DOROTHEA {fred weasley}

sixty eight

Dorothea had a week before she would be getting the dark mark, and she knew that in a week, her life would change for the worse. Before, the thought of receiving the dreaded tattoo was as good as death to the witch, there was no way out. There still wasn't much hope, admittedly, but Ezra Nott's actions against her had made Dorothea incredibly thoughtful. Legilimency intrigued her now, and she found herself wishing that she had paid more attention in her final year of Defence Against the Dark Arts. She knew that some legilimens were so skilled that they could work without anyone realising, they could read minds without the subject knowing. She wondered if her mother could do that, perhaps that was how she knew about Elvira. It was Occlumency, though, that intrigued Dorothea the most. To be able to protect her mind would be invaluable.

She'd never have the trust of the order again, she knew that. George Weasley had called her a death eater, and she was sure that Fred had informed Moody of everything she said. No, she couldn't rely on the order for any help. But, if she could offer the order help, then perhaps things could change for the better. They'd have to give her help, if she offered information, or even perhaps her magic, if she got stronger. If she could protect her mind from Ezra, her mother, the Dark Lord, she could still escape.

The witch was pleased with her determination and control, she didn't allow herself to think of Elvira, Fred, George, or Oliver. Not only because she knew that Ezra could now read her mind, but because it was incredibly painful. She had something to get back to. Fred wouldn't forgive her, she suspected, but Elvira would. In those three weeks spent at Oliver Wood's house she felt the most normal she ever had, the least Rosier she ever had. So, the one thing motivating Dorothea through getting the dark mark, marrying Ezra, and being forced to be a death eater, was the thought of an escape. If she could protect her mind, and read others, she could spy.

So, Dorothea needed an ally. Someone who would teach her occlumency and legilimency without asking too many questions. Someone powerful enough, though, to teach her. There had to be a weak link, somewhere. She wasn't the only one, definitely not. But the catch was that they had to be incredibly powerful. Her plan was to assess everybody when she received her mark, everyone would be there, according to Priscilla. It would take a while, identifying anyone, she knew that, and she had to be careful with her thoughts, although she was sure that no one would dare to be caught using legilimency on her with her mother present. And, no one, other than Ezra or Barnaby, had any reason to suspect her of anything.

Even if she couldn't get out, though, she was grateful for what she had had. She'd known that she would marry Ezra since before she started Hogwarts, everyone had speculated on it and talked about it. She'd always wanted more. It could never be exciting with Ezra because it was simply meant to be. She'd envied Elvira and Oliver, their casual flirting and foundations of 'boring' liking that their relationship was built on. Dorothea hadn't expected to experience it, but she had. She'd fancied Fred when she shouldn't, kissed him secretly around school, been secretly thrilled when he sought her out with his stupid map. She got to feel things she wasn't meant to with anyone but Ezra. She got to be excited about someone, and she'd always hold onto that, it was all she'd ever really wanted. The warmth of that month at Oliver's was enough to push her forwards, and if she failed, at least she'd had it, had him, for a while.

The difference in Fred Weasley was evident, he was hurting. Although, he thought he was hiding it rather well. George however, thought differently. Everyone had been affected by the news of Dorothea, Molly and Arthur, ever empathetic, feeling bad for her. Hermione, Harry and Ron, having properly met her at Oliver's house, seemed rather unsettled by the news, confused at how she had seemed so nice. Elvira had written to Fred three times about Dorothea, wondering how they didn't know, speculating about her being forced, desperately trying to keep her good. Fred didn't respond once to the witch, electing only to reply when Oliver wrote to him, saying that he didn't care for Dorothea, and that nothing serious would ever have come of it with him and her, and that he didn't wish to talk about her.