Stepping Into The Light (Hidden Under Darkness Sequel)

Chapter 1

Set in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – the night of Arthur’s attack

**Fairlight’s POV**

I stumble up the steps of Father’s house, holding my robes against my face, trying to stem the flow of blood pouring from my nose. It’s about five in the morning and absolutely freezing. I shove the door open and trip into the hall. I clutch the wall as my head spins and move slowly down the stairs towards the kitchen to get some towels to clean myself up and hopefully stop this bleeding.

I fall through the door and stop, astonished at the amount of people in the room. Father, George, Fred, Ron, Harry, Ginny and Mrs Weasley all look around at me in shock as my arms fall to my sides, revealing my face.

“What’s going on?” Father and I ask at the same time. I feel blood run into my mouth and spit it out, pressing my robes against my face again.

“Come here,” Father says, grabbing my face and tilting it up. He taps my nose with his wand and the blood flow stops.

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing a napkin and wiping my face, “what’s going on?”

“Arthur was attacked by You-Know-Who’s snake,” Father explains, “he’s going to be alright. He’s in Mungo’s.”

“What happened to you?” George asks, “you look terrible.”

“Thanks,” I mutter sarcastically. I haven’t seen George since the summer and I’m not sure how to act with him. It’s like all the relationship skills I learnt over summer have disappeared out the window.

“No luck then?” Father asks. I shake my head and sink into a seat at the table.

“I really don’t think it’ll happen,” I sigh, brushing my fingers through my hair. To my disgust there’s dry blood and goodness knows what else in there.

“I’m going to have a shower,” I announce.

“You lot should get to bed,” Mrs Weasley says, “we’ll go and see Arthur later.”

As I walk upstairs George catches my arm and holds me back until everyone else has passed.

“It’s good to see you,” he says.

“Yeah,” I mumble awkwardly. He brushes his fingers down my jawline and leans down to kiss me.

“Uh hem!”

I look down at Father standing at the bottom of the stairs. He raises an eyebrow at me.

“Go to hell,” I mutter, walking upstairs. George follows me and I can feel Father’s eyes piercing into our backs.