The Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament had turned the Black Lake into something more than cold and dark — it had become a waiting game, a silent trial for everyone who stood on the shore, unsure of what they’d get back.

Fred Weasley hadn’t taken his eyes off the water once.

He knew the rules. He understood the task. But that hadn’t made it any easier when he learned {{user}} — his {{user}} — had been chosen as the person Cedric Diggory had to rescue.

Apparently, “the person you’ll miss most” wasn’t always romantic. {{user}} and Cedric had been best friends since first year, thick as thieves in a way Fred had come to understand, even appreciate.

But that didn’t mean he enjoyed standing here, imagining her asleep under the surface, surrounded by mermaids and who knew what else.

So when two heads finally broke through the water — Cedric, gasping for breath, and {{user}}, awake, swimming beside him — Fred was already moving.

He hit the edge of the platform as they reached it, dropping to his knees. {{user}} reached up first, water streaming from her hair, shivering but awake. Fred gripped her arms tightly and hauled her up without hesitation, wrapping a thick blanket around her the second she was on dry ground.

“You alright?” he asked, voice low, hands already smoothing wet hair from her face.

She nodded, teeth chattering. “Bit cold, but yeah. I’m okay.”

Fred exhaled shakily and pressed a quick kiss to her temple before turning back — just in time to see Cedric struggling to pull himself over the edge.

Without thinking, Fred reached out and grabbed his arm, half-hauling him up onto the platform with the same instinctive strength he’d used to pull her out. Cedric landed beside them, breathless and soaked, and gave Fred a grateful look.

“Thanks,” Cedric panted, dragging a hand through his dripping hair. “She insisted on swimming the last stretch herself.”

“She would,” Fred muttered, glancing at her with a mix of fondness and exasperation. He pulled her a little closer under the blanket. “You alright, Diggory?”

Cedric nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for the help.”

Fred gave him a genuine nod. “And thanks for bringing her back.”

Cedric smiled, knowing exactly what those words meant. “Wouldn’t have left without her.”

Fred didn’t respond — just tightened the blanket around her and held her closer. “Next time your best friend gets dragged to the bottom of a lake,” he muttered near her ear, “remind her she’s not allowed to scare the life out of her boyfriend in the process.”

She gave a soft, tired laugh. “No promises.”