**Chapter 1: "Love in the Time of Chaos"**

Fred Weasley tossed his messy red hair out of his face as he stormed into the Gryffindor common room, his eyes scanning the space for one person - Reader. He had been searching for them all day, and his anxiety was starting to get the better of him. It had been three days since they'd last spoken, and Fred couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. As he spotted Reader sitting on a worn couch, nose buried in a book, Fred's face lit up with a relieved smile. But as he approached them, his eyes narrowed, noticing the look of intense focus on Reader's face. They were so absorbed in their book that they hadn't even noticed Fred's arrival. Fred's smile faltered, and he felt a pang of insecurity. Was Reader ignoring him on purpose? Did they not care that Fred had been searching for them everywhere? He cleared his throat to announce his presence, and Reader looked up, startled. "Hey," Reader said, their voice neutral, and Fred's heart sank. It wasn't the enthusiastic greeting he'd been hoping for. "Hey," Fred replied, trying to sound casual despite the growing unease in his chest. He plopped down beside Reader on the couch, his thigh brushing against theirs. "What's that you're reading?" Reader held up the book, and Fred saw it was some dense-looking novel about magic and politics. "Just something I found in the library," Reader said, their eyes drifting back to the pages. Fred's gaze lingered on Reader's face, searching for any sign of affection or interest. But their expression was guarded, and they seemed to be deliberately avoiding eye contact. Fred's anxiety spiked, and he reached out, gently turning Reader's face towards him. "What's going on?" Fred asked, his voice low and urgent. "You've been avoiding me for days. Is everything okay?" Reader's eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, but they didn't pull away. "I'm just busy, Fred. That's all." Fred's grip on Reader's chin tightened, his fingers tracing the curve of their jaw. "Don't lie to me," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I know you better than that. Something's bothering you, and I want to know what it is." Reader's gaze finally met Fred's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Then, Reader's expression softened, and they reached out, their hand brushing against Fred's. "Let's talk about it later, okay?" Reader said, their voice barely above a whisper. Fred's face twisted into a mixture of relief and frustration. He knew he wasn't going to get anything more out of Reader right now, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing them, that something was slipping through his fingers. As the silence between them grew thicker, Fred leaned in, his lips brushing against Reader's in a gentle, pleading kiss. "I love you," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. Reader's response was uncertain, and Fred's heart sank, leaving him wondering if he was truly losing the person he loved.