What's wrong, Starlight? || Fred Weasley FF

0.1 - The Burrow

"Protect him, Autumn. You mean more to him than you could ever know."

"AUNT LILY, NO-!"

I awoke in a cold sweat, my vision blurred and unfocused in the dim light of my room. I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. "Time to get up, sleepyhead." Hermione sung cheerily, opening my curtains. "We need to get to the Weasley's soon."

Great. Here we go again.

"Hermione, you can't just burst into my room like that." I grumble at her. This encounter, unfortunately enough- had not been the first time she'd happily woken me up at unworldly hours of the morning.   Hermione scoffed, "I can if it means we get to The Burrow in time to wake everyone else up for the quidditch world cup." she smirked with her arms crossed. I thought on it for a moment.

"Alright, you win." I shrug and roll out of bed, sliding on a dark red jumper knitted by Mrs Weasley. Hermione exited the room, humming some unknown tune to herself and wearing a grin on her face. Noticing this, I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly, hoping she heard. I then went to packing my things: those being my several changes of clothes and stuffing them all in a suitcase; all of my books bound and shoved into my bottomless bag Hermione had charmed for me years ago; and of course my miscellaneous things- which were mostly comprised of art materials.

I placed all of it neatly and safely in my trunk and stepped back, dusting my hands off somewhat dramatically and admiring my work. I hadn't realized I zoned out until I heard my owl Ares, squawk from his cage near my window and snap me back to reality. 

"Alright, alright, I hear you- you silly bird." I said affectionately, running my finger along the back of his head after I had taken him out. "Are you sure you can take that distance? You do realize it's not really a walk in the park." Ares simply hooted in return, his feathers fluffing indignantly around his head. I laugh softly and open my window, leaning out onto the sill. 

"If you're sure, then I'm sure." I nod and hold my arm out. Ares takes no time to leap off and into the morning sky. "If I don't see you there in Two days, I'm tearing apart the Wizarding AND Muggle worlds to find you!" I call to him urgently. He circles back for a moment and then continues in his original flight path. 

This was his first long trip since he had an accident during my second year and broke his wing severely. Most people were sure he'd never fly again, as the area near his shoulder was too delicate and complicated to rely on anything more than a few healing potions to aid in bone repair. It's been a long time since he's flown so far, and I think he can do it.. it just- makes me a little nervous, is all. 

I once again am scared back to my room when Hermione sticks her head in and reminds me to grab my things and 'get a move-on'. "I'm COMING  'Mione, let me freshen up first!" I retort, exasperated with her antics and anticipation to leave.

I quickly run over to my bed again and begin getting ready by scooping up my wide leg jeans, well-worn white t-shirt, and my 'Weird Sisters' sweatshirt and rushing into the bathroom. I quickly throw all the clothes on and then begin to fix my hair the best I could without being able to use magic outside of school- which really is a pain when you're trying to look your best. I then leave my bathroom again after deciding on a half-up, half-down look on my hair and grab all my things, Ares's cage included- and head to the living room where Hermione is already saying her goodbyes to our parents. 

"Oh, Autumn! You look so pretty!" my mother came over and embraced me momentarily, but tightly as her eyes watered. I grunt, "Thanks, mum" She pulled back, cupping my cheeks, "Well I doubt your mother needs an excuse to call you pretty."