Chapter I
The rapid exchanged of green, red and blue light cover the spaces and corners of Godric Hollow. Screams echo as the falling bodies gave away a sound of a thud as it fall to the ground. "Anapneo!" Harry sent a few number of men flying to the sky. When their bodies hit the ground he binds them magically with a rope. Ron handed him potion, careful not to spill any of it, they gave each dark wizard and witch a drop on their forehead. And they couldn't move.
"I always wonder how you do it." Ron said over his shoulder, looking at the girl with short blond hair.
"It's one of the potions Snape has taught me, you can bet he made it on his own. Not written on any book." Arabella sent her owl Miniscule flying. They need help with transporting the criminals.
"They can't hear anything, too, right?" Harry asked. She turned to face them.
"Yes, they can't."
"Good, I have something important to tell you." Harry placed his wand in his right pocket. "It's about your sister."
Her heart almost skipped a beat. How long has it been since she last saw Alice? How long has it been since the war? Has her constant coming and going to one place to another made her lost sense of time? It's been two years since the war at Hogwarts. Two birthdays that they weren't together, two Christmases, new years, Easters, and death anniversaries. "How has she been? She stopped sending me letters about three months ago."
"She has been busy." Harry started out. He wasn't really sure how he should deliver the message to her. But Alice entrusted him to. "The reason she has not been able to write you a letter is that she's preparing for something. Something really, really grand. And she wanted me to tell it to you."
"Just spit it out already, Harry." Ron said impatiently.
"She's getting married."
"What?" Her voice was loud and they were sure it was heard everywhere in Godric Hollow. "She didn't even tell me she has a boyfriend! Who? Who is she going to marry?"
"George." Harry said, scratching the itchy part of his head.
"George who?"
"Weasley."
Her eyes drifted from Harry to Ron and then back to Harry. "Oh, Merlin." What did she expect? She left her younger sister to the Weasleys', and Fred and George were always the ones who cheer her sister up. It shouldn't come as a shock to her. "When is the wedding?" She said, almost in a defeated voice. She asks for nothing but her sister's happiness. She's sure George can give her that, not just because of the joke shop, pranks or silly jokes.
"In two months time." Harry smiled at her. "She wants you to be her maid of honor that's why we're telling it now. She kept in mind the dress fitting."
She laughed. "That's so Ali, not leaving behind a single detail." She sighed. "Two months, I've stayed in one place for two months without getting killed. I guess I can stop moving for two months."
"It's been two years, they still haven't stopped?" Ron asked with disbelief.
"I believe they never will, unless I get to them first." She placed her wand under the sleeve of her dark violet trench coat. It wasn't long when a few more Aurors apparated to help them with the criminals.
When they reach the Ministry of Magic she headed for her mentor and boss, Shacklebolt. She opened the door to his office and sat on a chair in front of his desk. "My younger sister is getting married in two months time and I'm here being hunted by Death Eaters even when Voldemort is already gone."
"Yes, Arthur had told me about the wedding four months ago." He placed his quill at the side. "I'm assuming you are here for a leave?"
"Yes, two months."
"And you'll be staying at the Weasleys?"
"No, I was thinking of staying in a traveler's inn around Diagon Alley. You know, just to be safe." She bit on the nail of her thumb.
"Or just stay at the Weasleys." He said sternly. "Where a few more Aurors live in, and a handful of capable witches and wizards."
"I'm afraid something would go wrong."
"Your sister will be married to one of the twins. Something is bound to go wrong." She smiled at her mentor.
"Maybe you're right. Being away for two years might have sent me a little paranoid, if not mental." They both chuckled. "Just call me in when you find them. I don't care if it's the day of the dress fitting, as long as it's not on my sister's wedding day."
"Of course."
"Oi, George!" Fred called out from the door of the adult section of their shop. "Not yet married and you're already picking out a toy?" He teased as his brother stock the shelves.
"I often see you in this section, Fred."
"Not like you though, I was actually stocking the shelves and not thinking about which toy to bring on the honeymoon."
George smiled grew bigger, he can tell that his brother is as excited as he is, if not maybe even more. Then he remembered another reason why Fred can be excited about his upcoming wedding. "Excited to see her aren't you?"
Fred entered the room and faced a shelf away from his brother. "Who are you talking about?" He knows it's useless to lie to George since they know what's in each other's head most of the time, but it's worth the try.
"Arabella Nelly." George said her full name and he felt something run down his spine. He didn't answer his twin, George chuckled. "And here I thought you're excited about me getting married."
"Oh, I'm excited that you'll be getting married, Georgie. I can now have the flat to my own."
"And invite Arabella every now and then." He teased. "Rekindled the love that was lost due to the battle at Hogwarts. We might get the Nelly sisters, huh?"
Fred doubted it, but he was hoping. He held a few products in his hand acted like he was checking them out. But his mind wondered to the past. To the year they met Arabella and Alice. They both came from Beauxbaton, transferred to Hogwarts because their parents died. The sorting hat had placed them into different houses, Arabella, the older one, in Slytherin and Alice in Gryffindor.
Alice was sweet and brave, but most of the times, she was sad. The twins noticed Arabella's efforts in trying to make her happy, but at the end of the day, when they all settle to their dormitories, Alice was alone. They both came to her rescue, but he has to admit most of it was just George's. He didn't have to ask what his brother's feelings for the girl. It was pretty obvious. Fred on the other hand, just stares at Arabella from a far. Sometimes, up close when they join the sisters for lunch.
He smiled at the thought of how shy Arabella was when they first met. She's a bit distant to everyone except her sister. It meant a lot to him when she came to him one day asking about a potion he has created.
Arabella asked him if they could meet in the abandoned girl's bathroom. He wondered why it has to be in the girls' bathroom, he just shrugged his shoulders. Told his brother he has something to get at the library for their other products. He saw her there, arms crossed, long hair braided and leaning on one of the sinks. He can tell she has a lot in mind, staring blankly at her shoes. "I can see your shoes are very interesting." He told her and that made her look up to him, she adjusted her eye glasses for a moment before flashing him that side smile she uses when he has a corny joke. "Why are we meeting secretly? Don't tell me, this is where you'll confess your undying love for me. You should have picked a better place than just a bathroom with a ghost."
Arabella shook her head from side to side. "As much as I want to confess my undying love for you, I have something more important to ask."
"What's more important than love, my dear?" He teased.
From her pocket she took out a vile, the label says; Bruise Eraser.
"How did you get that?" He asked, it was one of his project potions that he passed to Snape
"My uncle is Snape." She reminded him, that fact really creeps him out. "It wasn't mentioned in the label how long before the bruise will appear again."
"It won't appear again." He said in as a matter of fact manner.
"You mean this is a healing potion?" She asked with disbelief.
"Well, yeah. I suppose it heals bruises. If you want the recipe, I can give it to you." He offered, she was silent for a moment.
"Do you have anything that simply hides a discolored part of a skin?"
He raised his brows at her. "Why? Did something happen to you?" He felt worried for her. He knows Arabella is the kind of person who would never confide to anyone unless her problem was very serious.
"No, not to me." She bit on the nail of her thumb. "I just thought-" she sighed. "Never mind, thank you for coming-"
"Arabella, if you need my help, I'm here. Just say it." Fred felt like he sounded desperate. But looking at the girl he feels that she does needs someone's help. He just knows she would never ask for it, maybe if he offered it, she would accept.
She looked at Fred for a few seconds; Dumbledore told her he just needs to hide it until he tells Snape. She tried looking at the library, flipping each page of every book. Even the ones in the restricted area. She maybe good in making potions, but she hasn't have the skill to create one on her own. Well, not yet at least. "I do need help."
His eyes widen at her. He never thought she would say that. "Well- what- what is it you need?" He stuttered how he wished he hadn't.
"I need a potion that would hide discolored skin. You know, make it seem like the skin is still healthy." She told him. "I've tried the library, but there was nothing. I thought of creating one, but I'm- I have no idea how."
Fred smiled widely. "Well, you came to the right guy!" He's back to his cheery old self. "I'm sure George-"
"Don't tell George please. If you tell George, George will tell Ali, and Ali would be very, very worried." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please, this has to be just the two of us."
Just the two of us. It sounded like a promise to him, he smiled even wider, he never thought that he can stretch his cheeks that much. "Okay, if that's what the lady wants, the lady shall get."
"Thank you, Fred. This means a lot to me."
He chuckled at the memory, which was one he treasures most. Because of it, he had the chance to see her often. And they spent time together, just the two of them. But even when they were working together, and he was making her laugh, he can still feel her being distant towards him. It was like she was hiding a secret.
"Whatever happened between you and Ara, anyway?" George asked. "Did she tell you why she left? You're the one she was always with during our last days in Hogwarts."
His brows furrow at the question, he turned to see his twin looking at him.
"You think I wouldn't know? You two sneak around to get to the abandoned bathroom." George smiled at him. "You can't hide anything from me Freddie."
"Honestly, Georgie, she never told me."
"So, you won't deny that you and Ara had something going on?"
"Don't you think you intriguing me about this is already two years late?" He threw what he has on his hand to his twin.
"I think it's just the right time." He shook his head, leaving his twin in the room as he attended to their younger customers.
Learning that her sister was getting married, Arabella couldn't stop herself from thinking about the past. She feared that her Alice might know the things she had to do for Dumbledore. And how she played her part doing the war at Hogwarts. She wondered if Molly and Arthur kept it a secret to their children. She wondered if Harry told them. She took in a deep breath; all is fair in love and war. Not everyone can be the noble prince riding his stallion, waving his sword to save the day. There were people like Snape and her, walking on the thin line, risking their lives playing double agent. People that's loyalty will only be revealed at the very last moment. Though their loyalty lies to the good side, Snape died while most people thought he was a bad person. She lives but is getting hunt down by dark witches and wizards.
She thought it was not fair, but then her uncle Severus told her, life is never fair. Or maybe it is. Thinking about how Harry grew up without his parents and being with the Dursley. He deserves what he has now. She thought about her childhood. How her parents took care of them, and how much they showered them love. Her childhood was perfect until the Lestrange came knocking on their door and killed both of their parents. From then on, she had to grow up and she had to do it quickly.
Looking back, she never wanted to be a part of the Order of the Phoenix. But Dumbledore had a point; she and her sister is a Nelly. Their parents' works about the Muggles are opening up a lot of minds. Voldemort wouldn't stand for that. He even killed a professor just because she was teaching Muggle studies. Joining the Order, he promised he would keep her sister safe. She grunted at the thought, the old man can manipulate anyone to his advantage. He should have been a Slytherin. And the way he asked for the impossible, maybe it wasn't impossible, but it hurt. And it was too much for her. Now, she can never have a normal life.
She packed everything she needs in a suitcase, took her coat and shoved the suitcase inside the coat's pocket. She glanced at herself for the last time in the mirror; she was wearing a simple white Muggle shirt, black trousers, and boots. She wore her coat and grabbed both of her wands, placing one on the sleeve of her coat and the other at her back. She ran her fingers over the pendant of her necklace, biting her lower lips at the process. "Here we go." She said to herself, she closed her eyes and tried to remember the Burrow clearly. With a whip of her wand, she opened her eyes and saw the pond near the Burrow.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
She smiled, she knows that deep voice wherever she would go. She has memorized it timbre while they come up with a potion inside the abandoned girls' bathroom at Hogwarts. "Don't remember me, Freddie?" She asked as she turns to face him.
His eyes was wide in shock, she wasn't wearing glasses anymore, her long hair that was often braided is now short, and the clothes she was wearing, he never thought she would wear anything so rugged. "Arabella?"
"The one and only."
He got up from where he was sitting and walked towards her. He looked at her closely, he wasn't sure if he was dreaming. But he was sure she's more beautiful than ever. "I-" he decided not to continue was he wanted to say. He hugged her, and he hugged her tightly.
She was taken aback by what he did. She slowly moves her hand to hug him, too. She noticed that he has gotten taller, also bigger. He managed to cover her entire body with the hug. She chuckled, "it's been such a long time. How have you been?" He didn't answer. "Freddie?"
He broke the hug and looked at her; he ran his hand on the side of her face, brows furrow. "Where have you been?" Overwhelmed, that's how he felt. He didn't have any idea when she was going to show up. He didn't have a chance to prepare himself. He was simply sitting by the pond, throwing rocks and trying his best not to think about the shop.
"I-I've been everywhere to be honest." She once saw this look on his face. And it sure is bringing back memories. She's not sure where this meeting would lead to, perhaps a changed of subject is needed. "Is Ali here?"
Fred took her hand in his; they both walk to the Burrow. "Did you tell her you're coming?"
"No, I didn't tell anybody, to be honest."
"Well, this is going to be a surprise!" He exclaimed. They were at the back door now; he stopped and looked at her. "How are we going to surprise them?" He asked almost to himself. "I should have thought this through while we were by the lake. It's not yet too late, we can regroup-"
"Fred, who are you with?" They both turn to see Ginny walk to them. She clearly didn't recognize Arabella.
Fred quickly stepped in front of her, trying to hide her from Ginny. "No one, just neighbor asking for sugar." He heard a laugh from Arabella, and thought about how pretty she is when she smiles. He felt a hand on his arm; he thought his knees would go jell-o.
"Stop being silly, Fred. Me being here is already a surprise."
"You're like a Christmas present. Everyone knows you would be coming but still if wrapped in a colorful and shiny piece of paper, it adds excitement." He heard another laugh from her. She seems more carefree now than before.
Ginny's in front of them, now. Trying to see what's behind him. But Fred is just awfully taller than her. "Fred, step aside or I'll tell mother to not give you pudding after dinner."
"Ginny, I can live without pudding. And what am I? Twelve?"
"Well, maybe you can live without pudding, but I can't." Arabella showed herself to Ginny and the girl squealed.
"Oh, my!" She was grabbed by the hand again and the three of them entered the house. "Everybody! Arabella's back!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. They heard footsteps from every part of the house, and they all headed for the kitchen. Arabella faced stunned faces of Molly, Arthur, Percy, George, Granger and her sister. While Harry and Ron smiled at her.
Alice couldn't believe her eyes; she thought that Ara would owl her first before coming. But showing up immediately after knowing means her sister's love for her didn't changed. She walked up to her, not wanting to be dramatic. "What did you do to your hair?" She scolded.
Ara hugged her. "After years of not seeing each other, you'll scold me for my fashion choice?" She chuckled. "Oh, Ali. I missed you so much. I can't believe you're getting married. And, to a Weasley!" She exclaimed as she placed a reasonable distance between them. "One of the twins! A prankster! Are you sure about this?"
"Hey! Hey!" George caught her attention. "There's no going back now."
Ara laughed at George. "You better take care of my sister, or else I will hunt you down."
"Hunt him down?" Ginny said as if putting pieces of a puzzle together. "That means you're an Auror."
"Yes, I am."
"Harry, Ron." Granger spoke up. "Why didn't you mention anything to us?"
"Don't be mad at them, Granger." She smiled at her. "My location needs to be a secret all the time. The only reason why I can come here is because two other Aurors will be staying here, too. Not counting the capable Weasleys and you." She winked at Hermione.
"Why does your location have to be secret all the time?" Alice asked her.
"I'm not here to talk about work, Ali. I'm here because of your wedding." She avoided the topic. Talking about how she got her job would definitely be a mood killer.
Molly and Arthur walked towards her and gave her a hug; she noticed the tears forming in Molly's eyes. "We're so glad to see you, dear." The old lady's voice was shaking and she can sense that everybody around them found it strange.
Arthur rubbed his wife's back, trying to calm her down. "We know that you write to your sister, but never to us. We thought you're-"
"Arthur, you gave my sister a home. You became her second family." She sighed. "I'll tell you the reason why I didn't write some time. But right now, we should be happy for our couple."
"Couples." Ginny corrected her.
"Who are those?" She asked in a playful voice. But the way Ron and Hermione stood next to each other, and the way Harry smiled gave them away. She placed two hands on her waist. And put on a surprised expression. "Am I the only one who is single here?"
"You might want to ask Fred out sometime." George teased. "He's been waiting for you."
"Oi!" Fred yelled at George that made everybody laughed.
"Take those teasing to the living room." Molly said. "I have to cook for dinner."
"Let me help." Arabella offered.
"Rubbish! Go spend time with your sister." Molly practically pushed her put of the kitchen. "And Fred, take her suitcase at Ginny's room."
"But she didn't have any suitcase when she came here." Fred walked behind her.
"Oh, yeah." Arabella remembered she placed it inside her pocket. She held out her wand and pointed it to her right pocket. "Accio suitcase." It jumped out of her pocket and landed on the floor with a thud.
"Wicked." The twins said in unison and she saw Alice roll her eyes at them.
"I enchanted my pocket, very handy if you're a frequent traveler."
Fred grabbed her suitcase. "Mind if you teach me how? I bet a lot would buy that in our store." He winked at Arabella before heading up the stairs.
Just before dinner started, George pulled his fiancé aside to discuss a something with her. Arabella noticed how they were whispering against each other's ears and giggling. She could only roll her eyes at them and walk towards the kitchen. She has a glass of wine in her right hand, she saw Ginny carrying a kid with Harry beside her. "You two are quick." She commented as she came closer.
"Not really from me. But he is our son." Ginny said with a smile on her face. She gave them a puzzled look on her face. "This is Teddy Lupin."
She gape at them, memories of the last battle against flooded her mind. She didn't know about the baby. If she did, she could have—she could have what? What could she have done to save them? Too many things were happening all of the same time, too many death eaters all around. And Dumbledore gave her a direct order to save and protect as many students as she can. But she failed there, too. She shut her eyes, tightly.
"Are you alright?" Ginny asked her.
Arabella gave her a weak smile. "Must be the wine." She faked a laugh.
Ginny handed the kid to Harry. "I'll see if we have any potion for that." She chuckled. "I know we're celebrating but, don't get drunk. Ali has a lot to discuss with you about the wedding. And I'm sure she'll have Hermione making a potion to grow your long hair back."
"Do I have to wear the glasses, too?" She teased as Ginny got out of the kitchen.
Harry looked at her seriously. "It wasn't your fault." Ara just sighed. "We did all that we can. We can't expect that no one will die on a battle. And you know Dumbledore asks for too much, we both had first hand experiences."
"I know, Harry. It's just that-"she let out an air. "I feel like I could have done something somehow if I only knew about the kid." Harry walk to her so she could have a closer look at the boy. She ran her hand over the boy's cheek. "Oh, he's so adorable. I want to be an Aunt." She stated boldly. "I may not be here every year, but I promise to owl him Christmas gifts."
"That's fine with me as long as you don't spoil him." Harry said with a laugh, Ginny came back with a potion on her hands and handed it to Arabella. "We've got another Aunt, Ginny."
"I hope you make a lot of babies." Ginny blushed at her statement, and she laugh. The red haired girl lightly pushed her to the side. The oven opened on its own and Molly came in, taking the turkey out and placing it on the table. She pours the thick rich sauce on top of it. Grabbing her wand from her back pocket, she gave it a flick. Plates, cups, forks and knives find their own way to the table and everything was set up. Arabella placed down her glass of wine. "I'll call everybody."
"No need, darling." Molly said to her with a smile, clearing her throat she shouted. "Dinner's ready!"
Ara giggled as she hears rushed footsteps. Hermione, Ron and Arthur were at the back, Ali and George were at the living room, and Percy looked annoyed at Fred who was smiling mischievously. They all take their seats, Arthur at the end of the table on his right his wife, Ron on his left. Next to him was Hermione, Harry and Ginny, at the other end was Percy on his left was George, Ali. She sits between Fred and Molly. They all started to dig in, catching up. Ara avoided most questions. She made sure she will be the one to ask. She looked to her side and saw how happy her sister was and she couldn't help but stare.
Alice noticed her sister wearing a weak and bitter smile, eyes showing that her thoughts weren't with them anymore. "What's the matter, Ara?"
"Oh, nothing. I just still can't believe it." She started off with a disclaimer at the beginning. "Not being dramatic or sentimental here, but I'm glad it's George you'll be marrying. He was always the one who made you laugh during our years in Hogwarts." She paused. "Or was it Fred?" Everyone laughed. "A part of me knew you'd two would end up together."
"Well, I always thought you and Fred had something for each other." Ginny commented and they all looked at her with questioning looks on their faces. "What? I saw the two of you kiss on the hallway."
Both Arabella and Fred Froze.
