They call me a criminal

Chapter 53

"Clara" I opened my eyes to see my father standing above me. "We have them." I narrowed my eyes, "who do you have?" He smiled, "everyone who you've ever loved." I shook my head, "that's not
possible. You're dead."

He kicked open a door, and indeed I saw all my friends tied up begging for my help. Their cries filled my ears and I fell back onto the ground. "You shouldn't have killed me, because now they're all going to die."

I pushed myself up seeing Fred and George were both awake but it was still nighttime. "Why are you guys awake?" Fred stared down at me, "You're talking in your sleep, you won't stop moving." I nodded, "I'm sorry." I stood up, "I'm going to get a glass of water. Go back to bed." Fred kissed my forehead and I left the room standing in the hallway.

Eventually I decided to lay down in my bed. Remus and Sirius were asleep so I quickly crept over, laying down, and staring up at the ceiling. As the room
got brighter I heard them whisper to each other.

"Clara," Sirius whispered. I looked over at them. "Yeah?" I watched as he stood up walking over to me, "I thought you were in Fred's room." I shook my head, "couldn't sleep in there." He gently kissed my forehead, "sleep longer if you need dear."

When I opened my eyes again I realized it had to have been much later in the day. Slowly I pulled off my covers grabbing the first sweater I saw. My hair was tossed up messily in a bun, and my head turned as Remus walked in. "Hello dear." I gave him a small smile. "The meeting from yesterday has resumed, if you want to join." I nodded following him down the steps into the kitchen.

Molly hit her hand off the table, "No, absolutely not. Clara is not hearing any of this again." Madeye glared at her, "That is not your decision to make. Clara currently has no legal advisor, or parent for that matter..." he stopped short realizing what he'd said. I bit my lip being reminded of the unimaginable. "I'm sorry." Sirius shook his head, "you're really that thick.. you didn't think about what the hell you just said before you spat it out?" Mad eye out his arms up, "Clara, I didn't mean to be so direct, I was simply stating the obvious. There's no one to make decisions for you. Legally at least."

I shook my head, "Sirius and Remus make decisions for me, if they say I can be here, I can. With everything I've given you, all the memories you asked me to rewatch, I deserve to be here."

Sirius pulled out a chair for me, "of course you do." Madeye looked at me, "I'm going to give you the truth. Only because you're the toughest kid I've ever met and I know you can handle it." I stared at him, unsure if I wanted to hear what he was going to say. "You've escaped death on Voldemort's orders twice now, it's no doubt you're in danger. My personal belief is Hogwarts is your safest choice."

"What the hell are you thinking?" Sirius scoffed. Remus glared at Madeye, "that was out of line." I looked up and whispered, "where else would I go?" Sirius placed his hand on my shoulder, "no where sweetheart, you're going back to Hogwarts and you're going to be fine." Remus agreed, "everyone here is going to make sure you and Harry are untouched."

I bit my lip, "I go back in a week. How are you going to know if something happens?" Sirius stood up kneeling in front of my chair, "Clara you can't be scared, let us do all the worrying." I sighed, "It's hard not to be scared." Madeye nodded, "of course you're scared and you have every reason to be." Remus scoffed, "enough. You're going to be alright and that's the end of this danger discussion."

Molly stood up, "Clara, go see Fred or Harry just go anywhere but here." I pushed my chair back, taking a moment to study all their concerned faces. This didn't reassure me that we'd be safe at school.

I walked into the den seeing Harry talking with Ron and Hermione. "Hey," I whispered this being my first word to Ron and Hermione all summer. "Clara," Harry smiled welcoming me in. "They think we're in danger this year." Hermione leaned forward, "who's in danger?" I nudged Harry, "us." Ron nodded, "we're not going to let anything happen." I pulled my knees up to my chest, "no one can promise me that."