The Girl who Survived (Fred Weasley)

CH 11. Secrets

~Elodie's POV~

"So what is it you're insinuating exactly?" I asked cedric.
We had left the library in a bit of a hurry, I needed to talk to someone about what had happened with Professor Trelawney. I hadn't seen much of Cedric lately, I had spent the last week in the library constantly researching the blockage and the vision she had spoken about, but came up empty. Normally I would seek out a more realistic point of view, much different from Cedric's optimistic one.
"Slow down. Look I'm just saying, we all know that Professor Trelawney can be a bit...into the beyond," he said, no longer able to contain his laughter.
I looked away from him and a slight chuckle had escaped from me as well. I took in the cold air of the courtyard. All the lantern flames had been turned off giving the perfect view of the night sky. I was never one to take a particular interest in astronomy, but I loved the way that the sky reminded us that even in the dark, there is light.
"Do you have your wand on you? Would you mind turning on the lanterns?" Cedric asked me.
"No, I left it in my room," I told him.
He gave me a sly look and turned so he was behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his head on my shoulder.
"Can you turn them on in your special way?" He whispered in my ear.
His warm breath gave me goosebumps. There it was again. The sinking feeling of running out of time. I tried to bring myself back to the present but it still loomed in the back of my mind.
Wanting to give him what he wanted I stepped away from him, and looked around quickly to make sure no one was around to notice. For a split second I thought I saw something black move in the bushes, but it was too dark and cold for someone to be out there. I nodded my head at him and shot little flames from my fingers to all the lanterns turning them on. I saw his complexion light up like a child on Christmas, and in return it brought a smile to my face. Making me forget, for the slightest moment. I took another look around to make sure I hadn't seen something in the bushes and then I was able to relax a bit.
"I don't understand why you do that," Cedric told me, pulling me back to earth.
"What?" I asked him
"Hide your magic like if you weren't around hundreds of witches and wizards," he said, reminding me.
"I know what people say about me, and my brother," I told him just above a whisper. "If it were to get around that wandless magic comes easy to me they'd probably accuse me of being the heir of Slytherin next."
"They would not, do you know how hard some witches and wizards work to do the simplest-" He began.
"That's my point, they work hard at it. I've never had to work hard at magic a day in my life," I told him, cutting him off. "Well, at least until-"
"You'll get the hang of divination. Just do Professor Trelawney treatment and it'll be a piece of cake," He resumed his position behind me, holding me close to him. I wanted to tell him to hold me tighter, to never let me go. I wanted to tell him about the clocking feeling, how time was getting away from us. But I didn't want to disturb our little piece of forever.
"I was meaning to ask you If you have plans tomorrow? I wanted to go to Hogsmead," He asked me. Shit.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I already made plans," I told him. "I know you've been going crazy with Quidditch practice and I-"
"It's all right lovie, you don't have to apologize for wanting time with your other mates. I'd hate for us to become one of those couples," he told me.
I realized his choice of words right away, wondering if he meant to say it, or if this was another misunderstanding. "Couples?" I asked with a grin on my face.
"If that's alright with you? I don't go around snogging all my friends so I thought it seemed appropriate to assume you were my girlfriend," He explained to me.
"Aww but here I was hoping I'd get to catch the sight of you and Oliver Wood snogging," I said to him in a sarcastic tone.
"Always with the humor, but you didn't answer my question," He told me.
"You never asked," I informed him.
He stepped around so he was facing me, he placed one hand on my waist and then let the other glide till it rested on the small of my back, just above my tailbone. I leaned into him and pulled my hands around his neck so my fingers could go into his hair. He leaned in to rest his forehead against mine and took in a short breath.
"Ahem!" We both heard pulling us out of our current forever. Anger boiling within me I turned to see who had caused the disturbance. Lupin, again.
"Mr. Diggory, Ms. Potter this is the second time I have caught the two of you in indecent conditions, Will this become a habit?" He asked.
"I'd hardly call it indecent, we could have had our clothes off" I told him as I watched his expression turn from stern to shocked.
I felt Cedric give me a pat on my back, not as an encouragement, but a hint to shut up.
"My apologies professor, we were just on our way to our houses," He told him.
"Separately, Ms. Potter's presence has been called by Professor McGonagall. I'll escort you," He said. Great, now I had to walk in an awkward silence with him.
"Right, well good night dear," Cedric said and turned to look at me and was about to lean in for a quick kiss.
"That'll be all Mr. Diggory," Professor Lupin said.
I gave Cedric a nod and squeezed his hand firmly. Our conversation would have to wait for a later time.
I was distracted by another rustle in the bushes behind where Professor Lupin was standing, but as I tried to look Professor Lupin interrupted. "After you, Ms. Potter," Professor Lupin gestured forward for me to lead the way.
We entered back into the castle, and I could sense a hint of unease from Professor Lupin. He wanted to start a conversation, but didn't know how.
"I'm sorry for what I said back there, that was unkind of me," I apologized hoping that would be enough.
"No need, I remember what it was like to be young and in love once," he told me. "Your mother and father used to get into a bit of trouble if I remember correctly," He said. This was a shock to me.
"You went to school with my mother and father?" I asked him. He looked a lot older than them so it was a bit shocking.
"More than that, they were two of my best friends," he said. "That's how I recognized you right away, you are your mother's clone my dear, your temperament however resembles your father."
I chuckled at that. "Oh yeah, I've definitely heard that one before," I told him. "I hope you'll forgive me professor, I'm not very accustomed to talking about them."
"It's quite alright, can't particularly blame you," he told me.
It was always a bit strange to me meeting someone who knew my parents. I was like learning about a celebrity. People would spill facts and stories, and I just had to stand there and take all the information in. But I knew it was someone I was never going to meet. I know Harry relished in talking about them and carrying their memory on, but I couldn't bring myself to. I wasn't sure if it was pain or anger, just an unexplained emotion I couldn't name.
"Thank you, for being so kind to Harry, he told me you spent time with him when everyone else left for Hogsmead today. That was very kind of you," I told him.
"I might say, I am a bit surprised that you didn't spend time with him," He told me in a questioning tone.
"I was in the library, I plan on going tomorrow. But even if I wasn't, Harry and I don't necessarily have a common sibling relationship," I informed him.
He cocked his head to the side for a moment as he looked at me. It was true though. We didn't have a normal sibling relationship. At least, it didn't feel like we did. But how can you see someone as a brother when you haven't known them for 11 years?
"I am aware, is that something that upsets you?" He asked me. This was a first. No one had ever actually ever asked before.
"No- Not particularly, we get along well as friends, don't get me wrong, it's just..." I trailed off not knowing how to describe it.
"I understand Ms. Potter, but if you would ever like someone to talk to, my door is always open. And I always have snacks," He informed me.
A small laugh escaped my lips, "Thank you professor, that's very kind of you," I told him. And I meant it.
"This is where I leave you," He told me just as we had reached Minerva's office. "Don't worry, I won't mention the incident in the courtyard," He told me as he turned to leave.
I could see it. If my parents were as amazing as everyone said they were, I could see why they were close with him. He was kind, he just looked run down.
I knocked on the door lightly and waited for her magic to open it. Her office always smelled like our home in Godric's Hollow. A slight hint of tea tree oil, peppermint, and tea leaves. Of all the places to be in the castle this was probably my favorite. I looked at her and she was at her desk shuffling through some papers.
"You wanted to see me Mimi?" I asked her.
"Yes my dear, I just wanted to see how you were getting along in your classes?" She asked me.
"Ehhh," I sounded, giving her a smile.
"Well if you're going to be galavanting around I ask for absolutely outstanding," She told me in a very proud yet stern tone. That's the thing about Minerva. She was always a no nonsense type of woman, but she definitely had a soft spot. For me especially.
I was fidgeting with a remember-all that was on her desk. "Hmm, hows about questionably outstanding?" I jokingly told her as I took a seat. This time she cracked a smile. And walked towards me.
"My stars, you'll drive an old woman mad I tell you," She said, placing a kiss on the top of my head.
"Drive? I thought surely this last summer had already driven you there?" I said and was met with a slight hit to my shoulder. She didn't want to admit it, but she found it funny. "Everything's great, Hermonie tells me she's struggling a bit, but I'm able to keep up with the workload pretty well. I am struggling with Divinations a bit, but Professor Trelawney gave me a remedy, said it will help whatever it is that is blocking me," I told her and watched her face drop her smile. "Do you know anything about why that is Mimi?" I asked her
She was frozen, as if i had told her my cat had just died. She wasn't looking at me, but I could see her face. And worry was written all over it. Very few times have I seen her do this, and I never liked the reason why. She didn't answer me; she just stayed there.
"What is it? Are you keeping secrets from me?" I asked her.
"When did you start these treatments my dear?" She asked me, turning to look at me. I noticed the color had already drained from her face.
"Tomorrow. But Mimi, what's going on?" I asked her.
She took a seat across from me, it was like she was going to tell me my parents were dead all over again. I could feel the tension as thick as cake mix. Then there was a knock at the door and it rushed open suddenly.
"Evening Professor, Dumbledore is asking for everyone in the great hall. That means you too Miss Potter," Professor Snape told us.
Minerva started making her way to the door immediately, "Come on dear," She told me, holding her arm for me. "We'll talk again later," She whispered in my ear once she had her arms wrapped around me as she was guiding the way out of her class room.
***
Everyone was ordered to sleep in the great hall. We had all been given a sleeping bag and a pillow, Minerva managed to bring me a quilt, so I wouldn't be boiling in the bag. Another perk. Rumor was that we were on lockdown because Serius Black had managed to sneak into the castle. Ginny and I slept between Harry and Fred, but she slept opposite me so her feet were near my head.
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked Harry who was still pretty keyed up.
"Yeah. Any chance you're willing to put a sleeping curse on me?" He asked me.
I laughed slightly, "I'm sorry to say, but I'm wandless. I left it back in the dorm. And there's far too many witnesses for..." I began telling him.
"It's okay, I'm okay," He said and laid down facing the ceiling.
I turned away from him so I was laying on my side, hopping Ginny didn't kick in her sleep. Otherwise I'd wake up with a broken nose. I looked up to see Fred looking extremely peaceful, it was nice, I was jealous.
"It's not nice to stare, Potter," He told me and his eyes shot open.
"Forgive me for enjoying the view," I told him. "Hey, do you remember last holiday when I stayed the night, and George fell asleep with his mouth open?" I asked him, folding my elbow under my arm to allow more support that the paper thin pillows would allow.
"I think we shot 16 jellybeans in his mouth before Bill hit him in the eye," He answered me laughing. We must have been laughing too hard, we were meat by a sharp hush from Snape.
"Hey El? If we're not all killed by a mass murder tonight and are still allowed to go to Hogsmead, will you still want to hang out with me tomorrow?" Fred asked me.
The truth was, that I should probably say no. Some part of me knew that it meant more to him than it did to me. But with Fred I didn't have to think about saying the right thing or hiding my magic. He was the best friend any girl could want, and I knew hanging out with me would make him happy, and I wanted him to be happy.
"I would want to hang out with you even if we are all killed and not allowed to go to Hogsmead. I don't scare off that easily Weasley," I told him and watched the smile grow on his face. "Good night" I said and turned on my side to face Harry.
***
I awoke slightly and saw Harry's eyes staring at me, he made a hush shape with his lips. Quickly I heard the approaching Footsteps and the hushed tone of two familiar voices which made me shut my eyes immediately.
"And I'm more than willing to let the students return to their Houses," Dumbledore spoke confidently.
"What about the Potters? Should they be warned?" Snape said in his usually sharp mannerism.
I wish I had woken up sooner to confirm the beginning of this conversation, but if my guess wasn't too far off, they were talking about Sirius Black. But that made no sense. Yes, Harry had told me about the warning Arthur Weasley had given him before the start of term, but I didn't think it would have been this serious.
"Perhaps, but for now let them sleep. For in dreams, we enter a world that's entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest ocean. Or glide over the highest cloud," I heard Dumbledore say as he was standing right over us.
Once their footsteps were far enough away I opened my eyes to see harry. He looked like he was about to say something, but I mouthed "Go to sleep," and he shut his eyes.