...Seren...
Mum woke me early. It was barely even dawn. I groaned and rolled over hiding under my pillow. "Seren Potter get up right now!" mum snaps hitting me with a spatula. Groaning I sit up. "I was up late studying! Can't you give me a break?!" I whine. She shoots me a look and begins tugging at my sheets. "Lily go easy on her. I checked on her last night and she was really studying." dad chuckles as he passes by my door.
Mum turns on him and he raises his hands in surrender. "Sirius and Lupin will be here in an hour. Also, I cleaned up your study. The boys found where you hid their candy stash in there." dad blows mum a kiss and continues walking. Mum gives a final tug and I, along with my bedding and pillows, come tumbling off my bed onto the cold floor. "Get up now!" mum snaps leaving my room. I huff glaring after her before curling up under my bed.
I'm tapped awake and I roll over to find my uncles smirking. "You've gone and upset your mother. Time to get up Seren." uncle Remus laughs. I groan and roll over. "I studied all night. I just want to sleep longer. Is that too much to ask for?" I whine. Uncle Sirius pulls me out from under my bed. I sit there pouting. "What are you studying?! Your desk looks like an avalanche of papers!" uncle Sirius teases. "Foreign languages. My brain hurts." I rub my head. "Are you sure your head hurts from studying or was it from your mother tugging you out of bed?" dad asks from the doorway.
"Both!" I reply making the three of them laugh. After a bit of coaxing, they manage to get me to get up and get dressed. I hop down the stairs in my box pleat skirt, button up blouse, and sneakers tying my hair back as I go. "Oh, I wish you'd stop wearing long sleeves in the summer." mum tuts as she passes. "And have my scars showing. No thank you." I give a mock curtesy and head out to the garden ignoring her shocked and hurt gasp.
I sit on a marble bench by the pond watching the different creatures zoom around playing. My hands trace my scars absent mindedly. When Voldemort came to kill Harry twelve years ago now, he failed. I was so terrified that in that moment a strong burst of light shot out of my hands at the same time he'd tried to shoot the killing curse at Harry. Mum protected Harry and I protected everyone.
There was a split second where I thought Voldemort was going to lunge at me but it was like a burst of magic filled the house when my light hit him. We were all blown back and when we came too Voldemort was gone, the house looked like it had exploded, and Harry had a bloody mark on his forehead. I was questioned and tested for months after that. Dad, uncle Sirius, and uncle Remus began search for Peter Pettigrew, the man that had betrayed them. He was found in the Weasley's garden and locked up, but had escaped and the entire country was wary.
I tilt my head back soaking up the sunlight. I have thin lines up and down my arms of bright cobalt blue. The magic I'd used was indeed powerful but with a price. The lines stood out so much and even though I visited St. Mungo's so often then, they could find no cure. It reminded me of something Dumbledore had said when visited once. That powerful magic leaves marks or something like that. I take deep breath and frown as a shadow passes overhead and freezes.
"Your mother would like for you to come inside and eat lunch." dad laughs. "And I would like to stay out here until sunset." I mumble. Dad begins counting backwards from 10. "Damn, I forgot just how much you love her. Fine, I'll be in, in a few. I want to relax a bit." I sigh and lay down. I wait until I hear the door close in the distance then get up and continue walking through the garden.
We moved here once I was released from St. Mungo's and there are several layers of protection spells keeping the Potter Mansion safe from unwanted eyes. The grounds are nearly as vast as Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest combined. I walk until I can no longer see the house. When I'm sure I can't be seen or detected I begin to run. I run until there's a stitch in my side. Gasping for breath I sit on the grass looking up at the clear blue sky. I know I have to go back inside at some point but that also means mother and I will have to talk about our earlier interaction.
I'd rather not. Dad gets extremely upset when we bicker about my scars. Out of their six kids, mother and I bicker the most. They think it's because of puberty but I know even if I wasn't going through puberty, we'd still be arguing non-stop. Normally dad can handle it if it's a simple disagreement like my clothing choices but if it's a bad fight he makes the others go to their rooms.
After the incident in Godric's Hollow mum gave birth to Elin. She's on the quiet side and refuses to come out of her room most of the time. Then there are Cadel, Alvey, and Cayden. We all have dad's black hair but the boy's got the untidy aspect of his hair. Elin and I have a slight curl to our hair with reddish tints. We even all have those same green eyes, mother's eyes.
I groan and roll around in the grass. My stomach is begging me to go home and eat but I don't want to see those sad green eyes. When my breathing is normal, I get to my feet and begin running again. I continue this pattern until the sun sets and the moon is high in the sky. I pass out on the roots of a tree thinking I see a large dog coming my way.
There's green light, a flash, the burst of light form my own hands and I wake up on the floor of room. I must've rolled off my bed after they brought me home. I get to my feet and stumble to my bathroom and shower. My hair is getting too long so I cut it until it falls just below my chin. I'm washing my face when there's a knock at the door. I turn my radio on just loud enough for the knocking to be drowned out.
I throw on a comfy pair of sweat and a long sleeve shirt. I take my time cleaning up my desk. Every year for my birthday mum gets me a diary but I never write in them. I know she checks because I never touch them. They collect dust in my closet. I throw the newest one in my closet too and sit down to study. A few hours pass and my room door opens. I hear footsteps approach my desk and I'm lifted into the air. Whining I reach for my desk but uncle Sirius is much stronger than I am. I pout as he carries me to the dining room.
"You haven't eaten in two days. Eat something!" dad snaps as uncle Sirius puts me in my chair. I put my head on the table and refuse to move. "You cut your hair again." Alvey points out. We hear a crash from the kitchen and mum comes running out. "Why'd you cut your hair?!" she cries. Dad leads her back into the kitchen while uncle Remus tries to get me to drink some water. I groan and turn away as mum's voice gets louder.
"She hasn't even taken her medicine for a month James!" we hear her shout. I focus every ounce of attention on my bare feet. "You haven't been taking your medicine Seren?" uncle Remus asks. I hear rustling as uncle Sirius goes through the medicine drawer that houses all of my medication. He throws the expired pills in the trash and goes into the kitchen. "She hasn't been taking her meds for half a year Lily." we hear uncle Sirius laugh. I hear running water and try to bolt but uncle Remus is two steps ahead of me.
I try to side step him but he stays two steps ahead of me. Uncle Sirius pinches my nose until I gasp for breath. Uncle Remus pours the water and medicine in my mouth. I sit on the floor coughing and glaring. "We got her to take her medicine!" uncle Sirius calls sitting down between Harry and Cayden. Uncle Remus leads me back to the table. Mum and dad join us but I don't eat. I go back to my room when the meal is over slamming the door. I turn up my music and then go to the bathroom and throw up my medicine.
It stopped working ages ago but I never told them that. I'll just have to get better at getting rid of the evidence. Damn uncle Sirius and his dog senses. I finish studying around midnight and flop onto my bed. I curl up and fall asleep feeling much better now that meds aren't in my system. In the morning I find myself in a short sleeve shirt and shorts that don't belong to me and my radio is gone. I let out a frustrated growl.
In my closet the diaries are clean and stacked neatly where my sweats used to be. All of my clothes that made me feel comfortable and safe are gone. Clothes that my mother deems fit have taken their place. I change into my last sweater dress and leggings and shove my feet into my boots. I carry all of the 'new' clothes to the living room and burn them. I hear a gasp and turn to see our house elf Zo standing there watching me in horror. I burn my medicine too. "Not one word about this to mother. I also need new clothes. You know the ones I like." I order before leaving for the garden the clothes burning still.
Uncle Remus is the one to find me today. He nods towards the house. I shake my head. "Come on stubborn brat." he laughs guiding me towards the house. "Your school letter is here." dad waves it in the air. "I got the note from my friend hours ago." I reply going to the fridge. "We're going to Diagon Alley today." he tries again. "She already bought my supplies for me." I mutter grabbing a grape. "It wasn't an invite Seren it was an order." dad huffs. I shrug and go into the living room to wait.
When mum comes down and sees my clothes she frowns and goes to find dad. "You're in for it now!" Harry teases. I shoot him a look and he scurries into the kitchen. I pop the grape into my mouth and wait for everyone to enter. Mum nods towards the grate. I take the Floo powder and I step into the grate. I whirl away in whoosh of green flames. I emerge coughing in the Leaky Cauldron. I dust off and move out the way.
"Looky who showed up. Thought you'd be in your room all summer." Fred laughs wiping the soot from my face. "Why are you touching me? Why are you talking to me? I thought we broke up?" I ask knocking his hands away. "George tell her family I'm taking her for ice cream. Come on Seren." he takes my hand and leads me to Diagon Alley. I grumble the entire way and he sits me next to him. I pout while looking out the window.
"Yes, we broke up but how many times is it now that we've broken up seven, no eight times. What does it matter if I help dust some soot off of you?" he pouts playing with my hair. I turn to him but he's right there so close that not even a book would fit in the space between us. He sighs and kisses the top of my head. I sigh and put my head on his shoulder. "I heard you stopped taking your medicine again. Why don't you just tell your family the medicine stopped working?" he groans rubbing my arm. I keep silent and wrap my arms around him.
We walk around Diagon Alley with George and Lee as they pick up their supplies. "What about you?" Lee asks looking at quills. "Angelina and Alicia bought mine this morning." I sigh. Fred tuts and I stomp on his foot. "Break-up if you're going to break-up. Stay together if you're going to continue acting like this!" George groans. "You don't think I've tried?! Yell at the stubborn child over there." I point at Fred who's hopping on his 'good' leg and trying to get enough pity from the shopkeeper to lower the price on the quill set he picked up.
George rolls his eyes and nods for me to follow. We go to Flourish and Blotts and look around. "He misses you a lot you know." George whispers. "I know. I got the letters." I sigh as we look at books on potions. "I just don't understand why you two keep breaking up. You two seem much better, healthier, brighter when you're together." George mutters. "He knows I'm sick though. Just like I know there's a higher probability that you two will drop out rather than graduate." I stick my tongue out.
We joke around and I note how many potions books he's buying. I grab a book on various creatures. As we leave the shop, we see my family looking around. "Fuck!" I hiss dipping into a side alley. I hide behind a box and some crates as they approach George. "Have you seen Seren? We've been looking for her for over an hour." mum sounds worried. "Ah, she was just here." George mumbles looking around not realizing I'd disappeared. When they leave, I go to the sweets shop then back to the Leaky Cauldron.
I wait there patiently for an hour then convince the barman to let Floo home and he'll tell my family where I went. I unload my purchases and plug in my new radio that Lee bought me. I change for bed and fall asleep with my new book. I wake around midnight tucked into bed, my book on my desk, and my new radio gone. I ignore my mother for the final two weeks of summer holiday. "Talk to your mother Seren." dad sighs. "No. She took my new radio." I huff looking away. "What's so important about a radio?" uncle Sirius asks.
"It was a birthday gift from a friend who knows I have trouble sleeping at night. Someone keeps ruining the small amount of calm and comfort I have by removing things from my room!" I snap and storm onto the train without another word. I sit in an empty compartment and wait for the train to depart. When it does, I breathe in relief. I close my eyes not bothering to open them even when my friends walk in. They joke around and talk about their summers. Someone, probably Fred by the scent of cologne, puts my head on their shoulder.
I listen to the rain falling until it gets chilly. The train slows to a stop. I sit up opening my eyes. I lean towards the window but something's holding me back. I look down and see Fred's arm around me. I turn to him only to find him staring at the door. I tap his arm but he only tightens his hold. I squirm and he slides me onto his lap. Lee, who's the only one not watching the door, smirks as I begin to blush. I flip Lee off and Fred grabs my hand putting it in my lap. The chill increases and three terrified kids fall into our compartment. A dementor sweeps in after them and I pass out.
Images of the night Voldemort tried to kill my family resurface. I come to in Fred's arms. Everyone is still in shock and George and Lee shove the Malfoy boy off of them and onto his friends. They run out once they've recovered enough. I turn around in Fred's lap and hide in the crook of his neck. I wrap my arms around him trying not to cry. He rubs my back and holds me close. "Are you scared? You're shaking like crazy." Fred whispers in my ear. I nod. "I kept seeing it. I kept seeing that night. I saw his face." I whisper. He sighs and kisses the top of my head.
The door slides open again. I tighten my hold on Fred's robes and close my eyes. "If you guys eat some chocolate, you'll feel better." uncle Remus says from the door. "Keep a close eye on that one for me." he sighs leaving and closing the door. I can feel everyone's eyes on me. "Seren, who was that?" Fred asks. "My uncle. He's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor." I mutter. "Why don't you two just stay like that?" George scoffs. Angelina and Alicia tut but Fred and Lee laugh.
Fred keeps me close as we get off the train. He doesn't let me move more than a few feet away from him. I don't mind because I'm still not over what happened earlier. I sit between him and Alicia and keep my head down. Every now and then Fred places his hand on my knee. I don't even realize when the feast starts until my friends put food on my plate. I nod in thanks and start to eat.
Alicia leads me up to the common room with her arm around me. I sit and listen to everyone talking and goofing off until I can no longer stay awake. I trudge sleepily up to my dorm and collapse onto my bed stripping as I crawl under my sheets. I listen to others going to bed and the rain pounding on the window as I drift off.
The first month passes in a daze and it isn't until the first weekend of October that I begin to feel better. I go to the library to pick up a new book and then Alicia drags me to her Quidditch practice. I sit in the stands reading. At the end of their practice Alicia waves for me to come down. I walk down and am immediately wrapped in a three-way hug with her and Angelina. "It's so nice to see you feeling better." Alicia whispers.
We head up to the castle talking about our classes. We're discussing our newest charms assignment when Fred wraps an arm around me. I sigh and turn and shoot him a look. He ignores me and puts his head on my shoulder. "Why are you pouting over here?" I ask. He whines quietly and I roll my eyes. "Did you take your medicine today?" he whispers in a tone that reminds me of my mother. I frown and he smiles. I smack his arm and he pouts turning to Lee. "My girlfriend keeps hitting me!" he whines.
I start hitting him repeatedly. He laughs as he dodges. I give up after several minutes and put my head on the table. He rubs my back and I don't even try to move his hands. I stop listening when they start talking about Quidditch. I wind up in Fred's arms, my arms around him as he carries me up to the common room. I groan realizing I fell asleep. "There she is! How's my sleepy girlfriend doing?" he asks. "We broke up ages ago Fred." I grumble.
"And? We always get back together." he chuckles. "Stop referring to me as your girlfriend when it's not true. I'm just Seren to you now." I huff. Fred stops and puts me down. He's not happy in the slightest. "Seren, do you know how much I care about you? Do you know how worried I was at your reaction to the dementor? Do you know how worried I am that you haven't been taking your medicine? When are you going to tell your family it stopped working? Tell them over the break." he pleads.
"No, I don't think I will. They don't need to be notified of every little thing that happens in my life." I scoff. Fred cups my face and kisses me. I gasp and he smirks. "Tell them." he whispers. I shake my head and he kisses me again. I fist my hands in his shirt pulling him closer. "Be mine again." he murmurs. I shake my head. "Please! I miss you so much and I know by the way you react to my touch that you miss me too. Please Seren. I really miss you." he whispers.
I take a step back and look at him. "You know this isn't going to work. I'm sick. You should try being with someone else. I'm going to go take a nap and when I wake up, you're going to stop this. We can't keep going in circles like this. I'm sick and the medicine isn't working anymore.", I put a hand on his cheek, "Freddie, I'm not getting any better. Stop doing this and acting like this. It's not going to work out. Just stop. Please Freddie!" tears begin to fall down my cheek. He reaches to wipe my tears away but I walk away before he can.
I hurry up to my dorm and cry into my pillow for the rest of the day. Alicia and Angelina don't say a word as they enter. "Fred looks terrible." I hear Ginny whisper as she and Hermione pass by to go to their dorms. I cry harder and Angelina gets up to close the door. "I love him. I really do. But I can't have him." I sniffle. Alicia pats my back as I cry. I begin to cough and when I move my hand there's a small pool of red in my palm. My eyes go wide and Alicia gasps in shock. "You can't tell him. You can't tell Freddie." I plead before passing out.
I spend the next week doing my best to not be alone with Fred. If he tries to talk to me, I keep our conversations limited to school. I never allow myself to talk to him without any less than five people present. Alicia and Angelina keep their word and don't tell Fred about the blood incident. He sits across from me talking to Lee and George about the upcoming match. I can feel him watching me when he thinks I'm not paying attention. I kick him under the table.
He opens his mouth to say something but I feel someone trying to read my mind and look up at the staff table. The feeling ceases instantly and I note that neither Snape nor uncle Lupin can meet my eyes. I grab my things and storm out of the hall. I'm working on my Arithmancy homework when the rest of class shows up for Herbology. I nod at Angelina and Alicia as they approach.
Then I feel someone going through my bag. I turn but it's too late. Fred has my new book on creatures. He flips to the page where my book mark is. He freezes and turns to me. I already know what he found. I turn back to my homework. I've been keeping all of his letters in there. I put my homework back in my bag and freeze. I'd forgotten that I also keep my responses in that book. I turn and find Fred reading one that I'd written that has blood coughed up on it. I gather my things and follow Alicia inside. "Talk to him." she nudges me. "No." I whisper putting my gloves on. Fred brushes by me and slides the book into my bag. "We're going to talk later about that letter later." Fred whispers in my ear. "Like hell we are." I scoff rolling my eyes. He pinches my side and I hide behind Angelina.
At the end of class I hurry to clean up. I make it halfway up the marble steps when he spins me around. "I have Arithmancy next." I whisper as he stares into my eyes. "We need to talk Seren." he mumbles. "No, we don't. I don't want to talk to you about anything other than school." I turn and keep walking. He hurries after me wrapping his arms around me. A group of passing third year Ravenclaw girls gasp and giggle as they pass by us. I frown and stomp on Fred's foot but he doesn't let go.
"Tell me or I go tell your uncle Lupin why you stopped taking your medicine. Your choice love." he whispers kissing my cheek before leaving. I groan in frustration and storm off to class. I ignore him completely over the next week. Whenever he tries to talk to me Angelina shakes her head and he sighs. I'm reading in the common room when he sits next to me. He puts his head on my shoulder and dozes off. I continue reading as he sleeps.
When he wakes, he looks around sleepily then wraps an arm around me. I try to get up and fail. He has an iron grip on me. Everyone is beginning to leave for dinner. I flag George and Lee down but they just smirk and keep walking. I try to get up but Fred pulls me down so he's lying on top of me his head on my chest. I squirm but it's no use. Groaning I tilt my head back my eyes fixed on the ceiling. "Let me sleep a little while longer Seren." Fred whispers.
I look at him watching him for a moment then begin stroking his hair. He smiles in his sleep. It's a smile that I love. We stay like that until he wakes. He groans raising his head slightly. I watch him carefully. "I love you Seren and I miss you. I want you to still be able to talk to me about anything." he murmurs turning and looking into my eyes. I hate how weak I feel when he's like this. He sighs and lays back down. "Talk to me Seren. I miss you." he whines.
I open my mouth but hear the others returning. I hop up pushing him off of me and bolt to my dorm. Ignoring him as he yells up the stairs at me, I change for bed and curl up under my covers as another coughing fit hits me. I pass out after my coughing fit.
I rub my arms as I make my way back up to the school after the Quidditch match. I'm shaking something terrible but I try my damndest to make it to my dorm. The halls are empty now and I don't even try to hide how much pain I'm in. I collapse onto the floor in a coughing fit. My blood splatters onto the floor and I cover my mouth. My vision blurs and I don't even hear my friends until they're in front of me. I keep coughing unable to breathe. Alicia pats my back. I remove my hand and nearly faint. My blood is mixed with a light cobalt blue like the scars on my arms and black. The colors swirled in palm and I began to sway.
I'm picked up and carried up to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey gasps as I'm brought in. I have another coughing fit and pass out. When I come around again, I hear arguing. "Why didn't you tell me when it first happened?!" I hear Fred yell. "She didn't want you to find out dumbass!" Alicia scoffs. I groan and try to sit up. Fred is by my side in an instant and coaxes me into drinking water. "You need to tell your parents. This has gone on too long." he whispers. I nod and let my head rest on his shoulder.
When I wake again the early morning sunlight is just starting to pour in. I open my eyes and look around. Fred is watching me and judging by how he looks he stayed by my side all night. "You're awake. Do you want something to drink?" he whispers sitting up and scooting closer. I shake my head. He kisses my cheek "You scared the hell out of me yesterday." I shiver and he pulls my sheets higher. "There were dementors and I was just doing my best not to pass out. Didn't want anyone to find me like that. How could I be so weak?" I laugh sarcastically.
He frowns and gives me a stern look as uncle Lupin walks in. I hide under my covers. I can barely stand Fred's disapproval but those two make me feel worse even when they're not looking at me. Fred relays my words to my uncle. "Make sure she eats properly and she's drinking water. She must feel absolutely tired after the ordeal." uncle Remus sighs. "You're one to talk." I mutter. I hear him laugh as he moves to talk to Madam Pomfrey. I don't emerge until he leaves. Fred stays with me until Madam Pomfrey releases me. He keeps an arm around my waist the entire way up to the common room.
I create some distance as we get near the portrait. "I don't care what my uncle said I don't require a babysitter." I mumble and go through the portrait hole alone. I stay at school over the break but only in the library or my dorm. On New Year's Eve I walk to the window and open it breathing in the cool night air. I put my hands out the window and raise them skywards. I take a deep breath. I've done it before but it always depletes my energy and makes me sick though afterwards I feel loads better. I've done this so many times it's second nature.
I allow myself to remember what I felt when I defended my family from Voldemort. With a silent scream I release my magic into the night air. Like a lightning strike my magic rises into the sky white and blue. The air crackles and the falling snow turns into puffs of steam when they connect with my magic. When I've finished, I fall backwards panting. The cobalt blue scars have faded until they look like my veins. I stagger to my feet and close the window and fall into bed.
As second term begins, I buckle down and focus on my studies and nothing else. My friends are used to this though. I'm in the library going over my notes when Fred closes my book and kisses the top of my head. I whine quietly but he stands me up and takes my seat putting me in his lap. "Moderation. You look like you need a break. Nap time. I'll wake you in an hour." he whispers. Nuzzling his neck, I fall asleep. He wakes me right on time and I sit up to study.
"Do you still love me?" he murmurs so suddenly I freeze. "I'll always love you, Freddie." I whisper. He hums softly and watches me study. "That's not what I asked you but I'll accept it for now because you're studying more than Hermione." he kisses my neck softly. "Keep your lips to yourself Mr. Weasley." I warn. He pouts and taps his fingers on the table. I turn to tell him off and he kisses me softly. "Fred." I whisper slightly upset. He kisses me again closes my book. "Did you tell your parents?" he asks. "Of course, I did." I lie smoothly reaching for my book that he's now holding out of my reach.
I frown and sit back. He smiles and sits up. Placing his head on my shoulder he reads my notes to me. He continues reading until dinner. I want to stay and study but he puts my things in my bag and throws me over his shoulder. I pout mumbling curses under my breath. He sits me next to him. I nibble on a roll occasionally sipping water. Fred tsks and slides me a plate of food. I start to whine but he leans close. "If you don't eat, I'm telling your parents everything, in detail, vivid detail." he whispers. I eat quietly ignoring the looks our friends are giving us.
After dinner I slump against Fred fighting to keep my eyes open. He sighs and puts me on his back and carries me up the stairs. He lays down on an empty couch with me on his chest. I curl up as he rubs my back. I fall asleep in his arms. It's dawn when my eyes open. Fred is watching me. "You love me!" he smiles. I roll my eyes and get up. He sits up and pulls me onto his lap. He wraps his arms around my waist keeping me there.
"Kiss me once to get me through exams." he murmurs. I look away. "No, you're smarter than me Fred. You don't need it." I mutter. He turns me back to him cupping my face as he kisses me. I wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me closer. "If you act up this summer, I told your uncle to send me a letter and I'll tell you off in an instant." he smirks. I kiss him again and he rolls over on top of me.
I watch uncle Remus pack with a sad smile. "Who will keep Harry in line with you gone?" I sigh. He laughs and keeps packing. "Your dad has tickets to the World cup this summer. I'm sure you'll have fun." he chuckles trying to distract me. "I have no interest in Quidditch." I sigh reading through his books. "Your boyfriend is on the Quidditch team though." uncle Remus. "I don't have a boyfriend." I remind him. He shakes his head "Yeah sure. Whatever you say Seren."
I sit on the train watching the scenery go by. Angelina and Alicia are already discussing the World Cup. "Are you going?" Angelina asks. "No, I'm studying." I smile. "You're always studying." Angelina pouts. "Your mum already told our parents they got tickets for us all to go, which means you're going too. Fred told us to make sure you go. We'll be at your place two days before the Cup." Alicia smiles.
Someone knocks on my door and I groan and throw my pillow at the door. I roll over and curl up. "Harry and Elin are going to the Weasley's. We're leaving now. Do you need anything while we're out?" mum asks. I go back to sleep. My room door opens and dad comes in. He picks me up effortlessly and carries me to the living room. He drops me onto the couch. I curl back up and doze off. When I finally wake on my own, I hear mum and dad talking to uncle Sirius.
I stumble past them and into the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of water and down it before going to my room and shower. I reemerge in jeans and a light sweater. I make myself a sandwich and a fruit salad with a dragonfruit dressing. I'm eating when my family walks in. They stand there looking stunned. I keep eating enjoying the nice breeze blowing through the room.
Dad sits next to me staring at me like I'm a foreign object. I finish eating and get up to wash my plate. I skip to the front door when I hear the knock at the door. Alicia and Angelina squeal as I open the door. I jump into their arms. "I missed you two so much!" I squeal. I lead them straight to my room and close the door. "Where's Harry? I didn't see him in the kitchen when we passed." Alicia smiles jumping onto my bed.
"He's going with the Weasley's. He and Ron have been nearly inseparable since they met in Diagon Alley on Ron's 5th birthday. The sleep over at each other's houses as often as they can." I sigh spinning around in my desk chair. "Did you not go? Did you not want to see Fred?" Angelina asks putting away my study materials. "Yeah, you two spent a lot of time together this year." Alicia smirks. "My uncle Remus hired him to babysit me. Didn't you see them talking about me after every class? Fred reported to him daily." I sigh.
We exit the tent after putting our things away. I find Fred talking to my parents. I frown and make my way over. "You could say that. Uh oh, she doesn't look happy. Did she at least talk to you about her medicine or the coughing fits she's been having?" Fred asks his eyes on me. I grab his hand and push my friends away from my parents. "I think I just saw Oliver you guys!" I push them in the direction of Oliver. Once we're far enough away from my parents I stop pushing them and let go of Fred's hand.
"What the hell was that Weasley?!" I yell smacking his arm. "You said you were going to tell your parents." he frowns. "I haven't told my parents a damn thing since my 7th birthday." I scoff rolling my eyes. "I'm borrowing Seren. We'll see you guys later." Fred grabs my hand and takes off without waiting to hear their answer. I try to keep up with him as he leads me through the crowded area. We stop near the forest. He turns to me and pulls me to him. My breath catches when I see how upset he is.
I look at the ground. "I'm sorry. I can't tell them. I really can't tell them. I can never tell them. Look at how worried they are just worried about Harry. If I tell them about the medicine and the coughing fits, they'll never get sleep. They're worry monsters." I whisper. Fred lifts my chin so I'm looking at him again. His eyes have softened. "Kiss me." he whispers. I shake my head. He frowns and begins counting. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.
He wraps his arms around me pulling me closer. Panting for breath I smack his chest. "Let's try this one more time." he murmurs kissing me again. I stare up at him dazedly. "I'm sleepy." I whisper and he smiles. "Well, no shit Sherlock. Angelina sent me a letter saying how much effort you were putting into your parents not finding out." he ruffles my hair. I pout and put my head on his chest listening to heartbeat. "Come on you little brat." he laughs leading me back to our friends. He sits in an available chair pulling me onto his lap.
I curl up still listening to his heartbeat. I stay that way until everyone goes back to their tents. I throw an old sweater over my head as I get ready for bed. Alicia starts laughing. Angelina looks up to see what the fuss is about. I shrug and crawl into bed. Alicia whispers to Angelina and they crawl into bed giggling. "Does Fred know you have his sweater and you wear it bed?" Angelina asks. I throw my pillow at her head. I frown at them but fall asleep laughing.
In the morning I feel someone tapping me awake. I groan and roll over. "That is my sweater. You still wear it." Fred laughs. I sit up so fast Fred stops laughing. I throw my arms around him and hide in shirt. "I had a nightmare." I whisper so only he can hear. He rubs my back as I cry quietly into his shirt. "Voldemort was torturing you right in front of me and I couldn't do anything to stop him. I don't like seeing you in pain like that Freddie." I whisper. He lays down patting my back as I cry. When he's finally calmed me down, he wipes my tears away.
I sniffle and he sighs. "How do you make it through entire summers without me?" he wonders. "There's this nice little garden in the trees I found. It's quite relaxing when I need to get away from everything." I whisper. He kisses the top of my head and hums softly. I take deep calming breaths. "Hungry? You haven't eaten yet, have you?" he strokes my hair. I cling to him not wanting to let go. "Who are you? Ron? Are you only asking me about food because you're hungry?" I huff. "Hey!" Ron shouts from the table where he's stuffing his face. Fred and I sit up.
I pout as he carries me to the table. I eat the sandwiches he puts on my plate. He glances my way every now and then to make sure I'm ok and I put a hand on his knee under the table to let him know I'm ok. I help Angelina and Alicia with their fan make-up while the others eat dinner. Fred leans over me as we walk to the Stadium. "Am I going to have explain everything in the game to you?" he smirks. "No thanks. I'm going to sit with my uncle Sirius who likes the game just as much as I do." I flick his forehead and run to catch up with uncle Sirius.
"I thought you were bringing your new girlfriend?" I pout. He lets out a bark of laughter and ruffles my hair. "She likes Quidditch just as much as we do." he chuckles. I whine and tug on his sleeve "You've been single so long! When are we going to be able to meet her?" "Soon I promise. I invited her for lunch.", he tuts pinching my cheek, "Now go talk to your boyfriend. He looks a bit sad that you left him for me." "He's not my boyfriend. We broke up ages ago." I huff. "I saw you kiss him the other day. There's no way you two will stay broken up for long." he laughs.
Dad joins us and we walk up to our seats teasing uncle Sirius about his girlfriend. The match begins and Fred keeps whispering 'helpful' hints in my ear. I reach behind me and pinch him. His yelp of pain is lost in the roars of the crowd at some obvious foul in the game that the referee missed because he was too entranced by the Veelas. I hear our friends laugh as they realize what I'm doing. Fred picks me up and sits me in his lap. "Sit here and behave Seren." he growls in my ear.
I fidget and he locks his arms around me. Uncle Sirius turns to tell me something and realizes I'm no longer in my seat. He looks up and laughs. "Seren has been stolen by your future son-in-law." he points as he turns to dad. I blush and shake my head. Mum and dad turn so quickly I think their heads are going to spin off. "Son-in-law?!" they repeat. "Don't listen to him. He's lying. He just misses his girlfriend so he's causing trouble." I wave them off.
Mum shrugs and turns back around but dad is glaring at Fred. Mum forces dad to turn back around by pinching his ear. When the match ends the players come up to where we are for pictures and I climb back into my original seat. I even take a photo with Viktor Krum. I smile and show Alicia. She rolls her eyes and points over her shoulder. Fred is pouting and glaring at the back of Viktor's head. I shrug and take a photo of Angelina and Viktor.
I'm shaken awake in the middle of the night by mum telling me that the Death Eaters are causing trouble. I jump out of bed and put my slippers on. Waking the boys is easy cause they haven't been asleep long but Elin is another story. I have to pinch her hard to wake her. I have her take the boys and run. I'm just about to follow them when a masked Death Eater grabs me hoisting me into the air.
I scream and kick at him. I hear my dad yelling but he's too far away. The Death Eater begins choking me. "You're Seren Potter. You're the one who stopped the Dark Lord. Quite the prize." he growls. There's a sudden jolt and the man is blasted away from me and I fall to the ground gasping for breath. Dad runs over wrapping an arm around me. "Where are the others? Did they make it out safely?" he asks. I nod.
He checks our surroundings. Suddenly the Dark Mark appears in the sky. "Are you ok? I need to go check who casted that." he whispers. "Go, I'm fine." I gasp getting to my feet. Dad runs into the trees. I look around at the chaos the masked Death Eaters created. Someone grabs me from behind and I groan when I realize it's the man from before. The rage bubbles up inside of me and I let out an ear-splitting scream. Silence descends as the man releases me and drops to the ground clutching his ears.
Then my magic erupts from my hands into the sky. The Dark Mark disappears as if it's been shattered. I drop to the ground my sleeves singed. Uncle Sirius and mum run over. I hadn't realized they were so close to me. The Death Eater from before is now knocked out on the ground. I point at him then tap my throat. Uncle Sirius pieces the hints together and ties the man up. In seconds we're surrounded by Ministry officials and Aurors. "I'm going to go find Elin. They're probably scared out of their minds right now." I mumble and head off in the direction Elin went.
I find a crowd at the edge of the trees and as I approach Elin, Caydel, Alvey, and Cayden run over hugging me. "Aww, did I make you worried or something?" I laugh. "No, Fred was irritating everyone with how worried he was." Alvey scoffs and jerks a thumb over his shoulder. Fred is watching me and when I look up, he makes his way over ignoring his father. "Seren, what happened to your neck?" he asks examining me. "I got caught by a Death Eater." I try to tug my shirt up but he insists on examining me to make sure I'm ok. "Freddie, I'm fine." I whisper as he hugs me. "Then how did your sleeves end up like that?" Dad asks coming out of the shadows.
"My magic got a little out of control. Then it went skywards." I point where the Dark Mark had been. Dad stares at me his mouth open in shock. "Mum and uncle Sirius were there. They saw. They're being questioned by the Ministry right now." I point the way I came. Dad takes off running. "Are you sure you're ok?" Fred asks cupping my face. "I'm fine." I smack his hands away. "Your mum's watching us." he whispers. I turn and find mum smiling at us. I sigh and lead Fred back to his family.
I walk over to my family who were watching in amusement. "Your daughter, James, blasted the Dark Mark out of the sky. You should take her to St. Mungo's for a few tests before she returns to school. Not for others, but for herself." a large man tells dad in a deep authoritative voice. "We were planning on it Kingsley. We didn't know it had already gotten to this point. She stopped telling us these things when she started school." dad sighs glancing my way. "It's not new if that's what you're wondering." I huff crossing my arms. Kingsley, mum, and dad turn to me in shock.
"I mean, it's the first time I've blasted something out of the sky but I do it every winter. It's therapeutic. Besides, it only came out this time because I was in DANGER. It's just a self-defense mechanism." I roll my eyes and walk back to our tent. My siblings and friends walk in mimicking my tone and words. "It's just a self-defense mechanism!" Elin scoffs tossing her head. I roll over and fall asleep with a smile.
I walk draped on Angelina to the checkout location. Mum and dad are staying to help with the clean-up. I was ordered to make sure the kiddies were taken straight home and fed. When we do get home, everyone turns to me. Alvey rubs his stomach and pouts. I go to the kitchen and make a chicken alfredo bake with cheesy garlic bread and salad. As everyone tucks in, I send mum and dad a letter letting them know we're ok and everyone's fed.
As soon as I step on the train, I find myself in Fred's arms. "Fucking hell! You scared me." I gasp in shock. He ignores me and leads me to the compartment where our friends sit waiting. We talk about the upcoming year and what it might hold. I take some sweets from Fred's bag and examine them. He tuts and puts them back. I turn to George. "Are you two experimenting again?" I frown. He gives me an innocent smile and I gag. "When have you two ever been innocent?" I scoff rolling my eyes.
I watch from the shadows as everyone either congratulates or glares at Harry. When he gets closer, I pull him to me and hug him. "Aww, Seren. Don't act like this! It's not like you." he chuckles. "Someone keeps putting my little brother in life threatening situations! Someone put your name in that cup didn't they! I'm scared something's going to happen and you're not going to come back this time. Someone already tried to attack me at the Cup and terrified the same people put your name in the Goblet." I cry. The entire room has gone silent and everyone looks down guiltily.
It takes my siblings a while to calm me down. Harry has been thinking over my words and turns to me with sad eyes. "You really think someone put my name in there on purpose?" he whispers. "Harry, you're the Boy Who Lived! Every year someone or something has tried to kill you. What makes this year so different?! Who would be stupid enough to think you did this for attention or fame? You're just a boy. You don't even know enough spells to properly take care of yourself. Whoever put your name in the Goblet really wants you dead Harry!" I begin shaking him.
Elin hugs me and look to find her crying. "You should get some rest. This year's going to be hell for you. More so than the other three. Write to dad in the morning and tell him everything." I sigh and get to my feet and lead Elin to her dorm. I go to bed without changing. Angelina wakes me in the morning and I follow her down to breakfast. Elin's eyes are extremely red and she sits next to me her head on my shoulder.
"Mum sent a letter this morning. You left your dress behind." Harry tuts. "Did you send your letter off yet?" I ask. He shakes his head and holds it up. I take it and add on a bit. I hand it back then make sure Elin eats. I ignore Fred who's been watching me all morning. "I was really hoping to see you in your dress." he pouts. I throw a piece of toast at him. He catches it in his mouth. I turn back to my plate as the boys starting goofing off.
As we walk to class Fred wraps his arms around me. "I miss you." he whispers kissing my cheek. "We've known each other since we were eight. Of course, you miss me. It's only natural." I squirm out of his hold and keep walking. "I want you to be mine again." he murmurs spinning me around to face him. I frown at his behavior and he kisses me softly. He hurries after our friends leaving me standing there in shock. I'm still standing there when class begins. I opt out and go to the library.
Fred has to drag me down to the first task. I pout and try to walk back to the school. "I don't want to see my brother get hurt." I whine. Fred spins me around his hands on my shoulders and guides me towards the stands. I tug his sleeve and when he turns I puppy dog eye him. He sighs and looks up. I start whining and he puts a hand over my mouth. He picks me up and carries me to where our friends sit. I sit in his lap hiding in the crook of his neck.
I wince as the dragons roar. Fred hums softly and taps my arm. I look up at him with teary eyes. "Are you that scared?" he whispers. I nod and hide again. Against my better judgement I kiss his neck. He tenses and I can feel his neck and face heating up. "Are you ok? You look like a tomato." Lee laughs. Fred punches his arm. I tut softly so only Fred can hear "Ask me again next year." "Did I hear you correctly?" Fred murmurs. "I miss you too." I kiss his neck again.
I don't attend Harry's victory party. I sit on my bed reading. My thoughts go back to Fred. From when we first met to our first kiss to our first break-up. I go to sleep with a smile on my face. I put one of Fred's old shirts on before I head down to breakfast. I throw my hair up as I walk. I've just finished eating when my friends arrive. "Why was Fred so red yesterday?" Alicia smirks. "I kissed his neck accidentally." I shrug. Angelina and Alicia stare at me in shock. I get to my feet and head back up to the dorm.
I pass the twins and Lee on my way up. I wave politely and keep walking. As I turn the corner, I see Fred freeze. I speed up. He catches up easily enough though. "That's mine." he whispers kissing my cheek. "No, it's mine." I pout tugging on his old Weasley sweater. "Should I just have my mother starting making you one. Harry gets one. My girlfriend should get one too." he smiles. "I'm not your..." he puts a finger to my lips cutting me off. "I know. I know. I know. I'll ask properly next year." he kisses my cheek and hurries down to breakfast.