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

0.3 - Headaches and Hogwarts

I gasped harshly and attempted to regain my breath and my bearings.

'Where am I? What happened? Is everyone okay? Is-'  What little thoughts I had were interrupted by searing pain shooting up my side and exploding into my skull. I cried out and grabbed the closest thing I could, which happened to be a handful of dirt.  "Be gentle Ron! You idiot- if you aid in killing my sister I swear I'll-" "Hermione calm down, she'll be okay." Two familiar voices rang through my already throbbing head, and somewhat soothed it. I cried out again and openly sobbed as my side felt as if it was being torn apart. "Autumn it's okay! We'll heal you and make it stop hurting, I promise- just please hold still!" I heard Hermione call from somewhere close by.  "'Mione? Make it stop now, please - I'm begging you." 'C'mon, Autumn. Pull yourself together,'    "I promise I'll do anything- just make it stop!" my voice came out in broken fragments as I fought for air through blinding agony.

I felt someone maneuver their crossed legs underneath my head and hold the sides of it, looking down at me. He wore a face wrought with empathy and blue eyes full of worry.  "Fred?" I rasped for a moment, attempting to sit up. I immediately returned to where I was laying with a loud hiss. Fred flinched, but nonetheless managed to say something. "Try not to move so much. Everyone is safe. Hermione, Ron and George are right here and they're alright." He spoke softly, brushing loose strands of hair away from my tear-streaked face. "Dad's almost done patching you up, and then we'll work on.. something. For afterwards, Okay?" His words were comforting at least, but were most likely conversation to distract me. I nodded and choked back another sob, as Arthur removed the last of the debris. My chest heaved in shallow, ragged breaths as things began to go dim. 'Not again-'   I thought irritably. "Is it over...?" I asked slowly, fighting for consciousness. 

"Nearly done. Hang in there, love." Fred reassured. I hissed again as a magical poultice was applied and my midsection was wrapped. I was slowly sat up by the aforementioned twin with the help of Hermione, and then hoisted to my feet. Apparently we had to keep moving to find Harry, which wasn't really a challenge if you follow the yelling. 

A chorus of "STUPEFY" repeatedly sounded and sparks flew. I yelled out a "STOP, WAIT!" and Mr Weasley joined in, aggressively shoving a man aside and yelling a warning about Ron. It didn't take much for them to hear us and cease the attack, after Arthur had checked on his son, Harry, and Hermione, the previous man ran up with his wand brandished. 

"WHICH ONE OF YOU CONJURED IT!?" He screamed. 

"Crouch, you couldn't possibly-" Arthur started defensively,  but was interrupted. 

"Don't you dare lie! You've been discovered at the scene of the crime-!" The man known as 'Crouch' finished, more fear than anger in his tone.

 "Crime?" Harry asked incredulously,  and Arthur added on, "Barty, they're just kids!"    Hermione whispered something unintelligible to Harry and he then spoke up: "Voldemort? Those people tonight- the masks, they're his too, aren't they?  His followers?"  

Arthur gave a grim nod, "Death eaters." he confirmed.  

Mr Crouch paled and turned to leave.

 Harry called out "Wait-! There was a man-.. he went that way." Harry pointed off towards an especially ominous patch of darkness and promptly the group of wizards and witches charged off in pursuit of Harry's claim.

  "Well, I'd say all in all, a pretty uneventful night." I winced after a beat of heavy silence- trying to lighten the mood wasn't an option. Fred simply shook his head with a small smile and we headed off towards the portkey with which we arrived here in the first place.