Decree No.29 (HP AU)

Epilogue

4 Months Later

Snow blanketed the crooked roof of the Burrow, clinging to the eaves and glittering in the moonlight. Inside, the narrow house was overflowing with joyfulness—fires roaring in every grate, Molly's enchanted garlands twinkling along the beams, the table crammed with enough food to feed a small army. Laughter and chatter filled every corner, spilling out the windows into the Christmas night.

Jessica sat squashed on the worn sofa between Fred and George, a mug of spiced-cider warming her hands as Ron and Harry bickered over a chessboard at the low table. Ginny watched with amusement, occasionally chiming in to throw Ron off his strategy as Tonks egged her on. Arthur's head was bent close to Bill's in the corner, while Molly fussed over Regulus and Remus, who had both made a reluctant appearance but were already loosening in the familiar chaos of this new adopted family.

For Jessica, it was overwhelming in the best way. So much life and love was packed into every room of the Burrow, and it had become her favourite place.

Fred leaned closer as Harry groaned over another loss to Ron. His voice was pitched low, meant only for her.
"Still nothing," he said lightly, though his eyes searched hers.

Jessica blinked, then caught his meaning. "Still no visions?"

He shook his head, a crooked grin tugging at his mouth. "Not a single one. And before you ask - I'm sleeping fine. No strange dreams, no shadows creeping in. I think that had more to do with you than either of us realized."

Relief loosened something in her chest, a weight she hadn't known she was still carrying. She let out a small breath and smiled. "Good. That's really good."

"You haven't had any either?" Fred asked.

"No," Jessica said. "Dumbledore even offered me lessons with Trelawney—see if I could bring the visions out on my own, learn to control them—but...I'd rather just be normal for a while, especially as I haven't had any since that time."

"Shame," George cut in with a grin. "Would've been brilliant, having a seer in the family."

"I still am one," Jessica replied, her smile tilting. "Just not an active one."

Fred gave a short laugh, then nudged her knee with his. "Fair enough. They did give you hell."

Jessica leaned back, watching the firelight dance across the room. "So," she asked, turning the conversation, "how's the shop? You said Christmas was going to be busy."

"Sales are through the roof," George whispered proudly, leaning in as the fire popped behind him. "Top seller's your floating jewelry charms. Parents of daughters can't get enough of them."

Jessica's smile wavered, her gaze drifting toward the frosted windowpanes. "I wish I could see it," she admitted softly. "I haven't been by since the start of term."

Fred gave a small shrug, lounging against the sofa cushions. "Eh, the shop looks the same. We're the ones who've changed. For one, we can actually afford our own suits now—brand new—rather than inheriting Bill's cast-offs."

Jessica's giggle slipped out before she could stop it, and she nodded toward Fred's crisp green dress shirt. The fairy lights strung along the banister picked out the shimmer in the fabric. "Oh, like this one? So good of you to finally support Slytherin for me."

Fred pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense, though his grin betrayed him. "Love, I would sooner hex myself than support that house. It's green because it's festive. I'm trying to spread holiday cheer, get in the spirit."

George clicked his tongue and leaned forward, his eyes glinting mischievously at Jessica in the firelight. "See, I would've said I wore it to match your eyes. Jess, there's still time to trade him in for me, you know—the better twin."