A Chance To Change

The Beginning and The Offer

A single figure stood in the smoky courtyard of what had once been a magnificent castle. Her head was bowed and tears dripped onto the stonework. Two red headed males laid at her feet both with expressions of shock and determination frozen on their faces.

"Aria?" The female turned toward the voice that had called her name and another figure came through the smoke. "I thought I would find you out here...They need to be put to rest."

The dark red hair of the scarred male glinted in the flames and Aria sighed. "I know Bill...I know I have to let them go but I don't want to."

Bill gently pulled Aria into a hug and said nothing as tears soaked his shirt. "They wouldn't want you to stay like this little Ria. They would want you to be happy."

Aria finally pulled away from Bill's shoulder and seemed to shore herself up. "Let's get them inside Bill."

~~~~~~~~~

Three days after the Battle for Hogwarts, a dual funeral was held for Fred and George Weasley. Everyone in attendance wore bright colors and many carried some sort of product from Weasley Wizard's Wheezys. Two figures stood out to everyone else, seeing as they were closest to the new tombstones.

Lee Jorden and Adriana Potter both wore Dark Red Suits, identical to the ones that the Twins had created for their shop as their uniforms, with their wands held tight into their hands.

"I can't do this without them Lee..." Aria whispered and Lee's tear streaked face turned to her.

"They loved you so much Aria. At least they are together." Lee conjured a set of Beaters Bats and placed them together on the stone.

"I wish I had known earlier... I would have had more time with them then I did." A crimson rose wreath joined the bats and Lee pulled Aria to rest her head on his shoulder.

"They were glad for the time that they had with you. Though they complained enough that you were dense." This brought a snort from the witch and they both joined the Weasley family.

Unknown to Aria, she was being closely watched by everyone around her. She had been nearly silent since her Twins had died and everyone was worried for her.

Aria slipped way when everyone was distracted and made her way to the Twin's flat. A small Red pigmy puff jumped on her shoulder when she came in range causing a small smiled to come to her face.

"Hey Gideon. It's good to see you bud." The puff ball buried itself into Aria's shoulder with a sad whine. "I know Gid...I just can't muster the ability to smile. They're gone Gideon. My Suns are gone!"

Aria's face crumbled and she sobbed into the pillow next to her. Gideon purred trying to help his human but it seemed to only cause her to cry harder. He chirrped toward the master bedroom and another pigmy puff, in a shade of red slightly darker, came rolling out. It saw Aria crying and Gideon chirrped something to it.

Aria moved her head out of the pillow when she felt something else jump on the couch next to her. Ricky, Gideon's near identical twin whom had NEVER really warmed up to her, was purring next to her ear. She let out a watery chuckle and hestantly reached out to the Pigmy Puff. Ricky rolled into her hand and she cuddled him to her chest.

"We're both alone now Ricky...I guess you HAVE to like me now." Gideon joined in the cuddling (and purring).

Tapping on the window caught both the human and puff's attention and a regal looking owl flew onto the back of the couch, holding its leg out.

The stamp of Gringotts caused Aria to take it quickly. The owl bowed its head to her and then took off back through the window.

Lady Adriana Potter-Black,