54: Unexpected

Beginning of June

   It's been half of a year of unfortunate and unexpected events and most likely more to come. The rest of may had consisted of More parties and more going out as it was the official last month to take in all of Hogwarts. The best and the worst times were spent there for me.

Today was the day of the very end of a chapter in my life. Today was the seventh years graduation from Hogwarts.

After a speech given by Dumbledore, it was sort of like our year was going backwards. The graduation was normally done by rowing off on the boats the same way we came during our first year.

But before going out, all of the Seventh year students were given the chance to give out their last goodbyes to child hood friends and professors. I was already going to meet with Ro and Lia for the boat ride back so I took the opportunity to give a goodbye to Madam Pince.

I made my way swiftly to the library, noticing that no other students were on their way here.

I was wearing silk yellow that was mid length and stopped at my knees. The dress had a low neckline that complimented my breast and shown off my necklace. 

I wore my white ankle strap heels and since the strap was around my ankle on both legs, I wore the lovely charm anklet on my wrist. I clipped my hair back and let the two pieces of hair in the front out. Mini golden hoops were worn as well.

"Ehem" I cleared my throat as I entered the library. "For my goodbye, I would like to ask a question...well—Permission to do something" I asked the librarian.

"What is it dear?" She said smiling "make it quick I have a date soon" she winked.

"May I yell?" I blurted out. "I've been dying to scream my head off in a library."

Madam Pince wasn't very pleased to the question knowing she loved her quiet and peaceful whereabouts.

"Pleaaaaseeeee" I begged.

She had narrowed her eyes before rolling them. "Oh alright"

"Thank you thank you thank you" I hugged her. "Im going to miss you Madam Pince, thank you for everything."

"Please, call me Irma now" she smiled. "Now hurry dear, I have a date and you have a boat to be on soon"

"Right" I prepped.

I made my way to my favorite table in the back where I had studied for those damn N.E.W.T.s. The same table I'd cry at, laugh at, smile at, and think at when I had nothing else to do.

After admiring the spot I spent most of my nights instead of parties, I ran my fingers along the spine of some of the books that faces me on the shelves.

Now feeling the excitement course from my fingertips through my whole body, I started to let out a loud scream. I held one out for a while until my head felt numb. Screaming in the library would of helped me out a few months ago.

It was fun doing things that were obscure and out of line.

"Fuck all these books! Fuckidy Fucked Fuck. Shitty shit shit!" I yelled....a little quieter... but still yelling it.

It was only two minutes of me screaming as I heard a few footsteps walk in the library, meaning that her date was most likely here now.

I was laughing while making my way back to the front so I can give one final hug to Irma.

"Oi! What was all the bloody screaming?" A redhead asked Madam Pince.

"Nothing for you to worry about" she spat in his face. "Now nothing good comes from you two so run along" she told him and the boy that looked almost exactly like him.

It wasn't her date but it was the twins. I wondered the same thing as to why they would visit the library before leaving. I kept walking out from the back to see the two handsome, tall, and redheaded boys dressed nicely in suits.

"Well, thanks again Irma. I'll write to you" I said while giving her one last hug.

"Wait here. I need to grab something for you" she pulled away as she left the library. She left quickly too so she'd get back here before her date.

I turned back to the twins and I was completely gawking over Fred. His hair was greased just a little and combed back nicely. He was wearing a brown velvet coat over a beige button up shirt where the collar popped over the coat.

"Fancy seeing you here" Fred said as he looked me up and down. It's only been about a week since the last time I seen him in the library so the thought of me being in his dreams, were still fresh.

"Yeah, just wanted to say my last goodbye to her" I said quietly as I wanted to ignore him. "So what are you two doing here? Late returns I'm guessing" I joked to George.

"Actually, we helped her date. He should be arriving soon" George mentioned. "In fact there's the star!"

All three of us turned to the entrance of the library and watched as a blushing Librarian walked in locking arms with the silly Caretaker.

"Filch!?" I exclaimed

"Yup" the twins said in sync.

"Since when?" shockingly asked. "Since when were you two mates with Filchy. And wow Irma you failed to even tell me about him when I told you all bout my love problems" I sassed and stopped her.

"When we decided to let bygones be bygones" Fred chuckled as him and George were patting Filch's back.

The men were laughing away and the twins were finally putting their robes on after holding it with their pointer finger as it rested on their back. Madam Pince had pulled me into the corner and looked at the laughing blokes before turning back to me.

"I couldn't find the book, I apologize" she said sternly as she placed her hands on my shoulders. "But Inside of the book was a chapter on memory"

"Madam Pince its o—-"

"Shhhh!" She shut me up. "Now, I'm not sure how but there is a possibility that Mr.Weasley can remember you Emerald. There's a way that he can gain his memory without even having to use magic"

"H—How?" I whispered to her as I was finding what to say in response.

"That is what I'm not sure about" she shrugged and straightened herself out. "It only mentioned that his memory could be triggered with something, maybe something from the past you two shared" she smiled and suggested.

"Thank you Irma, I appreciate all of this." I took her arm and turned around so I could guide her to her date. My eyes fell onto Fred again as I see his eyes already facing me. "Now, you have a date and I have a graduation" I whispered as she met with a cleaner and well mannered filch who now carried a box of Weasley Sweet's and flowers in his hands for her.

Without another word to the boys, I walked out slowly making my way back to the great hall. I heard a few steps behind me as if the person was rushing.

"Emerald, Wait!" Fred yelled as he was running to catch up with me. I turned around and watched him move closer and closer to me until he stood right in front of me.

"You look beautiful". He smiled

"You look beautiful? Really?" I spat back at him.

"Some girls usually say 'thank you' " he scoffed. I didn't know why I came off rude but I did, it was just the anger in me that built up.

"Then go tell 'some girls' that they're beautiful. I'm sure they'll love it" I kept walking, thinking he'd go back but he followed.

"It's rude to walk off while someone's talking" he pulled my arm. "Can you just listen" he asked nicely this time.

"You come to my dorm, drunk." I stopped and scoffed. "I let you sleep in my bed, then you leave without saying anything. Now with a girl you failed to mention while sucking my lips." I spat in his face

"What is it with you?" He looked in my eyes "One minute you're sweet and then you go bitter. And now you're jealous?". He contemplated with anger.

"Just—bugger off" I rolled my eyes.

"Not until you tell me why the fuck you've been in my head since the day you visited me in the infirmary!" He yelled.

"Let it go." I said sternly. "It doesn't even matter at this point." I mumbled under my breath.

"I'm sick of this shit! I'm trying to remember you and I can't! I've asked you for help and you push me away! You're being a bitch!" He yelled.

"Then stop trying Fred!. Just stop okay. You're never going to remember me." I yelled "Bloody hell you can be such a Dick! You know that right!"

"You're not going to remember the countless nights and mornings we've spent with each other. You'll never remember the times I've pushed you away and regretted it every time!" I spat at him.

Fred was silent now as he watched me point harshly on his chest and grow out in anger and agony.

"You probably don't even remember this stupid anklet bracelet shit you gave me on my birthday which was the same day everything fell apart" The range in my voice toned down.

"Or that I wear it everyday...thinking of all the memories we've made that you'll never know about" i huffed and started to feel the hot tears boil behind my eyes.

"It's impossible, Fred. I never told you anything because it's hard being in love with someone who doesn't even remember anything about me anymore" I let the tears fall as Fred still stood in shock at everything that poured out. "Merlin I must be mental" I muttered as I wiped my tears away, I unclipped the charm anklet from my wrist and walked towards Fred.

I caressed his face with my free hand and looked down his arms. "I love you Fred, but you'll never love me back. Not like before" I opened up his hand and placed the charm anklet on his palm, then closed his hand into a fist.

"Emerald—wait i was an arsehole, please—" Fred sighed as he pulled me closer to his chest. I looked up to him and In his eyes, I seen the pain that he was going through with struggling to remember things.

"Goodbye for now, Fred" and that's when I walked off again. Fred had stood in the hall looking dumbfounded at everything that just happened. Guess it was my turn to hit him unexpectedly.

I thought I was going to feel free but deep down I felt a sharp pain in my body as if I took a great loss.

Middle of June, 2-3 weeks after The graduation

"No. Dad, are you serious? I am not wearing that." I told the man who was talking to me as I grabbed some quidditch gear to pin up around the shop.

"It's your brother's wedding dear, he'll support the idea" he chuckled as he was trying to make me wear a Ravenclaw quidditch robe.

It's been a week of me working with my parents in our shop and I already grew annoyed by my fathers jokes. We mostly worked together as in me and my father since mum's been helping Crystal with the wedding tomorrow.

"Why don't you go to Madam Malkin's, I can close up today" he suggested. "Tell her I said hello, and I'm sure she has dresses for you to wear"

"You think Mum's going to be mad that I still don't have a dress? She'll kill me." I sighed as I grabbed some of my savings from behind the counter.

"She can't be mad at something she won't find out" my father winked. "Now hurry up before she gets busy with helping out others".

My father placed a gentle kiss on my forehead before grabbing the quidditch gear that I had before. I threw my bag over my shoulder and straightened my oversized shirt out. I straightened my hair, having it ready for tomorrow and I let it down. I dusted off some of the new gear's dust off my brown trousers and began to step outside of the shop.

Diagon Alley was always busy during the summer so I was going to have to make it past a few people. I never really went out much since I worked. All I'd do lately was just work and rest, it would always just be me alone too since Ash was gone.

I finally made it to the beautiful purple painted shop that read Madam Malkin's that stood in front of me. I walked through the entrance that had golden scissors on the top and spotted the Beautiful grown and greyed hair lady in her purple dress.

"Welcome into the shop I'm Madam—-Merlin, my my my —has it been a while since I've seen you!" She gasped as I walked in. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" She smiled and asked me.

"Good Evening, Madam Malkin. Its always nice seeing you." I hugged her. "And, I'm sure you've heard about Ash's wedding. Father says hello by the way"

I had made my way following her to the back where it was a few mirrors that stood and stools in front them.

"Finally!" She shouted. "I've been waiting for someone to come in and get fitted for a dress." She cheered while moving he measuring tape all around my body.

We heard about two more costumers walk in and it was two girls chuckling about someone spilling tea on their crotch. The two girls just stood near the door and had shout out for Madam Malkin as she was looking for dresses my size.

"Just a moment Dears!" She shouted back while handing me a few dresses. "Please dear, take these raggedy boyish clothes off and help yourself to these or which ever ones you like" she patted my back.

"Hey! These aren't Raggedy—" I spat before she giggled towards the girls.

I stepped down from the stool and took the pile of dresses with me towards the curtain covered dressing room. There was no mirrors in there either so that meant I had to physically set back out to see myself.

The first dress I tried on was a white and pastel yellow flowered design that was stretchy but velvet. A little too modest for my liking & it had also really consisted of white which was an obvious no to wedding guests attire so I casually hung it up on the side so I could give it back.

The next two dresses I tried on were very exotic and it was too revealing for a wedding, personally I liked one of them but it wasn't right for the occasion. I felt too uncomfortable with it to step out and look in the mirror so just like before, I hung them both up with the 1st dress to put back later.

I slipped into the fourth dress I was trying on and it was the one that caught my eye first. The dress was long and also had a nice long slit as well. The lovely sage green silk had hugged my curves but still had a loose fitting to it. The color had complimented my skin well and the neckline of the dress was down but not too low, showing an appropriate amount of cleavage. The back was open as well but my dark long hair covered most of it.

Finally stepping out of the curtains, i noticed a curly brown haired girl sitting on the sofa near the mirrors but I couldn't see her face well.

I placed my feet on the stool and right when I looked in the mirror, I had fell in love. The dress was beautiful and looked beautiful on my body, boosting my confidence. It was just the right amount of coverage and great amount of skin showing.

"Emerald?" The girl rose her head up to say, finally looking in my direction. "Merlin— that dress is beautiful" she gawked as she made her way closer.

"Hermione? Bloody hell, what are you doing here" I asked while stepping down to greet her with a hug.

"Gin and I are grabbing last minute gowns for Tomorrow" she explained. "Guessing you're doing the same"

"Yeah, uh—I know it's only been a few weeks but what have you been up to?" I asked her. I haven't sent letters or received any so coming in contact with someone familiar was great in my opinion.

"Well we've been here the whole week staying with the twins in their flat." She added. "All of us will be there tomorrow by the way."

I nodded my head, catching her hint that she emphasized. 'All' meaning, Fred was going to be there. I was too stressed and busy that I've actually forgot about our last interaction from graduation day.

"'Mione have you gone mental?" A curtain swung open. "I know you talk to crookshanks but talking to herself is worse" she exclaimed.

"Emerald! HOLY GODRIC" Ginny had jumped on me, causing us both to fall flat on the ground. "I've missed you!" She hugged me.

"You little rat! You haven't wrote to me. Just because you stop messing with one Weasley, doesn't mean you can ignore the rest." She got up and pulled me up with her as well.

"It's only a been three weeks, Pipe down" I chuckled and fixed the dress. "And I'm not ignoring any of you—I've just been busy thats all" I sighed.

"Okay well I need a dress, Ginny try not to hyperventilate." Hermione said while walking into the curtains that Ginny came from.

"Well Anyways—-" Ginny said while stepping onto the stool. "I can't believe the wedding will be near the forest at the waterfall by home, What an enchanting view" Ginny cleared her throat.

My head shot up from my fingertips and I immediately furrowed my eyebrows.

"What?" I slightly raised my voice. "Facile Falls is the same waterfall we swam in?" I asked as I was in pure shock. I knew the venue of the wedding but It just didn't register to me that it was the same one

"Yeah—-actually we'll be helping out with the tent and setting up. I thought you knew this—".

"No...I—I didn't." I was at lost for words. My mother was helping out with the wedding and she never planned on telling me any of this.

"We're actually going back to the burrow tonight if you want to join us for supper. Mum never shuts up about you" Ginny was speaking to me but my mind trailed off as she spoke. "She always tells us that we should help out like you—then when we try, she kicks us out. God that woman confuses me but I'm scared of her—-Em? Are you even listening? You alright?"

"Thanks for the invite i appreciate it Gin but—I....I just need to go, it's getting late."

Quickly rushing now, I made my way back to the curtain room I dressed in and changed back into my work clothes. I clipped my hair back and held tightly onto the dress I just had on.

Ginny was changing again and Hermione was admiring herself now when I walked out. Paying mo attention to her, I hung up the dresses separately on racks where it was the ones I tried on and the ones I didn't.

I made my way back in sight to where Hermione was and this time she noticed that I was in a rush.

"Hey Emerald—wait..leaving so soon? We just—-"

"I'll see you tomorrow Mione" I smiled and waved quickly before going to Madam Malkin with the dress.

Madam Malkin was smiling and complimenting me again as my mind was elsewhere. I had blocked out the words she was saying while my head was trapped in memories I never wanted to forget. In my head I was truly thinking about the Waterfall and Fred.

"Dear, everything okay?" The lady asked as she gave me my purchase in a lovely purple tote bag.

"Yes-Madam Malkin, thank you so much. Maybe we can catch up on tea later" I grabbed the bag with my dress and had some sickles in my hand.

"Thank you again!" I yelled as I was making my way to the door while putting my left over change in my bag.

I stopped near the counter and door but wasn't looking up at the door when it opened randomly. I thought someone was kind enough to open the door for me but it was just more customers walking in.

"Ohhh Ronnikins, how was that tea?" The voice that held the door said.

"Maybe Malkin's can pat that down and dry for you" another voice chuckled.

Still making my way out, I wasn't looking up. My chest had met another once I accidentally bumped into redhead that had towered over my body. His presence was too familiar and so when I looked up, my eyes met his.

"Snow?" The soft voice whispered and my heart had felt at its breaking point while my words stabbed against my throat, wanting to escape.

It was Fred. Both of us were shocked at the name he called me. The name I haven't heard in a while and the name I missed being called by a specific person. But, Fred's reaction had said it all. Even he wasn't expecting to say or hear that name come out of his mouth.

Just the person I wasn't expecting to see. Before he could say anything else, I rushed out the shop before George, Ron and Harry noticed me too.

I pushed past the people walking as I felt my stomach tighten from hearing and seeing Fred a few moments before.

Once I made it to my parents shop, it was closed. My father closed up already and so I made my way into the flat. I had lost my appetite and didn't feel like talking to my parents at all as they were eating take out.

Now in my room, I threw the dress on my armchair and changed into some comfortable clothes.

As much as I tried forcing myself to sleep, I couldn't. All I could think about was Fred. The first few weeks of me finally recovering had felt good. But I can't lie and say that Fred didn't cross my mind atleast once a day. It was hard to not thinking about him either with that shop being a few stops down from my flat and shop too.

All my nerves and frustrations came rushing down once more. It was still early in the night but I wanted to put my head and thoughts at rest. Who knows what could happen tomorrow.

His stupid red hair, his dumb freckles. His toned body and his rough yet gentle touch. The way his face plumps up when he laughs and how his laugh was so distinct. The fact that he could be so bold and aggressive and also soft and loving. Everything, everything about him crossed my mind over and over again. My last name had poured out of his soft lips so effortlessly, not even he realized what he said.

"Snow" was what caught my attention the most. So unexpected. Time and time went by but it wasn't enough for him to remember.

It was now that I realized, I wasn't over Fred.

If what Irma said was true about something triggering his memory, I wondered all night if it could be the waterfall. Thinking about the memories comforted me.

Thinking about Fred and the waterfall...thinking about us together again.

I was hoping that all answers would be solved by tomorrow.

—