homesick ☆ f.weasley

.:26:.

A loud knock early in the crisp December morning seemed to wake almost every Weasley. Anxiously, Daisy and Emmeline followed Mrs Weasley into the hallway. What if it was someone from the ministry coming to take them away? Mrs Weasley's wrinkled face rearranged itself into a confused expression, which confirmed Emmeline's estimation. However, the girl was wrong and her heart sank when she immediately recognised the voice.

"Let me in then, I'm here to see Emmeline."

"And you are?" quizzed Mrs Weasley, blinking through bleary eyes.

"You mean to say you don't recognise me?" Veronica looked like she had received a slap around the face.

Mrs Weasley shook her light orange locks. "Not a clue, sorry love. It's really early, can you call back?"

"It has to be now, daddy is taking me out shopping. Probably for a pony or a unicorn." Veronica pushed passed the dressing gown clad witch.

"Aw brilliant, I expected once I left Hogwarts to not have to see her," grumbled Daisy, shuffling back up the carpeted staircase.

Veronica shot her a piercing stare that turned the atmosphere frosty. "I'm not here to see her anyway, I'm here for Emmeline."

"Emmeline, please have a word with your friend. And next time, don't invite them round so early," sighed Mrs Weasley, abandoning the quest to discover the identity of the intruder.

Emmeline's heart sank. She hated feeling that she had upset Mrs Weasley, especially after all she had done for her and Daisy.

"Veronica, come to the kitchen," Emmeline said.

"I'm not sure I want to, this place is so....scruffy. How long do you all have to stay here for?" demanded Veronica, scrunching her face in disdain.

"This is our house," scoffed Ginny, also returning to bed.

"House?" repeated Veronica, her eyes rounded. "I thought this was just temporary, like your actual house has got flooded."

"Veronica, what are you here for?" Emmeline asked, impateince laced in her voice.

"Firstly, I need to tell you that you look disgusting. I spent ages showing you how to do your hair and make up. Secondly, we're not friends anymore." Veronica stared balefully at Emmeline's fresh face and blossoming braid.

"You mean to tell me you came all this way just to tell me we're not friends?"

"Yes, I didn't want you returning to school thinking we are friends. Don't speak to me again. In fact don't even look at me." Veronica pulled some hand sanitizer out her glittered hot pink robes and began coating not just her hands, but her arms. Then, she sprayed some sickeningly sweet perfume and stormed out, slamming the door so hard she caused a family photo to descend to the floor with a clatter.

"That's me told," mumbled Emmeline to herself. She rounded on her heel, her next destination she hoped would be her bed. She was stopped in her tracks by Angelina.

"Oh, didn't expect you to be here."

"Yeah, I stayed the night with George." Angelina's voice was steady, it was hard to judge the extent of resentment she had for Emmeline.

"I'm sorry I woke you, didn't expect Veronica to just turn up like that."

"Yeah, me neither." Angelina chuckled. The melody had became foreign to Emmeline and hearing the dark skinned girl laugh again felt like an accomplishment.

"Anyway, I'm off back to bed." As the blonde brushed passed Angelina, she placed a hand on her back. Emmeline smiled. Was her life getting back on track?

As the morning swept into early afternoon, the residents of the burrow had all risen and were eating breakfast. The smell was intoxicating. Emmeline had prepared Mrs Weasley a steaming cup of sugar infused tea to apologise for Veronica's unexpected appearance. Instantly, Fred had noticed the significant absence of smudged eyeliner and the backcombed ponytail. She seated herself next to him and he smiled. After breakfast, everyone dismounted the rickety wooden chairs to get dressed for the day. Fred grabbed Emmeline's arm before she coud leave.

"It's good to have you back," he grinned.

Emmelime's eyes landed on the rug covered floorboards and she smiled. "It's good to be back."

"You're doing the right thing."

"I know," Emmeline nodded. "Thank you."

The duo's conversation was interupted by the blossoming of velvety emerald mistletoe above them. Emmeline's breath hitched and the tips of Fred's ears were dyed red. Goosebumps trailed across Emmeline's whole body and she knew Fred felt it too.

"Mistletoe. You know what that means." Emmeline smiled widely.

"Em, we can't."

Her heart sank. She was being rejected. "Why? Fred, I thought you liked me."

"And I do, but do you like me? Listen, you have no idea who you are. You need to fall in love with yourself before you can think about loving someone else."

"So you're saying no?"

"I'm saying not yet." Fred smiled. "Catch you later, George and I need to work on some more pranks."

"But we're not at school for another two weeks?"

"Oh, they're not for school." A mischevious grin crinkled his speckled face. "They're for...something else."

"Wow so you're keeping something from me now?" She forced out a laugh but she couldn't deny that rejection stung like a wasp.

Fred winked. "Maybe." He departed, leaving Emmeline on her own. She fell back onto the chair, tears clouding her vision. Her private sob was interupted by Mr Weasley, who bustled in humming a tune.

"Ah Emmeline. You're looking well."

"I'm feeling well. Thanks to you and Mrs Weasley letting me stay-"

The balding man's tut cut off Emmeline's speech. "Nonsense. In fact, I feel like it's our duty to say thank you to you and Harry. It's incredible having two Triwizard Champions staying in our humble home."

The compliment encouraged her pale complexion to flush a soft hue of pink. "I best go and get dressed. Thanks again, Mr Weasley."

Emmeline was shocked to see Angelina perched on her bed, braiding Daisy's hair. She apologised and volunteered to leave but the blonde vehemently shook her head and practically begged her to remain in their room. Could they restore their bond?

"Oh, Ginny, we need to help Hermione with that thing," Daisy said, her voice clearly hinting that her and Ginny should leave Angelina and Emmelime to talk.

"What thing?" Ginny questioned.

"You know, that thing." Daisy's eyes resembled daggers as she glared at the oblivious, perplexed ginger. "We have to feed Hermione's cat."

"Can Hermione not feed her cat by herself." Giving up, Daisy grabbed Ginny's arm and dragged her off the bed and out of the room.

Emmeline and Angelina erupted in a fit of giggles.

"Honestly, sometimes I see how that girl is related to George." She sighed happily once she had concluded her laughter.

"Angelina." Emmeline's tone turned serious as she faced Angelina. It was time she addressed the elephant in the room. They couldn't continue being civil, ignoring their recent feuds. "There isn't the words to express how sorry I am. I've treat you like shit. There are no excuses. I know that no matter how much you hate me, you will never hate me as much as I hate me right now."

"I don't hate you," Angelina promised softly, tears glazing her eyes.

"I would be honoured if you'd let me be your friend again. Maybe not now because I really hurt you, but in time."

Angelina pulled Emmeline into a hug, tears now falling. "Of course we can be friends again."