CHAPTER 21

George held the picture frame on his lap, sitting on one of the beds in the dusty room. He watched as the identical boys in the picture smirked proudly, standing next to the newly opened shop, a big colored sign hanged at the top, reading "For the first time- Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!"

They were laughing and had an arm on each other's shoulders making a weird sort of victory dance, making a little kid with her mother giggle as they walked by. One of the twins in the picture winked at the little girl who giggled even more.

'I wish you were here Fred… I can't lose her too, she's my daughter.

George sighed.

'If you were here you'd know what to do… she's the better looking one, like you, after all.'

Light suddenly crept into the dark old room, where the twins used to sleep in The Burrow, as Angelina opened the door.

George noticed a strain in her expression he never saw before.

"I thought I'd find you here, at least I can find someone." Her voice rough, she looked morbid as she joined him on the bed.

They sat in silence and slowly George placed the picture back on the wall, and set back at her side, finding comfort in the company.

"What are we doing George?" she inquired quietly, and George sensed the same terror he found in him in her as well.

He took her hand in his.

"We're supposed to be protecting her."

"I know." His voice harsh.

"People keep telling me she's tough and can take care of herself." She tightened her hold on his hand.

"I know."

Another moment of silence passed. Angelina seemed to have difficulty getting the words out.

"She's not supposed to be taking care of herself."

"I know." His throat dry, something heavy and unbeknownst was on his chest. He wished he had something more to say.

"We're supposed to take care of her."

"I know."

Someone tapped James' shoulder. He looked around and saw Uncle Ron next to him.

"How's it going? Come here a second will you?"

Ron led him to the other side of the room in George and Angelina's living room, to where he spotted Lysander and Dominique, playing exploding snap, looking depressed.

He crunched down next to them and spoke quietly enough that James, despite being closest to them, couldn't hear him.

Then he got up and edged away from the room, and James, Dom, and Lysander followed him.

Once they walked away from the living room he led them over to Fred's room. "Look, mind you keep Freddy company? I'm a little scared he might lose it, you know? And his parents are a bit over their heads with this one, so they really can't right now."

"You want us to keep him sane?!" Dom asked looking rather like Ron was crazy.

He managed a small smile. "I doubt he was ever sane to begin with Dommi, but I think under these circumstances he might like your company, seeing as you're all close. And you can support his crazy ideas, and make sure he doesn't act on his more stupid ideas." He looked positively serious now, prompting them. "Got it?"

And they did. It was obvious to them that Fred, being Fred, might try some stuff to try and get back Roxy, but when he gets emotional he can throw caution to the wind and do something out of sheer stupidity.

What was pretty awesome was that their Uncle (except for Lysander who was a close family friend) knew that well, too. Most adults wouldn't really consider the option that Fred or any of the kids will be doing something about this themselves, which was very useful to them. But Ron seemed to accept that it's inevitable, so it's better to at least have it controlled to a level.

"You're pretty cool Uncle Ron" Dom smiled at him.

James saw an emotion he couldn't comprehend in his Uncle's eyes.

"Well, he is named Fred…"

Knock knock knock.

'What time is she at then?

1978.'

Knock knock knock.

1978…1978…1978...

1978.

'And there's something else…something I can't say in front of the kids…'

Knock knock knock!

"WHAT?!" Fred opened the door annoyed, to find his three best friends smirking at him from the other side.

Trying to pull a quick one, he tried to close the door again fast, but Lysander put his foot in front of the door, preventing him from succeeding.

Dom pushed the door open completely and she and James came into his room, Lysander following them.

Fred growled, but he really should've been more prepared for the invasion.

James and Dom sat on his bed, while Lysander made himself comfortable in the pink pouffe next to the bed (placed in his room by Roxanne after Fred lost a bet three years ago), making it clear to him they aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Feeling defeated he sat on the bed with Dom and James. "What do you lot want?"

Not really sure what to say, James turned to Dom.

"Oh stop moping cousin, we're here to help." She said brightly.

Fred looked at the wall. "Help with what?"

Lysander rolled his eyes.

"Still a terrible liar, mate." James said, smiling.

Fred narrowed his eyes at him, not unlike his sister.

"So, what's the plan?" Lysander asked, looking expectant.

Fred knew his friends wanted to be there for him right now, and that he'd do the same for all of them, but not this time. "You can't help." He said seriously. "It's... dangerous."

Dom frowned, looks like Uncle Ron had good reason to be worried after all. She shared a look with James.

"'Means it's a stupid plan then. What's plan B?" James said, scowling a little at Fred.

Fred grimaced, but didn't answer; he could admit it was stupid, but he felt it was the best he had at the moment…and if it worked all would be worth it.

"Oh come on mate, you know you could use our help with whatever!" Lysander said.

But Fred gave a stubborn look and said no more.

Annoyed, Dom put on a fake smile. "If you don't fess up I'll tell dear sister Vicky you're planning something stupid and she'll have you stunned until Roxanne comes back."

Fred glared at her, as he knew her well enough to bet she wasn't kidding. He sighed.

He mumbled something.

"What?" Lysander asked, sitting the farthest.

"Smash a Time Turner!"

All three looked at him, speechless, for a moment.

Fred doubted it would last long. And he was right.

"You're an idiot."

"Did a Nargle take over your brain?"

"Stupidest. Plan. Ever."

Fred blushed. "I know! That's why I said you can't come with me! OWW!"

Dom and James both slapped him upside the head, as Lysander kicked his shin from where he was sitting.

"What's with the physical assault?!" he asked, rubbing his leg.

"Are you a moron?!" James exploded. "The adults need to concentrate on finding Roxy right now, you disappearing somewhere in history as well isn't gonna do shit but make more trouble for everyone!"

Fred looked put out. "I know it's a stupid plan, but I have to do something! I can't just sit around while Roxanne's missing…" he looked embarrassed, but no one commented. Even if they always fought no one doubted how close Roxanne and Fred were, and how much they cared for each other. "I mean, she's just stuck somewhere in the past- how is that okay?! Who knows what could happen…"

Dom put an arm around his shoulder. "Us sit around and do nothing? I don't think we're mentally capable of that." She smirked. "We just need to come up with a good plan. you know, in case the adults take too long." she gave a pointed look, as she was sure the adults wouldn't give up until her cousin was back home, safe. After all, the niece of Head Auror; Harry Potter, is missing.

Fred gave her a grateful smile, and they all stayed quiet, coming up with ideas.

Rose Weasley threw her exploding snap cards on the floor. Roxanne was missing, the adults all disappeared one after the other, probably trying to find a way to bring her back, and James, Dom, and Lysander left with her Dad; probably to plot something with Fred as well.

She looked around theliving room, only the kids were left. She didn't even see Grandma and Grandpa. Vic, Teddy, and Alex probably disappeared somewhere quite together too, being the closest to Roxanne growing up.

They were used to being left out of the important stuff, but was she really supposed to just pass time around and do nothing? She huffed indignantly, she was a rather smart witch if she said so herself, she wants to somehow contribute in such a situation- after all, she wanted Roxanne back just as much as the others.

She got up and walked over to where Al and Scourpius were sitting, doing nothing in particular but look miserable.

They looked up as she approached.

"What's up Rose?"

"I can't stand this! We should be doing something! Sitting around is driving me mad." She said loudly, and Lily and Hugo, who sat closest to them, managed to hear everything.

Albus nodded. "But what can we do? The adults won't let any of us help, and Teddy and Vic will just tell us not to make any more trouble for them." He sighed. Truth be told, sitting around doing nothing was making him crazy too.

"Well, they aren't the only ones we could go to, are they?" she said quietly, but Lily and Hugo could still catch her words.

"Wha'do'yo mean?!" they both said quickly.

"That obviously your brother," she pointed at Albus. " Fred, and them aren't just playing Exploding Snap in that room." She pointed out her suspicions.

Eyes widened as she said that, and they all realized she was right.

"For some reason I don't see them welcoming us into their fold." Scourpius said sarcastically.

Rose glared at him. "This is about my cousin disappearing, I'm sure we could let childish disputes aside. Family supports each other." She turned to Albus. "Besides, we can help them come up with a good plan, even if they won't let us help a lot." She shrugged.

It was a sentiment of how strongly Rose wanted to contribute to the rescue of her cousin that she didn't mind whatever small role she would be given in it, as long as she helped.

Albus and Scourpius nodded. "What about the others?"

"I thought about it, but maybe…that's too many cooks in the kitchen?"

They glanced around (Hugo and Lily quickly pretended to be engrossed in a conversation). Lorcan and Louis were reading books, and Lucy and Molly sat next to them, talking quietly.

Albus disagreed. "They feel just like us Rose."

She sighed. "You're right, let's ask if they want to come with us."

"YES!"

Hugo clapped his hands on his mouth quickly and Lily smacked her forehead at her best friend's outburst.

Rose glared at her little brother, as Albus gave Lily a reproachful look.

Both grinned sheepishly back.

"Alright, so we came up with-"

"Six-teen plans to bring Roxanne back." Lysander said.

"And we ruled out-" Dom continued.

"All six-teen of them." James said, depressed.

"I can't believe you said my plan was stupid, some of the stuff you came up with was mental." Fred sulked at his friends.

They have been at it for a while, and whilst some of those plans would make a hell of a prank, they were all consequently at zero percent chance of managing to bring Roxanne forward in time from 1978.

To be fair, this is a challenge their group had yet to face before.

The door opened and they were rather surprised when Lucy, Molly, Rose, Albus, Scourpius, Louis, Hugo, Lily, and Lorcan all stumbled through it.

James raised his eyebrow at the nine of them as they squeezed in, amused. "Yes?"

Lysander shook his head. "Didn't you hear of knocking? What if we were indecent?" he smirked. "You'd hate to see it."

Rose had a disgusted look on her face, but before she had a chance to replay, Lorcan spoke.

"There is no need to belittle your body's physical appearance brother- I am sure you are as stunning as I am under these clothes. Have some confidence."

Lysander's face shined brightly red, as the rest let out uncontrollable snorts of laughter.

The sudden humor was rather unexpected and it broke the intensity of the last two days, making them relieved and laughing a little harder then they usually would've.

When they have calmed down, Lucy spoke.

"Look guys, we know you're planning on doing something. If it's going to bring back Roxy count us in."

Fred was about to refuse when Molly spoke.

Molly rarely spoke much, but when she did she always had a way of soothing an atmosphere and dripping her voice with needed sense.

"Bringing someone back forward in time is going to be hard. Our parents are working on it and you guys are a lot less experienced then they are. Let us help you; you need all the help you can get. And if it works and we manage to help bring Roxanne home, then isn't it worth a shot? Two minds are better than one. We are all different, if we work together that can definitely go to our favor." She looked around the room in the silence that followed. When no one argued she went on.

"And I don't mean think quietly to yourselves. This is too difficult. Speak your ideas out loud, no matter how stupid they sound to you, maybe someone else would find it inspirational. If we each add in our piece, we might create something that's just good enough it might work."

Lorcan was the first to react. "That was very wise Molly II Weasley. I hold in your opinion and second your suggestion. The only way I see us managing any significant change in this situation is together. If we aren't willing to do at least that, we might as well give up now." He smiled at her peacefully.

Fred looked at James miserably; he was willing to do about anything if it brought back Roxy, but he didn't want his younger cousins involved, risking themselves.

James felt the same way, but damn Molly's logic- how can a 14 year old be so smart? But then he thought about Rose, who is 13 and just decided to give up on understanding how life is so unfair. "We agree. Besides, we didn't manage to think of anything anyways." He said as Dom glared at him. "But we make no promises about letting you help with the actual thing! You can help with planning but if the plan is risky that's where you guys leave."

Before the younger of the lot began to protest, Lorcan said gently but clearly "That's not really your call to make James Sirius Potter, is it?"

James glared at him. "Not for you, but if they're younger than me, like hell it is!"

"James!" Lucy snapped. "It's a personal choice, but if someone in this room chooses to risk everything for Roxanne, you have no right to stand in their way."

"Like hell I don't-!"

"She's right James, Teddy's the oldest but he wouldn't allow any of us to risk ourselves, doesn't mean we aren't right now. We can't tell them what to do. That would be hypocritical." Dom said.

James turned to glare at her but his look softened when he saw her glance worriedly at Louis. He sighed. "Do whatever you want, but if you're in- you're in, no backseeis!" he looked at Hugo and Lily; the youngest of the group, who nodded enthusiastically.

At least Hugo was as tall as a string, even at 11, like his father. But Lily was 11 and looked like it. Not that Louis being 12, and Lucy and Molly being 14 was all that much better. Or Rose, Albus, and the un-official adopted Weasley; Scourpius, being 13.

But for now they had no choice but to accept it.

Fred looked around his overly crowded bedroom. "Thanks guys…" he rubbed his neck uncomfortably.

Rose closed the door.

"You'll do the same." Albus said confidently, and James sent him a rare look with a small grin.

"Let's get started. It's time to bring Roxanne home." Lucy said, sitting down in a chair near the door.

And soon enough ideas started flowing through the cramped room.

-END CH.21-

A\N: i'm so sorry for the late update! No one told me Uni was such a horrer fest T_T thank you all for your comments i loved them! And in case you're worried this story will definetly be complited most of it is already done, i'm just sloww