The Love Of A Wizard

CHAPTER 43
What We Dread Most

For some time, Claudia and the gang stayed in London and did nothing. It was over a week before Tonks came to visit. She knocked on Claudia’s door and Claudia opened it and smiled.
“What a surprise! Where have you been?” Claudia asked. Tonks walked in and looked at Claudia strangely.
“You look funny.” Tonks said as she peered at Claudia, who laughed.
“Nice to see you too! What makes you say that?” She asked trying to clear a place on the chairs for her to sit. Tonks sat and conjured a cup of tea for her and a cup of coffee for Claudia.
“You look…happy.” Claudia stopped rushing about and realized that she indeed was being entirely too happy. She had forgotten that no one else knew of her and Severus or the memory that proved his innocence. She turned to her friend and smiled.
“I have come to accept what is. I can’t change it.” Claudia said. Which was true, she thought. She can not change a single thing that did happen, was happening or going to happen.
“Molly is having everyone over tonight. You lot fancy a home cooked meal?” Tonks said, somewhat more relaxed.
‘Oh yeah…sounds good. Say…how is Remus doing?” She asked.
“Really stressed out. Apparently, old Wormtail showed his face again. Claming to know of a plan to hurt Harry. I don’t know. Most of the order won’t listen to him and Remus still insists that it is possible he is telling the truth. That man…’ Tonks said as she shook her head.
“That man is a good man Tonks. You’re lucky to have him.” Claudia said sadly. Tonks nodded and they sat and caught up with each others lives for the rest of the afternoon.

*****
When the gang was at Molly and Arthur’s house, they always expected great things. Claudia loved to see the different people come and go. Chester loved being surrounded by magic. The rest of them joined forces with Fred and George, trying to cause as much mayhem as possible.
At that particular moment, the guys were trapping garden gnomes in little boxes that looked like muggle rocket ships. They shoved them in two at a time and magically sealed the door. Then, Fred and George tied a firecracker to the box and they had lift off. There were over a dozen lift offs from the garden that were cheered on by almost everyone.
Claudia laughed as she and Molly chatted away in the kitchen. Tonks had disappeared, and they had a pretty good idea as to where she was. Remus had stopped by a few moments ago.
“Has she told you yet?” Molly asked her. Claudia smiled.
“Yes. She told me. I think it is wonderful. Two people so good deserve each other.” Claudia said as she helped set the table.
“You deserve someone too Claudia.” Molly said knowingly. Claudia felt her guilt flush her face. She did have someone. It’s just that they all thought he was a murderer. The only people who knew of his innocence could not tell the others about it. After all, he wasn’t really innocent, was he? He admitted to killing Dumbledore. It was only that Dumbledore made him do it. Claudia shook her head.
“I’m sorry dear. I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories.” Molly said putting her arms around Claudia’s shoulders. Claudia smiled and nodded her thanks.
They heard a commotion from outside and Molly went to the window to see what it was. Claudia followed behind her and she saw a red haired man she had never seen before walking to the door and by Molly’s reaction, she assumed this to be the long lost Weasley son. Percy Weasley.
Molly was deaf to anything except the young man entering the house and she rushed to him with her arms wide. But Claudia was watching another commotion. An owl, brown and boring looking, was swooping the grounds and headed for the house with a letter in it’s beak. Claudia tried to interrupt Molly to tell her, but Molly was fussing over her son.
“-so thin! Come and I will make you something to eat. Can you stay-” The boy shook his head. Claudia realized he looked stretched and thin. His hair was in perfect condition and his robes immaculate. But his eyes…they were deep set and sorrowful.
“No mother. I need to-” The brown owl came flying in through a window and settled itself in front of Molly. Molly looked as if she would faint. Claudia went over to her and put her arm around her, also knowing that this could not be good news. Where was Arthur? She thought. The guys all came into the house and stood staring at the scene. Molly was staring at an owl holding a letter. Her long estranged son standing stock still, void of emotion on his face and Claudia looking helpless.
“Molly…the letter. It has your name on it.” Claudia nudged her. Molly stood, pale as a ghost and shook her head. Tears were already forming in her eyes and spilling onto her cheeks. Claudia reached for the letter as Percy began to speak.
“Mother, I am here to tell you what that letter says. I had hoped to beat it here, had I not been held up outside,” he shot an arrogant look at his brothers. “I could have.” Claudia felt the icy cold hand of dread touch her chest. She unfolded the letter and handed it to Molly, who pushed it away. Claudia knew what Molly was thinking. Unfortunately, she also knew that she was probably right.
“I can’t.” She whispered, swaying on her feet.
“Read it Claudia.” One of the twins said to her. Claudia blinked back the knowing tears and pulled Molly into a chair. She began to read.

To Mr. And Mrs. Weasley.

Your son, Ronald Weasley was admitted today to St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. He is under the care of Healer Bjorn, who states that the young Mr. Weasley’s condition is precarious at best. Your presence is requested as soon as possible to discuss further treatment.

Yours,
H. Featherstone, St. Mungo’s Admittance Dept.


Claudia actually swayed on her feet. Everyone was silent for a moment, but all of a sudden, loud, angry voices filled the house. It was the Weasley boys, Fred, George and Bill who were already in a shouting match with Percy, who was standing alone.
“Why you?”
“Where’s dad?”
“I came to-”
“No one wants you here!”
“You don’t know anything you-”
“You’re lucky mum is here-”
“What can you do to me? I work for the Minister of magic himself!”
Everyone was watching this exchange as Claudia held onto Molly. Molly pulled on her arm and whispered.
“Make them stop…please. I need to find Arthur.” Claudia nodded but was afraid to step in. For all of Fred and Georges antics, she knew they wouldn’t think twice before hexing her. Just so they could finish what they had started with their brother. But Claudia was saved. Antonio, Bones and Rod restrained the three Weasley brothers and walked them outside. Trying all the while to calm them as they shouted obscenities to their brother.
Nick took hold of Percy’s shoulders and lead him to the couch to sit. Percy seemed to crumple under the kindness Nick was showing him and he bowed his head in silent sobs. Tonks returned at that moment looking wild eyed and Remus was in her wake.
“What happened?” She asked. She and Remus surveyed the scene and Tonks gasped.
“Not Arthur?” She said to Claudia with tears in her eyes. Claudia shook her head and handed Tonks and Remus the note. Remus read it very quickly and cursed. He walked outside and apparated immediately.
The next owl flew straight at Molly and landed in her lap. With shaking hands, she untied the letter and opened it. She nodded to the letter as if it were talking to her and she hugged it to her chest and bowed her head. Claudia held Tonks’s hand and they supported each other. Everyone was silently crying and Molly stood.
“It’s from Arthur. He’s already there and I have to go too. He says I must hurry.” Molly went to the fireplace and grabbed a handful of sparkly powder and through it in.
“Wait, I’m coming with you Molly.” Tonks said. Molly shook her head.
“Percy dear? Could you come with me?” Molly pleaded to her son. He stood and nodded. Molly called into the fire, “St. Mungo’s!” and vanished. Percy did the same. They were left in the Burrow with the other Weasley boys and Tonks. Nick went outside to the guys and Claudia and Tonks cried openly for they knew, or felt rather, that this was the moment they had all been dreading. They were both also thinking about Harry. They were sure that whatever injuries Ron had sustained, they were brought on by the adventures with Harry and Hermione. She prayed that Harry and Hermione were alright. Especially Harry.

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A/N: Oh...come on guys! I see so many hits, and so little reviews! I would REALLY like to know what you think! We are close to the end now....please review!