Chapter 19- Scars Heal

A few weeks had passed since the war and life was getting back to normal as much as was possible. Harry and Ron had become Aurors, Hermionie was preparing to finish her schooling, Arthur and Percy were working on repairing their relationship, and Molly was happy all her children were safe. George and Angelina spent a lot of time together, fixing the shop up as Melody and Fred were concentrating on healing his leg. Fred's leg was still stiff but he was almost able to walk without a cane now which he was delighted about; Melody more so. That cane caused more arguments between them than anything else since they were fourteen.

A few days ago: "I'm twenty-years old; I don't need a bloody cane!" Fred shouted one night at Melody when she tried to offer help up to their flat. "I'll get up there without it!" He had never raised his voice; especially at Melody. The pair stood at the base of the stairs, Fred's hand on the rail and Melody holding onto him and his cane.

"Yes and tear more muscles and cause more damage than need be. Stop being a proud idiot and take the fucking stick." Melody snapped back at him. The anger in her voice silenced him immediately. They glared at each other for a moment before Fred cracked a smile.

"I am a proud idiot aren't I?" Melody scoffed and grasped his hand more gently than before.

"And yet, I still love you."

"I haven't given you many reasons to in the last few weeks." Fred admitted shamefully.

"Between my nightmares and your frustration with walking, we make quite a pair." Melody sighed. Fred took the cane from her and attempted the step before Mel stopped him. "Together. Without the cane." She relented. Fred smiled at her and grasped her hand tightly as they tackled the steps up to the flat together. Fred winced as he took each step carefully but they reached the top eventually. "There we go, let's get into bed."

"I like where your mind goes, love." Fred smirked cheekily, casting a wink to Melody.

"Fred Weasley, would you bed an unwed lady such as myself?" Melody mocked hurt.

"Yes as I have done numerous times in the past with such a lady. And will continue with the same lady on the wedding day and onward." Fred announced as he found his bed and shed his clothes. Melody laughed at Fred as she too shed her clothes and sat on his lap carefully. "I miss you." His words were heavy. They hadn't been intimate since the morning of the battle. He was too injured and she was afraid he'd hurt him more. And Melody barely slept as she was terrified of her nightmares that plagued her.

"I'm sorry, I miss you too." She framed Fred's face with her fingers gently and placed a kiss on his lips. "I'm so scared that when I close my eyes; I'll wake up and this is a dream and I really lost you. I keep seeing your...lifeless body." She whispered, her voice cracking. Fred sighed and held her close to him.

"I know I can't convince your mind to think otherwise; only time can do that. I will be beside you every night and every morning until the day we die. I will never leave you." Fred stated, searching Mel's eyes for an ounce of understanding.

"You died...then you didn't. I hate that cane as much as you do but I'll take it over your heart not beating." Her eyes were strong and Fred knew she loved him with every ounce of his being. He couldn't help but love her more in that moment than any moment before; he was hers, and she was his; wedding or not. He grabbed her head gently and pulled her to his lips. She melted into his touch and felt the fire within her light.

"Please Mel, be with me tonight." Fred pleaded, feeling his excitement brewing. Mel began rocking on his lap to elicit friction and Fred gripped her hair tighter in his hands. "Tease."

"You love it." Mel whispered and claimed Fred's lips once more. They fought each other for dominance as Fred removed Mel's panties and started toying with her core. He found her already for him and smirked into their kisses.

"Already for me?"

"Shut it. Can I just want my incredibly attractive fiance without being teased?" She asked, biting at his lower lip. Fred moaned into the attack and increased his finger work. Mel arched her back in response and dug her nails into Fred's thigh; careful of the tender muscle. "If I hurt you, stop me."

"No promises." He replied, silencing any protest Mel gave with a searing kiss. His hands raked up Melody's body as she gave herself completely to him. She was putty in his hands even with his injury. She sat on him and rocked hard while he teased her breasts with his tongue.

"The faster I go, the less control you'll have." she whispered, claiming his lips from her breasts.

"I'm all yours." Fred smirked, thrusting deeper into her, earning a gasp. "I can still affect you either way."

"Shut it and let me fuck you." Melody moaned and bounced faster. Fred's breath hitched as he knew he was losing the will and let Mel do her thing. She was tightening around him and he knew she was close. Her nails dug into his chest as she rode her orgasm out, followed by Fred emptying into her. They lay together in post coital bliss until sleep overtook them.

The next morning, Fred found Melody already working at her desk. "Good morning love." Fred kissed Mel on the forehead as she sat with piles of paperwork scattered on the desk. "Any luck finding homes?"

"So many kids, so limited homes." Melody answered him. Fred saw a file "Teddy Lupin" on the top of her pile and poked the file questiongly. "His grandmother is hard to find; Tonks mother." Melody explained sadly. "We'll find her if she's alive. I've found that little boy, James, a home thankfully with his aunt. That little girl you had; not as lucky." The sadness was evident in her voice and Fred wished he could help her.

"You'll make it happen; you're very good at this. Ever considered this as a job?" Fred asked cautiously.

"I start on their payroll next Monday." Melody smiled. "No child will ever feel as lost and scared as I did if I have anything to say about it." Fred kissed her on the lips and took to the stairs. "Shop opening today?"

"Yes, there's already a line outside. I suppose some people need some laughter back in their lives." Fred replied, winking at her.

"It's definitely helped me through tough times." Mel smiled. "Oh, your mother keeps owling me about the wedding. I suppose it keeps her busy?" Fred laughed at his fiance and shot her a smile.

"I'll message her, it won't be long now." As he descended to the shop below for work; Melody took this time to reflect.

She would never have thought in a million years that an orphaned blood-traitor would have survived multiple death eater attacks, the Dark Lord, a war, and still made it through with the love of her life. She was planning her wedding to her best friend, joining a career that she is passionate about, helping run a successful, joyous business with her two best friends, and she couldn't be happier. Despite all the shit and dark times they had all been through; scars and all; they all came out on top. Her phone buzzed, awakening her from her daydream to a text from Ginny about bridesmaid dresses. She groaned into the phone, her heart still fluttering.