**Disclaimer** I do not claim to own anything that's not mine (J.K. Rowling wrote these amazing things before I could even dream of them). I do claim my main character, Dee.
Spring blew in, full force. The grounds seemed to shake away the cold, embracing the warmer months with open arms. The next, and final, task wasn't until June. So, I just had to worry about keeping my eyes on everyone until then.
The tension was stronger between Snape and Karkaroff recently, so I started watching both closer. Snape didn't act as unusual though, still riding hard on Harry. Sometimes I just wanted to jinx Snape to kingdom come for the way he's always treating Harry. Karkaroff was acting very anxious though, more so than usual. So I decided to keep a closer eye on him. Mad-Eye didn't seem quite like himself either. He was one of my favorite people. He always was so nice to me. He had been there when I was born and also was able to see me even when I was invisible because of his magical eye. He hasn't said anything to me since he got here this year. Sometimes it's like he doesn't even see me. I had already mentioned this to Dumbledore but he thought it was probably just because he's been busy. I knew better though. Something fishy was going on, I could feel it.
So in between trying to keep an eye on everyone with out getting caught and, well, nothing else, I guess... Not much time for anything else when you're tailing at least half a dozen people at all hours of the day AND night. I was getting worn out. June came, threatening us with the heat of summer. The contestants for the Tri-Wizard tournament had found out the final trial would be to navigate a maze to the prize trophy. So, they were all busy hitting books, looking for solutions to anything they might encounter within. Dumbledore was busy as well. Barty Crouch had been missing, then showed up mysteriously before disappearing again. Dumbledore was determined to find him or at least what happened to him and what he was trying to warn us about. I did find time on June 8th to do something for myself though.
I made my way down the narrow street. I could see families readying for the day within and about their homes. A few boys had a sprinkler going already in their front yard, squealing and jumping through the water. The day was already getting warm and sweat sheened on my forehead. I wore a knee length, flowing, black cotton skirt over black and white checkered leggings. I paired this with a black tank top and some black ballerina flats. I carried a bouquet of yellow roses. I approached my destination, the iron gate creaking as I entered. I sighed, feeling the heaviness of my sorrow weigh on my heart. Birds chirped in the surrounding trees, celebrating the morning. Bloody birds...Shut up! I bent and laid the flowers in front of the gravestone. I knelt, staring at my mother's name.
"Oh Mum, I wish I'd gotten the chance to have you around... How is it possible for me to miss someone I've never known?" I whispered to her gravestone. The tears that had been threatening to leak from my eyes finally won. They streamed down my cheeks and I buried my face in my hands as the sobs wreaked my body. I lost myself in my sorrow.
I was still crying, now collapsed in a heap next to the grave. But, I had quieted my sobs at least and when I heard the loud tell tale pop of apparation, I invisified instantly. A middle aged man strode towards me. At first I was afraid he was after me but then I noticed he was just staring at the grave stone. He was tall with dark brown hair that was silver at the temples. His steel grey eyes were hard and menacing, deep set in an ugly pock marked face. He stopped in front of my mother's grave and kicked at my roses with his fancy, loafered shoe. He brushed off his grey suit as if the act had left dust and dirt all over him. He sneered down his large nose at the grave.
"Dear sister...looks like SOMEBODY misses you." He gave an evil laugh. "I do Regret your death but it was necessary. If only you had agreed to join us... You and your bastard child would still be alive."
"It would seem that Azkaban is missing one of it's inmates." Dumbledore said from behind the man. Augustus Rookwood startled, drawing his wand. "Of, Augustus, please don't put up a fight. It really is just a waste of effort. Let's just pretend that you will be locked back up in Azkaban again, for good. We both know Voldemort's influence there won't allow you to stay locked up forever..." Rookwood seemed to consider his words. I sat, stunned by this information. Rookwood still seemed unconvinced.
"If you know that, why isn't the Ministry trying to tighten their hold there?" He asked.
"Oh, that's quite simple. They have their heads buried in the sand. They don't want to believe Voldemort survived and is still trying to come back to power." Da explained. Rookwood pulled up his left sleeve revealing the famous, Death Eater Mark.
"His power is growing. He WILL return." Rookwood stated menacingly.
"Shall we go now? Azkaban is waiting and I have other things to see to." Da stated impatiently. Rookwood sighed and handed over his wand. Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder and they apparated away.
The tears that had dried, leaving salty trails down my cheeks, itched. I stood up, rubbing my eyes and cheeks. I pulled out my wand and cast a repairing spell at my damaged roses. I smiled down at my mother's grave once more.
"I love you Mum. Be proud that today, your daughter turns 17." With another swipe of my wand, I directed towards my hair, and it grew back out. The dirty blond hair settling once more over my shoulders and down my back. Walking back down the street, away from the grave yard. I heard footsteps behind me, but when I looked, I saw nothing. I invisified, worried it was someone whom would want to capture or hurt me. I made my way back to Hogwarts as fast as possible.
B~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B
I slipped into my favorite sanctuary, the one I slept in most often. Going to the cabinet, I knelt down and looked at myself in the mirror. My long hair was in disarray, wind blown from the walk back. I combed it out, taking my time. When I finished, I changed out of my clothes, putting on a simple yellow sun dress. Yawning dramatically, I decided it was time for a nap if I wanted to be able to keep up with the twins tonight. I had over heard them planning some night time escapade. They had found out some information they were planning on blackmailing someone with, but I wasn't sure what and I was a little worried about it. I needed to keep my eyes on them. I didn't want them getting into anything too serious or dangerous. I know they are about the same age as me, but sometimes they just seemed more ignorant of things, probably because they were. I was lucky enough to be desensitized to all the bad things and people of our world at an early age. I hoped that I would also find time to have a talk with Da. I wondered if he had known I was there at the graveyard today when he apprehended my uncle. If so, then I'd probably receive some long lecture about keeping myself safe. I sighed to myself and settled down into my nest of a bed. I lay there, still keeping myself invisible by instinct. My invisibility would fade once I fell asleep. My breathing slowed and my eyes felt heavy. As I was almost asleep the door to my sanctuary pushed quietly open. Instantly, I was wide awake. Who found my hiding place? Did they know I was in here? A red head popped around the door. George's eyes scanned the interior of the room before he entered and closed the door behind him. Where was Fred? I wondered. He walked around the room silently, stopping to examine my cabinet and it's contents. His head moved and he looked into the mirror. I closed my eyes quickly, aware that he'd be able to see my reflection in the mirror. I heard him turn around quickly. I imagined he was looking back and forth from the mirror to my nest bed where I actually lay. I heard his footsteps move towards me. I sneaked a peek, and sure enough, he was walking towards me. He was looking at the bed as if trying to actually see me laying there without the mirror. He sat himself down quietly at the edge of my bed. My heart started to pound. What was he doing? His hand reached out and gently swiped across the air where I was actually at. He frowned in disappointment as his hand didn't connect with me at all.
"What are you doing here George and how did you find me?" I asked quietly. My sudden speaking had startled him and he fell, scrambling backwards away from my bed. I let out a soft peal of laughter. He blushed for a moment before grinning in my direction.
"I followed you here, the night after the 2nd task. It was you who was jinxing Ron, wasn't it?" He asked with a gleam in his eye, his smile now a permanent fixture. I decided to make myself visible. As long as Da doesn't find out, It'll be alright. George's eyes widened as he could now see me, lying there in my bed. I smiled, flirtatiously, as I watched and felt his eyes study me from head to toe. "Your hair is long." He stated, slightly confused.
"Ya, I had cut it short right before you saw me in the mirror in the bathroom, but I decided to grow it back out today." I answered. "Do you like it long?" I asked, slightly self conscious. I wasn't used to people actually looking at me, studying me.
"It's beautiful." He replied with a wink. I couldn't help but laugh. It was either that or cry. Talk about being high strung with emotions. "You okay?" He asked, as if he saw the emotional chaos going on behind my eyes. I bit my lip and gave a weak smile.
"Yeah, I'll be alright. It's just been a crazy day and I'm in need of a nap." I said softly, the mention of a nap causing me to yawn. He moved towards me again, settling himself down next to my bed.
"You'll be okay here alone?" He asked, concern in his eyes.
"I should be fine, as long as no one followed YOU here." I said mostly serious but with a hint of tease in my voice. He frowned.
"Sorry, didn't mean to put you in danger. I'll stay though, while you nap. You are hard to catch and I have a lot of questions for you." He said, his hand moving out towards me. I watched his hand, as if in slow motion, as it moved towards my arm. His large hand settled over my forearm. His fingers could easily wrap themselves around my arm. My heart fluttered wildly. We both looked up at each other at the same time. Both of us had had our eyes focused on his hand on my arm. "You really are real." He said softly, almost in awe. I smiled weakly.
"I suppose I am." I said, so much raw emotion in my voice. I closed my eyes so he at least couldn't see it there too.
"Go ahead and sleep. I'll stay and make sure no one else finds you. I'm sorry if me following you here has put you in any danger." He said soberly.
"It's ok George." I said with a soft smile and allowed myself to fall asleep.
***Haha! Yes! Longest chapter yet! You guys can thank xXChlerekXx for the last part of adding a George scene in this chapter. I wasn't planning on it but then she reviewed wanting another "chase"...This isn't a chase but I hope you guys still like it. Been spending ALL my extra time this weekend holed up in my room writing. Thank you for Reading! Please Review! Happy Independence Day USA!