A Chance Encounter | Fred Weasley

Chapter 20

Clara, Michael, and Roman stood outside of the Burrow, Roman holding the bags he had brought at the beginning of the summer.

"If you need me, just send a patronus and I'll come back as quick as I can," he informed.

Clara nodded, squinting her eyes in the sun that shone behind Roman. She stood up straight and tall as she rested a hand on Michael's shoulder.

"You sure that you're gonna be okay?" Michael asked again for the millionth time that morning.

Roman smiled brightly as he pulled Michael towards him, trapping him in a strong embrace.

Clara watched as Roman's smile slid off of his face the longer he hugged his brother. They rocked together for a few moments.

"I'll be fine, Mikey," Roman said in his most convincing tone. His eyes seemed haunted, as if he knew that this would more likely than not be the last time he saw his siblings. Looking at Clara, he continued, "Just be strong for me."

Michael nodded as he held onto his brother tighter.

"Alright, you can't hog him all day," Clara attempted to joke.

Michael hesitantly let go of Roman, wiping his nose on his sleeve quickly as he stood up straight.

Clara walked over and tip toed so that she could reach Roman's shoulders in her embrace. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. "You be safe."

Roman nodded. "Take care of yourself."

"I will."

Clara let go and took a few steps back, feeling Michael wrap his arm around her shoulders.

Roman looked at his two siblings with a smirk. "I'll see you soon."

The two siblings nodded, watching their brother gather his things.

Soon he apparated away, their family broken apart once again.

+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+

Later that day, Clara and Michael were in his room packing away whatever things Michael had left. He and Ginny were leaving the next day for Hogwarts.

Every time Clara tried to talk to him, Michael had given her one worded answers or avoided her completely. It was hard to see him like this and not be able to help him.

She folded a few more shirts and put them into his trunk. Turning to her brother, she could see him looking at a photograph of the three siblings that Fred had taken of them during one of the holidays. He had received it from the twins as a birthday present that year. Clara hadn't seen him so happy with a gift since she had gotten him his broomstick.

The silence in the room brought Michael's attention to Clara. "What?"

She shrugged. "Nothing." Clara took a seat on Michael's bed as she rubbed her abdomen lightly.

"You should go downstairs and take a break. I can handle the rest," Michael suggested, his tone soft and sad.

A small frown formed on her face, but Clara stood up nonetheless. She had been smothering him with her presence all day. He deserved some alone time to be with his thoughts, just as she agreed that she did need a break.

He watched as Clara nodded slowly and walked out. Looking back down at the photo in his hand, he took a deep breath. Michael walked to his trunk and grabbed some of the shirts that Clara had folded. Unfolding them, he wrapped the frame in them and set it down in the trunk. He closed the lid and locked the latches.

His arm hung at his side as he looked at the now empty room that he had called him for the last few months. There were so many things weighing on his mind. He couldn't remember a more dramatic time in his life than when Griffin had killed their father. He often wondered how it was that Clara and Roman were able to get through all of that and still keep their family somewhat functioning.