𝖶𝖨𝖢𝖪𝖤𝖣 𝖧𝖠𝖳𝖤 | 𝖥𝖱𝖤𝖣 𝖶𝖤𝖠𝖲𝖫𝖤𝖸

77

NINETEENTH

______________

As days kept going on, I started to get more involved inside the Order. England's ambience was greyer than ever and even in the lonely Diagon Alley — where stores started to close and the only scrap of cheer seemed to be Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes — whispers about sightings of the Death Eaters could be heard. Remus warned all of us to be extremely careful and to reinforce the security measurements, and privately informed me about the situation with the Death Eaters attempting to enter Hogwarts and everything he knew about my uncle and Draco. I tried more than once to communicate with Malfoy, but all our words were pretty trivial and nothing as close as before, even though I still loved him as a little brother, his attempt to protect me was only distancing us.

Because of the increasing danger, Liv and Pauline decided to stay at home during most of these days, out of the muggle world, and they used this precious time together to resolve their problems and chat on how to make their relationship healthier.

My nineteenth birthday arrived on a cold and windy Monday. I woke up earlier than everyone else and, still wearing only the shirt Fred left in my room - with his smell still present - and my underwear, I drank a cup of coffee and had a cigarette sitting on the window before going to my training with the Harpies. I put on the cassette player and soon, Where is My Mind by the Pixies filled the silence. With the first notes still sounding, a familiar ginger head appeared in the other flat and those brown eyes that had me so captivated met mine, making me melt.

"Good morning, beautiful," Fred came closer to me, covering me from up to down, as usual, murmuring with his raspy sleepy voice that sent quivers all over my body. "Nice shirt," he winked at me, "Nineteens suit you good."

I couldn't help but smile. "Morning, Freddie."

"Any plans for today? Liv said you don't want a big party. Why is that?"

My smile almost faded but I managed to keep it thanks to Fred's warm stare. "I have Quidditch practise today and I'm not feeling in the mood for a big party, sharing a couple of pints with friends is more than enough. At least this chaotic year."

"Well, I respect your choice for today but the party is still pending, though. Once you get out of the training, come to the Leaky Cauldron. Georgie, Liv, Lin and I already reserved the biggest table there."

The fact that he was taking the time to make my birthday a good day was already the best gift I could expect.

"Thank you, Freddie," I said in a soft voice, being interrupted by little Iris landing in front of me with a couple of letters tied to her tiny leg. The ginger clicked his tongue, blithe.

"Nothing to thank for, darling."

My smile widened as I read the names of the people who sent the letters; Draco, Tonks, Remus, Luna, Hermione, Harry, Nev, Ginny, my uncle - first direct news I had from him since June - and, surprisingly, Devyan too, along with a letter signed by all the Harpies.

I put them aside while focusing again on Fred, who was scanning me curiously and piercingly with that wild smile on his face.

"Mum wants me and George tonight at the Burrow and since later you and I are gonna be busy with the rest...I thought we could have a little bit of preliminary fun if you want."