Raven (Fred x oc)

85. Back Again, Grown-Up Addition

"Happy Birthday, Harry," I said, handing over my present as I came inside.

"Thanks, Valerie," he replied, taking the box. Soon we were all in the back and Molly was handing out the cake.

"There have been another couple of dementor attacks," Remus said, taking the cake offered to him. "And they've found Igor Karkaroff's body in a shack up north. The Dark Mark had been set over it, well, frankly, I'm surprised he stayed alive for even a year after deserting the Death Eaters. Sirius' brother, Regulus, only managed a few days as far as I can remember."

"Yes, well," Molly said. "Perhaps we should talk about something diff-"

"Did you hear about Florean Fortescue, Remus?" Bill interrupted. "The man who ran-"

"The ice cream place in Diagon Alley?" Harry interrupted. "He used to give me free ice creams. What's happened to him?"

"Dragged off by the look of the place," Bill explained.

"Why?" Ron asked.

"Who knows? He must've upset them somehow. He was a good man, Florean."

"Talking of Diagon Alley looks like Ollivander's gone too," Mr. Weasley said.

"The wand-maker?" Ginny exclaimed.

"That's the one," Arthur confirmed. "Shop's empty. No sign of a struggle. On one knows whether he left voluntarily or was kidnapped."

"But wands," Ginny countered. "What'll people do for wands?"

"They'll make do with other makers," Remus replied. "But Ollivander was the best, and if the other side have got him it's not so good for us."

"Remus," I interrupted. "This is Harry's birthday. Let's talk about something else."

"I couldn't agree more," Molly said.

"Molly, we can't ignore the truth of what's going on," Arthur said.

"No," I agreed. "But, we can enjoy the good things we get to celebrate without bringing the darkness in all the time."

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"Hey, babe," I said, rushing around my room and frantically packing as he came into the room. "Gosh, I have so much I need to do still. I need to finish packing, give my instructions to Kreacher, I need to pick up money from Bill."

"Calm down, Luv," Fred said, grabbing my shoulders. I sighed, trying to calm down. "I can go and pick up your money from Bill. You focus on everything here."

"Thank you," I said, kissing him. "I'll see you for dinner, okay? I have to leave first thing tomorrow."

"You got it," he replied, kissing my cheek. Once he had left, I returned to packing. Turning, I saw that Kreacher had started helping me.

"Oh, thank you," I said. "I just need these clothes packed and the books." Once we had worked together to pack everything, we got everything piled in the front hallway. "Thank you," I said again as we headed down to the kitchen. "You want to help with dinner?"

"Want?" Kreacher repeated. "Mistress giving me a choice?"

"Sure," I replied. "So do you want to?" He nodded and we worked together to cook. Once it was done, I set out dinner, making a third plate for Kreacher, and said, "Okay, so I'll be mostly living at Hogwarts for the year, but I still need you to maintain the house. Just keep it decently clean and I'll give you twelve gallons a week for food and anything else you need and you can always come and see me if you need something."

"Thank you, Mistress," he replied and I saw something like a smile.

After dinner with Fred, we said goodbye and I went to bed.

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"Good morning, Valerie," Dumbledore greeted.

"Morning, Dumbledore," I replied with a smile, setting aside my luggage for the house-elves to take care of.

"Let me show you to your office and explain the new security measures," he suggested. I nodded and he led me toward the Astronomy Tower. "Here is your office."

"Very nice," I said, looking around. It was a roomy office with a large window at the back. A large, dark desk sat in the middle of the room with two chairs on one side and a larger, nicer chair on the other side. On the desk was the box of game Quiddich balls.

"You may, of course, modify it how you see fit," Dumbledore said. "As for where you will be living..." He stepped towards the fireplace, tapping the second brick with his wand.

"So this is where teachers live," I said, staring in awe as the bricks flipped to reveal a bedroom. It was designed with a large four-poster bed, a dresser, closet, and vanity. My luggage had already been moved in and was carefully stacked in a corner.

"I will give you some time to settle in," Dumbledore said. "Meet me in my office in an hour or so? Password is Peppermint Toad." Once he was gone, I unpacked and set up my room. Overall I was happy with the result. The room had already been designed with black and white furniture with blue accents.

I reconfigured the office in the same style as my house with grey-white floors, black, wooden desk, and grey accents. I added light blue curtains and opened them, allowing light in. Inside my room, I added similar curtains to the window in there. Once I had finished, I shut the door to my room and went to find Dumbledore.

"Hello," I said, stepping into his office. Snape and Dumbledore instantly looked up, looking slightly startled. Noticing this, I asked, "Um, am I interrupting something?"

"No," Snape said quickly, leaving the room.

"Right," I said, glancing at his retreating back. Sitting down in Dumbledore's office, I asked, "So, what security procedures did you want me to be aware of?"

"There will be Aurors watching the school at all times," he explained. "You can join in on the shifts if you wish."

"Good," I replied. "Thank you. Anything else?"

"I believe that is everything," he replied. "I wish you the best of luck, Madam Black."

"That sounds so weird," I laughed.

"You're right," he remarked. "Perhaps, Madam Weasley is more accurate." I laughed. "Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you," I replied, smiling. "Well, I should go get some work done. Thank you, Dumbledore."