my inheritance (g.w x o.c)

chapter thirty-five: between a wand and a hard place

I rushed to the door. I needed to get out of here to preserve any sliver of dignity I had left. "Larissa?"

I closed my eyes for a moment. "Bloody hell, what do you want now?" I snapped, looking back at him. "I've already poured my heart out, there's not much dignity I have left to be destroyed."

"They're going back to the Burrow."

"But-"

"They fixed it the day after you went by and amplified their protection spells, but as far as I know, the location for Potter hasn't changed."

I looked at him for a moment. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I know what it's like to be the one on this side of things." I furrowed my brow. "I couldn't help her, but I can help you. Maybe in turn, you can help him."

"Thank you, Snape," I spoke quietly after a moment of silence. I turned to leave.

"You have to know I didn't intend to hit him," he added. "I was aiming for Gilley."

"Well, I have better aim anyways," I joked, looking back at him. He didn't smile, but his face relaxed slightly. "I'll be back."

"Don't be seen. The last thing we need is someone taking you. Then they're all good as dead."

I nodded before heading out. No one was left in the hall or the foyer. So I continued outside. Once I was out of sight, I apparated as close as possible to the Weasley's home. Considering I didn't have the dark mark, I wasn't blocked from entering the protection spells. I walked up quietly and as hidden as possible. I made it all the way to the house. I snuck up beside a window, standing out of view and taking slow, deep breaths. I cautiously looked around the window at the couch. At first, Molly Weasley blocked my view. I could see the legs of one of the twins who was laid out on the couch, the other sat in a chair beside the couch, but his back was to me. I took in the rest of the house. Members of the Order sat at the table, including Arthur Weasley, Lupin, Tonks, Bill Weasley, and Shacklebolt. There were lights on upstairs so I assumed the rest of the kids were upstairs.

"We have to get going. We need to find Mad-Eye's body before the Death Eaters do," Bill explained, standing up along with Shacklebolt.

"Oh, please be safe," Molly begged, rushing over to hug Bill goodbye. I immediately looked at who was on the couch.

George.

Luckily, he was alive. He was actually laughing at something the other had said. And his smile gave him away. Despite the blood on his face and the bandage around his head, the way his smile sent electricity through my body immediately told me who it was. He was alive. That's all that mattered. Yet, I still couldn't breathe. I pressed myself against the wall as I tried to catch my breath. Who knew if any of the others had seen me in the 30 seconds I wasn't paying attention. I didn't care. The assurance his smile gave me made me forget all common sense. I looked back inside. Him and Fred talked about some subject I'm sure made zero sense but was something I would've loved to hear. I honestly wanted nothing more than to run inside and hold him forever. Just to know he was alive and to feel him breath in my arms. I was so entrapped in the momentary peace this scene brought me that I failed to notice more than just Bill and Shacklebolt had left the house.

"Don't make any sudden moves, Ms. Prince," a very familiar voice warned from behind me. I mentally cursed as I felt his wand touch between my shoulders. "Just show me your hands..." I held them up. "Now turn around." I turned back to face Lupin. He looked like he'd aged 50 years since I last saw him.

"I'm not here to hurt anyone," I explained. He looked at me for a moment.

"How did you know we'd be here?"