The Cullens and my dad were pretty surprised when I came out of the kitchen and told them I needed to return to Hogwarts. Alice knew of course and convinced everyone that I needed to go. She had already seen me returning. It was what I needed to do. Alice had a way with Charlie, who needed the most convincing. Carlisle actually sided with him and pulled the doctor card telling me I would be going against medical advice, but even with all the cards stacked against me... Alice was able to convince everyone, she can be very persuasive when she needed to be. It's a good thing she was there to support me or else I never would have decided to go. So, here I am on the Hogwarts Express on my way to the place that I never thought I'd see again. My dad wanted to come with me and as hard as it was to tell him no... I needed to do this on my own. I feel like I have a purpose, Fred gave me a mission to bring healing to our friends and hopefully his family too.
The ache of not seeing Fred there is still nearly unbearable, but like Jasper said little by little I would get better. Missing him will never go away, but now I can be forever grateful for him rescuing me. Maybe he had to die, so I could be found. I don't know. I don't like to think of it that way, but I guess it makes me feel like something good came out of his death. Talking to Jasper really helped me. The ache really isn't any better, but knowing that someday it won't hurt as bad... gives me hope.
The train is pulling up to the station now, it doesn't go as far as it used to. I was told by a fellow passenger that I would have to walk to Hogswart or hitch a ride with someone. Even though it was a brisk morning, it wasn't raining. I'm not sure I was up for walking, so I'm hoping I can catch a ride. I started to pulling out my suitcase down when it popped open and I saw a note on top of my clothes.
Take a deep breath, Bella. You can do this. Now get off the train.
-Alice
So, I did exactly what she said to do. I took a deep breath and stepped off the train. No one noticed me, at first, which was fine with me. I'm not sure what kind of reaction I was expecting anyway. My friend's weren't going to be there to welcome me back with banners and balloons. I would have to seek them all out. For now, I think about just blending in with the crowd. That would be okay with me. Yesterday, I finally saw myself in a mirror for the first time in years. My hair was crazy long from not having been cut during my time with Edward. My skin was ghostly pail too, from being in a sunless room. After I let Alice give me a little makeover, she cut my hair to my shoulders, adding a few layers and wispy bangs, my hair looked much better. She also taught me a simple make up trick to hide the permanent circles under my eyes, I added a bit of mascara and gloss, I feel like I look okay. Maybe even pretty. I had finally grown out of the awkward teenage stage. At least from as far as I could tell. I did see some guys around my age turn to look at me as I walked by. Is it weird to say that felt good having them look at me? Gosh, what is happening to me. I mentally scold myself, I guess it also could be because I'm a stranger or maybe they recognized me? It's possible I knew them from Hogwarts or it could be from when The Daily Prophet had written about my disappearance, my picture was printed in several articles from the first year after my disappearance, but I don't believe they kept adding it. So soon after my disappearance things took a turn for the worse in the wizarding world.
I shook my head and laughed a little. I needed to stop worrying about what people thought. I needed to get to Hogwarts though. I'm being ridiculous.
'Hi! Excuse me.' I called to the guys. They turned back around to look at me. I was kind of hoping I recognized one of them, but I didn't. 'I'm a little turned around. I need to get to Hogwarts.'
'Yes, you are definitely walking the wrong way, miss.' One of the guys said to me.
'You need to go that way.' Another said to me. 'Get to Hogsmead first. It's over that way.' He said pointing me in the right direction. I thanked them and started walking to Hogsmead. I had always hoped to visit there, I never got the chance to. Once I reached Hogsmead, I walked around for a couple minutes, taking it all in. It wasn't long before I started tiring and knew I needed to find a ride.
I feel like my best bet at finding George is starting at the place that was once my home. Maybe a stop into Professor Mcgonagal's office when I get there. I hitched a ride with some workers who were heading to Hogwarts. They told me a lot had been done with fixing up the castle, but there was still a ways to go. The men, muggles, told me that it had been decided to rebuild in the muggle way, no magic. Two of the men were squibs, one of them told me that wizarding world had had enough magic for a while. That's why they had been hired. So, the rebuild was slow going, but it seemed to give many people something to do. I thanked them as I hopped off their cart and walked up to the castle. It was strange being here. I hesitated for a moment, do I knock? Do I just go in? Is anyone even there?
I decided I would go ahead and go inside. I pushed opened the doors and heard a creaking sound as they swung shut behind me. As I walk down the hallways I tried to take in everything around me. There was still some damage. I could only imagine what it looked like a year ago, right after the war. As I walked further into the castle I remembered what it was like my first day there. A flood of memories came rushing back to me. What it was like meeting my friends, attending classes, the feeling of belonging. I loved it here. I felt safe here. I think I do still feel safe here, even with everything that has happened. There's still magic within these walls.
'Excuse me miss! Can I help you?' I turned around and gasped in surprise at the familiar face before me.
'Harry?' I asked, but of course it was him. I'm sure he's used to being recognized. 'Harry, it's Bella. Bella Swan.' His eyes grew large as he realized who I was. He took a step forward and a step back. Liked he'd seen a ghost.
'Bella? Is it, is it really you?' I nodded my head. 'I- I can't believe it's you. It's really you. After all this time. Wow! Bella you look great. How? When? Are you okay?.' He rambled on out of shock. He looked so hesitant to touch me, he kept me at a distance.
'Yes, it's me.' I looked him up and down and he looked better than he did in the photo on the paper. Although his blue eyes weren't the same. Eyes that had witnessed too much. He had to take on so much at such a young age. He had to go up against a wizard who was much more practiced, but Harry did it. He defeated Lord Voldemort. 'Harry, I'll answer all your questions at some point, but look, I need you to trust me.' I spoke calmly 'Fred told me I need to find Oliver and George. Can you tell me where to find George. Fred said he will lead me to Oliver.'
'Fred? Wha- what do you mean Fred? You- you couldn't have talk to him. Fred… He's gone.' Harry said sadly, looking away from me. I'm sure he was wondering if I had gone mad.
'I know Harry, I know.' I placed my hand on his shoulder and he looked backup at me. 'I have a lot to explain, but I can't do it now. I promise you I will tell you everything. You just have to help me find George.' He wouldn't make eye contact with me. I could see the guilt in his eyes.
Tell him it wasn't his fault. It was almost like could hear Fred's voice now.
'Harry, it wasn't your fault.' He tried to cut me off. ' No, listen to me. I know I wasn't around during that time, but I know without a doubt in my mind that Fred, Professor Dumbledor, Professor Snape... they fought knowing they may die. It wasn't just about you and Lord Voldemort, it was about the whole wizarding world. Heck, it was about the muggles too. You all had to fight. You all had to work together. It was war, Harry. You have got to stop beating yourself up. They loved you, Harry and I know they would do it all again knowing they would die.'
He nodded his head and I think I saw a little realization in his eyes. He didn't say anything else and we started walking back to Hogsmead. We walked in silence until I couldn't take it anymore. I stopped Harry, holding him by his elbow. He needed some answers from me.
'Fred came to me in a dream, Harry.' He looked up at me. 'He's okay. I'm not sure why, but I feel like I can still hear him. He's telling me it's not your fault. Okay. Harry, you need to stop this. You need to forgive yourself. They wouldn't want you to keep beating yourself up.' I pulled Harry into a hug, it was a strange sort of hug, it took him a few seconds before he reciprocated. We embraced for a bit more and I released him. Maybe it was just me, but I think I saw a bit of light in his eyes again.
'Okay Bella. I believe you.' He said as he pulled back to look at me. 'I know where George is. I'm sorry you came all this way. We actually have to go back to Diagon Alley.' I slapped my hand to my forehead. Why hadn't I thought of that? Not that I had known George was so close. 'I don't know about Oliver, but I think George does know someone who can find him.' We walked through a passage way and we were back outside. 'Let's go to Hogsmead for a butter beer and something to eat and then we can head back over to London. I was heading there today anyway.' He said and I let him lead the way. I started laughing and he looked at me.
'I came from London.' I laughed lightly. 'To think, I came all the way here and George was just a short train ride away.' Harry laughed with me.
We kept the conversation light as we had a quick lunch and I had my first butter beer. Which was delicious and possibly worth the trip over here for. We got back on the train and headed back to London. It was another 8 hour trip and I slept for most of it. When we finally arrived it was early evening.
'Before the war, Fred and George opened their joke shop. That's where we will find George. Ron is usually around too.' Harry pointed in front of him to a large joke shop called Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. I smiled at seeing it. Tears pricked at my eyes. It was exactly what they wanted. Their dream became reality. What I would give to have been there on the opening day. I kept walking and when we arrived I thanked Harry, who was off to take care of a few things while he was here. I started walking inside. 'Bella,' he called to me, causing me to turn back to him. 'I feel like there's one thing I need to warn you about, when you see Oliver, well he's not the same person he was when you met him. Losing you, it broke him.' Harry said sadly he started walking away. 'By the way... it's really good to see you again. Thank you for the talk. I needed it.' He smiled a little and I nodded and waved goodbye to him.
'Thank you Harry, I'm glad to be back. I'm sorry I wasn't here to help with the war. I would've stood by you and fought too.' We both smiled at each other, his almost meeting his eyes. I turned back around and pushed the door to the shop open.
A bell chimed as I walked in.
'I'll be right there. Just a minute.' Said a gruff voice in the back of the shop.
'Okay.' I called back. I started feeling a little nervous at seeing George. Will seeing me help him or cause him more pain? Do I tell him about my dream of Fred.
Not yet, Bella. I could hear Fred's voice in my head again. At least I'm going to say it's his voice I keep hearing.
I watched as George walked up from the back. He was carrying a couple of packages and wasn't looking up at first.
'George.' I called him causing him to look up from the packages. I watched as his eyes grew wide.
'B-b.' He stuttered and dropping all the packages. I rushed over to help him pick up the packages. Our hands, lightly touching. 'Is it you? Please tell me it is really you.' He said not meeting my eyes.
'It's me George. I'm okay.' He looked up and our eyes met. His pooled with tears as he lunged for me. Gathering me in his arms and half laughing half crying. 'I knew you weren't dead. I knew it. I just knew it.' I could feel him smiling into my shoulder. 'Fred always said you were alive.' he froze, having said his twin's name.
'It's okay George, it's okay.' He started sobbing and I would be lying if I said I wasn't sobbing right along with him. Being here, in the shop that Fred and George created... I could feel Fred. He was here, in this room, just a little more than a year ago. I hurt so badly knowing I couldn't see him. I couldn't hug him like I was hugging George.
'I miss him so much.' I held on to George tighter, like Jasper held onto me. I let George get it all out. Thankfully no one came into the store and we were left alone. Just like that last time with Jasper, I think this was what George needed. Maybe he had been holding it all in and felt he could get it all out. I held on to George tighter. Letting him physically feel that I was here and that he could release all that he was feeling on me. More than an hour passed before he was all cried out. He leaned against me for support.
'Thank you Bella. I think I really needed that.' I smiled at him, kissing the top of his head. When he looked up at me. He looked shocked. 'Gosh! Look at me crying like a bloody pansy, when you are the one who had been kidnapped.' I laughed a little and helped George up to his feet. 'Your all grown up.' He said as he twirled me around once.
'So are you.' We stood there looking at each other. He was always taller than me, but now he was more than a foot taller. I looked him over like I did with Harry. His eyes also lost the twinkle of mischief that I loved so much. He had deep purple bruises under them. I'm sure from lack of sleep. I can't even imagine how hard this has been for him. He looked older, much older than Fred did in my dream. There was one big difference that I noticed right away, I lightly touched the scars on the side of face. Where an ear had once been.
He seemed so shocked by my touch.
'I'm sorry.' I said quickly. 'I shouldn't have done that.' I started pulling my hand back, but both his hands caught it. His eyes were boring into mine. His cheeks had redden deeply.
'No, no it's fine.' He seemed to have trouble swallowing. 'No one has ever touched my scars, not since the night it happened.' He was embarrassed by the scars, self conscious. 'How are you not repulsed by how it looks?' I looked him square in the eyes, wishing I had Jasper's gift so I could show George how I felt.
'You are still alive.' I said slowly, but firmly. 'Your heart is still beating. You are still my brother who I have missed and thought about every single day for five years. It does not matter to me. Yes, it is there, but it is apart of you.' This time, I put my whole hand on his scars. 'You are still you.' His lower lip trembled and he sucked it in to his teeth. One single tear rolled down his handsome face. One of his hands reached up, covering my hand.
'I'm so glad you're alive too, Bella. I have missed you.' He pulled me into tight hug. I pulled back from him and started looking around the shop.
'George...when was the last time you cleaned this place?' I ran a finger along a shelf and showed him the dust that had blackened my fingertip. He was clearly embarrassed, but I grinned at him and stuck out my hand. 'Broom please. One for cleaning, not for flying.'
'Bella, what are you doing?' He asked as he tried to stifle a laugh.
'I'm helping you clean.'
'Ron and me just use magic.' I placed both my hands on my hips and stared at him. 'You don't need to do this.' He said finally.
'We're family. That's what families do for each other.' He finally grinned back at me and went to retrieve a broom for me.
We spent the next couple of hours cleaning and George showed me dozens of the different products they had in the shop. It was fun. The most fun I had had in years.
I could feel myself getting worn out though. This is the longest I have been on my feet. I have to admit that I'm a little self conscious about my body too. I have no muscle. My legs and arms are sticks. I know I shouldn't have, I really was getting tired, but I wanted to finish dusting the shelf I had been working on and I climbed up the ladder, I was nearly done when my vision started clouding.
'George.' I barely got the word out when I felt myself falling off the ladder. Thankfully George was right next to me and caught me before I hit the floor.
'Bella! Bella, are you okay?' He asked frantically. 'Accio chair.' He said using his wand for the first time that evening. He sat me in it and I laid my head back on the chair.
'I'm okay Georgie. I just overdid it. This is the most exercise I have done in years. As you can probably tell. I'm very much lacking on muscles. Dr Cullen didn't want me coming back here yet. He wanted me to keep resting and build up my strength again. I couldn't wait though. I had to come back here.' He looked at me worriedly.
'Are you sure you're okay?' I nodded my head.
'Is it okay if I rest for a few minutes?' I asked as I yawned. He chuckled.
'Yes, you've done more than enough for me today. I'll finish up and you rest.' He said it with a smirk on his face, but I know he meant it. I smiled up at him and closed my eyes.
Find Oliver. His voice woke me from my dreamless sleep. I could see George putting the broom back in a little closet. It was pretty late now. 10 or even later.
'George, where's Oliver? Everyone seems to be warning me about him. Is it really that bad?' I asked in a small voice. He turned to face me. Seeing that I was awake again.
'Yes, it is Bella." He pressed his lips into a thin line. He walked back to me and crouched in front of the chair. 'You may not like who he's become now.' He looked at me like he wasn't sure if he should tell me.
'Please, George. I want to know everything.'
'We're going to need a bit of tea for this. Have you eaten? Have you been eating?' He said suddenly. Like a dam breaking open. He must have been wanting to ask before I fell asleep. 'Bella, what did he do to you? Was he starving you?' He paled as he grabbed ahold of my waistline his long fingers nearly touching. 'Your skin and bones. How did you escape? Did you escape? Are you on the run from him?' He said and we walked out of his shop, he stopped with his wand out ready to defend me if needed. I slowly raised my hand, placing it on top of George's and used my hand to pull his wand down to his side.
'Edward won't be bothering me anymore.' I said firmly and watched as George realized what I was saying.
'Hey! Where you going?' Ron asked as he walked up to his brother, not even seeing me.
'I'm taking Bella to tea or I guess dinner. I've lost track of time.' George said as he placed his wand back into his jacket pocket. 'We have much to catch up on.' George said, sounding very important.
'Bella? That's a name I haven't heard in a long time.' Ron said. He was lost in thought for a moment and slowly looked up, seeing me for the first time. He jumped back and looked at me and smiled. 'Wait! What? It's you. You're okay! You're back!' We shared an awkward hug. 'Have you seen Harry? Hermione?' He asked as we started walking to a little pub.
'Harry was the first person I saw.' I said to both of them. 'I haven't seen Hermione yet though.'
'What? I'm not the first person you saw?' George faked being hurt. Causing us all to laugh at bit. It was nice hearing a little laughter. It had been far too long.
It's nice hearing you all laugh. I smiled hearing his voice. I hope I get to keep hearing him. Real or not. I never wanted to stop hearing his voice.
We sat down at a little booth and ordered butter beers for the boys and tea for me. The waiter had just dropped off our drinks when the door swung open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. We all looked up to see Harry, Hermione and Ginny barging in.
'I knew it! I knew you were alive!' Hermione practically sang as she ran to me. I barely got off my chair when she tackled me with a hug. 'Bella Swan's alive!' Now everyone in the pub heard and started looking over at us, whispering. I only met Ginny once, but I was happy to see anyone in the Weasley family. I hugged her tightly and we all had tears in our eyes.
'I think this calls for a celebration.' Harry said.
'Butter beers for everyone.' George said agreeing with Harry. Everyone in the pub cheered. A few came over to say hello and tell me how happy they were to see me home at last.
'It's about time we had good news around here.' Said a familiar voice. I looked up to see the one and only Draco Malfoy walking over to me, butter beer in his hand. I looked up to Harry, not sure what to think. I mouthed friend or foe? Harry laughed.
'It took a while, but he's a friend now.' Harry said as he shook Draco's hand. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I trusted Harry. So, Draco sat down with us at our now very crowded table.
'So, what happened?' Ginny asked me. All eyes turned to me. I hesitated though. I wanted to share, but there were two people missing that I wanted to tell too.
'Where are your parents?' I asked George.
'I'll get them.' Ron said and he poofed away. I forgot that they can do that. I suddenly remembered something.
'George!' I gasped as I pulled out my wand. 'Look what found its way to me.' I showed him the one and only gift I would ever receive from both him and Fred. He took it from me, total loss for words.
'H-how'd you find this?' He asked looking it over. Everyone grew quiet.
'It's kind of a long story, but I will share everything once your parents are here.' He nodded to me, still turning the wand over I his hands.
'Fred insisted that it be the exact same as your first wand, but we couldn't find one. So, we made it for you.' I was in total awe of them. Creating a wand for me. 'Mr Ollivander helped us, of course. Tracking down unicorn hair is a lot harder than it sounds.' He said as he handed it back to me. I hugged it to my chest. Closing my eyes and thinking of Fred.
'He saved me. Fred. He's the one who found me.' I said slowly opening my eyes to see the questioning looks on my friends faces. Before anyone could speak, Ron appeared with his parents, Molly reaching for me the second she saw me.
'My dear sweet child. Welcome home!' She said squeezing me tighter and tighter. There was an awkward silence from everyone else. 'We all prayed that this day would come.'
'What do you mean, Fred saved you?' George asked quietly. His eyes focused on the table. Molly pulled me back, looking at me.
'Fred? My Fred? He saved you? It couldn't have been him. I don't understand.' Molly said as she gently pushed me back into my seat by George.
Go ahead and tell them.
I nodded my head, took a deep breathe and started from the beginning.
