Fred Weasley—a well-known troublemaker alongside his twin, George—was infamous for their pranks at Hogwarts. The Weasley twins were a force of chaos, ensuring that not a single day passed without some mischief.
As their fifth year began, Hogwarts buzzed with the arrival of new students. But among the sea of fresh faces, one, in particular, caught Fred’s attention.
"George... Who's that?" Fred asked, his gaze fixed on the girl.
George barely glanced up from his conversation with their friends. "Dunno. Maybe a new student?" he replied casually.
Fred, however, wasn’t satisfied. He waited, listening intently, hoping to catch her name. George, noticing his twin’s distraction, nudged him with a smirk.
"Oi, what’s with you?" George teased. "Fancying someone now, are we?"
Fred rolled his eyes, but a playful grin tugged at his lips.
"For Bonnie Driscoll—a new fifth-year student—please come forward to be sorted," Professor McGonagall announced.
Fred perked up at the unfamiliar name, watching as the girl stepped forward. "Bonnie... that's a cute name," he murmured to himself.
Before Bonnie could even sit down, the Sorting Hat made its decision. "Hufflepuff!" it declared loudly.
She blinked in surprise but smiled shyly as she turned towards the Hufflepuff table. "Your kindness and creativity shine through," the Sorting Hat added. "You are humble to a fault, but that only proves your loyalty."
The Hufflepuff table erupted in cheers, welcoming her warmly as she took her seat.
Fred, still watching her, found himself mumbling, "She's so pretty..."
George, always quick to notice, burst into laughter. "Fred likes someone!" he exclaimed, turning to tell their friends.
But for once, Fred didn’t care.
—
Months had passed, yet Fred couldn't get Bonnie out of his mind. He talked about her so often that George started complaining he was making his ears bleed. (Foreshadowing??)
Days went by, and soon, Professor McGonagall announced that the Yule Ball would take place next month. The moment Fred heard it, one thought consumed him—he wanted to ask Bonnie. But how? Every possible scenario played out in his mind, each more disastrous than the last.
Lost in thought, he barely noticed the light tap on his shoulder until it pulled him back to reality.
"Fred? You all right?" Ginny asked, plopping down beside him.
"Oh, hey, Ginny," he greeted, draping an arm around her shoulder. "Peachy. Feeling absolutely peachy."
Ginny raised an eyebrow. "Right. And what exactly are you doing, sitting here looking like a lovesick puppy?"
Fred groaned. "Thinking. Or at least trying to."
"About Bonnie?" she teased.
Fred sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I want to ask her to the Yule Ball, but I don’t even know how. She barely knows me—it’d be weird."
Ginny tilted her head, considering. "Then don’t ask her outright."
Fred looked at her, confused. "Meaning…?"
"Be her secret admirer," she said with a smirk. "That way, she’ll know someone likes her before you even ask."
Fred's eyes lit up. "Ginny, you’re brilliant!" He pulled her into a tight hug, nearly squeezing the air out of her.
At that moment, Ron walked into the room, looking mildly annoyed. "Ginny? There you are—Hermione’s looking for you." He barely stuck around for a response before leaving again.
Ginny stood, brushing herself off. "By the way, where’s George?"
Fred smirked. "In the bathroom. I dared him to drink a truly disgusting potion we made—he lost a bet."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You two are impossible." With a shake of her head, she walked out of the dormitory, leaving Fred grinning to himself, already forming a plan.
—
Ever since Fred developed a liking for Bonnie, he had made it his mission to learn more about her. He memorized her schedule, noting her free periods and daily routines. Unfortunately, they didn’t share any classes, making it nearly impossible to interact with her. So instead, he observed from afar, picking up on the little things she liked—her habits, her favorite spots, the way she carried herself.
This afternoon, both of them had a free period, and Fred wandered the corridors in search of her. Just as he was about to give up, he spotted someone lying on the grass in the courtyard, gently stroking the soft fur of a white rabbit.
Bonnie.
Fred leaned against a nearby pillar, a small smile playing on his lips. "Such a gentle soul," he murmured to himself. "She’s making me fall for her even more."
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a piece of parchment and a box of Chocolate Frogs. With a flick of his wand, he attached the note to the enchanted frog. As it sprang to life, Fred whispered, "Go on, little mate. Deliver this to her."
The frog leaped toward Bonnie, carrying his secret message with it. Fred remained in the shadows, watching, his heart pounding in anticipation.
As Bonnie continued to stroke the rabbit nestled on her lap, a sudden croaking sound caught her attention. She looked up and spotted a Chocolate Frog hopping toward her, a small note attached to its back.
"Oh, hi there—" she began, then paused, realizing what it was. With a flick of her wand, she gently deactivated the enchanted treat before plucking the note off. She took a small bite of the chocolate as her eyes scanned the words.
---
Dear Bonnie,
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve liked you ever since you arrived at Hogwarts. You’re kind, smart, and incredibly pretty—just a few of the many reasons why I admire you.
Signed, Your Secret Admirer.
---
A soft smile spread across Bonnie’s lips as she looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever had sent it. But the courtyard was empty—no one in sight.
Tucking the note into her robe, she rose to her feet. With one last affectionate pat on the rabbit’s head, she whispered, "See you, Freddie."
With that, she turned and made her way back to the castle for her next class.
Hidden nearby, Fred grinned as he watched her leave. "Freddie?" he chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He stood up, still smiling, and strolled back toward the castle, his heart feeling a little lighter.
Every day, Bonnie received tiny gifts from her mysterious admirer—small gestures that never failed to brighten her day. No matter how hard she tried to catch them in the act, the sender remained elusive.
From sweet, heartfelt letters to funny yet affectionate poems, from flowers—some perfectly arranged, others missing their stems—to boxes filled with her favorite sweets or new treats her admirer wanted her to try, each gift was carefully chosen.
Bonnie was touched, grateful even, but curiosity gnawed at her. Who could possibly admire her this much? And more importantly—why?
She wasn’t used to this kind of attention. With her big personality, she often worried that people found her too much—too loud, too excitable, too… annoying. The thought that someone had fallen for her, just from a distance, felt almost impossible.
And yet, every day, another gift arrived. Another sign that someone out there saw her differently.
Someone who thought she was worth admiring.
With each passing day, Fred fell harder.
The way her hair danced with the wind, the way her eyes sparkled when she found something she loved—it was impossible not to admire her. To Fred, Bonnie was the definition of gentle. It didn’t matter if it was a person, a creature, or even an object—she treated everything with kindness that made it feel important.
He loved her laughter, the way it rang through the halls like the warmest melody. He admired how she was always willing to lend a hand, how she treated everyone—classmates, professors, even ghosts—with unwavering respect. It was no wonder the teachers adored her. She wasn’t just another student; she was bright, diligent, and determined.
But what Fred loved most was her smile.
That sweet, genuine smile that made her cheeks look even softer, even chubbier. Seeing it felt like hearing his favorite song for the first time—unexpected yet instantly familiar, something he wanted to replay over and over again. And every time she smiled, it made his knees weak—something George never failed to tease him about.
Bonnie was perfect.
And Fred wanted her to know.
To know that it was him—Fred Weasley—her secret admirer. The one who had fallen for everything about her.
No one else. Just him.
—
With only three days left until the Yule Ball, Fred still hadn’t revealed his identity to Bonnie.
"Why not just ask her now? You’re being a wuss, Fred," George teased, nudging his twin.
"Shut it," Fred grumbled, shoving him back.
That was all it took for a full-blown scuffle to break out between them in the hallway.
"Now, now! The both of you—stop it!" Professor Sprout scolded gently as she pulled them apart.
"Sorry, Professor," they said in perfect sync, straightening up just as the bell rang. With that, students scattered off to their respective classes.
—
By lunchtime, the twins had already sat through three grueling classes, and as they made their way to the Great Hall with the rest of the students, George was back to his usual teasing.
"Did you ask her yet?" Harry asked as he took a seat beside them.
Fred, still chewing, shook his head. "Not yet," he mumbled through a mouthful of food.
"Why not? The Yule Ball is in three days, isn’t it?" Hermione chimed in, looking at him over her book.
"Because he’s being a wuss," George added with a smirk, earning a glare from Fred.
"It’s just... I don’t know how to say it without making it awkward," Fred admitted, scratching the back of his head.
"There’s no other way, and you know that," Ginny said, giving him a pointed look.
Fred let out a sigh before relenting. "Fine. I’ll ask her tomorrow."
The collective sigh of relief from the group made him roll his eyes. They really thought he wouldn’t go through with it.
—
The rest of the school day passed, and by the time the final class ended at 5 p.m., students flooded into the corridors, ready to head back to their dorms or the Great Hall for dinner.
Fred and George, exhausted, walked side by side, too caught up in their conversation to pay attention to their surroundings.
That was until—bam!
Fred bumped straight into someone, sending books and papers tumbling to the floor.
"Oh! I’m so sorry!" Bonnie exclaimed, quickly kneeling to gather his things.
Fred blinked, still registering what had happened, when Bonnie handed him his books—only to suddenly freeze, staring at him.
"Uh… let me grab my brother’s stuff," George said awkwardly, picking up the rest of Fred’s belongings.
Bonnie snapped out of it and smiled as she handed George the last of Fred’s books. "I’m really sorry again, Fred. See you and George around sometime!" she said cheerfully before turning back to her friends and heading toward the Great Hall.
Fred remained frozen in place.
"Dude, you okay?" George asked, shaking his twin.
Fred slowly turned to him, eyes wide with disbelief. "She… she knows my name."
"For Merlin’s sake," George groaned, rolling his eyes. "Yes, she knows your name. And you totally looked weird just now."
But Fred wasn’t listening. He was grinning like an idiot, still reeling from the realization.
"Alright, alright—enough of that. I’m starving," George said, shoving Fred’s things into his arms.
Fred snapped out of it. "Yeah, yeah, Come on then!" He grabbed George’s wrist and practically dragged him into the Great Hall, his excitement still buzzing in his chest.
The Next Day
Today was the day.
The day Fred would finally confront Bonnie.
By some stroke of luck, his free period aligned with hers. Unfortunately, George—who Fred had hoped would offer some moral support—had plans with his girlfriend, leaving Fred to face this moment alone.
He wandered through the courtyard, searching for her, and soon spotted her in her usual spot. She sat beneath a tree, quill in hand, scribbling something onto a parchment. Taking a deep breath, Fred slowly approached.
Just as he stepped closer, Bonnie turned her head, her eyes locking onto him.
"Fred Weasley?" she asked, studying him closely.
Fred blinked in surprise. "How’d you know it was me?" He scratched the back of his neck, chuckling awkwardly.
Bonnie smiled. "Your face is rounder. George’s is more like an oval."
Fred let out a laugh. "Huh. It’s rare for someone to tell us apart right away." He watched as she flicked her wand, neatly tucking away her quill and ink into her bag.
"Can I sit here?" he asked hesitantly.
Bonnie nodded, offering him a small smile. "Of course."
Fred settled beside her, stealing a quick glance in her direction. The wind played with her hair, strands gently swaying against the soft glow of the afternoon sun.
"What brings you here, anyway?" Bonnie asked, turning to face him.
"Oh, uh…" Fred cleared his throat, shifting slightly. "I have a free period, so I was just wandering around and saw you here." He tried to sound casual, though his nerves were anything but.
Bonnie tilted her head slightly, amused. "You make it sound like running into me was completely by chance."
Fred let out another awkward chuckle, rubbing his palms together. Before he lost his nerve, he blurted out the question that had been nagging at him since yesterday.
"Actually, I wanted to ask… how do you know me?" He frowned slightly, genuinely curious. "We’ve never really talked before—not until yesterday. How’d you recognize me so easily?"
There was a flicker of something unreadable in Bonnie’s expression before she smiled again.
"Who doesn’t know the Weasley twins?" she teased.
Making Fred’s curiosity grew even more.
"I mean, there isn’t a single day where I don’t hear students or teachers yelling your name or George’s." Bonnie giggled.
Fred felt his cheeks warm at the sound. Merlin, she’s cute.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
Then, gathering his courage, Fred sat up straighter. "Bonnie… I need to tell you something," he said, his voice unsteady with nerves.
Bonnie remained lying on the grass but turned her head to look at him, their eyes locking. "Yeah?" she asked, her full attention on him.
Fred swallowed hard. "You know those little gifts you kept receiving?" His hands trembled slightly, and he tried to still them, his heart pounding against his ribs.
Bonnie blinked at him, then smiled softly.
"I know it was you."
Fred’s breath hitched. "W-what?"
Bonnie chuckled, sitting up. "Yesterday, Professor Sprouts asked me to help her check some of the essays from your class. While sorting through them, I came across yours… and I recognized the handwriting immediately."
Fred stared at her, completely stunned. He had spent weeks trying to find the perfect way to tell her, only for her to have figured it out on her own.
And yet—she was smiling.
Bonnie hadn’t run away, hadn’t laughed at him, hadn’t rejected him outright. If anything, she looked amused.
Fred let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
"Well… that’s bloody embarrassing," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.
Bonnie only laughed, eyes twinkling with something Fred couldn’t quite place.
Fred took a deep breath, his heart pounding as he gathered his thoughts. He never imagined he’d get this far—that she’d actually say yes—but now that he had the chance, he wanted to tell her everything.
"Bonnie, I don’t even know where to begin," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess… from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were different. And I don’t mean in some grand, dramatic way, but in a way that matters."
Bonnie tilted her head slightly, listening intently.
"You’re kind," Fred continued, his voice softer now. "Not just the polite kind of kind, but the genuine kind. I’ve seen the way you treat everyone—not just your friends, but strangers too. The way you talk to the house-elves like they’re your equals, the way you always seem to notice when someone is feeling down. Even the way you treat animals, as if they’re the most precious things in the world. It’s… it’s beautiful."
Bonnie’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn’t look away.
"And you’re brilliant," Fred went on, his smile growing. "I mean, you’re not just smart—you’re creative. You see things differently, think in ways that most people don’t. I’ve watched you come up with solutions to problems that would take other people ages to figure out. And you do it so effortlessly, like it’s second nature."
Fred let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "And Merlin, don’t even get me started on how funny you are. You always make people laugh, even without trying. You’re not afraid to be a little goofy, a little ridiculous, and that’s something I love about you. You don’t pretend to be someone you’re not—you’re just you."
His expression softened as he leaned forward slightly. "And you have no idea how rare that is, Bonnie."
Bonnie swallowed, hugging her knees a little tighter.
"But more than anything," Fred said, his voice dipping lower, "I love the way you make me feel. When I’m around you, everything just… makes sense. The world seems a little lighter, a little less chaotic. You have this way of making people feel safe—like they can be themselves without worrying about what anyone else thinks. And for someone like me, someone who’s always been known as ‘one of the twins,’ that means more than I can ever put into words."
Fred exhaled shakily, then let out a nervous chuckle. "So yeah… that’s why I like you, Bonnie. Every little thing. Every habit, every laugh, every way you see the world. And if I haven’t completely made a fool of myself, then… I guess that’s a miracle."
Bonnie didn’t say anything right away. Instead, she just looked at him, eyes wide, lips parted slightly.
Then, slowly, a warm, radiant smile spread across her face.
"Fred Weasley," she murmured, shaking her head in amusement. "You’re absolutely adorable."
Fred let out a breathy laugh, relieved beyond words. "Does that mean I haven’t completely mucked this up?"
Bonnie giggled. "Not at all."
Bonnie leaned over, resting her head against Fred’s shoulder. He felt his entire body relax, a deep sigh of relief escaping his lips.
For the first time in weeks, he didn’t feel nervous—just happy.
Without thinking, the words tumbled out. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Bonnie let out a soft giggle. "I thought we already were when you confessed your undying love for me."
Fred chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Right. Forgot about that part."
With a smile, he gently rested his head atop hers, letting the quiet moment stretch between them. They sat there together, watching the golden afternoon light cast long shadows across the courtyard, neither in a rush to leave.
For now, they simply enjoyed each other’s presence—making the most of the time they had before their next class pulled them back to reality.
And just like that, Fred knew—this was the best decision he had ever made.