I Know The End {Fred Weasley, ACT I}

Chapter 23- An Unlikely Alliance

Eleanor,

Everything is fine here. You are very missed.

Your birthday is coming up next month. I see it falls on the Wednesday before the second Hogsmeade weekend. We should meet then to celebrate. Maybe The Three Broomsticks, maybe somewhere else.

Write back soon by reliable means.

Remus

"Who's it from?" Iris asked, leaning across the table to peek at the letter in Eleanor's hand. The end of her long, blonde hair fell into her butter plate.

"Professor Lupin," Eleanor said simply. She folded the letter into a square and pocketed it before Iris could read it. Not that Iris could have gained any insight from the letter. Lupin had been incredibly careful with his wording incase it were to fall into the wrong hands.

"I always forget he's your godfather," Iris remarked. She threw her hair back over her shoulder, butter tangling a few of the strands. Even if Iris were to remove the butter now, the end of her hair would be sticky for the rest of the day. Sticky and crunchy. It was going to drive her mad.

"He's just asking about my birthday," Eleanor motioned to Iris's buttered hair, "wants to meet at Hogsmeade that weekend."

"Speaking of Hogsmeade," Iris was rubbing her hair viciously with her napkin as she spoke, "we haven't talked about your brother's little meeting yet. Nor the fact that Umbridge disbanded all school organizations."

"Don't get me started," Angelina raged. She slammed her fork and knife on the table, abandoning her breakfast. One could not simply eat and speak of Umbridge simultaneously. It was unfathomable.

"You realize that includes Quidditch, right? We don't have a team as of right now. I went to Umbridge straight away and she wouldn't allow the team to reform. That wicked, joy-stealing wench told me she'd have to think about it. She hates us! It's not fair, the Quidditch team hasn't done anything wrong. I never would have gone to the Hogs Head this weekend if I knew it would cost us Quidditch! If she somehow found out about," Angelina lowered her voice, "Saturday's meeting then why didn't she just outlaw new clubs?"

"For control," Eleanor replied dully. She pushed her eggs around on her plate as the weight of blame fell upon her, heavy and foul. Eleanor knew this was coming. Harry Potter, the apparent ringleader of a children's rebellion. Harry Potter, the founder of the group that dismantled all other groups. Harry and Eleanor Potter, forever intertwined by tragedy and a last name, their separate sins indifferentiable to many. Blame followed the Potters wherever they went.

"No offense Ang, but I think this defense group is more important than Quidditch right now," Alicia said gently. "It's time we prepare ourselves for what's outside these walls."

"I know it is," Angelina relented with a sigh, "but it isn't fair."

"What are you lot going on about?" Fred asked as he and George plopped themselves down at the table on either side of Eleanor, each carrying a broomstick. Fred grabbed a piece of toast before turning to sit the opposite way, surveying the Great Hall.

"Why the hell are you two carrying your brooms around? Haven't you heard-"

"Yes Angelina, we're aware that all teams and clubs have been disbanded," Fred replied with a mouth full of toast.

"You'd have to be deaf not to know that," George added, "it's the talk of the day."

"I asked Umbridge for permission to reform but she wouldn't give it!" Angelina complained.

"Well, try harder," George said with a shrug.

"I am trying! The problem is Harry's on the team and that woman hates Harry. If I replaced him maybe we would get permission, but then we wouldn't win. I've already considered it. No offense, Eleanor," Angelina glanced quickly in Eleanor's direction, "but the needs of the many outweigh those of the few."