The World's on Fire
By: LivvyWriter
Chapter 3
Here's to the Night
Disclaimer- No, I am not a multimillionaire, and no I am not responsible for creating Harry Potter. I also am not Eve and did not write Here's to the Night.
Reviews- Eh..Thanks for those who reviewed! There could be more coming, (prequel, sequel) if you review!
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So denied so I lied are you the now or never kind
In a day and a day love I'm gonna be gone for good again
Are you willing to be had are you cool with just tonight
Here's a toast to all those who hear me all too well
Here's to the nights we felt alive
Here's to the tears you knew you'd cry
Here's to goodbye
Tomorrow's gonna come too soon
---
"Are you seriously considering this?" George asked incredulously.
Alicia continued to rise out of the infirmary bed.
"No George, I'm not considering this, I'm DOING it." She grimaced as she swung her legs over the side of her bed.
"You can't fight tomorrow Alicia, why kid yourself? You're too weak, you wouldn't last a minute." He tried convincing the stubborn girl.
"I would too last a minute! And If I'm going down, I plan to take a number of those pansies with me. Can you grab my jeans over there? And that shirt that's right on top of it too if you would."
"Leash no!" He partly yelled. She looked unfazed by this and said, "Fine, I'll get it myself." With the help of the wall and some bed ends, she made it to her clothes and then moved to change behind a close by screen. George saw her struggling behind it and he felt a string tug on his heart.
She appeared again, clad in some fitting jeans, (very fitting, George noticed) and a dark blue v-neck shirt. Without a mirror, she swept her bountiful, bouncy, strawberry-blonde curls into a ponytail. She'd never looked more beautiful to him, with that ferocious look in her eye.
He had never thought that she would be the one he would fallen for. He had never imagined him the one woman kind of guy. But here he was, lusting over a woman that didn't even know how he felt.
"You know me George, you knew from the second that I was cursed by that wretched daisy that I wouldn't stay down. You knew that I wouldn't let them cart me off to Magical Maladies and Injuries without fighting for the right side, one…last….time." George knew everything she said was true to the core.
"Leash, those pansies and daisies as you call them are death eaters, willing to take full advantage of what that bastard did to you last week. If you would just rest up -" He was cut off by the vivacious girl standing in front of him.
"What happens if you all die? And I was just left 'resting up?' Where would I be? I need to be there George, I need to be there to know that I can have some say in how this war ends, and to make sure I do all that I can to keep my friends alive."
Alicia had moved closer and was now grasping on to the end of the bed while she looked up into his eyes. She loved those eyes…but he would never notice her in any other than a purely platonic way. She was just short Alicia with a big heart. How could he find her attractive when he could have any other tall, skinny, and agreeable girl on a whim?
"'Licia, you can't even stand up straight! How in the hell can you fight?" He grabbed both of her arms to keep her steady.
"Madame Pomfrey said that my side would heal perfectly well George." She sighed and gave him a small smile.
"If Angelina knew that you wanted to fight tomorrow and that I let you, which I still am not, she would kill me!" George said, a playfully whining hint to his voice, though the serious undertone remained.
Alicia smiled and said, "That's why we won't tell dear old Angie or your lovely twin Fred, who will undoubtedly try to stop me as well."
"Of course he would! Licia,' your like his-" Fred stopped briefly, and then continued, "-our sister, we have to protect you! 'Licia, we're the Fantastic Four, The Fab Four, the Cute Quattro!" He saw her amused expression and he added, "Okay, maybe I added the last one, but you know what I mean! Best friends 'Licia, since the beginning of Hogwarts!" He just now noticed how hard she was laughing.
"Cute starts with a 'C' loser, not a 'Q'." Laughing still she clutched her sides as she slid down on the bed next to her.
"I wasn't trying to make them match…"He said in a tone that only she would have known it meant he was.
He slid down beside her. He was so close to her, he felt like he was at the top of the world. There was a silence for a moment, and then George said, "Please don't Alicia."
Alicia had never heard this voice come out of George Weasley. It was a pleading voice, a begging one.
"George-"She started softly. "I'll be fine, you're just worrying for nothing. It'll be okay." She brought her hand up to stroke his face, but then pulled away, not wanting to make anything awkward.
He tried to mask the disappointment that he felt when she pulled away her hand suddenly.
"What If it's not? What if you die? It'll be all my fault." He lowered his head, as if in shame.
"Of course it wouldn't Georgie. It would be that blasted death eater's, but I still am not planning to go anywhere." She smiled weakly.
"You better not be. 'Member, we stick together. Where you go I go." He moved his face closer to hers.
"Where you go-" She went closer. "I go." She said breathlessly. This was it, It was going to happen! After nearly 10 years of waiting, it was finally going to happen.
And then It did.
Their lips collided, sending a shock through both of their bodies. 10 years of lust, love, and wanting were poured into the kiss. Goosebumps erupted on both their skin sending shivers through their bodies.
"Ooof! Malfoy get OFF!"
"I can't! Ginny's on me! GET OFF WOMAN!"
"I'm trying! It's harder than you look you know!" The sound of voices made Alicia and George pull apart and stare at the tangle of people on the floor.
Ginny raised her head and smiled nervously.
"Err..hey Big bro!" George smirked as he got up and helped them untangle eachother.
Pulling Ginny up and then giving a hand to Draco and Harry, George sighed.
"I suppose you three were eavesdropping aye?" George asked, already knowing the answer.
"Of course they were George! I can tell one of Ginny's plans when I see one. I mean, I taught her almost every girl thing she knows, after all." Alicia smiled at the red head girl.
"It's quite true George. Leash was my mentor for a while." Ginny grinned back.
"And I thought I was your mentor!" George pouted playfully.
"To tell you the truth, Angelina, Katie, and 'Licia were like big sisters to me. And thank God for that, I swear, with 6 older brothers I was in desperate need." They all laughed, but then Harry brought the attention back to why they were there.
"If I remember correctly, as we were eavesdropping, everything got quiet. That's why we leaned closer, er, and knocked the door open." Harry chuckled.
"What Harry's trying to say is what the bloody hell were you two up to?" Draco finished bluntly.
"Well, erm, I-uh, not really anything, erg, yea." George sputtered along.
Alicia rolled her eyes affectionately and cut in.
"What he's trying to say is that he was kissing his girlfriend." She said this not embarrassed all, almost in a proud way.
George did the Weasley thing and opened and closed his mouth happily. A happy goldfish, that's exactly what George Weasley was.
George finally slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Yes kids, that's EXACTLY what I was doing. I was kissing my girlfriend-hear that? Girlfriend! She's my GIRLFRIEND. Yup, just kissing my girl. My girlfriend-" Alicia pressed her lips to George's and then pulled away.
"Now we know how to get him to shut up." Ginny exclaimed.
Thoughts of war were no where to be found.
----
A few minutes later, George, Alicia, Harry, Draco, and Ginny all made their way up to The Great Hall with arms full of supplies and more floating behind them. Occasionally they had to stop and wait while Alicia caught balance. Soon they had to do it so much, even though Alicia told them to move on, George gave his supplies to Harry and picked up Alicia.
She smiled at him and he smiled back.
"I'm still fighting tomorrow George; I have that potion from 7th year I can use." George knew very well what potion she was speaking of.
It was the same one that gave you strength that you would've had if you had not been hurt, but made the taker pay later. Alicia used it more than any of the others did when it came to Quidditch. Fred, Angelina, Katie, Lee, and George never approved of it, but when Alicia helped them win the match, they could not complain.
But when the next day, Alicia was so drained that she could not move, they regretted it. It only lasted about a day, the same amount that the potion worked, but it was hell for her.
They had all tried it at least once; the girls used it more than the guys. It had just been a secret among the 6.
"Leash…"
"It'll be fine Georgie, I'll be fine all of tomorrow and then the next day I'll just rest."
"Alicia.." But George stopped, he knew that what he was trying to do was really an impossible task.
George looked over at Harry and Ginny. They were standing very close to each other. That's all they could do, they couldn't hold hands while holding the supplies. Ginny seemed to be happier than usual, a glow to her face.
'Must be something to do with Harry' He thought. He approved of Ginny and Harry, and so did the rest of anybody that mattered.
They entered the Great Hall. It was busy and noisy, nothing they did not expect. Angelina and Fred walked in and stood beside the others.
"Everyone, it's time to turn in. You may quietly talk as long as you don't disturb your neighbors. We have a long day tomorrow." They all turned to look at the thin brunette talking, perched atop the same table she had been proposed to on.
She moved to get down, but stopped and then timidly at first, said, "I just wanted to say that everyone here is apart of something that will improve our world forever. Without all of you, there would be no more heroes. Right now, as I stand here and look at all of you willing to risk your lives to save everyone else's it overwhelms me. Good will prevail tomorrow, I have no doubt." A roar of applause erupted. "Now go to bed before I sic McGonagall on you." Laughter throughout the hall was heard. Ron helped Hermione down from the table- (Thank you Ronald but I can handle it myself.) - and they made their way over to the entering group.
Hermione hugged Alicia and Ginny, showing them the ring, but then began to scold Alicia. Harry silenced everyone and said,
"Everyone here?" They all looked around and nodded.
"Good, then let's leave, just for a little bit Mione." Harry added as he saw Hermione look towards the people gathering for bed. "The teacher's have it under control." He motioned and they walked out.
"Where to?" No one answered Harry, but he knew exactly where to go.
When they finally arrived at the astronomy tower, Alicia conjured up nine cushions and placed them in a circle.
Sitting themselves down, (order-Fred, Angelina, George, Alicia, Draco, Ginny, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron, beside Fred.-)
They sat in knowing silence for a few minutes.
"So this is it aye? The end." Fred said, bringing Angelina closer.
"Don't sound so bitter Fred. It could be the beginning." Ginny rebutted, squeezing Harry's hand.
"Ginny, forever the optimist." Hermione commented .
"Don't forget it." Ginny said laughing.
"It doesn't feel right you know." Alicia said softly.
"What doesn't Leash?" Harry asked equally as soft.
"Us doing this without Katie and Lee." Everyone but Draco knew what she was talking about.
"Of course it doesn't." Angelina said throatily.
"Those bastards.." Fred said bitterly.
George was the only one that noticed how out of the loop Draco was.
"About a year ago, Lee's and Katie's house was bombed. Katie, Lee, their newborn, Caroline, and their three year old, Adam, were all killed. The dark mark was seen above their house, glowing green. It was hell for us and the magical community. Katie was in running for the position of Minister of Magic, and Lee was head of The Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They were both highly valuable in the wizarding community as well as the order. We still don't know who-"
Draco interrupted George. "It was Antonin Dolohov and Avery. I overheard my father talking about it. That was the night I killed him."
There was no uproar as Draco expected. Instead he saw Angelina crying into Fred's chest, Hermione crying into Ron's, and Ginny crying silently while Harry kissed her head, muttering softly.
He saw though, that Alicia seemed to be zoned out.
She then muttered, "I killed Dolohov the week before last. Avery was the one that did this-" She lifted up her shirt to reveal a deep gash from the left side of her belly button, down to her pelvis, back up again, and around to her mid back. "-last week."
She received a few gasps, a few "oh my god's", and a few, "I will tear them to bloody pieces."
George pulled her closer and all at once, Alicia began to sob into his chest.
"R-R-Ron?" Ginny asked with a shiver to her voice.
"Yea Gin." Replied Ron wearily.
"Wasn't Dolohov the one, the one who killed Mom's brothers?"
Ron made eye contact and nodded.
"So much pain….too much. We can never make it go away.." Hermione said shakily.
"We can damn well try." Harry responded.
"Let's make a promise." Fred proposed. They all pulled away from their respective partners and gazed at Fred.
"We have to promise eachother that we will have eachother's backs no matter what down there. And that if one of us does-" He stopped. "does die, that we will continue to fight." Everyone nodded.
"We should all put one thing into the promise. One thing that we expect from eachother." Alicia said, but then seeing the crestfallen look on Draco's face, added, "You too Malfoy, you're one of us whether you like it or not." Everyone murmured consentingly.
"I'll start. Loyalty." Said Alicia.
"Honesty." Said Harry.
"Kindness." Said Angelina.
"Forgiveness." Said Draco.
"Support." Put in Ron.
"Respect." Hermione added.
"Generosity." Fred said, looking over at Angelina.
"Protection." Said George, grabbing Alicia's hand reassuringly.
"Love." Ginny said lastly.
"That's our promise to one another." George finished.
They were all quiet for awhile. They seemed to be taking in everything about everyone. Hermione spoke finally.
"We better be getting back down there. We've been up here for close to two hours. The Order should be here." They all got up and prepared to leave.
"Be careful out there, okay guys? I think of you lot as family, and I couldn't bear if anything happened to you." Ron said pleadingly.
"Family." Harry repeated.
They moved on out towards the stairs but Alicia stopped them.
"Bloody hell..." Rushing to the window, nine pairs of eyes widened in horror at the approaching scene.
They were approaching at what seemed faster than light speed. Hundreds of men on broomsticks, hundreds more on the ground. More that twenty giants, clouds of gray werewolves, packs of creatures with heads of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a dragon, and groups of Dementors glided towards. They were less than two miles away. They could see them approaching through the once was forbidden forest. (Half of it was burnt down the year before by Voldemort.)
They had only been standing there for a few seconds, but they felt like it had been hours. Bringing everyone back to life, Harry yelled, "COMMON!"
They ran harder than they ever had to the Great Hall.
Once getting there, Ron yelled.
"THEY'RE HERE!"
People sprung up, grabbing wands and potions.
The full Order ran towards them, but seeing the looks in their eyes knew this to be no drill.
This was it.
Everyone poured outside and waited for instructions. They were coming closer by the minute.
"Sonoros." Hermione's voice was loud now. "Everybody remembers all of the spells you learned right? The patronus? The killing spell? You'll be fine." Hermione mustered the must soothing voice she could.
"Let's be on with it then!" Kingsley Shacklebolt said almost tiredly.
"LET'S KICK SOME DARK ASS!" Tonks yelled excitably. And with that, they charged.
FIN…for now…mwah haha..wait, im ruining the dramatic finish… FIN!
-A/N- I never had writers block on that one there. It's my pride and joy, so do review.
