𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧 𝐠𝐨 → 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘺

→ chapter ninety six

; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*

Christmas.

A season of joy and happiness. The smell of gingerbread and fresh pine forever flooding your senses, a warm hue that coated each scenery and decorations strung tall and proud to indicate the time of celebration. It was a time that brought people together, a time that was supposed to clear all misery, destroy an aching heart and help find peace.

But how were you supposed to enjoy the season if your family was missing such an essential part of the puzzle? Were you supposed to leave the puzzle unfinished? Or do you simply pack it away and forget that the missing piece ever existed?

"Still no trace of her?" Molly asked, her eyes not looking up from the Christmas present she was wrapping.

Remus sighed, shaking his head sadly. The order was trying their hardest to find the missing girl, they'd invaded every hideout, every house, and every shop that could indicate Chae's whereabouts but they'd come up empty-handed each time. It was as if the Death Eaters had completely erased Chaerin Chang.

"Remus, Arthur and I don't know what to do anymore! I mean, for Godric's sake look at my son!" said Molly, dropping the present into the pile by the tree.

Remus obliged Molly's request, turning his head to look into the kitchen where Fred Weasley sat alone at the dining table. His vibrant red hair suddenly appeared to seem dull, it was disheveled and his eyes held dark circles underneath them, the colour seemed to have been drained from him completely.

He seemed to have completely lost the spirited colours that were always a natural part of him, ever since he had lost Chae, he was nothing but blue and grey. It was like sucking the filling out of a jam doughnut.

"He hasn't been to work, he barely eats and he does nothing but stress Chae's absence. That radio show has had more appearances of Chae's name than we have since August."

"I know Molly," Tonks sighed. "We're trying, we really are but it seems that whoever took Chae doesn't intend for her to be found."

Molly's fingers dropped the knitting needles abruptly, her head snapping up to meet Tonks' eyes, her eyes pricking with tears as she stared at the Auror in disbelief.

"You don't think she's-"

Before Molly could finish her sentence, Fred came storming into the living room, the veins in his neck pulsing as his jaw was clenched tightly. He stared at his mother in nothing but rage, the once gentle brown eyes were now dark and stormy.

"Don't you say it! Don't you dare say it!" he bellowed.

Molly said nothing, but her response gave away everything. She thought Chae was dead.

But Fred wouldn't believe it. There was no way Chae was dead, she just couldn't be. It was impossible, a world without Chaerin Chang just didn't exist and if it did, well, that was something Fred did not want to discover. He'd rather be blind and oblivious to the world around him.

Although, as the months went by, the picture of Chaerin was fading, even though he'd memorised every part of her, traced over every detail, kissed every imperfection, and loved Chaerin Chang fully. Losing her would be losing part of himself, he'd lose half of his heart and have to suffer through the ache of no longer knowing Chaerin.

He'd have to come to terms with the ghost of her.

"Fred, honey, maybe it's time we-"

"No! No I won't! I won't forget her! And I'll find her! You just watch! I'll find her and I'll bring her home, where she belongs!"

Remus, Tonks, and Molly watched Fred pick up his coat, tears threatening to spill over their barriers whilst he made his way to the door. His large hand wrapped around the doorknob, yanking it open before he slammed it shut with a sickening bang behind him, leaving the three of them in despair.

♡♡♡

Chaerin had been taught many lessons at Malfoy Manor, the most important one of them being that talking would get you killed. So she opted to become mute, the young woman had not opened her lips to utter a single word in over a month.

She had made several attempts to escape, each one of them ending in her covered in her own blood. Chae's body ached with cuts, bruises and a few stab wounds, each one reopening with every hit that touched her skin.

Chae had never looked worse, her appearance now reflected the madness within. Anyone would think that the cat had truly caught her tongue. She had never gone this long without bathing or brushing her hair, she had always been a tidy and organised person.

A stranger was what she had become. A stranger to herself. She was so out of touch with reality that it was certain she'd never be able to return to the person she was in August. August had been washed away by the merciless rain that lashed against her mental and physical wellbeing.

"Chae? Is that really you?" A dream-like voice spoke.

Chae's head shot up instantly, her eyes widening when they fell on the familiar face of Luna Lovegood. Instantly, her heart dropped to her stomach. It couldn't be Luna. Not Luna. Anyone but Luna. The blonde girl's presence penetrated through the numbness of Chaerin, the hole in her chest widening - if that was even possible at this point.

She shook her head rapidly, Luna shouldn't be there. Luna should be at Hogwarts, risk-free from the dangers of the war that raged on outside. But instead, she was right in the middle of it all, from this moment onwards she was a pawn on Lord Voldemort's chessboard.

"She doesn't say much," Olivander spoke up, beckoning Luna over warmly. "Come sit with us dear."

"She's always been rather shy," Luna replied, walking over to take a seat next to the gaunt-looking man and the ruined girl.

"Well, she doesn't speak at all anymore," Olivander explained, handing Luna some of the water the pair had saved.

"Oh, that's a shame. I'd always thought that Chaerin had a lovely voice, it was very soothing."

Luna's comment caused a tear to fall from Chae's eyes, she swiped it away quickly. Crying would not make things better, even if it often made her feel better she was sure that Olivander was tired of hearing her weep and she did not want Luna to worry.

Chae smiled at Luna sadly, Olivander rubbing her back gently as Luna offered Chae some water which she declined. Chae was certain that water would no longer fix her dehydration. It was up to her to fix things, she had no choice but to pick up the broken puzzle pieces and try to finish the puzzle with a few torn pieces.

a/n~ hey angels !! sorry this chapter is so late, i planned to rewrite it but i haven't had time ! please remember to vote and comment <3