Chapter Six – Friends 'till the end.
Bill and Charlie had left early in the morning so I had the house to myself for a few hours. I wasn't sure what I should do. I sat around and listened to music. I did a bit of cleaning but I heard something outside so I headed out there.
I didn't see anyone but someone was there. I walked out into the yard I headed out towards the field where I heard the voices. It was more like whispers. I stood still in a clearing.
"Well, well, well…" I closed my eyes for a brief moment. I looked into the voices mind and they were here to find Bill. There were three of them they closed around me. I turned and saw Bellatrix.
"Now, deary all you've got to do; is tell me where Bill is and we'll be off." She said. I shrugged, "I don't know where he is…" I said. She smiled.
"You silly girl… you do not have to protect him… just stand aside and tell us where he is…" She said again this time she was getting annoyed. I wasn't sure what she'd do but I was pretty sure she wouldn't kill me.
"Sorry, I do not know…" I said again.
"Just let me have a go at her…" Said a big burly man. I looked at him and he looked vicious.
"Now, now Greyback Ms. James needs to give us the information before we kill her." Bellatrix sneered. I yawned.
"I told you Bellatrix; I do not know where Bill is… He hasn't been home in weeks." I said seeming bored with this whole topic. She raised her wand and shrieked, "Crucio!"
I fell to my knees and screamed out in pain.
"Tell me girl, where is he?" She shouted over my screams.
"I told you…I do not know." I spoke evenly.
"You silly girl, just tell me the truth!" Bellatrix's voice rang out. I didn't answer I sat there trying not to scream. "CRUCIO!" She bellowed. I screamed out in pain.
"I don't know where he is!" I was started to sound like I was begging them.
"Girl, do not make me ask you again." She growled. I closed my eyes.
"CRUCIO!" She shouted again. This time the pain was too much to bear and I let out a heart wrenching scream that penetrated the silent night.
"Kat?" Oh no. Charlie and Bill.
"Perfect." Bellatrix purred. They boys came down and found me on the ground. The Death Eaters disappeared.
"Bill… listen to me." I said through clenched teeth.
"You've got to leave… Bellatrix and others are after you… you've got to leave… it is not safe here." I said. Charlie looked around.
"Where'd they go?" he asked as I sat up.
"I dunno… they heard you and then left… Bill… get out of here." I said panting slightly.
"Are you alright?" He asked looking into my eyes.
"I'm fine… now you've got to leave!" I begged him. He helped me up and they were going to help me back to the house when curses started flying towards us. We blocked and shot curses back of our own. I hit Bellatrix and the Charlie hit Greyback. They finally retreated. Once they took off we set enchantments around the house to try and keep us safe. Charlie forced me to sit down and relax, while Bill wrote to Fleur and explained that he wouldn't be around at work and that she shouldn't come to the house until it was safe.
"I told you… I'm fine." I said. I was tired and weak. Charlie started on dinner as a goblet floated over to me.
"Drink it… it'll help the nerves." Charlie said. Bill sat on the floor next to the couch. I took a sip.
"What did they want?" Bill whispered.
"You."
He was silent for a long moment. He looked up at me and he looked like he was in pain. I laid back down and handed him the cup. He took my hand and I fell asleep.
I woke up and saw that both Bill and Charlie where asleep on the floor next to the couch. I smiled at them. Bill was still holding my hand. I slid my hand out of his and he woke up.
"Hey Kat, you're up!" Bill smiled. He woke up Charlie.
"What's going on? Did she wake up?" Charlie asked as he shook his head.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Kat, you've been out of a day and a half…" Charlie said. I just stared at them.
"Oh."
"I'm going to get cleaned up quickly and then I'll make you guys some dinner." Charlie said as he headed upstairs. I scooted over on the couch and Bill and sat up there with me.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. I didn't want to tell him that I was in pain or anything so I decided to lie.
"I'm fine." I whispered.
"Kat, you've been saying fine so much it doesn't even sound like a word… Please don't lie… I want to help you." He whispered. I looked up at him and sighed.
"I'm weak and tired." I said. He put his arm around me and gave me a one armed hug.
"Can we not fight anymore?" I whispered. "It's too much."
"Of course… just relax." Bill whispered. I nodded and we sat there listening to the muggle radio. Charlie came down stairs and just around with us. We talked and chatted.
"I sent an owl to mum as well telling her and dad not to come home until it was safe…" Charlie said. I nodded.
"Can you believe that not so long ago we were just little kids hoping to pass our O.W.L.S and N.E.T.S? Man that's just too weird." I muttered. I leaned against Bill as it was getting later. Finally, after we ate we sat around.
"I'm going to head up to bed… let me know if you need anything." Charlie said. We said good night and watched him walk upstairs.
"Bill…" I whispered as I closed my eyes.
"Yes darling?" He muttered. It must have been a reflects from the old days. It hurt… possibly much more than the curse I'd been hit with early. I opened my eyes trying to blink back the tears.
"Where'd you guys go today?" I asked forgetting what I had wanted to know.
"We went to talk to dad at the Ministry… and to see Tonks, Lupin, and Sirius…" He mumbled. I nodded.
"Why are you so upset?" He whispered.
"I'm not…" I said defensively.
"I saw into your mind Kat… what's bothering you?" He asked again.
"Nothing." I said again as I shifted in my seat. Bill locked his arms around my waist.
"No, what's the matter?" He asked.
"Nothing Bill, now, let me go." I said. I thrashed around in his grip until finally I stopped.
"What Bill?" I asked.
"Why'd you lie to them?" He asked.
"Well, I actually didn't… I told them you weren't here… and that I didn't know where you where." I said with a smile. He laughed lightly.
"Well, you just saved my life." He said. I nodded.
"I think it was worth it." I whispered.
"Okay, I'm going up to bed." I said. I said good night and stood and headed towards the stairs when I felt someone's hand on my back.
"Bill, I can walk…" I whispered.
"I know…" He said but didn't move his hand. I kept walking until we reached Ginny's room. He walked me too the bed. I stood there for a long minute.
"You alright?" Bill asked, he sounded worried. I turned and faced him. His hand was still on my back. I put my head to his chest and cried.
"Kat… don't cry." He whispered.
"It was so awful…" I whispered. He pulled me into a hug.
"I am so sorry you were in such pain." He whispered.
"I know…" I whispered.
Bill stayed with me all night as he held me as I cried. I was finally falling asleep around dawn. Bill was my friend again. I was glad but I also had to remember that he was my friend, and just that… a friend.