A Wonder

Harry had told them all that is was Snape who killed the man. At first they steadfast refused this, especially McGonagall, but after a regretful confirmation from the three girls she had no choice but to listen.

They attended the funeral in black and Ryleigh felt a sickening trend forming. All manor of people attended, students and professors, ministry members and magical creatures. Nearly everyone was crying but Ryleigh felt she was fresh out of tears. Afterwards she and Luna walked along the beach. Luna would be going home for the summer and with the state of the world right now they were pretty sure they wouldn’t see each other, at least until Bill and Fleur’s wedding. They found Ginny alone wiping tears from her cheeks. 

“Are you okay?” Ryleigh asked as she neared. 

“Harry just.. he broke up with me I guess, if we were even…” she said, “he’s not coming back next year.”

“I imagine a lot of people won’t be.” Ryleigh noted. “I’m really sorry Ginny.”

Luna sat down beside the red headed girl and put an arm around her. 

“I think he’s just trying to protect you.” She said.

“I reckon she’s right— doesn’t make it hurt any less though.” Ryleigh agreed.

Xx

The other students packed up to leave for the year, many saying a sort of tentatively permanent goodbye to their friends. Ryleigh waved off her friends with a sad smile. She’d done this so many times before but it felt different. Weighted. For one thing, she wasn’t leaving, she’d stay here with McGonagall for the summer and … well they weren’t sure what would happen next. 

Summer at Hogwarts was strange to say the least. It wasn’t like Christmas holiday when at least a handful of students would stay behind. No, this was different. There was nearly no one on the grounds at all. Aside from McGonagall, Hagrid and Trelawney, and Filch of course, all the professors has gone home. Ro and Quinn spent the days running around the halls of the school. McGonagall spent her days fixing the damage that the death eaters had brought with them and worrying over the increase in missing persons cases around the country. 

She could hear McGonagall and Hagrid whispering in the staff room as she was wondering by, about professor Burbage’s sudden resignation, McGonagall sounded less than convinced by the letter.

Ryleigh spent most of her time alone in the Astronomy tower. Usually because by the time she’d made it to the top alone she was too tired to get back down again.

One evening as she sat at the top she heard footsteps coming and grabbed her wand tightly. 

“It’s just me.” McGonagall said before Ryleigh could even see her and the girl laughed, releasing the vice grip on her wand. 

The woman emerged from the stairs and stood next to her.

“I’ve thought about this for a long time now.” McGonagall said. 

“About what?” Ryleigh asked.

“About whether we should leave or stay here at the school.” 

“Oh…” Ryleigh said.

“The truth of the matter is with the way things are going I have a responsibility to the students of this school. Ro would be attending this coming fall and you have two more years… I’ve taken the precaution of falsifying some paperwork for your brother and sister in the event that… less than desirable people overtake the regulations of the school and require a level of “blood purity”.” She said.

“Oh. Um, right. Cause they’re… what would they be considered even?”

“Less than half blood heritage would most likely be brought into question and I don’t want to take that risk.” McGonagall simplified.

“Thank you…” Ryleigh said.

“I expect you still wish to attend the Wedding at the burrow and I will permit this so long as you travel with Hagrid a few days in advance when he goes as well.”

“Of course. Thank you so much.” Ryleigh said. 

“The kids will stay here with me as I’m not confident enough in the security to allow them. You understand yes?” 

“Absolutely.” 

“Right then. Hagrid was wanting to speak with you before you leave.” McGonagall said and began exiting the tower, Ryleigh followed close behind. 

Xx

“You wanted to see me Professor Hagrid?” Ryleigh asked as she stood in the doorway to his hut.

“Oh please, just Hagrid.” The hulking man said and led her into the room. “Please, have a seat.”

She took an awkward seat on an arm chair way to big for her. 

“I was hopin’ to ask you to borrow your motor-bike.” He said suddenly. 

“My what?” She asked.

“Your motor-bike.”

“Oh! My dads!” She said with sudden realization. “Uh sure, of course.” She added. 

“We’ll be off tomorrow then?” He asked and she nodded.

“Thank you, for taking me with you.” She said.

“Course!” He said happily. 

Xx

The next morning she packed a bag for a few days with clothes and a set of dress robes then said goodbye to the kids and met Hagrid outside where he was waiting with the motorcycle. 

“Ready?” He asked and she climbed in.

Xx

As they flew toward the burrow they passed through the shield charm with ease.

The spitting of the motor-bikes engine called out the Weasley family from the house. It looked good she noticed, fresh paint on the extensions where the fire had ruined it. They landed in a soft thump, Hagrid got off and offered her a hand as she climbed out of the side car.

“Hagrid, Ryleigh.” Molly greeted as she made her way over, Arthur close behind and Ginny jogging past them. 

She brought Ryleigh in for a tight hug.

“I missed you.” She said.

“Missed you to Ginny.” Ryleigh said with a smile. 

“Your trip was okay?” Molly asked and Ryleigh could practically feel the anxiety rolling off of the woman.

“No issues.” Hagrid responded. 

“Arthur, Ryleighs been kind enough to lend me Sirius’ bike for our little trip, i though you might want ta do some tinkerin’ to it” Hagrid said.

“What trip?” Ryleigh asked as she looked between them all.

“They’re going to get Harry.” Ginny supplied.

“It all right with you Ryleigh if I do some work on the bike?” Arthur asked.

“Of course.” She said. 

“Come on then girls, let’s get inside.” Molly said, ushering them in. 

“Thank you for having me early Mrs Weasley.” Ryleigh said.

“None of that Ryleigh, we’ve been through far to much for the formalities. Come on in, get settled and you girls can help me the the wedding preparations.”

That evening the others arrived, Hermione, Remus and Tonks, Kingsley, Moody and someone named Mundungus Fletcher. They gathered most of the Weasleys and said goodbye, leaving Ginny Molly and Ryleigh behind. 

“Now. Let’s clean up and make space for everyone.” Molly said after she’d cleared her throat. “Ryleigh if you can make the stairs tonight you’ll stay in Ginny’s room.” 

“I’ll be fine on the stairs Mrs- Molly.” She said with a smile. “It’s only the first floor.”

“Yeah, Ryleighs the one who drags us up to the Astronomy tower.” Ginny said. 

Xx

They heard the sputtering engine before they saw anyone break through the barrier. She followed Molly and Ginny as they rushed outside to see Hagrid and Harry climbing out of the marshes. 

“Harry! Hagrid!” Molly called out to them. They looked a mess, soaking wet and shivering and right terrified. “What happened? Where are the others?” She asked as they all looked around. 

“Is no one else back?” Harry asked.

“They we’re on us right from the start Molly. We didn’t stand a chance.” Hagrid said. 

“Well… thank goodness you two are alright.”

“The death eaters were already waiting for us, it was an ambush.” Hagrid explained.

Ginny and Ryleigh made their way closer to Harry who looked between them then settled on Ginny. Molly and Hagrid headed back to the house while they spoke.

“Ron and Tonks should have already been back.. dad and Fred as well.” Ginny said anxiously. 

A whoosh sounded and they looked over to see Remus holding a lipping Harry. He was bleeding from the side of his face and they watched as he transformed back into George.

“Quick, into the house.” Lupin said as Harry grabbed the other half of George’s body and they brought him inside. 

“Oh my boy!” Molly said barley above a whisper as they dropped him onto the couch, Ryleigh grabbed some clean rags and handed them to Molly as she knelt beside the couch. Suddenly Remus turned to Harry, wand pointed and shoved him back into the wall. Ryleigh startled at the shouting but stayed focused on George.

“I have some blood-replenishing potion in my bags.” She said softly to the woman who nodded gratefully and Ryleigh stood from her knees with a wince grabbing her bag and rifling through it. 

“We‘ve been betrayed. Voldemort knew you were being moved tonight. I had to make sure you weren’t an imposter.” The man panted as he stepped back from Harry. 

The sound of another apperation boomed from outside and Remus, Harry and Hagrid all ran out the door where she could hear more shouting between Remus and Kingsley.  

George let out a soft moan as she tipped the bottle of potion to his lips. 

“Just a bit.” She urged. 

“Come on George drink it up.” Molly said softly and the man swallowed once. 

“That’ll be enough.” Ryleigh assured as she capped the bottle and put it away. 

Fred was the first to come running in, followed closely by Arthur then the rest of the group. Ryleigh moved out of the way for them to gather around George. Fred went side to his twins side, kneeling down and saying “how you feeling Georgie?” He asked softly. 

The other twin was quiet for a moment before he responded, “saint-like” he said finally and they all looked around confused. 

“Come again?” Fred asked.

“Saint-like.” He answered again. “I’m holy. I’m holey friend, get it?” He asked pointing to his lack of an ear. 

“The whole wide world of ear related humor and you went with I’m holy? That’s pathetic” Fred said but his voice was sad and unsure even as he tried to laugh with his brother.

“Reckon I’m still better looking than you.” George said.

Bill then pushed his way forward looking around gravely at the group. “Mad-eye’s dead… Mundungas took one look at Voldemort and disapirared.”

They were silent for a long time before Molly spoke.

“Alright, it’s the middle of the night now. Everyone needs to get some rest.” She said while making a shooing motion with her hands. Ginny and Ryleigh hung back with Fred and Molly while everyone else scattered about. 

“Let’s get this cleaned up and bandaged.” Molly said.

“I’ll get some clean water.” Ginny offered and made her way to the kitchen.

Fred helped moved George to a more comfortable position as Ryleigh and Molly cleaned the blood off his face.

“Hurt?” Ryleigh asked softly when he winced.

“Nah it’s alright.” George offered. 

“Come on now.” She said with a smile. “You had to carry me out of this burning room and piggy back me up and down stairs for months. I think you can tell me if your severed ear is hurting.” She said and he smiled. 

“Guess so.” 

She smiled knowingly, “Fred in my bag there’s a murtlap essence would you grab it?”

Fred grabbed the bag and dug through until he found the small vial, handing it to Ryleigh who helped George to swallow it.

“He‘ll stay right here tonight.” Molly said. 

“Thank you for your help, you girls should go get some sleep.” Ginny and Ryleigh nodded and made their way up the stairs slowly.

As they finally crawled into bed Ryleigh could see the sun breaking its cover over the hills. 

“We could have found somewhere to sleep downstairs if it hurt that much.” Ginny said all the sudden and Ryleigh looked over at her.

“What?” She asked confused.

“Your leg, your limp is like, way worse than normal?” Ginny said, pulling the blankets over her body as she spoke.

Ryleigh laughed, “I hadn’t noticed.” She said honestly. 

“Have you seen a mediwitch about it?” Ginny asked. 

“Madam Pomfrey says that I was probably right, it’s not really from the broken leg. I mean- it is but more because she crucioed me while I had the broken leg and it’s just gonna be like this.” Ryleigh said. “I’ve just gotten used to it. Goodnight Ginny.”

“Goodnight Ry.”

Xx

They spend the next few days together, things were mostly quiet, Ginny spent a good chunk of her time with Harry and Ryleigh helped Molly around the house and with George.

The minister for magic came to give Harry and the other two what Dumbledore had left them on Harry’s birthday and the next day they set up for the wedding. 

Luna and Xenophilius arrived just a tad late to the event as expected. Ryleigh was at her side instantly, she gave her a long kiss and then blushed as she pulled back. 

“Sorry.” She mumbled and tucked her long hair behind her head.

“You look lovely.” Luna said looking her up and down. 

In many ways Ryleigh simple dress robes complimented Lunas extremely vibrant ones. She was wearing a soft pink dress with mid length sleeves, unusual for her as she almost always wished to cover up her scars with long sleeves. 

She and Luna danced together with smiles and laughter for as long as she could manage until Lunas father kindly offered to take over and Ryleigh sat down at one of the tables. She watched practically doe-eyed as Luna pranced around the dance floor with her father. 

She watched as Luna greeted Harry then her father got rather close to the poor boy and said something that she couldn’t hear. 

“Come daddy. Harry doesn’t want to talk to us right now. He’s just to polite to say so.” Luna said and dragged her father over to the table where Ryleigh was seated. 

“Having a good time love?” Ryleigh asked as Luna sat down next to her. 

“It’s lovely.” Luna said. 

Luna moved her chair so she could lean back into Ryleighs chest, her head tilted awkwardly so she could see her girlfriend. 

“What are you doing?” Ryleigh laughed.

“I like to look at you.” Luna responded easily. 

Ryleigh blushed and scrunched up her nose. “I like to look at you too” then she leaned down and touched their noses together. 

Suddenly a loud bang erupted and everyone jumped away from the dance floor. Quickly Luna righted herself and they watched as a glowing blue orb was floating there. 

Kingsleys voice flowed from it suddenly, “the ministry has fallen. The minister of magic is dead. They are coming. They are coming.” 

Then it cut off and people began murmuring. Luna stood and pulled Ryleigh up with her, moving closer to her fathers side. 

A loud whooshing echoed around them and black smoke piled into the tent. People screamed and began running in every direction as suddenly their were death eaters shooting cursed in every direction.

Ryleigh held as tight as she could to Lunas hand but someone ran through them and pulled them apart.

“LUNA!!” She screamed as she watched Xenophilius pull the girl away, she was reaching back for Ryleigh but she couldn’t get to her.

“Ryleigh!” She yelled but then someone yanked on Ryleighs arm and pulled her in the other direction. She spun around to see Hagrid was who’d taken her arm and she followed him, searching the room she saw  Ginny block as spell and Harry reach for her. She turned again just as someone shot a spell toward her, she blocked it with a quick shield charm and shot back her own “Stupefy!” Allowing Hagrid to pull her along, out of the tent to where the the motorbike was waiting. 

“Get it!” He shouted and she did. 

“What about everyone else!?” She yelled and then shot another spell over to stop someone that had a wand pointed at George’s back.

“They’ll get out.” He said and revved the engine, taking off into the sky. She watched at the tent burned and people ran.