"I'm sorry to call you at this hour, but I don't know what else to do at this point," Joss O'Hara said as he quickly invited his late night guest into the house.

Fred, despite having apparated here, was soaking wet from walking the short way to the O'Hara residence in the pouring rain. Mr. O'Hara didn't have to explain the situation though as Fred was cut off from asking any questions when the two men heard an ear-splitting shriek from upstairs. Mr. O'Hara ran back up while Fred followed at his heels. Fred allowed himself to cast a quick drying spell as Mr. O'Hara opened the first door on the right down the small hallway which Fred already knew was Marnie's from childhood.

Mr. O'Hara remained in the doorway while Fred stepped forward and crouched down beside Marnie's twin bed. The other bed in the room was vacant since Harry was away at school.

"Hare? Hare, wake up love, it's just a nightmare," Fred said as soothingly as he could but ended up being quite loud to be heard over her screaming.

"Fred?" Marnie screamed out, opening her eyes but she continued looking wildly around the room.

Fred watched and suspected that Marnie couldn't actually see the real room around her. It was like she was stuck in whatever dreamscape she had been in and couldn't break free. Fred reached out and grabbed onto her hand before pressing his thumb down to apply moderate pressure as an attempt at a grounding technique. He watched as Marnie's attention shifted down to where he was holding her hand which meant she must have felt it.

"Hare, it's Freddie. Love, you're safe. Come back to me, Hare, I'm right here," Fred said more softly, Marnie's screaming turning into sobs instead as she finally woke up from her nightmare.

Fred moved onto the bed to sit beside her before she ended up throwing her arms around him and cried into his lap where she laid her head. Fred finally looked up to meet Mr. O'Hara's eyes who looked overly distraught by how affected his daughter was from her month-long abduction.

"Feel free to take Harry's bed. I'm going to go make some tea before I head back to bed myself," Mr. O'Hara announced sadly before he stepped away from the door once Marnie's cries were much softer.

"Please stay," Marnie whimpered before moving all the way over so her back was against the wall.

Fred wasn't going to argue with such a request, even if her father came back and saw them sleeping in the same bed together. He lifted the blanket and crawled in beside her into the single sized bed. Fred was used to it since this was the same size they shared at Hogwarts, but Mr. O'Hara didn't need to know about that. Plus, Fred figured he probably wouldn't get much sleep anyway with the state Marnie was in. Marnie did eventually go back to sleep and an hour after her breathing evened out, Fred let himself doze off beside her. When he opened his eyes a few hours later at the rising sun, Fred realised he had never heard Mr. O'Hara come back up from the kitchen.

Marnie was in a deep enough sleep that Fred managed to extricate himself and leave her before he tiptoed downstairs to find Marnie's dad sitting at the dining room table with a tea cup in front of him. Fred recognised it as one of those magical warming mugs and figured Marnie must have gotten it for him at some point.

"How is she?" Mr. O'Hara's voice was hoarse and Fred wondered how long he had tried to soothe his daughter before he asked Remus to send Fred a patronus alert. The sudden whispy wolf entering Fred's bedroom had scared the pants off of him but he had heeded the message almost immediately.

"I think she's exhausted but she's been sleeping for a couple hours now," Fred reported and accepted a cup from Mr. O'Hara as he sat down across from him.

Mr. O'Hara nodded and Fred realised it had never been just the two of them like this. Marnie had been almost single-handedly raised by this man and he had trusted Fred enough to summon him here last night. Fred made a vow to make more of an effort to spend more time with him properly.

"She's been doing so well, but lately she hasn't been able to sleep very much," her father explained and Fred nodded, Marnie having told Fred as much.

"You're only doing your best, sir. It's the only thing you can do," Fred reasoned.

But Mr. O'Hara changed tracks and offered Fred a small smile. "You boys are doing a wonderful thing with that shop of yours, we need a reminder that magic can be good in a time like this."

Fred nodded and thanked him before taking another sip. He thought of how difficult it must be to be in Marnie's father's position, watching from the sidelines how magic one-by-one harms his family. His wife and daughter receiving a similar fate while Harry struggles from being the Chosen One. In his eyes, magic might not be as wonderful as it had always been for Fred.

"Ready for work?" Marnie's unexpected voice called out as she came down the staircase and into the kitchen.

Fred took a final gulp of tea and nodded, looking at Marnie uneasily since there was no way she got enough sleep. But Fred knew it was useless arguing against her which only threatened to set her off.

Mr. O'Hara stood up and embraced his daughter firmly, whispering good-bye into her ear before Marnie grabbed onto Fred's hand and led him out of the house.

Fred knew Marnie well enough to assume she had heard most of his conversation with her father. But he also knew how much Marnie hated being coddled by everyone so he avoided bringing it up.

"I was thinking…" Marnie started off and Fred could hear her slight hesitation.

Fred lifted his eyebrows at her and they both stopped just outside the wards.

"Were you serious in the hospital when you said I could stay with you and George?"

Marnie looked more determinately at him now and Fred didn't want to believe his luck in case he had misheard.

"Of course," Fred replied heartily, causing Marnie to beam back at him.

"I'm not moving in, just yet anyways, but I want to try it out and see how it goes. Plus I always sleep better with you, and dad isn't sleeping very much having to wake me up every night," Marnie explained while Fred just nodded along contentedly.

Of course he was worried about Marnie, he probably hadn't been so worried about anything in his life. But all his brain could focus on was the fact that Marnie was going to stay with him at the flat. It was already something he had run past George and he knew it wouldn't be an issue. It would be like Hogwarts, but no half-naked Lee and more freedom. He couldn't help his excitement and leaned down to grab Marnie into a full embrace and fervent kiss.

Marnie smiled into his lips and it was the best feeling in the world.

"You sure you won't mind?" Marnie asked again when she pulled back. "I'm not the most easygoing roommate."

Marnie gestured towards her head, like she was motioning that all her problems were unseen and embedded within her mind.

Fred took her face between his hands and pressed a feather-light kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment before he heard a soft hum of contentment from Marnie.

"Hare, you're the perfect roommate. Don't ever think that what happened to you is a burden. Nothing about this moment is ruined because you get nightmares. I'm a seventeen-year-old bloke who was just propositioned to move in with his girlfriend!" Fred beamed and watched Marnie fall back into her old self, without all the anxiety and nervousness.

Her smile was mischievous and Fred wanted to kiss it off her face but was stopped when Marnie finally pulled back and apparated in front of him. It was the first time Fred had seen Marnie use magic and he knew she would keep fighting until she fought whatever nightmares continued to crash around in her mind.

XX

"Hey. Hey! It's alright Marnie, I'm right here, you're safe!" Fred exclaimed through my sobbing and laboured breathing.

"You're here with me at the flat. We fell asleep and you just had a nightmare," Fred soothed as he held me tightly and stroked my hair.

It took several minutes to get my breathing under control before I just silently wept into his chest.

"Fred?" I whispered without moving from his embrace.

"Hmm?" he replied softly, probably wanting to avoid startling me.

On a trial basis, I had been staying with Fred most nights over the past week. My father had been more willing than I initially assumed, but he had also been the one hearing my screams each night.

I continued to tremble into Fred's chest and grasped onto his warmth. It was the only thing that told my body that I was no longer lying on the cold cement floor of Malfoy Manor.

"Wou—would it be alright if I asked you what's real?" I asked in a hoarse voice.

"What do you mean?" Fred's reply was more confused than worried and I thanked Merlin that Fred took every strange demand I had in complete stride.

The other day at work when I had needed to touch each of the products for tactile information, Fred had just followed me around the floor and happily explained all of the products like I was their number one customer.

"Well, when I wake up from my nightmares sometimes they make me feel like I'm still being tortured. It's more rare but when I wake up like this it's hard to grasp reality from my imagination."

I could feel Fred tense at this before he drew me closer to his body.

"Of course, Hare," he whispered in reply.

I wondered if maybe he was trying not to cry but I didn't want to move out of his embrace to check.

"Is there something you want to ask me right now?" he asked after a moment of heavy silence with only my laboured breathing between us.

"I—is Cedric dead?"

I could feel Fred swallowing hard before he answered. "Yes."

"Did we graduate Hogwarts?"

"You did, George and I cut just before the end of term."

"Is your father alive?"

"Yes, Harry saw him getting attacked by the snake and got help in time."

I had to give it to Fred, he understood me better than I did my own brain. He didn't pause for any of my questions and instead gave me an honest answer. The fogginess around my vision started to clear but I still felt my mind tugging towards the void that terrified me.

"D-do you love me?"

This time Fred gently removed my arms from around him and positioned me so I was looking him in the eyes.

"Yes."

Although his response was simple, his expression was fierce with certainty. I nodded, wiping the last of my tears away. I could see him in front of me even though the nighttime darkness was still hazy around us.

I watched as Fred's expression softened before we heard a soft tapping at the door. Fred slowly left the bed, all the while watching me to make sure I didn't panic from him leaving. When Fred opened the door he peered down since nobody was standing there.

"George was worried too," Fred announced as he bent down and grabbed the glass of warm milk that was sitting just beside the doorway.

He crossed back through the bedroom in a few swift strides before handing me the glass. Fred immediately climbed back into bed behind me so I could sit and lean back into his arms while we both laid there.

"I hate worrying you both," I said.

Even though my thoughts quieted some more, it was always hard to grasp reality in the first moments after waking up from those nightmares that felt like I was back being tortured by Bellatrix. I hated the thought that maybe what had ultimately driven my mother into insanity was the separation from reality and torture.

"Well, we both love you so don't worry about it. George doesn't want you to suffer anymore than I do," Fred replied with a kiss on the top of my head.

I handed him my empty glass when I was finished which he leaned over to place on the bedside table.

"What did Harry want in his letter?" Fred prompted lightly but I could tell by his tone that it was only a suggested topic.

"Harry?" my voice came out uneasy as I tried to remember what Fred was referring to.

"Your brother sent you a letter from Hogwarts today," Fred added before he kissed the top of my head again.

I knew he was giving me more information than was usually necessary for normal people, but he wasn't condescending or even obvious with his prompting.

Fred reached over me to the nightstand on my side of the bed before pulling a piece of parchment so we could read it together. I remembered seeing the familiar snowy owl today but the contents of the letter weren't coming back to me.

I unfurled it and recognised the messy scrawl and could instantly see a boy who was now taller than me, with dark hair and round glasses in my mind's eye.

Fred chuckled over my shoulder so I peered down to see what he was finding so amusing.

Marnie,

I just heard from Joss that you are living with Fred on a part time basis. I hope it will help with the nightmares but as your brother I'm still not crazy about the idea. Please write back and tell me how you have been doing.

I also wanted to ask about the Order but Joss says the next meeting is coming up. Remember your promise. And speaking of our promise, things at Hogwarts are intensifying. Hermione, Ron and I saw Malfoy when we were at Diagon Alley and I now suspect he's up to something. Tattoo on his arm something. Hermione thinks I'm paranoid but I'm sure I'm right.

Stay safe Marnie and I'll write soon. Hogwarts isn't the same without you.

Your brother,

Harry

"I wouldn't doubt that Malfoy is a Death Eater," Fred agreed when I rolled the parchment and put it back on the table. My mind was focused on Harry's letter now which meant that my thoughts were clearer and could be strung together. I nodded in agreeance but my subsequent yawn had Fred casting off the lights.

"Remind me to have a word with Harry at Christmas," Fred whispered in my ear as I started to drift off in his arms.

Fred was still behind me but made no move to rearrange our sleeping position. I smiled and made a non-committal hum since I didn't really know what type of conversation Fred would want to have with Harry about our new sleeping arrangement. I wouldn't let Fred get away with embarrassing me. But my mind was finally clear and sleep filled in the gaps until I drifted off in Fred's arms.

The next morning over breakfast, Fred filled George in on Harry's letter and the both of them had a good laugh. But the conversation soon turned to Harry's suspicion of Malfoy and both twins agreed it was possible and most likely probable that Malfoy had joined the Death Eaters.

"I was in his bloody house for a month, I would be surprised at this point if he didn't have the tattoo on his scrawny pale arm," I retorted.

Both twins nodded but didn't say anything and I knew I had hit a nerve. But neither of them said anything and we continued our meal while George changed the subject to Angelina's quidditch season. He still hadn't asked her out formally yet, but I was giving them all the unsubtle prompts that they were being pretty obvious.

xx

The three of us fell into a tentative routine, neither of the twins complaining about my odd habits. Instead they answered any of my questions that all must have sounded peculiar.

We opened and worked at the store everyday, closing it together before deciding what to do in the evenings. Often Angelina or Lee would come by, sometimes with Katie and Alicia joining us. Other times it was the three of us, or even just the two of us when Fred decided we needed a date.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Fred asked quietly one Thursday night once the shop was closed.

This was the first time I could remember Fred looking remotely doubtful and I had to give him credit that it had taken this long.

"I have to join Fred, I just have to," I replied evenly and Fred nodded beside me.

His expression gave him away and I knew he was tied somewhere between being worried that I had been progressing pretty well over the last couple weeks and that joining the Order was something we had been talking about ever since it got reinstated. Fred knew my mind was made up, but he still wanted to voice his concern. I remembered a very similar dream I had had back at Hogwarts, seeing my father asking my mother one time to consider not joining the Order to stay at home with us. But like my mother had answered, I was confident this was something I needed to do.

Fred took my hand and we met George and Angelina outside near the Leaky Cauldron. Since it was a short walk and Dumbledore figured the fewer persons who apparated would cause less of a disturbance, the four of us walked like we were just out to enjoy the late autumn evening.

When we arrived at Grimmauld Place, I couldn't help but jolt at how painfully familiar this house felt. I looked up at the staircase and pictured Sirius walking down which only sent painful stabs through my stomach.

Fred leaned back and grabbed my hand, squeezing it but not saying anything as I followed him down the hallway towards the kitchen. He knew I didn't want to appear weak, even though Fred constantly told me how brave I was for being this healed already. But we both knew it would be an argument to get me into the Order officially if I had a breakdown in the foyer of headquarters.

"Marnie, dear. It's so good to see you," Mrs. Weasley bustled over from her place in front of the stove to pull me into a motherly embrace.

I could hear her sniffle over my shoulder but she didn't say anything and I was grateful for it. Remus was next who hugged me but the look in his expression told me he felt uncertain that I was ready to be here this soon. Tonks waved but it was far less energetic than I was used to seeing. If I didn't know any better I would say she was depressed, but then I did remember Harry mentioning something about Tonks being sullen lately. I sat down beside her after my father brought me into another hug that lasted longer than I wanted in front of so many people.

Tonks mumbled her greeting but I didn't take it personally. I actually liked someone who wasn't treating me any different, even if I was concerned for her own well-being.

Dumbledore entered shortly after with Mr. Weasley and Kingsley Shacklebolt in tow. I was somewhat shocked to see Dumbledore here outside of Hogwarts when school had already started, but being the headmaster obviously afforded him such privileges.

Dumbledore didn't say anything about my presence but his twinkling eyes danced over me and I knew he didn't have an issue with me being here like some of the others. Shortly after, Mad-Eye stood up to start the meeting. Kinglsey gave a report from the Ministry that Mr. Weasley supported with his own intel. It seemed Rufus Scrimgeour wasn't as daft and useless as Fudge had been for Minister for Magic, but there was still some things left to be desired.

I knew they were changing topic when most everyone turned their attention, either overt or subtle, onto me.

"There's nothing new with the Malfoy's. Lucius was arrested after we found Marnie in his manor, but that was all we were able to do. Lucius took the fall for his family and there was no trace of You Know Who even though we are aware that he was there during the month of July. We think we have all the information, but if there was anything you wanted to add…" Mad-Eye's magical eye landed on me and I couldn't help swallowing deeply before clearing my throat.

Fred's hand found my thigh under the table but no one else could feel my tension. I hoped it wasn't obvious when I shook my head as purposefully as I could.

"I never saw the outside of the dungeon and only Bellatrix attended to me, plus the house elves when they wanted me to eat," I explained with a sort of detached tone.

Fred's grip tightened and everyone else around the table remained silent for a moment before Mad-Eye nodded and proceeded onto the next topic.

"Here's the new schedule for Hogwarts duty. O'Hara, you're on it as of tomorrow night. Tonks asked for you, so you'll be paired up with her for the most part. We also have you with the twins and Remus," Mad-Eye nodded to show that the meeting was over as suddenly as he had started it.

I caught Dumbledore's eye once more before he stood up and was led out by Kingsley Shacklebolt. I wanted to avoid any more looks of pity or sympathetic embraces so I nudged Fred that I wanted to leave. I hugged my father as I went by, telling him I would be staying in London tonight with the twins. I knew this meant he would probably stay at Grimmauld Place with Remus which would be better for him than returning to the cottage alone.

What I wasn't expecting was to find Dumbledore standing alone in the hallway, Kinglsey obviously having already left.

"Might I have a word?" Dumbledore's voice was kind and he motioned his head to indicate going up to the first story landing where the parlour was located.

I nodded, and Fred motioned he would wait back in the kitchen with his mother.

I continued on to follow Dumbledore up and couldn't help by being shocked at how such a tall and regal man had such light footfalls.

Once we entered the parlour, Dumbledore motioned for me to take a seat across from him.

"Harry requested that I personally check in on you and give him a full report of how I assess you are doing," Dumbledore explained with a kind expression that held a hint of amusement.

I nodded. "He worries too much about me."

Dumbledore nodded at this. "It is a response to how strong your bond is as siblings. I remember how close James and Sirius were, two boys who chose to regard one another as siblings."

Bringing up Sirius in his house like this made my breath catch and Dumbledore must have heard it.

"I am sorry Marnie. I would not be at all surprised if you held some animosity towards me. I was not able to get you out of that dreadful dungeon sooner, and I have seen your expression over the years that you wish I had done more for Harry. I quite remember your expression after Harry was chosen to be the fourth champion and I knew I might have lost your confidence all together by that point," Dumbledore explained candidly.

I folded my hands in my lap, trying to find how I really did feel about my old Headmaster. Of course he was a well-regarded wizard and our best chance at taking down Voldemort, but I needed to think about my personal regard for him instead.

"Harry is a difficult person to keep safe, and I blame myself more for his pain than anyone else. And as for my rescue, all I think about that is that I'm glad I was the one taken. No one else should suffer and I know that you and everyone else tried their best. I'm alive and here because of the Order," I replied but watched the twinkling flicker out of his eyes.

Dumbledore looked sad and his tone reflected it. "You are so much like your mother, taking on the burdens of others into your heart. Harry is fortunate to have such a person looking out for him. I will endeavor to follow your example Marnie. And in return, for Harry's sake and everyone here who cares for you, look after yourself."

I could feel the soft tears escape my eyes but I nodded and quickly wiped them away. Dumbledore stood up and took my hand to lift me to my feet but didn't embrace me. I was glad for it, to be treated with both concern and respect simultaneously. It was something the headmaster must have perfected over the years.

When we returned back downstairs, this time Dumbledore exited promptly and Fred was by my side before I could even go looking for him. I was relieved that I could make a quick getaway while Fred took my hand to lead me back towards Diagon Alley.

"Is everything alright, Hare?" Fred's tone was easy, curious about what Dumbledore had wanted.

"Did I ever thank you, properly I mean, for always taking care of me?" I asked, thinking over Dumbledore's words and realising how assuring it had been to hear about my own concern for Harry and the others.

Fred turned his head and smiled. He looked like his ego was boosted but I could also see the kindness in his eyes.

"Someone's gotta save you from your own hero complex," Fred chided lightly.

I shoved his shoulder playfully, feeling as the last of my nervousness dissolved into laughter. Tomorrow I would join the Order while continuing to make myself better. Tonight it was just Fred and I, two best friends in love.