Enemies - Fred Weasley X OC

Blame.

"No. I haven't," she said eventually. 

"Why?" Asked Ginny. "I'm dying to know what's happening and I've only been here a few days."

Zephy shrugged, "you know, I just, um, didn't really want to see people after everything. Bit of time for myself. And then there's the whole Malfoy thing. Doubt they'd trust me to join even if I asked." 

The tightness in her face as she spoke made me realise something. Honesty, she'd been forcing herself to be honest, and although she clearly didn't want to, she was doing it. Maybe even for me. I smiled at her and she caught my eye too, a slight smile melting away the uncomfortableness written on her face. 

"After what you've been through, they must believe you couldn't be with the Death Eaters," Ron said, incredulously.

Zephy shrugged again. "It would be a pretty good plan if He'd done it on purpose, just to get someone on the inside."

The idea that Zephy found it conceivable that Voldemort would torture someone for so long, just to get them trusted by Dumbledore, was truly terrifying. 

-- 

"Come on," I said, holding out my hand for her, "let's say hi."

She looked uncomfortable and even glanced down the hall to her room before she stepped forward. I pulled her down the stairs before she could change her mind.

I made my way towards my mother and it didn't surprise me when she didn't follow, instead heading towards Sirius.

"How was the meeting?" I asked.

"Yes, yes, alright I suppose," she said distractedly, looking at Zephy over my shoulder.

"You going to let me come next time then?"

She startled, suddenly giving me her full attention. 

"What? No! You're not coming to the meetings."

"Why not?" Asked George who had come to stand next to me.

"I won't allow it. No. Absolutely not." We were about to argue back when a woman with bright purple hair came to stand next to mum.

"Molly, can I speak to you for a moment," she interrupted, "hi! You must be Fred and George. I'm Tonks."

"Hi," George and I said in unison, only half paying attention. 

She led mum away with whispered words and I turned to look at my brother.

"We can convince them," he said, assuredly. I nodded, narrowing my eyes in thought.

We chatted to each other for a while and a few people came to introduce themselves to us; Hestia Jones had short brown hair and a pointy face, she seemed nice and was interested in our pranks. A tall, black man called Kingsley Shacklebolt who revealed he was an Auror along with Tonks. Mad Eye Moody was there but he didn't say hello.

I turned and looked at Zephy who was standing beside Sirius in deep conversation with Professor Lupin. She looked as if she were apologising but Professor Lupin kept waving off her apologies and every now and then sharing an amused look with Sirius, who was looking rather proud - sort of paternal.

Mum called us all into the dinning room for lunch which meant we had to descend the stairs and pass the portrait of Sirius' mother. 

Tonks tripped and knocked over a vase which caused the horrid woman to start screeching. 

"MUDBLOODS! HALFBREEDS! BLOOD TRAITORS! FILTH! BEINGS NOT WORTHY OF THIS SACRED HOUSE!"

"Mrs Black," addressed Zephy formally, clearing her throat and making Mrs Black look at her by blocking her view of everyone else. "Would you mind keeping quiet for a while. See I'm Narcissa's daughter." Walburga's eyes widened and looked Zephyra up and down in recognition. "Yes, and well, I'm undercover," she whispered conspiratorially with the portrait, who leaned in closer in interest. "I'm trying to rid these wretched people from your house and claim it back to the true Blacks but I must act like one of them whilst I'm here and, you see, every time you yell I have to force myself to not react and jump up and agree with you."