Fred hadn't talked to me the whole day after that. It felt weird not having him around and I couldn't lie, I missed it.

"No I won't be joining you guys," I told my dormmates after our last game of Wizards chess, Frankie won.

"Come on you must be hungry." I just shook my head. I had lost my appetite. Angelina and Frankie shrugged, hungry themselves, not caring much they turned to leave. I could already hear about how excited they were for quidditch to resume with Angelina already being appointed captain. But Alica didn't leave, she stayed behind.

"I know something is deeply wrong when you won't eat" She laughed. I smiled up at her and watched Alica's face turn sincere "I don't think he will be there."

***

Dinner was awkward but I'm glad I ate. Alicia was right, Fred wasn't there. I stood up from dinner early making it a quick meal and headed to my dorm with a glum look on my face.

As soon as I walked out of the great hall and looked to my left and saw Fred. He was talking with a Hufflepuff handing her books back to her looking very secretive and almost... thankful?

This just proved my point. He didn't want me, I wasn't special. I was just numb now and all I wanted to do was sleep the pain away. It's too easy for him to move on. I sure hope he gets what he deserves that arrogant arse.

***

I still wasn't really talking to anyone the next day. I ate my breakfast and went to class.

Great. Muggle Studies this Thursday. I was trying to think about the positives; I liked the teacher, I liked the topic. I could do this.

I could avoid Fred and get on with my day. I hope I can.

I arrived at the class early but it looked like Fred had the same idea. It was an awkward greeting. A hello escaped my lips and he only nodded back. We took our seats on opposite sides of the class and sat in silent tension until some other students started to arrive.

I kept getting the feeling that Fred wanted to say something to me as he kept shuffling in his seat but he stayed put for the time being.

Professor Charity Burgage came in the class through her office and started writing on the board.

'Final thoughts on this semester's book.'

Last week the class had finished our final analysis of the classic Shakespeare novel 'Romeo and Juliet.' I quite liked the story and it linked a lot back to how muggles work and what they value.

I had some thoughts I wanted to share when Professor asked the class but someone else beat me to it.

Fred shot his hand up faster then I could blink.

Professor had no other choice but to pick him.

"I love how Romeo persevered for Juliet until she finally realised that she too, is in love with him." Fred said puffing his chest.

Absolutely not.

My hand shot up in response to his opinions. So Professor Charity gestured over to me with encouragement so I could talk.

"I think Juliet was a fool for even fraternising with a manipulative git in the first place when he so clearly didn't mind slobbering over other girls last year."

The class gasped and the poor teacher turned around picking up her copy of the playwright, confused, flipping through the pages constantly to find the reference.

Fred knew this was probably his only way to communicate without me.

"Romeo is a different person since falling for Juliet and is a better man"

"I beg to differ" I scoff, he probably slept with that fucking hufflepuff I'm sure. He thinks he so slick.

"But Romeo questions Juliet's evidence on this" Fred answers back.

"Juliet has seen more than she needs to know" My heart was beating faster now.

"But Romeo tries so hard for Julliet." Fred deflated a little. Not as harsh. More real.

"Juliet doesn't want anything to do with someone who will just throw her away" I replied back. What game is playing at?

"Romeo would never ever do that to Juliet. Don't you understand Juliet's the most important thing in his life! And if Juliet would give Romeo a fucking chance she would see that because we both know that kiss was far from one-sided"

Oh my god.

It felt like we were the only ones in the room. I didn't even consider that the whole class was staring at us. But they were.

"W-we-well Romeo dies in the end, doesn't he! Ha!"

"SO DOES JULIET!"

This was the time that Burbage stepped in. She was clearly a little confused but knew this wasn't an intense discussion about the muggle play we were studying.

"Stop it, stop it now! I will not have this tension over a simple Shakespeare's play in my classroom!" The class was enjoying the show and I was mentally admitting to myself that I found it quite exhilarating too. "You know the one rule when you fight in my class you must shake hands to end the argument."

"-But" - I interrupted.

"No buts, you don't have to agree with his points, shaking hands is a sign of mutual respect and you will not leave my classroom until you both shake hands. come on it's not that hard." She huffed but oddly politely.

Fred got up and started walking. He extended his long arms and fingers, walking closer to me. I got up slowly and looked down.

"Come on I don't bite." Fred grinned, reluctantly, I took his slender fingers firmly and even before I could take a breath he pulled me into a hug.

His hot breath rested on my shoulder tingling up and down my spine and he whispered, "Well I don't bite, but if that's what you prefer I'm happy to oblige."

I melted into his words choking on her breath.

He could not be any hotter right now.

I pulled away hoping no one could see the lust in my eyes. I also decided in the spur of the moment to confront him about his secret Hufflepuff.

"I saw you with that Hufflepuff yesterday, I'm not stupid," I whispered just so he could hear.

"Ahhh yes the Hufflepuff, I didn't fuck her if that's what your asking in fact I didn't even touch her but she was helping me out with something for... you." He sounded very happy while saying this.

My jaw hung open a little. I want to believe him.

"You don't have to believe me, but you'll see tomorrow at breakfast, I mean I had to pull quite a few strings for this one Benny." Before I could respond to him at all he walked away with a smirk and sat back down.

Fred and mines yelling match took up my whole mind, I couldn't focus for the rest of class which lasted for the remainder of the hour.

Maybe he has changed I want him to have changed. Maybe I was making this up in my head. I was fighting with myself all day after that. It was exhausting.

At dinner, the girls talked to me about the muggle studies argument and they asked me for more and more details. I told them about our short conversation after the fight and they were on the edge of their seat just waiting for tomorrow's big surprise. It seemed like everyone knew about the argument. I was washing my hands in the girls' 1st-floor bathroom and the Patil sisters were even asking me if I was going to go out with Fred.

Things were getting a bit much. I mean though what did I except, he was bloody Fred Weasley. After finally getting to my dorm Frankie was waiting for me.

Thank god.

I needed my best friend at this moment more then any other. I didn't want to talk about Fred anymore. I just wanted to listen to one of Frankie's stories with Noah. Of course, she could see this and started with her newest update on their relationship.

***

"I just can't wait for Noah to take me to the Yule Ball!"

"I know this Frankie you have told me every day since he asked you last week. I am excited too." Frankie can get a little repetitive with her stories but I love her none the less.

"Yes, but there is more" Her face light up. This was one of the times I knew she had more information. "Okay please brace yourself for this." I shuffled a little while sitting cross-legged from her on the bed. "Last night Noah did one of the most romantic things ever! He owled me at midnight to meet him outside and we went on a walk together. He took be to the bridge near the black lake. Long story short... Noah told me he loved me! Can you believe how cute that is!"

"Oh my god! Oh my god," I started jumping up and down in excitement. I was so happy for my best friend. We were cheering at the top of our lungs. When one of us gets a little excited it can escalate very quickly. We had calmed down a little and she continued on.

"And he brought me flowers and-"

We were interrupted by a knock at the door.

Lee entered the room.

"Hello ladies, fancy some ice cream? Everyone's in the common room." Lee raised his eyebrows.

I hoped that Frankie would telepathically understand that I would much rather stay in the dorm with her. Thankfully she gave me a knowing smile.

"Maybe another night Lee we're kinda in the middle of something. Also, when are you going to tell us how you get past the stairs." Frankie asked

"I have my ways ladies," Lee smirked. "How bout you Miranda are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm okay gonna get a good nights sleep."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot you are definitely going to need a good night sleep." Lee winked and closed the door behind him.

***

Later that night I laid in bed staring at the ceiling.

Maybe I should give Fred a chance.

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