Weasley Twins - A Fate You Can't Escape

Chapter 153 - Where Can He Be?

When I stumble through the floo at the apartment that night, I am even further disappointed to find that Fred isn't home either.  I try to shrug off the hurt that I'm feeling as prepare for bed, taking extra long time in the shower.

I sit down on the couch next to George as I towel dry my hair.

"How was the moon?"

"Horribly painful and humiliating.  I got tossed out of my cell completely naked by the guards."

"Geez."  He shakes his head.  "Was Fred late or something?"

"No.  Never showed.  I thought he'd be in a meeting or something like last month."  I bite my lip, refusing to let the tears fully form in my eyes.  

"What meeting?"

"He sent Draco last month to get me, said he had a meeting."  I remind him.  "Figured you guys were making agreements with other stores and such."

"We have those types of contracts, but we haven't been making any new ones as of late.  We can barely keep up with the current demand as it is."  His knee bounces, both of us realizing he's been lying to both of us.

"Where did he say he was this morning?" 

"He said he went to pick you up."

"And did he ever come back?"  I swallow hard, my chest feeling tight.

"No."

"I'm going to ask Molly if she knows anything."  I stand up.  "I'm trying not to jump to any conclusions, but at this point, I'm tired of the roller coaster."

"Yeah..."  He hesitates.  "What's a roller coaster?"

Despite the stress and hurt I'm feeling, his question makes me burst out laughing.

"I'll show you sometime.  Seems right up your alley."  I pat his shoulder and turn back the floo.  A moment later I step out into the Burrow, not caring I'm still in my pajamas.

I hear someone in the kitchen.

"Hello?"  Molly pokes her head around the corner.

"Oh!  Hi Hazel!  I wasn't expecting you.  What brings you by?"  She approaches me and wraps me in a hug.  

"Have you seen Fred?"  I ask, hugging her back.

"No.  Is he up to something again?"  She sighs.  "Let's at least make sure he hasn't gotten himself in trouble."

We check the clock and his hand points to "work."

"But I was just there, and he wasn't."  I argue, frowning.

"Unfortunately that could mean a number of things."  Mrs. Weasley sighs.  "The clock interprets things as best as it can."

"Oh."  I feel a bit disappointed.

"Did you check with George?"  Molly suggests, ushering me to the kitchen for some tea.

"Yeah.  It seems he told George that he was going to be with me." 

"I wonder what could have possibly thrown him off course.  He's normally such a determined boy."  She pours the hot water from the kettle, allowing the tea to brew.

"Yeah."  I don't say anything about last month's moon.  I'm probably just overreacting.

After my cup of tea, I floo back to the flat, noting that the Weasley clock still pointed Fred towards work.  He hasn't returned yet.

I step out, brushing the ash from my damp hair.  

"Any news from mom?"  George asks, still sitting on the couch, but now in his pajamas.