"At least out loud, I won't say I'm in love."
-Meg (Hercules)
"Can you please just tell me why you've been borrowing our workroom for hours on end practically every day for the past week and a half?" Fred begged as he leaned against the table Scarlett was working at.
"Work," Scarlett answered vaguely as she continued to scribble things down and cross things out on the piece of paper in front of her.
"I know that, but can't you be more specific?"
"No, it's top secret."
"I could help you if I knew what you were doing. George would be happy to help as well."
"I can figure it out. Thanks, though."
"Scar, look at me." Fred turned to face her before gently reaching out and hooking his finger under her chin, forcing her to look over at him. "You're overworking yourself. You work all day and then you come here and work on…whatever this is until midnight or sometimes even later. On the weekends, you've been busy lately, too, so if I want to see you, I have to come down here and watch you work. I thought it was bad trying to make time to see you before, but now it's even worse. What I'm trying to say is…I miss you."
Scarlett blushed and sighed. "I know, and I'm sorry, but I have to figure this out. My friend at work was trying to create this…potion all on her own. And she's working about ten times harder than I am. I'm just trying to help her out. And I have to keep it a secret because, well, it's a type of medicine that she's trying to create. She's hoping to sell it, so it's not supposed to get out until she's ready or else everyone will be begging for it."
"So how did you get it? Are you that good of a Healer, she asked you to take on this huge project already?" Fred asked.
"No," Scarlett whispered, "she doesn't even know I'm helping her."
"Seriously?" Fred asked. "So you just took this?" He pointed to the vial on the table. "You took it. Without asking?"
"Yeah," Scarlett muttered, "stop making me feel horrible."
"I'm not. I just…I believe George and I have rubbed off on you."
"No, you haven't," Scarlett said with a faint smile.
"Just tell me this," Fred said. "Are you going to be available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?"
Scarlett smiled. "That depends on why you're asking."
"Well," Fred said with a grin, "I was hoping you'd be willing to celebrate Christmas at the Burrow."
"Yeah?"
Fred nodded. "It's not just me that misses you. You haven't been over for dinner since the end of July. It's been months since anyone besides me and George have seen you."
Scarlett smiled. "I think I can make some time, then."
Fred smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that," he whispered, leaning in and gently kissing her. "Remind me again why we haven't just made our relationship official yet?" he whispered. "We basically are dating, you know."
"You have a point," Scarlett whispered back. "I suppose we could just make things official. I think I've had enough time to adjust."
"More than enough," Fred teased. "But do you mean it? I can officially call you my girlfriend now?"
Scarlett nodded. "Mhm, I think we're ready."
"We're ready? I've been ready since mid-July."
"Fine, I'm ready," Scarlett giggled.
Fred smiled and kissed her forehead. "Why don't you stop working for now? Go home and get some sleep. Or you can stay here. I'm not opposed to that option either." He shrugged and grinned.
Scarlett swatted him. "Creep."
"Hey, we're official now," Fred reminded her. "It's not a creepy suggestion at all. And have you forgotten that you slept over once before prior to us even admitting we liked each other?"
"You made me!"
"I didn't make you do anything," Fred laughed.
Scarlett mock glared at him. "I'm going to go home."
"Fine," Fred answered, smirking. "Go."
Scarlett collected her things and gave Fred a peck on the cheek before heading for the workroom door. "See you tomorrow," she called over her shoulder.
"A kiss on the cheek is all I get?" Fred asked, following her out into the shop.
Scarlett glanced over her shoulder. "Mhm. Sorry, Freddie," she grinned.
"You're lucky I like you so much."
"I know," Scarlett smirked, pausing in the shop's doorway. "Goodnight, Fred."
"Goodnight, Scar."
"Are you nervous?" Fred asked as he and Scarlett walked towards the Burrow on Christmas Eve.
"No, should I be?" Scarlett asked.
"No," Fred shrugged. "I mean, you've obviously spent time with my family before, but never like this."
"Like what?"
"Like this." Fred held up their intertwined hands.
"They know we're together."
"They know we like each other. We haven't exactly told them we made things official yet."
"Yeah, we told them we weren't official, but do you think they believed it? I think they just automatically assumed we were together no matter what we said."
"I suppose you're right," Fred grinned. They reached the front door and he pushed it open, leading Scarlett inside. "Everyone's probably in the kitchen."
Sure enough, the kitchen was crowded. Everyone who had been invited was already there—Bill, Fleur, Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, and even Mad-Eye. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were back from school for the holiday and were also standing around the kitchen. George was already there as well, perched on the counter with a bottle of firewhiskey in his hand. He noticed Scarlett and Fred and grinned.
"George, get down from the counter, please," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Can't we eat already?" George begged, hopping down.
"No, George, honestly, can't you just wait until Scarlett and Fred get here?"
"They are here," George said, gesturing with his firewhiskey.
Mrs. Weasley whirled around. "Oh, good!" she cried. "Now we can eat."
"Are we late?" Fred asked as everyone found a seat.
"No, I just finished cooking," Mrs. Weasley answered. "You're right on time."
"So," Tonks began, grinning at Fred and Scarlett once everyone had sat down. "I hear you two are dating now."
"Well, we weren't official until last week," Scarlett said blushing.
"Oh, please," Ginny snorted. "You said you weren't official, but nobody believed it."
"Told you," Scarlett muttered to Fred, who grinned.
"It seems that you two have come a long way," Tonks said. She smiled. "I remember when we first heard the news about the vow. Fred overturned his chair and Scarlett looked as if someone had hit her over the head with a frying pan."
"And now look at you," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed happily, "on your way to a happy marriage!"
Fleur sighed and crossed her arms as Bill gave her a weak, apologetic smile.
"We're still working through it…" Scarlett began. "And what about Bill and Fleur? They actually did things right." Scarlett smiled at Fleur, who looked up in surprise and gave her a tiny smile in return.
"Yes, I suppose," Mrs. Weasley said, "but that does remind me…when do you and Fred want to get married? You have about a year-,"
"One year, four months and one week to be exact," Ginny chimed in.
"You've been keeping track?" Fred asked.
Ginny nodded. "I have."
"Yes, so you still have a little bit of time," Mrs. Weasley said, "but I'd suggest you make a decision on the date now. We need to start planning. Things take time, and with this war coming, I don't know if-,"
"Mum," Fred interrupted. He glanced at Scarlett. "Like Scarlett said, we're still working things out. We're kind of going slow."
"We just started…dating," Scarlett said slowly, the word still feeling slightly unfamiliar on her tongue when she was using it to refer to Fred.
"Yeah, but not really. Technically you've been dating since July," Ginny insisted. "You've just been saying things are official recently."
"Besides," Tonks chimed in, "you really don't have a lot of time. Molly's right. Planning a wedding takes time and we've got another wedding coming up, and the strong possibility of a war on the way. Honestly, you'd be better off tying the knot sooner rather than later."
"We don't need a big wedding," Fred said.
"Yeah," Scarlett added. "Bill and Fleur deserve one. Fred and I are a weird case. Two weddings will just be too much pressure. We can do something small."
"Rubbish," Mrs. Weasley said. "Just because your circumstance is a little different doesn't mean you don't deserve a proper wedding. I'm sure Jenna agrees." She looked at Scarlett's mother.
"I somewhat agree," Scarlett's mother said slowly. "Scar, I want the best for you and I want you to be happy. If a small wedding is really what you want, I'm fine with it, but I don't want you to feel like you have to go that route. I would like to see you have a proper wedding, though. You are my only child and my only daughter. It would just be nice, is all, but you do what you're most comfortable with."
"What if Fred and I discuss it and get back to you soon?" Scarlett asked.
"I suppose that's fair," Mrs. Weasley sighed.
"I think that sounds very fair," Sirius chimed in.
Fred nodded. "Okay then, can we just get to eating now?"
Mrs. Weasley sighed and smiled. "Dig in."
After dinner, as everyone began making their way into the living room, Fred laced his fingers through Scarlett's and gestured to the back door. "Want to go for a walk?" he asked.
"It's starting to snow," Scarlett pointed out, glancing out the window.
"All the more reason to go," Fred replied.
"Seriously?"
Fred nodded. "Of course. Besides, I want to give you your Christmas gift."
"Yeah?" Scarlett asked. "What is it?"
"Just come with me," Fred replied. "Please?"
Scarlett looked up at him and smiled. "Okay," she said quietly.
Fred grinned. "Great." He squeezed her hand and led her out the door.
They walked in silence for a moment, away from the Burrow.
"Where are we going?" Scarlett asked.
"Remember the little field back here surrounded by trees where we used to play Quidditch as kids?" Fred asked.
"Yeah, why? Is that where we're going?"
"Mm," Fred answered. He shrugged. "I mean, why not, right?"
"Yeah, I guess," Scarlett replied slowly.
They finally reached their destination and came to a stop in the middle of the tree-enclosed area. "Close your eyes and wait here," Fred said abruptly, dropping Scarlett's hand.
"Why?" Scarlett blinked in surprise a few times.
"So I can give you your Christmas gift," Fred replied as if the answer should have been incredibly obvious.
"Should I be nervous?" Scarlett asked. "Of all places, you brought me to this mini, makeshift Quidditch field surrounded by trees to give me my gift. And besides that, you told me to close my eyes."
"No, you have nothing to be nervous about. I swear," Fred told her, smiling. He placed his hands on either side of her face and gave her a quick, gentle kiss before pulling away. "Close your eyes," he insisted.
"Okay, okay," Scarlett sighed, following his orders.
"Don't move," Fred instructed.
"Fine," she smirked as she heard Fred's footsteps moving farther away. After a moment, she heard him return and stop in front of her.
"Okay," he said, "you can open your eyes now."
Scarlett did as he said and her mouth promptly fell open. "What's that?" she squeaked.
"Your Christmas gift. What else?"
"Yeah, but a new broom?"
"You said last summer that your mum sold your old broom and you never got a new one. To me, that's practically a crime, not owning a broom, so I took matters into my own hands. This is all yours." He held the broom out to her.
"Fred," Scarlett whispered, gingerly taking it from him, "I don't know what to say."
"Say thank you."
"Thank you. It's really sweet that you did this."
"What can I say? I'm a natural at being sweet."
Scarlett smiled. "Don't push it."
Fred laughed. "So, I'm guessing you like it, then?"
"Of course I do! How could I not?"
"Why don't you test it out?" Fred suggested.
Scarlett agreed and swung her leg over the broom. "Should I be offering you a ride? You know, since you brought me on one?" she teased.
"No, I actually brought my own broom," Fred replied. "It's behind that tree over there. I thought we could play a one on one version of Quidditch."
"While it's snowing?" Scarlett asked.
"While it's snowing," Fred repeated.
"Okay, go get your broom, then."
As Fred jogged off towards a nearby tree, Scarlett kicked off the ground and flew around in circles.
"Having fun?" Fred asked, flying up beside her.
Scarlett grinned and nodded. "I can't believe I have my own broom again. Thank you. I appreciate it."
"Don't mention it," Fred replied.
"Okay, so let's get our two person Quidditch game started, shall we?" Scarlett asked with a smirk. "I'm sure I can win pretty easily."
"Yeah, sure, the girl who hasn't been on a broom in nearly ten years has an incredible chance against the guy who actually played Quidditch for six," Fred snorted.
"I'd say so," Scarlett replied teasingly.
"Well let's get playing and we'll see about that," Fred grinned.
"Let's do it."
"Good game," Fred said as he landed beside Scarlett about an hour later.
"Yeah, yeah, wipe that pompous smile off your face," Scarlett teased, pretending to pout as they headed back to the Burrow.
"Hey, you should have known what you were getting into," Fred shrugged. "And I did warn you."
"No, not really."
"I reminded you that I played Quidditch for six years and you haven't ridden a broom in ten."
"Yeah, you reminded me sarcastically."
"I know you didn't really fall for it. You're too smart for that."
"Are you trying to flatter me?" Scarlett asked. She stopped walking and tilted her head as she looked up at Fred.
"Is it working?" Fred asked.
"No," Scarlett replied with a sniff as she turned and continued walking.
"Sure it is," Fred said, jogging to catch up with her. "You just don't want to admit it."
Scarlett smiled and rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say."
By the time they reached the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley had just finished making hot chocolate, which was definitely appreciated by Scarlett and Fred after being out in the cold.
"I'm glad you finally have your present," George said, once they were all gathered in the living room. He nodded towards Scarlett's new broom that was currently being passed around from person to person. "I thought Fred was going to burst from excitement and ruin his own surprise by telling you before tonight."
"But I didn't," Fred said proudly.
"That does remind me, George," Ginny piped up, "you owe me three Galleons."
"You bet on if Fred would be able to keep his mouth shut?" Scarlett asked in surprise as George sulkily handed Ginny the money.
"And George lost?" Fred gasped dramatically. "It's like he doesn't know me at all. Honestly, George, you call yourself my brother."
"Oh, shut it," George mumbled, trying to hide his smile.
"Are you sure you two are warm enough?" Mrs. Weasley asked Fred and Scarlett, who were sitting side by side on the floor in front of the coffee table. "You were outside for quite some time."
"It was no more than an hour, Mum, relax," Fred sighed.
"Yeah, Mrs. Weasley, we're fine," Scarlett nodded.
"No, I'm fairly certain you're freezing. Here, take this." Mrs. Weasley passed the two of them a blanket that was draped over the back of the couch.
"Thanks," Fred said slowly as he took it. Scarlett looked down into her mug and tried not to laugh. When she looked up, she saw Sirius trying to hold in his laughter as well.
"Be quiet," she mouthed, shaking her head slightly and smirking.
"I am," he mouthed back, shrugging innocently.
Scarlett rolled her eyes and slid slightly closer to Fred as he threw the blanket around both of their shoulders.
"It looks as if my mother is still trying to play matchmaker," he whispered, smirking.
"I don't understand why she would have to," Scarlett replied, resting her head on Fred's shoulder.
"Because we don't…love each other yet," Fred said slowly.
"Ah," Scarlett answered. "And a blanket can change that?"
"Apparently so."
"Imagine someone telling their kids that story. 'Your dad and I fell in love when grandma handed us a blanket'," Scarlett giggled.
Fred snorted.
"Of course," Scarlett added quickly, "I said that hypothetically. The kid thing, I mean."
"Right, of course," Fred said, clearing his throat. He paused. "You still don't want any kids together?"
"Well, I was under the impression that Binky was going to be our child," Scarlett smirked.
Binky, who was play-wrestling with George and Ginny's pygmy puffs in front of the fire, perked up at the sound of his name, allowing Arnold to successfully bite his ear.
Fred laughed. "That's right, but I thought you were against it."
"I do want children. Real children. And I do really like you, but I'm still trying to take this day by day. Like you said, we aren't in love yet. I think that should happen first before we consider children. Do you agree?"
Fred was quiet for a moment. "That does make sense."
"Fred?" Scarlett whispered after a moment.
"Yes?"
"What if this relationship doesn't work out for us? I mean, we're finally giving dating a try and we do like each other, but what if it falls apart and we decide we're not right for each other after all? We're still going to have to get married."
Fred sighed. "I've thought about that possibility as well. But I think all we can do is take this one day at a time, like you said. We'll have to work through it and see what happens."
Scarlett nodded. "Okay," she whispered, staring into her mug of hot chocolate again.
"Although," Fred continued, nudging her playfully, "I don't think we really have anything to worry about. After all, Mum gave us this blanket, and you know, blankets have been making people fall in love since…forever."
Scarlett smiled and looked up at him. "Is it working for you?"
Fred wrinkled his nose at her. "No, not a chance."
Scarlett actually giggled. "It's not working for me, either."
"Good," Fred whispered, smirking.
"Yeah, good," Scarlett answered, resting her head on his shoulder once more.
A/N: I hope everyone liked the chapter! In the next few chapters we'll be getting into Deathly Hallows, which is pretty exciting. But the story's actually not all that close to being over. Lots of stuff is going to start happening soon and I'm so excited to write/post all of it!