In The Shadows [Book Two]

Chapter Twenty-Two:

Chapter Twenty-Two:

Yawning, I pulled down my small t-shirt that had ridden up above my ribcage, before sliding on my shoes and making my way down to the toilet.

I used the loo before heading towards the mirror in hopes of fixing myself up until I looked at least semi-decent.  That in itself was a nearly impossible task what with the dark bags under my eyes, my hair had grown too long and was constantly in a tangle (something I could have fixed with magic but I'd been particularly lazy this summer), not to mention I was still ridiculously pale.  I'd found it to be harder than originally thought to regain my colouring back after the Sectum Sempra fiasco.

I quickly gave up on myself; not bothered with even attempting anymore and made my way down to the breakfast table.

On the way I let my mind wander to what had happened just the other day.

-A wedding. 

It was a beautiful wedding until a patronus had come bearing the news.

"The Ministry has fallen, Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."

It had sent everyone into a panic, including myself; because 'they' meant Death Eaters, and for me, those meant trial for being a traitor.

Harry had found me while looking for Ron and Hermione, explaining to me that they had to leave, I couldn't come because I wasn't seventeen and still had the Trace on me (though I'd never worried about that before, ai would definitely have to now), and within a moment they were gone. Seconds later, I was being rushed out of the wedding tent by Fred Weasley who hadn't Disapparated yet, though that was probably his hero complex.  All the Weasley's seemed to have it.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded before suddenly he was pointing me into his home, telling me to hide, and he was rushing off once more and leaving me to fend for myself.

I had hidden until the commotion passed, only coming out from the attic (not the best hiding place but they had a ghost in there that tended to scare people away) when I heard Molly and Arthur speaking to each other. 

I'd told them about Harry, Hermione and Ron leaving, about Fred helping me, but I didn't know much more than that.  I wasn't much help at all it seemed.-

Sighing, I sat down at the dining table and smiled at Molly as I grabbed a piece of toast. 

Ginny came not long after, her usually pin-straight hair just as tangled (yet she had hers tied up so it wasn't as noticeable) as my own was, her eyes just as exhausted.

Our sixth year at Hogwarts would be starting soon, it was now against the law (with threat of Azkaban) for students to not go.  There would be no homeschool this year, but there would also be no muggleborns allowed either.  Many muggleborns were actually being called in for questioning only to never be seen again.

This world was taking its toll on everyone, every adult, every teenager, and even the children weren't allowed outside past their own backyard. 

Even the muggles knew something was happening, something huge. 

Yet all the magical, non-mudblood children had to leave home and face Hogwarts as if war wasn't upon us, as if our friends or parents wouldn't be killed any moment.

But Hogwarts was the safest place to be, McGonagall and all the other professors would be there to protect the students and so Molly didn't have many qualms about sending myself and her only daughter to Scotland. 

I shouldn't go, but I had no choice. Neither did Ginny, as it was.  We were in this together.

All our things were packed, our shoulders were heavy with a burden we'd have to carry for the rest of our lives. 

At the beginning of summer, we lost two precious members of our order. 

Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody and Hedwig -Harry's owl-, both died protecting Harry Potter. 

I never thought I'd be saying these things but they died heroically, and I would be forever grateful to them for saving my brother.

Now if only someone could save me from having to go to Hogwarts. Something else I never thought I'd say because Hogwarts has always been home to me, somewhere I felt special and a place where people would cower away from Draco and I in fear of what we'd do if they got in our way.

But this year wouldn't be like that, I was on the right side of the war now, I'd be making strides against evil, not for it.  It was a bit disappointing honestly.

"You girls ready?"

In all my thinking, I'd lost track of time and at this point all I could do was nod.

I was as ready as I'd ever be.

[[A/N: very short last chapter.  Sorrynotsorry.  So naturally she's alive, because i felt like I'd be killed in my sleep if I killed her off ;-; anyways THE THIRD STORY IN THIS TRILOGY IS OUT AND IS CALLED "out of the shadows" AND IT IS INTENSE AND AMAZING OKAY!!!! and also comment with what you want to happen in the next book!! Draco or Neville love, bad or good amy? Torture and pain or an easy going seventh year? Im having trouble deciding so help me out!!  See you guys at the next story!]]