A/N Chapter 28

So I may have lied, just a tiny bit, when I told Jo I found a place. Technically, I found a place. It was more like I told a teeny-tiny lie. A lie so small I could barely even register its existence, in fact. Because…I had a place. Just not an actual…flat or anything. But a room at the Leaky Cauldron counts as a place.

Being fresh out of school and all, I didn't have a lot of money. Dumbledore wasn't handing out money bags as good-bye presents, and even if he did, I think this year would've been the year he'd be a little too preoccupied to remember them. Honestly, I was just glad to get the hell out of there.

Two students killed, almost right in front of us, one of them murdered. Some people didn't believe Dumbledore, I knew that, but Dumbledore had never steered me wrong before, so why wouldn't I believe him? Voldemort was back, Harry fought him and Cedric died as an innocent bystander. It was all very confusing and chaotic and a little terrifying.

There was one thing I knew, though. I had one more reason to become a Hit Wizard. If Voldemort was back, it wouldn't be long before more people started dying, going missing and a war would break out, because like hell everyone would just sit back and take it. If Voldemort could be beat by a single baby, there was a pretty decent chance he could be beat again by a teenager with a whole army behind him.

I grabbed my room key from the front desk and headed up the stairs, lone over-stuffed bag slung over my shoulders, and searched for my room. I had to go up two more flights of stairs and down three more hallways before I found it, a room with a creaky door and a screaming neighbor.

Kicking the door shut behind me a dropped the bag with a thud and looked around the room. It was small: a bedroom with a connecting bathroom that was even smaller. The bed was queen size, fresh coverings on it. The floorboards were creaky as well, and a little dusty, and there was a single window overlooking the streets below. So I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron for a while. It wasn't bad for a new graduate awaiting her job. Besides, Hit Wizard jobs come with their own residence on hiring, and a bed on call at St. Mungo's, which Emma wasn't doing any cartwheels over, but regardless, the job came with perks.

There was already an owl outside the window, letter at the ready. It looked like it had stumbled into the window, which was forced open a little, and I regarded Errol quietly. I vaguely wondered if birds could get concussions.

Dearest Darling,

I knew you'd be staying at the Cauldron. Call it a lucky guess. I'm writing you safely from my Mum's at the Burrow. You should stop by this summer holiday. Stop by a lot. Hell, just bring a bag over; Mum'll do your laundry.

Would I be an overbearing boyfriend if I said I didn't like you staying by yourself? Not that I want you to find another bloke to shack up with- I just- with everything going on, you know? Mum and Dad are a bit tense, and Mum is hovering a slight, but it's tolerable, under the circumstances, innit? I'd just feel better if you weren't by yourself is all.

I'm trusting you can take care of yourself though, being a future Hit Wizard and well – you're Joss Wilde. So since you're most likely still breathing, be a dear and write back, quick as a whip, yeah? Just to reassure me so I don't do something barking like panic and storm your room with a wand at the ready and you blow my head off. It'd be much appreciated.

Ever yours,

Fred Weasley

I rolled my eyes and tossed the note onto the bed. I ran a hand through my hair and started to unpack.

-0-

I couldn't help feeling I was being almost cruel, leaving Jo alone with Mum. I'd only been gone a few days but I enjoyed having independence, of not having to fight mum tooth and nail on everything all the time. Jo could handle herself.

I took comfort in the fact that I'd invite her over in a day or so to my room, once I had everything sorted. I was a little anxious, waiting for my results, so I spent most of my time hanging around Diagon Alley, looking at all the shops and all the things I didn't have money to buy. Actually, it was a bit depressing.

"He's gotta be mad, ain't he?"

"He don't seem mental to me."

"When's the last time you seen ol' Dumbledore?"

"Well, not for quite some time…"

"Exactly. Man's gone barking since then, mate."

I turned my head slightly, aiming my ear better at the table next to me as I read some Witch Weekly. I was at some dingy little tea shop, minding my own business, and here these two old silver-heads come, sitting the next table over, crowing over Dumbledore.

"Who can be sane and think He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned? He's dead, ain't he!"

"They never found a body…"

"Right, because he was defeated by a mere babe."

"That's what they say."

"They who? They be Dumbledore! See, he ain't so reliable."

I rolled my eyes but continued listening in between paragraphs about the latest make-up techniques. I knew some people wouldn't have enough brain cells to rub together to know Dumbledore was right.

"Boo."

I snapped my head up and blinked, so not even startled, and saw Fred standing above me. I tilted my head back and he towered over me, giving a quick kiss, and I watched him take the empty seat next to me.

"You have two more freckles."

"Hello to you too, darling. I spent some time in the sun, playing Quidditch with the lads."

I nodded.

"Where are they?"

"George and Lee are shopping around, you know. Your sister here?"

"Jo? No, she's back home, I'm assuming. Why?"

Fred shrugged, leaning back in his chair as he hooked his legs over my lap.

"No reason then."

I eyed him and then sighed. I didn't even want to know the implications of any of them wanting to know where Jo was. I had a headache, was a little irritated already, and didn't have the emotional stability to deal with it right now.

"You're a little on edge, aren't you?"

"Maybe."

"You're not…you're not worried about anything happening, are you?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

I looked at him. What was he even talking about?

"Anything happening…no- I'm anxious about my N.E.W.T.s, Freds."

His shoulders slumped and an easy smile graced his face. He was right, he had obviously been in the sun. He was slightly less death-white-pale than usual.

"Darling, relax. You'll get the highest score possible, become a world famous Hit Wizard and everyone will tremble in fear of you."

I laughed and shoved his legs off me, watching him shoot forward.

"Shut up, you twat. I just want them sooner rather than later. Wait until you have to take them."

"That's the thing I wanted to talk to you about. I was thinking George and I wouldn't finish the year."

I flipped the page in my magazine.

"What would you be doing instead? I'm not dating a bum."

"You would leave me if I had no life goals?"

"Without a doubt."

"That hurts. I thought we were stronger than that."

"You've been wrong before. You'll get over it."

"Because I know you so well, I know that insults are your terms of affection, so I love you too, Joss. But I actually am not intending on being a bum-and apparently a single bum at that- so I'll inform you that the twin and I are planning on owning a Joke Shop, for which a complete education is not necessary."

"Like Zonko's?"

"Hopefully better."

I paused for a moment and scanned an article about no-slip-grips for wands before turning to look at him.

"Have you thought it all out?"

"Yes. We're extremely thorough, the twin and I."

"Well, as long as you know what you're doing, I think it's a wicked idea, Freds."

"Really? No lecture about how education is important?"

"The only reason I stayed until graduation was because I needed it for my career. Your career doesn't require it, so it's a different situation. Besides, I don't lecture; I'm not Emma. If you want a lecture on education, go see her. I recommend her; she gives me at least three a year, she's quite good at it."

"You're such a darling, darling."

"Mhm. I'm thirsty."

"Two tall glasses of Firewhiskey comin' up." He announced, leaving the table.

I watched him enter a shop and bit my lip. Fred and I hadn't been together all that long, but I certainly liked him. I'd never admit that in actual words, he might get the idea he had some sort of power in the relationship and I couldn't have that, his head is big enough, but I couldn't help but wonder… I knew I liked him, that I was sure about. But I also knew that somewhere down the road, I'd have to admit I actually loved the guy. And I had no idea how I'd be able to tell, or even if I'd be able to tell him when I knew. Would I be a bad girlfriend if I never admitted I loved him?