Updated: June 29th, 2017

Chapter 2: At the Burrow

"Cora…Cora get up…" I muttered a string of curses and pulled the fluffy covers over my head. Someone poked me in the side. "Coralynn you need to get up or you'll miss breakfast."

I swat at whoever was trying to wake me from my wonderful dream. I heard an exasperated sigh. I vaguely heard the person threaten to take 'extreme measures'. I just huffed and tried to fall back asleep. That's when the evil person ripped my pillow out from under my head. I groaned in protest, lifting my head up to see who dared disturb my slumber.

Ginny Weasley stood next to me with my pillow in her hand, giggling. I grumbled as I sat up, rubbing my eyes. I had been at the Burrow for less than a week and Ginny was already waking me up in the worst fashion. As I swung my feet over the edge of the cot, I yawned. Last night I had stayed up late with Ron. We were in a heated Wizard's Chess tournament and I was determined to beat him. Dumb, I know. I lost every game by the time we went to sleep at two in the morning.

Ginny reminded me that breakfast was in ten minutes, giving me time to wash up and get dressed. When my friend left her room I rummaged through my trunk, picking out random clothes. I slipped into a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a plain red tank, laced up my black chucks, and I was ready to go. Thankfully the bathroom on the second floor was free so I had no trouble washing up and making myself ready for the day. I found that, at the Burrow, if you had a bathroom to yourself it was a miracle indeed.

For breakfast, my godmother, Molly Weasley, laid out a myriad of delicious foods. A plate of sausage patties, eggs, bacon, toast with marmalade, porridge with cream, and cinnamon rolls. She out did herself every day and I loved her for it. I sat down next to Ginny and we waited for her older brothers to come down. My mouth salivated as I sipped my milk, trying to fight off the hunger. The Weasley family did not eat unless everyone was seated. The first down was Percy. He was still wearing his pajama pants and shirt, his hair was very messy, and his horn-rimmed glasses were askew. He said nothing as he took the seat next to Ginny. My friend and I shared a look. Ever since Percy got a job at the Ministry, he had been acting like an asshole.

Ron came down a few minutes later flanked by Fred and George. All three looked tired and were still in their pajamas. I chuckled. Leave it to the girls to be dressed first. I noticed Ginny look up, almost as if she wished Harry had been following Ron. I know I wished he was with us too. Harry had been allowed to write to us this summer. In his letters, Harry told me that, in fear of his powers, his uncle locked his trunk up every night with all his work and such. And, apparently, they were afraid of his 'dangerous murderer of a god-father'. I didn't find it funny how he forgot to mention my dad's innocence to them.

He also was being forced to follow his cousin's diet. When I told Molly, she went into a frenzy. She baked and cooked all kinds of yummy fattening foods for Harry. She sent Errol and even Solo with packages of mince pies and a rather large fruitcake. On his birthday, Ron and I teamed up to bake our poor friend a birthday cake. Compared to Molly's it was almost a disaster. But Harry wrote back saying it was much better than Hagrid's. Ron and I felt accomplished.

Also that summer, I had received a few letters from my dad. Andi got so mad when exotic looking birds flew through the kitchen window every other day. Ted and I got a kick out of it though. Before last term ended, Dumbledore took it upon himself to write a letter to my guardians and the Weasleys'. In it was a long (read: five sheets of parchment) account of what really happened that Halloween night almost thirteen years ago. Ted, who was a very compassionate man, understood my father's actions and said he'd have done the same thing. Tonks was forgiving too, mentioning my dad was always her favorite cousin. It was Andi, however, who needed more convincing. I tried my very best to get her to see that dad was innocent; it finally paid off when those exotic birds came with his letters.

After breakfast was over, Molly pulled out a letter she had been writing earlier. It was addressed to Harry's aunt and uncle. She was asking if Harry could come and stay at the Burrow and join us for the Quidditch World Cup which was happening on Monday. After she signed it, I saw her pull out an envelope. I nearly laughed out loud when I saw it. Every bit of it was covered in stamps except for the area where she addressed the letter to the Dursleys.

"Put enough stamps on, then," Ginny asked her mom.

"Oh, I believe so, dear. Have I done it right, Cora?"

I hid my laughter as I stared at the stamp covered envelope, "Oh, yeah. Perfect, Molly."

I turned and ran up the stairs to Ginny's room so I could write to Harry. I pulled some spare parchment, my quill, and my red ink from my trunk. My writing turned messy after a sentence. My note read: Ireland vs. Bulgaria on Monday night! Molly sending a letter to your aunt and uncle by English post. Heard Arthur saying we're getting you even if they say no. Hermione's due to arrive Sunday night. YOU CANNOT MISS THIS! With love, Cora.

I folded up the note sloppily, the red ink still not very dry, and tied it to Solo's leg. As I was tightening the bound, he began hopping wildly. I knew he didn't want to go. I had been sending my owl all over the United Kingdom all summer. I gave the string one last tug and stroked Solo's dark feathers.

"Last journey, I promise. You can have a break after this trip."

I watched as Solo took off. When I was sure I couldn't see him anymore, I placed my things back in my trunk carefully. The sound of footsteps made me look up. Fred was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest and his shoulder-length red hair fanned out. I felt my heart skip a beat. What the hell?

I cleared my throat and looked back down at my trunk, "Whatcha ya want, Fred?"

I had a clear vision of what he was thinking…of what he'd say. Fred wanted to hold me, to kiss me. He'd go insane at the thought of me with another man. He saw me as his and I was his. I was the most beautiful creature in his eyes. I wanted to walk passed him and make his breath catch in his throat; I wanted to be the only one he looked at. I wanted to be his soulmate. I mentally shook my head. What the hell, Cora?! You did not just think that about Fred…you don't love Fred! Love? Who said anything about love?

"…so you up for it?"

"What," I squeaked.

"A round of Quidditch? You up for it?"

"Oh," I blinked. "Yeah, just…just give me a minute, 'kay?"

Fred looked at me funny before shrugging, "Sure."

As Fred left, I hit my forehead with my palm, "Stupid, stupid, stupid! Cora, my dear, you are going crazy."

I grabbed my broom from under my cot and made my way into the garden. So that was it, seeing Fred in the doorframe was the pebble that started the avalanche. It hardly meant anything to me at the time. There was no special look, no firework-filled first kiss…he just stood there, looking like a god in all his glory. There was nothing I could do because from that moment on, no matter how hard I tried to fight it, I was falling deeply in love with Fred Weasley.