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HERMIONE AND RON HAD BOTH RUN up on Harry and Rebecca when they crossed paths and finally found them in the aftermath – each of them beginning to fire questions at the duo rapidly. Though, their voices blurred together in the elder girl's ears, her hazel eyes still gazing far off and in utter fear as her stomach twisted uncontrollably. There was a giant mark in the sky – a misty green skull head with a slithering serpent coming out from it's mouth. The Dark Mark. The man who had conjured it vanished just seconds after he did so, running off with a billowing black cape behind him as he pushed further into the darkness. The four of them had tugged each other to the ground suddenly, flashes of green and red flying right by their ducked heads and whipping their hair around.
"Stop! That's my son!"
The firing seized, the four teens remaining on the ground but now peering up from between their arms. Arthur had ran his way up to them, as did about a dozen other witches and wizards, wands all up and pointed at the four. Hermione was the first up, the boys following before Rebecca staggered to her feet as well. Each time she blinked, she couldn't help but flinch slightly each time she'd see the rogue spells that were casted at them – pulling back memories of her time at the Carrow house.
"Which one of you conjured it?" Mr. Barry Crouch exclaimed, justing his wand point right in their faces, face grim and panicked, "don't lie! You've been discovered at the scene of the crime!"
"Crime?" Harry questioned incredulously.
"Barty," A witch in her nightdress whispered, lowering her wand from Ron's face, "they're only kids, Barty – you don't really believe –"
"What crime?" The Chosen One repeated, glancing around obliviously.
"The mark, Harry," Hermione whispered, giving him an incredulous look, "it's His mark."
"Voldemort?"
They all flinched at the use of the name, most immediately scowling at Harry. Mr.Crouch glanced up momentarily at the green mist, eyes narrowed suspiciously before he was looking back down with his wand kept leveled at Harry's neck.
"Those people tonight, the ones in masks, they're his too, aren't they?" He asked hesitantly, making Arthur nod solemnly, glancing to Mr.Crouch as well, "his followers?"
"Death Eaters," Arthur murmured, making a look of pure fear pass Mr.Crouch's face.
"With me!" The man called out abruptly, turning quickly on his heel to stalk away in search of more people he could accuse.
"Wait! There was a man – that way."
On Harry's word, Barty Crouch and the rest of the Ministry officials set off in the pointed direction. After watching their retreating figures, Arthur quickly ushered the four teens back towards their tent, stepping over broken and burnt pieces of various tents and belongings. There was a slight crowd that had formed while with the Ministry officials, but they were pushed through easily without more than a small utterance from Mr.Weasley. Charlie had been poking his head out of the tent as they approached, fully stepping outside with a breath of relief across his features.
"Dad! What's going on?" He called out, squinting against the darkness as they approached, "we found Fred, George, and Gin alright in the woods but the others –"
"It's alright, son, I've got them all here," Arthur assured Charlie softly, stepping into the tent and counting the teens' heads that stepped in behind him with a small nod of relief.
Bill was sitting at the small kitchen table, holding a fair sized bit of cloth to his arm that was bleeding heavily. Charlie had a large rip along the front side of his shirt, and Percy seemed to have a broken nose. Fred, George, and Ginny all remained unhurt but still rather shaken. At the sight of the dark haired girl lingering at the back of the group, Fred broke from his twin's side and rushed over to engulf her in his arms. Rebecca jolted slightly at the sudden attention, still on high-alert, though immediately began easing into his hold, pressing her face into his shoulder as she let out a forcibly slow breath and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Did you get them, Dad?" Bill questioned sharply, wincing as he pressed hold to his wound, "the person who conjured the Mark?"
"No," Arthur uttered, giving a solemn shake of his head, "we found Barty Crouch's elf holding Harry's wand – but she was extremely shaken and too out of it to get a true answer."
With the sudden rapid-fire questions, Rebecca found herself completely dazed. Fred had guided her towards everyone else, not seeming to notice her lack of participation in explaining exactly what had happened like the Golden Trio was eager to do. The entire Death Eater situation had gotten her shaken to the bone, more so the thought of her own aunts – that Alecto Carrow or even Narcissa Malfoy – were amongst those in the caped group reigning terror on muggles and setting everything alight. Those who's skin was barred with the same mark that was currently floating up in the night sky. She was related to those kinds of people, and the more she thought of it, the more sick to her stomach she became.
"But what were Voldemort's supporters –" Harry began, though immediately paused when everyone flinched at his use of the name, "sorry," he uttered quickly, "what were You-Know-Who's supporters up to, levitating muggles? I mean, what was the point?"
"What was the point?" Rebecca repeated incredulously, her voice low and scratchy as she let out a small, weak, and hollow laugh – shaking her head slowly, "There is no point. Harry, it's their idea of fun."
"Half of all the muggle killings in our world when You-Know-Who was in power were done because they were fun," Arthur added in agreement, sighing softly as he rubbed at his eyes, "it was all a game to them – most of them probably drunk and looking to spread a little terror."
"But if they were Death Eaters, why did they disapparate when they saw the Dark Mark?" Ron questioned, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion, "they'd be pleased to see it, wouldn't they?"
"Use you brain, Ron," Bill uttered, finally tying off his bleeding arm and stopping the bleed, "if they really were Death Eaters, they worked hard to keep out of Azkaban when You-Know-Who lost power," He looked at his baby brother intently, "Told all sorts of lies about him forcing them to kill or torture people. They denied they'd ever been with him when he lost his power and went back to their daily lives as if nothing had happened."
"I don't reckon he'd be over-pleased with them, do you?" He questioned rhetorically.
"Alright, that's enough talk for the night on the matter –" Arthur stood from his seat, looking to them all firmly, "off to bed, now. We'll wake in a short while to try and get an early portkey back home."
With a scatter of murmured goodnights, and slow rises from their seats, the teens all separated and moved towards the two opposite sides of the tent. Rebecca hesitated though once she stood, rubbing harshly at her watery eyes before moving towards where Arthur stood by the entrance of the tent with his wand clutched tightly in his grasp. Nearing him slowly, being extra careful not to scared him, she swallowed nervously and reached out to gently tap his shoulder. He turned easily, thankfully not spooked.
"Something the matter, dearie?" Arthur frowned slightly, his eyes scanning the girl's hesitant face.
"Have you managed to hear anything on Cedric or Mr.Diggory?" She questioned at once, the fear bubbling up in her chest, "I had said I would visit their tent when we got back from the match – b-but everything happened and I haven't seen or heard word from either of them," She whispered hurriedly, tugging at her fingers.
"I'm sure they're alright, hun," He nodded, giving her a warm, reassuring smile, "even so, they're also most likely to be catching a portkey home in a few hours – when we get back I can point out their home so you can go check up on them," he offered, "How's that sound?"
"Perfect, thank you, Mr.Weasley," Rebecca nodded, mustering up a grateful smile of her own, even midst her tremendous worries.
"Arthur," He correctly quietly, "you can call me Arthur, sweets."
"Goodnight, Arthur," She stated gently, earning a slightly bigger smile from the man as he pressed himself back into a seat right by the tent's door.
"Goodnight."
Rebecca turned quietly, beginning to shuffle her way through the growing darkness of the tent and towards the girls' side. Luckily enough, there was a small lantern that lit up part of the room so she could maneuver around it easily. Ginny and Hermione were fast asleep already, curled up tightly beneath a blanket each. Careful not to disturb either of them, Rebecca took ahold of the blanket on her bunk and moved back towards the den area. She sat down on the large sofa and tugged the blanket over her shoulders, her head resting momentarily on the armrest as she shut her tingling eyes – only for her to open them again and stare blankly at the small television that wasn't even on.
"It seems we've had the same idea," Fred whispered suddenly as he neared her from the other side of the tent, emerging from the boys' room, "can't sleep?"
"I can't stop thinking of the Death Eaters," She admitted quietly as she peered up at him, shuffling slightly to allow him a space to sit.
"You know, you haven't slept at all for almost two whole days," He frowned, tugging the blanket around her shoulders tighter before wrapping his arm over to urge her into his side, "are you sure the Death Eaters is all it is?"
"Since when have you become a mind-reader?" Rebecca joked dryly, slowly beginning to settle back into his hold, leaning her head gently on his shoulder.
"It was a complete shot in the dark, you just answered it," Fred mused quietly, the frown returning once more after another moment as he looked down at her, "what's the matter?"
"I haven't heard back from my dad in weeks. More than a month, really," She murmured, "I've gotten letters from Roan, Cedric, you all, and even Remus – but not from my own father."
"You get letters from our old Defense professor?" He questioned abruptly, eyebrows furrowed.
"I'll explain later," She uttered in amusement, but nodded nonetheless, "he's more than just a professor."
"Well, I'm sure it has to do with him having to be in hiding," He insisted gently, "maybe he's even used the muggle post and it's just taking ages to arrive."
Rebecca only gave a slight shrug and an accompanying nod of agreement. Fred frowned a bit more at her silence, shifting in his spot slightly before gently tugging her closer to his side. He paused, making sure she was alright – at her relaxed features, he persisted. He moved a bit more so his legs were now tucked on both sides of her, letting her rest her head high on his chest.
"This alright?" Fred questioned softly, his arm now around her waist and his hand gently rubbing the small of her back.
"I don't really know what to do with my own hands," She blurted out in a hushed tone, sighing and chuckling quietly as she nodded against his chest, "Merlin, I'm pathetic – this is what you consider cuddling, right?"
"Yeah, I suppose," He nodded, stifling a small laugh to ease her embarrassment, "move however you'd like to get comfortable – I'm fine as long as you're right here."
"Have you always been such a sap? Or is that just for me?" Rebecca teased quietly, only moving slightly so she laid on her side and between the back cushions of the sofa and Fred's body, "is my arm around your middle okay?"
Fred nodded, taking her arm himself and tucking it over his torso as he too moved a bit more so they faced one another on the small sofa, "if you must know, I do believe it's just my adoration for you that's rendered me such a fool."
"Sounds like something out of an old romance novel," She murmured fondly, squinting up against the darkness to just make out the outline of his features, "sweet enough to give me a tooth ache – and yet, I adore it, if I'm honest."
"More than you like that Lynch guy flirting with you?" He questioned, trying to act aloof though the slight shift in his grip said otherwise.
"Far more," She insisted, tilting her head back to peck the corner of his mouth gently, "so much, that I'd like to take you up on the past offer to spend an entire day at Hogsmeade with you."
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Fred mused quietly, his nose brushing the side of her face as his free hand trailed up the arm she had around his middle; leaving goosebumps in his wake.
"And if I were?" Rebecca hummed softly, a spot of hope growing in her chest.
"I'd happily agree," He murmured, his hand trailing up her neck to cup her jaw and turn her head towards his own, "and I'm going to tell George first thing when he wakes up – even if he teases me that you seem to be making all the moves before I can."
"So, what I'm hearing is that I've managed a date with the Fred Weasley?" She uttered, the familiar jolt of what felt like electricity running the course of her spine as they brushed lips, "how'd I get so lucky?"
"I'm the lucky one, love."
*
They had finally reached Ottery St. Catchpole – it having been only a few hours of sleep before Arthur indeed had woken them all up again to catch an early portkey. Like he said he would, once they made the turn-in on the main road, Mr.Weasley pointed down an opposite lane towards the familiar looking house of the Diggorys. Though, with no lights on within the house, Rebecca figured it'd be best to wait another few hours when they'd all be far more awake to visit. So, they all walked on towards The Burrow silently in the morning mist, all longing for some breakfast but also warm beds once again.
There was a sudden cry of relief when the group reached The Burrow, Molly had been standing by the window with the curtains drawn back. She immediately threw the door open at the sight of them all, tugging her husband into her arms and hugging him first once close enough.
"Oh thank goodness – thank goodness!"
She had tossed aside a copy of The Daily Prophet, the entire front page being on the World Cup and what had happened; a photo of the Dark Mark so graciously taking half the cover page. Pulling away from Arthur, Mrs.Weasley looked at them all with red-rimmed eyes.
"You're all alright," She whimpered, sniffling harshly as she smiled weakly before she faltered, "oh boys...my boys," Molly lurched out, grasping the twins by their necks and pulling them so harshly they banged heads with one another.
"Ouch! Mum – you're strangling us!" They both yelped out in protest, faces screwing up and reddening in embarrassment.
"I shouted at you before you left!" Molly began to wail, holding the back of their heads, her fingers tangling in their fiery hair, "It's all I've been thinking about!" She blubbered, shaking her head, "What if You-Know-Who had gotten to you, and the last thing I ever said to you was that you didn't get enough OWLs," she whimpered again, "Oh Freddie...Georgie..."
"Come on now, Molly, we're alright," Arthur cajoled, managing to pry his wife off their sons, leading her back inside, "Bill, get that newspaper, will you?"
The group all shuffled inside after the couple, Bill indeed grabbing the paper off the ground to hand to his father.
"Oh, Rebecca, sweetheart, there's been a letter for you," Molly sniffed, moving from the table with a cream coloured envelope in her hand to turn over, "arrived early this morning."
With a small thank you, Rebecca took the letter in poorly-hidden eagerness. She couldn't help but avoid Harry's hopeful eyes, before he was turning to ask Mrs. Weasley if Hedwig returned with any post for himself – he too most likely also waiting on word from Sirius Black. Settling in on the couch, she tore open the envelope and fished out the folded parchment before smoothing it out enough to read.
hello, dear,
i hope this letter finds you well. i've just seen the papers, and with the knowledge from your father that you were to attend the World Cup alongside the Weasley family and Harry, i immediately wanted to write to make sure you're alright. no injuries at all i hope.
as to your last letter, i haven't heard from your father in a while either. don't take it personally, pup, your dad tends to forget himself sometimes. and thank you for checking in as well, i'm doing alright since the last moon. have you had any symptoms other than the headaches and insomnia? please check in with madam pomfrey regularly, i'm still so sorry about what's happened.
you're due back at hogwarts soon, and there's quite the surprise waiting for you lot, i hear. tell me all about it when you find out, yeah?
i'm here, should ever you need me,
- moony x
"Moony?" Fred murmured by her ear, having been a nosy sod and read the letter from over her shoulder – his voice breaking her from her thoughts, "as in, the Marauder's Map – Moony?"
"Yeah," Rebecca nodded, a small smile curling her lips upward, "It's what I meant to tell you," She lowered her voice slightly, leaning in close, "Moony is Professor Lupin, Padfoot is my dad, and Prongs is Harry's dad."
"You're joking!" He blurted out, eyes wide and in awe, "you're – that means – I'm – wow!"
"What's he on about now?" George questioned tiredly, rubbing at his eyes as he plopped down on her opposite side, his head resting on her shoulder.
"Oh, just that my dad is one of your pranking heroes, having helped create your precious map – alongside Harry's dad and Professor Lupin."
"WHAT?!"
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