Disclaimer: I'll put it simply. Me. Does. Not. Own. Harry. Potter.
As soon as Seamus told me that Neville and the others where back I ran to the hospital wing. I slammed the doors open and ignored the protests from the staff about no visitors being allowed yet. I hurried past them without a word looking from bed to bed for Neville. When I saw him I stormed up to his bed and slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the silent room for a minute and angry tears burned my eyes.
When I saw the bruised skin in the shape of a small hand around his neck I lost it. I stood there sobbing quietly as whatever scolding I was going to give him slipped my mind. "You can't protect me forever. It's time I learned to stand on my own feet for once." he told me gently. I shook my hand as I cried. No, I could protect him. I could. But what I can't do is protect all the people I love. I can't protect Neville and Fred and Ginny and Hermione and Draco and Harry and George and Ron and Luna and Dizzy and Lee and Seamus and Dean and and..a-and...
I left out a loud sob as Neville pulled me into the bed with him. "Don't," I sobbed as I pounded his chest halfheartedly,"ever l-leave me like that again." Neville was quiet for a minute. "I'll say goodbye next time, just in case." he replied stopped my tears, but it didn't nothing to reassure me. I knew it meant he would most definitely do it again if the opportunity presented itself, and that he wasn't sure where he was coming back this time let alone next time.
I could tell from the tone of his voice that he's mind was made up. He would do what he believed was right no matter who he left behind. "At least promise that you would leave again tonight." I begged in a voice that sounded to weak to belong to me, but I think something in me might crack if he did. Harry once told me that there good and evil in all of us, and I'm afraid of my evil. It almost boiled over earlier. I thought about it, killing Seamus, I mean. I know the spell. I shouldn't, but I do. What would my friends think of me if they knew my potential? What would Neville think of me?
"I'm going to bed." I mumbled to Neville before getting up. And I left the hospital wing without a word to anyone else. When I opened my door Rogue came in after me. "How'd you get out?" I asked her though I don't know why. Jadis is smart, being part owl and all, but there's something about the look in Rogue's eyes makes me think that somehow she's smarter then her mom. Plus she has a talent for letting herself out and not getting caught.
I closed the door behind me kicked off my shoes and flopped face first onto my bed with no intention to get up until I have to pee or get hungry. I felt the shifting of the bed that meant one of my cats had jumped up with me. I heard a loud annoyed meow in my ear and turned my face to glare at Rogue. "Why couldn't you have inherited Jade's quietness?" I grumbled to her before noticing the parchment tied to her collar.
I reached for the parchment but Rogue scratched my hand. "Alright you bloody cat I'll stop insulting you if you just give it here!" I yelled in frustration. Rogue replied by yawning and laying down on my pillow to sleep. "I swear you're the cheekiest cat alive." I mumbled as I untied the note and unfolded it carefully.
Dear Nadia,
First off please don't get mad and not read this! And second off I love you, and I'm still not convinced you know that so forgive me if I say it to often. I'm sorry for everything I've put you through: from the rumors to leaving without telling you. I'm especially sorry for leaving without telling you because the reason is so stupid. I was miserable not being able to tell a joke without someone around me being sent to detention for laughing to loud. George and I were fed up, so we decided Hogwarts had nothing left to teach us. I didn't tell you because I knew that if you asked me to stay I would have without a moments hesitation. I love you Nadia Morgana Longbottom, more then my life.
You know about the money Harry gave us right? Well, we're gonna use it to get this shop on Diagon Alley. It's a bit of a dump, but I wagered George a Galleon that we can get it polished, stocked and popular by summer break. I truly hope you'll come visit it, and I hope that you don't hate me for all I've put you through. I just had a thought, this is going to be a really embarrassing letter if Rogue decides not to deliver it to you, isn't it? Well you're taking your test as I'm writing this and since you know we left during your test you know this letter's a bit rushed. I don't care if you want to burn me alive, I mean if you're mad. I don't care as long as you still consider me yours, because I will always consider my heart yours.
(hopefully) Forever Ringlet's Love,
Fred Weasley
I crumbled up the letter and tossed it in the open trunk at the end on my bed. I curled up into a ball and Jadis snuggled herself under my arm. I smiled as I drifted off to sleep because I knew as long as someone like Fred could love me I couldn't possible be as evil as I think I am.
As we pulled up to Kings Cross Station I looked out the window for Gran, but instead saw the Weasley family. "Looks like the twins came with your parents to get you." I told Ginny as I stared at the one twin in his business suit who's daily letters and apologies I've been ignoring. Ginny broke away from her conversation with Dean to look out the window. "What makes you think they're here for me?" she asked surprising me.
I was about to protest when Angelina got off with the first wave of students and when straight to George for a public snog. I turned my nose up at the display, mostly because I found out that George had told Angelina that him and Fred were leaving. Neville was sitting next to me as he looked out the window. "Gran's not here." he told me. Which I hadn't noticed do to my staring at Fred who was standing away from his parents and brother waiting for something. He was waiting for me I realized.
I quickly left the compartment without my luggage and pushed my way off the train not knowing what the hell I was thinking or doing. I stood on the bottom step of the train less then five feet from Fred...and I jinxed him. His legs locked together and in his surprise he toppled over. "You could be-" "Calm down Mom, she was technically still on the train. The Ministry won't even bother trying to expel her." George assured cutting off Mrs. Weasley's rant.
I stepped off the train and watched as Fred struggled to sit himself up. "That was for leaving me." I told him darkly before grabbed his tie and bending over to kiss him angrily. "And that was for leaving the way you did." I told him as I pulled away. Fred smirked and started to pull my face back to his but we were interrupted by Mrs. Weasley coughing loudly. And that's when I turned red remembering that we were at the train station. Fred kissed my cheek. "You're cute when you blush." he whispered. If possible my face turned redder as I stood up.
Fred un-jinxed his legs and stood up next to me. "I'm guessing you didn't find Gran?" Neville asked from behind me. I turned to see him carrying both our bags and smiled guiltily. "Sorry Nevs." I told him. Fred sighed. "You really haven't been reading my letters have you?" he asked me. My expression turned pained as I shook me head. "I wasn't sure if I was going to forgive you." I admitted without meeting his eyes.
Some days I'd barely felt Fred's absence and others I couldn't muster the energy to get out of bed and eat because I missed him so much. On the lather days I resented him for being able to affect me so much while on the former days I couldn't think of a reason not to forgive him. I really didn't know what I was going to do until I did it. "Nadia-" Fred started. "I hope Molly scolded you deaf." I told him and I looked at Molly for a distraction. I'd made up my mind and didn't want to hear Fred apologizes anymore.
Molly gave me a small, sad, smile and nodded firmly. "You bet I did deary." she assured. "I was talking with your Gran and she said she didn't want You-Know-Who to effect you two's experiences anymore then he already has." Molly informed us. "So I told her Fred and George have spare rooms in the apartment above the shop and that you two could work for them." Molly told us. "I asked you about it in one of my letters." Fred added.
"Well I didn't read half your letters!" I snapped at him. He smiled happily at me. "Does that mean you did read half them?" he asked as he bounced on the balls of his feet. I frowned as I glared at him. "I'll only go if I get a paycheck." I told him. He continued to smile. "Does minimum wage sound good?" he asked. "No." I answered curtly before snatching my trunk from Neville.
"If you expect me not to complain about my paycheck, then you better give both me and Nevs employee discounts." I told Fred with my back still turned away from him. "I'm sure we can make that work." he replied. "Of all the witches in England you pick her to fall for?" I heard George whisper to Fred. "If you aren't brave enough to say that to my face then don't say it behind my back George Weasley." I warned. I heard Fred chuckle as I dragged my suitcase towards them. "I can't imagine falling for anyone else." I heard Fred reply.
A/N- HEHE gotta love Nadia. :) We did tell you at the beginning that we have irregular updates.
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