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Hm910ya - Welcome back my avid reviewer! I'm really sorry for not updating sooner! Moody's death had me in tears to be honest- ah but remember "CONSTANT VIGILANCE."
There is a little bit of history for Briar's mother's side of the family, in this chapter- so here you go! :D

Chapter Four

"Those Pygmy Puffs sure do sell off quickly," Briar mused, as she swept the now barren cages.
"They're one of our best sellers," Fred told her, stooping over to brush a few droppings into a pan. "Right after Fred-N-Georges' Pyrotechnics Compendium

and Briar's Beloved Brew."

Briar tossed a glance at the pink, bubbling concoctions lining a circular stand. She smiled modestly, and resumed her sweeping.
Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes had grown rapidly in the few years it has been in business, so much so Fred and George were considering extending a branch to Hogsmeade.

"Oi, Briar!" George called from the backroom, "can you help me move these boxes? I need another wand."

Briar set aside her broom, ignoring the cheeky grin Fred sent her and following George's voice into the backroom.
Without regard to Fred's innuendo, Briar set to moving the boxes and stacking them neatly to the sides of the room- careful of the radio equipment.

George wisely coiled the cord to the audio, as to not trip over it; he heaved a hefty sigh. "Did you see the Daily Prophet yet?"

Briar glanced up upon hearing his serious tone, "No I've been rather busy today –why? What's happened?"

"Snape became Head Master at Hogwarts," George spat remorsefully. Briar swore loudly- dropping a box of Wiz-Bangs, which set them off. Briar cursed even louder, and lashed her wand to them, extinguishing the fizzing and popping fireworks.
During the same time, the bell above the shop's entrance chimed as someone pushed open the door.
Briar could hear Fred say, "Sorry mate, we're clos-AH!" His words with a shout, drawing George and Briar from the backroom.

"Oi! Let him down this minute!" Briar yowled, upon seeing Fred's levitating body, with George yelling more obscene versions.
The man –Briar recongnised him from the numerous posters that had once hung the walls of her office at the Ministry before its corruption.
"Hey- wait!" Briar sputtered, whipping out her wand and hollering, "DEATH EATER!"

Everything seemed to erupt in that moment- glass shattered as grey, smoky vapor forced its contents through the window. Briar had ducked, pulling George beneath the counter- catching Fred's now unconscious body with a hovering charm.
Briar was hardly aware of George's valiant attack against the bearded Death Eater who had first attacked Fred- while Briar battled the two others, a man and a woman- Briar heard a distinct shatter behind her as she ducked from an incoming spell- and she swore. Their radio equipment!

George roared with rage Fred was stepped over by the bearded Death Eater –George's wand lashed out, striking the bearded Death Eater with an ominous emerald spell.

"Clear out!" The woman shrieked, catching only a glimpse of the flash. Even as the bearded man crumbled, his body disappeared into the black vapor just like the two others and they vanished, leaving the store in heaps of collapsed shelves and chaos.
Briar's eyes flashed around the shop- her quick-witted mind blank.

A choked sound bubbled from George, and Briar could see that he had fallen to his knees, staring at the spot where the bearded man had fallen. Briar's mouth became numb with realisation- it had been George's first kill.
As an Auror, sometimes it was necessary to exterminate… She remembered her first, and she doubted the memory would ever leave her.

Her body moved without her brain's consent- her hand snagged an unconscious Fred and a weeping George- their bodies twisted with the tug and pull of Apparition. Briar dropped down to her knees on the outskirts of her home, clutching Fred to her chest and dragging George past the barrier.
The Thestral named Tenebrous- the one Bill and Fleur had ridden during Harry's relocation- still resided in her yard, nibbling on the petals of the overgrown Nightshade flowers.
George gave a shuttering gasp upon seeing a Thestral for the first time.

Briar was muttering soft curses, levitating an unconscious Fred and dragging George along with her inside.
Briar staunched Fred's bleeding nose, propping him upright on the sofa.
Her gaze fell to George, who continued to tremble.

Ensured that Fred was alive and well, Briar moved to George and settled herself in his lap and wrapping her arms and legs around him, bringing him close and merely holding his tight.
George clung to her, pressing his face into her shoulder, muttering wildly now.

"I killed him- I killed him… Oh god, I killed someone."

Briar said nothing, merely smoothing his ruffled hair, not minding the fabric of her shirt as it dampened. She held him tighter, feeling the erratic beat of his heart.
She was George's glue, keeping him from shattering.
And for that, George was grateful.
_

Briar glanced to George nervously through the window- he was with Tenebrous, the Thestral. Fred stumbled into the kitchen, finally rousing from his one-day coma and shot a glance out the window as well, furrowing his brows as he saw George seemingly stroking air.

"What is he-."

"He's with the Thestral," Briar cut in. Fred's forehead creased with concern, and he glanced to Briar for an explanation.
"Do you remember yesterday?" Briar inquired softly. Fred shrugged mildly, "All I remember is some bloke hitting me with a spell while you and Georgie were yelling."

Briar heaved a sigh, setting down the dish she was drying and eased her body against the counter.
"We were attacked," Briar informed him, grimacing at his look of utter surprise. "They knew about the radio and us –so those people, Death Eaters, attacked the store. George he protected you… And with that effort one of the Death Eaters was killed."

Fred's face fell with horror, turning his eyes back to George and appearing pained. Briar took Fred's hands, giving him a look of utter sincerity.
"This war is going to bring much more death than it already has, and there isn't a doubt in my mind that we will see more. When that time comes," Briar gazed up at him, sharp blue eyes blurring, "don't be afraid. Promise me, you'll be strong."

Fred nodded, squeezing her hands and drawing Briar in for a brief hug. "You ought to see to Georgie." He told her.
Briar gave him another glance and started outside.

"They're odd, aren't they?" George mused, as Briar joined him. "They're pleasant creatures, but to be invisible to nearly everyone," George shook his head, smiling slightly, "I'd never manage it, Fred and I've always been the centre of attention."

Briar gave a quiet chuckle, the scowling as Tenebrous began to munch on the Nightshade again. "Yes, they're rather bizarre," Briar agreed steadily, tugging Tenebrous away from the flowers. "Although I rather he didn't eat the Nightshade, they're sacred to this house-."

George gave her a look of curiosity, much like his usual self. "How's that?"

Briar smiled almost bitterly. "Nightshade grows where there's been death- and the Fidelis family has its blood splattered over history books, dating all the way back to the first records of Wizardry. With me, the last of the Fidelis blood remains, and knowing how history is, I'll probably die here too- and another Nightshade flower will bloom."
George shivered from her dark words, and shook his head.

"I think those flowers are more frightening than a Thestral," George muttered enigmatically. Briar gave a slight chuckle, "Nightshade plants are poisonous- and much more likely to kill you than a Thestral."

George took a glance at the violet, bursting star flowers and promptly stepped away from them.

My sincere apologies! I've been working as of recently, and preparing for school to begin. I fear I won't update as much as my history has shown- but I'll try!

Question: If you could kill someone, how would you do it and get away with it?

I'd probably poison their food, slip a single Belladonna leaf into their stew and bam- dead.

I do not own Harry Potter.

-AL