Forever and always, until the end (Fred Weasley&Anertha Diggory) WattyAwards2013

Birthdays, poisons and hidden surprises

Written 4/3/2014

Birthdays, poisons and hidden surprises (Based on the HBP book)

Anertha awoke that morning feeling groggy. She hadn't been feeling herself for weeks, now that she thought of since New Year. She splashed her face with cold water to cool down, she could feel herself burning up, she had already been sick twice. It seemed to be a regular thing at the moment. "Come on An, we gotta go soon.' Fred appeared behind her, his face dropped when he noticed her pale state. "You alright?" He put his hand on her forehead and frowned. "You're burning up. I think you need to see the doctor when we get back from Hogsmeade." Anertha shook her head. "No I'm fine." That was the last place she wanted to go. He have her a stern look. "You've been dodgy for weeks and mean weeks. Stop being a martyr and do as you are told." He kisses her briefly before leaving room, calling down the hall. "Now chop chop." She rolled her eyes. "I'll give you 'chop chop." She grumbled as she dressed and made herself presentable.

"What is that?" She eyed the large wrapped present on the kitchen counter as she entered. "Ron's birthday present. Don't worry it's from you too, we know how forgetful you are lately." Anertha smiled, and them frowned. "Thanks." She thought about George's words, she had forgotten a lot lately, she was so scattered. "Are we finally ready to go?" Fred groaned as he appeared. Anertha and George nodded and the trio apparated into Hogsmeade. They arrived in front of Zongo's. The twins eyed the store with enthusiasm. "It would be great to take this over wouldn't it Fred?" George couldn't contain his smile. "Indeed brother. What do you think An?" He turned to face her. "I think I shouldn't be here. Valarie is in the shop alone." Fred shook his head. "An, you are an important part of the team and besides if she had a huge issue she would send for you. Now your answer if you please." Anertha sighed, she didn't want to ruin their mood but she would have to, clearly they didn't read the letter Ginny and Ron sent them. She took a breath. "Ok. I think it is pointless, seeing as all merchandise from Weasley Wizard Wheeze's has been banned from the school and they are not letting the children out here on the weekends for the foreseeable future. So it's a waste of time and money." The twins looked at her stunned before George pulled a face. "Right buzzkill you are lately." He groaned. "But she is right." Fred said in a defeated tone.

They made their way up to the castle in silence, Fred's arm tightly wrapped around Anertha. "Long time no see." The boys spoke as one as they entered the main entrance. "To find Ron." George smiled as he held the large gift. "Ah, Mr Weasley, Miss Diggory and Mr Wealsey." Mcgonagoll greeted them warmly. "I trust you are all well?" She asked politely. "Very much so." Anertha smiled in return. "Where's Ron?" Fred asked impatient. George fidgeting beside him, equally impatient. Mcgonagoll filled them in on the situation. "He's been what?" George's face fell and he almost dropped the gift until Anertha caught it. They followed the teacher to the hospital wing where Ron lay unconscious and she left them in peace. "Harry, Hermione." Fred greeted as his eyes rested on his brother, all their faces were the same shade of white now. "Fred! George!" Ginny came bounding towards them, throwing her arms around them both. "Anertha." She turned with a bright smile as she noticed her there, throwing herself so harshly at Anertha it caused her to go unsteady on her feet. Fred put his arms around her waist, keeping her steady. George had taken the gift back from her. "Careful Gin, she's not well herself." His tone was protective as he kissed her on the head.

Anertha sat in silence as she listened to the dark discussion around her, the theories about how and why someone would want to poison Ron. It then changed to how the poison got onto the school grounds anyway, the only light comment was Fred's joke about Oliver Wood doing away with the Slytherin team if he could get away with it. Overall this wasn't an enjoyable trip, she hadn't seen the twins this concerned before. As she watched them she became certain they would severely harm who did this, should they ever find out it scared her a little bit. They all looked up as Mr and Mrs Weasley entered the bay, resulting in Harry, Hermione and Hagrid's departure, the grounds keeper had not been there long but he left to give the family time alone. Anertha felt she should have left as she wasn't family but Molly kept insisting she stay so she sat quietly. "I just can't believe this, not my boy." She held onto his hand tightly. "Mum he's going to need that hand. Don't cut the circulation off." Fred spoke darkly, trying to muster a little humour but his mood was severely low. Anertha rested against him, her head on his shoulder, their hands clasped together. She could feel Fred shaking, not enough for it to be visible but enough for her to feel it, he was enraged by his brother's predicament. "I'm going to head off. Someone needs to needs to be managing the shop." She stood silently and kissed him goodbye. He didn't argue, but he did take an age to let go of her hand. She rubbed George and Ginny's shoulders as she passed, and nodded a smile to Molly and Arthur before silently departing. "Is she alright Fred? She seems rather pale and clammy." She could hear Molly's concern floating down the room as Anertha walked. She didn't hear Fred's answer she was already out the door. It didn't take her long to walk back to Hogsmeade and apparate back to Diagon Alley. She soon entered the bustling shop and made straight for the office where she collapsed into Fred's chair. Feeling worse than ever. She shouldn't have apparated. "Miss Diggory? Are you alright?" The shop assistant's concerned tone rung in her ears. She shot her head up and frowned. "It is none of your concern, get back to work!" Valerie scuttled off in a hurry, shocked by Anertha's sudden mood change. Anertha rested her head back and sighed. "What is wrong with me?" She groaned as she fanned her heated face.