A/N: Hello and welcome to another year at Hogwarts! This is Coralynn's fifth year so if you haven't already done so, please go and read years 2-4 or you may be a little lost. This year gets a bit more adult so the rating will go up as the chapters get more, well, adult. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Molly Weasley's Woes
It had been the hottest summer in years. A hazy, lazy atmosphere blanketed the Burrow just outside the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. Due to drought, dust clouds from the village hung in the air, coating every bit of the Weasley abode. Where the village was looking quite brown and yellow, Molly Weasley's garden was enchanted to stay bright and colorful without much water. In the shade and close to the ground was the coolest place to be in a house that had no air conditioning. The lack of a breeze and all of the bodies made the Burrow stifling.
This is where I found myself relaxing during the beginning of our summer holiday away from school. I was staying with the Weasley family because Ted and Andi were vacationing in New Zealand and Tonks, who had passed her Auror exams, was constantly working. I didn't mind this, however. I loved the Burrow. It was home to me. Molly was my godmother, Ron was one of my best friends, and Fred was my boyfriend. The Weasleys' were my family.
Like I said, I was relaxing under the shade of Molly's hydrangeas when I felt a body lay close to mine. I turned my head and cracked an eye open to see Fred resting on his stomach. He sent me a lazy smile as he folded his arms in front of him and laid his head down. He softly muttered a greeting as he closed his eyes. This was our meeting spot of choice. At the end of last year, Molly found out that Fred and I were dating. Since then, we were never left alone together. Molly, although she was absolutely thrilled, did not trust her son with her only goddaughter. She made it clear that there was to be no "hanky-panky" and so, we were always watched.
"It's too hot to be inside," I mused.
"'S too hot to be outside," Fred chuckled. He reached over with one hand and brushed a few stray curls out of my face.
"Where's your mom?"
"Village. Percy's supposed to come home tonight. Got something to tell us all apparently."
After a moment of silence, I chuckled, "She'd be furious if she knew we were alone."
"She'll have to deal with it," Fred moaned dramatically as he rolled over, half on top of me. I laughed as I tried to push his crushing body off of me. When Fred returned back to his stomach, he ran his fingers through my hair. "Does Sirius know," he asked softly.
I sighed deeply, "Sirius wouldn't know anything about my life. He doesn't ask me anything apart from how Harry's doing. I don't think he cares for anything except Harry, actually."
"I'm sure that's not true, Cora. He's your dad. He cares about you."
I smiled sadly at Fred. "Maybe. He's got a funny way of showing it – I don't know."
We stayed in the shade for a good while until we heard the distinct pop of someone Apparating. Molly's voice called out for help. She no doubt had been held down with groceries for the large dinner she wanted to prepare for Percy's return. It was Ginny who came out to help her. Fred and I stayed quiet as Molly chattered on about the non-magic villagers and how the price of milk had gone up. I breathed a sigh of relief when they had gone inside. The three other Weasley children who lived at the Burrow had been good at keeping it secret whenever Fred and I disappeared together. We did it quite often. Fred was turning me into a little rebel.
"Cora! Cora, dear," Molly called.
"Oh, shit," I whispered, chuckling as Molly's head popped out of the kitchen window from above us. She looked around a bit, eyes narrowed.
"Ginny, where's Cora?"
"Ginny, have you seen –" George went silent as he entered the kitchen.
"Has Ginny seen who, dear," Molly's voice became a little strained. George stumbled over his words and Ginny hadn't said anything. Fred was holding his hands over his mouth to keep from laughing at the situation happening inside. I rolled onto my stomach so I could crawl out from the cover of the flowers and shrubs.
Before I could move, Fred's lips grazed mine in a sweet kiss. "It's just my mum," Fred chuckled, "She's not going to kick you out for running off with me."
I cupped Fred's cheek. "Oh, it's not me I'm worried about," I whispered back.
"Where is Cora," Molly questioned her kids. She groaned, "You were supposed to be watching them!"
"We were," George said quickly.
"If those two are off – canoodling – somewhere in this house I'll –"
"Hey, Molly! Back from shopping," I asked as I casually leaned against the back doorframe. Molly's eyes narrowed. I was well aware that my clothes were dirty.
"Cora, dear," Molly's voice became sweeter. "Where were you?"
"Taking a walk. I heard you calling, so I came back."
"And why are your clothes so dirty?"
"I tripped," I shrugged.
"Uh-huh. And where's Fred."
"I don't know," I said innocently. "I haven't seen him all day."
Just as Molly was about to respond, Ron came into the kitchen. He was carrying a box of old clothes that he outgrew over our fourth year. I was supposed to be helping him pack them up when I decided to lay out in the garden instead. From around the box, Ron grunted. He obviously hadn't seen his mom.
"Nice of you to help, Cora. Don't think I didn't notice Fred join you in your little hiding spot from my window!"
"WHAT," Molly exploded. Ron dropped the box he was carrying. He looked between me and Molly like a deer caught in the headlights. Ginny and George both face-palmed their foreheads. At this same moment, Fred walked up from behind me, looking dirt free. Molly rounded on us. "What did I tell you about being alone!?"
"Mum –"
"You know I approve, but she's underage, Fred!"
"Mum, I –"
"You can't just run around –"
"We aren't "running around"," Fred burst out. Everyone stared at Fred. He took my hand, squeezing it hard. When he cooled down, Fred spoke again. "I really care about her, mum."
While Molly and Fred argued downstairs, I had spent the rest of the afternoon up in Ginny's room. I was laying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about the confession Fred had made to his family. He said he "really cared" about me. Like, what did that even mean? And, I knew I had very strong feelings for Fred. I had practically been in love with Fred Weasley since third year, maybe even before that. I loved him when he was happy; I loved him when he was sad. I loved him when he was joking around; I loved him when he was serious. My heart hurt just thinking that Molly would change her mind and not allow us to be together. I hadn't experienced this kind of pain before. Tears rolled down from the corner of my eyes and I was unable to stop them.
There was a knock on the door and someone popped their head in. I didn't look to see who it was. I was too busy staring a hole in the ceiling. The bed creaked and dipped as someone sat down. A hand was placed on my knee. I shut my eyes to keep from crying even more. It was Molly.
"Coralynn," she muttered. I knew she meant business. Molly never used my full name. "Coralynn, dear, I want you to know why I don't like you and Fred being alone."
"Because I'm too young," I huffed.
Molly exhaled deeply. "I don't want you to get hurt. Yes, I am happy that you deeply care for each other. But, you're both so young. You have all the time in the world –"
I cut Molly off, "– it's not like we were doing anything. Tonks has already given me "the talk". I know that I'm young, but weren't you and Arthur underage when you fell in love? I know I really, really, really, really – love him."
Molly was silent. She had been fiddling with her wedding ring with her left thumb. I was genuinely surprised when a small smile lit up her face. "Of course you do," she said, patting my knee. She exhaled again, "We – that is, Fred and I – talked about it, and, if I give you two some space; some time to be alone without supervision, to – develop this relationship more, do you promise –"
"Yes," I sat up quickly. "You don't have to finish that sentence. Yes."
"Well then, that's settled. Besides, I know my son. This doesn't leave the room," Molly leaned closer to me, "You're the greatest girl he'll probably ever have." My godmother chuckled as she tapped my nose. I laughed. I mean – it's true. "Now, come and help me in the kitchen. We have a dinner to prepare for."
Preparing for dinner was an enjoyable affair. Ginny and I helped peel potatoes as we watched Molly flit about her kitchen. She had been in such a good mood as she hummed to Celestina Warbeck. Out in the garden, the boys were chasing off the gnomes. From the window overlooking our hiding spot, Fred popped his head in. When I saw him, he grinned, wiggling his ear and disappearing. Ginny smacked me playfully. Fred must have used Extendable Ears to listen to me and Molly. I knew I'd have to ask just how much he heard because, even if he said otherwise, I was the greatest good he'd ever get.
It was around six when dinner was ready. Arthur had just gotten home from work and the table was all set for Percy's arrival. After twenty minutes of waiting, I could sense Molly's anxiety growing. Ron had tried to sneak a bread roll and had his hand smacked for it. Molly didn't want to start without Percy. When Percy did show up, he looked as pompous as ever with his pressed suit, slick hair, and horn-rimmed glasses.
"I've been promoted," he announced quite loudly.
"Why," Fred was the first to speak. We had all been a little stunned.
Percy's last job with the Ministry had not been all successful. With everything that had happened with Mr. Crouch, we were a bit surprised at the news. Sure, Percy was ambitious and eager to climb the work ladder, but, for being as close as he was to Crouch, he failed to notice that his boss had "gone mad" and then was murdered. Percy had to face an inquiry; the whole nine yards.
Completely ignoring Fred's question, Percy stood taller as he turned to face Arthur who was sitting at the head of the table. "I've been offered a position in Fudge's own office! Junior Assistant to the Minister!"
Arthur's face paled. If Percy was hoping his family would be impressed, they were not. Fudge was a complete joke. He did not support Harry's claim that Voldemort had come back. He wrote my friend off as just a young boy looking for attention. When Dumbledore tried to back up what had happened the night of the third Triwizard task with evidence, Fudge called Dumbledore a lunatic. According to Arthur, the Minister had been running around the entire Ministry making sure that no one was having any sort of contact with Dumbledore. The Headmaster of Hogwarts – and anyone who was associated with him – was being dragged through the mud.
"And why, son, would you want to be in league with that man," Arthur asked Percy calmly. Before Percy could retort, Arthur asked if Percy knew about the things Fudge was saying about Dumbledore.
"This is a marvelous opportunity –" Percy began.
"A marvelous – son, Fudge knows how close this family is to Dumbledore."
"That has nothing to do with –"
"He only wants you in his office to spy on our family – on Dumbledore."
Percy went ballistic. His nostrils flared and his face went red as he started shouting at Arthur. Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, and I remained silent and unmoving as we watched Percy blow up as his father. None of us had ever seen this kind of rage in him before.
"A spy? A SPY?! Do you even know what I have to deal with at work? Do you? I have had to rise up against your reputation," Molly made a squeaking sound. Percy continued, his rage and anger still concentrated on Arthur, "Ever since I started working at the Ministry it's your lousy reputation I've had to beat away. You, who lacks ambition; who is content to stay where you are with your weird Muggle obsession! It's no wonder this family has always been poor! And what's worse; you lot run around with the likes of Dumbledore!"
Molly, Ron, and George's faces went white as sheets. Ginny made a noise like an angry cat. Fred's hands were clenched in fists at his side and his face was contorted in pain. All I could do was loop my arm though his to keep him from rising up and doing something drastic. Arthur had stood, nose to nose with Percy. They both looked like they were going to explode.
"Fudge has made it quite clear that anyone who is in league with Dumbledore can clear out their desks," Arthur told his son in a low voice. Arthur couldn't lose his job. His whole family counted on him.
"You are an idiot running around with that old fool! Dumbledore is in for big trouble and you will go down with him!"
"Percy, you must know that You-Know-Who is back," Arthur yelled. "How can you ignore it when Barty was Imperused and murdered –"
"The only evidence is Harry Potter's word and that's not good enough! The words of a fourteen-year-old boy mean nothing against the Minister!"
It was my turn to growl. How could Percy say these things? How blind could he be? Molly and Arthur wouldn't risk everything without definite proof that Voldemort was back. They weren't stupid. Despite what the Daily Prophet said, Harry and Dumbledore were not crazy liars. Harry was not deluded or attention-seeking and neither was Dumbledore.
"I know where my loyalties are – with the Ministry! And if you all are going to be traitors to the Ministry – I will make sure everyone knows I DO NOT belong to this family!"
"Percy –" Molly's voice wavered as she slowly stood up.
"NO! I will not tolerate this family's views any longer!"
Percy brushed passed his father and stomped upstairs. Arthur was shaking in anger. Molly, who was close to tears, had fallen back into her chair. We could hear Percy a few floors up throwing things and stomping around his room. When he came back down, he was carrying two bags and his Hogwarts trunk was levitating behind him. Without looking at his family, Percy walked through the same way he had come, slamming the door behind him. As the sun set in the distance, I saw Percy trek up the hill, disappearing into thin air. He had not looked back even once.
