Invitation Only ~ Fred Weasley

SEVENTYFOUR

Flashes. Flashes of white. Dark figures moving around within the flashes.
A presence. A dark presence. And then there it was:

A cackling laughter with no trace of joy. It was a dark laughter that would send shivers down anyone's spine.

"It's nearly time."

"Yes, master."

"Isolation can do many things to a person."

"What is the next move?"

"She will no longer be able to seek refuge with that bloodtraitor family she's so fond of."

"So the boy is next?"

"The twin."

"How, master?"

"You will know in time. My vengeance is near - but first, I shall destroy her."

More flashes.
They were walking down a dark and dank path in a cave. There were no lights, they were walking in complete darkness. The companion seemed frightened of their master, scared of their plans.

"Is he still not talking?"

"No, master."

"He will."

They had reached an entrance. Inside they found their refuge. A residence inside that cave. And also a dungeon. The weak and pathetic shadow of a man was lying on the floor in the corner of the cave, sleeping. The figure was famished, beaten and defeated. But not dead.

"Wake him."

The companion walked over to the figure and kicked him hard. He bursted out a groan of pain, and curled his body.

"Are you willing to talk now?"

"N-no."

"Pity... Crucio!"

The man was screaming in pain. The master was smiling by the sight of the man's pain.

"And now?"

"I will not tell you anything. I have made enough mistakes in my life."

"Ah, well. Let's see about that, shall we?"

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

It was past midnight and Viola and Fred were sitting in their couch, talking. Viola had been unemployed for a month now, and had told Fred that she was feeling too overwhelmed to continue teaching.
Supportive, as he was, Fred ensured her that it was no problem. Instead, Viola spent her days at home, at the Burrow or at Shell Cottage.

Fred and George's shop in Boston had finally opened for business and it was booming.

Since March had creeped in on them, Fred and Viola began the official wedding planning. Something that filled Viola with hope and joy. She hadn't gotten any threatening letters since the last one, and even though she was on guard, she was sincerely hoping that it was over. That the only demands they had was Viola to cut ties with Hogwarts.

But the letters kept haunting her mind and she found herself reaching out to Scott almost everyday to make sure he was alright. Her mother too. But she was more optimistic about her mother, since she had Kingsley to protect her.

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

That cloudy March night, Viola and Fred was sitting and discussing wedding details. Fred was dreaming of a grand entrance with him flying in on one of Charlie's dragons, but with one look at Viola's reaction, he knew that it was out of the question.