Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of these characters except Aria Stevens. Everyone else belongs to J.K. Rowling.
The Nightmare
The nightmare was more vivid than the others. I was standing in the Great Hall of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a green light lit up the entire room. Everything went silent. My heart pounded in my ears but that was being drowned out by the laughter coming from my right. I turned and saw no other than a tall, long haired Bellatrix Lestrange was the one laughing. I looked by her and saw two blacked haired, lifeless bodies. They were my parents, Marie and Reginald Stevens. My blue eyes filled with anger as I looked into Bellatrix’s dark brown ones. Her thin lips were curved into a smile as I attempted to hit her with Lacarnum Inflamarae. She immediately blocked it with Protego and my eyes widened. Hands grabbed me before it could hit me and the two of us started to fall. The spell barely nicked my right shoulder and me and the fiery red haired boy hit the ground.
On impact, I jumped awake. I’ve been having the same nightmare ever since the Battle of Hogwarts; which was a month ago. My pale skinned body was covered in a cold sweat like normal and I sat up to see the time. The sun was beating in the open window and the wind was coming in. The clock said it was ten after nine and I sighed. I got out of the twin bed and walked over to the dresser near the window that overlooked the garden. My bedroom was small, on the second floor across from the twins’, and used to be Percy Weasley’s. There was also a small bathroom up there that the three of us shared with their sister Ginny and Hermione Granger. I had moved in with the Weasley family after the battle since my parents left me to Mrs. and Mr. Weasley. They were happy to take me in since I practically lived there anyways so I moved in along with Hermione and Harry Potter.
I looked at myself in the mirror above the dresser and I sighed. My pale skin made my bright blue eyes and jet black hair really pop. I was tall but looked short compared to most of the Weasley boys. I was even shorter than the twins and they were the shorter ones in the family along with their brother Charlie but they were still taller than average height and I was two inches under them. My lanky body had no fat on it and didn’t gain any no matter how much I ate; and I wasn’t a light eater. My full lips were cracked from the lack of moisture and my eye lids were dark from the lack of sleep I’ve been having. I moved to see my right shoulder and sure enough, the red, heart-shaped scar was still there from the spell rebounding. I took a deep breath before taking off my pajamas that consisted of a long, blue shirt and a pair of sweats cut into shorts. I then pulled on a pair of jean shorts over my black underwear and a purple tank top over my black bra. I threw my long hair into a pony tail and sighed before leaving the bedroom.
The Burrow was unusually quiet as I made my way down the stairs and to the kitchen on the ground floor where a fiery red haired, short, stocky woman stood by the sink. Molly Weasley was making sure the dishes were doing themselves and she smiled as she looked at me with her warm brown eyes. “Good morning, Aria.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Weasley.” I said and looked at the arrangement of muffins on the table. I grabbed a chocolate one and asked, “Where is everyone? It’s awfully quiet.”
“Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione are outside degnoming the garden and the twins and Arthur are at work.” She explained.
I nodded and headed out the backdoor. Sure enough, there were two girls and two boys chasing after the gnomes. A red haired, tall, lanky boy jumped onto a gnome and struggled to keep a hold of it. “Hurry up, Hermione!” Ron Weasley yelled as a busy brown haired, light skinned, average heighted girl went over to him.
“I’m here, Ronald.” Hermione Granger said as she held open a garbage can to throw the gnome over the hedge.
Ron quickly put the gnome inside and Hermione closed the lid. “Epoximise.” Ron said and the lid was glued to the can.
“Oh, hey Aria.” A red haired, petite girl said as she looked at me with the same brown eyes as her mother.
“Hey Ginny.” I said back and walked over to her.
Her freckles were showing more dominantly today as were Ron’s. The whole Weasley clan shared the same freckled faces and fiery red hair. Ginny studied my tired eyes and asked, “Nightmares again?”
I nodded. “Yeah.” I sighed. “I wish they’d go away.”
“What you should do is go see Fred and George.” A black haired, tall, skinny boy said as he came over. Harry Potter adjusted his round rimmed glasses so he could see better with his green eyes and stood by his girlfriend Ginny. “They said they’ve been working on something that gives a person better dreams.” He moved his hair and his lightning bolt scar above his right eye was exposed.
I nodded again. “Yeah. I was thinking about going to Diagon Alley. You guys want to join?”
Ron nodded his head and looked at me with his blue eyes. “Yeah. Love to.”
Hermione smacked his arm then looked at me with her brown eyes. “We can’t. We promised Mrs. Weasley we’d get rid of the gnomes.” She said.
I smiled. “Alright. I’ll go by myself then.”
I walked back inside the house and went to my room. I gathered up my wand (an oak, 15”, unicorn hair) and my purse and headed outside to apparate. A second later, I was standing in Diagon Alley. The street was becoming busy again since the battle. Shops were opening back up and excitement filled the air again. I headed down the street and saw a purple brick building with a huge version of either Fred or George’s head on it along with an arm. The head showed their red hair, freckled face, and brown eyes. On top of the red hair was a top hat that the arm kept lifting up and down. A variety of things appeared under the hat and I smiled. The shop was called Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes and it was a fantastic joke shop. Witches and wizards were gathered around it and I made my way to the door. I went in and it was the same craziness as it had been the last time I had been there. Young girls were buying either a Love Potion, a Pygmy Puff, or a Ten-Second Pimple Vanisher while the boys were after the many joke or defense objects. An Anti-Gravity Hat flew by my face as I spotted a blonde haired, average height, petite, uniquely dressed girl and knew it had to be Luna Lovegood. She was standing by a round faced, blonde haired, short, chubby Neville Longbottom and they were looking at the Pygmy Puffs. I went over to them and said, “Luna, you have twenty of these things.”
She smiled and looked dreamily at the small, pink creature in her hand. She then turned her grey eyes to me and said, “I love them.”
“That she does.” Neville nodded and looked at me with his brown eyes. “She carries at least one everywhere.”
I smiled and asked, “Have you seen the twins? I have something to discuss with them.”
Neville nodded. “They’re in their office. They’re letting Lee run the register.”
I rolled my eyes and headed for the stairs that led to Fred and George’s office. The noise from the shop could still be heard upstairs but I heard a familiar noise. It was a small explosion. I smiled and knew instantly the twins were creating a new product. I opened the door to their office and sure enough, the two boys were hovering over a cauldron.
“And it still explodes.” George said cheerfully.
“But will it when thrown?” Fred asked.
“Hmmm…we need to test it out.” They both said in unison.
“Well, I’ll just leave then.” I joked as the two of them turned their brown eyes on me.
Their faces were in their normal joke mode and they kept on their smiles. Both boys were stocky like their older brother Charlie and they looked identical. Well, almost. On a trip to get Harry from his aunt and uncle’s, George got his left ear magically cut off. There was no way of fixing it so now he has a hole there and it was easy to tell them apart. There was also a scar on Fred’s right cheek that I had made when we were little.
“Aria, just in time.” Fried said and came over to me. “We need you to test something.” He started to pull me to their inventing table.
“It’s not the exploding one I hope.” I said as I stood by George. I have always been close with the twins and usually helped them with their inventions. It used to be Ginny and myself but now Ginny refuses.
“Don’t worry. This doesn’t explode.” Fred smiled and turned away.
“We’ve tested it on ourselves for a week now and it seems to work.” George told me.
“But now it’s time for you.” Fred added as he turned back to me and held out a little, round, blue pill.
“It’s a Sweet Dream pill.” They both said.
“You just swallow it and in one minute, you’ll be asleep having the best dream you’ve ever had.” George explained.
“Any side effects?” I looked at them.
“Only a good dream.” Fred smiled.
“Do you want me to take it now or later?”
“Now.” They both answered.
George grabbed my hand. “You can sleep on the couch.”
I sat down and took the pill cautiously. It tasted like blueberries and went down my throat easily. “And now I’ll go to sleep?” I asked.
They nodded. “Yes.”
“And this made you guys have good dreams?”
They nodded again. “The best.”
I yawned and lied down. “And what if it doesn’t work?”
“Then we have to more work to do.” Fred said and sat by me. “You’ll be out in three… two… one.”
Sure enough, I was asleep. This time, the dream started after the red haired boy and I hit the ground. Explosions and yelling could be heard all around us as I quickly looked at the boy and saw he had both his ears. Fred. He looked at me and his smile had been replaced with worry. He asked if I was ok and I nodded us. The pain on my shoulder was nothing and we both stood up. Bellatrix just laughed as she pointed her walnut, 12 ¼”, dragon heartstring wand at both of us. She then yelled, “Avada Kedavra!” and the two of us dodged one of the three Unforgiveable Curses.
I woke up again in a cold sweat. It was dark and I could hardly see where I was. That’s when I remembered I was in Fred and George’s office. I grabbed my purse and wand and pointed my wand in front of me. “Lumos,” I said and the room lit up and I found I was alone. I stood up and walked to the door. In the hall, I turned off Lumos and followed the noise coming from downstairs. When I could see the store, there were only three people in there; Fred, George, and an average height, dark skinned, black haired Lee Jordan. I stood at the bottom of the stairs and said, “Thanks for leaving me up there.”
The three boys looked at me and smiled. “Pleasant dreams?” George asked.
“Not unless you call Bellatrix yelling the killing curse at Fred and I a pleasant dream.” I crossed my arms and eyed the twins.
“It would if you were Bellatrix.” Fred laughed.
“You’re still having those nightmares?” Lee asked; his brown eyes staring at me.
I nodded. “Yes and your pill didn’t even work other than putting me to sleep.” I continued to look at the twins.
“We’ll work on that.” They both said.
“Come on. Let’s go home before Mum sends Ron.” George stood up and walked over to me.
“You’ll lock up, right Lee?” Fred asked.
“Right. Night.” Lee said.
“Night.” The three of us said as we grabbed hands and apparated.
The three of us stood in the yard outside of the Weasleys' and all the lights in the house were on. I let go of the twins’ hands and started for the Burrow. Next thing I knew, hands are on me and the twins were carrying me into the Burrow. “Fred! George! Let me go!” I yelled as we entered the house.
“Ok.” They said and tossed me onto the couch in the sitting room.
They laughed as they went into the kitchen and I followed them. They were already sitting on the at the table along with Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Mrs. Weasley, and Arthur Weasley. Arthur had red hair like the other Weasleys and he was tall and thin like Ron and his two other sons Bill and Percy. He smiled at me as his blue eyes landed on me. He then adjusted his glasses and looked at his wife. I took a seat between Ron and Fred and found my plate was made.
“Who made my plate?” I asked and looked around.
“I did.” Ginny answered with a smile.
I smiled. “Thanks.” I took a bite of my chicken that Mrs. Weasley made.
“Well, I figured after Fred and George used you as a guinea pig today, I could make your plate.” She explained.
“We only used her once!” George exclaimed.
“And it didn’t work!” Fred added.
Hermione looked at me with sympathy. “I’m sorry, Aria.”
I shrugged. “I just wish they’d stop on their own.”
“We all do, Sweetie.” Mrs. Weasley commented.
“Don’t worry, Aria.” Fred said and put his arm around me. “We’re going to work on the pill.”
“I don’t know if I should be relieved or worried.” I joked and he ruffled my hair.
After dinner, I helped Ginny and Hermione clear the table before Mrs. Weasley had them wash themselves. The boys had all gone to their rooms and Mr. Weasley was in the kitchen with Mrs. Weasley. Hermione and Ginny went to their room once they were done; which was on the ground floor near the sitting room. It was also a small bedroom that overlooked the orchard. I went out the backdoor and out to the back garden where big family gatherings were held. I sat down in the grass and took a deep breath. The cool wind felt good against my skin and I looked up at the stars. I started thinking about my parents and wished everything was different. I wished I was at my house in Rose Valley. Don’t get me wrong, I love staying at the Weasleys' but I just wanted my parents to still be alive.
“Am I invisible?” A guy’s voice asked; which made me jump.
I looked to my right to see Fred sitting by me with his usual joking smile on. “Jeez, Fred! You scared me!” I playfully pushed him and he laughed.
“I meant to.” I smiled then I looked back at the stairs. “So what are you thinking about?”
I took a deep breath. “My parents. I wish they were alive and that I was home.”
“What? You don’t like living here?” He sounded offended and I looked at him.
“You know how much I love staying here with you guys. I just want my parents back.” Tears filled my eyes.
He nodded. “I know but look on the bright side.”
I looked at him curiously. “There’s a bright side?”
His smile widened. “You get to live with me.”
I rolled my eyes and stood up. “I’m going to bed.”
I went inside and went straight up to my room. When I went in, two girls were sitting on my bed smiling at me. “Where were you?” Ginny asked.
I sighed and closed my door. “Outside thinking and talking to Fred.” I sat on my bed with them.
They nodded. “About?” Hermione asked.
“My parents.” I answered. “How I wish they were still here and that I was home. Fred then assumed I didn’t like living here but I corrected him.” I yawned and couldn’t believe I was actually tired.
“They were amazing people, Aria.” Ginny said and I smiled. “We all wish they were still here.”
A tear formed in my eye. “Well, I’m going to sleep.” They stood up and started to leave my bedroom. “Night.”
“Night.” They said and closed my door.
After changing into my pajamas, I got under the covers and turned off my light. I lied there thinking for hours until finally, I went to sleep.
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So, here it is! My first fanfiction. How Fred is alive will come out later. I do have a plan for that. Anyways, I hope you enjoy it and I wanna hear your feedback :D