Roses and Riots | f. weasley

Chapter 60: The Will

A/N: Hi! It's taking a bit longer to update because I'm trying to plan out Deathly Hallows stuff going forward, which always takes a bit of time to get right! I hope you're all enjoying so far <3

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Harry walked out of the Burrow during the night, a packed bag on his back, a firm decision made in his mind. Mad-Eye was dead, Hedwig had sacrificed herself for him, George had been grievously injured, and Emilia had barely made it back to them alive.

It had been too close, too much damage done in the course of one night, all because they'd tried to get him somewhere safe.

"Going somewhere?" came Ron's voice from behind him. He'd tried not to wake Ron, but perhaps his friend hadn't been able to sleep either.

"Nobody else is going to die, not for me," Harry said gravely.

"For you?" Ron said disbelievingly. "You think Mad-Eye died for you? You think George took that curse for you? You think Emilia took that fall for you?"

Harry turned to look at Ron who shook his head, "you may be the Chosen One, mate, but this is a whole lot bigger than that. It's always been bigger than that."

Harry knew he was right, and he knew he couldn't do this alone.

"Come with me," he said suddenly.

"What, and leave Hermione? Are you mad? We wouldn't last two days without her, or Emilia," Ron said.

"Emilia isn't coming with us," Harry said shortly, his eyes blazing with resolve.

"What? Why?" Ron asked in confusion.

Harry ran a hand through his hair and shook his head, she almost died last night, Ron, and whatever you say, I still feel responsible. She's my sister, she has a life here, this isn't her fight."

"It's all of our fights, mate," Ron said.

Harry scowled, "the three of us can go, then. But that's it."

Ron was still unsure, "it's Emilia's choice if she wants to come with us."

Harry was quiet for a moment before speaking, "she's spent her whole life protecting me, now it's my turn. I can't lose the last of my family, Ron, I can't."

Ron sighed and nodded reluctantly, and Harry deflated slightly, "this stays between us, alright?"

"It's your call mate, but we need to tell Hermione, we won't survive without her." He looked anxiously back at the house, "but, um, don't tell her I said that."

"Okay, we wake her up and we go tonight," Harry said, hoisting the strap of his bag higher onto his shoulder.

Ron gave Harry a withering look, "we both know that's a shit idea, mate. You've still got the Trace on you, and we've still got the wedding-"

"I don't care about a wedding," Harry said in exasperation. "I'm sorry. No matter whose it is. I have to start finding these Horcruxes. They're our only chance to beat him, and the longer we stay here, the stronger he gets."

"Tonight's not the night, mate. We'd only be doing him a favour," Ron reasoned.

Harry relented, and Ron took his bag, and they walked back to the house.

"We will go, but I'd rather not face those two girls if we didn't give them the option of coming with him, that'd be a death wish in itself," Ron said, slinging an arm over Harry's shoulders.

"A few more days, then we'll go, okay?"

Harry nodded, "okay."

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