The Timekeeper | f. weasley

CHAPTER 04 | THE GAME

CHAPTER 04 | THE GAME

"Well . . . . not exactly," Fred said.

"What do you mean?" Siobhan turned from the twisting mark that writhed in the night sky to face the three pale, freckled faces. 

None of the Weasley children answered her.

"We should get to the Portkey," George said while scratching the back of his head.

They all agreed and snuck through the stragglers of wizards and witches still running for safety, keeping their wands in-hand. When they reached the manky old boot and descended back in the woods near the outskirts of the Burrow, Siobhan couldn't help but still feel unsettled. It was only a matter of time until Voldemort knew she had jumped time to this year and went looking for her. And she knew from past experience that when he wanted someone, he got the job done.

Trekking through the damp grass and mud, she rubbed at her face. Very much so tired, her legs carried her most of the way, where the lopsided structure of the Burrow glowed warmly from within, welcoming all that visited. As the four of them walked up to the door, Molly swung the door open, pulling them all inside and closing the door tightly behind them.

"What's happened? Are you all right? Where's your father and the others?" she spewed out quickly, her blue eyes darting between the four of them. She wore a nightgown and her curly orange hair was as wild as the expression on her face.

"We were raided by Death Eaters," Siobhan answered. "Mr. Weasley split us up and told us to go back to the Burrow."

"Well," Molly sighed deeply and scanned each of them from head-to-toe, "I'm glad you lot made it back safely. Go wash up and head to bed."

Fred and George opened their mouths to protest but Molly shot them a look that had them retreating to their bedrooms. Siobhan and Ginny went upstairs and took turns washing up, then settled in for the night.

Siobhan listened to Ginny talk about Hogwarts for a while, staring up at the dark ceiling.

". . . . and there's a ghost named Nearly Headless Nick, who can get a bit offended if you mention his apparitional form . . . . don't pay any attention to them though, I think they're just jealous we're better than them . . . . but I would still be friends with you if you got into a House other than Gryffindor . . . . the food is made by elves! Hermione has created an organization to help free them . . . ."

Siobhan didn't know when she had fallen asleep, but when she opened her eyes, sunlight was streaming in through the window. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she sat up and looked over at Ginny. The young girl had one leg off the bed and her mouth open, softly snoring. Not wanting to wake her, Siobhan quietly left the bedroom and walked to the bathroom.

Fred emerged from the bathroom, his red hair damp and askew. In the morning light, he appeared much taller and the freckles on his cheeks were more defined. He noticed Siobhan standing there and grinned widely. "'Morning."

"Good morning," she casually replied, slipping into the bathroom and closing the door. For some reason she had felt her heart flutter at the awkward encounter.

She went downstairs in her pajamas, smelling a buffet of breakfast foods before she saw it all spread out on the long wooden table. Molly had a baby blue apron on and was flicking her wand to bring a large stack of plates onto the table.