The Gryffindor common room was quieter that usual—eveyone was tried after a long week of quidditch games and schoolwork.

{{user}} was curled up on the armchair near the fire trying to focus on her transfiguration homework but failing horribly because her eyes kept drifting to the portrait hole.

She wasn’t waiting for anyone in particular—except, maybe Fred Weasley…

She hated admitting it even to herself. But it had been months since {{user}} and George ended things. It wasn’t a messy break up—it was a neutral one, one where the laughter stopped happening as often and the kissed felt more like routine than desire. They had parted ways with mutual respect, but there was still this one tiny problem.

George was Fred’s twin brother. Fred was George’s bestfriend. So that meant no matter how much {{users}} heart fluttered everytime Fred flashed her one of his grins, it was off limits.

Just then, Fred burst into the common room his cheek flushed from the cold, pulling {{user}} out of her thoughts. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on her.

"Oi, {{user}}." He grinned, walking over. "Still sulking in the corner doing homework?"

"Maybe I just actually take my school work seriously, Weasley." She raised an eyebrow, then added with a small grin. "And, I don’t sulk."

"You do," he grinned flopping down into the arm chair across from her. "And some of us like to actually live instead of being so serious."

She rolled her eyes but there was a smile tugging at her mouth. "Thought you’d still be out with Katie."

Fred’s grin faltered for a second—just a flicker. "Nah. that’s been more of George’s thing lately."

{{user}} paused. George and Katie Bell? She hadn’t known that, but honestly? It made sense.

A silence come over them, not awkward just a bit heavy. Just the fracking of the fire heard between them.

"Hey," Fred spoke softly, he sounded uncharacteristically serious. "Can I ask you something?"

She looked over at him. "Sure."

"Was it real? With George I mean."

The question caught her off guard she hadn’t expected it. She closed her book laying it down than nodded slowly.. "Yeah…."yeah*, it was real." She said gently. "But it ended for a reason, we’re better off as friends, me and George."

Fred nodded sitting up and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "So…would you be pissed if I told you that Ive wanted you even before you and George dated?"

She froze. "you did?"

"Yeah, I didn’t want to step in George’s toes or betray him but." He shrugged, trying to look casual. "But I couldn’t help it, you’re…well you." He smiled. "Your funny, smart, sarcastic, and you can match me so well that it actually makes me nervous—which, is saying something."

{{user}} stared, speechless. All this time she figured she’d been the only one who felt that way.

"Fred…" she started. "Would— do you think George would be okay with it? With us?"

"I already asked him." Fred leaned back.

"What? You— you did?" She blinked.

He nodded. "Yeah, a few weeks back. He just said ‘don’t be an idiot. If it makes you happy, go for it.’"

The corners of her lips tugged up. "So…it would make you happy?"

Fred tilted his head and gave her a real soft smile. "Happier than having to sneak glances at you while, Seamus makes you laugh."