Chapter 13:

We'd talk about our future like we had a clue,
I never planned that one day
I'd be losing you

In another life, I would be your girl
We'd keep all our promises
Be us against the world

In another life, I would make you stay
So I don't have to say
You were the one that got away
The one that got away

-Katy Perry

It was mid-morning on Christmas Eve as Nora headed outside with a pair of skates thrown over her shoulder. Her mother and step-father had just left to drop off her youngest siblings at their Aunt's house seeing as the adults were going to a ministry function while Nora, Erik and Cedric would be spending the evening with the Weasleys. She made her way towards the frozen lake behind her house and stopped at a nearby bench to take off her boots and lace her skates. Nora must have been skating and twirling around for about an hour when she heard someone clear their throat.

"Aren't you frozen yet?" Bill called from the side of the lake with a large grin. Nora smiled and skated towards him. Other than the twins, Bill was definitely her favorite Weasley brother.

"How are you? When did you get in?" Nora asked as she hugged him trying not to fall or step on his feet with her skates.

"I'm good. And I got in late last night. What about you? You've grown quite a bit. You're almost as tall as I am. Are your twins also giants?" He teased.

"I'm not that tall." She laughed rolling her eyes. "Nat is still the shortest at 5'4" while Niko and I are both 5'9"." She said with a hint of pride.

"Well you're getting there." He laughed as they sat down so she could take of her skates. "I hear you've been avoiding my little brother."

"I have not been avoiding Fred!" Nora said defensively.

"Who said I was talking about Fred?" Bill grinned as Nora rolled her eyes and blushed slightly. "You're blushing? Now that's a first!"

"Shut up." She said turning her face away from him. "Things are just more complicated."

"I've heard that too. About Fred and Diggory. And about Fred's girlfriend. And the fact that you both hate each other which was to be expected."

"George didn't leave anything out did he?" Nora said looking at the lake.

"No. But he said you'd deny hating, what's her name, Angelina."

"Well as much as I don't like the word hate I do strongly dislike her." She frowned.

"So you wouldn't be too thrilled if I told you she was coming to dinner." Bill said carefully.

"She's what?" Nora almost shouted. "Forget it I'm not coming. It was bad enough a few days ago with Fred and Cedric who were about to kill each other. I'm not adding Angelina to the mix." She added shaking her head.

"No. You're definitely coming. You're going to put on a pretty dress and make Fred realize he picked the wrong girl. You're a Gryffindor, you don't need anyone to tell you who to be." Bill said firmly.

"Really?" She asked with a shy smile.

"Yes really." He said putting a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "And everyone's been waiting for you two to get together ever since you met." Bill laughed.

"No pressure." She joked.

"For what it's worth I'm on your side. And I know my brother. He might be rather childish sometimes, but if there's one thing he's serious about it's you."

"Thanks Bill." Nora said with a smile.

"I'm only stating the obvious." He said returning her smile.

"What about you? Is there a special girl in your life?" She asked as they headed towards her house.

"No. Ginny, you, Nat, Megg and Mum are more than enough for now." He laughed.

"Maybe I should play matchmaker too." She teased. "I have a few single cousins." Nora added with a smirk.

"I'm sure you do." He said dismissively while ruffling her hair.

Later that day, Nora's parents were about to leave as the teenagers were watching television.

"So Molly's expecting you at five. And we'll be back tomorrow because we're spending the night in London. So are Amos and Julianne so Cedric should be here soon and he's staying with you two and John has his phone if there's any problem. Am I missing anything?" Brooke asked turning to her husband.

"I think you've pretty much covered everything." John said trying to suppress a smile.

"Oh! Are you walking to the Burrow because it can get quite cold at night and..."

"We're fine Mum! Erik can apparate remember? And we can always floo." Nora said laughing at her mother's rambling.

"Right. Well that's settled." She said as she buttoned her coat. "Are you sure everything is alright? You don't need anything?" She asked for the tenth time of the evening.

"No Mum. We're good." Nora answered as she and Erik got up to say goodbye.

"Don't worry Mrs. Montgomery I'll keep them out of trouble." Erik grinned.

"How many times have I told you to call me Brooke?" She laughed. "And we both know they'll be the ones keeping you out of trouble."She teased. "Alright see you guys tomorrow!" She said hugging them both before leaving.

"How much do you want to bet that she's coming back?" Erik teased.

"We don't even need to bet." Nora laughed.

They had both been right. Nora's mother had come back twice to make sure everyone was alright. A few minutes following Cedric's arrival, Nora and Erik had headed upstairs to get ready. After spending fifteen minutes in front of her closet, Nora kept staring, but had no idea what to wear. She heard a light knock on the door frame.

"Need any help?" Erik asked grinning as Cedric came in.

"Maybe." Nora sighed.

"Well for showing Angelina off, I offer this." Erik said pulling out a navy lace dress from her closet. "It's not too much but you'll look great." He added winking at her. "Don't you agree Diggory?"

"Oh. Yeah of course." Cedric mumbled as he passed his hand nervously through his hair.

"Alright then I'll trust you two. I'll be down it twenty." She said as she entered the bathroom.

After braiding her blonde hair to the side and putting on very light make-up, Nora made her way downstairs to meet up with the guys.

"Ready?" Erik asked as they put on their coats.

"Let's just get it over with." Nora sighed as she took both boys hand. A second later they were in front of the Burrow.

"I really hate apparating." She said as she knocked on the door.

"You eventually get used to it." Erik said as Cedric stayed silent.

Ginny skipped towards them and opened the door.

"Thank Merlin you're here!" She whispered as Molly arrived.

"I'm so glad you three could make it." She said hugging each of them. "You look stunning Nora." She added.

"Thanks Molly. So do you." Nora answered.

"Don't lie dear." She teased. "The boys are all in the living room. Nora would you mind doing something with Ginny's hair? It's taken on a life of its own."

"Of course not." Nora chuckled as Ginny pulled her towards her room.

"She's driving me insane." Ginny sighed.

"Why?" Nora asked bewildered.

"Not Mum! Angelina." She said.

"Oh. Not surprising. She has that effect on me too." Nora smiled as she started to brush Ginny's hair.

"Can't you just tell Fred he's being an idiot? He usually listens to you." She offered.

"I would, but I don't think it would go over too well. But trust me if I have to spend an entire evening with that girl I'm going to go mental."

"Same here." Ginny agreed.

"Voila!" Nora said as she finished pulling Ginny's hair into a bun. "Let's go face the devil." Nora joked.

"Not talking about me are you?" George asked from behind them with a wide grin.

"Not exactly. But seeing as you pretty much told Bill everything that has happened in my personal life for the past months I'm not too fond of you either." She teased.

"You'll get over it. Come downstairs and chat with everyone." He added.

"This is going to be painful." Nora sighed as Ginny and George laughed.

Everyone was talking, laughing and enjoying themselves. Nora had been talking with Bill, Charlie and George while Angelina was trying without much success to win over Ginny. Nora saw Cedric who seemed quite bored talking with Percy.

"Do you mind if I borrow him?" Nora asked Percy.

"Oh not at all Norabel." Percy answered curtly as Cedric got up.

"Thank you." Cedric whispered with a grateful look. "How about we go for a walk?"

"Of course. You looked like you were falling asleep." She laughed.

"A few more minutes and I would have been." He teased as they told Molly where they were going and put on their coats.

It was snowing lightly like it had for the past few days, but the temperature was still warm enough to enjoy spending time outside.

"So have you been having a better time than I have?" Cedric asked.

"Not really." Nora half-smiled. "Though it is nice to see Charlie and Bill." She added as a calm silence fell between them for a few minutes as they walked along the dirt road.

"Is something going on with you and Fred?" Cedric suddenly asked.

"Nothing." She said looking at him curiously.

"I'm only asking because you don't seem to spend much time with him anymore." He said as he passed his fingers through his hair.

"Well Angelina takes up most of his time." Nora answered looking away from him.

"They look like they're doing alright."

"You think so?" She asked seeming a slight bit disappointed.

"Well not as happy as we were, but quite alright." Cedric half-teased.

Nora shifted feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry. You don't have to say anything." He smiled at her. "Just know that what I said when we were patrolling still stands. I know I hurt you and that you're confused, but I do think that we can make things work if we want to."

"Ced..." She said stopping and looking at him not knowing what else to say.

He kissed her softly on the lips. "Just think about it." He said before they made their way back to the house.

Nora was utterly gobsmacked and terribly confused. She kept thinking about Cedric and Fred not knowing what she felt towards either of them. She sat on a chair in the empty kitchen hearing the voices of everyone chattering in the other room. She heard footsteps come towards her and did not even need to look up to know who was pulling the chair next to her and sitting down.

"I haven't seen you around much tonight." Fred said.

"I've been busy." Nora answered simply letting an awkward silence fall between them.

"Well Mum seems to like Angie." Fred said trying to make small talk while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Brilliant." Nora answered bitterly. "Sorry, I'm glad you're happy."

"What about you?"

"What about me?" She questioned.

"Are you happy?" He asked staring at the window.

"I don't really know how I feel." Nora sighed.

"What's going on?"

"Cedric kissed me." She blurted out.

"Oh."

"Oh? That's all you have to say?" She asked looking at him. The frustration of the past few weeks finally starting to make its way out.

"What do you want me to say?" He asked staring at her with confused eyes.

"I don't know! Anything!" Nora said desperately.

"Nora..." He started.

"I need a reason not to get back with him." She said.

"Well he beat us at Quidditch." Fred said trying to make light of the situation which was the only way he seemed to be able to deal with it.

"From you Fred. I need a reason not to go into that room and get back with a boy that is damn close to being perfect!" Nora almost shouted.

"I...I..." Fred stuttered finally understanding exactly what she was asking for. Something he thought would never happen.

"Ever since that stupid day by the lake I can't stop thinking!" She says getting up and facing him. Nora knew that emotions were getting the best of her as she felt her eyes start to sting from tears welling up.

"Nora..." Fred says looking up at her from his chair frozen in place.

"He doesn't drive me insane with a daft girlfriend whom I can't stand! And he's smart and sweet! And he wants to be with me. But all I can think of since that day is you and stupid redheaded children running around!" Nora shouted not worrying about keeping her emotions in check.

Fred looked at her, but could not seem to form an answer. They stayed there for a minute just looking at each other without saying a word.

"Fine. I get it. Go find your girlfriend." She spat bitterly leaving Fred flabbergasted.

As she entered the next room, she saw a few faces turn towards her. She quickly understood that Molly, George, Erik, Bill and Angelina had definitely overheard the argument. Nora went to Molly and as she passed Angelina, the girl whispered:

"I told you he picked me."

Nora simply ignored the comment, but she was fuming inside.

"I'm not feeling too well. I'll just head back home." Nora told her.

"Of course darling." Molly said in her motherly tone. "Cedric or Erik would you mind going with her?"

"Sure." Cedric said.

"Do you need me?" Erik asked her.

"I'm good. Enjoy yourself." She said as she and Cedric flooed back to her house.

George went to the kitchen where he found Fred sitting on a chair with his head between his knees.

He knew his twin was distressed. He'd only seen him in this position a few times, when Ginny was taken in the chamber, when Nora had been badly hurt during Quidditch or when Ron was found unconscious in his first year.

"What happened?" He asked taking a seat next to his twin.

"I froze." Fred said without moving his head or looking at his brother.

"It wasn't that bad." George said trying to be reassuring.

"She basically told me what I've wanted to hear for the past five years and I froze." He said shaking his head hopelessly. "I probably ruined everything."

"Maybe not..." George said not believing his own words.

"I did." Fred sighed.

As they got home Nora went straight to her room. She quickly put on leggings and an oversized shirt before laying the bed trying to choke back tears that were threatening to fall. After about fifteen minutes, a soft knock was heard on the door.

"Come in Ced." She said her voice breaking mid-sentence.

"Are you alright?" He asked as he closed the door behind him and sat down on the side of the bed. Cedric had also changed into pajama pants and a t-shirt. "You're not." He said looking at her with compassion. "I'll go. If you want me to." He added knowing she did not like sharing her emotions with others.

"Stay." She said with pleading eyes taking his hand as he was ready to get up.

He moved the covers and laid next to her, pulling her closely to him so she rested her head on his chest. Nora stayed silent in Cedric's arms while he absentmindedly stroked her hair for a while. She lifted her head and looked into his warm gray eyes.

"I want to make it work." She said with a smile.

"Are you sure?" He asked thrilled, but a slight bit surprised at her sudden change of heart.

Nora softly pressed her lips to his. She couldn't actually answer the question with words because she was not sure about anything. At that moment, it was what she thought was best. She snuggled back into his chest as he tightened his arms around her. Cedric seemed to find sleep easily while Nora stayed awake into the early morning thinking about the choice she had just made and wondering if she would ever think it was the right one.

A/N : I updated! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'd like to thank everyone who's read and reviewed! It really means the world. I have pictures of what the characters look like on my profile so tell me what you think about them! I changed Nora's mother because I saw this actress and thought she was perfect! Anyways I love you all and I'll update in a week! Xoxo.

To BananaDaiquiriTimeLord : Thanks! I hope you keep enjoying the story! And I'm glad to be back :)

To XxBlack RosexX Time : Thank you so much! Your review made me laugh alot and is pretty much the reason there's another chapter up today :) I hope you keep enjoying the story!