Gryffindor's Flame || Fred Weasley

Some nightmares don't leave

Marve Selwyn was standing on platform 9¾ together with her family house elf, who handed Maeve's luggage over to the conductor.

"Thank you, Poppy." Maeve said, giving the elf a friendly smile.

"Anything for Miss." Poppy said.

"How many times do I need to tell you," Maeve crouched down so she was on the elf's level. "When father isn't around, you can call me Maeve."

Poppy looked down. "I'm sorry, Mi- Maeve, us elves just aren't that used to their owners being nice to them." She said, looking back at Maeve with her big blue eyes.

"Something that really needs to change," Maeve muttered, standing back up. "You should head back to the manor before Father punishes you for being late."

Poppy nodded. "Have a good year, Maeve!" And with that, the elf was gone with a pop.

Maeve breathed in deeply. It had been a long two months.

Suddenly, she was being tackled from behind.

"What the –" she looked over her shoulder to see red hair like hers. "Ron, get off!" She laughed.

Ron looked offended. "Well, sorry I missed my sister from another mister."

Maeve looked at him weirdly. "What?"

"You know, you're my sister, just not blood related...?" He said uncertainly.

Maeve stared at him for a few seconds and then burst out laughing.

"Guess I'll just keep quiet from now on." Ron muttered, but there was a smile on his face.

"No, no, Ron, I didn't mean it like that it's just–" Maeve took a breath to calm her breathing. "You never say stuff like that, so I was just surprised."

"I wanted to put a smile on your face cause, well, you know..." Ron trailed on, not saying the words but both knowing what he meant.

"Yeah, I know, let's not talk about it, shall we?" Maeve said quickly, not wanting to bring up the topic.

Ron was the only person who knew of her home situation. He had found out in first year one night when she couldn't sleep because of a nightmare.

She didn't know why she hadn't told Harry or Hermione anything about it, maybe cause she was afraid they'll give her too many sympathy looks. Which is kind of bullshit, seeing as Harry lived in a shitty household too, and Hermione didn't look at him any differently.

"Hey, guess what!" Ron said enthusiasticly and started telling Maeve about his summer while the two walked onto the train, looking for their other two friends.

"So, wait, you think Scabbers got sick in Egypt? Isn't he really old in general?" Maeve asked after they found Harry and Hermione in one of the compartments with a man, who seemed to be sleeping, in the corner.

"Who's that?" Maeve and Ron asked at the same time.

"Do any of you know how to read?" She pointed to where his luggage was lying above his head. "Professor R.J Lupin."

"As a matter of fact, Hermione, I can read, I just don't usually look above people's heads." Maeve said, taking a seat beside Harry, opposite of the professor.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Always the one to have something to say," she smiled. "How was your summer, Mae?"

"It was fine, the usual," Maeve shrugged. "Yours?"

Hermione told her about how she went to France with her parents while the other two talked between them.

"Wish I could go to France." Maeve muttered after she finished.