gold rush // f.w.

chapter twenty-three

"Well," Sirius chuckled softly, "There's not much for you to do."

I felt my mouth drop open a bit, "What do you mean?"

Sirius avoided looking at me in the eye as he mumbled, "I mean that we sort of have everything covered right now."

I scoffed and shook my head, "You couldn't have told me that beforehand?"

Sirius smirked and raised both of his hands in defense, "Hey, I didn't say their was nothing for you to do, I just said there wasn't much."

"So," I crossed my arms and glared at him, "What can I do?"

Sirius looked around and scratched his head. My blood was beginning to boil. Sirius knew I was risking a lot by staying home from Hogwarts, and he just didn't tell me that there isn't anything for me to do?

"Well, you can keep watch!" Sirius exclaimed with a smile and I roll my eyes, "Keep watch?"

"Yeah. I mean, I hate to admit it but Molly sort of had a point when she said you should go back to school. You're not exactly equipped with the required knowledge we need from you like healing or protective spells." Sirius's eyes lit up as Tonks walked by.

"But, you could fill in for Tonks and question people who are coming and going, like our security guard."

I debate what he's saying in my head and end up nodding in agreement, "Okay, I'll do it."

"Excellent!" Sirius grabs my shoulders with both of his hands and gives me a smile, "I am very happy that you are here, nonetheless."

I smile sheepishly at him and take out my wand, going to stand guard outside.

I ended up doing this job for the next couple of months, much to Molly's distaste. After a couple of weeks though, she stopped trying to lecture me. Meanwhile, I was getting letters back at gran's house constantly from Neville and George. Still no word from Fred.

George has been trying to fill me in on everything that has been going on at school. He's told me about Dolores Umbridge from the Ministry teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts and Arthur is pretty peeved about that. George also told me they cancelled quidditch for the entire year, which I thought was insane! Neville has been telling me everything about what people are saying about Harry.

Despite the slander, Harry has been leading some students in lessons of defense against the dark arts, as a way to prepare for the war. This information made me really miss being at school. I bet Dumbledore's Army is much more fulfilling than what Sirius has me doing here.

They've both been sparing me the details about what Fred is up to. Thankfully, Hermione has been writing me as well. I received a letter from her last weekend.

Dear Madeline,

We all have been missing you terribly. I wish we had your fearless attitude around here, especially now. Umbridge has completely turned Hogwarts upside down. I'm sure George has told you about the "no quidditch" rule. But, so many things have been changing. I bet you'd love being in Dumbledore's Army though. It's very thrilling! Neville has improved so much, I know you'd be proud of him.

As for Fred, he has been really cold as of late. I think pranking Umbridge with George is the only thing that keeps a smile on his face. He's been trying to act like "Mr. Tough Guy" around, but I caught him crying in the Astronomy Tower the other night. Don't mention it to anyone though. He'd probably kill me, the way he's been acting lately.

Anyway, I hope you are staying well. We love you!

Hermione Granger

It made me sad to think about Fred alone, crying in the Astronomy Tower, but I tried to dwell more on the fact that Neville was okay. I'll admit, it made me a little jealous to know all the things that the students were doing to rebel against the ministry and potentially fight back if they needed to. Thinking about it made me feel guilty and a bit stupid for doing what I did.