"Are you sure this is going to work?"
Fred glares at me, but doesn't bless me with another one of his not-so-witty responses. I can't help but feel terrified about what we're attempting to do. Even Mrs. Weasley had her reservations and couldn't possibly understand why we would need to know the spell. Eventually we managed to worm it out of her but not before she gave us many lectures about the fragility of our mind.
"Lily, it's our only lead," George says as he puts down another cushion. Pursing my lips together I just watch the two boys create my safety mat, just in case something goes wrong.
Ginny has already left for Hogwarts; it feels weird not to have her bubbly presence around. It also feels strange to know that I'm not going to Hogwarts this year. I have no idea what the Dark Lord will think about that, but at this moment I could care less. A part of me wonders whether Snape will notice, whether he'd feel worried or whether it would confirm my betrayal to him.
Snape doesn't care about you. Forget about him.
Shaking my head I flip the piece of paper filled with notes, rereading it to make sure I understand it completely. We've been at the Burrow for a few weeks and spent the first few days helping Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Charlie to clean up after the wedding fiasco. By the end of the first week everything looked normal again as if nothing had happened.
Most of the guests got out safely before the Death Eaters arrived. Fred, George and I were the last ones to leave and then a couple of Death Eaters had arrived looking for Potter. Once they realised he had left, they decided to cause some more havoc, just for fun. But then something odd happened. Apparently they were in the middle of interrogating Mr. Weasley when they both stopped and Apparated away. I have no idea what could have possibly drawn them away, but they didn't come back again.
Everyone from the Order came after that night to strengthen the magical protection spells. The atmosphere was bleak, almost as if everyone was shocked at how much of a close call it all was. On the other hand, Bill and Fleur seem over the moon. They left for Shell Cottage just as we had arrived.
My grip on the sheet of paper tightens as I suppress the feeling of jealousy. It's stupid. I never thought I'd be jealous of anyone in the Weasley family, they are my family too after all, but whenever I picture Bill and Fleur together, blissfully happy despite the oncoming war, I can't help but become a tad green-eyed.
"Lily?" George asks as he gently removes the sheet from my grip. I stare at the wall, deflated. What's the point of all this? What if it doesn't work? Mrs. Weasley has already told us the many many dangers with pursuing this type of magic. It's dangerous.
George kneels down in front of me and places his hands on my knees. I wish he wouldn't do such things. It makes it very difficult for me to focus on the doom and gloom of my situation. I end up thinking about how his hands are so warm and consequently make that small part of my knee feel extremely hot, as if it's on fire.
"Talk to me," he says in a low voice.
"I- I don-" I start but then I sigh. "I wish we could just escape to Shell Cottage too," I whisper as George raises his eyebrows at me, clearly surprised at what's been bothering me.
"We?" He says with a coy smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, we," I confirm as I place my own hands over his. They twitch at my touch but then turn so that they can hold mine properly.
"And what exactly would we do at Shell Cottage?" George muses as a familiar mischievous glint appears in his eyes. His enjoyment in the conversation is very apparent.
"I don't know, whatever normal people do," I mutter smiling at him. His eyes stare into mine, but they look distracted as if he's in deep thought or lost in a memory.
"Well, aside from your desire to go live a normal life, which by the way I have every intention for us to do, what exactly is bothering you?" George says as I feel my cheeks warming up. Did he mean us when he said us, or did he mean us as in two separate people?
"I'm scared," I say almost inaudibly. George straightens up so that he's eye level to me, but still kneeling down, a position I'm sure is very uncomfortable but his face shows no signs of discomfort.
"That it won't work?" George asks and I just shake my head at him.
"No, I'm scared that it will work. What if I don't like the memory? What if I find out something I wish I never knew?" I whisper as George frowns at me.
"The way I see it," he says softly, staring at me intently. "You're going to get more information about your father. He's your father. Whatever you find out about him, good or bad, it helps you to know who he was as a person. He'd want you to know him, I'm sure of it," George says, his voice becoming more confident towards the end.
"How?" I mouth the question not able to trust my voice at all.
"Because you're Lily," George says simply as he removes a strand of hair from my face. He cups my cheeks and my hand shoots up to meet his as I let my face sink into his palm. So many unsaid feelings, so many thoughts, words, declarations I wish I could say out loud, but I can't. I need to think about the mission. I need to protect George.
"George make sure you remember to take out the last of the bin ba-" Mrs. Weasley says barging into the room. "Oh. Oh I'm sorry," she says getting flustered as both George and I move away from each other hastily. I feel my face reddening, but to my surprise George remains cool as a cucumber as he smiles at his mother.
"Sure, I'll do that before we leave. Are you going to Aunt Marge's?" George asks as he stands up. I feel extremely uncomfortable in this situation and avoid Mrs. Weasley's eyes at all costs.
"Yes, I'm leaving now," Mrs. Weasley says, looking as if she wants to add something else.
"I'll escort you out, come on Mum," George says sensing the fact that his mother wants to tell him something alone. Mrs. Weasley nods and gives me one more strange look before leaving the room. I could have sworn I saw a smile play on her lips but I just shake my head. That must have looked really bad to her. I mean I am the girl that broke her son's heart after all. I don't know what she must think of me, but I'm probably not her favourite person right now or at all.
Sighing I place the final couple of cushions on the ground as Fred walks into the room.
"Where's George?" He asks as I shrug.
"Right here," George says walking into the room. This time I notice his ears are bright red like they usually go when he feels embarrassed. I wonder what Mrs. Weasley could have possibly told him to make him feel that way.
"Shall we get started?" Fred asks as George turns to me for confirmation. I nod at them both; there's no point in delaying this any longer. We have to find Thomas Blacksmith to find out what my father could have possibly done with the diamond.
"Alright, Lily, you need to drink this. It will make you feel really drowsy. Then I'll levitate you and George will guide you and hopefully we'll find out what Pibbly means," Fred says as he hands me a cup of some weird smelling substance.
Taking a deep breath, I down the contents in one go. The liquid is surprisingly sweet and feels thick as it travels down my throat. I can feel the effects of it immediately as I lose balance.
"Woah," George says grabbing my arm to steady me. Fred has my other arm and both boys exchange a glance. I barely notice though since my eyelids are refusing to open now. They feel extremely heavy as if someone is gluing my eyes shut.
"Do it," I slur out but it sounds like a foreign language. I've lost all sensation in every part of my body. It's the weirdest feeling. It's like my whole body is shutting off, but my mind is more awake than it's ever been. I feel more aware of everything around me. My heart thumping rhythmically in my chest. My toes on the soft cushions, pressing down into pure comfort. My arms being held by two boys, but really my attention is focused only on one arm which feels like its about to light up due to the immense heat.
"I don't know whet-" Fred starts but then George shakes his head at him.
"We have to, we need to find the diamond," George says as he puts his hand behind my head, which no longer feels like it's part of my body.
I don't hear Fred's answer, but it must have been an agreement as soon after I feel myself become much lighter as if I'm floating in the air. The sensation is the strangest thing I've ever felt. It's like I have no body. My mind can't understand this concept, how can a simple potion and a simple levitating spell make me feel like I have no body?
"Lily," George's faint voice can be heart but I'm more concerned about the fact that I could be dead right now. That's the best way I can compare this feeling, it's like being a ghost. The potion must have been poison because I have to be dead. There's no other explanation for what's happening here.
"Lily, you have to listen to my voice. We have to find the diamond remember?" George says his voice becoming slightly clearer. The diamond. I have to find the diamond.
"I need you to visualize a long corridor with doors on each side. Each door will represent a repressed memory," George says and immediately a corridor appears in front of me. It's like I'm going down a memory hallway instead of the typical memory lane.
It's got white walls, white floors, white ceiling, everything is white, except the doors. All the doors are different. Some are made of old wood, looking very shabby. Others are brightly painted: green, blue, yellow. Then there are small doors, doors with big fancy handles, some with beautiful embroidery around the edge. But my eyes focus on the door at the end of the hallway. It's golden, with a slight shimmer. It doesn't look solid at all, but at the same time it gives off the impression of being a barrier.
Every part of me wants to know what's behind that door. What memories could be behind that door?
"Lily, you need to find the memory about Pibbly. Try and see if you can find a door that leads you to that memory," George says as I blink myself back into focus. Yes, I have a task to do. I need to find Pibbly.
My hand wraps around the first door handle, it a large brass one. Taking a deep breath, I push the door open.
"Lily!" A man appears out of nowhere. He's tall and slim, his jet black hair tied into a bun as he tiredly looks around for something. "Lily come on, I can't play these games with you right now," Snape says, with a hint of impatience in his voice. A small giggle makes us both jump as he darts past me towards the small cupboard. At that sound, all impatience and annoyance vanishes from his eyes. Instead they're replaced with this fire as if that giggle is his most favourite sound in the world.
He sits down next to it and a small smile plays on his lips. He knocks the door softly and another giggle is heard from inside.
"I'm looking for someone, I wonder if you can help me?" Snape says, the smile growing even larger.
"Who?" A child's voice comes from behind the door. My voice. A lump forms in my throat as I watch Snape press his hands on the door.
"Her name is Lily, have you seen her?" Snape asks softly.
"No, I don't know anyone called Lily," the little girl says. My knees suddenly feel weak as my eyes are trained on my guardian, on his eyes. They make him look so unrecognisable, filled with hope, filled with love.
"Really? So I'll have to tell her father that she just got lost? I don't think he'll be very happy with that," Snape says, his deep voice so caring, so soft it's like I'm watching a stranger. Slowly the cupboard door clicks open and a pair of deep brown eyes can be seen, wide eyed and deep in thought.
"My daddy's coming?" she whispers as Snape smiles at her.
"Your father's coming," he corrects her as he holds out his hand for her to take. To my surprise, a small delicate hand takes it and steps out of their hiding place, all stubborn behaviour gone.
"My father is really coming?" The girl says, her voice cautiously hopeful. Snape nods at her and pulls her forward. She looks about 5 years old. This memory has to be close to my father's death. Large curls framing her small face, wearing a polkadot blue dress which looks a bit worse for wear. She looks exhausted and sure enough it's quite late at night.
"Yes my dear, he's coming back from his holiday now."
Suddenly the small girl jumps forward and leaps onto Snape. I expect him to be angry or tell her to get off, but instead he wraps his arms around her and pulls her in close. He buries his head into her small shoulder and gently cradles her.
"You won't forget me now will you?" Snape whispers into her ears and she just shakes her head at him.
"No, I promise," she says as she yawns.
"Good, now when you wake up, you'll be able to see your father again. I won't be able to visit you for a while, you'll be moving house- that's going to be exciting for you. But I'll try my best to come find you," Snape coos softly as he rocks her. The picture is something I could never have prepared for. The amount of love, adoration makes me tremble. How could I have forgotten this? How could I have forgotten the love Severus Snape had for me as a child? Why did he care so much? My father's clearly still alive, Snape said so himself. So what reason does he have to care about me?
"Okay," the younger version of me mumbles, but I know she's already fast asleep. I could always fall asleep quickly when I was a child. I didn't have any nightmares to worry about and actually enjoyed sleeping. That was before... before my father died.
"Lily? Have you found the right memory yet?" George's voice distorts the memory and I want to yell out to him to stop talking. I want to see what happens next. I need to know what happens next.
Snape strokes my hair softly and once he's certain I'm asleep, his demeanour changes immediately. He tightens his grip on me as his eyes become haunted. His bottom lip trembles as he shuts his eyes momentarily and takes a deep breath.
"You have to keep searching Lily, we don't have much time left. Go back to the corridor," George says again and I ball my hands into tight fists. Walking back to the door, I linger for a moment to watch the two strangers.
"I'm going to miss you my baby girl," Snape says almost inaudibly as tears stream down his closed eyes.
"Lily you should be back in the corridor," George's voice snaps me out of the memory as I stand back in the white hallway. The door shuts with a bang as I rushed to it and slam my fist against it.
"No!" I wail out. "I need to know. Please," I whimper as I pound the door again. I didn't hear what Snape said just before I left and every part of me feels like I need to go back in there. I have to know.
"Lily, you have to concentrate," George says, his voice slightly worried. Tears stream down my face as I take a couple of deep breaths. It doesn't make sense. Why was Snape caring for me like that? Why did he hold me as if he's scared he's going to lose me any moment? How could I have forgotten that? How could I have let that memory go?
"Lil-" George starts but I stand up before he can finish. I know. I know. I have to find the memory. Walking down the hallway a bit, I turn to a door with a blue handle. Turning it slowly, my stomach churns as I contemplate what could be behind this door.
Everything is dark. I can barely see anything. I can just about make out the outline of a dark door and then it dawns on me. A pair of brown eyes stare through the crack of the door and I shake my head at the younger version of me. Did I spend all my time hiding in random places? Before I can truly marvel at the strangeness of my childhood game, a bang makes me jump. The younger version of me however is not phased as she leans forward to see more.
She's not just hiding here, I realise. She wants to listen into whatever is going on outside. Giving myself a look, I mentally self-five myself for being so resourceful even at a young age.
"Dammit Ben you can't keep doing this!" Snape says, all kindness in his voice vanished and sounding more like the Snape I know.
"I don't care, I have to. I thought you of all people would understand. It's for her. It's to keep her safe!" My father retorts back as his hands ball into tight fists.
"You're endangering her. You're not protecting her," Snape hisses as my father slams his fist against the table.
"What would you rather I do? I can't just go back. The Dark Lord will have us both killed!" My father says in a pained voice. "I couldn't just give her to him. Or are you telling me I made the wrong choice? That you would have chosen differently?" My father asks in a low voice, his eyes trained on Snape.
Snape pauses for a second as he picks up a picture frame and strokes the picture.
"No," he says in a low voice. "I would have done the same."
"I need to get rid of it, I have to destroy it." My father whispers, his eyes darting around as if he fears someone will come popping out of the shadows at any moment.
"He knows. He knows what your plan is. You are going to get yourself killed," Snape says in a low voice, this time it's pained. He stares at his friend for a second, but then my father just shakes his head.
"So be it," my father throws his hands up in the air almost crazily.
"How can you say that? How can you condemn your daughter to live without a father?" Snape says in a low voice. The anger in his voice makes me shiver and amusingly, my younger self shivers too.
"She will never be without a father. You made sure of that," my father says with the same crazy tone he had before. I shift my position so that I can get a better look. This image of my father is unlike any I've seen before. He looks old, with frown lines creasing his face everywhere, his eyes no longer looking hopeful but more dark and empty.
"So that's your grand plan is it?" Snape laughs, but there is no humour in his tone. "Leave me your daughter?"
"She loves you like she loves me, she'll be fine," my father says with an urgent tone, as I blink away the tears that have formed in my eyes. But Snape just shakes his head and walks towards the fire. He stare down at the flames deep in thought, muttering something to himself.
"Alright, alright. I'll humour you. What exactly are you planning to do?" Snape asks turning around suddenly.
"I need to hide it. They're coming for me Snape. They know where we've been hiding," my father says in a low whisper as again his eyes dart around the room.
"Rubbish! They don't know anything!" Snape says dismissing my father but my father pushes Snape against the wall and stares at him, insanity rolling off him. Gasping, I watch the two men regard each other. A sniff makes me jump as the little girl leans back against the back of the cupboard. My heart breaks for the small child. So much pain at such a young age, so much more pain yet to come.
"They know. I know they do. I have to go away to hide it. Just take care of Lily for me. That's all I'm asking for now," my father begs as Snape shuts his eyes momentarily. "You said yourself you wanted to spend more time with her. Well this is your opportunity," my father continues, taking Snape's silence as encouragement. I realise this must be right before the earlier memory. This could be the answer I'm looking for.
Snape pushes him away and for a split second his eyes dart to my hiding place, but it's too quick and I'm pretty sure I imagined it.
"Where are you going?" Snape asks as my father just smiles at him. My heart pounds in my chest as I lean forward, holding on to ever word spoken.
"I can't tell you that. I can't risk this information with an-" my father starts but Snape silences him with a look.
"This isn't just some stupid errand, it's her we're talking about. You tell me where you're going to hide it," Snape hisses at my father who stares at him impassively not even flinching at the hostility he's receiving.
"That's exactly why I can't tell you," my father says as my heart sinks. No. No he has to tell him. I can't come this far and not find out anything. This isn't fair. This can't be how this ends.
"What if something happens?" Snape says in a low voice, glancing again at me. This time I know I haven't imagined it; Snape knows. Snape knows that I'm hiding here. He knows my younger self is listening to this conversation. The thought makes me angry for some reason. Why would he talk about such things in front of me? Why would he let a child hear something they should never hear?
My father sits down on the chair and buries his head in his hands, clearly distraught.
"If they get to you, someone needs to collect your body. Or would you rather they keep it? And then when she grows up, what am I supposed to tell her?" Snape persists, exploiting my father's weakness completely. I feel sick watching the two of them, but at the same time I need this information.
"I- sh-" my father stutters and it takes every part of me to remain where I am. All I want to do is reach out and comfort him. I have no power over this. It's just a stupid memory. Another reminder as to how heartless Severus Snape can be.
But then it's like the younger me had the exact same thoughts as she bursts out of the corner. Both men turn to face the small girl who glares at them. I stare, jaw dropped, at the situation.
Come back! I mentally scream at myself. I need to know where he's going. I need to know where he hid it!
My younger version, oblivious at the fact that I'm screaming at her, instead walks over to my father and reaches up for him. He takes her in his arms immediately and smiles. Flabbergasted, I stare hopelessly at the situation. Snape stares at the two of them and smiles, but it's different. He longs for my younger self to look up at him, but she's only got eyes for my father.
Tentatively, I get closer to the three of them, namely Snape. That look, it's familiar. I've seen it before. It's the same look I had early today. It's jealously. Snape is jealous. Why would he be jealous? It doesn't make any sense. None of this is making sense.
"Where are you going?" my younger self asks, peering up at my father.
"I'm going to see a friend of ours. You remember? We went a couple of weeks ago?" my father says staring intently into my own eyes. He's purposely evading Snape's eyes whilst also tell my younger self clearly where he's going, something Snape doesn't fail to notice.
"Pibbly!" I exclaim as my heart stops for a second.
My father smiles at me as he kisses the top of my forehead. "Yes, that's right. I'm going to Pibbly," he says softly. He looks up to Snape and gives him a look. I don't need to see the look to know exactly what it meant. My younger self knows where he is going. Snape can't argue with that anymore and my father keeps his secret in tact.
But this is useless to me!
"I'll be back soon, but you stay with Uncle Sev whilst I'm away okay?" my father says softly as I growl. My look of frustration is mimicked by my guardian who balls his hands into tight fists.
Turning around I walk out of the door and take a deep breath. It's okay. It's okay Lily. But my scream of frustration proves that nothing is actually okay. Sinking to the ground, I feel extremely exhausted. This isn't providing me with any answers, just more questions.
Suddenly the hallway turns upside down and I end up flying towards what should be ceiling. Panicking, I try to grab one of the doors to hold myself steady, but the floor jerks from under me again. What's happening?
"Lily! Lily! Can you hear me?" George's voice is clear of panic now, not making me feel any calmer. Something's going wrong. My stomach churns as I try to steady myself again.
What do I do? What should I do? My eyes water as it feels like head is being squeezed and I'm being suffocated. Gasping, I drag my body across the hallway. My leg gets caught in a doorway and the crack I hear when I twist it out causes a scream to escape my lips. Pulling myself up with a door handle, I find a moment of serenity, but it vanishes as soon as it comes.
The room turns upside down again and I find myself falling again. Sliding down the hall as it becomes vertical, I shield my head from any impact. I have to do something. I can't just let myself get hurt.
My eyes dart open and I spot the golden shimmery door at the end of the hallway, looking a lot closer than it did in the start. I just need to get there somehow. Turning my body so that I fall face first, I use my hands to guide myself closer to the door. Spotting the handle of the door next to the shimmery doorway, my fingers reach out to grab it.
The water in my eyes make it difficult for me to see clearly and the pain of my leg screams at me, but I keep my attention on the handle. What if this doesn't work? What did Mrs. Weasley say again? That I could end up trapped in my own mind? That I could suffer a fate worst than death if all this goes wrong? Gritting my teeth, I push forward, not willing to let that happen to me.
My fingers wrap around the cool edge of the door and I slam against the wall. Wincing, I hold onto the handle tightly. The orientation of the hallway is still vertical and I dread to think what would happen if I fell to the bottom. Ignoring the pain in my body, I pull myself towards the shimmery doorway. It radiates pure energy to me as I take a deep breath and jump through it.
Darkness.
Darkness surrounds me.
How could a shimmery, beautiful, golden doorway lead to such darkness?
"No, NO!" I wail into the darkness. Where are my memories? Where have they gone?
"LILY!" George's voice bellows around me and my hands cover my ears instinctively to protect them. No. No, this can't be right.
I sink to my knees as sobs rack my body. This is it. I'm going to drive myself insane and that's going to be the end of me.
Oh Lils, what have you done to me?
George's voice echoes again but this time it's different. It's faint, so quiet, I feel like I'm literally going crazy. It doesn't make sense. George has never called me Lils. This can't be a memory.
Stupid pumpkins
My own voice echoes the dark chamber and I spin around to see where the sound is coming from.
Really, I think they just become my new favourite food
"George?" I call out into the darkness. I don't understand. I don't understand what's happening.
Kiss George
My head spins as voices start talking over one another. Fred's voice echoes more loudly than the others with his demand.
Kiss George
I'm sorry they made you do that
Hands trembling, I feel nauseous. This doesn't make any sense to me.
I had- have a plan
Heat rises in me as I feel a strange emotion. None of this makes sense. How is this even possible? It's like I'm getting fragments of conversations, but millions of them at the same time. They're all jumbled up so none of them make sense.
So call me a coward, but don't you ever accuse me of not caring about you George Weasley
Fierce fire starts to take over the room. I'm barely aware that I started the fire. I don't pay attention to the fact that my powers have materialised after months of disappearance. The sickly smell of burning doesn't deter me.
No.
The only thing that I can focus on is my own voice echoing in the chamber. Except it's not my voice, since I don't remember ever uttering the words out loud. How can that be my voice? How can I not remember saying that? I haven't told George that, I don't, I can't possibly...
I'm in love with you George Weasley
A feeling flows through me and for the first time in a really long time, I feel complete. I never really knew that I was missing anything until this very moment. But now it's like I can't understand how I lived life ignorant of this fact.
I'm falling for George Weasley. I fell for him once before and it's happening again. It feels wonderful, empowering and soul crushing all at once. The room twists around me as I grasp onto any other echoes, but there are none to be heard. The truth has never been more freeing and I just want to stay here to bathe in this feeling.
But then the room vanishes, the hallway vanishes, everything disappears.
"LILY!"
My eyes flutter open as I groan. Coughing, I blink at the two pale horror-struck faces peering down at me. I'm in a memory with George and Fred? Crap, I've gone into a recent door. What use is that to me?
"Lily?" George asks tentatively. His voice sounds so real; maybe this isn't a dream.
My hand reached out shakily and touches his face. He's real. This is real. Crying out in relief I put my arms around George, but it's only then do I realise he's holding me as if he just caught me.
"Are you okay?" George asks in a voice that sounds like it's supposed to be carefully controlled, but the fear is clear. His eyes look red as if he's been trying to prevent himself from crying. My heart sinks at his appearance as I stroke his cheek with my blackened, singed hand.
"Yes," I say hoarsely. "What happened?" I ask as I take in my surrounding. The cushions are also blackened as if someone just extinguished them from a blazing fire.
Fred launches into an explanation of George called my name many times and I didn't respond so they feared I was lost in a memory. How I then started jerking in the air, twisting my body in weird shapes. He goes on about how my leg actually snapped, bringing my attention to the immense pain that radiates from my feet. He talks about how both he and George had tried to call my name numerous times, but nothing worked. How suddenly fire erupted out of nowhere and I started to scream. How George had grabbed me which snapped me out of the memory and brought me back to reality.
I barely listen to Fred's story, but instead stare at George. His got burn marks all over him, but despite that, he smiles at me, eyes lighting up. My own eyes mirror his as we both silently marvel at the fact that my powers are back. I don't know what possibly could have brought them back but right now I don't care, they're back and that's all that matters.
A nagging feeling follows me as George helps me go to clean up. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I'm sure that there's something I'm missing. Something important that I wanted to remember. I lean on George and hobble to Ginny's bedroom where he sits me down on the bed.
"Are you okay?" He asks for the millionth time. I nod my head, still trying to figure out what I'm missing. George regards me for a second before turning to leave.
"Pumpkins!" I say loudly causing George to stop.
"What?" George asks as he faces me with a frown on his face.
"I- Wha- Do you like pumpkins?" I ask, not really sure where this is coming from.
George pauses for a second, probably contemplating the fact that I have truly gone insane.
"They're my favourite," he says with a sigh, pain etched in his voice. I stare at him, trying to figure out what in Merlin's world it was that I needed to remember and what could it possibly have to do with pumpkins.
"Just rest now okay?" George says in a soft voice as I just stare at him helplessly. "I'm sorry we made you do that," he whispers before he leaves.
I'm sorry they made you do that
I have a plan
Echoes of voices enter my mind. Voices that aren't my own and I don't remember anyone saying. Memories that were stolen from me. Tears spring up in my eyes as I try to recall anything, anything from that dark chamber, but it's like I've had a memory wipe again. I can't seem to remember anything.
George. It was George's voice. It was more than that; it was a feeling. I had a feeling that consumed me. A feeling so familiar, like I know it already. Suddenly it dawns on me.
George. It's the feeling I get when I think of George. His ability to strengthen me, but also provide me the comfort I need. His kindness, undying patience and support. The feeling is so familiar because I have that feeling right now. It's not in some memory. It's real.
The echo of my previous life rings in my ears.
I'm in love with you George Weasley
No. That's a memory. That's not real. It can't be.
Would it be so bad to be in love with George Weasley? A small voice in my head pipes up.
My eyes widen as the thought enters my mind.
Shit, I'm falling for a Weasley.
Again.