The Marauder's Daughter

HOLIDAYS AT THE BURROW

josephine lupin-black

I woke up to Fred jumping out of bed, panicking, and pulling on his clothes. I sat up and held the blankets around me, my shoulders bare.

I shivered. "Hey, hey," I said sleepily. "Babe, what's wrong?"

He shook his head. "It-it's my dad. He was attacked by a-uh...a snake and Ha-Harry saw it-"

I stood up and pulled on a pair of pants and a sweater. He sat down on the edge of his bed to slide on his shoes, and I could see the tears glistening in his eyes.

My hand lifted his chin up to look at me, and I kissed him on the cheek. He wrapped his arms around me, resting his head on my chest.

"What...what if he dies and...and Bi-Bill and C-Charlie aren't around and...and Percy is a pompous g-git-" he sobbed. "I'll ha-have to take care of everyone because I-I'm the next oldest-"

I ran my hands through his hair. "Freddie, just breathe," I said calmly, kneeling down in front of him. "He's going to be alright, and you won't have to take care of everyone. Okay? You'll have me to help around, and Remus, and Sirius. We aren't going to leave you to take care of everyone by yourself, trust me?"

He nodded, and I wiped the tears off his cheek before helping him off the bed. I held out my hand, and he grabbed it. We walked quickly to Dumbledore's office following behind the rest of the Weasley family at Hogwarts. Hermione was forced to stay outside, but they allowed me in.

"There is a portkey scheduled to leave in an hour," Dumbledore informed us, Harry sitting in the corner of his office on a chair drinking tea and shaking. "Please, gather your things quickly. You were scheduled to leave this weekend either way."

I squeezed Fred's hand reassuringly, and rested my head on his arm. McGonagall soon released us from the office and lead us down the corridor.

"Miss Lupin-Black," she stated, "I'm afraid you can't leave with the Weasley's tonight-"

"Oh that's okay Professor-"

Fred shook his head. "No, she's coming."

"Mr. Weasley I am afraid only family may-"

"She's basically my family," he stated. "Harry and Granger, too. I am not leaving her alone here."

I looked up at him. "I'll be okay for one day, Freddie, I promise."

"No, you're coming with me." He looked back at McGonagall, us now stopped outside of the Fat Lady's portrait. "Please, Professor. You know my mum, she'd have a fit if they weren't there."

She sighed. "Oh all right, but do not mention any of this to Umbridge," she ordered.

Fred smiled and rubbed his thumb over the back of my hand.

"We won't, Professor," George spoke up. "I promise."

Quickly, I hurried off to my dorm behind Ginny. We woke up Hermione, and the three of us packed quickly. We sprinted down the steps two at a time, and dropped our luggage on the couch. Hermione comforted Ron, who was on the couch looking rather startled.

"George, where's Fred?" I asked.

His eyes were tired, his face sunken in. "He's still in the dorm."

I nodded and took off walking up the stairs. I walked into his room and saw Fred sitting on his bed emotionless.

The sounds of my shoes clicking on the floor will the room as I sat down next to him, placing a hand on his thigh.

"Hey, look at me," I said, turning around and facing him.

A single tear rolled down his cheek. "I-I'm sorry I should be strong but I've been trying to hide it and-"