Catch Me, I'm Falling | Fred Weasley

Olivia was frozen in place, staring at the red-head before her. Her fingers played with her bracelet and she bit her lip, looking down at her shoes.

She heard footsteps and then he was before her, gently holding her by elbows. She looked up and they held eye contact. His eyes were brown, so deep that she felt she could fall into them.

"Hi," was all she could manage.

Fred smiled. "Hi," he exhaled, relief evident in his expression at the lack of anger in Olivia's voice.

"You sent George," she accused, trying desperately not to smile. Fred's finger came up and traced the crease at the edge of her lip as she talked. "That's a dirty, dirty trick. You know I can't fight poor George."

Fred was smiling brightly now, gazing down at her in adoration. "I know. What else was I supposed to do? You're quite stubborn, you know."

Olivia grinned now. "I suppose I am."

"I love you," the words spilled out of Fred without his consent, but they were true and had been for a while. His eyes widened, worried to see her reaction.

"I-" Olivia started.

"You don't have to say anything. I'm sorry I surprised you- I just- love you," Fred blurted. Olivia put her hand on his chest.

"Let me finish!" she ordered. "You really do make this difficult, don't you," she muttered. "Fred Weasley, you are the most insufferable, difficult, impossible idiot... and I love you so fucking much it hurts. The sky is starless without you and the library is too quiet without your voice in my ear. If you leave me, I swear you'll take my soul with you."

A tear glistened in the corner of Fred's eye. Olivia blinked and before she knew it, he was kissing her- and she was kissing back... and everything was a wonderful blurred mess through her tears.

"Be my girlfriend?" Fred asked between salty kisses. "Yes- yes- yes," Olivia answered, kissing his tears away. He laughed and lifted her up by her waist, twirling her in circles as she threw her head back. From their spot in the courtyard, Olivia could see the stars laughing with them.

"I love you," he told her. "I love you, too, '' she answered with matched ferocity. And again they kissed, Olivia's hands running through Fred's long hair. They broke apart when applause sounded and the two looked up to see their friends cheering in the windows. Lee hooted and Olivia looked over at Fred to see him grinning, a slight blush tinting his cheeks.

Olivia found George with her eyes and mouthed thank you. He nodded, smiling as he answered you're welcome.

-

Olivia was dating Fred Weasley. Dating Fred Weasley. Dating Fred Weasley! She could hardly believe it. Her heart felt like it would burst. She got to see him every day, to run her hands through his fiery hair and kiss his smirking lips. Merlin, it was unbelievable.

And for a while, it was great. She was momentarily distracted from the dark thoughts that seemed to have permanently taken root in her mind. But it wasn't long before they came creeping back, before even the joy of being with Freddie couldn't quell her fears.

In some ways, being in a relationship with Fred made it worse. Because for the first time she could remember, Olivia let herself love. She'd been so afraid of hurting those around her, afraid of dragging them down. But Fred, that wonderful, silly being made her heart feel bigger than it ever had. He gave her hope. Hope that maybe there was space in her heart for more.

Every day, her love for him grew. It grew more than she'd ever thought it possible to love him. But that love was also a weight in her chest, for the boy she loved would soon die. And the worst part was that she wasn't even brave enough to tell him. She couldn't, in a way. Because if she did, she'd break him, and that would break her.

Olivia didn't want to be the cause of pain, to Fred or any of her friends. So she kept it all bottled inside at her own expense, and it was slowly eating away at her. She didn't know how much longer she could last.