Through All the Pain // N. Longbottom

Summer 1995 // Chapter 1

So, I got off the train hugged my friends goodbye, and went back to the Burrow. I didn't talk to anyone. I just put my trunk and clothes into my room and snuck up to our attic to hide. I wasn't ready for people to constantly be stepping around me, I wasn't ready for Mum to dote all over me, I wasn't ready for Ron to be constantly fighting to sit beside me. I just needed to have at least one day with my thoughts.

I moved some boxes around and found my old hiding space from our games of hide and seek when I was extremely little. I chuckled as it was the exact same. There were some old pillows and blankets piled up along the wall and a patchwork quilt on the floor. I climbed into the hiding hole and started going through the many things I'd left up there.

A copy of a Muggle story Dad got one year, an old tea set with white polka dots all over them. I chuckled as I remembered Fred and George telling Cedric I used to force them to play tea parties with me in my room before I started sharing with Ginny. My hands reached down and picked up the smallest pink cup. I jokingly put out my pinky and raised it up in the air.

That's when I heard the door lift up, the hinges creaked something awful. I quickly sunk down into my spot and listened for the door to creak shut. I figured it was just Mum grabbing some extra towels or something, because the only person who ACTUALLY knew I used to hide up here, was at work with Dad.

"Lori? You hiding up here?" A voice called from the door. I just sighed as I knew the voice instantly. "Rinda, I know you're up here. You're not in your room, outside, or on the roof. Talk to me, sis." 

"What do you want?" I groaned from my spot. I heard the door close and some footsteps walk over to my spot. A pair of eyes peaked over the box wall I made. 

"What I want is to check on my baby sister." 

"I'm fine, Percy," I said rolling over, putting my back towards him. "I just want to be alone." I heard some boxes move and a body sit down next to me. 

"Tough thestrals!" He replied. "I am done acting like I don't care for you, Lorrinda, I'm done acting like a prat, and I'm done trying to be the best brother in the world. Cause truth be told, I don't deserve to be labeled the best brother in the world ... I've been such an awful one, and not any amount of apologizing can fix the past."

I rolled over and faced him. His eyes were staring down at me and transfixed on my face. Something was different with him, he was normally closed off ... not able to be read. However, I could read him like a book. He was upset and worried. I sighed and sat up, laying my head on my knee.

"The past is history, Perce." I reached out and grabbed his hand. "Let's make a pact if you promise me that you'll always be there for me. I'll make sure Fred and George don't prank you into St. Mungos now that they're of age."

"Deal." Percy shook my hand. "However, I'm gonna add to it. I will always be here for you, that you'll always mean the absolute world to me, and that ... you will always be my baby sister. I will go to any and all lengths to protect you." I jumped over and hugged him tightly. 

"I love you, Percy. I am so proud to call you my big brother."

The door to the attic creaked open again as Mum came up searching for some towels. Percy and I stayed absolutely still until the door shut. Then we started to giggle and high-five each other. Percy proceeded to pull out his wand and make some of my old dolls and puppets begin to dance around.

We stayed up there until Mum came up to grab another towel. She heard me giggle, and walked over. 

"There you two are!" She scolded. "Dinner's almost ready." She quickly turned and walked out. Both Percy and I started to get up and walking over towards the door. Once we got down to the kitchen, Percy and Ron argued for who got to sit where. I rolled my eyes, as Mum finally told them to sit on either side of me.

"Now, eat! We've got an early day tomorrow. I'm leaving early in the morning to run some errands. Dad and Percy will be heading to the Ministry, while Fred and George ... you two will be tasked with helping clean the house. Bill and Charlie are coming over for a few weeks, and I want the house to look nice." Mum explained while she dished up the dinner. 

"Bill and Charlie?!" I squealed. "Since when?!"

"Since yesterday, Lori. Bill was set to come, while Charlie made a last-minute decision to come." Mum explained.

For the third or fourth time that day, I was smiling from ear to ear. As we finished up our dinner and got ready for bed, I walked up to Percy's room. I didn't knock, I just pulled out a note and slipped it under his door.

Percy,             

Thanks for finding me up in the attic, this afternoon. I guess I did need someone with me after all. Can't wait to spend more time with you Percy. 
                                                                                                                                   ~ Rinda

Once the note was slipped under his door, I turned and walked back down the stairs to my room. I opened the door, to see Ginny was already laid down and starting to snore. I quickly and quietly shut the door and tip-toed across the room towards my closet.  I got into a light orange nightgown and curled up under my covers. I didn't even notice Ginny had gotten up from her bed and walked over to mine.

"Lori?" I heard her whisper. I sat up and looked offer at her. 

"What's up, Gin Gin?" I asked.

"I know, we're a little old for this but, could I sleep with you tonight?" Ginny's lip started to quiver and I sighed. I lifted up my blanket and scooted over. 

"C'mere," I said. Ginny's pout turned into a smile as she jumped into my bed with me. She curled up into a little ball while I just chuckled and wrapped my hand around her body. As she slowly fell asleep I smiled. My peaceful little sister was just that, peaceful and little.