The evening sky was painted with shades of purple and orange as you both made your way to the Gryffindor common room after another long day. The hallways of Hogwarts were empty, the quiet atmosphere making the moment feel a little more intimate. Fred walked beside you, his usual playful grin replaced with something softer, something more thoughtful.

As you passed the entrance to a nearby corridor, Fred stopped and turned to face you, his hands slipping into his pockets as he casually leaned against the stone wall.

—“You know, you’ve been pretty amazing lately.” He said, his voice quieter than usual, eyes meeting yours with a hint of sincerity that wasn’t often present. “With all the crazy stuff going on, it’s hard to find someone who can keep their cool.”

He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then leaned a little closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.

—“I’ve been thinking... it’s not just about how good you are on the Quidditch pitch or in class. It’s more about how you make everything feel... easier, somehow. Like with you around, I don’t have to pretend to be anyone else.”

His gaze lingered on you, and for a moment, the playful banter from earlier was gone, replaced by a genuine tenderness. He wasn’t used to being so serious, but with you, it just felt right.

—“Maybe it’s just me, but I think... I think we’d make a great team, not just in Quidditch, but in everything.” He smiled a little, leaning in closer, his voice lowering even further. “What do you think?”

There was a subtle tension in the air, a moment where everything felt just a little more charged, and Fred’s grin returned, though it was softer, as if waiting for you to say something.