumping down from his stool.

"Clearly I'm not wanted here, so I'll catch up with the two of you later," he said in a frustrated tone.

He did not hesitate or wait for a reply as he hurried out of the kitchens. I watched him, my mouth open in surprise.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"If I didn't know any better," George started, "I'd say my brother is jealous of us."

I quirked my eyebrow at George.

"Why on earth would he be jealous of you and me?" I asked.

George rolled his eyes at me.

"Because he fancies you Jules, have you remembered nothing?" he asked.

I ignored that. "But why jealous of you?"

"Apparently he thinks I'm trying to swoop in and take you for myself."

"Are you?" I asked laughing a little.

He looked at me suggestively. I laughed and he smiled.

"I guess I'll have to have a talk with my dear brother. I can't have him thinking I'm out to steal his girl."

About a week later, Harry had gotten his Firebolt back from Professor McGonagall. It had not been cursed after all, and everyone now wanted to see it. Wood was extremely excited and was eagerly anticipating the next game. He was sure that with Harry's new broom the team was bound to win. His encouragement was less helpful and more frightening, however, as it put a lot of pressure on us to get the job done properly this time.

"Don't get ahead of yourself Wood," I told him as he was giving the team a pep talk the day before our match against Ravenclaw was scheduled.

"Well, the new Ravenclaw Seeker is Cho Chang, and even though she is pretty good, she only rides a Comet Two Sixty. It'll look like a joke next to Harry's Firebolt," Oliver reasoned.

"Let's hope you're right," I said. Although I felt just as sure as the rest of the team that we were going to beat Ravenclaw, I didn't want to get my hopes up too high.

With the presence of the Firebolt, everyone on the team seemed to give extra effort with that night's practice. Harry had caught the Snitch within ten seconds the first time Wood let it out of its case. By the end of the practice, even Wood didn't have anything to criticize, which, George pointed out, was a first.

"I can't see what's going to stop us tomorrow!" said Wood. "Not unless—Harry, you've sorted your Dementor problem, haven't you?"

"Yeah," said Harry.

"The Dementors won't turn up again, Oliver, Dumbledore'd do his nut," Fred reassured him confidently.

"Well, let's hope not," Wood replied. "Anyway—good work everyone. Let's get back to the Tower—turn in early…"

The trek back up to the tower after hitting the showers was silent and eerie. The skies were darkening and the heavy clouds looked threatening. The team hurried back up to the castle, casting worried looks up at the sky.

Once we reached Gryffindor Tower, we sat down with Lee, who was waiting for us by the fire. Oliver had encouraged us to head to bed early and get a good long night's sleep, but after an exciting practice we needed some time to wind down.

"Who's the new Seeker for Ravenclaw?" asked Lee once Fred, George and I had settled into spots around the fireplace.

"Cho Chang," I answered.

"Oh, I heard she's good," said Lee.

"Doesn't compare to Harry though," Fred said.

"And she's a girl," George added.

"Excuse me?" I said turning to him with wide eyes.

"Well that's different…" George said looking at me.

"How is that different?" I asked him.

"Um…" he started. He clearly didn't know what to say to rectify his accidental insult. "You know what, I think I'll go up to bed now, like Wood said, we need a good night's sleep."

With that he jumped up from his seat and hurried up to his dormitory.

"Idiot," I said with a laugh. I knew George hadn't meant to insult me.

"Well, I think I'll be off as well," Lee said getting up from his seat. "Night you two."

"Night," Fred and I echoed.

Once Lee had left I let out a yawn and stretched. Feeling rather exhausted as well, I stood up to retire to my dormitory.

"You going too?" asked Fred looking up at me.

"Yeah I think I'd better," I answered. "Big day ahead of us."

"Come on, stay a little longer, I'll be lonely," he said giving me a pathetic look.

"You know that doesn't work on me," I told him as I sat back down next to him.

"Then how come you're staying?" he asked smiling.

"Because," I answered, searching my brain for something to say, but finding nothing.

"Because you can't bear not having me in your presence?" he suggested, putting his arm around me.

"Yeah, that's why," I answered sarcastically.

We sat like that for a few minutes, Fred drawing little circles on my shoulder where his hand rested. It felt nice, and I tried to enjoy it without thinking too much into why it felt so good.

"Can I ask you something?" Fred asked, looking at me seriously.

"Of course," I said, turning towards him, my head resting on his shoulder. I couldn't help but feel flustered by just how close my lips were to his cheek. If he turned his head just a little to the left…

"Do you fancy George?"

The question caught me off-guard, and I stared at him in bewilderment.

"Where on earth did you get that idea?" I asked.

Fred shrugged and looked away. "I just thought I saw something there between the two of you."

I let out a laugh. "Well I'm sorry to tell you, but that's ridiculous."

Fred's features lightened. He smiled at me.

"Well, I'm relieved," he said.

"Oh?"

"I wouldn't want him taking you away from me," he replied simply.

I smiled despite my efforts to resist.

"Well you don't have to worry about that," I said, removing his arm and standing up once again. "Alright, this time I'm really going to bed. I can't stay up any longer or I'll pass out."

Fred looked slightly miffed, but he didn't protest this time…although the look he had in his eyes was just slightly worrisome.

"I'll see you in the morning," I said.

I turned to go up to my dormitory when I felt Fred grab me by the arm and turn me around to face him again.

"What?" I asked, wondering what was so important that it was keeping me from sleeping.

He didn't say anything, but stood up to his full height. His grip on my arm lessened and he slipped his hand down my arm and entwined his fingers with mine. I started to feel my face heat up and I tried to look away, but he grabbed my chin gently with his thumb and forefinger, tilting my head towards him.

I could feel my heart racing in my chest, pounding a mile a minute. I didn't even have time to think about whether I was willing to let this happen or not…he was too close for my brain to work properly. His face was only centimetres from mine…and his breath smelt so intoxicating…

"Hey guys—"

I yanked myself away from Fred as quickly as I could manage and whipped my head around to view who had nearly caught us kissing. It was Lee coming back down the stairs from his dormitory.

"Oh, sorry, was I interrupting something?" he asked with a grin on his face seeing my flushed cheeks. I looked at Fred. He was blushing too and running his hand nervously through his hair.

"Nope," I answered, forcing myself to smile, "I was just going to bed. G'night you two."

I took off at a sprint up the stairs, refusing to look back even as I heard Fred call out to stop me.