Novus Orbis | Fred Weasley x Insert | ON HIATUS

Chapter 18 - Back Once More

Hello there everyone! As you know, it's been quite awhile since I have posted, with my birthday happening and being sick for a month and the business of the holidays. I was going to give you all a longer chapter, but I really liked the way this one ended. So here's a nice Christmas present for those who celebrate. Happy holidays! Enjoy!

-

The next week passes in a slog, nothing to really do besides chores and more exploring of the hillside they are already familiar with until they can finally make it to Diagon Alley. Both Arthur and Percy are noticeably absent, their work requiring them to leave before anyone else is awake, and coming back far, far after dinner is done.

"It's been an absolute uproar," Percy tells them importantly, as they lounge around on the Sunday before they leave for Hogwarts, nothing to do. He further explains about the fires he's been putting out all week, due to the Howlers people have been sending, which, apparently, explode if you do not open them in time. Y/n only pays half a wink of attention while Ginny asks why people are sending Howlers in the first place, preferring to cozy up with Fred by the fire, cold feet tucked underneath her and head on his shoulder.

In her peripheral vision, Mrs. Weasley glances at the clock in the wall and sighs. The clock in question is completely useless if you want to know what time it is, but rather tells where each member of the Weasley family is currently residing. Eight of the hands are currently pointing to the slot that reads "home," but Arthur's still points to where it says "work." Sighing, the woman rubs her hands together and shakes her head.

"Your father hasn't had to go into the office on weekends since the days of You-Know-Who," she says. "They're working him far too hard. His dinner's going to be ruined if he doesn't come back soon."

"Father feels he's got to make up for his mistake at the match, doesn't he?" Percy says, and Y/n scrunches her nose up at the indignant sentence. "If truth be told, he was a tad unwise to make a public statement without clearing it with his Head of Department first—"

"Don't you dare blame your father for what that wretched Skeeter woman wrote!" Mrs. Weasley fumes.

"If Dad hadn't said anything, old Rita would have just said it was disgraceful nobody from the Ministry had commented," Bill says from where he plays chess at the table with Ron. "Rita Skeeter never makes anyone look good. Remember, she interviewed all the Gringotts' Charm Breakers once, and called me 'a long-haired pillock?'"

"Well, it is  a bit long, dear," Mrs. Weasley says softly. "If you'd just let me—"

"No, Mum."

-

Lulled to sleep by the rain battering on the windows, the gentle crackling of the fire, and the comforting scents of Fred's jumper, Y/n wakes sometime later to see her cushion has moved and is sitting on the floor in front of her with her brother, quills in hand and long locks tumbling down as they hunch over pieces of parchment. She's been moved, now in a position on her side with a blanket tucked up around her shoulders. Sitting up groggily, she forgoes mourning the loss of warmth to lean forward and lean over Fred's shoulder.

"The new order form? Without me?" She whispers humorously, and he only rolls his eyes and nods.

"What are you three up to?" Their mother says sharply, and Y/n tries to protest that she's only watching, and just woke up. "Don't try it," the woman responds. "It's still got something to do with you." To this, of course, the girl can say nothing.

"Homework," Fred mumbles vaguely.

"Don't be ridiculous, you're still on holiday," Molly scoffs.

"We've left it a bit late," George lies.