The Scars to Prove It

The family of red heads strode through King’s Cross almost silently — the two loudest of the group were uncharacteristically stone faced and their friend tagged along between them, but her silence was not unusual. While the two with their stark black hair stuck out like sore thumbs, they meshed right into the family. The elder boys gave solemn goodbyes to their mother, and the girl was hugged and kissed by the stout red headed woman before they lifted their luggage and blended into the many other students on the train.

The found a seat, the three of them, to be alone for the long trip. Ever since that night, everything to do with the Weasleys and the Burrow had been… subdued. They hadn’t heard a word from their friend, but they knew she was alright. She was strong, and she could take care of herself. What was so disturbing is that this situation was nothing the children or their families were used to. Something that could not be solved by magic? The witches and wizards were at a loss, because before that night, all magic was just as indestructible as the teenagers thought themselves to be. But this… this memory eating disease that eventually kill a human being seemed like something straight out of Tales of the Beadle and the Bard to the pure-blooded. Lee eventually found them, and having been filled in on the situation by owl, fell into their somber thought fullness as well.

There was a fat minute where the three sat in silence, all wondering where their fifth and final puzzle piece was, if she was okay, and when they would see her again. Before long, there was a tap at the door at they all looked up with their wide eyes to meet those of Oliver Wood, who opened the sliding glass door without invitation.

“So she’s not here?” he said, his expression grim and his jaw set.

“No,” Carina answered quietly. “We don’t know when she’ll be back to school. Her father probably needs her at home for a little while longer. Chances are he’s forgotten school’s even started yet.”

Oliver nodded, resting his head on the doorway. “It’s terrifying, what’s happening to her Mum. Do’ya think it’s contagious?”

Carina’s eyes widened in fear, and she subconsciously gripped the closest thing to her — George’s sleeve.

“No,” George said sharply. “Dad said it wasn’t.”

Oliver nodded solidly. “Good. St. Mungo’s should set about to ridding us of those things.”

Carina’s shoulder fell. “I don’t think it’s that kind of sickness, Oliver. One where something infects you. I think it’s something that just happens… that your mind just deteriorates to that point of now return.” Her words were soft, and it was evident that her thoughts had lingered here for much time.

Oliver gave the group a grim look. “Well, I’ll see you four around. Weasleys, Jordan, we start practice tomorrow at six.”

You knew it was a solemn time when the twins didn’t give their whining chorus of “In the morning?”

The door closed softly, and immediately the twins began to speak.

“How did that bastard know about Farren?”

“She owled him, but not us?”

Carina closed her eyes tiredly and shook her head. “No, I owled him because I knew she would forget to and I knew he could take that personally.”

“So what if he takes it personally?” Fred shot back, glowering at Rina. Had she not been so used to her best friends being so moody, she could have taken his misguided anger offensively. Instead, she simply rolled her eyes.

“Because they’ve been going on dates for enough time that they’re practically going steady, you twat,” Lee replied just as harshly, beating Carina to it.

“They aren’t dating,” George argued firmly.

“Oh, yes, because for the past three months they’ve just been getting together to talk about Quidditch plays.” Carina seethed, throwing her hands in the air out of frustration.

They sat in silence, all the glares softening to slightly surprised, shy gazes at one another that were taken as apologies easily enough. None of them could readily remember a time that their bickering had turned into petty insults and tones meant to hurt. That is, except Carina, who sat high on her bench with her arms crossed across her chest, giving her a rather intimidating aura.

“Okay, guys, I think we’re all just worried about Farren and we’ll just change the subject…” Lee started feebly, but Carina quickly cut him off.

“No, I think that there’s a lot to this conversation that has gone unsaid,” she said quietly, narrowing her eyes at Fred before turning her glare on George. “Too much, and it needs to be said. Your little crushes were cute at first, but it’s gone on too long.”

George’s jaw dropped. “Crush? What are you even talking about, Rye?”

Lee rolled his eyes lightly. “Oh, come off it. It’s been obvious since the beginning of this term. You guys fancy Farren.”

“Fancy, are you kidding me? No way!” George cried.

“It’s more than just a fancy,” Fred moaned simultaneously.

The reaction was instantaneous. One moment Carina was giving George a knowing look, and the moment Fred’s clicked in her mind, she was spinning to look at him so fast the black dots appeared in her eyes, but in complete awe all the same. Lee was just as shocked, but completely ignored George to rest his elbows on his knees and stare openly at the ginger in front of him as if he were seeing the sky for the first time. But the twins eyes were solidly glued to one another in pure shock.

“You fancy her!” Fred accused suddenly, defensively.

George’s brow crinkled in shock. “I-I guess,” he stuttered, seemingly too surprised to keep his own secrets to himself.

“Well you ought to back off,” Fred said lowly, almost dangerously. George threw his hands up in the air in surrender.

“Mate, if you’re honestly that set on her, then consider her yours in my book. I’m not letting a girl, even Farren, get between us.”

Fred seemed taken aback by this, and then he realized the words he said said to his own twin. Apologetic surprise took over his angry features, and he almost seemed about to suddenly hug his brother. “Sorry, mate,” he said softly, dropping his gaze to his lap. “I guess I got a little carried away.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t that serious about her anyway, you can have her. You deserve her.”

There was a touching moment between the boys that even Carina and Lee felt they were intruding: it was a look that only twins could give one another, and instantly knew what the other was thinking. For George and Fred, they knew everything was forgiven.

Carina cleared her throat, glancing between the boys wearily. “Either way, no one’s making a move on Farren right now.” Fred looked up at her indignantly, but she cut him off before he could speak, giving him the palm of her hand to look at. “I’m her best friend, and I decide what’s good for her before any of you in a time like this. End of story. And right now, she’s in a fragile state whether the great, strong, and brave Farren Zabell wants to admit it or not. She’s worried enough over her mother and the state of her family, she does not need to worry about her friends or her love life. Not. Right. Now.”

Fred sat back, defeated. Even though he didn’t want to admit it, Rina was right. What was sad was that he’d had months of opportunity, but it wasn’t until this conversation that he wished to move on his feelings. Sighing, he rested his head on the window next to him with a thunk. Even the self confident, assured, cocky Fred Weasley had one weakness, it seemed.