Firecracker | George Weasley

Chapter 19

Scarlett had decided to come back to Hogwarts for her brothers memorial, she wanted to make sure he was honoured correctly. 

She was sat next to Bianca and Andrew who were both crying. She on the other hand had no more tears left to cry. She was a shell of the person she once was, she was dehydrated, her lips cracked with dried scabs from where they had ripped open when she screamed from the haunting nightmares of her twins dead face. She hadn't eaten anything more than a piece of bread for days. Her eyes were puffy while also sunken from lack of sleep and constant crying. This was her first contact with anyone outside her family since that horrible day. Andrew and Bianca had tried to keep a brave face for her but couldn't as Dumbledore reminded them of how good a friend Cedric had been to them.

"Cedric Diggory was murdered. By lord Voldemort. The ministry of magic does not wish me to tell you this, but not to do so...I believe would be an insult to his memory. Now the pain we all feel from this dreadful loss reminds me...reminds us...while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one."

Scarlett stopped listening unable to keep focus. She didn't want to feel anymore, she disconnected from reality and saw Cedric sitting next to her smiling and laughing

"I gave Fred and George a run for their money, think it's fair to say I've stolen their crown for prank genius. Can't believe you all thought I was dead." He said playfully

"You honestly are the worst Ced. Do you know how scared you made me?! Never do that again." She replied playfully punching him in the arm

"Come on Scar, you know you can't get rid of me. You're stuck with me for life."

She was brought back to reality as Bianca and Andrew took her hand as they stood up to leave the memorial. She felt it all hit her once more, the loss, the pain, the heartbreak. The tears began to fall once again as they walked. People came over and put a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her whispering "I'm so sorry for your loss." As they walked by

She didn't reply, she didn't know what to reply. She just let her friends lead her to where they needed to go. They stopped in the courtyard but Scarlett didn't notice, she just stayed still as her friends talked amongst themselves, still holding her hand in support. They were joined by George who hugged her but she was unable to gather the energy to lift her arms to hug him back. She just cried uncontrollably into his chest as her friends patted her on the back.

"Let it out little bird. I've got you." He whispered comforting her as she cried, stroking her hair.

She was overwhelmed by the familiar feeling of comfort and safety that reminded her of Cedric and their hugs. She pushed him away unable to take it anymore, she didn't want to feel that now he was gone, because she didn't feel safe any longer. She lashed out at the group "A part of me died.  You all lost a friend, I lost a part of me. He wasn't just my brother, he was my twin. We shared everything, I have never gone a single day without him and now I have to spend every day knowing that I will never be able to see him again."

"We are all hurting and we know you are devasted. We just want you to know that we will be here for you no matter what." Bianca said trying to calm her down

"Cedric meant the world to us and you do too. We will have your back just like he would. He will never be forgotten Scarlett. We won't let him be forgotten." Andrew said caressing her back in comfort.

George held her hand and squeezed it tight "No matter what, I am here for you. If you need me, I will be there, we don't live far from each other all you have to do is send me an owl and I'll be round over summer and you are welcome at mine whenever." He said kissing her cheek.

She forced a smile and leaned on George while holding Biancas hand. She let them talk amongst themselves while she just listened.

"Hey Scarlett, could I please talk to you." Harry said as he approached the group. Scarlett turned sluggishly towards him

"I guess" she replied half-heartedly and followed him away from the group.

"How are you doing?" he asked concerned

"My twin was murdered, how do you think I'm doing Harry?" she replied frustrated at the stupidity of his question

"I'm sorry, I don't really know how to start this conversation...I'll just get to the point. There was a moment when I saw Cedric while I was duelling Voldemort..."

Scarlett flinched at the use of that name, Harry continued, unaware of the discomfort he caused  "...he told me to bring his body back to your father and he also gave me a message for you. He...he said he's sorry you couldn't grow up together...and no matter what...he will always be with you, he loves you."

Tears streamed down Scarlett face but she was silent processing her twins last message to her. She remembered her last memory of him alive, smiling at her mouthing 'love you sis', their last hug together and now his last message to her. It was classic Cedric thinking of her and trying to make her feel better, even after death, he was looking out for her. 

She hugged Harry tightly "Thank you for bringing him back and for giving me his message. I don't blame you by the way. I know your talk with my dad didn't go well and he blamed you but he's just grieving and is too scared to face the real murderer. I'm sorry for his behaviour towards you. Just know me and my mum don't."

Harry hugged her back "He was a good man. I wouldn't have survived the tournament without him. I owe him my life. Anything you need I'm here for you."

"Thank you." She let go of him and turned to walk away. George quickly came over to help her seeing how weak and exhausted she was from the conversation, he carefully wiped a few stray tears from her cheek and pulled her closer to him. 

Harry watched the fragile outline of a woman he once had a crush on walk away from him as Hermione and Ron joined him

"Poor Scarlett. Her and Cedric were inseparable for years. They're closeness rivalled even Fred and George. I can't imagine the pain she's going through." Ron remarked

"She looks so weak and frail. I heard she hasn't had a proper meal and hasn't slept since it happened. We were just starting to get to know her, I don't think she'll ever fully recover from this." Hermione empathised.

The three sighed as they watched Scarlett fall asleep on George while her group of friends talked. Not even sleep could hide the pain she was in. 

Harry was filled with compassion, he knew how it felt to lose family, but he could not relate to knowing what life was like with them and having them ripped away. He was going to avenge Cedric for him and for Scarlett. No one deserved to be in this pain, and he was going to do everything in his power to help and make sure no one felt that pain again.