Lemon Grass and Sleep

CONNIVING CATCH UP

"Everything sucks," Fred bit out once we had gotten up to the bedroom the twins were staying in.

"Oh, I bet," I said understandingly, watching him pace back and forth.

"So, Sirius wouldn't even let us go see Dad when we got here. Mum isn't even here--so he's the only adult to look after us. Which, I mean, we're adults! So we don't need anyone to look after us!"

"Yes, of course," I nodded quickly when he glanced at me.

"And- And I just, ugh. You know?"

"Mhm."

"I'm not making any sense right now, am I?"

"Well," I said carefully, "You've made more sense before."

Fred let out a deep sigh before plopping down onto his--our--bed. His head fell into the palms of his hands as he looked down at the floor, seeming pretty dejected.

"Well, you've gone to see your dad now, yeah? How was he?"

"No, he's apparently fine," he lightened up a little, sitting up straight, "Happy as a dementor in Azkaban. Just swell, really."

"Why are you saying that like you had hoped he'd be almost dead?"

"I don't know," he mumbled, "It just felt so serious, so to hear him just...acting normal, while we were all so worried, it felt cheap, I guess. I mean, even Dumbledore seemed a little shaken."

"That's understandable, especially if Dumbledore seemed upset."

"I know!" He seemed like there was something he was debating saying, like words were just on the tip of his tongue.

"What is it?" I asked quietly, "Out with it."

His eyes slid back to the ground, head turning away from me as if embarrassed. I didn't hesitate to sit beside him on the bed, hoping that our legs bumping against each other would make him feel comfortable enough to let me know what was on his mind.

"I yelled at Sirius."

I sucked in a breath, threading my fingers together and trying to wrap my head around what might've made him do something as silly as that.

"So, uh, why?"

"He wouldn't let us go see Dad," he muttered, still refusing to look at me. "I was just mad."

"Ah," I replied, wondering what was the next step to comforting someone. "Did you apologize?"

"No," he bit out. "Mum tried to get me to, but I didn't want to. I imagine when she gets back she'll try again."

"Well..." I trailed off, hearing Fred let out another sigh, "I don't mean to side with your mum or anything."

"I know, I know."

"But Sirius is just trying to look out for you, for all of us, really."

"Yeah, but I just- I'm so worried."

"I hope you would, your dad is in hospital."

"Yeah," Fred bit his lip lightly, stewing in thought. "Mum has gone off to visit him, she should be back tomorrow though. She's bringing us all up there."

"All of us?"

"Mhm, why?"

"No reason, just thought they'd want to just take you guys."

"Well, you care about dad too, so."

"Yeah, of course. I just don't know if Glinda will want to go, or if that would make you guys uncomfortable."