"Life's full of tough choices."
-Ursula (The Little Mermaid)
Two and a half more months passed quickly and before anyone knew it, it was March. Scarlett was just as busy, if not even busier, than she had always been. Trying to balance her time between work, Fred, Erica, and secretly working on helping Healer Wilson with her new medication was exhausting.
"Scar, I'm not trying to be rude, but if you haven't figured out how to finish that by now, maybe it's just not going to happen," Fred said as he leaned against the work table in the shop's back room. "I mean, I'm not saying you couldn't somewhere down the road, but maybe you just aren't skilled enough yet. It's been months. Have you even made any progress?"
"Yes, of course."
"Doesn't seem like it to me."
Scarlett sighed. "Fred, I just need to figure this out, okay?"
"No, Scarlett, you need to listen to me." Fred grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. "I'm worried about you. You're trying to balance too much."
"No, I'm not."
"You are. You work all day and then most days you're coming here to work on…this. You still haven't told me about in detail, by the way. You know, like what it'll actually do when it's finished."
"I can't tell you."
"My point is that you're too busy. I've told you all of this before and I don't think we're spending as much time together as we'd both like. If we're going to make this—us—work, I think we need to actually spend adequate time together."
"We do spend adequate time together," Scarlett said.
"No, we don't, and you know it. It's not enough. We made it this far and I don't want us to fall apart."
"We won't," Scarlett whispered, reaching up and putting a hand on his cheek. "We'll be fine, okay?"
"That's the thing. We just don't know. But what I do know is that we should be trying to move forward."
Scarlett half smiled. "This feels like some odd role reversal. You're worried and I'm standing here comforting you."
Fred smiled. "Scar, I'm serious, though."
"What else do you want me to do, Fred? I have to work. I can't change that."
"I know, but you're working too much. Figuring out what it is you're trying to figure out isn't necessary. Didn't you tell me you weren't supposed to be doing it in the first place?"
"Yes," Scarlett mumbled.
"Then why are you overworking yourself trying to figure it out? There's a reason why you aren't supposed to. You've been a Healer for less than a year. I don't think you're up to this kind of thing just yet."
Scarlett sighed. "Fred, time's running out. A war is coming and I don't think anyone can deny it anymore. If this can get finished before things start truly terrible, then it can really come in handy. It could possibly save some lives. I don't want to lose anyone, Fred. I'm terrified of losing someone else I care about."
Fred stared at her for a moment longer before pulling her into a hug. He rested his chin on her head and sighed. "I think we're all worried about losing someone. But sometimes we can't control things like that."
"But I'm a Healer. It's my job."
"No, it's not," Fred argued. "Your job is to help people when you can and save lives when you can, but it can't happen all the time. It just can't, no matter how much you want it to."
Scarlett buried her face in Fred's chest. "What should I do, then?" she whispered. "Should I give up?"
"No, I'm not saying give up," Fred said slowly. "I just think you should work a little less hard."
Scarlett let out a weary laugh and looked up at Fred. "I am always exhausted."
"Exactly," Fred nodded, gingerly tracing her cheekbones with his thumbs. "You should see the circles under your eyes. And, I mean, your friend is working on this too, so you aren't the only one. And it is her thing isn't it? Do you think she'll be upset if you made progress or figured it out completely?"
"If I figured it out completely, it would seem like I stole her thunder, wouldn't it?" Scarlett sighed.
"Maybe, yeah," Fred nodded.
"And even if I only did it to help, it might be perceived as annoying."
"Possibly."
"Do you think I could lose my job? Would they count this as stealing?"
Fred shrugged. "You're asking the wrong person, but don't get too ahead of yourself here."
"I don't think I really thought this through enough," Scarlett sighed. "I think it might be better if I gave up."
Fred raised his eyebrows. "Yeah?"
"I mean, nobody has to know about this. You know, just in case I could get in trouble. And like you said, this is Dani's thing. If I figure it all out, I'd just seem…mean. I really should have gotten her permission to help her, but she said no and I just wanted to help, and-,"
"Scar, relax," Fred interrupted. "I know you just wanted to help and I know you're scared to lose anyone. Your reasons for doing this seem justified to me, but I think you need to take a deep breath and make a decision without getting yourself too worked up over consequences and things that might happen."
Scarlett looked up at the ceiling before looking back at Fred and smiling slightly. "You know, now that I think about it, you and I aren't really spending as much time together as I'd like."
Fred smiled. "Came up with that all on your own, did you?"
"Of course."
"I think it might be easier for everyone if I stopped trying to figure this whole thing out and simply stick to telling Dani about any ideas if they come up."
"Good idea," Fred replied. "I like that a lot."
"I know you do."
"Finally a Friday night where we're able to spend time together," Fred sighed, flopping down on Scarlett's couch. "And Erica's also conveniently out."
"She's going to spend most of the weekend looking at places to open her own clothing shop," Scarlett said, sitting next to him. She smiled. "I love that you, George and Erica, three of my closest friends, are all businesspeople."
"Yeah, joke shop owners and a clothing designer slash store owner. You're basically set for life."
"I think so, too," Scarlett said, looking up at him.
Fred grinned and gave her a quick kiss. "So now that you're going to be considerably less busy, do you think we'll have time to actually try out this whole being a couple thing?
"We have tried it out."
"Yeah, but we've talked about this. You were so busy and so tired before…I mean, let's think about it. It was mid-July when we admitted we liked each other. Then you said you wanted to ease into things, which I do understand, but I still don't feel like we actually behaved like a couple."
"Because, technically, we weren't a couple yet."
"I know," Fred sighed, "but my point is that while we did find time to hang out, we only even kissed a handful of times. Then you got busy and I hardly ever saw you. It was like we hadn't even agreed to give the relationship a try at all."
"What about now?" Scarlett asked, leaning up to kiss him.
"That's more like it," Fred sighed, pulling away slightly.
Just as they were about to kiss a second time, there was a knock on the door.
"Seriously?" Fred groaned, flopping back into the couch cushions.
Scarlett glanced at the door before sighing, standing up and going to answer it. "Mum?"
"Hi, honey, can I come in?"
"Yeah, of course." Scarlett moved to the side and let her mother in before closing the door. She looked at Fred, who had stood up from his spot on the couch.
"Hi, Mrs. Callaway," he said.
"Hello, Fred," she replied.
"Mum, what's wrong?" Scarlett asked. "You look kind of worried."
"Well," her mother began, "I found out some news…."
Scarlett and Fred glanced at each other. "What kind of news?" Scarlett asked nervously.
"Well, as I'm sure you know, Umbridge has been back at the Ministry."
"Yeah, she's been there for months," Scarlett said slowly.
"What's she done now?" Fred asked angrily, crossing his arms.
"I've found out that in late August, she'll be starting the Muggleborn Registration Commission."
"What's that?" Scarlett asked in disgust, already knowing it wasn't anything good.
"She's going to be bringing Muggleborns in for questioning."
"About what?" Scarlett snorted.
"Most likely about where they got their magic from."
"Where they got their magic from," Scarlett repeated flatly.
"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Fred said, shaking his head.
"Can they get out of it?" Scarlett asked. "Can Muggleborns get out of going in for questioning?"
"No, unfortunately. Unless they go into hiding."
"Does Hermione know?" Scarlett asked.
Her mother shook her head. "No, nobody's supposed to know. It's how Umbridge is going to make sure less people run. She's going to spring it on them when it's time to start questioning them and I'm sure she'll have people working for her to try and round people up."
"How did you find out if nobody's supposed to know?"
"Well, I was trying to get information for a story I had to write for work. Just stuff on what the Ministry's been doing and things like that and I found out that Umbridge was putting this together that way."
"Can't we do anything to stop her?" Fred asked.
Scarlett's mother hesitated. "Maybe. I'll have to think things through and let you know. But for now, I think it would be best if we kept this quiet. If it got out, it could mean trouble. Nobody's supposed to know yet. Umbridge would be furious if all the Muggleborns were able to prepare or go into hiding."
"But we have to at least tell Hermione!" Scarlett exclaimed. "And what about Justin?"
"No," her mother said firmly as Fred raised his eyebrows at Justin's name. "As much as I want to warn people, we can't get the news out just yet. I mean, for one thing, it can eventually be found out that I'm the one who figured all this out. That could cost me my job, which not only is a way for me to investigate Umbridge's plan, but it's something I can't afford to lose right now. Besides, who knows what Umbridge might do to me or even to you, Scarlett. You know how she is."
"Will warning two people make a difference?" Scarlett asked.
"Right now, yes. What if Justin or Hermione feel as if they need to warn other Muggleborns? The news will spread all over and Umbridge will know something's up when she has no one to question at all. As terrible as it is, someone has to go face that woman when the time comes."
Scarlett sighed. "Okay, we'll keep our mouths shut."
"Not a word," Fred agreed.
Scarlett's mother nodded. "In the meantime, I'll try to think up ways to end this and stay as anonymous as possible." She sighed. "It won't be easy, though."
"Be careful," Scarlett said, "and if you need anything, let me know. I'm really glad you told me this."
"I thought you needed to know. Even if it doesn't directly affect you, well…it's Umbridge and I knew she wouldn't be gone for good."
"I know, and I'm still really glad you told me," Scarlett said.
With a weary smile, Scarlett's mother pulled her daughter into a tight hug before pulling Fred into one as well. "Go back to what you were doing," she said, her smile turning into a teasing one as she headed for the door. "Pretend I never interrupted."
"Mum!" Scarlett groaned, but her mother simply waved and shut the door behind her.
Scarlett took in a deep breath before turning to face Fred.
"You want to tell the Finch?" he asked. "Why?"
"I don't know. Up until this past August, we were fairly close. We dated, Fred. He should know. Besides, maybe it's the least I can do after what I did to him."
"You didn't do anything to him," Fred insisted firmly.
"Fred, I lied to him. For eleven whole months. I'm not going to deny it. No, I didn't cheat on him like he's claiming, but I did lie. If I warned him about what's happening, I could make up for it."
"Scar, you don't need to make up for anything. Besides, we promised your mother we wouldn't say anything."
"I know, I know," Scarlett sighed, sinking down onto the couch. "I just wish we could tell him and Hermione. Although I don't think Hermione would go into hiding and just leave Harry and Ron."
"Yeah, but she wouldn't give in to Umbridge either," Fred reasoned, sitting down next to her.
"True." Scarlett sighed again. "I just want everything to go back to normal before You-Know-Who came back and changed and ruined everything."
"He tends to do that, doesn't he?" Fred said with a small smile. "Look, you should really listen to your mother. Seriously, don't do anything stupid. Don't do anything that can get both of you in trouble."
"I don't know what to do," Scarlett whispered. "I obviously don't want anything to happen to my mother, but I also don't want anything to happen to Hermione and Justin."
"And you think I do? Well, the Finch I could care less about, but—"
"Fred!" Scarlett scolded.
"Just listen to your mum, Scar. That's my opinion. Wait until she figures out what to do before you act."
"Who are you and what have you done with Fred Weasley?" Scarlett asked with a tiny smile. "Really, you don't sound like yourself."
Fred laughed. "I just don't want you or your mother to get hurt. Especially by Umbridge. She's already hurt you enough."
Scarlett nodded. "You can say that again."
"So promise me you won't put yourself in danger," Fred said, picking up her hand and gingerly rubbing his thumb over it.
Scarlett was quiet for a few seconds as she stared at their hands. Finally she looked up and nodded. "Fine."
Fred smiled. "Just trying to keep you safe, Scar."
"It's appreciated," Scarlett whispered, leaning back into the couch.
Fred leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I'm glad," he whispered.
Later on, after Fred had left, Scarlett sat on her bed, chewing on a fingernail. She had just gotten a letter from Ginny that casually and innocently mentioned that there was a Hogsmeade trip the next day. That had, needless to say, gotten Scarlett thinking.
She knew she had made promises to both her mother and Fred that she would keep quiet and stay out of danger, but she felt awful knowing information so crucial and not warning Justin or Hermione. If she could get into Hogsmeade, she could warn Justin without having to write a letter and risk it either being intercepted or Justin seeing it was from her and not even reading it.
On the other hand, she couldn't help but worry about her mother. In no way did Scarlett want to put herself or her mother in danger. Her mother was basically the only family she had left. But the more she thought about it, the more she convinced herself that everything would be fine. If she only warned Justin and Hermione, she could swear them to secrecy and only two people would be on the run. Only two people would know beforehand. Umbridge wouldn't be able to tell when they found out or went into hiding. How would she know they had been tipped off? And even if she did suspect Scarlett and her mother, she couldn't prove it. Besides, she couldn't ensure everyone would come in for questioning. No matter who she had working for her, a few Muggleborns were bound to get away here and there.
Scarlett pulled her knees up to her chest and sighed as she came to a decision. She was going to go to Hogsmeade the next day and she was going to warn Justin.
A/N: I know, I know, Justin's sort of back. But really only sort of. I promise he's not going to come back into the story regularly, but he is going to make a few more appearances before the story's over.
Oh, and I also made a YouTube video/trailer for this story. It's nothing fantastic because I'm not all that great at editing and things like that, but I'll put a link in my profile in case anyone wants to watch it or if you just search Promise of a Lifetime fanfiction trailer on YouTube, it should come up.
And if anyone else is any better at editing videos and wants to give one a try, go for it. Like I said, I'm not very good at making them.
Anyway, I hope everyone likes the chapter! :)