The Trickster and The Maurader (Fred Weasley 18+)

4.16

After Dumbledore once more praised Harry for what he did, for his bravery, he told Harry be would be going to the hospital wing for the night and offered Aries and Sirius to stay with him. Sirius accepted happily and transformed back into his dog form.

Aries stood, Padfoot staying beside her, she reached her hand to Harry, who gladly took it.

She helped him up, "I just want you to know, I only knew Lily and James for a short amount of time, I was a few days short of four when they died, but I know without a doubt they would be proud of you."

Harry looked at Aries for a long time before he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly as he let out one last tear.

Ron was Harry's best friend, and Harry knew that. And Hermione was also his best friend, he knew that very much. But Aries, without a doubt in his mind, without debate of blood, was his sister.

As they made their way towards the hospital wing, they ran into the Weasley's, Fred looked relieved to see Aries, and even more so when he saw the dog by her side.

He ran and wrapped his arms around her, while Molly tried to hug Harry, but Dumbledore warned her first, to give him rest and she agreed before hugging him.

Padfoot shoved his way in between Fred and Aries, making them laugh. Molly looked at the dog upon hearing the name, and then looked to Aries.

"That's what Gideon and Fabian used to call your father..." Molly stared long at the dog. "We'll talk about this later, I suppose. For now, let's get Harry into bed."

Bill naturally kept his role as big brother, scolding Ron for being noisy. Dumbledore gave Harry a potion for dreamless sleep and in just a few minutes he was out, and Dumbledore excused himself.

Aries was sitting on a bed with Fred, petting Padfoot when Amos slowly crept in.

Molly immediately turned her attention to him, knowing Arthur would comfort his coworker. She pitied him, she could never imagine losing a child.

"I wondered..." His voice was weak, "If I may have a word in private with Aries."

Aries stood, Padfoot following, and she walked over. "I'm afraid my dog doesn't leave my side..."

"He's just a dog, dearie, come." Amos lead her outside the door, and then a dozen or so steps from it.

Aries refused to speak first, and Amos stood for a moment trying to think of what to say.

"Cedric told me everything, you know? I know how he felt about you, and what happened with his friends... he felt absolutely gutted he hurt you like that..."

"I-"

Amos raised his hand, and Aries stopped. Padfoot, beside her, moved his head to sit up more straight.

"He told me how you weren't angry with him, not even for a moment. How you never questioned that he didn't mean harm. He then told me he thought you his best friend. You understood him, and even when he wronged you, you showed kindness. You showed my boy kindness..."

Aries put her hand on Amos' arm, "Cedric was one of my best friends too. I showed him kindness because I know that he would never hurt someone intentionally. He has good morals... He's a good person..."

Amos broke down at Aries' words and hugged her tightly. Aries hugged him back, providing any comfort she could to him.

When he calmed a few moments later he pulled back. "I hope you will still write to us every once in a while... Maybe come visit when you have your stay with the Weasley's..."