Christmas morning was a frenzied affair, the stars being Fred and George who spoiled their entire family with expensive gifts. I held up a small box carefully in my hand under Fred's watchful gaze before unwrapping it. Inside was a locket with an inscription in the rose gold face.

Hare

I smiled, not helping the blush covering my face before Ginny descended upon me to inspect it.

"Wow Fred, I wouldn't have thought you had such good taste," Ginny smirked, turning over the necklace before she decidedly unclasped it and put it around my neck.

I thanked her as she fixed my hair back over my shoulders, it having grown down to my shoulder blades since I graduation.

George nudged Fred in the shoulder who couldn't quite erase the look of trepidation on his face.

But I was sure my look was just as bashful watching Fred grab the one from me and start to unravel the ribbon. I had seen them in Borgin and Burkes of all places after hearing of Harry's sighting of Malfoy and his mother. Seeing the artefact had made my visit far less suspicious, wondering what Malfoy could possibly find use for with a Vanishing Cabinet. I knew Mr. Weasley had looked into them since then but I hadn't heard much except that people used them during the last war for the purposes of escaping Voldemort when he or his Death Eaters came calling.

I let Mad-Eye look at the objects I had chosen, and after a month of hearing his warning about venturing into such a shop, he had concluded that they were in fact usefully charmed relics.

"A bracelet?" Fred asked, a little sceptically but still with a kind smile.

I felt hesitant for another moment, wondering if Fred would actually want to use them. But then I shook my head, not caring if he wanted to or not, for it was something I wanted him to use regardless.

"It's a matching set. The ones who wear them can feel the heartbeats of another. If one of them is in danger, the other starts pulsing as a warning that they are in trouble. Or if one's heart was to stop—" my words froze on my tongue but Fred was already wrapping one of the bands over his wrist.

"This is brilliant, Hare! Here, hurry and put yours on," Fred unclasped the second band and stood up to wrap it around and secure it over my wrist.

Fred gasped a little once both of them were on and I instantly knew why. Under the bracelet, I could feel the soft yet unmistakable thrum of another's heartbeat on my skin; Fred's pulse.

Since neither one of us were very good at expressing ourselves through words, we just smiled and let the thrum of each other's hearts take some of the anxiety away. This would now enable us to always know that the other's heart was still beating, that even if we became separated again we would know the other was still alive.

After another meaningful pause between us, I returned to my seat and opened the rest of my presents. I received a defense book from my father and one on healing herbs from Remus. Harry gave me a Sneakascope, something he made me promise I would carry around with me everywhere I went. After doubly reassuring him that I would I opened another one from Ron who gave me a bag of sweets, a little smaller than the ones I had gotten in previous years but still full of treats only made by the house elves at Hogwarts.

After all of the presents were opened and everyone started helping to clean up, I changed into my new orange sweater, the colour I had come to expect since it was the colour Mrs. Weasley used every year except for the year I received blue; when me and Fred hadn't been speaking.

After the dishes were cleaned up from brunch, I spent the afternoon reading in the den and then helped Mrs. Weasley prepare Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, Fleur had also decided to assist so I mostly acted as referee between her and Mrs. Weasley and Ginny. By the time everything was prepared, we all sat down for another crowded dinner where we stuffed ourselves full with such a delicious supper.

"It's Percy!" Mrs. Weasley called out from the kitchen after she had disappeared through the door to bring out the pudding that was warming in the oven.

I shared a look with Fred who looked even less convinced than I did that this would turn out to be a good thing. But sure enough, a moment later the door opened from Mrs. Weasley bustling over to answer it and the entire table looked up more than a little slack-jawed to see none other than the Minister for Magic himself, following Percy into The Burrow.

When Rufus Scrimgeour announced their faulty purpose for interrupting our Christmas, spouting off about Percy wanting to see his family despite no one having heard from him in over a year, his not-so-subtle plan was revealed when he asked Harry to accompany him around the garden under the pretense that he would leave Percy to give his greetings.

Others such as my father and Remus looked as if they were about to object, but I was the one who pushed back my seat and stood up to interfere.

"It's alright, Marnie. Don't worry," Harry walked past me on his way out and patted my shoulder before he continued out into the garden with the Minister for Magic.

I scowled and walked out to the den, despite Percy's attempted interruptions. Ginny followed me and we both watched out the window, spotting Harry and the Minister strolling together until they disappeared around the house. I kept my gaze outside the window continuing to frown, thinking that this man was only marginally better than Fudge for trying to use Harry.

"Marnie, might I have a word?" Percy appeared in the doorway somewhat unexpectedly.

I had thought he would put up with his mother's hovering until Scrimgeour came to collect him. But his expression was what I figured was his best attempt at Ministry professionalism so I tried not to laugh in his face and scowled instead. Percy ignored this and acted as if my reaction hadn't happened at all.

"I wondered if you had given any consideration of working for the Ministry? I know that you did fairly well on your NEWTs, especially given the extenuating circumstances," Percy explained, earning a derisive scowl from Ginny who was still leaning over the couch beside me.

I put my hand on her arm to tell her that I wanted to see where this was going before either of us objected.

"Yes, well being abducted by Bellatrix Lestrange thankfully took place after I had written all of my exams," I responded shortly, earning a nod of simulated understanding from Percy.

"Well, please know that the Minister himself is most interested in your talent and would be willing to give you a position in the Minister's office itself," Percy straightened his shoulders back, like he was bestowing a great honour.

This time I couldn't hold back my sneer and watched as Percy's face fell indignant.

"So, let me get this straight. You take advantage of the fact that Harry Potter spends his Christmas with your family, one who you have all but abandoned, to fall into favour with the Minister for Magic. And as an added bonus, you wish to recruit Harry Potter's sister to stand idly beside the Minister during his press conferences and rallying for artificial peace. Or is it that you want The Girl Who Almost Went Mad to be used as a media charity case? Even though the Minister would not conduct any timely raid on Malfoy Manor when I was kidnapped and it took your father using all of his call-ins to get the aurors to be sanctioned to perform the raid. Rufus Scrimgeour had absolutely nothing to do with my survival and I will not become his puppet now that my surviving benefits his position!" my voice had risen in volume, calling forward several house guests who looked on with varying levels of annoyance, disbelief and disgust.

I kept my heated glare on Percy, not taking my eyes from his gaze until he broke first to the impact of turnips hitting the back of his head. I finally looked over to see that Fred and George had confiscated the bowl to use as ammunition and that Ginny had ventured over to join in throwing mushy vegetables at their brother.

Percy immediately took his leave and Harry returned into The Burrow, confirming my suspicions that Scrimgeour had also been trying to recruit him, Harry probably being the primary objective and me as an added bonus.

After that my father ushered everyone to bed that night, wanting to give Mrs. Weasley some privacy since she was obviously upset by Percy's double handed appearance.

That set the mood for the following day, a much more somber affair. Mrs. Weasley busied herself in the kitchen, recruiting the help of my father who took it upon himself to distract her from her grief and worry. Harry tried getting more information out of Mr. Weasley and Remus, the three of them disappearing out to the garden shed for more privacy. My assumption was that they wanted some quiet time away from the constant playing of Celestina Warbeck. I was able to tuck myself away in the den with a constant supply of tea from Mrs. Weasley who ended up doting on those around the house, even Fleur who busied herself around the house all day. The twins had gone off to the store early that morning but Fred urged me to stay and visit with our families, promising to come back for dinner. Fred had tapped the band around his wrist with a small smile before he left, a promise that he would be aware of it to know that I was alright, even amongst the chaos of the store.

By the time darkness fell and I heard the men return inside, the twins would still be at the shop for another few hours. I gazed outside to watch the light snow falling and huddled closer under the blankets against the chill that entered through the drafts of the old home.

Harry was the only one to enter through into the den while the other men chose to set up the dining room and Ginny and Ron remained somewhere upstairs, probably taking an afternoon nap. I could hear a set of footsteps descending the stairs and could only guess it was Ron being drawn down by the wafting smells of his mother's cooking. But my attention was sharply pulled to the outside by the spontaneous flames that started in the long grass surrounding The Burrow. The Sneakascope Harry had given me pulsed in my pocket but it only confirmed what I already knew.

I bolted up, depositing the quilt onto the floor and ran by Harry. I figured he must have called after me, but I ignored him and ran outside, drawing my wand since I already knew who was here. Her signature cackling confirmed my suspicions as I exited the house, knowing somehow Bellatrix and a few others had gotten past the wards Mr. Weasley had put up.

"Marnie! Harry!" I heard my father calling out from the front step, the both of us already running through the unkept lawn and out into the fields where the laughter grew only louder.

The heat from the flames meant that I did not regret having not had enough time to put on a jacket. Instead, I heard Harry's panting breaths right behind me and prayed that someone had held my father back from pursuing.

"No, Ginny!" I heard Mr. Weasley shout and reprimanded myself that Ginny had come chasing after us.

Harry and I came into a clearing and pressed into each other's backs since we knew we were surrounded, but not knowing how many Death Eaters had come knocking. It did not go without my notice though that the Death Eaters had tracked us down only a day after the Minister's visit and I thought annoyedly that he must have been tracked to this location by whomever was acting as mole within the Ministry.

Ginny soon caught up, regrettably only wearing a housecoat and Harry pulled her into our huddle, sheltering her slightly behind his back. Remus and Mr. Weasley appeared next but not before the curses started flying, each of us deflecting and sending counter curses to try and defend our place.

The attack from the Death Eaters seemed more like a rogue attempt at collecting Harry than a well thought out plan. After a shorter amount of time than I expected to fight them off, it seemed they knew they were outnumbered. Only three wisps of black shadows rose up from the field around us in retreat. But I watched as one that continued to cry out in maniacal laughter tore through The Burrow and resulted in the house going up in flames.

"Molly!" Mr. Weasley cried out, tightening his grip on his daughter's shoulder before he pulled her towards their home.

Remus was more cautious, herding Harry and I in front of him back towards the house while he made sure none of the Death Eaters circled back or remained hidden in the crops to ambush us. We made it back to The Burrow without incident but I was shocked still to see the fire spread through the entire building. The wooden addition near the top which I knew was Bill's childhood room crumbled off the main structure and crashed to the ground.

"Marnie!" I turned at the sound of someone apparating and to the sound of my name.

Fred and George were running towards us, looking horrified at the scene in front of them.

"Your heart, it was racing," Fred exclaimed, looking at me with a desperate anxiety that I realised must have been his same expression whenever he found out I had been taken.

I looked down at my wrist, feeling amazed that it had worked and staring at it so I wouldn't have to look at Fred's stark fear.

"Marnie, get Harry out of here. Fred, George, bring Ginny and Ron to The Cottage," Remus took charge, already standing beside my father who wore his own anxiety on his face.

My father couldn't protect himself and even with a house full of skilled wizards we hadn't prevented the Weasley's house from being destroyed.

I nodded in ascent, grabbing Harry's hand before he could object, since had been standing only a few paces away, and apparated at once. A moment later we were standing in the front yard of my home that I hadn't seen in months. It looked almost abandon despite the fact that my father had cleared the walkway up to the house. The lights were not on inside and suddenly I felt selfishly guilty for not having returned for so long.

I led the others up to the house who all started appearing in our yard. Harry and I were inside by the time everyone entered. Harry put the kettle on while I was summoned outside to cast any protection charms I could think of. With more people securing the premises, the stronger the charms would be. Fred, George, Remus, Bill, Fleur, Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Weasley all put up the wards before we re-entered the house and each accepted a cup from my father.

Everyone started asking questions, speculating the same thing as me that the Minister had been followed and that was how they had found Harry. That made several of the others even more upset with Percy but Mr. Weasley silenced them all before Mrs. Weasley got even more teary eyed.

I felt someone squeeze my hand suddenly and I realised Fred had probably been sitting beside me in front of the fire place this entire time but I had been too lost in thought. Surprisingly, I didn't feel like I was going to have a panic attack or lose sight of reality despite this being my first run-in with Bellatrix since my abduction. I was however frustrated and exhausted, feeling my eyes growing heavy and not being up for talking about my potential trauma.

"I'll make up the beds," I announced, hearing Harry agree that he would also help before we disappeared upstairs, thankfully leaving everyone else downstairs since we were the most familiar with where everything was.

It was going to be cramped, the twins grudgingly agreeing to go back to their flat to free up more space. However, they stayed a while longer, going over in painful detail what had just happened and how this left us even more vulnerable than before.

"Watch yourselves boys, you know we're all being followed. You are both very public figures now and Diagon Alley isn't necessarily safe anymore," I heard Mr. Weasley warning his sons as I came downstairs, carrying a cot with a hovering charm to set it up downstairs in the living room where there would be more space.

Both Fred and George nodded, Fred looking up and catching my eye with a worried glance before he stood up to help me even though I didn't necessarily need it. He also followed me when I returned upstairs to collect some of the extra blankets while Harry set up our beds for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to take since no one was returning to The Burrow until tomorrow morning.

"Hare," my name was soft on his lips but I continued to pull out blankets from our linen closet and deposited them into Fred's outstretched arms instead of answering.

This didn't seem to discourage Fred though who continued with his thought. "I think it's best if you stay here with your father full time now."

This snapped me back to reality more than anything else and I wondered if my mind had just shut down to prevent myself from breaking down.

I wanted to argue, to scream at him that he was wrong. And even though I didn't agree with the unspoken reasons I could read on Fred's face, I did agree that my father couldn't be left alone. We were all vulnerable, him more than others. And I needed to make sure he was safe, especially when Harry and I made him more of an obvious target.

"I'll stay for my father, not because you want to protect me." I didn't look over at Fred who I could hear sighing, probably wrestling with his conflicting thoughts.

I was surprised by his level of reservation, especially when I didn't think Fred had ever held anything back in his entire life. He had made sure to go against Umbridge, to speak his mind in any situation at school. Even around his family he was blunt, never thinking through the consequences when it was something he wanted for himself; like his joke shop with George. But Fred seemed to get tongue tied a lot when it came to telling me what he thought and I didn't know how to take that realisation.

"I'm selfish enough to accept that reason if it keeps you safe. It sounds like The Cottage will become the stronghold for the Order while meetings will still take place at Grimmauld Place. George and I have to keep the shop open, but I don't know if it's such a good idea for you to be in public as much," Fred said gently, wanting more privacy than an even smaller house gave us with both of our families packed into it.

I could hear Harry moving around in our shared bedroom and someone walking up the stairs. There was going to be a lot of shuffling around, despite the twins heading to the flat and Bill and Fleur returning home as well.

Instead of answering or forming my annoyed response that I could only assume Fred saw on my face, he bowed in and stole a kiss. On his lips I could feel his uncertainty and anxiety. It was then that I could tell Fred's true feelings, that he wanted me to come back to the flat, security be damned. He wanted to be the one to watch by me, but the situation called for an alternative course of action. By the time someone reached the top of the stairs, Ron, who was looking for Harry in our room, Fred had pulled apart and headed off towards the stairs to bring the blankets for all the kids who would be sleeping down there.

That night Ron ended up on the couch, Ginny and I on the camping cots my father and I had used when I was very young, and Harry on the floor with the cushions stacked from the chairs in the house. Ron's parents were in Harry's and my bedroom while Remus stayed in his room and my father in the master like always. It would have been a lot more fun if I didn't see the fleeting look of regret cross both of the twins' faces before they left or that we all presumed there wasn't much left of The Burrow which we had all had to leave behind to ensure everyone's safety. Word was sent to Dumbledore who assured that in order to avoid any trap, that Kingsley Shacklebolt would round up some aurors and would clear the area before sending confirmation for anyone to return.

The four of us all pretended to sleep that night in the living room, Ginny finding my hand across our cots in the middle of the night while I felt her arm shake from her silent tears no doubt over the destruction of a place we all held very dear.

But the next morning, despite all of us looking a little haggard from a restless night, Ginny didn't show any sign of the sadness we all felt. And despite all of our demanding, none of the children were allowed to return to The Burrow under the pretense that Harry and I were still in danger and that Ginny and Ron could not technically use magic outside of school despite Ginny using her wand to defend herself the night before.

And although Mrs. Weasley was much more emotional that before, she kept all of us in check before it was time for Harry and the others to return to Hogwarts the day after New Year's. The three of them stood at our fireplace with their trunks, Ron and Ginny's being scavenged from the fire, since Dumbledore had opened the channel for all of the students to use for a safer return. I received a hug from each of them, even a timid one from Ron before watching them all disappear into the green flames.

After that I became Mrs. Weasley's helper around the house, following her requests without question while Remus, Mr. Weasley and a few others recovered The Burrow and went about fixing the structure to be able to move back. Fred sent letters to check-in but had limited access to The Cottage since we wanted to minimize the travelling to my location since we were all still being followed.

But as I watched out the window whenever I wasn't helping with some menial task I started wondering about what Percy had said. Even though it was a poor attempt at a power play on his part, I thought about how being a part of the Ministry might put me at more of an advantage to help out with the Order. Of course I was still a target but playing at the poor defenseless routine was only making me feel futile and none of us were truly safe. So I looked up postings in the paper I would ask Remus to bring back for me and ended up applying, not telling the others of my decision until it was too late for them to say no.