A heart in the Ashes - George Weasley

Chapter 2

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape, as Cameron stood at the edge of the Weasley property. Well... the girl didn't really know how to describe the building, the Weasley's  called home.

Before her loomed a whimsical strucuture that seemed to defy the laws of gravity. The crooked building, with its stacked stories leaning at odd angels, featured a chimney that puffed out wisps of smoke.

A garden burst with vibrant flowers and vegetables, many of which Cameron had never seen before. Everything felt so different from what she was accustomed to. The sunlight danced across the windows of the peculiar house, and the air was thick with an inviting charm.

The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the faint strains of music drifting from within. Yet, despite the warmth and vibrancy surrounding her, something felt amiss.

Cameron had imagined children running around, laughter echoing in the air, joy radiating from every corner. But this... this felt like a facade, as if something vital was missing.

The girl felt fright rushing through her tired, starved body. She was scared, so scared of what to expect.

But who could blame her? Cameron didn't know which tributes the war had forced them to pay. Who was able  to get away with their life and who had to leave it behind.

She was taken away, right after the battle was won. The high, welcoming voice of Molly Weasley ripped her out of her thoughts.

"Welcome to the burrow, its not much, but its home."

Cameron felt the weight of Mrs. Weasleys gaze upon her, and she sighed, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to steady her breath. Shame washed over her.

She felt embarrassed by her appearance, and tears threatened to spill from her tired eyes. She quickly wiped them away, hoping Molly wouldn't notice before they stepped inside.

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Once inside, the air was was thick with an unspoken heaviness. The kitchen, once filled with laughter and the clatter of dishes, felt eerily quiet.

And Cameron couldn't quiet shake the feeling of being an intruder in this space.

Her eyes roamed over the mismatched furniture, the colorful knicknacks, and the bold walls. Somehow it felt really odd to Cam, even in the cold manor where she had spent most of her life, had been family portraits adorning the walls. Here... here, there was nothing.

Mrs. Weasley sent her a tired smile, her eyes warm but weary, before leading her up the narrow stairs, the steps were squeaking and did not particularly look like they were secure enough to actually climb upstairs, without them falling apart.

Cam instinctively glanced down at the steps, she assumed some kind of binding spell to hold them together, since the Weasley's were indeed not only a magical family, they were a part of the sacred 28, blood-traitors or not.

As they walk up the steep, winding stairs, Mrs Weasley broke the silence, her voice tinged with both caution and kindness.

"I dont know if you ever met any of my children at school," she began hesitantly. "They are a bit older than you, but... well, my kids can be a bit much at times. But they mean well, truly. You will be sharing a room with our youngest duaghter Ginevra - You must know her, she is only a year older than you."

The older women fell silent again, her words hanging in the air. Cam merely nodded, eyes fixed on the worn wodden steps ahead, her mind elsewhere. The memory of the war, still haunting her, a dark shadow that refused to lift.

Mrs. Weasleys voice softened, her own pain seeping through. " Since the war... it has been difficult for all of us."

Cameron wanted so desperately to say something, to ask what happened in the battle, but she coudln't be selfish right now. Not with this women that so kindly decided to take her in. She starts fidgeting with her hands, nervous of what is to come.

Living here, with the Weasleys, stirred up a tangle of emotions within her. She longed for the comfort of home, but that was no longer an option. There was no home left, no parents to embrace her, no one to offer the love she had always yearned for.

Not that they ever had. But it was a comforting thought, even if it was only a fantasy.

The last months had been living hell, she already shivered at the mere thought of it.

Suddenly, Molly stopped, snapping Cam out of her thoughts. They had reached the very top of the stairs, where a long, crooked hallway stretched out before them. There were three doors on the left and three on the right, each one slightly askew as if the house itself had been through its own battles.

Mrs. Weasley gently knocked on the second door on the left. A shuffling sound came from within, followed by the door creaking open to reveal the infamous Ginny Weasley. Ginny's gaze was distant at first, focused only on her mother.

"Yeah, Mum?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of impatience.

Mrs. Weasley sighed softly, forcing a smile as she nudged Cameron forward. "I'd like you to meet Cameron. I told you she was coming."

Ginny's eyes finally met her mother's, and in them, Ginny could see the unspoken command: Be nice.

Cam stared blankly ahead, her head hung low, shoulders slumped.

She couldn't bring herself to smile, even at her former schoolmate. The weight of everything she had been through was too much, leaving her feeling like a shadow of her former self.

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