Stronger for You

Chp. 12 With Understanding Comes Acceptance

Quick note: the answers you all have been waiting for to Jacky's furry little problem are about to be answered! If you guys have any lingering questions, feel free to ask! I might not answer, but I'll do my best :)

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"To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on miraculous." - Elizabeth Gilbert

Chapter Twelve

Fred's P.o.V.

The clean-up was finished; the mess left-over from the wedding was nothing but a wretched memory. We were holed up in the house, our protective charms replaced and strengthened. Mum and Fleur were just finishing patching everyone up; our living room had become the temporary hospital wing.

Ginny was being given extra attention from all of us. She took it quietly, nothing like her usual self. She hates being fawned over, but she just sits there. The bruises from the curse mottled her skin where it peeks out from her shirt sleeves and pajama bottoms. Mum had transfigured the couch into a long bed for her to rest on. She had her knees bent to her chest, her chin resting on her knees while her arms wrapped around her legs.

Mum and Dad were trying to talk to her, but she wasn't responding. Bill and Fleur were off to the side, whispering softly to each other while holding hands. I felt bad that their wedding had been ruined, but at least they had gotten hitched before it all went down. Not to mention the Delacours had left at the beginning of the fight with Gabrielle, trusting Bill with their eldest daughter. Bill's ego was greatly inflated.

Charlie still had his wand out, standing just off to the side of the door to the kitchen, watching it with full-attentiveness.

"Did you see that coming?" George whispers as he comes to stand next to me. I shifted from my position at the window, crossing my arms over my chest. I had changed clothes; I couldn't stand the smell of the blood any longer.

I could see her clearly, the full moon making like a miniature sun. Her coat shone with the intensity of a star, slashed with black. She was pacing just inside our shield charms, still calming down. I recoil slightly as I see the garish blood stains on her paws and remember the expression on her face. The undiluted rage and lack of control.

"I feel like a fish out of water, George. I don't understand how we never knew." I mutter angrily. We had known her for over ten years, when her family had run into ours in Diagon Alley when Charlie and Barlow were heading to Hogwarts together.

How could she be an animagus?

"I understand it all now." He admits. I look at my twin out of the corner of my eyes. I was still panicking from everything earlier. I didn't think I could let him battle again. Not after last time. He wore a fresh bandage; his wound had reopened during the fight. How could I let my brother out in the middle of that danger? It was terrifying, I couldn't think straight when I knew that a single spell could take him away forever. What would I do with myself? How could I even think about living without Georgie?

"Fred, are you listening?" I shake my head and let the thoughts go away. He's here and I'm going to protect him with every last fiber of my being. No one will ever hurt him ever again. On my word as a Weasley.

"What do you understand?" I already knew, but the others were listening. They hated when we communicated silently. Plus, it filled the horrible silence.

"Why she is always in control of everything she does. She keeps herself in check and definitely keeps her temper back." I fumble with the edge of my pajama shirt.

"I've never seen her so cruel." I whisper. Dad sits up from his spot on the bed. He looks unsure.

"I hope she changes back soon. We need answers and there's also that nasty wound on her shoulder." I look back out the window in concern, suddenly noticing the limp in her walk.