Christmas break arrives, and the halls of the castle are almost completely deserted. There is no Christmas magic in the castle this year. Just stress and anxiety. I stick very close to Snape, the emptiness of everything making me jumpy. My brain keeps insisting that Amycus Carrow is waiting for me in every dark corner. I have my wand now, so at least I'm not defenseless. But the fear still lingers.
Ginny and I have been passing notes every couple of days. She tells me about some of her an Neville's efforts. They've been using the Room of Requirements again, and it reminds me of seventh year with Dumbledore's Army. While I can't openly help, I ask her to think ways I can help from afar.
Two days after the students return home for the holidays, I get a note from an unfamiliar owl. I haven't gotten a single letter in the time I've been here, so it's a bit strange. The envelope lands in my lap during breakfast, and under the Carrows' watchful gazes, Snape takes it from me. He reads it before handing it back to me. At first look, it appears to be a team card from Puddlemere, wishing me a happy holiday season. I fight back a smile as I put it in my pocket. The handwriting on the inside is recognizable to me as Ginny's.
That night, when I am sure Snape is asleep, I pull out the card and whisper the password.
"Arnold." The script appears on the blank spaces of the card.
'H
On the way home, the train was attacked by Death Eaters. I'm not completely sure why, but they took Luna Lovegood. Perhaps because of what her father prints in the Quibbler? Please let me know if you hear anything about her. We are very worried. The Death Eaters didn't cause m7uch trouble outside of the kidnaping. Lavender Brown sustained some minor injuries trying to protect Luna, as they were together when it happened.
Also, I've met Fred's new girlfriend. I don't like her. She isn't you. Do you want me to cast my bat-bogey hex on her? I'll gladly do it, if you want. Actually I might just do it anyway.
Happy Holidays!
Love,
G'
I vanish the words, putting the card in my cardboard box of a closet. I lay down, pulling the blankets up to my chin. My mind is racing. What did they do with Luna? Is she okay? What was her father publishing in the Quibbler than angered them so much?
I try to keep my thoughts focused on that. What I can do to learn about the girl's location. Ways to help. But Fred keeps creeping into my mind. I take a bit of comfort in the fact that Ginny likes me more than her. But I want Fred to like me better.
I want Fred.
In the dark silence of my room, I let the tears come. I clutch my pillow, muffling my sobs in the soft down.
***
I dream.
I am walking thought a forest, the dead leaves on the ground, coated in a layer of fresh snow. I see a warm glow distance. Beside me, a silver doe appears. She gazes at me for a moment before trotting on ahead. I start to follow it as it glides along. The dear pauses when it reaches the edge of a clearing. It remains just in the tree line, waiting. I peek around the trees and spot a dingy white tent. A boy with messy black hair sits, slumped in the doorway of the canvas.
As the light from the deer shines on his face, he awakens. He notices the creature and jumps to his feet, drawing a wand. The patronus take a few more steps closer, fulling illuminating the boy's face. Harry Potter and the deer keep eye contact for a tense moment, before the patronus turns and walks away.
"No." Harry whispers desperately. "Come back!"
The deer just continues through the trees. After a second of hesitation, the boy follows. They travel deeper and deeper into the forest. At long last, the deer stops. She turns to look at the boy one last time, before vanishing as he runs to catch her.
He skids to a stop, nearly falling down in the slippery snow. n He raises his wand and casts a lumos charm, replacing the lost light. After spinning around, trying to find any clue about the doe, he falls to his knees. I notice he's on the edge of a half frozen puddle. I peek over his shoulder, down into the cold water. Glittering far below, distorted by the rippling water, lies the sword of Gryffindor.
***
I wake in the middle of the night, absolutely covered in sweat. This is what Snape meant. What Dumbledore told him I would know. I scramble out of bed, nearly tripping over my blankets. Without a second thought, I burst into Snape's side of the room.
"Sir!' I gasp, mind frantic. I hadn't truly expected for Dumbledore to be right about this.
"What?" He sits up, blinking and disoriented. He pushes his hair out of his face with both hands. I freeze, my cheeks reddening as I discover he sleeps shirtless. A criss cross of scars decorate his pale chest. Some of them are white and faded, others pink and new.
"Are you okay?" I blurt out, looking up from his chest.
"Occupational hazard." He yawns.
"Oh, right." My eyes flick back down.
"Why are you here?" He prompts me, sighing.
"My dream!" I exclaim, blushing again. "I had a dream."
"I pray you mean a seer dream. I'd rather not be privy to your school girl fantasies." He grumbles, running a a hand over his tired face.
"Of course." I scowl. "Just use your mind stuff and look at it. It will be easier than explaining."
"Very well." He rolls his eyes, gesturing for me to sit on the bed. I sit, closing my eyes and trying to keep my mind open. I feel the slight tickle of his presence as he gently reviews my dream. When I feel his retreat, I open my eyes
"It seems the old man still manages to be right." HE complains, pulling his hair back into a bun. The look takes me by surprise, and I can't help my smirk. "We still don't have the when, but this answers most of the other questions."
"Is the doe you patronus?" I ask, a bit worried I'm intruding.
"Yes," he murmurs softly. "A memory of the past."
"I'll let you know if I see anything about the timing." I promise, turning to leave. "Good night, professor."
He just hums in response, deep in thought. I go back to my bed, trying to fall asleep once more. It takes a while, but eventually, exhaustion wins out, and I fall into a fitful slumber.
**************************************************************
Happy New Year Loves! Thank you so much for reading! I really appreciate all the votes and comments, they always make me so excited when I get the notifications. <3
YOU ARE READING
Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape
FanfictionHazel Taylor is in her seventh year at Hogwarts. Things with Voldemort are escalating, and Umbridge is not helping anything. She's just trying to survive the year and make it through her Newts. But things don't exactly go as planned for this Huff...
