Callidora ☆ Fred Weasley

[chapter 20]

A Journey Back Home

Too soon, it was time to go home.

The Hogwarts Express rattled steadily through the countryside as the students made the most of their last few hours before returning to the non-magical world.

Their compartment was far past the recommended number of occupants.

Lucy Winterbourne and George Weasley sat cross-legged on the floor in the middle of the compartment, laughing as they pushed the limits of how many Filibuster fireworks they could safely ignite.

The air smelled faintly of smoke.

On one seat, Callidora Nott, Stella Addington, Ginny Weasley, and Ron Weasley were squeezed shoulder to shoulder.

Across from them sat Fred Weasley, Harry Potter, and Hermione Granger.

The younger ones were practicing Disarming charms between bursts of laughter.

Calli watched them quietly for a moment.

Everyone else was complaining about the fact they wouldn't be able to use magic for weeks.

She was the only one in the compartment who knew that didn't apply to her.

At Nott Manor, magic wasn't just allowed.

It was expected.

Her stomach twisted slightly at the thought.

George suddenly leaned forward and tapped her knee.

"So." He said casually.

"Are we going to talk about how adorable you and Fred were in the dorms the other night?"

Calli nearly choked.

"George!" She hissed, immediately glancing across the compartment.

Fred was busy explaining something animatedly to Ginny and Harry.

Thankfully, he hadn't heard.

Lucy grinned wickedly.

"Oh yeah." She said. "George told me everything."

Calli groaned.

"I was being a good friend."

"Sure." George said.

Lucy tilted her head innocently.

"Then why are you blushing?"

Calli shoved George's shoulder.

"Shut up."

Ron leaned forward from beside her.

"Don't worry, Calli." He said casually. "Fred never shuts up about you during the summer holidays. Reckon he fancies you or something."

Heat rushed straight to Calli's face.

Calli leaned back and lightly bonked her head against the window.

"I'm so not going to miss any of you."

Everyone laughed.

But they all knew that was a lie.

They were her best friends.

Her family.

And she wouldn't change that for anything.

A while later the compartment had quieted down.

Ginny, Hermione, Ron and Harry had moved to another carriage to find Neville.

Lucy and Stella were arguing about Quidditch statistics.

George leaned across the compartment toward Fred.

"Oi. We're going to grab snacks."

Fred frowned.

"You literally have an entire box of sweets already."

"Emergency snacks." George said firmly.

He grabbed Lucy by the sleeve.

"Come on."

Lucy raised an eyebrow but followed.

Stella rolled her eyes and followed them out.

The door slid shut behind them.

The compartment suddenly felt much quieter.

Fred glanced over at Calli.

"You look like you swallowed a bludger." He said.

Calli hesitated.

"I need to tell you something."

"That sounded ominous."

Calli twisted her hands together.

"You know how everyone says we can't use magic at home?"

Fred nodded.

"Unfortunately."

Calli exhaled slowly.

"I can."

He blinked.

"What?"

"My father arranged special permission from the Ministry." She said quietly. "Pure-blood influence."

Fred's expression darkened slightly.

"But that's not the worst part."

She forced herself to keep going.

"Every summer there are gatherings at Nott Manor."

"Pure-blood families."

Fred sat up straighter.

Calli swallowed.

"They make me demonstrate magic."

"Sometimes wandless magic."

Fred stared at her.

"They compare it to-"

Her voice faltered.

"To what?"

Calli forced the words out.

"To Lord Voldemort."

Fred looked furious.

"They say he was the best wandless caster they'd ever seen." Calli said quietly. "And that I remind them of him."

Fred's jaw tightened.

"That's horrible."

"I know."

She stared down at her hands.

"They're starting to train me more seriously too."

"Calli..."

She looked up at him, guilt heavy in her chest.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

Fred frowned.

"Why would you apologize?"

"Because I should've told you."

He shook his head firmly.

"You don't owe me apologies for surviving your family."

Fred leaned forward slightly.

"Hey."

She looked up.

"You're nothing like him." He squeezed her hand. "Not even remotely."

Calli laughed weakly.

"You say that now."

Fred smirked.

"You literally took a bludger to the skull to save Harry Potter."

He grinned.

"Dark Lords generally don't do that."

Calli finally smiled.

Outside the window, the train continued racing toward London.

And for the first time since leaving Hogwarts, the knot of fear in her chest loosened slightly.

Because if the future was going to be a fight...

At least she wouldn't be facing it alone.