Hi- sorry for the delay! I'm a teacher and that means I have no time to write lol, so here's a winter break chapter- enjoy :)
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There were only five more days to prepare for Bill and Fleur's wedding and all the inhabitants of the Burrow were set to work, so Gwen found herself often cleaning or organizing. It was strange to be working all day for the wedding that she had thought would be hers. But even if Bill had not met Fleur, he would have probably met someone else. Fleur didn't steal him away- he chose to leave.
She was helping Mrs. Weasley clean up a bedroom for Charlie, who would be arriving the next day. As they spread out the covers, the older woman softly said: "I hope you don't feel at all awkward about Bill getting married."
"Oh no," Gwen lied in a reassuring tone. But that was all she could say. She didn't feel wistful or sad about him marrying Fleur, but it was still awkward. Everyone knew what had happened and everyone would be watching her too on the big day.
"You know," Mrs. Weasley continued. "I've always preferred you to Fleur and I'm quite sure most people know that. I still wish you and Bill had worked out."
Great. Perhaps not the best thing to say a few days before the wedding. "I think it worked out for the better, Mrs. Weasley." Gwen fluffed a pillow and tried to think of positive things that happened after she and Bill broke up. She wanted to say her friendship with Sirius blossomed, but Sirius was dead. She briefly thought of Snape and felt her stomach turn. Perhaps it was only better because now she knew that Bill was cheating scum.
"Has it?" Mrs. Weasley said, sounding a little excited.
"Are you, er, thinking of something specific?" Gwen asked, uncomfortably. Mrs. Weasley shrugged.
"No, no…. Just curious to know if you've found a new bloke is all."
Mrs. Weasley's tone did not convince her that something wasn't brewing in the matriarch's mind. "No," Gwen said carefully. "Not yet, anyway. I never minded the single life until Remus and Tonks got married, though."
Mrs. Weasley smiled at her, almost sadly. "Don't worry, dear. I'm sure that sooner than later we'll be hearing about your wedding plans."
"It's okay, Molly, really. I like being single. It's just been an adjustment is all. Besides, with the war becoming as dangerous as it is, I can't really imagine myself finding a bloke I like anyway."
"I can."
There it was. "Who?" Who now?!
"Well, I think you and Kingsley look handsome together."
Kingsley? Well, she did spend more time with him now. But he was always working. And just the idea of dating made her feel dizzy- especially someone in the Order. "Oh, I don't know. We're just friends." Mrs. Weasley noticed her discomfort.
"I didn't mean to upset you, dear," She said apologetically. "It's just my opinion. You're both lovely people and I just want you to be happy."
Gwen smiled and thanked her and they moved onto the next bedroom. But as she was sweeping the floor, Gwen thought about happiness. What would it take to be happy? She wasn't sure. It seemed like an abstract concept, something unachievable in this life. She wanted the war to end, but would that make her happy? Would a bloke make her happy? Happiness, whatever it was, felt so far away.
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"I've been meaning to speak with you since the Battle of the Astronomy Tower," Lupin said to her the next day. He and Tonks had come over to visit, but were instead put to work. Gwen and Remus had been given the task to find the large tent in the back shed, which had a magic-free ward placed upon it rendering the Summoning Charm useless. "I wanted to know how you've been doing."
She shrugged as she shifted through old bikes and Muggle trinkets. "I'm as good as expected. The war is getting more intense as we go along." She didn't tell him- or anyone- but ever since that battle, she had been having awful nightmares. Taking dreamless sleep potions was an option, but she knew they were highly addictive and she didn't want to become dependent on them. So she dealt with the dreams.
"It is indeed. War takes a toll on everyone, especially those most involved."
"Indeed." They continued looking around in silence for a while, before Remus spoke again.
"What I really meant to ask is how you have been dealing with… Snape."
She stopped rummaging. "What?"
"With his betrayal," he clarified hurriedly.
"We weren't together, Remus," she said coldly. She should have guessed this was why he wanted to talk.
"I know," he said calmly. She turned to look at him. "But you were friends, were you not?"
She opened her mouth to deny it, but she couldn't. Before anything else, he had been her friend. Perhaps, for a few months, her best friend.
"Yes, we were friends," she said softly. "At least, I thought we were. But we didn't really know him, did we?"
Remus laughed, but it didn't sound warm like it usually did. It sounded hollow. "I never believed to ever really know Snape. But you're avoiding my question- how are you really dealing with it?"
"Fine," she snapped, almost before he finished the question. "Fine," she said again in a softer tone. "It is what it is." Her eyes fell on the tent behind him. She pointed. "I found it." He turned around to look at it. "Let's go show Mrs. Weasley." Remus looked back at her for a moment, hoping she would say more. But when she didn't, he sighed and nodded. So they picked the tent up and carried it out of the shed. They Levitated it after they dropped it in the grass outside the ward, then walked in silence back to the house.
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It was the bittersweet morning for Gwen the day of Bill and Fleur's wedding. The house was bustling with excitement from the very moment she opened her eyes. She barely had time to process it all.
She was in the upstairs hallway, looking through the guest rooms to find a missing centerpiece for one of the tables. Mrs. Weasley and Fleur had handcrafted the centerpieces out of wood, berries, and different flora in the guest rooms the week before. She pushed into the first room and saw Bill sitting on the bed. He looked at her, unstartled.
"Sorry!" She said hurriedly. "I didn't know you'd be up here!"
"No, don't worry. I didn't think anyone would find me." He stood up and there was a strange pause. "I didn't know if you'd be attending today."
She shrugged. "Well, seeing as there isn't really anywhere else to go without being in mortal peril…" He chuckled.
"I'm not unhappy you're here. I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."
"You sound like your mother. I'm not uncomfortable… only when people ask me if I am." They grinned at each other. She realized in that moment that they had not spoken since January. So much had happened since then. "Bill, I've been meaning to thank you for what you did for me during the Battle in June. I don't think I would've survived if not for you. And your wounds-"
"They're just a consequence of battle, Gwen. It wasn't your fault." He said hurriedly.
"Well… thank you. If there is anything I can do- I certainly owe you one favor." At the word favor, he suddenly seemed more interested in what she had to say than he had been while she thanked him.
"Well there is something…" He hesitated. "I just… I would feel more at peace with the ceremony today if I knew you promise to never tell Fleur about what happened at New Year's."
Gwen frowned. She had secretly, for Fleur's sake, hoped Bill had told her. It was a wispy dream. "Of course," she said and she watched Bill's shoulders relax. "But… do you really not want her to know? To start a marriage with a lie is much better?" Now he frowned.
"Gwen, honestly. If you were with someone, would you have told him?"
She opened her mouth, then debated what she was going to say. But she thought of Fleur, waiting in a room on the other side of Burrow, excited to walk down the aisle to meet Bill Weasley. She thought about how that would have been her, once upon a time, and how if it was her, she would want to know.
"I… I sort of was, at the time." It wasn't a complete lie.
"Who?"
"A new bloke at the Prophet. We had only been seeing each other for a few months by New Year's." She sighed. "He guessed, actually. He knew about you and that you would be at the party I was attending. I wanted to lie to him but I couldn't. He was angry for days." She shuffled her foot. She thought she might be shaking. She never really thought about this until now. "But I sent him an owl asking if he wanted to see me again and he did. And that night, everything changed. We become almost instantly closer. It was…" She trailed off. A fantasy. That's what it had been. She focused on Bill again. "Though admitting such a thing was quite difficult, I never regretted it."
"But you're not together now?"
"No. But not because of that. There were other differences."
He nodded and seemed pensive, as if he was actually taking her words to heart. But then he said, "I wish I was as brave as you, Gwen. You risk it all."
And in that moment, she felt bad not just for Fleur, but for Bill as well. She would have risked it all for him, because she loved him. Fleur did too- moving from France to be with him in war-torn Britain. But he would not do the same. And for the first time, truly, she was happy this was not her wedding. "Good luck, Bill," she said with a soft smile. He smiled back and she left to find the centerpiece.
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She wore a yellow dress to the ceremony. Watching him get married, realizing how many missing Order members were dead and now missing among the crowd.
She had watched as Fleur Delacour became Fleur Weasley, kissing the man Gwen had once loved at the altar.
She saw Tonks looking at her with concern a few seats away during the ceremony. Everyone had been speaking to her so kindly all day, offering her treats and to help her with things. As if she was a piece of glass. As if this would be what devastated her. Bill had chosen Fleur long before this day.
The reception was an explosion of lights, food, music, and dancing. But while people were having fun, there wasn't the air of relaxation there usually were at such events. The non-Weasley Order members took turns pacing the perimeters of the tent for signs of a disturbance. Gwen and Remus were staring at the sky. "Where's Tonks gone off to?"
"She isn't feeling well; she went in the house." The laughing and music swelled louder for a moment, then dwindled back down. "Where's Kingsley?" Remus asked, looking at the sky.
"Working. Like always." Remus nodded silently, staring at the night with frustrated eyes. He looked tired and pale. She looked at the moon. It wasn't full but it would probably be in the next few days.
"Every mornin', every evenin', ain't we got fun?" The music rang out from the tent and Gwen looked over at Remus.
"Do you remember this song?"
"Indeed," he said, not even looking at her. After a few moments, he walked away.
She sighed and felt the warm air envelope her. Simpler times were too far past. Once upon a time, she could still taste the liquor and hear the laughter and smell the food from days behind her. Now, she just saw war.
The moon shone down on her as she stood outside, alone. She had never felt so alone.
She felt the wind against her back, as if urging her to go. She walked across the grass, down to the house, then began to run as the wind pushed her along. The lights from inside the house glistened invitingly as headed for the front door. She stepped inside gingerly. "Tonks?" she called.
"In the kitchen," the familiar voice replied. Gwen followed its sound and there she was, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup in her hand. "Wotcher, Gwen."
"Wotcher." Gwen sat beside her. "What's the matter?"
"I'm feeling a bit ill is all," Tonks muttered into her mug. "Why're you here?"
"Came to see you, of course," Gwen said with a smile and Tonks mirrored her expression.
"Thanks Gwen, but you don't have to miss the party for me."
Gwen smirked. "Please. This is a party I can surely miss." Tonks chuckled. "But what's the matter?"
"I'm a bit dizzy and nauseous," Tonks explained. "Been that way for a few days. I think the war's getting to me."
"To us all," Gwen mused. "Remus looked a bit pale today too. The moon's nearly full, though."
"He always looks pale," Tonks said softly, almost wistfully. "He's very worried about everything." She trailed off.
"Is everything okay?" Tonks looked at her and sadly smiled.
"I hope it will be, Gwen. I have a weird feeling about-" She paused, then shook her head, almost to herself. "It doesn't matter. I think I've been sitting here alone for a bit too long."
"Why don't we take a walk?" Gwen suggested. "The fresh air will do you good and then we can go find Remus at the party. Tonks hesitated, then nodded. The two walked out of the house arm in arm into the summer night air.
After they strolled around the grassland for about 20 minutes, they made their way back to the party and entered into the tent in search of Remus, who was no longer outside. "I don't see him," Tonks said sadly, looking around.
"Let's split up and look for him," Gwen suggested and Tonks nodded, vanishing into a crowd of Weasleys by the food. Gwen wandered over to the dance floor and started squeezing through the dancers.
She finally pushed through the crowd to a clearing at the center of the dance floor. She caught her breath for a second, but before she continued on, a large and silver ball fell through the canopy in front of where she stood. The crowd suddenly hushed and the musicians slowly stopped playing as they realized what was happening. The ball transformed into a lynx and opened its mouth, speaking in the voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt.
"The Ministry has fallen. Scrimgeour is dead. They are coming."
There was a silence as the lynx disappeared in front of Gwen. She could only hear her own breathing and the quickening beat of her heart.
Somebody screamed and the crowd panicked. People were vanishing all over the tent and suddenly Death Eaters began flying inside. She heard Tonks and Lupin shout from across the tent and the sounds of shattering plates and falling chairs rang through the air. She turned and was face to face with a Death Eater whom she stunned rather quickly. Where was Harry? Panic set in.
She dashed to Remus and Tonks amidst the chaos. "I can't find him!"
"He's gone!" Remus whispered hurriedly and Gwen felt relief in her heart. But it lasted only a moment as the Death Eaters had them surrounded. She looked at who had remained. Tonks, Lupin, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Fleur, Ginny, Fred, George, and Hagrid.
The man she remembered as Mr. Yaxley emerged from the group. "Hello," he said, smiling eerily at all of them. "It's a pleasure to see you. Congratulations on your marriage." He nodded at the furious Bill and sobbing Fleur. "This would all be much easier if we all went inside the house. The new Minister for Magic has requested we question you. So let's go inside, shall we?"
Reluctantly, the eleven Order members slowly walked to the house, prodded along by Death Eaters pointing their wands at them. Once inside, the shaking Mrs. Weasley and still crying Fleur collapsed on the couch. Tonks lowered herself into a chair, looking pale, as Remus stood behind her, grasping the back of the seat. Mr. Weasley and Bill stood by the door and Gwen and Hagrid stood with Ginny and the twins in the back of the sitting room.
The door shut and the Death Eaters all lined the walls, covered by hoods and masks. "This will be quick and easy if you cooperate," Yaxley said, standing at the center of the room. "The people here are known to have been in contact recently with Undesirable Number One, Mr. Harry Potter-"
"Undesirable?" Hagrid shouted. "Ye ain' even oughttabe in this room-"
"Silencio!" Yaxley cried and Hagrid fell silent, looking furious. Remus looked back at them and made eye contact with Gwen. He shook his head ever so slightly, signaling that no, they should not try and fight back. It was too dangerous. "Now," Yaxley continued. "Where is your son, Mr. Weasley?"
"Right here," Fred cheered from beside her. She bit her lip immediately.
"Not you, stupid! The other one!"
"Well, I'm right here!" replied George. "Would've thought you had seen me!"
"You know which one I mean!" Yaxley hissed. "Where is Ronald Weasley?"
"He's upstairs," Mrs. Weasley whispered, sniffling. Tears trickled down her pale face. "He's been ill." Gwen remembered the troll upstairs and prayed silently that Yaxley would fall for it.
Yaxley pointed at two Death Eaters. "Go upstairs and see if this is so." They nodded and headed up the stairs. "Where is Ginevra Weasley?" Ginny appeared from behind Hagrid and stood in full view. "Very good, very good. And where is Hermione Granger?" Nobody spoke. "I see." Yaxley spat.
He ran over to Tonks and pulled her by her shirt out of her chair. "Where is Hermione Granger?!" He shouted. Lupin pushed Yaxley off of Tonks and another Death Eater sent a spell at Lupin, keeping him pinned to the wall and Disarming him. Tonks fell to the floor, shaking and Yaxley grabbed her wand away as well.
"Wonderful! So this is how you want to go about this! Excellent!" Yaxley shouted. He grabbed Tonks and shoved her back into the chair. "So where is the Mudblood?"
"I don't know!" Tonks shouted, her shaking ceasing. Her hair turned a fiery red.
"Watch yourself, Auror Tonks," Yaxley hissed, his eyes in slits. He then turned to Bill. "You must know where Hermione Granger is, don't you? You know exactly who came to your wedding."
"She isn't here," Bill said confidently.
"Search the house," Yaxley commanded two other Death Eaters who headed to the stairs as the first two returned.
"He's sick as a dog, Yaxley," one of them croaked. Yaxley sneered.
"Fine! But where is Harry Potter?" He looked at Gwen and smiled that disgusting smile he had given her the last time she had seen him at the Ministry. "Hello, Miss O'Shea! You always have the facts." He approached her and didn't stop until he was only inches away from her face. She grimaced. "Where is he?"
"Not here," She spat and he backed away angrily, wiping his face.
"You're lying!" He yelled. He seemed furious for a few moments and paced back to where he originally stood. Then, as though he remembered something, he smirked. "No matter. You're here. I have some information that may interest you.
"You will all be expected to stay in your own homes. That means no more gatherings, no more overnights. The Ministry knows your registered address and will be requiring you to remain there. There is a curfew- 8 pm for all wizards and witches, including those in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. All businesses will close at 7:30 from now on." He twirled Tonks's wand in his hand. "Since we know you are all… quite close with Harry Potter, your homes will be under surveillance until he is captured. I suggest you keep the… parties to a minimum." He smirked. The Death Eaters returned from their search.
"Nobody's here 'cept the Weasley boy," one of them replied and Yaxley scowled to Gwen's delight. He seemed to notice she took great joy in his misery. He sneered at her and pulled out a roll of parchment from his robes.
"You are all expected to report to your jobs at the same hours as usual. You will be informed of any changes there. It is mandatory for all underage witches and wizards to attend Hogwarts School this fall as well." He snapped his fingers and the Death Eaters started heading for the door. "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear," he said with a smile. He tossed the wands he had taken to the floor, then tossed the roll of parchment at Gwen's feet. "You best read that. Good night." And he slammed the door home.
Everyone seemed to sigh of relief. Arthur and Bill hurriedly set up new wards around the building. Fred unpinned Remus from the wall and Tonks unmuted Hagrid and the eleven members of the Order of the Phoenix sat down on the couches.
"So what now?" Tonks asked nobody in particular.
"We have to comply," Lupin said quietly. "Or at least act like we are. We cannot endanger ourselves foolishly."
"Remus is right," Arthur said. "We need to find new ways of helping the cause."
"Where do you think Harry went?" Gwen asked.
"Who knows," Ginny said quietly beside her. Mrs. Weasley was sniffling softly across the room.
Gwen felt the anxiety settle in. The three of them had gone off to who knows where, now fugitives. For the first time truly on their own. There would be no Order of the Phoenix coming to the rescue if they needed help out there...
"We ought to listen to them about curfew and going to work and school," Bill said, breaking the silence. "But we can't just stop having meetings!"
"Maybe we ought to have one last one tomorrow," Gwen suggested. "Make sure everyone is here and we can plan what to do next."
"I'll send word," Arthur said, standing up and going into the kitchen.
"Gwen, what does the parchment Yaxley gave you say?" asked Ginny. Gwen looked down at the roll on her lap. She had nearly forgotten about it. She undid the little string that held it together and read it to herself:
TO ALL PRESENT FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE DAILY PROPHET'S HOGSMEADE OFFICE:
IN ACCORDANCE WITH NEW MINISTRY REGULATIONS, THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE HOGSMEADE OFFICE ARE HEREBY DISMISSED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO NEW MINISTRY REGULATIONS.
ALL FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE URGED TO EMPTY THE BUILDING OF ALL BELONGINGS WITHIN THE WEEK. ALL ITEMS LEFT BEHIND WILL BE DISPOSED OF.
THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC THANKS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE OVER THE YEARS.
She looked up at everyone. "I've been sacked."
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Harry Potter Wiki says that Kingsley and McGonagall became the leaders of the Order when Dumbledore died buuuut I didn't know that so lol now they are :)
I've been editing a lot within this story because there were things about the old version I didn't like and it takes time. Thank you for reading, as always, and please leave a review!