The Girl Who Lived

Winter at the Burrow

December 31st, 1995.

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I held the cup under my lips, smelling the Firewhiskey immediately and setting it down on the wooden table. I looked over to the red haired boy on my left and he grinned, amusement along with adoration shining in his eyes. He wiggled his light eyebrows and I hid my laughter as his mother began to scold us.

"What have I told you about those- those jokes?" Molly Weasley shrieked, holding Bill Weasley's head in her lap. I felt bad, really I did.

Bill Weasley was not supposed to be the test subject. Ron was but as usual, Harry had warned him about the spiked treats.

George Weasley was to my right and he simply shrugged and held out a purple toffy to his mother. "This is the cure for the puking pas-"

Right on cue, Bill Weasley threw up into the bucket and Fred Weasley tried to choke back a laugh but it slipped.

I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to contain myself. Spending so much time here made me forget that I wasn't their daughter but damn, it felt good to be scolded, as if someone gave a damn about me.

"Mrs. Weasley, I'm so sorry-" I swallowed my laughter and held out the same purple toffy as George. "Please, we swear that this is the cure. All of this was my idea for Ron but it failed pretty miserably. I never intended for any harm."

Molly Weasley relaxed at my apology and the actual sincerity of it, which was lacking from the twins's apology. "Of course dear." She summoned the toffy and fed it to her green son. Instantly, the color flooded his face again and he stopped gagging.

"See, mum? We were telling the truth but you never believe us!" Fred exclaimed, pointing to his eldest brother who was standing up from the couch across the way. "But because it's Elena-" Fred began to mumble. I kicked him underneath the table softly and he turned his head and blew me a joking kiss.

George, his twin, gagged and stood from the table. "You both are disgusting. I feel like I ate a puking pastille."

"Don't be so sour, George." I narrowed my eyes at him and wiggled my fingers. I took a sip from my mug and the warmth of the fire coated my throat.

"Swear to me, children, that there will be no more puking pastilles in this house for the rest of the holiday!" Molly begged, watching her son lie back down.

I held my hand to my heart and nodded. "I swear it, Mrs. Weasley. Again, I am so sorry to both you and Bill."

"Eh, don't worry about it, Elena." Bill waved me off and winked. I smiled and the twins swore it too.

Molly and Arthur Weasley, who sat on the couch, bandaged and bruised, waved us off and excited to finally join the others outside, we three leapt from our seats and ran outside with our brooms and mugs of firewhiskey.

The night was beautiful, a clear sky and breezy. It was cold, some snow had stuck to the ground.

Around the sky, two wizards and a witch were soaring on their brooms. George sat down next to the bushy haired witch who was lying on the back of the hill, half sitting and watching our friends fly. They were chasing each other quickly. There was an extra broom lying near Hermione and I know Harry had brought down my Firebolt for me to fly with them.

"Blimey Elena, get up here!" Ron yelled, dashing past his sister. I smiled up at them and crouched next to Fred.

He was looking at me, directly in my eyes and a small grin spread on his lips. My grin was goofy and probably so wide. We were inches apart, just as we had always been this summer and winter.