Chapter 75: Spontaneous
It was night time at the Burrow and Molly was trying to get all of her sons ready for bed. Sadly, she could not see that happening anytime soon. Lucy had come over, pregnant as ever, to assist her but did no such thing seeing as all she could to was waddle, sit, laugh and eat. She was no help at all. Neither was Natalie, who was enjoying the show, a bowl of muggle popcorn in her hands. The two girls watched with amusement as the Weasley mother ran around the house, two pajamas in her arms, trying to get her sons dressed for bed. She only succeeded with Percy and the twins. Percy, being the obedient son he was, allowed his mother to dress him up the moment she told them it was time to get ready for bed. The twins, being just a few days old, had no choice.
"You can't catch me, mum!" Charlie said gleefully as he jumped from couch to chair, "I'm flying on a dragon!"
"Well tell Mister Dragon to land back on the ground so you can get ready for bed," Molly said, holding up his jammies.
"Never!" Charlie roared with laughter, jumping away again.
Molly sighed and looked over to Bill. "How about you?"
Bill grinned at his mother before running up the stairs, not wanting to get dressed. He was eight, he was the eldest but he was also a boy. Baths and bedtime weren't really on his list. Molly gave a sigh when her son disappeared up the stairs, thumps of his running heard, and looked over to Lucy and Natalie, shooting them a look.
"You couldn't have helped me?" she asked.
"Hey, pregnant remember?" Lucy laughed, patting her belly gently, "I couldn't possibly go against Charlie's dragon!"
Molly looked over to Natalie. "And your excuse?"
"I would have encouraged them to run away anyway," Natalie laughed, eating more popcorn, "This is delicious! Where'd you get it?"
"Arthur brought it home the other day, together with that toasterwaver. The kids thought it was magic," Molly sighed, folding the two pajamas that wouldn't be in use that night.
Natalie slowly nodded, shoveling a handful of popcorn into her mouth. "Toasterwaver, huh? I have got to get me one of those"
"What you have got to get is off your butt. You have to get those two down here and get them ready for bed," Molly told the popcorn-eating girl.
Natalie had said she hated kids but in truth she hated babies. Their cries, it scared her. Kids; however, were another thing. They cried but only when they got hurt. She was good with kids, played their games and taught them how to play hers. Bill and Charlie would listen to her.
"But why?" Natalie pouted, "You already folded their jammies!"
"I can easily unfold them," Molly placed her hands on her hips.
"Can't you just, I don't know, Accio them into their pajamas?" Natalie asked.
Lucy laughed at her friend. "That's not how parenting goes, Natalie," she spoke in her gentle tone, the tone she used when she turned rather motherly. Zoey wasn't even born yet and Lucy was already taking on the mother voice. The voice that could be so gentle and soothing yet rather scary when used to scold. Lucy hoped she never got the chance to scold her child. "You can't use magic on your kids."
"And how would you know? Your little bundle of screaming, pooping joy isn't even born yet," Natalie grumbled, placing her bowl of popcorn on the table and stretched. She might as well get those two into their pajamas before Molly nagged her to death. "Come to think of it… when are you getting her out of your system? You look about ready to explode."
"Please don't explode right now. I just cleaned the floor," Molly laughed
"It's nice to know you care, Mol," Lucy gave her own laugh
"But Natalie's right ("Of course I'm right! I always am!") You shouldn't be flooing or Apparating right now," Molly said to the pregnant woman, "You could be due any day now"
"I'm not due till the end of April," Lucy told her.
"That's less than a week from now!" Molly said with wide eyes. Natalie took this chance to escape, she did not want to be in the same room as two mothers, one yet to be mother, it was just too awkward for her.
Lucy watched Natalie retreating up the stairs, the girl not really wanting to Apparate, and looked back to Molly with a smile. "I'm fine," her eyes then widened, "Less than a week? I'm going to be a mother in less than a week?"
"I thought you knew," Molly took a step back.
"Oh my! Oh my, oh my, oh my," the pregnant woman had tears in her eyes, "It's like an early birthday present. My daughter… oh my"
Molly's wide eyes softened as she took a seat beside her friend. She knew what it was like to be pregnant; she was pregnant four times now, the latest with two children inside. The woman knew how happy she was when she realized how closer and closer she came to her due date. She would always say 'One more month…. Two more weeks… five more days' until the actual day came. The day when her child was welcomed into the world. She cried happy tears too.
It was inevitable.
"I think she would like it here, Zoey I mean. When she's old enough, I'll bring her here whenever I can. She'll play with everyone and make everyone smile and then she'll fall in love with one of your sons," Lucy spoke after wiping away the last of her happy tears
"You really want her to do that don't you?" Molly gave a laugh.
"Of course I do," Lucy placed a hand on her stomach, Zoey kicked, "They're good boys even though they don't want to go to bed"
"They are," Molly smiled softly.
Soon, Natalie came down stairs with a triumphant smile on her face. Her wand was held up and Bill and Charlie floated behind her. Both looked like they were jinxed with the Body-Binding Curse before levitated up above the ground. Lucy gave her friend a bemused look while Molly stood up abruptly, mouth hanging open.
"What. Did. You. Do?" Molly seemed to struggle at her words. Her sons were dangling, arms and legs stuck together, in the air.
"Got them ready for their jammie whammys," Natalie grinned, "Told you magic makes child care easier"
Lucy stood up, with effort, and placed a hand on Molly's shoulder before looking at Natalie. "Put them on the couches, gently," she did so, "And change them into their pajamas"
"What?" Natalie was shocked.
"You heard me. Get them changed while I take Molly into the kitchen for a glass of water," Lucy said.
"But I already got them down here! Why do I have to change them?" Natalie whined.
"Because you already got them down here. Another task won't be that hard," Lucy gently lead Molly to the kitchen; the woman was still in shock at her bound sons. Should she yell? She didn't have time to think before Lucy pushed her into the kitchen. "Oh, and Natalie? You are never going to babysit Zoey," Lucy ended with a smile before entering the kitchen herself.
Natalie rolled her eyes and picked up the folded pajamas before looking at Bill and Charlie. "This is why I will never want to have kids," she told them, "Mothers are mean to their peers"
Lucy laughed gently as she watched Molly take a huge gulp of water before placing the glass back down. She was worried for her kids. She trusted Natalie…just not with sleeping duty. Natalie was only good at keeping the kids occupied during playtime. Bedtime was another story. Lucy gently rubbed her stomach and felt Zoey kick once more. It didn't hurt but she wished the kid would just come out already. Less than a week, that was far too long. She wanted to see her baby now.
"I can't believe she did that to my children," Molly said hoarsely, "Oh Merlin! What is she doing with them now?"
"Molly, calm down," Lucy said, placing a hand on Molly's shoulders so she wouldn't stand up from her chair, "I'm sure they're doing fine"
"Fine? She put a Body-Binding Curse on my sons!" Molly exclaimed.
Lucy shh-ed her. "She did what she thought was the best way to get them ready"
"What was best?" Molly was baffled, "I thought you said that that wasn't how parenting works! You cannot use magic on your kids!"
"She needs to learn," Lucy told her.
"But not using my kids!" Molly then stood back up and left the kitchen, stopping in her tracks to see Bill and Charlie dressed in their pajamas and already asleep on the couch. Natalie straightened up and wiped her brow, sending a peace sign at her friends.
"I'm awesome," Natalie said with a whisper.
Lucy and Molly shook their heads at the girl before Molly picked up Charlie while Natalie, who as now willing to follow orders, picked up Bill. Lucy quietly watched them make their way upstairs, to put the boys to bed. The pregnant woman followed right after them, careful with her steps.
When she saw the other two enter one room, she continued to head towards the twins' room. She had grown a fondness to the two. The woman sat on the rocking chair beside the crib and slowly rocked back in forth, humming to herself and watching Fred and George move a bit in their sleep. Her eyes softened at the sight. She could not tell them apart but she hoped she would eventually. The two were troublemakers at heart. Barely a month old, and they already caused their parents stress. Sure, they allowed themselves to get dressed for the night, unlike their elder brothers, but when it came to eating certain foods or playing with certain toys. It got hectic.
The woman placed a hand over her belly once more and rubbed it. A few more days till little Zoey was going to enter the world.
A small cry interrupted Lucy.
"Hello there," Lucy said quietly, seeing one of the twins awake and looking at her curiously, "You don't want to disturb your brother, now do you?"
The baby, she didn't know which twin was which, blinked.
"Well it still isn't very nice. He's asleep and you should be too," Lucy gently scolded him. She knew the twins; they liked to cause trouble. Making people sleep less was trouble.
Twin number one, Lucy titled him, did not make another sound but he didn't go to sleep either. He was just staring at the woman's belly. He reached his tiny hand towards it, not quite long enough to reach.
Lucy gave a soft laugh and took the baby's hand. He wrapped his chubby fingers around her long slender one.
"I did not eat a watermelon, no," Lucy spoke, the idea just popping into her mind, "Sirius said I look like I did. Charming man, really," she laughed, "Little Zoey is inside me right now but soon enough you'd get to see her. Wouldn't that be fun?"
Twin number one made a sound. Like a small whine mixed with a burp. It was cute since he was a baby. Everything babies did were cute. A privilege they lose once they turn three.
"She's going to be a cute baby," Lucy said in a soft voice, moving her finger up and down, making Twin number one give a giggle. "She's going to have her father's eyes and my hair. I know it. It would be a shame if she got my eyes, they're boring but if she got Sirius' hair … that's not fair," Lucy pouted, "His hair is better than mine and that's just mean because I'm the girl."
Twin number one had no idea what Lucy just said. He simply blinked.
"Which one are you?" Lucy asked.
The baby gave a burp.
"I hope my daughter picks you then," Lucy smiled before gently releasing twin number one's hold on her finger and standing up. She placed a hand on her belly. "Agreed, Zoey?"
There was a soft kick.
It was another day in Hogwarts and Zoey found herself with her brows furrowed in concentration. She sat quietly in Charms class as she tried to listen to Professor Flitwick's lecture. The task used to be very easy but now, Zoey was having a hard time concentrating. She placed a hand near her pocket and thought back to what had happened this morning.
It was another morning in Hogwarts and Zoey had found herself sitting on her bed, pills in her right hand while her left hand lay on one of her pillows. She was afraid to move her hand, not even a little twitch. About a week had passed since Umbridge caught her sneaking out of the Gryffindor Common Room and since that night, Zoey had relived the torture. Zoey winced at the memory of her sitting in Umbridge's office, alone, writing with that dreaded quill. Umbridge, being who she was, walked around Zoey with the familiar stick in her hand, lecturing her like all those years ago. The same whack of the stick and the same five words on Zoey's left hand.
An entire week had passed and her hand still throbbed with pain. She wondered why. Maybe something was just wrong with her. Zoey distracted her thoughts away from her hand and looked to the pills in her other hand. She still didn't take them, she didn't want to take them, but she often wondered what would happen if she did. The Emeraude popped open the lid and peered inside. It was still the same, though not as much as before since some had fallen out during her summer in 12 Grimmauld Place. Zoey sighed.
"You know, pain killers won't really help you"
"Pardon?" Zoey looked up to see Jane. She was staring at the pills in Zoey's hand.
"Pain killers," Jane pointed at the pills, "They aren't going to help you. That toad woman used some kind of dark magic on you. No muggle medicine would make that go away"
Zoey looked to her left hand. "How do you even know what pain killers are? I don't know them"
"Aiden. He took them back in fourth year. They looked odd to me. I grew up with my wounds being magically healed. No need for pain," Jane shrugged.
"I see," Zoey sighed, standing up from her bed and shoving the Auctor Sanitatis into her pocket, "We should go. We have DADA"
Jane groaned. "Do we have to?"
"Unfortunately, yes"
Professor Flitwick's voice brought Zoey back to reality.
Normally, Zoey wouldn't be zoning out in class, especially if it was Charms. Zoey liked the subject, she was exceptionally good at it, and Professor Flitwick wasn't a bad teacher either. Today was an exception, seeing as she had just launched into a flashback during Professor Flitwick's demonstration of the spell they were going to learn that day. It wasn't like the spell wasn't interesting. No, if it were any other day, Zoey would be focused on learning it and being able to cast it before any of her classmates but something kept distracting her.
And not in a good way.
Umbridge was lurking at the back of the class, with a clipboard in her hands. She had posted a rule on inspecting each and every one of the teacher's classes. Today, obviously, it was Charms class with the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.
Zoey suppressed a sigh when she saw Umbridge approach Alicia Spinnet and began questioning her. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see the twins glaring. Why did Umbridge choose to do this inspection thing? Zoey didn't know. All she knew at the moment was that she had another detention with Umbridge later that night.
She was not looking forward to it.
Nobody did.
Before anyone knew it, and much to Zoey's relief, class had ended and it seemed that Professor Flitwick had done well. She offered her Professor a kind smile before packing up her things, ready to leave the room. Zoey was just about to exit the door when the sound of someone clearing their throat stopped her. Zoey swallowed hard before turning to see Umbridge with her clipboard held to her chest.
"I'll see you later tonight, Miss Emeraude," Umbridge ended with a giggle before heading to Professor Flitwick to tell him when he would get his results.
When Umbridge left, Zoey felt like she could breathe again.
"Pleasant woman, isn't she?" Jane said from beside Zoey, shooting glares at the pink woman.
"Tell me about it," Zoey replied gloomily, rubbing at her left hand.
Jane, seeing what Zoey had done, picked up Zoey's hand and read it. Her brows furrowed. "You know, when I look closely it's like there's another thing behind this scar," Jane squinted, "Blimey, it says the same thing only with a different penmanship."
Zoey drew her hand back. "Your eyes are playing tricks on you," she told her, though what Jane had said was true. Zoey's writing ways had changed over the years and when the words were cut into her skin, it had overlapped the old scars making it look slightly messier than Fred or Harry's hand. Like something that couldn't be fully erased and was just written over.
It wasn't nice to look at.
"Well, getting over the fact that you're lying. Cheer up! You made the team! You're Hufflepuff's newest Beater!" Jane grinned, slapping Zoey on the back.
"Lower your voice," Zoey laughed, straightening up. The Emeraude was simply over joyed when she headed to the Common Room to see the list of those in the team. She almost screamed with glee when she saw her name written on the piece of parchment. It was really a dream come true. Zoey blushed, to think she was terrified of the Bludgers and was now assigned to fend them off. It was ironic.
"And why should I? I'm so proud of you I can shout"
"Please don't"
"Zoey Anastasia Emeraude is the new Huffle –"
But Zoey's hands muffled the rest of Jane's words; the Emeraude had a frantic blush on her face while Jane continued to shout, though no one could understand what she was saying.
"Shout on your own time," Zoey hissed at her
"Bat dis ish mah on tie," Jane's words were still muffled.
Zoey shook her head at her friend and swiftly removed her hands from Jane's mouth before she could lick it. A muggle thing she had heard from Aiden. It amused the girl but disgusted Zoey. The Emeraude stuffed her hands into her pockets, playing with the pills, as she walked beside Jane.
They were heading to their next class, Herbology.
As the two Hufflepuffs were walking, Jane began to talk. She talked about random things. Whatever came to mind. Some relevant to their day, schoolwork and lessons while others just amused Zoey. Making her laugh or give Jane a disbelieving look. This little conversation continued with every step they took until something happened.
"And don't you find it weird when – Zoey!" Jane exclaimed with wide eyes staring at Zoey who now laid on the floor, face down. Jane quickly knelt down beside Zoey and tried to help her up. Zoey had a pained expression on her face.
"What happened to you?" Jane was worried, "Did you trip?"
Zoey bit her lip, supporting herself with her arms and with Jane's help. "I – I don't think I did," she looked warily at her legs, "I… I just fell down"
"Fell down? Did you sprain something?"
"I… I … I can't move my legs," Zoey's eyes were wide with fear as she struggled to move her lower half. Nothing was happening. "Jane, I can't move my legs. They just…. Just stopped working and now I can't move them"
"You can't move your legs?" Jane asked, though hearing what Zoey had just said. "What do you mean?"
"I mean what I mean, Jane," Zoey's voice wavered as she tried to focus on moving her legs. She couldn't even bend them on her own. The most she can do was move them by using her arms and hands to direct them. They were like a doll. They needed someone to control them. "I don't know what happened"
"Well, we got to get you to the Hospital Wing. I'm sure Madam Pomfrey would know what to do," Jane said, placing Zoey's arm around her shoulder and her, Jane's, hand on Zoey's waist.
"And how do you expect to get me there?" Zoey raised a cautious eyebrow. Wondering what Jane was doing.
"I'm going to carry you of course," Jane paused, "Well, support you"
Zoey felt a little panicked inside. "Jane, don't. Just leave me here and get Madam Pomfrey to come."
"And leave you here alone? Are you mental? You need to see Madam Pomfrey, ASAP. Now, come on stand up"
Silence.
"Oops. Sorry, I forgot," Jane said sheepishly, getting a better grip of Zoey before lifting the Emeraude with effort. Zoey was light but wasn't exactly light to Jane. It was like carrying her, Jane's, own weight. Not fun. Jane grunted when she lifted Zoey off the floor and stumbled a bit to the side when she felt Zoey's full weight leaning on her. The Emeraude really couldn't use her feet. She couldn't even put her weight on them.
"Jane, I'm too heavy. Put me down," Zoey struggled with her words. She wasn't used to not being able to stand properly. She felt like her lower half was dead weight.
"Too late. I already got you off the dirty floor. Don't let my effort go to waste," Jane grinned at her before shifting Zoey. She then began to walk, ignoring Zoey's protests.
Zoey gave a soft sigh as she sat in one of the many hospital beds in the Hospital Wing. Jane had gotten her there in about forty minutes, dumped her on one of the beds, complaining about her cramped arms before informing Madam Pomfrey of what had just happened. Madam Pomfrey, being who she was, fussed over Zoey, asking her what happened from her own point of view and giving her several potions to help her. Soon enough, Zoey began to feel a tingling in her legs. She still couldn't move them though. The Emeraude looked over to the door. Jane had left after Zoey took the potion; she had to inform the teachers of what happened.
She, Zoey, looked down at her hands, thinking to herself. She had lost all feeling in her lower half, causing her to fall. How did that happen? Why did it happen? Zoey placed a hand over the pocket with the pills. Could they have prevented this?
Before she could wonder any further, the Hospital Wing's doors burst open revealing Fred.
"Mr. Weasley!" Madam Pomfrey scolded him, "You do not go barging into the Hospital Wing like that."
"ZOEY!" Fred shouted, totally ignoring the angered nurse. He ran towards his girlfriend and immediately began to worry about her.
"Are you okay? Were you injured? What happened?" He asked, not letting out a breath as he checked his girlfriend for any sign on injury or pain.
"Mr. Weasley! Please lower your voice," Madam Pomfrey told him before turning around. She knew about him and Zoey, she decided to leave them alone. Hopefully Fred had heard her warning.
Zoey looked at the retreating figure of the healer before looking back at Fred. She gave him a soft smile. "Hello," she greeted him.
"Hello?" Fred asked, his eyes wide. "I ran here as fast as I could, worrying about you and that's all I get? Hello?" he continued.
"Well, you didn't greet me," Zoey blinked at him. She then wiped his forehead. "You ran all the way here? Would you like some water? What about class?"
"Zoe… what happened?" Fred asked, ignoring her questions. She was the important person here, not him.
"Oh you know, gravity just being mean," Zoey waved her hand, avoiding his question a bit. He was already worried about her, no point in making him panic.
"You're blaming gravity?" Fred asked, "I don't think gravity just pulls someone down for no reason, Zoe"
"What do you mean? It has plenty reason. Keeps us glued to the ground so we won't float up to space and all that," Zoey grinned but the grin soon disappeared when she saw that this was no joking matter. "I fell," she told him.
"Did you trip?" Fred asked, still a bit worried.
Zoey shook her head, looking away from Fred for a minute. She didn't trip. She knew she didn't trip.
"Well then...how did you fall?" Fred was now wondering what happened. If Zoey didn't trip, then what caused her fall?
"How did I fall? That's a good question. How did I fall?" Zoey licked her lips, "I… my lower half just decided to stop working on my way to Herbology"
"Oh well that's a – wait what?" Fred asked, his eyes widening. "Just stopped working? Like you got paralyzed or something?"
After what Fred had said, Zoey hit her own head with realization. "Paralyzed! That makes a lot of sense!" she said shaking her head at her own 'stupidity', "But… No, I don't think so. I can feel a little tingling in my legs. Can't really move them though. No big deal"
Fred sighed. She really wasn't making this easy for him. Her legs had suddenly stopped working and she was saying it was not a big deal? What if it was her heart that suddenly stopped working? Fred winced at the thought. Maybe it was a good thing it was just her legs but either way, he just wished she wasn't in the Hospital Wing. He gently took her hand in his own and looked at her in the eyes.
"This is a big deal, Zoe," Fred told her.
"I'll be fine," Zoey squeezed his hand, "Just greet me"
"Gre –" but Fred wasn't able to finish his question for he found Zoey's mouth on top of his, kissing him. The kiss was soft and shy; Zoey wasn't used to doing it first, but filled with meaning. It held things that she couldn't say but wanted to. It was a secret sort of kiss. Fred leaned in and returned it.
"You actually did that?" Harry snorted into his hand, laughing at what Zoey had just told him.
It was Zoey's second day in the Hospital Wing and she could finally move her legs. The real problem was, can she walk? She hasn't found the time to test them out yet. Gravity was not nice to her to begin with; she did not want to greet the floor with her face. Anyway, it was Harry's free period and Zoey's darling godbrother decided to take this time to visit her, seeing as he wasn't able to yesterday. The visit turned out pleasant to begin with but now Zoey just wanted to whack him over the head.
"Not you too, Harry! It isn't funny!" Zoey pouted, folding her arms across her chest. She really wanted to get out of the Hospital Wing. Sure, she worked there from time to time but the feeling of actually being a patient was different. She was bored.
"Then what was it?" Harry raised a brow
Zoey thought for a moment. "Spontaneous," she then paused, "Stop it, Harry!"
"Sorry… ha ha… Sorry, I'll stop now," Harry grinned at his godsister. He really couldn't help it. She just acted cute in a way, cute in an older sister way yet also in a younger sister way, hard to describe.
"Thank you," Zoey sighed, "Honestly, first George, Jane, Echo, Bridgit and Aiden and now you. Next would be Ginny, Ron and Hermione. I'll never hear the end of it"
"Well, that's what you get for being spontaneous," Harry grinned, "Why'd you do it?"
"I wanted to try being spontaneous. Something new"
"How'd that work out for you?"
"I learned that my friends have horrible timing and can be very immature when they want to be. Honestly, walking in while me and Fred were… uhm"
"Being Spontaneous," Harry stifled a laugh
"Yes, and laughing their leprechauns off! It's embarrassing! And to think I thought they came because they were worried about me. But no. They came and laughed. Teased. I was as red as a tomato if not more! Fred didn't even back me up. He laughed along with them. That traitor," Zoey grumbled.
Amused Silence.
"Leprechauns?" Harry laughed.
"Is that all you got from my rant?" Zoey raised a brow, "It's a euphemism!"
"You can't even say ars – ("Don't say that word!") butt? Zoey, how old are you again?"
Zoey paused and looked down, her hair covering her face. "I'm old…. I'm old…" she said with fake despair. She was seventeen. When the Emeraude heard Harry laugh once more, she looked up to smile at him. She was waiting for that laugh. Sure, he laughed before but she wanted to hear it one more time. A laugh that was caused from her own little joke, not from her despair which was slightly comical, slightly for her…very for others. When Harry had entered the Hospital Wing earlier, he looked both stressed and worried. Zoey had assured him that she was fine, the worry dropped a bit but the stress was still there. She then told him what happened with her and Fred yesterday, both unsettling feelings dropped.
When the boy stopped laughing, the stress and worry came back.
"Zoey, can I ask you something?" Harry began
"You already did," Zoey paused, "You're allowed another question. What's eating you?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you think I'll be a good teacher?"
"I thought you wanted to be an Auror?" Zoey's brows furrowed.
"Just answer the question, Zoey," Harry pleaded.
Zoey bit her lip. "Sure, why not? You're nice and smart. You'd be a great teacher"
"Not really the answer I was looking for," Harry sighed.
"What? Why?" Zoey was genuinely confused.
"Hermione's got this idea that I should be teaching…a… certain amount of people DADA. She says I'm good at it ("You are!" Zoey said loyally) but I don't really know. Sure, we need a proper teacher, Hermione's words, but why me?" Harry asked.
"Why not you?" Zoey spoke without thinking. The answer was automatic, obvious to her. "You survived against Voldemort. You have the most experience. Harry, I could name a lot of reasons why you would be the best option but just trust me. You can do it," the girl then paused, "Sign me up"
"W - What"
"That teaching thing you're going to be doing, sign me up. I want to learn from the boy – who – lived," Zoey smiled at him before messing up his already messy hair.
Zoey took a deep breath as she stood in front of the Hog's Head. She was finally able to walk again. By the time the fourth day of her being bedridden came, Zoey had had enough of it and pushed off her blankets, feet on the floor. She stumbled a bit at first but finally got the hang of it. Baby Steps. It was just like a child's first time to walk. Testing the gravity. Trusting it. Zoey had learned to walk again.
A few days ago, after Zoey had finally gotten back on her own two feet, Hermione had approached her, telling her to come to the Hogshead on the first Hogsmeade trip, saying it was very important. Zoey, being who she is, obediently pushed open the door and entered the little pub. Zoey wrinkled her nose at the sight. It was filthy. The Emeraude had never been to this part of Hogsmeade and frankly, she was a bit nervous. Zoey then caught sight of the Golden Trio. She put on her best smile and approached them.
"Hey," Zoey greeted, taking a seat beside Hermione as they greeted her in return, "So is this about Harry being a teacher?"
"Yes," Hermione replied, smiling a bit but also looking a bit nervous.
"Great," Zoey grinned before looking around the pub once more, "But why did we have to meet up… uhm… here?"
"We'll be getting to that," Hermione said, "Just as soon as the others arrive"
"Speaking of others. How many did you invite, Hermione?" Harry asked
"Just a few"
"That meaning –" but Ron never got to complete his question for the Hog's Head door opened and several more Hogwarts students came in, making their way to Harry and the rest.
Zoey watched patiently as Neville, Dean, Lavender, the Patil twins, Bridgit, Echo, Fred, George, Lee, Luna, Jane, Aiden, Cho, Katie, Angelina, Zacharias, Terry, Michael and whole lot more entered the pub. She raised a questioning brow at the large paper bags Fred, George and Lee were carrying. Without a doubt they were crammed with Zonko's Merchandise.
"A couple of people?" Harry said hoarsely.
"Yes, well, the idea seemed rather popular. Ron, could you pull up a couple more chairs?" the brunette then turned to Ron. Zoey patted Harry's back comfortingly before making her way to Fred. She smiled up at him.
"Hello," she greeted.
"Hi," he grinned, he was excited about the things he bought, "Want a Butterbeer?"
Zoey shook her head. She did not like the looks of the glasses provided.
"Suit yourself," Fred then turned to the crowd, "Oi! Cough up the cash, everyone, I don't have the gold to pay for all of these!"
The Emeraude watched as everyone dug into his or her robes for coins and handed them to Fred. In less than about five minutes, everyone settled down on chairs surrounding Harry. Everyone was sending him curious looks, the chatter already gone. Zoey listened carefully as Hermione began to explain about the need of a better teacher and that if they really were going to go up against Voldemort, He-who-must-not-named to those who cannot stand the name, they would need to learn what defense is, and that no other person can teach them better than Harry James Potter.
Some of the students were pretty convinced yet majority were still a bit cautious… suspicious. Namely, Zoey's Hufflepuff captain, Zacharias Smith.
"Well, that's the plan," Hermione said after her opening speech of what they were all doing in the dodgy pub, "If you want to join, we need to decide on how we're going –"
"Where's the proof You – Know – Who's back?" Zacharias spoke, almost aggressively. Zoey winced at his tone and looked over to him.
"Where's your proof that he isn't, Zacharias?" someone asked in an annoyed tone, it was Bridgit.
"First of all, no one has even heard of anything about You-Know-Who, and there hasn't been any attacks, and I don't see the teachers panicking about it." Zacharias answered aggressively, making Bridgit stand from her seat.
"Zacharias, do tell me what hole you are in and you haven't heard anything?" Bridgit asked, walking up to the bloody prick. "Didn't you hear about last year's incident? Didn't you hear about the attack during the Quidditch World Cup? And didn't you bloody hear Harry saying that he saw him come back?"
"So that's what were supposed to trust? A statement from The-Boy-Who-Lived? He could be making this up for attention!" Zacharias now said.
"Well I'd trust him more than you!" Bridgit answered. "Why wouldn't I trust Harry? He's saved us countless times and I think that he deserves it!" She shouted more, and to prove her point she signed her name on the parchment that Hermione had lain out on the table. "Glad to be your student Harry." Bridgit said smiling, she glared at Zacharias before walking back to her seat beside Echo.
After that little episode, the people who did believe Harry began to complement him. Saying stuff about what he had done and what he can do. Everyone was in awe and from what Zoey could see deep down, they were trying to convince the others to believe in Harry. The spoke about how he could make a Patronus, how he fought against the dragon and many more. It was truly amazing. Zoey felt pride for being Harry's friend. Sure, she was not there during the times he saved everyone but just hearing about them… it was amazing.
"And nobody helped you get rid of those Dementors this summer," a girl, Zoey identified as Susan Bones, said.
Modest Harry: ON
"No," Harry said, "No, I know I did bits of it without any help but what I'm trying to say is –"
"Are you trying to weasel out of showing us any of this stuff?" Zacharias spoke once more. The kid just didn't know when to shut up.
"Here's an idea," Ron began, "Why don't you shut your mouth"
Zoey silently agreed. She really didn't look forward to putting up with this twerp any longer. What's worse was that he was in her house and her team captain. Life was unfair sometimes.
"Well, we all came to learn something from him and now he's telling us he can't do any of it," Zacharias shot back.
"That's not what he said," Fred snarled.
"Why don't you take the time to actually listen to what people are saying?" Zoey found herself talking. She didn't care if Zacharias got mad at her. She was plenty mad already. She didn't give a damn.
"Would you like us to clean out your ears for you?" George then pulled out a long and lethal-looking metal instrument from inside one of the Zonko's bags.
"Or any part of your body, really, we're not fussy where we stick this," Fred continued.
At that statement, Hermione interrupted them and brought the conversation back to Harry teaching DADA. Zoey listened attentively. They discussed when the meetings would be held and where. What would be the best time schedule, once a week, seven times a month and what not. One thing led to another and then they began to discuss when they should hold the meetings when there's Quidditch Tryouts. In the end, everyone began to line up in front of Hermione, ready to sign their names on the piece of parchment Bridgit had already signed.
Even Zacharias signed himself up.
"Coward!" someone called from the crowd, no one knew who though. Zacharias shot that person a glare while everyone else tried to contain their laughter.
When everyone had signed, Hermione rolled up the parchment and carefully placed it in her bag. The air around everyone was slightly awkward. Like they had just signed some sort of contract.
"Well, with that done," Fred said loudly, trying to break the tension, "Lee, my good man, could you please take these wonderful items up to our dorm while I take milady," he took Zoey's arm, "Out on a date"
"Wh – what?" Zoey's eyes widened a bit, blushing.
"Hey Fred! Please make sure Zoey can walk tomorrow!" Bridgit shouted, followed by a cry of pain from said girl. Zoey and Fred blushed, Zoey more so, at the embarrassing comment and thanked Echo for whacking Bridgit's head.
It was Lee who broke the next tension in the air.
"But of course good sir!" Lee said with a laugh and a bow before tipping and imaginary hat towards Zoey, "Ma'am"
Lee brought out his wand and charmed the Zonko's bags, even George's, to float in the air and to follow him. The Gryffindor was first to leave the pub. George then turned to Echo, asking her for a date as well. The Ravenclaw accepted, on one condition, they went to Honeydukes. When the first pair left, others followed until it was just Zoey, Fred and the Golden Trio in the pub. The Golden Trio were polite enough to look away from the couple.
"You… you aren't going to do anything… are you?" Zoey asked, brows knitted together and cheeks flaming red. She could not believe what Bridgit had just said.
"Of course not!" Fred said, aghast. "Mum would kill me if I did that before marriage!" He continued, making Zoey whack his head.
"That doesn't mean you don't want to!" Zoey answered, making Fred laugh.
"I was just teasing, Zoe," Fred said, and the trio felt even more awkward.
"Oi," Ron called, trying to get them out of their awkward situation "Could you two just go on with your date already?"
Zoey bit her lip at what Ron had just said before sidestepping towards the door, hands behind her back. "Well, you still owe me," she smiled at Fred, "Let's get going, yeah?"
"Of course Milady." Fred said, taking Zoey's hand from behind her and walking out of the pub.
The pair walked hand in hand down Hogsmeade, window-shopping. Occasionally they would pass by other couples and see them having PDA but they didn't mind. What mattered was they were together and nothing could interrupt their simple date. The two passed by Honeydukes and Zoey found herself giving a soft laugh when she saw George and Echo, hand in hand, with Echo pointing at numerous candies that caught her eye. Fred and Zoey continued to walk.
As they were walking, enjoying each other's company, Fred would crack a joke at a perfect time, making Zoey laugh and making her forget about all the bad things that had happened and will happen. She liked that about him, he made her forget even if it was just for a little while.
Zoey began to hum softly, singing almost.
"When I see your smile,
Tears run down my face
I can't replace.
And now that I'm strong I have figured out,
How this world turns cold and it breaks through my soul.
And I know I'll find deep inside me,
I can be the one"
"I will never let you fall.
I'll stand up for you forever.
I'll be there for you through it all.
Even if saving you sends me to Heaven." Fred continued.
Zoey stopped dead in her tracks and looked over at Fred. She didn't continue the song anymore; she just gave him an amused look, her face twisting a bit in trying to suppress her laugh.
"What's with you?" Fred asked, stopping his singing, if you can call it that, and raising his eyebrow at her.
"It's nothing. It's just that you… have an extraordinary singing voice," She grinned at him.
"I'm glad to know someone thinks that," Fred answered, even if he knew what Zoey had meant. "According to my housemates I have a horrible voice." Fred added.
"I wouldn't say horrible," Zoey couldn't stop grinning, she squeezed Fred's hand, "From what Bridgit says, you could really have a duet with the Fat Lady"
"Har har, she's hilarious," Fred said sarcastically. "It's not like she can sing… well, I don't know if she can but still!" Fred continued, making Zoey laugh at his failed attempt at a come back.
"She can play the guitar," Zoey smiled up at him, "We all have our talents. Echo with the piano, Bridgit with the guitar. You and George have a talent in pranking and making everyone laugh."
"And your talent is to sprout wings," Fred said, smirking. Zoey laughed.
"Like that never gets old," she rolled her eyes, "I have a talent with Euphemisms"
She then sneezed.
"Liar!" Fred said laughing
Zoey waved him off, smile still on her face. "I think I want that Butterbeer now," she told him, turning around.
"Okay then, to the Three Broomsticks we go!" Fred said, following after Zoey's lead.
The Three Broomsticks was a nice place; a whole lot cleaner than Hog's Head and much more casual than Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop. Zoey carefully drank her Butterbeer and scanned the room. A whole lot of the current population inside was of the students who signed themselves up as "students" under Harry. The rest were just normal Hogwarts students. Zoey took another sip of her drink.
"You know, I seriously can't believe Butterbeer has alcoholic content," Fred said randomly.
Zoey chocked on her drink and pushed the mug away, eyeing it cautiously. "It does?"
"Yeah, it has two percent alcohol or something," Fred answered. "Not enough to get you drunk so don't worry," he continued, offering her a smile.
"If you say so," Zoey muttered, bringing her drink closer to her, "But if I end up wasted. It's your fault," she paused, "Don't take advantage of me!"
"Why, Zoe!" Fred said, clutching his chest in mock hurt, "I didn't know you thought so low of me!"
"Bridgit got the thought in my head," Zoey then blushed after realizing what she just said. "W – what do you think of Harry being our DADA 'teacher'?" she failed at changing the subject.
"And she calls me the bad influence," Fred then said. "Well, I think it's gonna be fun! Harry's good at these kind of things, and it's better than reading and boring ourselves in Umbridge's class"
"True," Zoey hummed, taking another sip at her drink, she wasn't fast when it came to mugs of great size, and she placed her drink down on the table. Covering her mouth a bit to muffle her burp. She looked over to Fred and saw that he was busy chugging down his own beverage; her eyes caught sight of his left hand, the scars of his detention still there. She gently picked it up, thinking it would hurt the boy, and read the writings. She traced each letter with her finger, thinking.
"You know, we never did talk about what had happened in class…" Fred started, but Zoey cut him off
"No, Fred, please… I don't wan to talk about it," Zoey said, and Fred turned her around so she was facing him.
"Zoey, you have to trust me…" Fred said, the mischief in his face gone. "You have to let me help you… you're not alone you know"
"I know that… that's why I don't want anyone to help me," she gave a shaky breath, "It's too dangerous"
"Zoe, do you think that that would make me stop asking?" Fred asked. "That would only make me want to protect you, I've been patient Zoe and I trust you, but you're already getting hurt and I don't want to just stand by and watch that"
Zoey took a breath, her bottom lip quivering as she tried to think of an answer. No, Fred wouldn't want to stand by. He was a man of action. If we could, he would do anything in his will power to help. Even if it didn't benefit him. Fred was a prankster, yes, but he wasn't stupid or heartless. He was the opposite.
"I… I know that. I'm grateful for that but… there are some things that you can't help me with. Not even Harry or Dumbledore could help me," Zoey felt the pills press against her leg from inside her pocket.
"I'm not Harry or Dumbledore… I'm Fred, and if you haven't met me, I don't care about rules or safety," Fred said, "So please, help me to understand and let me help you"
Zoey's eyes widened at what he had just told her. How could she forget? He was Frederick Gideon Weasley. Prankster extraordinaire. Rule breaker and friend helper. He was just… Fred. The Emeraude looked around and saw that no one was looking at them and she focused her attention back at Fred. How could she have possibly kept everything a secret for so long? Why did she not seek help from those who offered it? Was she trying to be strong or was she just foolish? She took a deep breath.
"I…both my parents are dead and I stayed with my godfather and godmother for the time being before going to my Aunt's place to live. I didn't want to but I had to. When I entered my assigned house… I simply…broke. I don't know what happened but before I knew it… everything was broken. Tables turned and pictures ripped. It was a mess, it still is a mess," Zoey took a deep breath. If Fred wanted to help her, he must know what she had gone through.
"I stayed in that broken home for days before my Aunt Damiana came through the door. She was the picture of perfect. Tall, beautiful and the like, her beauty was ruined by her ugly personality. She… she insulted me when she came," Zoey scanned her memory. She had tried her best to push all of that behind her, "She wanted something of my mother's. She tortured me to get it." Zoey lowered her voice and duck her head. "The Cruciatus curse and the like. She used them on me to get information of the whereabouts of what she wanted."
Fred couldn't believe what he was hearing. Zoey was tortured, and for the past six to seven years that he's known her, he never knew how bad the torture was. He knew her aunt was hurting her, but he never thought that it had gone so far. He immediately pulled Zoey into a hug. "Go on Zoe, it's okay...I'm here," He whispered, trying to get her to continue.
Zoey took a deep breath, breathing in Fred's scent. The Weasley scent.
"What she wanted was my mother's box. The box you saved me from falling into the summer before our sixth year. She wanted that. I wouldn't tell her where it was located. Heck, I didn't even know what she was talking about till she hung me from a tower taller than the Astronomy Tower," Zoey paused, remembering the frightening experience. One of many. "When I finally understood what she was looking for, she wanted me to tell her where it was. I didn't know but she tried to torture the answer out of me."
"She wasn't the only one who participated in the abuse. Draco's dad and Professor Umbridge partook in them too," Zoey added as an after thought, remembering all the things she wanted to forget, "All that happened to me until I got my Hogwarts letter. Instead of enduring everything they threw at me every other day, I only get it during the summer"
Fred was letting out tears a few of his own now. He couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe that Umbridge and Malfoy was part of it, he couldn't believe that Zoey went through so much to find safety, he couldn't believe that he wasn't there to help her during those summers where she was brutally abused.
"Zoe, I'm so sorry...if I could turn back time, I would have come and saved you...I would have helped you...I would have taken you away," Fred said, now stroking Zoey's hair and he kissed her temple as well.
Zoey pushed Fred gently and looked at him in the eye, she wiped away the tears that escaped and smiled at him softly. "Hey, it isn't your fault," she told him gently. She was glad that no one minded them, "You're a Weasley and you're a boy. Boys don't cry," it was sexist, she knew that but she just didn't want him to hurt just because she did. "Coming to Hogwarts was the best thing that happened to me. I met Echo, You, George, Bridgit and all my friends. I regret nothing," she whispered, "But you know… my freedom came with a price"
"To gain my freedom I had to give it back in the end," she said in a quiet voice, "I promised I would tell you this over the summer but we didn't have the chance"
"What do you mean?" Fred said, not caring about what Zoey said about boys and crying. He let the tears fall, he didn't care about what other people thought.
Zoey's soft smile never left her face. This was a sad tale. A sob story. They were having such a great date but it was ruined with the ghosts of her past. She was finally letting him in, letting him know what had been happening all these years. Zoey accepted her faith long ago. She could do nothing. She broke her promise with Fred but she couldn't break hers with her aunt.
"The only way I was allowed to go to Hogwarts was if I agreed to make a promise with my aunt," she told him, "The promise was when I graduate I return to her. I go back to the Emeraude Suburb and stay there. Forever. I cannot leave the house I cannot have any contact with anyone. It would be like I disappeared from the face of the earth. I probably will."
Fred froze. He couldn't feel anything except for his cracking heart. He felt it shatter at her words, and he did what anyone would do, he hugged her tighter than he already was. "No Zoe," He said, letting out a choked sob. "You can't leave me," He said, still holding on to her tightly.
Zoey couldn't leave him, he had found his reason to go on, he found the person who he wanted to protect more than himself, he found the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and God be damned if he was gonna let her go without even a fight.
"I would have to," Zoey then kissed him at the corner of his mouth. She was going to leave after this year. There was no more time to be shy with her actions. Spontaneous or not, every thing she did mattered. She was running out of time. The Emeraude gently took the Weasley's hands in hers and brought him up to his feet. She smiled at him; she didn't stop smiling, and brought him out of The Three Broomsticks. A gently breeze greeted them. Not many people were out right now. Most were in the shops or back in the castles. She began to walk.
"When I fell the other day," she began, she didn't want to leave anymore details out, "I think it was because of my… sickness if you will"
"Sick… sickness?" Fred asked, as he held tightly onto Zoey's hand. "Please don't tell me you're dying of a disease…." Fred said, but not in a joking tone. It was as if he was…begging.
Zoey blinked in thought, she stuffed her other hand in her pocket, playing with the pills. "Dying? Probably not. They didn't say that would happen to me…. Could be a possibility though," it was almost scary that her voice didn't waver at the thought, "They said I wouldn't be able to view things and interact properly. Maybe that's why my legs stopped working and I couldn't say… yeah," she paused, "They gave me a medicine to prevent it. Pills. They said if I took it regularly I'd be fine. One pill a day"
Fred froze on the spot once again. For the second time today, his heart shattered. Actually he felt his heart stop all together. He tugged Zoey's hand and placed her in front of him. He put his hands on the side of her face. "Why do you talk as if this is normal?" He asked, the tears still pouring. "How can you smile after everything you've been through? What you're still going through?" Fred asked, and he was holding himself to not crumple to the ground and just cry.
Everyone was allowed to have his or her weak moments. Those moments where you couldn't help but just let the tears flow. Fred was having that moment right now. Sure, he should be strong for Zoey but he couldn't help it. The news, it was overwhelming but he was still with her. He didn't leave her; he didn't want to leave her. Zoey's life was filled with problems but he still stood by her. Yes, he was crying but he was still holding on. He was strong in his own way. The Fred Weasley Way.
Zoey placed her hands over his. "Because I don't want to waste my limited time crying over everything that has happened to me," she told him, "I want my memories of freedom to be happy." She looked at him in the eye. "Smile," it wasn't a question.
"I can't" Fred answered, as he refused to believe that Zoey was accepting this, and not even trying to fight it. "How about we run, let's both run, after the end of the year...heck even now...we can run away and hide you from your aunt..." Fred said, trying to convince her. It was a reckless thought, but it was what he could muster up at the moment.
"Fred, you know we can't do that. Where would we go?" she asked, "She would find us. I want to spend my final year in Hogwarts with my friends, family and with you"
"We'll go live with Sirius, or we can leave the country! Zoe, we have to try…" Fred answered, trying to convince Zoey and himself, "You keep on thinking about spending this year with us, but I want to spend the rest of my living life with you…"
Zoey's eyes widened at what Fred had said and she felt like she couldn't breath. Her face was warm with her blush and her hands shaking with her overwhelming feeling. She took a deep breath and exhaled, it was shaky as well. "Fred," she began, "We… we can't do this. I – I told you all this because I wanted you to know…I…I…just…please understand that this has to happen. Me… leaving. It has to happen."
"Then if you have to, take me with you… I don't care if I have to be tortured, as long as I can be with you," Fred retorted, leaning his forehead against Zoey.
"Please, don't," Zoey breathed out, closing her eyes, "I want you to stay safe. Away from everything that has to do with the Emeraudes"
"Well, I'm sorry, Zoe, cause I'm madly in love with one," Fred answered, leaning in and finally kissing her.
The kiss was not one of pleasure; it was one of sadness, sorrow, and pure love. Fred's tears still fell and Zoey's arms wrapped around his neck. Fred moved his arms from her face to her waist and pulled her close. Yes, he needed this. He needed assurance that she was there, beside him and with him. And he wished that it would stay like that. When the need for oxygen finally came, they broke apart.
"Wow," Zoey breathed out, her eyes still close, her arms still around his neck and her face still close to his. Every kiss she had with him was breath taking.
"Wow…" Fred repeated, and regained his breath.
"Yeah," Zoey opened her eyes and grinned, "We should do this more often. The kiss part I mean." Her blush deepened. It was a shy blush.
"You won't hear me complaining," Fred answered, quite glad for the topic change. He couldn't take any more sadness, but he was glad to truly know the true Zoey.
Zoey gave a soft laugh before releasing her hold on Fred's neck and took his hand. "Let's go back, yeah?" she smiled at him before leading him back to the castle.
The next day, Zoey sat on the Gryffindor table with all her friends. Bridgit sat across from her beside George who sat beside Echo. Zoey, of course, sat beside Fred. Her left hand was holding her morning beverage; milk, while the other was held tightly by Fred's hand, under the table. After yesterday, the two have become closer than ever. It wasn't a big change but it was big enough for a very observant Bridgit to notice.
"HEY! You two are a bit closer and I can see the lovey dovey aura around you too!" Bridgit said, making George and Echo take a break from their own couple moment to stare at the two. "So...did you two uhm...do that?" Bridgit asked, smirking, but yet again she was whacked, this time by George.
"What's with your mind and them doing that?" George asked.
"Not my fault if they have that couple-y aura! What else do you think I would think?" Bridgit asked, now turning back to Fred and Zoey. "So?"
"So?" Zoey raised a brow, not really hearing what Bridgit had say, "So what?"
"Did you… are you seriously gonna make me ask it literally and directly?" Bridgit answered, turning to Fred who she was sure was not that dense.
"What?" Fred turned to her; he too did not hear what she had just said. Well… maybe a little.
"You know, did you two... make out in the broom closet?" After Bridgit spoke, George and Fred dropped their heads on to the table. Bridgit turned to the two. "What? What did you think I was implying?" She asked turning to the twins. She was clueless. "I mean if you trip in the broom closet, Zoey won't be able to walk properly because she just had a leg injury, and it seems they did go deeper into an intimate relationship." Fred and George began to bang their heads on the table at her words.
Zoey snorted at the scene. It was really comical. She turned to Bridgit, about to tell her something, when a hoot of an owl stopped her. The five friends, the twins having red marks on their foreheads, looked up to see Eos fly over them, dropping a red envelope on Bridgit's head before it landed on the table in front of them. All eyes were wide.
"What's this?" Bridgit asked, taking up the red envelope. She knew it wasn't hers. "Must be for you." Bridgit said, handing it to Zoey. It was her owl after all.
"A Howler," Zoey breathed out, taking the envelope.
"I sort of saw that, but I mean from who?" Bridgit asked, she was hoping for an answer away from Zoey's aunt.
"I think you shouldn't open it here." Fred suddenly said, looking at Zoey with worry.
Zoey gulped, she never got a Howler before and she hoped she never would, and listened to her boyfriend's advice. She carefully opened the envelope and dropped it on the table as it opened, forming a mouth.
"ZOEY ANASTASIA EMERAUDE!" came a booming voice that was for sure Natalie's, "HOW DARE YOU STEAL THAT CA – MOTORCYCLE! YOUR GODFATHER AND I ARE EXTREMELY DISGUSTED! YOUR FATHER IS NOW STUCK AT HOME BEING AN ANNOYING ARSE! ("Am not! Stop spreading lies you damn woman!" came another voice Zoey took as her father's) AND IT'S ENTIRELY YOUR FAULT! IF YOU STEAL ANOTHER MOTOR VEHICLE OF OURS WE'RE SENDING YOU STRAIGHT HOME!"
The envelope then turned.
"Oh Ron, dear, I am so proud that you successfully stole a car at the age of twelve yet it took my goddaughter seventeen years to steal a grubby motorcycle. I'm so proud," the envelope then turned back to Zoey.
"AND WHAT'S THIS I HEAR OF YOUR LOWER HALF IN PAIN? NUMB EVEN? WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING YOUNG LADY? I WANT AN ANSWER NOW! WHEN YOU COME BACK HERE THIS CHRISTMAS I'M GOING TO –"
There was a sound of struggling and Natalie's voice was replaced by a more calm, yet slightly stressed, person.
"I'm sorry about that, Zoey, Natalie was just worried about you," it was Remus, "I told her to send you a normal letter but you know how she is, she wanted to get the message over and done with. She did not have the patience to pick up the quill."
"She doesn't even know how to use a quill – Bloody hell woman!" it was her father's voice in the background.
"Getting back to what really is important. I hope you're doing well and if there are any more problems, please seek the help of school officials. I wish you the best of luck for your final year and I hope you do well. Send us an update every once in a while and –" Remus was interrupted.
"AND DON'T FORGET TO NAME IT AFTER ME! NATALIE ECHO WEA –"
"MY GOD! DON'T YOU EVER SHUT UP?"
"End message," Remus sighed before the envelope ate itself up.
"What the hell was Nat thinking? Did she really think you'd do that with Fred at this age?" Bridgit asked, and Fred and George sent her a glare. Zoey and Echo laughed, while Bridgit was confused. "What? "
Zoey shook her head, wiping a tear from her eye. "You gotta love Aunt Maria," she laughed.
"Yup, your godmother is bloody brilliant isn't she," Fred said, sarcasm in his voice.
"The best," Zoey grinned.
"By the way...who's Natalie Echo Weasley?" Bridgit asked, not knowing what Natalie talked about.
"Never you mind," Zoey waved her friend of and returned to her breakfast.
HOLY
LARP!
I'M SO SO SO SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY!
You see, my dear friends, I have been working on an Original Story of mine (you know the ones you can publish without getting sued because it's your own plot and characters) and I also had little bit of a Writer's Block.
BUT all worked out in the end for you see Chapter 75 is right here!
YEY!
And Zoey finally said EVERYTHING to Fred
...Took 75 chapters to get that off her chest... wow
ME wants to thank ZOOMSKATER14 for the enormous help!
Also, all of you who reviewed and the like :)
LOVE YOU ALL TO BITS
My my my my my my. Lots of drama in this chapter also some laughs. It's like a bipolar chapter if you ask me... very odd.
Phaedra Delamire: I'm from Makati :)
Ah... Natalie... even when she's not there in person she's there in spirit *cough* voice *cough*
Hmm... what else is there to say?
I don't really know.
I've been gone for a few days
and I feel like
I've missed a lot.
Have I?
I hope not.
Well, I guess that is all. I have nothing more to say except
I hope you enjoyed the chapter
Please tell me what you thought
Excuse my typos and the like (Even though I beta-ed it already)
Don't forget to review and the like
Stay tuned for the next chapter
And
I only own what I own
(Also... OMFG! I'm so happy that you all took your time to review this story! Keep it up! Love you all to bits!)
