gold rush // f.w.

chapter twenty-two

Today was the day. Everyone was going back to Hogwarts and I was staying home. Fred was not very happy with my decisions, obviously. After the meeting we had with Sirius and his parents, we talked about if for close to two hours.

"I wish you would have talked to me about this before you just made the decision," Fred said, rubbing his hands over his face. We were seated on his front porch.

I sighed and I tried to reach for him, but he pulled away. That hurt but I decided to not dwell on it. He was angry and I guess it was okay for him to be. I didn't tell him about when I reached out to Sirius or when I committed to not going back to school.

"Fred, I'm sorry. I truly am. But, I know you wouldn't have let me go through with it and I have to," I found myself talking to him almost like I was begging for him to allow me to stay home.

He didn't look at me, he just laughed and turned away from me, "You are so stubborn."

I laughed at his statement, but he wasn't kidding. He got up and went into the house.

That was the last time we spoke.

George had been writing to me still, telling me that Fred just needed some time and that he would get over it eventually. But, it had already been this long and I haven't heard from him. It made me feel uneasy knowing that he'd be going back to school and we were in a fight.

I just wish I knew what this meant for us. Was this his way of ending things? Was he just giving me the silent treatment so I would give in and go to school? Was I going to have to make the first move in contact? If so, I'd have to wait until I knew for sure that they were back at Hogwarts. I wanted to talk to him, I really did but I also thought he was being ridiculously immature.

Neville's voice broke my thoughts, "Are you sure you don't want to come, Madeline?"

I smiled and nodded, "It's best if I stay here. I can't leave her here alone."

Neville sighed, looking disappointed.

"You know, Harry is going back to Hogwarts. It's more dangerous there than it is here. I think gran will be alright."

I sigh and walk over to my brother, placing my hands on his shoulders, "Better to be safe than to be sorry."

"Death eaters aren't going to come to our house. They'll all be focused on Harry and you know it!"

I could tell Neville was getting angry with my decision to stay and it made my heart sink to my stomach.

"Nev, Fred is already furious with me. I don't need you to be too," I sighed and Neville shook his head.

"Fred's got every right to be mad at you. If you ask me, it's pretty selfish what you're doing."

Neville's words truly stunned me and I stepped back from my brother, who was staring at his feet.

Anyone who knew Neville knows that it's hard for him to speak his mind, especially to me. I can't say that I'm the best role model for Neville but I know he really looks up to me and values my opinion.

"Neville," I began but he cut me off.

"It would probably more of a service to the Order of the Phoenix if you came back to Hogwarts. You're not doing much for the war efforts by staying home."

I try to argue back. "Sirius said-"

This only made Neville more mad, "Oh so Sirius Black's opinion is suddenly so much more important than that of your friends and family?"

I shook my head, lost for words and Neville shook his head too, "I'm sorry Maddie. I'm just worried."

I stepped closer to him and wrapped him in a hug, "It's okay Neville. It's okay for you to be upset with me. Joining the Order is just something that I think I really need to do."