Chapter Text
''Are you hurt child?!!''
''Where are your parents?!! Are you lost?!!''
Even though the man and the woman who stood right beside her trying to help her, their voices sounded very distant to her...
''Arthur, I think this girl is sick...'' she heard the woman say just as cool, gentle fingers touched her forehead.
''I think you're right dear...''
''Can you hear me, darling?'' the woman asked again.
She wanted to reply...she really did, but it felt almost impossible! Everything was spinning inside her head!
Suddenly, the loud howl of a wolf pierced the quietness of the night!!
''We need to take her out of here!!'' the man said urgently just as two strong hands raised her limp body from the ground and held her tightly!
More howls, only this time she could hear them much closer than before!
''This way!! Hurry!!!'' the woman sounded almost panicky!
She tried to open her eyes and focus...
Above her, only dead branches and a full moon appeared in her line of vision...
They were running into the night, trying to escape from the hungry predators that had targeted them!
''WATCH OUT!!'' the woman screamed!!
Suddenly they came to a stop!!
''WE'RE SURROUNDED!!!'' the man said as he held her limp body tighter to his arms!
Angry growls were now heard from right next to them...
Wolfs...
The wolfs had foound them...
'Oh no...these two were in danger because of her...'
''Arthur...?'' the woman almost whispered...
Even though she couldn't see her, she could feel how much the woman was terrified...
''Molly...'' the man said gently, wanting to give his beloved courage even though she could feel the man who was holding her into his arms shaking like a leaf with immense fear!
'I can't leave them to be slaughtered...'
If she didn't do something quickly, then they would certainly be all killed!
With the last of her energy, she opened her eyes.
With great difficulty, she slightly turned her head to the side and watched as countless, terrifying red eyes looked at them with pure malice! She could see the wolfs coming closer and closer to them, ready to attack!
It was now or never!
And just like that, her eyes looked as the biggest, wildest wolf who was the alfa of the group, gave a last angry roar before he lunged himself towards them, ready to finish them off!!!
"Sectumsempra..." The words left her mouth without even thinking!
The huge predator fell to the floor in a heartbeat, crying in total agony!!
Immediately, all the rest of his pack members took several steps back, as they looked at the black beast in front of them to give its final breaths.
The angry growls had quickly changed into terrified cries and the pack finally decided to retreat and disappear into the night!
''Oh, my goodness...'' the woman said astonished, as she looked at the final beast disappear into the dark shadows.
She gave one final gasp as the last of her strength left her body and her eyes once again closed...
''MOLLY!! THE GIRL!!!'' the man screamed in agony as he shook her forcefully trying to wake her up again!
''OH, DEAR!!! ARE YOU OK?!!'' she heard the woman say, but her words sounded even more distant to her this time...
''HURRY UP ARTHUR!! LET'S TAKE HER HOME!!!''
That memory was probably the first memory she ever had. It was the night she met the Weasley family who had saved her all those years ago...
She was brought into their home and into their loving family -A family of a total of nine people to be exact!
First, there was Papa Arthur who was the head of the family. A warm, kind man who loved his family very, very much! He worked hard so he could provide for his family at the Ministry of the town. His calm demeanor and strong beliefs are what made everyone around him love and respect him dearly.
Then there was Mama Molly, a gentle, loving woman whose entire world was about the happiness and the well-being of those she loved. Even though was a small woman in size, she was still, the pillar of the entire family, running a household total of ten people, and raising them with morals and ethics!
These two adored each other deeply and as a result, had created a very large and very warm loving family.
Their oldest son, Bill, who was a brilliant and brave lad supported his family by working in the town's bank, called Gringotts Bank.
His services were praised and his opinions were well respected by everyone inside the bank. Besides Bill's exceptional skills and his serious self, the young man had also a very humorous side which made him an easy person to talk to.
Next in line, there was Charlie, the only brother who she had fewer interactions with. Charlie could only be characterized as a free spirit, an outdoor type. His passion was animals and his only wish from early on was to travel across the world and discover its great mysteries.
Even though that desire of his had come in contrast with his family's wishes, no one had put a stop to that. The only term that Mama Molly had set and pressed her foot down was for her son to visit them at least once a year.
Completely different from the previous two brothers, the next one in line was Percy.
Percy was a completely different man from the rest of his brothers. He was very ambitious. His mind worked by distinguishing everything as white and black with nothing in between. He was also very highly opinionated, expressing his thoughts loudly, and sometimes was not entirely in agreement with everyone, thus leading to many arguments and conflicts.
He had recently found a job in the Ministry of the town, just like Papa, but she hadn't understood what he did there exactly. -Actually, no one did. Percy was very secretive when it came to his matters.
And then, there were the twins! The sunshine of life itself! Fred and George. Both of them were kind and outgoing with a natural talent to lift your spirit in the forms of original pranks and brilliant comments that could make you fall from your chair with laughter. Even though everyone always described them as the funny ones, she found them to be extremely brave and staunchly loyal to the ones they loved and respected.
And then there was Ron. Her kind and loving Ron. Ron, who was brave and humorous...
Ron was the only one who could make her forget all her fears and her insecurities in less than a minute but simply uttering two words to her.
Ron was extremely loyal and over-protecting when it came to her. He was always concerned about her well-being and was always there for her since the first day that she was brought into his big family that eventful night.
'' From now on, you're not alone! I will protect you!''
His words had been carved deep inside her heart making her feel safe! No one had said something like that to her before... - at least not that she can remember...
Last, but not least, was Ginny, her sister to heart. Ginny was the only daughter that the Weasleys had.
Even though the youngest, she was independent and strong-willed, with a sharp tongue who never tolerated injustice.
Most of the time, she could pick up things even if no one spoke a single word around them, making her very insightful about all things. She had treated her with so much love and care from that very first night she was told that she was going to be living with them.
She had accepted her with wide arms and never asked anything in return.
Her life had been happy, complete.
The first thing she remembers was Mama Molly telling her that she was not alone anymore - that she had a new family now, - a family who loved her very much, and that they would always be by her side no matter what.
A warm feeling had spread through her heart and lightened it, giving her hope.
Her new family never asked her who she was or how she was found almost dead inside that dark forest all alone.
They never asked her anything regarding her past.
It had been a relief because even though she wanted to tell them everything, she certainly couldn't, because she simply couldn't remember.
Everything before that night had been a blur. The only thing that she could remember were scattered feelings -feelings that had no comparison to the pleasant ones she felt ever since she was accepted into her new family.
Often she woke up from her sleep all covered in sweat, panting from trying to catch her breath. The only thing she remembers seeing in those nightmares was that she was been chased, but she had no idea by whom or why...
All she felt deep down was that her mere existence was dangerous... -dangerous to herself and to those around her...
The only time when she had felt the need to share her concerns had been during her early teens when she discussed them with Mama Molly.
''My sole concern is the well-being of this family...''
''Of course, it is my dear! So is everyone! We all love each other and want nothing more for everyone in our family to be safe and happy!''
''That is exactly why I wish to speak with you, Mama Molly.''
''What is it dear? Why the big furrow between your lovely eyes?'' the woman said as she gently caressed her cheek.
''I am afraid that my staying here could automatically put you and your family in great danger...''
Instead of replying, the woman looked deep into her eyes with a kind expression on her face.
''How many times have I told you that this, THIS is your family now! OUR family, and what we do is to protect our family from anyone who wishes to harm it.''
The words rooted deep down into her soul! They had given her courage and security that nothing and no one was going to break them apart ever.
....
''So what do you think?'' Ginny asked her just as made a little spin as she wore her old blue dress.
Her sister was beautiful in whatever she wore, only this time she couldn't help but notice how torn the fabric looked now. It had been mended several times by Mama Molly as she tried to make it as new as possible, with no holes or rebellious threads coming off the ends of the dress. Still, the dress was really old.
She looked inside their closet again but there was still nothing there in better condition than what Ginny wore now.
What could she do? Ron's birthday party was next week. He was turning eighteen! It was a very important day and everyone was coming together to celebrate this joyous occasion. Often she forgot that Ron's birthday was actually the same day as hers.
Well, technically she didn't have a birthday since she didn't remember when she was born or what year but according to Mama Molly she couldn't be older than Ron due to her body growth.
It was Ron's idea that very first year when she was brought home, to celebrate her birthday the same day as his!
The mere suggestion had her in tears! But they were happy tears! She loved it that she was truly acknowledged and cared and what better way to have her birthday the same day as her beloved Ron! Somehow it felt that they were connected even more after this.
''It's very beautiful,'' she said as she admired her sister.
''It's a little old but what can you do? What did you decide to wear?'' Ginny said as she removed her dress gently to place it once again on the hanger inside their closet.
''Em...This one?'' she said as she raised the white dress that Mama Molly had made for her on her fifteen birthday.
''Lovely...'' she couldn't help but detect Ginny's dissatisfied tone. She could read her like a book by now. Her sister thought the same thing. -As lovely as both dresses were, they still looked old and overused. The sad thing was living in a big family meant that the expenses were also big. Papa Arthur and the older brothers all had found jobs, trying to support their family but still, life was difficult.
Actually no! That was not the only reason! The oppressive and inhuman behavior of the town's capitals was slowly and steadily repressing the lives of every resident inside their little town.
Still, her family made sure that nothing was missed by everyone. There was always warm food on their table and clean clothes for them to wear. Somehow she needed to find a way to be also useful to the family!
She had saved a few gold Galleons underneath her mattress from earning a few bets from the twins. It wasn't something to be proud of, but it was the only way to gain some money because both Papa Arthur and Mama Molly had forbidden her from going into town to find a job. A rule she didn't quite understand since most of all her brothers, all except Ginny had already found some job to contribute financially.
Even Ron was set to have an appointment at the end of the month to begin working as an enforcement official. With his strong build and his height, they immediately accepted him to join the Force. Besides the town needed as many young lads as possible. The raids from the ''savages'' of the North had increased to their borders. Black dressed men, wearing face masks, riding on huge black horses invaded their borders, destroying everything in their path as they went.
No one had seen their real faces or even harmed any of them!
Old people who were still very superstitious often told scary stories to the children about those black-cloaked figures. In those stories, those beasts had a name.
''Death Eaters''
Merciless creatures, without a hint of humanity in them, roamed this earth with their ultimate goal to create chaos.
No one knew much about them for the simple reason that they took no prisoners amongst them. Whoever they encountered was murdered on the spot, no questions asked. Thankfully, these past few months things had been pretty quiet. There hadn't been any raids or even a mention of their presence near the borders.
That was why she felt comfortable traveling to the town's market to buy her beloved Ron a present for his birthday. Her money was not enough to also buy Ginny some new fabric to make with it a new dress.
Hopefully soon. All she had to do was find a way to convince the twins once again to engage in a series of bettings.
Unfortunately, this was the only way that she could gain some money since the idea of her working in the town was not even an issue of discussion yet. Papa Arthur and Mama Molly had sat her down a year ago when she had first voiced her desire to find a job and help the family as well, just like the rest of her siblings had done before her.
The only reason they gave her before finishing the discussion short was that the world outside the house was dangerous and as long as those Death Eaters still lurked in the shadows, there was no point in her risking her safety. The same rule at least applied for the time being for Ginny too, even though she feared that once Ginny would become an adult in a year, things would change.
Ginny was independent and had a fiery personality. If she had set her mind on something, there was no stopping it! She would definitely want to find a job and earn some money. Maybe then, she would have to re-open the topic of that particular discussion as well, hoping that her parents would change their minds.
''GINNY??!! CAN YOU COME DOWN TO HELP ME WITH SOMETHING?!!'' Mama Molly asked from downstairs.
''COMMING MOM!!'' Ginny grabbed a long sweater from the closet and quickly put it on her. The weather was getting chilling. Winter was upon them.
''I need to help mom with...- Never mind!''
She knew that this was about her and Ron's birthday celebration.
''May I suggest you rest in our room until dinner's ready? What do you think?''
Perfect!!! That was exactly what she needed! If she would pretend to be asleep in their room, then no one would look for her until dinner time!! That was plenty of time for her to run to the town and buy Ron his present and then run back and pretend that nothing ever happened!
''Sure. Maybe I will have a little nap, was actually feeling a little tired, to be honest.''
''Alright, rest as much as you need, we will also try to keep it down.'' Ginny smiled warmly before walking outside their room and closing the door gently behind her.
She waited a couple of minutes and then went to the door very slowly. She pressed her ear to the door frame and heard both women talking to each other downstairs.
Very gently, she extracted herself from the door frame and walked to the window across her. She opened it just as a cold breeze hit her in the face.
She made sure to grab her red scarf, the one Ron had given her last Christmas as a gift and wore it around her neck. That would keep her warm!
She took a deep breath before she moved outside the window and carefully climbed down from the second floor. Even though heights were not her favorite thing, she had learned how to climb and descend trees ever since she was still a child by her elder brothers.
Just before her feet touched the ground, she momentarily lost her balance and scranched her hand!
'Damn it!' she silently cursed! She inspected her hand and apparently, the cut had been quite deep. Several drops of blood dripped down to her hand, soaking the fabric of her sleeve as they went.
'No time for that!!' She needed to get going! She didn't have much time left before everyone came back from their jobs for dinner.
She gave one final look at her home and starter running towards the thick forest.
Their home was built on the foothills of the mountain and had the perfect view of the city in front of them. The only thing you needed to do to reach the city was cross the thick forest, which that took about an hour by foot and maybe twenty minutes by horse.
She just needed to run! Flourish and Blotts, the little bookstore on the North Side of Diagon Alley! That was where she needed to go! She already knew what she needed to purchase. A book named the Healer's Helpmate. Now that he was to start working in the Force, he needed every little help he could get if he ever came across a dangerous situation and he needed to mend a wound.
The mere thought of Ron getting injured made her tremble with unbearable fear. She didn't understand, but among all of her siblings, Ron held a special place inside her heart...
She often caught herself looking at him...
He was a beautiful boy with fiery red hair and clear blue eyes. Over the last few years, his body had changed drastically. He was almost two heads taller than her, and when he hugged her she felt like she was swallowed inside his embrace.
It felt nice, she felt protected...
When- which wasn't very often,- they traveled to the city to buy the necessary for their home, she often caught the girls around the town giggling and blushing as he passed them by. The act gave her a funny feeling down her heart. Honestly, she didn't like it, but on the other hand, Ron never expressed any real interest in any of them. He always held her hand tightly under her cloak and continued walking closely with her by his side.
A warm feeling once again warmed up her insides as her thoughts traveled to him again.
Her body was begging to warm up as she continued running down the familiar path that would lead her to the city center.
And then, something...a sudden feeling made her stop abruptly in her tracks!
She took a deep breath and looked around her! The road in front of her was still visible. The sun had not been set yet but everything else around her was pitch black. The forest around her was really old and very dark. Even during the day, if you stepped inside it, not a single ray of light could cut through the thick leaves.
'Calm down... there is nothing there...' she kept saying to herself as she continued looking around her...
A tear of sweat run down the side of her temple...
She definitely couldn't see or hear anything around her, but still, there was something there...
She wet her dry lips and decided that she needed to be brave!
'Keep going! You don't have much time left!'
Just as she was about to take the first step, faint footsteps were heard from behind her!
She abruptly turned around to find a wolf in the middle of the road staring at her!
Her heartbeat sped and her knees buckled!
The wolf was so huge!! His eyes were locked together with hers, and she felt paralyzed with terror! The terrifying animal wasen't moving, only continued looking at her! Slowly, he raised his snout a little higher, sniffing the air around him!
The wolf was taking in her scent!
'OH NO!!'
Suddenly, the wolf raised his huge head to the sky and began howling!!
'HE IS ALERTING THE REST OF HIS PACK!!'
Without another minute to waste, she turned around and began running! Only she never made it too far because a few steps ahead of her, another large wolf awaited her!
She quickly looked back as the wolf behind her advanced in slow, calculative steps towards her side! She looked ahead again, and so was the other one in front of her!
There was no other option! She needed to get off the road!! If she had one chance to survive, it would be to lose them inside the forest!
She gave them one final look before she turned to her right and got off the road!
Angry snarling followed her quickly behind!!
Massive trees and thick roots that sprang from the ground made her running very difficult!
She ran as she had never run before!
She could feel her skin tear around her legs and face as she pushed the wild branches from in front of her path!
The wild growlings were multiplying! The rest of the pack had gathered and they were all running behind her!
Her eyes shoot to the sky, only there was nothing there! She couldn't see the sky or any of the stars to guide her! She was so deep inside the forest and she didn't recognize any of her surroundings! She felt that she had lost her orientation! For all, she knew she could be headed in the complete opposite direction of the city!!
Still!! She would never go down without a fight! She was a survivor! She had come across a similar situation like that in her past and she had made it! Surelly she would make it again!!
Her pace increased even more!! She could do this!! She would find her way out of this forest!!
Just as she was about to jump above a thick fallen branch, she missed her footing and fell, hitting her head quite badly on a thick root in on the ground!
The pain was so bad, but her survival instinct was bigger!
She tried to lift herself from the ground as quickly as possible but her vision had become blurry and her strength was starting to abandon her...
The growlings once again intensified, and this time she could hear them from all around her...
She was surrounded! Even though she couldn't see any of them very clearly she knew...
Once again, one of the wolfs began to howl loudly, piercing the quietness around her...
So this was it...?
Was this her end...?
She didn't even have the time to say goodbye to her family...
She didn't even have time to thank them for everything they had done for her...
No more time to tell them how much she loved them...
Hot tears found their way down her cheeks, blurring her vision even more...
Somewhere behind the shadows, the huge wolf she had first encountered in her path appeared and began approaching her again slowly...
Her hand quickly wiped her tears away!
He then stopped and looked at her with his piercing eyes before he howled loudly!
No! She was brave!! Even if these were her final moments upon this earth, she wouldn't face them like a coward by crying!
She stared at the beast with bravery!
''I am not afraid of you!'' she said courageously!
The wolf stared at her right back and gave another loud howl into the night, making all members of his pack do the same thing!!
And just as she was about to face her doom, something unexpected happen!
Something was coming down her way!
Her ears picked up the sound of heavy galloping!!
It was coming her way and fast!
The ground almost shook!! She abruptly turned around, following the sound from which the galloping was coming!!
Somewhere inside the blackness, a black form riding the biggest black horse she had ever seen charged towards her way!!
Her whole body froze!
'Danger!' her instincts screamed inside her head!!
As the horse ran towards her way fast, the form became clearer!
Riding the horse, a black-cloaked figure, wearing a black mask, became visible to her!!
'Mask...?!'
All the alarms hit inside her head! The only people who dressed like that were the Death Eaters!!
She took a step back and immediatly angry growlings made her stop her movements!!
The horse suddenly came to a stop as the rider quickly pulled on the horse's reins!!
The black beast gave a loud neigh as it bounced its hoofs loudly to the ground before it stopped moving altogether!
Her heart hammered inside her chest wildly as she watched the person riding the horse remain unmoving!
From the little she could see inside the darkness, the person riding this wild horse was massive! Even though the entire form was completely covered from head to toe under a very long, black, cloak she was certain that the person hiding underneath was not a woman! This one was definitely a man!!
Even though she couldn't identify who was hiding behind that thick, black mask, she could swear that she felt their piercing gaze on her!!!
Everything around them ceased to exist! Even the wolfs had stopped their wild growlings!
Without even realizing it, she took another step backward, and this time the cloaked figure immediately moved! In one swift movement, the man dismount his horse and moved towards her way with slow, calculative steps!
She gulped and took another step backward!
With each step the man took, his form became even clearer to her! He looked enormous compared to her! He was so tall and so masculine! There was no way she could win against him in a fight!
Still!!!
''STAY BACK!! I AM WARNING YOU!!'' she said loudly as she instinctively raised her hand in front of her!
The man suddenly stopped!
Once again, the only sound that she could hear was the sound of her heavy breathing!
The man continued to stare at her before he slowly tilted his head to the side as if he was trying to observe her even better...
''You don't know how long I have been trying to find you.'' the man said, making her body react instantly hearing his deep, masculine voice that sent goosebumps down her entire body!!
She blinked a couple of times rapidly, not understanding what exactly did he mean!
She was about to say something when the man raised his hand and the last thing she felt before darkness enveloped her was been held by two strong arms...