Aria Black and the Battle for Hogwarts

Going Home

The natural light shines through the window and brings peace to the twins' room. George isn't in there; he never is. I gently untangle myself from Fred's arms.

The Delacours have left, as well as Bill, Fleur, and Charlie. It's just the usual Weasley gang.

George sits in the sitting room, alone. The grandfather clock reads, '5:00 a.m.'.

"Hey." I say awkwardly.

He looks up at me, rather distractedly. "Yes?"

"What's the matter?" I ask.

George looks away for several seconds. I sink down to the couch beside him. "George." I say softly. "What happened?"

He sighs, and speaks, still avoiding eye contact, "Angelina's pregnant."

My eyes widen. For a moment, we just sit there awkwardly. Finally, I get the courage to speak. "When?"

Another sigh. "When you and Fred went on your date."

"Well... you're happy, right?" I ask.

"That's the thing," George says, eyes filled with tears. "I don't know. I feel like I should be, but bringing a child into the war? Yesterday, they burnt down Dedalus Diggle's house. We are living in a world where Harry is considered Undesirable No. 1 by most of the Wizarding Population. What were we thinking, Aria?"

He puts his head in his hands, sobbing. "Angelina's wonderful, and I'd love to have children, but now...? This is not a good time."

I put a hand on his shoulder. "It'll be fine, George. You'll live with Angelina and have hilarious little babies. I promise."

"Girls. The baby is a girl."

I smile, and for the first time in a while, genuinely. "That's wonderful, George. You'll be very happy together."

"Thanks, Ari."

More silence.

"Have-have you picked out a name?" I ask him.

George smiles slightly, showing his dimples. "Roxanne."

I put my head on his shoulder. "George, you'll be the best father for Roxanne in the whole wide world."

***

"FREDRICK FABIAN WEASLEY!" Molly yells from the doorway of his room. "YOU DO NOT GET TO HAVE A GIRL SLEEPING WITH YOU UNTIL YOU ARE MARRIED!!!!"

Fred sits up. "Mum, Aria and I didn't sleep together. I swear."

"Why do you not have a shirt on then?" Molly demands.

I draw myself up next to Fred. "I'm still in my clothes, Molly. And besides, George was here the whole night. Wouldn't he know if we had slept together?"

Molly frowns. "Remus won't permit it. I'm doing this for you, Aria. Why don't you go stay with Remus for a few days? He's living at his old house now, without Tonks. He could use the company."

"HE'S LEFT TONKS!!!!!" I yell.

"Yes." Molly says gravely. "I'm afraid so."

I look at Fred guiltily. "I'd better go with Remus."

He hugs me. "Ari, I'll see you before you go to Hogwarts, right?"

I nod. "Of course."

Fred has tried to talk me out of going, but I argue that the students of Hogwarts needs me. Attendance is compulsory for everyone, so Voldemort can have the entire Wizarding population under his eye. And, what if there are Muggleborns there who needed protecting?

The fight got intense, until George butts in and tells his brother that no matter what he says, I won't listen.

***

The Lupin household is cold. It's not very big, by any means. But it's home, and honestly, I need a home.

"Remus?" I call softly. The house's eeriness suddenly creeps me out.

I hear a choked sound from upstairs. I tiptoe up there, wand out. The sound gets louder, and I realize someone is crying. I throw open the door to find Remus. Crying.

"Remus?" I say. "What happened?"

I sink down beside him. My godfather is on his knees, his head in his hands. Upon seeing me, Remus hastily wipes the tears from his face and looks at me. "I didn't hear you come in."

"What's the matter, Remus?" I ask.

"I've just been to see Harry." He says. "He's okay. But... he's mad at me for leaving Tonks." Remus sighs. "He just doesn't get how shameful being a werewolf is. Not only have I brought shame to Tonks and her family, but I just might've infected my child with Lyncanthropy!"

I don't yell. I don't scream. Instead, I say softly, "Remus, that's ridiculous. I don't know how you could've left the woman you love and your child when you raised someone like me, and are close to someone like Harry." Hot tears roll down my cheeks now. "You're scared of being a father in the war, I get that. But your marriage vows said specifically that you'd never leave each other, ever. Now you've left Tonks over a childish fear. Where is the man who raised me? Where is the man who saved my Dad's life? Where is Remus, my Remus? Wherever the damn Merlin's beard he is, you'd better find him."

Then I walk out on him, hoping he'll digest what I say quickly.