Sugar : Fred Weasley

59: All of You

[victoria's pov]

July 31st, 1997

"I thought you said it was a boggart!" Ron exclaimed to me as we were sitting at Harry's birthday dinner. "That Mattheo death eater guy is insane..."

"He's a psychopath," Hermione said with a harsh whisper. "Oh how I wish we could tell the order... they'd be more alert about his presence..."

"Dumbledore said not to..." I reminded them as Harry agreed. "We even had to obliviate-"

"Oi, what're you four whispering about over there?" Magnus asked from across the table.

"Practising wedding speeches," Ron lied.

Magnus grinned and began his own conversation with Charlie.

"Good one, Ron!" Hermione praised quietly once Magnus was no longer paying attention.

"Always the tone of surprise," Ron replied. Harry grinned slightly.

With Harry on my right, Fred was on my left, then George, then Tonks, who was looking better than a few days ago since Mad-Eye's death. She and Remus were engaged in a conversation with Mr. Weasley.

Suddenly, a patronus arrived with a warning of the minister's arrival. Quickly, Remus and Tonks left before apologising to Harry for having to leave so soon. Harry smiled faintly before our heads turned in the direction of the new minister of magic, who was rumoured to be part vampire according to Ginny, according to Luna.

When Scrimgeour arrived, he stood firmly against the ground as Mr. Weasley asked what he was doing here.

"I've come to talk to Harry Potter," he said firmly. "And his peers, Ms. Hermione Jean Granger, Mr. Ronald Billius Weasley, and Ms. Victoria Chase."

Our eyes widened. I looked at Fred and he seemed concerned. We'd known that Voldemort had control over the ministry and it was only a matter of time before all hell broke loose–if it wasn't already.

+++

"What'd he want with you four?" Fred asked me as we laid on his bed,

George was conveniently gone, pretending to write his speech for tomorrow that his mother had ordered him to announce. I suspected he was really hiding in the bathroom.

"Dumbledore had a will," I explained. "It took months after his death for those ministry freaks to finally turn them over to us–Hermione suspected it's because they wanted to investigate the items..."

"Dumbledore left you a will?"

I nodded. "Yes, I didn't see that coming... he gave me a watch."

I revealed my wrist, the leather brown strap hugging my skin as the hands on the watch ticked perfectly. To me, it made sense because Dumbledore had known about Mattheo's time manipulation... the minister had claimed it was a charmed watch to work against time manipulation.

"Neat," Fred said with a short smile. "I reckon the ministry found nothing."

"Correct," I said. "Dumbledore's too smart and they're all fools anyway–that lot at the ministry. Thought it was my dream to work there once and look now... everyone dying left and right because of the government."

Fred remained quiet.

"Fred?"

"Hm?"

"Is something on your mind?"

"Just a little thought," he said quietly.

"Do tell."

He hesitated. It seemed as if he was afraid to admit what was on his mind, but I reassured him that it would be alright.

"Victoria, I've been having weird dreams," Fred said quietly. "Dreams of death."

I was shocked. Sure, it was dark times but it never occurred to me that death would haunt anyone in their dreams unless it was near...

"For how long now?"

"Days... weeks maybe..." Fred answered. "I wasn't sure what to tell you since they're not consistent but I'm beginning to wonder if it's a sign."

"Fred..."

"No, I know it sounds odd to believe that dreams could be a sign. I'm probably as mad as Trelawney right now but-"

I interrupted Fred. "You don't sound mad... if anything I'm glad you told me..."

It seemed as if that was only part of what Fred had to say, but he continued instead of being quiet.

"Do you think... would you still love my family if I'm gone?" Fred asked.

My heart broke to hear this.

"Fred, yes, of course," I said sadly. "I doubt you're going anywhere... not anytime soon, we're going to stay here together. You know that I love you and your family... all of you are whom I love. Nothing could ever change that. I promise, whatever happens, I'll always love and protect every part of you, including your family..."

Fred cradled me as he kissed my forehead.

"I love all of you, Fred."

"I'm yours," he smiled weakly. "All of me."

+++