Stronger for You

Chp. 31 A Quick Visit

Author's Note: I finally got started on re-writing Chapter Thirty-Five. Almost done with it. I'm thinking that with each chapter I finish re-writing, I shall post a chapter that is already done for this story. 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: I have posted a new story on my profile, and I would really appreciate it if you guys checked it out. It is titled "There is Always a Choice" and is a rather different fanfic for HP than my usual writings. I ask that you all give it a chance, it is rather lengthy but it is complete and will be posted in a timely matter. 

Thank you all for your continued support. I do love comments *hint hint*. And share with your friends!  Don't they deserve to know of the strange events of Jacky Grace's life? 

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Chapter Thirty-One

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” – Sun Tzu

“I guess by your frantic whispering that you guys have a place in mind?” I ask them several days later as I heave myself up from my cot. We had duplicated Hermione’s and placed it by the kitchen. I liked being near the warm stove.

Oh Godric, I’m such a cat…

Ron moves back from the others, smiling sheepishly as Harry and Hermione stand up. “We didn’t want to wake you since you had sat guard so late.” Ron explains. I nod and stretch my arms out luxuriously as I drape myself in the nearest armchair. I understood their want for privacy.

“Where to?” I prompt.

“Xenophilius Lovegood” Hermione answers. I stiffen at the name but let it go with a silent snarl, hiding my expression from them by fixing my shirt. How could I burden them with the news of Luna’s capture? They were already guilty with everything that was going on.

At least Neville knew I was safe; I had contacted them the first night back to update him of my wellbeing while keeping my location, and companions, a secret. Only Bill and Fleur knew who I was with.

I blink and return my stare back to the trio. They were talking among themselves again. I shift, for the first time feeling a bit unnecessary around them. I didn’t belong on their mission.

“More Hallow business? Or Horcrux?” I ask. I knew the very basic facts, nothing more. Hermione explains their reasoning and ignoring Harry’s protests. “Do you mind if I go see the Weasley’s while you guys visit Lovegood?” They’re right across the village.”

“As long as you get back in time as we won’t be staying very long. A half hour at the most.” Harry says cautiously with a touch of envy. I smile and bounce in my seat.

“I shan’t reveal my knowledge of Undesirable #1’s location.” I add with a grin. They chuckle and we clean up breakfast, taking longer since we kept messing with each other. I got Ron good with a spider shadow on a plate.

“Ready?” Hermione holds her hand out and we grasp it as one.

“Ready” Ron says firmly. She gives him a thin smile, the warmest thing she had done to him since his return, and turned on the spot.

CRACK!

We land in a heap on a small hill a ways away from the village. I bid the trio goodbye as they go to look for Luna’s house and apparate straight to the Burrow’s wards. Cautiously, I walk through them and to the door, reaching for the handle. A small crackle of frosty grass warns me too late and a wand tip is placed at the exposed skin on the back of my neck. The hairs raise and a snarl builds in my throat as I turn, my teeth bared.

George’s gaze was completely serious as he stares me down. What an odd phrase to say…

“What did I teach Jacky Grace over the summer?” He asks softly, his voice holding such a dangerous edge that I shiver.

“To swim. And I whipped your arse at it.” I grin at my last words as he rolls his eyes and pulls on a strained version of his usual sunny grin.

“It’s her!” He calls over my shoulder. The door opens behind me and his parents hurry out, followed by Fred.

“Where’s Charlie?” I ask curiously when I escape Mrs. Weasley’s death hug.

“Order business. How have you been dear?” Mrs. Weasley asks as I continue my hugs to Mr. Weasley.

“Hanging at Shell Cottage mostly. I wanted to visit and make sure you guys were okay. I can’t stay long.” I add regretfully. Mrs. Weasley beams and ushers us all inside, closing the door with a wave of her wand. The delicious smells of the Burrow envelope me and I close my eyes in joy.

“I’ll make you something to take with you then.” She eagerly gets to work in the kitchen while Mr. Weasley had me sit down at the table. The twins settle beside me as Mr. Weasley sits across from me. They wait silently for news.

“Bill and Fleur are doing well; understandably tense but happy. Fleur’s done wonders with the cottage.” I go on to describe the house in as much detail as I can remember. Mr. Weasley relaxes back into his chair, his face happy with his new knowledge of his eldest son.

“That takes a lot off of my mind, thank you Jacky.” He says gratefully. I smile happily.

“How are things here? Did the search go okay?”

“They didn’t mess up the house too much and no one was hurt. They left quickly; our best guess is that something happened with You-Know-Who.” He responds. I swallow and look away, knowing exactly what had been going on.

“Here you go dearie. It will keep you until dinner.” She hands me a large doggie bag of sandwiches. I clutch it appreciatively and kiss her cheek before looking at the twins.

“You guys still making mischief?” They perk up immediately, the familiar smiles upon their faces. I lean my elbows on the table and listen as they go into detail about their owl order, which their mother had at last found out about, and even hinted at some new products.

A panicked squeak slips out of my throat as I glance at the clock sometime later. “I have to go, I’m sorry.” I apologize, getting to my feet hastily.

“It’s fine Jacky. Tell our idiot brother we said hi.” The twins laugh as George slips something into my hand and both laugh at my expression.

“I’m sure Bill will appreciate the sentiment.” I say sarcastically. They ambush me with a hug and take turns twirling me around to make me laugh.

“We mean Ron, Jacky. We’re not stupid.” I lose my smile as I look hesitantly at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I relax as I find them smiling warmly at me.

“You’ll have enough food for them all. How are they?” Mrs. Weasley asks; a brush of desperation in her voice. I swallow painfully at that.

“They’re doing quite well actually. I do have to return to them, they’re long done with their errands.” I inform her. I kiss their cheeks and leave the house at a run, now half an hour late. As soon as I’m past the wards, I spin around to blow them a kiss before apparating to the hill.

I look around for about ten minutes before I find the towering black house and start towards it; pulling out my wand as I see death eaters circling the house on broomsticks. That traitor!

I cloak myself in Disillusionment charms before running to the house; I step through the doorway just in time for a vast explosion to rock the entire foundation, blowing apart half the house. I dig my fingers into to the doorway, holding on as best as I could as the death eaters land behind me. I ignore their jeers and jump inside, locating the staircase quickly. A large object was blocking the nearest floor entrance and began to shake violently.

“Evanesco” I mutter as I step up the battered staircase. As soon as it vanishes, a crazed man speeds past me yelling about Harry Potter and Luna. I didn’t even exist as he lumbers towards the door. I dash up the stairs, pulling in quick breaths in panic at what I would find.

The wreckage is vast and I call out the trio’s names desperately. I see a hand moving about and grab onto it, pulling Hermione up. We drag Harry and Ron from the mess before Hermione shoves Ron and I under the cloak. She blasts another hole into the floor, which it definitely did not need and disapparates us a moment later.