Chapter 24: Rainbow, the Floor is Yours.

When the Night is Over by Lord Huron

Harry sat outside the opening of the tent, staring into the woods. He could hear the muffled music coming from the wireless inside the tent and wondered if Hermione would be willing to entertain the possibility of going to Godric's Hollow soon. A week ago, while in a nearby town, Harry had been able to swipe a copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore from a bookshop near the grocer they were stealing food from, and the more he read, the more he needed to go to his parents home.

He needed to see it.

Harry had tried to figure out exactly why he felt the pull to go there, why he felt it was necessary, and he couldn't put it into words. It was just a gut feeling. Bathilda Bagshot was there, and still alive by the looks of it. She might have answers, she might know something. Some detail in her vast knowledge of the Dumbledore family that could point them in the right direction… Just something.

I thought you knew. I thought you had answers or at least some idea of what the fuck we had to do! It's your fault! It's all your fault!

Ron's words echoed in his head louder and louder with each passing day. He was angry with Ron, of course he was! He left! But… The more Harry thought about it, the more he felt crushed. He had driven Ron out, he had told him to leave. He had egged Ron on, urging him to go and when he did, Harry sat and felt sorry for himself. He could barely look Hermione in the eye anymore, knowing that her quiet and reserved disposition was caused by him. She was constantly walking on eggshells around him and he wanted to comfort her and ask for comfort in return, but instead, all he could do was snap at her and criticize everything she said or did.

What is wrong with me?! Harry thought, closing the book in his lap and pulling out the Marauder's Map instead. His eyes ghosted over the page, watching the small footprints walk around the castle. It was getting late, the students were probably finishing dinner in the Great Hall and heading off to their Common Rooms or maybe the LIbrary. As he watched the map, his brows furrowed, looking down at two names, walking side by side.

Draco Malfoy and Ginny Weasley.

Harry had seen it a few times now, more frequently in the last fortnight. He wondered why the very unlikely pair would be spending so much time together. He also noticed that Blaise Zabini spent a lot of time with Neville these days. It wasn't totally unheard of for Zabini to spend time with people outside of his housemates, but he never had a friendship with Neville before. Again, Harry found himself wishing for a scrap of information.

He sighed and looked back out into the woods, watching the area with tired eyes. They had been camped here four days now. Soon, they would need to move again, and he wasn't sure where they would go next. He had heard a group of snatchers the week prior talking about a forest in Wiltshire where they had found a sickle on a chain a while back. His heart had sunk into his stomach when he heard them. It had to be Ellie's, but maybe she was still there. Perhaps she had set up camp in the forest and waited, hoping they would come and find her. Hermione said she knew there was a large forest there, possibly large enough that Ellie could have moved camp a few times without leaving it. Maybe she was still there? Maybe she was okay and just waiting for them to locate her.

Or maybe she was in Wiltshire because she went back to the Manor. The thought sent a shudder through Harry, turning his stomach and making his chest feel tight. If she had returned to Malfoy Manor, he was certain she was either being used by Voldemort to manipulate and hurt other people, or she was being tortured herself for refusing. Both seemed like terrible outcomes, and Harry just couldn't believe that Ellie would go back to the Manor.

"Harry?" Hermione called, her voice sounded higher pitched than normal. "Harry! Come in here! Come in here now!"

Harry jumped to his feet, grabbing his book and map and rushed inside the opening of the tent, "What?! What is it? Are you okay?"

"Shut up!" She hissed, "Listen!"

Hermione turned the dial on the wireless and the volume increased. In the background, muffled under Lee Jordan's voice, he could hear another voice, higher pitched and almost… melodic.

"Tonight on Pals of Potter, we have a special guest. Romulus, would you take over, mate?"

"Of course, River. Thank you. As you all know by now, we don't make the habit of bringing any guests on the air. It's dangerous for them and for the people they know. However, this is a special occasion and I would like to introduce you to a very special Pal of Potter and of Rodent-

"It's Rapier! Merlin, mate! How many times do I need to tell you!"

"My apologies," Harry could hear the chuckle in Remus's voice. "Rapier, and of myself. Rainbow, the floor is yours."

"Thank you, Romulus." Harry's heart stuttered in his chest and he collapsed into the nearby chair as he tried to remember how to breathe. "I'm not sure if he's listening, if he is, I know he knows we all believe in him. But I'd like to say something a little more personal, if that's okay?"

Harry could picture her, looking to Remus and Fred, eyebrows raised in question and arms folded across her chest in defiance. Daring them to tell her she couldn't say what was on her mind.

"Of course, Rainbow. You can say whatever you need to."

"Thank you. I just want to tell him that I'm okay. I'm safe. I'm protected. Harry, if you're listening I want you to pay close attention to me, love… Do you remember what I said about your fire? I think that if you're listening, you'll probably need a reminder. Do whatever it takes and don't lose focus. And for the love of Godric, listen to Hermione."

Harry took a breath and somewhere it registered in his mind that Hermione was chuckling softly beside him, her hand wrapped around his.

"I may not be with you physically, but I'm still with you. I'm still fighting for you. And I believe, we believe, in you. I love you Harry Potter."

"Thank you Rainbow, for that very touching message to Harry. Harry, if you're out there, we're behind you. We believe in you and…"

Harry blinked slowly, ignoring the rest of the voices in the broadcast as they began to talk about the information they were getting from Hogwarts. His eyes were wet, his cheeks hot with tears. He looked at Hermione, who was sniffling and wiping her eyes on the back of her hand.

"She's okay, Harry!" Hermione said, a breath of relief rushing past her lips as a small smile pulled her features upward. "She's okay."

Harry tried to hold it in, but he couldn't help it. He gasped and doubled over, a sob pulling from his chest as his shoulders shook with relief. He had never been so relieved in his life. He had spent the last six weeks sick to his stomach, terrified for Elara. Every second of every day was consumed by what she was doing, where she could possibly be. He had gone over every location he could think of ad nauseam, trying to pinpoint anywhere she could have gone.

"She's safe," He said, his voice broken and shaky. "She's okay."

"She must have gotten to a safehouse somehow," Hermione said, wrapping her arms around his and rubbing circles between his shoulders with the flat of her palm. "I can't tell by that if she got injured at all-

"It doesn't matter," Harry said, finally looking up at Hermione and pulling her into a tight hug. "If she did, she's not now. And she's okay. Fuck, I needed to hear her voice."

"Ellie would tell you to choose better words," Hermione said, a coy smile on her face.

"Ellie also understands that sometimes there aren't better words."

Four weeks had passed since her arrival at Tonks Cottage and Elara had never felt more at home. The cottage was refreshing after spending so much time on her own, it was nice to have a bed to sleep in and full meals to eat. But the company was better than she ever could have anticipated.

Despite the initial tension upon her arrival to the Order at the Burrow back in July, Elara found that she got along with Remus extremely well. He was smart and funny and had a really interesting collection of books that he was more than willing to loan out and talk about at any time. Tonks, on the other hand, was feisty and quick-witted. She was constantly cracking jokes and making the atmosphere lighter, even if she was hopelessly clumsy. Elara was shocked to find there was a person worse on her own feet than she was!

Lee Jordan and Kingsley Shacklebolt were also in the cottage. Kingsley was in and out frequently, but he stayed most of his nights there. He was slightly intimidating and had an autocratic air about him, but he was soft spoken and kind. He spent a lot of his time in the cellar, trying to work out what muggleborns had been captured and how to get them out of Azkaban. She had spent some time talking to him about the men she encountered in Savernake Forest who found her sickle on the ground, and Kingsley had informed her they were called Snatchers. The Snatchers were hunting down muggleborns on the run and turning them into the Ministry for cash reward, a thought that made her feel sick.

Lee Jordan, she had learned, was a Gryffindor the same age as Fred and George. He spent a lot of his time with the twins at their flat, but came back to the cottage a few nights a week. He never stayed in one spot more than a couple of days, floating between a few different safehouses as he did his broadcasts for Potterwatch.

Andy and Ted, were every bit the warm-welcoming hosts. Andy spent time with Elara, regaling old stories of her mother when they were young, laughing about the things they would do together. Talking with Andy made her feel closer to her Mum, a presence she had decided to repress, instead of miss. Andy showed interest in Draco as well, asking many questions about her estranged nephew and listening patiently as Elara told her everything that had happened where Draco was concerned. She felt as if Andy truly cared about him, wanting to help Elara figure out a way to get him out and away from the Death Eaters.

The closest she had grown with anyone in the house though, was Ted. He was kind yet strong willed. He discussed anything Elara questioned with vigor, answering any question she had and asking them in return. He cracked silly jokes throughout the day and spent time teaching her how to cook the muggle way, as something to eat up the time in the house. He was also up late at night, when Elara would wake from a nightmare or when insomnia got the best of her and denied her sleep at all.

Red eyes, staring into her as a sharp nailed hand gripped her jaw. A cold voice threatening her, telling her that if she didn't comply, he'd kill Harry. He'd kill Draco. He laughed and pointed his wand at Draco's throat, casting a Crucio and sending him to his knees in screams of pain. His wand raised to Harry, a jet of green light colliding against his chest…

Elara shot upright in her bed, her hair clinging to her sweat soaked neck as she looked around the room, trying to gain her bearings. She was safe. She was in a bed at Tonks Cottage. Draco was, presumably, at Hogwarts. Harry was safe with Ron and Hermione. She took a few deep breaths and when her nerves still caused her hands to tremble, she climbed out of bed.

She padded to the kitchen and gave a small smile to Ted, who was already sitting at the table, a mug of tea in his hand as he read over the Daily Prophet.

"There's enough in the pot for a few more cups," He said, motioning to the tray on the table. "I've started making extra at night with you here."

"I'm sorry," She said, sitting across from him and pouring the hot liquid into a mug of her own and adding a couple spoons of sugar.

"Don't be," Ted said, folding the paper back up and offering her a kind smile. "It's not the greatest reason that you're up, but I enjoy the company nonetheless."

Elara returned his smile and sipped at her tea. "Why are you up so late?" She asked, "Every time I wake up, you're up. Even at three in the morning."

He shrugged, sipping at his own mug. "I've never been a great sleeper," He explained. "Even worse in times of stress. I think being on the brink of a very life altering war counts as a time of stress."

"You must be going stir-crazy," Elara said. "Not leaving the house at all."

"That too," Ted agreed. "Although, it's much easier when I remember I have a grandchild on the way and a wife that I love very much."

"Are you nervous?" She asked, "Being a muggleborn?"

"The only thing that makes me nervous about my blood status is that it puts all of you in danger."

"I can understand that," She said. "I'm a wanted girl, Uncle. One Hundred Thousand Galleons on my head, even more than Harry has on his. I feel like I'm putting everyone in danger, but honestly, I'm afraid of what will happen if I'm on my own again."

"You shouldn't have to be on your own," He agreed.

A comfortable silence settled over them as they sipped at their tea and lost themselves in their thoughts. Elara felt a niggling fear radiating from him, one she hadn't felt from the normally jovial man before. She pulled her brows together, staring at the steam rising from her mug as a strange urgency rolled off him as well. She shifted her glance to see his fingers tapping nervously on the table and a thought clicked into place. She recognized this feeling of apprehension coupled with confusion and fear. She had felt it in herself, Ron, Hermione and Harry at the end of July.

"Are you…" Elara paused, trying to find the best way to word her question. "Uncle Ted, are you planning on leaving?"

Ted's finger's stopped drumming on the wood and his breath became more controlled as he spoke, not looking up at her. "What would make you say that?"

"Empath, remember?" She said. A small tight-lipped smile on her face as she took a deep breath and shifted in her seat, "I… I had these same feelings right before I went on the run with Harry. When were you planning to leave?"

"No sense in hiding it from you, is there?" He chuckled, "I was going to leave tonight. I heard you yell out as I was packing. I knew you had another nightmare, so I thought I'd make a cuppa. Have it ready for you, and then go. But I couldn't bring myself to leave just yet."

"You shouldn't have to be on your own," Elara said, parroting his earlier statement. "I'll go with you. I hadn't planned on staying here this long, anyway. I need to try and find Harry."

"You can't go back out there, Elara. Especially not with me. If they find me, they'll throw me in Azkaban or kill me. If you're with me-

"I'll be fine," She assured him. "I spent over a month on my own. And I was injured, at that. I can handle myself. I won't let you run on your own. Not when you have a family here who would sorely miss you if something happened."

"They don't know I'm going," Ted whispered, running his hand through his hair. "I think Remus may suspect something, the bright fellow he is. But I haven't told Andy or-or Dora."

"Let me come with you," Elara insisted. "Please."

Ted turned and looked at her, staring into her face for several minutes. His brown eyes were dancing across her, searching for something. She could feel his curiosity piqued, his fear still lingering in the background. Finally he sighed, reaching across the table he squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to come, because I'm certain I will not be coming back alive. But I know if you don't go with me, you'll go alone. And I'm not sure that I can handle that knowledge."

"It's getting colder out," Elara said. "Do you have plenty packed for that?"

"I have a tent we can use. I snagged a few of our old blankets and embedded them with warming charms. I have a supply of nonperishable food, enough to last a few weeks. I want to camp as long as we can survive it, and then start heading west. I have a few connections that are going to help me get a Muggle passport so I can leave the country that way. I'll owl and see if they can accommodate you as well."

Elara shook her head, "No. I'll help you get that far. But I'm not leaving the country. I can't leave Harry like that. Not until I know he's safe. And my brother, my mum… I know my Father has been trying to look after mum, make sure they don't hurt her. But I can't leave knowing she's there. I can't leave Draco with all of our mess."

Elara and Ted talked well into the morning, planning their route from the house and where they would go. They decided they would leave the following night. Prolonging it only made it more difficult, she knew this from experience. However, the need to say goodbye to everyone, to see Fred and George again before she left was too strong to ignore. She had left them once without warning, she didn't want to do it again.

Fred and George entered the small room where Elara had been sleeping the last month at the cottage. It was a tiny space, more than likely used as a walk-in closet before being made into a small guest room. She didn't mind the tight quarters though, a room to sleep in on a cot with warm blankets was something she knew not to take for granted.

"They've got you staying in a cupboard," Fred laughed. "Harry won't be pleased about that."

Elara chuckled, "Harry would understand someone extending kindness and making room where they could, to be accommodating. It's not the same as him being forced under the stairs by his aunt and uncle."

"Your owl made it sound urgent-

"Nearly gave us a heart trouble-

"Is everything okay?" They ended in unison.

Elara smiled, a slow nod bobbing her blonde head. "Yes. I just hadn't seen you for over a week."

At the same time, their moods shifted and Fred's eyebrows furrowed together. "You're leaving again, aren't you?"

"What makes you think that?" She asked.

"Because instead of meeting us in the sitting room-

"You've met us in private-

"Which means you don't want anyone else-

"To overhear what you have to say." George ended the sentence, his face pulled into a frown.

"You boys are rather smart when you want to be," She smiled. "I'm leaving. Tonight."

"Where will you go?" Fred asked, sitting on the bed with his elbows on his knees as he looked up at her.

"I don't know," Elara said. "Not sure yet. I might head towards Godric's Hollow."

"That's where Harry's parents lived, isn't it?" George asked.

Elara nodded. "It is. I think he'd want to go there, if he hasn't already. If he has, I may be able to ask around, see if the muggle have seen him. I might be able to figure out where he's gone from there."

"It's freezing out, Ellie." Fred said, "How are you going to be out there on your own? You'll die of hypothermia."

"I won't be alone." She whispered.

"Who?" George asked.

Elara pursed her lips and closed her eyes. As if on cue, Tonks' voice came loud through the door, "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS?! DAD YOU CAN'T LEAVE! WHAT IF THEY CATCH YOU?!"

"You're going on the run with Ted?" Fred asked. "Ellie, there's snatchers everywhere. The fact that you made it this far is unbelievable but for you both to go out there? It's nearly Christmas! You can't wait until after?"

"And then what, Fred? Wait until after New Year? And then Easter? Just sitting around, waiting? Hoping Harry is okay and not doing anything to find him? I can't. I can't do that."

"That's what you think we're all doing?" George asked, "You think we're just waiting around for the other bludger to drop?"

"That's not.. That's not what I mean. You all have each other. You have your families to look after." She said.

"Our brother is out there with him!" Fred argued, "You think we don't care about what they're doing?! You think we don't think about it every single day?"

Anger. Shock. Disappointment. Fear.

"No!" Elara said, "No! That's not what I mean! Look, you have other responsibilities! Other people who are depending on you. I have Harry and Draco and I certainly can't do anything about my brother right now, so I need to find Harry."

"What about us?" Fred asked, the hurt in his emotions written all over his face. "You have us!"

"You're angry and I understand but-

"I don't think you do!" Fred shouted.

"Freddie," George said, laying his hand on his twin's shoulder.

Fred shrugged it off, giving his brother a light shove. "No! I don't think you understand! Ellie when you came back to the Burrow you had your arm fucking sewn onto your body! You're still too thin! I can see your ribs through your shirt! No amount of do-good attitude is going to make me understand why you have to leave again!"

Elara flinched at the tone of his words. She knew they'd be upset, knew that Fred would be upset. "Fred, I'm sorry. I'm sorry but I have to! I've been here too long! You're all in danger the longer I'm here. It's only a matter of time before the door is being kicked in by Death Eaters!"

"Then come stay with us!"

"At the flat in Diagon Alley?! You'll both be killed within the week!" Elara cried, "You can be angry at me, if that's how you want to leave this, then fine. But I love you both and I wanted to say a proper goodbye this time because I don't know what's going to happen."

Fred's face fell and the flush in his cheeks from his anger dissipated. He stared at her as George wrapped her in a hug, kissing the top of her head. "We just want you safe," George said. "And it's terrifying to know you're out there and we know nothing."

Elara returned the embrace and sighed. "I know," She said. "I know. I'm scared too. But I've spent my life on the side lines letting everyone make decisions for me. I can't do that anymore. I can't watch everything fall to pieces around me all the time and not at least try."

No sooner did George's arms fall to his side was she wrapped in an even tighter hug from Fred. He pressed his lips into her hair and she felt him shake. His voice broken when he finally spoke to her, "You always have a place with us, Ellie. Please know that. We love you. I love you. Don't go off and splinch yourself again, okay? The next time I see you, you'd better be in one piece."

"Yeah, only room for one person with missing parts in the Order," George chimed in.

Elara laughed, "I have no plans of splinching myself again. That was terrible enough the first time around."

After an extremely tense and quiet supper, one last emotional outburst that ended in a shouting match from Tonks and a few more sniffles and tears on everyone's part, Elara and Ted gathered their knapsacks and stepped out of the safety of the wards surrounding the cottage. Elara took a deep breath, placing her hand in the crook of her Uncle's elbow and fought the urge to look back as they disapparated from the property with a soft pop!

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a/n: Thanks for reading! Please remember to check out my group on FB! Mimifreed Writing

So, I feel the need to let you all know that the chapters are going to feel as if they're moving rather quick. The problem with writing Ellie on the run is how effing boring would it be to read four chapters of "Elara sat and stared at the wall"! haha So, for the sake of story movement, things are going to feel like they're happening in quick succession over the next few chapters.

also, there was a question asked last update about Elara's scarring over the Dark Mark, because she was healed with magic, my answer for that is simply, magic isn't perfect. There are loads of instances where magic doesn't perfectly heal everything, and I think that constant diffindos to the arm, no matter how they're healed, would scar after a while. I could be totally wrong there, but it's my perception of what I think would happen :)

Anyway, please remember to review! I always appreciate the feedback!

xo

mimi