The Titan
She had spent all her years fighting through what she thought would be her forever. But as Ginny's best friend, there would never be a dull moment, especially when she was brought to the Weasley house and fell for the untameable brother.
It was the second Weasley Christmas party since the battle… one of the hardest times of the year. The sickening absence of Fred's death had taken it's toll worst of all on George, and the harder we tried to take down the walls that he had surrounded himself in, the more he put back up. It had been a miracle we were able to rip him from his shell long enough to make him attend the party anyway.
Slowly, it had gotten better, things started to improve and mom's mood brightened. The family would make more of an effort to smile, and make small jokes… even if nothing was quite the same without Fred.
Now, we were all surrounded by close friends and family, singing, dancing, eating and making small jokes in attempt to save the merry feelings that the early dinner had brought on. George was making small talk with a cousin and mom and dad were dancing amongst the other couples… enjoying the chance to be alone.
Harry had taken off with Ron and Percy, his date, and Charlie were at the buffet, making quick jokes while eating together, everyone in high spirits.
Standing along side some of dad's friends from his younger days, I found myself absentmindedly bobbing with the music as my eyes drifted from where the others were dancing and the door. It was easy to say the least I had been waiting, for a while now too. But it would be worth it, when she walked through the door… it would all be worth it.
Ruben Connelly had been one of my most distant, but best friends all the least ever since I had been young. Before I had even been old enough to attend Hogwarts, and long before I had ever thought about Harry Potter.
She had lost most of her family to death eaters, and her older brother had passed away earlier this year, to reasons not even the healers at St. Mungo's could explain. To say the least she had lost a lot in the past while… and as her record for traveling from family to family has tenfold, I thought it best that she spent Christmas with the Weasley's.
A sudden gust of cold wind swept throughout the room and as I looked towards the door, I found myself starring at an older, much paler and skinnier Ruben Connelly. She was tall and thin, with piercing green eyes that shone like diamonds wherever she was. With blond, red streaked hair, she walked into the front door in a mid length black dress and a pair of flats with a duffle bag and guitar case in tow.
Eyes trailing up, I saw a tall and thin shell of what use to be a girl… and what would be once again if I had a say.
There was no doubting she was beautiful. The black, strapless dress hugged her upper torso and flared out as it lowered slightly. It hung to just above her knees and as I motioned to meet her eyes, I found that the band wrapped around left wrist still hung tight in black and red tartan with a silver coat of arms pinned against it. A delicate tartan scarf also hung around her neck as her hair was pulled into a messy bun, lonesome singled strands hanging out here and there, as her bangs covered some of her face… shading her from the world around.
Running forwards, a loud shriek echoed through my lips as just as she turned around, I through myself at her, encasing her cold body in my arms. "Oh Ruben I'm so glad you could make it!" I called out, pulling back to look at her as I watched her emerald eyes dance in excitement. A smile piercing her thin lips and her colour immediately lighting up.
"Aye, wouldn't have missed it for the world darlin'." I smiled as her Irish accent leaked through the edges of her mouth. It was undeniable… I loved everything about her. Her passion for music, her green eyes. This was the girl I had grown up with, the girl I had watched and learned from every step of the way. She was only a year older, but in a way… her age had to have surpassed even George's at some point.
"Ruben? Is that really you love?" I was only faintly aware mum coming up behind us and taking Ruben into her arms in a gripping hug.
"Mrs. Weasley, it's a pleasure to see you again." she smiled reassuringly as mum pulled her further into the house, making a scene by announcing her arrival to everyone along the way.
Trudging into the kitchen, mum sent the bags upstairs and immediately began interrogating Ruben about her trip and her stay. Insisting that she stay longer then planned and desperately trying to get her to open up. She even asked about her brother. Mum and the family didn't know of Tyler's passing, and Ruben wanted to keep it that way. So when she asked, I watched as she took and deep breath and swallowed heavily.
"He's uh… he's good. Getting a lot of rest lately, yeah." ten minutes later, mum and dad and fled in order to watch the crowd as for what felt like forever, we just sat in silence.
"They'd understand if you told them you know." I countered as she took and deep breath and got up from her seat at the kitchen table.
"No… it's, it's not like that. I just can't stand the looks of pity. I can do this Gin… just give me time. I'll move on, I can do this." she sighed before taking my arm and pulling me towards the living area where everyone was. Ruben had met everyone before, even Harry after I had sent her an owl telling her of him. No, she hadn't met him face to face, but she knew enough about him already.
"Come on Ruben, let's go dance." I smiled as her eyes seemed to visibly brighten at the thought.
Running for the dance floor, I watched as the song suddenly turned slow and as the couples partnered up quickly, snaking arms found their way around my torso as I turned to face a smiling Harry. Seeing the adoration in his eyes seemed to make my heart swell as I starred into his eyes. "Care to dance?"
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I leant my head forward and pressed it against his, forgetting all about Ruben and knowing she would be able to fend for herself for a while. It was times like these that I appreciated everything surrounding me. Times like these when I discovered those special moments we share. Seldom do I find myself thankful for everything… but seeing the pain and loss in Harry's eyes seems to take me from my own world and place me in his.
Appreciating every ounce of family that I can find. The love and equality that we share amongst ourselves. To the song we swayed slowly back and forth, savouring the feeling of being in each other's arms and dreading when we would be forced to break apart. Which in my opinion, came all too quickly.
In a quick glance, I turned at take a quick peak at Ruben to make sure she was alright. Only to turn and find she was being swept around in the arms of a distant friends' relative.
They looked perfect for each other. Ruben was tall and slender, but in his arms, she looked like a delicate rose petal. Small and fragile. He was tall, dressed in black pants and a button up shirt. With raven hair and ice blue eyes, she smiled as they locked eyes and danced under the watch of all the others.
Ruben had always had a way about performing. She could sing, dance, and her lies seemed convincing enough to some. Their movements were intricate and unique, using their space wisely and making the movements seem easy.
All too soon, the song ended and he stepped back and kissed her hand gently. Sharing a small smile as he made his way over to his father at the door. With one last wave to mum and dad, he left the house and closed the door behind him. Leaving Ruben in the middle of the dance floor starring hazily after him.
Giving Harry a quick kiss and a knowing look, I rushed over to Ruben and placed a hand on her shoulder from behind. "Rue… are you okay?" I asked, currently aware of her state.
"He looked like Tyler, did you see that Gin. He looked like Tyler." she whispered in somewhat a dazed voice. As if though she was conscious, she wasn't all there. Starring after him also, I visualized what I remembered Tyler to look like, and thought of the boy that had danced with Ruben. It was true… they looked similar… not completely, but close enough.
"Come on Ruben, let's go get something to eat." I offered, pulling her towards the food and away from the dance floor. I suppose she couldn't really fend for herself in those few short minutes I had left her.
Absent minded, I through a few pieces of food onto a plate and shoved it into her waiting hands. Slowly, as she ate… she began to come around. She didn't eat much, some turkey placed on a home made roll, but that was it. "I can't get him out of my head Gin. I don't know if he'll ever leave."
The people started to thin out as the time dragged on, but we remained seated in the kitchen, desperate to drag her away from her memories.
Unexpectedly, mum came barrelling into the kitchen and looked from me to Rue and back again. "Rue, would you sing a song for us? Would you please? There's only a few left and I haven't heard you play in such a long time. Would you do us the honours?"
I could see the pain and confusion shoot through her eyes as Rue turned to look at me, horror struck. I knew the consequences. I had never been able to turn my mother down, and nor had Ruben. It was something that everyone admired about Molly Weasley.
"It would be my honour Mrs. Weasley. But I… I haven't the faintest idea of what to sing for you." she tried sheepishly, most likely praying mum would take it and leave it at that.
"How about the one you use to sing for us. Oh please Ruben, it would be lovely if you would." she begged pulling Rue to her feet and towards the living area. Knowing all to well she had been roped in already.
Following hesitantly into the room she had been dragged into. I watched as she clipped the clasps for her case and pulled out an old and battered acoustic guitar. Picking a few of the chords before making her way to the front of the room, she looked around nervously as mum nodded reassuringly.
Walking over to join Harry, I wasn't aware that she had called me out. "Gin… come give me a hand." Harry smiled as he pushed me forwards, stumbling up beside Rue and smiling sheepishly towards everyone.
Taking out my wand… I managed to make somewhat of a beat as she started to strum. Clapping my hands to the beat of the music, I turned and watched as her voice was louder above everyone as the audience silenced at the sound of the music.
Looked down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black tar
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breathe in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work he's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I've been there a million times
A couple of million eyes just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all alone
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
That I keep missing
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Turning to face me as the music ended, the last she could offer was a small smile as I returned it reassuringly before looking out to everyone who were clapping their hands together vigorously. It was surprising. When Ruben sang, it was as if she had no accent. It was undetectable under the cover of her voice with the strumming of the guitar. Bowing her head, she gave a small wave and looked at me again, more excitement laced within her eyes.
"What in the bloody hell is that racket?" a sudden shrill voice called out over all. As everyone's gaze shifted, I saw George breathing heavily as his eyes threatened to spill tears and his body shook with anger. Clearly, the song had upset him greatly as mum and dad dove forward and chided him quietly.
George had visibly grown more ever since Fred had passed away. He had worked out more, trained for Quidditch and tried to keep himself busy. He let his hair grow out longer to cover his ear and his eyes had visibly darkened.
"What is she doing here?" he asked with venom pooling in his mouth. George had never taken to Ruben. Fred had loved her when they were young, perhaps that was why George was so bitter. When Rue was around… Fred looked as if to have yet another twin. He never forgot George, he just seemed to always want Rue around also.
That must have not been the reason why he despised her now, but rather the fact that her being here reminded him much of the young days spent with Fred when they were small.
Stepping forward, I placed an arm around her rigid stance and lead her backwards. Urging her to put away the guitar and follow me into the kitchen while George stammered quietly on with mum and dad.
"He's right Gin… what am I doing here?" she asked after a few minutes of silence.
"He's just sore Rue… he'll warm up. Don't worry." I offered as she shook her head and looked around pained.
"Why did you really ask me to come here Ginny?" she asked. Taken aback by the question, even the sudden impact was making me go back and double take. The truth of the situation was, I knew everything she had been through, and she had handled it so much better then we all had.
"I was hoping you could help us cope with loosing Fred." she looked at me and starred me down as I spoke. "It's been so hard. And we should be getting along by now. But George has locked him inside a shell no one can get at, and I'm afraid we'll loose him. I was hoping you could help us."
I knew it was wrong, even to her out of all people. I don't know how many times Rue had fished me from a rough spot even through letter's. Now… in person, it should work all the more better. She was strong, independent. If anyone could pull George back to his real self, it would be Ruben and she would do it faster then anyone could ever imagine.
"I-… Gin I can't promise you anything. But you've been good to me, I guess it's the least I can do for a friend. You would do it for me." she offered a small smile as she bid goodnight and sauntered silently up the stairs and into my room, where all her luggage had been placed.
Walking out into the living room, I saw as everyone had left now. Walking out further towards the couch in the family room, I saw a large, tall and lanky red head seated on the couch, quietly waving his wand back and forth in his hands.
"Can't sleep?" I asked casually as I took the seat next to him. My heart racing as I heard the sigh, long and hard, escape his lips. George, Fred and I had always been close, I don't know weather it was the strive that we were so different from the others, but there was something that had always clicked between us… something that had always felt right.
"She shouldn't be here Ginny. You shouldn't have asked her to come." his voice was low, hostile. So unlike the George Weasley I had once known.
"Why? Tell me why she shouldn't be here George. She was always good to me, there is no reason that I shouldn't be allowed to be happy just because your not. Why are you so against her being here?" I asked, incredulous to the look of confusion and hurt that passed his eyes, oblivious to the fact he had left himself open.
"She's not one of us Gin. At least Harry's been around all this time. We only saw her a selected amount of times of the years, she never wrote, never called. When we were younger, she was always just there. She always thought she was one of us. Right off the bat she acted as if this was her home. She was comfortable, too comfortable. She never acted like a guest. She just shouldn't be here Ginny… especially now."
"Yeah well like it or not, she's here and she's here to stay. I don't care what you think George. Ruben is one of my closest friends and I'm going to take her into this family despite what you say." huffing, I got up from the couch and headed towards the stairs, fighting with myself over would it be the right thing to do… to say what was exactly on my mind.
Stopping, I paused and waited for what felt like hours in silence. "Just because you refuse to be helped or try to be happy… doesn't mean the rest of us have to stoop down to your level of self pity and depression. There are more suffering then just you George, you'd do right to keep that in mind."
Running up the stairs, I passed the odd bedroom until I finally found myself in my own room. Ruben asleep on the far bed closest to the window with her things neatly placed at the foot of her bed and her wand safely tucked beside her pillow.
Changing from my party dress, I stripped my clothes quickly, jumping from the cool air and pulled my warm flannel pyjamas on. Shivering, I jumped into bed and pulled the covers over my feet and legs. Running a hand swiftly through my hair, I sighed and outed the light before laying my head down on the pillow.
The day had been productive to say the least. It had been reassuring knowing that Rue would try and help… and even more so thinking about how I believed she would get it done.
There were few in the world like Ruben, she had gone from having everything… to having nothing at all and never had her faith of personality faltered to the eye of another person. She was dying inside. Every passing day she was loosing something she held close, a memory or a fond feeling. It disappeared as her familiarity of those she had lost died with her. She never changed in appearance though. And it seemed to be something I admired most about her. Her inevitability to show anything.
Something could be tormenting her, pulling her apart inside and ripping her insides out and yet all she may show was a faint smile. But I knew what it was like to hide things. I knew that when you loose someone… the realization doesn't hit you at first. It takes agonizing minutes of pain, maybe even days until the reality hits you. They're never coming back. He'll never spend Christmas with us again, never walk through the door of the house, or pull a joke with George… but as hard as it was to grasp, I had others. I had people surrounding me that helped me hold on. That helped me take a firm grasp of humanity and pull through it's staggering patch.
For Rue, she had no one. She would wake every morning to an empty house and go to bed all the same. She would go downstairs to eat her breakfast and there would be no one to wish her a good morning. No one to talk to when she was troubled. There was just no one. The shell of herself may have been heartbreaking as a friend to see… but thinking of what has to go through her mind every second of everyday would be agonizing. Knowing that no matter what, there was no escape. No waking up and knowing that there will be someone that knows what your going through, someone to place their hand on your back and tell you that it's okay… that everything will be fine.
Sighing, I turned over in my bed and starred at the wall. How many days I had confined myself to this bedroom after the Battle, how many hours I had spent silently crying as my head pounded from the reminders and memories of what I had gone through.
Things seemed so heartbreaking from my point of view. But when I try to look at things from Ruben's I find the world that much different to look at. I may wake up every day with pains and memories that I can't stand, but I have a family behind me that will hold me up when I'm falling. I have a boyfriend that I know will be my forever, brothers that will be my support for whatever I choose to do. And a friend that will do everything in her power to see that we are on our feet again.
Closing my eyes… I could feel a faint smile on my face. This was the first time since that battle that I can lay in bed and think of everything happening in my life and be thankful for every single detail. Every breath, ever blink… ever second that passes me by.
Blanking my mind of every thought, I solemnly focused on trying to sleep. Concentrating on the blackness of behind my closed eyes.
Sighing, I could feel the break of an early morning pinching at my unprotected eyes through the curtain. The faint smell of bacon and the heavy, but unreadable sound of voices coming from downstairs seemed to drift upwards as I sighed and rolled over, searching for Ruben in her bed.
The sheets were folded neatly and the trunk was slightly opened. With a mighty push, I sat upright and looked around, taking in a deep yawn and stretching my nimble limbs.
The room was warm, but I knew the house would not be as comfortable.
So pulling my dressing gown down over my pyjamas and slipping my cold feet into the fuzzy, hugging soles of my slippers I made a movement for the door and wretched it open. Descending down the stairs, I turned and sighed as I walked into the kitchen and found that Rue was telling my father and some of the others about her adventures.
"Morning." I smiled as everyone turned to look at me and mom ran over and gave me a morning kiss before leading me towards the table. I managed to share a quick look with Rue as her eyes met mine before being prodded to continue her story.
"So… we were walking through the streets, laughing and dancing about as the Celtic music blasted through the buildings and out the pubs. Drunken wizards running here and there and throwing as many fireworks in the air as possible." holding a finger up, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small black crystal before holding before everyone's eyes and cupping towards her mouth, as if to tell it a vital secret.
Leaning down, she whispered something incoherent to the small crystal as if it would listen before crushing it in her hands and tossing it into the air.
I looked to the faces of the people surrounding me as I finally turned to the black dust and watched as before my eyes it burst into a celebration of red, white and green small fireworks that exploded above the table and flew around, finally settling over head and with a last explosion busted into an array of sparkling words. 'Happy Christmas Weasley's!' it read as suddenly it disappeared without a trace and everyone gave a small appreciation of such a display.
"That was brilliant Ruben… how did you manage such a thing?" dad asked surprised as mum walked over and placed a plate in front of me with bacon, scrambled eggs, and toast. Scolding dad as she walked back towards the stove.
Pulling out another small crystal, she held it towards the light, and looked at it admirably. "I made them myself. They weren't exactly what the other wizards used but I'm hoping they'll get somewhere someday." she smiled as her eyes flashed to dad before they turned back towards the small object. "You see each one is black. But you whisper the size of explosion and the event and it will follow order pending on what you want. They really are remarkable little things. My brother helped me finish them off." she smiled and handed one to dad as he held it carefully and examined it closely.
"What did you want to do this morning Rue?" I asked as she took the crystal back and placed it in her pocket, before looking towards me.
"I don't really mind actually. I was hoping we could go outside for a while. I haven't been outside lately." she smiled as I finished and brought my plate over to the counter. Setting it down in the sink I raced upstairs to change and came down not twenty minutes later to find Ron, Harry and Rue having a laugh as George glared at the three from across the table.
"Bloody 'ell Ruben… never thought I'd see the day you'd do such a thing." Ron smiled as he turned to see me.
Walking over, I greeted Harry a good morning and turned to Ruben. "You want to go outside now?" I asked as her eyes lit up and she smiled, nodding her head reverently.
"Would you guys care to accompany us?" she asked as Hermione, Fleur, Bill, and Percy walked into the room. All sharing the same look of bore. Each nodding their heads, she then turned to mum and dad. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasley we'd be honoured if you would come with us too." she smiled as mum and dad looked from what they were doing and smiled at Rue.
"As brilliant as the offer sounds. We'll leave you kids to yourselves." dad smiled as she nodded her head them turned unexpectedly towards George.
"You know George we'd all love it if you came with us too. I'm sure you'd only add to the fun." looking from Ruben to George, I saw that his scowl had only tenfold.
"No, I would prefer not to accompany the likes of you." mum and dad looked horrified as he spoke with venom and the hostility pooled in his mouth. Expecting to find a hurt expression on her face, everyone turned to see a look of complete and pure contentment pass over her features.
"Very well." she smiled acknowledging and turned towards the door. Walking out of the house with most of it's residents in hot pursuit. Glaring at George I followed after and desperately tried not to laugh at his shocked expression.
The outside air was cool and chilli, but pleasant to say the least.
Suddenly, the impact of a cold, hard object knocked me sideways as I turned and saw Rue laughing as everyone watched shocked.
Bending down to pick myself up a snowball she was much to quick and had already thrown yet another.
Raising to my feet, I let out a battle cry as I through the snowball and laughed as it collided with Ruben's head. "Snow ball fight!" I hollered out and dove for the safe keepings of behind the shed as another snow ball whizzed by.
As I turned, I found myself face to face with Ruben, I looked to her and shared a special smile as I found that already… it looked as if everyone were having a better time with her already.
Flicking snow upwards I sat dumbfounded as Ruben bounded away laughing.
Right before she could get away, she crashed headfirst George and both were sent flying. Ruben, oblivious to the fact she had hit George and George glaring long and hard at her laughing figure.
With a look of pure hatred, George bounded to his feet and brushed the snow off of him, turning to glare at Ruben as she too picked herself up off the ground. "Why can't you just grow up? Your family would be disgusted if they saw your behavior. Maybe that's why they left." he hissed as Rue's laughter stopped abruptedly and a slow gasp left my lips.
Sure, some knew of the real incident with Rue's parents, but George only thought they had left her and her brother. The sting and pain laced within Ruben's eyes was torementing as she turned to look at me, then the others and silently walked into the house, wrapping her arms around herself as the sudden blow of wind through a chilling arm around everybody.
"Nice George." I glared as he turned to me confused with a wondering expression.
"What?" he demanded as he turned and watched her step inside.
"Her parents didn't leave her. They died you git." I stated, pushing past him as I walked inside after Ruben.
If her were to be so vain to bring up a topic as sore as that, maybe there was no hope for him afterall. Maybe we had really lost our George Weasley.
This was my first kind of attempt for a story like this. Let me know what you think, I was hoping I reached a certain potential but your input will help me out!