"Absence makes the heart grow fonder—or forgetful."

–Robin Hood

Scarlett had been right in suspecting she would get no sleep. At one thirty in the morning, she was still awake, tossing and turning, long after Ginny and Hermione had fallen asleep. She had tried telling herself she didn't need to go up to the roof and tried just waiting for sleep to come, but going to the roof seemed like the only option right now.

Annoyed, she threw back the covers and got out of bed. She tiptoed to the door and opened it, praying that it wouldn't creak. When it didn't she let out a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding.

Her mother had made it clear that they weren't supposed to leave the house and wander around, but Scarlett needed to get outside. Plus, she was technically obeying the order. She wouldn't be walking out the front door. She would be going to the roof.

Scarlett climbed the stairs to the top floor and paused. She wasn't sure where to go from here. Sirius has said the stairs were right next to his room, but which one was his?

She shouldn't have even worried. Stepping closer to one of the doors, she noticed a small sign on it that read Sirius. The stairs had to be behind the door directly to the right.

Pushing open the door, she quietly made her way to the top of the stairs, opening another door which led to the roof. She rested her hands on the waist high wall going around the perimeter of the roof before sighing, turning around and jumping up to sit on it. She tilted her head up to look at the sky. Sirius had been right; the stars did look great from up here.

Scarlett let out another sigh. In two and a half years she'd be getting married to Fred Weasley. She still couldn't wrap her head around it.

"Doing some thinking?"

Scarlett jumped up at the voice and pulled out her wand, pointing it at the door.

"Calm down," the voice said defensively. Scarlett relaxed as she recognized it.

"Oh, hi Fred," she said. "What are you doing up here?"

"Couldn't sleep," Fred answered, coming to stand beside her and leaning backwards against the railing. "You?"

"Couldn't sleep," she answered, smiling. "How did you know we could go out to the roof?"

"How did you?"

"I asked you first."

Fred laughed. "George and I investigated this house from top to bottom as soon as we got here."

Scarlett nodded. "Sirius mentioned it as I was leaving the kitchen." She turned back around and looked up at the sky. "You really don't want to do this, do you?"

"Do what?"

"Get married."

Fred didn't answer right away, but Scarlett saw him looking at her. "I know I reacted kind of terribly, but it was such a shock and that's how I react to things like that. And I think it's safe to say that you aren't thrilled either. You don't like me in that way. How could you? We haven't talked in years and we like other people."

"You were very rude earlier," Scarlett said, nudging him and smirking.

"I'm sorry," Fred laughed. There was a pause. "Do you remember how close we were as kids? We were really good friends."

"Were we?" Scarlett asked with a smirk, "Because I remember you cutting off my hair, drawing on my face with marker and constantly calling me Scary Scarlett."

Fred let out a laugh. "Yeah, but we also dug up worms together and played pranks on my parents and Percy. Plus, we must have liked each other at least a little for us to make this vow."

"Sounds like more than a little," Scarlett said. She sighed. "If we could have just stayed that close everything would have been fine."

"But you left," Fred said quietly.

"I had no control over that," Scarlett said. "My mum sat me down one night and told me we were moving to be closer to her parents. The decision was final."

"I remember you coming over to tell me and George. Well, it was more like you ran over. All the way from your house two hills over. You were crying. You said you didn't want to leave."

"I didn't want to," she whispered. "If I remember correctly, you were playing chess with Ron and you overturned the board."

"Like I said, that's how I react to shocking news," Fred smirked.

"Clearly," Scarlett answered with a snort.

"You said you would visit." Fred's voice was quiet now and he sounded kind of hurt.

"You said that too," Scarlett answered. "After my mum and I moved, I felt more alone than ever. I was upset about my dad and I wanted my friends back, but my mother was busy and I couldn't Apparate on my own yet. I didn't know how to get anywhere."

"The Floo? A broom?"

Scarlett shook her head. "The Floo used to make me sick, remember?"

"That's right," Fred laughed. "I forgot. Now that you mention it, though, I remember when we brought you along to visit our great aunt Muriel that one time and you vomited all over her living room rug. I can't believe I forgot that! It was brilliant!"

Scarlett groaned. "I never forgot. I was mortified. Anyway, I was always afraid to use the Floo, especially after the Aunt Muriel incident. And my mother actually sold my broom. For money. You know, we needed it until she could get a job. We're okay now, but back then…" she trailed off. "You know I never got a new broom."

"Why not?" Fred asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know. It just never happened. I want one though."

"I could have come to get you," Fred said. "I would have flown over."

"You didn't know how to get to my new house," Scarlett said. "I didn't even know how to get back to your house or my old one."

"You could've written."

"No money equals no owl," Scarlett sighed.

"Excuses, excuses," Fred smirked.

"Yeah, well, what's yours?"

"I don't have one," Fred sighed sadly. "Not really, anyway. Although, as for the letter writing, I will say that Errol was an idiot of an owl even back then. I'm surprised he's still alive. By the time you received any letter I sent you, years would have passed and we'd have lost touch anyway."

"You didn't even miss me?"

"Of course I did. I missed you like crazy."

"Then why did we grow apart?" she asked sadly.

"It's not all my fault."

"No, you're right, it's not, and I never said it was. I was just asking."

"It just happened," Fred answered. He looked at her. "I wish it hadn't."

"Because it would be easier for us now or because you really wish it hadn't?"

"Both, if I'm being honest."

Scarlett nodded. "Yeah, me too."

"So if you don't mind me asking, what exactly happened to your dad?"

"He died," Scarlett answered quickly.

"I know, but how?"

"In a car accident. He was overtired, fell asleep and went through a stop light. Another car hit him and…it was bad. I was in the car. Did you know that?"

"No, I didn't know anything about this except that he died. I'm so sorry, Scar."

"I was nine at the time, as you know," she continued. "It was a Saturday. Dad was taking me out to lunch. We went out to lunch once a month. It was our thing. Anyway, then the accident happened. I remember screaming and then I woke up in a Muggle hospital. I had been knocked out for two days. I had a lot of cuts and bruises, and a broken wrist but other than that I was okay. The first thing I did was ask the nurse about my dad and she told me—she told me…" Scarlett couldn't even get the words out.

"Don't say it. You don't have to," Fred said.

Scarlett swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at Fred, who was looking back at her, a look of compassion on his face. He reached over and gently patted her hand. It was a nice gesture, but it felt somewhat awkward.

"That's sort of why I never really tried to visit you. I wanted to see you, like I said, but at the same time I didn't want to be with people. I was traumatized and I felt that the whole accident was my fault."

"What? No, it wasn't," Fred said. "How could you possibly think that?"

"It was our thing, going to lunch. I knew he was tired from work. He had been working overtime and I missed him. I begged him to take me out to lunch like always instead of letting him stay home and rest. If I hadn't, the accident probably wouldn't have happened."

"Scarlett, it's not your fault," Fred said firmly.

She shrugged. "I mean, it's not something I constantly think about and I'm not adamant about blaming myself, but I just can't help but think if I hadn't begged him to take me, things would have been different."

Fred sighed. "Now I know another reason why my mum was so against dad fixing up that Ford Anglia we have," he muttered.

"The one Harry and Ron crashed into the Whomping Willow?"

"Yeah, I guess even enchanted cars are dangerous." There was another moment of silence. "So, do you miss him? Sorry, that was a stupid question. Of course you miss him."

"I miss him every single day. I mean, mum's great, but there are certain things that I could have done with my dad and talked about with my dad. He loved sports. He would have loved Quidditch if I had ever gotten the chance to tell him about it. I mean, I knew the rules from hanging out with you, but I had never seen a proper match until I started school. He would have loved to hear about it. My mum, on the other hand, thinks sports are a complete bore. She never told him about Quidditch. At least, not extensively. Although, there are things I can talk to my mum about that my dad wouldn't have understood."

"Yeah, for instance, when you really like a boy and he's got a name like Justin Finch-Fletchley."

"Stop being so rude!" Scarlett gave him a little shove.

Fred laughed. "I'm not. I'm speaking the truth."

"Right," she snorted. "Who would you suggest is a better option?"

Fred shrugged. "Whoever you want. I've already said I don't care who you like."

"Yet you keep making fun of Justin."

"Of course," Fred said, smiling. "It's what I do, but it is all in good fun."

"I suppose if I actually liked you, there wouldn't be any of that," Scarlett teased.

"Of course not," Fred answered. "After all, you did pick me to be your lawfully wedded husband whether you like me or not and I haven't made fun of myself once."

"You're impossible!" Scarlett laughed.

"Thank you," Fred said as if she had just paid him the highest compliment.

When their laughter had died down, they looked out at the sky again.

"My dad didn't even live to see me get my Hogwarts letter," Scarlett whispered. "He knew I was a witch since he knew about my mother being one and I had also been showing signs of magic. But I just wish he could've been alive to see me off to school."

"He would have been proud," Fred whispered.

"You think so?" she answered.

Fred nodded. "Mhm. I know the two of us have lost touch, but from what I can see now, you've grown up into someone to be proud of."

Scarlett smiled and looked down at her hands. "Thanks."

After a moment of silence, Fred spoke again. "Did you hear about Percy?"

"No, where is he, by the way?" Scarlett asked.

"He's siding with the Ministry. He doesn't believe You-Know-Who's back. He got into a huge fight with dad recently and stormed out."

"No," Scarlett whispered.

Fred nodded. "I never thought he would do that. I mean, I always knew he loved his job and practically worshipped the Minister, but I thought family came first."

"You're upset with him," Scarlett said.

"Of course I am. It hurts that he would leave us like that."

"I'm so sorry, Fred," Scarlett whispered. "I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything," he answered. "I didn't tell you so that you could say something. I said it so that I could tell someone how I feel about it besides George."

"Why me?" Scarlett asked.

"You're easy to talk to," Fred finally answered.

"So are you." Scarlett smiled slightly as she stared out at the stars.

"It's almost like being free, isn't it?" Fred asked after another few moments of silence. "Being this close to the sky, I mean. If I could, I'd go for a ride on my broom right about now."

"I haven't ridden a broom in years," Scarlett sighed. "I miss being able to."

Fred nodded in understanding. "I hate being stuck in this house."

"I know," Scarlett said sympathetically. "It reminds me of a Muggle fairytale my dad read to me once. It was called Rapunzel. My dad bought me a fairy tale book when I was little and he used to read me a story every night."

"What was it about?" Fred asked. "This Rapunzel story, I mean." He sat down on the ground and leaned against the wall.

Scarlett sat down next to him. "You really want to hear it?"

Fred nodded almost eagerly. "Yeah, I've never heard a Muggle story before."

"Okay," Scarlett said, "once upon a time…"

She began telling the story, but about halfway through, she felt a pressure on her shoulder. Looking to her left, she saw that Fred had fallen asleep and was snoring slightly.

Smiling, she nudged him gently. "Fred, wake up."

He jumped and sat up. "Sorry," he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "I didn't mean to fall asleep. I really liked the story, but-,"

"You were tired," Scarlett finished. "It is almost three in the morning after all, so we really should get to bed."

"Okay, but on one condition," Fred mumbled sleepily.

"What's that?" Scarlett asked.

Fred grinned. "Tomorrow night you have to finish the story. I want to know if Rapunzel ever got a haircut."

Scarlett laughed. "I've really missed being your friend."

Fred smiled and stood up, reaching out a hand to pull Scarlett up as well. "One blue eye and one green eye," he said quietly when she had stood. He smiled to himself.

She frowned slightly. "Why are you bringing that up?"

"I just-I saw them and remembered that your eyes were different colors. I thought you were going to get those Muggle things to change that."

"Contacts? Yeah, I never did," she shrugged. "After my dad died, Mum and I didn't know the first thing about getting those contacts. Besides, Mum wanted me to 'embrace being unique'."

"Did you?" Fred asked as they walked inside and down the stairs. "Learn to like your eyes, I mean. I know you never really liked them."

"Yeah, I guess I did grow to like them eventually," she answered. "Sometimes, though, I still wish they could have been one color or the other."

"For the record," Fred said, "I like them. I always have."

"I know," she answered. "You used to tell me all the time."

Fred smiled. "Well, here's my room." He stopped in front of a door.

"Okay, well, see you tomorrow?"

"Of course. You have to finish the story, don't forget."

"Alright," she said, reaching for the banister as she walked down two steps.

"Oh, and before you go, I just wanted to make sure you know how lucky you are to be marrying me, even if we don't have feelings for each other," Fred said.

"Yeah? Why?" Scarlett asked.

"Weasley is a much better last name than Finch-Fletchley," he smirked.

"Goodnight, Fred," Scarlett said with a roll of her eyes as she continued down the stairs.

"I'm saving your life and your dignity," Fred called.

"Goodnight, Fred," she said again, louder this time.

"Goodnight," he replied with a laugh as he slipped back into his room.

Scarlett hurried back into her own room, where she was finally able to fall asleep.

A/N: Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a review!