just for me ⚘ a Fred Weasley Fanfiction

104. the gangs all here

Fred and Juniper hadn't even made it through the front door when Fleur came racing towards them, her eyes wide and full of panic. Her words came out in a frantic mix of French and English, too rapid and warped to make any sense. She gestured between the two, her hands flying around as if she was trying to lure them in closer. Fred and Juniper glanced at each other in confusion and concern, wondering if they should just walk back to the ocean.

"Maybe Mum's already been." Fred jokingly muttered under his breath to Juniper, nudging her forward as he reached back to close the door. Before they could even try to calm Fleur down, Bill hastily rounded the corner, remaining calm. He silenced Fleur's Fr-english panicking with a gentle kiss to her temple.

"Get dressed and grab your wands." Bill ordered, not wasting any time on pleasantries or politeness.

"Why? What's happened?" Fred asked, Bill's energy pushing him into action. He gave Juniper a look, signalling for her to go upstairs. She obeyed silently, casting a nervous glance back as she disappeared up the stairs.

"The Order's been summoned to Hogwarts." Bill replied shortly. While his voice was even and steady, but the way his fingers trembled as he laced up his heavy combat boots, told Fred everything he needed to know. "Longbottom said Harry's there and You-Know-Who's on the way. We need to be there now."

"What?" Fred stammered, more so out of shock than from confusion. His heart dropped at the sudden gravity of Bill's words. Minutes ago, his biggest concern was the waves splashing on his jeans. Now, he was supposed to run into a war zone alongside everyone he loved.

"Don't just stand there and gawk, Fred. Get Jones and let's go." Bill shouted, snapping his fingers at Fred as he helped Fleur with her shoes. "They need us there now."

Fred didn't take another second to hesitate, bolting up the stairs, all memory of the tranquil beach house quickly transforming into this, pre-battle anxiety and panic. He swung open the bedroom door, bursting in as Juniper was changing her top. Her head whipped around to smile at him,  ready to crack a joke. But it faded into a frown, mirroring the panic in his own expression.

"What happened?" Her voice hummed its way into his ears as she crossed the room, cradling his face in her hands. She studied his face, expecting to know what was wrong just by looking at him.

"One last time, do you want to run?" He asked, his eyes pleading with her to say yes. Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared at him, wishing desperately that he'd just tell her what was wrong. "If we're going to do it, it has to be now."

"What happened, Fred? Please, don't keep me in the dark." She held his eyes, the slightest hint of frustration in her voice. "What would I be running from?"

"It's happening. The Order has been called, You-Know-Who is attacking and Harry's there." Fred told her, watching the fear cross her eyes. They both thought they had more time. Fred slowly sunk to his knees, his arms wrapping around Juniper's waist as he pleaded with her, begging and hoping. "Please. Let's go. They won't find us, we'll be safe. I'll make sure of it."

"Fred..." Shs started, looking down at him as he buried his face, gripping on to her like she was his lifeline. She ran her hands through his hair, clearing her throat so her words were stronger, more certain and definite. "Fred. Get up. You joined the Order, you have to fight. And I'll... I'll be there. By your side the entire time. We'll be safe, I'll make sure of it."

Fred looked up at her longingly, desperate for her to change her mind, to let him take the cowards way out, but her mind was set. She had something to prove. To everyone that had ever doubted or suspected her, anyone that accused her of being a Deatheater. Now was her time to show that she was, in fact, on the right side. Despite what the ink in her arm suggested, she had clawed her way through and out. She could've easily submitted to Voldemort, to stay and go through with the ceremony, protected by an army of Deatheater's and her tainted thoughts. But she didn't, and she was going to show up and fight to prove it. And it broke Fred's heart to see that she thought she had to.
Bill thumped on the door, snapping Fred's thoughts back to the present as he dragged himself up to his feet, his hands clinging desperately to Juniper's. She gave him a reassuring nod, squeezing his hand for encouragement.