July 1997

Leanne slowly gazed out her window, staring blankly at the forest behind her grandfather's house. She slowly turned around and she sighed in sight of her room. It was now half empty. The clothes in her closet are now all in her trunk. Everything from her bookshelf and dressing table are also in her trunk. The only thing left on her shelf is a picture. A picture of her family. All of her family. In the picture, she was standing. Leanne laughed at the fact that she looked so weak and naïve back then. Beside her was her mother holding a baby in her arms. Lexie. On the other side, there's her dad. This picture was taken years ago.

She was awaken from her daydream when her grandfather cleared her throat while standing against the door. "Come on. When you're ready, go downstairs," said his calm voice while smiling at her little granddaughter. Leanne nodded and he left her. She raised her hand and traced a little circle around the picture. Because she was legal, she could do magic whenever she wants now. The picture rose from the shelf and made its way to her opened trunk. It set itself on top and Leanne raised her hand again towards her trunk. It closed in an instant and locked itself automatically. Yes, she could do wandless magic. She grabbed her wand from under her pillow and slipped it on her right boot. She always slipped it there. She bends down and lifted up her trunk. She dragged it downstairs and set it down near her grandfather.

She was mentally tearing up. She couldn't believe herself for making the decision to continue her seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore's dead. Snape's the new headmaster. Death Eaters have full time access to the castle. The Dark Mark showing up everywhere. Like the Minister of Magic once said, "Dark times lies ahead of us."

She went back to her grandfather and held his hand, getting ready to apparate. As she apparated, she could hear her light scream and it stopped when her feet touched the ground again. She walked straight ahead with her grandfather dragging her trunk on her side. "The Burrow," she mumbled to herself as she gaze upon the tall house in front of her. It must be five floors tall. There are noises coming out from it. She could recognize almost all of them. When they reached the door, her grandfather knocked on the door slowly. Mrs. Weasley answered it quickly and Leanne could see the smile on her face when she saw her. "Leanne, dear, I was worried when you'll be here." Mrs. Weasley pulled her in for a small hug. Her grandfather set her trunk on the living room and people are starting to came downstairs to greet the young witch.

Ginny was the first one down and she gave her a hug. Ron did too. She shook Mr. Weasley's hand and nodded at Percy. Hermione's head popped up from the kitchen and she ran towards her and gave her a big bear hug. But Leanne's face became brighter as she watch the Weasley twins smirking at her from across the room. Fred took a step forward and opened his arm. Leanne walked up to him and she gave her a hug. Ignoring the fact the he could knock the furniture around them, he spun her around. A small laugh escaped her mouth as he set her down. She went to George and hugged him even tighter too.

She looked around the room and there were familiar faces there. There was Professor Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Fleur Delacour. Fleur was sitting on a man's lap and she could tell that he's a Weasley by his flaming red hair. Beside them were two men. The first one was also a Weasley with his curly red hair and freckles and the other one was a short old man. Fleur jumped from the man's lap and let him stand up. The two redheads walked to her and the curly one spoke first.

"You must be Leanne. Charles Weasley," said the man as he offered her a hand, which she took and he shook it gently. "But everybody calls me Charlie."

"Nice to meet you, Charlie." Leanne smiled and her gaze went to the other man. He smiled and offered her a hand too. She took it with a friendly smile on her face. "William Weasley. But I prefer to go as Bill," the man said with confidence. Leanne wasn't shocked when she saw the scars on his face. Bill chuckled and responded, "Attacked by a werewolf. I reckon you already knew that."

"Greyback?" asked Leanne carefully. Bill nodded and went back to Fleur, his fiancée. She went back to her grandfather who's talking to Mrs. Weasley. She could hear certain words coming out of her grandfather's mouth.

"…And don't let her participate in this whole thing. I want her to be safe…"

Leanne's eyes grew wide and she finally spoke up. "What do you mean?"

"You're not going."

"What? But, papi… I'm legal now. I'm seventeen for god's sake."

"I just want you to be safe. If you go, I promise you that you'll never see me again. Ever."

"Papi… Please?"

"No. The next battle. Maybe." He went back to Mrs. Weasley and he murmured "Take care of her." Mrs. Weasley nodded slowly and watch him as he leave.

"Ginny, Hermione! Show Leanne her bedroom. I hope you don't mind sharing with them."

Leanne smiled and said, "Oh, no. Not at all. It's great. Thank you, Mrs. Weasley." She nodded and followed Ginny and Hermione upstairs. She waved her hand and her trunk levitated from the ground, following her slowly.

She was talking with Ginny when a loud crash heard from outside the house. Mrs. Weasley was the first one to react as she rushed to the door. Leanne and Ginny followed slowly and she could hear Mrs. Weasley mentioned Harry and Hagrid's name. Ginny rushed to the dark haired boy and the two hugged for a long time while Leanne leaned against the door watching the two awkwardly move when she gave them a smirk. She went over and hugged Harry. Harry hugged back tightly while mumbling, "Leanne! I didn't know you were here. So good to see you."

She nodded and noticed the noise from the background. More people apparating. She was shocked at the sight of Lupin holding someone in his arms. He or she was injured badly. The real Harry helped him to the house as Leanne stayed and watched as more people appear. More Potters to be exact. Leanne knew about the Seven Potter plot. She watches as Bill and Fleur appeared on a thestral. Ron, Tonks, and Hermione appeared not long after. And finally Fred and his dad appeared. Fred ran to Leanne and they both hugged. Fred looked around and asked to her, "Where's George?"

Leanne stared back at him and she threw her gaze at the Burrow. Mr. Weasley ran inside and Fred and Leanne followed. Lying on the sofa was George with blood all over his face. Fred fell into his knees beside his twin and Leanne did too.

All of them smiled when George made a joke about himself being "Holey". Leanne offered Mrs. Weasley a hand at cleaning George's blood of his injured ear. Fred watch as Leanne leaned forward to George and treated his injury. Bill cleared his throat and he spoke, "Mad-Eye's dead." There were gasps all over the room and Bill continued, "Voldemort killed him and Mundungus disapparated. He left him." Leanne flew into the old short man she saw earlier. That must be Mundungus.

After they dine together, half of them went to bed. Tomorrow's going to be Harry's birthday and Bill and Fleur's wedding. Leanne was still up. She was sitting near George's bed in the twin's room. Fred was standing beside her with a goofy smile on his bright face. They laughed one more time as George told Leanne how they spend their summer. Running the joke shop of course.

As the clock struck midnight, Leanne stood up and ruffled George's hair. She smiled at Fred and with that, she went to her room and went to bed.

Leanne slowly gazed at the mirror in front of her. Nobody's there with her. Hermione's cooking while Ginny's downstairs with Harry. She's already in her dress. It was a dark purple dress with some pattern of airwaves on it. She was trying to decide how to style her hair. She decided to make it into a messy bun and she slowly slipped a hairpin on it.

There was a knock on the door and it flew open. George was standing in the hallway with a box in his hand. He went over to her and sat on her bed. He opened his mouth and said, "Well, since I missed your birthday, here's my gift to you." He gave her the box and Leanne smiled and mouthed her thank you. She opened it and it was a cream ruffled sundress.

Leanne looked at the man and she dropped the box and hugged him as they fell to the bed. Leanne was careful not to touch his injured ear. They were laughing and Leanne planted a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

She stood up and brushed her dress and she picked up the box. The dress he had given her is gorgeous. She folds it carefully and put it back on its box. She set it on her bed and the two went downstairs to help with the tent. When they reached the site of the tent she spotted the Minister for Magic walking towards the Burrow.

"What's the minister doing here?" asked Fred.

"Probably looking for Harry," answered Leanne as she eyed the Minister carefully.

When the tent finally up, guests starts to appear. There were lots of unrecognized faces. Time flew fast and now Leanne found herself clapping to the music as Bill and Fleur danced. There were other couples dancing and they stopped when Bill and Fleur stopped too. The two new married couple sat down on the table near there and the music starts to play again. Leanne was shocked when something brushed against her back. She turned around to see Fred grinning down at her. Leanne expected for Fred to tell her another silly joke but he didn't. Instead, he bowed and pulled out his hand to her. "May I have this dance?" he said with a goofy smile once again on his face. Leanne smiled shyly and nodded as she took his hand. Fred let her to the dance floor and spun her around. She settled her hand on his shoulder while the other one on Fred's own hand. They begin to sway and bounce to the dynamic music and they found themselves laughing and owning the dance floor. Everyone around them clapped their hands and Leanne could hear the shouting coming from Charlie and Mr. Weasley. As Fred spins her body around three times, Leanne heard the sound of George chuckling playfully. When the two both exhausted, the music slowed down.

Leanne took Fred's hand and they went to the table where George was sitting. George winked at his twin brother and Leanne. She could feel her cheeks burning and she looked away to hide it. George noticed it and he chuckled. "Lee, are you blushing?"

She looked at him and she shook her head quickly. "Uh, no!"

"You know, Lee. You're a bad liar."

"I know. I know. Now, excuse me. I need to have a little chat with Luna over there." She nodded towards where Luna was standing with her father, Xenophillius Lovegood. She stood up and Fred watched carefully as she walked away towards the young Ravenclaw witch. His gaze was stolen away when George cleared his throat. "Do you fancy her, twin?"

"What?" was only Fred's respond.

"I said do you fancy her?" asked George once again.

"Who?"

"Her." George stared at him. "Our little Leanne."

"What? No, no, no. She's like a sister to me. I reckon you already know that."

"Well, yes, I did know that. It's just… The way you look at her recently. It's… different. And when you danced with her earlier. I don't know, it's just… You look at her the same way Ron looks at Hermione."

"Hey! Don't compare me to Ron. He's pretty a pathetic brother."

"Don't try to change the subject, Fred. Answer my question. Do you fancy her?" asked George carefully.

Fred finally admitted to himself. He does. He slowly nodded and closed his eyes. "…Yes. Yes, I do. But, please, George, I beg you. Don't tell her that." George grinned at his twin and nodded. A smile grew on Fred's face and he mumbled, "Thanks."

He turned his gaze around the room to search for Leanne and he found her. She was standing beside Luna and Ginny. They were all laughing. Fred tapped his left pocket to see if its still there and he stood up from his seat. George looked up and asked, "What are you doing?"

Fred put his hands on his pockets and replied, "Just wish me good luck."

George chuckled. "Good luck, twin."

Fred walked up to the three girls and Leanne was the first one to notice his presence. Fred whispered, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Leanne nodded and said, "Sure." She turned away from Luna and Ginny, following Fred to the isle. Nobody was there. Fred stopped and he turned around, looking at Leanne with his soft eyes. Fred took his hand from his pocket along with the small white box. It wrapped in a red and gold bow and he extended his arms to her. Leanne looked at him, then the box, and then back at him. "What's this?"

"Sorry I missed it. I know it means a lot. I mean, being seventeen and all." Fred took Leanne's hand and put the box on her palm. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Happy Birthday, Lee. I know it's late but… at least I got you a present."

Leanne looked at Fred in disbelieve. She couldn't her eyes off of Fred. Fred slowly mouthed 'Open it.' And Leanne slowly brought up her hand. She pulled the bow and it fell to the ground. She opened it and there lies a necklace. It was a ruby necklace. "Fred…" was the only thing she could say.

Leanne was loss of words and suddenly it snapped. She opened her mouth and spoke. "Fred… This is beautiful. Oh my goodness. This must've cost a fortune. You shouldn't have…" But she was cut off when Fred placed his index finger on her lips. He took the necklace and he went to Leanne's back. He put it on her soft neck and Leann gazed down to the flaming ruby necklace hanging from her neck. Fred brushed her raven black hair and Leanne turned around slowly. Leanne whispered, "Thank you. So much." And she leaned forward and kissed Fred on the cheek. She was on her tip toes just to reach the man's face because she was short but still taller than Ginny by 3 or 4 inches. Fred was beyond embarrassed when Leanne giggled in sight of Fred blushing.

"Leanne!" shouts a familiar voice back at the crowd. She looked over Fred's shoulder and so did Fred. Hermione was waving her hand at them and she shouted once again. "Come quick! I need to talk to you."

"Just a second, Mione."

Leanne smiled at Fred once again and turned away awkwardly. She walked slowly towards the crowd. Fred struggle to not to grab her arm. But, he loss. Fred took her wrist and pulled her back gently. He lifted her chin up and Leanne gasped. There was something going on in his stomach, he couldn't tell what. It felt like something had hanged him upside down. He closed his eyes and so did her. They both leaned and their lips met each others. Fred kissed her softly and Leanne kissed him back. They both deepen the kiss and Leanne could feel Fred smiling against her lips. Fred's long muscular arm hugged Leanne's hip while she locked hers on his neck. After a minute, they both pulled away. Leanne smiled and wiped her lipstick on Fred's lips. She whispered, "See you later then." And then she turned away. Making her way back to the tent where Hermione have been waiting for her. Fred was left alone and he punched his fist at the air triumphantly. He jogged back to his twin brother and told him the great news.

At that moment, something fell from the sky. It hit right in the middle of the tent and the lights around turned off. It's Kingsley's patronus. Leanne moved away from the patronus as Kingsley's voice came out of it.

"The ministry has fallen… The minister is dead… They're coming… They're coming…"

And it disappeared. There were slight screams and many apparated away. Leanne took out her wand from her stockings. The Death Eaters are coming. She looked around to find Fred. He was standing on guard with George. Fleur and Bill kissed each other passionately and everybody took out there wand.

It happened to fast. Before Leanne could realize it, they were under attack. Spells thrown everywhere and she spotted Ginny with Harry fighting alongside but Harry was thrown to the trio with the help of Prof. Lupin and they apparated. She found herself dueling with a Death Eater. She stunned him and he fell to the ground. She ran away from the Death Eater and threw some spells along the way. She found Fred and George attacked and she joined them. Leanne smiled when she saw the relived expression on Fred's face knowing that she's okay. She took both Fred and George's hand and led them to a safer place. They heard one of the Death Eaters screamed, "He's not here! Harry Potter's not here! Find him! Track him down! Now!"

All of the sudden, they stopped attacking. Leanne stood there as they turned themselves into black clouds and in a minute, they were all gone. She searched the site. Everyone was there. Fred, George, Ginny, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Lupin, Tonks, Percy, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. And there are also Mr. Weasley's friends from the ministry and some Aurors too. The guests were already gone. She saw that Fleur's long white dress is now ruined. Fleur dusted and brushed her dress but it's no use. Mrs. Weasley was the first one to speak up. She said, "Alright, back to the house, everybody. Come on."

Slowly, everybody moved from their position and headed towards the Burrow. Soon, the living room was filled with people. Leanne sat between Fred and George. Everyone was still in shock and Lupin broke the silence. "I suggest everybody get some rest." He looked at his wife, Tonks. "Me and my wife must be going now." They both nodded and heads for the door. Before leaving, Tonks turned around and gave everyone her warm smile. Soon, half of them followed. Mr. Weasley's friends took of and so did the Aurors. Percy left and the married couple, Bill and Fleur, disapparated to their new home in Shell Cottage. Leanne, Fred, George, Charlie, Ginny, and the Weasley parents stayed. Ginny went to bed early and so did Molly and Arthur. Charlie was still up, reading a book on the sofa while Leanne sat on the stairs near the window, gazing up at the stars.

"Hey…" said a familiar voice behind her. It was Fred. He sat down next to her and he put a hand on her thigh. Leanne glanced at him and they locked eyes for a moment. They both know its coming so they both leaned. They kissed.

But this time, it's different. Back then at the wedding was an awkward first kiss. Now, they're braver. Leanne never has been kissed this way before. Not Dmitri, Blaise, or even Draco. Leanne moved her body forward and so did Fred. Fred slipped his and under her legs and lifted her body up and set her down on his lap. He moved his hand up to her hips and Leanne ran her hand fingers through his ginger hair. Fred brought his hand to her hair and he released her hair, letting it fall on her back. He tangled his fingers in it.

They broke apart when Charlie chuckled and said, "Get a room, Fred."

Leanne jumped off of Fred's lap and fixed her pajamas and her hair. She blushed and hid her smile. They both stood up and Leanne headed upstairs to her and Ginny's room.

Once Fred and Charlie are alone, Charlie winked at him. Fred rolled his eyes and muttered, "Git." And he made his way to his own childhood room.