"Hello?" she called cautiously into the empty room. She looked around suspiciously, her heart pounding in fear. It was eerily quiet. The music had been turned off and the air was still; the only sound that could be heard was the repetitious sound of the dishes being scrubbed in the kitchen sink, being done by magic.
A strange orange light caught Haidee's attention from outside. She had not noticed it before, standing paralysed at the foot of the stairs, but as she stepped forward, she saw it shining through the foggy windows.
"Fred?" she called again, there was no response. She crept forward being cautious as she walked until she could see the source of the light. A trail of hovering candles only centimetres above the snow created a path that led her into the darkness of the wintery night. Staring at it in shock, she rushed to the door and opened it, allowing a gush of winter air to hit her upon opening. The air made her shiver as her eyes trailed the path, suddenly feeling less frightened and more intrigued.
Shivering, she hauled her green shawl that was conveniently next to the door over her shoulders and stepped outside, letting the complete silence overcome her. Slowly, she followed the trail feeling her heart race with each step, the only sound was the noise of her feet crunching into the snow. She kept her eyes vigilant as she moved, but a smile appeared on her face as she looked at the hovering candle bellow her, reminding her of the wonders of the Great Hall. She smiled reminiscently and continued the trail until she reached its end, leaving her staring into an abyss of blackness with no more candles to follow.
"Fred?" she called again, after waiting at the end for a few moments. As the words left her mouth, she saw a single spark of light shoot into the air peacefully and she listened to it sizzle until it erupted. A flash of light burst through the meadow she was standing in followed by a gargantuan boom and the delicious smell of fireworks filled the air.
That was the beginning of the show, and soon, the entire night sky was lit with reds, oranges, pinks and purple fireworks of all shapes and sizes. Haidee stood at the end of the tail, watching in awe, recognising them as the same fireworks Fred and George had lit in the Entrance Hall at Hogwarts. Actually, they were exactly the same, as her delight turned into fear as a Catherine wheels came whirring her way with a wicked 'wheeeee', causing her to laugh and flee from her stance.
Although she was being chased, she laughed with glee, knowing very well it was the work of Fred and George who had done this. She also made no attempt to remove it, knowing that both the Stunning Spell and the Vanishing Spell only make them more manic.
She ran with the largest smile on her lips back down the trail of candles, until she felt herself being pulled to the side, colliding with a strong chest, making her groan at the impact. She pressed herself into the familiar body, laughing into Fred's chest as he had just saved her from his own prank.
"That was not meant to be in there," he laughed, making Haidee chuckle and look up at him in glee.
"Oh really?" she asked suspiciously as Fred led her back to the end of the trail. "Cause I think that would have been quite a laugh for you."
"Oh, it was," said Fred, hauling as they reached the end of the candles, "but it distracted you for the main event."
"The main event?"
"Look." Fred pointed to the sky where the firework display had just finished.
She looked up, following his gaze, laughter still in the air, to reveal, written in the sky with red firework sparklers, a phrase that jolted Haidee's hearts. In bold, clashing with the darkness, written proudly for all to see was, 'Haidee, will you marry me?'
Haidee gasped, tears already trailing down her cheeks in joy as she spun around to find Fred on one knee before her, holding out a simple, yet beautiful engagement ring with the widest, most genuine smile on his lips.
"I meant it when I said I loved you more," he said as he looked up at her, her silhouette radiating from the light of the moon with a hue of red from the fireworks.
"F-Fred . . . " she stammered, so overwhelmed with joy, she did not know what to say.
"That a yes?" Fred laughed, raising an eyebrow and Haidee nodded furiously, flinging herself into Fred's arms as he stood. He swung her about the snow, kissing her with the most passionate kiss she had ever received before placing her back on the ground.
Fred looked into her teary eyes as she smiled the widest she had ever smiled before. "Yes," she whispered, unable to raise her voice in fear she would start to cry foolishly with joy. "Certainly, yes." Fred brought her in for another kiss and sliding the ring onto her finger.
"Good, because otherwise, this would have been awkward." Then, from the depths of the darkness that consumed them, everyone emerged in cheers of congratulations. Mrs Weasley was the first to run up to them, crying with joy as she tackled Haidee into a large hug, soon followed by Ginny, who joined in on the hug while Mrs Weasley was still crushing her. George, Bill and Mr Weasley had rushed to Fred to shake his hand in congratulations as Ron and Harry shouted their well-wishes from a distance. Lupin congratulated Haidee after finally being released from Mrs Weasley's hug with a gentle hug of his own, smiling very proudly at her.
She laughed through her tears of joy, feeling herself being wrapped in the arms of the people she loved was a feeling she had convinced herself she was not worthy to feel, and now, she was overcome by it and stood in Fred's arms, watching the red sparling writing in the sky fade, knowing that she was standing in the arms of her fiancé.
Christmas Day had come and no one was enjoying the time more than Haidee was. She spent the morning, after receiving and handing out presents, helping Mrs Weasley preparing Christmas lunch.
"I see that our being engaged has not changed that fact you like my Mother better than me," said Fred from behind the two of them, who were chatting and listening to Christmas music and the guests set the table and shared festive conversations.
Haidee chuckled as she moved from the kitchen to Fred, who gladly held her in his arms and placed a gentle kiss on her lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Correct," she said before returning to the kitchen, continuing to help Mrs Weasley.
"Oh, go on, you two. I'll be fine by myself, now," Mrs Weasley insisted, shooing Haidee away from her previous chores and into Fred's arms, smiling widely at the sight of the two of them together.
She was beyond pleased about their engagement, which Ginny said was a fine improvement from the reaction she had to Bill's announcement.
"Maybe it's because she's known me longer," shrugged Haidee as Ginny scoffed.
"No, it's because you're better," said Ginny and Haidee smiled.
"Although I appreciate that," Haidee said kindly, "Fleur is not all bad."
"Did you forget what she said to you yesterday?"
"She had no idea what happened to me. It's not her fault," Haidee reminded.
"Yeah, maybe, but you should have seen your reaction. Looked like someone had just punched Fred in the face."
She then played some Explosing Snaps with Fred and George, who were mercilessly beating her at the game.
"You're not even trying!" George grinned as he won another round.
"Oh yes," Haidee scoffed playfully, "I enjoy giving bragging rights to the most egotistical people I know."
"Well, good," said Fred with a grin, "cause you're about to lose again."
Right before lunch was served, she joined a conversation with Lupin, who was sitting by the fire, discussing the worlds current situation and if they had any idea of what Voldemort was planning. Haidee kept quite quiet throughout the conversation, listening to what he had to say, trying to avoid the truth of what was going on within the walls of Hogwarts by the bidding of Voldemort. Suddenly, their conversation stopped and Lupin began to listen to Harry and Mr Weasley, who was speaking next to them.
Harry was telling Mr Weasley about how he had overheard Snape and Malfoy. He was certain Malfoy was doing something suspicious at school, even accused him of bearing the Dark Mark and that Snape had offered to help him with whatever plan he had, even wanting to make an Unbreakable Vow with Malfoy. Haidee stiffened as she listened, unable to say anything.
"Has it occurred to you, Harry," said Mr Weasley, "that Snape was simply pretending-"
"Pretending to offer help, so that he could find out what Malfoy's up to?" said Harry quickly. "Yeah, I thought about it. But how do we know?"
"It isn't our business to know," said Lupin unexpectedly, unwillingly dragging Haidee into a conversation she did not want to be involved in as he turned to Harry and Mr Weasley from the fire.
"But," said Harry, "just say - just say that Dumbledore's wrong about Snape-"
"People have said it, many times. It comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledore's judgement. I do, therefore, I trust Severus."
Quickly, just after Lupin finished his sentence, Haidee sprung up from her seat with a startled expression, not wanting to hear what they had to say. She had fought very hard to remove the image she had seen from her head by herself, remaining clam at the news of Dumbledore's eventual death all while having to ignore all the reminders that she knew what was happening and could do nothing to prevent it.
Harry and Lupin turned to her at the sudden movement, as it was odd that she moved very fast at all, and watched her expression turn to one of horror and she began to weave through people to get away from them.
"You know something," said Harry to Haidee, just loud enough for her to hear over the Christmas joy and music. His accusation halted her in her path. "You know something about Malfoy and Snape, don't you?"
"N-no," Haidee said quietly, which was obviously a lie. That was clear to whoever heard her.
"Yes, you do," Harry said firmly.
"Remus is right. It is not our business to know-"
"But you know!"
"I never said that," she noted faintly. "Trust Dumbledore. W-we must trust Dumbledore."
"Haidee is right, Harry," Lupin said, looking to Haidee with an air of suspicion. Haidee could not meet his eyes. "And even if Haidee knew anything, she wouldn't be able to say. Isn't that right?"
"Y-yes."
"Lunch!" called Mrs Weasley.
"Oh, thank goodness." With that, Haidee huddled to the table and helped Mrs Weasley place all the food in the centre for people to help themselves. Everyone sat down, Haidee sat as far from Harry as possible yet Lupin was sure to find a seat next to her, Fred on the other side.
Fred served her some food before serving himself and people started passing things around the table like a merry-go-round.
"Gravy, Fleur?" Ron asked but in his eagerness to help her, he knocked the gravy boat; thankfully, Bill waved his wand and the gravy soared up in the air and returned meekly to the boat.
"You are as bad as zat Tonks," said Fleur to Ron. "If I wanted it spilled I would have asked 'Aidee. Look, 'er 'ands are still trembling." She did not mean it disrespectfully, but even so, Haidee's removed her hands from sight and just as before, the conversation fell quiet. "Are you still cold?"
"Oh, ugh, no. I'm all right," Haidee muttered with a forced smile.
"Zen why do you shake?"
"You don't need to answer that," Bill said quickly, looking a bit embarrassed as Fred stiffened beside her. However, Haidee, wanting to remove herself from the situation as quickly and thoroughly as possible, decided it would just be best to answer honestly so that she would not ask again.
"N-no, it's all right. Ugh, it's a side effect from a . . . spell," she said finally, with a lined smile and the atmosphere of the room immediately dropped.
"Oh, zat's 'orrible!" cried Fleur and Haidee chuckled quietly in an attempt to lighten the mood.
"It's all right. I get along with life just fine," Haidee replied, still not revealing her hands from under the table. She couldn't help but see the glares Mrs Weasley was giving Fleur as she approved Haidee's comment.
"Yes," said Mrs Weasley firmly. "Yes, she is still amazing in the kitchen." The room filled with sympathetic agreements from people complimenting her desserts from the previous night and Haidee smiled, thanking them, even though she knew they were out of pity and the mood was starting to get a bit more cheery again
"You should be more careful next time," Fleur insisted. A fork, from the other side of the table, dropped onto the plate in shock at the comment and once again, everyone fell silent in their appal. Bill groaned at his fiance's incapability to drop the subject and the mood, once again, becoming awkward and dismal.
Haidee swallowed nervously as everyone waited for her answer. "Yes," she replied meekly. "I'll, ugh, try to remember that."
"There won't be a next time," said Fred instantly, looking to Remus who caught his gaze. Fred's hand moved to Haidee's under the table and brought them out to give her a kiss on the back of her hand, smiling at her lovingly before returning to his meal, as did everyone else.
"Arthur!" said Mrs Weasley suddenly. She had risen from her chair and her hand was pressed over her heart as she was staring out of the kitchen window. "Arthur, it's Percy!"
"What?"
Mr Weasley looked around, as did everybody else; Ginny stood up for a better view. There, sure enough, was Percy Weasley, striding across the snowy yard and he was not alone.
"Arthur, he's - he's with the Minister!"
Haidee saw a man other than Cornelius Fudge walking alongside Percy. She had seen that Fudge was no longer Minister of Magic in the Daily Prophet, and was replaced with Rufus Scrimgeour.
There was a moment of peaceful silence as Percy entered through the door and stood at the doorframe.
"Merry Christmas, Mother," said Percy, rather stiffly.
"Oh, Percy!" Mrs Weasley cheered as she threw herself into her son's arms and the Minister walked through the doorway.
"You must forgive the interruption," he said. "Percy and I were in the vicinity - working, you know - and he couldn't resist dropping in and seeing you all."
Percy, however, showed no signs of wanting to rejoice with the rest of his family and Haidee squeezed Fred's hand comfortingly as he, George and Mr Weasley stared at him, stone-faced.
"Please, come sit down, Minister!" fluttered Mrs Weasley. "Have a little purkey, or some tooding . . . I mean-"
"No, no, my dear Molly," said Scrimgeour, who had never actually met Mrs Weasley before, making Haidee question why he knew her name. "I don't want to intrude, wouldn't be here at all if Percy hadn't wanted to visit so badly . . . "
"Rough chance," scoffed Fred, under his breath to George who was sitting to his other side.
" . . . we've only looked in for five minutes, so I'll have a stroll around the yard while you catch up with Percy. No, no, I assure you I don't want to butt in! Well, if anybody cared to show me your charming garden . . . " Fred instantly grabbed Haidee's hand to assure that she didn't volunteer, which caught Scrimgeour's eye. "Ah, that young mans finished, why doesn't he take a stroll with me?"
He had looked to Harry and the rest of the table had a hard time believing that he did not know Harry's name, especially finding it unnatural considering Fleur, George and Ginny had clean plates, also. It did not take a witty mind to discover that Scrimgeour just wanted to be alone with Harry so that they could speak in peace.
"It's fine," Harry said quickly, as he passed Lupin, who had half risen from his chair. "Fine," as Mr Weasley opened his mouth to speak.
"Wonderful!" said Scrimgeour, his eyes moving from Harry to Haidee. Lupin followed his gaze before quickly looking away, as to not look suspicious as Fred held firmly onto Haidee's hand. Scrimgeour looked into Haidee's eyes as best as he could, considering she was looking down at her full plate, but it was hard not to notice her oddly coloured eyes. He said nothing as he wandered outside with Harry by his side.
For a while, Mrs Weasley fawned over Percy, offering him food and whatnot, even caught him up on some family events.
"You know about Bill and Fleur but now Fred and Haidee are engaged!" Mrs Weasley said enthusiastically, but Percy did not seem very amused, not even offering congratulations to his brother, which Haidee was sure Fred did not want, anyway.
When Harry returned and Percy left, he explained what Scrimgeour wanted with him.
"He wants me to be seen working with the Ministry, to look as if I'm supporting them," Harry said simply.
"Will you?" asked Ginny and Harry shook his head.
"Of course not. I don't agree with what they're doing," Harry insisted as he sat back at the now clean dining table. "He asked about Haidee, too."
"How does he know about her?" Lupin asked instantly, and Fred sat upright, suddenly more interested in the conversation.
"He doesn't, I don't think. Recognised you buy your eye; said he heard that a girl with strange eyes went missing in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries," said Harry. "Wanted to know why you went missing, I said you got lost in all the doors. I don't think he bought it, though."
"Great," scoffed Fred, as if the situation had personally regarded him.
"I'm not concerned," Haidee said simply, turning to Fred with a slight smile. "For all he knows, that's positively true and there's no evidence to prove otherwise."