Diving Into You | Fred Weasley

55 | Enemies to Lovers

Once the Burrow had been fixed with all the latest security wards and spells, Naia moved back in to resume her training. She was to begin her apparition lessons as well since the rest of the students at Hogwarts were given the option to learn it too.

She managed to apparate to the other side of the training field after three nearly-failed attempts. Charlie was biting his nails in slight worry, remembering his own apparating experience when he tried it the first time.

Fred and George were extremely busy during New Years, and surprisingly more so when the holidays ended. They were constantly swamped with meetings, and barely had time to make it back to the Burrow.

Naia had been extremely worried about Fred after the incident. He began writing her short letters every day seeing as he couldn't visit. But he could tell she needed a little more updating ever since she thought she had almost lost him. He understood the feeling very well. He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy her fussing just a little, but after a while, he got even more busy and began foregoing the letters back to her.

Naia tried to understand. Of course, she was just worried knowing Deatheaters were out there. Deatheaters who knew Fred was with her and could possibly target the twins. Despite the wards in their apartment being strong, it was Dark Magic for heaven's sake. She couldn't help but worry. When he wouldn't reply to her letters after days, she'd get fussed out. Mrs. Weasley had to soothe and tell her that if anything happened, they'd be the first to know.

As worried as she became, it only worsened when they received Professor McGonagall's patronus alerting them that Ron had been poisoned in the middle of the night. Molly, Arthur, Charlie, and Sirius got up right away to floo to Hogwarts. Naia was permitted to come, considering they'd be going in straight to the school.

They rushed worriedly to the Hospital wing. Naia took a moment to soak in the halls. Being in school again made her realize just how much she actually missed it. Mrs. Weasley was beside herself with worry as Professor McGonagall explained how Slughorn and Harry just brought him in like this.

Molly weeped by Ron's bedside and stroked his head like a concerned mother would. Madame Pomfrey eased their worry by saying that he was stable and should wake up within the night. After a while, Dumbledore fetched the group to head to his office for a private chat.

He spoke about how it all happened. The love potion-spiked chocolates, Slughorn's drink, and Harry's quick thinking to shove a bezoar in Ron's mouth. "Gotta say, I didn't know Harry was THAT good in potions and antidotes..." Sirius breathed.

"Thank god for his quick thinking, oh, Ronnie, what would have happened if Harry hadn't been there?!" Mrs. Weasley cried. Dumbledore exchanged a few more words with the adults before they all went to check back on Ron. It was early in the morning now, so Harry and the others would be there.

"If I may have a word with Naia for a moment?" Dumbledore asked just before they took their leave. Sirius looked between them both, almost debating whether it was okay before nodding curtly and leaving the Headmaster's office after the Weasleys.

"What is it you wanted to talk about, Professor?" Naia asked, taking a seat in front of his desk.

"I have not had the chance to talk to you in private, Naia. Forgive me, for I have been much too busy and may have overlooked some aspects concerning you-"

"Oh, don't you worry about me, Professor. It's Harry that needs you the most now," she said understandingly. She didn't want the old man to blame himself. "Yes, but I'm afraid it is not just Harry that is in grave danger..." he looked at her knowingly.

"I understand, and I know I don't have whatever protection he has, but I assure you, I am alright."

"You have stopped asking me about your abilities." He said to her knowingly. Naia sat up straighter. She wasn't sure if Dumbledore knew about her family secret. But given how he had conversed with the Merchieftainess, he had to know to some degree. "Yes, well, I guess I have learned to come to peace with how things are..."