Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter Three

A Disgraceful Clan

--

Choices are the hinges of destiny.

--

Fred escorted me to Eeylops Owl Emporium to pick out our new owls. It was an odd coincidence that we were both after the same purchase at the same time, or maybe it was fate. We chatted casually about Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, and Quidditch.

"So you're a Keeper?" Fred inquired.

I nodded.

"You should try out for the team," Fred urged. "We'll be after a new Keeper this season."

"I'll have to think about that," I replied.

Fred was kind and amusing. I couldn't remember the last time I met someone so genuine. His laugh was infectious, and I adored his pale red shaggy locks atop his head. His eyes illuminated hints of life like I had never seen before. His eyes were light and friendly, contrasting the constant dark, soulless irises I was so accustomed to. I also loved the fact that he was tall. I am barely over five feet, and I much enjoyed having to look up at his contagious grin.

"Not much of selection," Fred said, interrupting my daydreams.

Eeylops' only contained about ten owls. It was rather depressing. The shop was empty completely except for the owls and an elderly seemingly semi-conscious, Eeylop. My eyes rested upon a small white minute owl. It's distinct blue eyes reminded me of my own. It perched next to another minute owl with speckled brown feathers. I strolled across the room and picked up the small bird and placed it to perch upon my finger. It nuzzled against my cheek and seemingly purred. Fred mimicked my actions with the small brown owl, as well.

"I think we've found what me need," I smiled.

Fred and I paid Eeylop for our new owls and headed back into the deserted streets of Diagon Alley. My stomach suddenly growled loudly, I blushed with mild embarrassment up at Fred who merely chuckled.

"Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor is just down the way," Fred said. "What do you say to a cup of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor ice cream? My treat."

"Sounds great," I grinned.

We collected our ice cream and took a seat at a small metal table next to the front window, setting our owls next to us. They quietly hooted at each other as if they were speaking secretly.

"So what do we name them?" I asked, taking a bite of the delicious frozen treat.

"What about Fred and…uh…Fred?" He replied humorously.

"You can't name an owl after yourself," I protested lightheartedly, "besides mine is a girl!"

"Oh, right," Fred smirked. "What do you suggest then?"

I pondered for a moment, trying to think of something clever. It was much more difficult than I imagined, then it hit me.

"How about Ares and Athena?" I suggested. "They're the Greek god and goddess of wisdom and war."

"Brilliant," Fred grinned. "Ares, it is. George will approve, as well."

I smiled weakly, excited he liked of my names.

"George?" I said with an upward inflection.

"He's my brother," Fred replied. "My twin actually and my best mate, as well."

"You have a sibling then?" I stated.

"There's seven of us, actually," Fred explained. "Bill and Charlie are the oldest, then there's Percy... my only twit for a brother, then there's me and George, a course, then comes Ron and finally Ginny."

"Merlin," I smiled. "You have quite the large family."

"I've been told," Fred laughed. "What about you, only child?"

I swallowed hard.

"Uh-" I started. "Yeah, it's just me."

The lies just kept pouring out of my mouth. Usually, I would just admit my background and let whomever I was talking to decide whether or not they wanted to get to know me, but Fred was different. I couldn't bare the thought of him judging me. I could bare the thought of him hating me. A lot of people did because of my family, and I couldn't let Fred be one of them.

"So what do your mum and dad do?" Fred asked, taking another bite of ice cream.

"My Mum and Dad?" I stammered.

"Yeah," Fred chuckled. "You know, those things you need in order to be born."

I pictured Fred's expression if he knew the truth. His eyes would grow to saucers just before he stood up and left me alone in the ice cream shop. My mind chose the easiest explanation. I almost felt guilty.

"They're dead, they passed a year ago," I lied. "I live by myself in Bulgaria."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Fred said genuinely.

I felt his hand upon mine before I saw it. My heart fluttered like a dozen hummingbirds at his touch, but I wanted to vomit at the same time. I continued to lie like I had never lied before. His eyes were overflowing with concern. He was sincerely sorry to hear about my parents who weren't even dead. I felt bloody awful.

I pulled my hand away quickly in a sudden jerking motion. I awkwardly shoved a stand of long silvery blonde hair behind my ear and stared at my cup of ice cream intently. Fred slowly pulled his hand back and peered sadly down at me.

"So-" he started, clearing his throat uneasily. "You're pretty good at healing. Is that what you want to do after Hogwarts?"

"I'd like to," I said honestly for a change.

I did want to be a Healer, that was the truth. It wasn't my fault Voldemort was going to interfere with my plans. I loved healing, I was born good at it. It came as naturally as my Siren-like singing. Yes, my voice could mesmerize quite a large number of men. I hadn't sung in years, I'd almost forgotten how.

"What about you?" I smiled. "If you plan on becoming a doorman, I would suggest you perfect your craft before making it your career."

"Oh, you're funny," Fred chuckled, wagging his index finger at me. "No, George and me are opening up our own joke shop. So I suppose you'd call me an entrepreneur of sorts. That's why I'm here today, we had a meeting with a property owner to lease a flat."

"That's wonderful!" I cheered. "Did everything work out alright?"

"Yeah, we bought it," Fred beamed. "I'll make sure I give you a private tour before the Grand Opening."

I blushed and pushed another stand of hair behind my ear. He made me feel like a nervous young school girl again though I probably came off like an awkward twit.

"So, Briney, I was wondering-" he began, scratching the top of his head anxiously. "This is is kind of sudden, but I was sort of wondering if I could... i-if maybe I could write you over the summer. I mean if you don't-"

"Of course," I said a little too quickly. "I'd like that very much."

"Really?" Fred said in a higher octave, clearing his throat. "I mean, great!"

"Besides, we couldn't separate Athena and Ares," I smirked.

"No, of course not," he smirked in return.

We sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Our eyes kept meeting pleasantly, we would look away after a moment or two. Fred Weasley was fascinating, and I was so happy I met him. Suddenly, a disgusted look overtook his usually content face.

"Malfoy," he growled.

I dropped my spoon once I heard that dreadful name. I turned my head and saw my brother along with Draco and Lucius Malfoy strolling down the cobblestone streets, obviously scanning the stores for me. If they saw me with Fred, a Gryffindor and an obvious Dumbledore supporter (for he clearly hated he Malfoys), I would be done for.

"I have to go," I said suddenly.

I snatched up Athena's small cage along with my messenger bag. I looked around hastily for an alternate exit, then I saw it: a backdoor, leading into a hidden alleyway. Fred stood up with an obscenely confused look plastered across his face.

"Wait-" he started, gripping my upper arm gently.

"I'm so sorry, Fred, I have to go," I pleaded, tugging my arm out of his grasp. "Write me, and I'll see you soon!"

With that, I darted out the backdoor into the alley. I left Fred standing in a frozen daze, staring after me. I was a mystery to him, I could tell he liked that. I was unlike anyone he'd met before.

"Bye," he whispered after me, mostly to himself.

I sprinted down the alley until I was a ways down the road. I wanted it to appear as if I had been shopping alone. They'd see me and be pleased to have finally crossed my path. My plan worked perfectly. When the trio saw me, they waved to get my attention and welcomed me to join them.

"Where have you been, Briney?" Grigor inquired, giving me a warm hug. "We've been looking everywhere for you."

"I was trying to find Twilfitt and Tatting's, that nice robe shop that Draco suggested," I lied. "but I got lost. I did find a shop where I bought my new owl, however."

"A minute owl? You could afford much better," Draco scoffed. "What are you, Briney, a Weasley or something?"

I swallowed hard. What was Draco implying? Did he see me with Fred and decided to torture me subliminally. What did he mean?

"Pardon?" I gasped.

"The Weasley's are one of the poorest families at Hogwarts," Lucius explained. "Arthur and Molly Weasley, the redheaded buffoons, had seven too many children. They're as poor as church mice, and that's being generous."

My blood began to boil. I hated Lucius Malfoy, and now my list of reasons to why grew after every encounter.

"Wealth has nothing to do with the merit of a person," I snapped.

Lucius and Draco laughed heartily, as if I had just delivered the funniest joke ever told.

"Oh, Nemesis, you are too funny," Lucius said, gasping for air. "I will have to remember to tell Narcissa what you said. It will make her day."

"I wasn't attempting to be humorous, Lucius," I sneered.

I bit my tongue from saying "Look at your family for example." If Grigor wasn't around I swear I would have told him off. I'd been wanting to for ever so long.

"Well, besides their nonexistent bank account, they are big supporters of Dumbledore," Lucius explained. "The whole bloody family probably makes up half of the Order."

"The Weasley's belong to the Order of the Phoenix?" I asked in a fascinated tone.

I tried to contain my expression. Fred was in the Order? I had just spent my day with a member of the Order of the Phoenix. It baffled me. If only Voldemort knew. My inner smile grew at the thought of Voldemort knowing about my afternoon rendezvous.

"Yes," Lucius replied. "Molly Weasley's brothers, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, were even members of the disgraceful group. They died during the First Wizarding War, thank god. We can thank your father for that."

My inner smile faded immediately. If Lucius was telling the truth then that meant…

"You mean Mrs. Weasley is Molly Prewett?" I breathed, barely audible.

"Of course, my dear," Lucius replied. "The whole bloody clan is disgraceful."

My Father killed Fred's uncles. My Father, Antonin Dolohov, was responsible for the brutal murders of Fabian and Gideon Prewett. I knew that already. I knew the list of wizards my Father had killed during the First War. I just had never wrapped my head around the lives those murders effected. Today, I ate ice cream with the nephew of the men my Father had killed. I felt like the scum of the earth. I felt like a ruddy Death Eater myself.

I could tell Grigor was shooting me a worried glare as the color immediately drained from my face. I could feel his arm around my waist, as if her was frightened I'd faint. I shouldn't have felt like this, I had just met Fred. How could I feel this utterly terrible after only knowing a person for a day? Well, to be perfectly honest it felt as if I had known him much longer. That was what I liked the most about him.

"What do you say to some new robes?" Grigor interrupted, attempting to change the subject to something much more pleasant.

"I think I'd rather just go home," I replied weakly. "I'm suddenly not feeling up to it."