I woke up early on the 27th. It was the day to move Harry from Little Whinging to The Burrow in other words The Dark Lords first attempt at killing Harry, I had tried to get in touch with Mad-Eye during the week but no one could get ahold of him. I just hope he was here before Mundungus Fletcher arrived.
I couldn't bring myself to go back to Fred and George's shop when George would come by The Burrow I'd make up some excuse to stay in my room and Molly could sense something was going on but she was nice enough not to ask. I know it was unfair to George that I was avoiding him but sorting through resurfacing feelings and with what's coming I needed to concentrate. George was going to get hurt in the transportation of Harry and I had to find a way to avoid that as best as possible.
I spent the morning with Molly, cleaning, washing and idly chatting, "Celeste, I have to ask. Is everything okay with the twins?" Molly finally asked me as we sat down to have a cup of tea while we waited for The Order to arrive.
"Yeah, I've just had a few things on my mind," I said, running a finger around the rim of my cup, "There is something I wanted to ask you before everyone gets here"
"What is it?" Molly asked, slowly sipping her tea with a slight frown.
"I was wondering if I could go tonight, in George's place" I kept my eyes on the table in front of me as I spoke.
"Over my dead body!" I jumped when I heard George's voice, I looked up quickly and George was leaning against the door frame. "You are completely insane if you think I'd ever agree to that"
"I'll give you two a moment," Molly said quickly and ducked out of the room, George sat down in the chair his mother just left and looked at me with slightly narrowed eyes. I chewed my bottom lip and looked back down at my half-drunk tea.
"In what world did you think I would agree to that?" George asked me softly and I sighed.
"Wishful thinking" I muttered before I looked up and met his brown eyes, "I don't want you to get hurt"
"I'll be fine, Tee"
"No, you won't," I said dryly, "If you do go tonight you'll be hurt. Bad. I just wanted to avoid it. It's the least I can do for someone who saved my life"
"You're never going to let that go are you?" George asked with a small smile and I shook my head, "Alright, Tee, how about you just tell me what happens and I'll try to avoid it"
I sighed before telling George every detail of his attack, I left out Mad-eye and Hedwig that was something I needed to tell Harry and Mad-eye themselves. George leaned back in his seat when I was done and raised an eyebrow.
"You thought you'd go and take the curse in my place?" George asked and I nodded slowly, "That's not going to happen. You're going to stay right here and wait for us to come back, Tee, I'll do what I can to avoid the curse but keep in mind I'll be in the air it'll be difficult"
"Just come back in one piece" I muttered and George smiled at me. I felt my face flush and I quickly got up from my seat, "I'll see you later" I said quietly and made a quick escape to my room.
I cursed myself for acting like a schoolgirl, since my feelings for George had resurfaced I had begun feeling like a fifteen-year-old whenever I saw him. The butterflies in my stomach, the pounding of my heart whenever he smiled and the shock that went through me whenever he touched me. 4 years later and George Weasley has sent my head spinning once again.
Who knew he would be the one to save my life?
I went back downstairs when I heard more voices, I avoided looking at George just so I could remain focused on my task at hand. I finally spotted Mad-Eye standing in the corner quietly and Mundungus Fletcher was standing by his side, my heart dropped slightly but I continued to head over towards them and I could feel George's eyes on me the whole time. Something he has done every day.
"Mad-Eye, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment," I said quickly, Mad-Eye looked at me for a moment almost analysing me and I saw Fletcher look me up and down a couple of times before stepping forwards.
"And who might this beautiful young lady be?" He said and I suppressed the urge to gag and roll my eyes.
I turned to him with a raised eyebrow, "Not interested" I said bluntly, Fletcher stepped back quickly and I smiled to myself when I heard Fred and George started laughing.
"Celeste, is it?" Mad-Eye asked and I nodded, "Make it quick" He turned and went outside, I quickly followed and my stomach churned.
"Someone's ratted you all out about tonight, three guesses who, but you need to be careful around Mundungus and please keep a tight grip on your broom" I spoke quietly, "If you don't, you'll fall"
"You're the Seer aren't you?" Mad-Eye asked me, his blue eye whizzing around, I nodded in reply and Mad-Eye tilted his head, "Very well but what makes you think you should be intervening like this?"
"Over the years I've learnt that I can only see things that can be changed. Dumbledore's death was one of the things that couldn't be stopped, he was already dying" I explained and Mad-Eye nodded before hobbling back inside.
I ran a hand over my face before I went back inside myself and I went straight over to George and wrapped my arms around his waist, George was taken aback for a moment before he returned the hug and rested his chin on the top of my head.
"Are you sure we can't switch?" I asked him quietly as I stepped back a little bit and George rolled his eyes.
"Tee, it's not going to happen," George said quietly, "I'll be fine"
"What's going on?" Fred asked with a slight frown, I bit my lip and looked at George for a moment before looking away.
"Don't worry about it, Freddie," George said quickly and Fred looked at me his frown deepening.
"Something I need to know, Lettie?" Fred asked me and I didn't miss the slight glare that George sent his brother, I shook my head and walked over towards Molly who put her arm around my shoulder and I flinched slightly but Molly brushed it off but kept her arm around me.
"Right, we need to go now" Mad-Eye called out and I felt sick to my stomach as George sent me a small smile and ducked out of the house with the rest of the Order.
Ginny sat on the sofa, nervously bouncing her leg and Molly busied herself around the house. I decided to take a seat next to Ginny and she sent me a weak smile.
"They'll be okay, won't they?" Ginny asked me after a few minutes of staring at the door.
"I hope so, Gin" I replied and focused my gaze at a point on the floor, my stomach turning.
"He likes you, you know," Ginny said after another few minutes and I looked at her quickly, "George, I mean"
"I don't think so," I replied and sat back against the sofa.
"I'm serious, Celeste. I've seen the way he looks at you" Ginny argued back and I rolled my eyes.
"He saved my life, Ginny, he's just looking out for me"
"Stubborn" Ginny muttered but she had a smile on his, "You'll see I'm right"
We lapsed into silence after a while and my nerves were getting worse, they seemed to be taking ages and time was getting on. After another half an hour I got up and headed outside for some fresh air, I started to feel confined by the walls of the Burrow so I leaned against a wall next to the front door and kept my eyes on the vast area in front of me waiting for whoever would return first.
Another half-hour later there was a loud splash and Harry and Hagrid came into view, my stomach eased a little bit at the sight of Harry and he nodded at me as he walked back into the Burrow to see Ginny. I turned back to the view and held my breath for a few seconds before letting it out, I pushed myself off the wall and started to pace.
I heard a crack and I spun around "Here!" I heard Remus shout and I clapped my hands over my mouth when Remus came into view with George, my heart dropped into my stomach when I saw the blood and guilt washed over me.
Harry ran past me to go help Remus get George into the house and I followed behind quickly. Remus quickly lay George on the sofa and grabbed Harry. I ignored that and I crouched in front of George while Molly fussed around trying to heal him as best as she could.
Blood covered his left arm and part of his face and my vision blurred with tears, another crack could be heard and Remus and Harry ran out of the house but I stayed by George, I took his hand as a few tears slipped down my face. He opened his eyes and gave me a weak smile.
"You were supposed to be careful" I muttered and George chuckled softly. More cracks could be heard. "I'm so sorry, George"
"It came at me too quickly," George muttered, his voice deep. He winced as he shifted his arm, "Went straight for my head, barely had enough time to try and block it"
"At least you're alive," I said and George gave me another weak smile, I heard another crack and then it was silent for a few minutes, I looked over my shoulder and Fred came rushing in. I quickly shuffled back so he could see his brother.
I turned to Remus, "Is that everyone?" I asked him and Remus looked around quickly.
"Everyone but Mad-Eye" He replied and my heart sunk.
"No" I whispered and shuffled back, my calves hitting the table and Bill Weasley came in with a sombre look on his face. "He didn't make it" I stated and Bill shook his head.
"Killing Curse," Bill said gravely and a few more tears fell from my eyes and I quickly wiped them away, "There was nothing I could do, I saw it"
"But I saw-" I cut myself off quickly "It doesn't matter anymore" I added quickly before looking over at George and I wasn't surprised to see him already looking at me. Molly had cleaned up the blood and tried to heal his wounds as best as possible, I could now see the long gashes covering his left arm and a gash on the left side of his face starting from just under his eye and curving around his cheek and down to his neck.
Another wave of guilt rushed over me as I took in his injuries, I met his eyes briefly before looking away quickly. Maybe it was just better if I kept my mouth shut about what I saw, I seem to do more damage if I speak up.
Like I said, being a Seer had become a curse. Tainted by The Dark Lord's wishes. I was tainted. I was damaged goods. I couldn't help anyone. Not anymore.