The rest of the summer flew by entirely too fast. But it was a really good summer. In July, I went out with Rachel, Kayla and Allie to celebrate Rachel's birthday, and at the end of the same month, I was at the Burrow celebrating Harry's birthday.

I actually found myself over at the Burrow nearly every Sunday anyway. Saturday nights I was usually with Fred-sometimes George and Katie too if we decided to all hang out together-and the rest of the time I was splitting between working, spending time with Rachel, Kayla and Allie, and also with Tom, Martha and even my mother.

My life was suddenly so busy, but in the best way possible. I wasn't running away from people anymore, but instead constantly running to them.

The lowest point of the summer was Percy's birthday-the twenty-second of August. It was a Tuesday, so I was working and Fred and George were as well. The night before, I'd asked Fred what he'd wanted to happen. Did he want me to come over or did he want to just be with George? Did he want to be completely alone? I put him in control the same way he'd always allowed me to be in control.

Fred had thought about it for a few seconds before looking at me and whispering, "Come over?"

I'd simply nodded in response and kissed his cheek.

After my shift on that Tuesday, I went straight to the shop and spent the night with Fred, curled up beside him on the couch. George was there too, and the two of them told me stories about Percy and about their childhood in general. A lot of the time the stories were funny and entertaining and we'd end up laughing, but sometimes Fred, and even George would get a little quiet for a moment. Each time that would happen, I'd give Fred's hand a squeeze and he'd squeeze it back before taking a deep breath and telling another story.

"Did you know," Fred said, later that night when we were getting ready for bed, "that I'm just slightly older than Percy was when he died?" He was leaning backwards against his dresser, staring down at the ground in thought as I stood beside him, facing the mirror as I ran a brush through my hair.

"Are you?" I asked quietly, turning so that I could look at him.

He nodded, his head still tilted downward with his arms crossed over his chest. "He was just under four months shy of his twenty-second birthday." He took in a slow, deep breath. "And now I'm just over four months past my own twenty-second birthday."

I slowly set my hairbrush down on the dresser as I thought over what he'd said. "That must feel strange," I whispered.

"There's a little part of me-in the very back of my head-that's whispering, You don't deserve it."

"Deserve what?" I asked patiently, turning so that I was facing the same direction as Fred as I leaned against the dresser as well.

"Life," he muttered with a shrug. "Two years ago, that feeling was overpowering. That feeling was consuming me. And now it's just a whisper. But it's still there. It just almost doesn't seem fair that I've now surpassed the amount of time that Percy got to live in this world himself." He swallowed. "Two years ago, I didn't think I cared about if I lived or died."

"And now?" I whispered.

"Now..." Fred finally tilted his head upwards and let out a slow puff of air before shifting his gaze to my hand and then reaching over to gently pick it up and thread his fingers through mine. "Now I care. I have you, I have my family...and if I didn't care, it really would be a shitty way to repay Percy for what he did." He shook his head. "Sometimes I'm not even sure if I truly stopped caring. It was why I would always tempt fate just enough each time I jumped in that pond and each time I got drunk. I'd toe the line-or more like straddle the line-without ever fully crossing it. Which is kind of how I've lived my whole life, so I suppose it's fitting."

I nodded. "I know how it feels," I whispered. "I know exactly how it feels."

Fred looked up at me and gave me a weak smile. He reached up with his free hand and brushed my hair behind my ear, his fingertips grazing the side of my head. "I know you do," he whispered. He inhaled and then let it out as he brightened slightly and headed for his bed, where he flopped onto his back. "I can't believe Fleur's pregnant again," he said, changing the subject suddenly and completely. For a moment, I thought of saying something about it, but ultimately decided against it.

"Why can't you believe it?" I asked.

"Well," Fred shrugged, "she did not enjoy being pregnant the first time. She had terrible morning sickness, her sense of smell changed and she'd feel nauseous at everything, and the labor took a while, too. She swore up, down, left and right that she'd never do it again."

I giggled. "I think lots of women say that, but do it again anyway." I shrugged and climbed into bed beside Fred, snuggling against his side. "Fleur's a good mother, though. And I actually don't think this baby was entirely planned. Fleur was a little surprised, too. That's the sense I got at least."

"You did? How?" Fred asked, wrinkling his nose in confusion. "Nothing she or Bill mentioned when they told us would've implied-"

"I have a confession, but you can't tell anyone," I interrupted him. "Do you promise?"

"Promise," Fred answered.

"I've known she was pregnant since Ginny's wedding," I admitted. "That was the same day she found out. Remember how she had disappeared after breakfast and Ginny was about to lose her mind over it?"

"Yeah," Fred said slowly.

"Well, I found Fleur vomiting in the bathroom. My mother was there too and that's when she told me about Elizabeth's potion book. She'd already been experimenting with some of them and she'd already made the one Elizabeth had mentioned using in the diary."

Fred thought about that a moment. "The one where she determined whether or not she was pregnant," he finally said. "She put it in her tea."

I nodded. "My mother ran back to the Leaky Cauldron to get the potion and then came back and gave some to Fleur. And according to that...she was pregnant."

Fred was silent for a moment before he let out a breath of laughter. "Wow," he finally said. "You told me you'd had an exciting morning that day-I just didn't realize how exciting."

"She asked me not to say anything," I told him, propping myself up on my elbow so that I could turn to look at him fully. "It was Ginny's wedding day, and Fleur had literally just found out herself. I wouldn't have said anything anyway, but-"

"Of course," Fred nodded. "I get it."

"Do you think she'll have a girl or a boy?" I asked, laying back down and resting my head on Fred's shoulder again.

"I hope it's a boy," Fred said. "I'd love a nephew."

"All of your brothers aren't enough?" I teased.

Fred rolled his eyes. "Nephews are different than brothers," he said.

"Well, all of you already fawn over Victoire," I said. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's the one that has you wrapped around her finger. Not me." I laughed as Fred lightly pinched my side in jest.

"One thing I do know," Fred said, "is that I'm not missing the birth of this one."

I smiled and leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek before snuggling against him again. "I'm proud of you," I whispered.

I felt Fred's chin brush my head as he looked down at me and I could tell he was smiling slightly. He pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. "Right back at you," he said.

"What a way with words," I answered with a slight giggle.

"Hey, I'm quite eloquent, I'll have you know," Fred said. He pinched my side again and I let out a squeak as I squirmed at the touch. "You're so mean to me," Fred went on, gently shoving me away from him. "Roll over. I'm not going to let you cuddle up next to me if you're just going to make fun of me."

"That's rich coming from the guy who owns a joke shop," I laughed as I rolled away from him.

"I'm about to send a well-deserved rude hand gesture your way," Fred said as he got comfortable under the covers.

"And you say I'm mean," I muttered sleepily.

I felt the bed shift as Fred rolled onto his side and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me to him and leaning over to give my cheek a loud and exaggerated kiss. "I love you," he said.

"Mm," I answered, rolling my eyes.

"Come on, don't be like that," Fred laughed. "I did promise I'd tell you I love you every single day, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did," I whispered, a small smile turning up the corners of my mouth.

"Well, then the least you could do is say it back," Fred said. "I'd like to be reminded daily that I'm loved, too, you know."

I smiled wider and rolled over to face him. I looked up into his face for a moment before speaking. "I love you," I said quietly.

Fred grinned. "Right back at you."

I let out a cry of frustration before turning back over to face the wall. Fred laughed and kissed my cheek before rolling away and getting comfortable on his back.

After a few minutes of silence, I half-turned back to look at him and saw him staring up at the ceiling, his eyes open and one arm curled behind his head.

I rolled back over to face him and just watched him for a moment before I slid my hand across the mattress and bumped my fingers against Fred's. He continued to stare at the ceiling, but he moved his hand and reached for mine, lacing our fingers together and squeezing slightly.

And that was how we fell asleep.

One Saturday in September-almost exactly one month before George and Katie's wedding, in fact-I showed up at the twins' flat to find Fred slightly distracted. Not in a bad way, necessarily. He just seemed to have something on his mind.

"You okay?" I asked, setting my things down on a chair and turning to Fred.

He nodded and reached for his coat. "Are you ready to go?"

I studied him for a moment. "I am," I said slowly.

The two of us had planned to go to Hogsmeade to get something to eat and go into some of the shops. Fred specifically wanted to visit Zonko's to pick up some things and look at some of their new items in person.

I didn't push the issue of Fred's distraction as we left the flat and Apparated to Hogsmeade. I didn't press the issue through dinner or even while we visited Zonko's. But once we'd walked down to the opposite end of the lane, all the way to the Shrieking Shack, Fred finally told me what was on his mind.

"George is moving out," he blurted out after we'd been standing there for a few minutes.

"He is?" I asked. For a brief instant, I was surprised. I was so used to Fred and George always being together. Working together, living together, and spending a large amount of their free time together. It was rare to ever see one of them without the other. But at the same time, it made sense. George was getting married and if he was anything like Fred on what he wanted out of life, he wanted to start a family. It would be hard to do that in the flat. There just wasn't enough room.

Fred nodded. "He and Katie found their own place just on the outskirts of London."

"That's great," I said. "Good for them."

Fred nodded again. "Yeah, they're excited."

"You must have seen this coming," I said with a sigh. "Or at least thought it was a possibility."

Fred nodded as he gazed out at the Shrieking Shack. "I did," he said. "It makes sense and I'm glad he's happy. But-it just feels odd. We're not kids anymore. We're getting old."

"Old?" I laughed as Fred smiled. "Hardly."

"Says the girl who's been retired since June," Fred teased.

I scoffed and shoved his shoulder as he laughed.

"He's still your brother," I said. "You just have to share him a little bit more than usual now. I'm sure you're somewhat used to it. He and Katie have been together a while."

"Yeah-but I'm still used to seeing him every day."

"You'll still see him every day. You two work together, don't you? Or is he quitting his job, too?"

This time, Fred shoved my shoulder. "You know what I meant," he said. "I see him almost all the time we're not working, too."

"Well, you can't be greedy, Fred," I laughed. "You can't hog all of his time."

"Shut up," he muttered, rolling his eyes. He inhaled slowly and let it out before turning to me. "Anyway...come the end of October, I'm going to be in search of a new flat mate." He smiled. "Happen to know anyone?"

I pretended to look up at the sky thoughtfully as I let a puff of air out of my mouth. "I'm not sure," I said, looking back at him. "What kind of flat mate were you looking for?"

"Well," Fred said slowly, reaching out and slipping a finger through one of the belt loops of my jeans. He tugged me slightly closer and smiled down at me. "They have to have a sense of humor. That's a must. They have to be patient because I've heard that I'm-what's the word-a handful." He laughed as I let out a giggle of my own. "Not sure why people would think that, but..." he trailed off and shrugged.

"Really?" I teased. "No ideas at all?"

"I've also heard I have too much energy and that I never seem to sleep and that I don't let other people rest." He shot me a knowing look. "Some really strange girl even compared me to New York City."

I scoffed. "Well, she sounds positively insane," I joked with a roll of my eyes.

"Oh, yeah, completely," Fred agreed. He laughed as I nudged him in the side.

"What other requirements are there?" I asked.

Fred thought that over. "They have to be supportive of what I do-I can't have them thinking a joke shop is silly, can I?"

"Of course not," I said. "What else?"

Fred shrugged. "Relatively neat and clean. It's a bonus if they can cook, but it's not required. I certainly can't cook, but I've also managed to get by thus far without being an expert."

"If by managing, you mean you utilize your mother's and Martha's cooking," I pointed out with a smile.

Fred laughed. "Can you blame me?"

I shook my head. "Are you willing to learn to cook?"

Fred thought it over for a second. "Maybe?" He finally answered.

"Better than an outright no, I suppose," I answered with a shrug. "Any other requirements for your new flat mate?"

He shrugged. "It also would be nice if they were about..." he tilted his head and squinted at me as he held a hand just above my head, "well...just about this tall. Brunette-brunettes are great. And if they have beautiful blue eyes, it's an immediate acceptance."

"Oh, so there are physical requirements now?" I laughed.

"Not requirements, just bonuses," Fred said with a smile.

"Okay," I said. I chewed my lip and looked up at him curiously. "Male or female?"

"Well, normally I'd say either," Fred said. "But I was really hoping for a female."

"Really?" I teased. "One with brown hair and blue eyes that's about my height, you said?"

"Mhm," Fred answered, nodding his head. "And one who's funny, supportive, and patient. Oh-and she has to be a real misfit. No normal people are allowed."

I laughed. "This is turning into a long list. Anything else?"

"No professional ice skaters," Fred said. "And her name must begin with the letter S," he said.

"Interesting," I giggled.

"Why, do you know someone?" Fred asked.

"I might," I said slowly, a playful smile on my face. "I'd have to ask her if she's interested."

"Can't you ask her now?" Fred asked, raising his eyebrows. "You see, I'm really quite desperate."

"Bold of you to assume that I can communicate telepathically with this person," I said.

"Can't you though?" Fred teased, tilting his head and looking at me with wide, expectant eyes.

I laughed. "Alright, alright." I tilted my head and scrunched my mouth from one side to the other as I thought.

There wasn't really all that much to think about. I wanted to move in with him. I was there almost every weekend anyway, and even some weeknights. I was serious about being with Fred and I felt like I was ready for this, which still felt a bit astounding to me. But I was still ready. Leaving Tom and Martha would be a bit painful, but I also wouldn't be going far from them.

"Do we have a decision?" Fred finally asked.

I looked back at him and smiled as I nodded my head. "She said she'd love to be your new flat mate."

"Yeah?" Fred asked, grinning down at me.

I nodded. "Although, she has some requirements of her own."

"Oh yeah? What are they?" Fred asked

"You have to stop yanking the covers around at night, stop leaving your shoes in front of the door, and stop leaving your clothes on the ground. You also have to play chess with me every night so I can become a champion."

"Woah, woah, woah," Fred said, holding up a hand. "I only pull on the covers because you hog them."

"I do not!"

"You do! And I can't control where my shoes land when I kick them off."

I gaped at him. "Well maybe you shouldn't be kicking them anywhere. Or you could at least pick them up and move them afterwards. Do you know how many times I've almost broken my neck tripping over them?"

"Fine, fine," Fred said. "It's a deal. I'll work on it. But can we negotiate what you said about playing chess every night?"

"I don't know," I answered seriously. "What do you propose?"

"Three nights a week," Fred said.

"Five," I shot back. "Monday through Friday. I'll give you weekends off."

"Four," Fred responded swiftly.

"Five," I insisted. "And I'll allow one-and only one-of those nights to be strip chess night. If George and Katie won't be around, we don't have to worry about anyone walking in anymore. And since I'm improving at chess, it also won't be as unfair."

Fred considered that. "You won't budge on the one night only bit?"

I shook my head. "One night, take it or leave it."

"I'll take it. It's a deal," Fred responded, holding out his hand. He smirked down at me. "It's customary to shake it, just in case you didn't-"

"Oh, shut up," I answered, nudging his hand out of the way and leaning up to kiss him instead. "I didn't take you as the type to follow what's customary."

"I'm not," Fred whispered, looking down at me in slight surprise. "Kisses work just as well."

"Okay, good," I answered, pulling away and leaning against the fence we were standing beside as I looked up at Fred with a smile. "When do I move in?"

"The first of November," Fred answered. "Does that work for you?"

"Yeah, that's fine with me. It's plenty of time to let Tom and Martha know too."

"I'm sure they'll miss you once you're gone," Fred said.

"I'm sure they will too. But I'm really not going far at all. And I'll still be going to work there."

"Unless you start your own photography business," Fred pointed out, nudging me in the side.

I scoffed and looked away.

"I mean it, Soph," Fred said. "You really should consider taking the leap. George and I could help you. I meant it when I said that, too."

"I know you did," I answered, turning to look at him again.

"The photos Tom and Martha hung up at the Leaky Cauldron are selling well enough to indicate that you could pull this off," Fred told me. "You're talented. It's something you've always wanted to do. And it'll give you an excuse to travel."

I smiled at the thought of me finally visiting each place I'd ever wanted to and to actually be doing it without having to worry about food or shelter or money.

"I do like the idea," I admitted.

"Then you should do something about it," Fred laughed, nudging me again.

"Okay, okay, I'll think about it," I giggled.

"Sounds to me like there isn't anything to think about," Fred said.

I laughed again. "I'll think about it," I repeated, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

Fred nodded and reached out to thread his fingers through mine. "Ready to go?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready." We started walking back down the lane and after a bit, I smiled up at Fred. "You know...I think living together is going to be great."

"Yeah?" Fred asked, glancing at me with a smile. "Why's that? Because you're so head over heels in love with me?"

"I was going to say that it'll be like having a slumber party every night."

Fred groaned as I cackled with laughter. "That's not what it is," he said.

"You mean you don't want me to share my secrets with you as I braid your hair and paint your nails?" I asked. "I could even make popcorn."

"Yes to the popcorn, if I can bring the firewhiskey. No to the hair braiding, a definite no to the nail painting. But I will agree to you spilling all your secrets. The juicier the better."

"Why are you so interested in my secrets?" I asked. "Are you planning on blackmailing me with them?"

"No, I just love some good gossip," Fred replied innocently.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure you do. But I'm also pretty sure that you know all my secrets at this point. I don't have much else to tell you."

"Bummer," Fred commented. He smiled at me. "Regardless, do we have a deal? If you wind up having any new secrets, you'll share them with me over popcorn and firewhiskey?"

"I thought that over. "Okay, fine. It's a deal," I said.

Fred laughed and leaned over to give me a quick peck on the lips. "Deal," he said. "You know, I could really get used to making deals this way."

"I'm sure you could," I said with a laugh. "But you can really only do it with me."

"That's the only way I want it," Fred assured me, nudging me in the side.

I nudged him back and he laughed before lunging towards me as I darted away, shrieking with glee. Eventually, he caught up to me and scooped me into his arms. He kissed me on the cheek victoriously, grinning in pride at the fact that he'd captured me. "Come on, let's get back," he said. "I'll even play a game of chess with you."

"You will?" I asked eagerly.

Fred nodded. "How else are you going to beat Ron before we're all dead?"

I laughed. "That is very true. How long do you think it'll take me at this point?"

"Fifty years," Fred answered definitively.

"Okay, I'll take it," I said. "That's ten years less than what you said seven months ago."

Fred rolled his eyes. "Still a long way to go."

"But still less time than before," I argued.

"But still a while," Fred insisted with a smile and a tilt of his head.

"You're impossible-you know that, don't you?"

"So I've been told," Fred answered.

George and Katie's wedding was just as fantastic as Ginny's had been. Despite having a fall wedding, Katie had really wanted to get married near the ocean, and Bill and Fleur were kind enough to offer up their home for the location of the wedding. It was cold out, but everything had been thought of-including keeping the outdoor tent heated by magic, and also allowing use of the house for anyone who wanted to go inside and get warmed up by the fire.

I'd gone out with Ginny to get a new dress for the occasion. This time, it was a knee-length, burgundy colored dress with a lacy illusion neckline and long, lacy sleeves. It covered my scars, but the thought of covering them up had-to my surprise and relief-hadn't even crossed my mind while shopping. I had just liked the dress, and the weather was also getting colder-it seemed like a good idea to wear something I'd at least be somewhat warm in.

The wedding was lovely. I spent the afternoon getting ready with Katie and her bridesmaids-Alicia, Angelina and Ginny. Fred was naturally George's best man, so he was just as busy that day. He, George and Lee had also gone out the night before, so I hadn't seen him since two nights previously.

Right before sunset-just before the wedding was supposed to begin-I made my way downstairs and out of the house to where the ceremony would be. It was in the front yard, overlooking the beach and the oncoming sunset. Later, the reception would be in the back of the house.

Rows of chairs were set up in front of an archway made out of vines and flowers. Floating lanterns and candles were hovering in the air, illuminating the area with a warm glow as the sun continued to set.

As I made my way to my seat up towards the front in the second row, I made eye contact with Fred, who was standing at the end of the aisle, next to George.

I gave him a smile and a tiny wave as I slipped into my seat. He smiled back before making a face-crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue. I stifled a laugh before making a face back at him.

"You look beautiful," he mouthed, giving me a lopsided smile.

A faint blush colored my cheeks as I smiled back. But before I could respond, the music started and Katie's bridesmaids were leaving the house and walking up the aisle. Alicia, Ginny, and Angelina, in that order. They all looked lovely, each in a pale blue dress that fell around their knees.

I glanced back at Fred and saw him give George's shoulder a comforting squeeze as the front door to the house opened and Katie stepped out. George looked as if he were holding his breath as she slowly made her way towards him, holding onto her father's arm with one hand, and gripping her bouquet of flowers with the other.

She only had eyes for George as she made her way up the aisle. She never once looked away from him and he never looked away from her-and it didn't even look like he took a breath-until she'd reached him at the end of the aisle.

The wedding was just as lovely as Ginny's and Harry's had been. The only difference was that I didn't have Fred beside me this time. Instead, he was standing beside his brother-and I wouldn't have it any other way. It meant a lot to both of them that Fred could be George's best man. It meant a lot that Fred had made it this far and that he was even here at all.

My eyes kept drifting from watching George and Katie to watching Fred. Every so often, he'd shift from one foot to the other, or fidget slightly with his bow tie, causing me to smile.

A few times, I caught him looking back at me and he'd shoot me a charming smile when his eyes met mine. I'd end up smiling back almost bashfully before glancing away and then back at him again. And he was always still watching me when I looked back at him, an amused smile replacing the charming one.

Finally, the ceremony ended, George and Katie shared their first kiss as husband and wife, and the sound of claps and cheers filled the air. Fred and Lee were once again the loudest, just as they and George had been the loudest at Ginny's wedding. Angelina, Alicia and Ginny began to lead the way back down the aisle towards the house, each one accompanied by either Fred, Lee, or Bill. Katie and George followed behind, and then after that, the guests began flocking out of their seats and towards the backyard for the reception.

I found myself lingering at the back of the crowd, not feeling in much of a hurry to get around back yet. Besides, I didn't feel like being jostled around by all the people. I had no problem taking my time.

At the end of the aisle, I turned back around to look back towards the spot where George and Katie had just stood moments ago, promising each other forever under that gorgeous archway. Beyond it was the ocean, and the horizon, where the glowing sun had almost disappeared beyond it completely. I looked over my shoulder at the crowd of wedding guests heading to the backyard before pulling off my shoes and heading in the opposite direction-towards the sandy slope that led to the water.

I wobbled down the hill in my bare feet, my shoes dangling from my fingers as I did so. When I reached the bottom, I made my way closer to the water, leaving footprints in the wet sand. And then I came to a stop at the water's edge. The small, tail end of a wave would roll over my feet before pulling back and being replaced by another one a moment later. The water was cold, but I didn't mind. I barely felt it as I stood there and watched the sun start to lower completely below the horizon.

I don't know how long I stood there before I heard quiet footsteps in the sand behind me.

"What are you doing out here?" Fred asked, appearing at my side. He nudged my side playfully. "I thought you'd run away."

I smiled fleetingly as I glanced at him and then looked back at the water. "No," I said. "I just thought it looked really pretty. The sunset, the water..."

"You didn't waste any time taking off your torture devices, I see," Fred commented, gesturing to my shoes. "I haven't even undone my bow tie yet."

I laughed and looked over at him. "Who tied it for you today?" I asked. "It looks good."

"What makes you think that I haven't mastered it by now?" Fred asked, pretending to be offended.

"Fred, you're going to master tying a bow tie at the same time I master playing wizard's chess."

"So, in that case...never."

I shot him a look. "Hey, a month ago, you were estimating fifty years."

Fred laughed. "You really do look beautiful," he whispered after a moment.

"Thanks," I whispered back as I turned fully towards him. I reached up and adjusted Fred's bow tie slightly. "You look pretty nice yourself."

"Pretty nice?" Fred asked with a playful tilt of his head as he narrowed his eyes. "That's not what you said earlier."

I looked at him in confusion. "Earlier? I haven't talked to you all day."

"You didn't say it so much in words," Fred said. "It was more the blush that covered your cheeks every time I smiled at you during the ceremony." He laughed as I blushed again. "You're doing it again now. What's up with that?"

"I just happen to like you, is all," I said quietly, a smile turning up the corners of my mouth as I looked down at the ground. "It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how you look."

"Ah, but I think it does," Fred said. "I haven't seen you blush this much in my presence since around the time we first met-back when everything made your cheeks turn red."

I giggled and looked back up at him as I let out a puff of air through my nose. "Fine," I said, "you look handsome. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Well, it certainly doesn't hurt my ego," Fred answered with a chuckle.

I smiled as my gaze drifted over Fred's shoulder, back up the hill to where I could see the archway of vines and flowers from the wedding ceremony.

"What's going through your head?" Fred asked quietly. He turned and glanced back up the hill himself before turning back to me.

"I'm just thinking," I said, shaking my head.

"I know that," Fred laughed. "I asked what you were thinking about."

"Forever," I whispered.

"Forever?" Fred repeated.

I looked back at him and nodded. "It's such a long and obscure stretch of time," I explained.

"It is," Fred said slowly.

"A few years ago, as you know, promising someone forever seemed absurd to me. Promising it in any sense. Not just marriage. If I'd been at this wedding-and even Ginny's wedding-a few years ago, I wouldn't have understood how they could stand there and so quickly, easily, and confidently promise something like that. It's not an easy promise to keep and there are so many variables that come into play that are out of anyone's control."

"But you don't feel that way anymore," Fred said quietly, looking down at me.

I shook my head. "I don't. I looked at Ginny and Harry at their wedding and at Katie and George today-and I could understand it. Completely. They're not promising forever because it's easy. They're promising forever despite the difficulties. They're promising to do everything in their power to make it to forever." I let out a puff of air and shook my head. "I couldn't even make that promise to myself until fairly recently. No wonder I couldn't imagine promising it to someone else." I tried to swallow the lump in my throat as tears pricked my eyes.

Wordlessly, Fred pulled me to him and held me against his chest as we both looked out at the water. He pressed a kiss to the top of my head and we stood there for a bit before he spoke, his voice just above a whisper. "The way I see it," he said, "forever is a long time. It's a big promise. But it's still not long enough or big enough when you love someone. And you're right-it's not easy and it's not a promise to make lightly. It does take work, and sometimes it seems impossible. And other times it all falls to shit for various reasons. I would know. For a while-after everything with Angelina, I didn't think I'd ever find someone else I'd want to promise forever to. I was heartbroken and not in a good enough place to even be promising myself to another person. Because I couldn't even make that promise to myself either. Same as you." He swallowed. "And yet...here I am, and here you are."

"The two biggest misfits in the world," I whispered as Fred laughed.

He pulled away slightly and looked down at me as he brushed a wind blown strand of hair away from my face. "So...was all that your way of saying you want me to be your forever?" he asked with a smile.

"I'm not surprised you've managed to make this about you," I giggled.

"I'll tell you what," Fred went on with a laugh of his own. "I'll agree to be your forever on the condition that you agree to be mine."

I laughed. "How did you manage to be sappier than the time I compared you to city lights, but also make that sound like a business deal?"

"Talent," Fred shrugged.

I smiled. "You're not asking me to marry you, are you?" I asked. "Not at your brother's wedding. I don't think that's considered good etiquette. Not that you'd care..."

"No," Fred chuckled. "You're right-I don't care. But I'm not asking you to marry me either."

"Are you about to tell me to marry you?" I teased, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Again, no," Fred said with a smile. "Not today. But I am telling you it's what I want. I know you don't care much for surprises so I figure it's best to give you a bit of warning."

I laughed. "How considerate."

"Any thoughts on the subject?" Fred whispered, his eyes studying my face.

I looked up at him and simply nodded.

"And?" Fred asked. "What are they?"

"I think," I began slowly, "that if you were to ask me to marry you...I would say yes." I looked up at him with a coy smile. "Notice how I used the word-"

"Ask, yes, I noticed," Fred said with a roll of his eyes. He smiled and leaned in to kiss me. "I'll keep that in mind." He pulled back and took my hand. "What do you say we head back? I'm supposed to make a toast at some point. George is going to think I'm neglecting my duties."

"We can't have that," I giggled as we headed back up the hill and towards the backyard, where the reception was in full swing.

"There's also this really beautiful girl that I was eyeing during the ceremony that I want to ask to dance," Fred went on. "Maybe see if she'd be willing to sneak away for a bit of good snogging." He looked at me expectantly.

"Yes to the dance," I said with a slight smile as we reached the backyard.

"And what about the snogging?" Fred asked.

"We'll see," I quipped, stretching up on my tiptoes to kiss him. I slowly pulled away before leaning in for one more kiss.

"All you're doing is teasing me," Fred murmured.

"Come on," I laughed, taking his hand and leading him towards the tent. "I need some food in my stomach, as well as a drink. Then, you owe me a dance and you need to make your speech. And after that, I think we should be able to manage sneaking away."

"Promise?" Fred asked.

"If you behave," I said, shooting a smile at him over my shoulder.

Fred tugged hard on my hand, turning me into his chest as his hands went to my hips and he smiled down at me. "Do you even know who you're talking to?" He asked with a mirthful smile. "Even my own mother struggles at times to get me to behave."

"Well, she doesn't have the same leverage I do," I said. "She can't threaten you with kissing."

"I would hope not," Fred shuddered. "But, you know, I'm also a businessman," he added swiftly. "It's my job to convince people to do things."

"Yeah, to spend their money, not kiss you." I paused and raised an eyebrow. "Are you trying to convince your customers to kiss you?"

"Just you."

"I'm your girlfriend, not a customer."

Fred studied me for a moment before shaking his head in amazement. "You know, with the way you argue with me sometimes, I can't believe you're the same girl who didn't make a sound when I stepped on your foot."

"She's gone," I whispered. "That girl doesn't exist anymore."

"Good," Fred murmured. He slowly leaned closer until our lips were inches apart. "Are you accepting kisses?" He asked.

"One," I answered. "But I'm starving, so then we really need to eat."

"Two," Fred retaliated, pressing one quick kiss to my lips and then sneaking in a second one.

"Fine, two," I agreed.

"Three?"

I giggled and swatted his chest before leaning up for a third kiss. "Three." My stomach let out a growl and Fred smirked as he pulled away.

"Do you think you'll be in more of a kissing mood once you've eaten?" He asked.

"Guaranteed," I answered. "I'm always in a better mood overall after I've eaten."

Fred laughed. "I can't disagree with you on that one. I usually am as well."

"I'm aware," I giggled.

We sat down for dinner, and shortly after we finished, Fred got up and made his toast, which was, for the most part, funny and witty, with the occasional crass remark thrown in. Mrs. Weasley would send him a glare each time, and Fred would simply ignore it.

"As new as this is to me," he finally said, towards the end of the toast, "having to share my brother in a way I've never had to share him before, I'm really happy for him." He looked over at George and Katie with a smile. "I thought it would take a miracle for someone to love the ugly git enough to marry him. Especially a wonderful girl like Katie."

"Fred!" Mrs. Weasley chastised as everyone else laughed.

"It's alright, Mum," Fred said. "Everyone knows I'm the better looking twin." He took in a breath and smiled again. "You know, most would say that George and I have always been pretty fearless."

"Completely fearless," Mrs. Weasley interrupted.

"Right," Fred chuckled as the guests laughed again. "Well, that's not entirely true. Especially in my case. As most of you know, I-I went through some stuff recently. We all did, but me in particular. I know what you're all thinking-how could the amazing, dashingly handsome, hilarious and cheerful Fred Weasley ever be anything but all of those things?"

"You've never been any of those things!" Charlie interjected.

Mrs. Weasley leaned over to smack his arm as the wedding guests laughed once more.

Fred smiled wryly. "I'd actually say that's a matter of opinion and we all know Charlie's opinion doesn't count. But, anyway, it's true. I was afraid, as much as I hate to admit it. I was afraid of myself, which is possibly the worst thing to be afraid of." He smiled wider and turned to look at his twin. "But George was never afraid. He was never afraid to tell me the truth and try to knock some sense into me. He may say he was afraid, but his actions always said otherwise. He tried everything to help me, including forcing me to talk to someone else-someone who didn't know me as well as he did-when I really didn't want to." He glanced down at me and smiled as he squeezed my shoulder. I put a hand over his and smiled back as he continued. "George has had my back since the day we were born. And he's really good at it." He looked at Katie and swallowed before smiling. "So, Katie, I know he's going to be a really excellent husband. He's got your back. Today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your life. I'd remind you to take care of him in return-Merlin knows the stupid prat needs to be taken care of sometimes-but I also know I don't need to remind you. Because you've got his back just as much as he has yours." He smiled wider and cleared his throat as he raised his glass. "So, welcome to the family, Katie. And, uh, happy first marriage!"

George let out a whoop as Katie groaned and buried her head in her hands. I turned my head into my shoulder as I tried to stifle a giggle of my own at the reference to our inside joke.

Fred took his seat again and nudged my shoulder. "What are you laughing at?" He asked with a chuckle of his own.

"Absolutely nothing," I said, turning to him with a smile. "That was a nice speech."

"I thought so," Fred answered, leaning over to kiss me. "We've eaten dinner and I've made my speech-can we sneak away now?"

"You still owe me a dance," I whispered, shaking my head. "Or am I not the beautiful girl you said you were eyeing during the ceremony?"

"Nah, it was actually Muriel," Fred whispered back, leaning in for another kiss.

"Ah, I see," I replied, glancing over to where Muriel was sitting.

"Has she said anything to you today?" Fred asked.

"Not directly," I answered slowly, pulling away from Fred and leaning back in my chair.

"What does that mean?" Fred asked, raising his eyebrows. When I didn't answer, he turned sideways in his chair so that he was facing me. "Sophie, tell me," he whispered.

I shrugged and kept my gaze downcast, staring at the pale blue tablecloth as I crossed my arms over my chest. "She came upstairs while we were getting ready. The bridesmaids dresses are open backed, as you know. She told Angelina, Ginny, and Alicia that open backed dresses were lovely, as long as the person wearing it could pull it off. She very obviously looked over at me and then turned back to them and said that they could pull it off."

Fred scowled as he turned towards Muriel and started to stand up. I grabbed his sleeve and tugged him back down.

"Fred, sit," I demanded.

"Sophie, you could pull off a damn burlap sack," he said fiercely.

I laughed. "I appreciate your confidence."

"I mean it," he said. "She has no right to talk about what people could pull off. She looks awful in everything."

"Fred," I sighed, letting out a quiet laugh.

"I'm serious!" He exclaimed. "It's true and you know it."

"I don't know if I could pull off a burlap sack like you say I could," I told him. "But I do know that I loved the dress I wore to Ginny's wedding. I was scared at first, even after I put it on. But the girls gave me a pep talk, Fleur did my make up, and nobody at the wedding said a word about my scars. Except Muriel. Nobody stared at me. Nobody did a thing. It felt nice. I felt pretty. And the way you were looking at me in it didn't hurt either." I smiled and nudged his knee. "So I know Muriel's wrong. I pulled off that dress. And I'll do it again-once the weather's a little warmer. Seriously-what were Katie and George thinking having a beach wedding in October? It's a little unconventional, isn't it?"

Fred laughed. "When have you ever known my family to be conventional?" He shrugged. "Anyway, Katie wanted a beach wedding and George didn't want to wait a whole year to have it. Neither did Katie, when it came down to it. So they compromised and this is what we got." He smiled and leaned in for a kiss. "I must say, though, that I admire your newfound confidence. You're sure that you'll wear an open backed dress again when before, you wouldn't let anyone even touch your back, however lightly. Confidence is a very becoming trait for you."

"It's hard to be anything but confident when I have you around," I said. "You told me I'd look good in a burlap sack."

"You would," Fred said with a shrug.

I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. "I appreciate the sentiment."

Not long after, people were gathering in the center of the tent to dance. Fred reached up and yanked on his bow tie, untying it completely as he pulled me to my feet. "Let's do this," he said, all but dragging me to the dance floor.

We danced for a bit to several upbeat songs, and the moment a slower song finally began playing, Fred turned to me and immediately grabbed my hand, spinning me around and pulling me to him as he slid an arm around my waist.

"That was smooth," I whispered with a laugh.

"Wasn't it?" He asked, gazing down at me with a smile. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Think we can sneak off back to the house after this?"

I let out a half-laugh, half-groan. "Can't you think of anything else?"

"Not really," Fred admitted with a laugh. "I've had a one-track mind ever since I saw you at the ceremony earlier. Why can't you just commend me on how well I've kept it together?"

"I shouldn't have to commend you for keeping your mind out of the gutter, Fred," I answered.

"It's very hard to do when you're just so beautiful and I love you so much," Fred said with a dramatic pout.

"Oh, shut up," I laughed.

"It's the truth," Fred replied. He looked down at me with a smile as his eyes wandered over my face. "Besides, I think we both know you wouldn't mind sneaking off for a bit either."

"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Because," Fred whispered, adjusting his hand on my waist and pulling me closer as he pressed his fingers into my spine and slowly trailed them downwards, the same way he had at Ginny's wedding.

"Because why?" I whispered back, shivering slightly as a chill went up my spine.

"Because of that shiver," Fred laughed, loosening his grip on me just slightly. "Admit it, Sophie McConnell, you find me irresistible."

"Maybe I'm cold," I answered. "It's November and we're at an outdoor wedding."

"The tent is magically heated, Soph," Fred laughed.

"Maybe you should just admit that you have a huge ego," I whispered, tilting my head to look up at him.

Fred chuckled. "That may be true, but it is also true that you find me irresistible. Don't avoid the subject."

I smiled as I looked up at him thoughtfully. "Do you have any more best man duties to attend to tonight?"

Fred shook his head as he smiled back. "I'm officially off the clock and free to enjoy the wedding as I see fit."

"Shouldn't you enjoy the wedding while being at the wedding?" I asked teasingly.

"We will be at the wedding," Fred whispered. "We'll just be secluded from everyone else." He smiled. "Stop trying to make excuses. You always do this and you're shit at it."

"Is this your way of trying to seduce me?" I asked, wrinkling my nose. "Because if it is, maybe you're shit at that."

Fred stopped, smiled at me, and then took my face in his hands. He leaned in and gave me a slow, gentle kiss before pulling away a bit. When I leaned in for another kiss, he shook his head and pulled back a little more. "If you want another one, you have to come back into the house with me."

"Fine," I whispered. "But only for a little while."

"Sure," Fred chuckled. He stepped back and intertwined his fingers with mine before tugging me forward. "Come on," he said simply, a playful smile lighting up his lips.

I grinned back at him and rolled my eyes slightly. And then I followed him through the crowd and back towards the house.