Decree No.29 (HP AU)

The Homecoming Of the Black Prince

"This is your last chance. You can back out now, and we'll take you home," Bill said, his voice low and firm.

The three of them stood beneath the great, drooping limbs of an ancient willow, its shadow splayed like dark fingers across the grassy clearing. The air hung heavy with dampness, and the moon—thin and sharp as a sickle—carved silver lines across the treetops. Behind them, the countryside was silent; ahead, the Nott estate waited like a predator holding its breath.

Jessica sat against the base of the tree, knees pulled to her chest, her fingertips worrying a loose thread on the cuff of her hoodie. The others couldn't see the tears swimming quietly in her eyes—but she could feel them, a pressure behind her vision like a storm just off the horizon.

"No," she said, barely more than a whisper. "I can't walk away from this. If I do, I'll never be whole. I've lived my life not knowing who I am, not knowing why I am who I am. I can't go forward until I look back. I need to see this through."

Her words fell into the stillness like stones dropped in water, sending ripples through the group.

Tonks stood nearby, arms crossed, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. She turned slightly, studying Jessica's profile.

"Also, you call the Burrow her home," she said, addressing Bill, her voice quiet but unyielding. "But this—this bloodline, these people—are her origin. She deserves to face it. To own it, or reject it. But it should be her choice. I should know."

Bill opened his mouth, then closed it again. His jaw worked visibly.

"These people tried to kill her," he said finally. "They wanted to make her you-know-who's servant."

"My family tried to make me the same," Tonks replied evenly. "And yet here I am—fighting for the good side. Family history doesn't have to be a life sentence Bill."

Jessica looked between them, absorbing every word. Her voice trembled when she spoke again.

"Every time I close my eyes, I see him. Regulus. I don't know his voice, I don't know his laugh... but I know him. Somewhere deep inside me, I know he's part of me. I just need to see if he's down there."

Tonks moved to her side and dropped to a crouch. She gently placed a hand on Jessica's cheek, brushing a tear away with her thumb.

"No matter what we find," Tonks whispered, "you have us. Me. Bill. Fred. The Weasleys. The Order. Blood or friendship, we'll be your family."

Jessica wrapped her arms around Tonks, suddenly and fiercely, burying her face in her shoulder.

"Thank you," she choked. "I doubt though that after all this, you'd want nothing to do with me, especially Fred. I seem to bring him nothing but chaos."

Behind them, Bill glanced away, clearing his throat. His voice, when he spoke, was gentler than it had been before.

"You know Fred would follow you into a basilisk's mouth, right?" he said.

Jessica looked up, startled by the shift. "What?"

"He's stubborn," Bill added with a faint smile. "But he's not stupid. He sees you—all of you. Don't ever doubt that. I told you, Weasley loyalty is forever, and that goes for all of us."

Jessica wiped her nose with her sleeve and managed a shaky laugh. Bill and Tonks, her surrogate older siblings. They had been her first mentors, the only people who believed in her when others didn't, and now, they were still with her a year later when she was about to go through one of the most significant moments of her life. She called herself lucky for it. They were two of the best people she had ever met.