Chapter Fourteen: To Arms
The seven of us lay down everything we had managed to take with us in our hasty departure. Each of us had some sort of bag. We threw clothes and money to one side hastily. Neither would do us any good for what we were about to do.
"Get anything and everything that could be of use!" I yelled. The others wasted no time in getting to the shop. Will, Fred and I remained behind. We climbed the staircase to Dad's office. It was a cramped, cluttered space with nothing but a desk, a large cabinet and a table. A knowing glance passed between Fred and me. We crossed to the cabinet, raised our right hands, and said in unison:
"We solemnly swear we are up to no good." The doors and drawers flew open to reveal invention after invention of my father and his late brother's, all rejected by the Ministry of Magic for various reasons. Boxes of Special Edition Fireworks, Portable Cyclones, Cupid's Arrows, and countless other things were hauled out of the expanding cabinet. We made several trips up and down the narrow stairway with our supplies. When we had taken down the last of it, I ascended one more time. Taking a piece of parchment and a quill, I wrote my father a note.
Dad--
I am so sorry for what we've done here, but I promise all will be explained later. There isn't time to tell you much now, but I do know that what I'm doing is right. I love you.
--Ev
I reread my note quickly, adding at the bottom:
The Leaky Cauldron.
My stomach flipped, and if there had been anything in my stomach, I would have thrown it up. As it was, I braced myself against the desk, palms flat, taking deep breaths. My eyes fell upon a knife. It was maybe eight inches long, but sharp. I remembered it now; it had been a gift from my grandfather to my father. No doubt it was Muggle-made. I took it slowly, tucking it into my jeans pocket. Downstairs, we packed our bags and readied ourselves to leave.
It is very difficult to move seven teens and two hippogriffs a block without being seen. We had to go three. After stocking up on anything we might need. Moving slowly, we stayed within the shadows. Diagon Alley was not very well guarded, mostly because anything worth breaking in to was extremely well locked by several spells. Nevertheless, we couldn't be sure who else might be watching, and what their intentions were.
Will and I were being pulled together by some magnetic force. I found myself leaning against him and holding his hand while we crept. Every single muscle in my body was tense, and so were Will's. As we approached the Leaky Cauldron, Will carefully steered us towards the back of the group. I could sense that he wanted to say something, so I let the others get out of earshot.
"Evey," he began, his tone serious. "If something happens tonight..."
"No, I don't want to hear this, Will!" I turned to catch up with the group.
"Evey, please..."
"NO!" I tried to tear away from him, but he was strong. .
"Evelyn, listen to me!" He gave me a little shake. I stopped struggling, tears running down my face. "I need to ask you something." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box, and knelt before me. "Evelyn Jane Weasley, will you marry me?" My knees went weak, and Will got up to steady me, looking at me anxiously.
"Yes," I whispered, swaying. He took my left hand and slipped on a thin silver band with a round diamond in the center. I stared at it in disbelief. I had never been one of those girls to dream up their weddings and engagements to the tiniest detail. All the same, I had not expected to be engaged during my sixth year at Hogwarts in a dark alleyway near the Leaky Cauldron, moments before I would go into battle. The ring fit perfectly. We looked at each other for a moment, then I wrapped my arms around him.
"Will, I'm so scared, " I whispered into his ear.
"I'll protect you."
"I'm scared for you. For Fred, for Rosie, for everyone!"
"I know. I am, too."
"What would I do without you?" I murmured, feeling the tears prick my eyes.
"Evey, listen. I'm a very selfish person. I would give my life for you in an instant, but I would rather keep it to grow old with you. I am going to fight with everything I've got. I love you."
"I love you, too." I said. I pulled my head back to look at him. "Evelyn Malfoy," I tried the name out. It felt good. Will's face filled with raw emotion, and he clutched me to him as tightly as he could.
"It's time to go," I said. I felt him take a deep breath before letting me go. With nothing left to say, we joined the others, our hands entwined.