Birthdays and Coins
December
Preston was the one to tell their dad about the Boggart incident, well, not everything that happened. He didn't think it was right to talk about how he had seen Ramona freaking out over George's corpse, but he did tell his dad the sooner he got rid of it the better.
Christmas was approaching but Ramona didn't feel like celebrating, she was completely ignoring the fact her 18th birthday was coming up, and the whole idea of celebrating it without the Weasley's, and at a time like this, well it just seemed a bit pointless.
Her parents had been spending more and more time away from the house, which thanks to Ramona and Preston was now up to a suitable living standard, but that didn't make it any less boring. Their dad had acquired a muggle television but there wasn't anything on, even though Preston did take to liking this show called Eastenders, and watching it most nights religiously.
"We're going out. You know what to do."
Ramona was sat on the sofa reading, but didn't both to look up at her dad. Preston was still starring at the TV when he mumbled. "Lock Doors. Don't let anyone in if they knock although no one ever does. Don't answer any owls although we don't get any, and don't go out."
"Ramona..."
"Don't go out." She muttered, still not bothering to look up.
Their father with a final grunt left, slamming the door behind him.
"Reckon dad's still mad at me?" Preston asked looking over at her.
"You mean for being a giant moron? Yes."
"Well, he's mad at you too."
"I didn't do anything wrong."
"You wanted to stay with the Weasleys."
"I wanted to stay with George. Besides, I didn't fake my own death."
"Touché. I still don't get it though."
"What?" She asked looking over the top of her book. "What don't you get?"
"Why Weasley? Why George even? He's two years older than you."
"Dad is seven years older than mum."
"I guess. Still, Why? There were two to choose from and you picked George?"
"They're not the same person," She replied. "George and Fred are completely different. I do love Fred but like I love you. I love George, more than anything."
"But you've never really loved anybody else have you?"
"I don't need to." There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her voice when she said that. So Preston turned his head to focus on the TV.
On the evening of Ramona's birthday she wasn't exactly up to celebrating. She sat with her Parent's and Preston and ate the meal she helped her mother prepare then excused herself to her makeshift bedroom at the top of the stairs.
It was almost twenty minutes later when there was a knock on the door and her father poked his head around.
"Can I come in?"
Ramona didn't see the point of refusing him, so she nodded, allowing him to enter and take a seat on the edge of the very creaky bed.
"I can't believe you're eighteen." He said quietly. "Though, you do look very grown up."
Ramona didn't answer; she didn't really know how to respond to that.
"You know I want what's best for you, and your brother, don't you?"
"I guess."
"You may feel by taking you away from George and, not letting you go to school that...I'm punishing you but I'm not, I'm only trying to protect you."
"Feels like you're keeping me hostage."
"I've explained to you,"
"About the Carrows and all that. I know dad." She sighed.
"So you must understand..."
"I do." She stated cutting him off... "It's just, I miss my friends, and I miss George. I know it seems like I'm being selfish and, maybe I am. But if someone tried to take you away from mum, how would you feel?"
He sighed, because he knew how she felt, mainly because he was seeing his only daughter growing up too quickly.
"You're not a kid anymore." He said faintly. "But, for now. You're staying here."
"I know dad. I'm glad I'm here,"
He raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"Well, not glad I'm stuck here, exactly." She half smiled. "But knowing you and mum…and Preston are safe. I just wish I knew about the Weasleys."
"They're fine."
"How do you know?"
He didn't answer. Instead he pulled a letter out of his pocket and placed it next to her. "I was there the other day, talking to Arthur when who should show up but your boyfriend."
Ramona picked up the letter slowly. She was scared it was going to disappear any second. "He begged me to give it to you, and well seeming him so distraught…I had to oblige."
She suddenly leapt on him; bringing her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. "Thank you dad."
"I'll leave you to it." He replied after giving her a small squeeze back.
As soon as the door closed Ramona tore the letter open, but the first thing she saw was the faint glitter of the ring George had bought her nestled inside the envelope. She took it out and placed it on her bedside table before pulling the letter out.
It seemed a bit silly that I was keeping it considering I can't wear it. The ring that is. Fred tried it on the other day but his fingers are apparently a lot fatter than yours, Not that yours are fat….you know what I mean, anyway it took the idiot almost thirty minutes to get the sodding thing off.
When you're reading this you'll probably be Eighteen, or not…it doesn't matter because you will be in the next couple of days. But that officially means that you can marry me whenever and wherever you want. I thought about it and I don't mind waiting ten or twenty years to marry you. As long as I get you back soon I should be able to cope.
I miss you. I haven't written that yet have I? Because I really really really do. To be perfectly honest I think everyone is sick about how much I moan about not being able to see you, but it's your silly bugger of a dad's fault. I hope he doesn't read this before giving it to you, otherwise I will probably never be allowed to see you again.
You know when I said it won't be for long? Well that was just the fattest lie ever wasn't it? I'm only writing this letter after arguing with your dad for half an hour to let me see you but he wouldn't have it, so we reached a compromise. I don't know if you'll write back, or be allowed to, but it's ok. At least I know you're ok and not locked up in a dungeon somewhere, although you might be….
I find it hard to sleep now too. I've grown so accustomed to you hogging the covers I can't doze off without someone kicking me in the shins. Fred said he would be happy to kick me if it would help but I don't think I'll let him, I'm saving that job for you.
One more thing. Come back, please?
-G
xxx
XXXXX
May
George couldn't sleep.
He was in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room listening to Fred snoring rather loudly next to him. The fact the unfamiliar bed happened to be in his aunt's house in the middle of nowhere, in a very draftee room, didn't help. They had only been there for three weeks but for some reason it seemed like forever, Ginny was there too, their parents had decided during Easter that it just wasn't safe anywhere anymore, so hiding was probably the best thing.
He and Fred had still continued working out of her backroom, much to their aunt's annoyance, sending deliveries and keeping as busy as possible but they missed working in their shop, and they missed a time when they weren't being nagged at.
In all honesty, George hadn't slept properly since Ramona left. He had grown so accustomed to her sleeping next to him, nestled in his side while his arm wrapped its self around her, that laying there without anything, no warmth sleeping soundly beside him; he found it difficult to find any position that felt comfortable anymore. He had joked in the letter about her kicking him and stealing the covers, but she had only done that on two different occasions and neither was actually that annoying. He felt that if he had rambled on about how he wasn't sleeping it would make her feel worst, and that was the last thing he wanted. He thought if he added the joke that maybe she wouldn't take the him not sleeping comment too seriously.
When he had read that letter back he didn't feel it portrayed how much he missed her enough, but how many ways are there of saying it without it sounding boring?
The subject never came up in conversations with Fred, he was sure his twin wouldn't want to hear him pinning after her and going on about how much he missed her. Even if Fred would ask him the occasional, 'you alright Georgie?' and George knew exactly what it was in reference too, he didn't feel the need to go into a long rant mainly because it was supressed by not wanting to annoy Fred.
He had no idea where they had gone, her father hadn't said a word and only allowed that one letter after he had finally shouted at him so much he was sure Mr. Hodges couldn't take it anymore. He often became angry at the fact that she had ways of communicating with Neville and not him, why hadn't she done something like that from them? Didn't she care?
'No, of course she does' he would think pushing the hate out of his mind. She was going to give up her bloody family to be with him, and if it hadn't of been for her father, she would of.
Now here he was, sat on his bed sorting through order forms; Fred was asleep on his own, when Ginny had suddenly burst in, waving her DA coin furiously.
"Have…you two…seen it?" she said, her voice very shrill, and slightly out of breath. She ran over to Fred and pushed him so he awoke with a large snort sitting up immediately. "What? Who died?" he asked still half asleep.
"The coins! Didn't you see the message?"
The twins shared a glance before respectively, rummaging through their things in an effort to find their own coins. George found his first nestled in the bottom of his bag. That's where he saw the words.
Harry's back.
"Bloody hell." George muttered starring at it in disbelief. "At…at Hogwarts?"
"Guess we're going to Hogwarts then." Fred announced jumping off the bed, grinning wildly.
"Alright then, let's go." Ginny said.
The twins exchanged another glance, this time, not a good one.
"We don't think," Fred started. "That's such a good idea." George ended.
"What? Why not?"
"Mum would kill us." George said blatantly. "Actually, chop us into little bits,"
"Hide us in different parts of the house." Fred added.
"Proper kill us."
"I have to go! If Harry's back, if it's started…I have to! Please I won't ask you two for anything ever again."
"You're not even seventeen yet!" They said in unison, causing Ginny to groan. "George! Fred! Please! Besides, I'm the only one who actually knows how to get into Hogwarts right now."
"No you're not." Fred said raising an eyebrow. "Have you forgotten who we are?"
"We know every single passage in and out of that school like the back of our hands."
"Oh really? So I suppose you know those Death eaters have found every passage and blocked them off do you?"
The twins stared at her. "Oh." Fred said softly.
"Alright Ginevra Molly 'I know everything' Weasley." George smirked. "How exactly are us lot meant to get into Hogwarts?"
"Well, we've got to go for a drink haven't we?"
