tainted transparency || a harry potter story

Chapter Thirty-Two: Being Brave

The very next morning is when everyone's life flipped upside down 

I woke up and Draco was gone. Hermione and Ron were in a verbal altercation with Molly. The twins looked anxious as they were quite literally pacing and exchanging quick mumbles.

I had just woken up. I didn't know what to do or what was going on or why everyone had woken up completely beside themselves.

"Freddie?" I walked up to the twins and had to grab Fred's hand to get his attention. "Hey, what's going on?"

"It's happening, Hazel," Fred's pale face turned to me. "The war. It's happening. The death eaters have been called back and they're preparing for war."

"Wha- so... so what do we do?" I started growing anxious. "Where do we go? We have to fight... right?"

"Yeah," George gulped. "Mum's trying to keep us all home though. Dad's getting as much help as he can. Meeting with the Order of the Phoenix."

"What do we do? Where's Draco?"

"Dunno," Fred shrugged his shoulders. "He was gone when we all woke up."

"I know where he went," I gulped. "I know where he went and I have to help him."

"You're not going anywhere," George told me with a firm voice. "We can't lose you too."

"Too?" My heart started racing. "Who... who've we already lost...? Neville?!" I ran up the stairs. "Nev!! Neville, please!!"

"Hazel?" One of the bedroom doors opened. I can't process which one. My mind was in a rush of so much relief seeing my brother okay. I tackled him in a hug and my eyes watered.

The possibility of losing the people I love is hitting me harder than it ever has.

"You okay?" Neville hugged me back. "Is... is this scaring you too?"

"Nev... the twins... they said we'd lost someone. I didn't know where you were or if you'd left. I thought-"

"Don't finish that," He interrupted me. "I'm here and okay. You don't need to finish that sentence."

"We've lost someone?" I pulled back. "Who is it then? Do you know? Why don't I know?"

"Because we were told not to tell you," Neville frowned. "Because it's only a rumor..."

"Nev..." I pulled away from him and looked at his face as he turned it towards the floor.

"I can't lie to you. I love you too much. Just... just don't freak out okay?"

"Nev I don't like this..." I softly whimpered.

"Harry," Neville mumbled. "Rumor has it that he's... offed himself..."

"What?" I whispered. I also heard footsteps behind me which I was grateful for. My knees felt weak and having a strong chest behind me was reassuring. "What... n-no it's... it's not... he wouldn't."

"It's only a rumor," Fred whispered softly into my ear. "It's a rumor, love. That's why we're not freaking out about it."

"But what if he has...?" I scoffed. "Freddie what if he's... what if he's gone?"

"The legendary Harry Potter? Gone?" George said. "There's no way. Plus, your father wouldn't let anything happen to him."

"I need to find them," I shook my head and started down the stairs. "I need to find them and tell them both that I'm okay."

"First place to check would be the school."

"That's where I'm going, then," I noticed Ron and Hermione were gone. And Molly had fled to her bedroom in tears.

"Freddie... we should stay," George frowned and turned to his mother's closed bedroom door. "Mum needs us here..."

"Neville, you go with her," Fred told Neville. Who nodded in agreement. "Good man. Hazel," Fred grabbed my hands and pulled me closer to him. Then he grabbed my face and kissed me. Hard. "Just in case. Though I believe in you."

George snickered and I scoffed in shock, but cracked a grin. "You're insane, Fred Weasley."

"If I wasn't I wouldn't be any fun now would I?"

"I love you both," I told the twins as Neville and I walked into the fireplace. "Stay safe."

"You too, Hazelnut."

And with that, Neville and I suddenly appeared in the empty, dark Gryffindor common room.

It was a bit unnerving seeing it so barren and dark and cold. Completely opposite to the usual cozy, warm, and occupied status it usually has.

"Look!" Neville pointed out one of the windows of the tower towards a group of people standing in the middle of the clock tower courtyard. He took my hand firmly and pulled me after him. "Come on. It looks like they need help."

Neville and I raced out to the small crowd and recognized the faces immediately. Members of the Order as well as school staff.

"Professor, what's going on?" Neville asked his favorite teacher, Professor Sprout.

"Oh, Neville, you and Hazel should be home safe! With family!" She gasped. "What are you doing here?"

"For the record, my parents are out fighting for the cause," Neville explained. "I want to help too. I love this school too. Let us help."

"What's going on?" I asked.

"We're trying to piece together a plan. Thankfully there aren't any students here right now. Well, other than you two," Professor Sprout began. "Arthur Weasley is going around collecting as many of us as he can."

"This is war, children," Professor Flitwick said as he emerged from the crowd of hurried voices. "You best be ready for that it brings."

"We're here to help however we can," Neville said bravely.

Admiration for my brother grew tremendously in my heart. It also made me feel a little braver too.

"Hazel, help me secure Room of Requirement, will you?" Professor Sprout asked. "Neville, you stay here and help the men."

Suddenly the sound of apparation cracked through the air and McGonagall, Kingsley, Arthur Weasley, and mine and Neville's mother Nymphadora, appeared.

Nymphadora ran to us and tightly embraced both of us. "Oh, you two are insane! Just as insane as Remus and I! Here to help, are you?"

"Of course," Neville said once the hug released. "Do you know where Remus is?"

"None of us do. He and Harry disappeared," She frowned. "We've sent a few aurors after them. A search party. But we've had no luck."

"Mr. Weasley," I ran to Arthur, who seemed relieved to see me. "Molly needs you. The twins are with her but they can only do so much to comfort her."

With a curt nod he apparated again. And I felt a peace knowing that at least Molly would get to be with the man she loves.

"Right then," Nymphadora nodded and turned back towards us. "Let's prepare this school for war."