Annabella The Sidekick (Sequal To Defiance)

Chapter 58

There are death eaters everywhere. I mean everywhere. We thought we'd be away from the danger since we're up so high but that is not the case. The death eaters have made their way up to us and we're fighting.
    Spells are flying through the air but the death eaters keep coming. I have no idea if we'll all survive this but the ring on my finger reminds me that I need to try. I need to live through this for Georgie and for my family. As the spells keep coming, I begin to remember things that made me who I am.
    "Oh come on Bells!" Fred had pleaded with me. "Yeah Bells! Do it for us!" George added with a smile. I sigh and give the twins a look. "I don't know guys," I told them.
    "Belly! How many first years get to go to Hogsmede?" Fred asked me. If  we get caught I'll be in so much trouble. I think of how much fun it'll be though. Sneaking into Hogsmede at midnight seems like an adventure. "Let's do it!"
    It's a cold night but we're smiling too much to care. A few pubs are still open and George orders us some butterbeer and brings it outside. They both grin at me widely as I lift mine to my lips. "What?" I ask.
    "Well Bells, butterbeer is a life changing experience," George explains. Fred nods in agreement. "You'll never be the same." Rolling my eyes, I take a small sip of the drink. "This is really good!" I exclaim.
    We wander around Hogsmede and just talk to one another. I talk about how Harry is still ignoring me. He wants nothing to do with me and I'm dreading the Christmas holidays because of it.
    The twins talk about how nobody can tell them apart. Their own mum gets them mixed up all the time. She doesn't even bother trying to tell them apart anymore.
    I hold hands with both the twins on the way back as we laugh and joke. We take a secret passage back to Hogwarts and both boys walk me back to my common room. We only have to hide from Filch once. As we're all squished together in an alcove and trying not to laugh, I realize for the first time how much I love these two.
    That memory only wills me to fight harder. We've come so far since then but the three of us still have an unbreakable bond. We're best friends. We'll always be best friends. Even when I marry George we'll still hang out together. Harry, Ron, and Hermione may be the Golden Trio, but we're a trio on our own.
    In my third year after George made out with Angelina I was mortified. Everyone knew about it. They laughed about the little kid that thought she had a chance. They thought it was funny.
    Fred and I slowly became friends again. It was a long process but he showed regret. He never stopped apologizing. He tried to show that he would never betray me again. I didn't trust him at first. How could I?
    One day I was walking through the corridor with Fred. George tried to avoid us and we let him. On this day Angelina walked up to me in the corridor. I grabbed Fred's hand as a force of habit.
    "You're moving on so quickly? Wow Annabella, I actually thought you were worth more than moving onto Georgie's twin." I don't say anything. I can't think of a witty response or anything. Fred sees my look of panic and glares at Angelina. "Shut up."
    She narrows her eyes at him and takes a step closer. "Make me." Fred steps in front of me but doesn't break his glare away from Angelina. "Leave Bells alone. You've done enough."
    "Watch what you say Weasley. I might just tell George that you're being mean to me." Fred seems livid. He gives Angelina smirk before looking behind her. "Here comes my brother. Go snog him in a broom closet or something like you do with everyone else. Let's go Bells."
    Freddie pulled me along as George was approaching and he stopped to look at us. The twins gave a nod of acknowledgment to each other but Fred didn't stop to say hello. I knew it was for me. He knew I didn't want to be there. That was the day Fred gained my full trust back and he's kept it ever since.
    Death eaters are relentless. Green is flying everywhere but I can't allow it to hit me. I can't allow it to hit anyone else. Members from the order have joined us now. I'm putting my heart and soul into this fight. I'm fighting for everyone I care about. I think about one of the last happy memories I have before coming back to Hogwarts.
    It was before Bill's wedding. Harry was still with us and things were okay. Mum was gone but nobody said anything about it. There was nothing to say. The twins invited me to go swimming with them at the waterfall we had gone to once. It seems like so long ago.
    I was picking out my outfit. I had three choices. I had a one piece that was two sizes too big, a two piece that was a size too small, or a bikini Ginny had given me as a gift.
    It was too late to go get something else. The twins would be coming in an hour. Sighing, I slipped the bikini on. I immediately hated it. Not because I hate my body but because of the scars. Weak traitor. It's a constant reminder of my days in Malfoy Manor.
    I knew the twins wouldn't care, but I cared. It's not like George hadn't seen them but that was in an intimate setting. It wasn't an everyday thing like this. Freddie knew I had the scars, he just hadn't seen them.
    I slipped a cover up on and pulled up my hair. Harry and Dad were in the kitchen when I came downstairs. They both looked disapprovingly at my outfit but said nothing. Approving outfits was always Mum's job.
    "Sunscreen Anna?" Dad asked me. I nodded before pulling it out of my bag. "I already put it on but I have extra. You know how badly I burn." Harry and Dad laughed and then the doorbell rang. "Love you!" I called. They both replied the same as I stepped outside.
    Fred and George were on my front porch and wearing large grins. George wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him before I feel the familiar twist in my stomach. We land next to the waterfall. When George lets go I swat his arm playfully. "We could've walked."
    Shrugging, George tugs his shirt off and Fred does the same. I can't help but check my boyfriend out. Pale skin and covered in freckles. The muscles in his back move as he turns and jumps into the water. Fred looks at me and wiggles his eyebrows before getting in the water. When they surface they turn to look at me.
    "Bells? Are you coming in?" George asks. I nod before slipping the cover over my head. It seems like the scars are shining even brighter in the sunlight. I really shouldn't blame the bikini because it's quite lovely.
    Georgie is staring at me. His eyes move over my body and it's like he doesn't even notice my scars. He just notices me as a whole. Fred however is focused on my scars and I begin to blush.
    "It's alright Bells. Come on in!" George says. Fred nods with him. "Don't be embarrassed about it." So with a smile and feeling free, I follow the twins into the water.
    Now those happy days seem like distant memories. It seems like a different life. I guess in a way it was. That was a different Bella. This Bella just wants everyone to survive the night.
    Percy then joins us. "Did I mention I'm resigning?" He asks the minister. We all look at him with all. As Fred begins to say something about Percy making a joke, I see it.
    I dive for the twins as the place explodes. I try to cover their bodies with mine. How would it be fair if they died while I live? As a piece of stone comes flying towards me I can't help but wonder if my hand on the Weasley clock has changed to mortal peril.