just for me ⚘ a Fred Weasley Fanfiction

91. the cold shoulder

In their domestic bliss, Fred had conveniently 'forgotten' to mention the Order mission that was coming up. For days, they were wrapped up in their lazy mornings, long days full of nothing, and cozy evenings, as though everything outside of the Burrow didn't exist. Juniper's biggest concern was whether she should stay in bed a little longer, or what she would have for breakfast. She was blissfully unaware of the task Moody had set for the entire Order, until Ron, as oblivious as always, brought it up at dinner.

"Hermione should be here later tonight, as Mad-eye requested." He grunted, breaking up the comfortable silence and looking up at his dad across the table. "Do we get to find out what we're doing then or..."

"That's not up to me." Arthur responded, casting a glance to Molly whose eyes were burning holes into the table. "Moody's called another meeting for tomorrow, so you might be told then."

"Are you two in the Order now?" Juniper's head shot up, staring at Ron. "You got lucky, first mission is alone with Hermione."

"Ha! He wishes." George cackled loudly. "Bit hard to make a move when you have Mad-eye and Mundungus breathing down your neck. "

"Ew." Ginny groaned in disgust, dropping her fork at the very thought.

"Plus, you've got no chance at peace with Fred and I there." George added, catching Juniper by surprise.

"You're going?" Juniper's eyes narrowed as she turned to Fred, who had gone pale and froze, his fork halfway to his mouth.

"Um... yeah." He shrugged, his eyes staring down at his plate. "It's not for a while."

"Alright." Juniper said softly, going back to her food. Her tone seemed pleasant enough, but the way she shuffled slightly away from Fred was enough for him to know it wasn't 'alright'.
His hand reached out to rest on her thigh, an attempt to apologise without the family causing a scene. Usually she'd lay her hand on top of his, but this time both her hands firmly gripped her knife and fork, not even glancing in his direction.
The Weasley's exchanged looks, struggling to find a new conversation topic.

"Um..." Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat. As much as she loved her son, she agreed and understood Juniper's frustration. The Order wasn't something she wanted anyone involved in, let alone her children. Watching them all in the frontlines for the war kept her awake at night, they were still kids. She pleaded constantly with Arthur to get them out, but he said his hands were tied, it was all up to Mad-eye, who Molly considered just about heartless. "Have you girls tried on your bridesmaid dresses yet?"

"Nope." Juniper answered bluntly, not entertaining the conversation at all.

"Where are Bill and Fleur?" Ron asked tentatively, hoping he wouldn't cause another scene by talking again.

"At our place." George muffled through a mouthful of food. "Getting practise in for the wedding night, if you catch my drift."

"George! Not at the table!" Molly hissed.

"Their dance!" George defended himself quickly, his hands held up in surrender. "What else would I mean?"

"George." Arthur said sternly, and George retreated in silence.

Hermione arrived shortly after dinner, her face pale as she stepped into the Burrow after Mr. Weasley's security questioning. The atmosphere in the house was already tense, but it shifted as soon as she arrived, somehow thicker. She gave a weak smile as she found everyone in the lounge room waiting for her, She gave a weak smile and a quick 'thanks' to Mrs. Weasley, who opened her arms wide for a hug, but Hermione sidestepped gently, too overwhelmed to stop.
She pulled her jacket closer around her and made. beeline for the stairs. Juniper, finishing up the dishes with Fred, glanced up just Hermione rushed past, noticing the glisten of tears in her eyes. Hermione continued on without so much as a small smile, disappearing up the stairs towards the bedrooms.
The house was somehow quieter after she left, a very soft click of a door closing separating Hermione from the rest of them. Juniper could feel the weight of everyone's thoughts around the room, all wondering what on earth had happened, but no one brave enough to voice it. They all knew the war had gotten harder, and Hermione seemed to be battling her own share of it.
Ginny was the first one up, heading to her room after Hermione, sure that she could comfort her. Fred caught Juniper's eye as she wiped the already spotless bench. The usual amused glint in his eye was replaced by something more somber, stopping her so he could squeeze her hand. A very small, acknowledging smile crossed her face before she went back to cleaning.