Location: The Burrow; Date: August 22nd 1994; Time: 5:00 a.m
Blurry, everything was blurry. Feeling her fingers grip tightly onto her light colored wand, she began to walk cautiously through the thick grey fog that had entered
her vision. With every step she took, the feeling of uneasiness grew as her black and white converse clad feet crunched the gravel under them. Whispering a quiet
"Lumos", she stopped as she saw unknown figures littering the ground before her. Covering her mouth with her free hand at the scene before her, she felt her hand
wand arm begin to shake as she continued to walk forward. Hearing a quiet groan from the closest figure, she quickly rushed to kneel at the figures side. Falling to
her knees as the light from her wand fell onto the figures face, Mia let out a gasp as she realized that this was Fred. His bright red hair was matted with blood, and
his face and body were covered with scraps, cuts, and burns. His face had contorted into one of extreme pain as she carefully brushed some of his hair away from his
face. Watching his brown eyes flicker open to meet her hazel eyes, she quickly hushed him as he tried to speak. Her voice breaking slightly as she looked at him, Mia
asked silently, "Fred what happened to you? Who did this?" Coughing a bit, he spoke weakly, "They just came out of no where Mia, they got everyone. Mom, Dad, Bill
and Charlie, Percy, George…" Mia could hear his extreme grief over the loss of his brother and twin, as she kneeled next to him, completely horrified. "Mia they got
Ginny, she...she was so brave she stood up to them even though she knew…. and Harry, Ron, and Hermione fought until the end but it didn't matter."
His voice getting weaker but seemingly more distressed, Mia gently pulled his head onto her lap, as she watched him lose his composure. Feeling her own tears
pooling in her eyes, she let out a quiet sob before she looked down to Fred's pale face. Sniffing quietly, she asked as he began to mumble something, "Wha.. what
are you saying?" Seeing his manner change in a flash, Mia let out a cry as his scarred hand clasped around her throat. He hissed, his eyes full of hate, "It's your
fault.. you could've said something. Now everyone is dead because of you!" Gasping as she felt his grip tighten around her neck, she tried to speak, "I...I didn't
mean to hurt anyone, I just didn't want to risk changing anything." Feeling her own tears drip down her face, she continued her voice raw, "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry
Fred." Looking into his hard gaze, she tried vainly to pry his grip off of her bruising throat as she began to loose air. Watching a twisted version of a grin that Mia had
come to love appear on his face, she continued to wheeze as he spoke, "That means nothing, and now you have to deal with the fact that you've killed them, and
you've killed me." Hearing a faint shout before a flash of green light hit Fred. She screamed as she watched his body fall to the ground with a thump, the twisted grin
still on his face. Scrambling to back up she froze as a black cloaked figure came out of the fog towards her. Looking into the dark, black, eye sockets of the skull
mask, she felt her breath hitch as the figure began to laugh at her fright. Pointing his wand at her, Mia barely heard the curse leave his mouth as she fought the
invisible grip on her, as tears continued to leak from her eyes.
Continuing to thrash around as she heard faint voices calling her name, Mia's eyes quickly flew open as a final cry left her mouth. Shaking as she sat up, she
ignored the feeling of tears on her cheeks as she blinked to see the frightened faces of Ginny and Hermione. Not trusting her voice to speak, Mia gave them a very
shaky smile before she wiped at her eyes. Blinking up at the youngest Weasley, she watched as Ginny's frightened features slowly morph into one of concern as she
asked, "Mia, what was that? You were crying out like you were being attacked." Sniffing slightly before replying with her raw voice, Mia let her gaze wander away
from the younger girls as she spoke quietly, "Just a nightmare Ginny, nothing to worry about. I'm sorry If I frightened you two, I promise it won't happen again."
Slipping out of the cot, Mia quietly left the room without looking back.
Closing the door quietly behind her Mia slowly made her way down the hall towards the bathroom as her head began to spin again. Shaking her head in an
attempt to banish the flashes of her nightmare from her mind, she paused to look at her now shaking hand that was resting on the doorknob. "You know there are
other people here Mia, you're gonna hold up the line if you just keep standing there." Jumping at the sudden appearance of a voice, Mia turned to see a half asleep
Fred standing behind her. Wincing a bit as a flash of Fred's twisted smile appeared in her mind she quietly replied, "Sorry, I guess I'm just out of it." Not pausing to
see the look of concern that appeared on his face she quickly walked into the bathroom. Beginning her normal routine of brushing her teeth she tensed as she felt a
pair of eyes staring at her from the open door frame.
Glancing over to look at the red head leaning nonchalantly against the door-frame, she asked after spitting out her toothpaste into the sink. "What? I can't have
done anything that interesting I haven't even changed yet." Seeing his mouth slightly tick up into a smile at her words before falling back into a blank expression he
asked, "What's got you so frazzled? Normally when I say something you've usually got a response at the ready, but you just apologized to me which is not normal, so,
what's wrong?" Seemingly surprised, Mia allowed a silence to fill the air between them before she turned her gaze away from him. Beginning to wash her face, she
watched him through the mirror as he moved to stand next to her, clearly not letting her silence stop him. "I had a nightmare, nothing too strange, I'm just not a
dreamer, so it just shocked me. I actually don't think I've dreamed since I was a kid." Making eye contact with him through the glass she quickly through her hair up
into a neat tight bun before turning around to face him a small smile on her face as she spoke with a lightly teasing tone, "Anyway, you don't have to worry I'm
completely fine, and don't worry I won't tell anyone about your concern for me, wouldn't want anyone to think the great Fred Weasley was going soft now would we?"
Seeing his features morph from concern to annoyance he huffed as she gently patted his shoulder before sidestepping him and walking out of the bathroom.
Jerking to a stop as a worn hand gently clasped around her wrist, she turned to look at Fred who had a surprisingly serious expression on his normally joking face.
"Mia, seriously If somethings eating at you, just know you can come to George or I for help, alright?" Curiously tilting her head at his words, she watched him for a
moment before nodding and stepping away from him. Turning around and walking back down the hall Mia slipped back inside of Ginny's now empty room.
Changing into a pair of jean shorts and an old worn t-shirt, Mia quickly laced up her converse before grabbing her small satchel bag. Pausing at the door Mia
quickly grabbed a Gryffindor jumper before continuing on her journey down stairs. Hearing the voices of Ginny and Hermione along with a grumbling Ron and slightly
out of it Harry she made her way to the kitchen. "I'm telling you Mum something was wrong ask Hermione, she saw it Mia was properly frightened, she was crying
and pleading like she was being tortured…" Walking into the kitchen she saw Ginny's face quickly flashy a guilty expression before moving away from her mother to
sit next to her brother at the table. Trying to ignore the concerned look of Mrs. Weasley, Mia quietly sat down at the table after greeting the others.
The rest of that morning went by in a daze for Mia, she she vaguely recognized the twins coming down and fighting with there mother over their joke shop
products. Not having the heart to say anything to or the twins, Mia followed Mr. Weasley silently out of the house. Wincing a bit at the cold morning air Mia, quickly
slipped on the red jumper. Keeping a steady pace behind the oldest Weasley, Mia kept silence as her bag quietly thumped against her hip as they walked. Moving her
gaze off of her surroundings to look back at the younger group behind her, Mia paused as she saw the twins walking in a tense silence behind the soon to be fourth
year students.
Stepping to the side to allow them to pass, Mia ignored the questioning look Ginny sent her as she passed by. Sighing and leaning her weight onto one leg as she
watched them Mia spoke softly as they neared her, " I'm sorry about your mum finding those products. I know you've worked really hard on them." Watching their
blank faces stare back at her, she added as she began to walk in between the two, "I know this might not help, but If you'd like I'm pretty sure I could help you get
more supplies to remake them." Keeping her gaze forwards as her quiet voice faded out she glanced up to their faces after a moment of silence to see them
conversing through a look before looking at her with two identical smiles as they chorused quietly,"Thanks Mia." Looking forward again as they continued to walk Mia
added with a smile on her lips, "No problem." For the rest of their trek it seemed as if the twins had finally snapped out of their state as they began to speak excitedly
about the match with Mia adding in her own opinions. But after several complaints from the younger teens and the quietly mocking twins Mia was thankful when
proclaimed that they were nearing the portkey.
Still half asleep Mia's mind slowly recognized the arrival of a new face as they reached the top of a hill. Looking closer she faintly recognized the man's appearance
before shouted his greetings to the man. Not bothering to listen to the exchange, Mia silently yawned into her arm before she realized that the twins had
fallen silent again as the stared at a boy similar to their age. Blinking as she took in his appearance, Mia blanched with shock as she recognized the teen, he was
Cedric Diggory one of the first deaths in the second Wizarding War. Back home he was remembered as a brave and innocent young man who was taken to soon from
life. Harry had made sure to remind his kids, and their cousins of this which had inadvertently rubbed off on Mia from her time spent with Teddy and the clan.
But hearing and seeing were two different things and Mia could feel her stomach curl at the thought of his upcoming fate. Mia's focus was called in again as she
heard Mr. Weasley comment in response to Cedric's father, "Oh no, only the redheads. This is Hermione friend of Ron's, and Harry another friend, and of course
Amelia West she's been staying with us until her teaching starts this September at Hogwarts." Watching the man begin to somewhat ignorantly hackle Harry over a
previous Quidditch accident, Mia rolled her eyes before gently nudging the twins sides as they began to glare at Cedric once more. Seeing their confused looks she
huffed before speaking under her breath, "Honestly, he's obviously not enjoying this so give the boy a break and it was over a year ago, it doesn't matter now."
Opening their mouth to no doubt give a sarcastic reply, Mia's attention was turned to Cedric's father as he turned his attention to her, "So, you'll be teaching at
Hogwart's this year? What will you be teaching if you don't mind me asking?" Quickly switching her annoyance at the twins to a respectful tone she replied easily,
"Performing art's sir, the Headmaster thought it would be appropriate due to the given upcoming events, and the need for some extra curricular activities." Seeing
him nod she kept a pleasant smile on her face as he replied, "Well I'm sure you will do great, even if you are a bit young to be teaching." Tensing a bit, Mia nodded at
him before Mr. Weasley quickly cut in to remind them of their departure.
Moving to place a finger on the old boot held out by , Mia made a small noise of discomfort as the twins placed themselves on either side of her as she mumbled,
"It's far to early for this…" Ignoring the twins snickering she rolled her eyes before the sickening feeling of being pulled flooded her senses. Hitting the ground harshly,
Mia felt her legs almost buckle before she hastily straightened herself out. Looking around herself, she realized that she was only one of four who managed to stay up
as the rest of their group laid on the ground. Hearing a faint moan by her feet she quickly found two identical bodies lying at her feet. Snickering quietly at their
appearance she commented, "Not so quick on the reflexes are you boys?" Continuing to laugh at them despite their glares, Mia held out her hands to them before
they pulled themselves to their feet with her assistance. Finally settling down after a few half-hearted threats from George and Fred, Mia happily followed to the site
manager's office.
But of course no task would ever be simple when with the Weasley's. After watching Mr. Weasley stumble to pay the clerk the correct amount of money, she finally
stepped in with the help of Harry to help pay the correct amount. Ignoring the twins who had seemingly made it their job to get back at her for her earlier comment,
she vainly tried to get them to shut up, so the man wouldn't overhear. Sadly her efforts were in vain as a moment later a wizard popped up to wipe the man's
memory and send them on their way to the lot. The next task was to set up the two tents that had brought along without the use of magic. Harry and Hermione were
once again picked on, much to her amusement to help set up their tents, and after a few minutes of struggling Mia quickly stepped in to help properly set up the tent
and regulate Mr. Weasley in his excitement at using a mallet.
Beginning to feel a bit warm, Mia shed her sweatshirt before she continued to hit the steaks into the ground. A shrill whistle sounding from behind her, Mia quickly
shot a glare to the two grinning twins, before shaking her head and turning back to her a huff from Hermione who was across from her, Mia shook her head before
commenting quietly, "You're telling me, at least you don't have them bothering you all of the time. It seems you were wiser in picking a Weasley to befriend." Hearing
an amused snort from Harry as he tried to cover his laughter paired with Hermione's quiet giggles, she finally hit the last spike into the ground before walking back
over to who was standing by his children. "It's finished , we should be good to head inside."
Snatching up her sweatshirt, Mia took her time following the group inside as she surveyed the layout of the tent. It was a decent size, but the only thing that
bothered her was the slightly overwhelming smell of cats. Feeling her nose begin to itch, she was barely able to cover her nose before she let out a surprisingly loud
sneeze. Feeling her face flush from the sudden attention of the group she spoke in a muffled voice, "Sorry, I'm a bit allergic to cats." Continuing to cover her nose
with her hand, she looked to Fred as he commented his voice holding an underlying hint of laughter,"Yeah Mia, I think we all got that." Sending him an un-amused
look as the rest of the group took their attention off of her to explore the interior of the tent, Mia surprisingly looked at his twin when he commented, "Are you going
to be alright in this? I mean it's not going to kill you right?" Allowing her hand to move away from her nose, Mia nodded as she replied, "I'll be fine George, It's just a
bit of allergies nothing to serious."
Sitting down while absentmindedly rubbing at her nose, Mia looked up at the twins as they came to sit by her while adding, "Well we can't have our keeling over
on us Mia, then who would we get to help us redo our products. Yeah, and who would we get to prank when we get bored." Shaking her head in a fond manner at
their overly concerned expressions, she leaned back into her seat before commenting dryly, "Thanks for the concern guys, I'm happy to hear that I mean so much to
you." Their expressions turn into one's of fake hurt they replied switching back and forth, "Mia honestly that's a compliment, working on our products is a serious
thing for us to trust someone with, and besides you're going to be a teaching at the one place where we do most of our , with you on our side we're bound to get
better business and better results in pranking." Taking a moment to absorb their words Mia paused before replying jokingly, "Sorry boys, If you think I'll be getting
you out of whatever punishment you earn this year then your highly delusional. And besides, I'm not to keen on losing my job." Quickly sharing a look before turning
to face Mia she watched them carefully as a spark entered their eyes, "What if we promised you that we wouldn't prank your classroom for the entire year?" Shooting
up from her seat she quickly replied, "You wouldn't dare…"
Watching them shrug before looking at her with their eyebrows raised in a 'really?' expression, she bit her lip before replying, "You two are horrible you know
that?" Watching as two Cheshire smiles appeared on their faces, they replied in a sweet tone, "We know." Sighing in defeat she replied, "Fine, but only once alright,
and it has to be for something important not just to get out of polishing trophies." Watching them quickly high five each other, Mia allowed herself to slump back into
her seat as the twins began to plan what prank they were going to use their pass on. Moving her gaze to look around the tent as the twins continued to excitedly plan
their prank, Mia allowed her thoughts to wander before she looked back at the twins who sat across from her, Well, at least they are going to make this year
interesting...
Author's Note:
So Mia's made it to the cup but the question is how is she going to react when things start to go sour? I'm very excited to write out her reactions to everything that happens. Also thank you to the new follows and favorites, it always makes my day to see people are interested in the story. And a shout out to all the viewers for stopping to read the story.
Till next time,
The Detective