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Yet another dreary day on the run bled slowly into yet another dreary night to follow. One sleepy countryside town sat in growing darkness, waiting for the rain promised in the air to fall. Heavy clouds had been gathering across the sky for hours and even upon sunset their presence could be felt. A cold breeze ran through the mostly-vacant main street. Those muggles who occupied the buildings were lucky: They had somewhere to go when the torrent finally struck. The young woman keeping watch outside a dilapidated barn less than a mile away had no such luxury.
You were used to having no luxuries at all, though. Five months of constant moving around the country tended to have that sort of effect on a person. The other wizards and witches that you’d run across by accident suffered the same conditions you did: heat and bugs, dementors and cold.
Still, you had magic. Your evening would be much more comfortable than the muggles in town’s would be once the familiar creeping fog rolled in. Already you could see it gathering against the edges of the dark field you sat in. Hopefully the boys could get their radio program started soon. Then all of this would be worth the exposure to the weather.
“What if we did it this way?” Either Fred or George’s voice drifted out toward you through the gap between the barn doors.
“It doesn’t matter what way we use it. The blasted thing’s broken!” the other twin replied.
“And whose fault is that?”
“Rowle’s! Direct hit with whatever curse that was last week. Haven’t been able to get it working since.”
“I thought you said you were working on it.”
“I am. It takes time, you—”
“Would you lot shut up? I think I can get us a signal if you’d just let me concentrate,” Lee broke in.
Judging by all the banging and bickering, you didn’t hold out a lot of hope that Potterwatch would be going on air that night either. Your last flight from encroaching Death Eaters had seen a lot of damage done to the equipment necessary to put on the show. Lee would probably spend the rest of the night trying to fix things, and they’d give the show another go tomorrow.
You stretched out your legs with a sigh until your feet nearly touched the jarred fire resting on the ground in front of you. On the bright side, the delay meant that you could stay in one place a little longer. On the not-so-bright side, Potterwatch was what the four of you were on the run for. A night without it always felt wasted.
A spark of silver flashed through the mist across from you. Lightning? It must have been, because a crack of thunder followed, and sharp, hard drops of water began to fall upon your head. But the silver thing did not disappear. Instead, it grew larger, closer, until it congealed into the shape of a massive, ghostly horse.
You stood, wetness forgotten, to watch its approach. The Patronus galloped into the old barn without giving you so much as a second glance.
Your heart pounded in your chest; your tongue felt thick in your mouth. What terrible fate had befallen one of your number? You lifted a shaking arm to pull open the doors—looking out for dementors was no longer necessary with that horse around—only to have said doors wrenched open before you could touch them.
Fred stood in the space left. His cheeks flamed as brightly as his hair. You froze. Who in his family had been hurt this time? Had You-Know-Who and his followers finally found Ron? No opportunity for you to ask arose. He let out a sudden loud whoop that startled you, then he pulled you in for a hard kiss.
“What was that for?” you asked breathlessly, once he had pulled back.
His wide grin was enough to soothe any remaining fears about the status of his family you might have held. “Get your things together, [Name]. We’re leaving in five minutes.”
“What? Why? Potterwatch—”
“We don’t need to broadcast tonight. Maybe not ever again. Everyone’s going to the same place.”
“Everyone?” you echoed. “Same place?”
For a long time, you had believed that nothing could bring down Fred and George’s spirits. They were so tirelessly optimistic, so determinedly bright-hearted. So many months on the run had seen your boyfriend, his twin brother, and your mutual best friend much doused in that regard. Now Fred was practically vibrating with excitement for the first time since Christmas.
“Hogwarts!” His hands slid up your sodden sleeves to squeeze your shoulders. “Everyone is going to Hogwarts. Harry’s there right now. We just got the word. We’re all going to go there and fight!”
You felt your eyes bug out of your head. Very attractive, you were certain. But how else were you supposed to react? Weeks with no communication from the Weasleys or the Order of the Phoenix, and now this? Fred didn’t help matters by interrupting your attempt to process this news with a question:
“Why are you all wet?”
In all the commotion, you had entirely forgotten to cast a water-repelling charm on yourself. The storm had come in entirely without your notice. You were soaked to the bone as a result…but you were not the only one.
“So are you,” you said, smirking as you pushed some damp ginger hair from his forehead.
His eyes followed your hand before moving again to your mouth. One arm wrapped around your waist to pull you closer still. “Well, that explains why you let me kiss you. It’s been a long time since I had a proper shower.”
“Not like I smell much better.”
“You’re a girl. Girls always smell better.”
“That’s a lie, Mr. Weasley.”
“But a pretty one, Miss [L Name]. And anyway, after tonight, we’ll be able to bathe as often as we like.”
“And sleep in a real bed?” you asked hopefully.
“Without anyone else nearby,” he answered.
“Not even George?”
“George can get his own bed once old Voldie’s gone. It’s been far too long since I had you all to myself, and after I’ve got reacquainted with a bar of soap—”
“Oi!” Lee shoved the doors open, whacking Fred on the back of the head as he did. George stood behind him and added:
“Make moon eyes at each other later. If we don’t get a move on, all the good Death Eaters will be taken.”
“Right you are, gentlemen,” said Fred. “Ready to go, [Name]? I’d hate for Remus or Kingsley to get to any Malfoys before we do.”
“Give me thirty seconds,” you replied.
Though you hated to leave his embrace so soon, it was only a temporary evil. You waved your wand under the watchful eyes of your three closest friends to see all your things soar into your waiting basket, which then flew into your empty hand. Then you scooped up your fire jar to stuff in with the rest. Fred shot you a wink.
“Ready boys? And girl,” Lee asked.
“As always, Lee,” said George.
You all shared a look for the space of a breath. This was it: the long and terrible journey was finally at an end. One way or another, none of you would be returning to this godforsaken barn again. Each of you lifted your wand as one, and—crack!—disapparated from the soggy countryside. Cold and wet you might have arrived at the Hogshead Inn, but it was with the knowledge that all the pain and suffering would soon be over warming you from the inside. It would not be much longer until you could at last live the life you were meant to live with the (fresh-smelling) man of your dreams.