"You are not going back!" Evelyn firmly said as Lena finished telling her parents the truth.
"I can't stay here, I have to go back."
"For what!" her mother shouted.
"Calm down Ev, Lena ees an adult, she will make 'er own choice," Anton said, standing up to hug her goodbye.
"Are you mad Anton!? Our daughter is going back to a dangerous place! She could be killed!"
"Mum I think you're exaggerating."
"Did you just not tell us, muggle-borns like yourself are being taken in and killed?"
Lena groaned, her mother was already twisting the truth. "No I said they were being deprived of magic and being locked up. Nothing about killing what so ever."
"Lena this sounds like what happened in the forties, with World War II. Please, I beg of you not to go back," her mother pleaded.
She sighed, "I can't leave Fred."
"Fred can come here."
"He can't leave his family!"
"Anton aren't you going to do anything to stop this?" she looked at her husband who stood motionless.
"I can't stop 'er from doing what she wants. Zis ees her choice, not ours."
Evelyn started crying, "Lena please."
"I'll be alright. I'll come visit you soon mum."
She disapparated back to the flat before her mother could muster another word. George was reading the paper while Fred paced; it felt like déjà vu. George was the first to notice her, "Hello there Liana. Did you feed on some deserving snatcher?"
"No-"
"Where have you been?"
She rolled her eyes, taking a seat on the counter, swinging her legs in nerves.
"I went to Lyon."
Fred calmed down, sitting next to his brother. "So what happened?"
"Nothing, just went to talk to them, explained everything about what was going on."
"I'm betting that went well," George joked.
"My dad didn't really react, but my mum was a different story."
"What did she say?" Fred asked.
"Wanted me to come live with them, but," she paused, rolling her head back.
"But what?"
"I can't leave you here Fred."
"But it's safer for you," he stood up, walking towards her.
George stood up as well, "I think I should leave you two. Please don't do anything in the kitchen. I live here too."
Lena laughed but Fred stared at her. "What?"
He breathed, "I think your mum is right. Maybe you should stay over there for a bit. Things here aren't getting better."
She jumped off the counter, shoving him away in anger. "I'm not leaving!"
"You staying here isn't safe. Snatchers raided this place looking for you, they could come again."
"Fred, they're not that intelligent! Besides I know one."
"What do you mean you know one?!"
Lena looked down, "One of them warned me back in August that something like this would happen, and he didn't say anything today."
"What the hell are you talking about! What happened today?" His voice was getting louder and more irritated.
"Nothing! That's what I'm saying! No one knows who I am."
"Come off it Lena! Do you seriously think different colored hair and a fake accent is going to keep you undercover? That luck is going to run out and it's better if you're far away."
"Do you want me far away?"
"No, I-"
But she interrupted him, "No, it seems you want me far away. It's like I'm this burden, well let me tell you, I-"
"Enough!" he shouted. "I just want you to be safe. Every week, when I see the names of those deceased-I'm scared one day I'll see your name amongst them."
"But I won't be. You have to trust me-"
"I can't. Look at the danger Lena! You almost got caught the other day-"
"No I did-"
"Don't lie. You said so yourself," he started pacing in the small kitchen. "You're a danger to yourself. You think you're some invincible woman but you're not!"
"Is that what you think of me?" she whispered. "I'm afraid but I don't let it consume me Fred."
"Stop twisting my words."
"If I can't stay here, then I'll find another place," she snapped, heading out the door.
"No-"
"Make up your mind! You don't even know what you want!"
"I WANT YOU TO BE SAFE!" Fred came storming at her, his face red from fury.
"THEN LET ME STAY!" She grabbed his face, lowering her voice. "Let me stay." Her brown eyes stared into his but he turned away, annoyed at her. George walked back in, his eyes darting between the two; he had heard everything.
"Mum wanted us at the Burrow by seven, it's um not seven anymore," he sheepishly informed.
"I'll go get-"
"We're leaving now," Fred ordered, not looking at her. She turned away in annoyance, grabbing Georges' hand instead of his.
"Um Fred how about you take my other hand." He nodded taking his hand, disapparating in seconds.
"There you two are, I was starting to think you wouldn't come," Molly ushered them into the kitchen where George and Arthur were deep in conversation.
"Lena dear, your hair!" she whispered, her eyes fixated on her pale blonde hair. "Brown suits you better dear."
"Doesn't she look like those Romanian vampires?" George called out, grinning.
"Shut up."
"Why the change?" Arthur asked, also glancing at her hair.
"She thought it would help disguise her," Fred muttered, still avoiding her gaze.
"It's not safe for you to wander about," Arthur warned. "People are being snatched and even worse, some are being killed."
Lena listened attentively, her nerves starting to eat away at her.
"You're making her nervous," Fred remarked, his eyes finally meeting hers. Now it was her turn to avoid his eyes, as she nervously smiled at Arthur who sheepishly apologized.
"I'm sorry Lena, I-I tend to forget you're a part of this chaos."
"No, it's all right. It's good to be informed."
"If you'd excuse me, I have to go over to Lee's," Fred stood up, scrapping the chair behind him. Lena stood up as well, but he ignored her.
"Oh can't you stay for tonight," Molly begged as she went to her son. "You hardly touched your food!"
George spoke up as well. "We can go tomorrow Fred, besides I wanted to talk a few things with dad."
He clenched his jaw, sitting back down, though Lena remained standing. She picked up her plate at took it to the sink, sighing. "Thank you for the supper Molly, I'll be heading upstairs to rest." She quickly glanced at Fred who was observing her as she walked out of the kitchen. Once in Ginny's room she grabbed a pillow, and yelled into it, her pent up frustration being released. Nothing was going accordingly to her plan. A knock came on her door, catching her by surprise.
"Come in."
"Hey Lena, just wanted to see how you're doing," Arthur smiled, sitting down beside her.
"I feel," she looked at her hands, tingling. "I feel trapped Arthur. It's feels like no matter what I do it's not enough or appropriate for these times."
"These times are very difficult, but you shouldn't allow them to drown you in a glass. You are the key to setting yourself free, away from all of this chaos."
"I know the right choice would be to leave, go with my parents but something is holding me back."
"And what is that?"
"That is what I don't know. I know I can't leave Fred behind but it's something else as well."
"Well discover what it is and act on it Lena."
She nodded, smiling at last. "Thank you Arthur."
He patted her back, "Glad I could help. Now get some rest, you look exhausted."
"Did Fred leave?"
"Yes, he went over to Lee's."
"Thanks."
He turned back to her. "Get some rest," he grinned.
"Alright," she chuckled. Once again, she was left alone in which she took his advice and went to sleep.