Ravenclaw's Shadow

Chapter 41

"Charmed."

"And our sons, Fred, George and Ron," he says, "and our daughter, Ginny."

"My, what a lovely family," Mum says, "such beautiful hair! Please, come through to the dining room."

"Hey," George says, leaning in to hug me. I hold him off.

"I'm going to murder you," I tell him, "this was my father's idea. I have got a bone or two to pick with you, mister."

I sweep after the others and into the dining room. I sit down beside Fred and George sits on my other side.

"Aurelia, please, listen," he whispers, "I can explain everything."

"Fred, could you please pass the potatoes?" I ask loudly. Fred hands me the bowl, a smile twitching at his lips. I think he's quite enjoying the torture his brother is going through.

"I've wanted to tell you everything," George continues, "but Dumbledore made us promise not to put it into letters."

"Dumbledore?" I ask, confused, "what's he got to do with this?"

"Everything," George says quickly, "he's setting up the Order of the Phoenix again, they were the ones who-"

"I know who they were," I interrupt.

"Right, well, he's trying to get them together again, those who are left and some new members, to fight You-Know-Who."

"Yeah, but why?" I ask. George looks flabbergasted.

"You know why," he says, "because You-Know-Who is back."

"That's not possible," I say, "he's dead. You can't bring people back from the dead."

"He wasn't dead, he just lost all his powers," George says.

"What, and now he's figured out how to get them all back?" I ask.

"Yes!"

"And we're all meant to believe this because Harry says so?"

"Yes!" This time Fred, Ginny and Ron join in.

"Everything alright?" Mum asks.

"Yeah, fine," I nod, smiling.

"Maybe we should talk about this later," Fred mutters.

"Fine."

After dinner our parents go into the sitting room and the kids go up to my bedroom.

"Look," I say, "I just don't see how it can be true."

"You're calling Harry a liar?" Ron demands.

"No, I'm just saying maybe he saw something and thought it meant something different," I say, "I mean, maybe someone killed Cedric and Harry just put You-Know-Who's face to them."

"Or maybe You-Know-Who is back," Fred says.

"It's not possible!" I exclaim, exasperated, "can someone tell me on what planet a human could survive a direct hit from a killing curse?"

"He was dabbling in dark magic we can't even imagine," George says, "who knows what he found?"

"All we know is that there's a war coming," Fred says.

"War?" I shake my head, "no way."

"Look, you haven't been at the Headquarters, you don't know what it's been like," George says.

"Have you seen him, You-Know-Who?" I ask, "actually seen him?"

"No-"

"And what about disappearances, like last time?"

"No, but-"

"And random murders, any of those?"

"Well, no-"

"So there has been absolutely no evidence other than the word of a fourteen year old that he's back?"

"Maybe because he's trying to keep hidden!" Ginny interjects.

"Or maybe because he's not back!" I shout.

The four of them stare at me for a moment.

"We should go see what Mum and Dad are up to," Fred says quietly, "come on Ron, Ginny."

They step outside, leaving George and I facing each other across the room.

"How can you distrust Dumbledore?" he asks.

"How can you put blind faith in him?" I counter.

"Aurelia, I know it's scary, but you have to realise it's happening," he says, walking over to me, "I'll see you at school."

He kisses me on the cheek and walks out. I can't find it in me to go downstairs and say goodbye. I slide down the wall, feeling shocked and shaken. A few minutes later Mum and Dad come to check on me. I briefly tell them what happened and they offer soothing words that don't reach my ears. After they go I undress and get into bed.

"It's not possible," I whisper to the darkness, "it's not."