Lily Potter (Harry Potter's Twin)

Chapter 86

           

I took a sip of my butterbeer and put my hand into my pocket, confirming that the pouch was still there's; as if it could grow legs and walk off. Never had I been more anxious in my entire lifetime. Fred seemed to realize my anguish, sending me a worried look. I just sent him a small smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"Something the matter?" he asked me quietly, the crowd still around us.

"Nope," I lied, draining my butterbeer to avoid his questioning look. Ron started to lead our quartet across the empty dance floor. "See you later, okay?"

"Not there! Nowhere near Muriel," Ron whispered as we walked. By the time we reached the other side of the marquee, most of the tables were occupied: the emptiest was the one where Luna sat alone. "All right if we join you?"

"Oh, yes," said Luna happily. "Daddy's just gone to give Bill and Fleur our present."

The band began to play. Bill and Fleur took to the dance floor first, to great applause.

"I like this song, said Luna, swaying in time to the waltzlike tune, and a few seconds later she stood up and glided onto the dance floor, where she revolved on the spot, quite alone, eyes closed and waving her arm.

"She's great, isn't she?" said Ron admiringly. "Always good value."

But the smile vanished from his face at once: Viktor Krum had dropped into Luna's vacant seat. Hermione looked pleasurably flustered. With a scowl on his face he said, "Who is the man in yellow?"

"That's Xenophilius Lovegood, he's the father of a friend of ours," said Ron. His tone made it clear that we were not about to laugh at him. "Come and dance," he added abruptly to Hermione.

She looked taken aback, but pleased too, and got up. They vanished together into the growing throng on the dance floor.

"Ah, they are together now?" asked Krum, momentarily distracted.

"Er—sort of," said Harry.

"Who are you?" Krum asked.

"Barny Weasley."

"Debby Weasley," I said, shaking hands with him after he shook Harry's.

"Do you know this Lovegood man vell?"

"No, I only met him today. Why?" said Harry.

There was a tap on my shoulder. I looked up to see Fred beaming at me, concern still in his eyes.

"Would you care to dance?"

I huffed, jokingly.

"If you insist," I got up and took his hand. His lovely ginger hair looked so amazing in the golden light. I felt a tug at my heart strings when I knew that this was one of the last times I would see him for months. I had my journal, yes, but would that be enough to keep me sane without him. I started to sway in Fred's arms. In the arms of my fiancé, however, I did not feel safe. As soon as we stood up from our chairs, my heart began to beat 200 beats per minute. Breathing became a struggle, causing me to dance with frequent pauses.

"Flower, your face is flushed," Fred frowned.

"I'm not okay, but I will be, it all will be," I whispered. He started to look worried, too. "Please, don't think too much about it. This is my responsibility."

"What is going to happen?" he asked, pulling me to a more secluded corner of the tent. Luna Lovegood was dancing with her hands in the air as if to bat at Wrackspurt.

"I can't tell you," I said. "You know that."

Fred stared deeply into my eyes. "Will you be safe?"