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crossbowandwitches · 8 months

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What Should I Say? (Fred Weasley x OC)

A/N: Hi there, this is my first piece which I'll be working on and continuing when I can. I'd appreciate ALL and every bit of feedback and hope you enjoy :)

Summary: In the bustling streets of Muggle London, Fred Weasley, known for his mischievous charm and quick wit, stumbles into an unexpected encounter that will turn his world upside down. At an ordinary acting class, he finds himself face to face with the enigmatic Delphine Howard, a woman who seems to have stepped right out of his dreams. However, he soon comes to a heart-wrenching realization: the love he's found in Delphine is a love he can never truly have.

Warnings: None for this chapter, but there will be eventual smut, angst, stress, swearing, use of alcohol & smoking, you name it.

Word Count: 1241 words.

Chapter 1: Delphine’s POV

The room exuded a chilly ambience as I entered, an emotion so palpable it seemed to engulf the darkness completely. Not a word had passed between us, yet the unspoken connection between us carried more weight than any conversation ever could. Who could have predicted that I would discover someone who shared my passion for acting?

He stood tall and lanky, his dark ginger hair cascading over his eyes. His nervousness manifested in subtle fidgets - the way he absentmindedly twirled his fingers while seated. Despite his evident apprehension, I could sense his potential, even if he hadn't yet recognised it in himself.

Breaking the uneasy silence, I decided to take charge, "Who would like to take on the role of Cleopatra?" The room fell into a palpable hush as I scanned for a willing participant. To my surprise, there were no volunteers among my male students. It was a scene from Antony & Cleopatra, and none of them seemed eager to portray the Egyptian queen's part. Suppressing a chuckle, my gaze locked onto my scene partner, the anxious ginger in the corner - 'You.' I beckoned him with a nod and extended my arm, "Come here," I invited, guiding him toward the centre of the room. "You'll be reading Mark Antony's lines."

He took hesitant steps closer, his trepidation evident. It was his first time presenting to such a class. I decided to ease his nerves by giving him his cue, "I am sick and sullen." As my eyes met him, I noticed his grip on the script tighten as though it might crumble in his hands at any moment.

"I am sorry… to, sorry to give breathing to my purpose–" He stammered, his words hanging in the air, and I promptly responded, "Help me away, dear Charmian! I shall fall! It cannot be thus long; the sides of nature will not sustain it." Just as we were getting into the scene, the building manager knocked to signal that we had only five minutes left before closing, causing a flurry of activity as everyone began packing up.

"Excellent work, everyone! Don't be anxious; this is only our second session, and I look forward to witnessing your progress." I turned to my scene partner, who was already gathering his belongings. "Hi there! Do you mind if I have a moment of your time?" He greeted me with a friendly smile and a nod.

"My apologies, but I'm afraid I can't recall all the names in the class. What should I call you?" I chuckled nervously, which was echoed by a small chuckle from him. "Fred Weasley, but just Fred will do," he added, extending his hand for a handshake, which I gladly accepted.

I warmly welcomed him and praised his immense talent, then suggested, "Why don't you practice this scene for me? We can work on it together next week." He seemed taken aback but ultimately nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, I'd be delighted!" Before he could respond further, I reached into my bag and retrieved a business card.

"Here's my number. If you have any questions or if something about the scene strikes you, don't hesitate to reach out," I said as he accepted the card. He thanked me and made his way out of the room slowly, pausing once or twice to give an awkward wave before disappearing.

Chapter 2: Fred’s POV

"Wake up! I'm trying to talk to you!" George shouted before delivering a playful slap to my head. "Ouch! What's gotten into you, George?" I exclaimed, taken by surprise, as I had been lost in my thoughts.

"What's on your mind?" He probed, responding to my sigh. "Nothing," I replied, "just been a long day." I slouched onto the sofa in our London flat, a stone's throw away from Diagon Alley in the Muggle world. "Hand me those cigarettes." He tossed me the packet, and I flicked open my lighter, igniting one for myself before taking a long drag. "How was your day? I didn't see you after we handled that lunchtime rush." I handed the pack back to him, listening as he lit his own cigarette.

"Well, if you were paying attention…" He shot me an irritated look before continuing, "Two candidates showed up for the interviews, quite an interesting experience." I chuckled at his response but realized that I had drifted off while reminiscing about the evening's acting lesson.

She had mentioned preferring to go by the shortened name Delphi instead of Delphine, which was listed on her website. She claimed it made her appear more professional to potential students. Her choice of name intrigued me; it wasn't one you'd typically encounter in the Muggle world. But beyond that, I found myself captivated by her ability to capture a character's essence in just a few words - a talent that utterly fascinated me.

"Did you manage to hire anyone?" I hastily asked to prove I had been attentive, taking a long puff from my cigarette. "Heavens, no! They had no idea what they were doing - just came for the free candy." I laughed at his reply.

"How about the acting class? Will you give it another shot?" He took a drag from his cigarette and awaited my response. I shifted in my seat before answering, "The teacher thinks I have a knack for this drama stuff, so I suppose I will." George's mouth hung open in disbelief at my response. "Come on, George… I know what you're thinking." My cheeks flushed with embarrassment; George had never taken the idea of the acting class seriously.

"It's pretty clear you have a thing for the teacher, don't you? She's cast a spell on you, and now you can't get her out of your head. I know that feeling, Fred Weasley. So, spill the beans - what's she like?" George inquired, his brows arched, eager to hear more.

I couldn't deny that I had developed a soft spot for her. Her quirkiness and cleverness, coupled with a hint of sassiness, endeared her to me. Moreover, she had an irresistibly petite and cute charm. "George, I—I don't know her that well," I began, pausing as I remembered she was my teacher. "She's really great and good-looking, but I can't ask her out. She's a teacher, my teacher." With that, I stubbed out my cigarette and stood up to leave.

"All talk, no action, Freddie! You've lost your nerve," George teased, a mischievous grin on his face. I spun around to face him as he flashed an evil smile, "Since when did Fred Weasley become a coward? You used to sweep girls off their feet in school, and now you can barely hold a conversation with one. That's not like you."

The realisation that he was right made me feel queasy; somehow, I had lost confidence in myself when it came to pursuing romantic interests. Was it just this one person, or had I lost my touch entirely?

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