Fred Weasley x Reader (slow and Steady)

Ch 78: And So We Go to War

Leaning to the side ever so slightly, a gloomy colored bricked tavern loomed over us; a creaking sign hung as it swang in the breeze. A chipped painting of a Boar's head squealing had been placed on top of the sign, weathered from many seasons. Giving each other one last look, Fred gave an encouraging smile and we headed in; the remainder of his family following closely behind. We were a singular unit, one would not go alone anywhere without at least one person at their side.

Honestly I had anticipated the tavern inside to be filled with folk as we gathered inside, it had only been midafternoon when we had left their great-aunt's house so at the very least there should be a few customers; at the lowest one or two. It had been the opposite coming in, the tavern had seemed like a ghost town, not a single person in sight. This had confused me for a moment, though perhaps the owner had closed it for the night? I had never visited this place honestly while heading to Hogsmeade during my annual trips, three broomsticks tended to be the usual gathering place out of habit from the past years growing up in Hogwarts. The animated Boar head had been an amusing experience, its thick furred head turned to us letting out a loud squeal, its snout curling upwards as its tusks bared.

The floorboards creaked under our footsteps as we reached the side of the counter,a tall elderly man stood with his back to us, long gray hair descending down to the middle of his back. Hearing the sound of our footsteps, the man turned around with an empty mug in his hand. With a scowl he looked over our group, his lips pursed angrily pulling at the edges of his long gray beard.

My footsteps had halted for a moment taking in his appearance, nearly taking a double take. I had sworn he looked incredibly close to the likeness of Dumbledore. Too close.

He must have noticed my expression as his face darkened with annoyance. Clearing my throat, I pulled my attention away from him. Clearing his throat, he gestured to the back door and spoke in a gruffed tone. "I suspect you're the Weasley family then?"

"Yes, and I presume you're the owner of the tavern?" Arthur spoke out.

"Correct, follow me." He walked to the back door not waiting for us to follow behind as he pushed the door open.

Rushing hurriedly behind him, the group of us filed in one by one into the cramped back room as the man patiently waited in the back corner of the cluttered room. Piles of crates lay stacked against the walls aligned with stacked chairs. On the far end of the wall a large painting of a young girl in a blue and white dress stood expectantly, her hands clasped together tightly in front of her.

"Thank you for this.." Arthur started, his sentence falling off as he looked at the older man almost expectantly, as if asking for something.

"Aberforth." He answered shortly. "And you're welcome, you're not the first group I've had to smuggle into Hogwarts today."

"Who came before us?" George asked curiously. Molly's face lit up and looked back at him expectantly. Hopeful.

"Aye," He answered, his gaze turning to the painting. "Three younger children, close to her age I'd guess." He pointed towards Ginny.

Molly's face turned to her husband then turned back to Aberforth, "What did they look like? Two boys and a girl? Two brunettes and a redhead? The boys of similar height?" her questions flooding out one after the other.

He tilted his head thinking for a moment before he responded, "Aye, came in about an hour before you did. They were in a mighty hurry it seemed." He sighed.

"Thank Merlin," Molly let out a large sigh as she clung to Arthur.

"Almost there love," Arthur gently patted his wife's hand as he steadied her weight holding her up.