broken bottles & wedding bells || fred weasley

Chapter Three: Still Protected

"Rain! Hello darling!" My mother beamed when I entered the large mansion. "I wasn't expecting you! Aww, and my little grandson!"

I let her take Henry, who wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her instantly.

"I wanted to come and make sure Henry saw you and visited. I also um... wanted to go through his things... I think I'm ready."

"Oh... okay," She gave my shoulder a rub. "I can watch Henry while you go up there. Sec-"

"Second door on the left," I nodded. "I remember. Thank you."

"I'm just down here for you, dear."

I took shaky steps up the giant staircase and passed the first door. Finding myself freezing outside his door, my hand on the doorknob, I reassured myself with a deep breath and opened the door slowly.

My nose was hit instantly with the scent of Draco and tears stung my eyes. I shut the door behind myself and sat on his bed. Just how he left it. The deep green and black comforter and sheets all disheveled.

I opened his wardrobe and sniffled, running my hand along the many shirts and sweaters he had hung up. His closer must be for his more formal clothes, because this wardrobe is full of casual and lounge clothes.

"Hey, mum," I spoke over the stair railing, my voice shaky. "Could I take a few shirts? Sweaters maybe?"

"Take anything you'd like," She replied. "What was his is yours. And whatever you don't take will always be here if you change your mind."

My heart settled. None of this is going anywhere.

I shut his door behind myself again and took my shirt off. I replaced it with a grey drawstring hoodie that smelled thickly of my brother. I hugged the slightly larger fabric to my face and sucked in the scent deep into my lungs.

I pulled a few tee shirts and sweaters out and set them on the bed for me to take home later. Then I made my way to his vanity mirror where a few rings rested on the surface of the small desk. Along with a very expensive bottle of cologne.

I slid one of his rings on my middle finger, right next to my engagement ring. It was much bigger than my finger and I had to hold it on my hand but still.

The sight of his ring next to my engagement ring broke the brick wall I had up to hold back my emotional breakdown.

I set the ring down and found myself sitting on the floor of his room, leaning against his bed, crying. Hard. A full and painful breakdown.

But this is good. I haven't been able to let myself go completely because I didn't want to worry anyone at home. I muffled the sound in the room and held nothing back.

I cried so hard that my throat felt raw and my eyes ran out of tears. I climbed up onto his bed and snuggled into his sheets as I laid on his pillow.

I felt weak after that breakdown. So I needed some time to settle. And somehow I felt his presence with me in his room. So here is where I stayed.

Then I saw it. A brown shoebox under his bed. I picked it up and set it on the bed, then lifted the lid and tearfully smiled at what was inside.

A letter with my name on it.

That was all that was inside. Nonetheless, I peeled off the wax seal and unfolded the letter. I traced my finger over the very beautiful cursive handwriting on the page before reading it. Somehow finding comfort in the slight imprint of his writing in the parchment.

To Rain; My Sister
For When You're Grieving My Loss,

So, if you've found this, then you're going through my things after I passed. Maybe it will bring you some peace knowing that I planned this. Not exactly how I died, but why I died. I'm writing this in advance because I'm going to follow through with my plans.