DOROTHEA {fred weasley}

forty eight

Dorothea returned home alone, her mother surprising her by being in the house when she arrived. The elf unpacked her things around her, Clementine having locked herself in her office for a few hours, stating that she should not be interrupted.

Later, at dinner, Dorothea inquired about what her Christmas plans would be.

"You'll be on your own, Dorothea."

The girl swallowed, upset at the thought of spending Christmas day alone.

"Well, you'll have Missy," her mother laughed, sensing the girl's emotions.

"Where will you be?"

"Abroad," she smiled. "Camille has finished school now, of course, so her mother wanted me to speak to her about her future choices."

"Can't I come?"

"It's work, Dorothea," Clementine sighed. "You aren't ready to be involved in these conversations just yet."

"Can I go to the Nott's?" She asked desperately.

Clementine shook her head, "no one will be there. Barnaby is accompanying me. Ezra is away with Lucius, and Theo will be spending Christmas at the Malfoys. We've never been a sentimental family, Dorothea, don't start bothering me about it."

"Okay," she said emotionlessly. "Sorry. How has work been recently?"

"Good!" Clementine said brightly. "We're receiving some opposition..." The woman stared at her daughter intensely for a few seconds, debating what she could tell her. "A so called, 'Order,' we think. Set up by Dumbledore."

"Who are they opposing, exactly?"

"The Ministry, for one," Clementine responded.

"And who else?" Dorothea pushed.

When Clementine said nothing Dorothea spoke again, "I saw Ezra's... tattoo."

"Then that's who else they're opposing," Clementine said lightly. "It was the same in the first war. Same people."

"Who?"

"Aurors, I can't name them all. Mad-Eye, that horrible man. Narcissa's niece, shameful. Others, like the Weasleys. Teachers."

"The Weasleys?" She asked.

Clementine nodded.

"I heard that Arthur got attacked."

"The Order was operating illegally within the Ministry."

"You knew about it?"

"It was me who caught him sneaking back in," Clementine smiled.

"Who attacked him?"

"Or what?" The woman said under her breath, sounding mildly amused.

"What?"

"Nevermind, darling," Clementine smiled, cupping her daughter's chin. "I'll be off this evening, I just wanted to come and see you first. I want you to continue to practice wandless. Every time you use magic, don't use your wand. Any other plans this Christmas?"

"The Davies are having a New Year's eve party," she said flatly.

"Lovely! Well, I'll be back the day before term starts, we can go to King's cross together."

"Okay," she replied, limply hugging her mother back before she left.

Dorothea was left feeling a mix of sadness and guilt, craving affection or attention from her mother, but then feeling immensely guilty that she had played a role in the attack on Arthur Weasley. She didn't know the details of it, yet, she thought that Elvira was probably her best bet.