Falter - A Fred Weasley Sequel

2. Persuasion

Dirk didn't bother with greetings, his voice reaching her before his body appeared through the door. "Have you eaten today?"

"Yes," Addie said.

Dirk came through the doorway, a brown paper bag in hand. "Tea doesn't count."

"It's better than nothing," Addie countered.

Dirk sighed and passed the brown paper bag to Addie. Its contents caused both Addie's mouth to water and her stomach to churn at the same time. She opened it, looking at the sandwich and cup of soup inside. "I'm not hungry."

"Eat." He sat down in a chair across from her, and moved to cross his arms, before realizing it was harder now that his left one was only a stump. He sighed and dropped his only whole arm in his lap.

Addie took a bite of a sandwich. It was delicious, but her stomach didn't appreciate having food in it after so long without anything substantial. It twisted uncomfortably, and Addie was worried she might vomit, but she took a sip of water and continued on.

"Halley tells me you haven't been sleeping, either," Dirk added after Addie had finished the sandwich and was working on the soup.

"I slept for about an hour last night," Addie said, almost cheerfully. It was the most she had gotten at once in a while.

"You know, if you'd just accept the Sleeping Potion's she keeps offering you, you'd be much healthier."

Addie shook her head. "I don't want to miss anything."

"Addie, you're exhausted. You need sleep." Dirk reached into his pocket and handed her a glass phial. "After you eat, you should take this and lay down for a few hours. It's only a half dose, four hours max. And I'll stay right here, in this chair, until you wake up." He reached into his pocket and grabbed another phial. "I have an antidote right here, and I'll use it the second anything happens."

Addie sighed, looking down at Fred's prostrate form. It had been over a week now, and there had been no change. His freckled face was pale, but peaceful. She leaned over and stroked his cheek gently, and ran her hand through his hair. "You'll wake me the second something changes? I mean anything. If he twitches a finger, I want to be woken."

Dirk nodded. "I promise."

"Okay," Addie said, gripping the glass phial tighter. "Where should I lay down?"

Dirk smiled. "Well, I have a surprise for you first. Ben!" he called, and the boy Addie had met only a few months earlier came through the door, his little sister following closely behind.

Marlee's eyes widened and she let out a small squeal at the sight of Addie, clearly remembering her. Addie could see the girl still gripped the Trick Wand Addie had given her the first time they met, and she waved it proudly at Addie, as if reminding her.

"She hasn't let it go since you gave it to her," Dirk said. "I've tried to take it away a couple of times before bed. I'm worried she'll poke her eye out in her sleep. But she screams every time someone tries to touch it."

Addie laughed. "You don't take away a girl's wand," she said, picking Marlee up and settling her on her lap. "Can you do some magic for me?" Addie asked Marlee.

Ben scoffed. "It's fake," he said, as his sister waved her wand, and it transformed into a stuffed teddy bear before turning back.

"Ben just got his Hogwarts letter," Dirk explained, placing a proud hand on Ben's shoulder. "He's pretty excited."

Ben grinned. "Dirk's going to take me to Diagon Alley to buy my school things!" he said excitedly. There was a light in his eyes that Addie hadn't seen before. "I'm going to get to practice magic."