Sweet Juliet
Chapter 4: 12 Grimmauld Place
-Two Weeks Later-
The house was certainly...decrepit. Juliet really couldn't think of any other word for it. She usually wasn't one to judge, having grown up on Spinners End, but this place looked as though it hadn't been able to support life for a good many years.
Nonetheless, Juliet couldn't quell her feelings of excitement as she and her father walked up to the door. It had felt like ages since she'd seen Harry, Ron, or Hermione. She'd have to wait until the new term started to see Neville and Luna, of course, but she'd take what she could get for the time being.
Ron's mother greeted them in the hall when they entered the house. She looked a little warily at Severus but gave Juliet a kind, warm smile, reaching out to shake her hand.
"You must be Juliet," she said. "Ron and Hermione have told me so much about you, dear. I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Juliet accepted the gesture, giving her a shy grin in return. With people her own age, she was fine, but meeting new adults made her nervous. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Weasley."
When Mrs. Weasley spoke again, her voice took on a sort of motherly tone. "Well, dear, the other children are upstairs, last door on the right." Juliet thanked Mrs. Weasley, gave her father a quick kiss on the cheek-he was staying for the Order meeting, so she'd see him again before he left-and proceeded to all but sprint up the stairs.
She heard the twins first, then Ginny yelling back at them, and suddenly she couldn't get there fast enough. Not bothering to knock, she threw open the door and was greeted with the welcome sight of Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny.
"Juliet!" exclaimed Hermione, jumping up to embrace her friend. "We didn't know you'd arrived!"
Juliet beamed. "Well, I'm here! It's so great to see all of you guys." Hermione was the only one of the group who knew that Juliet had gone on holiday with Draco, and thankfully, she could be trusted to keep quiet. Juliet didn't want the others to know, and she certainly did not want to talk about the trip.
Looking around, Juliet noticed that someone was missing. "Where's Harry?" Everyone looked away guiltily, shifting around a little bit. Fred opened his mouth—presumably to change the subject—but Juliet cut him off.
"Guys, come on. Where is he? Is something wrong?"
Hermione bit her lip. "Harry...isn't here, and he doesn't know where we are. I assume he thinks we're at the Burrow."
"What?" asked Juliet. "Why wouldn't you guys tell him where this place is? I think of all people, Harry should be the one to know where the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix is."
"Harry doesn't even know what the Order of the Phoenix is," spoke up Ron. "No one's told him anything. And before you get all upset, we have a good reason... Or, at least, someone does. Dumbledore asked us to keep him in the dark."
Juliet furrowed her brow, thoroughly baffled. Why would the Headmaster, who'd always gone to great lengths to protect Harry and keep him informed, suddenly want to completely cut him off from his friends and the people working against Voldemort?
"Dumbledore?" she voiced aloud. "Albus Dumbledore asked you to lie to Harry?"
"We haven't lied," replied Hermione, unconvincingly. "We've just been rather vague is all."
Juliet sighed. "All right, then. I suppose if Dumbledore thinks it's best..."
Trying to push thoughts of Harry from her mind, Juliet sat down in between Ron and Hermione and tried to strike up a conversation. Before long, they were all laughing, just like always, and Juliet couldn't keep the smile off of her face. It was so nice to be back in the company of her friends.
Around half past six, Mrs. Weasley called everyone down for supper. They had to help set the table, but as Juliet was helping Hermione set out plates and silverware, she noticed her father looking at her expectantly from the entryway to the dining room. Excusing herself, she hurried over to him and he led her out into the front hall.
"What's wrong, Dad?" she asked. "Aren't you staying for supper?"
He shook his head sharply. Juliet could tell by the look in his eyes and the way his mouth was set that something during the meeting had made him angry, but she chose not to ask. He wouldn't tell her even if she did.
"Juliet," he said quickly, voice barely above a whisper, "listen closely. I won't see you again—outside of when I attend meetings—until the new term starts. I know the Granger girl knows about our situation, but you are not to tell another soul. Understand?" When she had nodded her assent, Severus continued. "Now, you won't be bothered by Death Eaters here, so I want you to try and keep them completely off your mind. I won't have you worrying yourself sick."
"I promise, Dad." She bestowed a tight hug upon him. Severus returned the embrace, but she could feel him looking over her shoulder, watching to see if anyone was approaching. It wouldn't do for him to seem weak in front of Order members or any of his students, and that's how he perceived being affectionate—weakness.
"Be safe, Juliet. I'll see you when the term starts."
She smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "I will, Dad. I love you."
"I love you, too."
He left, black robes billowing behind him as he shut the door. Juliet's smile fell after he Apparated. It would only be a month or so, but she would miss him. At least she was safe here, and in the company of people who cared about her.
"See you soon, Dad."
(A/N: Here's the first of the daily chapters that I promised! Let me know what you think! Also, I'm curious about something. Who do you all think Juliet should end up with at the end of Juliet: Part 4? Here are the options:
-Draco
-Harry
-Ron
-Fred
-Other (name and explain reasoning)
Let me know in a review and I'll post the results at the end of the week.)
Love,
ChasedByTheShadows