Chapter 8: Fred's Dilemma

"Are you sure?"

"Quite sure, Mr. Weasley."

"Can you check again?"

"There is nothing wrong with you. Aside from some loose screws in your head, you are perfectly healthy. Now if you please…" Madam Pomfrey shooed Fred out of the Hospital wing for the third time that week.

"What about doing a cat-scan? I hear those are popular in the muggle world! Is there a cat doctor anywhere near here?" Fred shouted back to her as she closed the doors on him rolling her eyes.

Fred reluctantly walked way. He knew there had to be something wrong with him, his stomach hadn't stopped hurting for over a month which coincidentally was the exact amount of time George and Hermione had been dating.

They had announced it a couple weeks after their first date. Or rather George had run through the hall ways shouting "Hermione's my girlfriend! Granger's my girlfriend!" while Hermione stood by hiding her face and blushing avoiding peoples stares, both good signs that he was telling the truth. Fred was lucky enough to be coming out of the common room just in time to witness this. After the shock had worn off, he put on his best smile, lifted Hermione up and spun her around congratulating her in joining their happy family. Something he had planned to do to whoever was George's first girlfriend and this would be no exception.

Fred almost felt relieved when he heard the news. He thought it would help him get over this little crush or infatuation or whatever you would like to call it he had with Hermione. He knew he would never go after a girl his brother (any of his brothers) dated. And now that they were official he could start forgetting about her.

"How are you feeling?" a familiar soft caring voice reached Fred's ears making his heart leap in his throat. How he wished he could stop that from happening. Didn't his heart know he didn't want to feel this way anymore? Forgetting was not as easy as he hoped.

"I'll be alright, just a bug. Not a big enough deal for her to give me anything." Fred spoke quickly, walking past his brother's girlfriend, not looking at her once.

"It was a big enough deal for you to hit a bludger through the wall at quidditch practice." Hermione followed looking worryingly up at him.

"I just spaced out." Fred quickened his pace. In all honesty and with great shame he had aimed the bludger at George as he was hovering low to the ground for Hermione to give him a good luck kiss. At the last second Fred realized what he was doing and managed to hit the bludger a foot away from George crashing into the wall behind him.

"Hey..." Hermione grabbed his hand forcing him to stop and confront her. "I'm worried about you. You haven't been acting yourself lately."

"And I'm to blame for that, am I?" Fred shot back without thinking.

"What?"

Fred wrenched his hand from her. "Lay off me, Granger. I'm none of your concern." He continued to walk alone leaving her standing watching him go.

He had grown considerably colder towards her. It was the only way he could think of for her to keep her distance from him, but it only seemed to bring her closer.

"When is she going to get it?" He mumbled walking away. He only walked a short distance when he came to a sudden halt as a girl approached him. She could have been his year but he'd never seen her before. She had long blonde hair and fair skin, though her cheeks were bright red at the moment. She was wearing a Ravenclaw uniform and was staring at Fred intently and he knew instantly what was coming next.

"Can I help you?" He said with a sideways grin.

"I…I…" The girl wouldn't look him in the eye. "I've notice you for a long time…you said hi to me once and I've never been the same since."

Fred smiled and chuckled softly. "You don't say?"

The girl nodded. "Please…will you go out with me?" She said all this very quickly and loudly.

Fred did a backwards glance at Hermione who was staring at the girl looking very uneasy and if Fred didn't know better a little annoyed.

He turned back to the young lady. "Let's go somewhere privet shall we?" He put his arm around her neck and led her away. When he was well away from peering eyes he stopped and let her go, facing her he smiled "Look, I'm very flattered but I'm not interested in dating anyone right now."

"Why? I could be a really great girlfriend." The girl stepped closer to him, this time taking his hand and pressing it to her chest. "Don't you find me attractive?"

It was Fred's turn to blush. "Heh, there's no denying that." He pulled his hand away. "I'm just not looking for a girl. Sorry." The Ravenclaw looked utterly disappointed.

"Breaking hearts again, Fred?" yet another familiar voice reached Fred's ears making him go even redder. He turned around and flashed a charming grin.

"Angelina, you really have perfect timing don't you?" He walked up to her, leaving the blonder girl starring opened mouthed and upset.

"Only when I'm looking for something that I want." She smiled seductively at him.

Fred smiled. "Would that …be me then?"

Angelina laughed, then pulling her arm from behind her back pushed his broomstick into his chest. "Quidditch practice is over, next time you have an episode don't forget to take your things with you." And with that she turned to leave.

Fred laughed chasing after her. "Hey wait!"

Angelina had always been a friend he could confined in. They had tried dating numerous times but it never seemed to work out. Fred still didn't understand why. She was gorgeous, smart, funny and one of his best mates. Yet they would always argue and she would end up in tears and in the arms of someone else. The last time she cheated on him they had decided not to try anymore and just be friends. Friends who occasionally snogged and did the hanky panky with no strings attached.

He hadn't really talked to her in a long while however, at least since the end of last year and had forgot how much he enjoyed being with her.

They sat now on a stone bench in the school yard, watching first years practice hovering a few feet off the ground on their brooms.

"That one will be good." Angelina pointed out a most talented first year. "You should tell Harry to try him out next year of course when he's older."

"Why not this year? Harry started his first year, you know." Fred reminded her.

"Yes, but not everyone is as great as the famous Harry Potter." Angelina lifted her eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes and laughed. His sight fell regrettably on his brother sitting a little ways away on a blanket with the girl who haunted his thoughts.

Fred stared with no emotion on his face at her as she laughed at something his twin had said.

"It's nice to see George with a girl." Angelina broke his concentration. She had noticed where he was staring. "He really seems happy."

"Yeah." Fred said turning his gaze down to the ground.

"In all honesty though, I did not expect it to be Granger." She laughed.

"What do you mean?" Fred turned to her.

"Well it is Hermione." She emphasized, as if expecting Fred to understand by those four words. When he still looked confused she continued. "She's not very sexy, she has no style. She's sort of bossy and likes school waaay too much. More than I would think George would be able to stand or any guy for that matter. She's just a little too…tightly wound for George, don't you think?"

"So what? She's a good girl, she wants to make something of herself and she's got more important things to think about than guys and dressing hot. She still manages to look –" Fred cut himself short. He was being too defensive and Angelina was noticing.

"Wow…you really like her, huh?"

"She's my brother's girlfriend. Of course I'd feel a little insulted. It's like you're saying he has bad taste." Fred retorted, proud he had come up with an excuse for his behavior.

"I'm sorry. I take it back." Angelina looked at him sullenly.

Fred sighed and looked away from her stare, again his eyes fell on his brother who was now kissing Hermione, holding her chin in his hand, tilting it slightly up so her lips reached his.

Fred felt a sharp pain in his gut before he knew what he was doing he shot up taking a few steps forward.

Catching himself he stopped before he did anything he'd regret. He turned towards Angelina who was looking bewildered at him.

"Hey…you want to go somewhere with me?" He finally said.

They laughed as they ran hand in hand towards the green house.

"Why are we going here?" Angelina finally asked letting go of Fred's hand catching her breath.

"Its Saturday, no one will be coming down here today. Not even Professor Sprout." Fred lifted his eyebrow at her.

She gasps and slapped his arm. "Fred Weasley! Are you planning to take advantage of me?"

Fred shook his head. "Yeah right, you wish." He sat down on the side of the green house and pulled her down with him. "Just sit quietly and you'll see."

Angelina looked around curiously " Ooh is something going to happen?"

"I said button your beak woman!" Fred spat at her.

She looked at him in disbelief.

"Please?" He added with a boyish grin.

She laughed and nodded.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before a low humming came from the field in front of them. Angelina leaned in closer to hear. Tiny balls of lights flew up from the ground and began to dance around them.

"What are they?" Angelina whispered.

"Geez you don't pay attention at all in Care of Magical Creatures do you?" Fred laughed. "They're fire sprites, they come out of the ground in the late afternoon to gather food. Best time to avoid predators, if they hear you they'll leave so…" Fred put his finger to his lips.

After the sprites danced for a few minutes they zoomed off into the forbidden forest.

"Wow that was beautiful Fred." Angelina looked at him in awe. "Everyone says you're not romantic but you really know how to treat a lady." She leaned over and kissed him on the lips softly.

Fred smiled at her. Why couldn't he love her? Even after all this he could think about was Hermione and how he had wanted to bring her here. His stomach twisted in a knot. He couldn't stand it. He was tired of feeling this way.

"Hey, you think we can try again?" Angelina looked longingly into his eyes.

"Huh?" Fred asked stupidly

"It's just...I've missed being with you." She gazed into his eyes.

Fred stared deeply back at her. Angelina was the right girl for him. She was seductive and sexy, sweet and strong. She was everything he needed. Why couldn't he just start over with her? There was no reason he couldn't.

He grabbed Angelina around the waist and pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. She responded immediately wrapping her arms around his neck pressing against him. He pressed her up against the green house wall.

Angelina pushed him back slightly breathing in deeply. "Shouldn't we go somewhere more private?"

Fred held her tightly "I told you no one comes here." He kissed her neck softly and she sighed deeply, he pulled her down with him, lying on top of her he kissed down her neck.

She laughed softly. "That tickles."

He lifted his head up moving his hair out of his face, he smiled down at her and she smiled back. He stared intensely at her, he wasn't sure why but the pain in his stomach ached harder than ever. Why wouldn't it go away?

He looked down at her. "Somethings wrong…" He said in a whisper.

"Hmm?" Angelina stared at him, noticing he'd stopped.

As he stared back into her eyes with great sadness he realized what it was. There was nothing wrong with Angelina, she had many wonderful qualities. Only...

Your not her. He thought to himself.

"What's wrong Fred?" Angelina still looked curiously at him.

"I'm sorry, Angelina. I can't do this" Fred took her by surprise. "...you're not who I want." He lifted himself off of her and sat down next to her.

She sat up still confused about what was going on. "Why did you bring me here than?" she said while fixing her hair looking annoyed at him.

"I…I'm not really sure. I'm sorry." Fred couldn't look at her.

"You're sorry?" Angelina laughed. "What? Were you just hoping I would shag and leave?"

"No, seriously I had no intention of doing any of that." He said weakly.

"Then what were you doing? This doesn't make sense. Give me a reason or I won't accept this." Angelina now looked determined.

"I…" Fred was surprised by her persistence. "I…I don't know."

"How can you not know?"

"Well I…"

"Well what?"

"I need to get over her!" Fred didn't see any point denying it. "I have to."

Angelina stared at him through narrow eyes but did not speak.

"I can't be with her… I can't ever be with her. But I can't seem to want anyone else." Fred laughed at how pathetic he was. "I must like her more then I thought."

Angelina got up and dusted herself off. "Sounds to me like you're in love with her."

Fred's eyes shot up at her. "…What?"

"Am I wrong?" Angelina looked at him curiously.

"Of course." He spat quickly. "That's just…stupid."

Angelina sighed "I can't say I'm not disappointed…But if you like this girl so much you need to tell her or you'll regret it forever." She looked down at him. "You're not one to give up on something so easily, are you Freddie?" She smiled weakly than shrugged her shoulders "Well bye Fred."

Fred made no effort to stop her, he stared blankly at the spot she had stood. Could he really tell her? No. Angelina made it sound so easy, but it wasn't. And what did she mean he was in love with her? Love? How was he supposed to know what love felt like. He'd never felt it before. And if this was it, it really sucked.

As Fred got up to leave he heard a sudden thud coming from the other side of the green house followed by an "Ouch!" He circled around to the other side to see what it was. Sitting a little downhill from the green house was someone he didn't expect.

His eye's widened. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, hi." Hermione smiled up at him "I was going to catch a fire sprite. It's extra points to anyone who can bring one in for Professor Sprout. Unfortunately I tripped coming down the hill and scared them all away." She laughed rubbing her ankle.

Fred eyed her. "Are you ok?" he crouched down next to her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand which only made her face dirtier.

Fred smiled, taking his sleeve he wipe the dirt off her cheek. "Well you seem fine."

Hermione stared at him, a little blush on her face.

"Do you need some help?" he asked.

"No, if there are too many people it'll scare them away more. You're welcomed to sit there but they like silence so…" Hermione put her index finger to her lip and Fred laughed and did the same nodding. She smiled and got up wiping her dirty hands on her even more dirty skirt.

Fred watched her. Her hair was up in a messy bun, her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows sloppily and she had grass stains and dirt patches all down her front, her knees were scratched and red, her skirt covered in dirt and shoes worn. Yet he couldn't help gazing at her. Why did it have to be her? Why despite everything telling him he shouldn't did he want nothing more then to pull her down to the ground and have his way with her. He wanted so much just to be able to hold her and he couldn't even do that. Because she meant everything to someone who meant everything to him. And yet knowing that wasn't enough to stop him from staring at her.

"Immobulus!" Hermione shouted taking Fred by surprise. A fire sprite stayed hovering in mid-air as Hermione walked up to it, scooping it in a jar and snapping the lid.

Hermione laughed to herself, walked over to Fred and plopped down next to him. "Look, what do you think?" She said handing him the jar.

"Nice job. Poor little bugger." Fred tapped the glass.

"It's only for a few days then I'll let him go." Hermione assured him.

"Better hope he doesn't want revenge, he'll send his whole family after you."

Hermione and he exchanged glances than laughed.

"Who knew hunting sprites was such a messy job" Fred said looking her up and down "You look like you dug your way out of a grave."

"A little dirt never hurt anyone." Hermione said matter of factly.

"A little? I could plant a garden on you and I bet it'd grow."

"Good, then maybe Professor Sprout would give me more points." She chuckled.

Fred grinned. He had missed being alone with her. Now if he spent any time with her it was with George as well and it made him feel suffocated and anxious. Not like how he felt right now, now it felt so easy.

"Did I ruin your date?" Hermione took him by surprise after a moment of silence.

"What?" Fred said now feeling anxious again.

"I didn't mean to pry but when I was heading down the hill I thought I saw you with a girl behind the Green house…" Fred didn't know what to say.

"Did you say yes to that girl then?" She asked, Fred noticed a slight hesitation in her voice.

"That's really none of your business is it?" He answered.

"Sorry…" She said bowing her head.

Fred sat still feeling awkward. "I didn't say yes." He finally said. "And I wasn't with her."

"Oh…" Hermione looked down at her jar. "That's good. I didn't think she was right for you."

"Really?" Fred raised his eyebrow. "What kind of girl is right for me then?"

Hermione looked up considering the question, she remained silent before staring into him eyes, it was hard for him not to turn away. "Someone who can make you happy."

Fred looked taken aback.

"You always seem so sad now and days. I really miss how happy you always use to look." She continued to look concerned into his eyes before looking away. "Sorry… I didn't mean to imply your depressing or anything."

Fred gave a weak sideways grin. "That's ok…I kind of am."

Hermione gave a small smile back. "I know you'll find someone wonderful." She patted his leg and stood up brushing herself off. "Well I'll be going now."

Fred looked up at her and nodded. Someone wonderful? He thought to himself. What if he did find someone wonderful? What could he do when he couldn't have her? He watched her go and the ache in his stomach returned. When had it stopped hurting? He couldn't remember. He thought back to what Angelina had said. "Love?" He whispered silently to himself giving a small chuckle as he got up off the ground. Maybe Angelina wasn't completely wrong.